Chapter 10


Tenma! Kamiko!" Akane called for her two children as she exited their home. When she received no answer to her calls, Akane sighed completely exasperated. It had been two years since the birth of the twins and now that they could walk, they got into all sorts of trouble. "You had better answer me or I'll have to tell your father you were bad!"


Still no response. "Guess I'll have to search for them," Akane muttered as she headed off into the forest at a brisk walk. Pausing ever one hundred yards or so, Akane called for the two trouble makers, "Tenma! I swear....if you don't come out...You won't be allowed to go swimming for a week!"

No answer. Akane rolled her eyes while heaving a huge sigh, "There not here....I'll have to check by the falls then." Turning around, Akane headed off in that direction while checking every available hiding spot she could think of. She even glanced upwards to see if they were hiding in the trees. Over the years, their ability to adapt and learn grew at an amazing rate and the two were so active that it gave both Ranma and herself a run for their money. They could barely keep up with them as it was now. "God! I hope those two will settle down as they get older....right now I'm so tired I could just sleep for two weeks straight."

Akane stopped walking as the loud roar of the falls filtered through the forest. She smiled before hurrying her pace until they came into site. "Kamiko! You and your brother better come out of hiding or you won't be allowed to play with your father!" she called out in hopes of flushing the two out of hiding.

Suddenly, soft-rustling sounds came from behind her followed by the sound of stifled giggles. Rolling her eyes Akane muttered, "Honestly." Grinning as an idea surface, Akane quickly circled around the house so that she would come up behind her children.

Ranma watched from his perch in the trees and smiled. He had realized long ago that the best place to watch the twins was from a vantage-point where he could see for miles around. Over the last few years, they had managed to get into so much trouble it was driving him to distraction. He remembered the first few months after they were born, Akane always remarked that he couldn't tell the two apart when they were wrapped up in their blankets. He had agreed and then made it a point to memorize each little quirk that the twins exhibited so that he could tell them apart. It had only taken him two weeks before he was able to do so and now he was glad of it since the two frequently liked to play tricks on their parents. Turning his attention back towards the scene down below, Ranma watched as Akane stealthily snuck up on the two little terrors.

Akane smiled as she placed each foot down carefully so each footfall barely made a sound. Inching closer, she tried to stifle her laughter as the twins moved the branches out of their way to peek towards the spot she had been just moments ago. Just as she was about to pounce on them, Akane heard a stifled snort from above. Glancing up, she saw Ranma with his hand over his mouth and one over his stomach. He was currently holding onto a branch by his feet while obviously trying to hold in his laughter. Akane grinned wickedly before giving him a thumbs up before she pounced. "Aha! I've got you now!" She shouted while tickling each twin.

"EEeeeeeeee!" Kamiko screeched as she jumped up and started crawling through the bush before she knew who had surprised her.

"AAAAAA!" Tenma hollered as he quickly scrambled on his hands and knees to get away as fast as possible.

"Finally," Ranma thought as he saw the twins expressions of surprise. Then howling with laughter, he slipped from his perch and fell out of the tree still clutching his belly. "Hahahahahahaha! You.....should....have seen....their....faces!" he gasped while trying to regain his breath.

"Hmph!" Akane replied as she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him and said, You were no help at all, Ranma! Besides, they should know by now that they can't hide."

Getting up, Ranma decided not to argue and replied, "I'll go get them and we can go home....ok?"

"Alright, lunch is ready anyway," Akane replied with a small twinkle in her eye before she jogged off towards home. She had only made it to the edge of the clearing when the ground began shaking and a loud roaring sound filled the air.

What the holy hell is that! Akane screamed over the noise as she fell to her knees. Glancing over her shoulder towards the volcano, she saw huge gouts of smoke coming from the rim. Terror began to race through her system as she witnessed the gouts of smoke coming from the mouth of the volcano. The ground shaking like a bucking bronco, Akane slowly stood and screamed, "Ranma! Get the kids quickly!"

Ranma didn't question her order as he quickly stood and ran over to where the children had fallen during the quake, scooping each screaming child into his arms, he turned and ran back towards Akane. By some unspoken agreement, the two began to run as fast as their legs would allow in the thick undergrowth. "Damn! he thought as he took a quick glance over his shoulder at the smoking giant. I think we should get to higher ground," Ranma yelled before the loud roaring sound echoed across the island as the volcano suddenly exploded.

