Ranma, Dead or Alive

by G-Force 1

Okay its been bothering me, so I had to add an ending for Ranma for the game. I even made one for Ryoga. Do note that the characters will be silent just like in the game endings.

7. Chapter 7

Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and Dead or Alive do not belong to me. I don't make a cent and I don't claim them as my own, so there.

Author notes: This is it. The final chapter for the tournament, yes this means no detailed fight between Ranma and Jann Lee (sorry folks) and no detailed fight between Hayate and Kasumi (sorry again). Some people are kinda pissed at me for not allowing certain people to finish the tournament off because of sympathy to them. Hey this is a fanfic no need to get mad because certain parties aren't getting what they want because people say they deserve it. I mean many people think they deserve something and don't get it. It's called life.

Ranma opened his eyes the morning was quiet with a tension in the air that he was familiar with. Today was the semi-finals, one more step to the finals and ultimately Genra. He wasn't sure what to do if he made it past the finals he knew Kasumi told him to not hesitate to kill Genra but he still thought it was wrong. Heck the world was wrong, this tournament was wrong with all that suffering he heard connected to it. Still he gave his word to her that if forced he would kill. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't." Ranma muttered rolling out of bed to get dressed. He had to talk with Kasumi again.

Kasumi was wrapped in a towel after finishing her morning shower and was now laying out her usual blue kunoichi outfit when Ranma knocked the door. Unfortunately the door was hadn't caught the latch the previous night and slowly swung opened. Upon hearing the squeak of the door Kasumi turned to see the shocked Ranma, jaw on the ground, eyes the size of hubcaps and a red waterfall coming down his nose. For us, this is funny for them however… A girls shriek was heard followed by a startled mans yell and the slamming of a door.

Ranma clutched his heart as it beat like a maniac. That was a shocker still he didn't know how that gave such a rise out of him. After all he did get exposed to more then what he saw just now. "Maybe because it's Kasumi." He muttered. The door cracked open, Ranma looked to see Kasumi's slightly red face stare at him.

"It's safe now." She stated and opened the door allowing Ranma in.

Ranma walked in but looked away from her while scratching his head. "Uh Kasumi I'm sorry about what just… happened."

Kasumi shook her head. "No that wasn't your fault it seems I didn't close my door very well last night."

"Oh… well… okay." The room went silent as they both got over their embarrassment. "So are you ready to face your brother?" Ranma asked.

"Yes I am. Are you ready to face Jann Lee?" Kasumi asked.

"I'm always ready for a fight." Ranma said than hung his head. "But it's the future that worries me. If I win the finals, I'll have to fight and possibly…" Ranma trailed off.

"Ranma you can always forfeit the match in the finals." Kasumi said, and took a step back when Ranma shot her a hard look.

"No way! You know how I am Kasumi, I was willing to quit if I faced you before your brother but now its different, If I win I most likely face your brother or you but my goal is complete now I'm in this tournament for real. I never back down from a fight and I won't quit." Ranma said.

Kasumi stepped up and wrapped her arms around him. "I knew you'd say that. But I had to try, you will face my brother Ranma, between the both of us he is more skilled then I am."

"But what will happen if I win against him?" Ranma asked.

Kasumi reached up and touched his cheek. "Don't play dumb Ranma, you know what is going to happen, and what you might have to do."

"I don't like my choices." Ranma whispered.

"I don't like how they are either. But there's always a different choice Ranma, its just they may be more dangerous then the ones you see now." Kasumi tightened her hold on him. "Just don't choose one that will bring us all sorrow."

Ranma stood there frozen for a few seconds then gently broke out of Kasumi's embrace. "I need some time to think on this." He stated before turning and leaving. Kasumi stood there her arms slowly falling to her sides. Tears began to well in her eyes before she covered them. She had a bad feeling about this and she had a feeling it was going to be Ranma at the end if it.

Ranma was lost in thought as he sat in the lounge. The light breakfast he had was crumbs on the coffee table. He didn't notice anyone enter the room. "Ranma!" A voice yelled in his ear. Ranma fell off the couch and looked up to see Lei Fang, Hitomi, and Helena looking down at him. "Ranma I just read the draws your sister defaulted why is that?" Lei Fang asked.

Ranma got up rubbing his head. "She quit because she didn't really want to enter in the first place. You see we entered to help eliminate the competition so Kasumi could get to see her brother."

"So you and your sister entered to help Kasumi along… I get it so if you met Kasumi before she faced her brother you would have forfeited." Hitomi said.

"That's pretty much it." Ranma said.

"But Kasumi is going to face your brother now so why are you still in?" Helena asked.

"Well unlike my sister who only entered to help Kasumi along, I intend to win the tournament." Ranma then added softly so the girls couldn't hear him. "Although to win might make me do something I strongly oppose."

The girls look at him questioningly. "What's wrong?" Hitomi asked.

"Uh! Um… nothing." Ranma looked away. "I have to get to my match with Jann Lee now. I'll see you all later." Ranma ran off without another word.

"That's strange…" Lei Fang said.

"Yeah he's usually pretty confident why the sudden change?" Hitomi said.

"I think he's being bothered by something." Helena looked at the other two young women. "Don't you think?"

"Right." Both replied.

"We should talk with Kasumi. May be she knows something." Lei Fang said, the other two nodded and headed for Kasumi's room.

