Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.
Please feel free to review, and make comments. If you find a spelling or word age mistake, feel free to let me know. Thank you. Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi.
A Ghost Free to Love
Chapter 2
The Ignis (Fire) Murder
By Kazuma20
Arc One: Retribution
Ille Umbra stood in the middle of seven very large pillars you could tell he was underground. Because you could hear the car's overhead. The brand in his hand was still caked with blood and it dripped on the ground creating a red poodle next to his shoe. He stalked to one of the pillars pulled the brand up and stuck it into the pillar and turned counter clocks wise till he heard a click and knew it was in place.
"'In dues no confido' is in place. Only four more leaves; Ignis, Terra, Aura, and Aqua. Then the bosses' plans will be ready." he muttered to himself.
He started to walk away, but turns around one last time and took a look at the seven pillars and whispered, "And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, 'Come and see.' And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, 'A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measure of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not oil and the wine.'" He turned back and headed down the dark long hallway.
After Hoshi tore the note from his apartment door, he headed out of the apartment area and headed down an undetermined street he stopped in front of an ally. He could hear voices coming from it was distantly male taunted and teasing someone he decided to go help the person and walked in the ally.
He headed down the ally it was a little dark as the sun was still up it was got darker as he went further, but still well lite to see where he was going and came upon them. What he saw was a girl with short blue hair. She had a black choker around her neck a white blouse and a blue skirt. She was sitting on the ground her hands in front of her chest. Staring up at the thugs, a small tote bag next to her and a book on the ground. 'She looks familiar? Better looking than Akane.' he thought.
The guys were still taunting and teasing her. Hoshi stopped them and said, "It takes' a bunch of pathetic men to pick on a girl."
The leader turned around and looked at the owner of the voice and looked him over. He had short black hair and was wearing a white coat, a blue turtleneck with a cross made of white stripes, accompanied by black pants, black boots and black fingerless gloves. Ha. Guys get a load of this guy."
"He looks like a dork." one commented.
"Yes, but he also called us pathetic. I think we should teach him a lesson in humility." replied the leader.
Hoshi snorted, "Yeah right that's big words coming from a greased up monkeys like you and your goons."
The girl was still on the ground just staring at the person who came to help. The leader was fuming at his insolence and screamed, "You should so respect to us boy."
"Boy? Yeah right I'm older than you punks and I'll still kick your asses."
"Boys show this man what we do to people who get in our business and has the nerve to back talk us on our own turf."
They ran at him in a group at him. Hoshi disappeared from where he stood and reappeared with his elbow thrust into the guy stomach and slipped in unconsciousness. His left foot was in front while his right was extended back on the tips of the toe on his boots.
He his right foot and sent the heel into the jaw he too was effectively knocked out the final three circled him and then attacked. Hoshi punched one in the chest the other in the stomach, and the last guy was kicked full force in the stomach. The all fallen to the ground at the same time.
The leader of these thugs was not a happy man he rushed Hoshi as he had his back turned. He moved to the side slightly and replied quietly a little amused, "Too slow." And kicked him in the face he then delivered a quick but powerful punch combo to the guy's abdomen. He flow at the last punch into a wall leaving a spider web effect where he hit and slumped down.
He turned his attention to the blue haired girl still on the ground she looked at him in the eyes. They stare at each other for a few seconds then something clicked in his mind 'Now that I get a better look at her face she looks exactly like Amia.' He bended down and picked up her book for her and started to help her up.
When she was help, she picked up her tot bag and stood up. Hoshi bended down again and brushed the little that mired her dark skirt.
"Are you ok?" He asked suddenly not looking up.
"Yes." was her answer.
"Good to hear and also your book." he handed back her book and took back and put it in her bag.
"Thank you." she said sweetly.
"Come on I will walk you home."
"Thank you very much."
Hoshi walked with her out to the exit of the ally. "Why were those guys picking on you anyway?"
"Well they were picking on me because I'm smarter then them."
"That has got to be a stupid reason. :sighs: Idiots."
They reached the exit of the all and started walking down the street. He turned to her and replied, "Sorry I haven't introduced myself I'm Hoshi Kusanagi."
I'm Ami Mizuno."
