He readjusted Marco's footing, then moved to the boy's sister. Three redheads moved through the mirrors in Ranma's dojo. He was getting used to being a she in the privacy of his home, but he wasn't sure he'd ever get used to the Mam This and Miss That he got whenever he was a femalein public.
AS the twins wound their training to a close, Ranma smiled and waved to the door. "Alright, you're free to go for the day. I'll see you two later."
Marco trotted off with a wave, but Sascha smiled secretly at him as she played with her long braid, "Ranma? I am going to veesit with Akane tonight. Perhaps you vould like to see tha movie with us?"
He smiled, and was about to say yes, when he remembered that Saya would be visiting that evening.
"I'm sorry Sascha. I'd love to, but Saya is coming to see me this evening. Maybe next time?"
The girl's face fell and her hand froze on the braid. After a heartbeat, she nodded and walked out of the room. Ranma turned to the mirror, studying his reflection for a long moment before heading off to take his bath.
Akane laughed and beamed at her friend, "Thanks Sascha! Really, I've been so depressed lately, it's great to get out again."
The redhead grinned back and poked Akane in the ribs, "Of course you ave been depressed! Your love is no longer with you at all times!"
"Honestly Sascha! I think Love might be a bit strong." She held her hands up defensively, "I'll admit I like Ranma. A lot. But the engagement is arranged, and he hasn't dreamed of me for years like I have. I'm not holding my breath."
The other girl shook her head sadly, "Ee really did want to come. Eef only that wretched Naomi woman were not around."
"You too?" Akane smiled slightly in relief, "I thought it was just me."
"Oh no! Marco and I are very glad we do not recquire schooling ere in Japan. We do not have to be around that . . . woman as much as you and Nabiki."
"Well," she muttered, as they made their way back to the dojo after the movie, "I don't have to see her anymore. I'm back in school. But I don't like her spending so much time with him."
They continued on in silent thought for some time, then Akane's head came up and the girls shared a puzzled glance before the world tipped. Suddenly there were men everywhere, and Akane was pulled away from Sascha by one of them. He had one arm around her neck, and the other held a gun to her head.
"come quietly, Soatome, and we'll let the girl go!"
Sascha turned instinctively to the voice, too stunned to do otherwise, and blinked when she realized all eyes were on her. "Excuse me?"
"Don't play dumb! We know about your . . . curse. Now agree to come with us and we'll let the girl go!"
Akane yelled out a brief "No!" before the man clamped a hand over her mouth.
The man continued smugly, "We weren't even after you in particular. Not yet. But you made it to easy! Apparently the White dragon is slipping. Now, will you come with us, or does the girl die?"
Sascha flinched as the man pulled the hammer back on the gun. Turning back to the spokesman, she nodded slowly. "I vill come."
The man simply smiled as others stepped forward with chains and ropes.
Still bitter about her sudden drop in housing, Nabiki shut her bedroom door and pulled out her desk chair to start her homework. Sighing, she rested her chin in her hand as she leaned onto the desk. Everything just seemed off now, and she'd been home for a day now! Since she'd left for school that morning, she'd felt strange, like something wasn't quite right.
Had she really adjusted so easily to Ranma's plans for Nabiki and her family?
Sitting up she leaned over and began digging through her bag for the books she'd need. As she sat up, her eyes fell on a photo of the Tendos, Ranma, his mother, and the twins. It wasn't the picture that caught her eye, though.
She opened her mouth to scream, but the man was right behind her with the dagger already aloft. He'd already brought the hilt down on her skull before she'd finished gathering her breath.
He smiled at her like he always did. That confident, powerfull smile she knew and loved. Unlike the last times though, she already knew. He'd been taken from her. This was a dream, a memory. Nothing more, nothing less.
She knew he was gone, but she could enjoy that smile until she woke up. She didn't want him to go away, but she knew there was something important waiting for her when she did manage to shake herself out of her rest. Whatever it was could wait, though. For now, she had her beloved once more.
Sascha awoke with a screach as the scalding water exploded against her back. Gasping through the pain she struggled to move away, eyes darting around in search of her attacker. Her arms weren't moving at all, and her legs had only a hand's length or so of freedom at her ankles.
AS it slowly came back to her, her frantic noises of fear faded away. Akane, the movie. They'd been on their way home when they were attacked in the dark. Ah, she thought. She'd braided her red hair. The thugs had mistaken her for Ranma's female form.
That explained the hot water.
A man's voice snarled behind her, "Why didn't it work? Does it take time?"
She turned just as a second man answered, "I dont' know! You're the one the boss talked to."
She was in some sort of barred cell, like in the movies. But the bars here were barely four inches apart, and there was a set of horizontal ones as well as the typical vertical ones. The other three walls were plated in some rusted metal and bolted in place. She wasn't going anywhere.
The first man sighed and waved off somewhere that she couldn't see, "Go get the boss. I'll watch Soatome."
"You sure? He's supposed to be tough."
The first one laughed and gestured at the cowering redhead, "Does it look tough to you?"
Sanscha glared at the insult, but the man just laughed again. With a shrug, the second man walked out of her line of sight. Deciding time was of the essence, she remained silent and slipped back into the shadows. The longer they went without knowing who she was, the better. It gave her a better chance of survival until someone could come help her.
Sanscha was not a fool. She knew what her family did, and she knew Ranma worked for Chad too. They were good at what they did, and this was right up their alley. If she could stay alive long enough, they would rescue her.
She waited silently, keeping her eyes on her guard as she huddled in the shadows. A few minutes later, she heard a door open off in the direction the second man had gone. When the guard came back into her sight, she was surprised to see he and another man were supporting Nabiki's unconcious weight. She gasped and started to move forward, but froze and retreated back into the corner.
The first man frowned, "I thought you were getting the boss."
He rolled his eyes and warily eyed Sanscha as they messed with the locks and chains holding the barred walls in place. "I was, but he got the other girl! I'm just helping him out with her, and then I'll get the boss. Geez."
"Whatever, jsut make it quick."
While Two messed with Nabiki and the doors, One and Three held their guns pointed at Sanscha where she huddled in the corner. She sighed mentally and waited patiently till they had dumped Nabiki inside and hastily locked the doors securely back in place. As Two and Three wandered off with comments about getting the boss and getting to their posts, Sansha quickly leapt forward and dragged Nabiki back into the shadows she'd been huddling in.
Nabiki moaned and began to stir, so Sansha held a finger to the girl's lips. "Shh, eet's me Nabiki." Her voice dropped to the slightest whisper and she held her mouth next to Nabiki's ear, "Quiet, zey think I'm Ranma. Don't say ozerwise, or who knows what they'll do. Got eet?"
