Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma, I only borrow him from time to time.

Chapter 3 What dreams may come

The Demon stared down at the fools trying to stop it. Theses were suppose to be warriors? He had already broken the old bald one. It didn't look like he would survive the next few minutes. The one he was now holding looked at him with rage in his eyes. He actually seemed to be charging his shi for some sort of attack.

The Demon reached over and snapped the young martial artist's neck. The sound silenced the others as they looked on.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

The Demon never even so the other young man until it's arm was ripped off. For the first time in centuries it actually felt fear. It was going to be killed by the warrior. He hadn't even shown this kind of power a few minutes ago. It was barely minutes that passed before the martial artist stopped. It was over.

He looked over to his father, and then looked over to where Akane was crying and trying to wake up his baby brother, Nakama collapsed as he watched as she tried in vain to get her fiancee to open his eyes. He never would, he was gone to join their father and their long since dead mother.

"RRRAAAANNN-"

ooooo

"-NNMMMAAAAA"

Nakama screamed as he sat up from where he had been sleeping for the last few weeks. He closed his eyes again and tried to force down the images of his father and little brother's death. He felt arms go around him as Yoshi held on to Nakama. Slowly Nakama got his breathing under control.

"I'm alright Yoshi..."

Nakama started to push his older brother off when he felt Yoshi's tears. Yoshi had been spending the last few weeks trying to be strong for Nakama's sake, but it was the few rare moments like this that Yoshi needed comforting himself. Nakama put his arms around Yoshi and they held each other until the pain was released

"I'm sorry Nakama. I heard you scream and was trying to comfort you. I didn't-"

"It's alright Yoshi. We'll get through this."

The brothers held each other for a little more before they seperated to start the day. They slowly got up and went to spar with each other. Their father had taught them the importance of the art. It had been the one thing that had brought them together as a family and held them together after their mother had passed away.

They completed their morning ritual and then began to work on breakfast. After they had eaten, Nakama reached into his pack and pulled out some money. He then handed it to his brother.

"Here. This should cover food and suplies for a few more days at least."

Yoshi looked at the money in his hands. He had decided it was best not to ack Nakama questions about where it came from. He remembered his brother coming to their camp site with wounds and injuries that implied hard fighting, but Nakama wouldn't talk about where the money came from. Yoshi knew that Nakama was the one who had always done what it took to keep their family going. He was alway the bread winner. There were always times that Yoshi worried about how Nakama got some of their money, but like all of them Nakama was a man of honor. While Nakama could bend and stretch his honor, he would never break it.

"Alright little brother. You have a good day scaring the locals."

"I can't help it if they want to start the fight. I'll just finish it."

"I know. I was talking about miss Tendo."

Nakama turned to his elder brother.

"Are you sure that you just don't want Kasumi to be worried about Nabiki?"

"Nakama. That's none of your bussiness. Besides, Kasumi has someone here that's interested in her. It wouldn't be right. Besides..."

"She's not our Akane either. I know, I miss her too. I have a meeting later I'll see you tonight. Oh, and before you go shopping, go have some fun. I gave you plenty to enjoy yourself with, and I'll have more later. I want you to do something happy besides cleaning up this capmsite."

Nakama turned and left Yoshi do clean the dishes. He had a few contacts to meet with before his little meeting with Nabiki after school. He fully expected Nabiki to ask Ranma to be there. He even expected her to convince Ranma that it was for Ranma's own good. She'd be in for a real surprise when he turned Ranma to his side. That should teach her about taking advantage of a Saotome.

ooooo

Later, outside the shopping center theater.

Kasumi looked at the posters of the new releases. She was a little put off that one of the romances were now showing. She even had enough time today for once to see it before she finished shopping. The problem was that she didn't have enough personal money on her for the movie, and she would never take money out of the family shopping expenses for something so personal.

She let out a sigh and turned around to walk away, when she bumped into someone who hadn't been watching where they were going.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry."

"No, please. It was my fault. I should have watched where..."

Kasumi looked up at the voice and her eyes met Yoshi's as he also looked up. She began to notice those little things about Yoshi's face that had entered her dreams last night. She started to blush and then increased her blush as Yoshi also started to turn red.

"Miss Tendo, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. I was looking at this paper while looking for this theater. I had noticed that one of my favorite movies was playig and I guess I lost all trace of what was happening around me. I usually sense when I'm about to run into someone and move around them on instinct. Are you hurt in anyway?"

Kasumi watched as Yoshi began to glance and see if she was injured. He started to brush a little dust off her sleeve. He was being so gentle.

