I've finally finished part III, C&C are
welcomed...thanks..


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Cryptkeeper : The Hand of Goddess PT III
by Michael �Ranma13� Cerda

Revised 10/04/02

I do not take credit for the Ranma 1/2 characters. 
They are owned and created by the goddess Rumiko
Takahashi.  The rights go to her and Viz 
communication.  This is my own story and in no way
express how Rumiko wanted her story to go.  With this
at mind, enjoy.

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

The moon rose over the mountain casting the night rays
over the forest that lied below.  The only thing that
could be seen was a pair of headlights weaving its way
down the road from the mountain.  Dirt was trailing
the vehicle as it took the turns at a dangerous speed.

Inside the jeep Ranma and his new companion were
bouncing around inside from the bumpy road.  �Thanks
for saving me.�

�I figured you could handle the situation.  We�ve been
through much worse.  Still it�s better to be safe than
dead.�

Nodding as he quickly turned the steering wheel to
make a very sharp turn, �So how did you end up here?� 
Smirking, �Not that I mind.�

Grinning, �A week ago an artifact was stolen from the
British Museum.  The trail led me to a warehouse here
in Kyushu.  I was able to stow away on one of the
trucks that took me to the excavation site.  Sneaking
around I saw that they were surrounding you, so I
decided to step in.�

�What was the stolen artifact?�

�The Hand of Goddess,�

Ranma immediately stopped the car as they jerked
forward.  Turning to Lara, �You�re kidding me.� 
Turning back to the road, �Damn, I thought I
recognized the necklace Bolo was wearing.�

�Bolo has it?�

Pressing the gas, the jeep sped back up, �Yeah, I saw
it around his neck.�

�When I heard about the mirror being found I knew it
was more than a coincidence.�

Ranma thought, �This dig was a cover up for a
government project.  Bolo doesn�t sell his services
for cheap.  I have a bad feeling about this.�

Lara shrugged, �When we get back to Tokyo.  I have a
few contacts.�

Ranma nodded, �There are only a few group of people
who know everything that�s happening in Japan.�

�The Yakuza.�

�Yeah, They have the biggest information network.�

Handing Ranma a card and key, �This is where I�m
staying.  Use the key in the elevator, it�ll take you
to my penthouse.  Meet me tomorrow night at nine.�

Taking the key, �Yeah sure.�  Looking straight ahead,
�Thanks again.�

Lara turned to Ranma, �We have too much history.�

Ranma smiled, �Yeah,�

~~*~~

Kasumi was in the training dome punching and kicking
at invisible targets.  Jonah was outside watching her,
analyzing her movements.  He was impressed with what
he saw.  Jonah didn�t see any of the brute strength
like her sister tried to display.  Rather he saw a
very graceful martial artist who had the potential to
be much more.

�Kasumi, do you mind if I make a suggestion?�

�No, not at all.�  She was a little nervous, �Why did
you see something wrong with my technique?�

Shaking his head, �No, not at all.  It was just that I
overheard Master Ranma mention that you needed to work
on your speed.�

Kasumi thought about the morning and how he was able
to so easily overwhelm her.  �Yes your right.�

Getting out a small electronic pad, Jonah pushed a
couple of spots on the LCD screen.  Off to the side of
the dome, the floor slid open.  A tiny insect flew in
front of Kasumi.  She examined the tiny creature
further and found it to be a wasp.  

�What you�re looking at, is your speed training.�

Kasumi looked at the creature hovering in front of her
further.  Turning to Jonah with a quizzical look, �I
don�t understand.�

�What you�re looking at is the latest in technology. 
That�s a very small robot designed to look like a
wasp.  The object to the exercise is to hit before
being hit.  The wasp simulate the behavior of real
wasp and have electric markers at the end to act as
stingers.�

�That doesn�t seem to hard.�

�Ahh, but the beauty of this exercise is,� Jonah
tapped a couple of more screens, �let�s see how you do
with one hundred total.�

Kasumi turned around and saw a swarm coming toward
her, �You�re kidding.�

Jonah laughed, �A camera above you marked you as their
target.  They move just like real wasps.  When you tag
one, it will fall to the ground.  You need to hit all
hundred before your marked ten times.�

�What if I damage them?�

�Don�t worry.  They�re nearly indestructible.  You
would need to be very powerful to destroy one.  Are
you ready for level one?�

Gulping, Kasumi stood ready, watching the swarm in
front of her.  She had no choice, �Yes.�

Jonah started the exercise.  The swarm started buzzing
around Kasumi.  She quickly took care of the few that
tried to attack her.  She found out quickly that the
exercise was not going to be easy.  Within a couple of
seconds, she was marked four times.  Growing
frustrated, Kasumi became sloppy leaving more holes in
her defense.  In twenty seconds, the tiny robots
stopped and moved away.  The ones deactivated came
back alive and joined the others.  

