The air is heavy with the scent of juniper and sandalwood, misty smoke drifting around the room in serpentine wisps; A soft, low and even chant whispers through the pursed lips of Ono Tofu, his fingers white at the knuckles as he clutches the prayer beads in his hand. Silently, he watches; the aged Master hop to and fro about the bed, watching, looking, nodding and hemming in thought.
"I am uncertain if I want the master to be the one trying to fix this. However manly he may be… Ranma is in a delicate state, and he is only getting worse," Her voice is whisper-low, hands pressed firmly to her lap as she sits beside Ryouga. Both look on, eyes caught as if on a hook, pain likewise hanging them upon the figure on the bed.
"The Master knows more than any of us about Ki, Dearest," Genma's deep voice is solemn and even as he leans against the doorframe. His face is stoic and unflinching as he looks upon his son, reflecting upon his own sins and how they have brought Ranma to this point. He turns his eyes to Tofu, watching the intense concentration upon the doctor's face.
The diminutive pervert pauses, extending his hands as his aura flares. Like a thousand writhing serpents, a dark miasma crushes in upon the brightly colored Ki flowing from the master. "Mmmnn! Nnngh-!"
Their eyes flinch as there is a polarizing flash as Happosai is launched bodily across the room. He hits the wall with a popping noise that causes everyone to flinch as he slides down to the floor. "Nnngh. That was entirely unexpected," He wheezes, looking visibly winded.
Crossing his legs, Happosai produces his pipe again. A deep sigh causes his body to visibly shudder, a tremulous shake evident in his hands as he lights and takes a few short puffs. His eyes are glassy and tired looking. "There is good and bad news."
Nodoka found her hands going to the armrests of her chair, gripping them as she felt a tremble coming on herself.
"The bad news first," Ryouga finds it strange that of anyone, his demeanor seemed the most cool. Perhaps he'd become too desensitized to the life threatening danger Ranma always put himself in. In truth, it is that he is determined not to let Ranma go before things were settled between them. He will not believe it to be possible that Ranma would die, he refuses to.
"It isn't an Akuma," Happosai closes his eyes. There is great stillness, like a vast polar chill casting all into a deep and ageless winter. It is visible, in his eyes, that he must struggle to open them. His weariness is a steel mountain, unyielding to the will.
Hibiki's jaw sets, hands clutching so tight along the armrests that the sounds of cracking wood causes Nodoka to Jump. He quells the volatile conflagration of turbulent emotions, reserving the unceasing wave till later; as if saddling a behemoth. "But you said that-"
"I said that you had best hope it was," His breathing is labored, his eyes closed again. Slowly he seems to come back to life, his hand stroking something tucked in his gi. "The only good news I have is that it isn't attached to the boy directly, it isn't trying to occupy him."
There is a thinly spread tension which is beginning to slip away, some promise of hope in the eyes of Nodoka and Genma. She rises, her sapphire eyes framed with fresh tears; not dry as of yet.
"There is more to the story," Happosai rises slowly from one foot to two, leaning heavily on the wall. It has been ages since he felt his ages, and he had hoped it would never settle into his bones quite like it has tonight. "There is a- Presence inside of Ranma. A spirit. From what I can sense, it is fending off whatever is primarily responsible for all of this."
Genma's eyes reflect fear and uncertainty, his brow furrowing in recollection of the strange robed figure that tormented him as of late. His eyes connected with his wife's and he found his own eyes stinging with unshed tears. He turned his face away from her, looking again to the master. He wondered if Nodoka felt her shame yet, or if he was alone in his guilt.
"There is worse news as well," Happosai feels a coldness, a strange feeling of fate careening towards him finally. As if his time is finally drawing shorter. He draws deeply from his pipe, focusing his mind with the Sevenfold path of inner harmony. "All it seems to want is Ranma dead, and it's more than capable of doing little old me in."
Happosai watched quietly as the smoke he puffed out mingled and mixed with the incense drifting around the room. He remembers a time in his youth when he looked up at the moon and thought it was a great peach hung upon the sky, his mother's painted face, and how gracefully she danced. He feels so far away now, as if a breath long past exhaled whose flavor one cannot fully recall.
