CRYSTAL TEARS
Chapter 7
*****
To say that Nabiki fell off her log and Ukyo and Mousse face-vaulted when
Akane arrived to the camp site in the morning with Ranma, was an understatement.
"Ran-chan!" Ukyo was the first to respond, hugging Ranma in a hug that put Shampoo's
best 'glomps' to shame. "You're okay! Oh, thank God!"
Ranma, turning blue from lack of oxygen, spoke. "Please, let go of me... can't...
breathe..."
Ukyo looked at Ranma and let go, laughing as he coughed and brought air back into
his lungs.
"I'm sorry Ran-chan. I- just so glad you're here!"
Ranma stared back, a vacant look in his eyes. Ukyo didn't seem to notice.
"Well, I have to hand it to you sis," said Nabiki as she got up and walked towards
them. "I don't want to know how you did it, but you did." She smiled at Ranma,
who shyly smiled back.
Mousse, on the other hand, did notice Ranma's behavior. *Could it be he does not
remember?*
"Ranma, what is my name?" asked Mousse.
Ukyo and Nabiki looked at him in awe.
"What kind of a stupid question is that?" stated Nabiki.
"I...Um..."
They all looked at Ranma.
"I am sorry, but I don't know."
Nabiki peered at Ranma intently. "Are you playing with us?"
"I'm afraid I'm not. You all look familiar, but I can't remember correctly."
Mousse sighed. "It is just as I had feared."
Mousse sat down; everyone else did, with Ukyo hugging Ranma's left arm and Akane his
right.
"Cologne has used the Manipulation powder on him."
"What!?" yelled Ukyo.
"She must have thought she did not have time to convince him by any conventional
methods. By using this, she can make the person lose all recolection of their past,
and also, to be able to mold them into what she wishes.
"What I am saying is, is that Ranma has lost all his memories."
Ukyo looked shocked; Nabiki looked at Ranma, trying to see if it was true. Akane
just sighed, hugging on to Ranma's arm even harder.
"No way, that's not true. You remember me, don't you, Ran-chan?"
Ranma looked at Ukyo, sighed and shook his head.
"Oh, Ran-chan..."
"Well, so what do we do now?" asked Nabiki.
"Well," Akane started. "We should really go home."
Mousse, Ukyo and Nabiki looked at her.
"You do realize, sis, if we leave, he WILL stay like that." Nabiki's tone dared
Akane to say otherwise.
"I know, but the only way for him to remember is through Cologne. And I can honestly
say I doubt she will help."
"Getting to that; how did you get out of the village? After what happened yesterday,
I'm surprised you even got out of where-ever you were," said Nabiki.
Ranma sighed. "Shampoo..."
Mousse looked at the ground.
"After you guys attacked yesterday, Cologne put me to sleep, since I was in pain
over something. I don't know what. When I came to, Shampoo was with me in her home.
She told me that I had to go, go back home, and said not to worry, she would handle
Cologne."
Mousse sighed.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go back home!" said Ukyo.
"Ranma..." started Mousse. "She said that? She would handle Cologne?"
Ranma sighed and nodded. "I know what you are trying to say. I know what she will be
facing. That is why," he began. He stood, getting out of the girls' grips. "...we must
get her out."
Ukyo stared, transfixed. "Are you crazy!? She was the one who brought you here! She was
the one who drugged you! How can you be thinking of saving her!?"
"Listen to me. I really don't care what you think. Among all those strangers, she
was the only one who cared for me. I could see it in her eyes. And I won't stand
idly by and watch her get killed!"
Ukyo recoiled at his verbal assault.
Nabiki looked at Ranma. "It seems you have made up your mind about this. Is there anything
we can do to help?"
"I appreciate your offer, but no. You all are most likely to get caught. I will go
alone. I know my way better around the village. I can be in and out with her in
less than five minutes."
Akane sniffled a little. It was obvious they had discussed this the night before.
"Well then," said Nabiki as she stood. "You better get going, lover-boy. I'm betting
they'll notice your absence pretty soon, and then things will get just a little too hot,
even for you."
