"Hina really doesn't understand, Bou-san . . . "
Standing on the roof of the old shrine, Hi****o cradled the Staff of
Gihan. Tears still trickled from grief-filled eyes; her cheeks were
damp from hours of crying. Sniffing back a bout of fresh sobs, the
youngest sister gazed heavenward. "Hina knew Bou-san could help Akane-
san after what Akari-san's big piggy did." Another deep sniff before
she gazed on the Staff. "Why didn't Akane-san want Bou-san to help
her?"
***It was her choice in the end, Hi****o.***
"Didn't she care about how her sisters or ****n****-san'd feel?"
***Don't forget: At the time she slipped into the Very, Very Bright
Place, Akane believed her family was about to abandon her.***
Hi****o sniffed back more tears. Oh, yes, she knew what the pain
arising from THAT was like, having experienced it since her mother and
stepfather left her at Welcome House. "They didn't really mean to do
that, did they . . .?"
She gazed into the morning sky. ***That's not relevant to the issue
at hand. What mattered was what Akane's feelings were at the moment
she chose to go to the Very, Very Bright Place. Not Kasumi's, Nabiki's
or ****n****'s.***
Hi****o considered that, and then she nodded. "Yeah, that's
true . . . "
***Besides, remember what Akane told you at the end?***
Silence fell before a smile crossed her face. "Hai, Hina remembers."
***And Akane DID want to be with her mother, Hi****o,*** the Staff
reminded her. ***You can certainly understand that, can't you?***
Hi****o nodded again, her smile widening. "Hai. Akane-san's with her
mama now in the Very, Very Bright Place. But . . . " The smile
faded. "What happens with all of Akane-san's friends, Bou-san? What
about Kasumi-san, Nabiki-san and ****n****-san? What about Ryouga-
san?" She paused to pull the Staff closer to herself. "What about
Onee-tama . . .?"
***They will have to resolve their feelings for Akane on their own,
Hi****o.*** The Staff extended a field of energy around her
controller, chasing away the last of the morning chill from her body.
***There is nothing you can do to help them in that regard except tell
them how sorry you feel about Akane's passing into the Very, Very
Bright Place.*** A pause. ***And you also did defend Ryouga's
actions as 'P-chan,' didn't you?***
Hi****o blinked before her smile returned. "Hai, Hina did!"
Silence fells as a wind flowed past the youngest of the sisters.
Hi****o pulled the Staff from her, staring directly on the ancient
device's focusing crystal. Sensing what she wanted to see, the Staff
forged a three-dimensional mini-hologram of Tendou Akane. "Hina
wishes you would've stayed here instead of going to the Very, Very
Bright Place, Akane-san. But . . . " She sniffed. "Hina knows what
it's like to not be with her mama. Hina misses her mama very much.
Maybe one day, Hina'll be with her mama again . . . "
**** **** ****
"Lonely Souls"
By Fred Herriot
pyeknu@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
OR fherriot@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
**** ****
Based on "Urusei Yatsura" and "Ranma 1/2," created by Takaha****
Rumiko; and "Sister Princess," created by Tenhiro Naoto and Kimino
Sakurako.
**** **** ****
Set in the universe of the fan-fiction series "Urusei Yatsura - The
Senior Year," created by Mike Smith and Fred Herriot
**** **** ****
NOTE: The writer's notes are in a separate text file.
**** **** ****
THE SEVENTH PART, "A" SIDE - EMPTY CHAIRS
A phone rang. "Hai, this is Horikawa."
"You need not use that false name with me, Naho."
A giggle. "Negako-chan, am I *ever* going to make you call me
'Mother?'"
An exasperated sigh echoed over the line. "Naho, cease your attempts
at trying to make me more 'human.' I already receive enough such
'advice' from Sakuya and the other sisters. At least Ataru and
Chikage do not do that to me." A pause, and then she announced,
"Tendou Akane is dead."
A gasp. "What happened?!"
The explanation took ten minutes. At the end of it, the woman who
had been born as Hana Naho, daughter of Hana Seinen and his wife Jiko
-- Naho currently lived under the identity "Horikawa Nahoko" -- closed
her eyes. "That poor girl," she whispered, shaking her head.
"Something good may come out of it," Negako advised. "However, as
you are well aware, something worse WILL come out of it."
"Grandfather, you mean?"
