GAH! sorry about that....  hopefully this will be legible, and you won't
hold the last send too much against me.

Sorry>_<;;




Enemies of the Crystal State

A Ranma/Trigun/Sailor Moon/Scryed
Fanfic

By Kpjam



Scryed is produced by Sunrise Video, Trigun was Created by Yasuhiro
Naitoh, Ranma is owned and created by Rumiko Takahashi, and Sailor
Moon is owned and Created by Naoko Takeuchi  I'm just playing with
them for a bit since they are such wonderful creations.


Chapter 3: Fight Club

==========


Kimishima drove his jeep down the narrow streets; streets made more narrow
than usual by the never-ending rubble that littered them, a direct
consequence of the ongoing town riot.  He had already been forced to drive
over questionable substances and debris on numerous occasions, wincing in
fear each time he heard a crack, or a pop, or especially that hiss that
seemed to follow them a couple blocks back.  He only had one spare tire
left, and Moriguchi was out of materials to patch anymore, until the next
trader arrived, or they actually went to Nagasaki, the closest town that was
sure to have the required rubber and glue.

"Hurry up!"  Kazuma yelled from next to him.

"Hey!  I'm going as fast as I dare.  If you fuck up any more tires, we'll be
walking all over!" he yelled back, as they rounded another corner, and
bringing them closer to the small house that Kazuma and Kanami shared.
Kimishima was worried, also; the destruction was getting worse as they got
closer to the house.

"It's not my fault you didn't move the car far enough away last time!"

Kimishima snorted in response, ignoring the bait as he concentrated on his
driving and keeping his jeep safe.  Arguing with Kazuma when he was this
obviously worried was futile.

They both believed that Kanami would be safe, but belief didn't preclude
reality.  And there was also the matter of their home, what if that was
destroyed.  Their savings had been there; safeguarded by the young girl who
had apparently nothing to do with Kimishima.  Their rationale had been that
prospective thieves would be attracted to him, and not where their valuables
truly were.

All jobs were arranged through Kimishima, and none were taken that were too
close to town, lest people turn undue attention to them.  The town thought
that Kazuma was a low-life who lived off of Kanami's wages at Natsumi's.
Kimishima kept to himself, posing as a trader to account for his absences
from town.  It was a good use for his jeep, his prized possession, which had
been saved from the war by its storage in a cave outside Osaka.

He had been exploring back before the sudden war, testing his jeep to be
exact, in the mountains outside the city when the jeep had suffered a flat
tire.  After hiding it in a cave, he had hiked to the nearest town only to
directed to a nearby shelter when the evacuation order was given.

Four years ago, after the shelter he was in had opened up, he ran into
Kazuma and Kanami while he was returning for his car.  They had been
together ever since.  Becoming friends and business partners.

Rounding the last corner, he held his breath as the area of land the house
used to stand upon came into view.  "Fuck..." he sighed.

Kazuma leapt from the jeep running towards the crumpled building and
shouting, "Kanami!"

Only a step behind him, Kimishima prayed that Kanami hadn't been near this
place.  He ran through the doorframe, not giving a thought to where the door
was, and into what once was the front hallway.  He looked around at the
remnants of the one story building, which now had neither roof nor walls.  A
few posts stood, making out the framework, while walls laid broken over beds
and floors.

A sigh of relief came forth when Kazuma finished his quick search, coming up
with no signs any injured party.  They shared a look, all that was needed to
put into motion their previously discussed plan.  Kimishima nodded, and
headed towards the floorboard, the false one that miraculously survived
intact, and uncovered by heavy debris.  A fast brushing with his had, a
finger poke to

expose the lever, followed by short jerk revealed a small iron box.  Lifting
it out, he opened it quickly, checking the money contained inside.

Satisfied with the box's content, he walked quietly out to the waiting jeep
and sat down, looking over the destroyed block.  They had been in this town
for three years, slowly gaining acceptance, something he was loath to leave.

Kazuma soon emerged from the ruins, carrying a small duffel bag and wearing
grim expression.  He plopped down in the passenger seat.  "Ready?"

Kimishima checked the glove compartment, and upon seeing what he expected to
see, he closed it quickly and nodded to his partner.

"Vash," he said quietly.

"Vash," Kazuma responded expectantly.

Kimishima didn't need to see Kazuma to know he had smiled and nodded while
speaking, a fierce determination on his face as he massaged his right wrist
and hand.


--------------------------------------


Venus sat stood watching the monstrosity walk away while Mars yelled at and
chased the Mayor.

"So what exactly did those two do?" she asked no one in particular.

One of the men standing around spoke up in a trembling voice.  "They
terrorized the town.  They were the most notorious of the bandits plaguing
this area, stealing and destroying at will, until the mayor showed up a year
ago."

"He disposed of them in moments, returning the area's crime to acceptable
levels.  They were locked in a makeshift jail nearby.  A lot of us had
wanted them hung, but we couldn't think of a way to do it without the
mayor's help, and he wouldn't do it.  Saying that they should serve their
time.  The old man probably doesn't have much time left anyway, but with
them free now... we're doomed!" he wailed, placing both hands to his head
dramatically.

"So that's why you made him mayor, wasn't it?"  Venus had put the pieces
together in her head and ignored the man's crybaby attitude.

The affirmative nod was his only response to her query, his chattering jaw
rendering him incapable of speech.

"We have to go stop them!  Mars!  Come on, you can fry him later."

The Senshi of Fire jerked as her name was called, glaring at the man she had
been enthusiastically throwing fire at, while he had been commenting on her
form.

She nodded and they started running in the direction the Nebraskas had gone
off in.

They sprinted; belated realizing how much ground the huge man could cover.
A long low-pitch whistle, the sound of a steam engine starting, followed by
the sound of large amounts of displaced air, spurred them on faster.

They turned a corner into a small plaza as the sound of destruction reached
their ears.  With mouths agape, they all skidded to a halt, looking at the
pulverized building across from them.

"Oh. God."  Saturn gaped, when she looked at the remnants of the building.

"Everyone get away!  It's dangerous here.  Vash is too dangerous for you to
be around!" Mars began yelling to the crowd hovering around the spectacle
like vultures.  Venus dismissed her friend's action and focused in on
display presented in front of her.

"Bingo!" the crazed elder Nebraska yelled while bouncing around in his
little cab.  "It was easy!  Too Easy!  Are you sunk after only one shot?!"

He began cackling as a conveyor on the son's back began spinning.  A
horrible grinding sound was heard as the huge right fist of the titan was
dragged out of the rubble.  As it was slowly reeled in, Venus could only
watch it transfixed horror, while it was dragged, rending a huge gash in the
ground, until it finally popped back into its place, attached to the titan's
forearm.

"Stop it!"  Venus yelled as she regained some of her bearings, outraged at
the lack of humanity displayed.

The little man sitting on the behemoth's shoulder turned to regard her.
"Stop!?  HA!  Who would stop for sixty trillion Yen?!"  He broke out into a
fresh pale of laughter.

Venus' face reddened as her outrage exploded.  She quickly glanced over at
her friends, getting Mars' attention with a fierce growl.  The other girl
turned at the noise that had interrupted her attempt to convince the gawkers
to leave for their own safety.  Sharing a determined nod they turned to face
the duo and prepared to stop this outrage.

Just then, the sound of shifting lumber and mortar was heard from the
wreckage and all looked towards the ruined building, watching as first one
board began to rise into the air, followed shortly by another.

A crowd had slowly gathered, called by the sounds of destruction, and all
present stopped and stared as the rubble shifted to the side, moved by the
slowly rising beams. A small hope formed in their hearts as the considered
the possibility that perhaps someone might have survived, and maybe the
hulking brute and his father hadn't extinguished all life that had been in
that building.

Venus held her breath as the wooden plank was dropped, revealing Ranma
clutching a small girl to his chest.  She felt her heart skip a beat upon
seeing him and resisted an urge to run to him right away.

The glare he leveled at the Nebraska's scared her and she wished fervently
that no one ever level such a look at her.

"Waa haa!  Now that's more like it!"  The elder Nebraska hollered.

The other pillar dropped then, revealing Vash cradling an unconscious woman
in his arms.


