Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu or Ranma's Cousin Iori
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Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½. That is property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own
The King of Fighters, that is property of SNK. I do however suggest you look up
information on these two properties. You won't be disappointed.
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Note: This takes place well after the Ranma ½ manga and during the King of Fighters '98.
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Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 41: Orochi Space: Water Palace, Part 2.
Reunion.
Goenitz sits in the throne room of his palace. He sips from a glass of white wine as he
listens to the winds. He can hear the group that the Tenth Hakkeshu brought with him try
to subdue the Hakkeshu of water… He laughs. He knows they cannot stop her. They
won't go all out to hurt her, and so they take damage from her as the fight goes on. He
hears their yelps of pain as Leona's attacks get through their defenses. It puts a smile to his
face. He knows that the circlet he put on Leona's head has more than enough energy to
keep her in the Riot of Blood for three days straight if necessary. And when she finally
finishes them off… He'll show her the results of her 'work'… It will send her into a pit of
despair, and he can then thoroughly mold her into a soldier… Or better yet, a new
plaything… And the Tenth Hakkeshu, wherever he is, will follow… Wanting to get Leona
back.
Suddenly, Goenitz lurches forward in his chair and spits out some wine he had just taken a
sip of. The Tenth Hakkeshu literally came back into this 'reality' in the most unexpected
of ways.
Goenitz (Wipes his mouth): How the hell did he just pop out of a geyser? … Oh well…
He's back… That's all that matters… And if he kills her… It's not too much of a waste…
Killing her will finally break him, and so the Orochi can be resurrected… And if she kills
him… We'll, just use his corpse to resurrect the Orochi… Either way, I WIN!
Goenitz smiles, kicks his feet back, and listens to the wind, awaiting the outcome of this
new turn of events…
(-------)
Ranma runs straight at Riot of Blood Leona as she runs right at him. He sees she has her
combat knife in her right hand and decides to get rid of that first. Ranma suddenly stops,
allows himself to fall on his back, and uses the motion in an upward kick, to send her knife
flying out of her hand. Riot of Blood Leona just stumbles a bit back, and does a
roundhouse kick that smashes Ranma's raised leg in the back of the calf.
Ranma (Thinks): SHIT! That's gonna be black and blue tomorrow…
Ranma stats rolling backwards to get away from Leona. Unfortunately for him, there's a
cold water lake behind him, and rolling in turns him into a girl.
Ranko (Spits out some water): Shoot…
Riot of Blood Leona starts to run towards Ranma, but Iori grabs her from behind. His arms
wrapped around her, pinning her arms to her sides. Leona moves her head forward, and
snaps it back with a force, smashing Iori in the face. Iori doesn't let go, but starts to
stumble. Leona does it again. Ranko screams at him.
Ranko: DAMN IT IORI! THIS IS MY BATTLE! LET ME TAKE CARE OF…
Kyo (Glomps Ranko from behind): RANKYO MY LOVE! YOU HAVE COME TO BE
WITH YOUR KYO-SAMA! Very well… I shall fight the demoness Leona, and protect
you my wild flower of the Yagami clan…
!
Kyo floats facedown on top of the water, a huge lump on his head, from when Ranko
brought her fist smashing down upon him. Ranko sees Iori still struggling with the
screeching Leona, who is now kicking her legs to make enough motion so that Iori will lose
his grip on her. Ranko decides to do things a bit more calmly this time…
Ranko: Iori, if you're going to help, keep her still… I need to get that circlet off of her…
Ranko gets out of the water, and walks up to Leona. She tries to grab the circlet, but it
gives her an electrical shock to her hand.
Ranko: OW! Sonuvabitch that smarts… (Sucks on her fingers). Iori, when I say let go,
let go…
Iori (As he struggles with Leona): But…
Ranko: No buts! This is my battle… Believe me… Only I can do this…
Iori (Eyes Ranko): You sure?
Ranko: Yes… Believe me. I don't want to do this, but I HAVE TO!
Ranko then runs to the nearest hot spring in the place, jumps in, and turns back into a man.
Ranma then starts running towards Iori.
Ranma: IORI, LET GO NOW!
Iori lets go, and jumps back away from Leona. Leona turns around to attack Iori, but
Ranma tackles her to the ground from behind. Leona struggles, with Ranma on top of her.
Leona: YOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLL!!!
Ranma, scared for a moment by the cat-like sound she made, jumped back. Leona than
does her Baltic Launcher attack. She jumps into the air, and lets off a huge green-colored
emotional based ki ball of depression energy. The emotion it lets off makes the Shi Shi
Hokodan feel perky in comparison. The attack hits Ranma square in the chest, obliterates
the front of his shirt, and sends him flying back into one of the cold water lakes…
Specifically, the same one Kyo is in.
Ranko (Spits out water): … Not again…
Kyo (Glomps Ranko from behind, eyes are little hearts): RANKYO MY LOVE!!! (Turns
her around, gets a nosebleed as he sees her chest). … Oh my… You truly are bursting
with such healthy beauty… Almost as much as the ninja girl Mai Shiranui… (Hugs Ranko
closer to him). I FEEL SO LUCKY THE GODS DEEM YOU AS WORTHY FOR MY
NOBLE PERSONAGE!!!
! ! ! ! ! ! !
!
Everyone, with the exception of Riot of Blood Leona, who stands there, breathing heavily
with steam pouring from her mouth, has smashed Kyo in the head with a fist.
Ranko, Iori, Kima, Chizuru, Terry, Billy, Vice, & Mature: KYO YOU PERVERT!!!
Kyo's grasp on Ranko loosens, and his unconscious form sinks below the surface of the
lake…
(------)
Back at the Wind Palace, Goenitz is rolling around on the floor, laughing his ass off at the
turn of events…
Goenitz: Kyo… Ha ha… Kyo you idiot… HA HA! You idiotic, hormone driven
pervert…
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Goenitz pounds his fists on the floor during his fit of laughter as he continues to listen to
what happens.
(------)
Leona begins to walk towards the group. Ranko flips into the air, and lands in a hot spring
with a loud splash. Ranma then charges towards Leona. Leona, takes this as a threat, and
starts running at Ranma, while on all fours.
Leona: RWOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWRRRRRR!!!
Ranma stops and cringes at the cat-like noise Riot of Blood Leona made, and she tackles
him to the ground, digging her fingers into his shoulders. Blood sprays from his shoulders,
as Ranma kicks Leona off of him with his knees. He then jumps back and notices he has
ten deep little 'pits' in his shoulders, which begin to ooze blood. Ranma begins to think.
Ranma (Thinks): Okay dumb ass, CALM DOWN! Leona IS NOT a cat…
Leona circles around Ranma, looking for a moment to strike. She hisses like a cat and
sends a shiver up Ranma's spine.
