Author's notes: I was a little disappointed by the number of reviews for the previous chapter, but there isn't much that I can do about that. Anyway, I'd like to thank hee-haw for taking the time to point out several places that could use improvement. The previous chapter should look a little better now. Thanks goes out to idcallie and James Axelrad for hunting through this chapter for all my errors.

Disclamer: I own neither Noir nor Ranma ½

The Fourth Sapling

By: brindani

Chapter 8: A Weighted Soul

Mireille sat silently at her computer screen, idly tapping a finger against the velvet lining of her pool table.

Kirika watched Mireille anxiously as she watered the plant near the window. Mireille would often stare into the distance when something was troubling her. Kirika had to admit, recent events were very troubling.

"It appears the final payment for the job was deposited into our Swiss account," she mentioned absently. Kirika wasn't sure if she was talking to herself. In times like this, she found it best to allow Mireille to speak her mind.

"That means it was credited to Noir, but we weren't the ones to do it. After those bombs, there were so many soldiers we had a hard time just escaping. Still, the whole situation doesn't add up. Someone didn't just beat us to the target, the entire regime collapsed in a matter of days. Even with the unusually sudden interest from the UN, that shouldn't have been possible."

"Do you think it could be them?" Kirika asked quietly, shifting the pot around so that each side would receive equal shares of water.

"There is nothing to link any of this to them directly, but I have a feeling that they're connected." Mireille frowned as the puzzle refused to reveal its secrets. Standing, she retrieved a bottle of orange juice from the refrigerator. Twisting off the lid, Mireille took a long sip before sitting down, setting the bottle beside her. "Whoever assassinated the self-appointed president was not only good, they were very good. They planted bombs all over the city, strategically placed so the enemy could not afford to ignore them. That distracted a large portion of the main army. They then slipped past the entrenched elite patrols, recently bolstered by rumors of the assassination attempt, and violently killed the leader, after roughing him up for well over twenty minutes.

Their President was no pushover. There was a reason we planned to strike after dark aside for the cover it offered. Before he staged the takeover, he had been the General of the ground forces, decorated for killing a hundred confirmed enemies during their last skirmish. Yet with all his skill, my sources indicate a very one-sided conflict.

After all that, only an anonymous message was left through obscure channels, attributing the act to Noir. That was the only evidence to link the whole situation to us. Truly, this new person puts everyone we have met so far to shame."

Beep

Mireille stopped her incessant tapping, turning to the computer. Clicking through several screens, her eyes took on an appraising look as they scanned through a new email.

"Looks like one of my contacts found an old contract that may hold a clue about our enemy. It appears to be in the possession of the Mafia currently." Mireille started to tap her fingers together speculatively as Kirika finished watering the plant and moved to look over Mireille's shoulder. "Hmmm, it looks like that job for a hit on the Mafia leader may have more value than I first thought."

Glazed eyes swept across the terrain as Ranma left the limousine. Chloe stood behind, carefully watching her companion. She found it odd. Ranma held no shortage of confidence in his abilities. When he proved he could do something correctly, shutting him up was nearly impossible. Yet, once he completed a very important mission, he had not said so much as 'I told you so'.

He locked himself into his hotel room that first night. The shower turned on before she left for her own room. When she returned the next morning, the shower was still on and Ranma's hands were bright pink, mumbling something about the blood wouldn't come off. That was the only thing she had heard him say since then; mostly mumbled under his breath.

It frustrated Chloe to no end. She prided herself on understanding people. From the signs, she knew that Ranma had fought and likely killed them with the blood she noticed on his hands. She knew this had to be the cause of his angst yet it didn't make sense. Killing was their way of life. Chloe shook her head, giving up on understanding Ranma as they journeyed back.

It was oddly nostalgic for Chloe as this was the exact path they had taken when she first brought Ranma to Altena. Ranma had undergone quite a few changes since that time. His swordsmanship had improved by leaps and bounds until his strength and speed allowed him to overwhelm her seven times out of ten. Not to be outdone, Chloe had poured herself into training harder, increasing her own speed, endurance, and strength preventing Ranma from completely overtaking her.