He was shocked when he hearing her name it was almost similar to Amia. He shook his head and recovered before he answered, "Don't let what those thugs tried to do to you bother you. They are just jealous, and besides if they ever try to pick on you again I will be there to protect you."
"Thank you Mr. Kusanagi."
"Just call me Hoshi."
"All right Hoshi."
They walked in silence as the sun went down. It created an orange-red hough in front of them. He stopped and stared at the setting sun. Ami stopped a little in front of him and turned back to look a t him. He remembered something someone said to him when he was fourteen and he said what came to mind, "And in that time, the sunset painted the sky like we see it now . . . 'You can't run, you can't escape your problems. You can only live with the problem. Someone once told me that and four years." He squeezed his right hand.
Ami looked at him thinking of what he said. They continued to walk in silence till they reached the steps of a shrine. She stopped and turned to him. "I was going her to meet some friends thank you Hoshi."
She walked up the stairs. Hoshi turned and watched her go up. He turned back to the street and continued walking down the street. He came to a crossway and crossed to the other side of the street and continued walking down and passed a park he continued heading down and stopped in front of an Arcade he past once when he was walking the street. He decided to get something to eat.
He stopped at the door and it opened automatically. He stepped in and walked to the counter and sat down he took of his gloves.
Motoki saw a new face that walked in and went to a set, and went to take his order.
"What can I get for you?" he asked as he walked to Hoshi.
"Um . . . do. You have hamburgers?"
"Yes we do. Would you like that?"
Yea' give me two and some fries with some tea okay."
"Sure it will be ready in ten minutes."
"All right."
It had been two hours since he inserted the brand as Ille Umbra sat in a chair with a wine glass stout between his middle finger and ring finger in the glass was Merlot a French wine. He broth the glass to his lips and took a sip of the amber colored wine. He moved his hand the liquid swished around in the glass.
"Ah! Such a good year." he said with a smile on his face.
He was watching four monitors where the scientists were being held the two men were out, but fully clothed. The two women regain consciousness only moments ago and found themselves naked as the day they were born. There well tone body looks like that of a runner or swimmer.
"Those two women have the body, beauty, and smart of what they wrote in mythology of what goddess should be like. I would love to have my way with them if it wasn't for the fact. I have to kill them. I would have my way with those two ladies. Also, do I really want to leave my DNA in their bodies they could match it up if they caught me, but that's not likely to happen."
He broth the glass again to his lips and took another sip of the Merlot. He leaned back into his chair.
"Ranma Saotome who renamed himself Hoshi Kusanagi for some reason. I Have a plan for you, Hoshi. You were my canary locked away in Nerima in your cage. You had set yourself free from the cage and flow away. But you can't rest your wings . . . my canary I have set you on an open road with that murder of Dr. Kenshiro Kimura. But tell me do you fill my spirt, my presence, do you sense it the same way I sense yours? And unfortunate fate don't think Ranma Saotome." He laughed manically and set his glass on the end table next to a book the title read 'Paradise Loss by John Milton.'
Hoshi finished eating and was walking in a park close to his apartment. His gloves back on hands in his pocket were sticking out a little. The stars were twinkling in the night sky, but it was chilly. But that could be expected in early December.
He arrived at the apartment complex and headed up to the second floors unlocked his door and walked in closing the door behind him locking the knob and chained it. He bent do a pulled up his pants leg and pulled off his boots and then throw them on the ground. He pulled down his pant's leg and then headed for the stereo next to the tv.
He pushed a button that turned on the stereo and CD Player. He took a cd out a it's case and put it on the cd player tray a pushed close then player. The cd was Nirvana.
After pushing play went to his couch and dropped down on it. He pulled of his gloves and jacket on the couch. Reviling that his turtle neck was long sleeved. He sat back down as the music played in the background.
"Man things have changed a lot for me since I left the Tendo Dojo life is different. I don't have to worry about the fiancee's and challengers. But, Nabiki will never stop looking for me. I'm her main source of income after all. Man I never thought I would be doing Private Detective work."
Makoto lived next door to Hoshi and didn't know it she was making fried fish with some rice and beans. She heard the music coming from next door. It was a little loud.
"Why is the music so load. Grunge I think it's called he must have weird taste in music." she stared to herself.
She had drained the water out of the rice and turned off the fire to the beans. Then, turned off that fire for the fish.
