At Long Last!  C&C appreciated.
 

                          Ranma 1/2
                             Anijza
                           Part Two:
                  'In Hell as In Forever'
 
                     Nicholas Stone
 
                       The Fight
       
Anijza moved closer and closer to the prison orb, Akane, helpless along
with her friends inside, could do nothing unable to move.  There came
another snap and the flames dancing around Anijza's upheld fist went
out.  She stopped staring up at her hand in surprise and then was
herself imprisoned in a translucent globe.  Anijza pressed her hands
around the inside searching for a way out.
       "Master?" she cried, turning to face her demon lord.
       Although the sardonic grin remained, everyone could see that the
demon was clearly angry with Anijza.  A thought moved Anijza away from,
and he sat forwards to study his new prisoners.
       "Oh, great," Mousse said amidst his grunts and strain, "First we
get into Hell, and now we've been captured by the Devil himself."
       The demonic face arched a slender brow.  "You're observation is
quite incorrect, young man," he said, stopping their struggles.  "I am
not his Excellency.  Flattering, but I am not he."
       "How-did you-know-we-were here?" asked Akane.
       The demon laughed.  "I knew you were here the moment you crossed
into Hell." Sitting back, the demon held out a hand and a large goblet
was carried over.  He took a long swallow from it, smacking his lips
purposely delaying his words.  "No one enters Hell without me knowing
about it."
       He stopped eyeing Akane hard.  "I am known by many a mortal
name," he continued, "King Zhuanlun, Baalzebul, Adramelech just to name
a few.  Seeing your background, you may address me as Xue.  My main task
is to administer Hell and all of its sub-lying portions."
        "Oh great, we've been captured by a CEO," commented Nabiki.
       Xue laughed before turning his attention back to Anijza.  "Little
One, this poses a delay in the ceremony."
       "Let me out, Master!" pleaded Anijza, desperately pawing at the
globe.  "I will settle this problem once and for all and eradicate these
intruders!"
       "No, I cannot allow that, Anijza."
       She slumped to her knees, stunned.  "No?"
       "Yes. I said no.  You see, one I sense has strong ties to your
proposed consort."
       His eyes drifted over to the globe and there was another flash as
Akane was phased out from it onto the floor at the foot of the dais
steps.  She lay in pain, trying to shake off the dizziness in her head.
When Akane looked up a small globe encircled her.
       "Will you stop with these uncomfortable bubbles!" she shouted.
       "Akane!" Ranma suddenly shouted from across the room.
       Leaning towards Akane, Xue studied her.  "Your name is not known
to me, young lady.  What is your relationship with Anijza's betrothed?"
       "He, he is my fianc�!"
       A murmur passed through the observing crowd and Xue sat back
perplexed.  He leaned towards Anijza.
       "Fianc�, this young one claims?  Anijza, you told me there were
no problems.  Did you lie to me?"
       "No, Master!  This little Toad has been trying to break Ranma and
I apart!"
       "That's a lie!" shouted Ranma.  "Anijza and I were never
together, ever!"
       The demon cast a withering stare upon his minion.  "Anijza," he
trailed.
       "Master, he is mine.  I swear!"
       "No, Ranma is to be my husband!" countered Akane.
       Ukyo managed to work her body around pressing up against the
glass of their prison.  "Shampoo, Kodachi, this would be a bad time for
us to dispute Akane's claim right now," she said.  "Don't say anything."
       "And let her lie like this?" said Kodachi.  Fortunately for them,
Tatewaki's hand was in the right position to give his crazy sister a
sharp whack on the head.
       Meanwhile, Xue sat milling about the claims he had just heard,
gazing back and forth between the two women at his feet.  He smirked,
sat forward and extended a hand out towards Anijza.  Slowly, he started
closing his fingers and at the same time her bubble began to contract.
       "Master, please!" she cried as it collapsed around her.
       "You have not sufficiently explained these intruders, Anijza.
Nor have you convinced me that you dealt with acquiring your consort
within our laws."
       Anijza began to cry, pushing fitfully against the globe's sides.
