Author's notes at end--


	His experiences had long been full of violence.  His enemies, 
sometimes his friends, and even his greatest rival he had fought, and 
lost but once.  Even after the loss he carried on, keen mind growing 
ever sharper with every battle.

	And eventually, the fighting was over.  He was the ruler of 
all he surveyed, but by then his rival, the one person that had ever 
defeated him, had already died, and passed out of his considerable reach.

	It was once said, "if you wait by the shore of the river, the 
body of your enemy will float by."  Rational people would say that he 
had missed his chance here.  But he always thought that power created 
its own rational, and he had power to spare.

			The Old and the New -- Prelude

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

	Mousse crept carefully forward, the old ghoul was planning 
something and it would be better to find out now than be dragged into 
something later.  The voices were muffled through the doorway, but he 
could make them out well enough.  "[Soon enough, granddaughter.  But 
for now we must take care.  And even after the date comes, likely he 
will choose banishment over leaving here, to stay near you.  We will 
need to drive him off for good.]"

	The date?  A memory sparked within his mind, he listened more 
carefully as Shampoo continued.  "[I am not afraid of him, great-
grandmother.  If he persists, he will be dealt with, that is the way 
things are.  Ranma will be mine.]"

	Ranma�  Always Ranma.  First he took Shampoo away, then 
countered him at every turn.  Shampoo would be his, she would 
see him and love him if not for Ranma.  Still, why now?  He crept 
closer, focusing in on Cologne's voice.  "[I'm sure you will, 
granddaughter.  But keep your guard up for this next week, Mousse is 
sure to try something while he still has time to within our laws.]"

	Our laws�  Something clicked in Mousse's head.  How could he
 possibly have been so blind?  Things had been too relaxed.  Too 
slow in trying to make Shampoo see the light.  But Ranma always 
countered him.  In one week, he would turn seventeen, and be 
recognized as an adult in the Amazon village.  A male adult.  If 
Shampoo did not accept him before then, or if he did not defeat her 
in a formal dual, he would have to abandon her.  Return to the village, 
to be chosen by another.  Someone that was not Shampoo.

	He moved away quietly, there was very little time to plan.  
Ranma!  Always Ranma stood in his way.  And only one week to find a 
way to get to Shampoo.  Ranma would be in the way.  Ranma always 
found a way to cause problems, to stop Shampoo from realizing that 
she should be with him.  He was an obstacle, and an obstacle that 
Mousse did not have time to deal with gently.

	And obstacles must be eliminated, that is the Amazon way.

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

	Ranma yawned, sitting behind the dojo.  School was finally out, 
it was time to kick back and relax a bit, then maybe pops would be 
finished with his game, and he could kick him around the yard.

	"Ranma, shouldn't you be working on your history paper?  What 
are you doing here, slacking off?"  The voice was Akane's, why couldn't 
she just let him relax once and a while?

	"Aww Akane, that's not due for weeks yet!  Why are you worrying 
about it already?"  He glanced up from where he sat just in time to see 
her face contort.  P-chan grimaced as she squeezed him unconsciously, 
providing some measure of entertainment.

	"Its due in two days Ranma."  She sighed, "don't you ever pay 
attention in class?  It's not like you can afford to slack off any!"  
She continued her lecture but his mind had already tuned it out.  Two 
days?  Really?  So much for free time, thanks Akane.

	He frowned, "thanks Akane, I really wanted to spend the rest 
of the day working on a paper.  And if it's due in two days why aren't 
you working?"  He started to rise, annoyance building in his mind.

	"How is this my fault?  You're the one that's put this off, 
not me!"  P-chan's eyes bulged as she squeezed him again, he struggled 
to keep from chuckling.  "And what are you laughing about?  I'm trying 
to help you out here, my paper's been done for a week!"

	The squeal from p-chan was finally enough to break his control; 
he laughed outright.  The fight was sure to escalate.  But this was still 
better than working on schoolwork, fights he could handle.

