"The Dark Earth Realm" A Truce
Lady Rinehart
************************************************
Ranma watched in interest as the girl struggled against the chain and
guards. She looked like a tiger, caged and out of place among
different animals. She jerked hard again, forcing one of the guards
to smash into the wall. Ranma laughed. The girl glared.
"I'll take it from here, men." Ranma said, glancing at the struggling
girl. Her eyes still held the determination from before, but they
also showed signs of tiredness and fatigue.
Ranma took the chains from the more than willing guards and hauled the
girl beside him. She grunted, and tried to break free. Unfortunately
for her, Ranma was stronger than both the guards were. He
reciprocated her pull. She fell forward and against him.
"I suggest," he started calmly, "that you remain still. I would hate
for your wrists to she bruised or cut." He said this was a large
amount of tenderness. The girl was almost shocked into believe any
man like *him* could care.
When he got no reply, other than a blank stare, Ranma continued his
journey to his chambers. The corridors were now lighted with candles
that gave an iridescent glow. Looking out the large framed windows,
Ranma saw the night sky. Black seemed to seep around like an inky sea
of darkness. There was no moon, for it had been destroyed the minute
Beryl came into power, and even at night, dark clouds circled the
earth, cutting the world off from the stars.
In this bleakness, small machines floated about, guarding and
surveying the area. Though no one on earth was fool enough to attack
Beryl's fortress, those from other worlds tried a lot. These attacks
were useless, for at night Beryl's castle was locked safely in a dome
of energy. Nothing got in, nothing got out.
Ranma paused at Ryoga's door, debating on whether or not he should
check on his friend. The girl Ryoga had picked looked very similar to
Ranma's choice. Though, Ryoga's girl had been dressed as a lady, not
a warrior.
That again surprised Ranma. He stole another look at his prisoner as
they began walking again. She, as Beryl had told him, had created
quite the mess in the eastern capital. She had defeated several
legions from Jedite's army and had begun to collect others to fight.
Though there were only two girls that were recognized as leaders,
there was over a hundred members of their cause. Ranma decided he
could use that to his advantage.
They reached his door soon, and he reached to unlock the codes and
spells he around his room. As they stepped in, a black cat with a
golden, crescent Moon jumped onto Ranma's shoulder. The girl jumped
slightly, straining against the chains. Ranma smiled a petted the
cat.
"This is only Luna." He gently stroked the cat's back as she purred.
The girl stared at the feline. "I know you've probably never seem a
cat before. Beryl got rid of all cats but two. She gave one to me
and another to Ryoga." The girl reached out and stroked the cat.
"You're not like the others?" The girl asked. Ranma tilted his head to
the side in confusion. He shut the door and paced to the bed,
dropping the chains in the process. The girl looked shocked.
"You're not going to hurt me?" She asked quietly. She was shocked
that anyone of Beryl's generals would let their slaves run around.
Ranma took the key he had attached to his wrist and handed it to her.
The girl looked even more shocked.
"No, I don't plan to hurt you." He smiled. "I don't plan to let you
go completely either." Even though Ranma had been raised to up hold
honor, he wanted to know this girl better. Shaming a woman in anyway
was unforgivable, or so he was taught. Beryl, of course, said
differently. That's why she gave gifts like *her*.
"Tell me your name." Ranma said sitting down on his bed. The girl had
sufficiently un-cuffed the irons around her wrists, letting the chains
hit the ground in a clatter. She rubbed her left wrist gently while
she paced over to a chair. She didn't want to be here but knew better
than to run from someone with so much power.
"Usagi." She replied hesitantly. Ranma smiled at her. She looked
very uncomfortable in the wooden chair she sat in, like it was going
to swallow her at any given moment. He decided to find out as much as
possible about the intriguing girl.
"I'm Ranma Saotome." He saw the girl's intake of breath and she jumped
to her feet. Her eyes were flashing wildly as she stepped behind the
chair. Ranma looked at her in confusion.
"You're the worst of the generals!" She accused. "You're Beryl's
first commander. I want to leave!" She was backing up frantically
and looking at Ranma with now frightened eyes. She had tried so hard
to be brave, for her family and friends, but being locked in a room
with one of the most powerful beings was intimidating. She pressed
her back to the wall as Ranma stood.
