[Ranma][FanFic] Shattered Soul Chapter 5

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

Shattered Soul Part V

Shampoo was in the kitchen of the of the Neko Hanten. "Pervert girl
cast spell on husband. Shampoo fix. Shampoo know husband love her."

"No he doesn't, you saw his eyes. He loves me."

"Pervert girl shutup!" Shampoo threw a bonbori at the wall.

"She's right Shampoo, we were both spying on them. They're really in
love."

"Spatula girl stupid!" Shampoo yelled at the door "Husband under
spell! He love Shampoo!" Then Shampoo started back into her work, potions,
spices, and herbs being mixed together in a small pot.

Sadly the caged duck shook his head as Shampoo yelled at things only
she could see. 'My Shampoo... why?' Then he stopped himself, this was all
Ranma fault! It couldn't be Shampoo's.. it couldn't! Letting out a quack he
started to form a plan.

Ranma and Akane lay in each others arms each at peace. They'd been in
this strange world for a long time, and neither wanted it to end. Smiling
Ranma reached over and brushed a stray hair out of her face. "I love you my
Akane- chan."

Akane made a happy little sound and pressed herself against him. "It's
really beautiful isn't it?" Akane said a little later, looking at the glowing
world around them.

"I believist that it doth pail before the sight of my love though."
Ranma smiled, he had no idea where they were, how they got here, or anything
else but none of that seemed to matter. Just that he was with Akane.

Akane giggled. "That's the most horrible poetry I've ever heard Ranma,
even Kuno's is better then that. But.." She rolled on top of him. "I think
you've more then made up for it." She leaned down and pressed her lips against
his. Smiling he pulled her down to him. Enjoying the feel of her body against
his.

"Remember the last time we were like this?" He asked, eyes locked on
hers.

"Hmmm... Yes I do believe we were interrupted. I have you this time,
and your not getting away." Akane met him in a passionate kiss.

"You have me do you?" Ranma asked and flipped himself, over placing her
beneath him. "Now what Akane-chan?" He asked, looking into her eyes.

She smiled at him. "I'm sure you'll think of something." She pulled
herself up to him suggestively.

Not needing any encouragement he covered his fiancé's neck with kisses.
Then he met her eyes. "You sure? I mean your going to get hurt or anything?"

She gave him a long kiss. "Did it sound like I was hurt last time?" She
gasped out after finishing the kiss.

"Well no bu-" He started.

"Ranma no baka!" Akane kissed Ranma again, wrapping her arms around
him. No more words were exchanged.

Nabiki and Dr. Tofu watched the couple on the bed. They had just been
there, holding on to each other's hand, for over two hours now. They had
managed to carry the two to Dr. Tofu's office with the help of three and Dr.
Tofu's considerable strength. Normally it wouldn't have been that much of a
problem Akane and Ranma just wouldn't let go of each other.

"I think I have an idea." Dr. Tofu stood. They'd been trying everything
they could think of to wake the couple. He got a bucket of water and dumped it
one the couple. Ranma and Akane's eyes opened and they saw Dr. Tofu and Nabiki
above them. They let out a cry and dove under the bed.

"Uhh... you guys alright?? Nabiki leaned down and looked under the
bed. "What are you two doing?" She asked, getting irritated. They'd been
unconscious for 3 hours and now they were hiding, she wanted answers.

"Oh... sorry." Akane and Ranma said together.

~No way that was a dream.~ Ranma's thought didn't have a trace of
doubt. ~Definitly not, that felt way to real.. and good~ She thought
playfully. ~I'm glad you enjoyed it too Akane-chan.~ Ranma kissed her.
~We better get out before they start asking questions... where are we
anyway?~ ~I think we're in Tofu-sensei's clinic.~ She glanced down ~And
we have our clothes back~ ~How'd we get here?~ ~I was just as busy
as you Ranma-chan~ She laughed. ~Um.. yeah~ He (she at the moment)
blushed. ~Let's get out of here, not that I mind being in a small space next
to a kawii girl.~ Akane kissed him then they both crawled out from under the
bed.

"Okay you two, what was going on?" Nabiki asked, arms crossed across
her chest. "One minute Romeo here is kissing you, the next you two just kinda
pass out or something."