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

	Mousse moved quickly, brain racing.  There would be no extended 
planning here, if he did not make a move while Cologne was conferencing 
with Shampoo, likely he would end up spending the next week as a duck 
before being thrown forcibly out.  He quietly moved through the 
restaurant's back rooms.

	He would prefer to follow the traditions he was raised with, but 
if it meant staying with Shampoo he would abandon them.  There was no 
problem there.  Cologne would see that he was banished from seeing 
Shampoo though, and Shampoo would side with Cologne.  Shampoo was pure, 
and would not so quickly abandon how she was raised, that was part of 
what made her so wonderful.

	Ah, this must be it.  A large dresser far bigger than Cologne 
needed, stacked of what appeared to be every day clothing and supplies.  
He almost missed it, but it was difficult to hid things from one who 
studied hidden weapons.  He pulled a pry-bar from the sleeve of his robes 
and unceremoniously embedded it into the back of the dresser.

	The wood splintered with a loud crack as he tore it away.  No 
doubt his time truly was limited now.  Only moments before they arrived, 
but moments was all he needed.  A silk-wrapped book, a dried up, twisted 
eagle's claw, a long staff tipped with a crystal, one by one the were 
removed and vanished into his robes as if by magic.  Then he turned, 
footsteps moving in quickly, two lit firecrackers dropped to the floor, 
and he leaped through the window.

	The firecrackers were supposed to be to celebrate with Shampoo, 
she would have at least enjoyed that.  But once Ranma was dealt with, 
there would be time enough for celebrating.  She would see then, and 
forgive him.

	Flashes of light reflected in his glasses as he ran down the 
street.  He glanced back and smoke was already beginning to trail out 
the broken window.  Cologne would be sure to punish him for this, but 
it would not matter once Shampoo was his.

	He had to move quickly, Cologne would be on to him shortly, and 
he had one more stop to make to ensure that Ranma would die this day.

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

	Kuno looked down at the photo in his hand with disgust.  It 
showed in glossy color Saotome standing over Kuno's fallen form.  The cur 
had the audacity to pose!  The photo bore the caption "Ranma vs. Kuno, 
0:00:23.45."  It was an obvious fraud, one as lowly as Ranma could never 
defeat someone with the noble heritage Kuno bore.  Occasionally he did 
force himself to back down from Saotome's assaults, there was no honor 
in fighting an unarmed man, when he was an expert at the sword, but sadly 
one of Saotome's stock could never hope to master the sword with any degree 
of skill. 

	And yet, the foul man still had the nerve to spread rumors such 
as this.  Saotome had obviously conjured this photo up with some foul 
sorcery.  Obviously this must be resolved, he had his own honor to 
maintain.  He would visit Ranma then, throw down another challenge, 
eventually Ranma would work up the resolve to face him in a man to man 
fight, swords in hand!  And then, he would thrash the cur within an inch 
of his life!

	And, Akane would most definitely witness his victory and throw 
herself into his arms.  And the pig-tailed girl would be freed as well!

	He picked up his bokken, and walked out.  The gods would smile
 on him today, he could feel it.

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

	Cologne entered her room shortly after the fires died down.  The 
building was fine, but her room was in shambles.  Mousse must have heard 
them talking.  This was unfortunate.

	"[Great-grandmother, Mousse has...  I don't even know.  He must 
be handled more harshly, he has gone too far this time.  What did he seek 
to accomplish here?]"  Cologne half ignored Shampoo's words, there would 
be time enough for explanations.  Here eyes were glued on the charred 
dresser.  It was in good enough shape yet, though the contents were ruined.

	But it told the story well enough, the back was torn apart, and 
empty.  "[I will explain later child, attend me now, we must begin work, 
and hurry.  He has delayed us far too long, we must make hasty preparations.  
Even then, he is too far ahead of us.  Son-in-law quite likely will die 
tonight.]"  Her voice was calm and level but she was outraged.  Careless.  
When Mousse was stopped - if Mousse was stopped - his punishments would be 
harsh indeed.

