Chapter 3
"Who are you and what do you want?" She asked, taking a fighting stance.
"That's all irrelevant information my dear. For in a short while, you will be dead and belong to me." He said advancing on her. She took a step back when she saw his blade. Still in its sheath, it had to be a good eight inches long. She knew it would easily slice her in two. She backed into the wall, the man still advancing on her, when she heard a male voice from down the street.
"Excuse me sir, could you direct me to Jusenkyo?" Ryoga asked an elderly man.
"Ryoga!" Akane cried, running towards him.
"Oh hey Akane, what are you doing in China?" He asked. Then he saw her terrified look and the person coming at her. "Akane are you okay?" She shook her head, and had to wipe away some tears. Ryoga stepped in front of her and pointed at the man.
"You there, leave Akane alone or prepare to face my wrath." He said in his most commanding voice. The figure stopped and laughed deep and loud.
"Oh please, like you could stop me." He said. When Ryoga didn't back down, he sneered.
"Hey it's your life. Your choice if you want to sacrifice it." He replied. He was already rushing at Ryoga, a dagger in his hand. He slashed out, but Ryoga had dodged left. Ryoga countered with a quick chop, knocking the dagger away. Ryoga would have reached for the dagger, had it not vanished from sight. He didn't have time to think about it though as a fist appeared right in his field of view. He tried to avoid, but it managed to catch him along the cheek. He felt his cheek grow warm and there was a soft trickle of blood. They traded blows, Akane not moving from her spot. Her mind screamed at her to run, but she just couldn't leave Ryoga to this monster. It had already put two people in critical condition, and almost sliced her into pieces. What would it do to Ryoga? Ryoga managed to land a good punch, but he was countered by an uppercut to the jaw. He landed heavy on the ground before getting to a crouching position.
"Curse you. I will never let you hurt Akane." Ryoga said, charging the man. "Bakusai Tenketsu" he cried, striking out. The attack missed, but just barely. He connected with the light pole that the person had been leaning on and it exploded in shrapnel. One of the pieces became imbedded in the man's arm, but he didn't seem to notice. It was then that Ryoga felt a sharp pain in his left leg. He looked down to see an even larger piece sticking out. He found he couldn't even walk right, never mind dodge. The pain increased, and he was forced to one knee.
"Akane, r-run!" Ryoga said as he looked at her. She started to back away again when the man looked her straight in the eye. Akane's eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open. She stood there frozen, like a deer in headlights.
"Akane, run! Hurry!" Ryoga cried, though she didn't even blink.
"She can't run fool. She's lost to you now. There's nothing you can do to keep me from killing her." He said, drawing his sword from its sheath. He advanced slowly on her, enjoying the death he would soon cause. Ryoga was cursing his inability to move. He gritted his teeth and started to drag himself along, but much too slowly. He would lose the one girl he had ever loved, even if their love could never be. He only wished that she could forgive him. He started to weep. The silence of night was shattered as the sound of a sword hitting the ground. The man was clutching his sides, obviously in great pain.
"You fool. I'll kill you for that!" He cried, turning to face Ryoga. Ryoga's face held only sorrow. Then it dawned on him. With his great pain came great power. Only one chance though, so he had to make sure. He looked hard at the man, raised his hands and cried out "SHISHI HOKODAN!" A blast of white light exploded from Ryoga's fingertips blasting the would-be murderer across the street. It pinned him to the wall a moment before vanishing. The person was slow to get up, and when he did, he simply retrieved his sword and fled.
"Ryoga!" Akane cried, rushing over to him. Ryoga grabbed the piece of the pole and ripped it from his leg.
"I'm sorry Akane, but I can't let you see me this way." Ryoga said to himself. Even with his wound and the immense pain it caused him, he managed to leap up onto the wall, then off into the shadows.
"Ryoga wait!" Akane called after him, but he was long gone. Why hadn't the man killed her? What could have caused him such intense pain? She looked up and realized she was completely in the dark now, since the light post was now gone. She decided it would be best to hurry home.
* * *
Ranma's mood was still as dark as the night had become. Though every step he took had slowly started to lighten it. He was passing by Tofu's office when he finally looked up from his feet. He decided it wouldn't hurt to stop by and check on Shampoo. He didn't hate her he just didn't enjoy her clinging to him all the time. He actually was starting to miss it though. He entered to office to see a very weary eyed Dr. Tofu grabbing a glass of water.
"Hey doc, how're they doing?" He asked, stepping inside.
"Huh? Oh hello Ranma. They're doing fine. They seem to have regained consciousness for now." Tofu said, stifling a yawn. Ranma looked at his watch. As late as it was, he didn't want to be at home right now. Akane would just be waiting to start another argument.
