"Elder, we have received a message from the mages, Kikori Sekihara and Ranma Saotome."

Cologne looked up from her desk and signaled the messenger to give her the message, "Let's see what the two are up to this time."

The Amazon elder read the message silently before lifting her head to look at the messenger again, "How did you receive this?"

"An eagle Honored one."

"I see." Closing her eyes, Cologne massaged her temples, "Send for Mousse, I have an errand for him."

"Yes Honored one."

A few minutes later, with a shout of 'My Shampoo' and an extremely loud crack, Mousse flew into the room with a lump on his head, "I must insist Mousse, for your own health; stop chasing my great grand daughter."

"Elder." Mousse said quickly as he stood up and dusted himself.

"I have just received a message from Ranma and Kikori," Cologne stood up from her chair and walked around her desk, "They are staying with the Musk to help with a rather messy political situation. Knowing the Musk, there will probably going to be quite a big battle coming. I want you to go and assist them in anyway possible and try not to get mixed up in the war."

"But, how am I supposed to do that?" Mousse sputtered, "I can't exactly help a lot you know."

"All I require you are to keep those two alive," Cologne sighed, "Drag them away from the whole thing if you're required to."

"Can I at least get some help?" Mousse grumbled.

"WHERE ON EARTH AM I NOW!"

"EEK! PERVERT!"

SMASH CRUNCH SMACK

The Amazon elder sighed again and took small white bottle out of her sleeve, "Thank the Goddess for painkillers."

Mousse blinked and adjusted his glasses as he looked out of the window, "Who is that? I didn't know we have more Japanese mages visiting our village."

"That would be Ryouga Hibiki," Cologne replied, "He is a friend of Ranma's and he will also be your backup for this mission. Oh yes, if you want him as your back up, it would be wise to get him before he's either killed or gets lost again."

Mousse scratched his head and excused himself.

"Maybe I should send Shampoo too…" Cologne muttered, "Actually, that might make matters worst; after all, Shampoo, or any other Amazon, would probably pick fights with the Musk instead…"

Act: 1 Chapter: 22

For my mind, For my heart, For my Past…

"Umm, Mousse right?" Ryouga said following the half blind Amazon.

"Yes?"

"I know I'm suppose to help you and all that, Elder Cologne already explained it all to me," the lost boy said scratching his head, "but what exactly am I suppose to help you with?"

"We got a message from Ranma and Kikori saying that they are going to help the Musk deal with some political stuff or something like that, so the Elder is sending us to keep those two alive." Mousse explained as they walked through the forest towards Musk city.

"It's just political stuff right? It's not like there is going to be a fight or anything." Ryouga snorted, "Actually, with Ranma's luck, he's probably going to screw the whole thing up and get them stuck in a dungeon or something."

"Actually, Musk's version of 'political stuff' usually includes an all out slug fest and few large battles added into it." Mousse said off-handedly, "They ARE Musk after all."

Ryouga sweatdropped, "Just like those two to get into something like this, can't they stay out of trouble for just one mission?"

"We're almost at the border of Musk territory, be careful, we might walk right into a middle of a battle." Mousse said as he absently took inventory of his weapons.

"Oh man… my first mission in a whole month and it ends up being some major explosive fight that has a large chance of actually breaking most of my bones." Ryouga whined, "Come to think of it, this is the first official mission I had that teams me up with Ranma."

"The last mission I went on with him, I ended up laying in bed for a whole week and spending the next restocking my weapons." Mousse sighed, "I seriously doubt this mission will be better than the last."

The lost caller winced, "I hope you're wrong."

"Me too…

"…never dragged you into this."

Ranma tried to move. Everything around him seemed to move sluggishly and blur slightly every time he moves. Looking down, he saw Kikori lying on top of him, totally exhausted. Clanking of armor surrounded him, flashes of light all around him as he looked up.

"No…" Ranma mouthed, but no sound came out, the spears over him came down, descending on the two. Slowly, blurry, all of the spears seemed like solid brown bars coming down on the two.

I can't die, I won't die. Can't let her die, need to…

"KIKORI!"

Ranma shot up from his bed. His lips all dried up, sweat trailed down his face. He turned around to find a woman in her mid thirties sitting on the floor beside his bed, clutching her chest and breathing heavily, "Umm, sorry for scaring you."