Nabiki's eyes opened and studied her for awhile. With a slow nod, Nabiki winced and gave a pained groan. Sascha glanced up at her guard as he eyed her warily, then prepared herself for an undetermined stay. Stroking Nabiki's hair, she tried to ignore her own pains until help arrived.
Kasumi hummed to herself as she set out a futon beside Akane's bed. Sanscha would be spending the night with the Tendos, and Kasumi couldn't help but feel happy for her little sister. The poor dear had taken so many disasters in her life, it was nice she'd found a close friend.
She was just stepping into the hall when she heard the front door open. Smiling, she started down the stairs when she heard a strange thud. Her expression turning curious, she quickened her pace slightly and gasped when the door came into view. Akane, her face and neck bruising rather elaborately, was struggling to her feet, apparently after taking a fall.
"Akane! What happened?"
Kasumi rushed forward to help her sister to her feet.
"Kasumi," she forced out, "Call Ranma . . they took Sanscha."
"Oh My! Here, let me help you to--"
"No! They took her, they thought she was Ranma. Hurry, call him . . ."
"Oh! Yes, but you sit here, don't move!"
She turned and ran to the phone, dialing Ranma's number as quickly as she could. When Saya answered in a tired voice, Kasumi smiled in relief.
"Thank goodness! Miss Naomi, please, I need to speak to Ranma! It's an emergency."
"Oh? Oh. I'm afraid he's not here. I'm not sure where he is. He left before I lied down for a nap."
"Oh no! Please, if he comes back, tell him there's an emergency!"
"What's wrong Kasumi? Maybe I can help."
Kasumi glance in the direction of her gasping sister, "I don't believe so. Someone has taken Miss Sanscha!"
There was a long pause before Saya blurted, "What? Why would someone take Sanscha?"
"I don't know! Akane said something about the men thinking she was Ranma. Please, if he comes back, have him call us!"
"Of course, dear. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Kasumi certainly hoped so.
Ranma shoved the bag of groceries into the passenger seat as he sat down. Buckling in, he wondered why Saya'd had the sudden urge to cook for him. He would have been happy with take-out, since his mother was going through her things at her own home to get everything else she wanted before officially moving in with Ranma. But no, Saya had decided she would love nothing more than to make him dinner.
He glared down at the steering wheel, jabbing the button to move the seat backward. He'd left the house shortly after being splashed by the sprinkler system. Saya had laughed at him, and he'd been so happy to see her actually enjoying herself that he didn't have the heart to go back into the house. He had gotten enough hot water from the store to change back just before getting back in his car though, and his taller male frame didn't quite fit after moving the seat forward so his female half could drive.
He pulled into the street and glanced down the street that led to the theatre he Knew Akane always went to. He figured the movie should just about be letting out, and wondered if he should offer her a ride home. The problem was that he wasn't sure if he could fit Sanscha, Akane, and the groceries into his car.
Besides, he thought to himself, I don't want the girls thinking I'm checking up on them. They're awful proud, and they'd probably just beat me up.
He took his hand away from the turn signal and took the road straight toward his house. He was almost there when his cell phone began buzzing angrily at him. Pulling it from his pocket, he thumbed it onto speaker phone.
"Hello?"
*Thank Goodness! I had to ask Akane for your cell phone's number!*
Ranma frowned, "Kasumi? Are you alright?"
*Im fine, but Ranma, come to the dojo quickly!*
He immediately made a turn and pressed harder on the gas, "Tell me what's going on, Kasumi!"
*Akane and Sanscha were attacked after the movie. They hurt Akane, and took Sanscha! Akane says they thought the poor girl was your female form!"
Ranma cursed, and quickly apologized. "I'll be there as quick as I can. Kasumi, get a doctor there for Akane."
*He's on his way.*
"Good job, Kasumi. I'll be there soon."
He ended that conversation, and then hit a speed dial. It rang twice before being answered.
*Yes?*
"Chad, it's Ranma. There's a problem. Someone kidnapped Sanscha, and hurt Akane. I'm on my way to the dojo, but I need all of your freshest leads. Where would they take a hostage?"
*Who, Ranma?*
Ranma snarled, "Who else? Whoever's left of the Roses! I don't have any other enemies that would be so dishonorable."
*I'm sorry Ranma, we don't have anything like that at the moment. They've been bouncing around hotels a lot, not sitting still. I don't think they have any sort of home base."
"They have to, Chad, that's how they've always worked. What hotels?"
Chad sighed into the reciever, *Oh, anything in the mid-class price range. Comfortable places that don't ask questions.*
Ranma frowned, it didn't make sense. "Are we sure Jaxom's still around?"
*Everything points to that. The same habits and everything. All his old calling cards and the little bits he obsessed over, they're all being maintained.*
Ranma frowned and made a quick turn down a sidestreet, "Not all of them. I'll talk to you later."
*Ran--*
Ranma slammed the phone shut. He needed to think. Something wasn't right here, and he knew he was missing something.
Akane sipped at the water Dr. Tofu kept shoving at her. He had liberally applied some strange ointment, and the pain in her throat was fading. She hoped it was because it was healing, not because he'd put some anesthesia in the gunk.
"Doctor?" He was beside her instantly.
"Don't speak yet, Akane. You've suffered some trauma to your throat, and I think it best you keep your speaking to a minumum."
She nodded shakily, and tried to sit up. He assisted her, which surprised her at first, since she'd been expecting him to make her stay down. Once she was propped in a seated position, he excused himself and started to the door, only to be nearly knocked from his feet as her bedroom door flew open.
Her eyes widened as Ranma charged into the room, heading straight for her bed. He didn't spare a glance for the doctor, his eyes intent upon Akane as he gently moved her head around to get a better idea of the bruises still coloring her neck and face.
"Who was it Akane?"
She would have answered, but Dr. Tofu was suddenly beside Ranma, trying to pull Ranma away from the bed. He seemed only slightly confused when Ranma not only did not move, but turned to glare angrily at him.
"Who are you?"
Dr. Tofu frowned, "I'm Akane's family doctor. I dont know who you are, but I'm afraid Akane shouldn't be speaking just now. I've already called the police, and--"
"Well call and tell them it was a false alarm. If the police interfere, someone will die." He turned back to Akane, "Now, did you get a good look at any of them?" At her nod he gave a relieved sigh and continued, "Good girl. Now, did you see Jaxom or anyone with a rose emblem of some sort?"
" . . . rose."
At her hoarse croak, Ranma winced. His face hardened a moment later though.
"Now just see here! What do you mean call them back? The authorities need to know about this, so they can be caught!"
Ranma sighed in frustration and turned back to the doctor, "Look, I already called the best authorities for this, and they're working on it. Now if you'll kindly let me find out some information, I'll get the thug myself."
He turned back to Akane and took her hand in his, "Now, did you see which way they went?"
She looked sheepish and shook her head.
