Chapter Eleven: Destinies Forged

A flood of water fell on the defeated boys, soaking them and activating their curses. The Warrior jumped backwards in surprise at exactly the same moment seemingly afraid that he too would have gotten wet. Snapping his head to the side, he looked to find the source of the latest and most irritating interruption to his revenge. His temper simmered to the boiling point as he saw Akane, Ranma's fiancée as he recalled, drop a bucket of water she had been carrying and run out to her defeated friends at a dead sprint.

Amazing. He bowed to her mentally, honoring her determination, courage, and resourcefulness even as his anger tried to wrestle control away from his judgment. Trying to help them escape took a lot of nerve and he respected that, foolish as it was. The act was still futile, and he saw no reason why he should spare her life in the process. He had warned her once to stay out of it and he did not like to repeat himself.

Scared beyond description, Akane had broken free from Nabiki's grasp only moments before to get some cold water. She knew the Shadow Warrior was strong, stronger than Ranma and Ryoga even when they had put aside their differences to fight together. Her only thought was to rescue Ranma from their certain deaths before it was too late. All thoughts of personal safety had been shoved aside. She decided that as a male, Ranma would have been too heavy to carry far away at a dead sprint so the water idea had been a natural solution. In his girl form, Ranma would be many times lighter and easier to transport away quickly.

Her eye's snapped wide open in shock as she reached the two boys, watching the cold water soak through their clothes and caress their skin. She hadn't thought of a solution as far as rescuing Ryoga was concerned before she got the water; there hadn't been time to think and her brain was panicking too much for rational thought. Even though Akane would have hated herself for it, she would have left him there if it meant Ranma would survive. It was a terrible moment in life in which one had to make an awful choice amidst a terrible situation. The thought made her sick to her stomach, but it Ranma whom she cared most for, and if there could only be one she could save, it would be her fiancé.

However, as she saw the near comatose piglet lying on the grass beside her fiancé, she knew her current problems were instantly solved even while new ones materialized. Everything clicked into place in her mind and at last she understood. A thousand and one memories of Ranma chasing P-chan around the house, kicking and punching him for sleeping in her bed ran past her mind's eye. Oh yes, now she understood, and despite being panicked half to death, anger raced through her veins. She mentally brushed that away from her mind. There would be more than enough time for that later, presuming they all survived.

Reached down and grabbed the two cursed boys she felt a pair of eyes staring into her back. Gulping audibly she paused in mid-motion. Slowly turning around, she placed herself in front of Ranma and Ryoga, shielding them as best she could. There was no one to help her, no Ranma to get her out of this predicament. For the first time, it would be up to her to save them all. Knowing that her own skills in the martial arts were far less than Ranma's only caused her to panic more.

The Warrior glared at her and raised his hand. From his palm, a small ball of energy sparked into existence, twinkling as it gathered power within itself. It rose to hover a few inches above his open palm and glowed with destructive intent. Akane stared at it in naked fear. It was too late, she simply hadn't moved fast enough! As a result, the Warrior once again held all the winning cards. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car as she stared at his intimidating form hover over him.

"Where do you think you're going, hmm? I'm getting very tired of these interruptions today. Here I am attempting to settle my old business and you see to delay that again."

He sighed theatrically. "Do you realize the danger you've gotten yourself into just now? My Matrix Orb here could destroy the three of you in an instant. You really shouldn't have interfered, little girl. I have no mercy on the weak."

Akane half turned and tucked the girl and pig under each of her arms, preparing for an all or nothing dart to safety. She had to try, even as her mind screamed at her, warning of failure. As her executioner stared at her behind an unblinking, battered mask, she started to tremble. She had never been so scared in all her life. "Please… no!"

"Absolute victory will be mine once I have destroyed Ranma and one other. I can't very well let you stop me while I stand on the threshold of victory, now can I, Akane Tendo?"

Tears formed in Akane's eyes and spilled over like little waterfalls. She couldn't attack him because to do so, she'd have to release her hold on Ranma and Ryoga. If she did that the Shadow Warrior would have a clean shot. She was trapped and no miracle could get her out of it.