The women blinked and spoke something in Chinese.

"I can't understand Chinese, sorry." Ranma said apologetically before letting himself fall onto his bed again. Did that really happen?

Painfully, Ranma lifted his hand, under his sheets, and felt across his stomach. Sharp pains shot through his body.

The woman gasped and spoke in a fast chiding voice while she pushed him down and tucking him in softly.

"Thank you." Ranma smiled and gave a small nod.

The women smiled back and spoke something in Chinese again before heading out of the room.

What happened, where am I? The Pigtailed mage sighed and stared silently at the ceiling.

"Saotome, how are you feeling?"

Ranma lifted his head to find Herb standing next to his bed along with his retainers Mint and Lime, "Like I've been run through by a spear." Ranma joked while fighting back the pain.

"At least you are feeling what happened." Herb sighed, "I'm sorry you have to be involved in this. I really don't know how to repay you and on top of that, you got injured helping us."

Ranma grinned weakly, "Hey, is no problem. By the way, where are we?"

"One of the larger villages surrounding the Musk city," Herb replied, "It's just a temporary base for us; we'll have to move once the troops are ready."

"Kikori, where is she?" Ranma said softly, "Is she alright?"

"You need to concentrate on healing yourself." Herb said, turning towards to door, "Sleep Saotome, you'll need your strength."

"What about Kikori?" Ranma said urgently, "Is she ok!"

Herb closed his eyes, "She's fine, from what some of the soldiers told me; you managed to push her aside at the last moment before some of Spice's troops managed to run you both through. She's been worried about you ever since she's been awake."

Ranma sighed in relieved, "Where is she now?"

"She's helping our healers and aiding some of the sick villagers too." Herb said, silently signaling his retainers to exit the room, "Recover as quickly as possible, I don't know when my brother might attack us again, we need to move away from the village and set our own base camp."

"Thank you Herb."

"No, thank you Saotome." Herb said silently and left the room.

"How is he Herb." Kikori asked calmly from her bed, being exhausted from healing everyone the previous day, the priestess has stayed in bed for the whole day.

"He's awake, but a lot of the healers say he might fall back into a coma with his condition." Herb replied shaking his head, "This shouldn't have happened."

"It's all my fault." Kikori muttered dejectedly, "The one time Ranma was right, I have to act stupidly."

"Without your help, I don't think I would be here with all my followers Priestess Sekihara." Herb said encouragingly, "I owe you and your partner a large debt."

"It's been almost a week," Kikori buried her head in her pillow, "He's never been hurt this badly before."

"He will recover, just give him time."

A quite sob reached the Dragon Prince's ears, "All my fault."

"Why don't you go see him, I think he's still awake." Herb said, completely at a lost on what he can do.

Kikori sniffed once and wiped her tears with the sleeve of her sweater before heading towards her partner's room wordlessly. Herb watched her walk out wearing the sweater and dress that the villagers have given her, "I'll never understand women."

"Ranma, are you awake."

Ranma tried desperately to open his eyes, "Kikori?"

"You're alive."

"I'm tired…"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be Kikori, for you…"

"for you…"

Kikori held back her tears, silently watching Ranma falling back into unconsciousness, "I'm so sorry…" (Note)

"Don't be sorry." A deep voice growled from behind the priestess.

Kikori turned around to see Lime standing in the doorway, "If it wasn't for me…"

"Everyone needs something to protect," Lime said seriously, "For me, it's my home, and Herb. If I failed to do this, I know I'll be wandering aimlessly until I die. I think the person he protects is you. So don't say you're sorry, be happy he wants to protect you and he's still alive."

"Me?" Kikori whispered, "What about revenge for you sister Ranma, you can't if you died protecting me…"

Another voice broke interrupted Kikori, "Even avengers need something to protect."

"Councilor Sal Te," Kikori greeted, "What brings you here?"

"My hearing is quite good with my bear ears, I sometimes hear things that I shouldn't," Sal Te replied, chuckling, "I couldn't help but overhearing your conversation with Lime, and I'm quite surprised you can be this serious Lime."

The tiger man blushed, "I can be serious if I want to."

"Quite, quite, is that why your staring at the priestess's behind all the while?" Sal Te smirked.

"But, but, she's a GIRL!"