"That's fine, you were out by then, huh? Ok, did any of them look at all familiar, like you'd seen them somewhere where they could possibly have been tailing you?"
She shook her head after a thoughtful pause.
"Alright Akane, I'm going to find Sanscha and your sister, but I honestly don't know where they could have taken her. Jaxom hasn't been using the old Rose fronts, so we haven't been able to tail his workings. Did you notice a car maybe? How about any logos or anything on their clothes?"
His questions continued with negative answers for precious minutes. Finally he sat at the foot of her bed, grateful Soun had come in and assured the Doctor that Ranma had legitimite reasons for being there and asking all of his questions. With a sigh, Ranma turned to Akane. She'd just fallen asleep, a worried frown on her face.
Where could they be? None of Jaxom's old haunts had shown any movements for weeks, and all of his father's old businesses were very efficiently shut down after the trial. Very few of the Rose properties had even been in this area. The closest one was Nishiguchi's house. Aside from that, the only places near Nerima were some old warehouses he'd run illegal gambling out of.
Ranma's head shot up. The warehouses had burnt to the ground months ago, with no claims on the insurance. Chad had dropped the two buildings from the list of places and people to watch just a few weeks ago. There was a pretty decently sized complex built under the two warehouses with running water and electricity. It was probably still furnished even, since Chad would have no use for the gaudy decorations, and his people were the only ones outside of the Roses that knew the place existed.
Ranma had only been there a few times while he'd worked for Nishiguchi, but he knew it would be the perfect place to take a couple of hostages. There had been a large 'cell' in the back, and everyone that was brought into the secret gambling ring was shown the barred room on their introductory tour. As far as Ranma knew, nobody'd ever been actually kept there. It was more to prove to Nishiguchi's customers that messing with the Roses would be a bad idea. That's why Ranma had been recquired to make the occasional stop there after he'd gotten such an elaborate reputaion.
Jaxom would be completely unwatched if he took the girls there. It was in an out of the way neighborhood that was nearly deserted at night, and few knew it even existed.
Ranma cursed and jumped to his feet, "I got it Akane! You rest, and I'll be back with the girls later!"
She was still half asleep when he made it into the hallway and slammed the door shut behind him. Akane blinked silently for a moment in the silence before the pain in her neck brought everything back. In the darkness of her room, she broke down in sobs that tore at her injured neck.
Ranma's little car hadn't been tested this hard since his test drive. He made it to the warehouse in record time, even though he parked three blocks away. Queitly slipping through the shadows in his female form, he braced himself mentally and physically when he knew he was just around the corner. Peeking carefully around the corner of an abandoned, half burnt shell, his eyes fell on the steel and concrete stairs down the street that had previously led to the Nishiguchi Warehouse.
He glanced behind him at the perimeter guard bound and gagged in an unconcious heap on the ground. The fool had tried to attack the 'harmless' redhead for some action. He got it, but it was Ranma having all the fun. He'd avoided any serious damage though, just bruising the guy heavily before knockinghim out.
Turning back to the street, Ranma was fairly certain there were no other guards. Still, he kept to the shadows as much as possible, and stealthily made his way down the street. Shortly he was kneeling by the stairs and thumbing the hidden switches that opened the stairs to reveal a descending set underneath.
They'd rusted out a lot from lack of use, since the burnt down building let in more rain. Still, the elaborate twists and whorls of the metal stairs was admirable. They were also noisy. Two steps down, he realized he couldn't continue like this. A glance down reminded him that it wasn't a far drop, so he jumped over the side. Glancing about the dim room, he started the hunt.
Nabiki glared at the guard a moment, ignoring Sanscha's advice to keep a low profile. The redhead reached out a hand to stop her, but Nabiki managed to get far enough into the light that Sanscha felt it best to stay hidden.
Nabiki marched up to the bars, grabbing one in each hand as she waited for the guard to look at her.
When the man looked up she said, "Look, how much are they paying you?"
He blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing. "What, you think a kid like you's gonna buy me off?"
Nabiki smiled, "No, but my boss could. I do Ranma's accounting. Whatever this has been gangster is paying you, I know he could beat it two fold. I'm willing to bet you're fairly trustworthy, so if you get us out of here, you can expect a nice, legal check as soon as I'm back in my office."
The guard simply stared, beyond puzzled. This was not your typical hostage-pleaing-for-freedom bit. After a moment though, he paused. It was well known to the new Rose guards that Ranma Soatome was very wealthy. It was worth thinking over.
There was a beep at his waist and he jerked the walkie talkie to his mouth, "Yeah?"
"Bring the girl to the main room, and keep her bound."
He looked into the cell and frowned, "The brunette, right?"
"Yes! The brunette you idiot. Oh, and don't worry about the redhead. It isn't Ranma afterall, just some other little girl. Bring up the Tendo girl, then go back for the redhead."
"Right."
He scowled into the cage, "Alright, nuthin funny now. You first, Tendo."
Nabiki glanced back at Sanscha, who nodded and waved for Nabiki to go. With a shrug, she stepped up to the door as the man opened first one, then the other set of bars. He had a set of cuffs in his hands, so she held her wrists out to him. He snorted and dragged her into the narrow hallway. He turned her around roughly by the shoulder, pulling her arms behind her to cuff them.
As he was snapping the second one on, Sanscha attacked. Nabiki, fairly useless in a fight, lunged away from him the instant his head turned to the snarling redhead. He kept ahold of the cuffs though, and she nearly fell as her weight was jerked hard at her wrist.
She turned in time to see Sanscha throw a hefty set of punches into the guy's face and stomach. He grunted, but did manage to get his arms up after that for some defense. Sanscha pulled back to follow up with a kick, but he smirked and swung Nabiki at her like a club. The two girls collided and, since they were nearly the same height, their skulls crashed together loudly in the long hallway.
The man snorted in amusement and bent to pick the girls up.
Ranma managed to catch the first one by surprise, knocking him over the head with the base of his knife. The second one turned with the walkie talkie still at his mouth, a look of pure bafflement on his face at the sight of an angry redhead. The third managed to clip Ranma on the shoulder with a weak punch while he was blocking the fourth man's kick. Grabbing his extended leg, Ranma swung the fourth one around and into the third one.
Before the two could untangle themselves, Ranma was already on them, knocking each of them over the head with his knife. He snatched up the handset and checked the volume, turning it down almost to the minimum. Holding it to his ear so he'd still heasr it, while hopefully keeping it quiet enough that other guards wouldn'thear him coming, Ranma continued down the hallway.
He didn't run into any more men, though, and paused before the door to the living room of the family's private suite. It swung silently into the room, and Ranma dropped his hand limply to his side with a look of disbelief at the sound of skin on skin.
