Haigeki

by Xylix

His friends kidnapped by magical girls, Ranma is pushed beyond his limits to retrieve them.

8. Escape Clause

Author's Forward – Not much to say. If you have made it this far, you can make it the rest of the way.

Beta reader: obsidian_fox

-oOo-

Chapter 8: Escape Clause

-oOo-

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I reached up to ensure the rope was secure. Two hard tugs confirmed it. I stood, eyes closed, on my living room table. Nervous jitters played over me, doubts and fears threatening assault.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

There had to be a better way.

No. This was my only choice. Two days had vanished in the blink of an eye. A haze of hallucinations had pinned me to my bed. I could move now. I could think now. I could fight now.

But not tomorrow.

Tomorrow I would face Shizue Handa. The moment that woman stepped into my room the days would blur into nothing. Weeks would pass where I would fail to think or act. Pieces of myself would be chipped away until nothing remained but an empty shell cast in my visage. Adjustment and dollification. Alone, either of those forces could destroy me. Together, I hadn't the faintest chance.

The seconds of my life ticked by. The day of my subjugation drew near. Already, it was hard to remember why I was fighting. A senshi? That was a fate not so unpleasant. Some might have called it a gift. My enemies? Hard to tell from friends. Even Kamiko, who had drowned me in the cruelty of agony, could no longer be hated. Femininity? A curious terror. Cute clothes, jewels, and dresses, all had gained a glittery allure.

Slowly, but surely, I was slipping away.

One day I would wake to find Artemis's insanity made perfect sense. I couldn't let that happen. I had to end things now. I had to tear the tiara from my head.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

With that fixed in my mind, I stepped back and placed my right foot against the wall.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

With all my strength, I jumped.

The rope snapped still, and I came to a sudden halt. A jolt of force ran through my neck. Vertebrae expanded. Knives of pain pierced my spine. For an infinite instant I hung there, a meter above the floor.

Then I swung back.

Agony.

Molten metal poured over me, searing through flesh and boiling organs. Nerves screamed, raw pain, limitless and incomprehensible. It ate me alive.

And that was nothing compared to the horrors agony inflicted.

I died in fire, flood, and famine. Pestilence spread through my limbs. I vomited blood speckled with black. Then I hallucinated again, but worse. Akane, Ukyou, Kasumi, Mom and Pop roasted alive.

I must have swung for seconds. It felt like years. Finally, agony broke. A momentary pause. A safety feature designed to spare the foolish.

I seized it like a drowning man.

My head swam. The room was a watery blur. Thoughts filtered by in fragments. Only the most primitive of concepts pierced the fog. Move. Now.

I lurched upward, my leaden limbs responding to my vacant will. I missed. I missed again. Panic grew. Darkness was descending. I thrashed about in desperation, reaching up again and again.

No. This wasn't what I wanted. I had to get down. Nothing else mattered. I had to-

Thud!

I hit the ground.

Ha. Ha ha ha. A mad laugh slipped through my lips, a giggle that grew into a drunken guffaw. I fell to my back, convulsing with crazed emotion.

Above, the bedsheet rope swayed, a twinkling tiara in its grasp.

It's not over yet, Ranma.

Laughter died. I sat up and stared at the hallway door. Someone would come. Agony sent out a signal of sorts. A dose that strong would surely set off alarms. Girls would rush from the desk to verify my safety.

Be her, I prayed. Please, be her.

The door slammed open. Kamiko flew in.

Gotcha.

I didn't move. Assault was impossible. Kamiko's aura imposed upon this world an unbreakable serenity. Violent thought vanished in her presence. I could no more raise a fist against her than fly to the moon by pulling on my belt.

Snap! Whoosh.

Fortunately, I didn't have to.

Wooden poles straightened. A rope jerked taut. Coiled sheets snapped tight around Kamiko's legs then ripped them from underneath her. She fell. Her shoulders hit the ground even as her body continued to accelerate. Kamiko flashed across a meter of rug before flying up into the air. There, within arm's reach of my tiara, she dangled.

Narrowed, hazel eyes glared at me. Kamiko's anger remained cool despite the impossible conditions. "Saotome-chan, I thought you beyond this childishness. Release me please, or I will be forced to punish you severely."

Tension drained away. The tiara was off. Kamiko was defeated.

I stood sluggishly. My limbs quaked with the aftereffects of agony. Quivering breath passed through my lungs. I smoothed my skirt, feeling numb and detached. I look up at Kamiko, my emotions too raw for arrogance.

"What can you do that you're not doing already?" I asked.

It was a bitter question with an answer I knew too well. Shizue. The Pretty Princess Institute had left me with two choices: doll or senshi. My preference was clear, but my inability to surrender had done more to define my fate than my desires.

"I will ask again. Release me now, Saotome-chan."

Somewhere within myself, I found the courage to meet her eyes.

"No."

"Very well." Kamiko's gaze flicked to the door. "Please cut me down, Emiko-chan."

Emiko. The magical knight stood in the doorway, her steel plated armor filling the frame. My tiara was gone, but the choker alone made her unassailable and unstoppable. She stepped forward, swift and agile despite the heavy mail weighing her down. A gauntleted hand gripped the hilt of her epee.

Swish. The thin, crystalline blade flashed. Kamiko hit the ground an instant later.

My heart died.

So that was it, then. A feeble fight lost before it began.

Strength faded and I fell to my knees. Defeat weighed on me like a mountain. Funny how losing hurt this much. I had expected this. I had not believed for a second that I would succeed. There had been too many obstacles and too many unknown. Still, it hurt. I wanted more. The last stand of Ranma Saotome should have ended in a massive display of fireworks, a battle for the ages fought between titanic foes.

But, just like that, it was over. Ended. Done.

My emotions were in turmoil. Fear made me tremble. I knew the punishment that would befall. Hate and self loathing tore me up. Why was I sitting here? Why was I bowing my head? Why didn't I stand, run, or fight? Tears bubbled in my eyes, the quiet sobs of a girl who understood there was nothing left to do.

But, more than anything, I felt relief. It was finally over. My fate was sealed. I didn't have to fight any more. I didn't have to pretend I was strong. No more pain. No more agony.

Just surrender.

While I sank inside myself, Kamiko pried her legs free from the bedsheet hoops. With stiff motions, she dragged herself to her feet. Emiko worked at her side. With a wave of her sword she cut my tiara free. Silently, she stepped behind Kamiko and to the right. There she stood, waiting for the next command.

Kamiko's sharp, hawk-like eyes speared me in my place.

"You realize, Saotome-chan that I must punish you for this. Attempted escape, assaulting a senshi, defying authority, I could be lenient when you first came here. You know better now."

I shuddered but held my place. With my head bowed, I awaited her judgment.

Kamiko's gaze remained hard for a long moment then, unexpectedly, her features softened. "I suppose, since nothing came of it, I can be a bit lax. Two hours with Shizue later today. But, Saotome-chan, never again."

Never again. I swallowed. Could I... Could I promise that? If I did, then maybe... maybe this would be the last time I faced Shizue.

"I-" I drew a deep, shuddering breath and yielded everything. "I understand, Kamiko-senpai."

"Good," Kamiko answered. She paused then spoke with great care. "Kohai, I know this is a difficult for you. I have been strict, to say the least. But, Akina and I aren't so different. You are a senshi. That makes you not just a comrade, but a sister. I hope that this moment marks a change in our relationship for the better."

I looked up and froze. Kamiko wore a fragile smile. Gone was her stony visage. Instead I saw a heart exposed.

A crack ran through my soul. Into that gap flowed hope. Hope that the Institute could be more than gloom and despair. Hope that I could find love and companionship while within these walls. If I had that, then being a senshi wouldn't be so bad. I could like it. I would like it. In time, I would learn to love it.

I met Kamiko's eyes and-

Time stopped. My heart failed to beat and my vision tunneled. Instead of looking at Kamiko I stared over her shoulder in petrified wonder.

Emiko. Behind Kamiko. Waiting for the next command.

... for my command.

It couldn't be.

A tiny flame caught in the chilled hearth of my soul. No surge of strength followed. I was broken. The girl who had flung herself off the table was gone. That was the Ranma who fought. I was the Ranma who surrendered. There was nothing left for me but acceptance. I would be a senshi, knight of the Queen. A glorious path. My strength would be a source of admiration. My skills would be given true purpose. Comrades would stand at my side, sharing with me their love and happiness.

It was a fragile dream, easily destroyed. And for what? An illusion of escape? That path did not exist. I had been here for nearly a month. In that time, I had never seen a single opening.

My shoulders shook. My throat was squeezed so tight that I could hardly breath. My mouth was a desert granting no relief. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that I was being made to bow again and again. I shouldn't have to fight my own determination.

Why did Emiko have to be there, offering an apparition of choice?

"... senpai..."

The word slipped out, my voice so brittle I hardly recognized it as my own. Kamiko knelt next to me, her hazel eyes again inscrutable. She set a hand on my shoulder. It was cold. I twitched back, but then allowed the presence. It was both boon and bane, a stalwart offering of comfort that only amplified the distress pulling me apart.

