Here is the second part of Anijza Part 2
 
 

                                           Ranma 1/2
 
                                              Anijza
 
                                            Part Two:
 
                                   'In Hell As In Forever'
 

                                        Nicholas Stone
 

                                         The Problem
 
       
The mood around the Tendo dojo had never been as dark or sorrowful as
now, and after a week since the disappearance of Ranma, continued to
sink lower as their hopes began to fade.  Most of Ranma's friends tried
to carry on with their daily routines but it was apparent to anyone
observing that something deeply personal had scared them.
       Short tempers, solemn looks, and strain marred their faces, worry
gnawing at their very souls.  Even among the Tendo household there was
tension not normally seen.  Kasumi, Soun, and Nabiki did their best to
keep up appearances, but Genma could not be consoled without breaking
down in tears at the loss.
       But even the wails of the elder Saotome did not match up to the
hurt and pain tearing through Akane Tendo.  She spent her days in her
room with the lights out, mulling about her relationship with Ranma.
Akane's heart lay with him, but this, a sudden fear that maybe just
maybe he might not return at all, brought about terror she had never
imagined before.
       So for the past few days Akane retreated into her only sanctuary,
praying that Cologne would figure out a way for them to recover Ranma
from Anijza's evil clutches.  Her face stung after crying for most of
the morning, a cold knot in her stomach suppressing her hunger.
       "Ranma," she whispered silently, staring out the bedroom window.
"Oh Ranma are you all right?  I've prayed that Anijza's not harmed you.
Please, please if you can hear me, don't give up!  I'm coming, I swear
I'm..."
       She broke down again, placed a hand to her face, and hung her
head.  "I'm so sorry, Ranma!" she sobbed.
       A low knock on the door brought her around.
       "Akane?" called Ryoga's voice.
       Akane quickly dried her eyes and sat down on the bed not wanting
him to see her like this.  She told him to come in and the door slowly
opened.  Ryoga's head peered around the edge searching for her.
       "Is this a bad time," he asked.
       "No, Ryoga" answered Akane, "I was thinking.  Just thinking."
       He stepped in, followed by Nabiki much to her surprise.  Nabiki
pulled up the desk chair and sat down.
       "So, little sister.  We are very worried about you," she said.
       Ryoga sat down beside Akane.  "Yeah, uhm, we thought you might
want some company to cheer you up."
       Akane tried to smile, but only managed a faint grin.  "The only
thing that could cheer me up right now is Cologne finding a way for me
to get to Ranma and bring him back," she said.
       Silence briefly passed, Ryoga and Nabiki both hesitant to comment
on Akane's wish.  Although having Cologne and that demented creature,
Happosai working to find a way to save Ranma, their current efforts were
turning up nary a lead that would help.  
       Nabiki knew it would kill Akane physically as well as mentally if
the two sages failed.  She was determined not to let this happen,
figuring that the right person could replace even Ranma temporarily.  It
might be wrong, she thought, but my little sister is anguishing in pain.
Being Ranma's closest friend, Ryoga stood the best chance of breaking
her doldrums.  They both had the same build, and Ryoga still carried a
small flame for her.
       "Little sister," she said.  Akane looked up, her dejected
expressing drawing on Nabiki's emotions.  "Look, sitting here in this
darkness will not bring Ranma back anytime soon.  You've got to go back
into the world and keep your strength up."
       Akane was shocked.  "Nabiki!  How can you... how can you even
suggest that I ignore completely what happened?"
       "I'm not saying ignore, Akane.  I just-."
       "Think that I'm loosing my mind, is that it?  You, you think I'm
about to crack?"
       "You haven't been the same since Ranma was taken, Akane," said
Ryoga.
       "She killed Ranma right before our eyes, Ryoga!" shouted Akane,
leaping to her feet.  
       Nabiki drew back fearing the wrath coursing from her. "Akane,
please calm down," she said.
       "Calm down?"  Akane pressed her hands to her face and rushed over
to the bureau.  Ryoga started to follow, but Nabiki held up a hand
stopping him.  They waited in silence as Akane sobbed then finally, she
settled down.
       "I saw my (sniff, sniff) fianc�e� murdered and there was nothing
I could do to stop it."  Akane turned around, wiping the tears away from
her cheeks.  "He is your best friend, Ryoga.  Doesn't that mean anything
to you?"
       Ryoga arched a brow, cutting Nabiki a confused look.  The slight
narrowing of Nabiki's eyes told him he had better play along.  "Uh, yeah
Akane, it does," he replied.  "But I also know your well-being is just
as important."
       Ryoga's concern brought Akane to a halt.  Having friends like him
made her feel better, but still the image of Ranma pleading for help
continued to play in her mind, refusing to go away.
       "I want him back," she said, head drooping forward.
       "He'll be back," answered Nabiki.  "Cologne will figure something
out.  Now why don't you let Ryoga here take you out to dinner or
something, hm?"
       "I'm not hungry."
       "Please, Akane," said Ryoga.
       She looked up then with a timid nod agreed.  Ryoga, cheered by
her change of mind, clasped his hands together.
       "Let's say... a large portion of Sukiyaki to begin things?" he
said.
       Akane shrugged.  "I'm really not hungry, Ryoga.  Maybe we'll go
for a short walk or something like that."
       "Okay.  If that will ease your mind then we'll just go for a
walk."
       Nabiki smirked, eyeing her sister.  "Uh, why don't you go and get
cleaned up, Akane?" she said.  "Ryoga will meet you downstairs."
       As Akane headed dolefully out her room, Nabiki waited until she
was safely out of earshot then took hold of Ryoga by the arm.
       "Idiot!"
       Ryoga flinched.  "What, what?  I didn't do anything!"
       "I said dinner, maybe a movie, but not a walk."
       "So she's not hungry.  The fresh air will do her good."
       Growling, Nabiki rolled her eyes up to the ceiling.  "She's going
to head straight down to the Nekohatten!"
       "So?  Then she can eat-."
       "That's where Cologne is trying to find a way to rescue Ranma!
Get it now?"
       Ryoga paused then grimaced realizing he had been duped.  "She's
really got it bad for Ranma, doesn't she?"
       "That's given.  Now you keep her away from there, understand?"
Nabiki thrust a large roll of money into his hands.
       "Wow!" exclaimed Ryoga.
       "That should be more than enough to keep both of you occupied."
       "Where should I take her?"
       "I don't care!  Take her to Hong Kong or something... no, scratch
that.  We'd have to send out a search party for you too.  Just keep her
occupied."
       Ryoga rubbed the back of his head and stared down at the money.
"Okay," he finally said.  "I'll do my best."
       He left to clean up and Nabiki sat back down on the bed again.
She wondered how long her distraction could last and prayed that Cologne
would come up with an answer in the next few days.
       Otherwise, this could become quite expensive...
 