However by this time Tina was in Kasumi's room and was comforting the kunoichi as she cried. "I didn't know he was under such pressure like that. He's opposed to killing to the point that he may even be killed before he decides to act."

"I told him before. He said he will do it if forced too, but how much force will it take? Genra will give no quarter." Kasumi said.

"Now Kasumi I'm sure he will know what he will have to do. Ranma's smarter then that." Tina said.

"Ranma's smart but he's stubborn and that's why I'm worried. That stubbornness could get him killed." Kasumi wiped at her tears.

"But surely to save his life he would." Tina said.

"I've known Ranma for a year now Tina. I know that he would rather die first then kill someone." Kasumi said.

"Well then you better tell where this conversation of Ranma killing someone is going to us right now." A voice said. The two girls started and looked as the door to Kasumi's room swung open and Lei Fang, Hitomi, and Helena stood with stern looks. Kasumi resigned to her fate.

The girls blinked at Kasumi's explanation. "So the guy after the finals is a master at your clan Kasumi." Lei Fang.

"And DOATEC has played god and turned him into something monstrous." Helena spat.

"But most importantly you're saying even if at the brink of death Ranma would still not think of killing." Hitomi said.

Kasumi nodded sullenly. "Ranma abhors killing he would rather die then kill. I did hear he killed once before but that was to save his… an ex-fiancee." Kasumi said.

"Other lives before his, noble but stupid, just because people aren't in immediate danger then doesn't mean they won't be later on." Helena said.

"I think he knows that Helena but the fact is by all rights he doesn't want to kill because he thinks it's wrong, and by all means it is. No one should be the judge of letting anyone live or die. But what Ranma thinks could get him killed." Kasumi said.

"What can we do?" Tina said.

"I… I don't know." Kasumi hung her head and wiped tears from her face. "I… I have to go, my match is going on soon." Kasumi got to her feet and opened the door but turned to look at the occupants. "Let's discuss this later."

"Of course it involves Ranma-san." Hitomi said.

"I may not know him anywhere near as you or Hitomi Kasumi but he's still my fiancée. I've got to see what I can do to help." Lei Fang said.

"Count me in as well, he's my fiancée too. I can't let anymore people get hurt by the company my father runs." Helena said.

"I'm here to support you all the way." Tina said.

"Thank you." Kasumi said.

"Don't be, we're doing it for Ranma." The interested individuals said.

'I thought as much.' Kasumi thought before she left.

"You look troubled." Jann Lee said as he surveyed his opponent.

"It's because I might have to do something I hate if I make it past the finals." Ranma said.

"Sometimes to accomplish something you have to do something you dislike. If you let things that you hate to do stop you, you will be stopped." Jann Lee said.

Ranma blinked. 'He's right if I want to win I might have to kill. If I want to protect Kasumi I have to beat Genra.' Ranma thought. 'But still that doesn't give me to right to end the guys life.'

"The real question for yourself is what will you gain if you do it and what will you not get if you don't?" Jann Lee said.

Ranma stared at Jann Lee for a few seconds then smiled. "Thank you."

Jann Lee looked puzzled. "For what?"

Ranma slipped into a stance. "For sorting out my troubles. Now excuse me I have a tournament to win."

Kasumi stood behind a figure in a white ninja outfit with black ninja netting and a kodachi strapped to his back and hip. "Brother…" She said.

"You're a runaway from our clan. We have no connections between us anymore." Hayate said.

"Yes I know." Kasumi said.

Hayate turned to face her. "Let's pretend we didn't meet, get going."

Kasumi shook her head. "No brother I'm ready to fight. Besides I made a promise I wouldn't make it easy for you."

"As you wish." Hayate slid into a stance and on an unknown signal the two siblings lunged at each other.

Ranma walked slowly into the lounge he won his fight with Jann Lee. But now he had more pressing matters, like talking to Kasumi… again.

"Why Ranma hello, how was your fight?" Tina asked, she was on the lounge sofa sipping some coffee. Hitomi, Lei Fang and Helena came up soon after with drinks and snacks.

"He's good." Ranma said, cursing himself for actually making the first move. 'Stupid mistake on my part.' He thought.

"So I take it you won." Helena said sipping on her tea.

"That I did." Ranma said with a smirk.

"Wow you did?" Lei Fang was excited maybe she could get some pointers from Ranma for the next time she fought Jann Lee.

"Yep." Ranma quirked an eyebrow at Lei Fang's eager stare. "Is there a problem?" he asked.

"Oh no nothing." Lei blushed after realizing she was staring.
Hitomi glared a bit at Lei before turning her gaze on Ranma. "So you fight either Kasumi or that guy Hayate, it's weird though he reminds me of someone." Hitomi said.

"Reminds you of someone?" Ranma said in confusion but was quickly pulled aside by Tina.

"Ranma, Hitomi is new but Hayate fought here before but recently not under the same name. You see before the last tournament Hayate was abducted by DOATEC as a subject for one of their sick projects he lost his memory then and came to the tournament. Hitomi knows him as Ein because that was the name he went by when he had amnesia." Tina said.

"DOATEC again?" Ranma muttered. "I'm really starting to hate this company and this is my first time." He looked at her suspiciously. "How'd you know all that anyway?"

Tina smiled. "When we talk, we talk about everything."

"What do you mean "everything"?" Ranma asked.

"Well many things like goals, latest fashions, boys, especially the one who has a pig-tail and named the "Wild Horse" and how she'd like to see if that name is true to the guy." Tina said mischievously.

