Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns all rights to Ranma and Co. I am just borrowing them for this little story.

So here it is another chapter, and this time it didn't take me as long! Thanks to all who have stuck with this story. I think I see a conclusion to it on the horizon!

Ranma peered out from his hiding spot to survey the scene. From the back of the warehouse there appeared to be only one guard on patrol. He glanced back over his shoulder at Ryoga who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Easy pickings."

Ranma gave a slight frown. They could only see one guard. That didn't mean there weren't others around. The longer they could hold the element of surprise the better. No need to tip off the enemy sooner than they had to.

Ranma closed his eyes and concentrated. There was a sudden shift in the air, blurring his image for a moment as he activated his curse.

"Wait here and cover me," the now flaming red head said before setting off to nail her quarry. Ryoga watched Ranma go, an evil smile pasted to his lips. It was good to see him finally utilizing his talents. He knew there would be plenty of other guards to dispatch of, not to mention dealing with the lovely Shampoo. His smile grew at the thought. He was going to take great pleasure in that.

Ranma-chan approached her target with little apprehension. She knew from experience that it didn't take much for her to disarm a man. A small smile or a feigned request for help usually had them tripping over themselves, either that or they started drooling over her like complete idiots. It never failed, nor did it cease to amaze her.

She kept up her pace, noting the shocked expression of the guard as he finally noticed her, his hand hovering over his sidearm in anticipation. Ranma-chan put on her best damsel in distress expression.

"Excuse me sir," she began when she reached him, her long eyelashes batting slightly as she feigned worry. "I was wondering if you could help me."

She noticed him relax instantly and even adopt somewhat of a smug air. She shook her head inwardly. When would these fools ever learn?

"What can I do for you, sweet thing?"

Ranma-chan tamped down on the rising bile in her throat. Instead she put on her sweetest, most disarming smile. She leaned in closer, her gaze penetrating his.

Instantly the guard was frozen to the spot, immobilized by eyes that now flashed as red as the girls scarlet mane.

"First off you're going to give me the gun," she stated simply, giving him a leery grin. Suddenly, and very much against his will, the guard found himself forced to comply with the request. He handed it over, his hands trembling, unable to tear his gaze away from hers. "Now, I suggest you turn and walk away as fast as you can. Unless you want to deal with this…."

She let the statement hang in the air as her smile grew wider, her fangs now visible in the bright moonlight. It was all the motivation the guard needed. He took off like a shot, his eyes wide with fright. Ranma-chan watched him go, noting that he never once turned to look back.

"Some things never change," she said handing the gun to Ryoga who had come up behind her. He took it, the Cheshire grin still plastered across his handsome face.

"Did you see how fast he took off?" he mused, staring off in the direction the guard had taken. He turned back when he felt the air shift as Ranma once again returned to himself.

"Forget him," he said dismissively, walking toward the back door of the warehouse. He grasped the heavy duty padlock that hung from it and in one swift motion snapped it easily in half. Tossing it casually aside he swung the door open and stepped inside. Training his senses he made his way down the long dark hallway, Ryoga following close behind.

Remember, Ranma's voice echoed off the inside of Ryoga's brain. We agreed, no killing. The last thing we need is to attract unwanted attention.

Ryoga's smile faltered a bit. Though he knew Ranma was right he still wished he wouldn't take things so seriously. Not killing didn't mean they couldn't have their fun. And Ryoga planned to have plenty.

Ryoga?

I heard you, his reply came laced with his frustration. Really Ranma, you need to lighten up.

This is serious! Ranma retorted, turning slightly to shoot Ryoga a look of disapproval. Ryoga paid no notice. He was after all used to getting this sort of look from Ranma.

Yeah, yeah, he returned easily, his gaze going past a now frustrated Ranma. He gave a slight nod of his head. Are you going to take care to this guard or am I?

Ranma snapped his gaze forward, cursing himself silently for letting Ryoga's insolence distract him. He narrowed his eyes on his quarry. The guard had yet to detect their presence, and that was just fine with Ranma. With the stealth and quickness of a cat stalking it's pray he silently pounced on the unsuspecting guard. Before he even knew what hit him he was on the ground and passed out cold.

Show off, Ryoga commented, the wide grin once again appearing on his face. Ranma caught his gaze and couldn't help but return the grin with one of his own. Much to his own surprise he found he was enjoying himself. It had been a long time since he'd put his martial arts training to good use.