* * * * *
 
Nekohatten, Nerima;
 
       Normally, the Nekohatten restaurant would be busy with customers
enjoying the establishment's fine cuisine.  Today though, it was closed
and in the dining area, four people sat reading through piles of old
books, scrolls and parchments.  Every table was filled while seated on
the floor Cologne read the scripts of ancient writing, searching for
some clue that would solve the problem at hand.
       Grinding her teeth against the stem of a long pipe in her mouth,
the old sage tossed the scroll in her hands onto the growing pile beside
her.  She snatched another one up and began reading over its contents.
       "Great Grand-ma," Shampoo suddenly said from her spot on the
floor, "I not sure what we are looking for in scrolls?"
       Cologne let out a short puff of smoke.  "Something that will help
us find a way to retrieve your husband, child."
       Mousse, sitting across from Shampoo, yawned and stretched his
arms out.  "Well I for one don't think we are ever going to find
anything," he told them.
       A sharp smack on the head stunned him; Cologne glaring angrily
down at him.
       "We will not if you keep thinking like that, foolish boy!" she
shouted.
       "Hey, I'm trying, I'm trying!  Some of these scrolls are written
in languages I'm not familiar with!"
       "No reason to stop," she replied.  "Now get back to reading!"
       "It is all futile, Cologne," grumbled a hackled voice behind her.
       Clouds of blue smoke hovered over where Happosai sat.  His
features were concealed behind an open scroll; low mutterings coming
from the possessed mage.  He stopped and turned it down locking a hard
stare on her.
       "You will never get Ranma Saotome back," his demon half voice
said.
       Cologne hopped over examining the lengths of rosary beads still
wrapped tight around his body.  No signs of slack, she grabbed a fist
full of shirt and pulled him up close.
       "Spare us your condescending remarks, evil one," she growled at
him, "You of all things should be able to tell us how to get too Hell
and save Ranma."
       Happosai hissed and began writhing in her grasp.  His hands
reached up towards her; Mousse and Shampoo both expecting a fight, but
his withered fingers stopped just short of her face.
       "You may have bound me, but I will never assist you in your
madness!"
       "Then be silent and allow Happosai to work."
       A last hiss, then Happosai's shoulders sagged down.  "I've, I've
never seen my alter-self so agitated," he managed to say.
       Cologne let him go and returned to her pile.  "Because he knows
if the powers controlling Hell find out he assisted us, his existence
will be terminated."
       "That might not be bad thing," said Shampoo.
       "A blessing," added Mousse.  "So as I was saying, Cologne some of
these scrolls and stuff I can't read."
       "Then pass them along to Happosai or me.  We cannot stop until
we've completely exhausted all efforts to save Ranma."
       "And if we not find way?  What we do then, Great Grand-ma?"
       Cologne felt the stares upon her.  She ignored them, continuing
with her reading.  After a moment, she stopped.
       "We will find a way," she said somberly.  "We will find a way..."
 
* * * * *
 
       Ranma's grunts and strains echoed through his cell, his hands
gripped tight around the window bars desperately trying to spread them
apart.  They refused to give, not even a slight warp to mar their shape.
His strength ebbed, Ranma let go and slid down to his knees sobbing
quietly into the cold slime covered wall.
       "Akane," he muttered through his sobs, "Akane... I can't do it.
I-I-I need you so bad... please... please hear me."
       This was the worst he ever felt, and the deepest he had ever gone
in despair.  Only the thoughts of Akane held him away from the brink of
collapse, driving the urge to allow Anijza her way with him from his
mind. This is Hell, he thought, gazing slowly up at the window again.
I'm dead... I must be, that's the only reason I can't breakout of this
cell.  Ranma felt his mind giving way again to delirium and sat sharply
upright, shaking his head.
       "No," he said.  "I must not let her spell take me over.  I will
fight you, Anijza!  To the end, do you hear me?  To the end!"
       He shot to his feet and grabbed the bars again, straining as he
pulled with all his might.  "A very futile effort," a voice from behind
said, and Ranma dropped spinning around.
       At the cell window stood one of Anijza's hooded assistants
watching him.  He stood up and went to the door.
       "What do you want?" asked Ranma.
       "I came to check on you, as per our instructions."
       "Well you can tell Anijza I'm still not giving in to her
request."
       The hooded man's head moved slightly from side to side.  "Such
resistance.  Truly, once I was like you."
       Huh?
       Ranma blinked from his surprise and moved closer to the door.
"Once?  You mean you too were a prisoner of Anijza's?"
       There came no immediate reply, and then the locks on the door
slammed back.  In walked the hooded man and Ranma instinctively backed
away.  He stopped in the middle of the cell, the dark maw of the hood
gaping at him.
       "I am Kendral, and I was the first of Anijza's companions."
       "First?  But... but I thought Anijza-."
       "The mistress has existed several centuries before, Saotome.  You
are but another of her consorts to appease our deity's penance."
       "Damn... and I wouldn't have thought she was a day over-."  Ranma
did a sharp double-take.  "Penance?  I-I-I'm a penance for who?"
       "Our Master, who requires the mistress to take a new consort
every century."
       At the cell door, two more hooded figures appeared.  They stood
silently as Kendral went on.
       "We have made the ultimate sacrifice in life, Ranma Saotome.  We,
Anijza's chosen consorts, have paid her debt with our very essence."
       This was not sounding good to Ranma.  He took several more
hesitant steps back fear rising.  Kendral's silent movements followed
him.
       "Saotome... you will provide our mistress with the energy she
needs to pay her debit and extend her reign of the lower wastelands."
       The two hooded figures began moving in as well, and Ranma in his
panic backpedaled trying to keep them at a distance.
       "I-I-I don't know what you want, Kendral, but stay away from me!"
he cried, pressing into the farthest corner of the cell.
       "We will show you what awaits Ranma Saotome," said Kendral.  He
and other hooded men glided to a stop peering down over Ranma.  A rank
smell made Ranma choke, twisting his face away gasping for breath.  It's
putrid, sweet odor was that of rotting meat, and then with a hesitant
look up, Ranma drew in a terrified gasp at what he saw.
       Kendral's hood draped back exposing a shriveled thing barely
resembling that of a human head.  Skin, putrid cold black folds of it
drooped down along the skull, eyes sunken and yellowed with disease and
age glaring upon him in their cold sockets.  Few strands of hair
remained, boils that oozed with pus dotting the top of his head.
Likewise appeared the other two of Anijza's consorts, varied in their
rot and decay depending on when their time of choosing had been.
       "No," gasped Ranma, chin trembling at the horror before him.
       "You will become like us eventually, Saotome," continued Kendral
from the toothless maw that once was a mouth, "a slow, ever exhorting
consumption of your soul.  Painful, yet lingering, and the Mistress will
continue as she is now while you rot away into forever torment and
suffering."
       "No...No... NOOOOOOOO!"
       Ranma tried to bat Kendral aside, but a boney hand shot out
grabbing his wrist.  The fingers tightened and Ranma let out a moan of
pain.
       "There is no resistance, Saotome, and there is no escape."
Kendral thrust Ranma's arm aside, stepping back along with his
companions.  They re-covered their heads and silently turned heading for
the door.
       "Kendral!" called Ranma.  He stopped.
       "Yes?"
       "I don't belong here!"
       Slowly did Kendral turn around.  "None of us did... at first,
Ranma," he replied.
       Ranma scrambled to his knees desperately reaching out towards the
dark figure.  "I don't belong here," he cried, sobbing uncontrollably,
"Please!  Please help me get back to my world!"
       "You still do not understand, Ranma?" asked Kendral.
       "Understand what?"
       A long silence followed then Kendral answered him.  "Your living
body has been destroyed, Ranma Saotome.  There is no receptacle for you
to return to on your plain.  Anijza has seen to that."
       Ranma's arm dropped lifelessly down to his side, shock covering
his face.  After a moment, he drew back into the corner, curling up into
a fetal position shuddering in terror.
       "Still the signs of emotions," said Kendral.  He went to the cell
door and then paused.  "They too will pass once you are finally made
part of the Mistress's world.  And then..."
       The door clanged shut locking loudly leaving Ranma alone to
contemplate his fate.
 
