Retro's thoughts: Ack! Review. Review. Review. Anyway here is chapter 4. Oh by the way in case you people haven't noticed it by now () means dreams. Level 3 for heavy-duty action and suicide!!?? :-o
Chapter 4
Ukyou awoke by the loud crack of her head hitting the metal hull in the hold of a boat. She winced as pain reassured the existence of all her muscles. The hum of the loud diesel motor and the splash of water outside was a loud awakening for her. A sharp stab of pain hit her shoulder as she tried to sit up. Dealing with the pain, she sat up and assessed her situation.
The hold was very crowded with boxes of various objects of value obtained illegally probably. Her eyes caught the glint of her spatulas across the makeshift prison, and she praised the lord. She reluctantly rose to her feet and made her way over there. When she approached her equipment that resided to the right of the stairs, she heard muffled sounds coming from the hatch leading topside. The boat slowed considerably until finally coming to a stop as she tried to cut through her ropes, knocking her to the floor.
Getting up, she doubled her efforts of trying to cut through her ropes. Hearing the voices coming closer, her pace quickened to a frantic speed. Her bonds broke just as the hatch to the top opened, and she moved quickly.
She jumped the distance of the staircase, knocking a man down in the process, and landed on small metal box about two feet high at the back of the boat. She turned and observed the situation before her. Four of her captors, including the one she knocked down, were topside with another two in the cockpit of the boat. The four men surrounded her quickly, two with machetes, one with a chain, and the other with a pipe. Several boxes rested behind her, placed there probably by the crane at the very back. The two in the cockpit hadn't noticed her yet and she meant to keep it that way. Between her and the cockpit was a raised area of the deck that gave the hold a higher roof. Right in front of her was the door leading back down to the hold and back down to her entrapment. Spotting another metal crate, which conveniently rested on the raised area in front of the cockpit door, she leapt into action.
She turned around and jumped towards the boxes at the very back that were much higher than the two-foot tall one she was on. Instead of landing however she used the box as momentum, and somersaulted to the hook on the crane hooking her spatula to her back. She grappled the hook and swung back and forth several times. After she had enough speed she fell to the box that rested in front of the cockpit door. The driver chose that exact moment to come out the door, and got a face full of metal. With the doorway blocked, she now had enough time to deal with the four others.
The attacker with the chain moved first diving towards her swinging his weapon. Ukyou unhooked her spatula with lightning speed and stopped the chain from hitting her face by hooking the two weapons together. The pirate struggled in vain, as Ukyou held the spatula with one hand and removed three mini-spatulas with the other. She launched them into the attackers arm, and he howled in pain releasing his grip on the chain. The others were now moving towards Ukyou as fast as they could with the limited space provided on the boat. She separated the chain from her kitchen utensil and with one hand batted the wounded enemy into the water with it, while twirling the chain to keep the others at bay.
Holstering her spatula on her back, she began to move the chain in the air, mostly for show, hoping that the attackers would grow uneasy and make a mistake. They didn't buy it. One with a machete came at her first twirling his dangerous blade non-stop slashing here and there testing her weaknesses. She began to swing the chain in front of her in the form of a figure eight pressing the remaining three back. The others in the cockpit were beginning to get free, so she would have to hurry. She twirled the chain over her head and launched it at the attacker's feet ensnaring it. She pulled on the other end catching him off guard and dropping him to the ground in front of her. Picking him up, she used him as a shield, took hold of his hand, and manipulated his blade as she battled the other machete wielder.
The pipe assailant was going the other way around to attack her flank. She looked around for a way out and finally realized where she was. Hong Kong harbor. The others in the cockpit were finally getting out, and she was getting tired. Taking one final look around, while battling fiercely at the same time, she noticed several barrels of fuel at the back. She literally threw her human shield at the machete man and leapt onto the raised area. She ran towards the back, dodging narrowly as the man with the pipe swung without mercy from the lower deck. Jumping at the last second she kicked the barrel over and spilled its contents across the deck. Removing a mini-spatula and, with pinpoint accuracy throwing it at an electrical cord for the cranes generator, she cut the line. The cut cord spat electricity everywhere as the gas leaked closer and closer towards it.
The others had noticed the emergency as well and were running away from the back. Ukyou did an about face and sprinted as hard as she could towards the front of the boat. She reached the top of the cockpit, jumped down from it and, using one of the men's backs as a stepping stone, launched herself into the air.
A resounding explosion was heard, and Ukyou realized how stupid a move she made. She couldn't swim at all. The explosion hadn't affected anyone in the crowded harbor and even the pirates were jumping off the burning boat. She focused on the problem at hand, looked around her for a quick solution, and found one in the form of a Jet Ski.
The teenager cruised over to her and offered his hand to her. Blushing, she took it gratefully and hopped on the Jet Ski. She turned around to view the damage and groaned loudly.
Apparently, the pirates had friends who were also sporting jet skis, and this time they actually had guns. She took hold of the boy in front of her and heaved him off the water vehicle making sure to grab his key. He began to curse at her loudly in Chinese, as she inserted it and drove off.
"I'm sorry," she yelled back at him speeding off. "I'll take good care of it."
The pirates were hot on her tail now and firing their semi automatic weapons as well. She headed for the docks and realized that even if she made it to shore they would just pull up alongside her and shoot her dead. She observed her surroundings once more and made a tight left towards the cluttered mass of fishing boats.
She sped towards the boats while gunfire raked the air behind her. Driving close to one boat, she pulled the net off of its side and tucked it under her arm. The pirates didn't give her much time to pause though, as she sped off avoiding the bullets as best she could.
They followed her around the boat, and around and around until they finally noticed something was going down. One more time around, Ukyou thought to herself. She sped up and found a pirate waiting for her with his gun waiting for her as well. NOW!!
Ukyou through the net on top of the pirate and broadsided him knocking him off his jet ski. She made a victory sign in the air, but stopped when she saw him cut through the net and get right back on. Damn.
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"Yang!" The call pierced the cool morning air, and Yang awakened from his father's yell in the small undersized bed. Today would be another day of torment and toil. Ever since dad lost his job, life had been hard for them both with only their boat. If only dad hadn't given that redheaded girl and that panda a free meal at the restaurant.
"Come on Yang. Lower the ramp so I can bring in the net." Yang grumbled and put his clothes on.
