Chapter 6

With his voodoo doll in hand, Gosunkugi stayed to watch Ryoga after Kuno left. Kuno said that he'd not act like some simple watchdog and left Gosunkugi in charge after Nishi had gone after Tsubasa.

So, Gosunkugi was left alone.

He sat in the shed and fiddled with making a voodoo doll perfect with what materials he could gather around: straw, paper, and other things Kuno said he could use. He even found some red fabric to make some clothes for the doll to mimic Ranma's shirt. After it was completed, all he would need would need to conduct the ceremonial ritual. The ritual would attach Ranma's essence to it, so when a pin was stuck into the doll, Ranma would feel its pain.

He heard a rustling from Ryoga Hibiki, the other struggled against his bids.

Gosunkugi looked at him, as Ryoga looked back, obviously noticed in trying to escape. His eyes almost begged for help, a yellow/black bandana in his mouth. Ryoga muttered something through the gag.

"If I take gag off, will you scream?" Gosunkugi said.

Ryoga shook his head.

Gosunkugi removed the gag from Ryoga's mouth and Ryoga took a couple of deep breaths.

"Quick, you need to untie me. Tsubasa is extremely dangerous, there is something seriously wrong with him."

"I can't," Gosunkugi said with a sigh. "He'll hurt me. If you saw the look in his eyes, he's like a person possessed." He shook his head. "I can't cross him. And now he has the student council president and the son of the Head Master on his side. If I even tried to talk back to him, I don't know what he'd do."

"He's going to hurt Ranma. Tsubasa has a grudge against him and he's obsessed with Ukyo Kuonji, a student here at the school. Let me loose, and I'll protect you. I promise."

Ryoga looked to the kettle and Gosunkugi followed his gaze.

"He tried to threaten me, I need cold water…" Ryoga said vaguely. "I don't want to reveal this, but have no choice. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. And this will be between you and me."

"A secret? What kind of secret?" Gosunkugi asked intrigued.

"One that involves 'Black Magic'", Ryoga said.

Gosunkugi tilted his head.

"You like that kind of stuff, right?" Ryoga said.

Gosunkugi nodded.

Ryoga sighed. "Okay, then let me show you some magic. But I need you to do two things for me. First, get some cold water and splash me with it, a cup full will do, then after that, and when I'm free, I need you to douse me with hot water from the kettle, once its heated up. After that, I'll explain more."

Gosunkugi blinked confused. Ryoga Hibiki was talking like some sort of master magician. And asking for cold water to splash on him sounded like an odd request. But he got the cold water in a small paper cup and after Ryoga told him to throw on him, Gosunkugi did so. What came next was absolutely extraordinary.

Gosunkugi stood in awe and dismay.

Ryoga Hibiki's entire body vanished, dropping out of sight, and disappearing into his clothes. The ropes that bound him dropped away. What emerged from his discarded clothes was a small, black piglet. The animal shook his head like one would to flick water off and then squealed. It walked out from its prison and came to face Gosunkugi looking up at him. It squealed at him again.

Gosunkugi stood flabbergasted and stunned.

"What a magic trick! Animalistic metamorphosis! If this is real, I want to learn it!"

The piglet squealed more forcefully and looked at the kettle on the bunsen burner.

"Oh, right," Gosunkugi remembered the second half of Ryoga told him. He grabbed the kettle from its handle, after he heated up more water, and then poured the hot water onto the black piglet.

There was what sounded like a painful squeal from the animal, no doubt it was hot, but from the steam burst forth a human being, and Ryoga Hibik returned back to his normal self, naked.

Gosunkugi took two steps back in awe as Ryoga brushed back his hair.

"Thank you, I appreciate the help," Ryoga said. Gosunkugi stood speechless. Ryoga cast his eyes away with chagrin. He looked back. "I…I bet you may be wondering how I did that?"

Gosunkugi nodded, still speechless. Then he found his voice. "Black magic? But only warlocks and sorcerers have the ability to transform like that, normally into more vicious looking animals like wolves or ravens."

Ryoga picked up his pants and began to dress. "I'm neither one of those, but I am cursed." With his pants on, he faced Gosunkugi. With a raised finger, Ryoga then said, "Don't tell anyone about this, you understand. If you do, I'll—promise I'll tell you how I did it. But this must stay between you and me, okay?"

"H-how, did you change like that? Can you teach me how?"

Ryoga signed. "You wouldn't want a curse like this, it's more trouble than it's worth. You are among a few who know my secret, including Ranma."

Gosunkugi's eyes widened. "Saotome knows? Ah, now I get your rivalry. He wants to know your secret."