* * * * *
 
       Beaming with self-satisfaction, Anijza stood before the bluish
glow of her summoner waiting for her master's reply.  He would be
pleased, she thought hands clasped tight behind her, filled with
anticipation.  Such pleasure to be had, I am to be surly rewarded well
for the soul I will give!  Ranma Saotome, a spirit as wild as the
blazing winds of Phleghos!  Raw, unbridled as his name, surely there is
but none who can equal my offering!
       She twirled with delight, unable to control herself any longer.
Moreover, there will be other pleasures long over due that I will
fulfill, continued Anijza.  Yes, my satisfaction will be complete, and
all at the hands of one I have so long desired.  Ranma Saotome, you will
be my greatest conquest!
       "Anijza," called an ethereal voice from the glow.
       Immediately, she turned and went prone before the summoner.  "My
lord," she replied, praying he would not be angered by her joy, "I have
good news for you."
       "Success, I assume?" came the Deity's reply.
       "Yes, my lord.  I have brought back my payment as promised."
       "Hmm... interesting.  There were no 'lingering' problems then?"
       Damn, he knows of Tendo's interference!
       "I thwarted all resistance, my lord," she hesitantly answered.
       "I sense doubt in your words, Anijza.  Are you hiding something
from me?"
       Anijza looked sharply up.  "No, my lord!" she exclaimed, "I
brought my offering back as per our laws."
       A foreboding feeling filled the air, Anijza eyes locked fearfully
up at the summoner awaiting a reply.
       "Very well, little one.  I will begin my gathering and arrive
soon to claim my payment."
       Anijza smiled, that was until the Deity's large hands reached out
grabbing her by both shoulders and lifted her into the air.
       "But remember what the price of failure is, and of lying to me."
       The arms set her back down, drawing back into the summoner.  "Be
ready, Anijza," finished the Deity, and the glow faded out.
       Anijza, once confident, now was filled with fear.  She felt
uneasy and turned staggering back to her throne room and collapsed into
the chair with a tired sigh.  Out of the dark shadows appeared a servant
holding a steaming goblet of liquid.  It stood waiting silently for her
to take it, but with a dark growl, Anijza batted the goblet aside.
       "I do not recall asking for this!" she raged at the cowering
servant.  It scurried away, rushing past Kendral approaching from the
main entrance.
       "Is there a problem, Mistress?" he asked.
       "I also did not call for you!" screamed Anijza, eyes bright red
with hate.  "Be gone, worm!  Go back to the dung heap you crawled from!"
       Kendral paused, confused and stung by her remark.  He did as
instructed going back when Anijza's call stopped him.
       "M'lady?" he said, refraining from facing her.
       "Ranma.  How is he taking his new existence?"
       "Not very well, but we all went through that stage at one time."
       "He will settle down," commented Anijza.
       "Into a long existence of usefulness I assume?"
       Anijza stiffened at the sarcastic remark, regarding Kendral with
distain.  So tempting to send him to the marshes of Minauros to dig for
stone, but he was too valuable to her for the present moment.
       "Make ready the preparations for the ceremony," she ordered.
       "And this will be?"
       "You know the Master comes when he comes, Kendral.  Have them
ready no matter when he arrives."
       "As you wish, my lady," replied Kendral with a nod.
       Once alone, Anijza sat back in her throne. She stretched he
slender legs out, dreaming of the time when she and Ranma would be
intertwined in hot moments of passion.  A long shudder coursed through
her, something rarely given in the Netherworlds.
       The excitement ran hot through her body and a hand slowly drifted
up across her breast.  Anijza tipped her head back letting out a moan.
"Oh, Ranma," she cried out to the skies.  "I will have you, I will-."
       Suddenly she stopped as her fingers reached her throat.  It was
bare, and that made her sit upright.  "No," she gasped, fleecing through
and around her attire.  "No, no, I could not have!"
       She sat forward, hands passing worriedly through her hair,
realizing that she had made a fatal mistake.  "My locket," she muttered
then sprang out of the throne into the center of the room.  Anijza made
a throaty, cat like snarl, fingers shifting with sickening cracks and
pops into slender taloned claws.
       "I left my locket behind at the Tendo dojo!" she hissed, "How
could I have been so stupid?"
       Anijza dropped to her knees. "Could this be what the Master was
hinting at?  Could he know that if that toad Akane finds it, she could
conceivably find a way here to my realms?"
       "rrrrRRRAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"
       The cry echoed long throughout the halls of the palace, and when
they subsided, Anijza fell back on her rear, chest heaving with fury.
Finally, she settled down and began thinking of a way to recover the
precious item without annoy her Master.
       "I cannot physically go back and retrieve it," she muttered.  A
thought suddenly hit, and a thin smile formed.  She got up going to one
of the chest along the wall and opened it up.  "Yes," she said picking
out a small purple colored box, peaking in.  A low hiss came from inside
and Anijza's smile grew brighter.
       "I may not be able to go back, but I can certainly send you, my
little friend."  Another hiss sounded, Anijza chuckling deviously.
       "And who knows?  Maybe Akane Tendo herself will have it in her
possession.  Won't that be too bad..."
 
