chapter 18

The city slumbered peacefully but Shadow never sleeps. The activities at the Green Dragon Dojo had been closely watched. Even the bright flare of Light energy had been noted by silent watchers. The time was near, the master's plan was coming to fruition. No amount of healing would clear the damage that had settled deep down inside.

Aki watched the night, debating. The shadow he commanded brought back tales of the old one who had once trained his sensei. She had entered the dojo at midday and was only now preparing to leave. A part of him wanted to surrender, to go to his old master and hope for forgiveness. He fought that part.. He had chosen five years before and while he found much distasteful he did not want ot give up the power he gained. Stepping off the pole, he floated down to the ground and leaned against the pole. With a thumb flick he lit a thin cigarette and watched as the amazon elder left.

The game had been interesting enough as he avoided the Senshi. While storng warriors, avoiding them was child's play. They just weren't up to the levels of surveilence required. The Kouhei now, they gave him a challenge. Escorting the elder was the indian Oak. The tall man with the raven's wing hair was the tracker of the group. Rarely seen but very effective in routing out the shadows he sent. Bringing him back was a serious misstep by Kaneda. Somehow he could work together with the healer and that was playing havoc with the Shadow Master's plans.

The fact that Suteko and the little time Kouhei had escaped had annoyed Kaneda to no end. But the thought that they would be effectively out of any battle had kept him from raging. The Kouhei healer though seemed to be stronger than expected. Unicorn had jumped into a street fight with the gajjin bear, something she should not have been able to do so soon after torture.

Melting into the shadows, he watched that old woman hop about on her staff. She was another wildcard. Someone they didnt know enough about. The old woman had some type of effect on Suteko, a positive effect that could cost them the battle.

Cologne narrowed her eyes. In the shadows across the intersection was a young punk. Or more something pretending to be one. She made a small gesture and nodded. "My bag," She said softly to her escort.

Uhanzee nooded, passing the bag to the elder and moved on silent feet to just behind her shoulder. While the elder was in the past a great warrior, she now deserved to be protected. Her warrior spirit was storng but her body no longer was. This neighborhood was not ideal for Uhanzee's natural talents but he picked out plenty of cover. When the elder gestured again he ghosted out. Generations of scouts and years of being a Kouhei had made Uhanzee difficult ot spot when he decided to blend. Using only a touch of his powers he moved from tree to bush, circling toward the shadow general.

Cologne hopped forward after palming a packet of herbs. "It is rude to stare, boy." She adressed Aki form her staff. "Ruder to hang about like a deliquent."

Aki lifted a brow. "Are you speaking to me old woman?" Aki smiled in the shadows, his cigarette glowing in the dark.

"Who else, silly child?" Cologne used her best annoyed voice. She did not like that Suteko's haven was being watched by a shadow minion. The girl was healed but she needed time to recoup her energies.

Aki flicked his eyes to the side, searching for the Cheyenne warrior. Even though his powers made shadow as easy to see as daylight, the Kouhei was hidden to his sight. He stepped from the comforting shadow and flicked ash in the old woman's direction. "So what if I am, hag." The derision in his voice held a note of doubt, clear to the ancient one. "It is not often we see a gnome moving about on the street."

Cologne stiffled a laugh. "Gnome? Watching too much gajjin tv boy?"

Aki narrowed his eyes. He may look like a japanese street punk but he wasn't. He was much more powerful than anything roaming the dark streets. "I recommend you go back to your shop and stay there. It will be safer for you and your family." The derision in his voice actually amuzed Cologne. Young men, no matter the race or alignment, always underestimated the small and elderly. She slowly nodded as she hopped closer. "True, it would seem to be wiser to step away. After all you are a tall, strong boy." She puffed her pipe, "But Suteko is like a grandchild to me and I do not appriecate you or your master's attention." She hopped off her staff.

Aki shook his head. This old crone believed her veiled threats would work on a Shadow soldier? Time to teach her that allies of the Starknight would suffer. He flicked his butt to the side and stepped closer. "She belongs to Him. It is forordained woman. Fighting for the Light will only get you and your family killed." He smiled, hiding his discomfort. There was no way the tall Koushie had left this woman ungaurded. When she dropped off her staff he snapped his fingers to call up his simple shadows.

