Ryoga looked around him. The place did look somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen it before.

"Ryouga, you're home," a girl's voice greeted him.

He turned toward the sound of the voice and was surprised. "Akari? I didn't know you're in London,"

"You swine, you" Akari said affectionately. "You're at my home,"

"You mean… I've managed to reach here in one go?" he asked, eyes wide.

"Congratulation then," she said while walking to him briskly.

But before she could put hug him, he held his hand. "Akari, please move to somewhere safe,"

"What's wrong?"

"Just get away from here! It's dangerous!" Ryouga shouted. He must get her away before it was too late.

Akari hesitated for the briefest moment before she nodded and ran.

Ryoga looked at her leaving before turning in the direction where he felt the threatening aura originated. There was no one there. Then he felt it, turning back toward Akari, he saw a woman looking at her retreating form.

"Hmm… The girl seemed to hold a very special place in your heart, isn't she?" the woman asked.

"I'm not going to let you do anything to her," Ryouga said through gritted teeth as he settled into an attacking stance.

The woman shook her head. "I have no interest in her. If I really wanted to kill her, don't you think that I could have at least made an attempt to do that?" She moved her hand and a spear pierced the tree next to Ryouga. "I'm here to talk to you,"

"Why do you think I will talk to a stranger?"

The woman waved a hand and a stool appeared behind her. Taking a seat, she said, "I thought that they already told you about me. I'm Kencana,"

"Damn you!" Ryouga said while charging his Shi Shi Hokodan immediately and fired it at her.

Kencana held a hand to stop the ki ball and then calmly dispersed it. "It seemed that they did tell you. It made my job a bit easier,"

"Of course I know," he spat. "You're the one who corrupted the spell protecting Nerima,"

"Maybe I am, but are you sure that I'm the one who did it?" Kencana asked while smiling.

"Yes. They told me,"

"A hypothetical accusation, one that doesn't have any concrete evidence. You will have no proof to implicate me," she said while crossing her arms, giving him a bored look. "For them to know this, then one of them may be a magician, probably the vixen Tendo Nabiki. Unfortunately, I'm very certain that your magician friend doesn't have any proof at all. You can go and ask her all you want; even if you try to force her to lie on your behalf, it would be in vain, as a magician will never lie,"

"What do you mean?"

"Those who speak out the holy or even the unholy verses must be able to do so without a shred of uncertainty. Hence, they will never taint their words with lies so as not to reduce their spells' effectiveness," Kencana shrugged. "Of course, there are exceptions but their power will be severely limited," She then grinned. "Unlike martial artists' rather cheap words, you can always believe a magician to speak the truth and fulfill their promises'," she pointed toward him, "as you had demonstrated to me,"

"My words aren't that cheap,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Kencana stood up. She then settled into a fighting stance as well. "As you can see, I would be fighting you without my spear. Be grateful as I'm giving you a lot of advantages,"

"SHUT UP!" Ryouga shouted as he lunged toward her and launched a powerful haymaker.

Kencana lightly tapped Ryouga's wrist, causing his punch to miss. She then executed an axe kick, only to have it blocked by Ryouga's knee. She smiled and then disappeared from the sight.

He looked around quickly, but there was no one. Then his instinct began screaming for him to move and he had just managed to avoid from a hand strike to his neck. Then, using his body momentum, he dropped to the ground and launched a leg sweep. To his satisfaction, the sweep connected and Kencana dropped to the ground. "That will teach you to play hide and seek," he growled as he jumped toward her.

"Well, we can always play rough," she replied while hitting the ground next to her. Instantly, the ground exploded and showered Ryouga with rocks.

However Ryoga, trained by Cologne to withstand extreme pain only needed to cover his eyes from the debris. "This is how you're supposed to do it," Ryouga muttered as he used Bakusai Tanketsu to return the favor. One of the flying rocks managed to hit Kencana's stomach and she almost dropped to the ground in pain.

