[Ranma][Fanfic] Shattered Soul 6

[syi...@my-dejanews.com]

Shattered Soul Chapter 6

It had been three days since the Amazons left for China. Their
restaurant had been given to Dr. Tofu (who turned it into a replacement
clinic), Cologne had given her congratulations to the Tendo's for finally
getting Ranma and Akane 'married' (the two had to finally resort to paying
Nabiki to tell them wasn't any marriage), and Mousse gave Ranma a final gift
before stepping aboard the boat.

Now Ranma was sitting quietly at his desk, his wife doing the same
across the room. 'My wife.' Ranma smiled and let himself relax and think of
Akane, drifting into the link.

Akane felt Ranma's thoughts gently nudge at hers and she smiled
brightly. She loved the fact that they could do this even when they weren't
touching...

************************************************
Ranma watched the boat leaving with mixed feelings. He felt Akane put
her arm in his and clasp his hand.

~You'll miss her won't you?~ ~Yeah... she was always chasing me
around, but she was always so bright and happy. It's gonna take some getting
used to her being gone.~ ~Oh really? Then we'll have to get your mind
on something else.~ Akane pulled his head down and kissed him. ~You know,
suddenly I'm feeling alot better.~ ~I'm so gla- Are you alright Ranma?~
~Yeah~ He held his head in pain. ~Just got a heck of a headache~ ~It's
not that anti-magic thing again is it?~ Akane shuddered. She would never be
able to forget his screams of pain that had echoed through the night.
~No.. that was done with two days ago. Oh well.~ Ranma silently slid down to
a bench, acting on Akane's unsaid request. Akane suddenly reached up to brush
something off her neck and froze. She had pulled her hand from his, yet the
link was still there. Excited she stood up and broke the link.

"How did we do that?" Akane asked him.

"I don't know... let me try something." Ranma closed his eyes and
relaxed while focusing on Akane. Suddenly the link was there again.

~Why hasn't that worked before?~
~Well Ranma-chan, we are a lot closer then before~
~This is gonna to be fun.~ Akane giggled. He was right, this would be
fun.
*********************************************************

Akane relaxed and thought about Ranma.

~Hello husband~ She felt Ranma start a little. ~Ex-excuse me?~
~Well your the one always thinking about me as your wife.~ ~How'd you
know that?~ ~You daydream alot Ranma-chan, you've thought about what Cologne
said more times then I could count~ She thought playfully to him. ~I like it.
It's like being married without having to worry about everyone going insane
and trying to kill us.~ ~Well I'm glad you like it. I didn't want to
meet that mallet again.~ ~I haven't used that on you in a long time baka!~
Ranma didn't reply, choosing instead to imagine kissing Akane. ~Oh so you
want to start that again Ranma-chan?~ She sent an image back and smiled at
the happy little shock he got.

"RANMA!!! RANMA! RANMA! RANMA! RANMA! RANMA!" The child-like figure
of Ms. Hinako was on Ranma's desk yelling into his face. He didn't seem to
notice her. She peered at him intently, watching his face. Then she looked at
his eyes and stopped. She'd seen that look before, she'd seen it from men
plenty of times whenever when she was in adult form... this time it didn't
seem to be directed at her though. She drew her hand back to slap him out of
it (she didn't feel like risking a chi attack right now, Ranma still scared
her a little) when she noticed the female half of the class staring at Akane
and eating popcorn.

"Wow, it's like you can see what they're showing each other."
"Yeah! It was worth the price Nabiki asked for!"
"But it's not the same, I wish I could see." The girls giggled as Akane
suddenly smiled dreamily.
"I _really_ wish I could see see!"

"What are you girls talking about?" Ms. Hinako waded through the boys
that were around Ranma and tried to get to Akane, ignoring the comments of
'Wow' and 'What ever Akane's doing, I wish it was to me!' behind her.

"You want to see to Ms. Hinako?" Asked one of the girls.

"Yes I'd- NO! And what why is Akane acting like... like... That!" She
pointed at Akane's happy smile.