"Master, if I did not follow the laws, then I would not have been able
to bring him back here at all!"
       The globe abruptly stopped and Xue paused to think a moment.
       "That is quite true," he finally said, sitting back.  He looked
at Ranma.  "What say you, young man?"
       Ranma fidgeted nervously.  "Uh... well I didn't exactly say I
would come with her," he said.
       "Yes you did!" Mousse suddenly yelled, "I was there listening to
your stupid self talk!"
       "Mousse!" Konatsu shouted, but he was too late, the damage having
been done.
       "Ooo, silly blind-boy.  Shampoo should smother you!"
       With Mousse's inerrant outburst, Xue appeared convinced with
Anijza's claim.  "Ah," he said gesturing with a finger.  "So there was
an agreement, and a witness to boot."
       "Now we're screwed, no thanks to you, Mousse!" said Ryoga.
       "Not yet," Nabiki told them.  Clearing her throat, she called out
to gaining everyone's attention.  "Uh, Mister Demon-type guy?  May I be
allowed to speak on behalf of my sister and friends?"
       The grin of the demon drew wide.  He made a slight gesture with
two fingers and Nabiki was pulled through the globe rolling across the
floor to a stop at the steps.  As she came up on all fours, he started
to laugh.
       "(Heh-heh-heh) Nabiki Tendo," Xue said much to everyone's
surprise, "an honor it is to finally have you here.  Come to assume your
position?"
       "Hoo, hoo, hoo.  He knows her name," chortled Kodachi, "HOH, hoh,
hoh, hoh, hoh, hoo!"
       Nabiki stood up.  "My position?" she said.
       "Why yes.  I have a spot all picked out for you on my staff.  I
was not expecting you so soon, but I'll take what I can get, and you
certainly are a prize to be had."
       A long moment passed as Nabiki absorbed the demon's words.  "Can
we stay on topic here?" she finally said.
       "Sure."
       With a smirk, the middle Tendo sister was about to continue until
she noticed her nakedness again.  "Uh, could I please get something
decent to wear?  I'd feel better dressed for this."
       A wave of a hand, Nabiki fitted into a full cut black business
dress suit made out of the finest cotton-wool cloth.
       "Ooo, not bad," she said.
       "All of my primary employees are well dressed," replied Xue.
"Not just anyone represents me."  He passed a hand through the air above
his head.  "Just think of it, 'Nabiki Tendo... Assistant Chief
Administrator: Hell'."
       "See, even dead this girl finds a way to gain leverage and
position," said Ryoga.
       Nabiki briefly paused again.  "Yeah... I'm going to try and clear
up this little misunderstanding and the confusion that is running
rampant in this situation."
       "Oh, please do, Nabiki."
       Nabiki began pacing while preparing her words.  "Well to begin,
Anijza and Akane are both right in their claims."
       "What!" exclaimed Akane.
       "What are you saying, Nabiki!" shouted Ranma.
       Nabiki whirled.  "Shaddup up there!" she snapped at him.
       Placing a cheerful smile back on her face, Nabiki returned to her
dissertation.  "Now then, what we have here is a failure to
communicate."  She stopped letting out a hardy laugh.  "I have always
wanted to say that!"
       "A failure to communicate?" asked Xue.
       "Yes!  You see, Ranma said he would come back to Anijza's home,
but first he wanted to talk with Akane.  Now knowing what her response
would be, Anijza prevented her from meeting with him and ruin the plan."
       "Because if she did, that would make his agreement null and
void," concluded the demon.  He sat back in his throne stroking his chin
thoughtfully.  "Very clever, Little One," Xue finally said to Anijza.
"I applaud your resourcefulness."
       "It was nothing, Master."
       Nabiki walked over to Anijza's prison, a sly look on her face.
"But it has caused a problem, Anijza," she said, tapping on the glass.
"Akane is here, and she still-wants-Ranma."
       "And she'll never have him!" proclaimed Anijza.
       "You bitch!  You cheated!" shouted Akane.  "Give me back Ranma!"