"We weren't pas-" Akane and Ranma stopped, they couldn't seem to talk
seperatly.

~Should we break the link?~ Akane's thought was sad
~Nahh, they'll get used to it~ Ranma's hand gripped Akane's tighter.

"We weren't passed out." They both started again. "The link.. we were
like in some kinda different world."

"Akane, Pig-tailed girl, what in the name of the heavens are you
doing?" Kuno attempted to sit up from his bed. The way they were holding
hands.... impossible!

"Kuno?" They both said. "He's still here?"

"You did hurt him badly Ranma." Dr. Tofu said gently. He poured a pot
of hot water on Ranma, changing him back to a male. "I'm not sure how he
managed to wake up though... the anithesia should have kept him unconscious
for another 6 hours."

"Saotome! Foul sorcerer I shall rend thy body limb from limb from
daring to touch the fair Akane's ha- What hast thou done with the pig-tailed
girl!?" Kuno sat up, and promptly passed out from the pain.

"Anyway, so what were you saying?" Dr. Tofu turned back to Ranma and
Akane.

"Well we were in some kinda wierd place that had pretty glowing
clouds-" Ranma looked at Akane
~Pretty?~
~Well they were, weren't they?~
~Yeah but... I said pretty... guys don't say pretty.~
~Excuse me?~
~Unless talking about girls I mean!~
~Better.~ Akane's thought was smug, Ranma sighed.

"And that's about it. We didn't see anything else there." They finished.

"You were there for three hours and you didn't notice anything else?
What were you doing all that time?"

"We were tougt.." Akane and Ranma said, the last word unclear.

"You were what?" Dr. Tofu asked, eyebrow raised. Both Akane and Ranma's
mouth opened but no words came out.

~We can't tell them we were together Akane.~ Ranma had figured out why
they couldn't speak, they were trying to say different things.
~Why not? You embarresed?~ Akane was getting angry.
~No Akane-chan, I'm not embarresed but do you really want to get
married right now?~
~Huh?~
~We're going to have to if our parents find out we did.. that.~
~What's the matter Ranma? Can't bring yourself to say the word?~ Akane
was teasing him now, she knew he was right but she wasn't going just admit it.
~Alright. We, had, sex.~ Ranma flashed an image of Akane with each
word, each one a little more intense then the one before. She blushed a deep
red. Ranma smiled, he wasn't going to let her get the best of him this time.
~Yo. Ranma you do-~ Ranma yanked his hand away form Akane.

'What are you doing? She heard you! Sorry brother, I thought you had
finished. What do you mean finished? Ahh.. that is ... ummmm... I'm sorry
brother, I just accidentally saw! Honest I didn't even think you could do
things like that in there. There? You knew where we were? Yea... you still
mad at me? No, but if you don't tell me what you mean I will be. Touchy
aren't we? anyway you guys were in-between.. or your souls were anyhow.
In-between? That place you were stuck at? Uh hu. Except I didn't have anybody
to share it with, you seemed to be having lots more fun then I ever had
there. Just how long was that peek you took? Umm.. Akane's talking to you..
I'd better go. Hey wait a minute, when I get my hands on you your gonna be in
pain, brother or no!' Ranma finished the conversation with his brother and
turned to Akane. "Akane please.. Don't ask."

She looked at him for a moment then nodded. "Alright. I'll trust you."
Ranma beamed.

"Excuse me?" Dr. Tofu attempted to interupt the couple.

"Oh sorry sensei. We spent that time looking for a way out... have you
ever heard of the In-between sensei?" As Ranma spoke Akane held out her hand
questioningly, Ranma looked at it then smiled and took her hand in his.

~Wanna tell me what's going on honey?~ Akane felt Ranma's happiness at
her calling him honey.
~Just a minute Akane-chan I wanna do a couple things first~ he felt her
impatience. ~I'll make it up to, I swear... Ice cream?~ Akane laughed
remembering what happened last time.
~Oh all right.~ She leaned against him contentedly.

"Yes Ranma, I've heard of it... is that where you think you were?" Dr.
Tofu watched as Akane leaned against Ranma. 'They seem to be much more
comfortable with each other...'

"Yes. Would this have any effects on us? Or would you know why it
seemed so real?" Akane and Ranma said together.