Jonah entered the dome, �Well it says that you hit
forty.  Not bad for your first time.�

Kasumi was astonished, �I didn�t think that I hit that
many.�

�It�s getting late, would you wish to continue?�

Thinking about it, �Yes, just a little bit longer.�

Bowing, �As you wish.�

�By the way, how many can Ranma hit without getting
marked.�

Jonah thought, �He�s at level hundred, his record is
twenty-five thousand without getting hit.�

�What??�

Laughing, �Let�s start again.�

~~*~~

Slowly opening her eyes, Nabiki groaned.  The annoying
birds outside were chirping as she tried to fall back
to sleep.  Struggling to not wake up, Nabiki sat up
cursing the noise.  Getting out of bed she clumsily
made her way to the bathroom.  Splashing cold water
onto her face, she looked into the mirror.  Having her
father leave today was depressing.  Nabiki would never
admit it, but she enjoyed having him around.  With him
gone things weren�t going to be the same for her,
Kasumi and Nabiki.  She knew the reason why he was
leaving.  With him being in the house, he wouldn�t be
in the way for them to get to know Ranma better.  Her
father really wanted one of them to uphold the
agreement.

Turning on the shower, Nabiki undressed and stepped
in.  The hot water hitting her sensitive skin felt
great.  Her mind wandered to Ranma.  She knew that she
had feelings for him.  He had an incredible body, a
very strong fighter and the most important trait for
Nabiki.  Ranma was very intelligent.  It didn�t hurt
that he was rich, but to the surprise of most people,
that wasn�t the most important quality she looked in a
guy.  She respected Ranma and it took a lot for
anybody to earn her respect.  There was something
special about Ranma.  Finishing her shower, Nabiki
turned off the water and grabbed her towel.

Drying her hair, Nabiki walked into the bedroom.  The
cool air felt good against her warm bare skin.  Taking
out some clothes for the day, she quickly dressed and
exited her room.  Listening for anybody in the house,
she figured they were in the dojo.  Hurrying, she
definitely didn�t want to miss the fireworks.  Heading
downstairs and out the French doors in the back
hallway, Nabiki went out into the courtyard.  Ahead in
the grass, she spotted Jonah in a very formal Yuka
kneeling with his eyes closed.  Walking up to him, she
felt that something was wrong, �Good morning Jonah.�

�Good morning, Ms. Tendo.�  Without opening his eyes.

�What�s wrong?  You look so sad.�  Nabiki was worried.
 She only lived in the house for a couple of days, but
she grown fond of Jonah.

Opening one eye to look up at her, �Today is the
anniversary of the death of my wife and children.�

Nabiki was taken back by what he said, �I didn�t know
you had a wife let alone had children,� pausing, �I�m
very sorry for being rude.�

Jonah patted the ground next to him, �Don�t worry
about it.�  Nabiki knelt down next to him, he looked
out at the courtyard.  �It happened three years ago,
on Tuesday, Eight-nineteen in the morning.  My wife
was going through her normal morning routine.  She
would walk our eight-year-old son two blocks to school
and then walk one block to work.  The roads were wet
from the early morning rain.�  Taking a deep breath,
he felt the reassuring touch of Nabiki on his arm.  He
looked down at her and smiled.  Looking out at the
courtyards again.  �From what the reports said, the
driver lost control.  Swerving to avoid a parked car
that swung their door out.  The swerving car hit my
wife and son as they were crossing the street.  My
wife died instantly.  The paramedics tried to save our
unborn daughter who was only three months away from
being born, but they couldn�t do anything.  My son was
taken to the hospital, but he passed away four hours
later while in a coma.�  Jonah looked down at Nabiki. 
He reached out and wiped the tears from her eyes. 
�Please don�t cry Ms. Tendo, I�ve cried enough for the
both of us.�

Nabiki didn�t know what to say tears were running down
her cheeks.  She felt completely helpless.