Ranma (Thinks): …… Leona IS NOT a cat, but DAMN SHE SURE SOUNDS LIKE
ONE! Brr… I got to do something to get that damn circlet off her head… I could get her
out of the Blood Riot a lot more easily if that thing didn't keep feeding her energy…
Suddenly, a thought goes through Ranma's mind… He remembers back to the time he
fought the "Noisy Thief" Ryuu, to get back the sacred scrolls he stolen from his family…
The Umi Seiken and Yama Seiken scrolls. Ranma would NEVER use the forbidden
techniques on Leona, but he remembers a far less lethal move from the Yama Seiken scroll
that Ryuu would use on him… A pretty powerful kick… The "Mouko Kaimon Ha" or…
Ranma (Whispers): Fierce Tiger Crashing Through the Gates…
Ranma starts to circle Leona as she moves around him, the two staying in front of each
other, eyes locked… The eyes are the windows to the soul, and Ranma can see that there is
nothing in those blank eyes… It's like she's a soulless creature… But Ranma knows she
has a soul, and knows he has to still tone down the move so as not to really hurt her. He
remembers when Ryuu landed that kick on him, and it hurt like hell… So Ranma just
keeps on moving around Leona, as he thinks on how to change the move, so it won't hurt
her too badly…
Suddenly, Leona pounces at him again, and Ranma has to struggle with her on top of him,
as she grabs his throat and literally tries to tear it open. Ranma feels the others are coming
to help, but he doesn't want them near.
Ranma: STAY BACK!
Chizuru: But Ranma…
Ranma: DO AS I SAY DAMN IT!!!
Ranma puts his right forearm under Leona's neck, and tries to pry her off of him. She then
moves her head, and bites down on his arm hard. Ranma screams and literally jumps up.
He feels his skin rip as Leona's jaw loses it's hold on his arm, and scrapes his flesh as it
slides off. Ranma jumps back from Leona, who has blood dripping from the sides of her
mouth. Ranma decides that it's time to end this, before she does something he knows
she'll regret…
Ranma: Sorry Leona, but I'm going to save you…
Ranma then performs the Mouko Kaimon Ha…
Ranma: DON'T MOVE!!!
Leona is somewhat paralyzed by the loud noise. Ranma starts running up to her as she
hesitates. She moves her arms forward to tear at Ranma with her hands, but he just shoots
both his arms forward in a curving motion away from him; smashing her arms away from
her at the same time. He then concentrates a bit of ki into his foot and then shoots his foot
out in a kick at her forehead. The kick sends Leona flying back into one of the hot springs.
Ranma stands there, waiting. The other fighters stare at what Ranma did…
Billy (Wide-eyed): What the frikin' hell was that?
Ranma (Whispers): Mouko Kaimon Ha…
Chizuru: Fierce Tiger Crashing Through the Gates?
Ranma: Yes…
Terry: What kind of move was that? I've never seen you use it before.
Ranma: It's a technique from one of two scrolls of forbidden techniques… The Yama
Seiken and Umi Seiken scrolls…
Billy (Thinks): Mountain of the Thousand Fists and Sea of the Thousand Fists scrolls…
Hmm… The boss may want to know about this…
Suddenly Leona stands up in the hot spring, a deep cut on her forehead… She staggers a
bit as she moves forward… The tanzanite gemstone on the circlet cracks, and breaks. The
circlet falls off of her head, and she falls onto the edge of the spring face first. Her hair
turns back from red to blue, and her clothes lighten in color. Ranma runs up to her, fear
evident in his eyes. He turns her onto her back and touches her neck, feeling for her pulse.
When he finds one, he breathes a sigh of relief. He's got her back…
Ranma (Thinks): I know I don't say this much, but… Thank you God…
Ranma looks around and sees the other fighters starting to gather around.
Mature: Um… Ranma?
Ranma (Nods his head): She's fine… She's just a tired for the moment… Give her
time… She'll be better…
Vice: So what now? Do we continue?
Chizuru: I think we should make camp here. We need to tend to our injuries, and this may
be the last peaceful area we get to rest for a while…
Terry: I agree… After all, I don't think the other Hakkeshu would attack us here. This is
Leona's realm.
Iori: Yeah… And what Leona did to us was more than likely Goenitz's influence on her…
Ranma: Then it's settled. We camp here for a bit. Mature, please take Vice and gather the
medical supplies you packed for us back at your palace and start helping the more seriously
injured. Terry, maybe you should start pitching some tents that Mature also packed for
us… By the way… Does anyone know how to cook? I'm hungry…
The others face-fault. Looks like the group's got some work to do…
(------)
Goenitz's face flushes crimson with rage. The Tenth Hakkeshu actually managed to beat
Leona, he destroyed her energy source, but worse of all, this means they are now halfway
through the "Orochi Space".
Goenitz: Five realms… He made it through FIVE F*CKING REALMS! DAMN HIM!
Goenitz crushes the wine class in his grasp. The pieces of glass, and wine spill to the
ground amidst some of his blood. He shakes his hand once, and glass shards get tossed
from it. Goenitz walks to one of the balconies of his palace.
Goenitz: How? … How did he know to destroy the circlet? HOW? HOW OROCHI
DAMN IT, HOW!?!?
Goenitz suddenly hears a chuckling… He turns around back to his palace and looks
around.
Goenitz: WHO'S THERE!? SHOW YOURSELF!!!
Male Voice: The Tenth Hakkeshu has the one he loves with all of his being back, oh
"Divine Wind"… He has his strength back… Your days are numbered… Enjoy them
while they last…
Suddenly, the wind picks up slightly, and a few snowflakes swim through the air, to the
outside of Goenitz's palace. Goenitz can only stare at those little flakes of ice as they fly
off. He starts to sweat, as he recognized the voice…
Goenitz (Narrows his eyes): … Guidel…
(------)
Back in the 'real' world, the unconscious form of Nodoka lies in a hospital bed. The
doctors are impressed… She shouldn't have survived this long… But they see no real
hope… If anything, she may now be stuck in a permanent coma, or she may very well be a
vegetable… Kasumi has stayed by Nodoka's side the whole time… The doctors say she
should leave, but she refuses… After all, it wouldn't be right for her to leave the person
she considers her friend. But even Kasumi cannot look after Nodoka all the time…
Eventually she falls asleep in her chair.
A few snowflakes seemingly swim through the air around Nodoka. They seem to give off
an energy that gathers around Nodoka's neck. A sapphire pendant connected to a necklace
appears around her neck. The snowflakes fall onto the pendant and melt. Nodoka begins
to glow with a bluish violet colored energy… When the energy fades away, Nodoka
slowly opens her eyes. She looks around and sees Kasumi in a chair. She notices the
room, even though dark looks like that of a hospital room. She notices she has a necklace
on. One that she does not remember owning… She notices it's a pendant of sapphire. The
sapphire is smooth and made in the shape of a water-drop or tear. The sapphire has a little
kanji marking of "Mizu" carved into opposite sides of it… Nodoka's eyes widen in
shock…
Nodoka (In a voice barely above a whisper): Guidel… This was your pendant… But
how? How did it get here?