"Please, just let us go! I don't even know who you are or why you feel like you need to hurt people, but just leave us out of it. Whatever happened to you can be fixed peacefully, I'm sure of that! There's no need to kill anyone!"

Her pride faded away. This person wasn't just another challenger or love struck fighter. The only thing this man wanted was blood and vengeance. He was an unmerciful opponent, one whom no one in Nerima had ever come across before. Her eyes opened wide. That had been why Ranma had lost the fight! It was because for once, he had been taken by surprise. Ranma simply had not been able to adjust to this new type of opponent fast enough to make a difference. He had never faced an enemy before who was so bent on pain and destruction. In truth, it didn't seem possible such a person could even exist.

The Warrior extended his hand and the ball of energy grew increasingly stronger. He started to laugh quietly, almost as insanely as before. There was no reasoning with him; it would be a pointless gesture to a man so bent on destruction. Akane shrunk back, edging slowly towards the other side of the field. Her desperation radiated from the feelings she secretly shared for Ranma and her burning desire to protect him. She clenched her eyes closed tightly. "Please let us go!"

For an endless moment, no one moved…

The Warrior abruptly closed his fist, smashing the ball of energy as abruptly as he had created it. The red flare in his eyes dimmed slightly and he nodded his head, slowly. "Very well."

Akane blinked once and stared at him in a state of numbed shock. "Huh!?"

The Warrior laughed and folded his arms smugly against his chest. "Don't misunderstand me or my true intentions. I've fought against Ranma before and I know that he's capable of so much more than what he's shown me today."

He pointed to Ranma. "I want to fight him in an even more intense battle so that when I do crush him, I can experience that glorious feeling of satisfaction knowing that he gave it his all and still lost. Yes, I will grant him an extension on his life. In return, he must return here in exactly one week to continue our little showdown. He may bring his useless friend again if he wishes, but if anyone else interferes be they friend or the police, I will slaughter you all in the most horrible fashion I can possibly think of."

Akane took several steps backwards, glancing at the crowd of onlookers out of the corner of her eye. "And if he refuses to fight you again?"

The Warrior sighed and while his form displayed it Akane doubted he showed any form of pity at all. "I pray that he doesn't truly entertain that option. If he doesn't show up I will show no mercy. Keep in mind that I do know where the two of you life. I have no qualms about killing everyone who stays in that household. You will make sure he returns. Oh, and if you get in my way again next week then I will kill you before his eyes. That is the last warning I'm going to give you."

He waved his hand dismissively. "Leave now before I change my mind."

Akane turned and ran away from him. Catching a good jump, she bounded over the awestruck crowd, using their mass numbers as cover to make good her allowed escape. Her heart threatened to explode inside her chest as the terror started to fade, unfreezing her mind. She realized that it could all be a trick and the Warrior could have been bluffing the entire time, or playing a sick game. Truthful or not, she wasn't going to give him the chance to correct his mistake in letting them go. Cutting down a side alley, she disappeared into the heart of Nerima, losing herself among the tall buildings.

The warrior watched her go, grinning behind his metal helm. This turn of events could prove to be quite amusing! I can't wait to see how much stronger the two can become with a weeks worth of solid training.

He crossed his arms and laughed with inhuman glee. The awful noise diminished substantially when he gazed down at his damaged armor. He looked like a tin can that had just been kicked down the street. Many sections of his armor had either been dented in or torn off all together. He was thankful his helm had held up, he didn't want them to know who he was, at least not for the time being. That would ruin half the fun.

They really did a number on me. Mazakin combat armor is so durable that I wouldn't have thought their attacks could penetrate it. If I hadn't been wearing it, I would have been finished! Perhaps those two will prove to be more entertaining than I had previously thought. I can hardly wait.

"One week, Ranma. After that, you must return to be slaughtered. That is the inescapable destiny that fate has in store for you."