--------------------------


Ranma protectively held the unconscious girl, trying to calm himself and
attend to the matter at hand, the injured people in a destruction zone.  He
wanted to drop the girl and go beat on Vash, but yet that hysterically
laughing old geezer and the huge man he rode upon made that choice
inappropriate.  He could go beat the odd couple, but that might allow Vash
to escape and would still leave people trapped here.  Then, there were the
women to consider, and as much as he may enjoy the stress relief, his
conscious wouldn't allow them to remain in the ruins, laying upon the broken
glass, wood, and concrete.

"Ahh!  So you haven't lost yet!" the wizened old man shouted.  "Great, this
should be more fun now!"

Prudence and compassion slowly defeated his other desires in a tough battle
of his will.  He glared at the strange duo, mentally thinking of ways in
which to hurt them badly, as he slowly walked out of the debris, taking care
to be gentle with his young fragile cargo.

"Mr. Nice guy!  Mr. Compassion!"  The sound of his voice grated on Ranma's
ears, each word chipping away at his not-so-legendary patience.

He heard a sifting in the ruble, emanating from behind him.  He refused to
look; worried that if he did his resolve would break, placing those he
sought to protect into greater jeopardy.  The same thoughts that kept him
from responding to the old bastard on the shoulder kept him walking steady
and straight.  If he allowed his concentration to wander, he knew he would
attack, either Vash or the cackling old man.  Either action would be another
failure on his part.  It would mean he was turning his back on his duty to
protect; a duty he had failed once too often in the past.

"What!  Two heros!"

"So which one of you _is_ Vash the stampede?"

Ranma chose again to remain silent, ignoring the man and his inquires, lest
he let his temper get the better of him.

"What's the matter boys?  You chickening out?  It doesn't matter to me who's
who. Gofsef will destroy both of you!"

That got Ranma's back up.  In mid-stride, he turned to face the pair,
glowering at them while shaking in fury.   The bouncing of his passenger
brought him back from the edge of his fury.  As he reconcentrated on his
first task, the safety of those women, he turned away and continued his
work.

"Time limit!"  The old man's attempt at a shout grated on Ranma's ear.  The
piercing, wet sounding shriek spoke of someone who either smoked his whole
life, or had abused his vocal cords through a lifetime of over-talking.
"Maybe this will get you talking.  Throw the fear of God into him, Gofsef!"

The roar of an engine was heard.  Ranma turned to regard the annoyance, and
watched the fist begin to twirl.  A moment later the launch was heard as he
witnessed that the fist was speeding towards him through the air.

Sliding, he easily avoided the projectile, feeling the jarring impact as it
struck the spot he had just vacated.  Debris flew everywhere, turning the
air into a shrapnel filled dust bowl.  Cursing to himself, he watched as
fresh flecks of blood appeared on Kanami's face while her head involuntarily
twitched from the tiny impacts.  As soon as he had gathered his legs beneath
himself, he leapt straight up, escaping from the hazardous predicament.


------------------------


"Bastard!"  Venus shouted when she saw the fist flying towards Ranma.

"Wait, Ladies!"  The three senshi stopped and watched as the Mayor jumped in
front of them.

The three stopped and watched the old man removed a large jar from his
lapels,
but it might as well have come from thin air for the size was too large to
actually fit in his coat without being seen.

"I can't let you place your lovely bodies in harms way!"  Removing the lid,
he
sent the contents at their feet, yelling, "Lovely Goddesses Safety
Treatment!"

Venus cringed and tried to jump back, only to have the liquid cover her feet
and
legs.  After the momentary flinch, she glared at the obnoxious man who was
standing in front of them and looking extremely pleased with himself.

"What the hell...?!"  Mars yelled from next to Venus.

Venus attempted to move, only to find her feet pinned in place as the liquid
hardened fastening her feet in place.


---------------------------------------


Ranma landed safely, alighting softly upon the fist that had been hurled at
him.
He looked sharply at the old man cackling in the cab; who was apparently
amused
at he show he had witnessed.

"Well, maybe you are Vash, Boy.  So when are you going to stop pretending to
protect these people and fight me?  I have money to collect!"

Ranma jerked and a desire to beat that smirk off of the old man's face
caused
his body to vibrate slightly with outrage.  He took a deep breath, calming
himself and allowing his mind to focus on the safety of the small girl
cradled in his arms.

"So you won't kill.  You're disgusting!  However that makes you a hypocrite!
I
know that at some point you've killed those who have given you a hard time!
You
know how I know?  Because you haven't yet had your turn to be killed.  The
reward on your head is proof.  What do you say to that?"

He snorted, dismissing the man from his mind and jumped off the hand,
continuing
his.  He ignored the sound of the hand being retracted, concentrating on
keeping
a level head, when so many emotions were fighting for dominion.

Reaching a place he considered safe, he placed the young girl down.  He
removed
the small apron she was wearing, folded it twice, and then placed it under
her head, offering her some small comfort on the small ground.

He glared once more at the old man before returning quickly to the remains
of the
diner. Hopefully he would be successful in bringing all the women that had
been in
there to safety.  They had appeared alive, from his quick scan before, but
he
couldn't be sure.

He stopped momentarily when he saw Vash approaching him, carrying a woman in
his
arms.  Dismissing the look of concern on the other's face, Ranma quickly
walked
past him and then ignored the look of sadness that formed on his enemy as he
was
passing.  Dismissing the incongruity between Vash's mannerisms and Ranma's
knowledge of the man, he swiftly continued towards the wreckage.


------------------------------------


Saturn was annoyed... no, actually she was pissed.  The dreadful mayor had
trapped
them in place, openly leering at them.  Her mind worked for a solution as
her feet
continued to struggle in a futile attempt at freeing her legs.   Magic, the
solution foremost in her mind, was ineffective for this type of problem.
Brute strength was proving futile, as she continued to struggle against the
paste that was binding her.  She let out an uncharacteristic growl as she
looked at the source of her current captivity.

"I see that you're all safe now," the man giggled as he continued to leer.
"Menchi!"

The shout seemed to cause a commotion in the crowd that had gathered.   A
young
boy came running out of it, as it parted to give him free access, like they
the
people were afraid to impede him at all.  His face was a twist in lustful
expectation, an expression Saturn was used to seeing on dirty old men, not a
twelve-year-old boy.

"I'm here, Pops!"  He shouted jubilantly as he stopped even with the old
bastard.

Saturn blinked.  "Pops!?" she yelled simultaneous with her comrades.  The
boy
stood a few inches taller than the man did.  There was also the extreme age
difference.  The Mayor appeared a century over the age of death, much too
ancient for child bearing.  The fleeting thought of the process that was
required to birth the boy caused Saturn to grimace, before she frantically
tried to burn that thought out of her mind.

"Yup.  This is my pride and joy, Menchi, my son."  The Mayor reached his arm
up, stretching slightly to place it around the younger boy, and shook him
familiarly.

"Thanks, dad."  Menchi blushed slightly.  A lopsided grin replaced the feral
leer that had been there moments before, making the boy look less homely and
more normal.

"You know what to do now, don't you?"  The Mayor asked seriously.

"Yup.  Time for the Kocho Ranbu!"  Menchi leered again and raised his fist
in
the air.

"You make an old man so proud!"  The Mayor declared while wiping a tear from
his
eye.  "But... No!" He straightened, extending a hand to the heaven.  "First,
the
Skirts!"

A look of confusion adorned the younger man's face as he turned to regard
his
father, looking like a lost sheep searching for the guide dog to lead him
home.

Lukkosai began fishing around in his coat, calmly looking for something.
"Yes!"
His hand stopped moving, apparently his search had proven successful.  "The
skirts are too long!"

He raised his hand triumphantly, brandishing a pair of long scissors.

Saturn looked at the items nervously, blinking as the sun reflected off of
them.  Squinting, as the reflected sunlight kept dancing in and out of her
eyes, she watched as the scissors slowly approached, followed closely by
Menchi, the pervert in training.  She watched in horror as the man stopped
in front of Mars.

"Don't you dare you bastard," Mars growled.