"Go ogle some of the nurses here then." Sal Te ordered, waving Lime away, "Now, there isn't anything to be embarrassed about."

Kikori blushed bright red while she stared down at Ranma's unconscious form, "What did you mean?"

"Hm?" Sal Te frowned, "Ah yes, even avengers need something to protect. I've met a lot of people like that in my life, living in an area where so many warrior societies exist."

"Ranma hides it well, but I've seen him. He changes so quickly every time he thinks of getting revenge." Kikori said sadly, "I tried to get him to forget, but somehow, he always changes back."

"People who live for revenge live only for two things Priestess of Healing," The bear like councilor said turning towards the door, "To attain vengeance, and to find a reason to live long enough to attain their vengeance. You should feel honored to be the reason Ranma is living right now."

"W-what!?!" Kikori blushed even harder, "I-I don't know what you mean."

"Even though you're not related by blood, I can see you love him like your own brother," Sal Te said softly from the doorway, "Heal his heart, Priestess, don't let him attain his vengeance, it only makes a man even hollower than he already is."

Kikori watched the Musk councilor walk out of the room before turning towards Ranma with a smile on her lips, "Brother huh? Is that why you protect me so hard? Am I the replacement for Saiko?"

Ranma twisted slightly but Kikori held him down gently, "Don't move around so much, you'll just aggravate your wounds."

As if he heard, Ranma stopped fidgeting and settled down, "Even if I'm just a replacement, I'll stay with you Rammie. I always stay with my family."

"Our forces have fully recovered your highness," A Musk soldier, wearing a gold helmet with an emblem of a tiger on it, "Our soldiers are ready to launch an attack against Spice any time."

Herb nodded, "Thank you captain. We should move to a better location to set up our base camp then, get our men ready to move out."

"As you command; by your leave." The captain placed his fist over his chest, making a Musk salute, before heading out of the room.

"Sal Te, what is your view on the battle." Herb asked, turning towards the others in the room.

Sal Te glanced around the room, only the prophet and Herb's retainers remained, "Our forces, although a bit less in numbers, should have no problem against the ones that Spice has in his command. Most of the veterans are on our side and also we have all of our most experienced spell casters."

"That's good." Herb nodded, "But?"

"If what you said about your brother is true," Sal Te said nervously, "I'm afraid even if our troops won the battle, Spice will just slaughter all of us unless you can defeat him."

"Our spell casters won't be able to help me?" Herb asked.

"No. As you know, Spice is a master at manipulating spells, he can probably dispel most of the spells that our casters can utilize, and the rest won't even affect him in his state of blood lust." The Councilor said, "I'm afraid you must fight your brother on your own."

"I see." Herb closed his eyes in thought, "Prophet, what do you see?"

"Don't underestimate your allies." The Prophet said cryptically, "They may be the key to victory."

Herb shook his head, "I've asked too much of the two Japanese mages already, I can't ask them to join our battle."

"One can always open a door without the key, but can you?"

"I'll find a way," Herb muttered stubbornly, "Your visions are not correct all the time."

"That is true your highness." The Prophet said monotonously.

The door to the room opened suddenly. Two soldiers appeared, each carrying a spear with a sword on their belt, leading two people inside, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but these two men claim came here claiming to be representatives of the mage tower."

Herb raised his eyebrows, "What does the mage tower want now?"

"Prince Herb, we're here to assist Ranma Saotome and Kikori Sekihara." The one with glasses said.

"I see, and your names?" Herb said with a nod.

"Mousse of the Chinese Amazon and this is Ryouga Hibiki, caller of the Japanese mage tower." Mousse said.

"I see, you came just in time," Herb said with a smile, "Our troops is about to move into position to attack my brother, you can take the two mages back to the tower. If everything goes well, then you will hear from us regarding our negotiations. Lime, lead the two mage to where Saotome is, I believe Priestess Sekihara is still with him."

"Yes your highness." Lime replied taking a step forward, "Well, follow me."

Herb sighed in relief, "Now that we don't need to worry about the injured mages, we can concentrate on the battle ahead of us, Sal Te, stay here with the prophet and deal of anything that might arise, I'm going to plan our attack with the Captain."

Sal Te watched Herb leave the room, "So Prophet, what do you think?"