* * * * *
 
       It was their usual place in the dojo, a spot where all of the
days ups and downs could be forgotten.  Akane Tendo shifted back gazing
up into the midnight sky reflecting on the past, and of Ranma.  The warm
night air felt good and she smiled closing her eyes pretending that he
was there, his rough but gentle voice soothing away her fears.
       "Tired?" came a voice and she looked over at Ryoga sitting beside
her.
       "Mmm, no.  Just thinking that's all," she replied.
       Ryoga eyed her, sensing Akane's sorrow.  No doubt thoughts of
Ranma again.  Damn Anijza for doing this, he angrily thought, that witch
will pay dearly!
        "Ryoga," said Akane, breaking him from his thoughts.  She had
turned facing him, a deep look of sadness in her eyes.
       "I want to thank you for taking me out tonight."
       Fighting down his urges, Ryoga gave his collar a nervous tug.
"Uh, n-n-no problem, Akane.  It was my pleasure."
       Akane laughed lightly, placing a tender hand on his shoulder.
"Nabiki's motives are plain; Ryoga, but still I did need the break."
       "You sure did.  Those wrinkles of worry growing on your forehead
don't suit you to well."
       They both laughed for a moment then a long silence followed.
       "So, ah... you want to go to bed?" Ryoga finally said.
       Akane's brows rose up and she gave him a candid look of mild
surprise.
       Ryoga realized that did not come out right.  "I don't mean you,
me, and y'know.  It is late... really!"
       Akane let out a sigh.  "No.  I'm not really tired, Ryoga."
       Before he could say anymore, Akane drew up close to Ryoga and
stared deep into his eyes.  This was all Ryoga could ever ask for and
more, Akane at her weakest point.  So vulnerable, needing a tender hand
to caress her, but it felt all wrong like in someway he was violating a
sacred trust.  He drew away, beads of sweat dotting his brow.
       "Ryoga," said Akane in a light, almost pleading voice, "You know
we'll get Ranma back, don't you?"
       "Uh, uh, ah, sh-sh-sure, A-A-Akane!  We'll get him back!"
       She smiled then moved closer, giving Ryoga a light kiss on one
cheek.  "You're such a good friend.  Ranma is so lucky to have you at
his side."
       If Ryoga wanted to say anything he could not totally paralyzed
with shock.  Akane got up.
       "Maybe I should go to bed," she said.  "I need to be rested and
ready to go when Cologne does find a way to bring Ranma back.  Good
night Ryoga."
       Ryoga's eyelids fluttered as she went inside, then slowly he look
in her direction and placed a hand to his warm face.
       "... uh, goodnight, Akane," he mumbled, still too dazed to really
comprehend what just went on.
 
* * * * *
 
       Doctor Ono Tofu watched Akane from his place on the living room
floor, noting the haggard way she carried herself.  No good he thought,
hoping the girl could somehow hold up beneath all of the stress this odd
and terrible situation placed on her.
       After the furious battle in the construction zone, Ono had his
hands full tending to everyone's injuries, clearing away the taint of
the demon's touch and healing deep scars left behind by its evil claws.
Any known medical professional could not cure Akane's pain, the ache
deep in her heart.  No, her cure lay in recovering Ranma, and so far,
that hope was quickly slipping away.
       "My poor sister," Kasumi Tendo said.  She sat close to Ono's
side, the bicep of her right arm wrapped tight in bandages.  That she
even had the nerve to fight astounded Ono.  Kasumi, his picture of
perfect grace and beauty, in a brawl with some demon from Hell no less!
       "How are you doing?" he asked her.
       Kasumi flexed her arm a bit.  "Not sore anymore.  I think I will
be able to take this off and resume my chores tomorrow."
       "Not a chance," said Tofu firmly.  "You will rest like I have
instructed until that injury has fully mended.
       "But, Ono-."
       He shook his head, then gently leaned close and placed a warm
kiss on the top of her head.  "You rest, Kasumi.  I will take care of
things."
       Kasumi's annoyed pout appeared, arms crossed with frustration.
"Ono Tofu, I am not a child, and I feel much better.  So, so, you can
stop all of the kid-glove treatment."
       "And I am your doctor, and I think I know what is best for you in
this situation."
       She could not argue with the fact, but at least there was one
thing she could do that would not put to much strain on her or Tofu's
mind.
       "Kasumi, where are you going," called Ono as she got up.
       "I still have to put the mail out for pick-up tomorrow.  Bills
have to be paid."
       The defiant woman strode off and Ono could only smile at her
selfless devotion to duty...
 
* * * * *
 
       A dark form slinked along the lower walls of the Tendo dojo
compound, eyeing the home with hungry eyes as it moved to complete the
task given.  The smell of living flesh permeated the air, driblets of
hot saliva running down its matted chin, the urge to feast strong in its
belly.
       No!  The task was not to devour, but to return what belonged to
the mistress, and that object lay somewhere inside this stinking
domicile amidst the beings that dwelled on this plain.  A way in was
needed, to pass inside without arousing suspicions and search.  There
seemed no way, all the doors oddly warded or there were too many beings
around for safe passage.
       The creature slipped up through the brush, pressing along the
side of a tree, its steely claws gouging deep into the bark, tendrils
rustling the leaves and limbs with displeasure.  Suddenly, the front
door opened and out stepped a female carrying something in her hands,
walking towards the main gates.  A low pleased growl rumbled from the
creature's throat, lips curling back as opportunity presented itself.  A
brief moment of concentration brought an image from this one's mind. It
quickly transformed and made ready for her return...
 
* * * * *
 
       "The nerve of Ono, telling me I cannot clean my own home,"
grumbled Kasumi as she dropped the letters into the mailbox.  Even
though she deeply loved the man, she could not even begin to think about
allowing her daily chores to go by for a second.  Already there were
signs of dust on the furniture.  Not in my house!
       "Well I'll just have to show him tomorrow," she fumed, striding
purposely back up the walkway.  "Ono Tofu, Doctor or no doctor, I
will-."
       "Meow?"
       Kasumi stopped searching the dark grounds for the source of the
cry.  It called again, and there just at the foot of the porch sat a
small tiny brown and grey kitten.  It appeared weak and sickly, shaking
as if in fear.  Its large yellow eyes looked up pleadingly to her and
then let out another low meow.
       "Awwww, you poor dear," said Kasumi kneeling to pick the kitten
up.  "Where is your mother, hm?"
       "Mew," cried the kitten, rising up to give her a lick on the
nose.
       "Well I'm taking you inside right now.  Feed you, clean you up,
and you'll be as good as new by dawn."
       The pleased kitten snuggled up to Kasumi's breast, a brief glint
of evil reflecting on its face as Kasumi went back into the dojo.
       "Ono," she called as she kicked of her slippers, "Ono, come look
at the pretty kitten I found outside."
       In the living room, Ono smirked casting a questioning glance over
at Ryoga.  That woman's heart is just too big; he muttered getting up to
see what she was talking about.  He rounded the corner and made an
abrupt stop as the dark aura wafting up from the cat touched his mind.
       "Kasumi!" he cried, "Kasumi, put that kitten down!"
       The kitten in her arms too felt Tofu powers and knew that it was
exposed.  Meanwhile, Kasumi stood staring curiously at Doctor Tofu.
       "Ono, this poor little thing needs some care and comfort."
       Tofu called for Ryoga, reached into his pocket pulling out a
tome.  "Kasumi, that cat is evil!  Put it down now!" he shouted again.
       "Ono!  Such accusations," answered Kasumi.  She began gently
stroking the fur of the kittens back and neck, turning its head up
toward her.  It appeared to be enjoying her caress, face rubbing against
her chest.  Kasumi smiled, until the kitten's eyes started glowing.  She
let out a small gasp and tried to pull her hand away, but realized with
fearful alarm that the hairs of its back were twining themselves tightly
around her fingers...
 
