Chapter 13
They led him to a secret door in the floor. Beneath was a small room, most likely used to store valuables. Even the Saotome's had never been shown it before. The four shells stood there, staring through the people that watched them. Akane still held the emotion of sorrow on her face. Ranma's eyes threatened to cry, so he was forced to look away.
"Can you place Akane where I can't see her? This is hard as it is." Ranma said. Soun nodded and moved her to an opposite wall. Ranma faced the remaining three. He walked up to Ukyo first.
"Could you guys leave me alone? I need to do this by myself." He said. The others left.
"Ukyo can you hear me? I want you to come back and make me an Okonomiyaki. Please come back." He said. Nothing. Or at least at first. The soulless shell pulled the spatula off her back and proceeded to make him an Okonomiyaki. Ranma blinked a few times. She hadn't returned, but she followed his order. He looked at Ryoga, while munching on his lunch.
"Hey P-chan, you in there?" He asked. Nothing. "You're so stupid you probably can't even hit me. Go on, take your best shot. Or are you scared?" Ryoga turned to him and struck out with his fist. Ranma dodged, but just barely. After that one attack, Ryoga returned to simply standing there. Ranma was on to something.
"Mousse you pathetic weakling. You'll never have Shampoo's love and you know it. I'm just too good for you!" He mocked.
"SAOTOME I'LL KILL YOU!" Mousse cried out. Ranma fell backwards as chains flew forth from his cloak. He was entwined by the weapons and couldn't move. But no follow-up attack came. Mousse had reverted to a shell. Why had Mousse been returned, if only for a moment, when the others simply followed orders? He put his hand to his head and sat up.
"Oh Akane, how will I ever free you?" He asked himself.
"Ranma, help me..." came a soft voice from behind him. He turned and looked at Akane. A tear was rolling down her cheek.
"Akane, can you hear me?" He asked. But he got no response. He started to weep.
"Akane I'm so sorry." He said.
"Ranma, it's so dark and cold." She said. He looked up at her. Even without her soul, she managed to contact him.
"Don't worry Akane. I'll get you back no matter what it takes." He said. He left the storage area and returned to his room to think.
* * *
DN was sitting in a throne. The throne stood six feet high. The cushions were blood red, while the chair itself was of the darkest black. A demon head was carved into each of the arm rests, the top of the chair intricatly carved into the likeness of a corpse. His battle with Ranma had severly weakened him. It had been almost his entire life since he had faced such a worthy opponent. The only one who could have equalled him was the one who had actually reduced him to his lifeless form. He looked around his domain. He had captured five souls. What the fools hadn't realized is that Ranma had only partially summoned Shampoo back. She would surely have returned to her shell-like state by now. Even though he had removed Akane from the duel, he knew that Ranma would come back more fierce than ever. But without the power of love, why would he fear the cursed warrior. He shouldn't but he did.
* * *
"That's right son-in-law." Cologne confirmed while speaking to Ranma. "She's been lost to us again." Ranma cursed under his breath. So Shampoo had only been temporary, just like Mousse. He told her how he was able to issue basic commands, but they wouldn't return. She nodded and went back to the Cat Cafe to watch over Shampoo. Ranma had been thinking about all his past adventures and how they would help him. From the day he walked into the Tendo's lives, to this point in time, nothing seemed to be of any use. That is until he was walking along the fence and he heard a voice behind him.
"Ranma Saotome, what have you done with the fair Akane and the pig-tailed girl?" Kuno asked. Ranma's temper started to flare up, but then it occured to him. Kuno. Of course. He jumped off the fence.
"Kuno you have to help me!" He said, running up to him.
"And why, pray-tell, should I help you?" He asked. Ranma's mind started to click. There was nothing on this planet that would convince Kuno except....
"The pig-tailed girl is in trouble. There's this evil ninja trying to kill her! I need your help to save her!" He said. Kuno's eyes widened.
"Her life is in peril? Then it is the duty of the blue thunder to save her. Lead me to her!" He said. Ranma started running down the road. He'd have to find some cold water for his plan to work. He was running for a while when he saw a hose sprinkling the grass. He stopped and looked at a nearby abandoned house.
"She's in there, go to her quickly!" Ranma ordered. Kuno nodded.
"Fear not my love for I am coming!" Kuno cried as he rushed into the building. Ranma quickly jumped into the path of the water and switched forms. Then he lept into the building.
"Kuno darling where are you? Help me please!" She said in her most convincing voice.
"Pig-tailed girl, I am here!" he said, bursting through the wall. "Where is the foul knave that has threatened you?" He asked.
"He ran away when he heard you coming. You're so brave Kuno. I don't know what I'd do without you!" Ranma said. She thought she was gonna puke while saying this, but she held it down.
"Fear not for I shall protect you." He said. Ranma stood and walked up to him.
"Kuno could you do me a little itsy-bitsy favor?" She asked.
"For you I would do anything." He answered.
"Could we go back to your place? You might have something that would keep me safe." She said.
"Of course my love. We leave at once!" He said. He burst through another wall and led the way back to the Kuno residence.
* * *
"Brother dear, what is SHE doing here?" Kodachi asked.
"It is none of your concern dear sister. Don't you have to feed Mr. Scaly Green?" He asked.
"But of course, just keep her away from my things." She demanded, going off to feed the gator.
"Now what is it of mine that could aide you?" He asked Ranma.
"Oh Kuno, I know I shouldn't bother you like this, but do you remember how you beat up that stupid Saotome jerk with that Phoenix on your head?" She asked coyly.
"But of course. He was powerless before me!" he said, laughing. Ranma had to hold back his punch.
"Well do you by any chance still have a piece of the egg shell or a feather?" She asked. Kuno put his finger to his chin.
"I shall check my possessions. Please remain here!" He said, going down one corridor.
"Gladly!" Ranma said to herself. She had been through this house more than once and it was a death trap. She moved over to a door and slid it open. She saw the large hot spring that Kuno used to relax in. She had been here once before, back when she had tried to get the special urn that would change her back into a guy for good. She walked up and splashed herself with the warm water, returning him to his guy form. He didn't want to be here any longer than he had to. Kuno returned shortly after with two of the feathers from the Phoenix.
"Pig-tailed girl, where did you go?" He called, then saw Ranma. "Curse you Saotome, what are you doing here?!"
"Kuno quick, give me those feathers. He's after her again. I need to get them to her. You follow on foot!" He said, grabbing the feathers from Kuno.
"Fear not my love, I am coming!" He cried, running out of the house. Ranma shook his head.
"Stupid." he muttered, walking from the house. He was just reaching the gate when he heard loud laughter.
"Ranma darling wait for me!" Kodachi cried.
"No I don't think so!" He said as he lept to the rooftops and out of sight.