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"Wanna play hardball huh?" Ukyou said as she weaved carefully through the maze of fishermen, but was unable to lose them. She dodged another fishing skiff and maneuvered herself in between two larger fishing boats. She looked behind to see if they had followed and noticed that they hadn't. She smiled to herself and looked forward again to have her smile die quickly.
A bar that was held up by rope and wire connecting the two fishing boats was in place in front of her, and it was quite low to the water. She wasn't going to pass. Stopping the boat she turned around and high tailed it out of there. At the exit of the two parallel fishing boats, waited the rest of the pirate party smiling at her.
She cursed to herself, turned around again, and sped up heading for the bar. She took the key band off her wrist and attached it to the handle of the Jet Ski. She removed her large spatula and got ready while holding down the gas all the way. The bar came to her quickly, but she was ready. She wedged the spatula in the bar and used it as a javelin to send her up and over the bar. She landed safely on her seat and sped off. The pirates were still going full bore though. All of them had leaned over the side of their Jet Skis so the bar wouldn't affect them. Why hadn't I thought of that, she thought to herself.
She stopped and with two mini-spatulas in her hand, she waited for them to come close enough to the bar. They reached it and she launched them towards the wiring and ropes that held the bar up. They sliced through all of them and the bar fell and hit one Jet Ski on the front flipping it over. Ukyou smiled, but frowned when he got out, back on, and him and his buddies continued pursuit. Jackasses.
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"Watch it with that hook Yang! How many times do I have to tell you that?" The teenage boy frowned and pulled a lever bringing the hopefully bountiful catch out of the water.
Yang yawned and squinted as his eyes caught a glimpse of something off in the distance.
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Ukyou had had it. She had tried every trick she could think of, and they were still on her tail. This is no use, she thought, I have to go somewhere they can't. A light bulb when off in her head when she saw a fishing boat straight ahead with it's ramp lowered. It's now or never, she thought.
She gunned the gas on the Jet Ski, and sped off towards the fishing boat. She felt the bullets still whizzing past her and hitting the water behind. Thank god all bad guys are horrible shots. The boat was drawing closer and she could feel her escape was at hand.
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"YANG, RAISE THE RAMP. RAISE THE RAMP GOD DAMNIT." Yang hit the lever to raise the ramp. His father yelled at the top of his lungs as he jumped out of the way, and the Jet Ski hit the ramp sending it right over their boat and onto the dock. He chanced a look back out of the cranes tower window and saw several other jet skis aim for the ramp. He watched as they all crashed into the back of his father's boat.
"Poor father," he thought aloud watching his father climb out of his hiding spot.
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I made it, was Ukyou's first thought. She soon noticed how wrong she was. She hit the dock hard whipping her around. She soon heard the sound of grinding wood leave her and the sound of grinding concrete greet her. A car honked its horn as it narrowly missed the Jet Ski zooming across the small dockside road. Ukyou gasped as she missed the car and screamed as she hit the door of a small store and crashed through it and through what must have been everything in the store.
The wild Jet Ski ride finally came to a halt as she got up off the vehicle. She kicked it as hard as she could and made her way for the exit. Two burly men stopped in front of her and forcefully turned her around. Before her stood a small furious man with greasy black hair, beady little eyes, and a Fu Manchu moustache. The man yelled at her in Chinese viscously spitting on her face. She shook off her two new friends and pushed the little man down.
"Listen you little slice of shit," she said deliberately spitting on his face, "I've just been captured, soaked, shot at, yelled at, and chased by some mean assholes. Their all floating on their stomachs in the harbor, so unless you wanna join them, shut your dirty little mouth."
The man stood and regained his composure, but replaced his furious face with a dangerous sadistic one.
"So you are Japanese," he said snapping his fingers. Several other burly men stepped out from their hiding places and began removing knives, cracking their knuckles, and licking their lips. "I expected so much more from a yakuza assassin. I'll be sure to tell your boss in Tokyo that you failed miserably in the assassination of one of the triad heads."
Ukyou groaned to herself. Ryouga, you're going to owe me big time!
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(Northern China)
Ryouga, Lord Kun, Sheng-Ji, Tong, and several lieutenants all stood in the great hall mulling over the events of earlier today. Ryouga had stopped an army dead in their tracks and commanded them to go home. To top it all off, what was the weird voice they had all heard? Ryouga had quieted down about that topic. He didn't know how sensitive they might be to superstitions, demons, or the such.
"This is all a ruse to lower our defenses father," said Sheng-Ji, "He is obviously a spy for one of the other villages. He has already infiltrated our village and now you give him your confidence?"
"Silence Sheng-Ji! It is true the army halted at his heel, but that doesn't mean he is a spy. He is still our guest and he shall be treated as one."
Sheng-Ji snarled at Ryouga as he turned around and walked right out of the great hall. Ryouga smirked and turned back to Lord Kun. He could sense the man's uneasy feelings. He would be hard to sway though, Ryouga thought. His will is strong and he could pose a serious problem. Ryouga was running out of cards to play. These people, who prided themselves on their warlike strength and ability, would not even attack another village with the assurance of an extra army to aid them. Superstitions be damned
"I can control this army my lord. My wish is their command. That is why they were able to bow at my feet this morning. I command them with my power. Listen to what I propose for a second. Suppose we take advantage of this army which I can control, for now, and attack the other villages. Your men already have a high morale and it would be easy to sway the other leader's judgment with the sight of two combined armies. We would assimilate all the other villages creating a unified nation once more. They would surely fall, and those who would not listen would be crushed by our military might."
Lord Kun seemed to ponder Ryouga's words for a long time. "You seemed uncertain over your control of that army. Exactly how long can you control them?"
"I don't know exactly," he said lying through his teeth. He knew he had control over them until they died. "Days, maybe hours. Who can be sure?"
"After all these villages have been assimilated under our banner what would you gain? Why do you wish this so fervently?"
Ryouga turned away from the groups eyes and focused his instead on the beautiful stained glass that towered over them all. No one could see his confident and evil smile. "To banish your arch enemy from this land my liege. Or if you were to wish, it make them your slaves. I seek the downfall of the Amazon way of life."
Gasps could be heard through the lieutenants over the forsaken word, but more gasps were heard over what he proposed. The downfall of their longtime enemy the Amazons. The female tribe would certainly destroy them if they found out what was occurring between the tribes. Yet this boy of no more than eighteen promised them victory, and who was to doubt him. The army had literally fallen before him and an aura of greatness seemed to surround the young man. Lord Kun thought long and hard over this matter. Finally he spoke. "What do you think Tong?"