       "Never, he is mine!"
       As the two women bickered, Nabiki moved over to the foot of the
steps and out of the line of fire.  "Wow, I've never seen Akane so mad,"
she said.
       "Yes they are quite adamant about their claim," added Xue.  "So,
Nabiki Tendo, how do propose we settle this problem, hm?"
       Nabiki shrugged.  "Not sure, but first we need to stop them."
She walked back in between the two globes.  "Girls, girls, girls," said
Nabiki holding out her arms.  "We will figure out a way to settle this
ugly affair."
       "I will settle it, by ripping Akane Tendo's heart out of her
chest!" cried Anijza.
       "Ha!  I'm already dead, you bitch!  And I'll be the one kicking
your sorry ass for what you have done to us!"
       "What!  You?  You little Toad, you could not beat me on your own
ground, and you certainly can not defeat me here!"
       "I'll rip every strand of the hair off your head and stuff them
up your-!"
       "Enough!" roared Xue.
       Silence prevailed once again, and then he began to chuckle.
       "Honestly, that was very entertaining," he commented.
       "He's kind' a right about that," Ryoga whispered to the others.
They all gave him questioning stares before gazing back out the glass.
       "Nabiki," called Xue, "have you figured out a solution to this
problem?"
       "Throwing it in my lap is that it?  Okay, I think I know what you
want."
       "Uh-oh," said Tatewaki.
       "Uh-oh, what?" Ukyo asked.
       "Nabiki.  She has that opportunistic look in her eyes.  That is
not good for us."
       "Nooo!" moaned Mousse.  He pressed himself up against the glass.
"Nabiki, don't you do anything we're going to regret!"
       She cut them a brief glance then back and forth between Akane and
Anijza.  "Hmm.  The only solution I can see is to allow them to fight."
       "No!" shouted Ranma.  "Anijza's too strong.  She'll kill Akane!"
       "Have some faith, brother-in-law."  
       He did however have a point.  Anijza did hold one advantage, and
that was the power bequeathed her as a custodian of Hell.
       "What do you say, big guy?"
       Xue thought again.  "Sweeten the pot," he answered.
       "I knew you'd say that.  Alright, Anijza gets Ranma and Akane;
you get me and my friends if she wins."
       "Deal!"
       "But!" continued Nabiki, "When Akane wins, we all go free."
       The protest from the others of the rescue party rose with
intensity.  Xue muted their globe and smiled.  "Is there anything else?'
he asked Nabiki.
       "Ah-huh.  Akane and Anijza fight equally.  No powers.
Womano-un-Womano."
       He nodded before letting out a loud roar of laughter.  "Do you
all see why this soul will be on my staff!" he proclaimed to the rest of
his minions.
       "Hey lets stay on one topic at a time here," Nabiki said.  "Are
my terms satisfactory?"
       "More than enough, Nabiki."
       "Good.  So, do we let them fight here?"
       "I have a better place in mind."
       Raising his hands, the demon slammed his palms together and in a
bright flash the occupants of the throne room vanished.
 
* * * * *
 
       Once all of the distortion and turmoil faded, Akane found herself
still trapped in her personal bubble but now at one end of a large
amphitheater.  She wore a short skirt toga similar to Anijza's only
sheer white with matching sandals and ivory bone belt.  Looking around,
the tiers were filled with demonic spectators; to her left mounted high
on a center platform her imprisoned friends, directly across on the
other side sat Xue on his throne.  Nabiki stood at the foot of the
steps, and then Akane spotted Ranma and Ranko still chained to their
racks, below them stood Anijza.
       Her eyes were lit with fire; face a mask of hatred.  At first
intimidating, but then Akane's resolve returned and she returned the
glower of contempt.  There they both stood as the citizens of this
hellish plain ranted and cheered waiting for the spectacle to begin.  Up
in his throne, Xue observed with great joy as Nabiki stood conducting
business as usual, placing bets with some of his minions and jotting
down notes.
       "Uhm, Nabiki," he called down to her.  She jumped startled for a
second and then looked up.  "I hope I am not disturbing you?"