(------)
Leona slowly wakes up. She notices one thing as she gains consciousness… PAIN! And
she feels every capital letter of the word with one hell of a wicked headache… She keeps
her eyes closed, not wanting to have to face reality. But then she notices something
'odd'… She feels that she is on something soft… She opens her eyes and takes in her
surroundings… It's definitely NOT some stinking dungeon like she's been in for longer
than she actually knows, but the inside of a dark green tent… And she is in a black
sleeping bag. She tries to lift herself on her elbows, and a bit of the sleeping bag falls off to
reveal she's wearing a blue silk Chinese shirt. Her eyes widen when she recognizes the
shirt… It looks a lot like the one Ranma gave her to wear that night she remembered more
of her past… This could only mean…
Leona: Ranma? Are you out there?
Leona waits for what must have been a minute, when a bandaged pig-tailed boy opens the
tent-flap. He looks at her and smiles.
Ranma: Feeling better Lechan?
Leona: Yes… I guess… I got one hell of a headache though… Do you have anything to
eat? I'm starving…
Ranma smiles and then chuckles a bit to himself. Leona's response sounds like something
he would say.
Leona (Eyes Ranma): What's so funny?
Ranma (Waves his hand): Nothing. Give me a minute to get you something to eat.
Ranma closes the tent flap and leaves Leona in the tent. She smiles, thinking how nice it is
to be with Ranma. But it's confusing… When did she get to be with Ranma again? Why
does Ranma have bandages all over his upper torso, shoulders, and right forearm? Why is
she in some of his clothing? The last thing she remembers was lying in Goenitz's dungeon,
scared, starving, and in pain. Just waiting for death to come and claim her, to end her
misery. A scene flashes through her mind… She's biting down on Ranma… She holds
her hand to her mouth… She feels a salty taste… Whether this is truth, or her imagination,
she doesn't know… And she isn't sure if she wants to know… She feels terrible…
Leona (Thinks): Oh God… Did I… Would I… Could I…… (Eyes widen). Oh God…
What happened? Did I hurt Ranma? Please tell me that this is just some sick joke…
Leona feels the tears start to flow down the sides of her face. She hates crying, but she
can't seem to stop herself… She curses herself for being weak…
The tent flap opens again, and in walks Ranma. He has a small tray with two bowls of
miso soup on it. He's about to say something, but then he sees that Leona is crying. He
puts the tray down to the side, and sits down next to Leona.
Ranma: Lechan… Are you okay? What's wrong? (Eyes narrow). That jerk Goenitz hurt
you, didn't he? I'LL MAKE HIM PAY!!! (Eyes widen). Oh no… Don't tell me that it's
because I hurt you too badly when I tried to pacify you? … (Smacks himself in the face
with his hand). STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!
Leona (Grabs Ranma's wrist): Ranma, please stop that. Just tell me… What happened?
Ranma: Sigh… Lechan, it's like this… I'm not sure what happened to you, but for me, it
has been one fight and trial after another… I had the shit beaten out of me at the finals. I
woke up in a hospital eight days later. I found out my mom is dying… (Leona's eyes
begin to water some more upon hearing that). I stayed there another day, then got my
warriors, and went to Ryugenzawa to save you… Only it turns out you and the others were
in a 'pocket dimension', called the "Orochi Space". It's been a total of eleven days since I
last saw you Lechan… I'm glad I have you back…'
Leona is silent for a bit. Ranma wants to do something, but decides he should give Leona
time to digest the information he told her. She shakes a bit, but decides to ask Ranma a bit
more.
Leona: Ranma… Are we in the "Orochi Space" still? Who else is here?
Ranma: Sorry Leona, but yes, we still are… As for who's here, I brought Iori, Kyo (says
name with disgust), Chizuru, Kima, Terry, and Billy with me, and Vice and Mature decided
to help us once we got to meet up with them again.
Leona shakes her head to acknowledge this. She then stares at her hands, thinking on what
to ask next. She knows what she wants to ask, but she's afraid to… She decides to bite the
bullet and ask Ranma why he's all bandaged up.
Leona: Ranma…
Ranma: Yes?
Leona: What's with all the bandages? Did… Did I do that?
Ranma seems to pale a bit but shakes it off. He starts to scratch the back of his head with
his left hand, while thinking of the best way to describe what happened.
Ranma: Well… Um… You see… (Ranma's eyes widen). Hold on.
Leona watches Ranma as he digs into his pocket. Her eyes widen in fear when she sees
what he pulls out. A silver circlet, with a hole in it for where a jewel should be. She
smacks the circlet out of Ranma's hand.
Ranma: … Lechan?
Leona (Grabbing the sides of her head): Please… Keep that away from me…
Ranma nods his head. He takes the circlet outside the tent and tosses it away. He then
goes back into the tent so see Leona is slightly shaking. He sits down next to her again,
and takes one of the bowls of miso soup. He holds it to Leona but she shakes her head.
Leona: Please Ranma… I have to know… What happened to you? Tell me… Please?
Ranma: Sigh… Okay Lechan… I'll tell you… When I got to see you again, you were in
the Riot of Blood. That circlet I was trying to show you was apparently what kept you like
that. I had to fight you to get it off of you. I'll say this Lechan… It wasn't easy, but I was
able to break it, and get you back.
Leona seems to shake even more now. Ranma encloses his arms around her, to reassure
her that she didn't do anything wrong, that it wasn't her fault.
Leona: Ranma… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…
Ranma: Shh… It's okay Lechan… It's okay… It's not your fault it happened… It's
Goenitz's fault… He did that to you…
Leona: But… I was the one that attacked you…
Ranma: Leona, it wasn't you. I looked into 'your' eyes while fighting 'you'. I didn't see
your soul behind those blank orbs. It was like looking at a wall. Whatever attacked me
may have been in your body, but it wasn't you. So don't feel bad. And Leona…
Leona: Yes?
Ranma (Passes her the bowl of miso soup): Here… You should eat. I don't know when
the last time you had anything to eat was, and you must be starving…
Leona: … I am… But… Ranma… How can you just forgive me? I attacked you.
Ranma: Leona, as I said before you weren't the one who attacked me… So I can forgive
you… And I know that your father doesn't blame you either.
Leona stares at Ranma with curiosity. Why would he say that? She's about to ask, but
Ranma shoves a spoon with some soup in her mouth. She swallows the soup and looks at
Ranma.
Leona: What was that for?
Ranma: Simple. You need to gain your strength. You should stop being so stubborn and
eat up.
Leona: … Okay… (Smiles). I guess being stubborn is your department, not mine.
Ranma smiles at seeing Leona smile at him. Whenever she's happy, everything just seems
right. Ranma then ruffles Leona's hair with his hand. She giggles slightly with that.
Ranma: Now that's the Leona Heidern I know and love… Good to have you back…
Leona: Good to be back.
Ranma just sits in the tent with Leona for a bit. He then remembers he had another bowl of
soup with him. He offers it to her, she thanks him for it, and she eats that one as well.
Ranma: Been awhile since you last ate huh?
Leona: Yeah… I don't remember eating anything for the longest while…
Ranma frowns… Not eating is one of the things Ranma hates the most. Thinking back to
his own childhood hurts when he thinks on how he was deprived of food. Genma would
have Ranma steal for him, and anything Ranma could get, Genma would eat it all on him.