"First you betray your sensei, then you threaten children? You are definately unworthy." She started circling him moving faster than a woman her age should.

Aki watched as the tiny elder sped up. Her image seeming to break into many others. He smiled, the splitting hairs technique was a powerful tool when used against students and mortal oponents. But she wasn't facing a student or someone truly mortal any more. As the old woman blurred from one, to two, to four, Aki kept his contempously relaxed stance. He knew which was her actual form by the shadow she cast. The drawback to any illusion is that they never cast shadows. As the current general of the Shadow army this amuzed him. Once her form seemed to split into eight he lifted off the ground, crossing his arms, and started to spin. He did not split his image but he did continue to face the true elder, his mocking smile in place. When the images started flashing blows, he shook his head, not even pretending to dodge the illusionary blows. "This all you got?"

Cologne swung her gnarled staff. Normally she would land solid blows to her opponents, most stinging but some with enough force to teach lessons but this boy easily dodged each swing of her staff. He simply swayed out of the way, like her movements were snail slow. The mocking smile firmly in place was enough to enrage the elder. It reminded her of too many men in the past who thought her too small, too female or too weak to respect. Of men who attempted to take over her home. Her right hand flung out, the packet of powder springing open to fly toward the shadow general's face.

Aki gestured and the powder reversed direction. Cologne gasped, inhaling the sleeping powder. The simple gesture should not have effected her attack but as she coughed, dropping to the ground, she could see the power of this man. "How?" She sunk to the ground, falling into a deep sleep.

As the elder dropped Uhanzee ghosted into view, catching her before she could be hurt. His black eyes glared at the shadow general. Easing the now snoring woman to the ground he flowed up into a round house aimed at Aki's center. The shadow general dodged but unlike with the elder this took effort. The Kouhei scout fiented and flowed, his horn hilted blade flashing in the darkness. He wasted no words on his opponent and Aki pulled out his own weapon. His frustration at both the mindlessness of the minions and his master's lack of foresight making his temper shorter.

The amerid Kouhei was not the warrior Jaeoh and Gregor were but he had power to his swings. Taller than his opponent by head and shoulders he still moved like the wind. The two men traded blows, only the sound of their breath broke the still night. Aki managed to pull the blade form Uhanzee's hands with his whip. It only stung Uhanzze's hand but it was enough to relax his grip and his ancestor's blade dropped to the ground. The loss of a blade did not stop the battle.

Aki sent his shadow whip back to the shadows and the two men started fighting hand to hand. That is when Uhanzee got confused. The Shadow general could stay out of reach and take down one of the enemy but he was engaging like a man with something to prove. Series of punchs and kicks, aimed to hurt but not to kill flew between the two men. Blows that should have landed with crippling force, but they didnt. Uhanzee knew he was a fair fighter, better than most but this Aki was better. The part of his mind that wasn't brawling noted that Aki's blows held clear reference to his past sensei's training.

When it came to martial arts the student unconsciously imitates the one teacher with the most effect on them. Aki was obviously once trained by Suteko. "Why did you do it, Me'ho?"

"What?" Aki allowed the amerid's blows to connect as he paused for a moment. The question confused him. He broke off and leapt back up into the air. "Why did I do what, Kouhei?"

Uhanzee bent down to retrieve his blade, giving it a quick once over as he checked it for damage. He slid it home and nodded toward the dojo. "Why betray your sensei?"

"Sensei was dead," Aki answered. "He died before she left. There was no betrayal by me. It was death or Kaneda. I chose life."

"You know who I mean, Me'ho. Your sensei lives." Staying on alert but relaxing his tensed muscles, Uhanzee studied the Shadow general. To his eyes he saw a quick flash of regret in the youth's eyes. "Unicorn did not abandon you."

Aki froze briefly, then glared. "You know nothing Tanto. Unicorn is not my sensei"

"I know that she regrets," Uhanzee said softly.

Aki lost altitude as he focused on the man before him. "She what? Why would she?" His feet touched the concrete as his minor shadows gathered about chittering in confusion. "She chose to ignore us back then."

"You know that is untrue, Me'ho. She returned to you, it is you who ignored her."