       She smirked.  "Frankly, yes," she replied as those of his
procession slinking quickly away.  "I am in the middle of some very
important bets here."
       "Nabiki!" screamed Ukyo, her face a vivid red.  "Our asses are on
the line and you're placing bets?"
       "Yeah!" shouted Ryoga, "This is a hell of a time for that... put
me down for Akane to win."
       Flashing a thumb up to him, Nabiki turned her attention back to
the demon.  "You see what I mean?"
       His deep chuckle reverberated through the stones of the
amphitheater. "Oh, when you arrive there will be such a party!" he told
her.
       "Please, you flatter me," Nabiki flatly replied.
       "Nabiki," Xue called again.  "You're on."
       "I'm what?"
       He gestured to the surrounding audience.  Nabiki immediately
understood walking out to the center of the amphitheater.
       "Ladies and-."  She paused gazing around at the spectators.
"Uh... Citizens of Hell, or wherever we are!  Welcome to the event of
events.  I present to you my little sister; Akane Tendo, who will be
kicking the stuff out of-."
       "Ah, ah, ah," warned the demon, waving a finger at her.
       Nabiki smirked and quickly changed her line.  "-who will be
battling Anijza, Mistress of... her domains or something like that."
       "You insolent brat!" scowled Anijza.  Nabiki ignored her and
continued.
       "Today, they fight for the right of my brother-in-law; Ranma
Saotome!"
       Out of thin air a spotlight panned on Ranma.  He shirked blinded
briefly by the light then began to struggle against the chains.
       "Nabiki!  Nabiki stop this!" he cried out.  "Akane is going to
get hurt badly!"
       "Now Ranma," said Nabiki, "have some faith in your wife's
abilities."
       "No, you can't do this!"
       Nabiki shrugged.  "Sorry, out of our hands," she replied.
       "Well if you won't stop it, I know one way that will!"  Ranma
looked down at Anijza.  "Alright, Anijza, you wi-."
       "RANMA SAOTOME!"
       Akane's loud cry startled everybody in the amphitheater, stopping
Ranma.
       "Don't you do it!  Don't you say what I think you're about to
say!"
       Ranma stared at Akane.  "I can't see you get hurt," he said.
       "And you don't think I'll be hurt if you remain here in Hell?"
Akane pressed desperately against the glass giving him a deep sorrowful
look.  "I can take her.  Trust me, I can take her."
       "Give her a chance, Ranma," Ranko suddenly said.
       "What?  You were the one suggesting I surrender."
       "That was before this.  She's here now.  Might as well."
       Sadly, Ranma looked back at Akane, and then hung his head
reluctantly nodding.
       "So!" continued Nabiki, "As I was saying, the stakes are high,
(deyeah) are they ever high, but it will be a fair and even match!"
       She stopped, noticing Anijza's present state.  "Uh, are we not
forgetting something here?" she called up to Xue.
       He grinned, willing away Anijza's powers.  She gasped, the flames
in her eyes fading out, sliding down the side of the bubble to her
knees.
       "Excellent," said Nabiki.  "And with that, all I can say is...
let the show begin!"  She started backing away then stopped for a
moment.  "Oh yes, I'll be taking all remaining bets over here," she
announced, pointing off to one side.
       "Nabiki," called Xue.
       "Uh, yes?"
       He patted the edge of the step at his feet.  "I want you right
here next to me."
       "I guess saying no would be futile, eh?"
       She vanished, appearing a split second later seated on the step.
"Yes," said Xue with a broad grin.
       A cheer rose up through the crowed as their anticipation grew.
The globes holding Akane and Anijza slid towards each other, stopping
just a few feet apart.  Both women sneered viciously at each other,
teeth barred ready to commence battle.  The roar increased, fist beating
in unison, voices chanting "Fight, Fight, Fight!" at the top of their
lungs.
       Xue cut his eyes around at the excited crowd then glanced down at
Nabiki.  She was closing last minute bets and when she finished, cleared
his throat.  Nabiki gave him a light nod of her head.
