By RankoSaotome
Disclaimer on first chapter. Theme song of the fic is 'Forever' from Erementar Gerad (Elemental Gelade in the US).
Some people had a problem with Ranma falling for a guy due to her rape. Now, it's true that rape often steers girls to be lesbians. Now, please do remember that when Ranma and Soushi met, Ranma thought Soushi was a woman. When she realized Soushi was a man, she MAY have reacted badly, but he was being very gentle with her. Granted, she may not know what gentle is being Ranma is not inheriantly a girl. However, Ranma fell in love with Soushi for appearance first, then fell in love with his kindness. I hope that helps to explain it.
- - - - - - -
The wind-like melody that's moving within our hearts
Vibrantly leads us towards the yet-unseen tomorrow
If we create the future with each thing we think
Could we grasp the "moment" the miracle smiles upon?
I feel 'I need you.'
... I just miss you in my life.
Please don't let go
Ah, Let's join hands
Heading toward a sparkling place in the wide-open future
Open up your heart
And turn this pain and loneliness into kindness
Don't get lost along my way
Both at the moment we met and now, you surpassed time
Shine together with me forever...
The pledge that echoes in this dreary night is fleetingly falling apart
My heart beats to the fate of the stars that pass each other
At the meeting place of the broad sky, our pulses raced
What is there behind those tears you held back?
I will never leave you.
I want to promise you!
Don't forget
Ah, You gave me the courage to move forward
Let's hold on to it and fly
If we were bonded together
Embrace and don't ever lose the strength of
Protecting the people you can't replace
At the moment I learn my weaknesses, I will become stronger again
Yes, forever...
I feel 'I need you.'
... I just miss you in my life.
Please don't let go
Ah, Let's join hands
Heading toward a sparkling place in the wide-open future
Open up your heart
If we share the seemingly broken affection
As it keeps overflowing from our hearts, it will be like Heaven
At times when we're bewildered, let's keep building our unending dream
Yes, forever...
Open up your heart
And turn this pain and loneliness into kindness
Don't get lost along my way
Both at the moment we met and now, you surpassed time
Shine together with me forever...
- - - - - - -
Chapter 9 - Love's Cruelty
- - - - - - -
Ranma awoke the next morning, feeling strangely relaxed and refreshed for the first time in a long time. She also felt a bit wet down below, but she had no idea what to put that down to.
She was further surprised to see most everyone was already up, with Ryouga sawing away in his bed. Then, the girls seemed to notice her and Ranma cowered under their glares. Wh... What did she do? Did she do something bad yesterday?
"Next time you have a wet dream that loud again, Ranma-chan..." Ranma swallowed, telling that the '-chan' was forced. "... I dopn't know what I'll do with you. Maybe give you a spanking."
Ranma stayed a bit away from them, before asking. "You... You wouldn't really do that, would you?" She wasn't scared of the spanking itself... She was scared of how she might react to such stimulation of her bottom.
"You want to find out right now?" Kasumi asked. But before Ranma could answer, Wyna stood up and looked at Ranma.
"Actually, I think that's a fine idea, Kasumi. Do I mind if I do it?" Wyna intervened, rushing forward and grabbing Ranma before she could get away. Ranma started to struggle, but Wyna was much too strong for her. Ranma felt like she was trying to pull her arm out of the grasp of an iron golem.
"Go right ahead, Wyna."
And Ranma experienced quite the oddest sensations. With Wyna spanking her bare ass, there was some pain... But the hint of naughtiness and pleasure also registered to her mind. But she refused to cry out at the spanking, since that might awaken Ryouga and she would just die if he saw her in such a position.
But when it was over, Wyna was nice enough as to use some skin lotion on Ranma's bottom to ease a bit of the pain. Of course, that wasn't what caught most of Wyna's interest, as she could smell Ranma's arousal from the spanking. Of course, she never mentioned this to Kasumi, who didn't make any motion to tell she could smell it too.
Ranma pulled her panties and pants back up slowly when it was all over. Her butt still hurt, even with the lotion, but at least she could sit now. After her 'punishment', which she was still wondering if it actually was that, the girls awoke Ryouga and set off for Tokio Point.
The hike was long and took half a day, thereby wiping out most of the party by the time they arrived. Ranma, though, was holding strong with her stamina. What they found was astounding.
Soushi, surrounded by four guys, and wiping them all out. Ranma felt that odd feeling in her stomach again, like the fluttering of butterflies, when she saw him. How could she deny it? She liked the guy. She didn't know when she became capable of it, but sometime down the road... She'd accepted that she might wind up loving and marrying a man.
She then spotted Kyoka. "Soushi!"
"It's you, Kyoka."