She took a pair of thongs and took out the fish from the oil a put it on a plate with some napkins. After she fished taking out the fish she then put the plate on the counter.
She made her way to the door to go asks her neighbor to turn down the music. She put her shoes and opened the door and closed it and walked next door and knocked.
Hoshi sat, his hands spread out on the plashed couth in the middle he head leaned back so he was staring up his eyes closed. He had his left foot set on the knee of his right and just let the music play as the masterful singing of Kurt Cobain.
He heard a knock on his door. He opened his eyes. 'Who could that be nobody from Nerima know I live here?' he thought. He got up and went to the door to unhook the chain and turned the lock on the door. He opened it up and got an unexpected guest.
He was surprise to see Makoto on his door step. By the look on her face she was just surprise as he opened the door.
"Um . . . Makoto what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I live next door to you I came by to ask you turn down the music? Please?"
"Oh. Sorry if it was to load for you." He replied making his was to the stereo and turned it down and put it on pause.
"Um . . . Hoshi would you like to have dinner at my apartment?"
He turned to her and stared at her. He smiled and replied, "Sure, why not I haven't had a home cooked meal in a while."
Makoto was happy that he accepted her invitation for dinner. She wanted to get Hoshi before Minako laid eyes on him. He also looked like her old sempai.
Hoshi put on his old slippers and closed his apartment door. He fallowed Makoto to her apartment. He kicked off his slippers and she took off her shoes.
"I made beans with rice and fried fish."
Hoshi fallowed her to the dinning area and was looking at the spacious apartment a little similar to his in size.
"Nice place you got here." He stated.
"Thank you, but what I saw of your apartment they were the same."
"I was talking about the way you furnished it."
"Oh! Silly me."
They severed themselves and went to sit at the table and started eating. "Um. This is delicious Makoto."
"Thank you Hoshi."
As they ate made lite conversation about when Hoshi could start training her. He said they could start in three days. After they finished eating, he helped her clean up then went back to his apartment.
When return his apartment he locked the door and headed for the furo. As he sat in the furo he leaned back and looked up at the ceiling compilation what had happened today. He meets two girls that might like him, but not too aggressive as those back home that was good. In his book. He also meets a girl that looked like Amia and like Akane, but she seems to be more calm and collective by the she reacted to what he said.
He stood up and walked out to the changing room and dried off and then put on a muscle shirt and a boxer short exited and went to his room and sleep.
Hoshi's day was the same go too, school. He found Makoto waiting for him in the school parking lot. They parted ways at the entrance. Then Minako appeared out of nowhere looking for him. She was accompanied by Ami surprised him.
"Hello Ami. I didn't know you were friends with Minako."
"Yes, I'm. Also, let me thank you again for helping me yesterday."
"Nothing to it."
"You two know each other?" asked Minako pointing to Hoshi and Ami.
"Yeah. I help her out yesterday."
"Oh."
"Well see you later got to class."
"Bye." they said.
Hoshi walked away. He headed for the stairs and up to the third floor. The morning class went the same for him as he tried not to fall asleep in class.
At lunch he sat crossed legged under a tree next to Makoto they ate under the same tree as yesterday. Minako was sending death rays Makoto's way for getting so close to a man that she had all intentions of asking out.
Hoshi could feel the heat that came from Minako's glare. Living with Akane all that time mad him somewhat paranoid when it came to women. He kept a look out of the corner of his eye. He could tell she was pissed out of her mind.
'She looks ready to kill someone. Hope it's not me. Maybe it's Makoto that she wants to kill.' he thought.
Hoshi stopped eating and turned to Makoto and asked, "Um . . . Makoto." pointing to Minako. "She looks piss."
She looked to where Hoshi had pointed it was Minako and she finally looked and was greeted with the evil eye from Minako. "Oh! Minako I didn't know you know her Hoshi?"
"Yes, I meet her yesterday on the roof of the school."
"She's just jealous that I"m close to you that's all."
"Okay, but. . . ." he started, the paused.
"But what?" she asked.
"Nothing." he replied.
Minako watched them from where she sat. Hoshi was the type of man she was looking for he was strong, handsome, and was probable looking for love. And who better then her to help then the "Goddess of Love." But Makoto maybe was going to mess up her chance of getting a good man before she even started.
