Chapter Eight: Help Him
Ukyo arrived at the Tendo's place very quickly. She didn't want to be out in the street for long, even though the sun was out. She was still scared. When she knocked on the front door, it was Kasumi who opened up, with a smile on her face, as usual.
"Hello, Ukyo", she said cheerfully.
"Hi..." replied Ukyo. "Is Ranma... or Akane home?" she asked.
"Yes..." answered Kasumi, as she signaled to the Tendo's training hall. "They're training in the dojo. Ryoga is with them."
*That's good...* thought Ukyo. "Well, can I come in?" she asked.
"Why, sure Ukyo." Replied Kasumi, as she invited Ukyo inside the house.
Ranma - kun and Akane were training in the dojo, while Ryoga sat in deep thought. Just when Akane threw a punch at Ranma - kun's stomach, Ukyo got inside the dojo and greeted everyone. Her salutation broke off Ranma - kun's concentration, and she got hit in the stomach by Akane's blow.
"Ouch..." she muttered as she fell to her knees.
"...How are you guys?..." asked Ukyo.
"Fine, until you came in..."answered Ranma - kun as she rubbed her stomach.
Ukyo smiled, but her smile lasted only a fraction of a second, and her face then turned serious. Everyone looked at her, worried.
"What's wrong Ukyo?" asked Akane, concerned.
"I have something important to tell you..." said Ukyo, calmly.
"Well, that's obvious..." said Ranma - kun.
"What has happened, Ukyo?" asked Ryoga.
"Something amazing... it may be hard to believe at first, but..." she said, and made a pause. And then she concluded: "You may want to hear it while we drink something... it's sort of a long story..."
Everybody was now sitting by the pond outside the Tendo's house, while drinking some tea, eager to hear what Ukyo had to say. Ranma had now changed back to normal.
"So, what is it Ukyo? Tell us." Urged Ryoga impatiently.
Ukyo took a deep breath, and she said as calmly as possible:
"I know who bit Mousse and the others."
Everyone else gasped and yelled:
"WHAT?? WHO??"
Ukyo sighed and whispered:
"Wilheim."
Akane gasped once more, and Ranma and Ryoga tried to say something, but their words got scrambled in their mouths.
"He's a vampire." Said Ukyo, trying to make the others calm down, but this made them even more upset.
"That explains everything!!" said Ranma, nearly screaming. "His skin, his eyes... his - for God's sake, we only saw him when the sun was down!!"
Ukyo tried to silence everyone so they would listen to her, but it was useless. Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga kept talking to each other, assuring each other that Wilheim was a killer and a bastard. Ukyo had no choice but to scream.
"EVERYONE, SHUT UP!!" she wailed, and continued: "He's a good vampire! Yesterday he saved my life!"
Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga kept silence as they listened to Ukyo, who was now speaking at a very fast rate.
"Listen, there is a war going on between two vampires: Magnus and Wilheim. Magnus tried to turn me into a vampire last night, but Wilheim wouldn't let him, and he saved my life. Wilheim is the wolf! He has been protecting me since the beginning." She said.
The others were now quiet, but they were still full of vigor. Ukyo could tell, because they wouldn't stop moving their mouths, muttering inarticulate words.
"Magnus is Wilheim's creator." Continued Ukyo. "And he won't let him go anywhere without him... Magnus is the vampire that killed the girl..."
Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga where now still. They were filled with so many answers to so many questions that their heads began to hurt. And then, Ukyo said something that no one expected to hear, something that could only be the product of desperation, and her need to aid some one who was now dear to her.
"We have to help him get rid of Magnus, so that he can become mortal once more..." she declared.
Ukyo's friends looked at each other, and then they looked at her.
"Ukyo... have you lost your mind?" asked Akane.
"Frankly, Akane, I don't know." Answered Ukyo, and then continued talking: "I'm tired of living in fear. It's not pleasant, really. I want that monster to go." And then finished by saying: "And I want Wilheim to be happy again."