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

	Mousse heard the shouting as he approached.  Moving stealthily in 
on the voices from the edge of the wall.  Ranma and Akane, a twinge of 
something trickled across his mind, how perfect.  If only Ranma would have 
accepted her, and left Shampoo alone there would be no need for this.  
But Ranma had made his choice, and Mousse was left with no choices left.

	He slid the staff from its concealment.  There had been no time to 
practice with it, few had ever even heard of this let alone touched it.  
But he knew the story of it, and knew Cologne had it.  And this had to 
work, or everything would fall apart.  That need must count for something.

	The shouts warped and distorted, Akane wound back fist circling 
in towards Ranma's face, and slowed.  The wind slowed, the leaves slowed 
in the trees.  The birds swam through jello instead of flying.  But his 
actions were as quick as ever.

	Mousse jumped down, screaming defiance at Ranma.  Words didn't 
matter anymore.  The staff lashed out at Ranma, clipping him in the sides, 
twirling quickly.  Perfect.  This would be over soon.

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

	Kasumi opened the door, Kuno stood behind it.  She smiled as she 
greeted him.  "Welcome Kuno, what brings you here today?  Here to see 
Akane or Ranma?"

	He stood stiffly, a look of focus on his face, "I have come to 
challenge the infidel Ranma in a dual of swords.  For the hand and honor 
of Akane and the Pig-tailed-girl."

	She smiled, Kuno was always too serious, but at least he was here 
to socialize with Ranma, Ranma and Akane had been arguing, this might cheer 
them up.  She invited him in and glanced outside.  "Oh, I'm sorry Kuno, 
it looks like Ranma's already fighting with Mousse.  Would you like some tea 
while you wait?"

	Kuno glanced outside then nodded.  "Honor demands that I meet with 
him today.  But I can wait until he finishes with a lessor opponent."

	She smiled again and turned to the kitchen to get some tea.

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

	Ranma was fighting hard, but multiple stings from that staff were 
beginning to wear him down.  Being in a tough fight wasn't foreign to him, 
even losing happened often enough, but what nagged at him was how fast 
Mousse was.  Every attack was blocked, and his defenses seemed to be 
useless.  And the worst part is he doesn't even seem to be concerned.

	He moved faster, drawing deeper, but it still wasn't enough.  How 
had Mousse gotten so fast so quickly?  He wasn't even bothering to use his 
weapons, other than that stinging staff.  Unless that staff was the key-

	His thoughts were interrupted as he flew to the ground, legs 
knocked out from under him.  He rolled backwards to his feet.  That 
had to be it.  He attacked one more time, leaving a hole big enough Mousse 
would have seen it even without his glasses.

	He grunted in pain as the staff cracked into his side, but his arms 
grasped it, twisting and kicked.  Mousse flew backwards and the staff 
clattered to the ground.

	He stood, slowly.  "Damn you, Ranma.  It shouldn't have had to come 
to this.  Take Akane.  Take Ukkyo.  Pick one, any.  Both of them!"  His 
movements were slow now, normal, almost heavy.

	The edge of Ranma's vision caught Kuno and Kasumi entering, faint 
voices talking to each other.  But everything was focused on Mousse, 
something different, colder.  "Any woman you choose, but you still have 
to hound Shampoo.  Had to turn her against me.  Stop my ever advance with 
her.  Pull her from China to this gods-forsaken island.  But I don't have 
time for this anymore."

	Kuno's voice shouted "stop talking and get this over with, I have 
a challenge to Ranma when he is finished!"  Ranma glanced over for one 
instant, only to see the heads of those gathered turn as one to focus 
on Mousse, a look of shock mirrored on every face.  Akane screamed and ran 
towards Ranma, dropping P-chan to the ground.

	He looked back to Mousse, and for one instant shock passed across 
his face.  Mousse stood there, face twisted beyond rage. One hand at his 
side.  One hand pointed squarely at Ranma.  Pointing a small, black gun 
squarely at him.

	His shock was short-lived as Akane slammed into him, knocking him 
to the ground.  That was enough to shock it back into motion.  He had to 
be fast, faster than ever.  The world crept by in slow motion, the hammer 
of the gun slowly dropping forward.