"I get the picture!" Ranma yelled out in shock and horror.

"What are you two talking about?" Hitomi asked.

"AH! Nothing! Nothing at all!" Ranma turned away blushing.

"What did you tell him?" Hitomi asked with a glare at Tina.

"Oh nothing, just told him how you'd like to test out if he's true to his name." Tina said with a grin.

"What! I didn't say that!" Hitomi yelled out. But by then Tina had run out of the lounge. "Tina you get back here!" Hitomi took of after the wrestler.

Lei Fang and Helena blushed as they sat staring in the direction the two women had run off too. "That was… interesting." Helena said.

"Um… yeah you're right." Lei Fang said.

"Kami-sama what did I do to deserve this?" Ranma muttered. A soft shuffle perked Ranma's attention as he looked in the direction of the noise. Kasumi stood there with a soft smile favoring her right side and a light limp on her left leg. "Kasumi are you all right?" Ranma was on his feet and leading Kasumi to the sofa in seconds.

"I'm okay Ranma, like you asked I didn't give him the match easily." Kasumi smiled.

"I can tell." Ranma smiled back softly.

"Okay enough of this already." Lei Fang pushed the two apart a distinct anger cross on her forehead. "So Kasumi what are we going to do with Ranma's little problem?"

"His problem." Kasumi's eyes widened.

"If you're talking about the match after Hayate. Then you'll get my answer. I've weighed the pros and cons and I see if I am to win this tournament and continue protecting Kasumi there is no choice but to kill Genra." Ranma lowered his head. "Still I won't kill him immediately I have to see for myself how far gone this guy is."

Kasumi opened her mouth to protest but Helena placed a hand on her shoulder silencing her. "I don't think we can ask for much more then that Kasumi." She stated.

Kasumi nodded sullenly. "Okay, but Ranma please don't die."

"I ain't planning too." Ranma said.

Tina and Hitomi came running back into the lounge. "Ranma I read the draws due to the amount of people this year you fight the finals now and the winner fights later on tonight." Tina said

"What! Now?" Ranma turned toward the exit. "I've got to go I'll see you all later." Ranma took off. Kasumi looked at the exit for a few seconds then she began to follow.

"Where are you going?" Lei Fang asked.

"Ranma is going to fight my brother and he's determined to win this tournament. If that's his wish I'm going to support him." Kasumi ran out after Ranma. All the girls looked at one another for a few seconds then within seconds they emptied the lounge heading for Ranma's fight.

Hayate was admiring the temple grounds when he sensed someone approaching from behind him. "You must be Hayate, Kasumi's brother." Hayate turned to see his opponent the young man in black drawstring pants and long sleeved red Chinese shirt.

"And you must be Kasumi's self-proclaimed bodyguard or so my men told me. I'm impressed you missed cutting a artery or a smashing a bone in his hand." Hayate replied.

"So tell me are you so heartless that you order the death of your own sister?" Ranma clenched his fist making them pop.

"I can sincerely tell you if I had any other choice I would leave her be. But Kasumi has left the clan and as all ninja her fate is sealed." Hayate said in a monotone voice.

"So you're just going to keep sending people to kill her right?" Ranma lowered his head so his bangs covered his eyes.

"…Yes." Hayate said after a pause.

Ranma smirked. "Well then you know that they have to go through me to get to her."

"You're not a part of this. Leave her it will only bring you death in the end if you follow her." Hayate said.

"Leave? Oh no I can't do that, I promised to protect her." Ranma raised his head his eyes were ice cold. "But your men are going to really get it from me."

Hayate shivered unconsciously under Ranma's gaze. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean that the men you send after Kasumi aren't going to have pity from me. I ain't holding back against them. Not if Kasumi is going to be in danger. And just to show you what I mean." Ranma's battle aura flared out surprising Hayate. "I'm gonna show you just what you're ninja are going to be facing off against!" Ranma launched forward fist cocked back and met Hayate head. The fight has begun.

"What the hell is that?" Hitomi pointed at the glowing blue aura that was Ranma's.

"Ranma's going all out on my brother." Kasumi rushed up the stairs followed quickly by the others.

Hayate crashed hard against the temple post he felt the wood give slightly behind him. "Damn that hurt." He muttered and rolled out of the way of a straight punch that destroyed the post. As he spun to face his opponent Hayate could only stare as he saw the post of the temple lean toward it's unsupported side and crash down. All this time however stared at him with those icy cold eyes. Hayate lunged forward punches and kicks lashed out at high speeds blurs to the untrained eye but Ranma dodged and batted aside all blows. Then he was flying again he felt the metallic taste of blood in his mouth he saw Ranma pulling back an open palm that had struck his chest. 'This is unbelievable he's beating me down and I haven't laid a single blow on him.' Hayate spat clearing his mouth.

Ranma crouched ready to attack again when footsteps alerted him he turned to see Kasumi come running up the stairs followed quickly by the rest of the girls. "What are you girls doing here?"

"Ranma we came too… Watch out Ranma!" Lei Fang shrieked as Hayate launched forward again.