Ryouga rises, putting a hand upon Nodoka's shoulder as he gently positions her out of his path. In smooth, unflinching strides he moves to the bed. He feels the arms of those around him, Nodoka's, Genma's as he pulls Ranma into his arms. His eyes flash as he draws from the well of sorrows, letting his soul ripen with the soul-crushing pressure of all the grief, the rage, the loneliness which he had stood toe to toe with him throughout his life. "Try me on for size, Demon!" He yells at nothing, at everything, clutching Ranma to his chest as he lets it all explode outward.
"You idiot boy!!" Happosai cries out as Genma pulls Nodoka from Ryouga. For a brief moment his Ki expands rapidly, the Shishi Hokodan gleaming darkly to the visible eye before it rapidly implodes upon Ryouga, the serpentine whisps crowding around both Ryouga and Ranma with an eager tenacity before fading again from view.
Ryouga first feels the rising anguish envelop him, the numb heat emenating from his body as it had many times before. Rising and expanding like an unceasing torrent of negative emotions.
Then, with even more suddenness, he feels himself being snuffed out like a human candle; a dreadfully ancient and abiding stillness crushing in about him. He has not even a moment to scream before he feels a strange pulling sensation.
As if being plucked out of damnation by a fishing line. For a brief moment he saw his own body before his mind began to blur…
The concussion from the act causes the windows to shatter violently inward, glass flying throughout the room as the loud smattering of Rain is heard through the muffled ringing in all of their ears.
Nodoka looks at Happosai, who is bouncing, his eyes a red color as his weak aura flares with anger. She hears only a loud and persistent tone as the old Master's lips move.
"Idiot! Fool! If you knew that I could not withstand the dark thing, why would you even-!" He stops hopping like a mad toad as he sees Ryouga's eyes take on a deadened hue, his body collapsing like a ragdoll as his skull smashes through the nightstand. Ranma's inert form gives a whimper as it too collapses atop Ryouga; whose eyes stare silently at the ceiling.
Faster than one could blink, Tofu is at the Lost Boy's side, checking his Ki, his pulse before breathing some amount of relief. "Thank the gods he's not dead. Saotome-san, help me move them to the bed."
Nodoka looks at Tofu with some amount of concern, "But what about his head, Doctor?" She doesn't see blood, but such a collision couldn't have been good for the young boy. She briefly looks at Genma's stoic expression; a clear mask for whatever had been churning around in that pate of his. His arms around her protectively brings her to realization of how fast her heart is beating.
Tofu's eyes gaze through cracked lenses as he offers a hopeful smile, "I'm certain Hibiki-san is fine, Saotome-san. He has a very versatile brainpan from my experiences," Tofu grunts, trying to lift Ryouga's inert form as Genma lifts Ranma's and sets it gently back upon the bed.
He withdraws his arms, shivering as he notes how chilled his son's skin is. A deep physical revulsion at the contact that he cannot comprehend. He looks away, gritting his teeth as his eyes sting again. He would not weep. The time for tears has passed.
"Do you not mean durable, Tofu-san?" She inquires, noting that there didn't SEEM to be any harm to Ryouga's skull. At least from a cursory inspection.
"That too," There's a slight hint of mirth in the Doctor's voice as he removes his glasses, pulling a fresh Pair from a case on his belt and sliding them on. "Much better," He places two fingers on each of Ryouga's arm's, slightly above the elbow. "His Ki is being withdrawn as well, Happosai-san."
Happosai mutters beneath his breath, most of his muttering consisting of a string of rather vulgar derisions for the young Hibiki. Hopping back up on the bed, he proceeds to move around the two inert martial artists, again hemming as he tapped his chin.
Akane stands in the doorway, summoned by sound of the failed Shishi Houkodan. Her eyes widen at seeing Ryouga suddenly side by side with Ranma, a familiar vacant expression on his face. One she has seen quite recently, in Ranma's eyes. "Ryouga!" She rushes to the bedside, reaching out to touch Ryouga's hand before she recoils as Genma had done, shuddering visibly from head to toe. "What happened?! He was fine just a few minutes ago!"
"Akane-chan, can old Happi rest in your bosom for a moment?" His eyes were misted and weary. "Grampa is awfully tired," he isn't half lying, either. He's never looked his age so much as now.
Akane bristles, her hands clenching at her sides as she scowls at Happosai,"Now is REALLY not the time, you pervert! What happened to Ryouga?! Why is he suddenly like Ranma?!" There is a tremble in her voice, as glass straining under immense pressures in the deep sea. She is beginning to comprehend that whatever caused the situation to arise was not entirely the cause of its escalation.