"Indeed. Akiko is currently preparing him for his 'mission.'" Both
Negako and Naho/Nahoko knew which person the former was ultimately
speaking of. "I suspect it will happen late this evening. Tomorrow
evening at the latest."
"I best come see you then. Should I bring Nanase-chan and Mutsumi-
chan?"
"If you believe that is the prudent course." A pause. "Shanpú has
been informed of what has happened to Ranma. I assume Mùsi will
realize what Ranma will most likely do. Since this is what the Tora-
Sei****n and the Nujiézú desire, using Mùsi *this* way should ease his
ardour when it comes to Shanpú."
"Alright then!" Naho replied with a titter. "I'm sure Nanase-chan
and Mutsumi-chan'll take well to Mousse-kun. Besides, it's been a
long time since I last saw Aunt Cologne. We'll be around the house by
later this evening."
"Naho."
"What is it, Negako-chan?"
A sigh. "PLEASE, do NOT bring Ayano with you."
A pause as Naho stared at her cell phone in shocked surprise. She
then smiled as she returned the device to her ear. "At least you now
understand the concept of 'please,' Negako-chan." She then laughed on
sensing the arched eyebrow at the other end. "Oh, very well! I'll
keep Ayano-chan here."
"Thank you."
"I'll bring ****ina-chan instead."
In her bedroom in Nerima, Negako tried not to groan. Honestly, would
Naho ever LEARN?! The ninjutsu grandmaster then paused as she
considered what Naho was proposing. Unlike Inaba Ayano, Misaki ****ina
did not CONSTANTLY lose control of her libido whenever she was in
Negako's presence. And there WAS the other girl in Naho's adopted
family of Avalonian refugees currently living in Odawara. "Very well,
then. Bring Rinko as well."
"You're a greedy girl, Negako-chan! ****ina-chan AND Rinko-chan?!"
"Naho."
"Yes, dear?!"
Negako's voice turned to ice. "Do not push it."
Naho sighed.
* * *
"Captain, we've established orbit over Earth."
"Status re****t?"
"No sign of other star****ps within sensor range. Retrieval systems
are at the ready," the technician re****ted. "We've locked in on the
trans****ter beacons Agent Rose set in place. We can seize the targets
at any time."
The captain of the "Rose Emperor" nodded. "Does Rose need assistance
when it comes to *inviting* Mr. Groom's sisters to join us?"
The technician shook her head, a light smile crossing her face. "No,
ma'am. Agent Rose re****ts she can use her own scout's sensors to
locate them via the traces of their DNA Agent Rose obtained when she
visited their hostel. Their coordinates will be automatically relayed
to us."
"Excellent!" The captain grinned. "The Queen will be very pleased.
Alright, then." She gazed on the other women controlling the bridge
of the patrol monitor. "Look sharp, people! The quicker we do this,
the better!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the crew chanted.
* * *
Oogi frowned as he gazed on the "Rose Emperor." The bodiless
president of Phentax Two stood in one of the cloaked bioroid factory's
primary control centres. As soon as the Ellsian patrol monitor had
come into orbit over Earth -- moving to a geosynchronous position
directly over the Holy Citadel! -- Oogi had ordered the factory to
skirt north, putting its centre over Urawa.
"Mister President?"
Oogi glanced over his shoulder to see Otako currently standing at the
site-to-site trans****ter unit that connected the control centre with
the rest of the vast factory. "What news about those missing
bioroids, Otako?"
"No further information about them has been obtained, sir," Otako, a
replica of one of the Church's more passionate leaders who had died
when Phentax Twelve was destroyed, replied. She then perked. "There
is an update concerning Operation: Ha****sh, sir. The bioroids you
require for that are a day from emerging from gestation."
He nodded. "Excellent. When they are ready, have them programmed
right away. No delay on that, Otako," he ordered with a raised
finger.
Otako nodded. "It will be done, sir. Do you desire to communicate
with any of the observers in the Holy City?"
Silence fell over the bridge as he considered that, and then he shook
his head. "No, not yet. Certain more critical matters have to be
resolved first before we re-establish control over those people.
Don't worry about it."
"As you wish, sir."
"What of the Great Evil? Have you located him?"
"No, sir. Even with the data you brought with you when you came here
from Lumukyou, all attempts at locating Morobo**** Ataru anywhere
within the Tokyo region have proven unsuccessful. We are still
looking, though."