Tong was startled to be brought into the conversation for the first time, and felt uneasy to have so many pairs of eyes resting on her. His eyes were the worst. Ryouga's deep gray eyes looked on her and whispered for her to agree with him. Urging her that this was the best course of action. She cleared her throat and began.
"I think that the chance for a strike against the Amazons is now," she said bringing happiness to some and skepticisism to others, "but if we should fail the punishment would be harsher then any of us can conceive, and the guarantee that the other clans will cooperate so easily is doubtful. If we were ever to attack, now is the time to do it, but only with the assurances that the other tribes will cooperate." Ryouga smiled he saw her sigh and her shoulders slumped. He turned to look at Lord Kun for his answer.
"We will leave several hours before dawn tomorrow, to gain the element of surprise. I pray you're right Japanese."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Baghdad, Iraq)
America sat in front of the entire committee known as the Illuminati. My name is Jonathon Basser; he told himself silently, I don't have to deal with this charade. I have a purpose in life, and that is to acquire the ring. He drummed his fingers on his desk as the rest of the room chatted with each other over trivial matters like wars, diseases, and new technology. He did not have to pay any heed to these conversations unless he was brought into them. The quiet man was waiting for several guests to pay him a visit, and he did not want to be distracted by idle discourse.
The large chamber door burst open and Jonathon's guests made themselves known. The crowd of delegates quieted down almost instantaneously at the arrival of the band of ruffians. Totaling four in all, the band of travelers were different from each other in so many ways.
The leftmost of the group was a middle-aged man who sported a streak of white down the middle of his dark short haired head. A pair of sunglasses obscured his eyes and the collar, from his black knee length coat, covered him from his nose down. His left hand rested in his pocket, but the other held a string, that was attached to a Japanese sword, over his shoulder. The man was intimidating from the tip of his white stained hair to the bottom of his black military boots.
The next couldn't have been more different. A small child dressed in an ornamental tight Chinese shirt and tight Chinese pants stood with his hands at ease behind his back, and his feet close together. The clothes were a deep red and plain except for the golden dragon wrapped around his collar. The boys black hair was slicked back and a large scar was situated across his left eye. His eyes were dark and cold and his body was rigid as a board giving the impression that he could leap into action at a moments notice.
The third was the scariest of them all, standing erect with his arms crossed across his chest. He was dressed in Japanese ninja gear complete with a mask across his mouth, and black wrist and yellow shin guards showing that he was an expert in many forms of martial arts. His eyes were a complete white lacking any sign of a pupil, and his costume was completed with a yellow sash across his chest forming a V. His muscles bulged through his costume but he too stood still.
The last was a beautiful woman dressed in bulky military gear. Packs, pockets, grenades, and other gadgets were all over her body stating that she was a trained killing machine. What blew the room away was how she could have been so gorgeous and yet associated with the others. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, and perfect physique turned more than just a couple heads.
"Ahh, I'm so glad all of you could arrive. Let's get down to business shall we. I want you to find these two boys." Jonathon stood up from his chair and pressed a button on his clicker that lowered a screen behind him. On the screen were several movie clips of Ryouga and Ranma fighting various battles. The crowd gasped as they saw Ryouga unleash a Shi Shi Hokodan and Ranma execute a Moko Takabisha. The four newcomers remained still though, taking it all in.
"I have taken the liberty," he said reseating himself and turning off the video, "of giving all of you as detailed reports as we can on all of their activities, histories, and psyches. I wish all of you good luck on your mission. Leave none of them alive."
The four assassins left quietly, and soon the room was bustling with conversation once more about the four new arrivals. Jonathon smiled to himself and sat back down confident that the ring would be in his hands in a couple of days. Little did he know of the two-foot tall, three hundred year old spy lurking up in the rafters.
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(Nerima)
(Ranma sat atop a marble plateau in the clouds. Bright blue could be seen here and there and the sun was shining down on the area, but marble pillars held up a roof that blocked it out. He looked around before standing up and dusting himself off. He spotted a fountain in the middle of the plateau and walked over to it. He was about to look down into the water when he sensed the presence of someone, and turned bringing up and attack stance.
Tatewaki Kuno stood before Ranma dressed in a pure white suit and with a decent haircut. He walked over to Ranma and extended his hand. Ranma took it after several seconds of hesitation and then quickly withdrew. Kuno laughed a little pacing back and forth in front of Ranma.
"So how is it going Ranma? I take it your enjoying your life?" Kuno asked pointing downward. Ranma nodded dumbly still eyeing the deceased. "Oh so many things to say, so many things to do." Kuno took that moment to slug the off guard Ranma dropping him to his knees. "Sorry 'bout that, but you did kill me ya'know."
Ranma coughed and backed up across the floor. "What do you want with me? It was all an accident I swear." He sputtered gibberish in front of the dead man.
"Calm down Ranma I'm not going to kill you. I just did that for a little payback. My reason for being here and seeing you like this is far more important. Ranma everyone is in grave danger." Ranma stood up and motioned with his eyes for Kuno to continue.
"Darkness grows Ranma, and few can stop it. The band of rescuers sent to help Ryouga have been split up. Ryouga has the ring Ranma! He plans to use it to conquer all of China, and then the world, and four assassins, which we up here have jokingly called the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, have left to find you and Ryouga. Because Ranma..."
Ranma looked up from the ground and looked Kuno in the eyes. He saw desperation, sadness, and hope in his angel eyes.
"...If you fail then that's exactly what will happen. The Apocalypse."
"And just what do you expect me to do. I have hurt so many already. I don't think I can trust myself to do anything that could help." Ranma said resting his hands on the fountain in the center of the area. His knuckles whitened and he noticed that his hands were gripping the bowl quite hard. Kuno noticed too and eyed Ranma.
"Ranma I understand what you're going through right now. I can't quite imagine a life without Genma as well, but unless you want more needless deaths then take up your fight stance and ready yourself."
"How? How do I ready myself?"
"A war is brewing in China Ranma; a war between light and dark. You can do nothing to stop that, but you can help when the time comes."
"When the hell will that be?"
Ranma was struck hard by a bolt of lightning and sent sailing across the floor until he hit a pillar hard.
"No cursing here Ranma. Bosses orders." Ranma didn't have to ask who Kuno's "boss" was. A pain assaulted him as he got up, rubbed his neck, and approached Kuno.
"Okay. Okay. When will the time come for me to help?"
