See Prologue for disclaimer
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Chapter Three: Of Kidnapping and Blood
Mid Afternoon Nerima streets:
The non-descriptive van trailed slowly behind a short black haired teen. The passengers in the back monitored readings that their sensors could pick up from the distance they maintained.
The lead scientist, Dr. Shizuoka, looked up from the numbers that were scrolling down the van's internal computer systems. "Now would be the best time. The mid-day sun will make the subject less alert."
Grim faced, Major Yamada turned to his men "Alright, everyone this is a simple removal operation." He gave the sharpshooter a stern look, "make sure to get her in one shot or we'll be forced to take drastic measures. I don't completely trust that the daytime hours will diminish the objectives physical prowess. So stay on guard."
The four men looked at each other nervously but with determination they all nodded that they understood. The vehicle slowed letting them out to follow their target on foot.
Dr Shizuoka watched on the monitors feeling an anticipation, that all she'd worked so hard for would finally see some results.
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A Block from the cemetery:
Akane unconsciously shifted her hat with a free hand to get more protection from the sunlight, as its rays were uncomfortable in the late summer afternoon. In the other, she held wild flowers that she had bought from a strange looking old woman. She thought her mother's headstone would look more cheerful with the touch of color from the flowers.
Her mind drifted back to earlier that morning. The trip to Doctor Tofu had started out good; they had both been looking at each other, though trying to make it look like they weren't. They had talked a little about school and agreed that when they were done at the park they'd get back to Ranma's homework. Everything had been going great, but that was when things usually started to go down hill. Today had been no different.
Akane had spotted Ukyo first, and it was clear that the okonomiyaki chef had an agenda. In her hands had been some take-out. There was little doubt that the contents were intended to go to a certain pig-tailed martial artist. The black-haired girl frowned, though she said nothing about the girl's obvious ploys to win Ranma. They had begun a conversation that wasn't so bad, for she liked Ukyo if not her methods; but just as Ranma would have been able to extricate himself, Shampoo the Chinese bimbo had slammed into the pig-tailed young man with her bicycle. She, also, had take-out Ramen for him. Before a fight could start a horrendous laugh sent shudders down everyone's spines as Kodachi ribbon in one hand and a container in the other, jumped down from a rooftop. That was when the fight broke out between the three who had brought food for him. It just escalated from there. Kuno, Mousse, and even Ryoga showed up, laying into the poor young man. Akane had looked at her watch, not wanting to be late. She told Ranma that she was going ahead. He promised that he'd be there in a little while.
After the physical, Akane had ended up waiting around for an extra half-hour.
"He's probably off somewhere with one of his other iinazuke," Akane grumbled stifling a yawn as she shook her head to get some sleepiness out. "He promised to go to the graveyard with me." She silently fumed as the cemetery came into sight. There had also been the sort-of-date in the park afterwards; he probably forgot that to, though he had been the one to invite her there. "Baka."
A prickly feeling began to trail along her spine, making Akane wary. She turned quickly to look over her shoulder. A sharp burst of pain was radiating from her upper arm. She grabbed at the area to stave off the pain but met with an obstruction; she pulled the dart out gazing at it numbly. Her vision was wavering and it was hard to stand; she pitched forward as strong arms lifted her off her feet.
"Le... Aana," She tried to yell at the pervert to let go of her, but only a moan escaped her throat.
She opened her eyes wide for a brief minute, trying to fight off the lethargy. Standing before her were half-dozen men dressed in everyday black business attire, and just past them in a white van was a woman dressed in an equally white lab coat. This bizarre sight was the last she saw before blacking out completely.
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At the Ono clinic:
Ranma hurried over rooftops to the Ono clinic hoping to catch Akane before she left. 'She's goin' ta be so mad.'
'Man, I'm tired of all this. When are they goin' ta get a clue.'? He thought as he lightly jumped down in front of the walk that led into the Doctor's office.
"Well, hello, Ranma," greeted the bespectacled young Doctor.
"Yo, Doc, is Akane still here?" The pigtailed martial artist's tone was hopeful.
"Ah... No. She left about half an hour ago," he hesitated before answering.