Akane opened her eyes widely and turned around to see Ranma and Ryoga looking at Ukyo with their eyes wide open as well.
"You're in love with him, aren't you?" asked Ranma. And he meant it. It was not time to make stupid jokes.
"No... well, yes - I don't know..." replied Ukyo, confused by Ranma's question.
"Well, that's not the issue here, is it?" interrupted Ryoga, trying to help Ukyo out of her predicament. "If we are going to help Wilheim, we need a game plan."
"Hold it just a minute, my 'porky' friend..." said Ranma, before Ryoga could continue. "You're not planning to take part of this, are you?"
"Hell I am." Replied Ryoga.
"Shouldn't we think this over?" said Akane, worried.
Before either of them could continue, they heard Ukyo say something. When they turned around to face her they saw that she was looking at the sun. Her eyes were filled with tears, but her face didn't reflect sadness. No. It reflected courage. And determination.
"...Help me... help him." She said in a low tone of voice. However, she said it firmly. "I won't allow that creature to keep on tormenting me, or Wilheim."
She finished saying this and looked at her friends. They saw in Ukyo's eyes that she was going to help Wilheim kill Magnus, with or without any support. Akane sighed and shook her head. Then, she put her hand on Ukyo's shoulder and smiled at her. Ukyo smiled back, and wiped her tears.
"I'll help you... and him." Said Ryoga, with an air of determination.
Ukyo nodded and then turned around to face Ranma. He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"You know... Shampoo and Mousse's help would come in handy as well..." he said, unhappily.
Ukyo shrugged.
"The more, the merrier." She said as she gave Ranma a devilish smile.
Ranma sighed again, and then said in a low voice:
"I know I'm gonna regret this..."
A few hours later, Ukyo, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, and now Mousse and Shampoo were all discussing about the situation in the Tendo's Dojo.
"If Ranma helps Spatula girl to find boyfriend, then I help too." Said Shampoo enthusiastically.
"Even if you're life's on it?" asked Akane, frowning.
"Yes." Answered Shampoo.
Ukyo was going to say something to Shampoo, but she decided to keep her mouth shut.
"I will protect Shampoo no matter what." Said Mousse. "I'll go too."
"Fine, you're welcome to it." Said Ranma sighing.
Nobody said anything for a while. There was too much tension in the room. After all, they were about to put their lives in danger. They were all very nervous, and everybody, except Ukyo and Ryoga, had their doubts.
"So, why exactly are we helping this guy?" asked Mousse, breaking the silence.
"We're not just helping him. We're trying to free the world from an evil creature." Answered Ryoga.
"And we make sure that Spatula girl and good vampire end together." Interfered Shampoo, overjoyed. She couldn't get off of her mind that she was about to get rid of a competitor for Ranma.
"Will you stop it?" said Ukyo, loosing her temper. "We're going to help him because he's suffered long enough."
"And what about you?" asked Ranma. He made a small pause and then added: "You could be turned into a vampire as well, if we fail."
"If we fail, I'll be turned into a vampire, and you'll all die." Said Ukyo, gloomily.
Silence filled the room again. This statement made everyone even more nervous.
"That's a cheerful thought..." said Ranma, sarcastically.
"Shut up, Ranma." Said Akane, coldly.
"Either way, I cannot let his suffering continue." Said Ukyo. She took a deep breath and then added: "I cannot bear to see him suffer."
Everyone said nothing. It was obvious now. Ukyo did have feelings for Wilheim, and even though surely she would try, there was no way she could deny it.
Ryoga went to look outside the window and sighed.
"The sun is almost down..." he said in a low voice. "At what time will he come?" he asked.
Ukyo turned around to face Ryoga. Her face was filled with uncertainty.
"I... don't know..." she said.
Ryoga sighed and nodded his head. Then he turned to look out the window again.
Shampoo was beginning to get very scared now, as she saw that the light coming from the sun was starting to fade.
"Shouldn't we look for protection?" she suggested.
Everyone else in the room turned around to look at Shampoo, and gasped.