       Pop!
       Akane dashed out like an enraged panther towards Anijza, leaping
at her throat.  They collided and Anijza screamed as she was forced back
slamming painfully to the ground.  Akane's fingers gripped tight around
Anijza's neck, repeatedly jerking her head up and down, screaming
obscenities into the sky as she did.  The crowd in the stands sat
stunned for a moment, and then low cheering began in support of this
girl from the surface world.
       "Holy smokes," gasped Mousse watching the furious beating Anijza
was receiving.
       "Akane not so weak after all," said Shampoo.
       "Let's hope she can end this quick," Ukyo said.  "If Anijza gets
a breath, this might not turn out in our favor."
       Just as she finished saying that, Anijza levered a foot up into
Akane's stomach.  With a firm pull, she tossed her high over her head
breaking the hold on her neck.  Akane rolled across the ground to a stop
dazed.  She came up, only to catch a fist to the chin that sent her
tumbling once more.
       Anijza stalked after her.  "I defeated you before, Akane Tendo,"
she raged, kicking Akane in the side.  "I will defeat you here, and then
I will torment your soul like none have ever seen!"
       Pain shot through Akane's stomach as she fought to stay coherent.
Anijza's steely fingers suddenly gripped her neck and she was lifted
high into the air.  She gasped for air as they closed tight, making one
desperate try to dislodge this demon from her.  Her left leg shot out
kicking Anijza in the ribs.  A normal blow that with her powers would
not have affected her, but Anijza felt the pain and dropped Akane to the
ground.  A right rocked her jaw, rapid upper-cuts pitching her straight
back to the ground.
       Akane leaped trying to get on top, but Anijza drew her legs up
kicking her away.  As Akane slammed into the wall of the amphitheater,
Anijza slowly got to her feet.  Akane sat dazed against the wall and a
piercing cry split the air as Anijza charged.
       "Akane, Akane get up!" shouted Ranma.
       She must have heard him, looking groggily up in time to see the
bottom of Anijza's heeled sandal racing towards her face.  She let out a
yell, Akane sliding fearfully to one side and Anijza's blow slammed into
the stone wall leaving a very visible indentation as she pulled back.
Akane tackled Anijza and the two grappled, tumbling to the ground.
       As the dust few around the struggling women, Xue leaned forward
resting his chin on his hand.
       "Your sister fights well," he said.  "I must say I am impressed."
       Nabiki however, did not enjoy seeing her sister taking the hard
blows Anijza was delivering.  Every smack and hit brought empathetic
pain to her stomach.  She willed back her tears, trying to maintain an
aura of superiority.
       "My sister will win," she said as confidently as she could.
       "I taste your fear, Nabiki.  It is understandable."
       "That's the aftertaste of that stuff you've been drinking," she
replied.  "I have all the confidence in the world of my sister."
       The demon laughed.  "Well you may have, but some do not," he said
cutting his gaze over in Ranma's direction.
       It was killing Ranma to be helpless watch the woman he loved
endure such punishment.  Several times he wanted to shout out enough and
give in to Anijza's whims, and every time he tried the determined look
on Akane's face told him not to do so.  There may not have been blood
running from her wounds, but inside he felt every blow Akane took, every
scratch and cut received.
       "I've got to stop this," he said.
       "Akane knows what she's doing," Ranko said.
       "You're not down there, and she's not your fianc�e either!"
       Ranko glared at him.  "You forget we are, or were one, remember?"
       He frowned holding back his anger, and then a loud cry from the
brawl drew their attentions.
       Anijza lay out on the ground; Akane on her back with an armlock
tight around her throat.  She pulled up threatening to snap Anijza's
neck.
       "Surrender, Anijza!" growled Akane.
       "(Gyahhh!) Never, you... you little... Toad!" answered Anijza.
       Drawing in a gasp, Anijza concentrated hard.  With a sturdy
heave, she came up on her knees despite Akane's best efforts to hold her
down.  Another heave found Akane riding Anijza's back.  The pressure
began to build in Anijza's temples as her neck muscles strained against
the pull on them.  Suddenly, Anijza thrust an elbow hard into Akane's
side.  She winced, shifting, but then Anijza's other elbow rammed deep
into her stomach.  Akane lost her grip and dropped to the ground panting
for breath.
