Author's Note: The 365 Project is an experimental multi-fandom project to write and post at least one short every day for the next year, not including my semi-regular bi-weekly updates. For more details, see the relevent section in my profile. This is The 365 Project, 4 July.

In the immortal words of Samuel L. Clemens... "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR."

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the creation of Rumiko Takahashi and "The Shadow" of Smith & Street Publications, as written by 'Maxwell Grant', each being used for entertainment purposes without permission or intent to profit.

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"Shadows of Men and of Horses"
'On Darkness' Trail'
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'

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The cloaked figure with the scarf wrapped around his lower face sighed, the secret truth was he didn't like having to do things like this, he didn't like having to be a violent and cruel person... unfortunately, too often the only way to defeat monsters was by becoming a greater monster, one they would fear and cower before...

"A name, Yakushi," the cloaked figure repeated firmly, his rocklike demeanor a sharp contrast to the panicked fear of the man he was holding over the edge of the rooftop, "Give me a name."

"Sakata!" the man named Yakushi spat out, trying not to look behind or below him where there was nothing more than empty air for too far for his comfort, "Sakata Enterprises - they're a big shot with Sakata Enterprises, that's all I know, I swear!"

The cloaked figure slowly shook his head, "Why don't I believe you, Yakushi?"

"I'm telling you the truth!" Yakushi tried not to whimper in fear, he hated heights to begin with and now this.

"Prove it!" The figure demanded.

"Hinata Springs," Yakushi answered, "There's a lot of talk about Hinata Springs! And that's all I know! I swear by the kamis!"

"By the spirits?" The figure laughed coldly, mockingly, "How can you swear by something you don't even believe in, Yakushi?"

Yakushi gulped audibly, he'd hoped that this shadowy figure wouldn't figure out that his oath had no real basis.

"I'll give you one last chance, Yakushi," the figure offered, "What do you know about Tendo?"

"Ten-Tendo?" Yakushi stammered, "Who's that?"

The figure loosened their grip on Yakushi, enough so that the man could feel it, "My hand's getting tired, Yakushi..."

"Tendo's some kind of amatuer that thinks she's a boss," Yakushi rattled off, "She's been trying to move in on some of the local numbers and bookmaking acts. The bosses sent her a warning a couple weeks ago, but it looks like she's ignoring it, so they're planning on sending her a message two nights from tonight."

"It's amazing how much you know with the proper motivation, Yakushi," the shadowy figure taunted.

"Does this mean you're gonna let me go now?"

"You could say that. One more thing, Yakushi... I hate it when people lie to me," The figure informed him before releasing him into the empty air. Yakushi began screaming until he was cut off by the sudden stop of his descent. The figure looked down, Yakushi had only fallen about three meters to land on the penthouse's balcony, the worst injury he had was a broken leg and the facts that he'd passed out and lost control of himself in fright.

"Don't worry, Yakushi," the figure commented to the unconscious form below him, "I understand the prison system has a great health plan."