"Nabiki says that they can share thoughts and feelings with each
other." Said one absently as she continued looking at Akane.

"Like telepathy? Then what are they doing right now?" Ms. Hinako turned
her head back and forth between Ranma and Akane.

"Sharing images." Said a boy from near Ranma.

"Sharing images of what?" Nobody said anything. Then Ms. Hinako
turned red. "None of that in my class!" She opened the door in the hallway
and grabbed the two buckets of water from Gosenkugi (who collapsed in
relief). Struggling in her child form she managed to upend a bucket on Akane,
then Ranma.

"What'cha do that for!?" Yelled Onna-Ranma automatically. Then she
noticed the males staring at her. "Hentai!!" She screamed and proceeded to
bash them thoroughly.

Akane woke to a start, covered with water. Breathing heavily she
finally got ahold of herself and looked around. "Hey! What are you looking
at?" The girls immediately retreated to their seats. Ranma had finally beaten
the boys to his satisfaction and sat back down.

Hinako looked at Ranma, then glared. "Happo Five-Yen Satsu!" Nothing
happened.

"Missing something teach?" Ranma grinned and held up a five yen piece.
"I think we're even after that bucket of water thing and me saving you from
Happosai." A dark look crossed his face but it vanished swiftly.

She just stared in shock, along with the rest of the class. Had he
even moved? She jumped up and down, stomping her feet every time she landed.
"You... you... you... Meanie!! Meanie!! Out in the hall! Your girlfriend
too!!"

Onna-Ranma smiled and walked out, followed by Akane.

"Umm... Ms. Hinako?" Started Daisuke.

"What?" She snarled back.

"Well you know how Ranma and Akane are kinda umm.. close to each
other?" He tapped his index fingers against each other. "Well if there out in
the hall alone..." There was a sudden rush to the hallway.

"I can't believe that! The whole day!" Ranma was almost snarling. To
say Akane was equally as mad would have been an understatement.

"If that ever happens again I'm gonna do more then smash a few people."
Where Ranma was glowing a dim white, Akane was angry enough to generate a full
blown battle aura. People shied away from the two, more afraid of Akane's well
known violent tendencies then Ranma.

"Hey you two!" Nabiki waved at them. "You've really been getting hard
in the gossip area haven't you?"

"Hey onnechan." Akane said grumpily.

"Well it's your fault for pulling that stunt in class." She said calmly.

"We didn't know it showed! And even then it doesn't give them the right
to follow us around hopping for a peep." Akane glared at her sister as if
daring her to say otherwise.

"Sure sis. Hey Ranma you ready for tonight? Everything's set." Nabiki
watched his face.

Ranma's suddenly smiled and his aura disappeared. "Tonight." 'Gotta do
this now, or it'll be too late.'

Akane let out a little 'eep' sound as she was carried from rooftop to
roof top by Ranma. 'I knew he was fast, but this is ridiculous. I didn't even
notice I was being picked up.' Then Ranma landed and they were at his bridge.
"I don't mind being carried away Ranma-chan, give me a little warning next
time alright?" He smiled and nodded.

"I want to show you something." He set her down and led her under the
bridge. "Here Akane-chan is where I first realized that I loved you." Taking a
quick glance at the water he saw it was time. He pointed out at it the river
Akane turned her head to look and stared breathlessly.

The sun's light filtered under the dark bridge and cast it's light on
the water, causing it to sparkle and shine as if it were flowing silver. The
green leaves floating on the water caught the sun, turning a bright golden
color. Then as if to be a finishing touch a bird in the distance could be
heard singing beautifully. Akane felt tears form in her eyes at the beauty of
it. Then after long moments the sun changed position, lowering slightly, and
the water went back to looking normal. "It was beautiful Ranma. Thank you."

Ranma smiled and fought down a little nervousness. Reaching into his
pocket he took out a small box. "I know that we agreed to do this later, so we
don't have to do it right away... I just need to know-" He dropped to one knee
in front of her and opened the box. "Akane, will you marry me?"