The hallway finally opened up into a vast room filled with supplies from Kuno's many businesses. Ryoga had been right. Had any authorities come looking they wouldn't find anything suspicious. Of course they knew the truth.

He watched as Ryoga stopped in front of what appeared to be a built in bookshelf. He reached up, grasping a book in the top hand corner and pulled it slightly forward. There was a clicking sound as it slid open revealing a secret staircase.

He turned toward Ranma. "Like I said, it's underground."

Ranma shook his head. Not only for the fact that Kuno had such a secret room hidden, but also for how Ryoga had come to acquire knowledge of it.

They started down, their senses once again trained for any further trouble. Before they reached the end of the staircase there came a whisper of a sound, not loud enough for the human ear to hear, but for Ranma and Ryoga it was blatantly clear. They stopped, giving each other a knowing smile and a nod. Without a word they sprang, one taking the left side, the other the right, executing their moves in perfect sync and laying out another two guards.

Ryoga felt the excitement rush through him. It had been so long since he and Ranma had engaged in their childhood passion. Fighting side by side, simply letting instinct guide them. To see Ranma giving into his nature, no matter how slight gave Ryoga a perverse thrill. Now more than ever he was glad he had forced Ranma's hand, and played him into Akane's life.

Before they could press on there was a slight movement behind them.

"Hold it right there!"

They turned to find yet another guard standing a few feet away, gun drawn.

"Do you want to take this one?" Ranma asked.

Ryoga smiled. "Don't mind if I do."

In a blur of speed that no human eye could detect Ryoga was suddenly behind the guard. In one swift motion he sent the gun skidding across the floor. It came to a halt in front of Ranma, who picked it up and broke it easily in half.

Before the guard could comprehend what was happening, Ryoga had one arm locked across his shoulders, the other gripping his forehead. He tilted the man's head to one side, exposing his jugular vein.

Ryoga could feel the man's fear spike as he drew his fangs slowly, letting them graze the top of his skin. Before he could get a taste of his victim however the man suddenly went limp against him.

"I think he fainted."

Ranma shrugged. "Whatever works."

Ryoga instantly let go of the guard who slummed to the ground in an unconscious heap. He stepped easily over him, following Ranma as he once again took the lead.

As they were about to round another corner Ryoga put his hand out to stop Ranma. Slowly they peered around, noting the single guard that stood in front of the massive metal door.

Is that the lab? Ranma's voice intruded into his thoughts.

Ryoga frowned. Yeah, no sneaking up on this guard though.

Leave that to me, Ranma returned with a sly glint in his eye. Without hesitation he rounded the corner, walking straight up to the guard. The semi-automatic weapon came up instantly to greet him, the guard's eyes, hard slivers of ice, changing slowly to a stare of fear as they met Ranma's, now pulsating a soft glowing red.

"Put the gun down," he commanded, his voice low, demanding. The suggestion was obeyed instantly, the guard unable to tear his gaze from the terrifying vision before him.

Ranma gave a feral smile. The points of his teeth seeming to glow in the dull light of the hallway. "Now hand it to my friend here."

Ryoga stepped up, a feral grin pasted to his face. He leaned in closer unable to resist the urge. His features began to change, his fangs growing another inch as his eyes blazed crimson red. The guard began to shake, closing his eyes against the horrors that stood before him.

"I'll take that," Ryoga said, his voice projecting a sinister tone. He plucked the weapon from the guard's trembling hand before leaning even closer. "Nighty night." With one swift motion he tapped a single pressure point. The guard slumped over instantly into blessed oblivion.

Was that really necessary?

Ryoga frowned as Ranma's voice once again intruded into his brain. He decided to ignore it and instead turned his focus on the door and it's keypad lock. In an instant he was typing in the coded numbers needed, there was an audible beep and clicking sound as it suddenly popped open.

Ranma raised his eyebrow at this. "I take it this is another of Shampoo's voluntary insights?" Ryoga merely grinned in reply.

Slowly he pulled the door open and they stepped inside. In front of them lay yet another long corridor. They made their way to the end and peered around to find it opened into a large room. Rows of workers sat, each at different stages of synthesizing the infamous wonder drug. Behind them was some type of greenhouse filled with various plants, no doubt smuggled in from China.

Looks like Kuno is sparing no expense, Ranma said with a sudden frown. There has to be at least sixty people in there.

Think you can get all of them into the greenhouse? Ryoga's question caught Ranma off guard. He'd never tried to mesmerize that many people at once. Truth be told he wasn't sure he could do it.

The last line of Poe's infamous story suddenly popped into his head.