"I'll go get a crucifix." Said Akane as she raced towards the door.
But she was cut off, as the door was opened with great force, knocking Akane of her feet and leaving her on the ground. A figure filled the exit and approached Akane, slowly.
"No need for that." Said the figure in a low voice.
Akane gasped and started to crawl back with her friends, but her fear faded away when she saw that the figure was holding a crucifix in his right hand. She now knew who it was.
"...Mister Wilheim?" asked Akane in a tiny voice.
Wilheim nodded. Ryoga and Ranma raced to Akane's side to see if she had been hurt. Then they saw Wilheim. Their mouths dried, but not from fear. They were shocked, and couldn't think of anything to say.
"...You're earlier than we expected..." said Ryoga, finally.
Wilheim nodded again.
"May I come in?" he asked, politely.
Akane, who was still shocked, but not afraid, replied in a very low and tiny voice:
"Yeah..."
Wilheim smiled and entered the dojo. He gave a quick glance to his surroundings and saw Mousse and Shampoo.
"I thought I wouldn't see you two in here... thank you." He said.
Mousse and Shampoo only nodded. Wilheim turned his head and saw Ukyo. She smiled at him. Her eyes were shining. Wilheim smiled back and let out a low giggle.
"It's good to see you save and sound..." he said, gently.
"It's nice to see you too..." responded Ukyo, with the same gentleness as Wilheim.
A strange silence filled the room. Ukyo and Wilheim were still looking at each other, smiling. Shampoo saw this and smiled. But her smile didn't reflect triumph, but tenderness, and she let out a little sigh. Mousse sighed as well... thought he didn't care much about the situation. Akane and Ranma stood side by side, without saying nothing. Ryoga felt a bit uncomfortable and decided to break the silence.
"So..." he said, making everyone else return back to Earth. "Anybody got any ideas?" he asked.
"Ask the expert." Said Ranma, making everyone in the room turn their heads to see Wilheim.
Wilheim let out a long sigh and crossed his arms.
"Magnus is a very powerful vampire..." he began. "He has his lair under the Earth, so the old trick of attacking him while it's daytime will be no use."
"But... don't vampires sleep through the day?" asked Akane. "Aren't they supposed to enter in some state of sleep that... nothing will awake them?" she said.
Wilheim turned around to face Akane and said:
"I get up about two hours earlier than Magnus. Believe me: I've tried."
Akane nodded quietly, as Ranma closed his eyes and put his hand on his forehead.
"What do you suggest, then?" asked Mousse.
Wilheim said nothing. He took a deep breath and sat on the floor. He kept silent for a few moments, and then said:
"There really is no strategy at all. We must attack him from the front."
Everyone else, except Ukyo, looked at each other, questioning Wilheim's decision.
"From the front?" asked Ranma, hoping to hear a negative answer.
Wilheim nodded quietly.
"Are you sure?" he insisted.
Wilheim nodded again, and said:
"Any other way of attacking him will backfire."
Ranma was about to say something, but kept silent. He buried his head in his hands.
"Oh, shit..." he said, worried.
Wilheim simply smiled, and said:
"I know..."
Ukyo, who was looking at the floor at the moment, lifted her head and said:
"Guys, no one is being forced to go with us..." she made a pause and then added: "You don't have to go."
Ranma raised his head from his hands and looked at Ukyo.
"And let my childhood friend go on her own? No way, Ucchan." Said Ranma, smiling.
Ukyo smiled back at him and nodded, as if to say *thank you*. Akane joined in:
"I'll go too." She said.
Mousse and Shampoo looked at Wilheim and smiled at him. Wilheim understood, and smiled back.
"There's no way that idiot's gonna get away with it..." said Ryoga, and then added, with much vigor: "I'll go with you."
Ukyo and Wilheim smiled and nodded.
"Victory is within our grasp..." said Wilheim, trying to cheer everyone up. "I swear to you... nobody will die." He concluded.
Ukyo let out a long and relieved sigh, and said:
"Thank you, guys..."