"Great. I just know she's goin' ta kill me now," the young man grumbled.
"Um... Seeing as you're here, her test arrived five minutes before you did." The chiropractor's normal serene face was creased in worry.
"Hey, Akane's okay right?" The doctor's expression was making the martial artist's blood run cold.
"No. It's just been confirmed that she has a rare blood antigen. This is the same thing that killed her mother," he quietly informed Ranma as he wearily rubbed at the bridge of his nose.
"There must be some kinda mistake," cried Ranma. 'Or a really sick joke on the Doc's part,' thought the young martial artist. Looking at Dr. Tofu, he could tell from his expression that he was completely serious.
"No, Ranma. It's not. Really, I shouldn't have told you but for the fact that you are Akane's iinazuke. Technically her father should have been the one to be told, but we both know what kind of reaction that would have produced." Dr. Tofu's voice was filled with sadness, but as always, professional. It was such a rare disease that he never thought he would see it again after Mrs. Tendo; however now he'd seen it not only once, but three times. This was going to effect the whole Tendo household severely; he just hoped that they could handle it.
"C'mon, Doc? 'Kane is strong as an ox. She can't be sick," the pigtailed martial artist was trying to fight back the urge to punch something, especially the messenger.
"I'm sorry, but Akane has had this disease since she was born. The Belladonna blood type is very rare and very little solid research has been done on it. All that is known is that those who have it, have a life expectancy between the ages of twenty-five and thirty, and no cure has been found." Now came the time he was also dreading, "Ranma, the other reason I detained you is that while doing some test on your blood, after your injures from the wedding, an anomaly was found by the lab. Just as hard as it was to tell you about Akane... I'm compelled to tell you that you and Akane... both share the same disease." The quiet in the clinic was deafening.
"No, you're wrong. You're wrong about 'Kane and you're most definitely wrong about me. We're fine there's nothin' the matter. The tests are screwed up." Angry terror burst forth from Ranma. "I'm leavin'! This's just another of Pop's and Mr. Tendo's tricks ta get me and Akane ta get married!" The words trailed off as the martial artist left the clinic.
"Well that could have gone better. Maybe, I should have waited and told Akane instead." Tofu let out a soft sigh.
Ranma raced over the rooftops heading away from the clinic. 'It's not true. We're both fine. There ain't no way, after all we been through, that we're dyin' or even remotely sick.'
Figures in black stealthily stalked the teen as he randomly traversed buildings with the easy that belied the true skill it took for such feats. The young man was so preoccupied that he was unaware of the fact that he was being followed.
The pigtailed martial artist sensed danger just as the team of six descended on him.
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Rooftops of Nermia:
A pair of binoculars followed the pigtailed young man as he made his way across the Ward. Captain Koizuri was still amazed at the skill the young man displayed even knowing that he was a martial artist. The military man felt that it had to be some factor of the individuals genetics make up.
Shaking himself from his own musing, he gave the signal to follow and apprehend the black haired teen.
As the sharpshooter scoped the target and shot, the young man, as if sensing the incoming threat, moved just enough that the special tranq dart whizzed past his face.
The other five men moved in, their tranq guns up, one shooting after another.
Surprised and confused though he was, Ranma went on the defensive moving easily, avoiding being hit by the darts. Taking the fight to the gun wielding adversaries, "Hey... What's with ya guys?" he questioned as he leg swept one masked man, and with a punch to the head, which momentarily fazed (disoriented) him.
The dark dressed men said nothing as they gave up their weapons, going for their own specialized forms of the Art. They circled the youth gauging how best to attack what now appeared to be a very skilled opponent.
The sharpshooter took aim again as the teenager's attention was drawn towards the others of his group. Carefully this time he found the targeted area and fired. The tranquilizer flew past, close to the Captain of the unit, and hit the bulls-eye.
Ranma felt a prick of pain, but ignored it as it was of no consequence; he charged two others of the group. Leaping over them the pigtailed martial artist used the Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken to press certain points on the men, making the militarily trained individuals drop into unconsciousness.