"Please speak more clearly, Saotome-chan, or I won't understand."

Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it.

"... the tiara...," I choked out.

"I'm sorry, Saotome-chan, but I can not allow you go without your restraining device. Not today. But, if you can keep a clean record over the next month, I will recommend that your probationary status be revoked."

I shook my head and wondered why I did so. Maybe the emotions were so strong and so blinding that there was no wall left to contain me. My mouth moved, my whole body quaking. Helplessly, I continued to dictate my command.

"... put it on... senpai...," I finished.

The reaction was instantaneous. With a single motion, Emiko stepped forward and slammed down the headdress. I sat in stunned witness, more shocked than Kamiko. Even though I have given the command, I could not believe it. I gazed upon the scene, unable to accept what my eyes told me.

Kamiko was wearing my tiara.

Kamiko's hand left my shoulder. Softly it probed the metal band attached to her forehead. She ran her fingers across the gleaming silver and embedded crystals. Her visage, at first, was as blank as mine. Then understanding settled in. Kamiko's delicate touch transformed into a solid grip. She pulled.

Agony.

I had rarely seen the effect on the face of another, but there was no mistaking what I had witnessed. Whether seen or felt, agony could not be forgotten. Kamiko's lips twisted in pain, her hazel eyes scrunched up, tears gathering. My guts curdled at the sight, the image burning its way into my brain.

Kamiko's strength crumbled and her body sagged. Despite that, she recovered before I did. My mind was caught in a fog, my thoughts paralyzed by disbelief.

"Emiko, remove this please," Kamiko ordered as she pulled herself to her feet.

"I am sorry, Ogura-sensei," Emiko answered politely. "But I am forbidden from removing the Institute's restraining devices."

"I recall," Kamiko said with a grimace. She closed her eyes and pinched her nose. "Emiko, please restrain Saotome-chan while I think."

Emiko turned to face me. Her green eyes met mine. I stared into the depths. Rusty gears began to turn. Thoughts moved, ideas formed, and life returned. I can win. That feeling was fuel. The ancient war machine called Ranma Saotome sputtered to life.

With a yank, Emiko dragged me from the ground. Surprisingly strong hands, shrouded in steel, dug into my wrists pinning them behind my back.

My first instinct was to tear my way free. Rationality cast that plan aside. Emiko had been waiting for my command. There could be no doubt. Her response had been too swift for anything else. She was on my side.

And, if I wanted to win, I would need to find a way to use her.

"Release me."

Emiko relaxed her grip. I stepped free and glanced back at her. The girl's hands spasmed, her fingers clenching and unclenching. She was caught between conflicting orders. The discomfort caused was clearly displayed on her face. Yet, through it all her gaze remained dauntless.

My eyes returned to Kamiko. The woman's lips were pursed into a frown. My mind did cartwheels, seeking a path to victory. If I ran Kamiko would raise the alarm. There would be no escaping the Institute if that happened. With the choker cutting off my flow of ki, even Lilac could overpower me.

What else could I do? I couldn't fight her. I couldn't stop her. I couldn't do anything to Kamiko.

But, maybe, Emiko could.

"Saotome-chan's authority is provisional. You may disregard her orders when they conflict with mine, Emiko," Kamiko injected.

Emiko's body relaxed, but her face became more distraught. She stepped closer, her hands reaching out. She was fighting. My impression was not wrong. I allowed the gentle grip. Instead of using force I scrounged for an argument.

"Uhm, wouldn't the authority of any restrained senshi be provisional?" I hazarded.

"Th-the rules pertaining to p-provisional authority are unclear, Saotome-sama," Emiko answered.

Emiko's hands fell away, telling me that 'unclear', as far as Emiko was concerned, favored me.

"That is hardly relevant," Kamiko shot back. "The rules may be ill defined, but they are quite clear that an order given by a provisional authority is subordinate to an order given by an actual authority."

"So? Again. Restrained. Whose to say whether your authority is not provisional?" I paused then added, "Actually, come to think of it, I say your authority is provisional."

I glanced at Emiko to see if she accepted my words.

"I c-cannot confirm that, Saotome-sama," Emiko answered nervously. "No rules were created st-stating when a senshi's authority is or is n-not provisional."

"Which means whether Kamiko's authority is provisional or not is ambiguous," I declared triumphantly. "Heck, since I'm not wearing a tiara now, I might out rank her."

"Ambiguity, at best, implies equality and should, in general, defer to prior status," Kamiko said calmly. "I would add that the situation of Saotome-chan and myself are entirely different. Saotome-chan was restrained with the authority of the Institute itself, and removed her restraint in violation of the Institutes rules. I, on the other hand, have been improperly restrained. It seems to me that there can be no doubt as to whom predominate authority belongs."

"Please," I drawled sarcastically. "You expect me to believe that an order from a senshi does not contain the 'authority of the Institute'?"

"Saotome-sama is c-correct. Unless contradicted by a greater authority, such as that of the D-Director or the Institute's Ch-charter, there is no distinction b-between orders given by the institute and those g-given by a senshi," Emiko mumbled in my defense.

"Which means, senpai, that we are both restrained by the authority of the institute," I added.

"Yes, it does appear that you are correct on that matter, Saotome-chan" Kamiko said with a sigh. "What an oversight. I suppose I will have to review the Institute's organizational structure when this matter is resolved."

Kamiko fingers began to tap a rapid rhythm on her leg as she lost herself in thought. I puzzled over the situation myself. Emiko couldn't restrain me. A good thing. But, Emiko couldn't restrain Kamiko either. That was a problem. While Kamiko was free there was nothing stopping her from raising the-

Wait. Why didn't Kamiko simply leave and raise the alarm herself?

"Emiko, do the rules Kamiko put in my tiara apply while she's wearing it?"

Kamiko stiffened, telling me the answer was definitely 'yes'.

"I do not know for certain, but I believe that is the case, Saotome-sama," Emiko answered.

"Emiko, please contact Michiko. A third voice, I believe, is needed to solve this matter," Kamiko said.

Emiko took a lurching step toward the door. She glanced back at me, her eyes filled with fear.

I snorted and motioned for her to continue. "Go ahead. But don't rush it. In fact, you look tired. Why don't you take a nice long nap first."

Kamiko flashed a look of aggravation. Then she sighed. "I didn't want to resort to this. Emiko, please hit the call switch twice in rapid succession then hold for five seconds. That will raise a general alarm. Messy, but sufficient given the circumstance."

"Stop!"

I shouted the order even as Emiko moved to press the button. Her body shook and her hand continued to reach out. Shit. Rational orders could not be so easily overridden. I grimaced. I had to get Emiko away from the button. The defensive aspects of tenki could, hypothetically, be used to protect other objects. With Emiko fixated on the device there was a good chance she could pull it off on accident.

"Get out of the way Emiko, I'll take care of it myself," I said briskly.

I pushed forward, pressing the confused Emiko to the side. I pulled back an arm-

"Stop Saotome!"

-and was brought to a sudden stop when a gauntleted fist seized my wrist. I glared at Emiko.

"Let go."

"Belay that!" Kamiko interrupted, the woman moved closer.

"Improper restraint," I retorted, jerking my arm free.

"Enough of this," Kamiko said, pushing her way to the button.

Kamiko's aura brushed against mine. A fuzzy feeling filled my head. Without thinking I stepped back. That was all the time Kamiko needed. The woman set a hand on the bare skin of Emiko's shoulder.

"Emiko, please use whatever means needed to subdue Saotome-chan."

I ground my teeth and willed myself forward. Muscles protested. Calm down. Talk it over. There is no need for violence. The serenity of Kamiko's aura sapped my will. But my violence was not directed at her. Emotion overwhelmed magic and I lashed out at the button with a fist.

Swish. I jerked my hand back. A crystal epee whipped through the afterimage and sliced a swath half as long as my forearm through wood. I retreated two steps and danced to the side. A storm of thrusts followed in my wake, threating to perforate my organs.

I met Emiko's glassy eyes then skewered Kamiko with a glare.

"I apologize for this Saotome-chan, but I trust that you are skilled enough to not be killed outright."

With unbreakable calm, Kamiko set her hand on the button. Tap. Tap. Hold.

Emiko's sword flashed out like lightning. The thin blade wobbled and flexed as it cut through the air, a razor sharp whip that could change its aim from throat to thigh at the flick of a wrist. Ignoring all danger, I pressed forward, my dress fluttering with my movement. A narrow stab cut close, drawing a line of blood across my ribs.

I danced closer. My footwork was stilted. Towering heels slowed my dodges and, with my ki sealed, I lacked capacity for offense. Emiko's wall of steel was impenetrable.

Three seconds.

With a hop I drew away from Emiko and kicked down the door. Crash! Wood splintered in the hall. Still in mid air, I caught myself on a wall with the toe of my left shoe. The substance bent, but survived the forces inflicted by my stiletto heel. I pushed off and flew into the hall.

Emiko dived after. She was a moment too slow. My right foot slammed into the ground and became a pivot. My upper body rotated and I punched with all my strength. Memory guided my open hand. It smashed through the wall and landed squarely on the button's casing. I pulled. Wires stretched and snapped as the button tore free.