Approaching sirens signaled that it was time for him to take his leave. Apparently enough phone calls had arrived at the police station for them to take the situation seriously. Given the amount of unnatural and crazy events that occurred in this section of Tokyo, they could hardly be blamed for not dismissing an event as unapproachable. A dark cloud of ki enveloped him like a cloak, transporting him away to safety with a blinding flash of light.

His echoing words contained a drifting sinister message, one that promised death if it was not complied with. Akane clenched her eyes shut to block off tears and kept running. She didn't understand how she had heard his voice when she was sure she had run far enough away. That voice, that evil, powerful voice, played over and over in her mind. Its horrible, loud distorted tone filled with hatred and malice. It chilled her to the very core of her soul.

Akane weaved through traffic and kept running, pushing citizens aside as they blocked the passage her flight took her.

Ranma woke up on top of her futon from a sleep that seemed to last forever. As she sat up, her bruised body screamed in protest as the hopelessly lost battle continued to remind her of its tragedy. Sighing, she looked down to see an equally beat up P-chan sleeping beside her. She gently shook the pig until his large, beady eyes opened. "Ryoga. Ryoga! Ryoga, are you ok?!"

P-chan's eyes took a moment to focus but he eventually nodded, squealing softly, looking around the room.

Ranma looked around and instantly felt confused when she noticed her surroundings. "Hey, wait a sec, this is my room! What happened!? How did we get home alive? I thought for sure we were dead."

P-chan shook his head. Though Ranma couldn't understand his grunts and squeals, she gathered that he was just as confused as she was.

The door to his room opened and Akane walked in, dropping Ryoga's clothes on the floor with one hand. In her other hand, she carried a tray of water and tea. She set the tray down then gently knelt down beside them. Ranma noticed that while she tried to appear strong and cool, it couldn't mask the look of pure horror and fear that still gripped her features. Her skin was still a bit on the pale side. Something had happened after he had lost consciousness, and it hadn't been pleasant.

She sighed and looked at the two of them with exhausted eyes. "I managed to splash you two with cold water and get you out of danger."

Ranma's eyes widened at this. "You mean after all that, he just let you go?!"

Akane fidgeted. "Well, that's not exactly how it happened..."

A new thought dawned on Ranma and her jaw hit the ground. "You splashed us both with cold water, didn't you? Then...then you saw..." She couldn't bear to finish the sentence. P-Chan seemed to figure this out at about the same time, his eyes shining with a mixture of horror and fear. He started to shiver and quietly took several nervous steps backwards, trying to make himself invisible.

Akane nodded, sighing heavily. "Yes, I know everything now. Who would have thought P-Chan was Ryoga. I guess that explains why you kept dropping me hints and why you were always jealous when I slept with him at night. Stupid me, huh?" Her indifferent attitude failed to cover the pain and sadness she felt.

P-Chan started to move behind Ranma's leg, afraid of her coming wrath. She glared at him for a moment then reached forward to slap the pig hard across the face. He flew onto his side and a large, angry mark appeared on his cheek. "How dare you! I trusted you, Ryoga! After all we've been through, how could you betray my trust like that?! You stay away from me! You hear me!?

P-chan turned a sickly shade of white and tried to make himself as small as he could.

Angry tears burned on her cheeks. "I want nothing more to do with you! Do you understand?!"

She stormed from the room for a second then returned to hand Ranma a hot kettle. "I have a few things to take care of, so go ahead and change back. Oh, our parents went into Tokyo to go shopping according to the note they left on the fridge so we'll be home alone for a couple of hours. Wait here, I'll be back in a few minutes."

As she headed back towards her room, Ranma poured a healthy dose of hot water over herself and Ryoga. "Well Ryoga, I'd say you're damn luck! I really expected her to beat your brains out. You knew it was only a matter of time until she found out. You didn't think you could lead a double life and not get figured out eventually, did ya'?"

Ryoga snarled and quickly dressed, pulling his clothing angrily onto his form. "I'm such a fool! I should have told her about my curse in the beginning! What the hell am I going to do now!?" Waves of depression washed across his aching body, surprising Ranma. He felt utterly drained, how did Ryoga still have any power left? Maybe in terms of the short term depression and angst really did give a good kick of energy.

