A/N: Yes, Ukyo wasn't in the original but I decided to let her be here in order for the story to progress and have a new flow of plot...^^...if you can understand what I mean.

Anyways, r&r

Chapter 2

The Eerie Mansion amidst the Woods

So far, the only thing that kept them at bay were the facts that they were not alone on this very journey; but other than that- it was an unspoken truce that the trees have been endless and the night came rather abrupt and still, the hunger on their stomachs began to grow. They have become weary that most of the times tired grunts and huffs resonated around the forest.

But they kept walking, afraid that if they did stop now tomorrow would just be another fail attempt.

However…

"Just where the heck are we? I'm freaking tired and hungry" The pigtailed martial artist muttered. Sweats trickling down his chin in to the dark ground below. His right hand paused at the bark of the tree that stood strong and silent on his agony. He really wanted to punch it, but knew would be pointless.

"Airen, not worry….huff…we back home, shampoo cook you delicious food!" That was supposed to be encouraging coming from Shampoo, but the raspy voice that vibrated on her throat didn't make the people around her quench the thought of hunger and despair, in fact, it amplified the desire to hurry and find the exit on the complex forest.

"As if he'd eat you're cooking, Sham~poo…huff…he'd rather eat mine, right Ran-chan?" Ukyo replied whilst kneeling on the floor and looking terribly exhausted. But still, she managed to smile towards her beloved fiancée, unfortunately, that was the kind of smile that freaked the hell out of Ranma more than the demons that he fought so far.

"Don't worry, Akane-san. I'm sure we're near the exit" Ryouga said with his manly smile, but look upon his figure one would know the degree of his suffering.

Akane without much left force just nodded at the male. Sitting on one of the huge roots she rested for a while- closing her eyes and opening them once again just to witness the stars dancing on the moon light. It was really pretty; looking up above she had almost forgotten the happenings around her. However, it was truly unfortunate that she wasn't able to ignore the shaking of her knees nor the growling of her empty stomach.

Once she gets home, she would eat a thousand horses. She frowned at the thought.

Ranma's attention was suddenly averted from the girls beside her towards the one girl that sat tiredly near him. He saw her knees shook in vigor and felt the fatigue covering her figure. Gathering his courage, he took a step to her when he was interrupted by the man who he really hated at this moment.

"A-akane-san? Would you want me to car-car-carry you?" Ryouga asked, feeling the anxiety eating his bones and muscles. He was in the verge of falling apart when he saw her smile at him. Then and there, he failed to stand up.

"Thank you, Ryouga, but I can manage" Akane didn't hate Ryouga but she seriously had problem when she was forced to look like a damsel in distress while the other girls around her continued to move onwards even with the same status they had. No, she won't be a burden. She can stand fine, all right. She just hoped her knees won't end up buckling on the ground.

Ranma decided that what he saw was enough as he turned around to glare at the empty space lurking on the darkness. His hands clenched on his side as he forced himself to calm down the raging emotions on his veins. Damn it, he was the one that was supposed to ask her that. Not that pig. And he was the only one who can carry her. Stupid Ryouga. Good thing she didn't agree or else…not that he was jealous mind you, he's just worried…yah know, for her. What if the pig didn't have enough strength to carry her and suddenly fall down? He can't have her being scratched and wounded.

"What's that?" Everyone looked up at the duck boy who was fixing his glasses on his face looking at a certain something that rest of them weren't able to spot on. Has it happened? Lost his sanity?

"What are you staring at, Mousse?" Ranma asked, his eyebrow rising up menacingly.

"That! Can't you see that? There's a light!" Mousse suddenly straitened his arm and pointed it forward.

Everybody seemed astounded for a minute before they were able to digest the information and decided to see the evidence, itself.

Then-

"Oh, light! There's light!" Shampoo squealed.

"Do you think, something's there?" Ryouga asked in wonder. Though in truth, he was hoping the source of the curious light would be very beneficial for them- like food!

"Well, we only have one way of figuring it out" Ranma muttered. Soundlessly, he led the group in moving.

"Is something wrong, Tendo-san?" Mousse asked without halting his steps. It was a little bit while but he was able to notice the continuous staring of the Tendo girl on him, and it unnerved him very much, not that he showed it on his face.

Akane on the other hand, didn't give as much as a reply. She just looked one last time on the quivering boy before going forth.

Weird girl…Mousse thought as he followed the rest of the crew.

"Wow"

"Am I dreaming?- Ow! Shampoo!"

"Mousse asked, Shampoo granted"

"This house is huge!"

"And it has lights on!"

"S-shall we go inside?" Akane wanted to curse but found she couldn't. Her throat has already been more than dried.

"Y-yeah. I mean we do need to find shelter" Ranma said. His eyes lingering a little bit further on the throat of the girl who spoke and hissed silently.

They knocked and waited for a reply. The sound echoing around as if the place was just empty. The trees behind them remained still and eerie. There was no music on the air as the whispers of the animal vanished in instant.

"Ah, no one's answering?" Ranma said, scratching the back of his neck.

Shampoo without the slightest hesitation went upfront and turned the knob that she used to open the door. Everyone behind her had their mouths wide open. She turned around and smiled at them, "Yay, door open, we can enter!"

"Um, shouldn't we wait for someone at least-?" Ukyo asked, afraid of what the bimbo has done.

"Silly little girl, we no time to wait for someone. We need shelter!" Shampoo said defiantly. Turning around once again, she marched straight inside the house.

The others looked toward another as to contemplate whether their other member has a huge amount of courage or were simply dreadfully proud.

"What you waiting for? Move!" The voice came inside from the house and the rest found themselves obeying the owner even with the slight tinge of annoyance creeping out of their system.

Once inside, they were surprised by the things that surrounded the mansion.

Confined to this madness..my soul is lost!...

To be continued...

A/N: Yes, i know it's short...but I can't help it. Life is hectic for me. Oh well, hope you like it:D