Nabiki opened her eyes slowly to see a dimly lit room. She could see a door directly ahead of her, an oriental rug the only thing seperating her from possible escape. Of course, whatever bonds she could feel keeping her arms secured behind her back certainly weren't helping.
There was something warm just behind her, and from the rythmic movement of it, she had to conclude it was a person. She slowly turned her aching head to her right just enough to see a slash of bright red, and winced.
Honestly, she'd been counting on Sanscha to get them out of there. Numbers and finance bowed to Nabiki willingly, but martial arts never had. Now Nabiki and her escape ticket were sitting on the floor, their hands bound together behind their backs.
She heard a slight rustel and left and turned her head that way, gasping softly.
"Saya! What are you doing here?"
The woman was sitting on a couch in front of a gas fireplace, the artificial logs lending the room its only light. The teacher's eyes opened in startlement before she cocked her head.
"Why Nabiki, I'm surprised you haven't figured it out quite yet. Ranma has such high opinions of your intelligence."
Her brain, sluggish from the repeated blows it had taken, struggled to make a forward click.
"Ranma? Is he here? Find the key, Saya. We need to get out of here before Jaxom finds us." She glanced behind her and tried to figure out how to get the handcuffs off. "Why did Ranma bring you? Wouldn't Akane make more sense?"
Saya hadn't moved from the couch, "Oh, I suppose he wouldn't want to risk his little pet student. She's probably safe at home still."
Nabiki paused as her brain finally started to move again. "Of course," she whispered.
She'd just gotten new information that afternoon. Her contact had seen Saya in a rough neighborhood, surrounded by goons, and gathering more. It was said she was trying to broaden the men's horizons, letting them in on hidden truths that she had learned while working for the Tokyo Roses. Her contact hadn't been able to get in on the group, but seemed to think they were being offered some sort of compensation.
"You really should have been more careful, Nabiki. Your people aren't as talented as you think. I know everything you knew about me, but I wasn't worried until today. That's why you're here instead of your sister."
"Jaxom isn't the one after Ranma, it's you!"
Saya chuckled primly, "Why yes. You see, Ranma killed my poor Jaxom in China. It was rather nasty, really. Nothing much left for burial after the explosion."
"Poor Jaxom? He was a madman!"
Saya's smile didn't change, but her eyes clearly did. Her soft expression was now a crazed and angry glare as she stood and stepped closer to the girls on the floor.
"My beloved was nothing of the sort! Oh, poor Ranma, taken off the streets and given a wonderful education. Both in his academic studies and his beloved martial arts. All for the price of a few deaths. The poor dear! But he had a choice! He agreed to the deal Nishiguchi offered him, willingly. My Jaxom had no chance! As Nishiguchi's only son and heir, he had to take up the business. He didn't mind so much at first, happy that it made his father proud. And then Ranma came."
She spun on her heel and began to pace angrily, "I didn't see it at first either, you know. I was fooled by Ranma's sob story as well. But then Jaxom came back to me, and offered to take me back into the higher circles. He explained what it was like, living in the shadow of perfect Ranma. Ranma Soatome that passed his studies with high marks, mastered every martial arts style he was exposed to with ease, and took to his job in the Roses as if he were born to it."
Saya paused and Nabiki was horrified by the tears she saw as the older woman turned back to her.
"No wonder my poor Jaxom turned out the way he did! Can you really blame him?"
Without hesitation Nabiki answered, "Yes."
The fury returned to Saya's face as she backhanded Nabiki. A soft groan told Nabiki that her fellow captive would be awake at any moment.
"Saya?"
Nabiki and her former tutor turned to see Ranma's look of betrayal and revulsion as he stepped into the room.
"How could you let him con you like that, Saya? You know how manipulative he was, of course he had good excuses. But I trusted you, you were like my mother!"
Saya snarled and pulled a small handgun from her pocket, immediately pointing it at Nabiki's head, "Manipulative? No, Ranma, misunderstood. How could you understand? You're always the right one, the one with all the tragedies. And that ridiculous curse! Whining and crying about it. YOU left Jusenkyo. Jaxom did not. How can you complain about that?"
Ranma's face darkened as he took a step forward, "Because Jaxom was a coward! He challenged me to a man to man duel, and then dihonored himself by bringing the bombs into it. If he killed himself with his own trap, I won't shed any tears over it. He could have tried being my friend, or asked me to train him. I would have, even if I didn't like the brat."
She scoffed, "Oh, ask his father's pet to train him so that Jaxom loses face with the men he wouldl one day be inheriting? You know that world Ranma, even if you pretend you're better than that. How much respect would Nishiguchi's men have for him if he crawled up and begged you to teach him?"
She pulled back the hammer and Nabiki's eyes clamped shut.
"But I'll avenge his death, Ranma, and his honor." Her hand went to her abdoman, "I'm carrying his child as we speak. I will raise our baby to take back all that you stole from Jaxom when you brought about the fall of the Roses."
Now the revulsion on Ranma's face was achingly evident as he glanced down at the cowering Nabiki. He saw Sanscha turned about to meet his eyes before she looked pointedly at Saya.
Ranma's eyes flew back to the Saya's as the woman laughed, "With you gone, and the mercenary Tendo brat, nobody will ever guess what I plan. I know what your will says, Ranma. I'll inherit most of your fortune, and have a good start at reviving the Roses."
Saya let out another hearty laugh, though this one was cut short.
Sanscha wanted the voices to stop, but couldn't seem to get away from them. Finally, she opened her eyes, and her ears.
When the crazed words of Saya reached her and finally sank in, she realized that the woman was talking to her sensei. She had apparently missed some information in translation, and some important stuff at the beginning altogether, but the main point was that Saya was the bad guy her.
She managed to turn around enough to make eye contact with Ranma. She glanced at Saya as the woman made a fanatical point. Saya took a step back, keeping her gun hand pointed at Nabiki while the other gestured broadly. She looked back at Ranma and his eyes went back to the woman he'd trusted so much.
When Saya threw her head back, eyes closed, to laugh at her victory, Sanscha struck. She lashed out with a snapping kick to the wrist dropping slightly as the mad woman let her guard drop. She could feel the muscles and tendons straining in her legs, but the thud of the gun on carpet was enough for her to feel satisfied. Ranma was instantly on Saya, grabbing her wrist and twisting so that her arm was held stiffly behind her.
Her eyes registered only surprise and confusion at first, but then the anger returned. Ranma couldn't see her pull a second gun from her pocket, since Saya's own body blocked his view, but he saw the fear suddenly blossum on Sanscha's face.
He jerked on her arm, and Saya's gun fired. He heard a femenine shriek as he punched Saya hard enough to easily knock her out. As his former friend and mentor fell to the ground, he kicked the second gun away from her limp hand before rushing over to see who'd been hit.
