Special thanks to ka_chan, animecartoons and shizentai. I'm glad that you all are enjoying this.
This is the last chapter, thanks for reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Ranma characters, and the story line is based on the movie The King's Guard.
Warning: Characters slightly OOC Rating slightly higher due to the battle.
FORBIDDEN
The Ex-King's Guard
Last Time…
"Wait, won't Kuno be suspicious?"
"Don't worry. Remember, I'm cursed." Ranma left a dumb founded Ukyo as he went searching for cold water.
And now at Kuno's camp…
A small figure hidden in a hooded cloak weaved her way through the bandits, heading towards their leader. As little as the group was (do to Kuno's brilliant idea of sending almost all his men after four people), it still posed a danger to the occupants in the rundown house. As the figure neared her destination, occasionally stumbling and cursing to herself, a rough hand enveloped her arm and jerked her to a stop.
The hood of the cloak fell down, revealing cherry red hair. The woman turned and glared with piercing blue eyes at the man who dared to touch her and to stop her from her mission.
"Hey, who are you? I haven't seen you in this camp before." Trying her best to hide the disgust she felt for this fool, the woman spoke.
"I am an orphan traveling alone. I wanted to join this group of blood thirsty, money grubbing bandits."
"Oh, okay then. The boss is over there." The man dismissed her as quickly as he had spotted her. The woman shook her head. 'What an idiot,' she thought.
Regaining her focus, the red head replaced her hood and joined the men gathered around Kuno. Looking to her left and right, she made eye contact with the two people who had sworn their lives to her, Shampoo and Mousse. They too were disguised in hooded cloaks. They casually approached her, their eyes staying in constant motion for any possible attack.
"You okay?" whispered Mousse.
"Yeah. It's just this stupid outfit. It never fits in this form. I'm always tripping over it," complained the woman.
"The men have been neutralized."
"Too easy, men are idiots. Hardly took Shampoo time at all." the red-head nodded.
"I have an ally in the woods, due east from here. She's our back-up if we are discovered…which looks like it would never happen. Here's what we'll do. We get Kuno's plan and head back to the house to warn them and prepare." The other two nodded.
"Agreed," the Amazons replied.
Shampoo turned her gaze towards the red-head.
"Ranma," the woman looked at Shampoo, "What will you tell Akane? If she does not accept you..." Ranma held up her hand.
"Not now Shampoo. I knocked you out to save you, not to marry you. I thought I made that clear. Besides, I trust Akane." Shampoo dejectedly nodded her head. The trio returned their attention to hear Kuno. Ranma wanted to hold her head and cry. The man was a moron!
"Now brave knights of Kuno, you are here for two reasons. One is to rescue the pure, and lovely Princess Akane, and two is the money that she has gathered for me…"
"He thinks we're knights?" One bandit asked another.
"Hey, as long as I get paid, he can call us sugar plum fairies for all I care." replied the other.
"True, true."
Ranma turned her head towards the sun. They had already been listening to Kuno's speech for five minutes now, and all he was talking about was himself and Akane. Ranma impatiently tapped her shoe, catching it on her baggy pants. When she tried to separate them by kicking her foot around, she accidentally stepped on her other pant leg and almost fell. She gave a sheepish grin to those who saw her, and straightened her posture as she looked on towards the ever-speaking Kuno. Mousse and Shampoo took a step away from Ranma, claiming that they did not know her.
"And now my knight, as for the plan…"
"Finally," whispered Ranma.
"We will charge the house from the center, and kill the four expendable knights. That's about it. Dismissed."
Ranma had to remember to close her mouth. 'They were to rush the house head on? That's it? No divide and conquer, but just right down the middle? Did anyone else see a problem with this?' Ranma looked around 'Nope, guess not.' Shrugging her shoulders she turned to Shampoo and Mousse, jerking her head towards the eastern woods so that they would follow her.
Ranma in a female form, followed by two Amazons raised no suspicion in the group of bandits. Once in the forest, they met up with Ukyo.
"So what's the plan?" Ukyo asked eagerly. After being told, she tried her best not to burst out laughing. Once settled, she turned towards the others, "Now what do we do?"