Captain Koizuri seeing that, even though their objective had been hit by the tranquilizer dart, the young man had yet to succumb to its chemical sleep inducing agent. Quickly decided that another was in order and motioned to his gunman to fire again.
The marksmen following his superior's orders sighted the pigtailed boy again; making sure that he wouldn't miss, he waited for a clear shot. His comrades were creating a distraction so that he would be able to hit the target without said target dodging like the all of the previous shots taken. Seeing his chance the man took the shot and seconds later the dart hit its mark in the back of the young man's upper thigh.
Ranma grimaced with pain and annoyance; he didn't know what these guys wanted but they were in for it. Today wasn't a good day to challenge Ranma Saotome. "You guys aren't that bad. But what's with tryin' ta make me inta a pin cushion?" His words were slightly slurred as the drugs began to take effect.
Though unsettled by the fact that the teenager was still able to function with enough tranquilizers to drop two large men, the assailants didn't back down. They moved forward hoping that the more active he was the quicker the drug would knock him out before some else got hurt. Their orders were to take him in alive, after all.
The pigtailed martial artist fought not only his opponents but also the desire to surrender to the blackness of unconsciousness. Uneasily he began to make mistakes, taking hits that he would have laughed off and dodged ordinarily. Another feeling of apprehension all-together gripped him, one he always associated with when his iinazuke was in trouble. Narrowing his eyes at the men before him, he charged up his ki readying a finale attack in order to get away and make sure that Akane was all right.
For the first time, at that moment the Unit's leader knew fear and with that he ordered, those men still wake, to draw back simultaneously giving his distance gunman the signal to fire again. His men scrambled quickly taking their fallen comrades along.
Their attempt to retreat went unnoticed by Ranma as he gathered ki in between his hands. "Moko Takabisha !" He yelled as he let the ball of energy blast towards the men that had attacked him for no apparent reason.
The discharge slammed into the group sending them flying. The only one not effected shot out two rounds from his gun in retaliation. The darts hit the young man in the chest.
Ranma looked down dazed. He collapsed to his knees, his eyes rolling back into his head as his consciousness faded away. His limp body fell to the cement rooftop.
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Tendo Dojo later that day:
The happy sounds of eldest Tendo daughter came from the kitchen. Kasumi bustled away preparing supper, she hoped that her sister and Ranma had had a good time. She knew that they were going for a walk in the park after Akane's appointment was done. She assumed that they had gone out for lunch since that hadn't returned at noontime. She smiled; pleased that the two seemed to be getting along better after everything they had been through.
She peaked out the curtain of the dining/living room area to the sight of her father in his normal brown gi sitting across from the panda form of his best friend Genma Saotome. Sighing she hoped that they wouldn't continue to hound their children, making what little progress that had happened go down the drain. Smiling though she felt that they meant well. She went back to the stove lest the food begin to burn.
The endless game of Shoji was only a ruse for the fathers to be able to devise a new plan to get their children together. "So, Saotome, what do you think it should be this time. A fight, threat to the school, or perhaps the Master would be willing to try and teach Ranma again?"
The panda held up a sign, Tendo, I think another fight would do the trick.
"Yes, Yes the simple plans are the best." The mustached man smiled and returned his attention to the board. "Saotome, did you move any of my pieces?"
The panda opened his eyes to look as innocent as an animal could. Tendo, I'd never.
Upstairs the middle Tendo sibling was enjoying the respite from the chaos that had been periodic for those that lived at the Tendo Dojo. She sifted through the university letters that had come in the mail for the different parts of the university. One was for a dorm room assignment; another was an answer to a letter she had sent for information on any advanced academic courses. The rest were for the scholarship that she had gotten from the school.
Frowning she looked over the figures and knew that even with the scholarship she was going to have to work hard to get enough money to make it past the first year. 'I would have had more if it weren't for all those crazy people. Well that wedding also put me back.' Her own sisters wouldn't let her keep the money that the guests had given. Most of the damage to the dojo, at least came from the people who had busted up the place, but not all... her father insisted that she also spring for some of the bill since she was the one to invite them to begin with. It had been one of the brief times that her father had developed a backbone since their mother's death.