Chloe lost her concentration as she almost ran into Ranma. Abruptly stopping several inches behind him, Chloe stuck her head around him to find what had caused the sudden stop. She smiled when she spotted Altena a dozen paces away, her warm smile welcoming them from their long journey.

Chloe smiled, leaving her troubled thoughts behind as she passed by Ranma, running into Altena's welcoming embrace.

"I've missed you, my Chloe," Altena whispered into her ear.

"I've missed you too." Chloe responded, a content smile appearing.

They held each other for several tender minutes before Altena's eyes reopened, focusing solely on Ranma. She noticed his face was conflicted, ranging from desire to self-loathing to neutral. Standing, she nudged Chloe to disengage. Chloe did so reluctantly, turning a questioning gaze to Altena.

She found Altena staring past her. Following the stare, she found Ranma watching them with a deep seated need that she had felt all too often during her longer assignments.

"Why don't you go ahead and start dinner, Chloe?"

Hesitantly, Chloe nodded her head, restraining herself from making a comment about it being Ranma's turn to cook. Light footsteps grew softer as she entered the ancient structure. Her departure left the two staring at each other, Altena's warm gaze meeting Ranma's disheartened one.

After nearly a minute, Altena took the initiative, lightly traversing the distance between them, halting a few feet in front of Ranma, arms opened wide.

Ranma took a hesitant step forward, and then another, finally allowing gravity to complete the task. Altena barely caught the sudden weight, collapsing to her knees. Ranma grasped her with incredible strength as if holding onto a lifeline. No tears were shed, only a deep tremble he could not contain.

"There there, young one," Altena cooed to the distraught teenager. "You have done an excellent job; there is no need to be sad."

Ranma pulled back, looking up into the older woman's eyes. "No, I didn't. I botched the whole thing. No one was supposed to die. The President was suppose to leave the country, never to be heard from again, but now… now… he's dead." Ranma finished, almost child-like in his anguish.

Altena's concerned gaze fell back on Ranma, gently guiding him into their mutual embrace. Slowly, Altena ran her fingers through Ranma's hair. It helped to calm him, relieving the incessant shaking. They remained this way for a long time, as the sun began to make its way over the horizon, before Altena spoke once more.

"Ranma, sometimes people who cause others pain will not listen. They are cowardly, hiding behind soldiers to protect themselves from their insecurities. They desire power and allow it to corrupt them, turning promising leaders into sadistic dictators. They never want to let go of what they have taken, thinking everything it theirs by right. If they are not stopped, they can cause terrible suffering, as you have recently seen.

Sometimes it is possible to remove them peacefully; more often force is the only way to displace them. You did what had to be done and no one will blame you for it." Altena finished, releasing Ranma, gently encouraging him to stand. "Now come, there is something I wish to show you." Ranma hesitantly left the safety of their embrace offered freely by this woman he hardly knew.

Together they walked back into the manor. Carefully examining the worn structure, Ranma realized that over the past two weeks, this place had become like a second home. It held so many memories of Altena's mother-like essence as well as Chloe's often aloof presence. Each of the manor's many twists and turns, explored a thousand times over. At least the main floor that is. He was unsure as to why, but Altena always stopped him before he could explore the lower levels of the structure.

Ranma allowed Altena to guide him through the corridors without resistance, steering him to her personal office. She gently led him to a seat, before sitting opposite of him.

Ranma found the situation oddly reminiscent of their first meeting as this was the same room, with an identical manila folder on the table.

Altena smiled at Ranma as she settled into her seat. "Despite what you think, you have done a wonderful job." Ranma's eyes lowered, denying the praise. He was startled when the folder pushed into his view.

"Go ahead, open it." Altena encouraged with a small nod.