"That Ranma," Kuno said as he smiled at him, "is for you to decide, but remember this. Do not fall victim to the ring or it will forever dominate your destiny."
"You don't have to tell me twice," said Ranma. He looked around dumbly and began to fidget with his clothes, and shuffle his shoes across the marble tiles.
"Do you have something you wish to say Ranma?"
"No. Well...yeah kind of. Yes. Kuno, can I see my father one last time." Ranma sighed when he saw Kuno smile at him and nod his head. In seconds, Genma had appeared beside Kuno dressed like him in a white suit. Genma saw his son and a tear rolled down his cheek
Ranma's heart stopped as he matched Genma tear for tear, and took several slow steps towards his father. After Ranma had decided it was real, he jumped at Genma wrapping his muscular arms around his father's neck.
"Pops. I missed you so much. I never said it before, but I do love you dad," Ranma managed to say through numerous sobs. Genma pulled Ranma off him and looked him straight in the eye.
"Insubordinate boy. How many times have I told you those feelings are for the weak, and by golly you're not weak?" Ranma would have been devastated were it not for the tears flowing freely from his father's eyes and the smile across his face.
"Oh dad!" "Oh son!" The two embraced each other in a tight hug, neither daring to let go. Kuno smiled at the scene, and coughed loudly after awhile to break it up.
"Dad I don't want you to go. Please stay with me. Please I'll do anything, just don't leave me again." The tears were now coming full bore from Ranma's eyes. He snuffed them back though and wiped his hand across his eyes, not daring to show weakness in front of his father.
"I must Ranma, but I'll always be there watching you. I know you will be the best martial artist someday Ranma, and I will be there watching you achieve your goal. Tell Nodoka I love her, and give her this." Genma opened Ranma's clenched fists and placed a small quartz stone in his hand. Inside the stone were two blotches of red connected by a single thread of the color. Ranma shook his head in confusion and looked up to ask him what it was all about, but found him and Kuno both gone. Ranma stuffed the stone in his pocket and dropped to the ground as he felt a deep weakness approach him. He collapsed against a marble pillar when he heard an indistinguishable voice from the sky.
"Remember Ranma! Do what you think is right and protect those you love.")
Ranma shot up from the couch and banged his head against Akane's. He brought his hand up to rub the bump and found a small rock in his hand. Deftly putting it in his pocket, he wiped the tears that had remained on his eyes and turned back to Akane.
"I'm sorry Akane, are you okay?" Ranma moved over to where she was and put his hands on her back. She got up rubbing her forehead, and let out a small "ouchie." She realized who her company was and straightened up ignoring the bump.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but Kodachi is at the door and she looks very upset. I would have sent her away in an instant, but..."
Ranma knew that Kodachi probably told Akane of her brother's death. She probably doesn't know I did it, he thought, I will have to tell her. Ranma sat Akane down on the couch and moved to answer the front door.
Kodachi stood there dressed in a dark dress. Not her leotard or her school outfit, but a simple black dress. She held a tissue to her nose and whimpered a little as Ranma led her in and sat her down on the couch. Ranma asked Kasumi to prepare some tea and took a seat opposite the two on a single chair.
"How...?" Kodachi started, but Ranma cut her off with a hand and leaned in so that he could grasp her two hands in his.
"Kodachi this will hit you pretty hard, but," said Ranma. He knew she would probably flip out and attack him, and try to kill him, but he was prepared for it. "I killed your brother Kodachi."
Her look changed into one of confusion. She doesn't understand, he thought, I guess I'll have to explain it to her.
"I was possessed by a demon of sorts, and was forced to do terrible things. I've recovered from it, but others haven't. Ukyou, Mousse, Shampoo, and a friend of theirs are hunting the demon down, but the damage was done. My own father was a recipient of such a tragedy. He died by my own hands." Kodachi looked crushed, but Ranma forced himself to watch her. Watch her cry from a terrible mistake that he made, and do nothing because he could do nothing. He watched her get up and walk right out the door. Akane scowled at him and followed Kodachi out.
"Insensitive jerk," he heard her mumble to him on her way out. Ranma just nodded looking at the furniture sullenly. He sat there thinking about what she said. I don't think I can be anything else Akane.
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(Nerima, nighttime)
Ranma had watched television for the rest of the day. He couldn't find any relaxation though due to the occurrences with Kodachi and Akane. They had both left leaving him alone with Nabiki who was upstairs or something. She still hadn't had a decent conversation with him since the big fight. It seems that I only hurt those who are close to me, he thought. The movie he was watching was some Godzilla flick. A picture of a screaming girl flashed for a moment and then the scene went back to Godzilla blowing up some model. Ranma flipped the channel to a game show with an ugly contestant and even uglier host. He flipped the channel once more getting aggravated at the TV. He landed on a channel that had a commercial, which displayed some little girl turning into an octopus, flying to the moon, and cleaning up the aliens with a towel. It wound up being a soap commercial.
Ranma rolled his eyes, turned off the television, and walked to the bathroom. He finished his business and was washing his hands when he looked into the mirror. A weak face looked back at him. You've made me weak, he thought, you made me the man I am right now. The water was cold when he splashed his face. He dried himself up when he looked down at his hands. Next to the sink sat a pair of scissors for cutting hair, and an electric razor. Ranma picked up the scissors and ran his fingers along the fine edge. He looked into the mirror once again and stared into his deep eyes. I've killed in cold blood, he thought. Those I care about will only be hurt.
"Will anyone miss a murderer like me when I'm gone?" he asked the mirror. The head in the mirror almost shook his head back at him. Ranma couldn't forget the look on Kodachi's face or the thought of a life without his father. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone that Pops wanted him to give to Mom. The stone had its own special ness and was quite brilliant in the light. It was set on the kitchen counter with a small note as he returned to the bathtub, scissors in hand, and began to fill it with water.
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Retro's thoughts: Couple of things G's. I bet that suicide thingy at the top kept you reading right up to this point.
I bet a lot of you are having ideas as to who those four assassins are in the Illuminati's place. They are all fiction and made up by me except for one. If you know who the pupil less man dressed in black and yellow is, then you're in for even more surprises.
I thought of sending Genma to hell, but it wouldn't have worked that well, God bringing him back and all.
And in the case of Ranma's newfound depression, well you'll just have to catch my next chapter of An Heir to the Throne.