Ukyo arrived at the Tendo's place very quickly. She didn't want to be out in the street for long, even though the sun was out. She was still scared. When she knocked on the front door, it was Kasumi who opened up, with a smile on her face, as usual.
"Hello, Ukyo", she said cheerfully.
"Hi..." replied Ukyo. "Is Ranma... or Akane home?" she asked.
"Yes..." answered Kasumi, as she signaled to the Tendo's training hall. "They're training in the dojo. Ryoga is with them."
*That's good...* thought Ukyo. "Well, can I come in?" she asked.
"Why, sure Ukyo." Replied Kasumi, as she invited Ukyo inside the house.
Ranma - kun and Akane were training in the dojo, while Ryoga sat in deep thought. Just when Akane threw a punch at Ranma - kun's stomach, Ukyo got inside the dojo and greeted everyone. Her salutation broke off Ranma - kun's concentration, and she got hit in the stomach by Akane's blow.
"Ouch..." she muttered as she fell to her knees.
"...How are you guys?..." asked Ukyo.
"Fine, until you came in..."answered Ranma - kun as she rubbed her stomach.
Ukyo smiled, but her smile lasted only a fraction of a second, and her face then turned serious. Everyone looked at her, worried.
"What's wrong Ukyo?" asked Akane, concerned.
"I have something important to tell you..." said Ukyo, calmly.
"Well, that's obvious..." said Ranma - kun.
"What has happened, Ukyo?" asked Ryoga.
"Something amazing... it may be hard to believe at first, but..." she said, and made a pause. And then she concluded: "You may want to hear it while we drink something... it's sort of a long story..."
Everybody was now sitting by the pond outside the Tendo's house, while drinking some tea, eager to hear what Ukyo had to say. Ranma had now changed back to normal.
"So, what is it Ukyo? Tell us." Urged Ryoga impatiently.
Ukyo took a deep breath, and she said as calmly as possible:
"I know who bit Mousse and the others."
Everyone else gasped and yelled:
"WHAT?? WHO??"
Ukyo sighed and whispered:
"Wilheim."
Akane gasped once more, and Ranma and Ryoga tried to say something, but their words got scrambled in their mouths.
"He's a vampire." Said Ukyo, trying to make the others calm down, but this made them even more upset.
"That explains everything!!" said Ranma, nearly screaming. "His skin, his eyes... his - for God's sake, we only saw him when the sun was down!!"
Ukyo tried to silence everyone so they would listen to her, but it was useless. Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga kept talking to each other, assuring each other that Wilheim was a killer and a bastard. Ukyo had no choice but to scream.
"EVERYONE, SHUT UP!!" she wailed, and continued: "He's a good vampire! Yesterday he saved my life!"
Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga kept silence as they listened to Ukyo, who was now speaking at a very fast rate.
"Listen, there is a war going on between two vampires: Magnus and Wilheim. Magnus tried to turn me into a vampire last night, but Wilheim wouldn't let him, and he saved my life. Wilheim is the wolf! He has been protecting me since the beginning." She said.
The others were now quiet, but they were still full of vigor. Ukyo could tell, because they wouldn't stop moving their mouths, muttering inarticulate words.
"Magnus is Wilheim's creator." Continued Ukyo. "And he won't let him go anywhere without him... Magnus is the vampire that killed the girl..."
Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga where now still. They were filled with so many answers to so many questions that their heads began to hurt. And then, Ukyo said something that no one expected to hear, something that could only be the product of desperation, and her need to aid some one who was now dear to her.
"We have to help him get rid of Magnus, so that he can become mortal once more..." she declared.
Ukyo's friends looked at each other, and then they looked at her.
"Ukyo... have you lost your mind?" asked Akane.
"Frankly, Akane, I don't know." Answered Ukyo, and then continued talking: "I'm tired of living in fear. It's not pleasant, really. I want that monster to go." And then finished by saying: "And I want Wilheim to be happy again."