Aki stood staring at Uhanzee for a long moment. "The Light bearer did not think to come back till after you Lightsiders didn't need her anymore." He sneered, crossing his arms. SHe played hero games here till the Master challenged her back home."

Uhanzee knew better. After conversation with Cologne, Shayla and others he knew more about the Starknight than the General. "She went back to her home after her mother's curse." His voice ws steady, with a hint of reproach. "She was sent away."

Aki's eyes narrowed as he thought back. He vaguely remembed a woman showing up at the dojo and being turned away. At the time he had been angry that he had not been allowed to travel with his sensei. He was 13 when that woman had shown up. A quick shake of his head chased the memory of a pair of sad green eyes watching him across the dojo floor. The woman had looked familiar then but something had kept her from being recognized. "No," he whispered as the fog cleared. She had returned and when no one remembered her she had simply disappeared without leaving the room. When Kaneda had showed up years later, Aki had sold his soul because he believed that she had abandoned him but now he wasn't so sure.

Shaking his head, he slid fingers into his ragged hair. He had to think. Leaping back into the shadows he cursed softly before leaving. "Tell her that it is almost time. If she wants to save you all she needs to meet at the cave." He flashed away leaving Uhanzee under the street light. The warrior smiled and turned back to the sleeping elder. Scooping her up he took her home, pleased at his evenings work.

Back in the shadow realm Aki appeared by a tree in the gray plain. Images started flooding his mind. Images that had been blocked for the past five years. Some he had buried out of disappointment, others out of fear and most out of a kind of rage. What the Kouhei had said was true. He winced and gripped his head as memories came back. Memories of an early crush on the beautiful sensei. Her gentle teaching and quick wit a balm to a orphan boy who felt he found a family at the Rattlesnake Dojo. Anger when he was told to stay, that he wasn't allowed to follow the then 16 year old Suteko on her quest to find her father. She had sent back word in the form of letters. Letters that took months to get to the Stateside dojo. He had read her adventures and was surprsied at how they changed her. After meeting her brother the once open and kind teacher had become closed off and sad. Her letters showing only a touch of her happy self when she had finished her quest. She had spent a year alone, traveling and things had happended to change the bright young woman. The next year she spent learning about the father and brother who replaced her lost uncle in her life. Then the letters stopped. He had wondered what had happened. The anger that had led him to join the Shadowmaster was rooted in a lie. The Shadowmaster had appeared at the dojo a full three years after she had left on the quest. Kaneda was recognizable then. His arrogence had rubbed everyone wrong. When he demanded the missing Suteko they had covered for her.

Crouching down Aki tried to turn his mind away form the images from the last day of the dojo. He had fought along side Joe and Cheryl, held Amy as she died. None of the people understood the power that the lone man held. When he had the shadows tear the building apart brick by brick Aki had been knocked out. When he had woke up to the tall Kaneda, he knew he had to play along to save his own life.

When Suteko returned he almost didnt recognize her. The bright happy girl had been replaced by a stern woman glowing with power. He had swallowed every lie that the Shadowmaster told, believed his once sensei had not cared about those she had left behind but now he saw the truth. He remembered the tears in her large green eyes at the destruction of her home, the relief when she saw him alive and worse the pain as he betrayed her to her enemy. His glee and disgust had confused hm then, now disgust was rising. Disgust that he led his once master into the trap Kaneda had set. He helped the arrogant and evil man to defeat the white glowing woman. Then he turned away while Kaneda claimed his bride. Right then Aki knew he should have disappeared but he had given his sworn word.

Kaneda had given him control and power, had fed the base side of his soul. And like a fool Aki ahd spent the following 5 years doing things that stained his soul. Sending shadow killers out under his master's orders.

The doubt that the scout had insinuated into his mind was quickly undermining the surety he had lived with for the past five years. Taking a deep breath, Aki sighed. Five years ago an angry boy had sold his soul for life and power. "It is too late now,' he whispered to the wind and turned toward the Shadow kingdom. It was time for him to report to his master and he was not looking forward to it.

****

It was mid afternon two days later when suteko slipped out of the dojo. Kaneda's challenge had been issued. No matter what the others thought she needed to respond. She had never had the time to get a legal drivers license, so the trip into the hills would have to be done by bus and train. She felt wrong leaving the others in the dark but this was not the final battle, it was more a skirmish. Once she had cleared the street she leapt up to the nearest rooftop and started off to the bus depot.