A soft knock at the door startled her out of her depression concerning the finances of her university. "Nabiki, its time for supper." The tall brunette looked into the room, taking in the long face of her sister. She knew what was worrying her but wasn't going remark on it this time. Some things she knew, Nabiki had to work out on her own; this was one of them.
"Thanks Kasumi," the young woman organized her papers putting them away before following her sister out. She was surprised at how quiet it still was. "Um... Kasumi, are Ranma and Akane back?"
"Oh, no they haven't returned yet." Kasumi beamed happily thinking again that they must be having a lot fun on their date.
The bell rang before Nabiki could question her sister further. The elder woman moved off to the door. She smiled warmly when she opened it. There, standing on the other side, was Dr. Tofu.
"Um... Kaaa...suu...mmii. What a pleasant surprise to see you here." The young physician's glasses began to fog at the sight of his heart's desire. He turned slightly so he could only see her out of his periphery. "I need to talk to your father if he's in." Those words came out more calm than he'd ever been around the young woman, (even when almost facing the opposite direction).
Giggling, Kasumi watched the Doctor finally gain control over himself long enough to realize way he was there to begin with. At the mention of her father her normally contented domineer gave way to worry. "Of course." She led the way into the dining room.
There, waiting for Kasumi to come back, so they could begin their meal sat Soun Tendo his friend, Genma Saotome, and the middle daughter. The two empty spaces near the Saotome patriarch were what disturbed the young doctor.
"Mr. Tendo." Bowing to those present the doctor tried to assess the mood of the group.
"Why, Doctor Tofu, what brings you to us at this time of day?" Soun was anxious, given that his youngest daughter had gone to see him that day.
"It's a medical visit. I preferred to come directly to you. I had hoped that Ranma and Akane would be here." The younger man spoke in a professional manner.
Everyone there became tense, as this was very unusual for the doctor, who even in the direst circumstances would quickly become a puddle of nerves around the eldest Tendo daughter. But there he was not even acknowledging that she sat across from him.
"Doctor is there any reason that you can't talk with the rest of us here?" Kasumi queried, concern evident on her expressive face.
Holding their breath, the four waited while the young man gave his answer. "I think it would probably be best if everyone heard the news together."
"Does that mean we have to wait for Ranma and Akane?" Nabiki asked, her face showing none of the same distress that the rest were displaying.
Tofu thought briefly and shook his head, "No, I don't think that will be necessary. I've already told Ranma, and I'm sure that he has told Akane."
Everyone shifted uncomfortably as they looked expectantly at the doctor. Finally he surveyed the group knowing that no time would be the right time for this. He began to talk, "As you know Akane had an appointment with me today. Just as a precaution I drew some of her blood and had it sent to the lab. Her aura was very off and I hoped that this would help in finding the cause of it." He paused and was surprised when no one interrupted. "The results came back and I'm sorry to say that she's afflicted with the same disease as Mrs. Tendo had been."
The quiet in the room was thick, then a small sob could be heard coming from the elder girl. Nabiki was too shocked to do or say anything. Their father was oddly silent, the large paw of the panda giving what comfort he could.
"I know that this is a shock, but there is more that I need to say." Looking directly at Genma he cleared his throat, hoping that the father wouldn't get too emotional over this. "Mr. Saotome, I know that finding out about your son's iinazuke's illness is distressing but there is more. Unlike Akane's circumstances, I didn't have the lab rush the result of the blood that I had taken from Ranma after the wedding. It is unfortunate, but they both came in today. I was very shocked to find that Ranma had the same... He has the same disease as Akane."
The sobbing grew louder from the young woman who was now being held by Nabiki. The Tendo patriarch seemed to have shut down for he just sat staring out on to the backyard were koi jumped periodically.
"What am I going to tell Nodoka?" After pouring hot water over himself, the older bald-headed man said. He was unable to console his friend, for he was in a crisis of his own. His son, the best martial artist of his time, was dying. He knew that there wasn't a cure for what they had. He had been well informed by Soun about the effects that the disease had. The boy would have about ten to fifteen years ahead of him at the most. He steeled himself with the thought that they could still have children and they could be raised in the art. It would be longer for retirement but the art must continue. These thoughts he kept to himself for now.