Ranma turned just in time to meet Hayate's drop kick before he hit the ground the ninja performed a punch combo and a kick combo that smashed him into a structure. Then before Ranma could recover Hayate smashed his knee into his face sending Ranma rebounding to the ground where Hayate leaped up and landed hard on Ranma's head. Hayate breathed hard as he backed away from Ranma's still form. The girls were stunned by what happened. Hayate had been vicious in his assault Kasumi felt compelled to rush to Ranma to check how he was but something inside her told her to let him be. A few seconds later she found out why, Ranma stirred and began to get up, Hayate's eyes went wide. 'There was no way he should be getting up after all that he should be unconscious.' Hayate thought. Ranma stood back up raising his head up revealing the dirt on his face and some blood running down the left side of his lips but in other words relatively unharmed.

"I hope you enjoyed that, because that was the only time I'm letting you have that." Ranma launched forward again and Hayate brought his arms up ready to block and counter. But the attack Ranma used overwhelmed his defenses. "Katchu Tenshin Amaguriken!" Ranma launched out a flurry of punches Hayate was overwhelmed he felt himself getting hit… everywhere with a final punch to the stomach the head of the Mugen Tenshin flew back and laid sprawled on the ground. Ranma quickly walked up to his body, grabbed up his gi flaps and pulled him up so they were face to face. "That was just a taste of what I can do. Next time you send ninja after Kasumi and me you better make sure you can pay for the hospital bills for when I'm done with them." Ranma let go of Hayate letting him fall to the ground.

"Ranma!" The girls ran up to him Kasumi in the lead when she got near enough she… (Slap!)

"Ow!" Ranma rubbed his cheek where Kasumi slapped him. "What was that for?"

"Did you really have to go that far on my brother Ranma?" Kasumi pouted at him.

"I'm just giving him a heads up on things to come." Ranma said.

"Ranma you were amazing!" Lei Fang glomped onto him and kissed his cheek making him blush. "You totally trashed Hayate it was awesome."

"I thought Ryu was hard." Helena said. "But now I see you were taking it easy on me."

"Sorry." Ranma said nervously.

"Don't be it shows how much I need to improve." Helena said with a shrug.

"I guess asking for a sparring match with you is pointless now." Hitomi said.

"Heck no I want to spar against you. I haven't seen how much you've improved." Ranma said.

"I'll think about it." Hitomi said with a smile

"Anyway." Kasumi said in a loud tone seeing as how familiar the girls were getting with Ranma. "I think we should let Ranma rest up, he has a fight tonight after all."

"You're right Kasumi I'm a bit tired your brother isn't half bad." Ranma said.

"Well then I'll take Ranma back to his room." Hitomi grabbed an arm.

"Hold on I want to do that." Lei Fang grabbed the other arm.

"Now please both of you I'm sure Ranma would prefer having a light massage at the lounge before he goes." Helena placed her hands on Ranma's shoulders. The girls argued as they led Ranma away Kasumi was about to go after them when she felt something hit her head lightly. She turned to see Hayate waving his hand at her for her to approach. Kasumi looked at Tina who had been content to sit back and watch what was going on. "Tina could you…" Kasumi trailed off as she looked in Ranma's direction.

"All right." Tina began to walk after the exiting group. "I'll make sure things don't go overboard."

Kasumi walked over to her brother. "Yes brother."

"That man, you love him don't you?" Hayate said a smile crossing his swollen face. Kasumi blushed and nodded once. Hayate chuckled. "He's even stronger then I am I feel relieved that he is your protector."

"Brother." Kasumi breathed out.

"Kasumi… I inform you when our clan budget is nearing the red." Hayate said.

"The budget? Why?" Kasumi asked in confusion.

"Because if Ranma does indeed cause that much damage and most of the money goes to the ninja that fought him. It could take a long time to get it back up to a point where we can go after you again. It would take a long time, maybe years." Hayate said with a grin. Kasumi smiled as she realized what he meant.

"Brother." She said again her eyes welling with tears.

"Go." Hayate said, Kasumi nodded and hurried off after Ranma while Hayate lay beaten on the temple grounds. There he started chuckling that turned into a full-blown laugh that lasted a long minute.

"Kasumi! Thank Kami-sama you're here, Help me!" Ranma was currently a three-way tug of war rope.

"What he said." Tina said trying to pry Hitomi's hands off Ranma's left arm.

Kasumi sighed as she leapt into the fray.

Ranma was relaxing in the baths. Although he now hated DOATEC he couldn't help but admire the size of the bathhouse it was huge and he was the only guy on the men's side. However just on the other side that was separated by a twelve-foot wall he could hear chatting from the women's side. "Do they ever run out of air?" Ranma muttered the girls had begun chatting as soon as they entered and had been going at it nonstop. "How am I supposed to relax with them chatting up a storm like that?" Ranma turned to the wall. "Hey can you ladies tone it down a bit I bet you the whole building can hear you." He called out.

"That is not true, and that was rude of you Ranma." Tina called back.

"Yeah, yeah." Ranma huffed. "Geez can't a guy ask for some peace and quiet?" He spotted an unusual pile of rocks near the wall. "What the… this doesn't look like part of the hot spring." He reaches out and finds the rocks are loose and removing three of them revealed a hole. Curious Ranma looks through and grabs his nose to stop a nosebleed. The hole was a peephole to the girl side and within the view of the hole were Hitomi, Helena and Tina. Hitomi had her towel wrapped around her modestly but Helena was holding hers to her chest thus he could see the outer edges of her assets. Tina however must have been very proud of herself because she had no towel. 'Oh man I'm dead I got to look away.' Ranma thought but he couldn't tear his eyes off the scene before him. Then he heard something that made his heart beat even faster if it was possible at this point.