"Phase three or was it four. Oh well like I give a fuck. All I care about that if the bosses' plan is working.' thought Ille Umbra. Striding into the dark tunnel.
He heading back to, where he was watching over the four scientists. "Now which one should I kill next?' he thought.
He carried a bag in his right hand there was a bottle inside the bag. His dress shoes made a stomping sound on the cement floor. He opened a metal door and heard a heavy metal clicking sound.
He whore a black trench coat with read dress pants with a forest green collared dress shirt. His face was hidden by the dark shadow of the hall. He closed the door behind him with a thud.
He started heading down a set of metal stairs. It made a doing sound as his shoes hit the metal. He reached the end of the flight of steps.
He came to another door made of wood. He pulled a single key from his pants pocket with his left hand and stuck into the key hole and unlocked the door. He opened it, walked in and shut the door behind him and started walking down a dark hallway. It was surrounded by four metal doors with an eye port and a port for the food on the outside. They two doors on each side.
He could hear banging coming from two of the doors. They where the one's he put the two men in. He stopped and looked at the door, but kept on walking with a cruel smile on his face.
He entered the room where the door was opened he half-closed it with his foot. He walked to a small table for one, and he put the bag down. He pulled off his coat an went hung it up on the coatrack that was next to the door.
He picked up a small metal bucket. He opened the refrigerator door and grabbed some ice and semi-filled it up. He walked to the sink and pulled a glass out off the cabinet above. He then walked to the table and pulled the bottle out of the bag and put it on ice.
Then headed to the stove and pulled the lead of and picked up a wooden spoon and stirred the stew he had been cooking on the stove. He pulled the spoon out then put the led back on and went sit in the table chair on the table he took the cork and stuck it in the bottle top and turned it to it popped. The reddish color liquid shot out and poured it into the glass then put the bottle back into a meal bucket. The bottle red in French "Pinot Noir."
He sat there drinking the wine. He sighed a little waiting for his food to cook he finished the glass of in two minutes and poured himself another glass and takes a sip. Then gets up from his chair walked to the cabinet and pull out a plate put some rice on the plate then grabbed a ladle and scooped up some of the thick sauce and chicken over the rice. After grabbing a fork and sat down at the table. He took a remote from the table and pressed the power button for the TV then pressed play no the VCR with the same remote. He was watching the first tape of "Schindler's List" an American movie.
He started thinking back to which one he would kill next started talking to himself. "Which one. Which one? I could go with Monou or Jigen? I think of that when the time comes."
Hoshi walked in the parking lot after school ended. He was heading to his motorcycle all of a sudden Minako appeared she stood next to his bike.
"Hello Minako. What can I do for you?" asked Hoshi as he approached.
"I wanted to know are you and Minako going out?" she asked up-front.
"No she's just a friend why do you want to know that. Why, are you interested in me?" he asked her and smiled already known what her answer's was going to be.
"Yes why?" she replied back.
"No reason." he stated. He made his way to his bike. "I'll see you tomorrow Minako. I got work to do."
He put his bag away and put on his helmet started his motorcycle and took off out the parking lot and down the street.
Before Minako could answer to what he said.
Hoshi was a nervous wreak it had been a week since the murder of Kenshiro Kimura. It been driving him nuts the clues were scarce and the murder had not yet killed the other four. But that then stop him from still taunting him with cryptic notes on his door that mocked him too.
That was when he meet Usagi. It was in the park after supper two days after he talked to Minako. He recognized her because he saw her sitting with Minako and Ami. And the third day of waiting for the killer to strike again.
Hoshi headed to her. Shew sat on a park bench she looked like she had been crying over something important.
When he sat down on the bench and asked, "Why are you crying miss?"
She sniffled a couple of times and said, "My boyfriend didn't bother to break up with me over the phone, but instead used a letter to do it."
"Why don't you forget about him."
"I can't according to destiny we are suppose to marry."
"Well I never believed in that. Destiny is what you make of it. Our lives are not preordained. They don't choose whom we marry it is us. Do not let fate get in the way of you finding true love not emptiness shallow love." stated Hoshi looks up at the nights sky that was clear and continued. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part: but then shall I know even as also I am known."
"Thank you. I'll think about what you said Mr. . . ."
"Oh! I'm Hoshi Kusanagi."
