[Ranma][FanFic] A Life Once Lived - Chapter 3 & 4

[TydRipper]

Ranma ½: A Live Once Lived

Ranma ½ and all its characters are created by Rumiko Takahashi. Credit
should go to her.
Spawn and all its characters are created by Todd McFarlane. Credit
should go to him.

Written by: TydRipper (watcher...@hotmail.com)

Credit for the title of this chapter goes to Yuffie Kirasagi (I still
remember that sig!)

Chapter Three: Anatidaephobia

The knock came quickly, but not totally unexpected. Nabiki
turned to Ranma and nodded. Getting the idea, he dissappeared into the
back room, and out of a window. Sensing it now safe, Nabiki answered
the door.
Standing at the door were two faces who she did not expect to
see for a very long time. Her face lit up with a smile. "Hiroshi.
Daisuke. To what do I owe this pleasure?", she asked.
Hiroshi smiled and stepped into the restaurant. "Hello Nabiki.

Long time, no see."
Daisuke followed his friends lead. "We're actually here on
business, not pleasure."
Nabiki felt suspicious, but never let her smile diminish.
"You're joking right? With you two, its always pleasure. What kind of
business?"
"Well, theres been a murder last night. And we thought that
you may know something about it.", Hiroshi said, straight out.
"Let me guess", Nabiki put her finger up, "Gendo Satoni?"
Hiroshi nodded, unsurprised.
Nabiki shrugged. "I was informed about it this morning."
"By who?"
"Makaro Sobaku."
"Makaro Sobaku? As in..."
"Yeah, his partner in crime.", Nabiki said, "But I had nothing
to do with the murder."
"Of course not Nabiki. What do you take us for?"
"You really want me to answer that?", she said with a wink.
"So this Makaro Sobaku would probably be our first suspect.
Nabiki, if it came to court, would you testify?"
Nabiki thought for a second. "Whats in it for me?", she said,
knowing full well that with Ranma around, Makaro would most definately

go to jail, or even worse.
"You never change, do you?", Daisuke smiled.
She thought for a moment. "Nope."

Ranma jumped along the rooftops of the main commercial
district. He remembered many of the places below as old haunts, and
other places he had just passed by without giving so much as a second
glance. There were a few new establishments below, mostly coffee shops
or arcades. He imagined the local businessmen would come to this area
for their lunch break.
After jumping along the rooftops for a short while, he finally

came to a rest. Making sure not to be seen, he found himself a good
viewing point atop one of the many Coffee shops in the Commercial
district. It was then that he felt a familiar, yet annoying presence.

Tatewaki Kuno stopped dead in his tracks. Since his Kenpo
training had begun a few years earlier, his senses had become more
fine-tuned. He could now jump with amazing accuracy, and had started
to rely more on his fists than his trademark Bokken, but even still,
Kendo was a big part of his life. 'The Law of the Fist', however, was
taking over.
His senses had told him someone was watching him. Usually he
would ignore such senses, as he recieved them often, but he also felt
a dark presence as well. He looked towards the source.

Ranma's eyes went wide with surprise. He spotted Kuno only
moments earlier, and began to watch him with curiousity to see what
he'd been up to in Ranma's absence. But what he did not expect was for
Kuno to freeze dead in his tracks, and shift his position to look
directly at Ranma. No looking around, just from point A, to point B.
What surprised him even more, that even in his business suit,
he had managed to jump up onto the roof of the building he was spying
from, and go into a _KENPO_ defensive stance.
"And who might you be, to gaze upon one such as I?", he asked.
Ranma, mind still reeling at Kuno's newfound abilities, hazily

answered. "R..Ranma Saotome."
Kuno's eyes went wide. He seemed shocked to hear the name,
which was expected. What he did not expect however, was Kuno's reply.
"One such as you has no right to use the name of one so
honorable as Ranma Saotome!"
Ranma's mind went blank. *Honorable?*, he thought, *This
_CANT_ be Kuno!*
"Alas, it is with great honor that he died a warriors death,
he and the brave soul Mousse, protecting the fair Shampoo from the
likes of the evil Sorcerer, Kenoru."
*Kenoru? Who the hell is that?*, he thought.
"Listen, Kuno. It is Ranma."
"Silence knave! For the honor of all that loved him, I shall
avenge in his permenant absence!"
And with that, Kuno attacked. He started with a quick crescent

kick, followed by a barrage of various fist techniques.
Ranma, still confused as ever, managed to block the attacks
with ease. Moment later, without so much as a punch being issued from
Ranma, Kuno fell unconscious.
Now Ranma was _REALLY_ confused. He hadn't punched Kuno at
all, not even tried to counter his attacks, but here he was, lying
unconscious, with a bump to the back of his head. Looking around, he
noticed no other persons nearby, and proceded to try and wake Kuno up.

He had questions to ask. He was busily shaking the unconscious body of

Kuno. Of a different Kuno than he had known long ago when a voice
interupted.
"Hey!", it yelled, "Who the hell is up there? You'd better
move on before I call the police!"
Ranma growled at the thought, he decided with Kuno's newfound
skills, he could easily move to the ground after he woke up. No doubt
he would be angry that Ranma had left, but that was to be expected. He

needed to find out more. Ranma began moving along the rooftops once
more.

"Here", Makaro offered a plate of food to the masked man.
"I am not hungry", he replied.
Makaro shrugged and stuffed the noodles into his mouth by
means of chopstick, he busily continued to finish the plate off.
"When will we return to Uc--... To the restaurant?", he asked.
"In time, friend", was the reply, "We've got to give her time
to go to the bank."
"Why do you not just accompany her to the bank and withdraw
the money? It would save you the money of my accompaniment."
"Oh, but I enjoy your company. And we just don't work like
that."
The man nodded. "I don't deal with your kind often, I usually
work for individuals. Not organizations."
"Well, I'm surprised. The Yakuza could make you a rich man
with your talents. I'm surprised you're not rich already."
"I have no need for money."
"But you charge a bundle. Just what do you do with the money
anyways?"
"That is not your concern. Your concern is lies only on
whether or not I have completed the task."
Makaro shrugged as he downed more noodles. "Fine, if you want
to be like that."
The masked man mentally stroked the scar riddling the side of
his face as he focused his vision to lie on the man in front of him.
Since they had first met, he had immediately disliked him. He disliked
all of his kind, even the individual clients. He even disliked
himself, but he was not a man anymore, not a man of honor. Not even
half a man. He had lost that five years earlier.