Akane opened her eyes widely and turned around to see Ranma and Ryoga looking at Ukyo with their eyes wide open as well.
"You're in love with him, aren't you?" asked Ranma. And he meant it. It was not time to make stupid jokes.
"No... well, yes - I don't know..." replied Ukyo, confused by Ranma's question.
"Well, that's not the issue here, is it?" interrupted Ryoga, trying to help Ukyo out of her predicament. "If we are going to help Wilheim, we need a game plan."
"Hold it just a minute, my 'porky' friend..." said Ranma, before Ryoga could continue. "You're not planning to take part of this, are you?"
"Hell I am." Replied Ryoga.
"Shouldn't we think this over?" said Akane, worried.
Before either of them could continue, they heard Ukyo say something. When they turned around to face her they saw that she was looking at the sun. Her eyes were filled with tears, but her face didn't reflect sadness. No. It reflected courage. And determination.
"...Help me... help him." She said in a low tone of voice. However, she said it firmly. "I won't allow that creature to keep on tormenting me, or Wilheim."
She finished saying this and looked at her friends. They saw in Ukyo's eyes that she was going to help Wilheim kill Magnus, with or without any support. Akane sighed and shook her head. Then, she put her hand on Ukyo's shoulder and smiled at her. Ukyo smiled back, and wiped her tears.
"I'll help you... and him." Said Ryoga, with an air of determination.
Ukyo nodded and then turned around to face Ranma. He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"You know... Shampoo and Mousse's help would come in handy as well..." he said, unhappily.
Ukyo shrugged.
"The more, the merrier." She said as she gave Ranma a devilish smile.
Ranma sighed again, and then said in a low voice:
"I know I'm gonna regret this..."
A few hours later, Ukyo, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, and now Mousse and Shampoo were all discussing about the situation in the Tendo's Dojo.
"If Ranma helps Spatula girl to find boyfriend, then I help too." Said Shampoo enthusiastically.
"Even if you're life's on it?" asked Akane, frowning.
"Yes." Answered Shampoo.
Ukyo was going to say something to Shampoo, but she decided to keep her mouth shut.
"I will protect Shampoo no matter what." Said Mousse. "I'll go too."
"Fine, you're welcome to it." Said Ranma sighing.
Nobody said anything for a while. There was too much tension in the room. After all, they were about to put their lives in danger. They were all very nervous, and everybody, except Ukyo and Ryoga, had their doubts.
"So, why exactly are we helping this guy?" asked Mousse, breaking the silence.
"We're not just helping him. We're trying to free the world from an evil creature." Answered Ryoga.
"And we make sure that Spatula girl and good vampire end together." Interfered Shampoo, overjoyed. She couldn't get off of her mind that she was about to get rid of a competitor for Ranma.
"Will you stop it?" said Ukyo, loosing her temper. "We're going to help him because he's suffered long enough."
"And what about you?" asked Ranma. He made a small pause and then added: "You could be turned into a vampire as well, if we fail."
"If we fail, I'll be turned into a vampire, and you'll all die." Said Ukyo, gloomily.
Silence filled the room again. This statement made everyone even more nervous.
"That's a cheerful thought..." said Ranma, sarcastically.
"Shut up, Ranma." Said Akane, coldly.
"Either way, I cannot let his suffering continue." Said Ukyo. She took a deep breath and then added: "I cannot bear to see him suffer."
Everyone said nothing. It was obvious now. Ukyo did have feelings for Wilheim, and even though surely she would try, there was no way she could deny it.
Ryoga went to look outside the window and sighed.
"The sun is almost down..." he said in a low voice. "At what time will he come?" he asked.
Ukyo turned around to face Ryoga. Her face was filled with uncertainty.
"I... don't know..." she said.
Ryoga sighed and nodded his head. Then he turned to look out the window again.
Shampoo was beginning to get very scared now, as she saw that the light coming from the sun was starting to fade.
"Shouldn't we look for protection?" she suggested.
Everyone else in the room turned around to look at Shampoo, and gasped.
