In an isolated neighborhood away from happy faces and cheerful people, a young man in scruffy clothes and with two candles set on either side of his head, walked back to his home.
"I can't believe all this homework has to be done by the end of the week, and to make things worse, I have to do some that is not even mine. . . . .stupid bullies."
Gosunkugi was a good student, but experiences in the unnatural world scarred him for life, ever since he met strange beings in dreams and the horror anime movies he frequented since childhood.
In time, he developed interests and abilities to discern the intricate teachings good and black magic entitled in his life. There were times where he would use such knowledge against terrible foes to keep them at bay or to subdue them at his whim, foes like the deplorable Ranma Saotome.
Ranma was far superior in strength and speed wise, and had that which he held dear, the sweet Tendo Akane; the most beautiful girl he had laid eyes upon. In time he would find a way to obtain his prize and defeat his greatest enemy. For now, homework and the weekend were the challenge before him.
Almost arriving to home, he lost track of his train of thought thanks to a yellow cloth hanging by a tree near by. With curious intent, he walked at it and reached, plucking it into his hand.
"I've seen this before. . . .yes, I think it belonged to that brute Ranma used to fight all the time. Hibiki I believe was his name."
After reaching and locking his room, the boy walked into his closet where an assorted group of objects decorated the smaller room. Vials and flasks neatly stacked formed the secret inventory and in the back wall, a big black book, old in appearance, guarded the different concoctions and writings the sensitive in the dark arts kept as his most precious possession.
In the book, there were parts from ancient scrolls clearly forbidden to the initiated, and on some of those, memories from past intents to claim the fair Akane where embedded as a remainder of his intents.
While contemplating one of the pages in the book where declares the failed attempt with magic paper dolls, something caught his eye. Some of the vials began to move by themselves, and a contemplative "mmhm" reached his ears. Jumping from the room Gosunkugi looked everywhere, making sure what he heard came from within.
"Wh-who's there . . . ." The trembling in his voice gave him away, and the pointing of fingers in accusatory warning showed he had no idea who or what could have done that. After a moment and while taking a shaky hand to his mouth, the scrawny boy turned to what it looked like a small black pig.
Staring at the form, Gosunkugi laughed relieved, and extended his arm to grab it, and the consequence sent shivers to his back. The more he tried to take him, the more his hand would pass through the piglet, like if it was a mirage or a . . . . .
The boy simply sat beside his bed, and waited for the meaning of that vision.
"You know I could run like the wind, screaming ghost!, ghost!, but I am beyond that point. Tell me, are you some kind of lost soul?. . . .a lost piggy who never got home?"
The piglet turned around as in ignoring his request, and tilted his head, staring at the bandanna resting by the book.
"So, is this what brought you here? It belonged to an annoying guy who used to pretend to love my sweet Akane-san."
In that moment, the piglet turned back at the boy, and his face changed, anger clearly was his drive.
"What the hell do you want with Akane-san? She wouldn't look my way. What makes you think she would look at you?"
Gosunkugi's fear over took him once again, this time because he heard the same "mmhm" than before, and it was coming from the piglet.
"How can you talk? and more importantly why do you sound like Hibiki?"
"Maybe because I'm him?. You know, for someone attuned to the dead you seem pretty alive and amorous for girls."
"Anyway. I don't have much time left, I'm borrowing this form since is the easiest for me to communicate with a living being, but I'm beginning to feel the weight. Gosunkugi, we need to talk.
During that night, the boy and the piglet talked about after death experiences and ways to appear before the living. Friday night wasn't exactly a busy time for the boy and Ryoga had nothing better to do than stay on his own and let Ranma and the Tendous breath away from his constant shadow.
"So. Please. . . .I'm stuck and can't do much. I will try to come back later when I rest, please keep the bandanna with you at all time." And with that, the talking piglet vanished into the darkness of the room.
Finally the ghost boy was going to prove everyone of the power and knowledge he had. While the Hibiki boy rested and re-energized back into reality, he ran over old texts he had on a box. Old texts dating from his early days of delving into the unknown.
"Yes, there are ways for him to cross over and even interact with the living, but there might be more to it than a simple magic trick, I must warn him about the risks of creating a connection between the living and the dead."
At the Tendous, the atmosphere was heavy. After the time spent at the ghost boy's house, Ryoga was consumed by the amount of energy he over used, and the news weren't that nice to hear from his new love.
"To-chan, what's going on. . . .?" Was everything he could ask, after plummeting to the floor, tiredness clearly seen on his ghostly image.
"Ryoga-kun, Ranma has tried to contact you all night long. It seems you are still a big part in his life, and I believe he needs something from you."