Ranma hesitantly lifted a hand, flipping the folder open. Inside he found a pile of pictures. His eyes widened as they examined the top photo. It featured a large group of soldiers, the band on their arm marking them as part of Jamal's army. Each held their hands over their heads as twice their number in UN soldiers held guns to their backs, marched them into a waiting transport van. Uncovering the next, he found another UN soldier gently cleaning a young child's cuts, as the mother sat close by with a relieved smile.

The next was of a food dispensary, where a child who was literally skin and bones, devoured the army food rations, a large pile of wrappers scattered around him. Examining photo after photo, Ranma found that each held renewed hope where it once was devoid.

A small smile appeared on Ranma's face as he finished viewing the pile. Closing the folder, Ranma, his head propped by his hands, realizing what he had done was unforgivable, and yet… so many people now had expressions of relief; a chance to live their lives without terror. His attention returned to Altena when she cleared her throat.

"There is one more that I wanted to give to you personally," Altena whispered, revealed another photo, taking great care in handling it.

Curious, Ranma took the photo, blinking as he recognized someone within. Quickly, Ranma fished through his own pockets with his good arm, removing a long held picture of a girl being tortured behind bars, before examining the one he had just received. His eyes widened as they took in the details. In it, the same little girl leapt through the air, her parents rushing forward, arms open wide. The little girl's smile, larger than any Ranma had seen before, spread across her face with small sparkles that could only have been tears.

Ranma wiped his own eyes.

"Sometimes what we do is worth it, even at the cost of human lives. You have saved a country and you have mine and every one of its citizens' deepest gratitude." Altena's smile wavered slightly before continuing "Ranma, there are other people that could use your help, other countries in dire need. Would you consider staying with us and helping those people as well?" Altena asked.

Ranma frowned, turning his head away. "As a girl?" He asked knowing the answer.

"It would be the best way." Altena affirmed.

Ranma shifted back and forth, his eyes troubled. It wasn't just staying a girl that bothered him. From everything Altena had said, if he remained he would kill again. Even thought this may help so many people, he wasn't sure he could take the gnawing taint he felt curled around his stomach. It became nearly unbearable when he looked at his raw pink hands. No matter how much or how hard he scrubbed, he felt it there, even now, the blood of the man he had killed.

Eventually Altena interrupted his thoughts. "Why don't you think about it, Ranma? You do not have to answer immediately. You could return home. Take some time to relax, and visit with friends and family. I'm in no hurry, spend as much time as you need to consider my offer."

Ranma nodded, carefully tucking both pictures safely into his pocket.

"I'll arrange for a flight tomorrow morning."

"Thank you… for everything, Altena." Ranma said, leaving the room to pack the few belongings he had accumulated during his short stay.

Altena serenely watched him leave. "No Ranma, thank you." Standing, she exited the room herself, traveling the corridors that had been her home for years she had lost count of. Almost be instinct she went into a room where she liked to think. It was a simple room with a table and chair. On the table lay a game of chess. Altena sat down considering the game with a smile. Slowly, she reached out, moving a pawn one space closer to the opposite side of the board. "Only two more spaces, my young sapling."

In a luxurious room, far removed from the manor, brooded three middle-aged men each. Each sat in an elaborately carved chair, with a glass of exotic wine, all three wore a ring with the symbol of the Soldats. Shadows flickered around the dark room, cast by the blazing fire locked within the large fireplace before them. Each seemingly lost in thought as they stared into the fire, captivated by the dancing flames. At least until one broached the subject that plagued their collective thoughts.

"Altena has gone too far."

The others glanced towards the large man who had spoken, nodding in consent.

"What she is trying to do breaks all tradition. Noir represents the sacred hands of the Soldats, it holds no place for a man."

"She says that he has a curse that changes him into a woman."

"We've all seen the video, there was no indication it was altered. Still I find it disconcerting. Such a dramatic change to the body with the simply application of water indicates something far beyond known science."