"Now we go to tell Akane…Where's Ryoga?" Ranma asked, glancing around.
"Somewhere out there. Hey, Ranma, do you need hot water or anything?" Ranma paused and looked at her. A slightly sad smile graced her lips.
"No, she needs to know one way or the other. Which reminds me…Why is Akane's hair short, and why is she marrying Shinnosuke?" Ukyo started to fidget.
"I think you should ask her that Ranma. It's not my place."
"Right. Let's go." Ranma tried to stand up from her crouching position, only to end up face first in the dirt. A string of curses left her mouth as she got up. The others tried their best not to laugh, and failed.
At the rundown house…
Akane and her sisters watched as a group of four tried to make it back to the house. It was quite an amusing sight, for one kept on falling down. When they finally made it, the sisters were surprise to find a stranger among them, and no Ryoga. Okay, they weren't too surprised about there being no Ryoga, but the red-head did catch their attention. Especially the way she kept looking at Akane.
"Akane, I…" The red-head tried to speak, but for some reason it seemed very difficult for her.
"Yes?" encouraged Akane.
"I need to talk to you alone." Akane looked towards Ukyo, who nodded her head.
"Okay, this way."
As the two women left, Ukyo and the Amazons thought it best to fill the rest in on Kuno's plan. However, this discussion was interrupted.
"WHAT?! YOU PERVERT!!" That was definitely Akane's voice (to those who did not catch it, Ranma is confessing to Akane).
"No, Akane wait you don't understand!"
CRASH
"What don't I understand? You two timing, womanizing…"
"Please Akane, put down the dowry chest and listen for once, you…you, TOMBOY"
"ARGHHH!!"
THUG
The others cringed, leaving their imaginations to fill in where that THUG's destination landed (and let me tell you, it was not pretty). They heard low moaning followed by…
"Oh, I'll give you HOT water all right! BWAHAHAHAHA." Next the group heard a steaming sound then a…
Ranma and Akane…
"YE-OWWWW!!! Akane, that wasn't hot. That was boiling!" responded a very male Ranma.
"Ranma!!" said a very happy Akane. "Don't ever do that again! It hurt me that you didn't trust me enough with the truth." Ranma smiled at the downcast Akane. His hand gently held her chin, and guided her head up. His grey-blue eyes met with her brown ones.
"Akane, please forgive me. I was scared. You were the first woman that I had…correction, have these feelings for. I was afraid that you would reject me."
"Oh Ranma." The two leaned closer, ready to share their first kiss in a little over three weeks.
"Ahem," interrupted Nabiki. The two lovers turned and faced the group. Embarrassed grins etched on their faces, but they did not pull away from each other. "I would like to know the plan that you have for defending us." Nabbiki crossed her arms.
"Ah yes, the plan, well…"
"RANMA!!!" yelled a extremely ticked Ryoga running from the side towards the house. Following behind him were a group of Kuno's bandits. Ranma let out a sigh.
"Well, so much for them all coming down the center. Four expendable knights, I want you to gather all the weapons we may have. The rest of us will form barricades for protection. Princesses, and Duke, I want you all to hide in the fireplace. We'll block it so that no one will get to you." Everyone moved and did as they were told, except for Akane.
"I want to fight with you, Ranma."
"Akane, they are after you. I won't give them the chance to get to you."
"Ranma, I can distract them. I know I'm not as good as the others, but I still am good."
Ranma gazed down at the woman he loved.
"Tell me something, Akane. Why marry Shinnosuke?" She closed her eyes.
"Father's kingdom is going bankrupt. We need money, Ranma, so I agreed to marry King Shinnosuke to insure that my kingdom will survive." Ranma let out the breath that he was holding. He smiled a loving smile at her as she looked up.
"Oh, Akane."
"RANMA!!!" came Ryoga's very upset cry.
Turning towards Ukyo, Ranma asked, "How is the barricade going?"
"Almost done, former Captain," Ranma smirked.
"Good, let Ryoga in, and close it immediately after him."
"Yes sir." Ukyo smiled.
"Knights, how are our supplies?"