In all it was a somber group that invited the doctor to stay and eat. They agreed that it was most likely that the two wouldn't be back that night.
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Ucchan's closing time:
Konatsu began cleaning up after he turned the closed sign when the last customer left. He heard a low groan come from the young chef. She'd had a rough day after her return from running her errand. From the looks of her when she got back, it must have been a harsh battle.
Ukyo moved stiffly for she was bruised and sore from the confrontation with the others that were pursuing her Ranchan. The battle had only stopped when they all realized that the object of the fight wasn't there.
The brunette frowned as she prepared for the next day's business. She thought over the encounter. She had been surprised that Akane had been strangely quiet and non-confrontational. The black haired girl hadn't hit Ranma once and they appeared to still be getting along. It was strange that Akane hadn't gotten involved in the melee that followed. She had merely reminded the pigtailed martial artist of an appointment and took off.
As the last of the day's duties were finished, Ukyo sighed. She knew that she would have to make up for today's activities but she would put it off for a few days, letting the memory ease away to be forgotten. For now she was going have a long bath.
"Good job today, Konatsu. If you keep this up I'll have to give you a raise." She smiled as she turned off the restaurant's lights.
"That is unnecessary, Ukyo-sama," the ninja demurred prettily.
Ukyo shrugged, not wanting an argument over the young man's work. She did give him a wage... room and board as well. It was probably not as much as he could get at some of the local kaorake bars, but they had both benefited from the arrangement.
"Well, night," she headed up the stairs hoping that the next day would be better.
"Sleep well, Ukyo-sama." The kimono clad boy gazed after his boss in unabashed worship.
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Nekohaten After Hours:
Depressed Shampoo went about her duties she wiped down the tables and overturned the chairs onto them. What had she done to make her Airen so mad that he would yell at her? Didn't she make him wonderful food, and hadn't she saved him from marrying that violent, unskilled tomboy? Her brain puzzled over and over all the things that she had done and said and still she could not figure out what had gone wrong.
"Great-granddaughter," the voice of her great-grandmother broke into the purple haired girl's reverie. She blinked as the elderly woman came into view the elderly woman seemed to have aged even more in the last few months. Shampoo was surprised that she hadn't noticed it before.
"Great-grandmother," the purple haired young woman tried to keep the worry from her voice as an Amazon would not give away such show of emotion to a leader of the village.
"Child, I have come to a decision," her normally jovial voice sounded aged and worn.
"What would that be about?" Shampoo unconsciously shifted with dread thinking that she wasn't going to like what the matriarch was going to say.
"Ranma Saotome. It is long past time that even I, one of the elders of Joketsuzoku tribe, must concede that the boy has made his choice." Cologne sighed as she waited for the denials that she knew would come from her only living relative.
Shampoo stood there stunned, 'she had said it.' The young Amazon quickly recovered her, back straight, chin held high. "Great-grandmother, is it not the Amazon way to destroy those who do not join the tribe."
Cologne was startled but nodded, impressed at the control with which the young woman was displaying, when she answered, "Under normal circumstances that would be expected. These are not normal though, the elders in the village have contacted me about the incident at Mount Phoenix; they related in much detail that a good portion of the mountain was blown way. Which they then pieced together with what little you related to me about your time there. They were most adamant that if the boy did not wish to return that he not be forced to do so. This includes all the regular Amazon tricks of coercion."
The purple haired young woman hanged her head as she recalled that she had not confided a lot to her great-grandmother about the trip to Mount Phoenix. It was for this reason that she had been afraid that such information would turn the Council against her continued mission to take her Airen back to the tribe. "Great-grandmother there must be some way?"
"You may ask him one last time to return as your husband. If he refuses then we are to honor his decision. However you may feel about young Saotome, I feel that he has already made his mind up about the matter, even if only unconsciously." The forlorn expression on the old wrinkled face showed the haggardness, like she was feeling all of her supposed 300 years.