Nabiki shook her head. 'This is going to take some getting used to...
and now they totally belong to each other. Not they didn't before.' She
sighed. Then she took another look at them, they were a little too
comfortable with each other.

"Well according to the legends that's where the souls of all ghosts
are. If you two actually went there then my only guess would be that you saw
each other's souls... or at least your souls personified. But, why would you
think that you went there?" Dr. Tofu adjusted his glasses.

Akane slipped her hand out of Ranma's so they wouldn't get mixed up
again. "I have a friend of sorts from there... I can't go into details right
now though. Anyway he said that's where we were."

Dr. Tofu considered this a moment. "You certainly have a lot of secrets
all the sudden Ranma, but I won't ask."

"So when you guys kissed it felt real in there?" Nabiki knew that the
one of the two would speak before they thought.

"Yeah" Akane said then Ranma interrupted her.

"What she means it is probably would because it felt real when we
touched." He said, not realizing he was getting himself in more trouble.

"Realllly?" Nabiki smirked. She had been right, they were comfortable
with each other now because they'd crossed the line. Or their souls had...
their souls... Nabiki face got that 'I'm thinking of a scheme' look.

"Uhh... that is... umm.." Ranma stared at his shoes.

"Baka! You tell me to be quiet then you go and spoil it." Akane gently
punched Ranma's side, then raised her head... what was that sound? Everyone
turned and was shocked to see Dr. Tofu laughing so hard tears were running out
of his eyes.

"Your both are drawn into some kind of different world, you have no
idea where you are or how you got there, things are GLOWING, and you end up in
each others arms?" He went into another fit of laughter. "A place of hopeless
despair where trapped souls reside and you two-" He burst out laughing again.
Nabiki soon joined in, unable to help herself. Akane and Ranma stared at the
ground, faces bright red.

Several minutes later Dr. Tofu managed to not laugh whenever he
looked Ranma or Akane and they continued their conversation. "Tofu-sensei,
Kasumi said you wanted to see me after school, what for?"

"Oh, I need to see these new techniques. Don't worry you don't have to
give away how to perform them." Dr. Tofu needed to think about counters, just
in case Ranma got out of control again.

"I can do that. Uhh.. you got any poisons around here?" Ranma looked
around the room. "This'll work." Grabbing a bottle of pesticide he drank some
of it. "Yuck. that stuff tastes bad." He looked around at the staring faces.
"Oh yeah, the technique." Ranma closed his eyes and concentrated. His body
shook a little then he opened his eyes. "It destroys nearly any poison in your
body. Really helpful when snakes bite you on a regular basis."

"Does that help with paralysis too?" Dr. Tofu was curious about how
he'd got out of his pressure points.

"Yeah. Do you have something to drink? That stuff is worse then Aka-
er... tastes bad." Ranma breathed a mental sigh of relief, he'd caught himself
that time. Akane glared at him. 'Maybe I _didn't_ catch myself soon enough.'

"Sure." Dr. Tofu left the room and soon returned with several glasses
and a pitcher. "Anyone want some lemonade?" They all accepted. "So" Dr. Tofu
began after they'd finished their drinks. "What's the other technique?"

Ranma took a step away from everyone. "This one can be dangerous." He
explained. Ranma closed his eyes and formed a triangle. "Tengokuno Utsuko-to!"
He said firmly.

"And?" Nabiki didn't see how this did anything.

"Take a step towards me." He told Nabiki

Nabiki cautiously stepped forward, then another, and stopped. She put
her hands up and pressed against the air in front of her, it was solid.... and
familiar "Hey, you knocked me down with this!" She yelled at Ranma.

"Yeah, guess I did." Ranma grinned at her. "See it creates a barrier,
but I can make it smaller and moveable. That's what I did to him." points
Kuno's unconscious form. "I just made formed a barrier about as big as his
chest and punched him with it."

"Ranma, could you stand next to Akane a moment?" Dr. Tofu looked at him
again. 'It's just about right on... I must make sure.' Ranma, a little
confused, put his arms down and stood next to his fiancé. Dr. Tofu looked at
one, then the other. He stepped up to Akane and reached a hand to her neck,
only to find it held by Ranma. "Ranma, please let go. I'm not going to hurt
her."