...And the red death held sway over all.

He frowned. Could he do it? If they were going to stop the ring, the culprits would have to be caught red handed. And what better way than locked in with their own stash? But if even one of them was resistant...

The last thing he needed was for them all to scatter. Or worse, for Ryoga to consider it free game and take matters into his own hands. It was a risk, but it was the best choice they had at the moment.

He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. When he opened them again they were tinged a bright red. He focused his concentration, honing it with pinpoint precision at the group of people before him, reaching out and touching each one of their minds.

Ryoga watched in amazement as all at once every single person suddenly stopped what they were doing, their eyes growing wide as if in frightful surprise. One by one they began gathering behind the other until they'd formed a single line.

He glanced at Ranma, noticing the thin sheen of sweat that now covered his face. His look was fierce, full of determined concentration as he continued to "push" his quarry into bending to his will.

One by one they began marching into the greenhouse, unable to stop themselves. Ryoga could see the confusion on each of their faces as they obeyed some silent compulsion they couldn't understand. Their total control suddenly taken away, leaving them helpless to do anything but obey what was commanded of them.

Ranma began to feel dizzy with the weight of it all. Even with his adeptness at mesmerism it was taking a toll on his senses, and he knew he'd have a splitting headache when all was said and done. Still he pressed on, pouring on even more focus.

He grit his teeth, his eyes now almost pulsating as he gave one final push. The last of his quarry entered and the door to the greenhouse finally clicked shut, locking instantaneously. Ranma finally let go of the breath he'd been holding in one solid rush, his eyes once again closing as he took several deep breaths, trying to compose himself.

The dizziness hit him full force, and he leaned into, then slid slowly down the wall, his head coming to rest in his hands as a deep throb began to pulse between his temples.

"You okay?" Rygoa asked out loud, knowing telepathy was out of the question at the moment.

"Just give me a minute," Ranma replied. Slowly he opened his eyes, they had once again returned to their normal color. He felt the throb diminish slightly. He was amazed that he was able to control so many minds at once. He could feel all of them struggling against the pull of his will. The sensation was like nothing he ever felt before. It left him feeling queasy and more than a little drained.

He stood up slowly and peered around into the room. He could now see the confusion on the faces of his quarry, as they began to wonder how they had all ended up locked inside the greenhouse. Let them wonder, he thought. He had bigger fish to fry.

"I don't see Shampoo," Ranma commented, casting his gaze around the room. Ryoga spotted her before Ranma did. She was in a small side office off to the right. Ryoga watched her staring in disbelief at what she had just witnessed. The confusion was evident, but he could also smell the beginning fission of fear that emanated from her. For Ryoga the sense was intoxicating. A primal urge rose up in him then, as the feral grin once again appeared on his face.

"I do," was all he said before slipping past Ranma, his sole focus now on trapping his prey. Ranma let him go, too concerned with taking Kuno down to care.

He scanned the immediate area looking for any signs of the drug lord. Surely, with the formula complete and ready to hit the streets he would want to be here to make sure everything went off smoothly, wouldn't he?

He has to be here somewhere.

No sooner were the words thought when Ranma was suddenly bombarded with an overwhelming sense of dread.

Akane...

The thought was immediate. She was in trouble, he could feel it, could feel her sudden burst of sheer panic. It was abruptly cut off as if she had been suddenly silenced.

Ranma felt his anger steadily begin to rise. His eyes flashed a brilliant red, his teeth growing into dual sharpened points. That son-of-a-bitch had her and he was going to pay. With this thought in mind he turned abruptly on his heel, letting his sense of Akane guide him to her.

When Ryoga finally caught up with Shampoo she was trying to slip out a secret side entrance. His smile only grew at the sight. This was going to be fun.

"Oh Shampoo," he called, his voice so sultry laden she had no choice but to turn towards the sound. From there she was lost. Red glowing eyes met hers, pulsing steadily as she felt herself unable to resist their pull. He could smell the fear rise off her, driving him further as he drew even closer.

A lone tear escaped down her cheek as he stood before her, his teeth bared. She felt her back pressed up against the wall as he leaned forward, his hands coming up on either side of her head, trapping her.

"I promise this won't hurt a bit," he drawled, the feral smile lighting up his crimson eyes.

She watched frozen as he descended towards her. It wasn't until she felt his teeth puncture the soft skin of her throat that her paralysis broke and she let out a blood curdling scream.

Hope this was up to par. I'd be interested to know what you think!