And when Genma got something he ate it all himself. Ranma chuckles to himself about
how it's surprising he didn't starve to death his first year of training with the old bastard.
He notices Leona stare at him but he shakes his head, not giving the matter much
importance anymore. It was the past, and if Ranma can have his way, he would have
NOTHING to do with Genma anymore… The bastard caused more trouble for Ranma
than he would care to think about. Ranma then realizes he was supposed to check
something with Iori. He tells Leona he'll be back, and in the meantime, she should rest up
and gain her strength back.
(------)
Ranma makes it to the edge of the realm. It's quite surprising how much it changed since
they beat Leona… The place actually warmed up. It's no longer a frozen wasteland, but it
is lush with vegetation, and rivers seem to be all around. The snow-covered mountain,
which was Leona's palace, is now turning green on the outside. Ranma finds Iori studying
a small statue at the edge of the landmass.
Ranma: Hey Iori!
Iori: Hi Ranma!
Ranma: Iori, what are you looking at?
Iori: I think this is the trial, but… I'm not sure what to make of it…
Ranma: Oh? Why's that?
Iori: Look at it…
Ranma takes a look at the 'trial'. It is a small statue of a heart.
Ranma (Looks at Iori): So?
Iori: That's my question exactly. I had Vice and Mature look at this earlier, and they can't
interpret it.
Ranma: Hmm… What can I say? If this is the trial, we have to figure out what it means…
Iori: Yeah… You get back to Leona… I think she'll need you around her for a bit…
You're the one she trusts the most out of all of us.
Ranma: Okay… I'll get going.
With that Ranma starts walking back towards the palace. He remembers what Guidel told
him a few hours ago… That the trial is Leona's innermost desire… And that he has to
fulfill it… As Ranma runs, he wonders what it is she wants the most from life…
(------)
An hour passes. Ranma makes it back to his tent and goes to check on Leona, but she's
gone. This causes Ranma to slightly panic. He starts to look around the area for Leona.
He asks some of the others if they've seen her, and they say the last they saw her was when
Ranma was setting her down in the tent a while ago after he defeated her. This causes
Ranma to really worry. He knows Leona is not still back to normal, and that she may not
be emotionally stable. He goes back inside her palace, and checks around. He calls out her
name… No answer, but he hears a noise. Something moving across water. He follows the
noise and sees Leona at the farthermost body of water, skipping stones across its surface.
Ranma sits down next to her.
Ranma: Lechan?
Leona doesn't answer, but keeps skipping some stones across the surface of the water.
Ranma puts his hand on her shoulder and shakes her slightly.
Ranma: Lechan?
Leona (Looks over to Ranma): Huh!? Oh… Sorry Ranma… I wasn't paying attention…
I was thinking…
Ranma: Leona… Are you okay? You didn't tell anyone where you were going and I was
worried, because I couldn't find you when I got back. I was so worried that you may have
hurt yourself…
Leona (Looks at Ranma): … Ranma… I want to ask you a question…
Ranma: Sure.
Leona: Why? Why do you care for me so much? I mean, look what I did to you. It may
have not been me doing that, but it was my body that did that… The blood has stained my
hands, and I know I cannot ask for forgiveness… I don't deserve it…
Ranma: Don't say that Lechan! You of all people deserve forgiveness. As I said before, it
wasn't your fault…
Leona: DON'T YOU GET IT! I'M PRACTICALLY A LIVING WEAPON! Goenitz
said so… (Starts to cry). He would beat me up so much, and send me into the Blood
Riot… I would feel myself be lost in the feeling of emptiness… I wanted to kill… I could
feel the blood lust in me every time he sent me into it… I couldn't help myself… And if I
go into it again… I may hurt you… I don't want to do that… So please Ranma… Just
end it… I don't want to hurt anyone else… I'm tired of being used as a weapon…
Please… Just kill me…
Ranma (Hugs Leona): NO! NO GOD DAMN IT, NO! Please Lechan, don't be like this.
This is not what you usually are like… I know you Lechan… I know you would never ask
for death…
Leona (As tears pour from her eyes): THEN WHY!? Why do I have to be like this damn
it? … I've killed hundreds of people already because of the Blood Riot… I deserve to
die… I know it is what they would want… The ones I killed…
Ranma (Shakes his head): No Leona… They wouldn't want that…
Leona: How would you know? I killed them! They would more than likely want me to
join them… I cheated them out of life! I deserve to die!
Ranma: Damn it Lechan… Stop being so negative… Listen. I can tell you two things for
sure. I forgive you for what happened, and I know you father forgives you as well…
Leona (Stares at Ranma): … You said that before… That my father forgives me… How
would you know?
Ranma (Thinks for a moment before speaking): … Lechan… Please listen carefully, and
do not repeat this to others… They would probably think I'm nuts… I saw your father…
He came to me as a ghost and told me what to expect here. He told me what happened to
you, how I could save you, the trial here, that he wanted me to tell you he forgives you, and
that he wanted me to take care of you. And I promise to take care of you. No matter what!
Leona stares at Ranma for a bit. She isn't sure how to react. What he said sounded so
fantastic, but… His eyes… There was no room for joke in them. He is serious.
Leona (Hesitant): You… You saw my father?
Ranma (Nods his head): Yes… He said he wanted me to take care of you… He knows of
how your life has been, and only wants the best for you. He doesn't want you to kill
yourself… And I don't want you to either. I love you Lechan. I have literally crawled
through hell and back to find you again. And I don't EVER want to give you up. I want to
be with you. Always…
Leona starts to feel the tears pour down the side of her face again… But these tears are
different… She is so happy that she can't do anything but cry. She lunges at Ranma and
hugs him for dear life. Ranma hugs her back. The two embrace each other for what seems
like an eternity… Ranma traces light kisses along Leona's neck, making her sigh… She
revels in the feelings. Ranma and Leona then lock eyes. They both can see a mutual desire
in both of their eyes. Both suddenly start blushing to the shade of a ripe tomato…
Leona (Blushes a deep crimson): Um, Ranma? …
Ranma (Blushes a deep crimson): Uh, yeah… Lechan… You don't have to do this if you
don't want to. I mean we just found each other again… Wouldn't this be pushing it?
Leona (Shakes her head): I'm not sure… But I know I want this… That we BOTH want
this… And I can honestly say that I've wanted to do this with you for a long time… So
please Ranma… For me?
Ranma looks into Leona's eyes and sees the hope shining brightly in them… He knows
what Guidel told him about the trial… But foremost, he knows one thing about himself…
He can NEVER deny Leona anything. So Ranma just nods his head and embraces Leona,
prepared to accept his responsibility… At least this is something he'll enjoy, that's for
sure…
Ranma (As he hugs Leona): I love you Lechan…
Leona (As she hugs him back): I love you too…
And so Ranma and Leona connect in the ultimate way a couple can express their love for
each other…
(------)
End Chapter 41
Next Time: Chris… The Fire Palace… And the Hiryuu Hyuu Toppa…
Send your questions and comments to either RedPriest17@aol.com or
Ryutsurugi@yahoo.com
This is RedPriest17, signing off.
