Ran-Inu: Wild Dog of the Western Lands
Ch 3
'The woods have always been my companion since I was a pup. It was like a silent friend that he could always count on to be there.' Ranmaru thought as he walks through the forest close to the Masaki home and shrine.
His body wasn't working the way it use to, his Youki use to be like a raging river begging to be cut lose on the nearest human or Youkai that aggravated him, but now it was a calm river that sway and flowed around objects instead of beating them out of the way.
Ranmaru hadn't felt this weak since a battle he'd fought with a dragon from China that was trying to take over the Western Lands. He'd had almost died in that battle against the great dragon of Iron Mountain.
Ran reach down and laid hand on the Toukijin, the blade was not the same blade his father had carried before Ran himself was born; this blade was a mixture of his youngest sisters fangs and scales and his very own fangs. Ever since the Toukijin had been changed it always responded to his power and his emotions, but before the blade could barely be controlled with even 1/3 of his power focused on it, when his father used the demon sword he would focused small amounts of Youki into the blade and sword would amplify the energy when unleash on his opponent. Now the blade had the potential to hold extreme amounts of Youkai energy.
Ran looked over his left shoulder and sigh. "I'm not even in full form yet." He flexed his fingers while looking at his toxic claws and the stripes on his wrists.
"Full form, then demon you shall die NOW." a group of maybe twelve people jump out into the opening brandishing swords and other strange weapons even ran couldn't identify
"You humans are nosey I've heard you coming since I started walking through this forests." Ran sigh as he continues to walk "Just leave now or forfeit your lives to Ranmaru ruler of the Western Lands." Ran liked the title it had been awhile since he used it and he hope the amateur hunters would leave
"Ran-Inu died hundreds of years ago you tell lies." The leader of the group said
Ran sighed and wearily brought a flat palm hand up facing the giant of the group with a broad sword in his hands
"Dokkasou" His hand glowed a sickly green and an intoxicating mist came flooding from his claws instantly melting the man into nothing then more a pile of goop along with a few trees behind him
He look over the rest of the group seeing fear plainly on their faces, except the leader.
"Leave now." Ranmaru turned and kept walking through the forests
"I've smelled this smell before." The leader said as the other men took off running gibbering in fear
"You have?" Ranmaru look the man over "My poison is inherited from my family line and only two of my sisters could produce it." Ran looked thoughtful for a moment "Maybe you bothersome humans figured out a way to do it?" His unemotional gaze never wavered
"I don't know but it was near a gang club in Tokyo." The man turned and walks away
"Hmm humans get stranger and stranger every other century." Ran thought as he turned around and started walking back towards the house filled with strange people.
As he got back to the house he could hear the usually screaming from Ryoko and Ayeka over the young boy Tenchi.
"Hello Washu-chan." Ran said turning around to address the small scientist that was trying to sneak up on him
"Ah, hello Ranmaru." Washu said slightly embarrassed to be caught
"You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yeah I got the information you needed in my lab along with a few surprises." Washu spoke while pulling out a weird device from her pocket and fiddling with it a bit before pressing one of its numerous buttons.
Before Ran knew he was in her lab looking at a giant monitor while Washu sat in a seat in front of said monitor.
"I've found your sisters based on the sample you gave me." Washu said as she pointed out they where they were
"This one is very different from the other two so she could be a distant relative with a minuscule amount of blood in her but she is still a Youkai."
"What's different about her?" Ran asked feeling hope welled inside but not showing it on the outside
"The dominant blood seems to be a variety of draconian.," she said looking at his confuse face she spoke again "She's a dragon."
She could barely see the hint of surprise on his face but it was there none the less.
"Tsukiryuu."
"Who?" Washu ask as she created a profile for the girl
"Tsukiryuu, my youngest sister."
"Moon Dragon?"
"War broke out among the Northern Lands and The Western Lands because of a misunderstanding between my father and the Northern Lords daughter Asaryuu." Ranmaru in the chair that materialized behind him
"Many Youkai died on both sides and even more humans died when they entered the campaign, but when both sides lost very important members of the royal family the war ended with a treaty and an agreement." Ran smiled remembering when his mother told him and the faces she made, and words she spoke about the part coming up
Washu had been the taping the entire conversation so far and was waiting on him to continue.