"Your outfits are almost perfect, Dearie, but not quite," the Mayor said
lecherously.  Shivers traveled down Saturn's spine as she heard the scissors
being employed and Mars' screams of outrage and profanity.


------------------------------


Ranma watched as Vash placed the second to last lady onto the ground, next
to the other unconscious women.  Ranma was currently carrying the last,
walking slightly more wiftly than was prudent, considering the indefinite
condition of his passenger.

He was trying to control his emotions, his excitement most of all.
Regarding him uncertainly stood one of the objects of his suffering, with a
strange mix of nostalgia, sympathy, and confusion playing out across his
face and eyes.  Ranma returned the look with a hard stare, trying to kill
the betrayer with his eyes, and express his desires and intents to the other
man through his gaze.

Vash sighed and his eyes hardened, a look of determination took up residence
on his goofy mug.  A display that Ranma rarely remembered seeing upon his
one time
brother's face.

Ranma further quickened his pace as Vash moved away from the women, back
towards
him, but now facing the other threat.

"So you bleeding hearts are finally ready to fight," the old man whined.

Ranma rushed as quickly as he could, placing the woman down softly he moved
to take up a position next to Vash.

"You can't stop a car moving at 120 miles an hour!"  The euphoric shout of
the old geezer rang across the space between them.

"An uncontrollable car you mean.  Like you could hit me!"  He boasted,
having enough of the fool and his 'boy'.

"Feh, You've felt it twice already.  Even your measly brains can realize
it's pointless.  My son's fist is a force to be reckoned with!" he cackled
loudly.

"This is your last chance to run.  Although, no matter how fast you run, the
next thing you know you'll be in tiny pieces!"

Ranma sighed, annoyed at the cheap monologue of the geezer.

"Now pay attention.  I'm about to lecture you on how big a fool you both
really
are!"

Ranma reached up and rubbed his temple, wiping the sweat and the dust from
his brow while yawning, hoping the damn idiot would get to the point.

"Using this!  Ignore me will you!"

The roaring of the motor, controlling Gofsef's fist, filled the air. Ranma
looked up and tensed his muscles as he glanced at Vash, uncomfortable with
the man currently at his side.

"My Human Mincemeat Special Cutter!"

Readying his body to move, Ranma relaxed his stance and shifted his weight
to his toes, allowing for quick movement in any direction.  "Fuck," he
swore, when the monster rotated his arm.  A quick glance confirmed that the
fist was aimed at the women he had just spent all his time attempting to
save.

"Go help them, quick.  And then _die_ in the most humiliating way!" Pops
Nebraska began chuckling evilly.


-----------------


The jeep sped through the empty and ruined streets, chasing the explosions
that had been heard across town.  Fidgeting in his seat, Kazuma was worried,
the explosions had apparently originated from the area that Natsumi's
occupied.  Much too close to Kanami for his comfort, even if he would deny
speaking of it if asked.

"Speed up!" he growled out.

"I am!"  Kimishima yelled, frustration tinging his voice.

They sat in silence for a while as the town sped past them for the last
time, if things went as planned.  Kazuma considered the town, wondering if
they would have accepted him had they known his secret.  He realized they
would have treated him as the last town did, as a pariah, a freak, something
to be destroyed.  But hope still had a weird way of worming itself into his
thoughts.

He looked at his right arm, psyching himself up to use it publicly, in front
of Kanami potentially.  If their prize was there, he would probably have to
unveil it.  A lifetime of riches awaited him, what did he care what the
townspeople thought, or Kanami for that matter.

As long as she was safe.  That's all that mattered.  He absently rolled his
hand over his wrist, his fist.  The gift, or curse, that had helped them
survive was waiting for it's called.  It hadn't let him down yet, it was
unstoppable, indestructible, and therefore, so was he.

They neared the small plaza that the restaurant resided on.   Kazuma leaned
forward in his seat, hands gripping the roll bars, ready to pull himself up
and out of the vehicle in a moments notice if needs be.

His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, searching for a sign of life.  He
wondered if the town was already dead?  If it had imploded under the attempt
to apprehend the criminal Vash, without having the ability to do it.   If
they caught him or not, it didn't matter.  It might even be better if he had
been captured.  Stealing him would be easier than trying to capture him
along with the rest of this town.

They approached the last intersection before the plaza, moving at a snail's
pace.  At least it felt that way, when compared to his racing heart.  He
began to rise, stopping in a weird half-crouched position, suspended by the
roll bars.  He leaned to his right, trying to get a better angle, catch a
view of the plaza as soon as possible.  The sounds of people began to reach
his ears, a wizened voice was the most prominent, although the words were
indistinguishable. All of a sudden the voices were cut-off, replaced by the
roar of an engine of some kind, reminding him of an airplane, when those
were still prevalent.

"Kanami!"  His heart lurched when they turned the corner, revealing a
nightmarish scene.  A huge monster stood in the center of the plaza, aiming
a huge twirling blunt object at a group of women lying on the ground, Kanami
among them.

"Go help them, quick.  And then _die_ in the most humiliating way!"  A voice
originating from the monster yelled, as the projectile was launched from his
arm, heading straight towards helpless women.


--------------------


"Saotome Tandem Attack!  Now!"  Vash's yell jarred Ranma from his momentary
inaction.  He was bombarded by memories and emotions of his childhood, most
noticeably his pride from the simple attack.  The attack was something they
had come up with as children, specifically to protect the weak and innocent
from the gluttonous Genma.

Instinct and fear for the innocent overwrote his annoyance and disgust for
Vash and his calling for an attack they had developed together when they
_were_ brothers.  Ranma stopped and pivoted, clasping hands with the leaping
Vash, he spun with all his speed, throwing the other man at the speeding
fist.

Faster than most people could see, Vash threw four tiny throwing daggers,
embedding them all into one side of the flying fist as he hurtled towards
it.

Ranma stopped to watch the spectacle, too far removed to be of any
assistance.
He noticed the wires that were attached to the throwing-knives and led into
the
folds of Vash's coat as the approached impact with the fist.

A long stiletto knife appeared in Vash's hand, as he reared back and struck,
sinking the twelve-inch implement into the fist as he impacted against the
side, and stuck to it.

Ranma watched in disbelief as the impact along with the weight, unbalanced
the
fist of destruction and sent it off course.  The women that had been the
original targets, laid, cowering as the instrument of their death veered of
course, crashing down next to them and skidding harmlessly into another
building, Vash and all.

A sigh of relief escaped him as he turned to the bastard in the saddle.

"You think it's that easy do you!" he shrieked, shock evident on his face.
"Gofsef!"  The lumbering mass of man took a step in the direction of Ranma,
as the conveyor belt that was attached to the fist began spinning,
retrieving the pair's single method of attack.

"Bastard!  Think I'll let you get away that crap! The Shock of the First
Bullet!"  Ranma heard the voice from behind the Nebraskas, but dismissed it
as he let fly with a couple of throwing knives in quick succession.

Flying swiftly through the air, he smirked, congratulating himself on his
aim, knowing this fight was now only going to be a nuisance.  He ran in
after them, satisfaction filling him as they each hit their respective
marks, one on the tether that was reeling in the fist snapping it instantly,
the other on the pipe that provided the fist with its propulsion.

"What?!"  the geezer shrieked as Gofsef let out an inhuman whine and lurched
forward, planting his face in the ground.

Ranma, who had moved a little too close to the lumbering behemoth, had to
dive out of the fall zone.  Rolling to a stop he looked up to see Gofsef
flat on his face, with a boy standing over him, breathing labored and
looking at the fallen women.

A pleased expression adorned the maroon-headed boy's face, as he felted his
right arm up.  The arm was the most miraculous thing about the boy, it
looked like it was encased in a red-plated gauntlet with a gold streak down
the center of it, that seemed to extending up to the fins sticking out of
the upped arm, just below the shoulder.  He otherwise appeared normal,
shabby clothing consisting of a gray and silver jack covering worn pants and
shirt.