"I won't hurt you. I promise no harm will come to you." He stepped
closer, but stopped when she tried to press herself into the wall.
"I'm sorry. I don't know why really, but I'm sorry for making you
scarred. Please, talk with me."
"Talk?" Usagi's voice was almost hysterical as she found renewed
strength in her crazed state. "You just like all other men. You want
exactly what every man wants!"
"And what, pray tell, would take be?" Ranma inquired. He didn't
exactly know what this girl was talking about and was lost at her
accusations. Usagi's eyed the man before her and gulped. She knew
better than to trust anyone, especially someone who was so close to
Beryl. She was preparing to answer when a knock sounded on the doors.
Ranma grabbed her and threw her down on the bed. Usagi gave a squeal
of protest but was cut off by another voice.
"Ranma!" Ryoga's muffled voice came through the door. "Hello! I
wanted to talk to you." Ranma walked to the door and opened it.
Ryoga smiled warmly and stepped into the room. He pulled a blonde
girl through after himself. She looked quite uncomfortable, but she
wasn't struggling. Ranma shut the door.
Or would have if a hand hadn't stopped him.
"You boys don't mind if I come in, right?" Endymion asked silkily. He
didn't wait as he sidestepped Ryoga and walked toward Ranma's table.
He pulled a chair out.
"Get out, Endymion." Ranma growled. Endymion shrugged and glanced at
Usagi, who lay sprawled across the bed. Usagi stood from the bed.
"Well, she certainly is beautiful." Endymion said, looking over Usagi.
She glared at him from behind Ranma. She didn't like this man at all.
"If you can't use her, I can."
"Use her?" Ranma asked, for the first time giving Endymion the
pleasure of knowing more than he knows.
"Of course. She your new bed mate." Endymion said with a laugh. "Why
do you think Beryl gave you a slave girl?"
"I'm not like you." Ranma growled through clenched teeth. "She stays
with me."
"What ever you say." Endymion stood and looked around again. Ryoga
was still rooted in the same spot as before, just inside the room.
His 'companion' was trembling behind him. "I've got to run anyway.
You know how busy I can get." He laughed as if it was some private
joke. Tossing one more glance Usagi's way, he walked out of the room.
"Jerk." Ryoga whispered, closing the door. He smiled over at Ranma.
"How you liking your present?" Usagi sprang to life at this.
"He's not." Usagi said steeping in front of Ranma. "Is that all we
are to you…you… losers! Just someone one can bed and then throw
away!" She knew this wasn't the smartest thing to be saying to two of
the most powerful being on earth, but she was scarred, and she hated
being scared.
"You've got us mistaken with Endymion." Ryoga replied. "We don't take
advantage of girls." As to prove his point, the girl behind him
slipped around, the chains dropping to the ground. She smiled at
Usagi.
"I'm Minako." She whispered softly. Usagi blinked. "They're not as
bad as you think. Just listen to them." She reached out and took
Usagi's hand. She gave it a squeeze. Usagi didn't know why, but she
believed the carbon copy of herself. It might have been the look in
the other girl's eyes or the way she radiated with friendliness, but
she trusted this girl. Usagi sighed and sat back down on the bed.
"Alright."
************************************************
It was strange, Ranma concluded, talking to this girl. They, as in
Ryoga, Usagi, Minako and himself, had been seating in this room
forming a truce. It didn't tale long for Minako to believe that he
and Ryoga wanted to take Beryl down, but it took Usagi sometime.
They'd gone through many stories as to why they hated Beryl.
Ryoga's reason was simple. Beryl had killed the girl he loved. Wiped
her out with a single blow. The girl, as Ryoga had said, was
beautiful in every way. She had been a great material artist and had
owned her own dojo. Beryl killed her because the girl, Akane, had
been secretly teaching and leading people to oppose the dark queen.
One of Beryl's spies had found out and Beryl killed her. There was no
time for good byes and Ryoga was determined to make Beryl pay. He'd
been working to get on her good side for a sneak attack.