Continuing, �A week after the accident, I was drowning
my sorrows in a bottle of Tequila that night.  Walking
along the Golden Gate Bridge.  I stopped and looked
down at the water.  Thinking about it now, it�s almost
frightening.  The water below the bridge looked so
warm and inviting.  I could almost hear it beckoning
to me.  Telling me that it would be so easy to just
jump.  My pain would be gone.  I wouldn�t have anymore
pain and sorrow.  All I had to do was just take the
plunge.  I stood on the second railing, still looking
down at the water.  From that point on, I decided to
jump.�

�Right when I was about to jump, still looking down at
the water.  I heard somebody yelling for me to stop. 
I looked over and saw a boy not much older than
thirteen or fourteen.  I told him to go away, and to
mind his own business.  He said that nothing was worth
taking ones own life.  I don�t know why, but I told
him about my wife and children.  He just listened to
my story.  When I was done he told me that his mother
and father died from a drunk driver a few year before.
 I looked up and saw the fire in his eyes.  He had so
much life in them.  You could look at that kid and
tell he was going to live life to the fullest.  I
looked back down at the water and I didn�t see the
warmth that I felt before.  All I saw was cold and
blackness, as if it was the Grim Reaper himself.�

�I stepped down from the railing and sat on the
bridge.  All I could do was cry uncontrollably.  He
walked up to me and told me that my wife wouldn�t have
wanted me to die in such a way.  I thought about it
and agreed.  She wouldn�t have.  My wife was so happy
and full of life.�  Smiling, �She was the total
optimist.  He made me promise that I wouldn�t commit
suicide.  I agreed, but you know what?�

�What?�  Nabiki was totally engrossed with the story. 
Tears were flowing freely from her eyes.

�That was one promise, I knew that I couldn�t break. 
He said his name was Ranma Saotome and he would hold
me to that promise.  I looked up and he was gone.  I
thought that at first he was an Angel.  You know, like
�It�s A Wonderful Life.� Instantly I quite my job and
searched for Ranma.  It took me a year, but I found
him.  From that day on I pledged my loyalty to the
young man.�

Nabiki didn�t� know what to say, she saw Jonah look
out at the courtyard and close his eyes again.  She
did the same, saying a small prayer for his family.

Ranma stood on his balcony watching the two on the
lawn.  Upon their arrival he checked the three girls
out and Nabiki to him was the most interesting.  At
her school she was the most feared, due to her ways of
blackmailing people.  She also was a booky and loan
shark.  The name Ice Queen came up many times, but
what Ranma saw knew otherwise.  He knew the Ice Queen
was just a facade.  There was more to Nabiki than
meets the eye.

Jumping down from the balcony, Ranma landed softly has
he headed toward the two.  Reaching them, he put his
head down as he said a prayer.  Putting his hand on
Jonah�s shoulder, he gave a little squeeze.  Watching
Jonah nod, Ranma left heading to the dojo.

Jonah stood up, �Why don�t you relax Ms. Tendo.  I
have things to take care of.  And Oh, Thank-You,�
Giving Nabiki a big smile.

Nabiki didn�t know what to say.  Nobody ever really
thanked her before, �Your welcome,� She smiled back,
�I�ll be in the dojo, Jeeves.�

Jonah bowed, �Very well, Ms Tendo,�

Leaving in opposite direction, Jonah headed to the
mansion while Nabiki caught up with Ranma.  She
latched onto his arm as they walked to the dojo.

Ranma was taken by surprise.  Looking down he saw the
happiness on her face.  A word wasn�t said between the
two as they entered the dojo.

Upon entering the dojo, Nabiki let go of Ranma�s arm
as she went and leaned against the wall.  Ranma walked
in, looking around.  Kasumi was in the middle of the
mat practicing her katas, while Soun and Akane were on
the other side of the dojo.  He was analyzing her
movements while she was hitting the punching bag. 
Kasumi went into a jump kick and landed immediately
punching at an invisible target.  Ranma was impressed
by what he saw.  She improved dramatically overnight. 
Her reflexes were much quicker and her punches weren�t
as sloppy as they were yesterday.  

Soun noticed Ranma over by Kasumi, �Ranma my boy,�
leaving Akane he walked over to Ranma.  Soun followed
Ranma�s eyes and was shocked to see Kasumi performing
her Katas quite well.  Turning his attention back to
Ranma, �Good to see you.�

�Good Morning Mr. Tendo.�  Ranma nodded his head.