* * * * *
 
       Kasumi's scream sat Akane upright in her bed.  She threw back the
covers and dashed to the door to see what was going on.  Out in the
hall, Nabiki stood staring out in the direction of the stairway still
rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
       "What the hell?" she muttered then stumbled groggily after Akane
as she rushed past.  The sisters stopped at the top of the steps, and a
cold chill went through them as they caught sight of the monster
standing in the foyer below.
       It bore the resemblance of a cat reared high up on long sinewy
legs.  Dark hair covered its body, thick paws barred ready to fight any
who tried to oppose it.  From its back long tendrils writhed in the air
and entwined in them was Kasumi struggling to squirm free, a hand
pulling at the cord wrapped tightly around her neck.  The creature held
her protectively before it effectively preventing Doctor Tofu and Ryoga
from attacking.
       "Oh, I see we have more company," remarked Nabiki.
       Akane gave her sister a look of disbelief then called down to Ono
and Ryoga.  "Doctor Tofu what is it?"
       Ono Tofu moved back and forth, his tome held up between two
fingers waiting for an opportunity to strike and dispel this beast.  "A
creature from Hell, Akane, but I do not know why it is here or what it
wants!"
       "What do you want us to do?"
       The creature's head turned up at them, letting out a deep growl
and hiss, making a swipe through the air destroying part of the railing.
       "Us?" questioned Nabiki, inching away from potential harm.
Kasumi's cry split the air again.
       Down the lower hallway thundered Soun, his battle sword drawn.
He skidded to a stop upon seeing the hulking monstrosity, letting out a
fearful groan of concern at Kasumi's plight.
       "Tofu, do something!" he shouted, taking a ready stance.
       Ryoga, brandishing a chair before him, shook his head.  "We can't
get close enough, Mister Tendo.  Every time we try it tightens its grip
around Kasumi."
       "What does it want?"
       A long growl rumbled from the thing and it rasped out,
"Lllrooccckkeetttt!" several times.
       "Okay, my Monster 101 is weak.  Did anybody catch that?" asked
Ryoga.
       "Jokes are not needed right now, Hibiki," said Ono, and to
emphasis his point, the tendrils around Kasumi tightened making her cry
out again.
       "This has to be Anijza's doing!" Akane said, "But why did she
send this thing back here?"
       "It does not matter!" raged Soun, "Save Kasumi!"
       The creature took several steps back inching towards the stairs.
Nabiki retreated from view as Akane stood ready for battle, but then an
angry cry came from the hall just beyond.   Genma Saotome sprang from
out of the shadows pouncing down on its shoulders.  The rest of the
group immediately attacked while the things attention was drawn away.
       The chair Ryoga wielded broke harmlessly across its chest, a
retaliatory paw catching him across the face slamming back into the
adjacent wall.  Genma planted a hard fist to one eye and it let out a
cry of pain, raising its back up into the ceiling trying to dislodge
him.  A painful swipe severed several tendrils and it cried out again as
Soun continued to hack away at the things holding his daughter.
Suddenly, Kasumi was whisked around colliding face first into her
father's stunning him.  Without pause, the creature's tail snapped
catching Ono beneath the chin and he too fell away.
       Akane tried to attack, but in a flash the thing still with Kasumi
in its deadly grasp shot up the steps brushing her aside with a sturdy
shoulder blow.  She hit the wall going to the floor grimacing in pain,
and then rolled onto her stomach.  Nabiki knelt down beside her.
       "Akane?  Akane!"
       "Yeah... Nabiki, your help would be much appreciated right about
now."
       Akane shook the stars from her eyes then looked sharply up the
hall.  "Where did it go?" she asked.
       "In your room," answered Nabiki, pointing at the broken doorway
leading into Akane's bedroom.  They could hear her furniture being
thrown about, an occasional moan from Kasumi letting them know that she
was still alive.  Together, the two sisters went to the doorway.
       The bedroom was a shambles with clothes strewn everywhere,
Akane's bed flipped upside-down her desk smashed completely in two.
Over at the closet the creature dug furiously through the shelves
slinging items back over its head in frantic search of Anijza's lost
locket.  At its feet Kasumi still lie draped in the tendrils, her eyes
clenched shut struggling for gulps of air.
       "Stop that!" shouted Akane, boldly charging into the room.
       The thing drew back and glared evilly at her then took a step
towards Akane.  "Lllrooccckkeetttt!" it growled again in its
unintelligible voice.
       "I don't know what you are looking for, but you stop hurting my
sister like that!"
       Hesitantly, the creature glanced down at Kasumi realizing that
this tiny morsel wanted it to let her go.  It let out what could only be
equated to as a laugh, and then lifted Kasumi high in the air and tossed
her towards the corner of the room.  Akane let out a yell and leaped
catching her sister, but was unable to stop their movement and they
landed amidst the jumble of ripped mattresses and bedding.
       "Kasumi, Kasumi speak to me!" said Akane.  Kasumi murmured
something incoherently and Akane tried to gather her up when an ominous
hiss came from behind.  She slowly turned and then screamed at the angry
face glaring mere millimeters from hers.
       "Lllrooccckkeetttt!"
       "Uh, Akane.  I think this monster kitten wants you to give it
something," said Nabiki.
       Akane gulped down the lump in her throat.  "Nabiki, could you
please do something?" she pleaded to her sister.
       Nabiki looked back down the hallway.  "Doctor Tofu, Daddy, Ryoga,
Mister Saotome, you're needed up here!"
       Oh great, thought Akane.  "What do you want from me?" she shouted
at the creature.
       Once again, the monster rasped out its request.  Akane cast a
forlorn look over at her sister, who could only shrug back just as lost.
A sharp cough drew the creature back up on its hind legs then it grabbed
at its throat as if being choked by some unseen force.  Its shoulders
heaved and a deep warbling moan carried up into the air.  Akane drew
back against the sound as it continued to rise, finally leveling out
into a contemptuous laugh.
       A cold flush ran though Akane's veins recognizing whose laugh it
was.  "Anijza," she hissed through grit teeth, seething with fury.
       "Well, Akane Tendo.  I did not think I would have this much
trouble retrieving my possessions," Anijza's voice said from the beast.
       Very slowly did Akane rise to her feet.  Her entire body shook
with rage, all fear now gone as she faced down the monster with a look
of death.  Ono, Soun, Ryoga and Genma appeared at the doorway.
       "Akane!" cried Ryoga, but Nabiki held out her arm stopping his
advance.
       "Anijza," she said, still staring fearfully at the creature.
       "That's Anijza?" Ono asked.
       "She sure has changed," commented Ryoga.
       Meanwhile, Anijza's voice continued.  "Give me back what is mine,
Akane Tendo," it said.
       Akane's chest heaved.  "You bring Ranma back to me!" she raged.
       "Hah, hah, hah!  Still harboring love for my new consort?  Never,
you little toad!  Now hand over my locket immediately, or suffer a most
painful fate beneath my minion's claws!"
       Much to everyone's surprise, Akane yelled loudly and leaped with
fist barred straight at the creature.  Caught off guard, her rock hard
knuckles caught it square on the chin toppling it end over end to the
floor.
       "You bitch!" screamed Akane, poised ready to strike again, "I'll
kill you, and I'll get Ranma back!"
       "Whoa!" gasped Ryoga, "Now I see why Ranma doesn't allow her to
hit him."
       "Oh, locket," Nabiki said.  "So that's what it was saying.  Must
be talking about the one we gave to Cologne along with the rest of
Anijza's things."
       The creature's head snapped up and looked sharply at Nabiki.  It
growled, curling back away from Akane and narrowed its eyes.  They
flashed, and then Nabiki's head jerked with a sharp shriek.  She fell
back into Ono Tofu's arms.
       Tofu knew immediately what the thing had done.  "Akane, stop it!"
he called out, but it was too late.  The creature crashed though the
window disappearing into the night beyond.
       "Damn," growled Ono.  He passed Nabiki to Soun and went to check
on Kasumi.  Her neck and wrists were bruised, nose bloodied but no
apparent breaks that he could see.  "Soun, Genma, you stay here and tend
to the girls," he finished, standing up.
       "Wha-!  Where are you going?" Soun asked.
       "Akane, Ryoga and I have to go after that thing."
       "We are?" said Ryoga.
       "We do?" added Akane.
       "Yes. It's going after Anijza's locket and that means it will be
heading down to the Nekohatten to get it back."
       "Oh my gosh!" exclaimed Akane, "We've got to warn Cologne!"
       "We'll call her on the way.  Come on, there is no time to waste!"
 