She made it to the koisk in time to catch the early bus across Tokyo. Settling in the middle of the bus she swung off her pack. The muffled squawk as she slammed it down, brought a small smile to her face. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice you in there?" She flipped open the top of her pack and Persephone popped her head out.

"No, but did you think we would let you go anywhere alone?

Suteko rested her head against the glass "All this togetherness is hard, cat."

With a quick look around the grey form eeled out of the pack and settled on her mistress' lap. "They don't mean to smother you but you are the best source of answers on the Shadow Master they have."

Suteko nodded, eyes watching the neighborhoods flash by. "This is just an info gathering trip. Bringing the others would send up a flag."

Persephone snorted as she rubbed her head against Suteko's elbow. "Just admit you are tired of the bubble headed senshi trying to set up a wedding for you and Jae."

Suteko groaned and hid a blush. "Those girls never could focus."

The two chatted quietly as they headed toward the hills. Persephone used her own powers to dsitract her mistress from a mic attached to her collar. Behind the bus Jaoeh kept pace, his distinctive bike lost amoung the crowd of vehicles. Demeter had insinuated herself into the pack that he now carried.

Four hours later the bus left off at the base of a mountain. Suteko pulled out a map, pushing the cat back down and after a qucik check she headed up the trail. She quickly fell into her old ground eating stride from her days as a wanderer. It felt good to walk, to stretch her legs but odd not to have her old staff in hand. It had not returned since the battle with the Tengu and she managed to hide the unease that gave her. The others seemed to think she ran headfirst into battle, unthinking but it wasn't true. She was thinking but destiny had given her an enemy that had to be fought with no worry for self.

She hid a smile as she heard a muffled curse behind her. Persephone had obviously told someone where she was headed. The curse told her who. She had not expected to be left alone for the whole hike. Ever since she had met Persephone's twin she knew where one twin was the other was not far behind. And the fact that Demeter had claimed Jaeoh as her human just made her more sure. Spotting a boulder to the side just ahead she headed over and waited, focusing on the map.

Jaeoh ran up the trail, trying to keep Suteko in sight. "For such a tiny woman she can realy move fast," he thought. The cats had informaed him of her plan to check out the cave. His first reaction was to order her to stay safe but he quickly aborted it. Ordering Starknight Unicorn to stay in hiding was like telling Rage to go easy. She had been raised a fighter in both this life and the past that had drawn them together. He would rather be her lover than fight her any day.

As he came around the bend her found her sitting on a boulder, looking over a trail map. "Took you long enough, love." She folded the map and hopped down. "We should reach the glade with the cave in about 20 minutes." Looking up at the sky she sighed. "We better pick up the pace. We don't want to end up there after dark."

Jaoeh fell in step with her and they made their way to the cave. The pace Suteko set had them at the enterance of the cave in 15 minutes. Standing at the opening Jaeoh watched as Suteko placed another stone on the cairn that had been erected over the remains of the guardian. A man she had never met but who was a blood relation. Father to the man who raised her. She bent her head in a silent prayer and then joined him. "His spirit can not rest until the Shadow has been returend to captivity." She took a step forward, igniting a light ball in her palm. Jaeoh placed his hand on her shoulder to hold her back. Looking up, she shook her head with a smile and tossed the ball into the cave.

The darkness insdie ate the light, extinguishing her light ball. She turned to Jaeoh. "I am not stubborn and pigheaded enough to go in there without testing. This cave held the Shadow for 3,000 years." She turned back. "If not for Ito I would have most likely trained here as the next Cave Guardian." Her voice was sad. "The old one spent lifetimes alone, trying to protect mankind. That a boy I grew up with destroyed him..."

Jaeoh pulled Suteko into a long hug. "It was Kaneda's weakness that led to the current situation."

"He always wanted what he couldnt or shouldnt have. From the time we were little he never understood why he was not Uncle's heir. Didnt understand that it wasn't ability that made me Tanto's heir but the blood we shared." She signed and stepped away. "Even as a child he was touched by something, that I only learned was shadow years later."