"Still, I find it is fortuitous that the male child the old high priestess proclaimed a candidate for Noir would receive this specific curse."

"We are losing sight of what is important here. Cursed to become a girl or selected for Noir by a deranged old woman, he was still born a male, which precludes him from Noir."

"In that we are in agreement, but what can be done? This unusual curse allows Altena to act on her foolish designs."

"Yes it does… it also allows us to act as well."

"What do you mean?"

"If this Ranma is to be a candidate for Noir, then he must be tested as the others."

"But Altena said he is not ready for the trials, he was injured after his last mission."

"Exactly…" devilish smiles appeared all around.

Ranma took a deep breath of air; his first since arriving in Tokyo. It felt… nice to be home. He was certain that chaos awaited him ahead and yet he almost felt like it wouldn't matter. He had saved thousands and not even idiots like Kuno or Mouse could hamper his soaring spirits now. The very air itself felt charged with his anticipation.

Flexing his right arm, the cast that hampered his movements disintegrated, pieces fluttering to the ground. Moving his arm around, Ranma smiled as all signs of damage had completely disappeared.

Hopping to the nearest roof, Ranma never noticed another familiar figure departing from a different flight.

Chloe stretched her arms and legs after the long trip before shifting her belongings to her back. 'This doesn't make sense. Ranma is to become apart of Noir and yet Altena allows him to simply leave. Now she wants me to watch him with explicit instructions not to be seen or intervene, no matter the circumstances.'

Shaking her head, Chloe walked slowly towards the Tendo dojo. She still had not figured out how Ranma could detect her, but she knew whatever his odd power, it did not extend beyond a hundred meters.

It was true she wouldn't be very effective from such a distance, but given her orders, it was rather a moot point.

Ranma felt exhilarated as he blazed across the roof tops at high speed. It had been far too long since he felt the wind across his face like this. The city was a veritable highway at his feet, leading to any destination he desired. Already the Tendo compound was coming into view. At the sight of its familiar roof, Ranma's heart felt lighter than it had since he began this long journey.

With a final leap, Ranma landed into the front yard, dusting himself off before walking to the door. His hand hovered above the doorknob. He had left rather suddenly. He didn't quite feel comfortable just barging in as if he had been gone for the afternoon. Shaking his head, he knocked solidly on the door.

"Coming" Ranma heard from within. It felt nice to hear a familiar voice.

After several moments, the door opened, revealing the owner of that soothing tone; Kasumi wearing a conservative housedress with a lovely rose motif.

"Oh, Ranma. It has been so long. How was your trip?" Kasumi asked pleasantly, gesturing for him to enter.

"It was quite the experience, Kasumi. I'm very glad to be home." Ranma answered, walking past her.

"That's nice. You'll have to tell everyone about your journey when they return." Kasumi responded, closing the door behind Ranma as he entered the main room.

"Where is everyone? I thought they would be back by now." Ranma asked looking around.

"Akane should be returning from an after-school activity shortly, Father went to purchase some cigarettes and Nabiki is attending Tokyo-U now." Kasumi answered walking past him straight to the kitchen to retrieve some refreshments.

Ranma blinked. Something about that explanation didn't sound right. He waited semi- patiently until Kasumi returned with a plate of cookies and tea. She lightly placed both items onto the table in front of Ranma, taking a seat herself.

"Uhh, when did Nabiki get into Tokyo-U? For that matter, when did she graduate from highschool?" Ranma asked as he took a bite from one of Kasumi's delectable peanut butter cookies.

"It was very odd, but it appears Nabiki filled out some test information online. The school contacted her about a week and a half ago, saying her scores qualified her to attend. They invited her to a private entrance examination at the university. She did so well, the school board allowed her to skip her last few years of high school. They also offered her a full scholarship. It was all most exciting." Kasumi explained with a pleasant smile.

Ranma frowned for a moment before shaking his head. "That was very nice for her. So I'm guessing she's staying in one of the dormitories?"