Akane stared at the open box. A small golden ring with three small
diamonds lay in it. She looked at his face and for the first time she could
remember didn't see any of his usual confidence. She had gotten through the
great Ranma's shield of confidence. Unable to think of a way to say how she
felt she threw her arms around Ranma and kissed him.

~I'll take that as a yes.~ Ranma's head spun at the intense feeling of
joy Akane sent him. They held each other tightly and kissed again. He pulled
away for a moment and placed the ring on her hand slowly, savoring the moment.

"Of course it's a yes!" Akane pulled herself to him again. They sunk to
the ground as one and lay contentedly in each others arms. Ranma suddenly felt
something and lashed out a hand, catching a thrown knife. "What?" Akane sat up
suddenly. Ranma wasn't there anymore though. He was facing a boy-like figure.

"Hello Ranma, it's been a while." Copy-cat Ken twirled in a flash of
red, and there was Pantyhose Taro. "I've picked up some new skills, and I
think your the perfect dummy to try them on."

Ranma was angry. He had never been this angry in his life and he knew
that he was going hospitalize Ken or kill him. His battle aura was burning a
bright white color, akin to a miniature sun. "You have just interrupted the
best moment of life. I'm going to hurt you." Ranma voice was even but filled
with undisguised menace.

Ken looked at the figure in front of him. 'I think he's trained too..
uh oh.' Then Ranma was there. Before Ken could blink Ranma had hit him three
hundred times and had viscously slammed his head into the ground. Ken, barley
able to move, flipped his cape again and there stood Pantyhose's other form.

Ranma stared at the giant minotaur form in front of him. 'Since when
has he been able to do that?' But started the attack again. He leapt in the
air and kicked Ken in the head swiftly then on his way down lashed out with
the Neko-claw, severing a tentacle. Ken ignored the pain and brought his
giant hands together, attempting to catch Ranma in the middle. Ranma started
a chi blast, even though he knew it wouldn't be fast enough. The chi formed a
bright ball, then the hands closed on him. They didn't crush him, for a
moment Ranma was confused but then he saw the roaring beast and understood.
The chi he had gathered completely destroyed part of the hand that touched
it. Ken changed again and suddenly Ranma found himself dodging chains thrown
by Ken/Mousse. There was a small scream of pain behind him and Ranma glanced
back. Akane was holding her arm where a chain had struck it. "You" Ranma
glared at the boy. "Bastard!!!" Ranma was in front of Ken suddenly. Ranma was
in a blind rage, he felt nothing, saw nothing, knew nothing but the need to
hurt. He grabbed the stunned Ken's already injured arm and pulled on it
violently. As Ken flew forward Ranma slammed the palm of his hand into Ken's
jaw and felt satisfaction at the snapping sound. Dodging a clumsy kick Ranma
lashed out and shredded the side of Ken's face with the Neko-ken.

'Must change.' Ken felt his body falling apart piece by piece. His arm
was barley attached and the whole side of his face had deep cuts running down
it. He managed to leap away and only received a second of rest. A second was
enough. The cloak swirled and there was a cat.

Ranma looked around confused, his opponent had been here a second ago.
Then he heard a weak sound. Glancing down he saw a bloody c-

"Mrow!" Ranma sounded as he leapt away from the cat. He hissed at it
then with a strong swing knocked it skittering along the ground... under the
bridge and next to Akane.

For the first time in her life Akane felt overwhelming fear. She looked
at the cat and started shaking uncontrollably then she was swept under by
darkness. "Meow?" Akane-neko looked around. Where was her mate? Then she saw
Ranma on all fours slowly walking towards her. Without a sound she ran swiftly
and rubbed herself along him. Ranma-neko touched noses with her then the two
ran back to their territory.