The clock hit twelve-thirty and Ryoga clapped his hands. The
class in the dojo before him immediately stopped sparring and bowed in
Ryoga's direction. He nodded, and let them all leave. He turned around
to look at Soun, who had apparently stepped outside a few moments
earlier to sit and stare at the Koi pond. He joined him outside.
"Brings back memories, doesn't it?", he asked.
Soun nodded, aparently dazed by the view. Ryoga knew something
had been bothering Soun all morning, but had never worked up the
courage to ask. He decided it was best to get him speaking, before
asking.
"You remember when Ranma and I would fight, and it would
always end up with one, or both of us ending up in the koi pond? If it
was me, then Akane would come out and knock Ranma in for picking on
'P-Chan'." Ryoga chuckled at the memory. Still recieving no response
from Soun. He was about to try again when Soun began to speak.
"Ryoga, my boy.", he began, not making eye contact. "You know
I respect the decision you and Akane made to get married and have
children, right?"
Not quite getting the idea, Ryoga nodded. "Yep."
Soun sighed and began to tremble. "I believe the decision may
have been a bit premature."
Ryoga, truly confused could reply with the only thing he could

think of. "What?"
"Ryoga, last night I had a visitor."
"A visitor?"
He nodded. "Someone we haven't seen in a very long time."
Ryoga tried to search the back of his mind. He finally came up

with a name. "No. Not.. Happosai?"
Soun almost laughed as he shook his head. "Ryoga. It was..
Ranma."
"Couldn't of been. He was asleep all night, and if he had
gotten out of his crib, then--"
"Not that Ranma."
Ryoga looked confused for a split second before the
realization hit him. "R.. Ranma? You mean.. _THE_ Ranma? Ranma who
died five years ago Ranma?"
Soun nodded.
Ryoga brain clicked into full overtime.

"Here it is", Daisuke motioned towards Hiroshi. "Makaro
Sobaku. Petty theft, Extortion, assault, accused of rape, but the
witness never showed up at the trial."
"So, this could be the guy then?", Hiroshi asked, hopefully.
"If it is, the guy doesn't cover his tracks well. I wonder if
he's got an alibi."
"More than likely. These types usually do."
"Not surprising though. Should we bring him in?"
"Well, all we've got so far is a suspicion. If this was
Gendo's partner, then there may be the friendship factor. I think we
should question him before we bring him in."
Daisuke nodded his agreement and began to look up for more
information on Makaro.

Kuno blinked his eyes momentarily at the sun staring down at
him. He had aparently been unconscious for only a few minutes, at the
sun was not much farther east than it had been when he had fought with
the unknown man.
He sat and and rubbed the back of his head. He silently cursed
the man for using such cowardly methods then as to take him hand to
hand. After he stood up he looked around, to try and get his bearings.
He had been knocked to the ground and dirtied his business suit. It
looks like he would have to take the rest of the day off. His
employees would more than likely understand, and his sister could
cover his responsibilities until the next day.
He stood and thought for a few moments about his oppenent. He
had said his name was Ranma Saotome. Kuno sincerly doubted that it was
his real name, as Ranma had died five years earlier, but the actual
reality of the matter, was that the fighting styles were very
similiar. Maybe a few differences, but quite similiar. He even seemed
to be better than the real Ranma, which was rather a contradiction in
itself. To his knowledge, nobody had honorably bested Ranma in combat,
not even himself. And even with his newfound skills, he probably still
wouldn't be able to do it. Granted he would give him a run for his
money, but in the end, Ranma would eventually win. He always did.
But why use Ranma's name? What would it gain him? He
remembered the day he had learned of his death. To that point, Kuno
had despised Ranma to a point that had clouded his mind with false
truths. Like that Ranma Saotome was a sorcerer who had stolen the
heart of Akane Tendo and the Pig-Tailed girl from him. After they had
gotten married, and he had seen to happiness of Akane, he accepted
they're marriage and focused on winning the heart of the pig-tailed
girl. It was only after Ranma had died when he learned the truth. The
truth that Ranma and the Pig-Tailed girl were one in the same.
The evidence had been so clear, since the second time he and
Ranma had fought. They had jumped from a third story window and landed
in the school's swimming pool. And suddenly, Ranma had disappeared,
replacing himself with the innocent Pig-tailed girl.
Since that time, too many similiar instances had occured. When

they traveled to China to rescue Akane from the clutches of Kirin,
Master of the Seven Lucky Gods School of Martial arts. Ranma had
accompanied them, but suddenly disappeared, leaving the pig-tailed
girl in his wake. To the time they had been stranded on a deserted
isle, and the Pig-Tailed girl disappeared to leave Ranma in her
Absence. It had been clear in Tatewaki's suspicions for some time, but
had never manifested itself in his conscious memory. After his death,
it had.
Since that time he had done nothing but think of Ranma's fate.
He had not been a sorcerer at all during the time he had known him.
Not a practitioner of Black magic as he had originally thought. In
fact, after thinking long anough about it, he saw Ranma as a very
honorable man, who died an honorable death. It was himself that had
been dishonorable, constantly pursuing that which he could not have.
Akane Tendo and the Pig-Tailed girl.
Since that time, Kuno had allowed himself to be taught the art

that Ranma had followed so honorably. Learning from Ranma's father, as

well as the friend of Ranma. Ryoga Hibiki.
Ryoga and Genma had been hesitent to teach Tatewaki at first,
but soon agreed after seeing the money he was willing to pay. He
religiously followed his training, even agreeing to go on several
training trips with Genma, Ryoga or sometimes both. However, after
being lost in China for several weeks, he decided it would be best for
him to lead the training trips when with Ryoga.
His friendship grew with Ryoga, and he felt proud of the fact
that he was considered the Godfather of little Ranma, the son of Ryoga
and Akane.
Kuno looked at his watch and he jumped down from the roof,
surprising several bystanders, and walked off towards his home.

*Five Hours Later*

Ranma leaped from rooftop to rooftop, backtracking his steps
towards Ucchans, casually passing over the area where he and Kuno had
the earlier confrontation.
The rest of the day after that had been mainly uneventful. He
had gone to Furinkan to discover that Ms. Hinako was still teaching
there, and she was still as she had always been. He had the pleasure
of sapping two young martial artist of they're battle abilities before
continuing his survey. Aparently, principal Kuno was no longer there,
having heard talking from several senior students that they were
thankful he left for hawaii three years earlier, he smiled. Also,
aparently the legacy of himself, Kuno, Ukyo and Akane were still
rampant among the students. He smiled at that thought as he continued
his way.
The rest of the day held no more interest, and he decided it
would be best to help Nabiki at Ucchans. He still wondered where Ukyo
was, and told himself to ask Nabiki after the situation today was
taken care of.
Ranma swung into Ucchans moments later.
"Are we ready?", he asked.

Soun paced back and forth. It was 5:30, and Ryoga had left a
few hours earlier, looking rather phased at the revelation that had
been brought forth. Soun told him to keep it from Akane for now, until
they could figure out what to do. Of course, it was much to late now
for Ranma and Akane to be together again, especially with little Ranma
in the picture.
*Where is that boy*, he asked himself as he continued to pace.

