Black Waters
Part 4: Waiting
(Insert copyright information here)
Akane sat over the hospital bed, still reeling from recent developments. She still couldn't believe that they still alive, and it was all thanks to the person in the bed. The one person she wouldn't have believed would ever care about her at all. Ranma.
---------------------------------------------------
A few Hours Earlier
Makio was hovering over the group of martial artists. His aura was growing ever larger, converging into his right arm. He outstreached his arm, pointing it towards the group, who were to stunned or distracted to move. Or maybe it was because he had subtly used his power to freeze them since he started talking. He grinned, his eyes glowing red with glee. Soon, he would have his revenge on the Saotome clan. He grinned wider. Very soon.
Akane could only watch as he prepared to fre his ki. She couldn't move, not like she wanted to. It's what she deserved. Makio's words forced her to see the truth. Not just about Ranma, but about herself as well. And she didn't like what she saw.
She had a temper problem, she knew that. But never before had she realise how much of a threat it was to herself and others. Now she could see how much of a monster she was, always preferring to beat her problems with fists and whatever she could grab, never thinking about the consequences, never realising she was hurting people. She was a bully, a thug.
And she now saw how much Ranma cared about her. Always letting her vent her frustrations on him rather than on someone weaker and more vulnerable. Always making sure she was alright, protecting from things that were way over her head. He even saved her from death itself, she now realised. And nowit was so obvious how he felt about her, if he didn't know it himself at the time.
She didn't deserve his love. Not a violent bully like herself.
"Demon Lord --"
Everyone stared in shock. As he was preparing to fire his ki, Makio's body - from the right shoulder to his left hip - exploded. The rest of makio's body hovered in the air, and directly below him lay an unconcious Ranma in female form.
"Ranma!" Akane exclaimed, and ran to the redhead's prone body.
"Interesting." Makio muttered to himself, seemingly unfazed by the destruction of most of his body. "It would appear that she was willing to protect you all, after all I have revealed. She truly is a masochist."
Akane was cradling Ranma's unconcious form in her arms. She looked up at the levitating demon above her head, hate filled her eyes. "Leave." she hissed, unable to say anything more from the emotions raging inside her.
Makio chuckled. "But of course, I'm in no shape to kill anyone at the moment, and I dare say I have done some damage already." he narrowed his eyes, which were now completely red and unchanging, "But don't think I'm finished with any of you. Oh, and before I forget...."
Nodoka gasped as the Saotome family blade, which had been unsheafed for the battle, flew from hands and into Makio's sole remaining one.
"I'll have what your clan STOLE from me." Makio said, with no humour in his voice. Then he grinned. "I'll be seein' ya." And with that, he vanished.
---------------------------------
They soon brought Ranma to the hospital, Ryoga and Kasumi was also comitted due to injuries sustained in battle with Makio. Fortunatley, everyone else managed to escape anything beyond a bruise, cut or scrape. Akane was in daze, her only thought being to insure that Ranma was safe. She hoped desperately that Ranma wasn't going to die.
-----------------------------------
Elsewhere, deep in the mountains of China, Makio floated in a spring. This spring revitalised physical and spiritual power, and healed any wounds. It was known as the Phoenix Spring, and was used to create Soul Liquid, which the demon race used for various purposes.
Standing over the demon lord was his trusted lieutenant and advisor, Tsunami, a demon who was master over all Liquids, especially water. In fact, his own body was made entirely of water concentrated around his soul.
"These were unexpected events, my lord." Tsunami said, without emotion.
Makio frowned. "Indeed, my friend. Well, at least they know now. And at least I got my sword back."
"Indeed, my lord."
"Tsunami, I'm not done yet. I won't rest until I uterly destroy Saotome."
"Of course, Lord Makio. I wouldn't expect anything else."
"That's why I want you to send Nachtmaren."
"At once, my lord."
-----------------------------------------
Cologne was worried. it had been years since the Dreaded One had last appeared. Centuries even. And now she knew why. And he had specically targeted soni-in-law and his loved ones. This was not good. Even the Musk and the Phoenix feared the demon tribe.
And so now, she was preparing for battle. and she knew how the Demon Lord would strike next, especially considering son-in-law's vulnerable state at the moment.
She had found what she required, and set off to the hospital where son-in-law, Shampoo and the other's were. She just hoped she wasn't too late.
------------------------------------------
Shampoo was not pleased. The stupid healers of this sterile building had forbidden anyone else from entering her Airen's room. Apparently, her Airen was not in a fit state to have to many visitors. It seemed the healers were worried about the rooms she and spatula-girl carried. Mousse didn't really bother them since he hid his weapons, and thus they didn't realise he was anything more than a strange man in glasses.