Oh and if you wanna know just for the hell of it, I get a lot of my insperation from Howard Shore's soundtrack to Lord of the Rings among other things. The Breaking of the Fellowship works real well.
Chapter 4
Ukyou awoke by the loud crack of her head hitting the metal hull in the hold of a boat. She winced as pain reassured the existence of all her muscles. The hum of the loud diesel motor and the splash of water outside was a loud awakening for her. A sharp stab of pain hit her shoulder as she tried to sit up. Dealing with the pain, she sat up and assessed her situation.
The hold was very crowded with boxes of various objects of value obtained illegally probably. Her eyes caught the glint of her spatulas across the makeshift prison, and she praised the lord. She reluctantly rose to her feet and made her way over there. When she approached her equipment that resided to the right of the stairs, she heard muffled sounds coming from the hatch leading topside. The boat slowed considerably until finally coming to a stop as she tried to cut through her ropes, knocking her to the floor.
Getting up, she doubled her efforts of trying to cut through her ropes. Hearing the voices coming closer, her pace quickened to a frantic speed. Her bonds broke just as the hatch to the top opened, and she moved quickly.
She jumped the distance of the staircase, knocking a man down in the process, and landed on small metal box about two feet high at the back of the boat. She turned and observed the situation before her. Four of her captors, including the one she knocked down, were topside with another two in the cockpit of the boat. The four men surrounded her quickly, two with machetes, one with a chain, and the other with a pipe. Several boxes rested behind her, placed there probably by the crane at the very back. The two in the cockpit hadn't noticed her yet and she meant to keep it that way. Between her and the cockpit was a raised area of the deck that gave the hold a higher roof. Right in front of her was the door leading back down to the hold and back down to her entrapment. Spotting another metal crate, which conveniently rested on the raised area in front of the cockpit door, she leapt into action.
She turned around and jumped towards the boxes at the very back that were much higher than the two-foot tall one she was on. Instead of landing however she used the box as momentum, and somersaulted to the hook on the crane hooking her spatula to her back. She grappled the hook and swung back and forth several times. After she had enough speed she fell to the box that rested in front of the cockpit door. The driver chose that exact moment to come out the door, and got a face full of metal. With the doorway blocked, she now had enough time to deal with the four others.
The attacker with the chain moved first diving towards her swinging his weapon. Ukyou unhooked her spatula with lightning speed and stopped the chain from hitting her face by hooking the two weapons together. The pirate struggled in vain, as Ukyou held the spatula with one hand and removed three mini-spatulas with the other. She launched them into the attackers arm, and he howled in pain releasing his grip on the chain. The others were now moving towards Ukyou as fast as they could with the limited space provided on the boat. She separated the chain from her kitchen utensil and with one hand batted the wounded enemy into the water with it, while twirling the chain to keep the others at bay.
Holstering her spatula on her back, she began to move the chain in the air, mostly for show, hoping that the attackers would grow uneasy and make a mistake. They didn't buy it. One with a machete came at her first twirling his dangerous blade non-stop slashing here and there testing her weaknesses. She began to swing the chain in front of her in the form of a figure eight pressing the remaining three back. The others in the cockpit were beginning to get free, so she would have to hurry. She twirled the chain over her head and launched it at the attacker's feet ensnaring it. She pulled on the other end catching him off guard and dropping him to the ground in front of her. Picking him up, she used him as a shield, took hold of his hand, and manipulated his blade as she battled the other machete wielder.
The pipe assailant was going the other way around to attack her flank. She looked around for a way out and finally realized where she was. Hong Kong harbor. The others in the cockpit were finally getting out, and she was getting tired. Taking one final look around, while battling fiercely at the same time, she noticed several barrels of fuel at the back. She literally threw her human shield at the machete man and leapt onto the raised area. She ran towards the back, dodging narrowly as the man with the pipe swung without mercy from the lower deck. Jumping at the last second she kicked the barrel over and spilled its contents across the deck. Removing a mini-spatula and, with pinpoint accuracy throwing it at an electrical cord for the cranes generator, she cut the line. The cut cord spat electricity everywhere as the gas leaked closer and closer towards it.
The others had noticed the emergency as well and were running away from the back. Ukyou did an about face and sprinted as hard as she could towards the front of the boat. She reached the top of the cockpit, jumped down from it and, using one of the men's backs as a stepping stone, launched herself into the air.
A resounding explosion was heard, and Ukyou realized how stupid a move she made. She couldn't swim at all. The explosion hadn't affected anyone in the crowded harbor and even the pirates were jumping off the burning boat. She focused on the problem at hand, looked around her for a quick solution, and found one in the form of a Jet Ski.
The teenager cruised over to her and offered his hand to her. Blushing, she took it gratefully and hopped on the Jet Ski. She turned around to view the damage and groaned loudly.
Apparently, the pirates had friends who were also sporting jet skis, and this time they actually had guns. She took hold of the boy in front of her and heaved him off the water vehicle making sure to grab his key. He began to curse at her loudly in Chinese, as she inserted it and drove off.
"I'm sorry," she yelled back at him speeding off. "I'll take good care of it."
The pirates were hot on her tail now and firing their semi automatic weapons as well. She headed for the docks and realized that even if she made it to shore they would just pull up alongside her and shoot her dead. She observed her surroundings once more and made a tight left towards the cluttered mass of fishing boats.
She sped towards the boats while gunfire raked the air behind her. Driving close to one boat, she pulled the net off of its side and tucked it under her arm. The pirates didn't give her much time to pause though, as she sped off avoiding the bullets as best she could.
They followed her around the boat, and around and around until they finally noticed something was going down. One more time around, Ukyou thought to herself. She sped up and found a pirate waiting for her with his gun waiting for her as well. NOW!!
Ukyou through the net on top of the pirate and broadsided him knocking him off his jet ski. She made a victory sign in the air, but stopped when she saw him cut through the net and get right back on. Damn.
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"Yang!" The call pierced the cool morning air, and Yang awakened from his father's yell in the small undersized bed. Today would be another day of torment and toil. Ever since dad lost his job, life had been hard for them both with only their boat. If only dad hadn't given that redheaded girl and that panda a free meal at the restaurant.
"Come on Yang. Lower the ramp so I can bring in the net." Yang grumbled and put his clothes on.
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"Wanna play hardball huh?" Ukyou said as she weaved carefully through the maze of fishermen, but was unable to lose them. She dodged another fishing skiff and maneuvered herself in between two larger fishing boats. She looked behind to see if they had followed and noticed that they hadn't. She smiled to herself and looked forward again to have her smile die quickly.