"He is waiting all dressed up in his room, of course now he is asleep, but I think you should pay him a visit."
Ryoga knew he was tired beyond a human body could hold, but this is his friend, and the cause of all this ordeal. "Maybe he needs something from me."
"I wonder what would that be . . . . ."
Taking a deep breath and sitting like a Buddha would, Ryoga closed his eyes, projecting his porcine image before the pigtailed boy.
After contemplating the sleeping boy, Ryoga smiled in the familiar smirk P-chan would adorn when fighting Ranma before Akane, and after a few moments, the piglet moved near the boy's side. . . . right by his ear, ready for his surprise.
"RANMA. . . .PREPARE TO DIE! ! !
Oddly enough, the panda stood and looked at the boy who was getting off from the hole made on the high wall. He never heard a thing, just the crash his son did all of a sudden.
Ranma fell to the floor and stared at the snickering piglet, rubbing his head and mustering words that never came out of his clenched teeth. After the commotion the Saotome Heir kneeled and smiled at his buddy. Many things had happened in the past, and jokes could never damage what they forged through life and death.
Finally Ryoga felt the weight once again and decided to stop the games and set his attention directly at the boy. Ranma was about to declare something no one had ever heard before. Ryoga would be the first.
"Ryoga, buddy. I know I could never make up for what I have done to you in the past, but I want you to believe me when I say I'm happy to have you with me. In time I swear I'll find a way to solve your problem, and in the mean time I promise I will be by your side for as long as needed."
"That been said, I know you are the closest I have to a friend and I hope you might be able to understand what I'm about to do."
When the pigtailed boy finished his speech, he reached into a box underneath his pillow, he opened it and showed its contents to the piglet.
"I know you have feelings for her, and I know I never said it before, but I want your blessing Ryo. I want you as my best man, even if you're not around physically."
When Ryoga saw the small stone in the ring, it brought a smile on his face. "small, but sparkles beautifully . . . . . Akane should be proud."
Ranma took the smile on the piglet as a yes and he smiled at him as well, confident for his choice.
"You know buddy, is going to take me an eternity to pay this to Nabiki, but I think is worth it. A wedding ring sure is going to cheer Akane up."
The piglet began to close his eyes, showing how tired he was, and began to fade away. Ranma knew he was exerting a lot of energy and waved away knowing he would see him again.
Right before the piglet vanished, Ryoga did one small observation.
"Ranma, you know that's an engagement ring right?. . . .a wedding band is until you marry. . . . . ."
The boy stared at the vanishing piglet with eyes as small as pin needles. "Wait. . . .you can talk? . . . . .you mean there's got to be two rings?"
"Nabiki is going to kill me."
Time slowed for the dormant spirit, besides him, the redhead contemplated her companion.
"I can't believe these two are this close. . . . than again, thanks to my interventions while using Ranma's body helped them become this strong together."
With no furniture or places where to rest; the couple laid on the dark floor, in the dark room where a hell of solitude marked the existence of the girl. In time, she accepted her fate, but never understood why she ended up there. . . .well, she made the choice to follow the pigtailed boy from the magic pool she was stuck, but never saw the chance encounter with another lost soul.
"Rest my Ryoga, and thank you. . . .I don't feel alone anymore."
Sometime later, the lost boy woke up and snuggled with his new found friend. He knew her, and that feeling confusing him stopped from the moment he met her. Time began to heal his wounds, and even helped him to learn that there's more life in death than most people think.
"Toshiko, Were you always the one teasing me when Ranma was all lovely and cute, weren't you?"
The girl began to flush and held even closer to her soulmate. "Ryo, I like you a lot. I have liked you from the moment you laid those confused looks on him. Ranma might have tried to entice you into fighting, but the innocence in your demeanor in the way you opened up made you adorable."
"Things like this he would never be able to understand, but for me. . . . .They never passed unnoticed."
The lost boy finally saw his new life in a different way. There might be problems in the future, but as long as they were together, he felt there was nothing he could not face.
Passed the afternoon, after grueling times dealing with bullies and pests in school, a battered Hikaru Gosunkugi finally reached home, and by the time he went to his room the small piglet waited for him.
"Nice to see someone has nothing better to do than wait for me to slave after school as well. Say, what do I get from you by helping?"
The piglet smiled at the boy and nod letting him know he would be rewarded by his efforts.
"Believe me, when I get used to this world again, you'll be the one I'll owe and that's a good thing you know?"
The boy pondered this and agreed with the spirit. If there was something good on this deal it would be the back up of a super strong spirit on his side. Maybe he could free himself of the bullies the hentai horde threw at him.
