Chapter 2
After dropping Shampoo off at Dr. Tofu's, Ranma and Akane went to the Cat Café to tell cologne.
"Son-in-law, where is Shampoo? She was on her way to make a delivery to you." Cologne said when Ranma entered.
"She didn't make it granny. Someone got to her and sliced her up." Ranma said, sitting at a table. She hopped over on her cane and landed on the table.
"Someone beat Shampoo with a blade? It couldn't be Mousse. He'd never beat her."
"It wasn't him Cologne." Akane said, entering the restaurant. "And this isn't the first person to fall victim to this person."
"Tell me more son-in-law." Over bowls of ramen, Akane told her about Satsuke's encounted, and then Ranma told of his knowledge about Shampoo. He also showed her the knife.
"This does not bode well. Ninja's from that time are long gone. For someone to have re-mastered their technique would bring disaster to our time." Cologne said quietly.
"How bad can it be granny? Even the freak was pretty worried and he doesn't spook easy." Ranma said.
"Something you must understand son-in-law, these are no ordinary ninja's. Four thousand years ago they were the most terrible force known to man. Very few would survive a battle with them, and even fewer could rest in peace."
"Wait a minute, what do you mean they couldn't rest in peace?" Akane asked. Cologne sighed.
"I'm not really sure. From legend they were said to have their souls cursed and be forced to wander the mortal plain as ghosts. Though no fact has ever been put to that." She finished. Ranma was deep in thought.
"So my Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken will be useless?" he finally asked.
"If only I knew. They died out long before my time and their knowledge was lost the day the last one of them died. Their techniques were also supposedly lost." They continued to chat when Mousse came barging through the door.
"Great granny! What's happened to Shampoo?" He cried standing over by the west wall.
"Uh, who is he talking too?" Ranma asked. Then he sensed it. That dark presence again. Cologne could also feel it. Ranma looked over at Mousse again and noticed what looked like heat waves.
"Möko Takabisha!" Ranma cried, launching his Lion's Roar attack at Mousse. Mousse naturally dodged and the figured also leaped. Everyone had lost sight of it, including Mousse, but Ranma's instincts knew he was still there. He suddenly sprung into the air, knocking Akane away from her chair and onto the ground.
"Ranma you pervert! Get off me!" She cried, pushing him off.
"Hey shut up will ya? I just saved your life!" He replied hotly. True enough, the chair she had just been sitting on now lay in four even cut pieces. The cuts had been made so clean, Akane would never have survived the attack. Ranma stood, but then was forced to one knee.
"Ranma, your arm!" Akane said, grabbing onto his arm. True enough he had saved Akane, but he now had an ugly gash across his left arm. Though instead of blood, a black liquid started to trickle out.
"Mousse, get my bag of herbs, and hurry." Cologne said, rushing to Ranma's side. Mousse returned with the sack, and Cologne quickly dumped it's contents. Upon grabbing a leaf, she pressed it to the wound and Ranma cried out.
"That hurts you know!" He said, trying to push the herb away.
"Silence son-in-law. That's poison leaking from your arm. A very deadly one at that." She replied, keeping the leaf in place. Soon the pain stopped and Cologne took the leaf away. The wound was now softly bleeding red and was quickly bandaged. Ranma managed to stand, and looked at his arm. A deep chuckling came from the far corner of the room.
"Most impressive. I didn't realize you'd have an antidote for my poison. Even if it was meant for the girl, prepare yourself for death Ranma!" It said. It was male, very deep and immensely evil. They felt a rush of wind as the figure darted past and out the door.
"Who the heck was that?" Akane asked, still holding Ranma's arm.
"I don't know, but he meant to kill you Akane." Ranma said. He shook his arm free and examined the chair more closely.
"I think it would be best if you keep from walking alone for now Akane." Ranma said walking over to her.
"Oh and I suppose you're going to protect me? Please Ranma I can take care of myself." She said, getting angry.
"Stop it Akane, he almost killed you. I won't let that happen!" Ranma said, raising his voice.
"Get a grip will you. I'm not a little kid. I don't need you around." She screamed.
"Fine! I don't know why he'd wanna kill an un-cute girl and frankly I don't care anymore. Let him slice you in half for all I care. I'm outta here." He said, storming out the door. Akane shuddered slightly, but no one noticed. She hadn't meant to sound so harsh. She actually kinda wanted him to protect her. She didn't even know what was happening when Ranma attacked Mousse, then dove at her. Now he had gone off and she had to get home by herself. Oh well, she would just have to be extra careful. She left the Cat Café and started to make her way home. No sign of Ranma anywhere. She was heading towards home when she saw him. He was leaning against a light pole, waiting for her. He was roughly six feet high, dressed in a black that looked so tight she wondered how he could breathe. The only thing visible was a small strip for his eyes. She had just noticed how dark it had become. It made him even more evil.
"I've been waiting for you Akane Tendo." He said without looking up.