"Are we ready?", the figure that had just swung into the
restaurant said. Reflexivekly, Kimiko shrieked.
"What?", he asked.
Whacking Ranma over the head with a small cooking spatula, she

replied, "You scared the hell outta me!"
"Ranma. They should be here in half an hour.", Nabiki said
from the back room. "Can we get you something to eat?"
"No thanks, I'm not hungry."
Nabiki walked out of the room carrying a small case. She
paused for a moment and looked at Ranma. "Why are you still wearing
that?"
Ranma looked himself over. "Well, I don't think I'd be very
welcome if I took it off."
"I think I have a box in back with some of your old clothes,
you want me to get them?"
Ranma recalled Soun's shocked look when he had removed his
cowl and shook his head. "Trust me, I'll be fine in this."
Nabiki frowned for a second, when realization hit her. "Ahh,
you want to intimidate them eh?"
"Something like that."
"No problem then."
"Nabiki, could you do me a favour?"
"Depends. What?"
"Call your dad, let him know I'm here so he doesn't worry."
Nabiki nodded and stepped over to the phone after putting the
case down.
"Whats in the case?", Ranma asked.
"Just a prop.", she said as she dialed.

Soun raced to the phone as soon as it rang. "Hello?", he asked

frantically.
"Daddy?", the familiar voice came from the other end.
Soun suddenly dropped his excitement, and almost sounding
dissapointed, greeted his daughter. "Hello Nabiki. Its been a while
since you've called."
"Jeez, don't sound so excited to hear from me, Daddy."
"I'm sorry, I was just expecting a call from a friend."
"Well, your friend is here right now, doing me a favour."
"He's there?"
"Yep, he showed up earlier, surprising the hell outta me.
Which reminds me, why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't mind being woken
up in the middle of the night with news like that."
"Well, I wasn't sure what to do."
"And whats with sending him out this morning so fast? You'd
think talking with your dead son-in-law would be more important than
the morning class."
In the background, Soun heard a brief, but firm comment. "Hey,
I'm not dead!"
Ignoring Ranma's comment, he continued, "I had to, I was
worried about what would happen when Ryoga-- Oh nevermind, I'll be
there in a few minutes!"

Nabiki looked down surprisingly at the reciever at the fact
that her father had just hung up the phone while she was still
talking.
"Something wrong?", Ranma asked, now reclined on a chair.
"You break it, you buy it Ranma.", Nabiki offered, noting that

Ranma's weight with the chains and other such decorations riddling his

suit was probably increased a good two to three hundred points.
Ranma nodded, "Wouldn't have it any other way."
And with that, a knock came to the door. Nabiki didn't even
have to say anything while Ranma quickly and quietly moved his way to
the back room. Nabiki answered the door.
"Ahh, Ms. Tendo", Makaro began, smiling at his victim.
"Your money's here, Makaro.", she replied, frowning.
"I hope you don't mind, but I brought our friend from earlier
to ensure that our deal doesn't go sour."
"The only sour thing in this room is your face, Makaro.",
Kimiko pointed out from behind the grill.
Makaro sneered. "Shut up wench before I give you the same fate
as Gendo!"
Kimiko redundantly stuck out her tongue.
Makaro was seemingly easy to get angry, as he pulled out his
gun a moment later.
"Would you like to taste lead?", he said, stepping further
into the restaurant, and allowing the masked man in. He took one look
around and whispered into his ear. Makaro frowned.
"Take care of it.", he said. "And then take care of them."
"I will not kill women", he replied.
"Damn you, just do your job! If you won't kill the girls, I
will!"
The man sneered under his mask and began towards the back
room.
Nabiki swallowed hard.
"Now, Ms. Tendo. Our mutual friend here has informed me of
someone else in the restaurant. You have ten seconds to explain before
I pull the trigger."
The masked man confusedly walked out of the back room.
"What?", Makaro asked.
"Hes gone. He must of slipped out the window."
"Well, what are you waiting for, follow hi--- URK!", Makaro
screamed as he was struck from behind, and sent reeling into a table.
Behind him, Ranma rose from a crouching position.
"Nobody hurts my friends."
Makaro looked up at Ranma and smirked. "You're going to pay
for that, you fool."
Makaro pointed the gun at Ranma and pulled the trigger. The
bullet connected with the wall where Ranma had just been standing. He
picked up Makaro by the foot and took him to eye level.
"You're going to leave Nerima, you understand? You are not
going to come back."
Makaro pulled the trigger again, this time connecting with
Ranma's gut. He reflexivly dropped Makaro and bent over.
"I warned you, you bastard! Don't mess with me!", Makaro
screamed. He stopped and stared as Ranma stood back up as if nothing
had happened, and let neon green blood flow freely from his wound.
"What are you?", he screamed, then looked at the masked man.
"What are you waiting for? Get him!"
Whether out of defiance or annoyance, the masked man punched
Makaro out of the way, and slowly removed his mask.
"One who will see my true face will not live long.", he said
as he removed the mask. He was looking directly at Ranma.
Ranma was ready for a fight until the very moment the man had
removed his mask. Nabiki had aparently seen as well, because she
shrieked in surprise. A large burn scar ran down the side of his face,

but it was him. It was Mousse.
"Mousse?", Ranma asked.
Mousse simply smiled. "Whether Nabiki has told you of me, or
you know my name because you know me, it is no matter. It does not
change your fate."
"Mousse, wait.", Ranma began, but Mousse had already begun his

attack. He first launched a Mace towards Ranma's head. He easily
sidestepped the throw, but found that a bonbori was heading towards
his chest. He couldn't block it with his hands, because they were too
busy fending his fist attacks, but something unexpected happened. One
of the chains hangin about his body had apparently become mobile in
his rapid movement, and managed to block the bonbori from connecting
to his chest. After it had been deflected, Mousse launched a Scythe
from out of nowhere, but it had become entangled in another of Ranma's
chains and was pulled from Mousse's grasp.
Mousse stopped attacking for a moment to rethink his strategy.