He considered the newcomer for a moment, surprised to see an Alter in
person.  Alters were a secretive lot, hiding both their abilities and
identities, to use one so openly meant the boy had no fear, or no brains.
Ranma had heard they were super-human, and formidable fighters, but had yet
to meet one himself.  He looked forward to testing himself against one
someday; regular opponents proved little challenge for him anymore.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted something strange, momentarily
forestalling him from searching for Vash.  Standing across the small plaza,
the three women from earlier were doing battle with two children, and not
doing well.  The thought of helping them crossed his mind.  Only to be
dismissed when he noticed the nature of the attacks the boys were using.
Trying not to chuckle he ran in search of his opponent.


--------------------------


Mars was trembling with rage, something she had been doing for some time
now.  Her skirt, which was short to begin with, was now a narrow strip of
fabric around her waist.  She refused to think about the travesties that the
two had already committed upon her clothing, or the fact that they hadn't
stopped at trimming her skirt length.  A small breeze cooled parts of her
anatomy that should be covered, she growled, as she again trued to keep her
skirt down, protecting her modesty as best she could.

The little perverts had successfully avoided her attempted attacks, which
were inhibited by her lack of mobility.  She had never before tried to
attack someone behind her, and the results were less than spectacular.  Her
aim was way off as she twisted and contorted her body to attempt each shot.
Further hampering her was the fact that her misses were coming dangerously
close to the townspeople.

She growled in annoyance at the spectators, annoyed because they were
sitting around watching both fights, without helping anyone.

The dirty duo left her fuming as they went to work on Saturn and Venus.  She
could literally feel her blood boiling as pieces of cloth fell to the ground
under Venus.   The blonde was having even less success with her attacks,
than Mars had enjoyed, wrapping herself in her chain on one occasion.  They
were quickly done with Venus and now standing in front of Saturn.

"Yes!" Mars cheered, watching Saturn use the blunt end of her glaive on the
youngest's groin.  If she could have, she would have run over and taunted
the little pervert while he lay writhing on the ground.

"Argg," he cried.

"Son, how many times have I told you to be careful, even the gentlest
looking flower always has thorns, and should be appreciated for them."  He
spoke seriously, lecturing the younger boy, who still seemed more interested
in his privates than his father.

"Alright, if you stop groveling on the ground like a wussy boy, I let you
practice on this one."

As if by magic, Menchi leapt up.  The glaive moved as well, speeding towards
the boy's scrotum again.

Mars internally cheered, only to be disappointed when the deviant successful
dodged this time, landing next to his father.

The boy stood next to his father, noticeably squeezing his legs together,
smiling and holding out his hand.  "You promised!" he whined.

With a sigh from Lukkosai, the scissors were handed from father to son.  Who
in turn went to work on the skirt length of the last sailor.  Said senshi,
violently swung her oversized ball buster in an attempt to meet justice out
on the kid.  Her results were the same as the others, useless, as her skirt
was transformed from a mini skirt into a hand towel in a matter of moments.

The boy then looped a finger under Saturn's panties, placing the scissors
against the girl's unblemished alabaster skin.

"Remember to cut the seams.  Otherwise, we can't sew them back together
properly!" the elder pervert instructed in a lecturing tone.

"I know.  I know," the whiny reply sent an additional shiver of outrage down
the senshi of Mars' spine.

Mars cringed when the cut was made, remembering when it had happened to her.
She still had no idea how her bra was stolen, as they apparently didn't need
to use the scissors for it.  A quick squeeze of her breast and a slight burn
along her side, had been the only things she had felt when her bra had been
pilfered.

"You can keep that one, Son," the old man said.

Menchi smiled, stuffing the piece into his pocket.  "Can I try for the bra
as well?" he asked excitedly.

"Sure, go for it."

Enraged past her endurance, she watched as they defamed the youngest of her
friends, the baby of the group, the member of their team they protected
almost as fiercely as the protected their Queen.  She was now under attack
and Mars was standing here, useless in protecting her friend.

Her control snapped, as she produced a corona of real fire around her,
wrapping
herself protectively in the spontaneous ball of flames.

"Bastards!" she yelled, as she concentrated her rage at the two men.  The
flames
around her started erupting violently, as a visible stream of fire could be
seen, condensing and coalescing into a small ball, held protective in her
hands.

"Die!"  The impromptu attack phrase was all the warning Venus needed to
duck, as the solid ball of molten flame flew at the young man, whose head
was buried in Saturn's chest, while Saturn's free hand grasped for juvenile
violator.

The consequences of the attack and the unknown quantities of it only
occurred to
Mars after the attack has left her hands.

Saturn, in a moment made up of luck and quick thinking, had successfully
grasped
the unwanted guest in her bosom, and flung him away directly at the oncoming
attack.

The result was spectacular.  Contact between the young pervert and the pure
essence of fire detonated in a wonderful crescendo of sound and colors.
Mars was forced to turn away and dive for cover, along with everyone else in
that small area, as the heat of the flames washed over her.

A second later she realized she had moved.  Looking at her feet, she saw a
few
flakes from the glue.  Realizing the heat of her aura must have dried it out
making it no longer effective, she looked at her friends, wincing as she saw
them struggling to regain their feet and balance while their feet were still
rooted in place, looking like people who had just been in an explosion.
Their hair was frizzled, and while there was no additional loss of clothing,
what did remain, looked sooty and burned, with the occasional rip throughout
their blouses.

"You...  You...  Mean women!  Look what you did to my poor Menchi!  He was
only trying to show his appreciation for your beauty!" the Mayor wailed,
kneeling over his unconscious son.

Mars frowned, ignoring the childish man she ran over to her friends, intent
on removing them from their constraints.

"You, okay?"  She asked Venus, while she bent down, carefully keeping
herself unexposed.  A small flame flickered into existence between her
hands.

"All things considered, I'm great," Venus answered tiredly.

Mars ignored the reply as she buried her anxiety and applied the heat to the
glue, which looked brittle already.  It only took a few seconds before large
cracks began forming in the foundation, and she was forced to sit back as a
foot exploded out of the small mound, heading straight for her face.

Landing on her rear, she felt dust and debris where it should never be felt
and
scowled at Venus.  "Watch it!"

"Sorry."  Venus hung her head and began to flick the remaining paint of her
legs.

Quickly rising, Mars stood and trotted over to Saturn, quickly freeing her
friend.


--------------------------


The dust and debris had settled around the giant fist.  The words, "Beat ME!
Just do it!" had been written on in, along with an outline of Vash's face.
Chuckling in spite of himself, he began looking for the figure in question.
A trail in the dust and debris was his lead, as he followed it for a short
distance to find Vash sitting on his ass, looking blankly at him.

"Nice save," Ranma said.

"Nice throw," Vash responded, scratching the back of his head.

Crouching, Ranma brought his fists into a ready stance, offering Vash a
warning  this time, a courtesy owed from his assistance moments before.  A
courtesy Knives hadn't given him, but one owed Vash.

Vash's expression saddened, as he took a deep breath and sighed. "I won't
fight you, brother," he said resolutely, emphasizing the last word, while
looking at Ranma with pleading eyes.

"Then die."  Ranma sentenced the man as he took a fateful step forward.  He
saw the flinch in his adversary and he pounced, moving quickly, despite the
strain he had already undergone this day.

He started with a straight punch, remembering the result of the fight
earlier this day; no resistance was expected until his fist had connected
with Vash's jaw.

Surprised, followed quickly by delight were his overwhelming feelings when a
very good forearm block stopped his arm.  Looking over their arms, he
smirked at his adversary.

"So.  You're finally going to fight?"  A look of contempt graced Ranma's
face.  It would be more fun now, that there was actual resistance.

"I'll defend my self until you listen to me," the resolute response was
delivered forcefully.

Ranma threw another exploratory punch, which was blocked cleanly.  "I'll
listen as long as you still live!"  He roared as he swept the other man's
legs.

Vash jumped back cleanly, a look of determination crossing his face.  "You
can kill me after I finish taking care of our other brother."

Ranma was stunned, unsure of what to make of the statement.  His mind
whirled while trying to decipher the trick in the words.  He finally decided
that Vash was crazy or stupid.  One of those things, or both, must be true
if he expected him to fall for such a blatant lie.

"How about... first I kill you!  Then...  _I_ go kill your brother!"