"The agreement was to have the heir of the Western Lands and heir of the Northern Lands produce a heir thus linking the lands in unity." Ran gave a ghost of a smile remembering the ranting his mother did after she told him the story that his father never bothered to tell her "But with the sealing of Ryukousei and the death of Inutashio the agreement was thought to be forgotten and it wasn't brought up again until me and my two sisters were born."
Washu raise an eyebrow thinking about it.
"You can imagined the conversation between my mother and father when the beautiful Asaryuu showed up and demanded the North have an heir."
"She didn't have any other siblings that could produce a heir?"
'The amazing history of this back water planet continues to amaze me' Washu thought
"No Ryukousei was killed by Inu-Yasha before he could produce another child after he was sealed."
"Inu Yasha?"
"My fathers half brother."
"Oh."
"But I should have been able to feel her by now unless she's hurt or learned of a way to hide her power." Ranmaru looked at the spot his sister was located
"Why is that?" Washu ask truly curious about his reasoning
"She's powerful, even in her human like form her Youki was monstrous and could be felt for miles away." Ranmaru smirk at Washu clearly proud of his baby sister.
"Where is she at?" Ran said pointing to the screen with blinking dots
"Hmm, she's in a remote part of China called.."
"The Bayankala Mountain Range." Ran gasp as the memories of Ranma held flooded his mind
"Ran are you ok? What's wrong?" Washu asked trying to shake him out of his present state
"I have to go my sister is in danger." Ranmaru said while mentally kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner
'Of course she was coming to find me, I'm such an idiot I've left my sister in the hands of my enemies for lord knows how long' Ranmaru went on mentally berating himself as walk through the portal Washu had opened
"We can help Ran all you have to do is ask." Washu said smiling at the Youkai that could only think of saving his baby sister
"NO I must do this along." Ran said shifting back to his cold gaze.
"Hey here's that surprise I had for you." Washu spoke softly while handing him a small box
Inside were his clothes he wore before he was sealed and turned human. His white baggy shirt with black samurai armor on his chest and shoulders, along with his white and red patterned obi, and his white baggy pants that tied off at the ankle.
"Thank you Washu chan."
"There's something else in that box you might want as well." Washu said smiling at something as she turned and walk back into the house
Ranmaru put on the clothes and armor and reaches further down off in the box and grasps a handle and pulled it out of the box.
"Tenseiga" Ranmaru said in awe as he got a good look at the blade
Ranmaru slid the sword into his obi next to Toukijin. Slowly he turned and walks away later becoming a white ball of energy and taking off across the sky.
~~Somewhere in Tokyo~
"Hey Sasha did you feel that?" a girl with long silver hair ask as she walk into a room
"Yeah but he died in China along with Tsukiryuu." The girl looks sadly as she look at the full moon
"I wonder what mother would have thought of us for not dying in battle as we promised to do?" The girl ask no one in particular as she look at the moon
"Ranmaru would have wanted to us to stay and protect the lands Sasha, you know that." When the two girls sat down next to each other they are practically twins
"We couldn't even do that Kasha." The girl yelled at her sibling
"Your becoming more and more human as the years go on Sasha." Kasha spoke to her sister in a low voice
"I'm sorry Kasha but the last two centuries have been VERY hard on me." Sasha said softly
"I know."
"Hey I wonder what he would think about you taking on a human mate."
Her sister choked and sent her hate filled look.
"Your so mean Sasha."
~China~
The white ball of energy slammed into the side of the mountain and burrowing through the mountain until it lost it momentum and unfolded to reveal a kneeling Ranmaru.
"Damn Mountain." Ranmaru thought as a dizziness wave came over him
They must have rebuilt it Ran thought as he unsheathe Toukijin
He walks down the hall where it came to two large wooden doors that lead into the throne.
With a swing of the demon sword the doors were destroyed and anyone standing next to them were evaporated.
"Hello Ranmaru." came a small that held some power
As Ran step further into the room he could see something was very wrong with Saffron… he was a child.
"What do you want here demon?" Saffron ask as soldiers fly into the room from different doorways
"My sister." Ran sneered, "Tell them to put down there swords or they will die." his voice was cold and Toukijin responded by giving off a very chilling aura
"You can't command Lord Saffron Land-ling." A tall beautiful winged woman spoke powerfully as she grip her sword tighter
"Kima." Saffron voice was soft but commanding
Kima sheathe her sword and commanded the soldiers to do so as well.