* * * * *
 
       "You must be mistaken, Happi," Cologne grumbled low at Happosai.
They stood off in the back room of the Nekohatten, conferring about
something that apparently had the old sage up in arms.  To Shampoo and
Mousse, this did mean that things were not about to get better.  It was
bad enough having to scan and rescan through old tome and parchments
most of the night, now those two found something so dark it had to be
kept from them.
       "I not like this," said Shampoo to Mousse.
       He yawned, stretching his arms and laid back across some chairs,
resting his eyes.  "Good or bad, at least we can get some sleep."
       "Silly blind boy!" snapped Shampoo.  "This might mean we not able
to get Ranma back from evil Anijza."
       Moose cut her a quick peek, rolling his eyes over towards the
back room.  "Well, I'm still tired," he replied, closing them again.
       Meanwhile, Cologne and Happosai spread out the parchment of their
concern out on the floor and were studying it closer now.
       "You see, Cologne, this is the spell we need to send them too
Anijza" Happosai said.  He passed the light in his hand over part of the
parchment so Cologne could read the inscriptions.
       "But the way we must do this, Happi," she replied.  Her wizened
features drooped into motherly concern and she started pacing around,
wringing both hands nervously together.  "I cannot do it!" she finally
said, rounding sharply to Happosai.
       "Then you can forget all about Ranma Saotome," came the warbled
reply from Happosai's demon.
       Cologne's shoulders sagged.  "I guess it is the only way," she
sighed.  Just then the phone rang.  "Now who would be calling us at this
time of the night?" she wondered, moving to the door.
       Shampoo was already there and picked up the receiver.  "Nihao!
Sorry, Nekohatten cl-."
       [Shampoo, it's me, Akane!  Don't talk, just listen!  Lock all of
your doors and windows and tell Cologne something bad is coming your
way.  Something dark and evil!]
       Frowning at the receiver, Shampoo looked over to Cologne.
       "What is it child?" she asked.
       "It Akane.  She say something evil coming to Nekohatten."
       "What!" cried the old sage.  Behind her, a long wail rose up from
Happosai.  He lay on his side curled up in a ball shaking
uncontrollably.
       "We are doomed," moaned his demonic-voice, "The dark ones have
sent an avenger to kill me!"
       Mousse, sitting up right now, started with surprise at the news.
"What's that?"
       Akane's frantic calls drew Shampoo's attention back to the phone.
[Shampoo, it wants Anijza's locket, understand, it's coming for her
locket.]
       [Locket?  Why it want ugly thing?]
       [I don't know!  Just lock yourselves in and we'll be there to
help you in a few minutes!]
       "Shampoo!" shouted Cologne, "What is Akane saying?"
       Shampoo started to answer when from the roof they all heard a
loud thump then the scraping of nails on the brick shingles.  Mousse,
staring with jaw agape up at the ceiling, slowly came to his feet.
Another long moan came from Happosai, and even Cologne had to pause in
fear.
       [Akane,] said Shampoo, [It here.] and hung up the phone.
       "Noooo!  Dooommmmeeeddd, DOOOMMEEDD!" moaned Happosai.
       "Be silent!" snapped Cologne.  She grabbed him by the collar and
dragged him back out into the center of the dining room.
       More scrapping could be heard then heavy steps across the roof as
whatever it was searched for a way inside.  The three stood tracking the
movements waiting for the attack sure to follow.
       "Aw Hell," said Mousse.  "What is that?"
       "We'll find out soon enough," answered Cologne.  "Shampoo, did
Akane say why it is here?"
       "It want evil Anijza's locket."
       "Of course," said Cologne with a snap of her fingers.  She cast a
glance back at the storeroom where Anijza's things were and then another
heavy thump drew her eyes back up to the ceiling.  "Mousse, go upstairs
and lock all of the doors."
       He stared down at her in shock.  "No way!  I don't need visuals
to know that whatever it is up there is probably bigger, meaner than me,
and terribly upset right about now.  Beat me to a pulp, but I am not
going up there alone."  A crash of a window sounded.  "Besides, it's
already inside."
       Growling angrily, Cologne snatched up her staff and went to the
foot of the steps.  "Then go get Anijza's things and bring them to the
dining room!  Shampoo, my bag of wards.  Hurry!"
       The two sprang into action, Shampoo quickly retrieving Cologne's
bag of magic spells and wards; Mousse darting into the storeroom
carrying out the box containing Anijza's locket and clothes.  It reeked,
even though sealed tight with thick strips of tape, the stench foul
enough to wrinkle their noses.
       "Ugh!  Maybe we should just give this stuff back after all,"
commented Mousse as he set it down on the floor.
       "No!  We need it," said Cologne.
       She took her bag and started rummaging through it searching for
the right vial that she needed to ward off this creature.  Upstairs they
could hear it ransacking the rooms, heavy furniture and other objects
crashing against the walls.
       "My room," gasped Shampoo.
       "The more time it takes up there, the more time I get to
prepare," said Cologne.  She pulled out a vial holding it up.  It was a
Milky-white powder with a faint glow of its own even under the lights.
Tapping the sides, Cologne made a strained grunt, clutching it tight.
       "There is not enough here to protect all of us," she told them as
she looked around the dining room.  "We'll have to fight it."
       "Fight!" exclaimed Shampoo.
       "And how long will that be?" Mousse frantically asked.
       "Till dawn if memory serves me correctly."
       "All my weapons up in room, great grand-ma!" Shampoo pointed out
to her.  "We only have kitchen utensils-."
       "Then they will have to do!" shouted Cologne.  "Both of you stop
sniveling and get ready."
       Grabbing Happosai again, Cologne dragged him over to the box and
set him on top.  He writhed in unimaginable fright and suffering while
she uncorked the vial and started to tap out the powder in a circle on
the floor.  Suddenly, Happosai stopped and looked strangely at her.
       "You cannot defeat it, Cologne," rasped Happosai's demon.
       Cologne briefly paused, and then with a slight curl of her lip,