Nabiki was walking home, lost in thought. 'Well I didn't ever really
expect to have anything with Ranma. He's penniless and a brute half the
time... although he has gotten much better...' she sighed. 'Time to cut my
loses move on, not that I really was ever stuck. But move on to where?
Everyone is either scared of me or wants something. Except Kuno, but he's too
much of an idiot to even consider. Ryoga is eternally lost, and much too
emotiona- Forget it, I'll worry about men after collage.' But she knew she
wouldn't. She saw the joy Ranma and Akane had, and she wanted to feel that
joy. For the first time in her life Nabiki was lonely. No more playing games
with Ranma (she couldn't pull schemes on her sister's husband), she knew it
was only a matter of time till Kasumi and Dr. Tofu got married now that he
had himself under control, Akane would be busy helping teach at the dojo and
if Nabiki was any judge character they would have a child within the first
year they were out of school. Her thoughts were interrupted by two figures
running down the street... on all fours. The two passed her quickly but
Nabiki had seen their faces. "Akane?" Nabiki started running.

Kasumi was humming softly as she swept the porch. She loved tending
the house. It was a little lonely at times, but she loved it. 'I know
Tofu-chan's going to be a good husband.' Kasumi knew that they would get
married. He loved her and she loved him just as much, all that remained was
to allow time for proper courtship. She stared dreamily into the darkening
sky for a moment. Suddenly Ranma swept by her, soon followed by Akane. "I'd
best call Tofu-chan." she said as she saw them running on all fours. Still
smiling she walked inside and picked up the phone.

Dr. Tofu groaned and slammed his head into the wall Ryoga style...
without the breaking part. Empty water buckets lay around the room, Genma was
passed out downstairs, and a long cut ran the length of Dr. Tofu's arm.

Kasumi smiled at him reassuringly. "I'm sure you'll figure something
out."

"I just don't know what else to do. Ranma is much to fast to get hit
by the water. Not only that but when anyone comes within ten feet of Akane he
goes berserk" Dr. Tofu glanced down at his arm. "We need to find someone that
they both trust and female."

"Why female?" Kasumi asked sweetly.

"Ranma is being very territorial right now, he won't let any male near
Akane." Dr. Tofu would have laughed if the situation had been less serious.

"Why don't I try? I think they both trust me." Kasumi started towards
Akane's room.

Dr. Tofu thought quickly. He really didn't want to endanger Kasumi, but
he couldn't see any other way. "Alright, be careful though."

Kasumi edged towards the room. Inside Ranma and Akane lay on the bed,
curled up tightly. Their heads were nearly touching and the covers were torn
to shreds. "Ranma, Akane. Here kitties." She slowly crept closer.

Ranma's eyes opened instantly as did Akane's. Ranma recognized her,
she was the water lady. He let out a low hiss. Akane looked up at her litter
sister then at her hissing mate. She meowed gently and nudged him with her
head. Ranma looked back at her, then at Kasumi and hissed again. Water was
bad, water lady had to be bad.

Kasumi, a little scared, slowly edged forword talking in a motherly
voice. Ranma's hiss died down, then picked up once she came within 4 feet.
Hesitating Kasumi started forward again but froze when Ranma stood and hissed
menacingly.

"Kasumi get back!" Dr. Tofu called from outside.

"I think I can do it Tofu-chan. Just a little farther till I reach
Akane." Kasumi crept closer, trying to go around Ranma. A low growl started in
Ranma's throat. Then Tofu was there. Running into the rooms he made a pushing
motion with his hand which shoved Ranma back over Akane. Moving quickly he
grabbed Kasumi and ran out, just avoiding Ranma's 'claws'.

"Are you alright?" Dr. Tofu held Kasumi closely.

"Y-yes." Her voice was shaky. "Ranma doesn't trust me?"

"No, I'm sure he trusts you. But a cat's mind works differently then
ours, he might associate you with something he doesn't like." Dr. Tofu was
using his calm, comforting voice. He suppressed the urge to go in there and
(try to) beat Ranma to a pulp for scaring Kasumi.

"Associations?" Nabiki, who had watched the whole encounter, stepped
forward. "I think I should try."

Dr. Tofu closed his hanging jaw. "Nabiki, not to be offensive but..
well.."

"I know, it's alright. I can do this." Not allowing farther arguments
she walked into the room.