Ran slid Toukijin back into his belt
"Kima take him to the levels below the dungeon." Saffron paused and turned to Ran "There aren't many of us left in this world I ask you to retrieve your sister and leave, my people deserved peace."
"You've changed Saffron and may you people prosper from you change." He turned and started walking towards Kima "I wish my people had the same choice."
Soon they were on there way to the lower levels with Kima leading the way, Ran slightly behind her and 2 soldiers behind him.
"What happened to him girl?" Ran ask the white hair winged girl
"Why do you care OUTSIDER?" Kima snarled at him
"Last time I was hear he thought he was the most powerful thing on this earth and dared to challenge me alone." He paused "If it wasn't for the musk he wouldn't be here today." Ran spoke arrogantly knowing he was pissing off the girl walking in front of him
"He was defeated by a boy named Ranma Saotome." she said quietly
"Now he's a child." Ran would have smacked himself in the face for not remembering the battle that Ranma had with Saffron.
"He was reborn."
"Ah, I see."
"What did you mean about your people not having the same choice." Kima quietly she had been wondering about it for awhile now
"I came to this part of China, 200 years ago and attack the three kingdoms. I was defeated and now that I have returned there are no Youkai any where and you humans have took over everything."
Kima stretch her wings out and spoke "I'm clearly NOT human."
Ran ignored her and continued, "I can only assume that the great lords have fallen and the Youkai era, MY era is over." His emotions actually reaching his voice even surprised him
In front of them now was a large door. Kima opened the door and led into a small room inside the room a girl was lying in the corner with arms tightly chained to the wall. With large black pulsing orbs on each side of her.
Ran quickly destroyed the chains and the large orbs.
"What are those?" Kima ask from behind him
"They drain the power from a demon."
"Tsukiryuu." her kimono was torn in several places but still contain her modesty
"Tsukiryuu." He placed his hand on her chest and slowly pumped his Youki into her lithe body
He step back as he could feel her Youki come alive and immediately swell to monstrous proportions.
"Tsukiryuu, are you okay?" Ran ask as he lifted into his arms
"I'm just a little hungry onii-san." The girl ask to be put down
She looks over and saw the phoenix warriors cowering at her almost dragging Kima away in fear.
Tsukiryuu sighed she was dirty, hungry, and even after just waking up she was still tired and weak. She hated feeling weak in over 150 years she was never considered weak
"It's been over 200 years imouto." she turned around and looked at him sharply "The Youkai are gone."
"Who locked me in her?" Her eyes got larger and her dirty blue hair slowly started rising as she lowered her head
"They dared to lock I, Tsukiryuu away like a common human pet." Her voice was so low it was barely a whisper
Ran sighed his sister was pissed and when she got mad her Youki could be felt for miles and miles around, and they did not need the extra attention.
"Tsukiryuu, you will gain control of your emotions now." It was a command and she knew it
"The Northern Lands have fallen into human hands and you want me to calm down?" she asked coldly as she looked him in the face with her fiery green eyes
The rise of Youki had halted that's all that mattered.
"Tsukiryuu." Ran looked over his shoulder and gave her a cold gaze
"Fine aniue." she smirked as she knew how the word would effect him
He turned to look at her and pouted slightly.
They step over the phoenix soldiers that had fainted from rise of her poisoning Youki in the air.
Once they were outside the Mountain he was able to get a better look at his sister.
"You are a mess." Ran commented
She ignored the comment and questioned him "What stop you for 200 years aniue?" She was agitated and frustrated and needed to release some anger
"I was sealed for a long time and about 18 years ago I was reborn into a human. I've only been active for maybe a few days now."
"You spent 18 years as a human?" she would have broke down laughing if it wasn't for the look on her brothers face.
"Do you really think the Youkai are all dead?"
"No."
"Then what happened to them?" her angry had risen slightly at her brother distant attitude
"I don't know."
"How could you not know you're the Lord Of the Western Lands?" She screamed at him feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders
He just turned and continued walking with his long black hair blowing in the wind.
Tsukiryuu sigh her brother was always hard to understand, but after he lost a battle he would just shut the world out completely.