Oogi trembled before he gasped suddenly as a feeling akin to a
billion thumbtacks pressing into his skin overwhelmed him. To Otako's
point of view, the ghostly president seemed to fizzle, the colour of
his "body" fading. A hand darted to the communicator affixed to the
collar of her jumpsuit as she barked out, "Gestation Unit Six!
Have . . .!"
"NO!"
Otako stopped as Oogi seemed to curl in on himself for a moment. The
former was frozen in place, ignoring the concerned query from the
woman in charge of the gestation unit, as she watched the president's
body blaze with new energy. Another minute passed, and then he
straightened himself, looking somewhat healthier for a living spirit
without a physical body to inhabit. "I . . .!" he automatically
panted, though it was pretty much impossible for his astral form to
take in oxygen. "I'm alright . . .!"
Otako blinked, and then she nodded. "Stand down, Unit Six," she
ordered, tapping her collar, and then she walked up to gaze intently
at Oogi. "Sir, you can't keep depending on the energy of those who
died on Phentax Twelve . . . "
"I know!" he grunted. After taking a couple steps away, he
straightened as he pointed to the Ellsian monitor hovering off the
starboard quarter. "Have sensors probe that ****p. Find out who's
aboard and why they're here!"
"Yes, sir," Otako replied with a nod before she headed out.
Oogi's vision remained locked on the "Rose Emperor." "No doubt,
you've come to claim your 'Honey' now that the Goddess no longer
stands in your way, Elle, dearie." He smiled; as President of Phentax
Two, it was his business to know the habits of all his counterparts
throughout the Galactic Federation, including the infamous Rose
Queen. "But I've business with him that will not wait, even for you!
And if you get in my way . . .!"
Howling laughter soon echoed through the factory.
* * *
"There it is, Luf! Old-style cloaking device ****eldin' it from the
Ellsians, but it's stickin' out like a sore thumb to us!"
Lufy grimly nodded as she gazed over Priss' shoulder on the enhanced
visual image displaying the area of thermospheric space over the city
of Tokyo. Hovering over Tomobiki was a Rose Emperor-class patrol
monitor, the capital ****p model of the Royal Ellsian Navy. Compatible
to an Urusian Ka****n-class battlewagon, the "Rose Emperor" and her two
dozen sisters were warp-capable mobile gun fortresses and fighter
launch platforms primarily used as space control craft, vessels that
could keep a solar system secure from small fleet attacks by enemy
forces. They were equally as effective when used as parts of fighting
squadrons of four-to-six patrol monitors in larger fleet combat
actions. Against the Avalon bioroid factory, which had slipped to the
north to ensure it remained undetected by Ellsian sensory, the patrol
monitor stood a decent chance of crippling the larger ****p only if it
had surprise on its side; the Avalonian craft had been built with only
short-range point defence weapons. But the bioroid factory's
excellent sensory suite and on-board cloaking device had effectively
forewarned and ****elded whoever was in control of the damned thing
well ahead of time. If they just sat there and made like a hole in
space, the Avalonians would remain undetected.
Lufy had no intention of revealing the factory's existence, either.
Her relation****p with Catty Ray -- to mention ANYTHING of Catty Ray's
future as a sentient being -- depended on stealth now.
"What's our status, Pri?"
"Cloaking device active," Pathfinder Troop Six's first officer
replied. "Keeping to passive scans just in case the Ellsians might
have something we don't know about, hard as it is for me to believe
the Rovers could slip up on us like that. Our hidin' behind Earth's
moon's acting as extra ****elding. But if you wanna get a body for
Catty Ray . . . "
"We have to close within effective trans****ter range," the
"Konggh'cha's" ****pmistress and watchmistress of Troop Six's base
****p, the "Kiboo'cha," finished for her best friend. "And while we've
got a good cloak and we know loads of stealth approach
techniques . . . "
"One slip-up on our part'll get us into loads of hot water with both
the Ellsians and the Avalonians," Priss added.
Lufy grimly nodded. "And since we haven't decided to open full
outside contact with the galaxy, the wonderful geniuses in Tere'na
City will be all over us like a pride of starving sandpanthers over a
wounded stormwalker if that ever happened," she topped that with a
knowing smirk.