Ranma was attempting to find a comfortable spot when Nabiki stepped
into the room. Lifting his head he almost let a warning hiss out, but stopped.
He smelled the air a little. He knew this scent it was his.. mate? He meowed,
confused. No, not his mate. His almost mate. Ranma started to settle down and
plopped himself on the bed again.

Akane-neko was a different matter though. She started hissing as soon
as it was clear her mate didn't care. She knew this one. It was her litter-
sister that tried to take her mate. Akane's back arched as she growled. Ranma-
neko stood up though and put himself in her way. The two 'cats' looked at each
other for a long moment until Akane finally backed down. Ranma looked at her
again, then pounced with a meow.

Nabiki stood and watched the strange confrontation. 'He stopped Akane
from attacking me?' Nabiki smiled. She watched as the two wrestled around
playfully, then Ranma finally pinned Akane to the bed. He bent down and nipped
Akane's neck a little causing her to let out a sound that was close to a purr.
Knowing where this was leading Nabiki stepped forward and sat on the bed.

Ranma jumped a little, surprised at the sudden movement, but quickly
calmed down and meowed at Nabiki. Akane, a little disappointed, rose up to all
fours and nudged her mate. The two plopped down again with Ranma pressed
between Akane and Nabiki.

'They make good cats.' Nabiki thought. Slowly she reached behind her
back and pulled out a water bottle. Still petting Ranma she dumped the water
on him.

Onna-Ranma hissed at Nabiki, but didn't attack. Nabiki stared then
slapped a hand to her head. "Water doesn't work anymore!!"

Dr. Tofu slammed his head into the wall again. "Damnit. I forgot."

Nabiki looked at the two. Before it was just the presence of Akane that
had released him from the Neko-ken, maybe if they left him alone it would work
again. She dumped another bottle of water and Ranma changed back to male. He
let out a pitiful meow and shook himself dry. "Ranma you baka." Nabiki petted
him for a while then slowly walked out of the room.

"I have to say Nabiki, I'm amazed." Dr. Tofu regarded her thoughtfully.

"I think if we leave them alone they'll be alright. It worked last
time." She walked past the people in the hallway and went downstairs.

An hour later Ranma and Akane were lying on the bed together. Ranma was
lying normally and held the curled up form of Akane in his arms. He slowly
opened his eyes slowly and smiled. "Akane-chan" She was all curled up... was
she cold? Ranma held her closer and gently kissed her.

Akane's eyes blinked open slowly. "R-Ranma?" She looked around. "What
are we doing here?"

"I don't know... the last thing I remember is fighting Ken." Ranma
looked just as confused as she was. "Well we better find out." Ranma help
Akane up and the two walked downstairs.

"Hello? Anyone?" Ranma called into the empty room.

"Hello Ranma, Akane. Are you two feeling better?" Kasumi stepped from
(of course) the kitchen.

"Uhh.. yeah. How did we get here?" Ranma absently tugged at his pony-
tail.

"You were both in the Neko-ken. Dinner will be ready in an hour."
Kasumi smiled and stepped back in the kitchen.

"The Neko-ken? How- oh Ken musta turned into a cat." Ranma clenched his
fist, when he got his hands on that boy.. "I better go talk to Dr. Tofu" .

"I don't think that's necessary, he already knows what happened. Right
now he's going over everything to make sure he has the spell right, we
shouldn't interrupt him." Kasumi called out.

"Let's go make sure everyone's alright." Akane gestured outside and
walked out.

In the yard Soun and Genma were lounging back and looking at the
skeleton of a pyramid in front of them.

"We did well Tendo." Genma smiled at his friend.

"Indeed Saotome." Soun stood and took a dramatic pose. "After Ranma is
free of his curse, nothing shall stop the wedding!" The two started laughing
then Ranma cleared his throat.

"I don't think so. We are going to decide when that happens!" Ranma
said firmly, glaring at the two.

"Right." Akane stood next to him to show her support.

Soun and Genma looked nervously at each other. "I'm glad your both out
of the Neko-ken, you had us all worried for a while." Soun said, then froze.
"Akane, is that what I think it is?" He pointed at the ring on her finger.