A bar that was held up by rope and wire connecting the two fishing boats was in place in front of her, and it was quite low to the water. She wasn't going to pass. Stopping the boat she turned around and high tailed it out of there. At the exit of the two parallel fishing boats, waited the rest of the pirate party smiling at her.
She cursed to herself, turned around again, and sped up heading for the bar. She took the key band off her wrist and attached it to the handle of the Jet Ski. She removed her large spatula and got ready while holding down the gas all the way. The bar came to her quickly, but she was ready. She wedged the spatula in the bar and used it as a javelin to send her up and over the bar. She landed safely on her seat and sped off. The pirates were still going full bore though. All of them had leaned over the side of their Jet Skis so the bar wouldn't affect them. Why hadn't I thought of that, she thought to herself.
She stopped and with two mini-spatulas in her hand, she waited for them to come close enough to the bar. They reached it and she launched them towards the wiring and ropes that held the bar up. They sliced through all of them and the bar fell and hit one Jet Ski on the front flipping it over. Ukyou smiled, but frowned when he got out, back on, and him and his buddies continued pursuit. Jackasses.
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"Watch it with that hook Yang! How many times do I have to tell you that?" The teenage boy frowned and pulled a lever bringing the hopefully bountiful catch out of the water.
Yang yawned and squinted as his eyes caught a glimpse of something off in the distance.
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Ukyou had had it. She had tried every trick she could think of, and they were still on her tail. This is no use, she thought, I have to go somewhere they can't. A light bulb when off in her head when she saw a fishing boat straight ahead with it's ramp lowered. It's now or never, she thought.
She gunned the gas on the Jet Ski, and sped off towards the fishing boat. She felt the bullets still whizzing past her and hitting the water behind. Thank god all bad guys are horrible shots. The boat was drawing closer and she could feel her escape was at hand.
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"YANG, RAISE THE RAMP. RAISE THE RAMP GOD DAMNIT." Yang hit the lever to raise the ramp. His father yelled at the top of his lungs as he jumped out of the way, and the Jet Ski hit the ramp sending it right over their boat and onto the dock. He chanced a look back out of the cranes tower window and saw several other jet skis aim for the ramp. He watched as they all crashed into the back of his father's boat.
"Poor father," he thought aloud watching his father climb out of his hiding spot.
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I made it, was Ukyou's first thought. She soon noticed how wrong she was. She hit the dock hard whipping her around. She soon heard the sound of grinding wood leave her and the sound of grinding concrete greet her. A car honked its horn as it narrowly missed the Jet Ski zooming across the small dockside road. Ukyou gasped as she missed the car and screamed as she hit the door of a small store and crashed through it and through what must have been everything in the store.
The wild Jet Ski ride finally came to a halt as she got up off the vehicle. She kicked it as hard as she could and made her way for the exit. Two burly men stopped in front of her and forcefully turned her around. Before her stood a small furious man with greasy black hair, beady little eyes, and a Fu Manchu moustache. The man yelled at her in Chinese viscously spitting on her face. She shook off her two new friends and pushed the little man down.
"Listen you little slice of shit," she said deliberately spitting on his face, "I've just been captured, soaked, shot at, yelled at, and chased by some mean assholes. Their all floating on their stomachs in the harbor, so unless you wanna join them, shut your dirty little mouth."
The man stood and regained his composure, but replaced his furious face with a dangerous sadistic one.
"So you are Japanese," he said snapping his fingers. Several other burly men stepped out from their hiding places and began removing knives, cracking their knuckles, and licking their lips. "I expected so much more from a yakuza assassin. I'll be sure to tell your boss in Tokyo that you failed miserably in the assassination of one of the triad heads."
Ukyou groaned to herself. Ryouga, you're going to owe me big time!
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(Northern China)
Ryouga, Lord Kun, Sheng-Ji, Tong, and several lieutenants all stood in the great hall mulling over the events of earlier today. Ryouga had stopped an army dead in their tracks and commanded them to go home. To top it all off, what was the weird voice they had all heard? Ryouga had quieted down about that topic. He didn't know how sensitive they might be to superstitions, demons, or the such.
"This is all a ruse to lower our defenses father," said Sheng-Ji, "He is obviously a spy for one of the other villages. He has already infiltrated our village and now you give him your confidence?"
"Silence Sheng-Ji! It is true the army halted at his heel, but that doesn't mean he is a spy. He is still our guest and he shall be treated as one."
Sheng-Ji snarled at Ryouga as he turned around and walked right out of the great hall. Ryouga smirked and turned back to Lord Kun. He could sense the man's uneasy feelings. He would be hard to sway though, Ryouga thought. His will is strong and he could pose a serious problem. Ryouga was running out of cards to play. These people, who prided themselves on their warlike strength and ability, would not even attack another village with the assurance of an extra army to aid them. Superstitions be damned
"I can control this army my lord. My wish is their command. That is why they were able to bow at my feet this morning. I command them with my power. Listen to what I propose for a second. Suppose we take advantage of this army which I can control, for now, and attack the other villages. Your men already have a high morale and it would be easy to sway the other leader's judgment with the sight of two combined armies. We would assimilate all the other villages creating a unified nation once more. They would surely fall, and those who would not listen would be crushed by our military might."
Lord Kun seemed to ponder Ryouga's words for a long time. "You seemed uncertain over your control of that army. Exactly how long can you control them?"
"I don't know exactly," he said lying through his teeth. He knew he had control over them until they died. "Days, maybe hours. Who can be sure?"
"After all these villages have been assimilated under our banner what would you gain? Why do you wish this so fervently?"
Ryouga turned away from the groups eyes and focused his instead on the beautiful stained glass that towered over them all. No one could see his confident and evil smile. "To banish your arch enemy from this land my liege. Or if you were to wish, it make them your slaves. I seek the downfall of the Amazon way of life."
Gasps could be heard through the lieutenants over the forsaken word, but more gasps were heard over what he proposed. The downfall of their longtime enemy the Amazons. The female tribe would certainly destroy them if they found out what was occurring between the tribes. Yet this boy of no more than eighteen promised them victory, and who was to doubt him. The army had literally fallen before him and an aura of greatness seemed to surround the young man. Lord Kun thought long and hard over this matter. Finally he spoke. "What do you think Tong?"