"Soushi, please! Please stop using that dark sword!"
"Without Masamune, this evil sword is all I have to fight them with... I have no choice! It is difficult to wield this blade, but it holds great power within. Even if I must sacrifice my own life... Ugh..." He started to cough again, and Ranma felt the sudden want to check on him. She felt his obvious pain tearing at her heart.
The other girls in her group, though, began to realize what was going on. Ranma... was she in love?
"Soushi!" Came Kyoka's cry.
"Stay out of this, Kyoka!"
"Soushi, listen to me... They are fighting the Dark Acolytes as well!"
Ranma started forward, seeming a bit hesitant to speak before she finally mustered her courage. "Soushi, please. Let us help you."
Soushi turned his back on Ranma as he spoke. "No, I'd rather do it alone."
"But... If you keep using a dark sword, the power may just possess you! It..."
"I know, but I must protect my master with my life. I must obey my code of honor. Please! Leave me be..." And, with that, he walked away. And the girls of Ranma's party could tell how much his dismissal of her words saddened and depressed Ranma. Oh yeah, definately in love.
"Soushi!"
Ryouga chose at that moment to speak up. "Alright, I guess it's decided. We can't let him go alone. Shall we follow him?"
Everyone involved, but Ranma, nodded. Kasumi, she'd wanted Ranma's love for a while now... But she also knew Ranma might very well fall for someone else. In that case... She would help Ranma.
Finally, Ranma nodded her head.
They rushed to the harbor, where the Dark Acolytes were based. Ranma, seeing them, growled and went into killing mode.
The two Dark Acolyte samurai stood no chance against the party of four. They quickly, with Kyoka, grabbed a boat Ryouga wound up moving it along with Kyoka's instruction. Within no time, they reached Rikyu, to which Ranma was surprised. No guards at the port?
But as they pulled in, a bunch of Dark Acolytes blocked their path off the port. And they looked... strange. There were three of them, and they were dressed in purple robes and carrying a torch. The place was pretty dark. The guards went down quickly, though Ranma was worried about the torches going out.
Nothing...
They went for the hut, taking down another two Dark Acolyte guards. Entering the hut, they found an older man, and Kyoka smiled. "Master Kanouha!" She exclaimed.
"Ohhhh, Kyoka! You look as pretty as ever. I missed you!"
"Master, I'm so glad you're okay."
"I'm an old man who could die at any moment, so, they haven't been too rough on me. In fact, since they locked me in here, they haven't done anything to me. I have been worried about Wano, though."
"Have you seen Soushi?"
"Huh? Are you looking for Soushi? No... I haven't seen him. Who is this?"
"This is Ranma Triumph. She's fighting the Dark Acolytes."
"Triumph? Are you the Great-Granddaughter of Peis Triumph?" Ranma nodded. "You are? Your great-grandfather and I used to be rivals. We competed to see who could get more girls. Heh! Heh! Heh! That was a very long time ago..."
Ranma began to explain what brought her to fighting the Dark Acolytes, from her training as a child to recent events. She left out her rape at the hands of the Dark Master.
"Hmmm, I see. So, you are training to become a Spirit Blacksmith under Tofu. I met him once. Hmmm, it was so long ago... Perhaps forty years ago... If my memory serves me well, he was training with Metalia."
"Forty years? Tofu-sensei was... he was that old? I thought he was late 20's, perhaps early 30's!"
"Tofu was a good natured, talented blacksmith... By the way, Ranma... This sword, called Masamune, was left by Soushi. Can you give it new life with your skills?" She looked over the sword for a few moments, before going to work. She had a good conversation with Kanouha as she worked, and he seemed to respect her enough not to make her uncomfortable.
When finished, she presented the sword. "Great work! This is what I expected from an apprentice of Tofu. Kyoka, try holding onto this."
"Yes, Master Kanouha."
"Master Kanouha, why was Wano attacked?" Kasumi asked from beside Ranma. All of them were kneeling around a small fire, to stay warm.
"Well, that'll take a while to explain. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
"They wanted the Holy Flame of Wano. But there are strong Samurai in Wano.Therefore, they gave out the dark swords, and stated that a Samurai with a Dark Sword will become strong. But, what the Dark Sword really did was enhance the owner's own self-destructive tendencies.
During the chaos that ensued, the Dark Acolytes entered Wano and searched for the Sacred Altar. When they couldn't find it, they tried to get the information from me. I didn't tell them though. Hahaha! As retribution for my stubbornness, their armada destroyed Wano."
"Master Kanouha, is the Sacred Altar that important? Even at the expense of Wano?"
"Yes... If they get the Holy Flame, the whole world will suffer the same fate as Wano."