Minako had always had a grudge against Beryl for taking away her
brother, Duo. Minako said that her brother used to be the most fun
loving and carefree guy around. Beryl had selected him along with
some other boys to become bodyguards for her. Her brother was now
known as Shinigami, a ruthless killer that obeyed Beryl's every
command.
When it became Usagi's turn, she refused to tell her story. "All you
need to know is, I don't like Beryl." And that was all she said.
Ranma refused also.
"I told my story." Ryoga grumbled as he and Minako left. Minako waved
at Usagi once before she left. Ranma sighed as he leaned against the
door. Usagi was looking at him strangely.
"Is it painful?" She asked softly. Ranma, knowing what she meant,
stepped over to her. He looked down at her.
"Very." He whispered bask. She stood, not knowing what pushing her to
do it, placed her arms around him. She hugged him reassuringly. "I
want her to pay… for her to suffer." He mumbled as his head dropped to
her shoulder. Usagi continued to hold him, her hand rubbing gently on
his back.
"I'll try to help." She said. "I still don't trust you too much, but
I'll help." Ranma smiled into her shoulder. "We both need rest."
Ranma pulled away from her.
"There's only one bed." Ranma replied. He began to pull off his
shirt. Usagi blushed brightly. "It fairly large and I don't mind
sharing it." At Usagi look, he continued. "I promise I won't touch."
He pulled his pants down to reveal black boxers. He pushed the
blankets down and got in the bed. Usagi stared at him a moment before
sighing.
"You don't have a shirt I can borrow?" She seemed to be suddenly aware
of how bare she was and she'd didn't want to get in a bed with this
very attractive man with only bits and piece of her uniform covering
her. Ranma rolled over.
"Dresser." Usagi turned and opened the dresser. Inside were many
leather outfits and she rambled through until she found a black slick
shirt. She pulled it over her head. It reached about mid thigh and
the sleeves went past her hands. She paced back to the bed and
climbed in.
"Good night, Usagi."
"You too."
************************************************
Not much, but I promise the next chapter out VERY soon.
Lady Rinehart
Lady Rinehart
************************************************
Ranma watched in interest as the girl struggled against the chain and
guards. She looked like a tiger, caged and out of place among
different animals. She jerked hard again, forcing one of the guards
to smash into the wall. Ranma laughed. The girl glared.
"I'll take it from here, men." Ranma said, glancing at the struggling
girl. Her eyes still held the determination from before, but they
also showed signs of tiredness and fatigue.
Ranma took the chains from the more than willing guards and hauled the
girl beside him. She grunted, and tried to break free. Unfortunately
for her, Ranma was stronger than both the guards were. He
reciprocated her pull. She fell forward and against him.
"I suggest," he started calmly, "that you remain still. I would hate
for your wrists to she bruised or cut." He said this was a large
amount of tenderness. The girl was almost shocked into believe any
man like *him* could care.
When he got no reply, other than a blank stare, Ranma continued his
journey to his chambers. The corridors were now lighted with candles
that gave an iridescent glow. Looking out the large framed windows,
Ranma saw the night sky. Black seemed to seep around like an inky sea
of darkness. There was no moon, for it had been destroyed the minute
Beryl came into power, and even at night, dark clouds circled the
earth, cutting the world off from the stars.
In this bleakness, small machines floated about, guarding and
surveying the area. Though no one on earth was fool enough to attack
Beryl's fortress, those from other worlds tried a lot. These attacks
were useless, for at night Beryl's castle was locked safely in a dome
of energy. Nothing got in, nothing got out.
Ranma paused at Ryoga's door, debating on whether or not he should
check on his friend. The girl Ryoga had picked looked very similar to
Ranma's choice. Though, Ryoga's girl had been dressed as a lady, not
a warrior.
That again surprised Ranma. He stole another look at his prisoner as
they began walking again. She, as Beryl had told him, had created
quite the mess in the eastern capital. She had defeated several
legions from Jedite's army and had begun to collect others to fight.
Though there were only two girls that were recognized as leaders,
there was over a hundred members of their cause. Ranma decided he
could use that to his advantage.