"Do not worry yourself Sal Te, the Musk will no fall yet." The prophet waved his hand, "He is still underestimating those mages from afar."

"What happened to him?" Ryouga said, staring at the unconscious spirit mage.

"Ryouga? What are you doing here?" Kikori said tiredly.

"Mousse and me were sent here to get you two out of here." Ryouga replied, "Well, at least we plan on getting you two out of here, I don't want to get mixed up in a fight with these guys."

Mousse nodded in agreement, "Musk soldiers are all very brutal in their fights, I don't want to imagine what it will be like if we were to fight them."

"Anyways, what happened to him." Ryouga again, pointing at Ranma.

"He got stabbed by a spear saving me." Kikori said quietly, "I'm staying with him till he gets enough energy so I can heal him."

"Can't you just heal him now?" Ryouga said anxiously.

"No, healing spells are just spells that speed up the natural process of healing without the fear of cellular decay due to over reproduction of cells." Kikori said professionally, "If I heal him now, I'll probably strain his body too much and he'll die. I thought all mages have to learn this at the tower."

Ryouga laughed nervously, "I got lost…"

"Oh that explains everything." Kikori said with a hint of humor.

"Oh why can't I be partnered up with Shampoo again," Mousse sighed, "Why do I have to partner up with a guy that can't even walk in a straight line."

"I CAN walk in a straight line!" Ryouga yelled.

"Yeah, not for more than FIVE SECONDS!" Mousse yelled back.

"Ugh… can you guys keep it down, I have a headache…"

"You're awake…" Kikori smiled, "That's great…"

"Can't keep me down for long ya know." Ranma grinned, "Hey Ryouga, Mousse."

"You look like shit." Ryouga commented, earning him a bop on the head from Kikori.

"And I still owe you a beating for that Koi rod!" Ranma grin turned evil, "You're lucky I'm injured."

The caller swallowed, "Hehe, let bygones be bygones?"

"Heh, whatever." Ranma turned towards Kikori, "Heal me will ya."

"You're still too weak, I might-"

"Heal me, I'm strong enough." Ranma grunted.

"If you say so." Kikori took her pendent and took in a deep breath, "Goddess of Healing let your power flow through my unworthy hands. Heal the wounded with your light, lend me your power."

Soft blue light glowed from the pendent at the same time the as the same light glowed around the wounds Ranma took. Ranma grimaced in pain as the cuts and other injuries all over his body slowly healed.

"Am I healing too fast Ranma?" Kikori said nervously.

"Naw, I'm fine." Ranma said, gritting his teeth.

Mousse winced in sympathy while Ryouga watched in fascination as the amount of wounds Ranma scored, "Man, you need to take it easy Ranma, you have like two holes in you."

Ranma growled and glared at Ryouga just as the glow slowly died off, "If I wasn't feeling so tired right now, I'd be beating you down the old fashion way."

"Ok, Ranma needs his rest," Kikori shooed away Mousse and Ryouga, "We can discuss what we're going to do tomorrow, or at least later today."

Ranma closed his eyes, "Thanks Kikori."

"Sweet dreams… brother…." Kikori whispered beside Ranma's ear before leaving the room.

The four mages from the mage tower stared at each other from across a rectangular table with plates of food on it. Kikori and Ranma on one side, Ryouga and Mousse the other, "We're staying here."

"It'll be too much of a hassle, it's better to leave now before you get even more involved." Mousse said, "Musk battles are nothing you've ever seen, even some of the Amazon veterans don't like fighting a full out battle with the Musk."

"We're already too involved." Ranma countered, "Plus, I don't like leaving something I started to do hanging."

"And if you keep on fighting, it'll be YOU that will be hanging, by your neck." Ryouga snorted, "You were STABBED in the stomach by a god damn spear!"

Kikori glared at Ryouga, "That's only because we were overly outnumbered; and please don't swear like that."

"Sorry." Ryouga muttered.

Ranma stood up from the table and lifted his empty plate from it, "Look, Herb is going to need all the help he can get, I'm going to help him no matter what. Besides, those guys tried to assassinate me and Kikori while we were sleeping, can't let them get away with that."

Mousse rolled his eyes, "Oh, nice argument, they tried to kill you so you're going to kill them?"

The pigtailed mage ignored the Amazon, "Look I'll go talk to Herb about this, if he doesn't accept our help, then we'll leave."

