Ranko slowly made her way out of the dojo. Her chest hurt and her vision was starting to blur. Then she noticed Shampoo holding a sword and heading straight toward Akane.

So using the last of her strength, Ranko ran over and jumped in front of the blade.

Too Ranma and Akane's horror, Shampoo's sword went straight through Ranko. The pigtailed girl held the blade, trying to prevent it from going any further. Eventually Ranko pried the sword from Shampoo's grip. Then she fell.

Akane quickly rushed to her side and pulled the blade out of her. Then Akane quickly took Ranko's hand in her own.

Meanwhile, Ranma silently got up from his spot under the tree. He started to make his way over to Ranko and Akane. Then, He was kicked aside by Ryoga who was still hell-bent on killing Ranko.

However, Ranma got up and countered Ryoga's attack with all of his old strength back. He had to stop Ryoga. So without caring on whether or not Akane was watching, Ranma fired a Moko Takabisha which sent Ryoga flying into the the koi pond.

A minute later, a little black pig came out of the pond. The mind control ring had fallen off due to its difficulty staying on a pig's hoof. The pig for reasons unknown to itself, fainted from exhaustion.

After Ryoga was taken care of, Ranma turned his attention towards Shampoo. He knew the moment he saw her, that this was all her doing. His sister was dying because of her.

Shampoo saw Ranma's expression and realizing that now was not the best time to be around, started to run. She'd be back when Ranma had a chance to cool down. She was caught by Akane only seconds after. Shampoo tried to free herself from Akane's iron grip but to no avail.

Ranma walked up to them and looked directly at Shampoo, "What you have done today is unforgivable. I don't care about your reasons. I never want to see you again. I hate you Shampoo. If you have any guilt at all whatsoever, you won't reverse what I'm about to do".

The Ranma's hand charged itself with searing hot chi. He reached around and pressed a spot on Shampoo's back. Shampoo screamed in pain and went limp.

Shampoo tried to struggle against Akane grip. However, as hard as she tried, Akane's hands didn't budge by event a millimeter. Shampoo knew what was done to her and instead of trying anything funny, she simply walked away. In the end, there was nothing she could do.

Ranma and Akane soon ran back over to Ranko and kneeled down beside her. Both Ranma and Akane took Ranko's hands into their own.

Ranko was feeling tired, the pain in her chest was nothing compared the sight of Akane's tears. She said the first thing that came to mind, "Gosh you're cute when you cry".

"Why did you do it Ranko" asked Akane.

"Cuz Ranma didn't react fast enough"

"We have to get you to a hospital," said Ranma.

Ranko smiled, "No, this was meant to be. With me gone, you can live. I love you bro."

Ranma held her hand tighter, "I love you sis."

Ranko looked over at Akane, "I love you Akane".

Akane leaned over and kissed Ranko's lips for the last time, "I love you Ranko".

Ranko then took Akane and Ranma's hands and put them together so they were holding hands. Then Ranko closed her eyes and faded away….literally.

"Where did she go?" cried Akane.

"I don't know," said Ranma.

Akane went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. She quickly poured it over Ranma. Ranma didn't change. Even though he was cured, Ranma wasn't happy.

"I didn't want to be cured like this," he said.

Akene walked over to him and put her arms around him as tears started falling from his eyes.

Then out of nowhere, Happosai walked out of his hiding spot grumbling, "Lousy magic spell. It was supposed to take Ranma not my precious Ranko".

The next thing he knew, Happosai felt Ranma's hands around his neck.

"What did you do", demanded Ranma.

Happosai quickly spat out, "I used a magic spell. It was supposed to send you to another plane of existence, but it sent Ranko instead".

"Why", yelled Akane.

"Ranma and Ranko's auras could not be restored as long as both of them were here. The only way to fix it was to either kill one of them, there by sending the soul to the afterlife. When that happens, the soul is no longer on this earth but somewhere else entirely. My spell sent Ranko to another plane of existence, thus also getting rid of her soul from this one. With my dear Ranko's soul gone, Ranma's aura can begin to heal now that it is no longer divided."

"So where is my sister", demanded Ranma.

The old pervert replied, "I don't know. The scroll I learned the spell from didn't specify".

Ranma then proceeded to kick the old man over the house and went inside while holding Akane's hand.

Shampoo had packed up a few of her things and slowly dragged her backpack out of the cat café.

"Where are you going", asked Cologne.

Shampoo said nothing. She just kept dragging her pack.

"What's the matter with you?"

Shampoo lifted the back of her shirt and showed Cologne the burn mark on her back.

"I can fix that easily".

Shampoo shook her head and continued walking. She didn't know where she was going or what she'd do when she got there. After about an hour, she noticed she was being followed.

"What you want Mousse?" she asked.

"I'm coming with you wherever you're going", he said.

"Go away"

Shampoo continued to drag her pack until Mousse came and picked it up.

"At least let me carry your bag. I won't even speak unless you tell me too"

Shampoo finally gave in, "Fine".

They continued to walk off in silence.

A month later, Akane found Ranma in his room staring at a picture. The picture was of him giving a piggyback ride to Ranko. Akane walked over to him and sat down beside him.

"You know she wouldn't want you moping around like this," said Akane.

"I know. That doesn't mean I can't still miss her," said Ranma.

"I miss her too". Akane leaned her head on Ranma's shoulder.

"I still feel her you know."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how to explain. She's not here but I sense her."

"Maybe it's a connection you two have since you were once the same person."

"Maybe."

"So how is she?"

Ranma smiled, "She's happy".

"That's good. Hey I know it's not manly or whatever but, do you want to get some ice cream".

Ranma looked over at his fiancé and said, "I'd love to". Then he leaned over and kissed her.

End of Chapter 8

First of all, I hope Happosai's explanation of why he did what he did makes sense and for an explanation of what Ranma did to Shampoo, see Ranma ½ episode 67.

By now, I'm sure you're all wondering where Ranko is. However, simply because I'm evil, (and very busy) I'm going to make you wait another day or two for the final chapter/epilog.