Nodoka extricates herself from the oaken arms of her spouse, shaking hands trying to smooth her kimono while also picking bits of glass out of her hair, "Akane dear, calm down. The Master was just explaining to us all when Ryouga-"
"-When Ryouga decided to be foolish and go whole hog," Happosai finishes for Nodoka. "Idiot boy didn't even care that I had told him I couldn't handle whatever this is!"
"What was that noise, Auntie?" Kasumi stands outside the bedroom door, hand upon the frame as she leans upon it; she pokes her head in cautiously. Behind her; Ukyou, Shampoo, Akarii, Soun, Mousse and Nabiki listen intently.
"Ryouga, dear. He was being a bit too valiant for his own well being," She looks to the bed at the two, doing a double take as she looks at the window frame. She feels a tightness in her chest as she watches thick frost proceed to form upon the window frame.
For the span of ten minutes, the air is awash with voices trying to rise above eachother. Questions, anger, concern floating between all involved.
"Though the boy has the right idea. We can't just sit idly by and watch as both Ranma and Ryouga are devoured by whatever this is," Genma's voice is even, slow. Genma lowers his eyes to his son, brow wrinkling with worry. Hiroshi had been right, they were always so busy with blame that they often forgot what was important.
"Aha!" Happosai holds his pipe aloft before panting and leaning upon it, "Oof, shouldn't exert myself," he points from Ranma to Ryouga, "I see the same light in both of them, keeping whatever this is at bay somehow."
"Ryouga-kun?" Akarii's voice calls out as she tries to peak into the room through the crowded doorway. Her heart skips a beat as she sees Ryouga upon the bed, "Is- is he alright?" She finds herself holding her hands to her chest, feeling faint all of a sudden.
"Well, he's just as poor off as Ranma is… hrmm. Maybe not as bad, on the other hand. Resilient and stubborn seems to be a good combination in this case," Happosai slides off the bed, his feet pad quietly against the floorboards as he paces. "Could be Ranma was in a weakened state over the Miramoto boy's absence, emotional turmoil left him open to attack. Hmmm."
Tofuu shook himself out of his stupor, tearing his eyes from Kasumi as he looked at the bed again. "Mmm," he pushes faintly upon the bridge of his glasses as he closes his eyes. "Yes, I feel a connection. There's a fourth spirit involved in this. Ranma, Ryouga, this dark force, and this other subtle energy."
He raises his head, looking at Happosai and then back at the women in the doorway. His eyes do not cloud as he looks over Kasumi. "I need you all to come into the room. Kasumi-san- d-d-d-do you remember th-th-the Shinzou Fujamiya book which you borrowed from me?"
"Yes, the one about ancient Shibumi and Shintou rituals?" She looks thoughtful, nodding her head affirmatively as her eyes brightened a bit in realization, "Oh, do you mean the Ritual of the Seven Songs?" She shuffles into the room warily, shivering as her breath mists in midair. It was COLD all of a sudden.
"Do you think p-p-perhaps," He gritted his teeth, closing his eyes as his fingers twitched, wanting to cover his ears to try and keep the sweet sound of her voice from driving him mad, "Perhaps you might lead the others in the ritual?"
"Oh," Kasumi hugs herself, looking at everyone in turn. Her serene and detached cheeriness seems to fade as she begins to shiver, her eyes intent upon each face. She nods, a firm, assured nod. "I can."
Genma looks warily at Kasumi, "Tofu-san, what is this ritual? I've never heard about it before," he edged away from the window, snow crunching beneath his feet as he grips his gi. His skin felt numb, his own shoulders shaking. Why was it so damn cold?
"With all due respect, Saotome-san- It's a rather obscure book, and were you familiar with it, you have not been known in the past to read through things," Tofu offers a crestfallen expression at his frankness. He bows to Genma with the grace of a reed in the wind.
The good doctor turns to appraise the girls in the room, giving a supportive smile. "I realize that asking you to do this must be strange and unorthodox, girls. This is all we have right now, and it might give us some time to figure out a something better. It's not a fix, but it's a solution."
The girls exchange glances with each other, noting the determination in the eyes of the others. Nabiki turns her eyes to Tofu, "I don't think you'll be finding any of us opting out, Tofu."
Akarii's hand brushes Akane's, her fingers curl about Akane's as she squeezes supportively.
"I know it has been hard, but it will be alright, Akane-san… I know it will," Her eyes gleam with assurance and fierce resolve. There is no doubt in her heart that both Ryouga and Ranma would be fine.