"Ugh… you've succeeded in angering me," She jumped away from him while simultaneously held out her right hand. "Bumi yang mendengar seruanku…" (O' Earth that heed my call). Before she complete her incantation, Ryouga has shifted to behind her. "He's quite fast," she thought before she felt him using double fists to hit her back.

"I don't how Ranma managed to be defeated by you," the martial artist said as he watched her getting up. "You don't certainly look strong. The skill is there or even more than mine I may say so, but not the speed and the endurance to complement it,"

Kencana was livid. "You wouldn't be boasting if I didn't give you a chance and use m…" she stopped as her eyes widened in realization. Slowly, the anger was replaced with a smile. "What do you know, you've helped me understand something,"

When she fought with her soul mate, an unexpected event had taken place. That wench sorceress had appeared and managed prevent her from attacking him with her Plume de Lune. Kencana could not explain how but the wench had somehow prevented her Plume de Lune from being released into its second stage. Afterwards, to her anger, Kencana couldn't move her body. But neither did the other female. Although the standoff ended in a draw, with her retreating and the girl not doing anything, it showed that to succeed, she needed an underling or someone that would fight on her behalf.

Since Aozora, no, Ranma didn't want to join her, she would have to find someone else who was suitable for the job. The jock whose woman called as 'Ryouga' seemed to be a decent fighter, probably on par with Ranma. "You're half right, Ryouga," Kencana said as she dusted her dress. "Perhaps if we continue to fight, you would have beaten me, that is if I don't fight using my spear," She open her right palm and the spear appeared in her hand.

"That's pretty bold of you to be making that comment. I don't see how you can become stronger when you use that weapon,"

"You're right," Kencana disappeared only to appear behind Ryouga, her spear's tip slightly pressing against his neck. "You don't see me at all,"

"How?" Ryouga uttered.

"Power," She removed the spear and reappeared 5 meters in front of him. "Something that I can offer to you,"

"Never!"

"Very well. Then, I would like to collect on your promise to me,"

"I didn't remember making you any promise,"

Kencana covered her face with her hand and when she removed it her face had changed to an old woman's. "Sonny," she said in an old woman's voice, "you promised me a favor for teaching you the techniques,"

"YOU!"

She put her hand back to cover her face and when she moved it again her face was back to normal. "I don't care whether you want to deny it or not; it was me who taught you those techniques. Do you really think an old lady who happens to possess know martial arts live in the middle of the forest in the middle of your random path? Ryouga, everything in this world happens because they are allowed to take place; the outcome had overcome other possible outcomes. You Japanese people call it hitsuzen, and by hitsuzen we met that time,"

"I will never cooperate with someone as evil as you,"

Kencana laughed mockingly. "That's what you said just now," She wagged her finger. "But Ryouga, how can you be sure that I am the villain, and not your friends? For example, do you know the story about Murasaki Shikibu?" She smiled when he slowly nodded. "Is she evil or not?"

"Of course not! She merely wrote the 'Tales of Genji' almost more than a thousand years ago,"

"How come you're so sure?"

"Because I am," he insisted.

"Then, sadly for you, you're contradicting yourself. I was Murasaki Shikibu in my previous life,"

"LIE!"

Kencana's Plume de Lune began to glow. "Looks like I have to do this the hard way," she said as she appeared directly in front of him and delivered a swift kick to the stomach, hurling him into a tree trunk. "Evil is merely a perspective, Ryouga. What I think as evil may not necessarily be evil to you. And for you to talk about me being evil… that's a bit naïve," She watched as he struggled to get up. "From your answers, I already deduced that you don't really know anything,"

"So what?" Ryouga drawled as he began concentrating his energy into his Shi Shi Hokodan, making it larger than the normal one. "I will defeat you with the Perfect Shi Shi Hokodan. EAT THIS! PERFECT SHI SHI HOKODAN!" he shouted as he released the technique and the whole area was surrounded with a large explosion.