"Well, not too bad sir. I guess we have enough."
"What's wrong?"
The man fell to his knees crying, "I don't want to die!! I know that I am just an expendable knight, but I still don't want to die!"
"Pull yourself together, man. Relax. We're the good guys, the good guys don't get killed (hahaha)." The man smiled.
"In that case, sir, we have enough to hold our own."
"Good." Ranma turned to the enraged, out of breath, seething Ryoga.
"Ranma, what are you doing here, you traitor? Prepare to die!" Ryoga raised his right fist, aiming it at Ranma's head.
Ranma blocked the fist with hardly a glance. "Not now, pig boy. If you haven't noticed, we are under attack. Save it for later." Ryoga blinked a couple of times and looked around Ranma's shoulder, towards the men charging them. A simple "oh" left his mouth.
Ignoring the newly informed Ryoga, Ranma went to the fireplace. There waiting was Akane, her sisters, and the Duke. Ranma gave her one last glance. He knew by the stubborn look on her face, she was going to stay and fight. Accepting this, he took a sword from the collected arsenal, and gave it to her.
"Stay by the fireplace. Do not wander from it." Akane agreed. Ranma gestured with his hand, telling the knights to barricade the fireplace. Akane gave on last meaningful smile to her sisters, before they were sealed and protected.
Cries from the distance gave warning to the occupants in the house, that battle was soon upon them.
"Do not let them in this house. Stop them by any means necessary." commanded Ranma. Akane took up a fighting stance with Ranma slightly in front of her. He gave her one last reassuring glance, before the bandit's reached the house.
Ukyo defended the front door. Thankfully the narrowness of the door, made the bandits attack her one at a time, rather than many. Yet for every one she defeated, another took his place. She parried a swords attack from above, and countered with a dagger she held in her left hand. Her arms sore and close to the point of fatigue screamed for release. Yet as a true knight, she carried on and fought. Anger coursed through her veins, as she grunted with each attack.
Mousse (who chose the side where some of the wall was missing) struck with accuracy at his opponents. Of course from where he was fighting, it would almost be impossible to miss the bandits. He jumped up into the air, avoiding a multiple spear attack and aimed his hidden chains at the intruders, knocking several out at once. Twisting his body, he barely avoided an attack aimed for his heart, however his leg was not so lucky, and was pierced by a spear. Mousse winced at the pain, but once again jumped into the air for another attack.
Shampoo was having slightly more luck than Mousse. She positioned herself on the opposite side of him, guarding a few of rather large windows. Yet she found it difficult to breath and to see. The dust stirred from the window sells, as bandits tried to get through. Coughing, Shampoo struck another bandit on the head. She vaguely wondered where Kuno got all of his men, and for that matter where Kuno was. She dogged a fist that shot out through one of the windows and countered with an upper cut. Her fist, grazing the window and causing her knuckles to bleed.
Ryoga stood just behind Ukyo. He could tell that she was worn out, and do to his lack of directions, he was told to stay behind her at all times. A few bandits got passed her, yet she was already being occupied by others in their place. Ryoga drew his sword, and attacked the bandits before they got too far in the house. He stabbed one and twisted around him to stab the others. He worked with the tenacity as the Captain of the King's Guards should. He blocked a side trust and countered with a sweep of the dull side of his sword at the man's legs. The man fell to the ground and was immediately knocked unconscious by Ryoga. Standing, Ryoga greeted the next attacker.
Ranma watched all three sides for any possible attacks. He already deflected a few spears that passed the others. The barricades were collapsing and he knew the knights were getting tired, but he could never be more proud, as the ex-King's Guard's Captain, watched them fight. Even the Expendable knights fought gallantly beside their comrades. But he knew that they would not last much longer.
"Akane, be prepared. They are going to break through soon." True to his word, bandits rushed in from all sides.
Akane's heart jumped a beat and she felt a lump in her throat. This would be her first real battle. Letting out a battle cry, Akane defended herself from an attacker, who charged her in full swing of his sword. His strength was more than hers, yet Ranma had been her teacher. As the tension between their two swords grew, Akane suddenly dropped to the floor, sweeping the man's feet out from under him. He landed hard, as she attacked with a turning kick to his face. Satisfied, she stood ready to take on her next opponent.