continued to complete her task.  Once done, she went back to her bag and
pulled out two more vials, tossing one up to Mousse.  "Sprinkle every
blade you have with that," she told him.  Taking Shampoo by a hand, she
pulled her granddaughter over behind the counter next to the grill and
pointed to the assortment of cutting knives and pans.
       "Great grand-ma, will this kill monster?" asked Shampoo as she
dusted the blade of a large cutting knife.
       "No, but it will hurt and that might make it think twice about
attacking us head on."
       Mousse tipped several of the tables onto their sides.  "I'd
rather give it that crap in the box than sit here fighting until the sun
comes up," he grumbled.
       There came one last crash from upstairs then an ominous silence
followed.  "Mousse, dim the lights," whispered Cologne, and they
crouched low behind what cover they could find waiting for the monster
above to make its appearance.
       It was not long in coming, first a heavy paw thumped down on the
top step, followed by another in slow, cautious repetition.  Mousse
twirled two long slim daggers out of his sleeves and peered up over the
edge of the table he hid behind.  He could see it poised midway down the
stairs, feline head scanning the lower levels searching for any sign of
life.  Its nostrils flared following the stench and it looked around at
the box and its unwilling associate lying on top.  With a low growl, the
thing continued to climb down, but then Mousse stood up launching the
daggers with deadly accuracy.
       A shriek and yowl of pain filled the air, the daggers embedded
deep into each shoulder, ribbons of grey smoke curling up from the
wounds.  Desperately, the creature leaped towards the foot of the
stairs, but Cologne appeared her staff held at the ready to block its
path.  The knobby end hit it square in the chest and there was a bright
flash followed by another painful cry.  The monster thrashed about on
the steps then looked up ready to attack catching the lid of an iron pot
square in the side of its head.
       "Ya-tah!" cried Shampoo victoriously as the creature scampered
back up the steps.
       Mousse rushed out ready to follow, but Cologne stopped him.
"We've got it on the run," he said.
       "No, those injuries are not as disabling as we think.  Let's just
try and keep it contained for now."
       "Contained?  That's a laugh."
       Cologne hushed him to silence her keen senses tracking the
movements above.  Carefully, she walked out into the dining room,
motioning for Shampoo and Mousse to spread out and be ready for the next
attack.  They could hear the clatter of Mousse's daggers hitting the
floor, a nervous feeling passing through them as the building grew
silent once more.
       "What could it be doing now?" whispered Mousse.
       "Hush!" snapped Cologne.
       There came a light step, Cologne, Mousse, and Shampoo shifting to
form a circle around the box.  They waited with weapons ready then the
monster struck.
       CEEERRRRAAASSHHHH!
       The ceiling broke open above Cologne forcing her to leap
desperately aside.  Barley did she avoid death and from amidst the
swirling dust surged the creature straight towards Shampoo.  She cried
out, hurling her knife at the thing and backed away.  The blade was
deflected aside with a swipe of one paw; Shampoo feeling the rush of air
as it passed precariously close above her head, and then two dark
appendages snaked around her left ankle and she screamed as she was
lifted high into the air.
       "Let her go!" shouted Mousse.  He lunged, a Sai in each hand,
stabbing the monsters broad back and side repeatedly.  Its roar of pain
filled the restaurant and it turned slinging Shampoo into Mousse.  They
pitched across the room in a tangled heap of arms and legs rolling to a
stop against the wall.
       Ignoring them, the creature turned and reached down to retrieve
the box but a hard blow across its head drew it around.  Growling, it
rose up to full height and glared down at Cologne's tiny figure standing
defiantly below.
       "You will not get that so easily, spawn of Hell," she seethed.
Her staff came up, a thrust forcing the monster back.  It growled again
swiping at her, but Cologne was a blur moving around hitting its side
gaining a satisfying grunt of pain.  She landed on top of a table,
calling to her two charges.
       "Get up!  I cannot keep this thing at bay forever!"
       Mousse pulled himself up assisting Shampoo to her feet.  "Here,"
he said, pulling another set of Sai out from his many hidden
compartments.  She took them, twirling them briefly between her fingers
then charged behind an Amazonian warcry; Mousse right along with her.
       The furious battle raged with growing intensity, growls, shouts,
and yelps of pain echoing above the din.  Happosai could only watch as
they fought, and his demonic soul cringed fighting to break Cologne's
spell cast upon him.  Suddenly, Cologne caught the broad backhand of a
paw and sailed over the kitchen counter; Mousse receiving a lash from
the tendrils hitting the wall behind him with enough force to crack the
plaster.
       Shampoo ducked a blow and thrust the blade of her Sai deep up
into creatures shoulder joint.   It howled giving a kick that sent the
Amazon aside. The monster started to follow then realized that the box
containing its mistress's possessions was now unguarded.  All thoughts
turned back to the original mission and it pounced.  A bright flash of
white light greeted the creature's outstretched claws, searing pain
burning its fur and hide.
       The creature growled angrily and looked down staring hard at
Happosai's terror filled face.
       "TTTRRRAAAITTOORRR!" it rasped at him.
       "No!  I have been condemned!" moaned Happosai's demonic spirit.
He covered his face and turned away.
       Cologne leaped up on the counter.  "Mousse, get it away from the
box!" she cried.
       Mousse, still dazed from the last blow instinctively reached out
taking hold of the nearest blur in view.  Unfortunately, that blur
turned out to be the creature's thick bushy tail.  It jerked to a stop
poised over the ward as he pulled back with all his remaining strength.
       "That's as far as you goOOOOO!" 
       Mousse was jerked through the air, clinging for his life to the
tail as it thrashed about.
       Cologne re-entered the fray, her staff striking repeatedly
driving it back.  Shampoo joined her, a chair held protectively up