Ranma smiled and nodded. He gave his hand to Akane, who took it and stood. They kissed
softly for a few moments.
Ukyo's mouth hung open as Ranma and Akane kissed. Her first reaction was to smash Ranma,
but in the back recesses of her mind, she knew it couldn't be helped. If he didn't
remember he, and they were kissing; the one thing she was sure of in life was that
emotions never die. She just sighed and smiled at them.
Ranma broke the kiss, looked into Akane's eyes and said nothing. He kissed her forehead
and ran off into the forest. Akane watched him leave. Her shoulders sagged as she sighed.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Nabiki. Everyone looked at her. "He's gonna
need some help, so we better get going."
"Nabiki, he just said..."
"I know what he said, sis. Trust me, I know about these kind of things. He is most likely
walking into a trap."
"What!? Then we have to warn him!" said Ukyo.
"I don't think any of us can run as fast as he can, so that would just be a waist
of time. What we can do is what was planned originally."
"Nabiki?" said Akane.
Nabiki put her hands on her sister's shoulders. "I know it's risky, but it's the only
way we can be sure that old crone won't bother us anymore." She pulled a note from
her pocket. "You know what to do, sis. We'll be right there if anything happens."
Akane looked at the note, then at Nabiki; at Ukyo and Mousse. She knew this was very
dangerous, but if all went as planned, Cologne would not be a threat anymore.
*****
Ranma moved quietly and swiftly through trees and bushes, making less noise than a field
mouse. He evaded all guards, which were practically surrounding the entire village.
After a near catch, he managed to to secure a nice spot in front of Shampoo's house;
a window was open. One quick leap in and out and they would both be fine. He only
hoped she was home.
With lightning speed, he jumped into the open window. A guard heard some rustling noises,
looked around and hunched her shoulders, returning to her patrol.
Ranma landed neatly on Shampoo's bed. He stood up and dusted his shoulders.
"Shampoo?" he whispered. No answer in the room.
He left the bedroom and looked around the living room. Nothing. He heard some
faint noises in the kitchen, so he headed there.
He stood at the door, watching Shampoo. She was scrubbing dry a bowl, a vacant look
on her face. Her eyes were puffy; she had been crying still.
"Shampoo..."
Shampoo jumped and caught the bowl in the air, turning to look at him.
"Ranma?"
He took a step inside. "Hey..."
Shampoo's mouth hung open, but she put the bowl down and approached him. She stood in
front of him. "What you do here? I say to leave!"
"I'm not gonna leave you."
"I say leave! It no safe here! Great-Grandmother come soon to look for you. If she find,
I- Shampoo don't know..." Her eyes cast downward as she felt a blush creeping on her
cheeks. "Shampoo no want Ranma to hurt. You leave now so you safe. I handle amazons."
Ranma put his hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me, Shampoo."
She looked him straight in the eye.
"I know it was you who brought me here."
Shampoo paled. "Ranma, Shampoo is..."
"Don't apologize, just listen. I still can't remember."
"Shampoo know. Only Great-Grandmother have cure..."
"Quit interrupting. I don't remember, but it doesn't matter. I'm gonna live in the present,
not in the past...
"I found that Akane yesterday."
Shampoo's heart broke.
"She told me all the things I didn't know. I- I think I love her."
A single tear slid down her cheek.
"I know this hurts, 'cause I know how you feel for me. But ya gotta understand, I CAN'T
leave you here."
Shampoo smiled.
"I know what's gonna happen to you, and I won't live with the thought that you died
here for just me."
He smiled and grabbed her hand, giving it a light squeeze. She nodded.
"I go. I go and live."
"Great. Now, let's go, the others are waiting."
Ranma led Shampoo to the window he had used to get in. He peeked outside, and was relieved
to find no guards around. He jumped out, leading Shampoo.
"I never know about this place..." she said as Ranma led them down the trail Akane
had told him she used.
"Yeah, I know. This is a 'sacred' trail, so it's pretty much safe."
"You insolent child!"
Shampoo glomped Ranma in surprise; Ranma stopped dead in his tracks.