"There is just one detail Hibiki, what you try to accomplish has been tried by others. Sorcerers and black magic users that had died, have tried to come back, and when they do, they come as what they become. . . .demons, not human beings."
Than after making his point, the boy crouched down and stared at the piglet. "Some could try to take advantage of your situation and use you as a conduit so, be careful."
Ryoga was deaf when advice came his way, but this time he had to make sure. Not only was he trying to learn, but he had company he wanted to keep as well.
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. Now if we could start, I need to get this in shape . . . "
Time once again surprised the family in the Tendous. The atmosphere had changed. Ever since Ryoga spent most of his time practicing the fine art of material contact, the Tendous and the Saotomes were preparing something that was long over due.
"Isn't this life Tendo, finally I believe my son is about to take his place as heir to the family."
"Indeed Saotome, your fine boy seems a lot mature than not a year ago. I know the death of the Hibiki boy was a terrible thing to bear, but that sure mellowed Ranma's and my daughter's temper. I guess something good came from all that."
In the living room, Akane sat near the turned off T.V. set. She waited for Ranma who left her a message with Kasumi before they left for school, and funny, she never saw him through the day to begin with.
"He has changed and hasn't used hurtful remarks any longer. We have become closer than before, but I know his sadness when no one else is looking, yet, he seems desperate for something. . . . . .I wonder . . . ."
Close to the house a very concerned and nervous Ranma walked pensive about his latest conquest.
"Well, it took me a long time to convince Uchan about our relathionship and even so, she still clings for me, but I have chosen and I won't change on what I feel. . . . .Now for Shampoo everything will be even harder . . . . "
When the door opened, their hearths skipped a bit and their gaze met. Ranma moved closer to Akane and with shaky motion offered a small black box. Everything sunk right in that moment for Akane. She knew what kept the boy awake at night and perturbed. Now the ball was on her side.
She tilted her head at first, than smiled and closed her eyes meditating on the brave move her fiance finally did after all this time. Only one else would have given him the valor.
"Ryoga . . . . .thank you . . "
Far from them a startled lost spirit heard his name, but had to move back to business. Hikaru had to leave home on an errand and it took him close to Furinkan grounds. As if for magic, the hentai horde recognized him and began to walk after the fearful boy.
"Hey, Gosunkugi, what are you doing here? haven't you learned today's lesson?"
The different stacked boys wearing sports clothing walked at the boy while the sound of cracking knuckles filled the street. But when anyone dared to get too close to the boy, the assailant was sent flying against a wall or a light post.
At the beginning, the bullies thought it was a fluke on the scrawny opponent, but when most guys where piling one on top of another, the rest began retreat and the leader seemed the most affected.
With an air of triumph finally the boy was able to scare those who torture him on a daily basis. Gosunkugi turned to his left, and bowed to the protector spirit he had made friends with.
"Well Hibiki, you sure are a fast learner, but now that you can manifest, what are you planning to do next?"
The somehow tired entity looked at him and then move his sight to his next target.
"My plan is to help Akane-san be happy, and there is one obstacle left on her path."
The next step required all his strength, not to fight, but to withstand the enormous energy the old amazon elder expelled in all directions. After being careful and avoid detection, the spirit reached his objective. A sad duck full of regret.
The moment was crucial. He had to wait for Mousse to detect him because if he tried to open up, it was most likely the elder would notice first. After sometime, the duck felt his presence and walked outside the restaurant as if to keep away from it all.
"Mousse, where do you think you're going?"
"Quack!, Quack! . . . ."
Both grand-mother and grand-daughter shrugged away ignoring the craziness the duck left in his path.
"I swear duck boy never be more by himself grand-mother."
"Oh child, you'd be surprised . . ."
Mousse changed as soon as he was out of reach and while hiding his hands underneath his sleeves, the myopic boy rested besides a tree expecting his visitor to show up.
"Hibiki, stop playing games and pop up already. I don't have much break time you know?"
Ryoga was surprised by the living boy. There had to be a way for the Chinese fighter to attack if it was blind.
"Good one Mousse, apparently your senses are sharper than your sight. Well then, what I come to offer I believe to be despicable, it must be done. . . .wether I like it or not. . . . ."
After the talk between the Chinese fighter and the lost soul, Mousse walked back to the Nekohanten where he met both the old ghoul and the stubborn daughter.
"Cologne. . . .Shampoo. I have decided this to be my time to leave." The boy kept firmly in place waiting for a reaction from any of the occupants that night, but no one seemed to care. When left ignored, the boy did something that snapped the two women into reality. She took Shampoo by her arm, and pulled her by him against her will.
His eyes, somehow hidden by the giant glasses, focused intently on the smaller girl. His intent was felt by her and when she tried to let go, the other boy's hand grabbed her by her other arm.