batting aside the tendrils and claws coming for her.  The creature's
fury grew angered by the delays and pain it took from these miserable
surface-dwellers.  Tendrils lashed striking Mousse about his back and
shoulders, but his grip remained tight.  The creature's tail swung up
sharply left then right straight at Cologne.  Like a thick club,
Mousse's body sent her aside, and then another strong flick launched him
towards the box.
       He hit with a loud thud knocking it and Happosai out of the ring,
the weight of Mousse's body breaking open one side.  Out spilled the
remains of what was once Anijza's clothes and bag, now a dark rotting
mess of cloth and debris.  The stench intensified choking all but the
creature ready to complete its task.
       First, it had to get Mousse off its tail, and a final hard flick
launched him screaming out across the dinning room.  He landed next to
the front doors winching sharply from the pain.  An odd shadow filled
the glass he noticed.  Looking up, there stood Akane peering in trying
to see what was happening, Doctor Tofu and Ryoga behind her.  A shaky
hand reached up and turned the latch to allow them in.
       "Mousse!" exclaimed Akane, kneeling to help him sit up out of the
way.
       "Ooh, so glad to see you guy could make the party," he said.
       A cry from Cologne drew them around.  "AH!  Stop it!  It's
devouring Anijza's things!"
       It was true, the demonic-beast engorging itself on the remains
scatter on the floor, stuffing paws full of items into its mouth without
pause.  A metallic clatter sounded, Anijza's precious locket bouncing to
the floor.  It stopped and reached out, but Happosai's swift form shot
between its legs grabbing the locket.  A desperate paw slammed him face
down to the floor before he could get out of reach.
       "Shampoo!  Do something!" shouted Cologne.
       She did, charging towards the monster wielding a knife.  It
looked up letting out a blast of its now putrid breath, bringing Shampoo
to a stuttering stop.  The Amazon went ridged and fell back to the
floor.  The creature shook Happosai until the locket fell from his
grasp, caught it, cut Cologne a victorious look of triumph before
dropping it into its mouth.
       Almost immediately after, a dim blue glow started to form in the
air behind it, growing in intensity with a swirl of mist and flashes of
light.  "No," gasped Cologne as it turned ready to journey back to Hell.
Something white flashed through the air planting itself in the square of
the creatures back.  It let out a loud howl of pain as the tome Doctor
Tofu threw worked its way into the pelt and flesh.  Dark ooze started
flowing from the wound, and then another tome planted itself near a
shoulder drawing another hideous shriek from the thing.
       By then, the bright light from the portal forced everyone to
shield their eyes.  Happosai fell from the creature's paw and he rolled
frantically away from the sucking pull of air.  A long moan and then the
creature collapsed, a paw reaching out as if pleading for help from the
world beyond.  "Hang on too something!" shouted Cologne above the
growing din.
       The air rushed madly around with a roar, and they could see the
monster being pulled into the portal.  Desperately, Ryoga leaped, taking
hold of the tail and pulled.  He strained teeth grit tight and another
pair of hands wrapped around his waist.  It was Akane tugging with all
of her might, Doctor Tofu, Mousse, and Happosai also pitching in, but
the pull was too strong for them.   Ryoga's grip finally gave way, they
yelped, tumbling back, and the creature disappeared.  The portal
collapsed in on itself; the last sounds were that of a light giggle
fading away into nothing.
       "(Huff, huff), Well that didn't turn out so good," said Ryoga
between breaths.
       Cologne grabbed Ono by the front of his shirt and pulled him
upright.  "Tofu," she said thrusting a glass and silver silk cloth into
his hands, "Take these and help me collect that thing's blood."
       Tofu quickly complied, Cologne running over to the other side
also with a glass and cloth.  Together, they scooped up several
dissipating slicks of dark writhing blood from every surface they found
it on, covering the tops with the cloths, sealing them tight with
strands of the old sage's hair.
       Cologne sat tiredly down on the floor.  "At least not a total
loss," she said, resting her head on her knees.
       Doctor Tofu sat Shampoo up.  He gave her a quick once over then
with a light tap to one cheek brought her around.  She started,
frantically looking around unawares that the battle was over.
       "It's gone, Shampoo," said Tofu.  "Relax."
       She sighed shoulders sagging as she looked around the shattered
dining room.  Her gaze caught Cologne's and she flinched.  "Sorry, great
grand-ma," she said.  "Monster need big breath mint."
       A brief break fro the seriousness of their situation, after the
laughter died down, it grew quite.
       "So what now?" asked Mousse.
       "We lost Anijza's locket," said Ryoga.  "What did it want that
for anyway?"
       "It was a way to track Ranma down," answered Cologne.
       "No... No, no, NOOOO!" Akane cried.  She burst into tears, Ryoga
pulling her close for comfort.
       "It is not as hopeless as it seems, Akane," said Cologne.
       "Great Grand-ma find way," Shampoo told them.
       Akane's tears stopped and she looked expectantly at Cologne.  The
old sage's expression grew troubled and she turned away, an uneasy hand
rubbing her chin.  Doctor Tofu could see something was not right.
       "Cologne, you did find a way, didn't you?" he asked.
       She nodded but remained silent for a moment.
       "Tofu, take Happosai back to the dojo.  Akane, you and Ryoga go
wake up your friends.  Tell them to meet us at the dojo within the hour.
Mousse, go get Gosunkugi and bring him to the dojo as well.  Shampoo and
I will be along shortly."
       Cologne said no more, hanging her head.  From the way she spoke,
trouble brewed in the wings, but they did as instructed leaving Shampoo
and her grandmother alone.  Shampoo watched her for a moment wondering
what could be so bothering to her great-grandmother.  She leaned towards
Cologne then noticed a slight heave of her shoulders.  A closer look
drew Shampoo back with a gasp of surprise.
       It was the first time in her life that she had ever seen her
great-grandmother cry...



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