"But... at the Volcanic Island..." Ranma began.
"Huh? But... what?"
"They've already taken one..."
"What? Then I must continue to protect this Holy Flame! Ranma, Tofu asked you to collect the Holy Flames, right?" Ranma nodded. "Good! Your ability as a Spirit Blacksmith and Tofu's confidence in your potential... has given us all hope. You must succeed. You are our only hope. The Sacred Altar is located at the top of Back-Side Hill.
By the way, I've been alone for a looong time, I'm feeling lonely... Kasumi, will you walk with me for a while? I'd like to talk about Tofu..."
"S-Sure..."
Kyoka turned to Kasumi. "It's okay, Kasumi. I'll stay here, too."
"Woo-Hoo! Surrounded by two beauties!" And with that, the remainder of the group set out to Back-Side Hill. Ranma heard a bunch of talking about perkiness from inside the building when she took the back entrance of the building to head to their destination, then bit her lip. Now, she didn't know if leaving Kasumi with him was a good idea anymore...
"Let's get going, Ranma."
"Yeah..." They stopped in the smithy to once again sharpen and repair weapons, before setting off. The hills reminded Ranma lightly of the cliffs outside Lucent Cave. She knew a fall from such heights would be instant death.
She and the group made their way upwards carefully.
There were numerous paths, but the three had to stick together. They walked in a line formation, with Ranma in front, Wyna in the middle, and Ryouga covering the back.
At the bridge, it was Ranma that had to keep herself from looking down. Ever since that Gear Hawk attack on the cliffs at Lucent Cave, she'd been a bit scared of heights. Especially the type that could get you killed. She moved slowly along the bridge, while Ryouga and Wyna moved more or less without change.
Nearing the top, Ranma began to get worried. They were easily overpowering the Samurai enemies along the path, despite they were supposedly so very, very strong. What was going on here?
They reached the top, where an opening showed the smithy that was often prior to the Holy Flame itself. Ranma quickly sharpened and repaired their weapons, unsure as to if there would be a battle or not.
And as the group approached the Sacred Altar, Ranma sensed something... Behind them! She turned with her eyes narrowed, the others getting the hint and turning as well.
"Here is the Sacred Altar! The Holy Flame is now the property of the Evil Mecha 5. Mr. Soushi! I want that Holy Flame. Get it for me! Please!"
S-Soushi?
"You leave me no choice, Mr. Soushi. You're gonna have to fight your friends! Mr. D wants it!" And with that, the creepy girl vanished. And Soushi rushed them. Left with little choice, Ranma moved to intercept.
Ranma and Soushi battled, with the others keeping an eye out for that creepy woman that was with Soushi. Ranma and Soushi attacked with parries, counters, and slashes of their respective blades, which was surprising Wyna. She was sure Ranma loved the guy, so why was she putting her all into the fight?
There were a few moments in which the advantage would alter between them, but neither truly gained the upper hand.
That is, until Ranma accidentally overextended herself on an attack and missed, leaving her wide open. Soushi brought his sword down on her side, slicing her shirt open at the side and his blade biting into her skin. Blood dripped from the wound as she dropped to one knee, but kept her sword in a defensive position.
Soushi was about to bring down his blade to end the battle, and Ranma's life. Then, the strangest thing happened. Kyoka appeared from out of nowhere, carrying Masamune.
"Kyoka! Stay back... He's gone insane!"
"Ranma, you can't give up! I had a bad feeling, so I brought this!" She exclaimed, raising Masamune.
At this time of Ranma's divided attention, Soushi brought his sword down, and knocked Ranma's from her hand. Grasping her bleeding hand now, she looked up with fear in her eyes. She... couldn't save him...
Soushi seemed to realize her helplessness, and brought the blade down again.
Ranma's head drooped, tears falling.
And Soushi's blade stopped seconds away from cleaving Ranma's head in two. But then, he pulled the blade back, unnerved as to how Ranma's tears stopped him the first time. But not this time!
"Oooohhhhaaahh!"
"Soushi!" Kyoka cried, pulling Masamune and imposing herself between Soushi and Ranma.
"No, watch out!" But Soushi did not attack, when Masamune glowed with a bright, blinding light. Ranma was blinded for just a moment, before she opened her eyes to find Kyoka holding Soushi. He was on the ground.
"What... what was I doing?"
"Soushi, you were... You were possessed by the evil spirit of your sword... I tried to warn you, but..." Ranma started, still looking down. She was trying to tell herself Soushi didn't mean to hurt her, but it was hard to convince herself of that. She knew it was the sword that did it, but... Soushi didn't listen to her in the first place... How can she love him anymore?
"Soushi..."