A/N: I'm not happy with this ending. Bleh, can we say anti-climatic? Let me know how to improve it, finals have killed my brain. Epilogue comming soon! I swear!!
AS the twins wound their training to a close, Ranma smiled and waved to the door. "Alright, you're free to go for the day. I'll see you two later."
Marco trotted off with a wave, but Sascha smiled secretly at him as she played with her long braid, "Ranma? I am going to veesit with Akane tonight. Perhaps you vould like to see tha movie with us?"
He smiled, and was about to say yes, when he remembered that Saya would be visiting that evening.
"I'm sorry Sascha. I'd love to, but Saya is coming to see me this evening. Maybe next time?"
The girl's face fell and her hand froze on the braid. After a heartbeat, she nodded and walked out of the room. Ranma turned to the mirror, studying his reflection for a long moment before heading off to take his bath.
Akane laughed and beamed at her friend, "Thanks Sascha! Really, I've been so depressed lately, it's great to get out again."
The redhead grinned back and poked Akane in the ribs, "Of course you ave been depressed! Your love is no longer with you at all times!"
"Honestly Sascha! I think Love might be a bit strong." She held her hands up defensively, "I'll admit I like Ranma. A lot. But the engagement is arranged, and he hasn't dreamed of me for years like I have. I'm not holding my breath."
The other girl shook her head sadly, "Ee really did want to come. Eef only that wretched Naomi woman were not around."
"You too?" Akane smiled slightly in relief, "I thought it was just me."
"Oh no! Marco and I are very glad we do not recquire schooling ere in Japan. We do not have to be around that . . . woman as much as you and Nabiki."
"Well," she muttered, as they made their way back to the dojo after the movie, "I don't have to see her anymore. I'm back in school. But I don't like her spending so much time with him."
They continued on in silent thought for some time, then Akane's head came up and the girls shared a puzzled glance before the world tipped. Suddenly there were men everywhere, and Akane was pulled away from Sascha by one of them. He had one arm around her neck, and the other held a gun to her head.
"come quietly, Soatome, and we'll let the girl go!"
Sascha turned instinctively to the voice, too stunned to do otherwise, and blinked when she realized all eyes were on her. "Excuse me?"
"Don't play dumb! We know about your . . . curse. Now agree to come with us and we'll let the girl go!"
Akane yelled out a brief "No!" before the man clamped a hand over her mouth.
The man continued smugly, "We weren't even after you in particular. Not yet. But you made it to easy! Apparently the White dragon is slipping. Now, will you come with us, or does the girl die?"
Sascha flinched as the man pulled the hammer back on the gun. Turning back to the spokesman, she nodded slowly. "I vill come."
The man simply smiled as others stepped forward with chains and ropes.
Still bitter about her sudden drop in housing, Nabiki shut her bedroom door and pulled out her desk chair to start her homework. Sighing, she rested her chin in her hand as she leaned onto the desk. Everything just seemed off now, and she'd been home for a day now! Since she'd left for school that morning, she'd felt strange, like something wasn't quite right.
Had she really adjusted so easily to Ranma's plans for Nabiki and her family?
Sitting up she leaned over and began digging through her bag for the books she'd need. As she sat up, her eyes fell on a photo of the Tendos, Ranma, his mother, and the twins. It wasn't the picture that caught her eye, though.
She opened her mouth to scream, but the man was right behind her with the dagger already aloft. He'd already brought the hilt down on her skull before she'd finished gathering her breath.
He smiled at her like he always did. That confident, powerfull smile she knew and loved. Unlike the last times though, she already knew. He'd been taken from her. This was a dream, a memory. Nothing more, nothing less.
She knew he was gone, but she could enjoy that smile until she woke up. She didn't want him to go away, but she knew there was something important waiting for her when she did manage to shake herself out of her rest. Whatever it was could wait, though. For now, she had her beloved once more.
Sascha awoke with a screach as the scalding water exploded against her back. Gasping through the pain she struggled to move away, eyes darting around in search of her attacker. Her arms weren't moving at all, and her legs had only a hand's length or so of freedom at her ankles.
AS it slowly came back to her, her frantic noises of fear faded away. Akane, the movie. They'd been on their way home when they were attacked in the dark. Ah, she thought. She'd braided her red hair. The thugs had mistaken her for Ranma's female form.
That explained the hot water.
A man's voice snarled behind her, "Why didn't it work? Does it take time?"
She turned just as a second man answered, "I dont' know! You're the one the boss talked to."
She was in some sort of barred cell, like in the movies. But the bars here were barely four inches apart, and there was a set of horizontal ones as well as the typical vertical ones. The other three walls were plated in some rusted metal and bolted in place. She wasn't going anywhere.
The first man sighed and waved off somewhere that she couldn't see, "Go get the boss. I'll watch Soatome."
"You sure? He's supposed to be tough."
The first one laughed and gestured at the cowering redhead, "Does it look tough to you?"
Sanscha glared at the insult, but the man just laughed again. With a shrug, the second man walked out of her line of sight. Deciding time was of the essence, she remained silent and slipped back into the shadows. The longer they went without knowing who she was, the better. It gave her a better chance of survival until someone could come help her.
Sanscha was not a fool. She knew what her family did, and she knew Ranma worked for Chad too. They were good at what they did, and this was right up their alley. If she could stay alive long enough, they would rescue her.
She waited silently, keeping her eyes on her guard as she huddled in the shadows. A few minutes later, she heard a door open off in the direction the second man had gone. When the guard came back into her sight, she was surprised to see he and another man were supporting Nabiki's unconcious weight. She gasped and started to move forward, but froze and retreated back into the corner.
The first man frowned, "I thought you were getting the boss."
He rolled his eyes and warily eyed Sanscha as they messed with the locks and chains holding the barred walls in place. "I was, but he got the other girl! I'm just helping him out with her, and then I'll get the boss. Geez."
"Whatever, jsut make it quick."
While Two messed with Nabiki and the doors, One and Three held their guns pointed at Sanscha where she huddled in the corner. She sighed mentally and waited patiently till they had dumped Nabiki inside and hastily locked the doors securely back in place. As Two and Three wandered off with comments about getting the boss and getting to their posts, Sansha quickly leapt forward and dragged Nabiki back into the shadows she'd been huddling in.
Nabiki moaned and began to stir, so Sansha held a finger to the girl's lips. "Shh, eet's me Nabiki." Her voice dropped to the slightest whisper and she held her mouth next to Nabiki's ear, "Quiet, zey think I'm Ranma. Don't say ozerwise, or who knows what they'll do. Got eet?"
Nabiki's eyes opened and studied her for awhile. With a slow nod, Nabiki winced and gave a pained groan. Sascha glanced up at her guard as he eyed her warily, then prepared herself for an undetermined stay. Stroking Nabiki's hair, she tried to ignore her own pains until help arrived.