Cologne materialized from the dense bushes ahead, along with a plethora of guards that
came from all directions.
The old crone stared at them. "I care for you, raise and teach you, and this is how
you repay me!? By letting the fruit of our work go!?"
"Ranma is not property! He is human! He has the right to live the life he chooses!
It has taken me a long time to accept this, but I did! Why can't you!? Why do
you continue to be blind!?"
Ranma kept quiet. They were speaking in chinese, but he understood some of it.
"I will not tolerate this." Her voice was cold. "The amazons are to be feared. Letting
him go would just be proof thta we are becoming weak. I will never allow ANYONE to
belitte us. If it at his cost, so be it!"
"I will NOT let you take him! He has decided he will go home, where he belongs!"
She took a step forward, making some guards take a step back. "I will make sure
he gets home, away from you."
"Are you challenging me, Shampoo?"
"Yes. I challenge you. I challenge your judgement as an elder. You have been corrupted
with your own power, so you are unfit for an elders' seat. It is time you retire.
Time you dedicate yourself to telling stories and playing with children. It is time
for a better suited amazon take your seat!" She finished off as she dropped into
her ready stance.
Cologne glared at her, but laughed. "I tire of this. I do not have time; we must
attemd a wedding, after all."
"There will be no wedding," said Ranma as he too assumned his stance beside Shampoo.
"Ah, I see you two are serious. Do not think I am unprepared. I was expecting someone
to bring you out, son-in-law, since the very beggining. I knew you would use this
trail, so I have prepared." She snapped her fingers. A small burst came from their
feet, covering them in a cloud of dust. They both coughed, but eventually
collapsed on the floor.
"Well, that is all," she said as she came near them. She pressed points on both their
necks and backs. When she was finished, she said, "Take them to my chambers. They will
come to within nightime. We shall perform the ceremony then."
Some guards picked up Ranma and Shampoo, carrying them back to the village. As they
left, a lone guard rushed up from the trail to her. "Elder Cologne," she said as
she kneeled.
"Yes?"
"The council requests your immediate presence."
Cologne nodded and hopped off, leaving all guards to their duties.
*No one challenges the amazons. We always get what we want.*
*****
Cologne was seated in the elders chambers, awaiting the other members. The chambers
was the largest house in the entire village; like a mansion really. It also
had all sorts of decorations, acquired during the early years of settlement.
Cologne was broken out of her meditation as the main doors opened. Four elderly
women stepped inside. For the most part, they were young compared to Cologne.
The oldest matched half her own age, the second by 200 and so on. The youngest
was a woman who seemes to be about 90, but was in incredible shape. They
were also the best warriors.
"Cologne, it is good to see you."
"It has been a long time since our last convene, Mei."
"We have a matter to discuss," said Mei as she sat. Mei was the youngest of the
elders. They all sat down with her. "This was sent to us." She slipped a letter
to Cologne.
Opening the letter, she read the perfect chinese. "It is a letter of challenge."
"Which also requests OUR presence. You know we do not come together unless something
important is to be discussed, so we would like to know why this is. We feel you
know."
Cologne was agast. *It must have been that Tendo girl. I will make her pay!*
"I know not the meaning of this."
"This is serious. To challenge an elder is not a small matter, especially when we
are to meet in the outskirts of the village on the same day."
"Cologne, you know what our laws are. If we discover something wrong, you know
what the punishment is."
Cologne nodded slowly. They were clever little children.
"And it seems they have requested the presence of Shampoo and Ranma. May we ask why?"
"I am not sure why, Mei." *Darn children! The potion is not fully activated yet!
I must be careful.*
"Well, we leave within five hours. The place is less than five miles away. It is near
the Meditation grounds. We shall meet there."
With that, they all stood and left the room.
Cologne sighed. *All is still not lost. I will merely have to dispatch the Tendo and
here friends. Then, all will be most easy to get Ranma and Shampoo to marry. For now
though, I must do something else.*
She smiled and left the hall. She hopped around the village, until she got to her
home. She went inside and found Ranma and Shampoo on two separate futons in the
living room. Both were sound asleep.