I crushed it for good measure.

Was that four seconds, or five?

An armored knight burst from the room in hot pursuit. Her sword flashed, raining down blows. All of them fell short. Without the pressure of having to pass Emiko, I had the freedom to fight as I pleased. Even the towering heels were not enough to stifle my defense.

Emiko chased me as I retreated. A broad grin spread across my lips. I could use this to my advantage. With exaggerated motions I fled even faster.

"Hey, Emiko," I called out.

The crystal sword quivered in Emiko's hand before stabbing five more times. The blade's tip whipped to and fro, making it hard to determine her exact target. I solved the dilemma in the laziest manner possible, by dodging wider than necessary.

"You know, you can stop now," I said conversationally.

Emiko shuddered. Her swings became erratic. They paused or slowed in mid-strike only to continue. The girl's face was a twisted mask of unpleasant emotions. She continued to fight even as seizures wracked her body.

Disgust filled me. I wasn't doing Emiko any favors by dragging this on.

"Emiko, I order you to stop. Now!" I barked.

The epee froze in an extended thrust. The knight convulsed and Emiko collapsed onto a knee. She gulped. "Yes, Saotome-sama. A-as you or-order."

She knelt there for a long time, her whole frame shuddering, before she sheathed her weapon. I let myself relax.

"Emiko," Kamiko's voice shouted, the distance reducing the noise. "Return at once!"

Slap! My hands snapped over Emiko's ears before Kamiko had finished saying the girl's name. "She can't hear you!" I yelled, partially drowning out Kamiko's words.

Carefully, I peeled back my cupped palm from the knight's right ear. "Guard your ears," I hissed. "Make sure you can't hear any orders. I'll meet you at the desk."

Emiko nodded and replaced my hands with hers. Humming loudly, the girl retreated down the hall. I watched until she turned the corner. A long breath escaped me. Emiko was out of the way. Now I needed to deal with Kamiko.

Kamiko was leaning out the doorway when I spotted her. Her expression was blank and her hazel eyes narrow as they scrutinized me. She didn't speak until I was close.

"You were able to stop her, then," she said simply.

"Yeah, I was," I answered.

I flicked my wrist and caught the pair of glasses that appeared between my fingers. Propping them on my nose, I tapping the thin wire rims, hitting the invisible pressure buttons embedded in the frames. Aura mode popped up, painting ghostly colors over every object that exuded spiritual presence. I glanced into the room across from mine. Empty.

"Saotome-chan," Kamiko called from behind. "Even if you make it out, the Institute will come for you. You realize that, don't you? The Institute will never stop looking. It will chase you to the ends of the earth. If it takes one year or a hundred, the Institute will find you. The Director's pride will allow nothing else. When that happens, Artemis will destroy you. She will hold you up as an example of what befalls those that turn against her. Kohai, please don't do this."

I looked over my shoulder. Kamiko's face was inscrutable, I could not identify the expression she was wearing.

I shook my head in answer.

"You are going to destroy me either way, Kamiko-senpai." I let out a sick laugh, realizing I had given her the title 'senpai' without thinking about it. "You've half done it already. For what its worth, I don't hate you. Probably because you messed with my head, but that's the way it is, I suppose."

I pulled open the door to the other room. It was similar to my own, sporting most of the same furniture. I found my target, a mostly full bookcase. It was filled with texts and reference manuals, the contents eagerly awaiting the chance to inflict joys of studying upon any girl unfortunate enough to be captured by the Institute. I took hold of the bookcase and dragged it from the room, angling it to get it past the door and into the hall. Kamiko watched the entire time.

She knew what I was doing, sealing her in the room, but she didn't say anything about it. It was probably overkill. The tiara, if I was right, would keep Kamiko confined. But, I'd feel better knowing there was an extra layer of protection between me and the woman who could spoil my escape. If nothing else, it would make it harder for Kamiko to call for help.

"This is it, then," Kamiko said after a long silence.

"That's what I'm hoping," I answered. There was no need to discuss my fate on failure.

"I see." Kamiko closed her eyes for a moment, her strange visage vanishing into professionalism. "Very well. If I remember right, you keep your teapot in the upper shelf of the cabinet. Am I correct?" she asked.

I paused and glanced at her. "Yeah. The bags are next to it. You'll have to get water from the bathroom sink."

"Excellent. Perhaps I can use this break to catch up on some paper work," Kamiko said. She turned away and walked into the room only to stop and look back. "Saotome-chan...," she trailed off then started again. "Kohai, if you ever change your mind, I'll do what I can to keep the punishment light."

I grunted a weak laugh. "That'll never happen. But thanks, senpai, and goodbye."

I shoved the bookcase into place. Then, for good measure, I dragged out a table and used it secure my blockade.

-oOo-

Emiko was sitting behind the desk when I found her. The magical knight had transformed back, her heavy armor now replaced by the skirt and vest combination she favored. She looked cute, ordinary, and so very young sitting with her hands over her ears.

Not that I was one to talk. Thanks to Shizue, the dress I was wearing was pretty rather than practical. It was fluffy mix of blue and pink. Flowers of folded cloth decorated key points, while a wide bow on the back added to the charm. The shoes were worse. High-heels, held in place by straps. They were so tall that I was just short of walking on my toes. The disconcerting thing was, after three weeks, that seemed natural.

What couldn't be explained away was the jewelry and makeup. I had intended to leave without them, but doing so had felt wrong. In the end I had surrendered to the feelings, wondering whether they were born from Shizue's dollification, Kamiko's adjustment, or my own heart.

It didn't matter. A month ago, I might have fought the impulse to my last breath. Right now, little things like that no longer seemed important.

"Emiko, you don't need to do that anymore," I said.

Emiko pulled her hands from her ears and jumped to her feet. She immediately dipped into a curtsy. "Saotome-sama."

I glanced to either side. "You are the only one here?"

I hoped so. I had not been thinking when I had sent Emiko out here.

"Yes. My shift ends in four hours, Saotome-sama," Emiko answered.

Perfect. Four hours was a big block of time, which meant my worries were limited. There was a risk that someone would notice that Kamiko was missing before then. But it was small. The west wing was low traffic. There were, maybe, two dozen girls that came into this section and a quarter of them came to see me. It didn't make much sense for the Institute to waste space like that but, given their plans for world domination, I presumed the Institute was preparing for future growth.

For once, time was on my side. That left two problems. Garmr and Akane.

Garmr slept beneath the seal at the cathedral entrance. I figured he was there to catch escapees, but it was just as plausible that the giant mutt simply liked it there. In either case, treading over him was definitely in the 'bad idea' category.

Fortunately, the wolf was avoidable. I could get around him by cutting through the schoolhouse first floor. A somewhat risky tactic. I wasn't wearing a tiara, and everyone in the Institute recognized me on sight. Still, I could pull it off as long as the halls stayed quiet. That was the wild card. The schedules at the Pretty Princess Institute were controlled chaos. If a flood of girls was dumped in the hall with me, no amount of skill would keep me hidden.

Akane was a trickier issue. Weeks ago, when I pulled off my first escape attempt, I had made the conscious decision to abandon her. There had been no other choice. The timing had been too tight. Now, though, it was different. I had four, maybe even five hours. Four before Emiko's replacement showed up. Five before my tutor discovered that my door was sealed by a book case.

This time, I could go after Akane.

Chills ran down my spine. Selfishness and logic joined as one and told me to forget about her. Not worth the risk. Do it later. Save yourself. An endless chain of excuses. It wasn't easy to cast them aside. I had broken. If I had not seen Emiko and understood her silent offer, I would not have made it this far. If I failed now, I would never get another chance. Shizue would turn me into a doll. Maybe, when she was done, there would be enough left for Kamiko to salvage a senshi. Ranma Saotome, however, would be no more.

It was a mad, foolish, and pointless risk to bet on the long shot that I could grant Akane her freedom.

But, if I left now, I wasn't sure I could make myself come back. Even for her.

I'm not going anywhere without Akane. Words spoken to Hikaru echoed anew to haunt me. My fist tightened and nails dug into my flesh. How dare I think to leave her? Yet, what I wanted more than anything was to take those words back. I had been so naïve then. I had believed I would win – that, no matter what, things would work out.

Like they always did.

It's funny how things change. On that day, my greatest worry was for my manhood.

Ha! Stuck as a girl? What a stupid thing to fear. If I never saw the Institute again, if I never had to suffer agony again, if I never again woke from a nightmare longing for enslavement, if I could avoid all that, I would happily spend the rest of my life as a girl.

Then there was the greatest hilarity of all: my curse still functioned. What I had feared to lose above all else, I had kept. What I had thought could not be stolen was on the verge of being lost forever: my strength, my stubbornness, my defiance, my freedom.

Ranma Saotome, that brash boy who had assaulted the institute, I could no longer comprehend his fears and his dreams. I wasn't sure that was a bad thing, either. There were parts of me I did not need anymore. But, there were also parts that I did not want to lose. A doll submitted. Ranma fought. I wanted fight. I wanted the fight with a fire of determination that burned with such fury that all the water in the ocean could not hope to quench it.