Note: Flames will be read and than used to fuel the Orochi fire.
(------)
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½. That is property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own
The King of Fighters, that is property of SNK. I do however suggest you look up
information on these two properties. You won't be disappointed.
(------)
Note: This takes place well after the Ranma ½ manga and during the King of Fighters '98.
(------)
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 41: Orochi Space: Water Palace, Part 2.
Reunion.
Goenitz sits in the throne room of his palace. He sips from a glass of white wine as he
listens to the winds. He can hear the group that the Tenth Hakkeshu brought with him try
to subdue the Hakkeshu of water… He laughs. He knows they cannot stop her. They
won't go all out to hurt her, and so they take damage from her as the fight goes on. He
hears their yelps of pain as Leona's attacks get through their defenses. It puts a smile to his
face. He knows that the circlet he put on Leona's head has more than enough energy to
keep her in the Riot of Blood for three days straight if necessary. And when she finally
finishes them off… He'll show her the results of her 'work'… It will send her into a pit of
despair, and he can then thoroughly mold her into a soldier… Or better yet, a new
plaything… And the Tenth Hakkeshu, wherever he is, will follow… Wanting to get Leona
back.
Suddenly, Goenitz lurches forward in his chair and spits out some wine he had just taken a
sip of. The Tenth Hakkeshu literally came back into this 'reality' in the most unexpected
of ways.
Goenitz (Wipes his mouth): How the hell did he just pop out of a geyser? … Oh well…
He's back… That's all that matters… And if he kills her… It's not too much of a waste…
Killing her will finally break him, and so the Orochi can be resurrected… And if she kills
him… We'll, just use his corpse to resurrect the Orochi… Either way, I WIN!
Goenitz smiles, kicks his feet back, and listens to the wind, awaiting the outcome of this
new turn of events…
(-------)
Ranma runs straight at Riot of Blood Leona as she runs right at him. He sees she has her
combat knife in her right hand and decides to get rid of that first. Ranma suddenly stops,
allows himself to fall on his back, and uses the motion in an upward kick, to send her knife
flying out of her hand. Riot of Blood Leona just stumbles a bit back, and does a
roundhouse kick that smashes Ranma's raised leg in the back of the calf.
Ranma (Thinks): SHIT! That's gonna be black and blue tomorrow…
Ranma stats rolling backwards to get away from Leona. Unfortunately for him, there's a
cold water lake behind him, and rolling in turns him into a girl.
Ranko (Spits out some water): Shoot…
Riot of Blood Leona starts to run towards Ranma, but Iori grabs her from behind. His arms
wrapped around her, pinning her arms to her sides. Leona moves her head forward, and
snaps it back with a force, smashing Iori in the face. Iori doesn't let go, but starts to
stumble. Leona does it again. Ranko screams at him.
Ranko: DAMN IT IORI! THIS IS MY BATTLE! LET ME TAKE CARE OF…
Kyo (Glomps Ranko from behind): RANKYO MY LOVE! YOU HAVE COME TO BE
WITH YOUR KYO-SAMA! Very well… I shall fight the demoness Leona, and protect
you my wild flower of the Yagami clan…
!
Kyo floats facedown on top of the water, a huge lump on his head, from when Ranko
brought her fist smashing down upon him. Ranko sees Iori still struggling with the
screeching Leona, who is now kicking her legs to make enough motion so that Iori will lose
his grip on her. Ranko decides to do things a bit more calmly this time…
Ranko: Iori, if you're going to help, keep her still… I need to get that circlet off of her…
Ranko gets out of the water, and walks up to Leona. She tries to grab the circlet, but it
gives her an electrical shock to her hand.
Ranko: OW! Sonuvabitch that smarts… (Sucks on her fingers). Iori, when I say let go,
let go…
Iori (As he struggles with Leona): But…
Ranko: No buts! This is my battle… Believe me… Only I can do this…
Iori (Eyes Ranko): You sure?
Ranko: Yes… Believe me. I don't want to do this, but I HAVE TO!
Ranko then runs to the nearest hot spring in the place, jumps in, and turns back into a man.
Ranma then starts running towards Iori.
Ranma: IORI, LET GO NOW!
Iori lets go, and jumps back away from Leona. Leona turns around to attack Iori, but
Ranma tackles her to the ground from behind. Leona struggles, with Ranma on top of her.
Leona: YOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLL!!!
Ranma, scared for a moment by the cat-like sound she made, jumped back. Leona than
does her Baltic Launcher attack. She jumps into the air, and lets off a huge green-colored
emotional based ki ball of depression energy. The emotion it lets off makes the Shi Shi
Hokodan feel perky in comparison. The attack hits Ranma square in the chest, obliterates
the front of his shirt, and sends him flying back into one of the cold water lakes…
Specifically, the same one Kyo is in.
Ranko (Spits out water): … Not again…
Kyo (Glomps Ranko from behind, eyes are little hearts): RANKYO MY LOVE!!! (Turns
her around, gets a nosebleed as he sees her chest). … Oh my… You truly are bursting
with such healthy beauty… Almost as much as the ninja girl Mai Shiranui… (Hugs Ranko
closer to him). I FEEL SO LUCKY THE GODS DEEM YOU AS WORTHY FOR MY
NOBLE PERSONAGE!!!
! ! ! ! ! ! !
!
Everyone, with the exception of Riot of Blood Leona, who stands there, breathing heavily
with steam pouring from her mouth, has smashed Kyo in the head with a fist.
Ranko, Iori, Kima, Chizuru, Terry, Billy, Vice, & Mature: KYO YOU PERVERT!!!
Kyo's grasp on Ranko loosens, and his unconscious form sinks below the surface of the
lake…
(------)
Back at the Wind Palace, Goenitz is rolling around on the floor, laughing his ass off at the
turn of events…
Goenitz: Kyo… Ha ha… Kyo you idiot… HA HA! You idiotic, hormone driven
pervert…
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Goenitz pounds his fists on the floor during his fit of laughter as he continues to listen to
what happens.
(------)
Leona begins to walk towards the group. Ranko flips into the air, and lands in a hot spring
with a loud splash. Ranma then charges towards Leona. Leona, takes this as a threat, and
starts running at Ranma, while on all fours.
Leona: RWOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWRRRRRR!!!
Ranma stops and cringes at the cat-like noise Riot of Blood Leona made, and she tackles
him to the ground, digging her fingers into his shoulders. Blood sprays from his shoulders,
as Ranma kicks Leona off of him with his knees. He then jumps back and notices he has
ten deep little 'pits' in his shoulders, which begin to ooze blood. Ranma begins to think.
Ranma (Thinks): Okay dumb ass, CALM DOWN! Leona IS NOT a cat…
Leona circles around Ranma, looking for a moment to strike. She hisses like a cat and
sends a shiver up Ranma's spine.