Ranma took a drink of water and winced. Even the smallest movements hurt. The insides of his mouth were cut up from the Warrior's crushing punches. "Apologizing might be a good idea. She's been known to hold one hell of a grudge." It would also distract Ryoga from his foul mood. If he got much worse, his body would probably form a Shishi Hoko-Dan to flush out the negativity in his soul. If that happened and the house blew up, Soun would not be happy at all.

"Right!" Ryoga handled this advice as he did all other matters in life and acted instantly. He dashed out of the room and knocked on Akane's door without giving it a second thought.

"Come in, Ranma."

Gulping, Ryoga walked into her room. Normally a place of contentment and peace, it felt like a hostile battlefield zone now. The crestfallen girl was sitting at her desk, looking out at the lawn from her window. Hot, angry tears still stained her soft cheeks. Wiping them quickly, she turned to glare at him. "What do you want!? I thought I told you to say away from me you, you pervert!"

Ryoga winced and dropped to his knee's, his forehead touching the ground. "Akane, I'm so very sorry. You must believe me, I never meant to hurt you! I know I should have told you about all this a long time ago. I beg for your forgiveness! I'm not a pervert…. I just..." His voice choked up and he just stared at her with shaking eyes. "Beat me up all you want, just… please don't despise me."

Akane stood up, struggling to maintain her composure. "You betrayed me, hurt me, and took advantage of my trust! I have no reason to forgive you!"

She raised her hand and Ryoga flinched, closing his eyes.

She sighed suddenly, and sat back down, shaking her head. "But... you were once a great friend of mine. You also almost lost your life today defending Ranma. That counts for something. While I can't promise I'll ever trust you the same again, I'll try hard to forgive you. I still want to keep you as a friend, and I'm going to try and salvage our friendship. To do that I need complete cooperation and trust from you."

Ryoga's nodded his head, looking a bit too eager and Akane's mood slipped again. She placed her head in her hands. "Oh Ryoga, you slept with me, saw me in the nude, and overheard my most secret dreams countless times"…

She put her head in her hands. "I suppose I feel more violated than angry at this point."

Ryoga bowed lower. "Forgive me..."

Akane looked at him a second later and placed her hand on his shoulder, sighing again. "You've always been there for me in the past and, as I said a few minutes ago, you've helped save Ranma on more than one occasion. I suppose I do owe you one in that regard. As I said, you were a good friend Ryoga, and I want you to stay as one. But, your on thin ice! Pull anything sneaky like that again and you'll be in traction for months!"

Ryoga stared at her. "T-thank you, Akane." With that secret out of the way, he could finally work towards telling her how he really felt about her. He'd have to wait a while yet until he got back on her good side, but at least his greatest fear was out of the way. It was still too soon to act. Soon though.

Akane playfully punched him in the arm. "Come on you pervert, go get Ranma and meet me downstairs. There's something you two need to know about."

Motivated once again, Ryoga dashed from the room and grabbed Ranma by his pigtail. Protesting, Ranma struggled not to spill his drink as Ryoga dragged him down the stairs. Ranma's rump hit each stair and he bit off an angry remark as Ryoga hauled him to the dining table.

Akane couldn't help but laugh at the comic sight. It took a moment for her to gather her composure, and she desperately needed laughter after the afternoon they had all gone through. She started to speak and Ranma perked up, giving her his complete attention as she gazed directly into his eyes. He knew when she was serious and for once, he was going to heed her words.

The small clock on the wall provided the only noise any of them heard as she composed her thoughts. Its steady tic tock ominously counting off the seconds in the week of freedom that had left until the Warrior came to finish what he started. Akane folded her hands tightly and took a breath to steady herself, finally raising her eyes to look at them both.