That old Ranma, he would throw himself at the Pretty Princess Institute without hesitation. He would do whatever it took to save Akane.

I had to do the same.

I breathed, calming myself. My lungs took the air reluctantly. My limbs shivered. The path I had chosen was that of the fool. I knew it, but I would walk it nonetheless. I swallowed my fear, forcing it down so that it was hidden.

"Emiko, do you know where Akane is?"

"That is a b-bad idea, Saotome-sama," Emiko argued. "You must leave quickly."

I felt a flash of irritation. "I know that, Emiko. Do you know where she is?"

Emiko shook her head and stared down at the desk. "I'm sorry, Saotome-sama. I do not know Akane's schedule."

And the bad idea became a worse idea. Closing my eyes, I tried to think. Nothing. I couldn't go waltzing around the school without a tiara. Even my previous trick, using my glasses in aura mode to detect outliers, was a no go. After this much time, Akane would show up solid violet just like everyone else.

Another reason to give up. How quickly the determination I had stoked faded into surrender. It sickened me, the eagerness to throw away Akane to save myself.

Save her. Whatever it takes. That was what the Ranma of old demanded.

A fool. A fool that got himself caught. A fool who could have run away and come back a week or two later, better prepared with an army at his back. A stupid fool that had crippled himself by refusing to master tenki.

Fight, but fight smart. Easy to think it. Harder to do it. Damn it. Was I really going to walk away?

But what other choice did I have?

"Thanks," I murmured. "Do you have any ideas for how we can sneak out?" I didn't expect anything, but it didn't hurt to ask.

Emiko nodded. The green haired girl bent down and pulled open a drawer. From there she removed a circlet glistening with a hundred crystals. It had curved metal wires forming elegant features, all emphasizing a single gem centered above.

A tiara.

I went rigid, and the blood drained from my face.

"Michiko threw it out as a dud," Emiko said quietly. "I don't think it works."

"You don't think?" I growled. I slammed my hands down on the desk.

Emiko cringed back, her eyes fixing on the floor. "I- I'm sorry Saotome-sama. I don't- I just collected it and..."

I forced myself to stand up straight and direct my rage away from the girl. It wasn't Emiko's fault. She was doing her best, but even the thought of putting one of those damn tiaras on my head made my blood boil. After almost a month I was finally free of that cursed object. Now she wanted me to put one on again and hope that I could take it off again? Screw that. I'd take my chances and-

My mind jerked to a stop. I found myself utterly calm. "Emiko," I said quietly. "Who knows Akane's schedule?"

"Akina," Emiko replied instantly.

I nodded and took the tiara out of Emiko's hands. I stared at it for a few seconds. The gems twinkled back at me with reflections of fluorescent light. It was really quite pretty, albeit in a childish dress up sort of way. It didn't look like something that could boil the brains of the wearer and make the toughest man cry.

But I knew its power. I knew it too well. Even so, I placed it upon my head. I waited. Nothing. No magic signal indicated everything had gone wrong. All I could feel was the cold metal on my brow. Hesitantly, I reached up. My fingers gripped the frame and I shuddered. Not agony but the memory of it. The phantom itself was enough to make my whole body tremble.

I summoned my resolve and pulled. The tiara came off.

I let out a soft laugh. A dud. Just like Emiko said. Well then.

I put the tiara back on. "Emiko, escort me to Akina's office."

Emiko's eyes widened. "You can't!" The green haired girl stood, looking flustered. She took a second to gather herself. "Saotome-sama, you must leave now. If you... if they..."

"No. I need to finish what I started," I answered. "Emiko, escort me. Now."

It was a cruel thing to do. Emiko could not refuse a clear order when given by a senshi. She had no choice but to escort me to Akina. If I failed, if we were found out, it wouldn't be just me that suffered. Emiko would be punished for her role in my escape. The poor, frightened girl. I was dragging her on my insane quest to save Akane... to save myself.

Emiko looked hurt, but she curtsied properly, "As you wish, Saotome-sama. Follow me."

"Sorry," I whispered to her back.

-oOo-

I brushed through the hallways of the east wing, Emiko trailing behind me instead of in front. As I swished passed, girls paused and curtsied, singing out Saotome-sama, Saotome-hime, and the rare Hime-sama. I ignored it all. This was a well worn path. Four times a week, for three weeks, I had crossed through the school portion of the Institute to visit Michiko.

An hour in her laboratory, then back. The timing of it was carried out with clockwork precision. I had an odd fondness for the laboratory. Not for the poking and prodding, nor for Michiko's all too close examinations that cared nothing for privacy. What I enjoyed were the discussions. Michiko was a scientific library of the most esoteric kind. I would gladly submit to a dozen of her quizzes for a single chance to pick her brain for the secrets of magic and ki. Even more than Cologne or Happosai, Michiko understood the mystical world. For me, the chance to meet her was a gift.

It wasn't all fun and games though. Every visit ended with me in the chamber. There, artificial tenki would work its magic, transforming my spiritual matrix so that I would serve as the PPI's magical girl factory. But even that was not bad anymore. The chamber's shuken and haigeki no longer caused pain. In fact, the last few times had been downright pleasant.

Heels clicking on the tile surface, I ascended to the third floor. My nerves were a jumble. I waited for someone to declare my deception. Nobody did. Instead, I found myself in front of Akina's door.

I paused there, hand raised to knock, and looked over my shoulder at Emiko.

"Don't reveal anything. Don't talk unless spoken to. Keep out of the way until I'm ready to be escorted out," I said. The order was an unnecessary precaution, but I wasn't about to be sent back to my room because I left a 't' uncrossed or an 'i' undotted.

Emiko nodded. "I understand, Saotome-sama."

I knocked twice then pushed the door open.

Akina was sitting atop her desk when I stepped inside. She glanced away from her companion at the sight of me, her violet eyes widening slightly before returning to their normal state. She brushed her deep purple hair to the side, her ruby lips curving into a sly sort of smile.

"Saotome, excellent. We have something to discuss," Akina said gesturing to the woman in the seat across from her.

The other woman was Michiko. She sat in a cushioned chair wrapped in floral pattern fabric. The blond haired woman was wearing her weird but typical lab coat bathing suit combination. Her face was partially blocked by a wide board held in her lap. Michiko didn't look up, her eyes instead focused on her work. Her right hand moved a mechanical pencil across the paper quickly, scribbling unseen notes.

Michiko gave me the tiniest of nods to acknowledge my presence.

I glanced between both. "Akina," I said. "Kamiko-"

"Let Kamiko suffer," Akina interrupted. She smiled wide, clearly delighted by something. "I have a new project for us to work on. Michiko, show her."

Michiko took a second to finish her scrawl before flipping the board around. Sketched on white canvas was a girl facing forward, back, and to the side. She was wearing a cute dress with plentiful ruffles and frills. A jacket was thrown over the top with a coat-of-arms stitched on the left breast. A big bow was tied at the back, the ribbons streaming down to calf length.

Faint marking showed what Michiko had changed. The skirt had been lengthened so that it ended just above the knees instead of mid-thigh. The girl's toes were still pointed, but the heels were sliced from her shoes. Extraneous ribbons had been terminated ruthlessly. It was Michiko's clear script, however, that really caught me. Advanced bullet resistant polymer. 4.7-6.5 mhz, 12-channel short range transmitter. IFF identifier. Arcane pulse detector.They declared, while pointing at otherwise innocent accessories.

After a long moment, I looked away. Akina's new project was not why I was there.

"Kamiko-"

"Don't want to hear it," Akina said, cutting me off again. "So what do you think?"

I smothered my irritation. Reality was, if I had been sent here by Kamiko, I would have dragged this on as long as I could, if only to waste as much of the Institute's time as humanly possible. Unfortunately, I had an undisclosed time limit, so I had to straddle the line between suspicious and rushed.

"I'm not even sure what I'm looking at," I said honestly.

Akina's smile shined with devilish delight. "Oh? I thought it was obvious. It is the one thing this school lacks. The one thing every girl's school must have."

"Uh...," I noised indicating I still didn't understand.

Akina laughed at me, her violet eyes twinkling. "Uniforms, Saotome. Uniforms. I thought we would try and make one together and see if we can't convince the Director."

I stared at Akina. I stared at the page. I stared at Michiko. Coerced 'hobbies' aside, I wasn't all that fond of sewing. Relaxing was about the best description I had to offer. But that was beside the point. Something like this was well beyond my ability, and Akina's most recent attempt at a stuffed animal was closer to eldritch terror than teddy bear.

... And that was discounting all the devices Michiko had added...

"Akina, don't you think this is a little much?" I asked.

Michiko helpfully flipped the canvas to face its originator.

Akina's expression turned sour. "Michiko. Why on earth are my uniforms bullet proof?"

"Resistant," Michiko corrected. "Dual purpose, the uniform can be used in classroom and in combat situations."

"And why would they need to be dual purpose?"

Michiko answered by pointing at me. I stifled my laugh, which only served to transform it into a giggle. Touche, Michiko.

From the look on Akina's face, she didn't feel the same way. But her attention was redirected to something that made her even more distraught. "What did you do to my ribbons? And the skirt, it's ruined!"