----------------------------------------


Mars stood next to the recently freed Saturn, looking at the old man sobbing
onto his son's chest.

"I guess I should make sure he's okay."  Saturn said with a small sigh and
proceeded to walk over to the still unconscious boy.

Saturn approached and knelt across from the old man.  Unnoticed by him, she
checked the pulse of the young boy, who had been groping her cleavage a few
moments ago.

"How is he?"  Rei asked.

"He's only unconscious," Saturn called back, relief in her voice.  He hadn't
done anything bad enough to die for, although she hoped that this would
teach him a lesson in proper manners.

Concentrating, and calling forth her healing magic, Saturn placed her hands
upon
the boys exposed arm.  She felt the soft tingle in her hands, and
concentrated
on the new feelings she was being sent; a link between her magic and her.
Something she had practiced with, and cultivated, allowing her to heal
faster and use less energy than before, thus saving more.  She could heal
with a precision that surprised her, allowing her to expend only enough
energy to save people's lives.  The ability had come in extremely handy
during the first few years of the war, allowing her save countless lives in
construction accidents.

She felt the most threatening of problems start to correct itself, a mental
image of internal arteries knitting themselves back together brought joy to
her
heart.

"Menchi, how are you doing?"  Lukkosai anxiously asked.

A small smile came to her face when she heard the man's concern and caring
for his son, thinking that he might not be all bad.  She also enjoyed being
respected for her gift, instead of the scorn and derision she had received
at a younger age.

"Ah...  What happened?'  The boy sat up, rubbing his hand through his
scorched
hair.

"You were hit by a fireball.  But this nice lady saved you," he responded,
indicating Saturn.

A smile blossomed on Saturn's face as she received the feint praise and
acknowledgment of her actions.   She stood, satisfied with a hob well done.

"Thanks, Lady," Menchi said brightly, leering again at Saturn's healthiness.

Frowning, she tensed herself, responding to the quite unhealthy look upon
the young pervert's face.  She wondered if she had healed him too much.

"Thank her properly, Young Man," The Mayor ordered.

"Okay.  Thank you!" he yelled as he launched himself at Saturn's cleavage.

Saturn, prepared and practiced, caught the little monster in her hands,
turning she threw him as far as she could, and achieved impressive distance
with her efforts.  She noticed in her follow-through two figures in the
distance fighting.

"Hey!  He was only trying to show his appreciation!"  Lukkosai huffed,
ignored by the woman as she made out Ranma and Vash.

"Crap!  We have to stop them!" she yelled as she began to run, not waiting
for Mars, who followed right away.

Lukkosai screamed, "Wait!  I need to chastise you for treating my son so
poorly!"

Having moved in behind the old pervert, Minako attacked.  Putting her magic
chain to good use, she hog-tied the pig of a man, leaving him struggling and
straining against his magical bonds.  She took an extra second to check her
handiwork before racing after her two friends.


-------------------


Ranma rushed at the other man, throwing a combination of punches that were
designed to draw out the opponent's defenses.  He knew Vash knew this
combination, but he didn't believe Vash knew the correct counter, having
changed the attack slightly over the years.

They exchanged blows with Vash protecting in the pattern that was expected.
Grunts of exertion were heard coming from the other man, as Ranma sped up
the attack.   Another cycle of attacks and he would be ready.

"I would never hurt you."

The words struck like blows as Ranma faltered for a second, but only a
second.  Not responding to the lies, he picked up the pattern without delay,
the opening would be there in a second.

The opening appeared, and Ranma took it, a knife thrust to the unprotected
stomach.  Exalted, Ranma felt the wonderful feeling of his hand striking
flesh, and pushing in intestines.

Cringing, Vash spun away as Ranma followed up his hit with a barrage of
punches to his Vash's face, scoring a few hits as the other boy dodged and
retreated to establish space between them.  Space, Ranma was reluctant in
giving, pressing the boy heavily.

Suddenly, Vash leapt forward, over the surprised Ranma.  Ranma leaned back,
following the soaring boy with his eyes as he turned, and began running to
the most likely point of landing.

"Dammit!  I had nothing to do with the explosion!"   Vash yelled from the
air, face bruised and hand still resting on his side.

Ranma slowed his advance, Vash's words reaching the small part of his
feelings and thoughts that wished the man's words were true.  He watched his
adversary land less than perfectly, five feet away.  A look of sadness,
maybe remorse was etched on his face.

"Believe me.  I would have stopped it if I had known."  The softly spoken
words
were laced with regret.

Ranma considered for a moment, before moving towards Vash, fists clenched as
the
rage he felt rose, fanned by the words of this liar!

Failing to hear the footsteps until too late, Ranma was tackled.  His slight
movement forward, along with the body that slammed into him from behind,
sent him rolling forward.  Limbs were entangled as he and his unwanted
tumbling partner rolled along the ground, until they collided with a stone
slab.  Ranma would have recognized it as a stone slab, if he had been able
to see anything.  He had reflexively closed his eyes at impact, but prior to
that he had been concentrating on halting his movement, and not the
positioning of his attacker.

The lack of movement caused him to open his eyes and look curiously at a
woman's flesh and hair.  He realized that she had landed on top of him, and
he could see her legs stretching out above his head, which was covered by a
wisp of cloth, apparently, the remnants of a skirt.

A sudden movement by the person he was entangled with and he found his nose
stuck into the folds of his unknown assailant, a place he knew it shouldn't
be.  He gasps involuntarily, inhaling a rich aroma and small fine hairs.  He
closed his eyes as the person apparently sat up, using his face as a sitting
stool.

A screech sounded pierced the strange silence that had settled on the town.
Ranma suddenly found himself able to breathe again and he squinted,
protecting his eyes from the sudden sunlight.

"MARS!"

He turned to face the source of the call and groaned when he saw two of the
cheerleader chicks.


-----------------


Kanami stood as steadily as she could while waiting for Kazuma to reach her.
Most couldn't see it, but she noticed the looked of relief that showed on
his face.  She noted with interest his right arm and hand, currently encased
in metal.  Disquiet crept into her body, causing her eyes to dart to his
face, and witness his slight flinch as she met his gaze.   She had
suspicions before, but had written them of as unfounded fears.  Fear... not
for herself, but for him.

She had heard the rumors about Alters being hunted, rounded up and taken
away.  Where they went, no one was sure.  Some said it was the Evil Queen in
Tokyo who
was behind it, bringing them to her side, readying them as an army of
invaders
to take over the entire island.  Others had said it was the work of a few
dedicated
scientists who were intent on studying them for use in some wild
experiments.
There was also a recent rumor of an organization that had been formed to
stomp them out; supposedly made up of alters who were policing there own,
taking
those whom were worthy and discarding the rest.

Despite the rumors, the only truth she knew was that Kazuma was one and he
had hid it from her.  She had seen an alter before, many months ago.  He had
come by town, looking to pluck their meager belongs from them.  His later
had been a robot, that had destroyed the town gate when it had been closed.
A futile attempt at barring the hooligans way.  The mayor had made some kind
of deal with the man.  Sending him away and further cementing Lukkosai's
hold on the isolated village.

"So you're okay," he said nonchalantly.

Nodding quickly, she looked into Kazuma's eyes and tried to convey the
sympathy
and caring she felt.

He looked away from her, an action that worried her.

"Kazu-kun..."

"So, you know now...  Well, that's fine. "

"Kazu-kun," she said worriedly.

"No!  It's Kazuma, The Shell Bullet."  He took a couple steps away.  "I've
got to go do some stuff."

She watched as he ran off, leaving her stunned and confused.


-------------


Venus had run after the others as quickly as she could, arriving on the
scene as Mars tumbled on the ground with Ranma.  As she winced in, she
watched them rolling down a gentle incline, only to be stopped by a decent
sized remnant of some wall.

Mars had ended up sitting astride Ranma, as the other girl appeared to be
gathering her bearings.  A strange look came over the Senshi of Fire, as her
eyes widened in shock or surprise, which was immediately followed by her
moving faster than she had ever seen the girl move before.