Ranma (Thinks): …… Leona IS NOT a cat, but DAMN SHE SURE SOUNDS LIKE
ONE! Brr… I got to do something to get that damn circlet off her head… I could get her
out of the Blood Riot a lot more easily if that thing didn't keep feeding her energy…
Suddenly, a thought goes through Ranma's mind… He remembers back to the time he
fought the "Noisy Thief" Ryuu, to get back the sacred scrolls he stolen from his family…
The Umi Seiken and Yama Seiken scrolls. Ranma would NEVER use the forbidden
techniques on Leona, but he remembers a far less lethal move from the Yama Seiken scroll
that Ryuu would use on him… A pretty powerful kick… The "Mouko Kaimon Ha" or…
Ranma (Whispers): Fierce Tiger Crashing Through the Gates…
Ranma starts to circle Leona as she moves around him, the two staying in front of each
other, eyes locked… The eyes are the windows to the soul, and Ranma can see that there is
nothing in those blank eyes… It's like she's a soulless creature… But Ranma knows she
has a soul, and knows he has to still tone down the move so as not to really hurt her. He
remembers when Ryuu landed that kick on him, and it hurt like hell… So Ranma just
keeps on moving around Leona, as he thinks on how to change the move, so it won't hurt
her too badly…
Suddenly, Leona pounces at him again, and Ranma has to struggle with her on top of him,
as she grabs his throat and literally tries to tear it open. Ranma feels the others are coming
to help, but he doesn't want them near.
Ranma: STAY BACK!
Chizuru: But Ranma…
Ranma: DO AS I SAY DAMN IT!!!
Ranma puts his right forearm under Leona's neck, and tries to pry her off of him. She then
moves her head, and bites down on his arm hard. Ranma screams and literally jumps up.
He feels his skin rip as Leona's jaw loses it's hold on his arm, and scrapes his flesh as it
slides off. Ranma jumps back from Leona, who has blood dripping from the sides of her
mouth. Ranma decides that it's time to end this, before she does something he knows
she'll regret…
Ranma: Sorry Leona, but I'm going to save you…
Ranma then performs the Mouko Kaimon Ha…
Ranma: DON'T MOVE!!!
Leona is somewhat paralyzed by the loud noise. Ranma starts running up to her as she
hesitates. She moves her arms forward to tear at Ranma with her hands, but he just shoots
both his arms forward in a curving motion away from him; smashing her arms away from
her at the same time. He then concentrates a bit of ki into his foot and then shoots his foot
out in a kick at her forehead. The kick sends Leona flying back into one of the hot springs.
Ranma stands there, waiting. The other fighters stare at what Ranma did…
Billy (Wide-eyed): What the frikin' hell was that?
Ranma (Whispers): Mouko Kaimon Ha…
Chizuru: Fierce Tiger Crashing Through the Gates?
Ranma: Yes…
Terry: What kind of move was that? I've never seen you use it before.
Ranma: It's a technique from one of two scrolls of forbidden techniques… The Yama
Seiken and Umi Seiken scrolls…
Billy (Thinks): Mountain of the Thousand Fists and Sea of the Thousand Fists scrolls…
Hmm… The boss may want to know about this…
Suddenly Leona stands up in the hot spring, a deep cut on her forehead… She staggers a
bit as she moves forward… The tanzanite gemstone on the circlet cracks, and breaks. The
circlet falls off of her head, and she falls onto the edge of the spring face first. Her hair
turns back from red to blue, and her clothes lighten in color. Ranma runs up to her, fear
evident in his eyes. He turns her onto her back and touches her neck, feeling for her pulse.
When he finds one, he breathes a sigh of relief. He's got her back…
Ranma (Thinks): I know I don't say this much, but… Thank you God…
Ranma looks around and sees the other fighters starting to gather around.
Mature: Um… Ranma?
Ranma (Nods his head): She's fine… She's just a tired for the moment… Give her
time… She'll be better…
Vice: So what now? Do we continue?
Chizuru: I think we should make camp here. We need to tend to our injuries, and this may
be the last peaceful area we get to rest for a while…
Terry: I agree… After all, I don't think the other Hakkeshu would attack us here. This is
Leona's realm.
Iori: Yeah… And what Leona did to us was more than likely Goenitz's influence on her…
Ranma: Then it's settled. We camp here for a bit. Mature, please take Vice and gather the
medical supplies you packed for us back at your palace and start helping the more seriously
injured. Terry, maybe you should start pitching some tents that Mature also packed for
us… By the way… Does anyone know how to cook? I'm hungry…
The others face-fault. Looks like the group's got some work to do…
(------)
Goenitz's face flushes crimson with rage. The Tenth Hakkeshu actually managed to beat
Leona, he destroyed her energy source, but worse of all, this means they are now halfway
through the "Orochi Space".
Goenitz: Five realms… He made it through FIVE F*CKING REALMS! DAMN HIM!
Goenitz crushes the wine class in his grasp. The pieces of glass, and wine spill to the
ground amidst some of his blood. He shakes his hand once, and glass shards get tossed
from it. Goenitz walks to one of the balconies of his palace.
Goenitz: How? … How did he know to destroy the circlet? HOW? HOW OROCHI
DAMN IT, HOW!?!?
Goenitz suddenly hears a chuckling… He turns around back to his palace and looks
around.
Goenitz: WHO'S THERE!? SHOW YOURSELF!!!
Male Voice: The Tenth Hakkeshu has the one he loves with all of his being back, oh
"Divine Wind"… He has his strength back… Your days are numbered… Enjoy them
while they last…
Suddenly, the wind picks up slightly, and a few snowflakes swim through the air, to the
outside of Goenitz's palace. Goenitz can only stare at those little flakes of ice as they fly
off. He starts to sweat, as he recognized the voice…
Goenitz (Narrows his eyes): … Guidel…
(------)
Back in the 'real' world, the unconscious form of Nodoka lies in a hospital bed. The
doctors are impressed… She shouldn't have survived this long… But they see no real
hope… If anything, she may now be stuck in a permanent coma, or she may very well be a
vegetable… Kasumi has stayed by Nodoka's side the whole time… The doctors say she
should leave, but she refuses… After all, it wouldn't be right for her to leave the person
she considers her friend. But even Kasumi cannot look after Nodoka all the time…
Eventually she falls asleep in her chair.
A few snowflakes seemingly swim through the air around Nodoka. They seem to give off
an energy that gathers around Nodoka's neck. A sapphire pendant connected to a necklace
appears around her neck. The snowflakes fall onto the pendant and melt. Nodoka begins
to glow with a bluish violet colored energy… When the energy fades away, Nodoka
slowly opens her eyes. She looks around and sees Kasumi in a chair. She notices the
room, even though dark looks like that of a hospital room. She notices she has a necklace
on. One that she does not remember owning… She notices it's a pendant of sapphire. The
sapphire is smooth and made in the shape of a water-drop or tear. The sapphire has a little
kanji marking of "Mizu" carved into opposite sides of it… Nodoka's eyes widen in
shock…
Nodoka (In a voice barely above a whisper): Guidel… This was your pendant… But
how? How did it get here?