"Miss Tendo? Are you ok?"

Kasumi came out of her thoughts and noticed that Yoshi was looking her in the eyes.

"I'm fine. I wasn't watching where I was going either. I had noticed that a movie I had been wanting to see was showing as well."

"But weren't you going away from the theater? Is your movie not showing yet?"

"Oh yes, but I seem to be a little short. Anyway, I need to finish shopping anyway."

"Nonsense. If the only thing keeping you from your movie is a little money, then I insist that I buy your ticket myself."

"Oh my. I couldn't allow that. What would people say?"

"Huh? Oh. I meant that I buy my ticket and then pay for yours in advance. I refuse to take no for an answer."

Yoshi took Kasumi's hand and lead her to the ticket seller.

"One ticket for Tears of the Samuri's Rose, and one for whatever this young lady wishes to see, please."

Kasumi looked down to her hand where Yoshi had held it. There had been no pressure, and he hadn't actuallt dragged her. It was just that he had held her hand so gently that it had seemed perfectly normal to follow him. She looked up as she heard the ticket seller trying to get her attention.

"Oh I'm sorry. What?"

Kasumi looked around and relised that Yoshi must have already gone inside.

"Your ticket's paid for, but I need to know what it's for miss."

"Of course, one for Tears of the Samuri's Rose please."

Kasumi didn't understand why the ticket seller suddenly smiled at her. Maybe it was just a popular movie.

Kasumi didn't see Yoshi in line for snacks. She also didn't see him enter the same theater she did right after her. It was highly crowded and Kasumi walked around once before her eyes could locate a seat. Yoshi hadn't needed to make a lap and had found an empty couple of seats imediately. He barely noticed who someone had sat beside him because the lights had just lowered.

It was about a half hour into the movie that he noticed that the woman next to him appearently didn't have any snacks herself. Without looking he took off the lid of his soda and also leaned his popcorn to the lady. After all, you couldn't truely enjoy a good romance without popcorn and a soda, right?

Kasumi looked down casually when she realised that the gentleman next to her was appearently wanting to share his snacks. He had even been considerate enough to remove his lid for her. She was about to refuse when she turned completely to the young man she had sat next to. It was him. It seemed that his eyes hadn't left the screen since before she sat down. He hadn't even realised that it was Kasumi sitting next to him and he was still offering his kindness and his snacks.

She looked back to the cup and remember younger days when girls talked about inderect kisses. She couldn't later understand why that thought had caused her to take his soda and sip it slowly. She returned her eyes to the screen.

Yoshi pulled his hand back when it had accidentally brushed against the young lady's hand as they had both reached for some popcorn. He turned to insist that she get some first when he realised that it had been Kasumi sitting beside him. She hadn't even pulled back when their hand had touched. She seemed absorbed by the movie and perfectly at ease sitting beside him. Yoshi blushed slightly as he returned his eyes to the screen. The next time their hand met in the popcorn, neither of them pulled back.

They were holding hands and leaning on each other by the time the movie ended. Somehow it seemed perfect. They didn't even noticed that they were still holding hands until they were outside the theater. As they let go in embarressment they both said goodbye and started to leave. They both walked ackwardly before Yoshi turned to Kasumi.

"Should I assume that you have bussiness still in the shopping district?"

"Yes. I need to do the shopping for today or so. I usually have to go shopping daily."

"If you don't thing I'm being to forward, I have to shop for some supplies myself. I could give you a hand carrying yours if you wouldn't mind the company."

Kasumi looked over to the blushing young man. He was so gentle and was being so shy. She simply smiled and nodded. Yoshi saw this and smiled himself. Kasumi was lost in that smile for a few minutes as they started shopping.

ooooo

After school, Furinken High School

Ranma and Akane ran up to where Nabiki was waiting. The plan was simple. Nabiki would talk and Ranma would be there if it got dangerous. Who ever this guy was wouldn't be able to handle all of them.

She was about to go to where she had seen the guy the day before when a shadow fell over the ground. A very big shadow. Nabiki and Akane look up at the monsterous form of Pantyhose Taro.

"What's going on Pantyhose? You looking for Happosai?"

Taro growled at Ranma's choice of name calling. He was in a very bad mood and didn't want to put up with this.

"Whats a matter? Underwear got your tounge Pantyhose?"

Ranma could tell Taro was annoyed. He figured that he could get away with three more insults before Taro snapped. He was wrong. Whatever was annoying Taro made him snap three insults sooner than normal. He attacked Ranma and got a sucker punch on him before Ranma could get all his defenses up.