       Anijza staggered away hacking and gasping for air.  Angrily, she
turned and placed a dark glower on Akane. A devious smile formed seeing
her nemesis helpless.  She leaned slightly forward making a slight jerk
sideways that kicked her long ponytail up into the air.  It whirled and
Anijza continued whipping it around, and then with a sharp snap sent the
bejeweled end racing towards Akane.
       "AHHH!" cried Akane as the sharp edges slashed across the side of
her face.  She fell back writhing in pain clutching her face.  Another
slash cut across her hands and Akane rolled desperately on the ground.
       "Hey," said Nabiki, now full of open concern for her sister.
"That's not fair!"
       "Oh, but it is, Nabiki," answered Xue.
       "But this they were supposed to be even!"
       "And they are.  I removed all of Anijza's powers, but you said
nothing about her wardrobe."
       "But-?"
       "Ah, no but's here.  Anijza is only using her natural skills."
       Nabiki stared out fearfully at her sister.  "So, uh... Assistant
Chief Administrator?"
       Xue laughed.  "It is a good position.  You'll like it, trust me."
       Meanwhile, Akane knelt on one knee enduring the searing pain
coursing through her face and arms.  Her head hung down, but she heard
Anijza's annoying titter above the crowds roar, felt the rush of air as
she whipped her deadly ponytail closer and closer.
       "Now, you little toad," said Anijza, "I'll slice you into a
myriad of pieces before grinding your soul into the dirt!"
       Akane's eyes snapped open as an idea struck her.  Anijza's
laughter increased as she prepared to carry out her threat, but Akane
ignored it.  Concentrating, she made a mental count of the ponytail's
sweep beat then rolled underneath towards Anijza.  Her surprise was
complete, and as she came upright, Akane grabbed a hand full of dirt
throwing it into Anijza's face blinding her.  A solid fist crashed into
her chin, Anijza staggering back.  Akane tried to follow but a last
desperate backhand caught her across the face adding to the searing pain
she was already experiencing.
       Both women staggered away to the far walls of the amphitheater.
Akane felt the rough sides of the stone and slid down to the ground.
She wanted to cry, so much pain rushing through her then a voice called
down from above.  When Akane managed to look up, she realized then that
she lay beneath Ranma's rack on the wall.
       "Akane," he desperately called down to her again.
       "Ranma-."
       "I can't see you suffer anymore, Akane.  I'm going to give in to
Anijza."  He looked at Anijza.  "You hear me, Anijza!  I'm giving-!"
       A sharp blow to his leg stopped Ranma from finishing.  Somehow,
Akane managed to find the strength to leap up and hit him before he
could utter the words that would seal their fate.
       "No you don't, Ranma!" she shouted at him.
       "Akane, she's kicking your ass!"
       "No she's not!  Now I told you before I can take her, and I
will!"
       Ranma could see Anijza clearing the final bits of dirt from her
eyes.  Taking the end of her ponytail in one hand, she started moving
towards them.
       "Akane, please no more!  I can't... I don't... I-I-I care about
you too much!"
       For a moment, all the pain she felt melted away and Akane smiled
lovingly up at him.  "Ranma... don't you believe in me?"
       He hesitated; and there was not much time Anijza halfway across
the grounds.
       "Yes, yes I do," he replied.
       "Then that's all I need."
       Turning, Akane sneered at Anijza ready to give battle once more.
That ponytail with the sharp jewels would be a major obstacle to
victory; Akane quickly undoing the belt of bone she wore and wrapped it
tight around her left hand and forearm.
       They squared of, Anijza twirling the end of her ponytail ready to
slice Akane to pieces.
       "I will kill you, Akane Tendo!" Anijza shouted.
       "Like I said, already dead so bring it on, bitch!"
       Like a red bolt of lightening, Anijza's ponytail lashed out.