"Why yes, from the sounds of it, she has an excellent roommate that has helped her learn the campus very quickly. We receive letters almost every other day about how she is doing." Kasumi answered, daintily nibbling on one of her own cookies.

"These are excellent cookies, Kasumi." Ranma commented as he removed another from the plate.

Kasumi blinked before smiling again. "Why thank you, Ranma, I made them from a new recipe I've been working on."

"You certainly have outdone yourself this time. I haven't had a cookie nearly this tasty since… actually since the last time I had one of yours." Ranma said, giving Kasumi a warm smile of appreciation.

Kasumi blushed, looking down at the table. "Thank you."

"Kasumi, Dad, I'm home," echoed a voice from the front door. "Do we have guests? There's an extra pair of shoes here." Akane stopped cold as she entered the family room.

"Ranma…" she whispered, eyes suddenly filled with confusion, hurt, and pain. He had left her so quickly leaving no word about what was happening. She was so worried about the idiot. He might have been hurt and she would never have known. But did he care?! 'No!' Akane's mixed emotions spun around her leading to anger.

"Hi Akane, it's nice to see you again." Ranma politely greeted. Akane's aura shimmered a brilliant red.

"Ranma, how could you do that you jerk!" Rushing forward, Akane, tears in her eyes, threw a punch with all her might. In the blink of an eye, Ranma stood, grabbed her overextended arm and threw Akane against the far wall. She landed with a loud thump. Two knives appeared at either side of her head, each with a dull thud, mere inches from her face.

"I am sorry for the display of violence, but I didn't have a chance to warn her not to attack." Ranma bowed low to Kasumi before sitting back down.

"Oh my," Kasumi gasped, placing a hand to her mouth as Ranma's odd behavior became more apparent. "You certainly have changed Ranma."

Ranma blinked several times himself, thinking about Kasumi's comment. "Yes, I guess I have. My recent sensei was very big on manners."

"I… see. Will she be alright?" Kasumi asked indicating the clump once known as Akane who appeared to have small swirls in her eyes.

"She should be fine momentarily. I restrained myself as much as I possible could."

"Why did you do that?" Kasumi asked.

"Kasumi, I left to save people. I trained hard to respond to attack without thinking, so that when I went into hostile territory, I would be able to handle anything. Besides, I was getting tired of being hit."

"No, I mean, Akane is a girl. You've always been against fighting girls," her eyes clearly uncertain about this particular change.

Ranma stared at Kasumi for a moment before realization dawned on him. "I've seen plenty of girls that can bend iron with their bare hands and fight with incredible ferocity. I recently found one that could not only fight, but would literally skin me alive if I didn't fight her with all my might. I just sorta got used to fighting back when it came to girls."

"I see." Kasumi answered weakly.

"Anyway…" Ranma's thoughts spiraled away from the concentration. His senses were set to trip if he felt anything hostile. Every single one of those senses just tripped. 'Damn, there's something out there; something that wants me dead. And they're close.' Ranma thought to himself as his gaze seemed to look past the walls out into the front street.

In front of the Tendo household stood seven men, all dressed in sharp black suits with sunglasses. Inconspicuously drawing their guns, they turned towards the house that held their unsuspecting target.

"Remember our target is injured. It should be an easy kill, but don't let your guard down. We can not afford to underestimate our enemy. We also have orders to not harm the family, however, mistakes… do happen." The large leader grinned sadistically before walking forward.

Author's end notes: I can feel the outrage now. Ranma coming close to tears!? Ranma needing a hug?! Sacrilege! My excuse? Ranma has breached his code of honor, has taken a man's life with blood literally on his hands. I can only imagine how traumatic such an experience would be. I would think that even Ranma would be allowed such small consolations especially as Altena is the only one to see.

Nabiki's sudden enrollment into Tokyo-u probably appeared abrupt as well. There is a reason behind it and I'm sure people have ideas already, but it will be explained later.