Mars was actually shuddering.  A sight that set Venus's curiosity ablaze as
she wondered what the problem could have been.  A soft breeze coupled with
the feeling of fresh air where she knew she shouldn't feel it set off the
figurative light bulb in her head.  With her eyes bulging and face
brightening, she looked at her friend and stared, shuddering involuntarily,
but not entirely from revulsion.

"Will you girls just stay the Hell out of my fight!"

The words yelled in anger drew her attention to Ranma, who stood next to the
partial wall, glowering at Mars, and repeatedly flicking his hand across his
mouth.

"Will you just grow up!" Rei yelled back.  "Real adults don't go around
trying to kill people!"

Ranma stood, face coloring with anger as his eyes widened in apparent
outrage.  "Me!  Me not an adult...  Hah!  I not the one running around in a
skimpy skirt without any panties!"

A burst of heat came from Mars as fire formed a small corona around the
upset senshi.  She sputtered, attempting to speak but failing.

"Let's all calm down and talk this through," Saturn called from her position
in front of Vash.  Venus watched as Vash looked on, over her shoulder.  His
face was unreadable, a mixture of curiosity and sadness.

"I'll calm down as soon as you ladies get out of my way!" Ranma riposted
while he crossed his arms over his chest, a defiant pose.

"Ladies, please let us settle this among ourselves," Vash's gentle voice
broke the momentary silence.

A small self-satisfied smirk crossed Ranma's face.  The little she had seen
of Vash, made her doubt Ranma's claims and she felt a calm discussion where
grievances where aired and discussed could bring about a peaceful
resolution.  Most would call it woman's intuition, but she would call it
faith.  And she had faith that this could all be worked out... if they would
only stop and listen!  "This fighting is useless.  Will you both just listen
to each other?!"

The eyes of the other's all fell onto her, as she looked defiantly at Ranma.
She hoped that... she didn't know what she hoped...  She only knew that
violence wasn't the answer, especially in this case.

Her heart sank as his face hardened and he walked away from the girls,
creating space between them.

"Are you ready, Vash?"  The solemn inquiry issued by Ranma to his opponent
hit her hard.  She felt her heartbeat speedup and her lungs constrict
signifying the
doubt she has in her own instincts and the irrational feeling of
disappointment
in Ranma.

The other man nodded and walked with Ranma.  A brief glance was spared to
the Saturn, and he mouthed something to the girl she couldn't catch.

Feet moving, she started to jog after the two men, Saturn and Mars moving in
to flank her short run.  Fifty yards down the road; they stopped at an
intersection and watched the fight commence.

"They'll be fine, we'll stop it before anyone dies."

The strong words supplied by the youngest of the trio assuaged some of her
worries, but her heart still raced as she watched Ranma land the first
furious blows.


------------------------------


Kanami stood looking in the direction Kazuma had left, stunned and
bewildered by the short conversation she had shared with him.  She didn't
understand what he
had meant or worse, what he intended.  She didn't know if his words and
actions
were a rejection of her, or simply unveiling the truth, but she feared the
worst.

"He'll be okay."

She turned as the soft voice of Kimishima broke her of her musings, looking
up into his face, and watching as his steady eyes followed the path that
Kazuma was
taking.

"He didn't want you to know," he continued.

"Why?"

"He felt you would look down on him or hate him.  Like the rest of the
world."  He said the words with a seriousness she was unaccustomed to and
unprepared
for.

As precarious a situation as it felt like, the words offered little comfort
as she turned to regard the empty path Kazuma had employed.  Wondering what
the future meant for them both as his words and actions of this day sunk in.

"Let's go," Kimishima said, breaking the silence.  "We've go to get going if
we're going to get to the cave ahead of Kazuma."

"Huh?" she said, confusion evident in her voice.  "Meet Kazuma?"

"Yeah.  We have to go know.  He's got an errand to run and a pick up to
make, then we're on our way to Easy Street.  More money that we could ever
spend in three of our lifetimes."

"He's not in any danger is she," voice cracking as worry began to gnaw at
her.

"He'll be fine.  Don't worry, let's go," his cheery reply did wonders for
her mood, beginning to hope that things would turn out all right.

"EEP!" she yelled suddenly.  Hopping forward, she blushed, and rubbed her
bottom.   She spun quickly upon landing, and sought out her tormentor,
knowing without looking that it was Menchi.

"Kanami-chan!  HI!"

Ducking out of the way, a movement learned with practice, she watched as a
slightly charred and battered young boy stumbled past her.

"Leave her alone!"   Kimishima rushed in, placing a restraining hand on the
youth.

"I just wanted to give her a present," the boy whined, shoulders slouched,
while
he looked pleadingly at Kanami.

She knew what she had to do, although she couldn't just walk away.  He
looked so
defeated, beat up and burned as he was.  Sighing, she walked up to the being
that had been her biggest source of annoyance since she arrived.

"I really can't accept anything from you."  She spoke as kindly as possible,
hoping to end this encounter quickly.

"I got it just for you," he appealed to her warm heart.  A nervous smile
crossed
the young boy's face as he continued to squirm under the forceful hand of
Kimishima.  "Please," he pleaded.

She uttered a deep sigh and spoke.  "Fine."

"Yatta!" he cried, instantly slipping out of Kimishima's grasp, and taking
the few necessary steps to stand in front of Kanami.

She noticed the questioning look Kimishima gave her and answered it.  "It's
okay."

"I got this thing for you... I hoped that you could wear it," he mumbled as
he dug through his pockets.  "It's right... a... um... it's right...  Here!"
he shouted as he brought his hand out and showed it under her nose.

She jerked backwards, startled by his quick movements.  When he made no
further movements, she looked down into his hands and noticed the purple
strap dangling from it.

"I got it just for you, I hope it looks good on you," he crowed as he opened
his hands to reveal an item of purple and black; black, being the charred
fringes of the unrecognizable object.  A puzzled glance at the boy told him
that she was having trouble with its identity.

"Well, it's sort of burned in the fight," he offered lamely.  "But it's a
real senshi bra.  I got it just for you.  I bet it can be fixed."  He held
it up to show that one of the straps appeared burned off, along with a good
portion of one of the cups.

The inappropriateness of the whole situation struck her, as the presumptuous
little lingerie thief stood there with wide eyes, hopefully waiting for her
to accept his little perverted gift.  Just behind the little toad, stood
Kimishima,  amused by the whole situation.   His amused looked made her
pause for a second, and she frowned disapprovingly at him.

"What?" he asked after noticing her displeasure.

A deep calming breath later, she asked, "We're leaving town right?"

She waited for his nod of confirmation, before turning back to a confused
Menchi.

"I'm sorry, I can't accept your gift," she said, right before her fist
slammed into the stunned boy's chin, and she turned and walked away.


---------------


Ranma danced away from a lazy swing at his flank, reveling in the combat.
He had missed it, something he would deny if questioned about.  The cocky
smirk
to his face was just a ploy to render his opponent off guard, not the joy
caused by the exhilaration of fighting someone as athletic, tough, and
skilled as
Vash.  Even as the fight gradually became more one sided, his anger had been
abating as each punch that landed on the other boy, seemed to drain away a
little of
the anger.  Each moment that the fight lasted he lost the out side emotions
and concerns while his focus was on winning.

It used to be like this.  The fights, the struggle, the challenge to win...
no improve.  That had been his childhood, strengthened by his extended
family
as they each vied for the position as the best.  Of course, he was always on
top, always the best, but the competition was fierce, and the struggle
brought
joy.

He had lost himself in this fight, the first time in years a fight had
caused this much emotion, this much joy.  The first time since the last time
he had
faced one of his 'brothers' in martial combat for supremacy.  Each movement
flowed into the next, as the combined effort became art and took a life of
their own.  Away from the petty struggles of the day, eating, worrying about
his father, his fiancee, his life, or his current quest.    Being born in
his subconscious, and deployed faster than thought, the moves were his life
and
soul, brought to the surface.  Pushing himself faster and harder as each
second
stretched on; he had started this struggle for the redemption of his art,
his family, and his life; It had turned into so much more as he formed a
bridge
with a past, erasing the hardship of his life and the perversion he had been
forced to turn his craft into for survival.