�I hope your trip was successful.�

�Yes, Thank-you.  Sorry for the quick departure.�

Dismissing the apology, �Don�t trouble yourself.  I
had a little talk with my daughters and I decided to
leave today to go back home.�

�I�m sorry to hear.�

�Just take care of my baby girls,�

Ranma bowed, �On my honor as a martial artist.  I�ll
let no harm come to them.�

Soun was satisfied by the answer.  �I also have a
surprise.  Since I�m leaving, I would like for you to
train Akane for me.�

Ranma was taken back by the question.  Looking over at
Akane she was punching and kicking the bag with such
anger.  Ranma saw the potential in the girl, but he
didn�t know if she had the patience for the training. 
Sighing he knew he couldn�t refuse, �Very well, Mr.
Tendo.�

Soun gleamed at the response, �Excellent, AKANE!�

Akane stopped and walked over to her father, �Yes
dad.�

�Great news, Ranma has agreed to become your new
sensei.�

Akane just gritted her teeth, �terrific.�

Ranma sighed, �Alright, I want you and Kasumi to spar.
 This will give me some indication on how much you
know.�

�How dare you treat me as some amateur.  I�m a true
martial artist and heir to the Tendo Ryu Anything Goes
School of Martial Arts.�

Ranma went into Akane�s face, �I do not let any of my
students talk to me in such a manner.  I�m your sensei
and you don�t question my methods.�

Akane gulped, she saw the power coming from him. His
eyes bored right into her, but she wouldn�t back down.
 �Hmph,� crossing her arms.

�Akane listen to your new sensei.�

�Very well.�

�Kasumi you can stop.�

�Yes, sensei.�  Kasumi walked over and knelt down on
the mat.  �I�m ready for today�s lesson.�

Ranma looked down at Kasumi, she was the perfect
student.  Her mind was open to all instructions.  She
was going to soak up the information like a sponge. 
�Your training will start tomorrow, I would like for
you to spar with your sister today.�

�What?�  Kasumi was surprised she didn�t know if she
could hold up against her sister.  She knew Akane was
incredibly strong and was more experienced.  Kasumi
knew that she couldn�t turn down the challenge.  �Yes,
sensei.�

Kasumi and Akane stood in the middle of the mat. 
Akane smirked, �Don�t worry sis, I�ll go easy on you.�

A streak of anger shot through Kasumi.  She hated
being treated like she was some weakling.  Akane and
her father always treated her like some porcelain
doll.  

Bowing to each other, Soun started the match.  �Ok
girls be careful.  Begin!�

Akane immediately went on the offensive, she punch at
Kasumi trying to get quick hit in.  To her surprise,
Kasumi dodged all of the attacks.  Akane couldn�t
understand why her sister was blocking and dodging all
of her attacks.  Getting frustrated Akane lunged with
all her strength.  Kasumi spun as the punch rolled off
of her.  Kasumi while spinning kicked and landed the
blow in the back of Akane�s head.  She was sent
forward and fell face first on the mat.  

Akane quickly stood and turned to Kasumi.  She
couldn�t understand why none of her attacks connected.
 Wasn�t she the greatest martial artist in Nerima? 
Akane knew that she was going easy, it was time for
her to step it up.  

Kasumi didn�t really want to fight her sister, Akane
spent the last few years training in the art.  It
would devastate Akane if she was get beaten by her
older sister.  She would question everything that had
in her life as a waste, especially her curse.  Kasumi
made a decision.

Akane quickly leapt in the air and trying to kick
Kasumi.  Quickly dodging, she didn�t realize until it
was too late that the attack was a decoy.  Akane
landed and swept Kasumi�s legs out from under her. 
Kasumi fell hard on her back as Akane stood on top of
her sister.  �Do you concede?�

Kasumi nodded, �Yes.�

Getting a smug look on her face, �Good match,� helping
her sister up from the mat.

Soun walked up, �I�m so proud of my girls.�

�Hey, I�m starving.  Let�s go get some breakfast.�

�Excellent idea Akane dear.  We�ll see you in the
house.�  Sound and Akane walked out of the dojo.