"Hard to clean," Michiko argued back. "Ribbons break and get stuck in the machine. I have to repair it. The skirt, too short."

Akina glared at Michiko, her violet eyes narrowing into slits. "Saotome's is shorter."

Michiko scrutinized me from head to toe. "Way too short."

My cheeks flushed, and I felt a surge of annoyance. Come on, my skirt wasn't that short. ... Err... well... I had seen shorter. Really, it was long enough to walk down the hall without giving free peeps. How much longer did a skirt need to be?

Ugh! What the hell was I thinking? Shizue controlled the clothes on hand. Stuff like this, I wouldn't wear it if I had a choice...

... Well, not usually, anyway...

Akina was unimpressed. "That isn't something someone who walks around in a bathing suit is allowed to say," she returned scathingly.

Michiko cocked her head to the side as though not understanding. "An official uniform would be worn by all students. The Institute should not require its student to present themselves in a sexually enticing manner."

"It isn't about sex. It's about looking good," Akina proclaimed. She shifted her eyes to me. "Right, Saotome?"

The question left me feeling uncomfortable. "I don't really care. Either way is fine with me," I answered hurriedly. "More importantly, Kamiko said I could visit Akane. Can you tell me where she is?"

"Ah, so that is why you're here," Akina said quietly. "I apologize. If I had known I would have sent you on your way. Give me a second. I will look it up."

Akina slipped off her desk, sauntered around it, and slid into her chair. With a manicured finger, she pushed the button in the lower right hand corner of the CRT monitor. The electronics hummed to life, and the screen crackled with light.

"Room 213, introduction to object manifestation. I will accompany you and inform Ine-sensei," Michiko answered first, her fingers playing a rapid rhythm on the rims of her glasses. Michiko removed the ocular devices a second later and placed them in lab coat pocket.

"Thank you, Michiko. Next time I won't bother getting up." Akina's smile was menacing. "Go ahead, Saotome. We can talk uniforms later."

I nodded and carefully met Emiko's eyes when I turned. The green haired girl showed nothing. She remained silent when she stepped away from the wall, ready to escort me to the second floor of the school. There was a rustle of movement behind me as Michiko stood then walked to the door. I moved to follow, but stopped when Akina spoke up.

"Saotome," she said. Her expression was strict. "Akane isn't your equal. You can be friends, but don't forget that. If the Director or Kamiko catch you treating her as a peer, the lessons will not be pleasant. Stick to formality and don't give them more excuses."

I nodded and left.

-oOo-

Emiko and I stood outside of room 213 while Michiko conferred with Ine-sensei. The scientist magical woman stepped out a minute later, nodded to me, and walked off. A few seconds later, the door opened again, and Akane stepped out.

I froze at the sight of her. Short, dark hair. A blue dress that ended at the calves. For an instant, I was looking into the past. Nothing had changed. Akane was the same girl I had walked the streets with on long Sunday afternoons.

"Saotome-hime." A voice too demure to be directed at me. Akane dipped into a graceful curtsy.

The illusion shattered.

The dress was not the same. The ruffled sleeves and collar were embellished with lace. A cute bow decorated the front. Simple, but feminine. The same was true of the light makeup highlighting Akane's features and the silver studs sparkling in her ears.

Atop it all rested the tiara, an accessory too fanciful for Akane's dress. Seeing it brought relief. Yes, the tiara was a terrible thing, but its presence meant Akane was still untrusted.

"Akane," I breathed.

Akane straightened herself and twirled. Her dress fluttered up as she span. I took in the sight of her. It had been nearly a month. It felt like forever.

"So, how do I look?" she asked.

"Cute," I said honestly. My lips curved into an impish smirk. "As cute as gorillia can look, anyway."

Akane's eyes flashed. "Can't you say anything nice? I've been worried about you, but I guess I didn't need to be. Looks like you're just fine, playing senshi and dressing up like a princess."

The insult couldn't touch me. Seeing Akane angry gave birth to a wan smile.

"Sounds like you're doing okay, too."

"Of course I am!" Akane said with a huff. Then her anger evaporated only to be replaced by a visage of concern. "How about you? I heard that they sent you to Handa-san. It was all the girls could gossip about when it happened."

I gave my head a tiny shake. No. I wasn't okay. One glance should have been enough to see that. I was dangling above the abyss by a frayed thread. The prospect of escape was the only thing holding me together right now. My future was bleak, and all I could see within it was hopelessness.

"How about we get out of this place?" I asked, changing the subject.

Akane fidgeted and glanced at the door of room 213. "I'd like to, but I shouldn't. I'm this close to getting the hang of manifesting my magic." Akane gave me a fiery look. "In fact, you better watch out. Ine-sensei says I'm talented. I'll be better than you before you know it."

I snorted. "Keep dreaming." I grimaced and shook my head. "No. That wasn't what I was talking about. I meant leave leave, Akane. As in we breakout, escape, leave the Institute," I clarified.

"Leave? Ran-" The phrase cut off and Akane's whole body went rigid. "- Saotome-hime, are you sure you're feeling alright? If you are having a relapse, I can get Ine-sensei and-"

"Relapse?" I stared at the girl, confused. "What are you talking about, Akane? There's nothing wrong with me. Come on. Don't you want to leave?"

Akane drew back. "No!" She exclaimed, sounding horrified by the idea. "Why would I want to leave? I'm a magical girl now. I'm a hundred times stronger than before. Ukyou and Shampoo wouldn't stand a chance. The Institute is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

"And you. You're a senshi. A princess. Beautiful. Perfect. Everything a girl dreams of being. You're telling me you want to throw that away?"

"I'm not -"

I stopped. The words that came next, I couldn't say them anymore. They had been cut away. I had done it to myself. With my own two hands, I had killed Denial. I was a girl. Maybe not in heart, but certainly in body. I could no longer run from that truth.

I wasn't sure I wanted to.

"I didn't ask to be a senshi," I said eventually.

My answer made Akane madder. "You didn't ask to be a senshi? How can you say that!" Akane lips warped into a visage of hatred and jealously. "Oh. I get it. That's why they sent you to Handa-san. You are broken," she sneered. "Why did they bother with you? They should have picked me instead. I'm the best fighter in my class. I'm number two in spiritual strength. I want to be a senshi. But, instead, they chose you. It's not fair."

Fury boiled inside of me. My hands tightened into fists. I leaned forward, full of threat, mouth open and a retort on my lips-

The rage vanished. What was I doing? I had come here to save Akane, not to fight with her. Arguing was pointless. But what else could I do? It was obvious that Akane wasn't coming. She didn't understand why I would want to leave.

"What did they do to you?" I asked with quiet voice.

"They fixed me," Akane boasted. "It only took two adjustments. Only ten other girls can say that, and only one was faster."

The sheer pride Akane conveyed made me choke. What had Kamiko found inside my fiancée that broke her so quickly? Was she like me? Had Akane been dragged into her own mind, ready to fight, only to watch a part of herself betray her? Or had Kamiko gambled with Akane's life, coercing changes too large and threatening to be perpetrated on a precious senshi? I didn't know. I might never know.

I wanted to deny the things I was seeing and hearing. The Akane I remembered was strong. She would not have broken. She was supposed to be here, waiting, already halfway free even before I swooped in to drag her from the fire.

But, even if I turned away, the truth remained. Akane was theirs now. I couldn't save her. I had failed at my most important task.

Emotion drained away. Left in its place was icy stillness.

"You may return to your class, Tendo-chan."

I heard myself say it. The dull formality was almost second nature. A role branded into my soul come alive for the first time. A senshi speaking through my lips. I should have been disturbed, but right then the cold disregard was a shield against the open wounds cut into my heart.

"Don't think you can dismiss me like that!"

"You forget your place, Tendo-chan," I snapped. The retort escaped my lips before I could quench it. A part of me wanted to take it back, but the rest of me did not care enough to try.

Akane's face colored with rage. Her body rose up, ready to unleash a storm. Then she went rigid. Dispassionately, I watched her choke on the words she wanted to scream. The moment passed. Akane regained control, a volcano halted at the cusp of eruption.

"As you wish, Saotome-hime," Akane spat. She gave a crude curtsy and turned away. She stomped back to her class throwing the door open with a bang before disappearing inside.

I wrenched my eyes away. Beneath the cold exterior my guts twisted on themselves. I'll be back for you. I didn't say it aloud. It was a promise to myself. Someday, I would make myself come back for her. When I did, I would drag her from these halls by force.

I'm sorry, Akane. I'm sorry I failed.

I raised my bowed head and faced Emiko. Here was a girl who had risked everything. A girl whose future I had placed in danger. For nothing.

"Sorry about this."

"You don't have to apologize, Saotome-sama," Emiko said. Her voice was soft and comforting. She reached out shyly, but drew her hand back before it touched. "She's still there. All of them are still there. They might be different, but they are still there."

I absorbed Emiko's words and tried to believe. I couldn't. Akane would never be the same. I would never be the same. Emiko would never be the same. What the Institute changed, it changed forever. Emiko knew that, which is why she sounded so desperate, as though she were trying to convince herself.