"Kasumi hurry up before they get cold." Lei Fang said she entered with a towel wrapped around her and carrying two bottles of what Ranma correctly guessed was sake.

"I really doubt the sake will get cold in a hot spring Lei." Kasumi said also entering but with a bucket that held three bottles. Ranma could only stare, while Lei fang handed a bottle to both Helena and Tina, Kasumi put the bucket in the water and began to remove her towel but she stopped just when she was about to drop it. "Do you girls have a feeling we're being watched?" Ranma tensed,

'Oh damn it, I'm dead." He thought.

"You must be imagining things Kasumi." Hitomi said.

"I swear though I think we're being watched." Kasumi said her eyes scanning.

"Stop it Kasumi!" Lei Fang shivered. "Now you're making me nervous."

"Hey what's that by the wall." Tina said pointing in Ranma's direction.

"It looks like blood." Helena said nervously.

Ranma's eyes looked down to see that his nose had indeed bled but since he stopped it up his hands caught the blood and were now overflowing from the top and into the hole. "Oh man." He muttered he spun away quickly when he saw Tina wading over toward the hole.

"Hey I can see the men's side from here." Tina said.

"Ranma's been spying on us!" Lei Fang said.

"H-He wouldn't do that." Kasumi said her voice nervous.

"Hey you're the one who had the feeling we were being watched, and he's the only guy on the men's side." Tina said her eyes were searching for Ranma. "Come on out Ranma I know you're there."

Ranma groaned, he was caught and even if he got out now the girls would question him and since he was very bad at lying… Ranma came out looking straight back at Tina through the hole. "All right I'm here, I'm sorry."

"So you were peeping on us huh?" Tina smiled. "Did you like what you saw?"

"Tina!" The other girls yelled out.

"No! I mean yes! I mean… Ah forget it!" Ranma fumed.

"Are you telling me our bodies aren't appealing?" Tina said.

"No not at all I mean aagh! I can't stand talking through a hole." Ranma leaped up onto the wall. "I think you all look very nice okay!" He yelled out. Silence answered him. Ranma blinked and blushed from head to toe. He was on top of the wall separating the girls from the boys and he was looking down upon a group of very attractive young women. "Ah damn." He muttered just before the girls shrieked. A few seconds later Ranma is back on the boys side floating on the surface of the water with multiple bruise marks on him from wooden buckets that had been tossed at him. "Relax my butt." He said to himself.

It was an hour before the fight and Ranma was taking a light nap when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." He said loudly through his pillow. He heard the door open and someone approach him.

"Ranma..." Kasumi said.

Ranma rolled to face her. "Oh hey Kasumi."

"Ranma please this fight seriously." Kasumi said.

"Geez you're acting like a worried mother. Don't worry Kasumi I'm not planning on dying." Ranma said.

"Just come back to me alive." Kasumi said bending down she kissed Ranma on the cheek then quickly spun and left.

Ranma touched the cheek that still tingled from the kiss. "Count on it." He muttered.

Ranma stood in front of a large old-fashioned Feudal era Japan castle structure supposedly his battle was supposed to be here in the courtyard but his opponent was nowhere in sight. Nearby the girls stood watching in what they hoped was out of the way of the fight.

Suddenly the top of the castle exploded in flames making everyone look up. A large figure covered in armor stood in the flames looking down at them and finally leaped down into the courtyard right in front of Ranma. As the flames spread Ranma looked over his opponent "So you're Genra." Ranma said dropping into a stance.

Genra held up an object in his right hand and suddenly two glowing blades of ki energy ignited from both ends. Ranma was really surprised at this and his hesitation cost him as Genra charged forward. Ranma instinctively leaped back but the tip of the blade bit into his shirt and a few centimeters across his chest. Barely managing to dodge the next two slashes before flipping backward to get some distance. It didn't seem to matter to Genra since he raised a hand and a blast of ki energy caught Ranma in his chest slamming him against a wall. "Damn I didn't expect that." Ranma hissed recovering and running parallel to Genra trying to make himself harder to hit. Genra raised his hand again and a gout of flame flared out almost engulfing Ranma who rolled backward to avoid it and back peddled like his life depended on it, which it did. Genra charged again but this time Ranma was ready he dodged two slashes spun away from a stab and executed a snap kick that caught Genra straight in the side of his head. If Genra felt the blow he gave no indication of it. Instead the transformed ninja spun hard with a backhanded blow that sent Ranma sprawling as Ranma was getting up another ki blast was shot in his direction.

"Moko Takabisha!" Ranma countered with his own blast that canceled out Genra's only to find another ki blast right behind the first and was sent flying back again into a torch post knocking it down "Damn this is even harder then I thought." Ranma got back up coughing some blood. Genra charged forward Ranma spun to the side as a ki blade slashed where he was a second ago he lunged forward delivering three quick jabs, a underhanded strike to the abdomen and a palm strike to finish the attack Genra was launched back and on his back but before Ranma could close in he was knocked over by a wave of ki. "Shit he's not giving me any time to get any advantage over him." Ranma muttered.

"Ranma is having a hard time." Tina said stunned by the energy being thrown around.

"This isn't good Ranma is not fighting at his best. He'll be killed." Kasumi said.

