Chapter 6
"I'm afraid it's true Mistress Kodachi. Ranma Saotome is planning on pledging his love for Akane Tendo." Satsuke said kneeling before the annoying gymnast.
"My Ranma darling pledged to that evil evil girl? I won't have it. I won't!" Kodachi screamed. Suddenly the door slid open with an irate Kuno standing there.
"Dearest sister, if you would be so kind as to lower your voice I am deep in meditation." Kuno stated matter-of-factly. Kodachi glared up at him.
"Brother dear, I have good news for you. You're pig-tailed girl will now be free to date with you." Kodachi said, a smirk on her face.
"What's this? Has that cursed Ranma Saotome finally released his grip on her?" He asked.
"Well I'm not sure, but I do know he's planning on taking Akane Tendo for his wife." She spat the words with such disgust that Satsuke felt he needed to wash his clothes.
"NEVER! I shall never allow it." He roared. "Come Satsuke, there is work to be done." Kodachi also followed, intent on separating her Ranma from Akane.
* * *
Ukyo couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her face. Ranma had left some time ago, and she felt she could no longer hold them in. The only one she had ever loved had made his choice for his bride. She also knew that Akane wouldn't turn him down either. She closed up shop and went up to her room to cry herself to sleep. She was just about to undress when a sharp shiver ripped up her spine. Something wasn't right. She wasn't sure what to be exact, but she knew it had to do with Ranma. She quickly dried her eyes, grabbed her giant spatula, and was off.
* * *
Ranma arrived back at the Tendo dojo to see that things were pretty quiet. The family had obviously had dinner, and was sitting in the main room. Naturally the parents were playing Shogi, while Nabiki watched TV. He could only guess that Kasumi was washing dishes. He walked into the kitchen to see her drying her hands.
"Welcome back Ranma. I've saved you some dinner if you're hungry." She said with a smile. Ranma shook his head.
"No thanks, Kasumi. But has Akane eaten anything?" He asked. Kasumi put a finger to her chin, then slowly shook her head.
"I don't believe so. Would you take some rice up to her?" She asked. Ranma swallowed hard. He hadn't intended on seeing Akane so soon, but knew it was inevitable that he would. He grabbed the bowl of rice and proceeded slowly up the stairs. He reached the top and walked over to her door. He made a point of knocking this time, but he got no response. He knocked a little louder, but still nothing. He opened the door slowly and was met with a chill blast. The window was wide open.
"You idiot, you'll catch you're death with the window open like that." He said, moving to close it. It was then that he noticed she wasn't in her bed. He looked around the room, then spotted a piece of paper lying on her pillow.
'Ranma Saotome, this is an official letter of challenge. Akane Tendo has been invited to my home until you respond. The loser will renounce all connections to Akane Tendo forthwith. Signed, Tatewaki Kuno, the blue thunder.' Ranma crushed the letter in his hand. How dare that idiot take her out into this weather, especially with the way she was feeling. His eyes narrowed to mere slits as his anger threatened to overwhelm him. He pushed it back down, then ran down the stairs.
"Nabiki, do me a favor. Call the hospital and have an ambulance waiting at the Kuno estate. Actually, forget the hospital. Make the call to the morgue." Ranma said as he stormed out the door. Nabiki's eyes went wide with fright, and Soun dropped his Shogi piece.
"She's been taken from her room." Kasumi said, coming down the stairs with the letter. "It looks like Kuno's trying to defeat Ranma again."
"That boy will tear him apart in that condition." Genma said, rising to his feet. "We'd better get over there to prevent too much blood-shed."
* * *
"Should I knock?" Ranma said to himself, looking at the door. "I guess it's only proper."
* * *
Kodachi was quietly admiring her flowers when the door to their estate exploded into millions of splinters.
"Why it must be Ranma darling, come to see his dutiful wife." She said, standing and moving towards the entrance. But when she saw him, she froze. It was if death itself had placed its hand on her shoulder and was waiting for her to greet him. She was forced to take a few paces back, hiding behind the bushes.