The white haired old woman lamented as she watched her great-granddaughter struggle with the fact that she was once again defeated. "It's my fault that this situation has gone on as long as it has. I should have called an end to it when he used the Neko-ken to defeat me. But I was arrogant in thinking that he would tire of the Tendo girl."
With tears that threatened to spill, the young Chinese Amazon Warrior fled up to her room, not wanting to believe that it was over. She had lost, not only twice but three times now. The first two were understandable: those had been against Ranma, but this was to a girl that wasn't even an Amazon... and over a man at that. She may not have loved him at first, it had been that Amazon law, but as time went by she had fallen for him, as most girls seemed to. So it was heart-wrenching to know that her great-grandmother had known that she was fighting a losing battle.
The white haired elder stood contemplating the space that had only recently been filled with a proud young Amazon. She closed her eyes knowing that she had deeply hurt her only family. It had to be done. Hearing a shuffling behind her, she turned quickly to see the long black haired Amazon male that had been chasing after her great-granddaughter for as long as she could remember.
"Is what I heard true, Granny? My Shampoo is finally free from Saotome?" Mousse was for once facing in the right direct, looking straight at the elder.
"It is true. A little advice, which you will only get this once: You would have better luck if you became her friend first and ceased chasing her spouting how you feel about her. Now get back to work. This dining room won't clean itself," the old woman pogo'd out.
The young man stood stunned that the old mummy had just given him advice to a way of winning his loves affection. A grin plastered to his face, Mousse finished Shampoo's duties in the dining room before heading to his room.
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Kuno's Mansion:
Sasuke took care of his employers, going back and forth between their bedrooms. He had known that their antics of the day would end up with him having to tend to the siblings' multiple wounds and bruises. It was unfortunate that he also was forced to listen to their endless bashing of each other's supposed loves.
The purple-attired man slowly made his way though the house carrying two crystal glasses of water and tiny dishes of aspirin on a silver-serving tray. He reached the first room where he knocked hesitantly. He waited for the signal that would allow him admittance into the abode of the mistress of the house.
"Come," muffled by the door, the weary pathetic female voice answered.
Quickly the ninja went into the room before the black haired young woman could call him on not getting her medicine in a timely manner. The large room held large and small photos of the pigtailed martial artist of his mistress' obsession.
"Here is your medicine, Mistress." He offered the heavy tray.
The sharp-eyed gymnast scanned the contents before selecting the closest glass and dish. "These will have to do. I suppose the rest is for brother dearest?"
"Yes, it is, Mistress," the short man shifted from foot to foot hoping that she wasn't about to start another tirade on the last battle over the Saotome boy.
Narrowing her eyes, she caught the motion, "And way are you so impatient?"
Sasuke flushed and stammered, "Mistress Kodachi, it's just that it's getting late and I was hoping to get to bed early tonight." He cringed, wistfully thinking that it was unlikely that he was going to get his wish.
The black haired beauty was about to rail at the short servant when she noticed that he did appear to be a bit frayed about the edges. In an unusual calm and generous manner she looked the other way, with practice ease she placed the crystal glass back on the tray. "Well get on with it then; I have no need of your serves for tonight."
Cautiously he straightened, "Why thank you, Mistress."
Before he could escape the room however... "I'll just be wanting breakfast in bed tomorrow."
Sighing he nodded and called back, "Yes, of course, Mistress Kodachi."
When the door closed and he knew that she could not possibly hear, "Just when I thought I was going to get a break," he grumbled as he made his way to the young Master's room.
The same as before he gave a hesitant knock, then waited for permission to enter.
"Enter," the commanding voice of the young kendoist resounded quite loudly from the bedchamber. Sasuke quickly made to go in, not wanting to appear slow, fulfilling the demands of master of the house.
In this bedroom the walls were covered with all size photos of two young women, one a dark haired beauty with the most expressive brown eyes and the other a red haired girl with a pigtail and the most amazing pair of blue eyes. Both were in varies forms of dress and undress. All had been taken by the business savvy Nabiki Tendo.
"Sasuke, my good man, you're finally here with my medication. It appears that you went to my twisted sister's beudoir first." Kuno's voice was resigned to the fact that he was last in the servant's consideration.