Walking up to Kasumi, he whispered in her ear, �You
threw the match on purpose.�

Kasumi just lowered her head, �yes.�

Ranma knew she lost on purpose.  Anybody who knew
martial arts could have seen that Kasumi was the more
skilled of the two fighters.  �Go get cleaned up and
think about if you really want to pursue this career
further.  I�m not going to put my life in somebody�s
hands if their not going to give one-hundred percent
all of the time.�

Kasumi was shocked, nobody ever talked to her in such
a manner.  She was about to say something to Ranma
until she saw the seriousness in his eyes.  Tears were
about to form; she tried to fight them back as she ran
out of the dojo.

Watching Kasumi run by, Nabiki felt sorry for her. 
Strolling up to Ranma, �She lost on purpose you know.�

�I know,� He felt bad for being so hard on the girl.

�I feel sorry for Kasumi, she lost on purpose to
protect Akane.  I wished she would have shown how good
she is to Akane and daddy.�  She turned seeing Kasumi
disappear into the house.  �We all took advantage of
her.  I�m as guilty as everyone else.  I saw the
problem and never fixed it.  Around the house, we
always expected Kasumi to take care of it.   We fell
into a pattern that was hard to stop.  I think living
in this house for a year will do us all some good.�

Ranma smirked, �A certain somebody could even give up
being the Ice Queen.�

Nabiki, turned to Ranma, she liked him.  Now she had a
great deal more respect for him.  He was a kind
person, but even he knew that he needed to know what
kind of people was living under his roof.  Smirking,
�You can�t expect a girl to give up her way all at
once.�  

Turning away, Nabiki walked out of the dojo.  Ranma
was still a complete mystery to her.  When her
computer arrived, she was going to get to know him
personally.  Grinning, how she loved to play these
type of games.

Watching Nabiki walk away, Ranma smiled.  �You�ve
definitely grabbed my interest Nabiki Tendo.�

~~~*~~~

�WHAAAA!!  I�m going to miss my girls,�  Soun Tendo
was standing in front of the car, hugging his
daughters in a very tight embrace.

The moving van arrived by the afternoon that day, most
of the three girls belongings were packed and taken to
Ranma�s mansion, except for the furniture.  Soun
stayed a little longer to make sure that everything
arrived safely.  After their dinner Soun announced
that he was opening the dojo back up for students. 
His daughters beamed with pride for their father who
was getting on with his life.  

�Please father we�ll be alright.�

�Yeah daddy, quit making such a fuss.�

Looking at his daughters, �Please give this engagement
a chance.  For the sake of the school, I�m counting on
one of you to change his mind.�

�If we must,� Akane didn�t like the idea.

�Now Ranma,� as Soun looked over his daughters up to
Ranma, �Remember what you promised.�

�On my honor, Jonah and I will make sure your
daughters are completely safe.�

Nodding, Soun steeped into the care.  Jonah shut the
door as he went around the car and into the driver
seat.  The care slowly pulled away going around a
fountain and down the main road and way from the
mansion.

The three watched their father until the care was out
of sight.  Not saying anything, they walked up the
steps and entered the house.   Ranma stood watching
the girls walk past him and into the house.

Following behind, �School starts tomorrow right?�

�Yeah,� Nabiki and Akane sounded less than
enthusiastic.

�Jonah will be driving you to school.  What time would
you like to arrive?�

�7:30, I like to take care of personal matters before
school.�

�Is that alright with you Akane.�

�Whatever,� Akane stormed pass Ranma and went
upstairs.

�Well I guess since my stuff is here I should put it
away.�  Nabiki went upstairs and headed toward to her
room.

Ranma motioned for Kasumi to follow him into the
library.  �I�ll have to leave.  I need to get some
info from an acquaintance.  Jonah should be back soon
to continue your training.�

�You never said what happened last night.�

Ranma went through the events that transpired.  Kasumi
was rather shocked of the situation.  She never
thought of the possibility of somebody pointing and
gun at her and trying to kill her.  She knew now why
Ranma was so hard on her.  �Who�s this Bolo person?�

�Carlos Bolesteros, one of my biggest rivals.  He�s
one of the world�s greatest archeologists, and an
expert in the occult and folklore.  His greed his what
makes him dangerous.  Bolo sells his services to the
highest bidder, and he doesn�t come cheap.  He�d taken
a few objects that I was in possession of right out
from under me.  If he�s involved, I�ll have to be
extra careful.�

�What about Lara?�

Ranma knew that was a subject he didn�t want to get
into.  �Well I should be going,� Turning around to
walk out of the library.

Kasumi took the hint, �Ranma?�

Turning around, �Yes,�

Looking down at the ground, �I�m sorry about this
morning.�

Ranma felt guilty for what he said, �Kasumi, you need
to start living your own life.  Just like your sisters
are living theirs.  Akane has to learn how to deal
with disappointments.  Just give your best for
yourself and not for anybody else.�  Watching Kasumi
nod, Ranma walked out of the library.

Kasumi stood in the library alone, she thought about
what Ranma said.  He was right, she had to start
living her own life.  She wasn�t their mother, her
decisions were her own and she would start making
them.