Tong was startled to be brought into the conversation for the first time, and felt uneasy to have so many pairs of eyes resting on her. His eyes were the worst. Ryouga's deep gray eyes looked on her and whispered for her to agree with him. Urging her that this was the best course of action. She cleared her throat and began.
"I think that the chance for a strike against the Amazons is now," she said bringing happiness to some and skepticisism to others, "but if we should fail the punishment would be harsher then any of us can conceive, and the guarantee that the other clans will cooperate so easily is doubtful. If we were ever to attack, now is the time to do it, but only with the assurances that the other tribes will cooperate." Ryouga smiled he saw her sigh and her shoulders slumped. He turned to look at Lord Kun for his answer.
"We will leave several hours before dawn tomorrow, to gain the element of surprise. I pray you're right Japanese."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Baghdad, Iraq)
America sat in front of the entire committee known as the Illuminati. My name is Jonathon Basser; he told himself silently, I don't have to deal with this charade. I have a purpose in life, and that is to acquire the ring. He drummed his fingers on his desk as the rest of the room chatted with each other over trivial matters like wars, diseases, and new technology. He did not have to pay any heed to these conversations unless he was brought into them. The quiet man was waiting for several guests to pay him a visit, and he did not want to be distracted by idle discourse.
The large chamber door burst open and Jonathon's guests made themselves known. The crowd of delegates quieted down almost instantaneously at the arrival of the band of ruffians. Totaling four in all, the band of travelers were different from each other in so many ways.
The leftmost of the group was a middle-aged man who sported a streak of white down the middle of his dark short haired head. A pair of sunglasses obscured his eyes and the collar, from his black knee length coat, covered him from his nose down. His left hand rested in his pocket, but the other held a string, that was attached to a Japanese sword, over his shoulder. The man was intimidating from the tip of his white stained hair to the bottom of his black military boots.
The next couldn't have been more different. A small child dressed in an ornamental tight Chinese shirt and tight Chinese pants stood with his hands at ease behind his back, and his feet close together. The clothes were a deep red and plain except for the golden dragon wrapped around his collar. The boys black hair was slicked back and a large scar was situated across his left eye. His eyes were dark and cold and his body was rigid as a board giving the impression that he could leap into action at a moments notice.
The third was the scariest of them all, standing erect with his arms crossed across his chest. He was dressed in Japanese ninja gear complete with a mask across his mouth, and black wrist and yellow shin guards showing that he was an expert in many forms of martial arts. His eyes were a complete white lacking any sign of a pupil, and his costume was completed with a yellow sash across his chest forming a V. His muscles bulged through his costume but he too stood still.
The last was a beautiful woman dressed in bulky military gear. Packs, pockets, grenades, and other gadgets were all over her body stating that she was a trained killing machine. What blew the room away was how she could have been so gorgeous and yet associated with the others. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, and perfect physique turned more than just a couple heads.
"Ahh, I'm so glad all of you could arrive. Let's get down to business shall we. I want you to find these two boys." Jonathon stood up from his chair and pressed a button on his clicker that lowered a screen behind him. On the screen were several movie clips of Ryouga and Ranma fighting various battles. The crowd gasped as they saw Ryouga unleash a Shi Shi Hokodan and Ranma execute a Moko Takabisha. The four newcomers remained still though, taking it all in.
"I have taken the liberty," he said reseating himself and turning off the video, "of giving all of you as detailed reports as we can on all of their activities, histories, and psyches. I wish all of you good luck on your mission. Leave none of them alive."
The four assassins left quietly, and soon the room was bustling with conversation once more about the four new arrivals. Jonathon smiled to himself and sat back down confident that the ring would be in his hands in a couple of days. Little did he know of the two-foot tall, three hundred year old spy lurking up in the rafters.
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(Nerima)
(Ranma sat atop a marble plateau in the clouds. Bright blue could be seen here and there and the sun was shining down on the area, but marble pillars held up a roof that blocked it out. He looked around before standing up and dusting himself off. He spotted a fountain in the middle of the plateau and walked over to it. He was about to look down into the water when he sensed the presence of someone, and turned bringing up and attack stance.
Tatewaki Kuno stood before Ranma dressed in a pure white suit and with a decent haircut. He walked over to Ranma and extended his hand. Ranma took it after several seconds of hesitation and then quickly withdrew. Kuno laughed a little pacing back and forth in front of Ranma.
"So how is it going Ranma? I take it your enjoying your life?" Kuno asked pointing downward. Ranma nodded dumbly still eyeing the deceased. "Oh so many things to say, so many things to do." Kuno took that moment to slug the off guard Ranma dropping him to his knees. "Sorry 'bout that, but you did kill me ya'know."
Ranma coughed and backed up across the floor. "What do you want with me? It was all an accident I swear." He sputtered gibberish in front of the dead man.
"Calm down Ranma I'm not going to kill you. I just did that for a little payback. My reason for being here and seeing you like this is far more important. Ranma everyone is in grave danger." Ranma stood up and motioned with his eyes for Kuno to continue.
"Darkness grows Ranma, and few can stop it. The band of rescuers sent to help Ryouga have been split up. Ryouga has the ring Ranma! He plans to use it to conquer all of China, and then the world, and four assassins, which we up here have jokingly called the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, have left to find you and Ryouga. Because Ranma..."
Ranma looked up from the ground and looked Kuno in the eyes. He saw desperation, sadness, and hope in his angel eyes.
"...If you fail then that's exactly what will happen. The Apocalypse."
"And just what do you expect me to do. I have hurt so many already. I don't think I can trust myself to do anything that could help." Ranma said resting his hands on the fountain in the center of the area. His knuckles whitened and he noticed that his hands were gripping the bowl quite hard. Kuno noticed too and eyed Ranma.
"Ranma I understand what you're going through right now. I can't quite imagine a life without Genma as well, but unless you want more needless deaths then take up your fight stance and ready yourself."
"How? How do I ready myself?"
"A war is brewing in China Ranma; a war between light and dark. You can do nothing to stop that, but you can help when the time comes."
"When the hell will that be?"
Ranma was struck hard by a bolt of lightning and sent sailing across the floor until he hit a pillar hard.
"No cursing here Ranma. Bosses orders." Ranma didn't have to ask who Kuno's "boss" was. A pain assaulted him as he got up, rubbed his neck, and approached Kuno.
"Okay. Okay. When will the time come for me to help?"
"That Ranma," Kuno said as he smiled at him, "is for you to decide, but remember this. Do not fall victim to the ring or it will forever dominate your destiny."