	Had to be faster.  He flew to his feet, one hand grasping the fallen 
staff.  Akane staggered before him, instinctively trying to catch herself.  
Holding her right where he had been a second ago.

	Must be faster.  One hand threw as he lunged back towards Akane.  
A click and an explosion sounded distinctly in this slow world.  The staff 
flew truly, despite the odd weight of the gem on one end.

	Faster.  It was a mantra in his mind as his body moved forward.  A 
second, somehow different explosion rang out in his ears.  The world 
continued to move too slowly.  Muscles tore as they tried to propel his 
heavy body.

	The world snapped back into normal speed and everything seemed to 
happen at once.  He grabbed Akane.  Pain exploded in his back.  Colored 
light enveloped him.  The ground from under him and the light faded to 
blackness as he struggled to maintain a grip on Akane.

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

	P-chan hit the ground with a thud, the vision of Akane throwing 
Ranma out of the way burned into his vision.  The vision of Mousse with a 
gun.  The world spinning as he was thrown to the ground.  Always the way 
of things, discarded.  Just a pet, nothing compared to Ranma's life.

	Akane's rejection he could accept though it burned in his stomach, 
but if anything had happened to her, he would make sure that Ranma would 
pay until the end of time.  The amazon was already as good as dead on his 
list, if Ranma didn't kill him Ryouga would correct that oversight.

	He looked around from his low perspective on the ground.  He didn't 
recognize where he was, but this was nothing new.  It was only a matter of 
time before he tracked down the others, and got vengeance for this day.

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

	Kasumi struggled to clear her mind.  She looked around, in an alley 
of some sort, her body ached from being thrown.  Fear consumed her, fogged 
her brain, the vision of Mousse with a gun, Akane, Ranma.  Some voice of 
reason told her to move, to cry, to run, to do something, but she just sat 
there, numb.

	She slid down to the dirt ground of the alley.  A voice spoke at 
her, floating outside of the detachment in her mind.  "Well 'allo there, 
what's a pretty girl like you doing all alone?  I'll be happy to keep you 
company."

	Footsteps pounded in the dirt towards her, reason told her to 
scream, but her body was limp.

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

	Strong arms held Akane as she flew through the air.  She hit the 
ground, and Ranma landed heavily on top of her.  "Honestly Ranma, you 
didn't have to hit me so hard!"
	
	She pulled herself to a sitting position, Ranma still clutching 
her side.  "That's enough, Ranma!  You pervert!"  She pushed him aside, 
a groan escaping his lips.  That was when she noticed the blood covering 
her blouse, and the hole in Ranma's chest.  A scream escaped her lips as 
a crowd began to gather around her.

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

	Mousse shuddered as the explosion washed over him.  His robes 
rippled with the force of it, and his glasses went flying as the world was 
lost in the great light.  He had thrown away everything at the end, his 
honor as a warrior was sacrificed to this weapon of the modern world.  The 
joke of the civilized world that lets one man kill another without regard 
for skill.  The gun was ripped from him as well, but it did not matter, he 
had seen the result, blood shooting from Ranma's form.

	It would be over soon enough.  His vision cleared, a blur with 
red hair stood next to a black haired blur.  Finally fate had sided with 
him, that no water had hit him.  He screamed, "Ranma, now you die!"

	A sword drew out of his sleeve, as he charged.  Voices screamed 
as he moved forward.  Then the world shattered.  The form vanished from 
in front of him as his blade swung.  Reflex brought his vision upward just 
as a line of pain drew across his skull, his vision faded as a voice echoed 
in his mind, "Hiten Mitsurugi Style, Ryu Tsui Sen!"

			End Prelude

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


Author's notes:

All elements from Ranma 1/2 and Ruroni Kenshin owned by whomever 
wishes to claim them (sue each other, not me please).

This is my first attempt at a fanfiction, and it's outlined to
be somewhat epic in length.  C+C is appreciated, please be kind
to a new author ;)

--Kurt Montgomery
magius@iastate.edu


             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'