"I can't get in close." Ranma muttered wincing as the ki blade tore into his shirt again he spun with the blow planted one foot arms raised to counter and saw the hand of Genra just before it latched onto his face. Both of his arms shot up trying to pry Genra's grip but the altered ninja master's strength was super human and he lifted up Ranma into the air and slammed him into the ground.

"Ranma!" The girls yelled out.

Ranma managed to slip the top part of his head out far enough so he could see into Genra's eyes, eyes that burned with the lust to destroy. "There really isn't any hope for you is there?" He murmured through Genra's hand. The response was Genra swinging Ranma around once, twice then threw him straight through the entrance of the burning castle flames erupted from the feudal era replica's entrance.

"Ranma!" Kasumi cried out horrified as Ranma was thrown into the burning building. There wasn't a chance he could survive the blaze

Lei Fang fell to her knees as tears began to stream down her face. "No." Hitomi repeated over and over again shaking her head.

Helena's hands covered her mouth as tears flowed down her face. Tina gritted her teeth as her own tears wetting her shirt. Genra's gaze turned to them making all of them tense. A hand raised up the white energies began to gather suddenly a blur shot over one of the walls and slammed into Genra although the blow was powerful the ninja master still remained on his feet. The blur skidded to a stop and revealed itself.

"Ayane!" Kasumi said recognizing her half sister.

"Genra, I've come to kill you." Ayane said in a controlled tone to not reveal her sorrow. Genra responded with a ki blast in her direction. Ayane dodged and charged forward but before she could get close enough Genra stomped down and unleashed a wave of ki energy that toppled all the occupants. Ayane sprang to her feet and away just in time to miss getting roasted by a stream of fire launched by Genra. Once again she charged forward getting in close she struck a series of blows and finished with a high kick but her final blow stopped. Genra had countered her kick and swinging her around he threw her into the wall twenty feet away from the other girls.

"Ayane! Look out!" Kasumi moved to assist her sister but she knew she wasn't going to make it. Genra's free hand was up again and a ki blast was launched straight at Ayane. The violet haired kunoichi saw the blast closing and knew she couldn't avoid it closing her eyes she awaited death then a cry broke out.

"Shi Shi Hokudan!" A blast of green ki hit canceled Genra's and kept going Genra leaped out of the way as the ki blast slammed into the burning building behind him.

"Ryoga!" Hitomi cried out. Ayane opened her eyes to see a figure before her wearing a large backpack with red umbrella strapped on top. Ryoga turned to face Ayane.

"Are you all right?" He asked. Ayane nodded dumbly before she was swept up in his arms as he leaped away. A blast of flame scorched the area they were a moment ago. Ryoga landed by the other girls and blushed as he realized how pretty the girl he was holding was. "Where's Ranma?" He said in an urgent tone. The other girls looked downcast. Tina pointed at the burning building and Ryoga growled turning on Genra he un-strapped his umbrella. "I'm the one who's supposed to kill Ranma!" Ryoga stuck a finger in the ground. "Bakusai Tenketstu Revised!" The traveling breaking point exploded under Genra obscuring the figure. "Did I get him?" Ryoga muttered, the answer was a rather large ki blast that blasted Ryoga back and exploded amongst the group behind him. Luckily he absorbed most of the blast thus the girls got off with some scratches however a certain kunoichi that had been blown away from the group found herself right at Genra's feet.

"Kasumi!" Lei Fang leaped to her feet.

"Kasumi!" Tina yelled out struggling to get up after hitting her head when the ki blast exploded.

"No Kasumi! Get out of there!" Ryoga jumped to his feet and lunged forward. But Kasumi could see the point of Genra's ki blade coming straight down at her and she knew Ryoga would not make it in time.

'Ranma…' She thought and shut her eyes.

A large explosion burst from the castle building the roof and walls literally blasting outward and from this explosion came a loud angry cry from a very familiar voice. "GEEEEEEENNNNNNNRRRRRRAAAAAAAA!" The ninja master stopped, Ryoga skidded to a stop, Kasumi rolled out and back onto her feet all eyes lay on the blazing fires in the remains of the building at first there was a dark shape then it grew until a human figure appeared flames parted as Ranma walked through battle aura blazing and eyes narrowed and ice cold. His shirt was gone leaving his chest bare revealing the cuts and scratches that occurred when he was thrown his pants had several tears in them but remained where they were. Ranma descended the stairs his gaze on Genra never wavering. "Leave them alone Genra. Have you already forgotten?" Genra turned to face Ranma and seemed to tilt his head in question. "Your fight is with me." With those words Genra launched himself forward a diagonal slash to cleave Ranma's head. Ranma didn't move his aura was drew itself back in and when it looked like the ki blade was going to hit it stopped held back by Ranma's arms now glowing blue with ki energy. "There will be no quarter now." Ranma said and hit Genra with a ki blazing palm strike the armor cracked and launched Genra onto his back, again a wave of ki was sent out as Genra regained his feet but this time Ranma wasn't thrown down the wave hit him and melted away from him. "That won't work on me anymore." Ranma said. Genra raised his free hand a ki blast sped toward Ranma, The pig-tailed martial batted aside the ki blast with his hands.

"Incredible." Ryoga thought, if Ranma could deflect ki blasts then he was in serious trouble the next time they fought.