Akane stares at the girl, conflict evident in her expression. She wanted to believe Akarii, after all there had been so many times when Ranma was in trouble and came through unscathed. Somehow, she felt this would be different somehow. "I hope you're right, Akarii-san."
"Hmmm, that might buy us some time, Tofu-san. Nice to see someone's been studying the problem while I was gone," Happosai feels a begrudging respect for the young Doctor; in the brief experiences he had with young Tofu he had proven to be a competent professional. What Happosai doesn't feel all that well was his fingers.
"I haven't, actually. I had been looking for other solutions to Ranma's loss of Ki. I must confess that I was just as much in the dark about the supernatural nature of this as everyone else," Tofu lifted his glasses, rubbing at his eyes. When was the last time he had slept?
Tofuu turns his attention to indicating where each girl will sit before he straightened. "The Ritual of the Seven Songs; there is a story about seven daughters that forbade the winter ghost of hate from entering into a temple to devour the children using a binding magic of song. It may help in this case," He coughed, lowering his gaze to the ancient Master, "Of course, the men must leave the room."
Soun Tendou's eyes widened, after what had happened with the Hibiki boy, he wasn't sure he wanted all of his daughters alone in the room with whatever this was. "WHAT!? Tofuu-san, What about Kasumi? She isn't trained for this sort of-" Soun's expression hung for a moment as he caught the eyes of his eldest daughter.
Tofu raises his hands in appeasement, noting the tumultuous demeanor of Soun as well as the reservations of the others. "I trust Kasumi when she says she can do something, she has taken care of us all in the past, and would not make an empty promise were she not certain she was up to the task. I also know she's more familiar with this book than I am, though I own it."
Her face is changed. A mere hour before, there was uncertainty and guilt, concern over what harm she may have done. The book which Tofu had mentioned she had borrowed almost religiously over the years, completely engrossed in the nature and artistry of ancient Shinto.
"Do not worry, Father. I am prepared, and I know what to do in this case. You need not worry for us, I will make sure nothing bad happens," She gave that familiar smile, as determination seemed to spark in her eyes. She had failed Ranma once, she would not again. She would protect them both from harm.
Nodoka raises a delicate hand as the young doctor starts pulling Genma towards the door, "Tofu-san, you said there were seven girls in this ritual, I see only Six," Her eyes move to her hands as she begins to count, "Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi, Shampoo, Ukyou and Akarii," She looked at each girl, noting that the fear which had been gripping them over Ranma's plight seemed to have all but vanished.
Tofu pauses to turn and look at Nodoka, "Saotome-san," He is still a moment, mute as the reflection of the full moon upon a lake. "While it may be- ur- unorthodox, you were the Daughter of your mother, and you will have to suffice for the seventh."
"I see," She looks to the Tendou daughters, finding the eyes of the middle daughter locked firmly upon her. "Yes, well… if this is what it takes to spare my son's life, then I shall do so," She purses her lips, looking away from Nabiki to the still body of her once vibrant child.
Tofu pauses at the doorway, looking back at the women in Saotome Ranma's life. He cannot help but feel that fate had led them here, tied to the maddening chaos of Nerima Ward and Ranma's life itself. He meets eyes with Kasumi again, feeling that need to let go and go mad himself, those soulful eyes that seemed to cause his brain to melt. "Kasumi, be careful. It will probably try to interfere. Stay focused."
Kasumi glides quietly to the bedside, the soft and tender skin on the back of her hand sliding across the cheeks of both Ryouga and Ranma. She feels the cold revulsion, putting it aside of herself as she smiles, "All will be alright," She says quietly. She sees the corner of Ranma's lips, the faint hint of a smile even though he is still deeply troubled.
Kasumi reaches upwards, grasping the comb in her hair and removing it, her brown tresses falling in a feathery frame around her face. Fingers tangle, grasp, twist as she fastens her hair back in a French braid before pulling some string from her apron and tying off the end. Her expression changes as she straightens, looking at her sisters. "We will begin now. I will tell each of you what to sing, and when to. Please do not forget."
A shiver runs down the spines of those present. There is a tone of command in Kasumi's voice, of unwavering security. The gentility of it has not vanished, but there is a strength in her voice now that had never been directed at any of them before.
"Are you all ready?" The eldest Tendou daughter asks, favoring each with her eyes at least once.
The answer came at once and in Unison.
"Hai."