Kikori dropped her spoon on the plate in front of her, only half eaten, "I'll go with you Ranma."

The two remaining mages looked around the empty room, "We might as well go keep an eye on those two." Ryouga said finishing his food.

"Yeah."

"The four mages from the Mage tower here to see you, your majesty."

Herb nodded and signaled to the guard to let the four mages in, "You look pale Saotome."

Ranma nodded weakly, "I'll be fine after a good night's sleep and a good meal. Getting healed usually leaves me weaker than I was."

The dragon prince nodded, "Well, the two mages that just came are here to bring you and your partner back. I thank you for your help in retrieving my sigil flag."

Ranma bowed his head, "It's no problem Prince Herb, just doing what we wanted to do, but I think we'll be staying to help you with your up coming battle."

Herb frowned, "In your state, you'll be more of a liability than of help."

"I'm only suffering from lack of energy and magical strain," Ranma said waving his hand dismissively, "Like I said, I'll be fine after a good night of sleep."

"Still, I would ask you to leave our battle to ourselves; you are letting yourself get drawn into our problems." Herb argued, "Please leave."

Kikori clenched her fist, "We'll help you whether you like it or not, if you send us back now, we'll just come back when you're not looking. You're going to get our help even if you don't plan for it, wouldn't it be better to have us in your plan than have us as a uncontrollable factor?"

Herb stared at the priestess intently, "This isn't about what you're suppose to do, this is just a battle between me and my brother for power, nothing as righteous as saving the world from darkness, just a power struggle."

The priestess's whole body starts to shake, "This isn't about what is right or wrong; this is about me not letting my parents death be in vain. My parents told me before they left for their last mission that they are going to fight so that there won't be orphans like them. So that there won't be children out there crying for their parents." Ranma frowned and placed his arm around Kikori's shoulders, "Is this what you want for you people Herb? Are you so prideful that you would let your people suffer because you didn't accept help from us? This battle you're going to fight, if you lose, your people will turn into what my parents fought against. I won't let something like that happen! I'm here not to fight for what's right or wrong, I'm going to help you fight because that's what my parents did, because I want to honor my parents."

Kikori turned and stormed out of the room with tears streaming down her eyes closely followed by Ranma. Ryouga and Mousse stared, puzzled at the priestess' reaction, "I've never seen her so worked up."

Mousse nodded, "Everyone of us have something like that."

Herb shook his head in resignation, "Seems like we'll be getting help for the four of you even if we don't want it."

Ryouga grinned, "Oh I think you'll like the help we're going to give you."

"I hate it when things get out of control like this." Herb growled and stood up, "I must excuse myself; I need to clear my head."

Herb almost bumped into a man wearing a gold cloak, "Prophet, I didn't see you."

"I told you not to underestimate the mages from afar." The Prophet said with a small smile on his lips.

Herb frowned, "I never did underestimate them; I just don't want them involved in the battle."

"But you did Prince Herb." The Prophet said, his smile growing, "You underestimated their tenacity and their drive to fight for what they believe is right."

The dragon prince blinked, "I see."

"They still hold the key to victory," The Prophet said, walking away from the Prince, "It all comes down to a decision that you have no influence over. The time for you to decide the fall or elevation of the Musk is yet to come, and it will only come if you win the next battle."

Herb sighed and massaged his temple, "After all this time, that man is still the only person that dares to turn his back on me."

"Kikori…"

"Ranma…"

The two mages sat on the outskirt of the small town staring down the road that leads to the Musk Citadel, "Kikori, don't do anything stupid."

"You're the one that does stupid things Ranma," Kikori joked.

"Just remember you're a Priestess of Healing." Ranma whispered, "I know what you're thinking right now; believe in what you're going to fight for, not what you need to fight for."

"Thank you for coming with me Ranma."

"I can't let anything happen to you. I won't."

Silence once again took hold of the two as they stared down the path.

"Seems like your right Saotome," Herb said with a smirk, "I just can't believe you manage to out eat Lime. I believe he is going to challenge you again on an eating contest after this."

Ranma sweatdropped, "Umm, I hope not, 'cause if I can eat that much, that means I got hurt pretty bad."