"You don't have to tell me twice," said Ranma. He looked around dumbly and began to fidget with his clothes, and shuffle his shoes across the marble tiles.
"Do you have something you wish to say Ranma?"
"No. Well...yeah kind of. Yes. Kuno, can I see my father one last time." Ranma sighed when he saw Kuno smile at him and nod his head. In seconds, Genma had appeared beside Kuno dressed like him in a white suit. Genma saw his son and a tear rolled down his cheek
Ranma's heart stopped as he matched Genma tear for tear, and took several slow steps towards his father. After Ranma had decided it was real, he jumped at Genma wrapping his muscular arms around his father's neck.
"Pops. I missed you so much. I never said it before, but I do love you dad," Ranma managed to say through numerous sobs. Genma pulled Ranma off him and looked him straight in the eye.
"Insubordinate boy. How many times have I told you those feelings are for the weak, and by golly you're not weak?" Ranma would have been devastated were it not for the tears flowing freely from his father's eyes and the smile across his face.
"Oh dad!" "Oh son!" The two embraced each other in a tight hug, neither daring to let go. Kuno smiled at the scene, and coughed loudly after awhile to break it up.
"Dad I don't want you to go. Please stay with me. Please I'll do anything, just don't leave me again." The tears were now coming full bore from Ranma's eyes. He snuffed them back though and wiped his hand across his eyes, not daring to show weakness in front of his father.
"I must Ranma, but I'll always be there watching you. I know you will be the best martial artist someday Ranma, and I will be there watching you achieve your goal. Tell Nodoka I love her, and give her this." Genma opened Ranma's clenched fists and placed a small quartz stone in his hand. Inside the stone were two blotches of red connected by a single thread of the color. Ranma shook his head in confusion and looked up to ask him what it was all about, but found him and Kuno both gone. Ranma stuffed the stone in his pocket and dropped to the ground as he felt a deep weakness approach him. He collapsed against a marble pillar when he heard an indistinguishable voice from the sky.
"Remember Ranma! Do what you think is right and protect those you love.")
Ranma shot up from the couch and banged his head against Akane's. He brought his hand up to rub the bump and found a small rock in his hand. Deftly putting it in his pocket, he wiped the tears that had remained on his eyes and turned back to Akane.
"I'm sorry Akane, are you okay?" Ranma moved over to where she was and put his hands on her back. She got up rubbing her forehead, and let out a small "ouchie." She realized who her company was and straightened up ignoring the bump.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but Kodachi is at the door and she looks very upset. I would have sent her away in an instant, but..."
Ranma knew that Kodachi probably told Akane of her brother's death. She probably doesn't know I did it, he thought, I will have to tell her. Ranma sat Akane down on the couch and moved to answer the front door.
Kodachi stood there dressed in a dark dress. Not her leotard or her school outfit, but a simple black dress. She held a tissue to her nose and whimpered a little as Ranma led her in and sat her down on the couch. Ranma asked Kasumi to prepare some tea and took a seat opposite the two on a single chair.
"How...?" Kodachi started, but Ranma cut her off with a hand and leaned in so that he could grasp her two hands in his.
"Kodachi this will hit you pretty hard, but," said Ranma. He knew she would probably flip out and attack him, and try to kill him, but he was prepared for it. "I killed your brother Kodachi."
Her look changed into one of confusion. She doesn't understand, he thought, I guess I'll have to explain it to her.
"I was possessed by a demon of sorts, and was forced to do terrible things. I've recovered from it, but others haven't. Ukyou, Mousse, Shampoo, and a friend of theirs are hunting the demon down, but the damage was done. My own father was a recipient of such a tragedy. He died by my own hands." Kodachi looked crushed, but Ranma forced himself to watch her. Watch her cry from a terrible mistake that he made, and do nothing because he could do nothing. He watched her get up and walk right out the door. Akane scowled at him and followed Kodachi out.
"Insensitive jerk," he heard her mumble to him on her way out. Ranma just nodded looking at the furniture sullenly. He sat there thinking about what she said. I don't think I can be anything else Akane.
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(Nerima, nighttime)
Ranma had watched television for the rest of the day. He couldn't find any relaxation though due to the occurrences with Kodachi and Akane. They had both left leaving him alone with Nabiki who was upstairs or something. She still hadn't had a decent conversation with him since the big fight. It seems that I only hurt those who are close to me, he thought. The movie he was watching was some Godzilla flick. A picture of a screaming girl flashed for a moment and then the scene went back to Godzilla blowing up some model. Ranma flipped the channel to a game show with an ugly contestant and even uglier host. He flipped the channel once more getting aggravated at the TV. He landed on a channel that had a commercial, which displayed some little girl turning into an octopus, flying to the moon, and cleaning up the aliens with a towel. It wound up being a soap commercial.
Ranma rolled his eyes, turned off the television, and walked to the bathroom. He finished his business and was washing his hands when he looked into the mirror. A weak face looked back at him. You've made me weak, he thought, you made me the man I am right now. The water was cold when he splashed his face. He dried himself up when he looked down at his hands. Next to the sink sat a pair of scissors for cutting hair, and an electric razor. Ranma picked up the scissors and ran his fingers along the fine edge. He looked into the mirror once again and stared into his deep eyes. I've killed in cold blood, he thought. Those I care about will only be hurt.
"Will anyone miss a murderer like me when I'm gone?" he asked the mirror. The head in the mirror almost shook his head back at him. Ranma couldn't forget the look on Kodachi's face or the thought of a life without his father. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone that Pops wanted him to give to Mom. The stone had its own special ness and was quite brilliant in the light. It was set on the kitchen counter with a small note as he returned to the bathtub, scissors in hand, and began to fill it with water.
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Retro's thoughts: Couple of things G's. I bet that suicide thingy at the top kept you reading right up to this point.
I bet a lot of you are having ideas as to who those four assassins are in the Illuminati's place. They are all fiction and made up by me except for one. If you know who the pupil less man dressed in black and yellow is, then you're in for even more surprises.
I thought of sending Genma to hell, but it wouldn't have worked that well, God bringing him back and all.
And in the case of Ranma's newfound depression, well you'll just have to catch my next chapter of An Heir to the Throne.
Oh and if you wanna know just for the hell of it, I get a lot of my insperation from Howard Shore's soundtrack to Lord of the Rings among other things. The Breaking of the Fellowship works real well.