Akane smiled happily "Ranma proposed to me this afternoon. But don't
get any ideas, we're not getting married yet." She glared at the two, daring
them to try something. They wisely chose to remain silent.

*****************************************************

Ken lay beaten on the ground, dying. His arm was connected only by the bone
and a large puddle of blood lay beneath him. "Guess I shoulda trained more."
Ken groaned and tried to sit up, but he had used everything just to change
back into human. He heard the sound of feet behind him and tried to get up
again. He raised his head just a bit, then passed out. His last view was of
something frilly and pink.

******************************************************

"So everyone's alright?" Ranma asked for the fifth time.

"Yes Ranma. Now would you stop asking?" Nabiki was getting a little
irritated, concern was one thing but this was ridicules. Nabiki sighed and
started eating again.

"Are you ready for tonight Ranma?" Kasumi was smiling as always.

"Yeah! When are we going to start?" He absently picked at his food, too
excited to eat.

"Tofu-chan says he would be here at ten." She started serving Genma
another portion.

"Ranma I must ask you. Why did you propose to my daughter if you don't
intend to marry her yet?" Soun looked at him intently.

"It's kinda a personal thing Tendo-san." He stared at his plate.

"Not this time. I've let you get away with alot since you've gotten
back, I want an explanation for this one." Soun's voice was serious.

Ranma looked at Souns face and nodded. "I... I just needed to know that
Akane accepted everything about me, just in case this somehow goes wrong. I
needed to know she was willing to live with me as I am if she had to."

Akane smiled at him. "Of course I do Ranma-chan." Soun immediately
burst into tears and Genma continued to eat.

Ranma's face was flushed. He slowly stood. "I gotta go get ready, Could
you help me Akane?"

Akane smiled and nodded. "Did you already give Ranma the instructions
Kasumi?" After her nod the two left upstairs.

It was ten o'clock. Ranma, Dr. Tofu, and Kasumi stood inside the
skeletal pyramid that Soun and Genma had bulit during the last two days. Dr.
Tofu and Kasumi had a signal etched with coal on their heads and wore robes.
Ranma stood stripped to the waist with strange symbols and runes traced in
coal on his body. A small fire burned in the center of the group, letting of
an orange colored smoke.

Kasumi spoke as she held out the scroll in front of her, speaking the
required words. Speaking at the same time Dr. Tofu spelled the words, making
them work. The two voices combined as one and fire twisted, growing smaller
and darker. Stepping forward Kasumi sprinkled something on the fire, then on
the ground. The two resumed their chanting while Ranma breathed carefully,
attempting to keep calm. The voices rose higher and ended suddenly, both
scrolls bursting into flames and fire dying at the same time. A small
humanoid figure appeared within the structure. It's pure white color seemed
ice-like, it stood just over three feet high with feeling of... emptiness
about it.

"Are you ready?" It asked Ranma in perfect Japanese.

"I am." Ranma looked at the figure silently and waited.

"Very well." It raised it's hands and Ranma's face creased in pain.
"Something is wrong.. you have a magic nullifier in you... your soul is
linked with that of another... I am sorry." With that it pulled one hand down
swiftly and vanished. Ranma felt something within him being pulled and
twisted, he held his breath tightly and tried not to cry out in pain.

Outside of the structure Akane watched along with the rest of the
household as the figure disappeared and then fell to her knees. Something
inside her was being broken apart, being ripped from her.

Together Ranma and Akane screamed into the night, his deeper voice
matching her higher one and combining into something almost musical. Both
fell unconscious together and slipped onto the ground as their white auras
rose from their bodies and moved into the center of the skeleton pyramid,
just to the left of where the fire had been. Ranma seemed to shudder and a
ghostly image of his female body rose and joined the swirling white auras in
the center of the structure. Akane's body shook similarly and a faint outline
rose from her, also joining the energy. The energy condescend then burst out,
blinding Kasumi and Dr. Tofu. Outside Nabiki watched as the energy dissipated
and felt a chill run down her spine as she saw what remained.

^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^

Hmm... nothing to say this time folks, see ya next chapter.

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