"Master, you know how upset Mistress Kodachi can get if I appear to be dawdling. I thought in best to give her medicine first." Out of the two siblings, Sasuke preferred the young master, for even though he made him do things that ended with Sasuke in a lot of pain. It also tested him on his skills more then the young lady of the house's demands.
Sighing, the black haired teen took his pills and crystal glass of water, which he downed with one swallow, not wanting to taste the vile after-taste. Handing back the empty glass, he observed the ninja in his still frayed clothing. "You are right of course; Well, Sasuke, I believe I will not be needing your services for the rest of tonight."
The purple dressed man bowed as he moved to leave. "One moment, Sasuke." The quiet voice of the young man barely traveled across the room.
"Yes, Master Kuno?" the loyal ninja said as he turned around.
"I pose a question and I would have an honest answer." The look on the young man's face was oddly composed and appeared not to have its normally crazed expression.
He looked at his master oddly but nodded, not willing as yet to say anything.
Kuno nodded as well and contemplated what he was about to ask. He knew that he had been acting very unlike himself for the past few years: first with issuing that daily trial for the hand of the youngest Tendo. Then going after her and the red haired goddess unable to decide between the two. But he was starting realize what everyone else already knew. That both of his loves despised... no loathed him. He had to confirm it still with the one person he trusted above all others. "Have I been fighting a losing battle over the fierce Akane Tendo and the spritely pigtailed girl?"
The little ninja was dumbstruck at the lucid moment that had taken over the young master. "It's an honest answer you want?"
The black haired teen nodded vehemently.
Looking him straight in the eye the ninja answered, "Yes, it is a losing battle. The Miss Tendo is very obviously in love with the young mister Saotome. And, sir, I really must inform you that the pigtailed girl is really the young mister Saotome. So, I believe that being the case, he would not return your affections."
Kuno blinked once, then twice, "How would that be possible?"
Closing his eyes, gathering the courage to relate the rest and hoping that the medications had taken effect, he returned his gaze back to the dark blue one of his master. "From what I have overheard and have witnessed, the young man has a water-based curse that he had acquired in China, before arriving in Japan."
Images and words drifted through the kendoist's head. He gave an absent-minded dismissal of the short ninja. He was too caught up in his own musing to notice if the man had left or not.
Sasuke sighed in relief as he left his bemused master to himself. He hoped that such revelations would not send his employer off the deep end. He shook such gloomy thoughts off, now that he was able to have a few hours to himself before retiring for the night. Though he wondered briefly about what the following day would bring, he decided it let the next day come when it would come. There was never a dull day in Nerima.
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Nermia Park
Resting on a park bench, Ryoga sighed as he watched children playing with their parents or siblings in the waning sunshine. They began to filter out, until he alone remained.
The day had ended as it had started for the lost boy: alone... in a grassy area. He supposed he should make camp; nobody would drive him out of the park at least. The Nerima police left the local martial artists alone not wanting to get caught up in their escapades.
"Oh, Akane, if only things could be different," the lost boy's wistful words seemed to resound in the supposedly unoccupied park.
An unseen observer watched the troubled young man from a distance. The shadowy individual concluded that the teen wouldn't cause any damage or harm to the surrounding area so with a brief look and smile the figure made its way down the street towards the Tendo Dojo.
The lost boy continued with his normal ritual of getting ready to camp under the stars. His mind, as always, wandered back to his love and the young man who had been his constant rival for the past few years. He was unaware that his life, and the lives of all those that he considered friends, were about to change drastically.
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Tendo Dojo after sunset:
A dark figure stood in the middle of the Tendo's back yard. Soft brown eyes narrowed at the fact that two individuals were missing from the living room. The small group of people that were there seemed to be in deep discussion about something.
Knowing that she'd not be able to hear outside of the domicile, she slipped in, unnoticed by the occupants. The finished meal still sat before the five people and an air of tension surround those present.
"I'm just saying that another attempt at a ceremony right now would be a bad idea. I know what Doctor Tofu has said, but there must be something that's been done about this disease. Maybe it's just slipped his notice."