"Hey, guys!"
The Pirpirsiw'r turned as Ayumu walked onto the bridge. Their eyes
shot out of their sockets on seeing the Yizibajohei-born defence
officer dressed in a frilly silver lace bra, matching panties, G-
string, suspenders and sheer nylon thigh-highs! In Tomobiki or
Nerima, seeing the beautiful (if still quite young-looking) Ayumu
dressed like THAT would have most boys fainting in shock, if not
drooling in lust. To Ayumu's fellow Sagussans, all she got were a
pair of giggles. Fortunately for Lufy and Priss, Ayumu's genki
disposition saved them both from a world of potential pain; the
Yizibajohei-born defence officer, while she was -- put kindly! -- a
narcoleptic, air-headed spacecase, she was also physically and
metaphysically the most powerful of the Dai****'cha.
"What do you think?" Ayumu asked as she twirled around to show
herself off. "Do you think Ataru-sama will like seeing me dressed
like this?"
"Ayumu, why in Lyna's name are you dressed in THOSE torture devices,
anyway?!" Priss demanded. The current generation of Sagussans, due to
their touch-telepathic and empathic abilities, often viewed Terran-
style underwear as grossly restrictive when it came to sharing some
intimate mind tapping with one's lover. "The only way Ataru-sama will
ever see you without your outer clothes is when you're both alone in a
bedroom."
"Well, I heard from Chiyo and Sakaki that Terrans think that wearing
this stuff really makes you look ***y," Ayumu replied, her smile
growing a little wider. "Don't worry. I got some nice stuff for you
guys too!"
Lufy and Priss jolted. "When?!" both demanded.
Ayumu looked nonplussed. "Oh, didn't you know? When Noa went to
Earth last time, she brought back some fa****on magazines with all
those manga, videos and DVDs where we got our names from." She
pointed to herself. "I borrowed one, and then I used a clothing
replicator to make some stuff. Tomo and Yomi really, really, really
like some of the stuff I made for them!"
The Pirpirsiw'r exchanged wary looks. "They do?" Lufy asked.
"Hai!"
"Nobody would dare laugh at them, Luf," Priss then mused, a wry smile
crossing her face as she held up a warning finger. "If Yomi didn't
cripple them on the spot, Tomo would practice her 'arrest procedures'
on them."
Lufy took that in before she nodded, a chuckle escaping her. Koyomi
-- "Yomi" to her friends -- was a sister Pirpirsiw'r. However, after
her rebirth a couple of centuries after Priss and Lufy became
Dai****'cha, she elected to become a construction engineer in lieu of
joining the Navy. Tomo, who came to Sagussa from Yiziba at the same
time as Ayumu, was the Master Chief Warrant Officer of the Sagussan
Internal Security Force, the senior patrolwoman on Sagussa. Seeing
her main task as providing a proper example to the junior ranks, Tomo
took as many op****tunities to practice established police procedures.
Unfortunately, given her Yizibajohei-born metahuman powers -- in her
own way, she was as powerful as Ayumu! -- Tomo's "practice sessions"
often resulted in levels of destruction that nearly equalled the force
unleashed by a tactical nuclear warhead. That didn't say ANYTHING
about the people who wound up in Sick Bay if they had the ill luck to
get caught in the crossfire.
"Thanks for the presents, Ayumu," she then said.
"No problem." Ayumu then blinked as her eyes locked on the image
before Priss. "Oh, an Ellsian ****p. What's it doing here?"
"We're trying to figure that out right now," Priss replied as she
found herself gazing at the other woman's enticingly clad bust.
Shaking her head as she looked away from that, she turned to her
control board, a finger absently wiping away the trickle of blood
leaking from one of her nostrils.
While Ayumu didn't take notice of what her lingerie was doing to
Pathfinder Troop Six's first officer, Lufy did. *Pri, we GOTTA get
you a bond-mate,* the fighter pilot mused to herself.
* * *
Chikage stepped into the kitchen. "Ohayou, ****rayuki-chan."
The chef gazed up from what appeared to be pancake batter. "Ah,
Chikage-chan, ohayou gozaimasu desu no." Then, taking a deep breath,
she turned back to prepare breakfast. "Hime's not really in a mood to
cook today . . . "
"Understandable." Chikage then took the mixing bowl out of
****rayuki's hands, placing that on the counter before she turned to
stare at the chef. "We all survived very well before you came to live
with us, ****rayuki-chan. I think we can make our own breakfast this
morning. Besides, I personally think few of us are going to be hungry
today after last night's events."