Kasumi hummed to herself as she set out a futon beside Akane's bed. Sanscha would be spending the night with the Tendos, and Kasumi couldn't help but feel happy for her little sister. The poor dear had taken so many disasters in her life, it was nice she'd found a close friend.
She was just stepping into the hall when she heard the front door open. Smiling, she started down the stairs when she heard a strange thud. Her expression turning curious, she quickened her pace slightly and gasped when the door came into view. Akane, her face and neck bruising rather elaborately, was struggling to her feet, apparently after taking a fall.
"Akane! What happened?"
Kasumi rushed forward to help her sister to her feet.
"Kasumi," she forced out, "Call Ranma . . they took Sanscha."
"Oh My! Here, let me help you to--"
"No! They took her, they thought she was Ranma. Hurry, call him . . ."
"Oh! Yes, but you sit here, don't move!"
She turned and ran to the phone, dialing Ranma's number as quickly as she could. When Saya answered in a tired voice, Kasumi smiled in relief.
"Thank goodness! Miss Naomi, please, I need to speak to Ranma! It's an emergency."
"Oh? Oh. I'm afraid he's not here. I'm not sure where he is. He left before I lied down for a nap."
"Oh no! Please, if he comes back, tell him there's an emergency!"
"What's wrong Kasumi? Maybe I can help."
Kasumi glance in the direction of her gasping sister, "I don't believe so. Someone has taken Miss Sanscha!"
There was a long pause before Saya blurted, "What? Why would someone take Sanscha?"
"I don't know! Akane said something about the men thinking she was Ranma. Please, if he comes back, have him call us!"
"Of course, dear. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Kasumi certainly hoped so.
Ranma shoved the bag of groceries into the passenger seat as he sat down. Buckling in, he wondered why Saya'd had the sudden urge to cook for him. He would have been happy with take-out, since his mother was going through her things at her own home to get everything else she wanted before officially moving in with Ranma. But no, Saya had decided she would love nothing more than to make him dinner.
He glared down at the steering wheel, jabbing the button to move the seat backward. He'd left the house shortly after being splashed by the sprinkler system. Saya had laughed at him, and he'd been so happy to see her actually enjoying herself that he didn't have the heart to go back into the house. He had gotten enough hot water from the store to change back just before getting back in his car though, and his taller male frame didn't quite fit after moving the seat forward so his female half could drive.
He pulled into the street and glanced down the street that led to the theatre he Knew Akane always went to. He figured the movie should just about be letting out, and wondered if he should offer her a ride home. The problem was that he wasn't sure if he could fit Sanscha, Akane, and the groceries into his car.
Besides, he thought to himself, I don't want the girls thinking I'm checking up on them. They're awful proud, and they'd probably just beat me up.
He took his hand away from the turn signal and took the road straight toward his house. He was almost there when his cell phone began buzzing angrily at him. Pulling it from his pocket, he thumbed it onto speaker phone.
"Hello?"
*Thank Goodness! I had to ask Akane for your cell phone's number!*
Ranma frowned, "Kasumi? Are you alright?"
*Im fine, but Ranma, come to the dojo quickly!*
He immediately made a turn and pressed harder on the gas, "Tell me what's going on, Kasumi!"
*Akane and Sanscha were attacked after the movie. They hurt Akane, and took Sanscha! Akane says they thought the poor girl was your female form!"
Ranma cursed, and quickly apologized. "I'll be there as quick as I can. Kasumi, get a doctor there for Akane."
*He's on his way.*
"Good job, Kasumi. I'll be there soon."
He ended that conversation, and then hit a speed dial. It rang twice before being answered.
*Yes?*
"Chad, it's Ranma. There's a problem. Someone kidnapped Sanscha, and hurt Akane. I'm on my way to the dojo, but I need all of your freshest leads. Where would they take a hostage?"
*Who, Ranma?*
Ranma snarled, "Who else? Whoever's left of the Roses! I don't have any other enemies that would be so dishonorable."
*I'm sorry Ranma, we don't have anything like that at the moment. They've been bouncing around hotels a lot, not sitting still. I don't think they have any sort of home base."
"They have to, Chad, that's how they've always worked. What hotels?"
Chad sighed into the reciever, *Oh, anything in the mid-class price range. Comfortable places that don't ask questions.*
Ranma frowned, it didn't make sense. "Are we sure Jaxom's still around?"
*Everything points to that. The same habits and everything. All his old calling cards and the little bits he obsessed over, they're all being maintained.*
Ranma frowned and made a quick turn down a sidestreet, "Not all of them. I'll talk to you later."
*Ran--*
Ranma slammed the phone shut. He needed to think. Something wasn't right here, and he knew he was missing something.
Akane sipped at the water Dr. Tofu kept shoving at her. He had liberally applied some strange ointment, and the pain in her throat was fading. She hoped it was because it was healing, not because he'd put some anesthesia in the gunk.
"Doctor?" He was beside her instantly.
"Don't speak yet, Akane. You've suffered some trauma to your throat, and I think it best you keep your speaking to a minumum."
She nodded shakily, and tried to sit up. He assisted her, which surprised her at first, since she'd been expecting him to make her stay down. Once she was propped in a seated position, he excused himself and started to the door, only to be nearly knocked from his feet as her bedroom door flew open.
Her eyes widened as Ranma charged into the room, heading straight for her bed. He didn't spare a glance for the doctor, his eyes intent upon Akane as he gently moved her head around to get a better idea of the bruises still coloring her neck and face.
"Who was it Akane?"
She would have answered, but Dr. Tofu was suddenly beside Ranma, trying to pull Ranma away from the bed. He seemed only slightly confused when Ranma not only did not move, but turned to glare angrily at him.
"Who are you?"
Dr. Tofu frowned, "I'm Akane's family doctor. I dont know who you are, but I'm afraid Akane shouldn't be speaking just now. I've already called the police, and--"
"Well call and tell them it was a false alarm. If the police interfere, someone will die." He turned back to Akane, "Now, did you get a good look at any of them?" At her nod he gave a relieved sigh and continued, "Good girl. Now, did you see Jaxom or anyone with a rose emblem of some sort?"
" . . . rose."
At her hoarse croak, Ranma winced. His face hardened a moment later though.
"Now just see here! What do you mean call them back? The authorities need to know about this, so they can be caught!"
Ranma sighed in frustration and turned back to the doctor, "Look, I already called the best authorities for this, and they're working on it. Now if you'll kindly let me find out some information, I'll get the thug myself."
He turned back to Akane and took her hand in his, "Now, did you see which way they went?"
She looked sheepish and shook her head.
"That's fine, you were out by then, huh? Ok, did any of them look at all familiar, like you'd seen them somewhere where they could possibly have been tailing you?"
