Wraith

Written by WarlockRebirth

Disclaimer: You know the drill
Chapter 3: Black Days Blacker Nights
Deep under the sewers a figure sat before a table two large hanguns layed before him dissasembled with a tool kit he slowly began cleaning the parts oiling the parts that needed it, his hood removed and placed to the side for here he did not need it. After a while the silence began to disturb him so he turned on the small radio a low guitar strumming began followed by a soft drumming then a voice came from the tiny speaker and froze him, the more he listened the more it affected him then the tears came.

By the time the song had finished he was crumpled on the floor sobbing, from the shadows Soun watched and cried his own silent tears for the man that had become his son. Wishing not to disturb him Soun manuvered his chair through a long hallway into a chamber with a high ceiling, heading over to a small workstation. Before him were a pair of gloves and a ten serrated small knives that looked like short wicked tallons. With care he began attaching the blades to the gloves finger tip's, and he remembered as he worked.

He had been in the hospital for weeks only released to attend the funeral of his family, being pushed in his wheelchair by an attendant who had been caring for him since the beginning of his stay. He eyed each marker burning the kanji into his mind of each of his loved one's he wanted to sob his grief but all he could manage was a steady and slow leak. A small dias had been set for him to speak, now there he looked over at the crowd of mourners and was amazed how many live's his family had touched. Slowly he began to speak.

" Here before us lay my family, my legacy and my dreams. All taken before their time wrongly, by cowards who believe they are above the law. " Camera shutters went off in a hailstrom of light from reporters as he continued to speak. " Kasumi my angel who could do no harm to anyone. Nabiki my rock when I was weak. Akane my joy when I was in sorrow. Genma my friend my courage when I needed him the most. Shiro my granson so strong and sure, brave and innocent his candle snuffed by a dark wind. Ranma who became the son I never had, a man I never was and wished I could be who took into his hands what I should have done. They are gone now, but let us not forget them let them rest in your hearts and live forever. " Nodding to his audience his attendant wheeled him to row of graves set up at the Tendo plot. Slowly he placed a single lily atop each coffin pausing to kiss each one as was wheeled passed. " I'll be with you soon my family. "

Later that night he layed in his hospital bed staring at the ceiling, a tapping at his door rose him from the point of sleep and wakefulness. " Enter please " he raised him self on his elbows and grabbed the switch that elevated the headrest of his bed. In the light of the door was a small old woman walked slowly into his room. " Cologne, I'm surprised to see you here so late. And glad, it's good to see a friendly face. " Hopping into a chair near his bed the withered martial artist took his hand and patted it gently " Soun how are you holding my friend " she intoned softly " As best as I can, It's hard but I will be with them in the afterlife as long as keep that hope I think I'll be ok. "

Dropping Soun's hand from her own she looked at him with sad eyes " And now for the real reason I am here for Soun. " Soun's eybrow's shot up with mild interest and wariness " What are you speaking of Elder. " A look of fury passed over her eye's " I speak of vengance!! Soun they took my son from me I didnt just adopt Ranma to appease the tribe because he would'nt marry Shampoo. I did it cause I loved the boy as if I had given birth to him myself, his own mother abandoned him after she found out about his curse he was hurt and broken I took him into my family because I saw more in him than that narrow minded perverted woman ever could!. " She said the last sentence with unbridle fury.

Soun looked at the old woman for a long time before he spoke. " Elder if you go after them they'll only kill you as well ". A smirk appeared upon her face as she spoke her reply. " I will not be the one seeking vengance, the one who will seek it lays in the other world his soul twisting in torment screaming at the injustice layed before him. " A blank look was all that answered her " I'm not sure I understand ". Cologne patted his hand again in reassurance " I speak of Ranma, He will carry it out for it is his grief I hear accross the realm of dreams as I sleep at night. It took me days of research of scrolls older than time can remember and I had shampoo go to china and retrieve what I need. " From the folds of her green robes she presented a small black stone with a blue center. " Legends say that the tears of a pheonix can heal all and even bring someone back from the brink of death ". Soun looked up at her " But I dont understand Ranma is beyond the brink of death he can't be healed. " The old woman chuckled "You did'nt let me finish the legends, It is also said that the tears of a dragon can heal wounds but unlike the pheonix the dragon's tears can bring back the dead even if the person has been dead for some time. This is the Callers Stone inside lays the tear of a dragon, with this my son can be ressurected to accomplish the task that he calls from the other side for then and only then can he return to rest in peace. he demands vengance and blood I will grant him the chance. "

Two day's later Soun was back at the grave site the dirt still fresh on the graves of his family as he watched Mousse and Shampoo reopening the grave of Ranma Saotome.