They reached his door soon, and he reached to unlock the codes and
spells he around his room. As they stepped in, a black cat with a
golden, crescent Moon jumped onto Ranma's shoulder. The girl jumped
slightly, straining against the chains. Ranma smiled a petted the
cat.
"This is only Luna." He gently stroked the cat's back as she purred.
The girl stared at the feline. "I know you've probably never seem a
cat before. Beryl got rid of all cats but two. She gave one to me
and another to Ryoga." The girl reached out and stroked the cat.
"You're not like the others?" The girl asked. Ranma tilted his head to
the side in confusion. He shut the door and paced to the bed,
dropping the chains in the process. The girl looked shocked.
"You're not going to hurt me?" She asked quietly. She was shocked
that anyone of Beryl's generals would let their slaves run around.
Ranma took the key he had attached to his wrist and handed it to her.
The girl looked even more shocked.
"No, I don't plan to hurt you." He smiled. "I don't plan to let you
go completely either." Even though Ranma had been raised to up hold
honor, he wanted to know this girl better. Shaming a woman in anyway
was unforgivable, or so he was taught. Beryl, of course, said
differently. That's why she gave gifts like *her*.
"Tell me your name." Ranma said sitting down on his bed. The girl had
sufficiently un-cuffed the irons around her wrists, letting the chains
hit the ground in a clatter. She rubbed her left wrist gently while
she paced over to a chair. She didn't want to be here but knew better
than to run from someone with so much power.
"Usagi." She replied hesitantly. Ranma smiled at her. She looked
very uncomfortable in the wooden chair she sat in, like it was going
to swallow her at any given moment. He decided to find out as much as
possible about the intriguing girl.
"I'm Ranma Saotome." He saw the girl's intake of breath and she jumped
to her feet. Her eyes were flashing wildly as she stepped behind the
chair. Ranma looked at her in confusion.
"You're the worst of the generals!" She accused. "You're Beryl's
first commander. I want to leave!" She was backing up frantically
and looking at Ranma with now frightened eyes. She had tried so hard
to be brave, for her family and friends, but being locked in a room
with one of the most powerful beings was intimidating. She pressed
her back to the wall as Ranma stood.
"I won't hurt you. I promise no harm will come to you." He stepped
closer, but stopped when she tried to press herself into the wall.
"I'm sorry. I don't know why really, but I'm sorry for making you
scarred. Please, talk with me."
"Talk?" Usagi's voice was almost hysterical as she found renewed
strength in her crazed state. "You just like all other men. You want
exactly what every man wants!"
"And what, pray tell, would take be?" Ranma inquired. He didn't
exactly know what this girl was talking about and was lost at her
accusations. Usagi's eyed the man before her and gulped. She knew
better than to trust anyone, especially someone who was so close to
Beryl. She was preparing to answer when a knock sounded on the doors.
Ranma grabbed her and threw her down on the bed. Usagi gave a squeal
of protest but was cut off by another voice.
"Ranma!" Ryoga's muffled voice came through the door. "Hello! I
wanted to talk to you." Ranma walked to the door and opened it.
Ryoga smiled warmly and stepped into the room. He pulled a blonde
girl through after himself. She looked quite uncomfortable, but she
wasn't struggling. Ranma shut the door.
Or would have if a hand hadn't stopped him.
"You boys don't mind if I come in, right?" Endymion asked silkily. He
didn't wait as he sidestepped Ryoga and walked toward Ranma's table.
He pulled a chair out.
"Get out, Endymion." Ranma growled. Endymion shrugged and glanced at
Usagi, who lay sprawled across the bed. Usagi stood from the bed.
"Well, she certainly is beautiful." Endymion said, looking over Usagi.
She glared at him from behind Ranma. She didn't like this man at all.
"If you can't use her, I can."
"Use her?" Ranma asked, for the first time giving Endymion the
pleasure of knowing more than he knows.
"Of course. She your new bed mate." Endymion said with a laugh. "Why
do you think Beryl gave you a slave girl?"
"I'm not like you." Ranma growled through clenched teeth. "She stays
with me."