"You're very skilled," he said, "But it makes no difference, you will
die by my hand."
"Mousse, don't, its--" Again, Mousse was deeper into the
attack, launching several weapons at once, Ranma felt his anger rise
to a level it rarely ever got to. With the several projectile weapons
heading towards him, he decided to take an old attack out of
retirement. "KACHU TENSHIN AMIGURIKEN!!!", he yelled as he plucked
each weapon out of the air and landed several hundred punches on his
opponents person. Mousse was sent reeling back for a moment, but never
lost his balance. he smirked evily.
"So, you've got some Joketsuzoku techniques in you, do you?
That is an interesting surprise. It looks like I'll have to use my
full power on you."
"Mousse. Stop, Its Ranma."
This caught Mousse in mid attack. He looked confused for a
second, but then sneered.
"Ranma is dead. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Mousse, I'm serious. I'm alive."
"Impossible! He was burnt to a crisp. If he were alive, he
would be burned beyond recognition."
Ranma pulled his mask off. "Like this?"
Behind him, he heard two distinct thumps hit the floor, while
Mousse stared at him with wide eyes.
"R.... Impossible."
"Mousse, I'm alive. I don't know how, but I'm alive."
"But.. Five years..."
"Mousse, Its been five years, and I don't remember any of it,
but rest assured, it is me. Ranma."
Mousse dropped his stance and stood there, mind reeling.
"Prove it.", he eventually said.
"Name your test."
"What was my biggest handicap?", he asked.
"You mean the fact that you turn into a duck, or your
eyesight?"
"How did we come to be friends?"
"After I married Akane, you realized I had no interest in
Shampoo and became a good friend."
Mousse started to let tears swell up in his eyes as he asked
the last question. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why have I lived the past five years of my life like this,
when you were still alive?"
"Mousse, theres questions I can't answer. I don't even
remember how or why I 'died'."
"I know how. But I don't know why. I blamed myself for your
death, Ranma. I thought you were really dead, so I let Shampoo think I
was. After that, I realized I was not a man. Not even half a man.", he

scoffed, "Hell I wasn't even an honorable duck!"
"What happened to you after that?"
"I regained consciousness. I was protected from Kenoru's blast
by your body. You gave your life to save mine."
"I'm still alive though."
"Are you? What kind of a life can you live now? Not a normal
one."
"True."
"After I buried your body, I thought about things. I couldn't
go back to the village, I couldn't even come back here as myself. I
had disgraced my very existance. So I soon went to Shanghai. I started
to sell my Services to the highest bidder, and did work. At first, it
was simple things, like a bodyguard, a courier of stolen goods. And
then I was paid to kill a man who had raped another mans wife. I
accepted, and soon it became second nature." He shook his head, "I
sent the money back to the village, and never even signed my name. If
only I had known you were still alive, Ranma. I wouldn't have stooped
to such depths."
Ranma stepped over towards Mousse and offered his hand. "Its
alright Mousse, its not your fault."
"My honor has been taken from me by my own doing. My life
should be forfeit."
"NO!", a voice came from the doorway. "You'd dishonor yourself

further by taking a cowards death." Soun walked in. Aparently he had
overheard much of the conversation. He placed his hand on Mousse's
other shoulder.
"Mousse, you can redeem yourself."
"I have taken over 40 lives."
"That is unfortunate, it is a tragedy. But those lives, no
matter how important, were they innocents?"
"No. I ensured myself of that, but by making judgements upon
them.."
"You did not make judgements on those lives, boy. You were
merely the weapon."
"It is still not forgivable."
"Maybe not, but it can be redeemed, in time."
"Redeemed? Nothing can redeem the taking of a life. Even a
single human life!"
"Mr. Tendo, I think we'd do best to help him."
"Agreed. Mousse, you should come with us."
Mousse looked Soun in the eyes, and brought his attention
towards Ranam before deciding. "I will no longer follow this
lifestyle. I will try my best to revive the old Mousse. I thank you,
my friends."
A gunshot fired at that moment, landing in Ranma's side.
Forgetting about the first shot, Ranma covered the wound with his hand

and scowled at the man who had shot the gun. Makaro, who had been
silently listening to the conversation.
Before Ranma could act, Mousse had subdued him and had him
against the wall.
"You are lucky I will not stoop to your level again, Makaro."
"Weakling! Coward!", came from Makaro's mouth, as well as
several other insults and obscenities.
"Ranma, are you alright?", Soun asked.
Ranma looked himselfover. To his surprise the first gunshot
wound had already healed over, and his leg was fast approaching that
goal. Looking at the neon green fluid that flowed from his wound, he
came to a realization.
He was no longer human.

End Chapter Three

Ranma ½: A Life Once Lived

Ranma ½ and all its characters and situations belong to the genius of
Rumiko Takahashi.
Spawn and all its characters and situations belong to the genius of
Todd McFarlane.

Written by: TydRipper (watcher...@hotmail.com)

Chapter Four: How the Deed was Done

*Hmph, so now I've finally found you, Kenoru.*, she thought to

herself. Shampoo walked off of the gangplank of the ship she had just
spent the last week on, and onto the docks of the San Francisco bay
area. She inhaled. God how she hated places like this. She hated
Nerima, she hated Hong Kong, and she hated all other 'civilized'
places shes ever been. But she couldn't return to her village, not
until her honor was avenged.
As she walked warily off the docks and down a few streets, she

reminded herself why she was doing this. She thought about it. Ranma
was dead. Mousse was dead. That was all the reason she needed, and for
the past four and a half years, she had been searching for him, which
had brought her to this place.
Where he came from originally, she did not know, all she knew
was that he was a national figure in Organized crime. This did not
frighten her one bit. Kenoru was smart, she'd give him that much. He
may have been skilled in the martial arts, as good, maybe even better
than Shampoo herself, but rest assured, he would die for his sin. He
had killed Ranma and Mousse.
Shampoo thought about it. With Ranma dead, she could return to
her village, honor intact, which was a good thing. But she scolded
herself. That was not a good thing to think. She had long ago accepted
that Ranma did not love her, he loved Akane, and Shampoo would have to
settle for friendship. Maybe it was out of love. Maybe her time in
Japan had clouded her Joketsuzoku ideals, but she had accepted it. Her
great-grandmother was angry, to say the least. She scolded Shampoo,
told her never to return to the village, but as she left she looked at
her, heartbroken, and left a note, reminding her of the 'loophole'.
Shampoo refused to lower herself to that, even for Amazon
honor, she would not kill Ranma. What confused her the most, however
was that if Shampoo were to kill Ranma, would she then have to kill
herself? The law was that if someone, anyone had killed her intended
before a marriage could be fulfilled in the village, it was her mortal
duty to hunt that person down to the ends of the earth. And that was
what she was doing.
Shampoo still wasn't sure who she was doing it for, Ranma,
Mousse, or herself. Killing Kenoru would surely avenge the deaths of
Ranma and Mousse, but it would also ensure her ability to return to
the village. The whole thing made her head hurt. Shampoo was smart,
but it was to confusing to think about.
As she made her way through the darkness of the city streets,
she began to find her way to Chinatown. Surely, Kenoru would be there.
Suddenly, she heard it. Her reflexes snapped her into a
defensive position as she watched. Out of a dark corner of the street,
riddled with warehouses, several men stepped out. They're heads were
all shaved, and she noted the telltale insignia of a Nazi swastika
tatooed to they're arms, necks, the back of they're heads. One even
sported one on his forehead. As they pulled out of the corner, each
holding a weapon of some sort, whether it be chains, knifes or lead
pipes, one thing was clear.
They were not going to be friendly.
"Looky here boys, we got ourselves another impure jap bitch",
the leader said.
Shampoo could understand exactly what they were saying. She
knew english just about as well as she knew japanese.
"Am not Japanese. Am Joketsuzoku.", she replied, looking
totally unworried.
The leader shrugged. "Jap, Jokufetmolecule, whatever. Point
is, your just another impurity trying to sabotage our country. You are
not welcome here."
"Shampoo not want trouble", she said, knowing full well she
could take them down, but not wanting to have to.
The leader burst out laughing, followed by his comrades, he
replied. "You should have thought of that the moment you stepped off
whatever slave ship you came in on. And what the hell kinda name is
Shampoo? You gonna wash my hair, you chink bitch?"
"Shampoo is of Amazon Tribe. Not Chink. Not Jap. Am simply
woman.", she replied.
"Yeah, well guess what we're gonna do to you, 'woman'. Your
type is not welcome here, and we're gonna make an example outta you.
First we're gonna beat you within an inch of your life. Then we're
gonna do whatever the hell we want to you, then we'll probably finish
you off.", he shrugged, "If you're nice, we may even let you live, and
sell you on the slave market."
Shampoo frowned. She knew full well there was still slavery in