"Sorry sensei. Reflex." Ranma released Dr. Tofu's hand. Dr. Tofu placed
his hand on Akane's throat, then reached over and did the same to Ranma.

"Amazing." He looked at the two. "You both have an incredible amount of
chi, but it's linked."

Ranma and Akane stared blankly. "huh?"

"In other words, you both can access the other's chi. Think of your
chi as a water in a lake. Normally only one person uses it. In your case,
it's like two lakes have been combined and you both can use the water... but
even with Ranma's double strength the chi level shouldn't be that high." He
trailed off with a little 'hmmm' sound.

Ranma suddenly remembered something. "Tofu-sensei, I need your help
teaching Akane how to use her chi attack."

Dr. Tofu raised an eyebrow. "Akane has a chi attack?"

"You know, that giant mallet she's always bringing out of nowhere
whenever she gets angry." Ranma told him.

"Why.. of course! Why hadn't I thought of that before?" Dr. Tofu looked
at Akane. "That really is amazing! When did you learn to do that?"

Akane shrugged a little. "I don't know, it's just kinda been there when
I need it."

"Yeah the dumb tomboy can't figure out how she does it." Ranma taunted,
wanting to show Dr. Tofu. Akane's mallet was out instantly and Ranma snatched
it from her hand. "See, it'll be gone quick though it's only out while she's
angry." He looked at the mallet, it wasn't disappearing. He turned to Akane,
her battle aura was shining a bright... white? Not having enough time to think
about the implications he lifted the mallet in his hands to block an incoming
punch from her.

Dr. Tofu watched as Akane lashed out at Ranma and him lifting the
mallet to block it. Then Dr. Tofu watched as the mallet was shredded by Akane,
without her touching it. 'The Neko Claw? How?'

Ranma watched as the shredded wood fell from his hands. Instantly he
was in a defensive stance. He would never hurt Akane, but he could easily be
killed if he wasn't careful. "Akane! Stop it, your using Neko-Ken attacks that
can kill!" He watched as she stopped for a second, that was all he needed.
Flashing forward he grabbed hold of her wrists.

~Akane-chan, I was just doing that so you could bring the mallet out. I
didn't mean it!~
~Ranma? Oh no... I did it again. What's wrong with me?~ Akane started
to cry, she had nearly killed someone, that made two in one day. Ranma wrapped
his arms around her and let her cry.
~I think it's my fault Akane-chan~ He 'told' her what he thought.
~You think that could happen? But that means I'm dangerous...~
~I'll help you, we can live with this until the spell is cast.~

Dr. Tofu watched the mallet's remains disappear suddenly. 'She seems as
out of control as Ranma was... maybe more-so.' He glanced at the couple.
'Easier to calm down though.'

Ranma and Akane broke the hold and turned back to the group. Nabiki
walked up to Akane, eyes asking the question. "I'm fine Nabiki." Nabiki nodded
and sat down in a chair, tired of standing.

"This is another thing I've been meaning to talk to you about sensei.
Last night I was forced to give some of my blood to the scroll, but Akane's
blood got mixed with mine. I think that she might be suffering the same
effects that I do." Ranma looked at the doctor hopefully, if anybody (besides
cologne) could help it would be him.

Dr. Tofu thought about it a moment. "This would explain alot Ranma. You
said your fear of cats, and thus the Neko-Ken skills, were in your chi right.
With you two sharing chi, Akane has access to that to."

"Does that mean she can use all my techniques?" Ranma was a little
upset, he learned those techniques, they were his by right.

"No, those took focus and training to learn. The Neko-Ken is derived
from fear of cats alone, the fact that it's embedded in your chi is the only
reason she can even use that attack. In addition I believe her chi is also
doubled as yours was. And since you two can draw on each other's chi you are
both the most powerful people in town. I doubt Happosai or Cologne would even
pose a threat. Yo-"

"Happosai is dead." Ranma interrupted Dr. Tofu.

"Dead?" Dr. Tofu looked at Ranma. Was it possible Ranma had killed him?

"I didn't kill him, someone else did. I just thought you should know."
Ranma mentally kicked himself. What was the point of bringing up Happosai's
death?