****rayuki then sighed. "Why did she do that, Chikage-chan?"
"Akane?"
"Desu no."
"Many reasons. The love she felt for her late mother certainly
weighed into it." A pause as Chikage pursed her lips, and then she
leaned against the refrigerator. "We should also keep in mind what
Ane-kun told us about her. Akane was never made to apologize for any
of the times she grossly overstepped her bounds concerning interacting
with other people, especially Ane-kun. To have everyone from her
family to Ane-kun to near-strangers tell her that she was in the wrong
after assuming for so long she was in the right . . . "
"It's all her father's fault, you mean?"
"That's where it started, pretty much." Chikage then blinked as
someone else entered the kitchen. "Ohayou, Ani-kun."
****rayuki brightened a bit on seeing Ataru. "Oh, Nii-sama!"
"Ohayou," he hailed as he walked up to embrace the chef from behind.
Feeling his strong arms wrap around her, ****rayuki allowed herself to
sink deeply into his warm embrace. A hand reached up to gently thread
her hair as his nose batted across her forehead, his beard tickling
the end of her nose. Finally, he gave her a tender kiss on the bridge
of her nose. "Don't worry about breakfast today, Hime-chan," he
whispered to her as he gave her a tender squeeze. "Not that many
people're hungry right now."
"Hime knows." ****rayuki's cheeks reddened on Ataru's calling her
"princess." "Hime's not really in the mood to cook today."
He sighed. "That's understandable."
"How are you feeling?" Chikage asked.
Ataru considered the sorceress' question. "Hard to say." He
shrugged. "I guess I've seen too much in the way of premature death
over the last while to really be stunned. Though I AM somewhat upset
at that woman for putting Hi****o-chan through what happened last
night." He held up a finger before taking a deep breath. "I'm not as
angry as Ranma is, though."
"Is Nee-sama okay?" ****rayuki asked.
He nodded. "She'll get over it. It's a good thing that we got Jay
and Kay to escort the Tendous back to their house. After seeing what
Akane did to Hi****o-chan, Ranma was ready to tear into Kasumi and
Nabiki for what they did and didn't do concerning their sister . . . "
"They can still come to the House?" the chef probed.
"Hai, they can. In fact, getting away from the loons in this
place'll be the best thing for them all." Ataru held up a finger.
"What we have to do now is keep Ranma isolated from those who'd
automatically be inclined to put the blame for all this on her
shoulders. Given how mixed up her feelings are concerning Akane,
that's the LAST thing she needs!"
****rayuki nodded. "Soo desu no."
"We should have Negako-anekun keep an eye on Ane-kun." Chikage
closed her eyes. "Are we still going to the hot springs?"
"Yeah, we'll head out first thing tonight." Ataru then rolled his
eyes. "Barring any other unforeseen interruptions. Anyhow, Chikage-
chan, would you come with me? I need to talk to you, Haruka and
Sakuya alone."
"Hai." The sorceress fell in behind her brother as they headed out.
****rayuki watched them go, and then she turned back to what she was
doing. "Hime should make breakfast for Nee-sama at least."
* * *
"'Morning, Haruka."
"Oh!" Haruka perked as Jay stepped through the front gate, closing
the door behind him. "Good morning, Jay-san," she hailed before she
turned back to her naginata practice. "Did the Tendous make it home
last night?"
"Yeah." The SCAA agent nodded as he watched the martial artist go to
work with the bladed polearm. "No problems. I think this whole
mess'll be wrapped up long before lunchtime." He took a glance
around. "Where's Hibiki?"
Haruka stopped herself. "I believe Hibiki-*san* . . . " -- the
honorific was coated with a tidal wave of disgust, Jay noted --
" . . . left the property sometime after Unryuu-san and her pet
departed. As to when he might be forced to grace our property with
his presence again . . . " She moved to begin another kata.
"Personally, I hope it will be *never!*"
Jay gazed on her before glancing up to see a hunched form sitting on
the roof. "Your little sis up there won't agree with you."