America. From sweat shops to farms, slavery wasn't as abolished as
people thought. She didn't like the idea of being sold to such a
place, and decided it was best to get it over with. She took a
defensive stance and smiled.
"Ooh, she knows martial arts guys. Might want to have Mike
take care of this bitch.", the leader said, as a tall slender man took
up a similiar stance.
'Mike' spoke. "You're gonna get yours, bitch. I'm a third
degree blackbelt in American Kempo."
"Why Shampoo care what color belt is?", she replied.
'Mike' laughed and started to lunge at her. Shampoo, still
unsure of his underlying talent, kept a mainly defensive stance, and
lashed out a few test attacks. After seeing his speed, she smirked and
completely dropped her stance.
"Shampoo not fight you.", she said, "You too weak."
This enraged Mike. He lunged at her with all of his best
attacks, which was exactly what Shampoo wanted. A quick crescent kick
the the waste, and a reverse upward punch to the chin, and 'Mike' was
sprawled out on the concrete, completely unconscious.
Shampoo deducted two different outcomes of her actions. 1. The

others would see her skill and run off, or 2. They would become angry
and gang up on her. Shampoo hoped it was the latter.
After a moment, the gang began to realize what had happened.
Shampoo smirked at them, still remaining in a calm stance as the began

to surround her, each of them brandishing the weapon of they're
choice.
The first came, easily put out. She simply grabbed his lead
pipe and pushed it in the opposite direction, banging him on the head
and knocking him out. Even one without martial arts experience could
figure that out.
Then two more came, one with a knife and the other with a
chain. One of either side of her. The knife-man was smirking, getting
ready to run her through with the miniature blade he held in his
hands. The other was swinging his chain above his head, getting ready
to strike. She timed her move just so, that she had jumped up just
when the chain was being released from the mans grip, grabbed the
other man by the shoulders and shoved him to where she was just
standing. The knife dropped from his hands as the chain struck, and he
hit the ground. The chain-man had lost his chain, and was heading
towards her bare-handed. The last two members of the gang were doing
something similiar. Then one of them pulled out a gun.
Shampoo had dealt with guns before. They were tricky machines,
but it was also possible to dodge the bullets. The normal, everyday
martial artist could not dodge a speeding bullet in any respect, but
with Shampoo's speed, she could easily dodge it.
The man with the gun smirked. She recognized him quickly as
the group leader, and then mentally remembered the position of every
person. The chain-man had stopped after seeing the gun, and joined in
on the taunting. The third man was just sitting there, smirking.
"You ready to die now bitch?", the leader said. "We were gonna

letcha live after making you hurt, but now we're just gonna kill ya."
"Wait.", the third man said.
"What?"
"I'm gonna make her hurt still."
"Go right ahead."
The third man walked up to Shampoo and hit her across the
face. Shampoo just stood there, smiling. It hadn't hurt her. Not with
her endurance, but the man would surely pay. She waited for the right
time. Three strikes across the face later, and with Shampoo still
smiling, the man got pissed.
The fifth strike came quickly, and totally unexpected. But
Shampoo wasn't on the recieving end this time. She had pulled a
bonbori from her belt and struck him across the face, sending him
sprawling to the man with the gun. They connected, and the man with
the gun went down fast. Shampoo heard a muffled gunshot as the man she
threw became limp.
She had tried to avoid a death. Killing wasn't a pretty thing,

even if honor demanded it be done. EVen it was to teach a lesson. But
it was too late. The man, she could tell with her blind eye, was dead.

Shampoo didn't want to hand around any longer, and then jumped into
the air, landing on the roof of a warehouse. She ran towards the
lights in the distance.

"I.. I... I don't know.", Ranma replied, cradling his wound.
It no longer hurt, amazingly, and as he removed his hand, all that
remained was a scab. A scab of some strange liquid he had never seen.
It glowed neon green, but when Ranma saw it, he knew. He knew it was
his blood.
"What the hell are you?", Makaro screamed, still being held up
to the wall by Mousse.
Mousse was deciding. Deciding whether or not to kill the man
he held with his single hand. He considered it. Considered it long and
hard before he decided to let him live. The old Mousse would have done
it in a heartbeat, but not now. Mousse was going to clean himself up.
There would be repercussions of his actions, of course. But he would
deal with those when the time came. He just held Makaro against the
wall.
"Whats happened to me?", Ranma asked himself, oblivious to
what was going on around him.
"I tried to tell you.", a voice said, coming from the
entrance.
Ranma looked up. "You."
"Yes, its me. I told you. You must accept it", the man that
Ranma had met earlier in the day replied.
"Accept what? That I'm dead!? Its bloody impossible!"
"Ranma, during your life, how many things have happened to do
that were deemed impossible?"
Ranma recalled his life. "A few."
"More than most people I'd imagine. According to my sources,
you were a good soul in life. How you were sent to hell when you died,
I have no idea. But the fact remains. You died."
"But I can't be dead!"
"Remember the deal Ranma? Malebolgia, that heartless fiend
tricked you. He offered you something he knew you wouldn't refuse, and
then warped it all."
"What?"
"Ranma, was it a love? A Place? Money? Why did you come back?"
Ranma looked towards the ground. "A..Akane."
"Ahh... A love... I made a similiar choice. Now let me ask
you, how long has it been?"
"Five years."
"And since that time, you're love has remarried, presumably to
a close friend, and had a child. Correct?"
Ranma looked up. "How did.. How did you know?"
The old man simply shook his head. "Its the way Malebolgia
works."
Soun, sitting off to the side of this conversation finally
decided to interupt. "Uhh, excuse me sir. But who exactly are you?"
The man turned to him. "I am sorry for not introducing myself.
I am Count Nicholas De Cogliostro."
Soun nodded and stretched his hand out. "I'm So--"
"Soun Tendo, father of Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane."
"How did.. How did you know?"
"When I felt Ranma's presence's manifesting a few days ago, I
had to look up some old files. At first I had thought the new
Hellspawn would have been a fellow named Al Simmons, but it seems I
was wrong."
"You kept files on us?"
The old man nodded. "I have to. Its my duty to guide new
Hellspawn, so they don't take the wrong path."
"Wrong path?", Ranma interupted. "What do you mean?"
"I would imagine you have met someone recently. Someone you
did not know, but they knew you. Possibly a human, maybe not. Most
definately a disgusting one however."
"There was a Clown."
"Ahh. His favorite human form. That, my friend, was the
Violator. One of the Seven Phlebiac brothers, and servant of
Malebolgia."
"So he's a bad guy then?"
"Yes. Undoubtedly. He is powerful beyond belief. New Spawns
cannot hope to defeat him in battle. Unless they have a trick up
they're sleeves."
"Whats his deal?"
"He is charged with training you to be a warrior for hells
army, however he has.. personal beliefs that would rather you died by
his hand than be his superior. He believes humans are not meant to be
high ranking officials in the army of hell."
"Excuse me, but can _SOMEONE_ please tell me whats going on?",