Akane and the children screamed in fear and instinctively crouched down, covering their heads with their arms to protect themselves from flying debris. "But shouldn't we get off the island?" Akane screamed as she tried to make herself heard over the loud roaring noise and the screams of their children.

"Do you remember the last time we tried to get off on a raft!" Ranma asked as he quickly regained his feet and continued running. Glancing over towards Akane he saw her grimace in pain as she stepped on a rock before continuing, "We can't risk it with the twins! The reef is too dangerous and we barely managed to swim back in one piece!"

Akane's face whitened in fright as she remembered the fiasco. Shaking her head, she continued to follow Ranma towards high ground. Suddenly she had an idea, "Hey! What about the cave behind the waterfall!"

"It's too dangerous!" he gasped out as he continued to run. "It could cave in during one of the quakes!"

Akane nodded in reply as she followed him. The ground gradually began to slope upwards, making the trek more difficult than before, but the two martial artists continued their grueling pace. Reaching the top of a small rise, Akane glanced back towards the volcano and saw a huge wall of molten lava heading in their direction and screamed, "RANMA LOOK!"

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Mainland Tahiti:


"Sir!" shouted a student of volcanology. Standing he shouted louder, "Quick, you have to come and take a look at this!" Noticing that Mr. Horoshimo was quickly making his way over, Jube sat down once more to monitor the screens.

"What is it Jube?" Hiroshimo asked as he bent down to stare at the readouts.

"We have confirmed volcanic activity in section thirty six, sir." Jube replied, pointing to a spot on the map near Tahiti.

"Isn't that the one that erupts every five years or so?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Let's get a team down there, quickly. I want to get some samples and some footage of the eruption."

"I'm right on it, sir." Jube exclaimed as he picked up the receiver on his phone and started dialing. The phone rang for a few moments before a voice answered on the other end.

"Yeah!"

"Get the chopper ready, Max! The Doc says that we're going to get some footage and samples from section thirty six. She's showing large amounts of volcanic activity and is probably blowing her top as we speak," Jube explained excitedly.

"Sure! The chopper will be ready in ten minutes," Max replied. "It should take us twenty minutes to get there!"

"Roger!" Jube answered, conveying his understanding. Turning around, he shouted, "Doc! Ten minutes!"

"Good! Let's go!"

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As the chopper neared the island from the west, the five scientist were treated to a spectacular view of a wall of lava flowing over the eastern rim of Mt. Kalai. Quick, get as close as you can so I can get some of this on film! Dr. Hiroshimo exclaimed as he leaned forward in his seat, never taking his eyes off of the lava flow.

Max replied as he gently pushed the stick forward, causing the chopper to loose altitude.

Max, I want you to swing around to the eastern side so we can document this! Jube exclaimed as he hefted a large movie style camera used for documentaries.


Sure, Jube! No problem! the pilot replied as he gently eased the joystick tot he right. The helicopter turned and headed on its new course, Max glanced out of the right window and saw something that made him blink in confusion. Clearing his throat, the pilot spoke loudly,

What is it? Dr. Hiroshimo replied.

I thought I saw a hut on the island, Sir!

You have got to be joking! This is a restricted area! Any pilot who flies over this island is taking their lives into their hands and throwing them away! Not even the search and rescue patrol comes here! Dr. Hiroshimo screamed in agitation.

Don't forget the dangerous coral reefs, Doc! Jube interjected with a grin.

Dr. Hiroshimo absently replied as he was distracted by the thought of people living on the island. Shaking his head and completely dismissing the idea he exclaimed, There are no people living here!

I'm telling you_I_ saw a hut at the edge of those trees back there! Max argued heatedly as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder to make his point.

Dr. Hiroshimo replied as he finally realized that his research mission had turned into a search and rescue mission.

As the helicopter reached the eastern side of Mt. Kalai, Dr Hiroshimo quickly turned his gaze out the window and started searching. There, just over to the right and in front of the swiftly moving lava flow, he saw a flash of something that seemed to be moving at a fast clip.