"Kyoka..." Soushi said, before coughing. After hearing, Kyoka turned to Ranma, who just healed herself of her injuries.
"Please go ahead. Soushi and I will catch up with you." Ranma nodded, before rushing up to the Sacred Altar, and raising her hammer. She, Wyna, and Ryouga disappeared instantly. There was no time to spare!
When they appeared at the Holy Flame, Ranma was happy to see it was still there. She quickly rose her hammer before it. The glow that occured the first time she was here, flowed up into the air, and reformed into another Elemental Beast.
"The power of Earth is upon you... I am Fiednod, the Elemental Beast of the Earth." And Ranma absorbed the Elemental Beast, followed by the Holy Flame. Looking at her glowing hammer, she was thoughtful before turning to the others. "That makes two Holy Flames for us and one Holy Flame for the Dark Acolytes. We cannot allow them to collect any more. Can I ask the both of you to put up with me for a while longer?"
Her answer was two affirmatives, which made her smile a little, though Wyna could tell it was forced. Nearly being killed by someone Ranma cared about must have been devastating to her mind and heart.
"I thank you both." And, with that, they all returned to the Sacred Altar. Passing by Kyoka and Soushi, who asked to be left behind, they began their hike down the mountain. On the way down, they came to a startling discovery. There was fire at the base of the mountain!
"Something's burning!"
"That's Kanouha's hut!"
"No! Kasumi's down there!"
And they ran, really ran down the mountain, despite it was dangerous to do so. They ran away from battles, they needed to keep moving! There was no time to waste!
At the base, Ranma was starting to feel an evil presence coming from the hut's general area...
With haste, they rushed in. Master Kanouha was on the ground outside the flames. "Master Kanouha, are you alright?"
"Nevermind me... Kasumi... save her. Head to the harbor..."
Ranma, eyes wide, ran to the harbor as quickly as she could. But the ship that had Kasumi on it, took off before she could even catch it.
"KASUMI!"
There was silence for much time, as Ranma kneeled at the harbor's end. Her shoulders were shaking, her mind awhirl. She'd been trusted with Kasumi's safety, and she just FAILED! She didn't deserve to live!
No one could see what she was doing, as she heard Kanouha for a moment before going back to what she was doing. She pulled a small dagger from her tool belt, and observed it in her petite hand. She was the only one left with healing spells, so... If she tried this, no one would be able to save her...
"I'm sorry... a weird girl... Ah, she was kinda cute so... she caught me off guard..."
"Forgive me... this is my doing... My lust for power is to blame for Kasumi's abduction. I will join you in order to find Kasumi. Even at the expense of my own life!"
"Shut up, all of you!" Ranma screamed, turning her fierce gaze onto all of them. "It's no one's fucking fault but my own! I was sworn to protect her, and I failed miserably! I..." She began, pulling back the dagger in front of her. Ryouga could see it now. "... I don't deserve to live..."
"Ranma, think this through..." Ryouga started, making Ranma freeze up for a second. "If you die, who is going to save Kasumi?"
"What...?"
"You heard me. We're almost nothing without you. If you die, we won't be able to save her! She'd be at the mercy of the Dark Acolytes, and we know their mercy does not exist!"
"But..."
"Dammit, Saotome! What do you have to lose on this attempt!"
Ranma was silent, before resheathing the dagger and getting up. She looked out across the sea, before turning to her party.
"Ryouga, you're right! What're we waiting for? Let's go kick some Dark Acolyte tail!"
The ship ride back to Tokio Point was silent. Deciding to hunt down clues, the group split up. Ranma found a woman near a ship, and wound up listening in on a conversation. "That ship is headed for the giant airship, Cloud Manta, which is on its way to the floating city of Sharan." It took Ranma a moment to realize the woman was talking to her. "You may use this ship, if you wish..."
"Who are you? Why are you helping me?"
"There's no time for that now. If you care about her, go save her. Doesn't she mean a lot to you?"
Ranma, though skeptical, saw this as her best chance to get to save Kasumi, as the woman said. So, she went to get the others, and returned. The woman was gone. The ship was still there, though, so the group boarded.
Upon catching up with the Cloud Manta, they were shot down and onto the Cloud Manta. And so, the rescue mission began.
"I've seen this insignia before... The symbol of Dianova. Many people claim that Dianova is trying to conquer the world."
"Dianova, huh...?" Ranma asked, before looking around. There was no doubt... This had to be done, and had to be done right.
'Hold on, Kasumi... I'm on my way..."
- - - - - - -
TO BE CONTINUED...
- - - - - - -
Nothing much to say about this chapter, just that people might be depressed that Ranma's love for Soushi died so abruptly. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Ja ne!