When the explosion abated, Ryouga was shocked to see that Kencana didn't seem to be affected by the attack, protected by a globe of energy.

"A very powerful orderly destruction attack," she said calmly. "Pity I can't use that technique. Now, where was I? Oh yes," she reappeared next to him. "Now, you will learn the twisted truth,"

A few seconds later, Ryouga's scream echoed throughout the area, causing tears to stream out of the fleeing Akari.

A loud alarm echoed throughout the Blessbringer compound, followed by a loud explosion. Itachi Blessbringer, seated meditatively in his room didn't get up even as more and more clan members descended upon the point of intrusion. He had foreseen the day and was prepared for it. That was why he didn't even move when there was sound of battles followed loud screams.

Finally the battle stopped and the stench of blood wafted into his room. Even then he still remained still.

The door opened up and a smiling Schneider entered. "I don't know or how why you don't react to me killing our clansmen just now," he quipped offhandedly.

"Why are you here, Schneider? I distinctly remember that you saying that you don't care for the clan to my grandfather thirty years ago." Itachi said as he looked at the man whose face was around thirty plus.

"Oh, that… you know, you really have a good memory. For your information, I told your grandfather's grandfather the same thing too," he said as he sat in front of Itachi. "But I would like to ask you something. Is the clan still interested in killing Kencana?"

Despite the suspicion he felt, Itachi felt compelled to ask back. "Why do you ask?"

"Maybe I can help."

"Why a power-crazed man like you would like to help? After all, it is in the best interest of you to keep us from killing her before you can get her power."

"My recent research found out something very interesting. Do you know why Blessbringer clan was ravaged?"

"No."

"It is because our ancestors, in their infinite idiocy, which turns out for the best, killed her guardian in order to lure her into a trap to kill her."

"I take it you're suggesting that our clan have been fighting against her a very long time?"

"No, that's not it. Her sword, Mimei Ketsurui holds the key to infinite power, or as it was said." He neglected to mention about the records he found suggesting Mimei Ketsurui was given to her guardian. If the case was true, then unlike what Itachi had thought, Blessbringer clan wasn't really an honorable clan to begin with. To Schneider, he didn't care anyway since his objective is to gain power, and if he had to resort to allying himself with the Blessbringer garbage, so be it. "It is said that the weapon hold a part of her soul."

"I don't see why our clan will be interested in this revelation. Surely we understand"

"A weapon forged from her soul is immune from her power. It was said that the holder of the sword had laid with her, which is why she had forged the weapon for him."

"So you're saying that you want the sword."

"Don't be ridiculous. The sword disappeared when she 'died'. The current Kencana can only be killed using a weapon forged from her soul, not the previous reincarnation's. Which is why I am here, as I know something that you don't."

"Do tell me."

"I believe she may be recruiting her guardian."

Ranma entered the door of the sundae shop, mentally wishing that his assumption was right. To his relief, the person that he was searching for was sitting facing a wall at a corner, eating a strawberry sundae by herself. Activating Umisenken, he walked slowly toward her. Just as when he was few steps away from her, she spoke.

"That technique isn't really useful, since I can see your reflection on the sundae glass,"

"I wasn't thinking of surprising you or something," he said defensively as he took a seat in front of her. "Besides, I didn't activate the technique's higher level,"

"Saotome-kun, that technique is useless on me," Nabiki said before scooping the heavenly concoction in front of her into her mouth. "Need I remind you that the last time you tried that I sniffed you out?"

"Er, yeah," Ranma said. He certainly remembered the day when he followed her, hoping to dig up some dirt on her. Even though he had used the higher form of Umisenken which not only erased his presence but also made him invisible, she managed to somehow detect him.

"Please remember this, Saotome-kun. I can detect anyone nearby. The only way you can catch me by surprise is by using Unmei Kiriage to cut through dimension and open a hole near me,"

"I don't understand why you're telling me this,"

"All in due course, Saotome-kun. Now, care to tell me why you're here? Now, maybe Kasumi or Akane asked you to fetch me since I didn't return home after school, but I don't think so,"

"Why don't you help?" The question marked the pinnacle of Saotome clan's diplomacy skills that was inherited throughout generations; the inability to state question a bit tactfully.