Haruka paused, glancing up to see Hi****o gazing at the morning sky;
the youngest sister had ****fted herself away from staring directly
into the sun as it crept higher in the sky. Remembering the harsh
words Hi****o had said to everyone else about the Ryouga/P-chan
situation, the martial artist closed her eyes. "It should not have
happened either which way, Jay-san," she said as she continued her
kata, her face a mask of steely resolve.
"Right." Jay then perked as the front door opened to reveal Ataru,
Chikage and Sakuya. "'Morning, guys," he called out.
Ataru waved back. "Hi, Jay. What's the scoop?"
"All taken care of." The former New York City detective lieutenant
walked around Haruka to step onto the ****ch. "Nothing'll happen to
that big ****ker Unryuu-san owns since he DID act to defend his
mistress AND your sister from an unprovoked attack witnessed by four
other people. Though I suspect that after this, that kid'll make sure
none of her pigs don't go hog wild -- pardon the pun! -- on anyone
like that again."
"What about Hibiki himself?" Sakuya growled.
A shrug. "Nothing really can be done about that. First, according
to Tendou Kasumi, the guy normally passed out whenever Akane stripped
down to the bra-and-panties stage." He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Man, I've heard of being shy, but THIS is ridiculous!" He then
shrugged. "And, unfortunately, during the times he was playing 'P-
chan,' it was happening with the tacit approval of the head of the
Tendou household, namely . . . "
"Akane's father," Ataru finished.
"Right," Jay drawled. "Ranma can't be charged with anything since
she was deceived into believing a person's honour and word mattered
more than an invasion of privacy, even when it concerned her then-
fiancée. Souun could be charged with allowing this to continue, but
right now, he's locked up in a sanatorium for what he did that wound
up with ****n****'s creation. Kasumi can't be charged since her father
forbade her from mentioning anything about this to Akane. Nabiki
never knew. And the only other adult involved in this whole mess,
Saotome Genma, is dead. So, save for Akane dying . . . "
Chikage crossed her arms. "The issue is a closed book."
"Save for the mourning. Not to mention the fallout from that,
according to Nabiki. When news of this gets to their school . . . "
"When will the announcement be made?" Ataru asked.
"Lunch. Just before I left, Kasumi promised she was going to make a
call to Akane's old homeroom teacher about it this morning." The SCAA
agent stretched himself before he glanced past Ataru into the old
shrine's living room. "How's Ranma taking it? And Marie?"
"Marie-chan's still asleep." Sakuya sighed. "Onee-sama's having a
hard time of it, but if we keep the riffraff away from her, things
should be fine."
"Speaking of which, we were just going out for a walk to talk about
what we're going to do now," Ataru added before he glanced at Haruka.
"Haruka-chan, do you think you can set that aside for the time being?"
Haruka gazed on her brother, the sharp end of her naginata hovering
over the ground. "Is there a problem, Anigimi-sama?"
"We need to talk."
"Hai!"
"Is there something else, Jay-san?" Sakuya asked as Haruka moved to
secure her weapon, and then store it inside the living room.
Jay shrugged. "We need to get some more information out of that
little firecracker Miree gave Hi****o. We're not going to try to take
it away. But given what that thing's capable of doing, it's better to
be safe than sorry."
Ataru nodded. "Good point."
* * *
"Where am I . . .?"
She found herself staring at a clear sky. Blinking, she looked left,
and then right. She was quick to recognize where she currently was.
"Hikarigaoka . . .?" She then sat up to look down at herself. Seeing
nothing wrong with her body, she grunted as she got back to her feet,
her hands automatically bru****ng her buttocks clean. "How on Earth
did I get here?"
She took the chance to take another look around, and then her eyes
fell on a pond ten metres away. She was quick to recognize that
particular feature of the park; it was here, not more than a week
before, where she had that awful fight with Ranma which resulted in a
broken arm, severe ki burns and, for the first time ever from Ranma's
side of the argument, a total renunciation of the engagement between
them. A shudder warped through her as those events replayed in her
mind with crystal clarity. Gods, to believe that in the space of five
weeks -- only FIVE WEEKS! -- things had soured so badly between her
and Ranma. And to think that a simple thing like P-chan nearly
choking on her . . .
P-chan . . .?
P-chan . . .
"Ryouga-kun . . .!"
Her eyes widened as recent events came to her memory. Night in the
park. She facing her family. Ryouga and Unryuu Akari were there.