The Doctor didn't take offense considering where the source of the comment came from, though he did notice how the Saotome patriarch had perked up at such a suggestion.
"Nabiki, I'm sure that Doctor Tofu has done all the research on this before he told us." Kasumi's admonishment was quiet and lacked the same amount of sincere effect it would have normally held. She still had enough outraged indignation to shoot the bald man a glare for the evident enthusiasm in his expression. He had gotten excited over the idea that it was the good doctor's inadequacies that put Ranma and Akane in this predicament.
The lurker narrowly suppressed a gasp. So it had come to pass; what she had feared had come true. One of her darling children was infected as she had been. It was obvious now why she and her iinazuke were not there.
Sakura gazed briefly at her family before drifting away from the assembled group. Utilizing her supernatural abilities she stretched her senses to find where her chosen daughter was. She was surprised that she wasn't in her room and that the young Saotome boy also wasn't present.
Somehow, she knew that they were in trouble. She was undecided as to how to handle this possible danger though. With her senses still emanating, a familiar presence made it's self known.
Hastily she left her one-time home to confront the long time friend.
"Why do you insist on coming back to this place?" inquired the tall blonde American in perfect Japanese.
"You may not remember your family, Lauren, but that doesn't mean I have to forget mine," the short brunette said with asperity.
"Yes, yes, your love for the mortal and your mortal children. That is all you've talked about since the time you became one with the night." The fair-haired man clearly didn't want to understand for his past was a mystery even to himself. His transformation had not been ordinary. But he did not dwell on it.
Sakura grimaced at the sarcasm in the man's voice. With practiced ease, she veered the topic to one that wouldn't get them into an argument. "Well not all of my children are quite mortal." Sighing she went on hoping to maybe instigate the 160 old vampire into assisting her in finding her daughter. "My youngest appears to be one of the chosen."
He quirk a light eyebrow at the information. "You wish to find her and bring her over is that it?"
She frowned, "I would only do that if her life was in danger or if she was willing to on her own. That's not why I want to find her. I think that she's in some sort of trouble."
Rolling his eyes he gave an aggravated sigh, "If it will make you feel better then let us start before the dawn comes.
She gave a heartwarming smile that'd had men melting even when she was alive. Now, with the enhanced glow of her vampiric abilities, mortal and immortal men alike would literally give their lives to see it only once. Lauren cringed to think if only one of her pretty female children had that same effect the world might just have to come to an end.
"Well if you want to find her tonight we better get going," he grumbled trying to not let her nature get the better of him.
"Right," she said brightly, knowing but not letting on. She looked back at what remained of her mortal family before racing nimbly after the man who had made her what she currently was today.
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The Vacant Lot:
The van met up with the Inu team in a lot on the way out of the Nermia ward. Of the six men, two were being carried, with one limping back. Their leader had their object over his shoulder; all looked to have been through the ringer. Comparing the two teams, Major Yamada decided that they had had very little resistance in the capture of the female, as opposed to what the second team'd had in the seizure of the male.
"Inu team, reporting that assignment has been successful," the second unit's leader stated. His men wearily scrambled into the unmarked white van. A medic began working on the two unconscious men as soon as they were placed in the vehicle.
Dr. Shizuoka promptly took over the specimen with two of her underlings, when Captain Koizuri placed his bundle next to the female. Their excited chatter was punctuated by the clatter of computer keys and other various medical equipment.
With a command, the Major set the van in motion. It left the same way it had arrived, with little fanfare. It received barely any notice from the locals as it made its way out of the ward. Only a group of men in a blue Volkswagen beetle monitored the large vehicle's retreat. The blue vehicle started after, keeping a safe distance so as not to draw attention to its self.
Night fell once more on the unsuspecting residents of the small Tokyo ward.
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Note: I introduce another character that annoying just came out when writing. It is one that is not on my list of characters from the prologue page. You'll also see a change in the number that attack Akane and Ranma. I'm trying for some realism, for the amount of kidnappers wouldn't fit in a van especially with science equipment.
For those who have reviewed, I hope you enjoy.