His speed and timing were perfect -- or so he thought -- as he delivered a
wicked blow to his opponents seemingly unprotected back.  Vash, in a move
Ranma had witnessed once before, seemed to flow around it, doubling over and
twisting away.  Ranma's movement carried him a few steps past the man as
they turned to face each other.  A serious grin adorned the other man's
face.
His hair, wet from perspiration had fallen, leaving the impression that he
wore a small mop with hardened edges.  Ranma froze at the sight; another
face had superimposed itself upon his opponent.  Shaking his head lightly,
he blinked quickly, and tried to clear his mind of a fight long ago; one
that he had lost horribly in the depths of the fallout shelter they had
inhabited so many years ago.

"Are you satisfied yet?  Can we talk now?"  Vash called to him, probably
thinking the lull had been a sign of some sort.

Ranma struggled to remove the memory of the face that had opposed him then,
as this one did now.  "No!  Not until you pay for what you did!"  He cried
out in misplaced anger and frustration born his futility to erase the
memories that had been re-opened.

"I never did anything!  I would never hurt Ukyou or you!"  The serious tone
in his voice and the desperation in his scream helped distance Ranma from
his memories of the boy from their youth, but not the ones that assaulting
him currently, those of another youth that had forced him to grow up.

Fatigue.  He remembered the feeling so clearly now as he faced this
obstruction to his art, to his life; fatigue he had felt as his brother had
faced him so
many years ago.

Shoulders slightly slumped; Vash stood with a visible strain.  Ranma
regarded the man across from his as the memories began in an unbidden and
unwelcome clarity.


----------------


"You know you can't beat me!"  Knives yelled across the room.   His
shoulders were slumped forward, as he staggered slightly, apparently staying
erect by force of will alone.

Ranma regarded the comical figure and snorted, "Come on, Knives.  You know
you're beat.  They had been at it for a while and Ranma had been slowly
beating the boy down, even after a full sparring session with his father and
Vash earlier.


--------


Running forward, away from his memories, Ranma charged the slightly off
balance man, intent on giving no quarter.  He could see each movement from
Vash in minute detail as it mirrored his past.  The slight tightening of the
legs and arms as he assumed a crouch, shoulders squaring, back straightening
while the eyes expanded in an attempt to see all.

The familiar movements caused a tingle down Ranma's spine, that pulsed in a
rhythm that matched each minute impact his toes made with the ground as time
seemed to slow to a stop.


-----------------


Preparing the attack, to put his foe down and reclaim supremacy of their
school, Ranma cocked his arm back as the distance between them disappeared
as the figure of Knives expanded in stature.  Nothing else in the room
existed as his eyes were locked on his target, preparing for the expected
counter.  Control was the key, as Ranma raced forward, discarding potential
evasions as he drew too close for knives to employ them.

The distance had shrunk to twenty feet when he noticed the glow; a feint
sheen that at first he had mistaken for sweat began to form around the boy.


---------------------------------


The metallic features of the aura began to assert themselves, disavowing
Ranma's hope that it was different from before.  Fear began to seize him,
fear he had only felt once before outside the presence of cats.

The multicolored sparkles glistened of the surface of Vash, not resting on
the
boy, but leaving no doubt of their origin.  His senses tingled as eyes met
eyes, and he wanted to scream in frustration at the golden orbs that met
him.


-----------------


The halogens that had illuminated the room in their efficient way seemed to
dim, as the luster from the streaking colors that surrounded Knives
intensified as they swirled around the boy, taking the air with them.

Unperturbed by Knives' newest flashy trick, Ranma never relented on his
assault of the other boy.  Choosing a combination that was sure to take the
other boy out, Ranma released a ferocious roar; their meeting was eminent,
too late for Knives to escape now.


----------------


Ranma roared as his fist raced towards the shiny boy, ignoring the wind
whipping at his sides caused by the cyclone of power emanating from the man.
He wasn't going to fail again, Vash couldn't possible know the same trick.

Eyes wide with hope and desperation he watched as his fist approached his
target, a feral grin forming as he felt success nipping at his heels.  SNAP!
The strain of his momentum momentarily stopping caused an audible pop as he
looked incredulously at his wrist held in the grip of his enemy, before his
body resumed moving.


--------------


Impacting against the wall, his breath was forced from his lungs.  Outrage
and disbelief warred within him as he slid down the wall and grasped his
wrist, trying to sooth the throbbing that he felt from the obviously broken
appendage.

He looked up as the Knives advanced, triumphantly striding towards him.  The
ominous swirl of power unmatched spiraled around him as a physical force to
be feared.


--------------------


Coming to a rest after the toss, Ranma thanked the Kami that he had been
able to move with it, saving his wrist from fracture.  Vash moved purposely
towards him, eyes unreadable as Ranma pulled himself together and searched
his mind frantically for something that would effectively alter the course
of repeating history.


----------------------


"It's over," Knives intoned.

Ranma had scrambled to his feet, mind a whirl as he tried to understand what
had just happened, what the power around Knives represented, and most
importantly, how he would defeat the boy now.


--------------------


Vash approached, reaching out a hand, in an apparent gesture to help the boy
stand.


----------------------


Ranma stared at Knives' hand, which was covered by a glove of pulsing,
multi-colored lights.  In a burst of energy and pride he slapped at it, only
to have his hand halted in mid swing as a piercing sensation shot through
his stomach causing a tortured howl to reverberate throughout the room.

Looking into the golden shining eyes of his one time 'brother' he heard the
first muffled explosions, announcing the destruction of their refuge.


-----------------------


Rolling quickly to the side, he turned and sprang into the air, expanding
his chi as he prepared a move he had been saving for such an occasion.

"Demon God Assault Bomb!"

He watched as the huge gashes formed in the swirling cacophony of colors,
wiping out huge sections as Vash staggered backwards, before flopping, face
down on the ground.


-------------------------


"That is the sound of your destruction, Dear Brother."  The sarcasm oozed
off of Knives lips, as the glee from his triumph mixed with the malice
intoned in the twisted endearment he used to refer to Ranma.

Ranma watched as the poniard light slowly retracted from his body.  Blood,
his blood, dripped from the wound and the self-suspending glitters as he
began to feel faint, as another muffled rumble shook the foundations of the
underground complex.

"My Apologies, my real _brother_ awaits.  You filthy humans are not worth
the trouble of sharing the air with.  Enjoy the rest of your pathetic life."
A hard slap delivered across the Ranma's face sent the beaten boy reeling
along the wall, accentuated Knives' venomous statement.

"Ranma!"  A female scream rent the air as Ranma's eyes involuntarily closed.


-----------------------


Ranma staggered over towards the listless body, internally crowing from his
achievement; the first trial in exercising his past would be complete soon.
Adrenaline spent, as his victory had sapped the last of his energy from him,
having been spent in overcoming all he had endured so far this day.

"Better than us, ha!"  He spit the words out as he saw the boy stir.

Vash flopped over, his head looked disjointed from his body, as he squinted
up
at the other boy.

"Do you what you must...  But I never knew.  Not until it was way to
late..."  Vash hacked for breath before continuing, "I always have... and I
always will consider you my brother."  The words seemed to slip quietly out
if his mouth. As his head flopped back against the gray concrete floor and
his eyes fell closed.

Coils wrapped around Ranma suddenly, pinning his arms to his side as his
head spun around trying to determine their source.  He caught a glimpse of
the girls in sailor outfits standing close by.  He cursed himself for
forgetting their presence as he was lifted of his feet and sent flying
towards Venus while Saturn ran past him towards Vash.

He landed awkwardly, hitting the uneven ground hard on his side and pushing
the air out of his lungs.  He sighed from fatigue as he began squirming,
looking for a way to break his obviously magical bonds.

"Nope, not until we've got Vash safely away from you," the somber female
voice informed him.

He turned to regard the stern faced woman, meeting her gaze as fired burned
anew in his eyes, and he vowed that he wouldn't be beat by some broads.  Not
now, not while he was so close.


----------------


Saturn rushed quickly to the fallen man, worried about his health.  His body
didn't look right when he had turned over.  Fearing the worst and cursing
there inaction when the literal fireworks had started at the end.

Kneeling over him quickly, she immersed herself in the heeling process, as
she
gathered her magic and extended her senses.