"Nevertheless, get ready, Spice will be expecting us." Herb said before turning towards his army, "We are not fighting for glory of victory today. Sadly, we will be fighting our own brothers in a war for power. But we still need to win, to win so that my crazed brother will not destroy our people from within. This is a fight for survival, a fight to protect our way of life and peace that we have achieved because of our fore-fathers. So do not hold back when you see our brothers on the other side of the battle field."

The soldiers stared solemnly at the Musk prince, resolves in the fight solidified. Everyone tightened their hold on their weapons in anticipation of the battle.

"FOR THE PEOPLE OF MUSK!" Herb roared, raising his own sword in the air.

"FOR THE PEOPLE!"

The four mages from Japan nodded, "Well, at least his speeches are more motivating than the ones Landal gives us."

Kikori stared at Ranma, "Landal gave you a speech?"

"Yeah, it was back when we had our first few missions." Ranma said with a shrug, "It was something like, 'Remember, if things get steamy with that girlfriend of yours, wear protection.'"

Kikori blushed, "What is he thinking."

Ranma sighed, "I just can't believe he told me that, I mean we were just, what, thirteen at the time?"

Ryouga held back a chuckle, "Isn't it great having a mentor like that?"

Mousse nodded, "Now if Elder Cologne will say that to me."

The three Japanese mages stared at the Chinese one, "In your dreams maybe."

Herb joined the four mages after directing his men to organize for the march towards the Musk city, "I have a request to make of the four of you."

Ranma looked up and gave a nod.

"Spice will still have at least two groups of trackers, I want the four of you, along with Lime and Mint, to handle them." Herb said.

"Didn't I kill them already?" Ranma said with a frown.

"You didn't expect Spice to have only one group of trackers did you?" Herb gave Ranma an incredulous stare, "Even I have five different pairs of retainers which I chose from my followers."

"You mean you have other retainers other than Lime and Mint?" Kikori blinked in surprise, "Why don't you keep the others with you then?"

Herb sighed, "If I leave those two alone for even a day, I don't want to know what will happen to my reputation."

Ranma and Kikori laughed uncertainly, "They are not that bad."

"Ooo… breasts!"

"Don't forget the night stand!"

Sweat drops appeared on everyone that heard Herb's two retainers usual breast obsession once again surface, "Thank the god of all that is holy my troops know of Lime and Mint's obsession."

"Yeah…" Ranma muttered and watched the two follow a particularly attractive villager walking from the well outside the village back in.

"MINT! LIME! Quit FOLLOWING every SINGLE girl in the whole VILLAGE!"

Well, this will be the last update for the year from me. Unless I decide to make write one during my finals, which is highly doubtful 'cause it's killing me so I doubt I'd be doing that.

No action this chapter, just some odd character development and stuff like that. I wasn't in the mood to write any action and this fits into the story. This act should be over in two more chapters and act two should be starting around February or March, if I decide to write during my break -,-.

Just one more final personal note, I'd like to thank my pre-readers, (and a new one too Mmm new stuff ) and I'd like to express my surprise for some guy using my magic system in his fic in a very civilized way… GRRRR MINE!!! MIIINEEEE!!!

Just joking but seriously, next time, at least just ask me before doing that -,- it's not like I'd bite your head off…

Well, that's it for me, heres your Omake of the Chatper

OmakeA very wrong endingOmake

"…never dragged you into this."

Ranma tried to move. Everything around him seemed to move sluggishly and blur slightly every time he moves. Looking down, he saw Kikori lying on top of him, totally exhausted. Clanking of armor surrounded him, flashes of light all around him as he looked up.

"No…" Ranma mouthed, but no sound came out, the spears over him came down, descending on the two. Slowly, blurry, all of the spears seemed like solid brown bars coming down on the two.

I can't die, I won't die. Can't let her die, need to...

Ranma watched again as the spears slowly dropped towards him.

Need to breathe… I knew I shoulda told Kikori to go on that diet…

The End…

OmakeEndOmake

I told you it was very wrong

Hmm, one final note... do any one of you like the new edit thing? Personally, I really don't like it... makes me edit so much more than nessasary... and whats with the line breaks... they never work likeI want it to. But enough of me whining... Comments? Flames? Hate mails? Suggestions for me to go back to elementary school? Or you just want to donate alot of money for a poor college student? Click that nifty button just down there or send me a e-mail