"Lets go."

The halls were empty as we passed through them. The whole school's population was concentrated into a handful of classrooms. I glanced through the doors as we passed. An empty room. Seven girls trying to form balls of energy between their hands. Two dozen girls, half with tiara's on their heads, sitting dutifully behind desk, looking little different than school girls.

In a way, that was what they were. Even for me, the bulk of my time had been consumed by general education. The Pretty Princess Institute wasn't all hellfire and damnation. There were ordinary moments. There were happy moments. I wouldn't miss it, though. The horrors the Institute inflicted tainted everything. When confronted by that evil, all the good the Institute did became meaningless.

Stairs brought us down to the first floor then outside through a pair of double doors. I shielded my eyes while they adjusted to the sun.

The yard was as I remembered. Rows of short bushes were trimmed into long rectangles. Flowers were laid out in artistic displays. The lawn was perfectly even, not a single blade of grass daring to grow taller than its neighbors. Further from the estate, artificial beauty gave way to the wild. Trees grew with branches askew. Patches of clover and tufts of grass gathered at their trunks.

The two of us followed the cobble path until it joined with the main road. From there, we had a straight shot to the Institute's gates. The wrought iron doors were wide open, begging me to run through. I ignored that foolish urge and instead focused on the two girls that stood guard in their colorful dresses.

I squinted. Sloppy. The girls were leaning against the waist high brick wall while chatting casually. It was hard to believe I was seeing it. I had attacked the Institute a mere month ago. Negligence like that was inexcusable.

"Saotome-sama, the gate is the only way out," Emiko said quietly.

"I know," I answered.

I strolled forward. The choker was a problem. While wearing it, magical girls were invincible. There was no sneaking past, either. The girls might be lax, but the terrain between us was open. They would have to be blind to not see me coming.

"Saotome-sama," Emiko called out worriedly.

I slowed to a stop and stepped off into the woods. I shot another glance at the guards then at Emiko. The green vested girl was wringing her hands nervously. I could tell that she had not thought her plan through further than this.

Not that I could blame her. My plan had lasted until I hit the door. The fact I had not bothered with more than that showed better than anything how little faith I had that it would work.

To be fair, it nearly didn't.

"Think you can take one of them?" I asked, nudging my head toward the gate.

Emiko jumped, startled. She looked at the guards from over her shoulder. "I don't know, Saotome-sama. I think- I think I can. But..."

I grinned, my smile spreading until it became an arrogant smirk. "Good. That's all I need. Follow my lead and try to act natural."

"N-natural," Emiko chirped from behind.

I didn't bother to answer. Instead, I moved forward with long, forceful strides, my face falling into a mask of wrath. The guards didn't look up until I was ten meters away. When they did, they jerked and sputtered. The two stepped away from the wall and fixed their gowns before delivering the required curtsies.

"Saotome-sama" "Hime-sama" they stammered out simultaneously.

I swept steely eyes over the pair. On the left was a blond in a sky blue dress that ended at the ankles. Beside her was a brunette in yellow. Neither showed a scrap of combat potential. My lips curled in disgust.

"Excuse me," I began, my voice dripping acid. "What-"

Yellow cut me off, conjuring up a confidence her companion lacked. "Saotome-sama," she said roughly. "You aren't allowed to be-"

"Did I give you permission to speak!" I barked over the girl's words.

Yellow jerked back and bumped into the brick wall. Beside her, Blue cringed. She pulled her body tight, shrinking herself until she was as small as possible.

"No, but I-" Yellow tried to say, her control faltering.

"I hear talking," I growled.

I fixed the girl with my eyes, doing my best to duplicate Kamiko's hawk-like stare. My menacing presence crushed her dissent.

"Better," I pronounced. I strolled across the pair, a sergeant evaluating her flock. "Now, do either of you two care to tell me what's wrong with this picture?"

Blue stammered out a broken defense. "I- we-"

Yellow spoke up, saving her friend. "We admit our laxness Saotome-sama. However, you are-"

"Laxness," I said, cutting the girl off. I rolled the word in my mouth as though tasting it. "Are you under the impression that such laxness is acceptable?"

Yellow opened her mouth then snapped it closed. Her face took on a red hue, growing brighter until it matched the embarrassment showing on her companion's cheeks. Blue couldn't even look me in the eye. She studied the grass, searching for the legendary blade of irregular length.

I nearly cackled with glee. These girls had been warned before. I stepped up the pressure, closing on Yellow until I was staring her straight in the face.

"Nothing to say, huh. Shall I give you a list?" I surveyed the pair. "Chatting while one duty-"

"- that isn't against-" Yellow started to object.

I spoke louder, "-to the point of neglect. A failure of decorum – don't give me that look, I saw you leaning up against the fence. Unpreparedness and..."

I trailed off. My eyes shifted from Yellow to Blue. The girl trembled under my gaze, shifting her body in what looked like a nervous gesture. It came a moment too late. I spotted the green stains on the bottom of her dress. My gaze slid up, my eyes heat seeking missiles that had locked onto her. Even three paces away, I could hear her gulp.

"Is there something you want to share with me?" I asked sweetly. As quiet as my voice was, I'm sure she could have heard from the other side of a football field.

"I uh- Well... you-" Blue stumbled over her words, tears leaking from her eyes. Suddenly, it all came out in a rush. "I had to sit down! ... my feet hurt..."

Yellow jumped in, selflessly directing attention from her friend. "It isn't her fault, Saotome-sama. If the Institute wants us to stand guard for eight hour shifts, it should drop the rule requiring heels."

I offered no sympathy. Yellow's gutsy attempt wouldn't have survived half a second if placed before Akina or Kamiko. Either of those women would have slapped Yellow so hard that she would have been walking home from the next ward over.

Yellow didn't respect my authority.

She couldn't have given me a better excuse.

I stepped in, so close that my nose was half a hand-span away from Yellow's. I dominated the girl with my presence. Though I was at least four centimeters shorter, Yellow shank until I was looking down at her.

"You are the first girls a dignitary will see. So, tell me, do you think it is acceptable to be wearing a dress with a giant green splotch on the back?"

Yellow tried to step back, but she was already pinned against the wall. Nervously, she straightened her body. "It isn't that big. Besides, you aren't even allowed to be-"

"-Not big?" I asked. I gave her a look that told her she was an idiot. "I think there is a miscommunication here. Allow me clarify."

Slam!

My fist smashed into the untransformed magical girl's jaw. Yellow's head rocked back, the momentum of my blow reverberating through her skull. Her brain shook in its casing. Unconsciousness followed. The girl's body folded up and flopped onto the ground.

Blue stared stupidly. Emiko, belatedly realized that the fight had started. She rushed a transformation. She shouldn't have bothered. Two bounds brought me to the Blue, who, in her panic, hadn't even started tenki. All it took was a single blow to her temple, and the girl was out for the count.

"Idiots. What did they think they were doing? Guard duty without tenki." I shook my head in disgust.

Just went to show that the Institute had all types. The monstrously strong, the dangerously competent, and the just plain stupid. I wondered how Artemis planned to conquer the world with this lot.

I stooped down and grabbed Blue by the arms. I dragged her across the grass before propping her up in a sitting position by the gate. The irony of it was beautiful. I had just finished berating the girls about grass stains and here I was creating an even bigger one.

"Don't they teach you guys anything," I grumbled as I worked. I looked up at the magical knight, "Hey, grab Yellow and drag her over there," I said pointing at the other side of the gate.

Emiko moved as ordered. As she did so, she released her transformation. It took less than three seconds for Emiko's armor to dissolve into motes of light.

"They teach us," Emiko answered quietly. "How to transform. How to use our magic. Ishii-hime runs combat drills every other week. Most of the girls... they don't put much effort into it."

You can bring a horse to water, but can't make it drink. I suppose that was how it went. It didn't make much sense to me. Military training was all about making prospective soldiers want to learn, generally by turning their lives into hell until they did. It worked. Most of the time. If these girls were under trained, it was because the Institute wasn't putting effort into it.

Why? Did it not occur to them? Did they not see the point of it? Could the lack of training be intentional? It could be any one of those. It could be all three. It could be something else entirely. Whatever the PPI's reasons were, I didn't get it. And, as much as the incompetence irked me, it favored me now.

Standing a few paces back, I eyed the two unconscious guards. Perfect. From a distance, Yellow and Blue would look like a pair of slacker napping on the job. From what I saw, that wouldn't be a far cry from usual.

I turned to Emiko and nodded. She gave a weak smile and followed.

The last steps out of the Institute were uneventful. I walked through the wrought iron gates, watching as green hills wavered and broke. The mirage of nature was replaced by the streets of Akihabara. I crossed the same intersection where, so long ago, Setsuna had stood. Cars whizzed past me, through me, ghostly images I could not touch.

We continued on, not saying a word. I sank into memory. The emotional drive that I brought me here a month ago was vacant. Lost, too, was the self assurance I had quashed before putting on a frilly dress. Things were so different back then. Innocent. I could not have imagined the shape of the Institute. I had not seen how far I could be changed.