Cologne smiled as she pulled a small bag from her clothes. She took out some of
it's contents. It was small morsels of special bread, baked with some of her
Manipulation powder. It had been altered for special instances.
She placed some of the bread in each of their mouths.
"Now, Ranma, Shampoo, you will do as I say." Both of them were unresponsive still.
"You shall follow my lead and do whatever I say. You will act as if you were married.
You will hold each other at all times. Then, if necessary, you will do as instructed."
Both young people slept on, oblivious to her presence.
*Well, that is one less problem. Now, all that is left is to wait to dispatch the Tendo
girl. After she is gone, Ranma will never remember. No one tries to outwit me.*
*****
The Meditation spot was a large patch of grass surrounded by trees and bushes. Many
amazons had come here to reflect or to find inner peace before an important event in
their lives. Currently, there were three women and a man there. A petite woman
was standing in the center of the ungodly circle of land. She was dressed in her normal
clothes. The others were standing near the trees.
"Mousse, are you sure they'll come?" asked Akane, a little nervous.
"I'm positive. When an elder is challenged, she has no choice but to accept. They will
come..." Rustling sounds came from the main entrance, which was really a stone arcway,
beutifully done, surrounded by dense bushes.
"Well, speak of the devil..." said Nabiki.
Akane bit her lower lip as five old women came through the entrance-way. The head was
Cologne, followed by four unfamiliar women.
The sun set on the horizon. By magic, all the torch lamps that surrounded the place
lit up.
"You have adressed a challenge. State who you are," Cologne said in an authorative
tone.
Akane began. "I am..." she trailed off as she spotted two figures behind the women.
She gulped and looked at Mousse, who in return nodded.
Ranma had his arm around Shampoo, who was snuggling up to him.
"I am Tendo Akane. I have come to seek retribution! You have stolen my fiance, and now
I want him back!"
Cologne glared at her. "I have stolen nothing. I have merely taken what belongs
to the tribe."
Akane stared back, trying not to notice Ranma and Shampoo. She remembered what she had
been told.
*Cologne will probably bring them to make an impression. If she gets you, you're done for.
Just remember, she will have probably used magic on them, so don't let that get to you.*
*Stick to the plan, sis. They can't get you, 'cause you've got them pegged. Trust me;
who do you think you're talking to.*
*You can do this, Akane. You have to get him back! I will NOT settle for Mousse as
a consolation prize!*
She gulped. "You claim to take what is your's and the tribes'. Does that include people!?
Are they only objects to you!?"
Cologne cackled. "I tire of talking. Let us duel."
Akane smiled. She was winning. "I will not battle you."
Cologne was baffled. "You issue a challenge, and now refuse to fight? Fine, then you
renounce your cl..."
"I'm not finished. I issued you here, but not to fight. I'm merely here to argue
my thoughts."
Cologne's mouthe hung. She'd been tricked! She had assumed too much too quickly.
She should have known they had planned something like this.
"You have violated your own laws! You have taken something, a claim, that was considered
void and null!"
Cologne looked back at the women. They were staring at her. She had accepted a duel,
not knowing what to expect, and now she had to defend herself.
"I am the law! Wherever there are amazons, our laws always take precedense! Ranma
defeated Shampoo, so he has now become her husband!"
Akane grinned and tilted her head a little to her side. She gave a small nod.
Nabiki smiled and nodded back. She extended her hand and got a small bag from Mousse;
slipping into the vegetation as Ukyo took her spot.
"This is how it has been for many generations! You have no right to quarrel."
"Oh, I have every right. Is there not a law that states, and I quote: 'All claims
become null and void if the person's heart belongs to another?' It's in your
own laws!"
Cologne looked back for a second and saw the women murmuring amongst themselves. This
was not good. She had to salvage the situation.
"There is, yes, but Ranma has come here willingly. I merely proposed the idea, and he
accepted. I fail to see why it is we are arguing." She failed to notice a girl
slip from the trees and take to Ranma and Shampoo. She also didn't notice as the
girl blew powder into their unexpected faces. She also missed her, 'good to have you
back, lover-boy.'