Akane ducked and ran aside taking a stance with her arms up protectively
in front of her face.  Anijza pressed her next attack, but this time
Akane stood her ground.  She deflected the blows with the belt waiting
until finally an opening appeared between the attacks.  She lunged
planting a fist square in Anijza's face rocking her backwards.
       Anijza staggered, and before she could recover Akane grabbed a
fist full of her ponytail, planted one foot in the middle of her back
and pulled.  A sharp rip carried across the amphitheater, stunned eyes
staring with disbelief as Akane tore it from the back of Anijza's head.
       "Oh, oh, oh that had to have hurt!" exclaimed Mousse gripping his
own head and hair with empathetic pain.
       Anijza screamed and wailed groping frantically around at the wide
bald spot on the back of her head.  She spun around and was greeted by a
solid right, then a left stumbling further back across the field.  Akane
was right on her, delivering a series of uppercuts that staggered
Anijza.  She stepped back and then launched a roundhouse kick sending
Anijza headlong towards the foot of the wall below Xue's throne.
       "...no..." she moaned.  Trembling hands pulled the once arrogant
demoness to her feet.  Anijza pressed back against the wall barely able
to stand.  A hand took her by the front of her toga and she screamed as
she was slammed face first into the ground.  Akane turned her over
planting a knee on her chest pinning Anijza down.
       "Give?" asked Akane between breaths.
       "...n-n-never, you toad!"
       Akane punched her.  "Not the right answer!  You can't win,
Anijza!  Give up!"
       "No!"
       "Stubborn bitch!"
       Several more blows rained down on Anijza until an invisible hand
pushed Akane aside.
       Xue sat staring down at Anijza disgust etched deep in his face.
Another thought and a globe formed around her.
       "Master!" she cried but to no avail.
       "You have lost, Anijza," he replied.
       A cheer rose up not only from the rest of the rescue party, but
from several spectators as well.
       "She did it, she did it, Ranko!" Ranma exclaimed.
       "See?  I told you to have faith in her."
       In their prison, the rest of the team hugged each other glad to
have been spared a premature relocation to this accursed life.
       "We're going home, we're going home!" said Ryoga, hugging Ukyo
tight.
       "Yes, that bitch got her ass kicked but good!"  Ukyo said.
"Ryoga."
       "Yes?"
       "This is nice, but uh, you're not my type."
       Ryoga reacted like he was holding a hot potato, drawing away as
far as he could, whistling innocently up towards the sky.
       On the grounds, Nabiki rushed over to Akane's inert form.
"Akane, Akane?" she said patting her lightly on one cheek.
       Akane stirred and slowly opened her eyes.  "Did I win? she asked.
       "Oh did you ever, and I have made such a killing here!"
       "Yeah, and I'm okay too, Nabiki.  A little banged up but
otherwise fine."
       Together the two sisters stood up and faced Xue. His attention
was still locked upon Anijza, and he steamed with fury.
       "I had hoped for better, little one," he seethed through barred
teeth.  "The souls you have allowed to elude my grasp will cost you
dearly."
       "No, Master!  Please, please, spare me!"  Anijza went to her
knees hands clasped before her.  "I beg of you, have mercy!"
       "Mercy!" roared the demon.  "You violate the laws!  You fail to
fulfill your payment to me, and you beg me for mercy?"  His red eyes
narrowed, face livid with rage.  "No, Anijza.  You will be severely
punished for your crimes."
       He extended a hand and to Anijza's profound horror, dark spot
began forming on her skin.  She screamed as her youth began to fade,
deep folds of wrinkled skin sagging from her arms and legs.  She cried
and gripped at her hair only to draw out fist full of brittle clumps of
reddish-grey strands.
       "Uh, excuse me," Nabiki called out.  He turned towards her.  "Not
wanting to interrupt your disciplinary action, but uhm, there is the
matter of our agreement?"
       Xue hesitated and then sat back in his throne.  "Oh yes, you and
your friends."
       With a snap of his fingers, the rest of the rescue party tumbled
out onto the ground as their prison vanished.
