Chapter 11

                The sky was growing dark far too quickly as far as Ranma was concerned. He had wanted to spend more time with Akane before his encounter. He had everyone in the living room and was stretching his muscles.

                "You understand me right? No one can enter the dojo while our battle is taking place. He'll just use you against me. I can't afford a single distraction!" Ranma stated. The others nodded.

                "Ranma are you sure this is such a good idea?" Happosai asked. He nodded and grabbed Akane's hand.

                "Wait, why does she get to go?" Nabiki asked.

                "I already told you, my only hope is the new technique we've been working on. It's never been tested and we don't know the full effect." Ranma said, getting impatient.

                "Do what you must son, but be careful." Soun said. Ranma nodded and started heading for the dojo, Akane in tow.

                "Do you think they stand a chance?" Soun asked Genma.

                "If I know Ranma, he's cooked up a plan. He should be okay." He replied. *But he'd better take care of Akane as well*

                "I hope your right Saotome." Soun said. Ranma and Akane entered the dojo, and Ranma reset the lock he had made earlier. He knew it wouldn't stop the ninja, but it would keep the others out.

                "Akane, no matter what happens, you should know that…" Ranma said, but he couldn't finish.

                "It's okay Ranma, I know." She replied. Ranma went over and hid himself in the shadows. The ninja would arrive soon. Akane started practicing to kill off the time when she heard a footstep behind her.

                "Ranma?" She asked.

                "You wish." Came the reply. She whirled around and saw DN standing there with the special dagger.

                "So you've come for me have you? I won't make it easy!" She said, taking her fighting stance.

                "I would be disappointed in anything less." He said coldly. "Prepare yourself Akane Tendo." The fight began quickly. It was obvious DN was testing her first, not making any direct assaults. She punched and kicked, but even with direct hits, he didn't show any signs of tiring.

                "I will admit you have gained some strength, but I grow weary of this. I'm afraid I'll have to take your soul now." He said, raising the dagger. He caught her in his vision again and she locked up. She couldn't pull away from the darkness of his eyes. She could envision her own death when she looked into them. Ranma knew he had to act.

                "Möko Takabisha" He cried, letting loose the Lions Roar attack. DN was caught off guard and it knocked him aside.

                "Pathetic fool, haven't you learned that you can't defeat me?" He roared, turning on Ranma.

                "You're right, I can't defeat you. But it doesn't mean I won't try!" He said, rushing up. Ranma's aura was calm and collected, DN could draw no hate from it.

                "Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken!" He called. His fists became a blur and DN was forced to block a few from the sheer energy of each blow. The ninja leapt backwards and out of Ranma's range.

                "Enough of this, I shall finish you once and for all! BURNING FIST OF THE DEMON!" He cried. Again Ranma saw his fists glow a fire red, but this time Ranma was ready.

                "Akane, now!" He cried. She nodded and moved in front of him. Ranma moved so his arms were around her like a second skin. They took a position that resembled a couple cuddling after making love. They spoke with one voice.

                "You're power will be as nothing when compared to the power of eternal love. 'Wave of the lovers caress'!" As they spoke, the blue aura, which symbolized their love, surrounded them and was channeled to their centers. DN dodged to the left, anticipating a beam attack. But instead the aura exploded outwards, like the effect of an atom bomb. The force struck him and sent him blasting through the wall of the dojo. He was extremely slow to get up. DN had never felt such a strong attack with that emotion. He realized that they must be truly in love, and had learned a way to channel that love. He re-entered the building slowly, obviously severely wounded.

                "Impressive. I didn't think you'd have learned so quickly. It matters not however. You wished for our battle, and now you shall have it!" he said, pulling his sword from it's sheath. But this sword held no blade.

                "You've gotta be kidding me! You came for a duel but with a broken sword? Even Kuno was never THAT stupid." Ranma said, chuckling.

                "Foolish boy, you have no idea the powers I possess." He said. He held the sword in front of him and closed his eyes.

                "For hundreds of years I have claimed the souls of warriors. They serve me now by granting me their power." He said. Then his voice grew quiet, as if chanting. "Souls of the dead I summon you now. Come to my blade and forge your power into one with death and darkness. I command thee." Ranma wasn't sure what to expect, but he was shocked by the chills that flowed through his body. It was like death itself had been invited into the room. Ranma tensed up, and moved in front of Akane.

                "Prepare yourself Ranma Saotome for the weapon that has been feared throughout time itself. Prepare for the blade which houses the very essence of death." He said. Then he grinned. "Allow me to introduce you to the blade of deaths grasp. The blade known as the Twisted Demons Soul SABRE!" As he spoke the final words, the room fell into darkness, then gathered at the hilt of his sword. A blade of pure black energy extended from the hilt until it was a good three feet in length.

                "Ranma, don't let that thing touch you!" Came Happosai's voice. They were all gathered at the large hole in the wall. Even Cologne had arrived.

                "Son-in-law, that blade will kill you instantly if you come in contact with it!" She called. Ranma and Akane looked at each other and separated. They needed to have full mobility to dodge something that dangerous.

                "Silence you old fools!" The ninja said, letting loose three of the soul draining daggers. One sank deep into Ryoga's chest, another into Shampoo's stomach. Thankfully Genma dodged the one aimed for him.

                "SHAMPOO! RYOGA!" Ranma cried, his heart falling. He saw their bodies fall to the ground. The daggers vanished from sight and the bodies slowly stood. Mousse and Ukyo's shell also came crashing through the roof. Akane had noticed the TDSS grow in size and darkness with the taking of the two new souls.

                "Ranma that sword gets its power from the souls he's taken." She said. Ranma nodded.

                "Then we have to find a way to release those souls." He replied.

                "Ha! Fat chance. No one has ever discovered a technique to do so." DN said.

                "Then we'll just have to come up with one." Ranma said. The ninja swung his sword at him, barely missing. Ranma and Akane sprang backwards, right into the waiting grasps of the four shells. Ryoga and Shampoo held Ranma while Mousse and Ukyo held Akane.

                "Shampoo, let me go!" Ranma cried, trying to break free. But neither her nor Ryoga released their grip.

                "Ranma help!" Akane cried. DN was advancing on her, his dagger drawn. Ranma was powerless to do anything but watch.