She shook her head after a thoughtful pause.
"Alright Akane, I'm going to find Sanscha and your sister, but I honestly don't know where they could have taken her. Jaxom hasn't been using the old Rose fronts, so we haven't been able to tail his workings. Did you notice a car maybe? How about any logos or anything on their clothes?"
His questions continued with negative answers for precious minutes. Finally he sat at the foot of her bed, grateful Soun had come in and assured the Doctor that Ranma had legitimite reasons for being there and asking all of his questions. With a sigh, Ranma turned to Akane. She'd just fallen asleep, a worried frown on her face.
Where could they be? None of Jaxom's old haunts had shown any movements for weeks, and all of his father's old businesses were very efficiently shut down after the trial. Very few of the Rose properties had even been in this area. The closest one was Nishiguchi's house. Aside from that, the only places near Nerima were some old warehouses he'd run illegal gambling out of.
Ranma's head shot up. The warehouses had burnt to the ground months ago, with no claims on the insurance. Chad had dropped the two buildings from the list of places and people to watch just a few weeks ago. There was a pretty decently sized complex built under the two warehouses with running water and electricity. It was probably still furnished even, since Chad would have no use for the gaudy decorations, and his people were the only ones outside of the Roses that knew the place existed.
Ranma had only been there a few times while he'd worked for Nishiguchi, but he knew it would be the perfect place to take a couple of hostages. There had been a large 'cell' in the back, and everyone that was brought into the secret gambling ring was shown the barred room on their introductory tour. As far as Ranma knew, nobody'd ever been actually kept there. It was more to prove to Nishiguchi's customers that messing with the Roses would be a bad idea. That's why Ranma had been recquired to make the occasional stop there after he'd gotten such an elaborate reputaion.
Jaxom would be completely unwatched if he took the girls there. It was in an out of the way neighborhood that was nearly deserted at night, and few knew it even existed.
Ranma cursed and jumped to his feet, "I got it Akane! You rest, and I'll be back with the girls later!"
She was still half asleep when he made it into the hallway and slammed the door shut behind him. Akane blinked silently for a moment in the silence before the pain in her neck brought everything back. In the darkness of her room, she broke down in sobs that tore at her injured neck.
Ranma's little car hadn't been tested this hard since his test drive. He made it to the warehouse in record time, even though he parked three blocks away. Queitly slipping through the shadows in his female form, he braced himself mentally and physically when he knew he was just around the corner. Peeking carefully around the corner of an abandoned, half burnt shell, his eyes fell on the steel and concrete stairs down the street that had previously led to the Nishiguchi Warehouse.
He glanced behind him at the perimeter guard bound and gagged in an unconcious heap on the ground. The fool had tried to attack the 'harmless' redhead for some action. He got it, but it was Ranma having all the fun. He'd avoided any serious damage though, just bruising the guy heavily before knockinghim out.
Turning back to the street, Ranma was fairly certain there were no other guards. Still, he kept to the shadows as much as possible, and stealthily made his way down the street. Shortly he was kneeling by the stairs and thumbing the hidden switches that opened the stairs to reveal a descending set underneath.
They'd rusted out a lot from lack of use, since the burnt down building let in more rain. Still, the elaborate twists and whorls of the metal stairs was admirable. They were also noisy. Two steps down, he realized he couldn't continue like this. A glance down reminded him that it wasn't a far drop, so he jumped over the side. Glancing about the dim room, he started the hunt.
Nabiki glared at the guard a moment, ignoring Sanscha's advice to keep a low profile. The redhead reached out a hand to stop her, but Nabiki managed to get far enough into the light that Sanscha felt it best to stay hidden.
Nabiki marched up to the bars, grabbing one in each hand as she waited for the guard to look at her.
When the man looked up she said, "Look, how much are they paying you?"
He blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing. "What, you think a kid like you's gonna buy me off?"
Nabiki smiled, "No, but my boss could. I do Ranma's accounting. Whatever this has been gangster is paying you, I know he could beat it two fold. I'm willing to bet you're fairly trustworthy, so if you get us out of here, you can expect a nice, legal check as soon as I'm back in my office."
The guard simply stared, beyond puzzled. This was not your typical hostage-pleaing-for-freedom bit. After a moment though, he paused. It was well known to the new Rose guards that Ranma Soatome was very wealthy. It was worth thinking over.
There was a beep at his waist and he jerked the walkie talkie to his mouth, "Yeah?"
"Bring the girl to the main room, and keep her bound."
He looked into the cell and frowned, "The brunette, right?"
"Yes! The brunette you idiot. Oh, and don't worry about the redhead. It isn't Ranma afterall, just some other little girl. Bring up the Tendo girl, then go back for the redhead."
"Right."
He scowled into the cage, "Alright, nuthin funny now. You first, Tendo."
Nabiki glanced back at Sanscha, who nodded and waved for Nabiki to go. With a shrug, she stepped up to the door as the man opened first one, then the other set of bars. He had a set of cuffs in his hands, so she held her wrists out to him. He snorted and dragged her into the narrow hallway. He turned her around roughly by the shoulder, pulling her arms behind her to cuff them.
As he was snapping the second one on, Sanscha attacked. Nabiki, fairly useless in a fight, lunged away from him the instant his head turned to the snarling redhead. He kept ahold of the cuffs though, and she nearly fell as her weight was jerked hard at her wrist.
She turned in time to see Sanscha throw a hefty set of punches into the guy's face and stomach. He grunted, but did manage to get his arms up after that for some defense. Sanscha pulled back to follow up with a kick, but he smirked and swung Nabiki at her like a club. The two girls collided and, since they were nearly the same height, their skulls crashed together loudly in the long hallway.
The man snorted in amusement and bent to pick the girls up.
Ranma managed to catch the first one by surprise, knocking him over the head with the base of his knife. The second one turned with the walkie talkie still at his mouth, a look of pure bafflement on his face at the sight of an angry redhead. The third managed to clip Ranma on the shoulder with a weak punch while he was blocking the fourth man's kick. Grabbing his extended leg, Ranma swung the fourth one around and into the third one.
Before the two could untangle themselves, Ranma was already on them, knocking each of them over the head with his knife. He snatched up the handset and checked the volume, turning it down almost to the minimum. Holding it to his ear so he'd still heasr it, while hopefully keeping it quiet enough that other guards wouldn'thear him coming, Ranma continued down the hallway.
He didn't run into any more men, though, and paused before the door to the living room of the family's private suite. It swung silently into the room, and Ranma dropped his hand limply to his side with a look of disbelief at the sound of skin on skin.
Nabiki opened her eyes slowly to see a dimly lit room. She could see a door directly ahead of her, an oriental rug the only thing seperating her from possible escape. Of course, whatever bonds she could feel keeping her arms secured behind her back certainly weren't helping.