At least her sisters were still alive maybe they could shine some light on the horrible situation
Ch 3
'The woods have always been my companion since I was a pup. It was like a silent friend that he could always count on to be there.' Ranmaru thought as he walks through the forest close to the Masaki home and shrine.
His body wasn't working the way it use to, his Youki use to be like a raging river begging to be cut lose on the nearest human or Youkai that aggravated him, but now it was a calm river that sway and flowed around objects instead of beating them out of the way.
Ranmaru hadn't felt this weak since a battle he'd fought with a dragon from China that was trying to take over the Western Lands. He'd had almost died in that battle against the great dragon of Iron Mountain.
Ran reach down and laid hand on the Toukijin, the blade was not the same blade his father had carried before Ran himself was born; this blade was a mixture of his youngest sisters fangs and scales and his very own fangs. Ever since the Toukijin had been changed it always responded to his power and his emotions, but before the blade could barely be controlled with even 1/3 of his power focused on it, when his father used the demon sword he would focused small amounts of Youki into the blade and sword would amplify the energy when unleash on his opponent. Now the blade had the potential to hold extreme amounts of Youkai energy.
Ran looked over his left shoulder and sigh. "I'm not even in full form yet." He flexed his fingers while looking at his toxic claws and the stripes on his wrists.
"Full form, then demon you shall die NOW." a group of maybe twelve people jump out into the opening brandishing swords and other strange weapons even ran couldn't identify
"You humans are nosey I've heard you coming since I started walking through this forests." Ran sigh as he continues to walk "Just leave now or forfeit your lives to Ranmaru ruler of the Western Lands." Ran liked the title it had been awhile since he used it and he hope the amateur hunters would leave
"Ran-Inu died hundreds of years ago you tell lies." The leader of the group said
Ran sighed and wearily brought a flat palm hand up facing the giant of the group with a broad sword in his hands
"Dokkasou" His hand glowed a sickly green and an intoxicating mist came flooding from his claws instantly melting the man into nothing then more a pile of goop along with a few trees behind him
He look over the rest of the group seeing fear plainly on their faces, except the leader.
"Leave now." Ranmaru turned and kept walking through the forests
"I've smelled this smell before." The leader said as the other men took off running gibbering in fear
"You have?" Ranmaru look the man over "My poison is inherited from my family line and only two of my sisters could produce it." Ran looked thoughtful for a moment "Maybe you bothersome humans figured out a way to do it?" His unemotional gaze never wavered
"I don't know but it was near a gang club in Tokyo." The man turned and walks away
"Hmm humans get stranger and stranger every other century." Ran thought as he turned around and started walking back towards the house filled with strange people.
As he got back to the house he could hear the usually screaming from Ryoko and Ayeka over the young boy Tenchi.
"Hello Washu-chan." Ran said turning around to address the small scientist that was trying to sneak up on him
"Ah, hello Ranmaru." Washu said slightly embarrassed to be caught
"You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yeah I got the information you needed in my lab along with a few surprises." Washu spoke while pulling out a weird device from her pocket and fiddling with it a bit before pressing one of its numerous buttons.
Before Ran knew he was in her lab looking at a giant monitor while Washu sat in a seat in front of said monitor.
"I've found your sisters based on the sample you gave me." Washu said as she pointed out they where they were
"This one is very different from the other two so she could be a distant relative with a minuscule amount of blood in her but she is still a Youkai."
"What's different about her?" Ran asked feeling hope welled inside but not showing it on the outside
"The dominant blood seems to be a variety of draconian.," she said looking at his confuse face she spoke again "She's a dragon."
She could barely see the hint of surprise on his face but it was there none the less.
"Tsukiryuu."
"Who?" Washu ask as she created a profile for the girl
"Tsukiryuu, my youngest sister."
"Moon Dragon?"
"War broke out among the Northern Lands and The Western Lands because of a misunderstanding between my father and the Northern Lords daughter Asaryuu." Ranmaru in the chair that materialized behind him
"Many Youkai died on both sides and even more humans died when they entered the campaign, but when both sides lost very important members of the royal family the war ended with a treaty and an agreement." Ran smiled remembering when his mother told him and the faces she made, and words she spoke about the part coming up
Washu had been the taping the entire conversation so far and was waiting on him to continue.