"I'll go get a crucifix." Said Akane as she raced towards the door.
But she was cut off, as the door was opened with great force, knocking Akane of her feet and leaving her on the ground. A figure filled the exit and approached Akane, slowly.
"No need for that." Said the figure in a low voice.
Akane gasped and started to crawl back with her friends, but her fear faded away when she saw that the figure was holding a crucifix in his right hand. She now knew who it was.
"...Mister Wilheim?" asked Akane in a tiny voice.
Wilheim nodded. Ryoga and Ranma raced to Akane's side to see if she had been hurt. Then they saw Wilheim. Their mouths dried, but not from fear. They were shocked, and couldn't think of anything to say.
"...You're earlier than we expected..." said Ryoga, finally.
Wilheim nodded again.
"May I come in?" he asked, politely.
Akane, who was still shocked, but not afraid, replied in a very low and tiny voice:
"Yeah..."
Wilheim smiled and entered the dojo. He gave a quick glance to his surroundings and saw Mousse and Shampoo.
"I thought I wouldn't see you two in here... thank you." He said.
Mousse and Shampoo only nodded. Wilheim turned his head and saw Ukyo. She smiled at him. Her eyes were shining. Wilheim smiled back and let out a low giggle.
"It's good to see you save and sound..." he said, gently.
"It's nice to see you too..." responded Ukyo, with the same gentleness as Wilheim.
A strange silence filled the room. Ukyo and Wilheim were still looking at each other, smiling. Shampoo saw this and smiled. But her smile didn't reflect triumph, but tenderness, and she let out a little sigh. Mousse sighed as well... thought he didn't care much about the situation. Akane and Ranma stood side by side, without saying nothing. Ryoga felt a bit uncomfortable and decided to break the silence.
"So..." he said, making everyone else return back to Earth. "Anybody got any ideas?" he asked.
"Ask the expert." Said Ranma, making everyone in the room turn their heads to see Wilheim.
Wilheim let out a long sigh and crossed his arms.
"Magnus is a very powerful vampire..." he began. "He has his lair under the Earth, so the old trick of attacking him while it's daytime will be no use."
"But... don't vampires sleep through the day?" asked Akane. "Aren't they supposed to enter in some state of sleep that... nothing will awake them?" she said.
Wilheim turned around to face Akane and said:
"I get up about two hours earlier than Magnus. Believe me: I've tried."
Akane nodded quietly, as Ranma closed his eyes and put his hand on his forehead.
"What do you suggest, then?" asked Mousse.
Wilheim said nothing. He took a deep breath and sat on the floor. He kept silent for a few moments, and then said:
"There really is no strategy at all. We must attack him from the front."
Everyone else, except Ukyo, looked at each other, questioning Wilheim's decision.
"From the front?" asked Ranma, hoping to hear a negative answer.
Wilheim nodded quietly.
"Are you sure?" he insisted.
Wilheim nodded again, and said:
"Any other way of attacking him will backfire."
Ranma was about to say something, but kept silent. He buried his head in his hands.
"Oh, shit..." he said, worried.
Wilheim simply smiled, and said:
"I know..."
Ukyo, who was looking at the floor at the moment, lifted her head and said:
"Guys, no one is being forced to go with us..." she made a pause and then added: "You don't have to go."
Ranma raised his head from his hands and looked at Ukyo.
"And let my childhood friend go on her own? No way, Ucchan." Said Ranma, smiling.
Ukyo smiled back at him and nodded, as if to say *thank you*. Akane joined in:
"I'll go too." She said.
Mousse and Shampoo looked at Wilheim and smiled at him. Wilheim understood, and smiled back.
"There's no way that idiot's gonna get away with it..." said Ryoga, and then added, with much vigor: "I'll go with you."
Ukyo and Wilheim smiled and nodded.
"Victory is within our grasp..." said Wilheim, trying to cheer everyone up. "I swear to you... nobody will die." He concluded.
Ukyo let out a long and relieved sigh, and said:
"Thank you, guys..."