(------)
Leona slowly wakes up. She notices one thing as she gains consciousness… PAIN! And
she feels every capital letter of the word with one hell of a wicked headache… She keeps
her eyes closed, not wanting to have to face reality. But then she notices something
'odd'… She feels that she is on something soft… She opens her eyes and takes in her
surroundings… It's definitely NOT some stinking dungeon like she's been in for longer
than she actually knows, but the inside of a dark green tent… And she is in a black
sleeping bag. She tries to lift herself on her elbows, and a bit of the sleeping bag falls off to
reveal she's wearing a blue silk Chinese shirt. Her eyes widen when she recognizes the
shirt… It looks a lot like the one Ranma gave her to wear that night she remembered more
of her past… This could only mean…
Leona: Ranma? Are you out there?
Leona waits for what must have been a minute, when a bandaged pig-tailed boy opens the
tent-flap. He looks at her and smiles.
Ranma: Feeling better Lechan?
Leona: Yes… I guess… I got one hell of a headache though… Do you have anything to
eat? I'm starving…
Ranma smiles and then chuckles a bit to himself. Leona's response sounds like something
he would say.
Leona (Eyes Ranma): What's so funny?
Ranma (Waves his hand): Nothing. Give me a minute to get you something to eat.
Ranma closes the tent flap and leaves Leona in the tent. She smiles, thinking how nice it is
to be with Ranma. But it's confusing… When did she get to be with Ranma again? Why
does Ranma have bandages all over his upper torso, shoulders, and right forearm? Why is
she in some of his clothing? The last thing she remembers was lying in Goenitz's dungeon,
scared, starving, and in pain. Just waiting for death to come and claim her, to end her
misery. A scene flashes through her mind… She's biting down on Ranma… She holds
her hand to her mouth… She feels a salty taste… Whether this is truth, or her imagination,
she doesn't know… And she isn't sure if she wants to know… She feels terrible…
Leona (Thinks): Oh God… Did I… Would I… Could I…… (Eyes widen). Oh God…
What happened? Did I hurt Ranma? Please tell me that this is just some sick joke…
Leona feels the tears start to flow down the sides of her face. She hates crying, but she
can't seem to stop herself… She curses herself for being weak…
The tent flap opens again, and in walks Ranma. He has a small tray with two bowls of
miso soup on it. He's about to say something, but then he sees that Leona is crying. He
puts the tray down to the side, and sits down next to Leona.
Ranma: Lechan… Are you okay? What's wrong? (Eyes narrow). That jerk Goenitz hurt
you, didn't he? I'LL MAKE HIM PAY!!! (Eyes widen). Oh no… Don't tell me that it's
because I hurt you too badly when I tried to pacify you? … (Smacks himself in the face
with his hand). STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!
Leona (Grabs Ranma's wrist): Ranma, please stop that. Just tell me… What happened?
Ranma: Sigh… Lechan, it's like this… I'm not sure what happened to you, but for me, it
has been one fight and trial after another… I had the shit beaten out of me at the finals. I
woke up in a hospital eight days later. I found out my mom is dying… (Leona's eyes
begin to water some more upon hearing that). I stayed there another day, then got my
warriors, and went to Ryugenzawa to save you… Only it turns out you and the others were
in a 'pocket dimension', called the "Orochi Space". It's been a total of eleven days since I
last saw you Lechan… I'm glad I have you back…'
Leona is silent for a bit. Ranma wants to do something, but decides he should give Leona
time to digest the information he told her. She shakes a bit, but decides to ask Ranma a bit
more.
Leona: Ranma… Are we in the "Orochi Space" still? Who else is here?
Ranma: Sorry Leona, but yes, we still are… As for who's here, I brought Iori, Kyo (says
name with disgust), Chizuru, Kima, Terry, and Billy with me, and Vice and Mature decided
to help us once we got to meet up with them again.
Leona shakes her head to acknowledge this. She then stares at her hands, thinking on what
to ask next. She knows what she wants to ask, but she's afraid to… She decides to bite the
bullet and ask Ranma why he's all bandaged up.
Leona: Ranma…
Ranma: Yes?
Leona: What's with all the bandages? Did… Did I do that?
Ranma seems to pale a bit but shakes it off. He starts to scratch the back of his head with
his left hand, while thinking of the best way to describe what happened.
Ranma: Well… Um… You see… (Ranma's eyes widen). Hold on.
Leona watches Ranma as he digs into his pocket. Her eyes widen in fear when she sees
what he pulls out. A silver circlet, with a hole in it for where a jewel should be. She
smacks the circlet out of Ranma's hand.
Ranma: … Lechan?
Leona (Grabbing the sides of her head): Please… Keep that away from me…
Ranma nods his head. He takes the circlet outside the tent and tosses it away. He then
goes back into the tent so see Leona is slightly shaking. He sits down next to her again,
and takes one of the bowls of miso soup. He holds it to Leona but she shakes her head.
Leona: Please Ranma… I have to know… What happened to you? Tell me… Please?
Ranma: Sigh… Okay Lechan… I'll tell you… When I got to see you again, you were in
the Riot of Blood. That circlet I was trying to show you was apparently what kept you like
that. I had to fight you to get it off of you. I'll say this Lechan… It wasn't easy, but I was
able to break it, and get you back.
Leona seems to shake even more now. Ranma encloses his arms around her, to reassure
her that she didn't do anything wrong, that it wasn't her fault.
Leona: Ranma… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…
Ranma: Shh… It's okay Lechan… It's okay… It's not your fault it happened… It's
Goenitz's fault… He did that to you…
Leona: But… I was the one that attacked you…
Ranma: Leona, it wasn't you. I looked into 'your' eyes while fighting 'you'. I didn't see
your soul behind those blank orbs. It was like looking at a wall. Whatever attacked me
may have been in your body, but it wasn't you. So don't feel bad. And Leona…
Leona: Yes?
Ranma (Passes her the bowl of miso soup): Here… You should eat. I don't know when
the last time you had anything to eat was, and you must be starving…
Leona: … I am… But… Ranma… How can you just forgive me? I attacked you.
Ranma: Leona, as I said before you weren't the one who attacked me… So I can forgive
you… And I know that your father doesn't blame you either.
Leona stares at Ranma with curiosity. Why would he say that? She's about to ask, but
Ranma shoves a spoon with some soup in her mouth. She swallows the soup and looks at
Ranma.
Leona: What was that for?
Ranma: Simple. You need to gain your strength. You should stop being so stubborn and
eat up.
Leona: … Okay… (Smiles). I guess being stubborn is your department, not mine.
Ranma smiles at seeing Leona smile at him. Whenever she's happy, everything just seems
right. Ranma then ruffles Leona's hair with his hand. She giggles slightly with that.
Ranma: Now that's the Leona Heidern I know and love… Good to have you back…
Leona: Good to be back.
Ranma just sits in the tent with Leona for a bit. He then remembers he had another bowl of
soup with him. He offers it to her, she thanks him for it, and she eats that one as well.
Ranma: Been awhile since you last ate huh?
Leona: Yeah… I don't remember eating anything for the longest while…
Ranma frowns… Not eating is one of the things Ranma hates the most. Thinking back to
his own childhood hurts when he thinks on how he was deprived of food. Genma would
have Ranma steal for him, and anything Ranma could get, Genma would eat it all on him.