Nabiki gazed at him quietly, unnerving him. After a pregnant pause she finally replied, "Do you really want to know the answer, Saotome-kun?"

"Yes,"

She gave him the same look, all the while eating her ice cream. "If you really want it, I'll reveal it to you later. For now, please let me eat in silence." He nodded. After they left the shop, she turned toward him, "I know that you have more than just one question you want to ask me. I'll answer three of them, so please think carefully before you ask."

"So, how much?"

"Hmm?" Nabiki knew what he meant but wanted to hear the answer from him.

"Everything has a cost. So, how much will it cost me to get the answer from you?"

Putting a hand over her heart, Nabiki mocked shock. "My goodness, Saotome-kun. Your comment really hurt me. Do you think that I'm just a bloodthirsty money-grubbing woman? Can't I give you something for free just because we're going to be relatives in the future?"

"Pfft… Everything has a cost, that what you taught me. If you give me the information for free because we're going to be relatives, than the cost of that is we becoming relatives. It took me a bit to figure it out, but even though air is free, in order to breathe it, you need to be alive, which is the cost for it."

"Well put, Saotome-kun. Very well, the cost is a bit small. Let's go on a date right now?"

"A date?"

"You know just go out together or something."

"Well…" Ranma really wanted the answers to his questions, but he couldn't be sure whether his money is enough to cover the huge bill that would result from the so-called date. It couldn't be helped. "Okay."

He didn't expect Nabiki to quickly went to his side and take his hand.

"Come, Ranma, let's go."

"Go?" In his utter surprise, he didn't notice that Nabiki had stopped referring him by his family name but instead called his first name.

"You ask a lot today. Didn't I tell you? Think carefully before you ask the three questions." Nabiki said playfully. "You don't want me to answer the trivial ones, do you?"

"You're right."

"Good, now, follow me."

He was half expecting her to go to somewhere unique and not expecting her to go the park. While walking around it, they spent their time talking about what could be construed as normal and important things, but to Ranma whose life was a constant pandemonium, it was an unforgettable experience for him. They finally settled on an isolated bench, with some onigiri Ranma had bought from a nearby shop. 'The rice-based food's filling was quite good,' he thought to himself as he finished chewing it, 'though not up to Kasumi's standard'

"Don't move, Ranma," Nabiki said while picking up a stray grain of rice near his lips and then ate it.

"Um, what did you do just now?"

"Nothing." She stood up and looked at the evening sun. "It's beautiful, isn't it? Kinda reminds you off how insignificant we are in this world."

"Yeah, though pop once told me that it doesn't matter; it's up to ourselves to decide the difference we made, though he was relating it to martial arts at that time." He looked at the girl's face to see a blank look on her. "What?"

"Your father said that?"

"Yeah? So?"

"Ah, sorry. I was imagining him holding the sign while in his panda mode, you see, all the while making growling noise…" she couldn't stop herself from breaking into a giggle.

Once Ranma understood how humorous the situation was, he laughed as well.

After she had stopped, the middle Tendo girl's face became business like. "It's time."

"Huh?"

"Our deal, Saotome-kun. You can ask three questions, and I'll answer them."

"Oh… that." Truth be told, he had forgotten about the deal as he was having fun. Ranma thought for a moment and then asked. "Why don't you help us? I mean, you basically pointed us the way and then just watch from the sideline."

"Did you remember the time when we talk about knowing the future?"

"Yeah," How could he forget that day? Together with Nabiki, he kidnapped a young girl right in front of her boyfriend's very eyes, all the while pretending to be 'James' of the Team Rocket. That day was so bizarre even for him. To top it up, he eventually found the real reason for the kidnapping was so that Nabiki could grant the boyfriend's wish to be able to protect her. "Not really something I'll forget in a hurry,"

Nabiki smiled. "Remember that I said that I sometime have premonitions?"