She studied the opening, the rich carvings that once covered the enterance were worn and cracked and on the ground was what had once been the seal. She knelt down and gathered together the pieces with in reach. Jaeoh watched as she fit the pieces back together, forming a circular shield. As she placed the last piece her hands glowed white and the stone melded together the intricate symbol glowing weakly then fading. She picked up the heavy stone and turned toward the cave. It was demanding to be returned to the doorway, to seal this minor gate of shadows. The magic demanded it be replaced, even though the creature it was to seal was free.

Jaeoh placed a light hand on her shoulder stopping her. "No."

Suteko blinked and shook her head. "Whoa," She reached to her pack and pulled out a piece of silk. Carefully she made sure to wrap the entire stone in mulitiple layers. "That I didnt expect." She slid the seal ino her pack, nudging Persphone out of the way.

As she turned a figure faded into view. The early evening sun filtered through the ancient being that floated off to the side. "Took you long enough to get here grandchild." The voice was firm and eerie at the same time.

Jaeoh swiftly moved between Suteko and the ghost. He scanned the creature. The man was dressed in flowing robes that had symbols that matched the stone. "Who...no what are you?"

"Who am I? My name in life was Ichuru Fukushuu. I was the Guardian of this," he gestured behind, "the prison of the Shadow Master. For many decades I guarded this place, kept those who wanted to release the Shadow into this world away. Until recently."

Suteko moved to step forward but Jaeoh held her back. "Recently?"

The priest smiled at the young man. "Yes Prince, recently." He bowed to Suteko and told the tale of his final day. "If I had been younger, the boy would not have gotten the drop on me. He had talent but nothing like the child behind you."

"I am sorry wise one. Kaneda somehow found out about you before I did. It is my fault." She moved past her lover, gently moving him away and dropped to one knee. "He trained at my side but I did not know he was sneaking into the library."

"You weren't meant to know yet, child. It was believed by my son that destiny was not to bring you to this place till you had children grown. You were to not come to Japan for years yet but a single decision by that boy has changed your story. Changed it to a way I had not thought to see in my time." He smiled at the two he had not believed would return. "Has brought you back to your prince of the distant past."

"That destiny matters little now elder. We need to stop the Shadow Master before he finds the Gate. Kaneda willingly gave his soul to Shadow and he has been working his way to the Gate. If he finds it Ranma and the others will..."

"They will do what they are destined to do child. Your brother is the final key to the gate. If this boy, this Kaneda, makes it to your brother then the Gate will open. Many will die and your brother will be forced to decide to save the world or his son."

Suteko blinked slowly, looking sick for a moment, "His son?"

The spirit nodded. "They do not know it yet. If you defeat your opponent, then he will grow up in safety but if you lose then they will only know as he is sacrificed."

Jaeoh watched emotions chase over her face. Yet another family member would be lost if Kaneda had his way. This time a child. Another hostage to a fate she had not chosen. Anger he expected but longing and a touch of fear were a surprise. She clenched a fist and then slowly stood. "What else? Who else?"

"Everyone you ever loved, Sensei." Suteko and Jaeoh both spun about, power flaring in each hand in reaction. Stepping out of the Cave, Aki bowed first to Suteko and then to the sprit. "Or so Kaneda believes."

Jaeoh prepared to attack but Aki shook his head. "I'm not here to battle Draco."

"Then why Aki," Suteko asked softly. "Are you here to talk me into surrender to your Master?"

Before Aki could answer the Spirit did, "He is fufilling his destiny now, and it is not to take you back," the form floated over to the young man. "Are you boy?"

Aki shrugged, his eyes hidden by his bangs. "I haven't decided yet deadman." He leaned back and pulled out a cigarette. Flicking his thumb, he lit it and took a drag before raising his eyes to look at his past sensei. "That depends on you Sensei." Eyeing Jaeoh, he stepped closer to the Cave. "Is what this deadman says true? Are you the ancient prince reborn in a modern time?"

Jaeoh shrugged. "Does it matter?"

Aki stepped back into the shadows. "Yeah, it does. It means that the Master was very wrong about something." He flicked the glowing butt into the shadows. "And if he was wrong about that, then maybe he is wrong about more."