There was something warm just behind her, and from the rythmic movement of it, she had to conclude it was a person. She slowly turned her aching head to her right just enough to see a slash of bright red, and winced.
Honestly, she'd been counting on Sanscha to get them out of there. Numbers and finance bowed to Nabiki willingly, but martial arts never had. Now Nabiki and her escape ticket were sitting on the floor, their hands bound together behind their backs.
She heard a slight rustel and left and turned her head that way, gasping softly.
"Saya! What are you doing here?"
The woman was sitting on a couch in front of a gas fireplace, the artificial logs lending the room its only light. The teacher's eyes opened in startlement before she cocked her head.
"Why Nabiki, I'm surprised you haven't figured it out quite yet. Ranma has such high opinions of your intelligence."
Her brain, sluggish from the repeated blows it had taken, struggled to make a forward click.
"Ranma? Is he here? Find the key, Saya. We need to get out of here before Jaxom finds us." She glanced behind her and tried to figure out how to get the handcuffs off. "Why did Ranma bring you? Wouldn't Akane make more sense?"
Saya hadn't moved from the couch, "Oh, I suppose he wouldn't want to risk his little pet student. She's probably safe at home still."
Nabiki paused as her brain finally started to move again. "Of course," she whispered.
She'd just gotten new information that afternoon. Her contact had seen Saya in a rough neighborhood, surrounded by goons, and gathering more. It was said she was trying to broaden the men's horizons, letting them in on hidden truths that she had learned while working for the Tokyo Roses. Her contact hadn't been able to get in on the group, but seemed to think they were being offered some sort of compensation.
"You really should have been more careful, Nabiki. Your people aren't as talented as you think. I know everything you knew about me, but I wasn't worried until today. That's why you're here instead of your sister."
"Jaxom isn't the one after Ranma, it's you!"
Saya chuckled primly, "Why yes. You see, Ranma killed my poor Jaxom in China. It was rather nasty, really. Nothing much left for burial after the explosion."
"Poor Jaxom? He was a madman!"
Saya's smile didn't change, but her eyes clearly did. Her soft expression was now a crazed and angry glare as she stood and stepped closer to the girls on the floor.
"My beloved was nothing of the sort! Oh, poor Ranma, taken off the streets and given a wonderful education. Both in his academic studies and his beloved martial arts. All for the price of a few deaths. The poor dear! But he had a choice! He agreed to the deal Nishiguchi offered him, willingly. My Jaxom had no chance! As Nishiguchi's only son and heir, he had to take up the business. He didn't mind so much at first, happy that it made his father proud. And then Ranma came."
She spun on her heel and began to pace angrily, "I didn't see it at first either, you know. I was fooled by Ranma's sob story as well. But then Jaxom came back to me, and offered to take me back into the higher circles. He explained what it was like, living in the shadow of perfect Ranma. Ranma Soatome that passed his studies with high marks, mastered every martial arts style he was exposed to with ease, and took to his job in the Roses as if he were born to it."
Saya paused and Nabiki was horrified by the tears she saw as the older woman turned back to her.
"No wonder my poor Jaxom turned out the way he did! Can you really blame him?"
Without hesitation Nabiki answered, "Yes."
The fury returned to Saya's face as she backhanded Nabiki. A soft groan told Nabiki that her fellow captive would be awake at any moment.
"Saya?"
Nabiki and her former tutor turned to see Ranma's look of betrayal and revulsion as he stepped into the room.
"How could you let him con you like that, Saya? You know how manipulative he was, of course he had good excuses. But I trusted you, you were like my mother!"
Saya snarled and pulled a small handgun from her pocket, immediately pointing it at Nabiki's head, "Manipulative? No, Ranma, misunderstood. How could you understand? You're always the right one, the one with all the tragedies. And that ridiculous curse! Whining and crying about it. YOU left Jusenkyo. Jaxom did not. How can you complain about that?"
Ranma's face darkened as he took a step forward, "Because Jaxom was a coward! He challenged me to a man to man duel, and then dihonored himself by bringing the bombs into it. If he killed himself with his own trap, I won't shed any tears over it. He could have tried being my friend, or asked me to train him. I would have, even if I didn't like the brat."
She scoffed, "Oh, ask his father's pet to train him so that Jaxom loses face with the men he wouldl one day be inheriting? You know that world Ranma, even if you pretend you're better than that. How much respect would Nishiguchi's men have for him if he crawled up and begged you to teach him?"
She pulled back the hammer and Nabiki's eyes clamped shut.
"But I'll avenge his death, Ranma, and his honor." Her hand went to her abdoman, "I'm carrying his child as we speak. I will raise our baby to take back all that you stole from Jaxom when you brought about the fall of the Roses."
Now the revulsion on Ranma's face was achingly evident as he glanced down at the cowering Nabiki. He saw Sanscha turned about to meet his eyes before she looked pointedly at Saya.
Ranma's eyes flew back to the Saya's as the woman laughed, "With you gone, and the mercenary Tendo brat, nobody will ever guess what I plan. I know what your will says, Ranma. I'll inherit most of your fortune, and have a good start at reviving the Roses."
Saya let out another hearty laugh, though this one was cut short.
Sanscha wanted the voices to stop, but couldn't seem to get away from them. Finally, she opened her eyes, and her ears.
When the crazed words of Saya reached her and finally sank in, she realized that the woman was talking to her sensei. She had apparently missed some information in translation, and some important stuff at the beginning altogether, but the main point was that Saya was the bad guy her.
She managed to turn around enough to make eye contact with Ranma. She glanced at Saya as the woman made a fanatical point. Saya took a step back, keeping her gun hand pointed at Nabiki while the other gestured broadly. She looked back at Ranma and his eyes went back to the woman he'd trusted so much.
When Saya threw her head back, eyes closed, to laugh at her victory, Sanscha struck. She lashed out with a snapping kick to the wrist dropping slightly as the mad woman let her guard drop. She could feel the muscles and tendons straining in her legs, but the thud of the gun on carpet was enough for her to feel satisfied. Ranma was instantly on Saya, grabbing her wrist and twisting so that her arm was held stiffly behind her.
Her eyes registered only surprise and confusion at first, but then the anger returned. Ranma couldn't see her pull a second gun from her pocket, since Saya's own body blocked his view, but he saw the fear suddenly blossum on Sanscha's face.
He jerked on her arm, and Saya's gun fired. He heard a femenine shriek as he punched Saya hard enough to easily knock her out. As his former friend and mentor fell to the ground, he kicked the second gun away from her limp hand before rushing over to see who'd been hit.
A/N: I'm not happy with this ending. Bleh, can we say anti-climatic? Let me know how to improve it, finals have killed my brain. Epilogue comming soon! I swear!!