The scene overfed the room with a sense of seriousness and when either boy or girl couldn't stop from the forceful display, the next words rang strong on the girl's mind.
"I am tired of all this. Shampoo, I love you and this is my pledge. I am challenging Ranma Saotome and this will be my last try. I will leave with you, or without . . . . . "
And he left ready for the battle of his life.
The next morning everything was certain for the new Saotome couple. Ukyo decided to let go and accepted her fate as a friend. At the start she believed she was the cute and only capable to understand her Ran-chan, but her own business made her into a mature woman. A person who knew what she wanted in life, and a crush from a childhood friend was no match for what she learned.
The day was bright and early, a Saturday morning full of hope, that is until a kunai interrupted Ranma's kata with a note of challenge.
Saotome Ranma, I have waited long enough. I love Shampoo and I know of your preparation with Akane Tendo. This will be my last assault, but I want it to be a fair one. Meet me on the most desolate part of the park near the Tendou Dojo.
Mut-zu.
The time was set. Ranma waited patiently and after a few minutes Mousse joined him.
"Ranma, I believe this is out last encounter. I care about honor and I have always loved Shampoo, but my patience has reached a limit, and I will not let you stain my woman's honor by leaving her like that."
The quiet semblance on the Saotome heir showed that this was a fight, plain and simple. He knew he was way stronger and faster than his opponent, but he would never back down from a fight, and he would always win.
The fighters lined up and after a few seconds to measure each other, the fight begun. Flying weapons were easily avoided and thankfully kept Ranma at bay. Mousse knew Ranma was deadly up close so he did what he knew best. . . .Jump away and evade as much as possible.
Ranma knew this as well and he was taught to always think ahead. Every dodge was a step closer to the myopic master in secret weapons. A step closer every time, and when Ranma felt him close enough, he went for the kill.
The well known cry filled Mousse's ears, and he knew this was it, the last uneventful try he could unleash was stopped before the might of hundred of punches raining all over his body, but something else happened. He wasn't feeling the pain, just the impact after impact from Ranma's attack.
At the end of the special move, the two stood there; both tired from the spent energy. Ranma gaped at the scene. There he was still standing before him, after receiving an attack that would send Ryoga away.
"But how . . . . ?"
"Guess luck is on my side today, Saotome."
The pigtailed boy exploded at the remark and began to move once again at full speed.
"This time you will be down, and please stay down."
The barrage of hits poured all over Mousse, but this time was different. He felt something he didn't perceive before, yet, he kept on pushing although the outcome was the same.
After the final move stopped, the boy looked intent into his hands, staring at the sensation.
"He is stopping all my punches, but I feel two different sets of hands, his, and a bigger stronger ones. Wait . . . . . . That's it ! . . "
"Very clever you "two", but I will win, no matter what."
At the moment, Mousse knew his partner had been found, but nothing changed. This was the last try. When Ranma flew at him he had one thing in mind, a punch that would take even Ryoga out of the equation. A thousand punches all in the same spot, that would be enough and hopefully he wouldn't kill the Chinese boy in the process.
When the two made contact two things happened.
Shampoo arrived to see Mousse being punished with a move so intense she only witnessed its use once before, when Ranma beat Ryoga after the breaking point training.
And second. The move passed right through Ryoga's incorporeal being and slender frame on Mousse's body, totally missing his target, but Ranma hit Ryoga's closed material fist right on his face sending him flying and breaking a nearby wall.
Out of the rubble, a wobbly and shaken Ranma kneeled down to rest. From all other times, he never took a direct punch at full strength from the lost boy, specially one he couldn't sense before it reached him. He was getting his bearings resting one arm on his knee.
Mousse still felt the powerful strike passing near his body. There was not contact, but the effect took a big toll on the boy as well. He fell to one knee too and had trouble breathing.
Ranma smiled at the weakened state on the other boy and stood up; ready for the last move, but when he raised, all the air went out of his lungs as if he had been hit and the effect of the hit had fallen behind. Ranma simply fell to the ground.
For the first time Shampoo ran in the aid of her man, even Mousse was surprised by the tender care the girl offered, and when the amazon held the boy close by her only words were. "Wo Ai Ni. . . . "
On the floor, looking away from the other new couple, a hurt Ranma wanted to stand and finish the fight, but a stronger "something" pinned him against the ground forcibly.
"C'mon Ryoga let me at him. . . . I have to win! . . "
"Sorry Ranma, don't be angry, let this one go for the good of Akane. . .please . . . "
Finally the boy stopped struggling until the couple left. After it, he simply got up and dust his clothes, walking away back home.