Kinami interupted, now gaining consciousness.
"Ahh, Kinami. Where is Nabiki?", Soun asked.
Kinami pointed to the floor behind a table where she had
fainted.
"Hey, Ranma.. Sorry for fainting back there, but I didn't
expect your face to look like that. I'd seen pictures of you and if
you'd told us, maybe I wouldn't have reacted like that."
Mousse chuckled, "Pretty blunt, isn't she?"
Kinami suddenly remembered Mousse, she turned to face him and
put her hands in front of her. "What the hell are you still doing
here? Get out!"
Soun placed his hand on Kinami's shoulder. "It's alright,
Kinami. Its only Mousse, he's not going to hurt us."
Now confused as ever, Kinami sat down and massaged her
temples. "Either someone tells me what the hell is going on, or I'm
going to go nuts."
Soun began to explain, but when he got to the part "Ranma's
dead.", she got _REALLY_ confused.
"I'm sorry for telling you like this, Ranma. But you had to be

warned. Now. I must go. If the times comes when my presence is
required, I'll find you.", the old man said as he departed.
"Wait!", Ranma said, but it was too late, Cog was leaving, and
had utterly disappeared after leaving therestaurant.
"What should we do with him?", Mousse finally asked. Truth be
known, his arm was getting tired.
"Drop him.", Ranma said, walking up to him.
Makaro fell to the floor, and curled himself up, cowering from

Ranma's presence.
Ranma grabbed him by the collar. "You bastard.", he began, "If
I ever, ever, EVER see your ugly face even grace my eyes, or if I ever

hear your name, you _WILL_ die before the day is out... You can
threaten me, you can even try to kill me, but once you threaten my
friends, you've signed your own death certificate. Now go, get out of
here before I change my mind."
Ranma dropped Makaro and he ran out of the restaurant,
shouting back obscenities and threats.
"Hey Nabs, you awake?", Kinami inquired, shaking her
unconscious friend. Suddenly, she began to stir.
"I think so. Was it just me or did Ranma look like he went
through a blender?", she asked, sitting up.
"A fireball would be more accurate", Mousse answered. Nabiki
suddenly tensed up.
"Mousse? What the hell is going on?", she asked.
Mousse looked down towards the floor. "I'm sorry Nabiki. I
should have stopped a long time ago."
"Nabiki, your awake?", Ranma asked.
Nabiki tensed further. "Ranma, how.. What... Your face."
"I know. I don't know the whole story, but apparently I'm
dead."
"Dead?"
"Dead."
Soun helped his daughter to her feet. "Are you okay Nabiki?"
"I'm fine, its just.. a little.. strange."
"You think its strange for you? Look at me? Last thing I
remember was coming back from China, and the failed wedding. The next
thing I know I'm running around on the roof of Furinkan, and ending up
six years down the road."
"Then, you don't remember how you died?", Mousse asked,
unbelieving.
Ranma shook his head. "I heard from Kuno that it was some guy
named Kenoru, and then you said the same thing."
Nabiki dropped her mouth open. "You talked to Kuno?"
"Yeah, he aparently took up Kenpo. He tried to fight, but next

thing I know he was knocked unconscious. Didn't even lay a finger on
him either."
"Whoa. You _FOUGHT_ with Kuno? Thats weird. From the way hes
been talkign about you since you.. uhh.. went away, hes been acting
like your best friend."
"Yeah, I noticed. He found me honourable and such, but I think
he didn't believe I was actually me. Besides that, I've got tonnes of
questions I need answered. Before I get into the big stuff I hafta ask

this. What happened to Ukyo? I've heard what happened to pretty much
everybody except for her."
Nabiki suddenly pulled her wallet out of her back pocket and
pulled out a letter, attached to a pink sheet of paper. She handed it
to Ranma.
As Ranma read the letter, he finally began to understand.
The letter read:

Dear Nabiki Tendo,

Hey there, its me. Ukyo. The 'cute' fiancee.. Ha. Thats a
laugh.. I'm sorry for storming off so quickly like that last week, but
as you could probably imagine, it was hard to handle. As you've
probably already noticed, I've stapled the deed to Ucchans on the
back, and its yours to do with as you please. Although I do have one
request.. Don't sell it. Maybe its just sentimentality, but I love
that restaurant, and I couldn't willingly place it in the handles of
someone I didn't trust... With money that is. Which is the reason I've
given it to you.
Anyways, I'm going away for a while. Maybe I'll come back
someday. Maybe I won't. I've just got alot of thinking to do. Ten
years of wanting revenge for my fathers Yatai, and another year of
bliss. And now this. I couldn't handle it. Maybe after some time I'll
learn, but until then, good old Ucchan won't be coming around much.
Give my love to Ranchan, and wish him and Akane the best of
luck. I'm sure I'll understand someday, but in the meantime, I'm
heading on the road. I might do some training, I may travel the world.
But I'll always remember my friends.
Tell Ranma and Akane I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused
them.