Genra launched three consecutive ki blasts, all which were deflected by Ranma He then launched a gout of flame at Ranma the Saotome heir launched a revised version of the vacuum blade that sucked the flames in and snuffed them out all while continuing it's path straight into Genra slash the shoulder armor plates on his right side. The ninja master staggered back and looked at Ranma with eyes burning with hatred. "It's over." Ranma said. Genra charged forward and Ranma followed suit the two met ki blade against ki fists finally Ranma somersault kicked Genra sending him flying off again. "You're through." Ranma said. Genra got up both staring at each other. "So I guess this is it isn't it?" Ranma asked, Genra seemed to nod and both charged Genra with his ki blade back and Ranma with one hand fingers stiffened both struck as they past and stopped. For a full ten seconds both sides didn't move then Ranma clapped his hand over his shoulder as blood flowed between his fingers Genra turned to look and fell down as blood spewed from his chest, flames erupted from his body and the ki weapon clattered to the ground. Ranma turned toward the burning body and walked over to it a blank look on his face. He bent over and picked up the weapon looking at it and turned toward Ayane, he gave a light toss and Ayane caught it. "He fought well." Ranma said and almost fell down in exhaustion luckily Kasumi was there to catch him.

"I've got you Ranma." Kasumi held his head to her chest.

"Hey Kasumi look I'm alive." Ranma said in a daze.

"Yes you are you idiot." Kasumi smiled as tears slid down her face. The mob of girls came crashing down on Ranma as they fussed over him.

"I thought you died!" Lei Fang hugged him.

"You dummy, don't you ever do that again!" Hitomi yelled out and punched him playfully in the shoulder.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Ranma cried out Hitomi had punched him in his injured shoulder.

"I'm sorry!" Hitomi cried out her hands shooting up to cover her mouth.

"Be more careful with him Hitomi, he's been through the meat grinder and back." Helena took her handkerchief and wrapped it around Ranma's shoulder. "I thought I lost you, when I hardly got to know you."

"You said you'd protect Kasumi." Tina smirked. "But from what I see she's probably going to be protecting you for awhile."

"Hey I ain't complaining." Ranma said.

"Don't worry he'll be taken care of." Kasumi smiled as she laid her head upon Ranma's.

"Hey hold on, I don't like the looks of this." Hitomi said.

"I have to agree." Helena said.

"Who said you had too?" Kasumi said slyly.

"Ranma! What is up with this? Are you cheating on Kasumi?" Ryoga yelled out.

"Oh now I'm cheating on Kasumi now eh P-chan?" Ranma said in an exasperated tone.

"Don't call me that!" Ryoga yelled out. As the group of girls plus two guys left Ayane looked at the burning body of her father figure and with several gestures with a single tear running down her cheek she turned and walked away.

"Ranma are you ready to go?" Kasumi lifted her tote bag while Ranma slung his pack working his stiff injured shoulder. It felt a lot better today since Kasumi took care of it with some herbs.

"Sure thing, although I don't know what I can use this for." Ranma held up the check that DOATEC gave him for winning the tournament. "It's not like we'll be it needing much since we'll be on the run."

"I don't know." Kasumi said.

Ranma looked thoughtful for a few seconds before he smiled. "I got it!" He went over to the desk and began to write as legibly as possible.

"What are you doing?" Kasumi looked over his shoulder and made a mental note to help Ranma improve on his writing technique.

"Saving a life." Ranma replied.

Gen Fu lifted his knapsack his heart was heavy with sorrow he had failed and his granddaughter would not survive. It couldn't be helped he knew someone would have beaten him eventually but still he felt guilty for failing his grandchild. A knock on his door brought his attention. Upon opening the door Gen Fu was greeted by a messenger with an envelope. "Excuse me sir but we have a letter for you." Gen Fu accepted the envelope and closed the door when the messenger left. Upon opening the envelope he was quite surprised to see the winning check inside. Taking the letter out he opened it and squinted at the bad handwriting but managed to translate all of it. "To Gen Fu, please use this for your granddaughters operation, have a happy life, if you're around again I'd love to get a sparring match with you, best wishes. Ranma Saotome"

Gen Fu smiled as he looked at the check. "Ranma Saotome." He looked up at the ceiling tears brimming the edges of his eyes. "Thank you for your kindness."

"So you gave the check to Gen Fu." Kasumi said thoughtfully as they walked away from complex.

"Yep, the guy has a sick granddaughter and since I don't really need the money I gave it to him to save his granddaughter." Ranma said.

"You're so kind Ranma." Kasumi smiled.

"Ah c'mon you're making me blush." Ranma blushed lightly then smiled mischievously. "So why did you kiss me in the beginning before all this?"

Kasumi smiled slyly. "Like I said you have to catch me first." She took off with Ranma right behind her.

"I'll catch you Kasumi! I will!" Ranma shouted.

"When you do I'll tell you." Kasumi looked behind her and skidded to a stop. Ranma was gone. "Ranma? Where did you go?" Two arms wrapped around from behind her.

"I caught ya!" Ranma yelled out triumphantly. Kasumi sighed she forgot all about the Umi Sen Ken. "Now ya gotta tell me why you kissed me."

Kasumi smiled as she turned within Ranma's embrace. "That I will." She said leaning forward.

"So what is it?" Ranma asked leaning in with her.

"Simple really. Ranma… I lov…" Kasumi was cut off by a loud cry.