"Huh..." she gasped quietly as the flow of magic halted, stopped by an
imaginary wall of power that seemed to suffuse the man's being.  She tried
to examine it, using the information she had learned from Ami while trying
to improve both her magic and her medical ability.

Heavy footfalls approached her quickly, as she played with the puzzle in
front of her.  Her concentration was broken, as the body under her was
jerked away by powerful hands, one noteworthy because it appeared to be a
gauntlet-covered fist.

She looked up as Vash was slung over the newcomer's shoulder.  His ruffled
black hair and beat up jacket covered an average sized body.

"Wait!" she cried.  "You can't move him like that, he's injured!"

He smirked, "He's mine now, lady.  Shock of the Second Bullet!"  His fist
slammed down into the ground creating an eruption of earth and cement that
sent her tumbling away and propelled him into the air.

After regaining her equilibrium, she found him landing on a nearby building,
saluting to her, before he turned and ran off.

"I'll go get him!"  Mars yelled back to them, as she was already halfway
towards the building anyway.

Saturn turned to Venus, unsure about what to do, and her question reflected
on her face.

"She can call us when she finds him."

"What about him?"  She asked and indicated the squirming Ranma.

"We'll hold him until they get away enough, then start looking."

"Like hell you will.  Let me go before I have to hurt you!"

"Not until you calm down and tell us what exactly he did to you.  And what
the hell did you both do at the end of that fight?"

"Mine was a martial arts move my dad left me when he died.  I don't know
what the hell that thing is that he can do.  It's how his brother Beat me,
and blew up the shelter we staying at.  He told me his brother was in on it
when used that power to skewer me.  Happy now!  He needs to be stopped!"

Both women gasped at the admission.

Ranma, taking the opportunity presented, spun quickly, whipping the chain
from Venus' hand, and sprinted off.  A moment later, both Senshi were in hot

pursuit, but the lead was more than he needed as the magic charge in the
chain dissipated, freeing him before they could catch up.


-----------------


Atop a nearby tower stood a slender woman, binoculars in hand, and watching
as the alter raced away with Vash.   She chuckled lightly at the sight, glad
that she hadn't had to intervene more directly on Vash's behalf before she
was ready to finally expose herself to him.  She wondered idly, if he had
learned to use the power that he had be borne with and that she and the
others had been gifted.  She had seen no sight of it until today and assumed
he still rejected his heritage in his laughable attempt to aid humanity.

Her control over her own powers was absolute now; years of practice had
honed her abilities, limited as they were in comparison to her Lord.  The
alter had only been given a slight suggestion, a mere hinting at the proper
place to go and collect his reward.  She was so confident in her ability and
subtlety that that she was positive he didn't even notice the thought as
unnatural, or not his own, and she was confident that he was headed where
she wanted him to go, Kyoto.

Yes, she knew where they were going and how they would get there; facts that
would allow her to spring her trap when they entered it and freeing her up
currently to follow Ranma, her other prey.

Vash needed chastising for his childishness, his suffering and help for
these mere humans was laughable.  He had been a bad boy, leaving them, the
way he had.  Administering such chastisement before he returned to Knives
would be her job.

Knives had wanted things handled with that one a certain way and he would be
very disappointed if Ranma was spared what was being planned.  She needed to
make sure he was herded in the right direction as well.  Something she
needed to monitor closely.

She watched as he escaped the Senshi, escaping them relatively easy as he
stopped to pick up his pack, and then heading out of town.  She concentrated
for a second and a shimmering pen and paper formed in front of her at her
request.  She considered what alternatives, and finally decided simple was
best, for now.  The thought was implanted with a few quick stokes of her
mostly transparent, glittering pen.

Feeling proud of herself, she watched Ranma leave town heading east the
direction she had just told him was best.

She looked down at her feet, annoyed that the pool of blood had spread when
she had been preoccupied.  Sniffing disdainfully she kicked the body of the
dead watchtower guard and turned.  Extending her arms to her sides, she
looked straight ahead and ignored the shimmering glow that was surrounding
her body as she shifted forms.  Her face taking on avian qualities, along
with forming wings and a tail.

The change left a figure resembling a white-skinned gargoyle in from a
distance, she flapped a few times, sticking out her tail, and tucking in her
legs as she took off into the air, intent on monitoring the progress, of her
one time future brother-in-law.


--------------------


Minako and Hotaru rode out of town, counting on their newly acquired donkey
to keep them going.  Its name was Bean Bandit, and the owner had refused to
answer their inquiries into its strange name.  The owner had only laughed,
saying that his Bean Bandit was the one and only "Vodka Donkey" In
existence, but gave no further explanation then that.  They were in a hurry,
so they didn't press the issue, content that the animal had ample space to
transport both of them and the three packs they had retrieved.  When they
were loading up their new ride, the prior owner had made some comment about
keeping the animal away from cats, but failed to go into detail.

The two senshi put this bizarre episode behind them as they rode out of
town, hoping to catch up to Mars as she chased after their target.   The
last, and only call they had received from the girl said that she was
traveling east and closing in on the outlaw and his new captors.  They hoped
she would lay low until help arrived, but you never could tell with the
fiery Senshi of Mars.


--------------------------


The rumblings of the jeep finally roused Vash from his fight induced
slumber.
Groaning quietly, he looked around, and examined the three other occupants
of
the jeep, two young adults and one child.

"He's awake," the man sitting next to him shouted in a voice way too loudly
and way to close to his ringing head.

He reached for his head, only to belatedly realize he was bound, pretty
tightly in the back seat.

"Just relax there, Buddy.  We're going to take good care of you."

"Where are we going?"

"Kyoto," the guy next to him said.

He nodded, acknowledging the statement, and leaned back against the hard
back seat.  He concentrated for a second, reaching out his sense for his
brother.  He had decided to run no longer, a reckoning was coming.  Feeling
the distant draw of power, the beacon he used for his brother, he nodded to
himself.  He ignored the sweet smell of power that emanated from north of
Knives.  It was growing power, not as quickly as Knives had been, of that he
was sure.  But it frightened him as much if not more than his brother did,
afraid it would consume him.

"Great!  I have business there!"  He said, deciding that he'd just as well
served getting a ride across the island, as walking.

"Well, as long as you're agreeable we'll have no problems," the man driving
returned cautiously.

"Nope, not a peep out of me.  And thanks!"  he said brightly, ignoring the
snorts that came from the two boys.

The sound of the explosion hit his ears a millisecond before he was
airborne.  Doing his best to get his still exhausted body to respond, he
twisted until he was oriented perpendicular to the ground, searching for the
source of the problem.  Instead he found the tiny body of a young girl, the
girl from the restaurant hurtling through the air.

Contorting his body, he altered his flight, child's play for someone with
his background and intercepted the child in mid-air.  Still hampered by his
bindings, he twisted again, placing his body between the girl and the
ground, moments before impact.

He lay stunned for a few moments as the girl hung on to his chest,
apparently
unaware that she was safe.

"It's okay now."

"Thanks," she said timidly, getting up gingerly.

He followed suit and looked around, stopping when he spied what he assumed
to be the source of the explosion, the Senshi of Mars, facing of against the
boy who had been seated next to him.

There was a flash of multi-colored lights that swirled around the young man
and attached themselves to his right hand and arm, forming a gauntlet of
power that Vash could feel from here.


------------------


(to be continued)

Author's notes:  I hope you enjoyed so far.  Thanks go to the following
multitude of people for help on this and previous endeavors to make this
story the least bit presentable and hopefully enjoyable:

Corwin, Merc, Dracos, Brian Randall, Trunky Boy, Mads, and Fallacy for
their input and help with this piece so far.
I apologize if I missed anyone or I failed to incorporate any suggestion,
it was definitely not intended as a slight

So , I did answer some questions here, and gave clues to others.  If that's
not
enough for you, =p  ^_^

Next project... ?  I'll see what I feel like, but don't expect chapter 4 of
this until the end of May at the earliest, for any that would want more of
this, that is.


C&C encouraged.


Other chapters found at http://kpjam.anifics.com
e-mail noirchloe@nyc.rr.com



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