Yours Truly,
Ukyo Kuonji

Ranma stared. If he could allow tears to come pouring out, he
would have. He even noted the stressed handwriting in the final two
paragraphs, and the pattern of tear stains running throughout the
sheet. He silently gave the letter back to Nabiki.
Nabiki tried to lighten the mood. "You acted pretty much the
same the first time you read it."
"I.. If I had known it would have caused her that much
pain.... I.. I don't know."
Mousse exhaled. "It was slightly different with Shampoo...
Believe it or not, she didn't love you as much as you thought. At
least not in the way you or I would understand."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I spent my adolescence outside of the village. So I was

exposed to the outsider culture, and train of thought. Love in the
village is based around honour and laws. Nothing more. Outside of the
village, I learned and used the rest of the worlds vision of love. Not

the warped way the village had done things."
"I had suspected it to be something like that.", Soun
interupted.
Mousse nodded. "Yes, well. When Shampoo had lived here for
that year, she too had learned the love of the outside world. But she
was still under control of the laws of Joketsuzoku. She couldn't
ignore them. Thats why she pursued you like she did."
"And after Akane and I got married?"
"Well, she was not happy with it, to say the least. But
apparently her view of love had changed, and she loved you enough to
accept your decision. Law or no law. She still tried to change your
mind though, but not so relentlessly."
"And then I died."
"Well, not quite like that. Akane had gotten sick. _VERY_
sick. She would have died if Kenoru hadn't showed up."
"I thought he was the guy who killed me."
"He was. Here, let me explain. Akane had something known as
the Jimura Flu. It was a result of what had happened during the
Saffron incident. She suddenly became unable to hold liquids. She was
dying a slow death of Dehydration. The doctors were unable to do
anything. Even when they tried to give her liquids through an IV. Her
body kept rejecting it."
"So, Kenoru had the cure?"
"Yes. He showed up one day, this was about a month before you
died, and offered her the cure, for a price."
"What was the price?"
"A favour. A favour from you."
"A Favour?"
"Yes, well, you agreed. And in agreeing you had signed a
verbal agreement."
"So he called in the favour."
"Yes, a week later. He told you... He told you to kill
someone."
"Who?"
"An American. An english teacher at a college north of Tokyo
who had apparently made the wrong people angry."
"And.. What happened?"
"You refused. Even if it meant your death, you refused."
"And..?"
"He had sent several hitmen after you and Akane. One day, you
had enough. You came to the Nekohanten asking for our help."
"What exactly happened?"
"Well, the night you came to get us, you seemed extremely
edgy. You told us you had had enough, and were going to stop Kenoru
once and for all. Shampoo and I agreed to help, since Ryoga was
missing and unable to help. Akane was still recovering in the
hospital. You left Soun and your father to protect her, and we set
off."
"I was edgy?"
"Yes. We didn't find out why until we were in China."
"In China?!?"
"Yes, now let me finish. You had aparently had a nasty dream,
screaming how 'you didn't mean to do it'. When we woke you up, you
explained what had happened. Kenoru's hitmen had come for Akane while
you were away. It was fortunate that you managed to show up right
then, because another second later, and Akane would be dead. You were
angry, and engaged in combat with him. He was knocked out of the
window and died. You had killed him."
"What? Is this true?", Soun asked.
"I.. I don't remember.", Ranma replied.
"It certainly does explain a few things.", Mousse continued.
"Like how you were sent to hell."
"But.. I killed someone?"
Mousse nodded. "Agressively. The only reason you weren't
pursued by the police is because a nurse had witnessed the whole
thing. Anyways, we had made our way to China, and found Kenoru in Hong

Kong."
"What happened?"
"He fled.", Mousse clenched his fist. "He fled across the
country, but he was a smart bastard. He knew things about us, as well
as things we didn't know ourselves. He had managed to hide his true
skill for so long, looking as nothing but a high ranking member of the
Triad."
"Who was he? Really?"
"I still don't know. He had fled so far, and we tracked him
every inch of the way. We finally caught up with him eventually."
"Where?!?"
"Who knows. To tell the truth, I'm still not exactly sure. All
I knew was that is was the base of a mountain."
"What happened?"
"Well, we started to chase him up the side of the mountain. We
had finally cornered him against a rock face. But at that point, he
made his true skill known. The battle was long and hard. We had fought
him for about three hours, and we were starting to tire rapidly. He
had eventually fought us to a cliff edge. First to fall over was
Shampoo. We had thought she fell all the way down and died, but she
was hanging for her life on a ledge far below. That was when Kenoru
launched his final attack."
"Final Attack?"
"Yes. I think he could have done it at any point, but he was
just playing with us. It had the same effect as a flamethrower, but
alot stronger, and it was heading directly for me. At that point, I
gave up completely."
"What happened?"
"You jumped in the path of the attack. Whether it was bravery
or exhaustion, I just dont know. But you gave your own life to save
mine. You were burnt to a crisp, I was burned pretty bad too. My face
isn't the worst of it. I've still got scars all over my body. But I
survived."
"Oh my god."
"About half an hour later, Shampoo managed to make her way
back up. I was barely conscious, and in alot of pain. I finally
slipped out after Shampoo had knelt by us and started crying. When I
woke up, she was gone. And I guess I was gone too, in a way. That was
one of the main reasons I started in my line of work, I guess. I did
alot of work for individuals, then last month, I agreed to work for
the Yakuza, in an effort to start working for the Triad. Once in the
Triad, I could start looking for Kenoru, and have revenge."
"What happened to Shampoo?"
Mousse sighed in thought. "I saw her last month. Five years
older, but just as beautiful. But that can't be helped now. It was in
Hong Kong, I had just finished a 'job' with a regular client of mine,
who I had heard had connections with the Triad. Aparently Shampoo had
heard the same thing. I saw her in an alleyway, beating him for
information. As far as I know, shes in San Fransisco."
"San Fransisco?"
"Most probably where Kenoru is now."
"Would there be any way to contact her?"
"Doubtful, besides. She won't come back until Kenoru is dead.
Which I believe is impossible."
"How so?"
"Kenoru... The amount of power he had, it... It wasn't human.
I don't think he's your normal everyday martial artist. He hid it
well, but made it look like he was hiding nothing. With his skill, he
could not only take you, me and Shampoo, but probably every other
Martial artist you've ever met, all at once."
"Even the old letch?"
"Huh. Funny you should mention that, Ranma.", Nabiki
interupted.
"What?"
"When Shampoo came back and told us what happened, Happosai
went nuts with rage. He set out to find him, and promised he to never
come back until you were avenged."
"WHAT?! THAT OLD LETCHER?!"
"Its true Ranma.", Soun continued, "The master was so
distraught at the loss of your life, and the most talented heir to the
anything-goes school, he left immediately. He even left his panties."
"How come I have trouble believing you?"
"Its true. The master has shown his true self a few times in
the past, but tries to keep it hidden under the mask of an old
pervert."
"I'm getting a headache", Ranma said, shaking his head.
"You're not the only one", Kinami agreed.
"Anyways, he sent a postcard from San Fransisco last week,
saying he was getting closer to Kenoru. He had even spotted him on the
street."
"So its pretty safe to assume that Kenoru is out there."
"More than likely", Mousse nodded his head.
"So then what are we waiting for? Lets go out there and give
them a hand!", Ranma yelled.
"I'm all for that, Ranma.", Nabiki put her finger up. "But
theres a slight problem."
"Whats that?"
"Well, who here has money to get us to San Fransisco?"
Nobody answered.
"Don't you have any money?"
Nabiki shook her head, "You think after what Gendo and Makaro
put me through, I'd have _ANYTHING_?"
"How much do you have?"
"I've got enough to get one person across, one way. Give me
about two weeks, and I'll have enough."
"So we've gotta wait two weeks then?"
Nabiki nodded. "Unless you can find an alternative money
source."
Mousse scowled. "I should have kept some money from my work."
Ranma shook his head, "No. I wouldn't feel right flying across
on dirty money."
Mousse stared at the floor. "I guess your right."
"What about Genma and Nodoka?", Soun suggested, "They've got
money!"
"No.", Ranma refused, "I don't want them knowing about me just