~~~*~~~

�Tonight we�re giving out twenty percent in the
casino.�

�Make sure you make it thirty percent, Tashiro.  We
have a couple of high rollers who are very good
customers.�

�Yes sir,� Tashiro bowed and left the room.

Looking out at the monitors, he had much to think
about.  Tokai was getting out of jail.  He had to be
careful.  Weaving a complicated web took time and one
false move could ruin the work that was done.

The sky roof crashed down below as the intruder landed
on the desk.  Hojo quickly jumped out of his seat to
get out of the way of the glass.  Guards rushed in
firing at the intruder.  The guy jumped over the
guards and flipped.  While in the air he took the
guards heads and smashed them together.  Landing on
his feet he faced Hojo.�

�Good evening Hojo.�

Tashiro and a couple of guards rushed in, �Sir are you
alright,�  While they pointed their guns at the
intruder.

�Yes you can go,�

�But sir?�

�I�m alright, take those two,� pointing to the two
unconscious guards, �and make sure their not seriously
injured.�

Tashiro knew better than to second-guess the boss.  He
and the other guards took the men lying on the ground
and left the room.

�Sorry for the interruption, but I had to see you
tonight and couldn�t take no for an answer.�  Ranma
like Hojo, there was something about him that didn�t
fit.  Hojo wasn�t the typical Yakuza, and probably the
only one Ranma could trust.  Not fully though, he was
still a Yakuza after all.

�What do you need?�  Wiping the glass off of his
chair.  He took out a cigarette and sat back down.  

�I�m here to collect on the debt.�

Hojo�s eyes perked up, �Very well, what do you
request?�

�Information.  I know you have a man on the inside of
the political party.�

Hojo leaned forward; �You shouldn�t have said that.�

Holding up his hands, �Don�t worry, your secret�s safe
with me.  I have enough problems myself.  I don�t need
to worry about the Yakuza too.�

Hojo leaned back, �Go on.�

�The excavation project in Kyushu, I know it was a
government funded project.  I need to know who was
involved.�

�I see�� Looking at Ranma, �So, your after the royal
treasures too.�

Surprised, �How did..?�

�Remember, the Yakuzas have a vast information
network.  I don�t need any friend to help me with your
little problem.  The project was funded through The
Koga Corporation.  Dietman Isaoka�s one of the
chairman of the company, but I doubt he�s behind
everything.  Whoever hired Bolesteros and involved
Koga Corp is a very powerful person.�  Leaning
forward, �You maybe way over your head here.  You�re
dealing with men who run this country.  If you were
smart you would stop and walk away now.�

Ranma stood up, �I was never very smart about those
type of situations.�

Hojo smiled, �The same here.�

Ranma stood on the desk, below the hole he created,
�Thanks for the info.�  Jumping up twenty feet, Ranma
disappeared into the night.

Hojo pressed a button on the intercom, �Tashiro, does
somebody have time to clean the mess in here?�

�Yes sir, somebody will be right up.�

�Thanks,� Turning the intercom off.  When he made the
next drop off, they would have a lot to talk about.

~~~*~~~

Kasumi concentrated as the swarm of little robotic
wasps started flying around her.  Clearing her mind,
she focused on the little swarm.   As if on cue, the
little robots started attacking.  Her lightning
reflexes quickly took out the first group to attack. 
The second group gave her some more trouble as they
landed a few hits.  By the time the third group
attacked Kasumi was exhausted.  Her movements were
sloppy and it didn�t take long for her to lose again. 
The robots stopped and returned to the opening in the
floor.  

Kasumi dropped to her knees as the sweat dropped from
the end of her nose down to the ground.  She was
frustrated for not being able to complete the next
level.  Hitting the ground with her fist, �Damnit!�

Jonah watched the scene with sympathy.  He knew
Kasumi�s feelings were conflicting.  She wanted to
take care of her family, but she also didn�t want to
be tied down anymore.  She wanted to prove to everyone
that she could lead a life of her own.  Walking up to
Kasumi, �You did wonderful, Ms. Tendo.  Level five is
a great feat to accomplish in just twenty four hours.�
 He helped Kasumi to her feet.

She forced a smile, �Not good enough.�

�Please don�t be so hard on yourself.  You�re
improving as an incredible rate.  Just give it some
time.�

Kasumi let out a sigh, �Your right.  I think I should
get back up before my sisters wonder what happened to
me.  Then I should get some sleep.�

�Have a good night, Kasumi.�

Smiling brightly, �Thank you, goodnight Jonah.�

Jonah watched the girl inter the elevator.  He didn�t
want to tell her, but he could see that she would be
as powerful as Master Ranma was now.  Jonah was going
to have to keep her training under control.  She would
need to be able to control the new power that would
soon be released.

~~~*~~~

The elevator rose, heading toward the penthouse. 
Ranma waited patiently as the elevator stopped and the
doors swung open.  Lara was standing at the door,
waiting for his arrival.  Ranma raised an eyebrow, at
what she was wearing.  Lara was dressed in a very
small silk robe that barely concealed anything.

Lara turned around, �Do you like?�  Motioning him
inside.

Ranma nodded, �you tease,� Lara chuckled, Ranma
followed Lara down the hallway, �Did you find anything
out.�

She led him to the living room, �No, I retraced the
path that led me to Japan, but they stopped here in
Tokyo.  There are a few people who have spotted Bolo
in Tokyo today, but he gave them the slip.�  Taking a
book off the couch she threw it on the coffee table. 
�I did some reading on the necklace.�

Ranma walked up to the book and started scanning the
pages, on the one page was an image of the necklace. 
It was made up of black rainbow pearls.  The pendant
was the pendant was a rainbow crystal.  The necklace
was absolutely beautiful.  He never saw anything like
it.  Reading the caption further, his eyes went wide,
�But that�s in two days.�

�Bingo.�

Looking over the book it said that Amaterasu created
the items to rule over Japan.  Ninigi�s grandfather
the moon god created the necklace in tribute to his
consort.  The first night of a full moon cycle created
enough power for the crystal to create an image.  The
image showed the location of the closest artifact not
in possession, but during a lunar eclipse.   There�s
enough power to locate all of the artifacts.

�Did your contact have anything?�

Closing the book, �The excavation was funded through
the Kaga Corporation.  The compay has very close ties
to Dietman Isaoka one of the most powerful men in
Japanese politics.�

�Do you suspect him to be behind this?�

Shaking his head, �No, There�s somebody else, who�s
running the show,�

Ranma stopped as he saw a red dot lineup to Lara�s
head, �GET DOWN!!�  He grabbed her as they jumped over
the couch and down to the ground.

The penthouse became alive with gunfire.  Bullets were
flying into the living where Ranma and Lara once were.
 Everything was destroyed in its wake.  Paintings on
the wall were shredded.   Expensive vases were
shattered.  Debris was flying everywhere in the
penthouse.  Ranma and Lara covered their faces to
protect themselves from the glass flying everywhere.  

Looking up, Lara found her gun strap slung over a
chair.  Quickly grabbing her holster, �Follow me.�

Ranma crawled after Lara into the kitchen.  The
gunfire stopped, causing in eerie calmness in the
penthouse.  Peering over the breakfast bar, they saw
four men enter the penthouse.  They were dressed in
all black with ski masks covering their faces.  

Peering back down, �Who the fuck are these guys?�

Lara cocked her guns back, �Who knows, we must have
pissed somebody off.�  Quickly standing up Lara fired
two shots that took down one of the men.  

The intruders started firing in the direction of the
shots, bullets were flying over their heads.  �These
guys are definitely not amateurs mercenaries maybe?� 
Ranma stood up off to the side, �Dragon Blast!�  A
fireball erupted from his outstretched hand, hurtling
and connecting with one of the men causing him to fly
back at hit the wall with great force.  He slid down
unconscious as smoke rose from his body.  Ranma
quickly took cover.