"What ever you say." Endymion stood and looked around again. Ryoga
was still rooted in the same spot as before, just inside the room.
His 'companion' was trembling behind him. "I've got to run anyway.
You know how busy I can get." He laughed as if it was some private
joke. Tossing one more glance Usagi's way, he walked out of the room.
"Jerk." Ryoga whispered, closing the door. He smiled over at Ranma.
"How you liking your present?" Usagi sprang to life at this.
"He's not." Usagi said steeping in front of Ranma. "Is that all we
are to you…you… losers! Just someone one can bed and then throw
away!" She knew this wasn't the smartest thing to be saying to two of
the most powerful being on earth, but she was scarred, and she hated
being scared.
"You've got us mistaken with Endymion." Ryoga replied. "We don't take
advantage of girls." As to prove his point, the girl behind him
slipped around, the chains dropping to the ground. She smiled at
Usagi.
"I'm Minako." She whispered softly. Usagi blinked. "They're not as
bad as you think. Just listen to them." She reached out and took
Usagi's hand. She gave it a squeeze. Usagi didn't know why, but she
believed the carbon copy of herself. It might have been the look in
the other girl's eyes or the way she radiated with friendliness, but
she trusted this girl. Usagi sighed and sat back down on the bed.
"Alright."
************************************************
It was strange, Ranma concluded, talking to this girl. They, as in
Ryoga, Usagi, Minako and himself, had been seating in this room
forming a truce. It didn't tale long for Minako to believe that he
and Ryoga wanted to take Beryl down, but it took Usagi sometime.
They'd gone through many stories as to why they hated Beryl.
Ryoga's reason was simple. Beryl had killed the girl he loved. Wiped
her out with a single blow. The girl, as Ryoga had said, was
beautiful in every way. She had been a great material artist and had
owned her own dojo. Beryl killed her because the girl, Akane, had
been secretly teaching and leading people to oppose the dark queen.
One of Beryl's spies had found out and Beryl killed her. There was no
time for good byes and Ryoga was determined to make Beryl pay. He'd
been working to get on her good side for a sneak attack.
Minako had always had a grudge against Beryl for taking away her
brother, Duo. Minako said that her brother used to be the most fun
loving and carefree guy around. Beryl had selected him along with
some other boys to become bodyguards for her. Her brother was now
known as Shinigami, a ruthless killer that obeyed Beryl's every
command.
When it became Usagi's turn, she refused to tell her story. "All you
need to know is, I don't like Beryl." And that was all she said.
Ranma refused also.
"I told my story." Ryoga grumbled as he and Minako left. Minako waved
at Usagi once before she left. Ranma sighed as he leaned against the
door. Usagi was looking at him strangely.
"Is it painful?" She asked softly. Ranma, knowing what she meant,
stepped over to her. He looked down at her.
"Very." He whispered bask. She stood, not knowing what pushing her to
do it, placed her arms around him. She hugged him reassuringly. "I
want her to pay… for her to suffer." He mumbled as his head dropped to
her shoulder. Usagi continued to hold him, her hand rubbing gently on
his back.
"I'll try to help." She said. "I still don't trust you too much, but
I'll help." Ranma smiled into her shoulder. "We both need rest."
Ranma pulled away from her.
"There's only one bed." Ranma replied. He began to pull off his
shirt. Usagi blushed brightly. "It fairly large and I don't mind
sharing it." At Usagi look, he continued. "I promise I won't touch."
He pulled his pants down to reveal black boxers. He pushed the
blankets down and got in the bed. Usagi stared at him a moment before
sighing.
"You don't have a shirt I can borrow?" She seemed to be suddenly aware
of how bare she was and she'd didn't want to get in a bed with this
very attractive man with only bits and piece of her uniform covering
her. Ranma rolled over.
"Dresser." Usagi turned and opened the dresser. Inside were many
leather outfits and she rambled through until she found a black slick
shirt. She pulled it over her head. It reached about mid thigh and
the sleeves went past her hands. She paced back to the bed and
climbed in.
"Good night, Usagi."
"You too."
************************************************
Not much, but I promise the next chapter out VERY soon.
Lady Rinehart