Beside her stood an equally agitated Ukyo. She could probably guess what she was thinking, since she was thinking it herself.
'why does she get to be with him?'
Of course, they both knew the answer to that. She had simply refused to let the redhead go, and any attempts to seperate them resulted in pain and broken bones. So, it was decided that it would be best for all if the short-haired tomboy stayed with the smaller girl until she was adequetely rested.
Shampoo was also concerned about the imposter's words. She didn't want to believe them, but they did explain certain actions on her Airen's part...
And then there was Ukyo....
-------------------------------------------------
Minutes after Makio's attack on Ucchan's
(Retcon!)
Shampoo, Mousse and Cologne were busy running the Neko Hanten. At least, they would be if they had any customers. As it was, the two Joketsuzoku women were plotting another scheme to trick Ranma into marrying Shampoo. Mousse was standing around yelling about how wrong a match for Shampoo the pig-tailed martial artist was.
They were interrupted when the restaurant's entrance was blown away.
They truned to the commotion and stared wide-eyed at a levitating Ranma. He had look on his face that was totally un-ranmalike.
"Ranma, you cur! How do you try to impress Shampoo with that new technique of yours!" Mousse cried, and launched himself at the levitating imposter.
Makio caught the glasses wearing duck-boy and threw him into the wall.
"Idiots like you are not worth my time. But since you know Saotome, I have no choice but to kill you." Makio smiled. "And I do so dislike you Amazons anyway."
Before he could any more, something cut him on the cheek. The wound promptly healed itself, but it was enough to distract the villain. behind him stood a rather irate looking Ukyo.
Makio frowned. "What do you want, crossdresser?"
"Shut up!" the okonomiyaki chef spat. "Don't talk to me like that, with his voice! How'd you do it!? How'd you make yourself look like him!?"
Shampoo was too confused by things to think about the situation clearly. "What spatula-girl talk about?"
"This bastard isn't Ranma! He only looks like him! Apparently, he's some jerk named Makio!"
"What!?" Cologne exclaimed, a look of dread at hearing the name.
Shampoo looked sceptical. "That....too too stupid. Spatula-girl confused."
Makio grinned. "Oh she's quite right. I have taken over this body so I can kill all Saotome Ranma held dear." He turned to the young amazon. "Let's start with you, Amazon."
"Shampoo, run!" Cologne screamed.
"Miniature Demon Lord Black Vengaence!" Makio cried before Shampoo could do anything, firing a small spear of black ki towards the girl.
But Ukyo jumped in its way, getting hit in the side.
"Stupid bitch." makio said, dismissively. He readied another attack.
But before he could launch it, Cologne grabbed a piece of paper and threw it at him. It flew like a shuriken, and as soon as it hit him, his skin started to burn.
He screamed. "You bitch! I'll get you for that!" he then vanished.
"What...was that?" Ukyo asked, dizzy from loss of blood.
"A banishment spell." Cologne explained. "It should keep him away for a while, but I believe that shouldn't stay here. I'll wake up Part-time. Shampoo, you bandage up Kuonji-san." She began to move towards Mousse, then turned back to Ukyo. "Thank you, Kuonji-san. I don't know what would've done if he had harmed Shampoo in any way." She then walked away.
Shampoo left to get some bandages. When she came back, she removed Ukyo's top. Thankfully, Ukyo's chest was covered in their bindings, so nothing too embarrassing would happen. Shampoo then began to treat the wound. There was quite a bit of blood.
"Why you help Shampoo?" The lavender-haired Amazon asked.
Ukyo smiled. "We may be rivals, but we both know that Ranma cares about us in some way. He wouldn't have forgiven me if I let something happen to you."
"Ah."
"Besides, I probably wouldn't have forgiven myself." the chef added with a downcast look.
Shampoo was puzzled by this, but didn't ask any further. She just continued bandaging up the chef's wound.
-----------------------------------------
Shampoo was still trying to figure out her rival's words and actions. Surely she wouldn't hane gone so far to protect her, even for Ranma's sake. And what was with that look?
Shampoo was broken out of her reverie by a ancient shout. She looked up to see her great-grandmother running through the halls.
"Shampoo! I must see son-in-law! It's urgent!"
Ukyo looked at the crone grumpily. "We're not allowed to go in, Old Ghoul."
"But we must! It's a matter of life and death! If I don't treat him soon, Ranma will die!
---------------------------------------------
And so ends another doozy of a chapter. I hope you like this, cause I'll continue this til the end! So please keep reading! And please comment on it! I'd like to know what you all think!
Until next time!