"Um, if that's—what you want to believe," Ryoga said. "I did say I would tell you everything if you helped me, but I'm not going to right now, because I don't want you to be afflicted the same way I was. Someday, I'll find a cure."

Gosunkugi watched Ryoga fully dress. Ryoga then turned back. "Now, tell me where Tsubasa Kurenai went, I need to stop him from getting near Ranma and I need you to find Ukyo Kuonji and warn her."

"I don't know where he went," Gosunkugi said. "I was just told to say here to watch over you."

Ryoga mused. "Then I'm going to have to spy again. Tsubasa is going to meet with Ranma some time today for a tour of the school, so I'll watch and wait. If he tries anything with Ranma, then I'll pounce like a rabid animal."

"What can I do in the meantime?" Gosunkugi said.

"Stay out of the way," Ryoga said, and gave a smile, barring his sharp canine-like teeth. Then he bolted out the door.

Gosunkugi stood alone, stunned with what just happened. But he wasn't going to tell anyone what just happened. He wanted Ryoga to tell him his secret.

And besides, who would believe him?

He left the shed.

Ranma huffed. Waking up this early was a bother, but the sooner he got this over with the better.

He stretched his muscles and completed a few exercises with his Kempo martial arts to limber up his body, because he felt something was going to happen today and he needed to be loose and on guard.

When he left the Tendo Dojo, dressed, talking his school books, including some money for lunch, he waited near the gym building, the arranged meeting place, and Akane had decided to come with him. Tsubasa Kurenai would be here soon, and the rest of the student body about an hour later to start regular classes.

Ranma leaned up against the wall of the gym with his hands placed casually behind his head. He had his eyes closed for the moment, relaxing. He ran through the tour. He knew he wasn't the best person to give a tour of the school, but he was obligated. He didn't like taking orders from anyone, but it was better than the alternative.

"You know, you don't have to be 'ere," Ranma said to Akane. "This tour won't take long. I'll show'em around, and then chow down on the carry breakfast Kasumi made me. I can almost taste it now."

Akane snorted annoyed. "I came with you for support, Ranma," she said irate. "But if you want me to leave—"

"Hi, guys," suddenly came a new voice. It was Ukyo. "Have you had the tour yet?"

"Nah," Ranma replied, looking at her. He kept his hands behind his head in a relaxed manner. "So, why are you doin' 'ere, Ukyo?" He involuntarily yawned.

Ukyo shrugged silently. But he did notice she brought with her a large metal spatula. Did Ukyo think she'd need it for protection? Tsubasa Kurenai wouldn't dare try anything out in the open. But he was the kind of guy who liked to jump out spontaneously at her, or at least the old Tsubasa did. But this Tsubasa was a changed person. And Ranma thought about him last night. What could happen to change a person's personality so much?

Ranma told himself Ukyo wouldn't need it.

A few minutes later, Tsubasa Kurenai showed up dressed in the proper school uniform, opposite to Ranma. Ranma didn't care for the dress code. He was told continuously to wear the proper uniform, but he ignored such.

"Out of uniform again, I see," Tsubasa judged him.

"School ain't in yet," Ranma snapped back. "And besides, my clothes are better."

"Ranma! Don't be rude," Akane scolded him.

"He started it!" Ranma sneered. He huffed. "Anyway, we ain't here to talk fashion sense. You wanna tour of the school grounds, right, so let's get this over with, Tsubasa. I have other things to do."

Tsubasa suddenly smiled when he saw Ukyo, his entire expression actually changed when he looked at her—like a guy in love. Of course, Tsubasa was in love with her. And Ranma knew the story.

Tsubasa offered his hand in a gentle gesture to her. "If you don't wish to escort me around, Saotome, then I'd be pleased if Ukyo would do me the honour. Please, take my hand, Ukyo. Your prince awaits."

Ukyo took a step back.

Ranma saw Ukyo looked nervous and took a step between them. Tsubasa looked annoyed and Ranma saw the animus in the other's gaze. Ranma knew jealousy when he saw it.

Tsubasa took back his hand and griped it into a fist as he lowered his arm.

"Akane," Ranma started, "me and Tsubasa will walk the grounds alone. You got that?" Ranma gave her a sidewalks glance with a secret look he hoped she understood. He wanted to keep Ukyo away from this creep.

Akane gave him a miffed look. "Fine," she said simply. And the girls started to walk away.

"Okay, pal. Let's get this over with," Ranma said harshly. "If I'm late for class, I'm gonna blame you."

"There's no need for hostilities, Saotome. Lead on."

But even after Tsubasa said that, Ranma felt even more tense with this guy than he had before.

To be continued...