This was the sight that greeted Nakama as he entered the yard. There was Akane screaming over what appeared a battered Ranma, and a twelve foot minatour demon standing over him looking to attack again.

Nakama blamed himself for holding back until it was too late once before. He never even noticed the scream of pure rage that excaped his lips. He didn't notice crossing the distance to Taro. He didn't even notice the sounds of breaking bones as his blows started to rain down on the monster. All he noticed was himself calling forth more strength and power to destroy this demon before it could kill anymore innocents.

Nakama never noticed when Taro stopped moving. He also never noticed all the blood on his hands.

Suddenly Nakama found himself in a submission hold. He was about to break it, and the person using it, when he realised that it was a Saotome move that was being used. He turned vaugely expecting to see Yoshi's face. He froze as he found himself looking into Ranma's eyes.

"Stop it! He's down. You'll kill him."

"He a goddamn Demon. They're not human and they all deserve to die!"

"He's just got a Jusenkyo curse."

"HE'S..."

Nakama froze as the words meaning sank in.

"...what?"

"Got a Jusenkyo curse. We have to get him to a hospital."

Ranma let go as he realised that who ever this guy was, he had stopped fighting. He went to help as Akane returned with some hot water and Nabiki got back with the school's nurse.

Nakama watched as the abulance arrived. He listened as Ranma appologised for goating Taro into a fight. Nakama walked away before anyone thought to stop him. He didn't know how long he walked for. He didn't even notice when he returned to where he and Yoshi were making camp.

Yoshi heard someone return and turned to greet his brother. His cheerful greeting died on his lips as he saw the kind of state Nakama was in. It was just like right after...

"Nakama, Nakama speak to me. What happened? Nakama what Happened?"

SLAP!

Nakama raised his eyes to look at his brother as Yoshi's eyes widened. He hadn't meant to hurt Nakama.

"I'm sorry Nakama I-"

"I killed him..."

Yoshi froze at these words.

"What?"

"I said I think I killed him."

"Who?"

Nakama looked into his brother's eyes and broke down. He started telling everything that had happened when he had entered the school yard. He hadn't expected to see what appeared to be a re-enactment of his nightmares. Nakama had let IT out again.

Each of the Saotome boys had mastered one aspect of the art above all others.

Control.

Power.

Adaptation.

Nakama had mastered levels of strength and power the Yoshi may never know. He could release it at will and keep it sealed with ease. But if he released it he gave into it completely and little could survive that kind of force. Nakama had sworn to seal that power and only use it when all else had failed.

He blamed himself for holding it in too long when their brother died...

Yoshi held onto Nakama until he stopped crying. He got up and walked over to their packs. Yoshi began to breakdown their camp.

"What are you doing?"

"We're not hiding from them anymore. We need them Nakama. I know they're not exactly who we wish they were, but they are still family. They'll understand. No discussion, alright?"

Nakama looked at his elder brother for a few minutes. Nakama had argued before the benifits to stay away when they had arrived and started figuring out what was going on. Yoshi had reluntantly agreed.

Nakama didn't try to convince himself that Yoshi wasn't the head of the family. Yoshi had come to a decision and Nakama could only comply.

Nakama walked over and started to helping his brother pack. He noticed Yoshi let out a breath of relief. He had been worried that Nakama might defy him.

They finished quickly and made their way to the Tendo Dojo. There they would find the ones that they had been hiding from.

ooooo

Tendo Dojo

Yoshi looked up at the door, and then turned to look at Nakama. His brother had fully composed himself for the task now at hand. They both knew that they had a lost of explaining to do. They knew it would take most of the night. Yoshi turned back to the door and knocked. A moment later, Kasumi answered the door.

Kasumi looked at Yoshi standing outside her door and was about to blush, then she noticed what appeared to be Ranma at first glance, but Ranma was inside.

"I'm sorry to bother you at home miss Tendo, but this is my brother Nakama and we need to speak with the Saotomes."

"Oh my, please come inside. They're in the living room. Ranma was just telling us that Our friend Taro was going to be fine after some fight he got into earlier. It was a good thing Ranma was able to stop the attacker." Kasumi never was the flinch in Nakama's eyes as she spoke.

She lead them to the living room where everyone turned to stare at the new visitors. No one expected Nodoka's reaction. She fainted upon seeing the boys enter the room. Then so did Soun Tendo.

oooooooooooo

Author's notes.

One more down. How is everyone enjoyig it so far?