"Hi you two!" The pair turned to see Tina come walking up along with Lei Fang, Hitomi and Helena. Lei Fang was wearing a skirt black blouse and white over shirt while Helena wore a white halter top and jeans. Hitomi's outfit was jeans, white halter with jeans jacket. Tina hadn't changed from her style of wear.

"Were we interrupting something?" Hitomi asked narrowing her eyes at Ranma and Kasumi's closeness.

"I'm inclined to agree." Helena said mirroring Hitomi.

"Why are you all here?" Kasumi asked slightly irritated at being interrupted.

"We still have to get to know Ranma. I'm still on break." Lei Fang said.

"So am I." Hitomi said.

"I need a little vacation after all this. Besides I still have to see how Ranma is before I decide on how I should proceed with this little engagement." Helena said.

"I'm just here because I want to be. Not like I have much to get to at home beside my dad yelling at me to quit being a model and such." Tina said.

Ranma looked at Kasumi. "I guess we'll be traveling with company." He said.

"I guess so." Kasumi said a bit downhearted that it wouldn't be her and Ranma.

"I suggest we get going. I have some things to talk about with a certain fat idiot father." Ranma growled out the last few words.

"So we're heading for Nerima?" Kasumi asked.

"Yeah we are." Ranma said.

"I would like to meet your father we have much to discuss." Helena said in a dark tone

"You and me both." Lei Fang said in an equally dark tone.

"Well then we should get going." Ranma grabbed Kasumi's hand. "C'mon Kasumi!" He began to run while the other girls yelled out at him and gave chase.

"Hey come back here we should hold hands like fiancées should!" Lei Fang yelled out.

"Hold up you two you're gonna leave us behind!" Hitomi yelled out.

Both Kasumi and Ranma laughed as they ran with the entourage right behind them.

Meanwhile…

"You want to go on a training journey?" Hayate said.

"Yes Jonin." Ayane said.

"I don't see why not, but why so suddenly? Don't you want to lead the hunt for Kasumi?" Hayate asked.

"Against Ranma not even a dozen of our men would stop them." Ayane said.

"Very well I grant you permission to go on your training trip however there will be conditions." Hayate said.

"Conditions sir?" Ayane asked.

"First of all you may not hunt Kasumi even if you meet up with her you may not attack her." Hayate said.

"Why not?" Ayane said shocked.

"Because that is not your duty it is the job of the parties I send after them. If you leave you are forbidden to attack her understood?" Hayate said.

"Yes Jonin." Ayane said.

"Very well, you may go." Hayate said and Ayane seemed to disappear without a trace.

Hayate laid back down he was in the medical section of the clan and was feeling rather happy right now. With him down most of the clan activity had been restricted because more ninja were needed to guard against rival clans if they should attack when he was weakened. But now he was even more happy since Ayane was leaving and since she was the one who usually led and coordinated the attacks on Kasumi it meant his sister would be in the clear at least for now. "Still I wonder why Ayane just up and left so suddenly." Hayate said.

Ryoga Hibiki scratched his head as a pot of rabbit stew boiled on a campfire. "I'm sure I took the right turn but now where am I?" His senses flared he reached over to his umbrella and brought it up just in time to intercept two kunai that were aimed at him. "Who goes there?" He demanded getting into a ready stance.

Ayane dropped from her perch in the trees. "I see you're quite skilled."

Ryoga blushed. "Oh its you." He recognized the girl he'd saved back at the tournament.

"I flattered you remembered me." Ayane said walking up to him seductively. "I'm Ayane, thank you for saving me."

"N-No problem, I'm Ryoga, Ryoga Hibiki." Ryoga said.

"Ryoga… That's a nice name." Ayane said with a smile.

"Uh… You think so?" Ryoga asked.

"Yes indeed, it makes you sound so strong." Ayane said.

Ryoga chuckled. "So what do you want?"

Ayane leaned forward. "I want you to teach me."

Teach you?" Ryoga asked.

"Yes you're obviously strong. I was beaten by a Ranko Saotome." Ayane stifled a growl upon remembering how Ranko handed her ass to her.

"Saotome eh?" Ryoga knew that Ranma entered his girl side in the tournament and now it seemed one of his opponents was seeking revenge.

"Yes, that's why I'm here. I want to train under you so I may beat her. I'm with you're training I should be able to bet her easily." Ayane said.

Ryoga seemed to puff with pride as Ayane mentioned his style was superior to Ranma's own. "Well I don't know its'…" Ryoga paused as Ayane gave him the teary eyed look. "O-Okay I do it. But it's just because I hate Ranma… and his sister." Ryoga said.

"Ayane got on her knees and bowed. "I thank you sensei."

"No problem." Ryoga said as he sat back down and then stiffened in realization. 'What will I do about my curse?' He thought. Yep he dug himself deep this time.

To be continued.

Author notes: Ahhhh finally this chapter is over. I can't believe how long this took. Then again this was the longest chapter I have ever typed. Now everybody this isn't the end of the series just yet. Oh no Ranma and co. Are going to Nerima and have a little chat with Genma Saotome. You can bet things are going to get chaotic. Now I can start thinking up the volleyball series and work on Goddess of Mine, Returner Ranma and Midnight Ranma. Going to have to ask for a poll on Ranma Crusade. I've been thinking of the pairings and really I don't think Satella cuts it although she'll try and Azmaria is too young, and I will not break up Rosette and Chrono. I've been thinking on either one of the three nuns that criticize Rosette a lot, or Shader. But I'm not sure help me out here.