"Yeah. Then I remember you saying that suppose we know about a future even where a lot will die because of a person. To save them, you change the future by killing that person. But that is prejudiced as because you're judging him for something that he or she hadn't done. But yet, if you wait, it would be too late for everybody else," Ranma said at length.

"Yes, that's the question, isn't it? To kill or not to kill the person. But Saotome-kun, what would you do, given the hypothetical situation?"

"Hippo tentacle? I don't really get the connection."

"Hypothetical… as in something that we imagine. Imagine you're the person who had the knowledge. What would you do? Would you or wouldn't you kill the person?"

Before Ranma could answer, Nabiki put a hand on his lips.

"Don't answer it yet. Think about it carefully, what will happen if the person is someone you know? Will you kill the person? But to be able to kill that person, that's not just a normal killing. I told you that killers would have that heavy burden on their soul. Imagine if they have to kill someone they know? Wouldn't it be more painful to carry out?"

"I understand." He stopped to think. "Maybe you're the one who had the knowledge about the future, which I wouldn't know if I ask."

"Yes, you have to ask to know that" she said while giving off a wily smile.

"I wouldn't. So my next question is: who is the chosen person?"

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Nabiki, "My, my, that's a bit conniving of you, asking a question that can be interpreted differently." Before he could protest, she said. "I'll answer them. I know it would be you when you appeared with your father that time. That's why I foisted you off to Akane."

"Yea, I remember that day… you're wearing a kimono, and you looked beautiful."

A small blush appeared on her cheeks. "I don't know that you're a smooth talker," she said to cover herself.

"No, I'm not," Ranma said, oblivious to her attempt. "Wait… you haven't answered my question completely."

Glad for an opportunity to change the topic, Nabiki nodded. "Well, to put it simply, you're the one who can cause the world's destruction." She quickly continued before he could say something. "Let me finish first. You causing the world's destruction is the worst case scenario. Maybe nothing bad will happen at all, if you don't count being chased by your suitors as something abnormal."

"But I remember you saying that when something is predetermined or hitsuzen as the term you referred to, it couldn't be changed."

"How do you know that you causing the destruction of the world IS the hitsuzen?"

"I don't know," he admitted.

"You see, Saotome-kun, human is a chaotic being. We profess love to some but wouldn't hesitate to torture others; in fact in some cases, we even hurt those we love. We claim that we are more advanced than mere animals, yet we have degraded ourselves worse than them. It is this chaos can disrupt the flow of hitsuzen. And you are one of the two that have the most powerful chaos energy in the universe."

Ranma was about to ask who the other person was when he remembered the agreement. "So, let me get it straight. You got Akane engaged to me because you don't want to get into trouble with me? I mean, if you're correct, then I must be very dang…" He stopped when she closed the distance between the two of them.

"Ranma, it's not what you think." She whispered as she buried her face on her chest.

He could feel her hand clenching his cloth. "But you said that you foi…"

"Don't." she said more firmly. "Please don't say it because both of us will regret it later."

"I understand."

They remained in the same position for quite some time. Ranma thought of putting his hands around her but wasn't sure whether it was the right thing to do.

"I knew it was you at that time, even though…," she trailed off. "I didn't mind it at all, the curse. But at the same time, it means that I wouldn't be able to keep my promise."

"Promise? What promise?"

Nabiki tightened her grip. "It's okay. It's not really important anyway. May I be a bit selfish and ask another thing from you?"

"What is it?"

"Please hold me like this for a while longer," she whispered.

1

Author's note (17 November 2007)

1. It's been a while since I updated this story. Oh well, what the heck. No one missed it, right?

2. The part on where Kencana claimed to train Ryouga... it explains a segment in Ever Stay Chaotic where Ryouga fought with Ranma, claiming to learn a new technique from an old lady from the middle of the forest.