Ranma felt a sense of pride as he watched her from his peripheral vision. He was currently fighting against three bandits, who timed their strikes almost exactly the same. He used his great strength and speed, to counter each one. Never once did he step back, but kept in his original attack stance, refusing to move to lesser swordsmen. Knowing that Akane would need his help soon, Ranma kicked the man in front of him, knocking the breath out of him. With only two opponents left, Ranma blocked both attacks, and before they could strike again, he punched one with the hilt of his swords, and side kicked the other. Both collapsed at the same time. He turned towards Akane, just to see Kuno creeping up behind her.
Akane was aware that someone was behind her, and before she could do anything, a weird smelling powder struck her face. Feeling disorientated, and dizzy she dropped her sword. Kuno took this opportunity to snag her arm and drag her out of the house.
"Ranma!" yelled Akane.
"Akane!" Ranma broke through the men who tried to keep him occupied and ran after Kuno. His knuckles turned white do to the grip he held on his sword. Fire blazed in his eyes. 'I am not going to loose her again!' he thought to himself.
Kuno and Akane…
Akane desperately tried to pull her arm free from Kuno's grip, yet the effects of the powder weakened her. In the distance, she heard the resonating sounds of battle grow softer. Kuno left his men leaderless.
"It's pointless my beloved. The powder was made by my dear sister, the affects will last long enough for us to be married." His long strides pulled Akane to move faster.
"I don't want to marry you Kuno. I love Ranma!"
He paused in step. "Ranma? Ah, yes, that lowly mercenary. Fear not princess, I shall free you from his trap." Continuing to walk, Akane realizing that resisting did her no good. So she did the only thing she could, Akane became dead weight. She relaxed her entire body, falling to the hard dusty ground.
"Curses. I must have given you too much." Kuno strained, trying to pull Akane along to trail, however, she purposefully dragged her feet, making it harder for Kuno. Ranma was only a few yards away.
He charged with great anger at the way he saw Kuno treat Akane. Close enough for an attack Ranma made himself known, "Kuno. Let go of her now!"
With his back still facing Ranma, Kuno gave off a smirk. He relinquished the hold he had on Akane, as his arm went for his sword.
"Why isn't it the mercenary. How nice of you to…wait, it wasn't nice of you at all! How dare, you come and try to take my princess away!" He turned to Ranma, his eyes glazed with insanity. Ranma stood in a fighting stance.
"So mercenary, shall we see who the best is?" taunted Kuno. Ranma glanced from Akane, to the bandit leader. A slight nod of the head, gave Kuno his answer.
The two men stepped off from the path onto the green grass, and away from Akane. The Princess remained in her current position, she knew that there was nothing she could do now but to watch.
The sun was bright in the sky. It was hard to believe that only half a day had gone by since this adventured began. The two warriors stepped to their sides facing each other, ultimately going around in a large circle (think of an old western, cowboy, high-noon shoot-out). The wind whistled and carried their hair in small currents away from their faces. With the fall of a green leaf, the two charged.
Their weapons were drawn with great speed, and their cries were loud and furious. Akane winced at the sound of steal hitting steal.
Kuno thought that his height over Ranma was an advantage, yet as their swords met, he realized that this was no ordinary man.
"Who are you?" asked Kuno through clenched teeth.
"I am the former Captain of the King's Guard."
"I heard of you. You were once engaged to Akane, yet you betrayed her instead. No matter what the out come is, you must know that your feeling for her is forbidden. If I loose she will go to Shinnosuke. She has no choice." Kuno switched his stance and tried for another attack, his sword aimed for Ranma's head.
'Forbidden,' Ranma was briefly distracted by that word, and stole a glance at Akane. 'Was it true? Could he and Akane never be? Had he lost her forever…to a forgetful King?' Ranma poorly blocked Kuno's attack and fell to the ground, with his sword still in his hand. He looked up to Kuno's grinning face, than to Akane's tearful eyes.