"The agreement was to have the heir of the Western Lands and heir of the Northern Lands produce a heir thus linking the lands in unity." Ran gave a ghost of a smile remembering the ranting his mother did after she told him the story that his father never bothered to tell her "But with the sealing of Ryukousei and the death of Inutashio the agreement was thought to be forgotten and it wasn't brought up again until me and my two sisters were born."
Washu raise an eyebrow thinking about it.
"You can imagined the conversation between my mother and father when the beautiful Asaryuu showed up and demanded the North have an heir."
"She didn't have any other siblings that could produce a heir?"
'The amazing history of this back water planet continues to amaze me' Washu thought
"No Ryukousei was killed by Inu-Yasha before he could produce another child after he was sealed."
"Inu Yasha?"
"My fathers half brother."
"Oh."
"But I should have been able to feel her by now unless she's hurt or learned of a way to hide her power." Ranmaru looked at the spot his sister was located
"Why is that?" Washu ask truly curious about his reasoning
"She's powerful, even in her human like form her Youki was monstrous and could be felt for miles away." Ranmaru smirk at Washu clearly proud of his baby sister.
"Where is she at?" Ran said pointing to the screen with blinking dots
"Hmm, she's in a remote part of China called.."
"The Bayankala Mountain Range." Ran gasp as the memories of Ranma held flooded his mind
"Ran are you ok? What's wrong?" Washu asked trying to shake him out of his present state
"I have to go my sister is in danger." Ranmaru said while mentally kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner
'Of course she was coming to find me, I'm such an idiot I've left my sister in the hands of my enemies for lord knows how long' Ranmaru went on mentally berating himself as walk through the portal Washu had opened
"We can help Ran all you have to do is ask." Washu said smiling at the Youkai that could only think of saving his baby sister
"NO I must do this along." Ran said shifting back to his cold gaze.
"Hey here's that surprise I had for you." Washu spoke softly while handing him a small box
Inside were his clothes he wore before he was sealed and turned human. His white baggy shirt with black samurai armor on his chest and shoulders, along with his white and red patterned obi, and his white baggy pants that tied off at the ankle.
"Thank you Washu chan."
"There's something else in that box you might want as well." Washu said smiling at something as she turned and walk back into the house
Ranmaru put on the clothes and armor and reaches further down off in the box and grasps a handle and pulled it out of the box.
"Tenseiga" Ranmaru said in awe as he got a good look at the blade
Ranmaru slid the sword into his obi next to Toukijin. Slowly he turned and walks away later becoming a white ball of energy and taking off across the sky.
~~Somewhere in Tokyo~
"Hey Sasha did you feel that?" a girl with long silver hair ask as she walk into a room
"Yeah but he died in China along with Tsukiryuu." The girl looks sadly as she look at the full moon
"I wonder what mother would have thought of us for not dying in battle as we promised to do?" The girl ask no one in particular as she look at the moon
"Ranmaru would have wanted to us to stay and protect the lands Sasha, you know that." When the two girls sat down next to each other they are practically twins
"We couldn't even do that Kasha." The girl yelled at her sibling
"Your becoming more and more human as the years go on Sasha." Kasha spoke to her sister in a low voice
"I'm sorry Kasha but the last two centuries have been VERY hard on me." Sasha said softly
"I know."
"Hey I wonder what he would think about you taking on a human mate."
Her sister choked and sent her hate filled look.
"Your so mean Sasha."
~China~
The white ball of energy slammed into the side of the mountain and burrowing through the mountain until it lost it momentum and unfolded to reveal a kneeling Ranmaru.
"Damn Mountain." Ranmaru thought as a dizziness wave came over him
They must have rebuilt it Ran thought as he unsheathe Toukijin
He walks down the hall where it came to two large wooden doors that lead into the throne.
With a swing of the demon sword the doors were destroyed and anyone standing next to them were evaporated.
"Hello Ranmaru." came a small that held some power
As Ran step further into the room he could see something was very wrong with Saffron… he was a child.
"What do you want here demon?" Saffron ask as soldiers fly into the room from different doorways
"My sister." Ran sneered, "Tell them to put down there swords or they will die." his voice was cold and Toukijin responded by giving off a very chilling aura
"You can't command Lord Saffron Land-ling." A tall beautiful winged woman spoke powerfully as she grip her sword tighter
"Kima." Saffron voice was soft but commanding
Kima sheathe her sword and commanded the soldiers to do so as well.