And I'm Usagi Tsukino. Hoshi." she replied.
"I have to go Usagi Come find me if you ever need anybody to talk to. Okay." he replied getting up from the bench.
"Sure." she exclaimed happily watching him walk away into the dark.
Then it was at that shrine. I found out that my father sold me again for money this time to be engaged to his granddaughter, but why am I not surprise. I always know I had another fiancee' out there. I meet her after the day after Usagi.
Hoshi walked up the stairs where he walked Ami too. Still trying too, figure out why this Shrine looked so familiar to him.
He continued walking up the stairs till he reached the top. It was out of the way not too many people there.
Then and old man walked out of the temple and saw Hoshi standing there. He walked to me. Then he bowed to me and I bowed back to him.
"So tell me son. How have you been?" he asked.
"Um. . . . Excuse me sir, but do I know you?" Hoshi asked.
"Yes of course. Your 'Ki' signature is unique. I' m right am I Ranma?" he replied.
"How do you know that old man?" Stated Hoshi.
"I meet you one time. When you and your father were passing through the area. He wanted food and couldn't pay. So, as payment he would engage you to my granddaughter."
He smacked his head with his hand and shook his head. "I should have known that my father would do this." he stated. "I should have known why this shrine looked so familiar to me."
"So would you like to meet your fiancee?" asked Mr. Hino.
Hoshi started rubbing his temple's on his head. "I need to process this information. I'll come by tomorrow. I need to think, sir."
Well I will not go into details on how it went, but I will say it went well she was very pretty if not beautiful. I still not gave him my decision, but I'm considering it. And I have talked to her more than the time we first meet.
So, now back to where I'm at right now crouching down on top of the Shuto Expressway No.1 went by I saw the Bridgestone Museum of Art in the distance. The wind blows his hair and stood up steadily and jumped off the building to building.
Till he reached it. High above smoke and flames swirled in the dark sky of the moon less night. He hung from a cross. There was a note nailed above his head. The intense cable stretched outward from the man's wrists on the outside of the cross. At the top of the building.
High above the street Hyoga Monou endured his last torturous moment of consciousness. As he looked down the length of his clad legs in only pants. He saw the skin on his feet blister and peel away. The fabric of his white pants started to catch on fire also. 'I am in hell. Why is this happening to me?' he thought. He knows he was in hell because he was looking at the brand on his chest upside down one-way. Trying to figure it out.
IGNIS
On his chest burnt, barbecued, and blood leaked out. Then saw the note above him and trying ti grab the note.
Hoshi tore the note and started to read it:
Hello Mr. Kusanagi. Look! Look! The fire's of hell is consuming Dr. Monou! Can you smell the burning flesh, the heat of the flames? 'When thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not burned neither shall the flames kindle upon thee. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whore mongers, and sorcerer's, and Idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. Which is second death.' I hope you like it Kusanagi it's a good present after everything that happen since her death. A very good present for the annavesy of her death in two weeks away.
Sincerely yours,
Ille Umbra
P.S.-I can see you, but you can't see me!
Ille umbra watched Hoshi from the shadows an evil smile crossed his face and disappeared into the shadow with a bloody brand in his right hand. Dropped onto the ground.
As Hoshi read the note. The police arrived and shined a spotlight at him. Hoshi covered his eyes and growled that he let his guard down so the cops could get the jump on him.
Someone on a microphone said, "Stay where you are. If you move, we will open fire on you."
The SWAT Team entered the stairs and made their way up. Hoshi quickly cloaked himself with the Umi-Sen Ken and disappeared from the site.
The News arrived at the same time as the cops to report on the murder. The cameraman pointed the camera upwards as he disappeared from the site. The SWAT kicked the door down guns pointed straitly ahead and the five members of the team walked ahead with extreme caution.
"Sir no one's here!" he said over the Walkie Talky.
"Roger that Lieutenant. But do a sweep of the area to be sure." replied the Sergeant.
Hoshi made his way back to the Soho Expressway No.1. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Dr. Kuroi.
"Hello Dr. Kuroi . . ."
To Be Continued . . .
Authors Note: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I was a little busy. Hope you like it. I would like to dedicate this fic to my friend Erik who was killed two weeks ago. Read and Review. Kazuma20 out.