       "Ow, that wasn't very nice," commented Konatsu as they stood up.
       "Nabiki, you and your friends are free to go," declared Xue.
       "Great... ah, not so great.  Could you find it in your dark
mystical ways to-?"
       "Send you back?"  A hearty laugh emanated from him, unable to
control himself.  "Nabiki, you will be such a joy around here."
       "Hey pal!  Nothing's definite yet," she snapped.  "Now if you
would, please?"
       "Okay, okay, settle down."
       A rumble split the air followed by a rush of wind chilling the
team.  There came a long creak like that of a door, and from out of thin
air a dark portal opened up behind them.
       "Wait a minute!" shouted Akane.  "What about Ranma?"
       "Yes, what about my husband?" added Shampoo.
       The demon cast a quick glance over at Ranma.  "Your man will be
returned to you, young lady," he replied, "but he must go a different
route."
       "Yeah and how do we know you will honor the agreement?" asked
Ukyo.
       Xue's fist tightened, knuckle's creaking by the affront to him.
He leaned forwards and growled menacingly at them.
       "He will be returned," he said in a dark tone.  "Even I must
follow the laws."
       Nabiki swallowed her lump of fear and began ushering the other
along.  "Let's not be antagonizing him any further," she told them.
       They headed for the portal, everyone that is but Akane; who stood
staring at Ranma.  He gazed back at her and the two traded smiles.
Akane faced Xue once more.
       "He better be there, or I'll be back," she said.
       "Hmm, your spirit is strong young one.  How would you like a job,
hm?"
       Akane narrowed a brow.  "No thank you," she answered, and spun on
her heels.
       "Good bye, Nabiki Tendo," said the demon as the other began to
follow Akane.  "I am looking forward to our reunion."
       "One that will never happen if I can help it," Nabiki called
back.  Kodachi's annoying titters added to her growing concerns.
       "And you too, Kodachi Kuno," he added, "You I also have big plans
for as well."
       Kodachi quickly ran into the portal.
       As the last of the rescue team disappeared, the portal closed
leaving a swirl of dust where it once stood.  With a sigh, Xue snapped
his fingers and Ranma suddenly fell to the ground with a loud cry.  He
shook off his pain and stood up.
       "So, youngster.  I suppose I should be sending you on your way as
well."
       "Would be nice."
       A loud wail cut the air, Anijza, now reduced to the withered form
of an old hag, pressed up against the side of her prison, sad eyes
pleading out to Ranma for him to stay.  Ranma felt some compassion for
her plight, but after what she had done to him and his friends, it
wasn't enough to change his mind.
       "Enjoy your stay, Anijza," said to her.
       "RRRRAAANNNNNMMAAAA... pleeeeeaaaasssseeee!!!!!"
       Ranma turned his back to her.
       "Nicely said," commented Xue.  He conjured up a ball of flame,
tossing it out into the center of the amphitheater.  It flashed forming
into a solid pillar rising up high into the sky.
       "I have to go into that?" asked Ranma.
       "Death by fire, life by fire.  Another of the rules we have," he
answered with a shrug.
       Steeling himself, Ranma faced the fire.  He stepped back ready to
run into it when another voice called out to him.
       "Ranma!"
       It was Ranko, still chained to wall.  She stared fearfully at him
and he knew he could not leave without settling her fate.
       "What about her?" he asked.
       The demon arched a brow.  "You are free of your curse now, young
man.  Her fate is no longer your concern."
       "But she was part of me, and that means she still is part of my
life."
       Arching a brow, Xue cast a wry look on him.  "Do you know what
you are saying?  Do you know what you do now will affect more than one
life?"
       It was hard for Ranma.  After all of these years too finally be
rid of his curse only to have it come back.  He could not leave Ranko at
the mercies of this hellish world; no that would be wrong.  Reluctantly,
Ranma gave him a nod.
       "Very well.  Remember, you are the one who agreed to this."
       "I... I know."
       Xue stood up.  "Brave man you are," he said, and slapped his
palms together...


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