And when Genma got something he ate it all himself. Ranma chuckles to himself about
how it's surprising he didn't starve to death his first year of training with the old bastard.
He notices Leona stare at him but he shakes his head, not giving the matter much
importance anymore. It was the past, and if Ranma can have his way, he would have
NOTHING to do with Genma anymore… The bastard caused more trouble for Ranma
than he would care to think about. Ranma then realizes he was supposed to check
something with Iori. He tells Leona he'll be back, and in the meantime, she should rest up
and gain her strength back.
(------)
Ranma makes it to the edge of the realm. It's quite surprising how much it changed since
they beat Leona… The place actually warmed up. It's no longer a frozen wasteland, but it
is lush with vegetation, and rivers seem to be all around. The snow-covered mountain,
which was Leona's palace, is now turning green on the outside. Ranma finds Iori studying
a small statue at the edge of the landmass.
Ranma: Hey Iori!
Iori: Hi Ranma!
Ranma: Iori, what are you looking at?
Iori: I think this is the trial, but… I'm not sure what to make of it…
Ranma: Oh? Why's that?
Iori: Look at it…
Ranma takes a look at the 'trial'. It is a small statue of a heart.
Ranma (Looks at Iori): So?
Iori: That's my question exactly. I had Vice and Mature look at this earlier, and they can't
interpret it.
Ranma: Hmm… What can I say? If this is the trial, we have to figure out what it means…
Iori: Yeah… You get back to Leona… I think she'll need you around her for a bit…
You're the one she trusts the most out of all of us.
Ranma: Okay… I'll get going.
With that Ranma starts walking back towards the palace. He remembers what Guidel told
him a few hours ago… That the trial is Leona's innermost desire… And that he has to
fulfill it… As Ranma runs, he wonders what it is she wants the most from life…
(------)
An hour passes. Ranma makes it back to his tent and goes to check on Leona, but she's
gone. This causes Ranma to slightly panic. He starts to look around the area for Leona.
He asks some of the others if they've seen her, and they say the last they saw her was when
Ranma was setting her down in the tent a while ago after he defeated her. This causes
Ranma to really worry. He knows Leona is not still back to normal, and that she may not
be emotionally stable. He goes back inside her palace, and checks around. He calls out her
name… No answer, but he hears a noise. Something moving across water. He follows the
noise and sees Leona at the farthermost body of water, skipping stones across its surface.
Ranma sits down next to her.
Ranma: Lechan?
Leona doesn't answer, but keeps skipping some stones across the surface of the water.
Ranma puts his hand on her shoulder and shakes her slightly.
Ranma: Lechan?
Leona (Looks over to Ranma): Huh!? Oh… Sorry Ranma… I wasn't paying attention…
I was thinking…
Ranma: Leona… Are you okay? You didn't tell anyone where you were going and I was
worried, because I couldn't find you when I got back. I was so worried that you may have
hurt yourself…
Leona (Looks at Ranma): … Ranma… I want to ask you a question…
Ranma: Sure.
Leona: Why? Why do you care for me so much? I mean, look what I did to you. It may
have not been me doing that, but it was my body that did that… The blood has stained my
hands, and I know I cannot ask for forgiveness… I don't deserve it…
Ranma: Don't say that Lechan! You of all people deserve forgiveness. As I said before, it
wasn't your fault…
Leona: DON'T YOU GET IT! I'M PRACTICALLY A LIVING WEAPON! Goenitz
said so… (Starts to cry). He would beat me up so much, and send me into the Blood
Riot… I would feel myself be lost in the feeling of emptiness… I wanted to kill… I could
feel the blood lust in me every time he sent me into it… I couldn't help myself… And if I
go into it again… I may hurt you… I don't want to do that… So please Ranma… Just
end it… I don't want to hurt anyone else… I'm tired of being used as a weapon…
Please… Just kill me…
Ranma (Hugs Leona): NO! NO GOD DAMN IT, NO! Please Lechan, don't be like this.
This is not what you usually are like… I know you Lechan… I know you would never ask
for death…
Leona (As tears pour from her eyes): THEN WHY!? Why do I have to be like this damn
it? … I've killed hundreds of people already because of the Blood Riot… I deserve to
die… I know it is what they would want… The ones I killed…
Ranma (Shakes his head): No Leona… They wouldn't want that…
Leona: How would you know? I killed them! They would more than likely want me to
join them… I cheated them out of life! I deserve to die!
Ranma: Damn it Lechan… Stop being so negative… Listen. I can tell you two things for
sure. I forgive you for what happened, and I know you father forgives you as well…
Leona (Stares at Ranma): … You said that before… That my father forgives me… How
would you know?
Ranma (Thinks for a moment before speaking): … Lechan… Please listen carefully, and
do not repeat this to others… They would probably think I'm nuts… I saw your father…
He came to me as a ghost and told me what to expect here. He told me what happened to
you, how I could save you, the trial here, that he wanted me to tell you he forgives you, and
that he wanted me to take care of you. And I promise to take care of you. No matter what!
Leona stares at Ranma for a bit. She isn't sure how to react. What he said sounded so
fantastic, but… His eyes… There was no room for joke in them. He is serious.
Leona (Hesitant): You… You saw my father?
Ranma (Nods his head): Yes… He said he wanted me to take care of you… He knows of
how your life has been, and only wants the best for you. He doesn't want you to kill
yourself… And I don't want you to either. I love you Lechan. I have literally crawled
through hell and back to find you again. And I don't EVER want to give you up. I want to
be with you. Always…
Leona starts to feel the tears pour down the side of her face again… But these tears are
different… She is so happy that she can't do anything but cry. She lunges at Ranma and
hugs him for dear life. Ranma hugs her back. The two embrace each other for what seems
like an eternity… Ranma traces light kisses along Leona's neck, making her sigh… She
revels in the feelings. Ranma and Leona then lock eyes. They both can see a mutual desire
in both of their eyes. Both suddenly start blushing to the shade of a ripe tomato…
Leona (Blushes a deep crimson): Um, Ranma? …
Ranma (Blushes a deep crimson): Uh, yeah… Lechan… You don't have to do this if you
don't want to. I mean we just found each other again… Wouldn't this be pushing it?
Leona (Shakes her head): I'm not sure… But I know I want this… That we BOTH want
this… And I can honestly say that I've wanted to do this with you for a long time… So
please Ranma… For me?
Ranma looks into Leona's eyes and sees the hope shining brightly in them… He knows
what Guidel told him about the trial… But foremost, he knows one thing about himself…
He can NEVER deny Leona anything. So Ranma just nods his head and embraces Leona,
prepared to accept his responsibility… At least this is something he'll enjoy, that's for
sure…
Ranma (As he hugs Leona): I love you Lechan…
Leona (As she hugs him back): I love you too…
And so Ranma and Leona connect in the ultimate way a couple can express their love for
each other…
(------)
End Chapter 41
Next Time: Chris… The Fire Palace… And the Hiryuu Hyuu Toppa…
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