"Hey doc, you look exhausted. Why don't you rest for a while? I can watch over them." Ranma offered, removing his shoes.
"You don't mind? I would really appreciate it. Just an hour or so would really help me out." He said. Ranma nodded and let Tofu go into his side office to rest. He slid open the door to the back room where Satsuke and Shampoo were sleeping soundly. He sat beside Shampoo's bed and tilted his head back. Who was this person that kept trying to kill off his friends? More importantly, why was he trying to do it? He was deep in thought till he noticed a pair of arms wrapped around him and a head of purple hair on his chest.
"Ranma you really do love Shampoo. You come to stay with her yes?" She asked.
"Shampoo you should be resting. Now come on get back into bed." He said. He started to peel her off when he noticed something. He could see her back and the bandages. That meant… she wasn't wearing her shirt. He swallowed hard and tried to back away.
"Ranma what wrong? Are you sick too?" She asked, lifting off him. She looked so concerned. Then he saw them. Her two breasts hanging freely, without her top to confine them. His face turned a deep crimson and he turned his face away.
"Uh, Sh-Shampoo, you should put some clothes on or at least get under the covers." He said, trying to keep from looking.
"You don't think Shampoo is attractive? Aiya…" she said softly.
"No you're very attractive, but come on. You shouldn't be showing me those." He said sheepishly. There was suddenly a bright flash. He looked to the door and saw Nabiki and her camera.
"Now that's front page material. Akane would love to see this!" She said happily.
"Nabiki, what are you doing here?!" Ranma asked, realizing the utter horror he now face.
"Well we were bringing back Dr. Tofu some things, and since these two were hurt so bad, we thought it wouldn't be healthy for them for Kasumi to bring them. Besides, now I've got an amazing picture." She said, skipping off. Ranma would have chased her had Shampoo not wrapped herself around him again. He didn't dare pull the sheets off further in case she was completely nude.
"Shampoo let go. I gotta stop her." He said pushing her off. Though he hadn't realized where his hand was. He quickly removed it from her chest and blushed furiously.
"Oh Ranma, you silly. When you are husband you no have to be shy." She said. Though eventually, she did pull the sheets up. Ranma sighed and looked at her. Already she was starting to fall back to sleep.
"She's a pretty one isn't she?" Said a voice from the corner. Ranma was already on his feet.
"It's you again. Show yourself you coward." Ranma cried, getting angry again.
"I am no coward. I strike from the shadows, return to the shadows, and strike again. There is no cowardice in my tactics." He said coldly.
"Then come out and fight me like a man!" Ranma said. He didn't have to ask twice. The glint of steel came at him as the man dove at him. But when Ranma dodged, he realized it wasn't him he was after. He turned around and saw the man poised over Shampoo, the knife coming down on her midsection.
"AAIIYAHH!!" She cried. Shampoo thought she would die that night, but Ranma wouldn't have it. He had already kicked the knife away. The person had disappeared into the shadows again.
"What's with you and trying to stab people all the time? Who are you? Answer me now!" Ranma cried, his voice filled with rage.
"You are pathetic. However since you have managed to save three people this night, I shall honor your questions, or at least one of them." Said the voice, which seemed to come from all around. Ranma refused to drop his guard, now standing close to Shampoo.
"I have had many names throughout my many years. I have been called the Demon hunter, the Ninja of Death, the Warrior from hell, the Death Ninja and the Black Ninja. Many forms have come from these names, including the term DN which was short for the Death Ninja. I don't care what you call me frankly, as it won't matter soon." He said calmly.
"DN huh? Alright then. I officially challenge you since you seem to believe in honor." Ranma said, once again slightly calm. There was a blur of black as DN struck out of the shadows. He landed both fists in Ranma's midsection sending him backwards onto Shampoo's bed. He could barely breathe. DN chuckled quietly.
"Another time perhaps. I am weary this day due to a bout with your friend Ryoga. However I never refuse a duel amongst true warriors. Expect my response soon." He said.
"Wait!" Ranma yelled, but there was no sign of the presence anymore. Ranma was surprised he hadn't even sensed him this time. He must have improved his skills. Or perhaps it was Ranma who had dropped his guard. After all, with Shampoo almost completely naked in front of him, he had to concentrate just enough to keep his cool. Dr. Tofu came in shortly after.
"Thank you Ranma, that snooze did me wonders. Say what's going on?" He asked. Ranma and Shampoo stared blankly at him. Tofu had slept through the whole ordeal.