A naivety that could never be restored.

The bustling city was loud. Pedestrians slipped by, their admiring eyes pausing to catch glimpse. I maneuvered through the crowd, neither seeing nor hearing the humanity around me. I had no real destination and, before I knew it, I was following Emiko. She led me down into the subway and onto a train. From there we were swept into the depths of Tokyo.

I was fine with that. Right now the place I wanted to be was 'lost'. I had nowhere to be and nowhere go. Soon, the Institute would realize I was gone. They would send girls to pursue me. They had my profile. The Tendo Dojo was out, and I couldn't head to my mother's house either. In the end, there was only one destination: the crummy warehouse that Hikaru, Chiba, and Fumio called headquarters.

I didn't want to go there yet. Before I saw those three, I wanted to learn anew who I was. To remind myself what it was I stood for. The Institute had blurred the edges of Ranma Saotome. My existence had become vague and distant.

Perhaps it had always been that way.

Who was I? Boy. Girl. Martial artist. Doll. Senshi. Student. Words that could define me. Yet, each in turn described so little.

Boy or girl. That question had haunted me for years. At first it had been a war between confidence and fear. What I knew versus what I had not.

Now? These days I understood nothing. Was I a boy? What made a boy a boy? Was I a girl? What made a girl a girl? Was I a boy if I loved the thrill of a fight and the tension of competition? Was I a girl if I wanted to dress up nice and look pretty? What if I wanted both? What if I wanted neither? What would I be then? Boy, girl, did those words actually mean anything?Anything at all?

It seemed impossible, the question of who I was. I didn't even know what I liked anymore. Did I like the clothes Shizue gave me, or did I not? For that matter, would I still enjoy the rush of battle, or would the doll in me cringe at the idea of doing harm? If I couldn't answer simple things like that, answering the harder questions was unfathomable.

The train stopped while I was lost deep in my thoughts. A girl at my side stood and dropped a small hand bag in my lap. I looked down in confusion, then I glanced up. Emiko offered a frail smile.

"Saotome-sama, I have to leave now," she said quietly. With that, she turned and left, sweeping through the train's folding doors.

I froze, my hand clutching the bag for no other reason than it was there. I stared after her blankly. It was only when the doors began to shut that I was able to move. When I did so, I did it in a rush, jumping from my seat and diving through the narrow opening. The walkway was packed, but I shoved my way through, chasing after the green haired girl glimpsed only briefly in the throng.

"Wait!" I shouted over the din.

Emiko stopped in mid-step. She paused there for a moment, then slowly moved herself next to a wall. There she waited. She had no choice. I had given an order.

My run slowed to a walk and I pushed closer. I wondered what it was I was doing. Emiko and I barely knew each other. Momentary companions helping one another. That was all. But, I didn't want things to end like this. A goodbye without looking back.

"Where are you heading?" I asked when I came to a stop.

Emiko looked away, peering down at a cup that hadn't made it into the bin.

"Back," she whispered.

My mind went blank. What? Emiko's words were gibberish. Meaningless noise. I had misheard.

"Back?" I repeated.

"Yes. I- I have to go back. I have to inform Nishimura-sensei of your escape," Emiko answered.

I scowled. "So? Kamiko didn't give you a time, did she? Send Michiko a post or something."

Emiko shook her head. "It... it isn't that simple, Saotome-sama. I have to return. The Institute, it requires that I report to the dormitories every night."

Emiko remained unintelligible. It had to be a joke. Otherwise, why would she do this? Emiko, for helping me, would be punished. There was no question of her guilt. She had clearly favored me in the conflict with Kamiko. So, why? Why did Emiko do it? I didn't know her. She didn't know me. Why?

Yet, here we were. There was no denying it. Emiko had doomed herself to save me.

My expression turned dark and my gaze became sharp. This wasn't allowed. I protected. I saved. I sacrificed. Nobody else.

"That... That's stupid. We didn't escape only for you to go back," I growled.

Emiko said nothing. By doing so, she said everything.

I stepped forward. "Fine. I get it. You have to go back. If that's how it is then I'll just have to make it so you can't go back."

Emiko put a gentle hand on my shoulder. She glanced up, an accident that caused her eyes to meet mine. I saw inside them what she was trying to hide, a desperate desire for freedom, denied forever.

Emiko jerked her head away, hiding the misty tears. "Thank you, Saotome-sama, but there is nothing you can do."

"Then why? Why do this!" I shouted sweeping my arm around. "You didn't do this just so I could escape, did you?" My question was an accusation.

"Y- yes," Emiko murmured.

Without thinking, I grabbed Emiko's shoulders and shoved her against the wall. Emiko trembled in my grasp, but I was so angry I couldn't see it. I held her there, pinning her as though by physical force I could get my answer.

"Why," I demanded again.

"Because," Emiko trailed off, her eyes swaying across the ground. "Because I- I wanted... I wanted to be more than a tool for evil."

An answer I could understand. But I didn't like it. I couldn't end things like that. It was unacceptable for Emiko to go back to the Institute with a victory so small.

"What do you want." It wasn't a question, it was a command.

"I don't want anything," Emiko whispered while staring at the ground. "Saotome-sama, just... stay free. Run away, and never come back. Forget the Institute. Forget everything."

I shook my head. That was not a promise I could keep. Akane was still there. Even ignoring that, running was pointless. The Institute would hunt me down. Kamiko made that clear. I didn't want to spend my whole life running.

Besides, Emiko's plea was a lie. The girl was desperately searching for hope. She had decided that hope was me, that she could fill the gap in her soul by saving me. It was stupid. People can't live through other people.

"I can't do that. Ask for something for yourself."

"Th- there is n-nothing I want," Emiko whispered again.

"Don't give me that crap. Emiko, I order you to ask."

Emiko trembled. She tried to look away. She tried to swallow her own words, but she couldn't stop it. She was helpless. Forcing her to bare her heart like this, had I become a monster?

"I-I want to be free," Emiko choked out. "I want mom to smile down at me and ask how my day went. I want to squeeze into the couch next to my sister and steal her magazines. I want to go to school again, a real school, and play with my friends. But I can't have those things. I can never have them again."

And I couldn't give them to her either. That was why she hadn't asked. I was as powerless as she was. There was nothing I could do for Emiko. But I still couldn't accept it. There had to be something. Anything.

"There is always something," I grumbled. "I don't care if its stupid or small. There has to be an order I can give, or a loophole to exploit."

I was thinking out loud. If I worded it right, could I tell Emiko to sneak out and visit her family, even if just once? But, it wasn't that easy. I was one senshi amongst five. The Institute had foreseen this. It had defined laws to guide Emiko's actions. Rules stacked on rules, with months or years of revisions whenever Emiko stepped outside her bounds.

Even if I found that special order, it would be short lived. Kamiko would force Emiko to tell her everything when she came back. Then she would undo whatever it was I had done.

"Saotome-sama, I- I have something." Emiko had heard something I had not. Her tearful face was filled with determination. "P-please have my knight's oath."

"Your oath?" I questioned. I sighed in irritation. "Emiko, I'm telling you to do something for yourself."

Emiko shook her head. "I can't," she whispered. "Saotome-sama, you don't understand. I must do as I'm told. Even if the Institute weren't there anymore, I would belong to someone else. I can never be free. So please, Saotome-sama, if I have to serve someone, let it be someone decent. Let it be you."

Again and again, Emiko reached for things that weren't for her. She kept placing her hopes in someone else. She was right. I didn't understand. For her, this was the only choice. To me, it sounded like a terrible one.

But what else did she have? Emiko had to obey. The Institute had drilled the chains in so deep that Emiko could never escape that truth.

Better me than the Pretty Princess Institute, right? It was an ugly, slimy idea that tainted me merely by conceiving it. I didn't want to own a person. And, with Emiko, that was essentially what this was. She couldn't disobey. If I told her to slit her own throat, she would do it without hesitation.

Yet, how could I refuse when she was asking? She had sacrificed herself for me. The obligation I owed her could not be described by so shallow a word as honor.

I scowled. "Will this get you away from the Institute?"

"No," Emiko whispered. "Even if I become your knight, I cannot so easily shed prior decree," Emiko answered honestly. "But, Saotome-sama, if you do this, then I can treat your orders as supreme, above even those of other senshi."

Not enough. That wasn't nearly enough. To be worth it, Emiko needed more. She needed freedom.

"This is a horrible idea. Find something else," I said.

"There isn't anything else, Saotome-sama," Emiko replied. Her determination had yet to fade. "You asked me what I wanted. This... this is what I want. Please, Saotome-sama, allow me this."

My scowl turned ugly. I looked away. "No."

Emiko shrank. "Am I not good enough?" she whispered.

"That's not," I growled in frustration. My guts twisted at the sight of Emiko's dejection then twisted again at the thought of accepting. "Fine. If this really what you want, I won't stop you."

"Thank you, Saotome-sama," Emiko said reverently. She bowed her head and sank to her knees. "I swear myself to you, Saotome-sama. For forevermore, I shall serve as your sword and your shield. All that is evil, I shall beat from your path. All that is good, I shall give onto you. What you will, I shall make done, no matter the hardship or folly. This I pledge, for a thousand lives and a thousand deaths, never faltering."

