Chapter 16
"AKANE!" Ranma cried, realizing what had happened. The swords dark energy was still buried in her chest. He felt his knees go weak. He had been able to retrieve her soul, but how could he bring her back to life? He could feel himself filling with a tremendous despair. He recalled the power of the Shishi Höködan and how it was fueled by despair. He reached to his belt and retrieved the powder. This time, he simply crushed it in his grasp, letting the powder coat his hands.
"It wasn't supposed to be her." DN said dryly, sliding the sword from her lifeless body. There was an explosion of light as the sword shattered in his hands. Sounds of people moaning filled the room as DN lost the power of his souls. By sacrificing herself for Ranma, she had done so in pure love. The eternal love had been too strong a sensation and the sword overloaded. Everyone's soul was either returned to them, or set free. Ranma glared at DN.
"You took her from me. Now I will take my vengeance. Revised Shishi Höködan! Burning Phoenix FLAME!" The powder that Ranma had cupped into his hands merged with the energy of the Shishi Höködan and turned a fire red. What would appear to most as a raging ball of fire flew from Ranma's hands and struck DN. The ninja screamed in agony as the power of Ranma's attack and the Phoenix powder entered his system. It coursed through his veins like a poison. His body ignited on fire before disintegrating into nothingness. Ranma fell to his knees. He looked at Akane's cold body. Then his head rose. There was still one more pouch of the powder. An essence of life. He went to retrieve it, then stopped in horror. It lay on the floor of the dojo. During the battle, it had somehow ruptured and spilt its contents. There was no way to gather it up. It had already been absorbed by the wood of the dojo floor. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Ranma, I'm so sorry." The voice belonged to Ukyo. Mousse and Ryoga were looking at Akane's body, not sure what to do or say.
"She's gone, Ukyo. Taken from me. Now I can never have her back." He said through his tears. They fell from his face to the floor. What would be mistaken for a ripple effect on water as his tears hit the floor appeared, but Ranma dismissed it as his blurry vision. Ryoga, Mousse and Ukyo left the dojo. Ryoga had been intent on informing the Tendo family of the day's happenings, but naturally, he got lost and ended up somewhere in Tokyo. Ukyo had decided to return to her restaurant, mindlessly cleaning the place. Mousse had gone back to the Cat Cafe to tell everyone of his return. He was quickly doused with water however and put to work. Shampoo had also been returned and went about her duties, making a point of avoiding the dojo for now. In the meantime, Ranma sat in the dojo, weeping. After he felt he could no longer be near her, he entered the house, and walked solemnly to his room. Upon his entrance, Genma and Soun had moved to congratulate him, but seeing his face, they ran to the dojo. A funeral was quickly prepared and held that night. The only one who wasn't in attendance was Ranma. No one knew where he had disappeared to. They locked the door to the dojo, insisting that it would serve as Akane's tomb for the time being. It had been her favorite place in life, and they decided it would be the best place for her to be at this time.
* * *
The dojo lay quiet that night. Akane's still form lay on her makeshift bed. The floor boards that the powder had spilled on began to glow a soft orange. What appeared to be a small bird rose from the floor boards. It flew over to Akane's bedside and landed softly on her arm. With its beak, it pecked the very center of Akane's body. A soft moan was heard from Akane's lips, and her eyes fluttered open. She heard a soft, female voice.
"Awaken my child." It said. Akane looked down at the red bird.
"Who are you? What happened?" She asked.
"You were taken from this world by an evil demon. That demon has now been destroyed, and you should be returned to this world." It cooed.
"You mean I was... dead?" She asked. The bird nodded.
"One named Ranma Saotome wept for you. His last bag of my essence had been lost and he thought no way of restoring you. But his tears of love have summoned me here. Though one of these items would not have been enough, the power of a life essence, and the strong desire to fulfill that wish has touched even me. I have restored your life and wish you happiness throughout. I must go now. I must return to my slumber where I await my death, only to be reborn yet again." It said, disappearing from view. Akane sat up and looked around. She was in the dojo. She remembered the fight. Had Ranma really defeated the ninja? How long had she been dead? All questions that didn't seem to concern her right now. All she wanted was to see Ranma. She ran from the dojo, dashing into the house. It was late at night. She could tell. Everyone must be sleeping. She ran up to Ranma's room, but only Genma lay there. She went over and nudged him.
"Mr. Saotome, where's Ranma?" She asked. He snorted.
"Ran away..." He sighed, talking in his sleep. Akane gasped. She had to find him before he did something foolish. She darted down the stairs, by a startled Nabik, who dropped her glass of water, and into the streets.
* * *
"Daddy, wake up!" Nabiki said, poking her father. Soun finally cracked an eye lid and looked at her.
"Nabiki, it's four in the morning. You have school tomorrow. Why are you up?" He asked. She looked at him.
"I think I might be going crazy, cuz I just saw Akane run by the kitchen." She replied. Soun sat up.
"Nabiki that isn't a bit funny. How dare you joke about your sister that way?" He said, his voice growing angry. Then he started to cry.
"Fine, be that way. I'll find out for myself." She said, leaving the room.