"WHERE ARE YOU KUNO?!" Ranma roared. She saw such raw hatred in his aura as she had never known. It terrified her to the very core of her being. She saw him walk towards the house, the nearby grass sizzling from the heat of his aura. She then noticed the entire Tendo clan, including Genma, rushing after the boy she loved so dearly.
"Ranma wait!" Genma called. Ranma paused, but did not turn around.
"Pop you don't want to get in my way. I've never truly wanted to hurt you, but I will kill anyone who tries to stop me now." He said. His voice was so dark it sent chills up everyone's spine.
"Please son, try to reconsider. Do you really want a murder on your hands?" Soun asked. Though he tried to be strong, the fear in his voice was audible.
"Mr. Tendo, if he's hurt Akane, it won't matter how much blood is on my hands." He said slowly. He continued towards the house now, no one eager to follow. Suddenly they saw a figure bound over a tree.
"Master!" Genma and Soun said together. Happosai jumped down beside them. "Master, please do something."
"Soun, Genma, I've seen that boy's aura. His power is far beyond mine right now. However with great rage, comes a different weakness. You'll see. He won't be able to kill Kuno. Though I doubt we'll see the lad for quite some time." Ranma entered the first door with a thunderous crash. He walked down a hallway, trying to sense Akane or Kuno. But in his blinded fury, he could focus on nothing.
"KUNO! You'd better come out RIGHT NOW! Or I'll tear this house apart looking for you." Ranma cried.
"This isn't very honorable of you Saotome. Even a cur like you should have the decency to respect someone else's home." Kuno said, stepping from a doorway. He caught his first look into Ranma's eyes, and for the first time, Kuno felt true fear.
"I'm gonna rip off your HEAD!" Ranma growled, rushing his opponent. Kuno barely had time to dodge the fist that landed where he had just been. The floor cracked and even exploded at the force of the impact. Kuno had only seen a similar feet from the Hideki boy and his special attack. Ranma didn't look up right away. He didn't need to. He quickly threw another punch in Kuno's direction, which grazed Kuno's side. His fist landed in a vase, which shattered.
"You insolent wretch. That was a family heirloom." Kuno growled instinctively. Ranma grinned. A sinister, evil grin.
"Well then it can rest beside you. Because in about 2 seconds, you're going to be as broken as that vase." Another punch, which Kuno dodged easier this time. Kuno noticed that while Ranma's power had increased, his concentration and speed were beginning to suffer.
"You're getting slow Saotome." Kuno said, beginning to grin.
"Slow? Speed doesn't matter. It'll only take one good hit to put you down." Ranma countered. Kuno did have to admit, it would only take one punch and he would be brutally injured. Kuno knew Ranma wouldn't tire out so he had to take out Ranma first. He raised his boken, and Ranma saw his chance. He drove his fist up between Kuno's arms, and scored a serious hit on Kuno's jaw. He stumbled backwards and fell onto his back, his eyes closed.
"You always leave yourself open like that." Ranma said, looking at the downed Kuno. He walked around Kuno's body, his rage faltering. He noticed that he could sense Satsuke not far away. His anger must have calmed for him to regain his concentration.
"Come out Satsuke. I won't kill you." He said calmly. The little ninja slowly revealed himself.
"Ranma Saotome, I…" He started, but couldn't find anything to say. He was too terrified.
"I want you to do me a favor." Ranma said. Satsuke nodded slowly. "When this moron wakes up, tell him that if he doesn't follow the agreement in the duel, I won't go so easy on him next time. Oh and one other thing…" This time his voice grew dark. "Where's Akane?"
AN: Again it takes me longer and longer to make chapters. Am I running out of ideas? Out of motivation? Out of time? Maybe a combo of all three. But I'm doing my best, so thanks for waiting.