Dr. Tofu considered this for a moment. It was obvious Ranma was
hiding something... but he wouldn't question him about it. "Well I assume you
don't want to tell me anymore about his death so let's move on to the other
subject." He turned to Akane. "You seem to be able to get the mallet when
angry. With that in mind..." he pushed several spots on Akane's neck and
head. "Try and get the mallet."

Akane was angry, not at anything in particular. She was just a little
angry. So when Dr. Tofu told her to bring out the mallet she did it almost
unconsciously. "What? How'd I do that?" She asked, confused but still angry.

"I don't know, but you do. It's an automatic response. Alright, try and
put it away then bring it back again." Dr. Tofu smiled. He'd known her since a
child and the fact she could use chi in this way showed she had true potential
in the martial arts.

For the next hour Akane practiced making the mallet appear and
reappear. Halfway through Nabiki got up and left, tired of waiting. Then Dr.
Tofu pressed several points on Akane and told her it was enough for one day.
Smiling she thanked him and left, dragging Rama behind her.

"Those two..." Dr. Tofu let out a chuckle, then froze. He snapped his
head to the left and watched as a shadow seemed to float out the door. Running
outside he saw it approaching Ranma and Akane. "Ranma behind you!"

Ranma turned around and saw the dark shadow heading towards him. 'It
couldn't be.'

"Ahhh The One has noticed Shae." The shadow thing said, voice a deep
roar sound. The blackness rose and took form. It stood 10 feet high. It's face
was something out of a nightmare, one giant mouth and a single eye on it's
head. It had the shape of a gorilla, long arms hanging down past it's knees.
"Does The One not remember Shae?" The sun glinted off it's scale covered body.

Ranma stared at it, fear in his eyes. "No!! I killed you!"

"The One died, yet he here. Why Shae not be here too?" The thing let
out a laugh, then sunk low, almost lying down. "Is The One ready?"

"NO!!! I killed you, and your master! You can't be alive I killed you..
I killed you..." Ranma was quickly becoming hysterical.

"Ahh yes. Master very upset with you. He now trapped again. But he
send Shae to finish work. Too bad Master use all his energy destroying The
One's Spirit Guide." Shae smiled and started toward Ranma then stopped.
Looking at Akane. "The One found his treasure? Shae take treasure then kill
The One." Shae reached towards Akane then let out a roar of pain, standing
back to full height.

Dr. Tofu stood behind the monster, battle aura a pure yellow color..
nearly golden. He watched with satisfaction as the monster roared in pain.
"Alright demon. Face me!" He glanced at Ranma who was still staring at the
thing, saying something over and over.

Shae turned around. "Who is this Little Man? Why he interrupt Shae?
Little Man want die?" He smiled, teeth puncturing his own lips. "Shae not
mind." The monster lashed out an arm, attempting to finish off Dr. Tofu
quickly.

Dr. Tofu leapt over the arm, barley dodging it. 'This thing's fast.' He
landed back on the ground and started making signs in the air, little streaks
of light followed where his fingers passed.

Shae looked at Dr. Tofu. "Little Man make lights? Little Man foolish."
The thing drew it's hands together, palms touching. "Little Man ready?"

Dr. Tofu finished, a complex symbol hovered in the air. Drawing back
an arm he then shot forward, palm first. "Shinsei Utsu Koto!" The symbol
launched toward the monster. Shae leaped to one side, but not quickly enough.
The symbol hit Shae's shoulder, which promptly exploded sending blood
everywhere. Light shined off Dr. Tofu's glasses as he pointed at the
disembodied arm. "You still wish to fight demon?"

Shae stared at his arm. "You make Shae's arm fall off!" Dark energy
swirled around him. "Shae make Little Man pay!" The energy came together,
forming a large ball. "Little Man die!"

Dr. Tofu leapt to the side as the energy ball flew past him. He
grimaced in pain as it brushed along his arm, ripping the skin open. There
was a loud crashing sound behind him and he didn't have to turn around to
know that his clinic had been hit. 'I just hope that Kuno boy is alright.' He
looked at Ranma, he was still staring. 'I could use his help right now, but
he seems to be in shock.' Dr. Tofu clenched his fists tightly, surrounding
them with a dark blue light. He ran to the monster and performed a quick
combo to what he hoped were the thing's pressure points. Reacting the monster
attacked with his remaining arm, catching Dr. Tofu on the side of the face.
Ignoring the pain Dr. Tofu jumped into the air, striking the beast's eye.
Roaring with pain it managed to throw him to the ground and was quickly
bringing a foot down to crush the doctor. Looking up Tofu placed his hands
together then pulled them apart, the blue light spread from his hands and
form a bar.