"Do not fear, ex-King's Guard. Akane is meant to be mine, and always will be." Kuno raised is sword, ready to thrust it into Ranma's chest. Akane screamed out, the same time Ranma did.
"NOOO!" Ranma raised himself towards Kuno's attack. He twisted his body so that Kuno's sword imbedded itself into his shoulder, stabbing Kuno through the stomach. "Akane is not anyone's property." Whispered Ranma to the shocked faced Kuno. Making gurgling sounds Kuno fell to the ground.
"Ranma?" weakly asked Akane. He glanced at her.
"He is not dead. Just unconscious…Akane." Ranma smiled.
She got up from her position and ran at him, hugging him close and being weary of his injury. Ranma kissed the top of her head, and watched as his allies came running. They just won the battle.
Later that evening…
"Kuno, his sister, and the bandits have all been secured. Shinnouske's palace is not far from here, I'm sure some of his guards will come and arrest these tyrants." Said a satisfied Duke.
"I'm sure they will." Ranma replied silently. Taking Akane's hand into his, he silently asked her to walk with him. Curious, Akane agreed.
"What is it Ranma?"
"It's what Kuno said. He said that our love is forbidden. Because I am no longer a royal guard, and you are to marry Shinnosuke, we can never be." Akane turned her head and looked at the scenery around them. The sun setting sky was a brilliant orange and red. She knew what he said to be true.
"But I don't want to marry him. I want to marry you."
"I want to marry you also Akane. But, what can we do? I'm a mercenary, you're a princess."
"I may have a idea." interrupted Nabiki. Ranma and Akane turned to see that the whole gang was there, watching them, and hearing their conversation. "I don't know how you will make things right with daddy, but I can take care of Shinnosuke."
"Nabiki, you aren't going to marry him, are you?" asked a concern Kasumi.
"Of course not. However, I do have great skills with money, and an excellent memory. I can work for Shinnosuke as an adviser, for a fee of course. Therefore, both kingdoms will be happy." They all looked at the Duke.
"I'm sure it's possible. After all, King Shinnosuke probably had forgotten about his own wedding. It is a deal Princess Tendo." The group cheered, only to be doused from the rain cloud above.
"Great, why does this always happen to me?" Asked a very soaked and pathetic looking female Ranma. Akane and the other royals, and expendable knights, could not help but laugh. Ranma was drowning in her cloths, whereas, Shampoo, Mousse, and Ryoga's cloths were lying on the floor. In their place was a cat, a duck, and a pig. Quiet an amusing sight.
Epilogue…
One year has passed. Kuno, his sister, and the bandits, were still locked away in prison. Nabiki worked hard by the side of the ever-forgetful King, and earned enough money for the Tendo Kingdom. A treaty of agreement was signed by both parties.
Ranma slowly made his way back into the King's favor however, there was still much work he needed to do before he could marry Akane. Ryoga continued to be the Captain of the King's Guard, as Ukyo remained by Akane's side as her friend and guard. Shampoo and Mousse would be occasionally seen, using their talents as spies for Ranma. As Kasumi started to spend her time with the village's local doctor, by the name of Tofu.
Enjoying the sun, and sitting on the kingdoms grass was Akane and Ranma. Their hands interlocked, as peaceful smiles were on their faces.
"Akane, I never asked you. Why did you cut your hair short? Not that it looks bad or anything. I kinda like it."
"Well, it's nothing really. I was cooking lunch when the food caught on fire. My hair was long back then, so it naturally caught fire also. Ryoga panicked and used his sword to cut my hair, instead of using the bucket of water that was near by to put it out. The ends were a mess, so Kasumi evened them out. Besides, Shinnosuke would have remembered me better with the short hair. That's about it."
"He used his sword?" snickered Ranma.
Akane giggled. "Yeah. You should have seen it. The great Captain had no idea what to do."
"Don't worry Akane. From now on, I don't plan on missing a thing."
And you know what? He never did.
~ The End ~
Wow, it's finally over. Sorry it took awhile, it's just I can only write when I am inspired to do so, and when it is around 2 in the morning. That's when my ideas flow, go figure. Hope that you all enjoyed this, I sure had fun. Till next time ^_^