I hid my grimace and bowed my head. Emiko's oath was now mine and with it came the weight of obligation. Foolish girl. She asked me to run. She asked me to stay free. But now I was bound to her as throughly as she was bound to me. I had to save her. It was no longer a choice. It was a duty.

By my hand, the Institute would be destroyed.

I raised my head and took the burden. "I accept your oath, knight." My answer was clear and crisp, the words of a senshi.

I smiled weakly, looking down upon the girl. "However, I've got some ground rules you've got follow. First thing's first, you live for yourself. You aren't going to make me happy by being unhappy. Also, when I give a stupid order, say so. I uh... don't always think things through. Besides, if I really want you to do something stupid, I can damn well repeat myself. Oh, and this one goes above all others, if I tell you to do something that will get you hurt, I command you to disobey."

Emiko looked at me, tears leaking from her eyes. Suddenly, she surged forward and hugged my leg tightly.

"Thank you Saotome-sama," Emiko said. "Thank you."

I grimaced again and opened my mouth to give a response. A new voice cut in. It was honey sweet, sticky, and filled with acrid sarcasm.

"Isn't this a touching scene."

The speaker giggled sadistically. I turned to face her, but I already knew who it was. Chiyo Mori.

And I still had the damn choker around my neck.

-oOo-

Ending Notes:

Experiments:

Notes extracted from Michiko's logs:

XT-01: (Failed)

Purpose: Evaluation of theoretical personality modification techniques.

Results: Limited effect. Subject died due to suicide, trauma induced during personality reconstruction is the likely cause. Recommend that psychological evaluations be carried out on future subjects to catch potentially undesirable/destructive traits at earlier stages.

Proposal: Chiyo Mori has shown the capacity for efficient and permanent mental modification. Use of magics based on similar principles may produce superior results with lower associated risks (see XT-02).

XT-02: (Failed)

Purpose: Modify an uncrystallized spiritual core to induce abilities capable of personality overwrite.

Results: XT-02 experiment shows limited success. Permanent mental alteration abilities are present and the abilities show a greater than expected versatility. However, the subject is crippled by highly destructive side effects – neural degeneration of the tested targets.

Proposal: XT-02 experiment shows promise. Greater understanding of spiritual modification techniques is, however, needed to achieve a more exact replication of the desired abilities.

Addendum[1]: Technological moderation of XT-02's abilities have proven successful in suppressing the negative side affects. Additional experiments should be conducted to see if more advanced personality altering effects can be produced through the use of sophisticated technologies (see XT-05).

Addendum[2]: XT-02 experiment re-evaluated as 'unintended success'. The duplication of XT-02's abilities is now deemed critical to the Institute's interests (see XT-10).

XT-03 (Success)

Purpose: Study of the practical limits and dangers associated with spiritual modification.

Results: XT-03a, XT-03b, XT-03e deceased. XT-03c later terminated. Study of spiritual modification indicates that directed modification causes heavy spiritual damage which may manifest over a period of weeks. Damage becomes greater the higher the deviancy of the modification becomes. Modification of a fully crystallized spiritual matrix has proven impossible. In future experiments it is recommended that all candidates be selected prior to the initial development of their abilities.

The XT-03 experiment has yielded significant data. Control of spiritual modification techniques has been improved. Medical examinations have revealed the major causes of spiritual damage. Future modification efforts will thus produce a higher yield.

Experiment deemed successful.

Proposal: The potential for directed evolution is high. Further experimentation is recommended (see XT-06, XT-07, XT-09).

XT-04 (Canceled)

Purpose: Genetic and physiological study of a rare male child of a magical girl.

Results: escaped.

Proposal: Data collected is limited. Recapture is required for further study. Recommend multi-year live evaluation followed by dissection.

Addendum[1]: Field encounters with XT-04 show high levels of hostility. Experiment is low priority. Recommend immediate termination.

XT-05 (Success)

Purpose: Develop an advanced technology to fully utilize subject XT-02's abilities.

Results: Successful. Techniques developed during the experiment show the ability to invoke dramatic and customized modifications to the target's personality. Resistance to this technique appears to be limited.

Proposal: The developed technique should be applied to all girls deemed high priority.

Addendum[1]: Medical examinations show possible side effects of the XT-05 (adjustment) process. In depth study of adjustment is recommend (see XT-08).

XT-06: (Failure)

Purpose: Use technological induction to enhance spiritual powers.

Results: Success. Subject shows a sustained 150% increase to spiritual strength. Experimental data supports the hypothesis that spiritual strength could be increased to much higher levels.

Proposal: Enhancement recommended for all girls categorized as C or lower. Greater infrastructure will be needed to effectively enhance girls qualified as class B or A.

Addendum[1]: The initial subject (XT-06a) died after a 7-month period. The autopsy indicates that spiritual modification was the probable cause. Abort all enhancement treatments until a full health evaluation can be completed.

Addendum[2]: Two of the follow up subjects (XT-06b, XT-06d) died after a 11-month and 17-month period. Seven other early phase subjects show what are currently deemed minimal health complications. Experiment reevaluated as a failure. Additional study needed (see XT-12).

XT-07: (Success):

Purpose: Replication of XT-02 experiment with corrections and improvement to the methodology.

Results: Limited success. Subject shows all desired modification capabilities, but modification rate remains slower than anticipated by an order of magnitude. Experimental data suggests that higher spiritual power may lead to improved results.

Proposal: While experimentally useful the subject, XT-07, produces a personality transformation with undesirable traits. Test subjects T-07a and T-07b have been subsequently allocated to tasks suitable for the given modifications, but no place is envisioned for future subjects. XT-07 has fulfilled its experimental purpose, recommend immediate termination [Overruled].

Addendum[1]: Additional experimentation shows that XT-07 can be safely used in a hybrid personality modification approach in conjunction with the XT-05 (Adjustment) process.

Addendum[2]: The core XT-02/XT-07 experiment is to be replicated again (see XT-11).

XT-08 (Success)

Purpose: Evaluation of the safe limits of the XT-05 process (from hence forth: 'Adjustment').

Results: Success. Subject XT-08a was subjected to 21 adjustments prior to full neural collapse. Subject XT-08b was subject to 16 adjustments prior to full neural collapse. Both subjects exhibited increasingly erratic behavior in the later adjustment stages.

Medical evaluations indicate low, but cumulative neural damage from the adjustment process. Damage increases at a non-linear rate, becoming substantially worse with repeated adjustments. Long rest periods decrease both iterative and cumulative damage, with the effects tapering off after a one week period.

Follow up experiment XT-08c, showed that a delayed adjustment procedure is medically superior. After 20 adjustments XT-08c remained functional, showing a peak neural degeneration 1/3rd of that experienced by XT-08a, and XT-08b. Long term medical evaluations indicate that 80% of lost functionality was eventually recovered.

Proposal: The experiment indicates adjustment is safe, but should be carried out in a controlled methodical manner. Two week recovery times are recommended, with exemptions issued only for special cases. All candidates for adjustment should be given before and after medical/psychological evaluations to determine progress and identify potential dangers.

Addendum[1]: Statistical study indicates that more severe and more permanent neural damage is strongly correlated with the following traits: a highly resistant subject, attempts to adjust core personality constructs, and most especially both. Recommend that future adjustments avoid these whenever possible. Data indicates that multiple minor adjustments should be significantly less damaging than a single, major adjustment that produce the same net psychological effect.

XT-09: (Success):

Purpose: Implantation of a personality matrix into a subject's spiritual core.

Results: Success. Implantation caused normally limited mental magic to renew on subsequent tenki actions. Further, the personality matrix continues to strengthen as part of the normal tenki carryover process. Subject XT-09 showed permanent alteration in as short as three months.

Proposal: This technique is recommend as a compliment to the normal adjustment procedures. This technique may have merit as the primary personality alteration mechanism for girls deemed low priority.

Addendum[1]: Further evaluation of subject XT-09 reveals that the subject has limited functionality. The cause is not the XT-09 experiment, but rather the form of its application. Recommend that future implantations utilize a more emotion oriented personality matrix. Additional study and experimentation may be needed to discover the most effective mixes.

XT-10: (Uninitiated):

Purpose: Replicate the unintended results of XT-02 experiment.

Notes: An optimal subject has been located. Abduction delayed in favor of XT-11.

XT-11: (Active) Ranma Saotome

Purpose: Attempt to recreate the original XT-02 experiment.

Notes: Proposed experiment subject: Ranma Saotome. Stabilized Jusenkyo curse, independent personality, and high spiritual power all promise to correct the problems that appeared during the XT-07 experimental attempt.

XT-12: (Uninitiated)

Purpose: Reattempt XT-06 spiritual enhancement experiment.

Note[1]: The XT-12 experiment should proceed with extreme caution. A three year deployment is suggested before high-level personnel are exposed to the process.

Note[2]: A higher grade arcane transformer is required before experimentation proceeds. A silver millennium class B-II generator, or superior arcane energy source is desired to reduce what is believed to be damaging flux.