"Ranma is married now, so there is nothing you can do. Leave now."
"I won't! You have used countless tricks and traps to lure him! All the while
knowing he was in love with me!" She shouted these last words.
Cologne gulped. She could sense the women talking and debating.
"I did no such thing. And besides, you have no proof."
*Please, let this work,* Akane begged.
"We do have proof."
Cologne and the elders turned around to see Shampoo coming towards them. Ranma was slumped
on Nabiki, barely keeping his head up.
"Child, stay out of this!"
Shampoo ignored her. "She has used the 'passion spice', Cairachi mushrooms and the Manipulation
powder on him. She has kept him drugged to no end. She used many things on Ranma!"
The elders stared at her. "Are you serious, Shampoo?"
Shampoo nodded. "I swear on honor. She has also been on sacred Joketsuzoku trail and used
magic on me, so I no interfere."
The elders stared at Cologne. "Cologne, you do know that an amazons honor is immutable.
We believe the word of her."
"She is lying..."
"You know well the punishment for violating the sacred laws."
"It's true..." a weak voice said.
Ranma was very weak for some reason. He looked at Akane from his place on Mousse's shoulders
and smiled; she smiled back. "I am deeply in love with Akane. Cologne has tried to trick
me many times to come here, but she went to extremes and drugged me to bring me here.
I swear it is the truth."
Cologne was sweating cold. She could not think of a way out of this.
"Cologne," the next senior elder began. "You have violated the laws. You have betrayed
the confidence of our tribe. What can you say in your defense?"
Cologne was getting desperate. "I had to do waht was best for the tribe."
"What is best for the tribe is to follow our laws. You know this, yet you chose to ignore
them."
Cologne lost it. "The amazons are strong! I would not see us humilliated by a mere boy!
He was to be taught repect!"
"You give yourself away, old woman," said Akane, now breathing easily.
"Great-Grandmother is trying to keep amazons in past. She only wants what suits her
wishes," said Shampoo.
"The elder Cologne has also tried to end my life," said Mousse. Cologne looked at him,
as did the elders.
"She tried to kill me, but I managed to escape. It is forbidden by law for an amazon
to take another amazons' life!" He had saved that for the final blow.
Cologne was lost. She knew she had lost. She had been outfoxed by a group of children.
"Elder Cologne," said another elder, "you have violated our laws. As it is within my
power, we, the council, strip you of your elderhood." Cologne paled. "You are to be
punished for betraying the tribe. Cologne, you are disgraced."
Akane wanted to jump and shout. They had won. Everything had gone according to the plan.
Now, they could get Ranma and leave, never to be bothered again.
Cologne was having a hard time breathing. All her life was over now. It might as well
end. But she would NOT go down alone.
"Clever girl. You have what you wanted. You get your man back." She ignored the group
behind Akane, who were trying to contain their happiness. "However..."
Ranma knew what would happen. He suddenly let go of Mousse and ran as fast as he could
with his weak body to Akane.
"You will never be able to enjoy it!!!"
Cologne outstreched her palm. A huge ball of chi materialized in a second and left
in great speed towards Akane.
The elders were not able to react fast enough to stop her. They restrained her as her
chi left on it's way.
Mousse, Ukyo and Nabiki knew what would happen, but no matter how fast they'd run, they
would not get to her in time. They ran as fast as they could.
Akane stared in horror at the massive energy coming towards her. Her body locked up;
she couldn't move.
Ranma knew he would not get there in time.
*I can't lose her...*
He reached Akane and made a choice.
The energy neared her; she could not move. She knew she would not survive this.
"Get out of the way!!!"
Akane was pushed roughly to her side. She flew a few meters, quickly, just before
the ball hit something.
"Ranma..."
She turned just in time to see him in her place.
"NO!!!!!!"
Then the energy reached it's target, exploding in all directions.
End of Chapter 7
Author's notes
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I know this is totally unfair, but this is where the chapter ends.
Just one more chapter to do. Sorry guys, but the last chapter still
isn't finished. It should be out by tomorrow night though.
Just be patient. The story is almost done.
BlackDragon