Ran slid Toukijin back into his belt
"Kima take him to the levels below the dungeon." Saffron paused and turned to Ran "There aren't many of us left in this world I ask you to retrieve your sister and leave, my people deserved peace."
"You've changed Saffron and may you people prosper from you change." He turned and started walking towards Kima "I wish my people had the same choice."
Soon they were on there way to the lower levels with Kima leading the way, Ran slightly behind her and 2 soldiers behind him.
"What happened to him girl?" Ran ask the white hair winged girl
"Why do you care OUTSIDER?" Kima snarled at him
"Last time I was hear he thought he was the most powerful thing on this earth and dared to challenge me alone." He paused "If it wasn't for the musk he wouldn't be here today." Ran spoke arrogantly knowing he was pissing off the girl walking in front of him
"He was defeated by a boy named Ranma Saotome." she said quietly
"Now he's a child." Ran would have smacked himself in the face for not remembering the battle that Ranma had with Saffron.
"He was reborn."
"Ah, I see."
"What did you mean about your people not having the same choice." Kima quietly she had been wondering about it for awhile now
"I came to this part of China, 200 years ago and attack the three kingdoms. I was defeated and now that I have returned there are no Youkai any where and you humans have took over everything."
Kima stretch her wings out and spoke "I'm clearly NOT human."
Ran ignored her and continued, "I can only assume that the great lords have fallen and the Youkai era, MY era is over." His emotions actually reaching his voice even surprised him
In front of them now was a large door. Kima opened the door and led into a small room inside the room a girl was lying in the corner with arms tightly chained to the wall. With large black pulsing orbs on each side of her.
Ran quickly destroyed the chains and the large orbs.
"What are those?" Kima ask from behind him
"They drain the power from a demon."
"Tsukiryuu." her kimono was torn in several places but still contain her modesty
"Tsukiryuu." He placed his hand on her chest and slowly pumped his Youki into her lithe body
He step back as he could feel her Youki come alive and immediately swell to monstrous proportions.
"Tsukiryuu, are you okay?" Ran ask as he lifted into his arms
"I'm just a little hungry onii-san." The girl ask to be put down
She looks over and saw the phoenix warriors cowering at her almost dragging Kima away in fear.
Tsukiryuu sighed she was dirty, hungry, and even after just waking up she was still tired and weak. She hated feeling weak in over 150 years she was never considered weak
"It's been over 200 years imouto." she turned around and looked at him sharply "The Youkai are gone."
"Who locked me in her?" Her eyes got larger and her dirty blue hair slowly started rising as she lowered her head
"They dared to lock I, Tsukiryuu away like a common human pet." Her voice was so low it was barely a whisper
Ran sighed his sister was pissed and when she got mad her Youki could be felt for miles and miles around, and they did not need the extra attention.
"Tsukiryuu, you will gain control of your emotions now." It was a command and she knew it
"The Northern Lands have fallen into human hands and you want me to calm down?" she asked coldly as she looked him in the face with her fiery green eyes
The rise of Youki had halted that's all that mattered.
"Tsukiryuu." Ran looked over his shoulder and gave her a cold gaze
"Fine aniue." she smirked as she knew how the word would effect him
He turned to look at her and pouted slightly.
They step over the phoenix soldiers that had fainted from rise of her poisoning Youki in the air.
Once they were outside the Mountain he was able to get a better look at his sister.
"You are a mess." Ran commented
She ignored the comment and questioned him "What stop you for 200 years aniue?" She was agitated and frustrated and needed to release some anger
"I was sealed for a long time and about 18 years ago I was reborn into a human. I've only been active for maybe a few days now."
"You spent 18 years as a human?" she would have broke down laughing if it wasn't for the look on her brothers face.
"Do you really think the Youkai are all dead?"
"No."
"Then what happened to them?" her angry had risen slightly at her brother distant attitude
"I don't know."
"How could you not know you're the Lord Of the Western Lands?" She screamed at him feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders
He just turned and continued walking with his long black hair blowing in the wind.
Tsukiryuu sigh her brother was always hard to understand, but after he lost a battle he would just shut the world out completely.
At least her sisters were still alive maybe they could shine some light on the horrible situation