Shae let out a low growl as he tried to press forward down with his
foot. "Little man know much. But not know enough to survive Shae."

Akane was trying to get Ranma on his feet. "Ranma! Get up! What's
wrong with you, Tofu-sensei needs help!" She grabbed ahold of his arm and
fell to the ground. Images flashed through her head, Ranma fighting the beast
and losing, the thing ripping Ranma's body in half, Someone laughing in the
distance. Then she felt the fear Ranma was feeling and nearly passed out.

~Ranma! Your alive those were just images! They weren't real, Tofu-
sensei's in trouble he's going to die!~
~Die? No! No more, no more.. no more~

"NO MORE! SHI SHI HOUKOU-DAN!!!" Ranma fired a brilliant energy blast
at the monsters head. It's head seemed to blister for a moment, reshape
itself, then disintegrated. Ranma just turned the beam towards the rest of
Shae's body. "NO MORE!" He yelled again, intensifying the beam's power.

Akane watched as the monster's body slowly disappeared under Ranma's
onslaught. "Ranma that's enough! Your going to hit Tofu-sensei!" She grabbed
his arm.

~Ranma stop!~
~No, No more, no more...~
~Ranma, it's dead you can stop. It can't do anything!~
~Dead?~ He looked at the remaining parts of the things body. ~Dead.~
Relief flooded through Ranma and he collapsed into Akane's arms.

Shampoo watched the fight from a nearby tree. She smiled brightly
when Ranma killed the thing with an energy blast. 'Husband so strong! When
husband have white battle aura though?' Then she glared as Akane hugged the
collapsed Ranma to her body. 'He still under spell! Shampoo fix.' She
withdrew a small dagger from a pouch at her side. At first she was worried
about managing to stab Ranma with it, but she knew if she struck now he
wouldn't be able to defend himself. 'Shampoo no want hurt husband, but must
so he no under spell... then he come back to Shampoo. He love Shampoo.'

"You know better Shampoo, Ranma doesn't love you. He only loves Akane."

Shampoo lashed out at the tree trunk, making the tree shake. "Mousse
liar!" She looked across the street. 'Shampoo must do now.' she dropped from
the tree, landing silently on her feet. Then sprinting across she approached
the Ranma and Akane.

Akane gently held Ranma to her. She looked over to Dr. Tofu who was
slowly rising off the ground, his battle aura now gone. Then saw a hand stab
something into Ranma.

"Now he be free from pervert girl!" Shampoo said to Akane. Akane looked
blankly at the dagger embedded in Ranma's arm then started glowing white. She
reached out and grasped Shampoo's leg, pulling hard. Shampoo feel with a groan
and then felt hands around her neck.

"Hurt Ranma? I'll kill you! How dare you attack him when he's weak!"
Akane screamed as she strangled Shampoo. Shampoo struggled and pulled the
dagger from Ranma's unconscious form then plunged it into Akane's arm, trying
to make her let go. Akane however didn't seem to notice and was ready to kill
Shampoo, then Dr. Tofu was there.

"Enough! Both of you." He firmly pulled the fighting girls apart and
pressed a point on their necks. Each collapsed. Glancing at the three forms
Dr. Tofu sighed.

Several hours later Ranma awoke. Muttering to himself he sat up in...
where was he? He glanced around. The Neko Hanten? Just great. "AHHH! Oh, hey
old ghoul" Ranma looked at the withered face in front of him.

"Hello son in law." She sighed. "I'm sorry for what Shampoo has done.
She should not do such things now that you are one with that Akane girl." She
hopped around the table Ranma was lying on to one that had Akane on it. She
jabbed a point on Akane's chest.

"Ow!" Ranma said, he'd felt that.