yet."
"Well, the amount of money those two fools have leeched off of
me left me broke, so I'm estimating a couple weeks until we can afford
the trip across."
Kinami then spoke, "I'm coming too."
Ranma shook his head, "No. We can't have that. Martial Artists

only."
Kinami huffed, then took up a Kenpo stance, "What the hell do
you think I am?"
Soun nodded his head. "Thats right, For the past four and a
half years, Kinami has been a student of Anything-Goes. Although she
leans more towards Ryoga's style."
"Damn straight. The guy might still be better than me, but I
can give him a run for his money."
Ranma shook his head. "Ryoga an Anything-Goes Sensei. I never
would have imagined."
"Well, Anything-Goes can adapt any style into it, after all.
Ryoga has improved over the years. He's even managed to master the
Kachuu Tenshin Amiguriken, its still not as fast as yours was, but he
can do it now."
"Your kidding.. Is nothing sacred?"
"Eh?"
"Well, besides the Old Ghoul, I thought I was the only one who

knew how."
"Well, Akane had explained to Ryoga how you trained for it,
and he did the same thing."
"Oh."
"Indeed. You should see the burn scars on his hand. I never
would have thought he could master it."
"Cologne didn't either, aparently. She was going to try and
teach him that, before she gave up and taught him the Breaking Point
Technique.", Ranma replied, remembering that particular training trip.
"But he was determined."
"Well, I guess if anything, Ryoga was determined."
"Indeed."
"What happened to Cologne anyways?", Ranma asked, looking
towards Mousse.
"Beats me. I haven't heard from her since she left five and a
half years ago. I could care less though."
"Mousse, my boy. Where are you staying?"
Mousse thought for a second. "Nowhere now. I was staying at a
hotel paid for by Makaro and his men, but now I don't think its safe
to be there.", he huffed, "Not that I couldn't defend myself against
any type of cowardly attack that moron would try on me, but I still
would rather not have to worry about it. I'll just make my way
around."
"Nonsense, you can stay at the Dojo."
Nabiki nodded, "Sure, you can have my old room."
Mousse smiled, "I would be honoured. Thank you."
"Which reminds me, Mr Tendo?", Ranma asked.
"Yes, son?"
"Why were you so quick to get me out of the house this
morning. You would think after me being gone for so long, you would
postpone the morning class."
"Well, yes. I apologize for that, Ranma. I'm sorry for not
explaining, but it involved Ryoga. As you now know, he teaches at the
dojo now as well."
"Could he even find the dojo?"
"Well, yes. His directional skills have improved."
"Really?", it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes. Anyways, I had to explain it to him before I--"
"YOU TOLD HIM?!?"
"Yes, why, what--"
"WHY?!?"
"He had to know. He was your best friend."
"But, he'll tell Akane."
"I told him not to, for now. But Akane should know."
"No. I can't hurt her like that."
"Son--"
"NO!"
Nabiki chose this moment to interupt. "Ranma, Akane went
through hell after you died. But look at it this way. If it were the
other way around. If Akane had died and come back five years later in
your condition. Would _YOU_ want to know?"
Ranma stood silently for a few moments. "Yes. I suppose I
would."

Ryoga sighed heavily. He looked up one street, and decided
against walking in that direction. It had been about a week since he
had gotten lost, but that was only for a few minutes. He managed to
backtrack to a point he knew, but that was not the case this time.
After hearing from Soun of Ranma's return to Nerima, he had been so
distracted, that he couldn't find his way anywhere. From what he could
tell, he was likely still in Nerima, but where in Nerima, was unknown.
He decided to use his last resort. Sit himself on a street corner and
wait.

Akane looked up at the time. She sighed and shook her head,
then helped little Ranma on with his coat. She grabbed the keys to the
car and left, with Ranma in tow.
*Oh, Ryoga*, she thought, *You were doing so well.*
"Mommy, daddy lost again?", Ranma asked.
Akane nodded and smiled, "Yes, we've got to go for a drive and

find him."
This was normal for little Ranma. His father hadn't gotten
lost in a while, but his mother and father had sorted out a last
resort, that if Ryoga got lost for a long period of time, she'd drive
around and look for him.
Debating what her first destination would be, she decided on
her sisters restaurant.

"How long?", she asked.
"He's been here for about 15 hours so far.", the voice
answered over the telephone.
"Nerima, Japan eh? Its been a few years since a Japanese Spawn
has shown up."
"Yes, well, according to these readings, he's already used
some force, we don't know who against yet, but its safe to assume
someone is dead."
"Don't count your eggs before they've hatched."
"Angela, are you coming out or what?"
"My license has been revoked, Celeste."
"That never stopped you before."
"Good point. Give me a couple days. I'll just finish up some
business out here and I'll catch the next flight over."
"Hurry Angela, this one is displaying alot of power."
"Have I ever failed before?"
"Well, there was that one back in 486."
"Jeez, miss one and you're branded for life."
"Alright, well just make sure you hurry. Tiffany may want a
piece of this one."
Angela frowned, "Not this time. I'll be there in two days."

------

There.. Chapters 3 and 4.. A little late, but... 'Better late than
never'...
Boy.. Who thinks I use too many cliche's?...

Anyways, I'll be working on Chapter Five, it should be done within the

week... I won't give away much, other than the title of the chapter,
which
should say alot..

Next chapter: Violated

For those familiar with Spawn, you know _EXACTLY_ whats going to
happen.

Anyways, there is now a page up for all my fics...

http://westwood.fortunecity.com/versace/189/

Also, I'd like to make a few statements....

1. My view on Happosai... I believe it is an old lecher, but if push
came to shove, he would be an invaluable ally, and in dire situations
he would prove his true worth..

2. It has come to my attention that people believe Ranma should be
more distraught over the fact that he's dead. In my opinion, that
would be OOC. He tends to hide his true feeling alot, and he is _VERY_
distraught, but that will be dealt with in a future chapter.

3. Ukyou _WILL_ be making an appearance in a later chapter, as well as
another new character, and they both will accompany the team over to
San Fransisco...

4. Alot of people have asked me.. "Why San Fransisco?".. Well.. Why
Nerima?.. Its just the first place that popped into my head as I
thought about it. You'd rather I said 'New York'?

Anyways, all C&C, flames and such can be directed to
watcher...@hotmail.com