Dr. Hiroshimo yelled as he pointed towards the place where he saw it. Quickly, turn your camera in that directly and zoom in! I want to know what it was that I saw!

the young student replied, hefting the camera and crouching down, Jube braced himself as he zoomed in on the spot that Dr. Hiroshimo was pointing in. Slowly turning the lens to focus more clearly let loose an exclamation of surprise, Holy Shit, doc! There are people down there!

Max, swing the chopper around for another pass so that they can see us! Dr. Hiroshimo yelled over the loud noise of the rotor blades.

Jube yelled as he focused the lens back towards the flowing lava. He watched in horror as it moved closer and closer to the two running people. You've got to hurry! The lava flow is almost close enough to fry them!


Max exclaimed as he took a quick glance out the window and saw exactly what Jube saw. Not taking a second to think, the pilot swung the chopper into a nosedive, hoping that he would make it in time before the lava engulfed the two.

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Ranma glanced back and noticed what Akane had screamed about and screamed, Akane! Run faster!

Huff Akane panted for breath. I'm running as fast as I can!

Take a look behind us and tell me that its' fast enough!

Akane glanced back briefly before facing front once more. AAAA! Faster Ranma. or we're toast she screamed as she dug deep within her reserves for enough energy to run past her usual endurance.

Ranma glanced behind, blanched whiter than snow at the site of a swiftly moving wall of lava headed straight for them. Hitching the twins higher in each arm he pushed himself to run faster. Focusing his eyes on the ridge just ahead, Ranma preyed that they could make it in time before the lava overcame them. If we can just get over there.we can jump clear!

Akane nodded her head and veered off towards the ridge. They could feel the heat of the lava as it gained on them. Akane was scared but she pushed that fear away and continued running. Suddenly, she heard a booming noise and a vague whistling sound that seemed to be getting louder and louder. Hey! Do you hear that?

Yeah. What the hell is that? Ranma screamed as he swiveled his gaze back and forth. Finally, realizing that it was coming from above, he glanced upwards a saw a huge chunk of molten rock heading directly for them. Shit! Dodge, Akane!

Akane didn't question the order, she quickly changed course and barely managed to escape as the molten rock soared inches from her back to plow into the spot they would have been had they continued in that direction. Even though she managed to dodge the danger, Akane didn't escape unscathed. As the rock hit the earth, it sent up chunks of smoldering ash, one of which landed on her back and causing her to receive a second-degree burn. she screamed in agony when the hot ash hit. Continuing to run, Akane never paused for a second because she knew that even a spit second of indecision would mean her death.

*Whomp *

A noise could barely be heard over the rumbling roar of the erupting volcano. Akane, do ya hear that? Ranma yelled as he continued running now in the direction of the sea.

What are you talking about! All I hear is the volcano!

I thought I heard a helicopter!

I don'tAkane started to say when the noise finally reached her ears.

*Whomp*.*Whomp*

Eyes widening to the size of dinner plates she yelled, Yes, it does sound like one!

Alright! We're saved! Ranma screamed in jubilation.

Where is it! Akane yelled as she frantically tried to pinpoint the direction of where the sound was coming from. Then, volcano exploded a second time.

BOOOOOOOOM!

Akane cursed heatedly and quite fluently in both Japanese and English. Suddenly, a shadow swung overhead, blocking out the sunlight and revealed the outline of a chopper. It was coming closer and seemed to be coming in fast. Both Ranma and Akane glanced over their shoulders and realized what the pilot was attempting to do. Ranma yelled loudly as he tried to get her attention.

I think the pilot is going to try to pick us up while we're runnin`! I don't think he can afford ta stop!

I realized that, Ranma! We're going to have to jump into the chopper as it flies by! Akane screamed back to be heard over the noise of the rotor blades.

Quickly, holding out her arms, she motioned for Ranma to hand over one of the children. At first, Ranma didn't want to do it but he realized that he would need one of his arms free in order to grasp on to the opening of the chopper. Maneuvering himself close enough to pass over one twin, Ranma glanced towards Akane to see if she had the child held securely in her grasp before he let go.

I've got her! Akane confirmed as she continued running towards the moving chopper that had dropped directly along side them. Akane and Ranma changed direction slightly so that they could make the running jump into the hold of the chopper. They could see someone leaning out of the hold and gathered their remaining strength, then, they jumped..

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