"Ranma, you were unconscious at the time so you didn't hear it… That man... whoever he was, said he would give you one week more to prepare for a final match. If you don't show up, he said he would kill our families! I know its extremely dangerous but... please, don't fight him again! Ranma, Ryoga, I beg you! You two were nearly killed today! You both know what would have happened if I hadn't stepped in when I did!" Her eyes threatened to tear over again and she shuddered at her hidden thoughts, shaking with revulsion.

Ranma opened his mouth to speak but Ryoga held his hand up. "Akane, we're martial artists. If we are challenged then we must accept or else we lose a part of what we are. Without pride and honor we can't call ourselves masters of the art."

Akane stared at him in shock. "I'm a martial artist too and I say what good is pride and honor if your both dea-"

Ryoga cut her off. "We have no choice Akane! It has to be done! Besides, we'll know how to handle this guy better now that we've fought him once already."

"That's right!" Ranma nodded his head in agreement.

Akane crossed her arms as anger set in but Ranma saw through the act. He knew that in situations like this, she used anger, an emotion she was very familiar with, to cover up her more vulnerable side.

She's scared, he thought. Hell, im scared too. We've been through a lot together... but nothing like this! This one's for real! By all rights I shouldn't even be alive right now.

Ranma waved to Ryoga. "Yo man, could you excuse me n' Akane for a sec?"

Ryoga started to protest but a pleading look from Akane shut him up. "I'll be in the backyard," he mumbled, opening the screen door. "Let me know when you two are done."

Ranma shut it behind him then knelt in front of Akane. For a moment, an uncomfortable silence hung in the air as he gathered his own thoughts. "Akane," he finally said, "I know you're scared. I am too, believe me! But a true martial artist can never back down in the face of evil. What would have happened if I had backed down to Kirin, Toma, or even Pantyhose Taro when I faced them in the past? What if I had just shrugged my shoulders and left? You wouldn't be here today, would you?"

Akane sighed. Like it or not, he did have a good point for once. "But you'll lose again. This isn't an opponent you can just bounce back and defeat like all the others! If you died, I don't know what I would..."

He cast his eyes downward. "You would get on with your life. Eventually you'd forget about me and… ya' know… marry some other guy."

"Never!" Akane's outburst startled him and a new set of tears formed in her eyes. "I could never forget you! I care about you, you dummy! If you get killed... I'll... I'll never forgive you!" Grabbing hold of him, she buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

Ranma's eyes widened and he was taken aback. "You're usually not this open about your feelings, Akane."

She looked up at him with tear stained eyes, sniffling. "Yeah, well, having your fiancé facing a life or death situation tends to speed up the emotional side of the relationship process, I guess."

Ranma smiled. "Akane, I can't control what happens in the future any more than I can change the past. But I will say one thing for certain. I will not back down, and I will fight him again."

Akane's heart broke and her world shattered around her. After throwing her feelings out, he was just going to go back and get himself killed? She felt dizzy as her vision began to blur. The singing birds outside, the ticking clock in the kitchen, even the jumping fish in the pond all ceased in her mind. For an endless moment, there was absolute nothingness, a void in her mind heart and soul. She felt sick.

"I won't lose again," he said with utter conviction, holding her face in his hands, forcing her to look up at him. "Believe in me! If this guy isn't taken down, he will only cause further pain to someone else. I can't be selfish and worry about my own life alone. He won't kill me, I promise. I have so much to live for, a life to live. I will live for you, Akane, and because of that, I won't lose a second time. I swear it! "

At a loss for words, she planted a firm, determined kiss on his lips and held herself there for an endless moment, crying silent tears. Suddenly the threat of the mysterious Shadow Warrior and his challenge didn't matter. Ranma at last, had shown at least a little of his true feelings for her. That was enough to soothe her worries. Nothing else mattered, at least at the present.

Her fiancé smiled, and leaned back to look at her. "Akane, I-"

Outside, a scream echoed loudly throughout the neighborhood. Wordless noise, it never-the-less spoke of bountiful anguish and pain of the likes that tore at the very soul. The area that was the backyard of the Tendo yard turned back as night, shrouding the two in darkness.

Fearing the worst, Akane ran towards the screen door. "Oh no…"