�Your probably right.�  Bullets were getting shot over
their heads again.  They�re very good at what they do.
 Too bad they were assigned to kill us.�  Lara and
Ranma both stood up.  

Moko Takabishi!�  The energy blast slammed into one of
the men causing him to cry out in pain.  

Lara wasn�t as lenient.  Her aim was impeccable, they
were dropping like flies.  With the last one falling
to the ground with a bullet wound to his head.

Lara and Ranma waited, but nothing happened.  Slowly
they walked around the broken glass and debris trying
to make their way to their intruders.  Going to the
closest body Ranma took off his mask.

�Military,� Ranma looked down at the young face.  He
was Japanese with a shaved head.  His face was
chiseled from the hard training and life he once led. 
�Special forces,�

�Why do you say that?�

�Call it a hunch,� He lifted up the sleeve revealing a
Special Forces tattoo on the man forearms.  �I think
we should get out of here quickly.  You can stay with
me.�

Lara agreed, �Yeah sure.�  She left to her room to
change and gather her belongings.

Ranma covered the young mans face back up.  Looking at
the coffee table he saw the book.  Immediately
grabbing it, he heard noises outside.  Running out to
the patio, he peered down at the street below.  Police
vehicles lined the outside of the hotel.  �We need to
go!�

Lara came out of the bedroom with a backpack and a
duffel bag in each arm.  Ranma handed her the book. 
Putting it in her backpack, she quickly slung it onto
her shoulders while running to the elevator.  They
stopped and pressed the button automatically opening
the doors.  Entering the elevator Ranma pressed level
three.

�They�re sealing off the building.�  Ranma turned to
Lara as they entered the elevator.  The doors closed
as it started to descend.  

�Most likely�

�I guess we have no choice, but to jump.�

The elevator reached level three.  The doors swung
open immediately exiting, Ranma ran down the hall
followed by Lara.  Turning a corner he peered out a
window looking behind the hotel.

�My car�s down there.�  Pointing to a black car across
the street.  Concentrating he pushed his palms out
causing a massive surge of power that forced the
window to shatter outward.  He quickly picked up Lara.

�What the fu��

Ranma jumped out of the window.  Allowing his chi to
flow, Ranma landed safely on the ground.  �I�m going
to fuckin gill you when we get to your place.�

�I don�t think Jonah will approve.�

�Yeah, what he doesn�t know won�t hurt him.  Now I
know why I didn�t team up with you.�

Ranma shrugged, he ran up to the eight-foot fence and
jumped over with ease.  Lara threw her bag over
landing in Ranma�s arms.  Running up to the fence she
jumped, placing her toe in one of the chain links. 
She propelled herself up, flipping over the fence and
landing next to Ranma.  Handing the bag to her, they
ran across the street to the black Lotus.  Hitting the
unlock button, they both climbed into the car.  Ranma
punched the car into gear as the car rocketed down the
street.

�What do we do now?�  Lara turned to Ranma.

Putting the car into fifth, �I guess we pay a visit to
Kaga Corp tomorrow night.�

Lara just leaned back and relaxed, �So what� s been
happening in your life?�

Smiling, �Oh nothing much, jus the usual.  Relic
hunting, engaged to three girls at once.�

�WHAT??�

Ranma started laughing as the car sped away from the
hotel safely and into the night of Tokyo.

~~~*~~~

�Sir, we weren�t able to kill them.�

�No matter.  We�ll deal with them when the time
comes.�

�They could get in the way.�

�My only concern is getting the two other pieces. 
Whoever gets in my way will be dealt with
accordingly.�

�Yes sir,� The man bowed and left.

 Staring out the window, he looked over Tokyo�s
skylight.  �It�s a pity.  Such talent could serve me
greatly.�  Taking out a cigarette, he lit it blowing
out a puff of smoke.  �It�s too bad they have to die.�

End of Part III

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

Authors note: Chapter 3 is done.  It took awhile to
get to this chapter and finish it.  I have some of
Part IV written, but I shall be concentrating on Lost
Souls and The Road Less Traveled for a little bit,
plus the past month I�ve read all of the Harry Potter
books and thinking of doing my own Ranma/Potter
crossover story.  I�m excited about that story also. 
I know taking on too many projects at once. Oh well,
Once again C&C please at:

ranma13@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/fanficshrine/index.htm




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