"You see s- Ranma, you two have somehow become linked. Not in body yet
but in soul. This makes all Shampoo free from her obligation to marry you
according to our tribe's laws. But she doesn't see it that way. You know why
Ranma?" Cologne moved closer to him again. "Because she loves you, utterly and
completely."

"I... I never knew. I mean she always said she loved me but somehow it
just seemed.. I dunno. I never wanted to hurt her, I never wanted to hurt any
of them." Ranma sat up.

"I know Ranma... But you have. Perhaps more then you'll ever know. Even
now Shampoo yells at things that are not there. She has gone insane at the
moment. You can help though." She looked closely at her once son-in-laws face,
if he didn't help voluntarily she would force him.

"How? I won't marry her." Ranma said the last part firmly, making it
clear.

"Quite simple actually I need you to speak into this." She held up a
small box.

Ranma, not knowing what else to do picked up the box. "Just speak into
it like this?" He said into the box. Cologne nodded and smiled.

"Thank you Ranma. Mousse!" She called out the last like a command.
Ranma gasped when he saw himself walk into the room.

"Hey Ranma." Said Mousse's voice... from Ranma's body. He walked over
to Ranma's side.

"Exactly Alike." Cologne said, pleased. She took the box from Ranma and
handed it to Mousse. He opened it and spoke a word in Chinese.

"How's this?" Said Mousse-Ranma with Ranma's voice.

"Perfect, don't you think so Ranma?" Ranma stared blankly at his
duplicate.

"How..." he began.

Mousse shuddered. "You don't want to know, believe me."

Cologne smiled a little. "It turns out this boy will be useful after
all. All he needed was a different body, a different voice, a different
identity, and some contacts." She laughed her strange laugh and patted
Mousse's hand. "Go on boy, time to meet your wife." Mousse smiled brightly
and walked upstairs to Shampoo's room.

"He's not as much as I could have hopped for, but he'll do." The old
woman looked at Ranma. "You are in trouble though. Grand-daughter has used an
anti-magic spell on you." She pointed at the bandage that covered his arm.
"It will interact with your curse and try to rip it form your body. It will
not be able to though and you will be in great pain for nearly 3 hours, it's
possible it can kill you. I also see a strange magic around you, one which
the spell may or may not work on."

Ranma blinked. "So I'm gonna die?"

"No, you might not. Your wife may be able to help you by taking some of
the pain herself. If she does that then you will surely survive." Cologne
looked at prone figure of Akane 'How he choose her over Shampoo I will never
understand.'

"She's not my wife yet." He said automatically.

"Yes she is. She is your wife in all that matters. Heart, mind, and
soul. No she isn't your wife by law or by body yet but neither of those truly
matter." Cologne started hopping away. "We will be leaving for China tomorrow.
Good bye once-son-in-law." She hopped upstairs.

Ranma sat there for a moment absorbing everything that had just
happened. Then he stood and walked over to Akane. He gently leaned down and
kissed her, Cologne's words running through his mind. "Heart, mind, and soul.
My Akane-chan, my wife."

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

Authors Notes:

First of all I'd like to cover what seems to be a huge flaw here, the fact
that Mousse could never imitate Ranma's techniques or his personality. I
don't argue this (although I believe Mousse could copy Ranma's personality to
an extent) but if Shampoo goes insane thinking that Ranma doesn't love her,
there's no way she would ever allow herself to think that the Ranma who
married her was anything but the genuine article.

Now with that covered I'll continue with the rest. Why would Ranma
use Ryoga's chi blast instead of his own? Simple. His is based on confidence
and.. well ego. Ryoga's is based around despair, depression, and general
sadness. Ranma wasn't feeling all that confident about Shae, so he had to use
his other emotions to charge the blast. As for Dr. Tofu's fighting skills and
techniques. I made them up. All we know is that he's a martial artist, and
one good enough to sneak up on Ranma. The 'Shinsei Utsu Koto' attack isn't
just a bunch of words. It means (roughly translated) Holy or Sacred Strike.
Oh, and the intimate scenes between Akane and Ranma have finally served their
purpose so you shouldn't be seeing anymore for a while now (although you
never know...) Well, that's all for this chapter. ~Syithe

C+C are welcome, send to ssau...@hotmail.com

The Shattered Soul homepage can be found at Http://members.xoom.com/Syithe__/

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