Kasumi demanding that she apologize to Ranma and Morobo**** Ataru for
words she blasted at them when she had gone to beg Ranma to come back
and live with the Tendous. Then came Nabiki with her own words,
warning that THIS time, she wouldn't be allowed to get away with
that. It even got to the point where Kasumi threatened to no longer
recognize her as part of the FAMILY anymore!
And then . . .
Marie . . .
She walked towards the pond. Her eyes quickly picked out two
policemen standing guard over something near a street lamp. A chill
of haunting familiarity then warped through her as she found herself
walking toward the scene. What on Earth happened? Did someone die?
Funny. One of the police officers was looking her way, yet there
wasn't any sign that he had taken notice of her. She stopped, staring
into his eyes, and then she blinked as he looked away to gaze on his
partner. "Sure hope they'll get this over with," he commented.
"Hai, you said it!" the other officer mused, and then he thumbed
towards the south end of the park. "Don't worry. The guy who runs
the hamburger yatai over by the gate'll be open soon. I'll get you
some coffee when he does."
"Thanks, man!" He then gazed down at the scene. "Man, to believe
some huge sumo pig could do something like THIS!"
The other officer grunted. "Yeah . . . "
Sumo pig?
Were they taking about Akari's yokozuna rikibuta, Katsuni****ki?
Pig . . .
She jolted as new images ripped through her. Susumu Marie, one of
Morobo**** Ataru's half-sisters from Promised Island. Frail girl
physically, but possessing a sharp mind and a considerable level of
intelligence. And an even sharper tongue as she remembered the
torrent of accusations Marie sent her way last night. She wasn't the
only one to suffer from that girl's words. Kasumi and Nabiki both got
a thick broadside of their own, but it was unto her that Marie had
focused her rage, right up to the point where . . .
Where she . . .
Then . . .
Ryouga-kun . . .
He stopped her from using Mallet-sama on Marie.
Then she . . .
No . . .
She hit him into the pond . . .
And P-chan emerged.
And Marie called him "Hibiki-san!"
P-chan . . .
Ryouga . . .
A shudder warped through her as she remembered the volcano of rage
that exploded from her heart as the sheer SCALE of that bastard's
betrayal finally sank in. All the times she allowed him to SLEEP with
her whenever he wandered into the Tendou compound. To watch her
UNDRESS. The times she confided in P-chan, especially when it came to
Ranma . . .
Ranma . . .
Ryouga hated Ranma.
Fervently blamed Ranma for everything that had gone wrong in his
life.
Had vowed the very day he first confronted Ranma at Fuurinkan High
that Ryouga would do everything to destroy Ranma's happiness.
And Akane . . .
He had USED her! Pretended to be her friend while listening in on
her. And then he justified his attacks on Ranma as "honouring" that
friend****p! Even worse, Kasumi had KNOWN about this. And her father
had known about it, too! Even more, Souun had ALLOWED it out of some
warped hope that Ryouga's behaviour would force Ranma to openly admit
her "feelings" for her.
They had all used her . . .
Used her . . .
"You know, some people say that girl was psychotic."
She jolted, staring at the two police officers; the one farthest from
her had said those words. "Psychotic?!" she screamed, quaking
indignantly as she felt something warp around her. "Who says I'm
psychotic . . .?!"
"Yeah, both those other girls said the same thing," the other cop
acknowledged that with a nod. "Jeez, can't blame them if that
girl . . . " -- he pointed to a spot on the ground -- " . . . decided
to attack someone who WASN'T a martial artist from BEHIND of all
things!"
She stopped, another chill warping through her, and then a cloud of
guilt descended on her, as if she found herself beneath Damocles'
sword, the blade ready to pierce her through the skull. No . . .!
She . . .! Marie . . .
Not a martial artist. Yes, she had been protected by a very big
golden retriever. What was his name again? Michael? But still . . .
"Marie-san . . . "
Tears welled in her eyes as she sank to her knees, her hands flying
to her face as a sob escaped her. She remained in that position for
what seems a painful, hateful eternity, and then, through the slits
between each finger, she saw one of the police officers walk right at
her. Gasping, she moved to dodge, her eyes turning to stare on her
feet . . .
Just as his legs passed THROUGH hers as if she wasn't even there.
Silence fell as she watched him walk for several more paces, and then
he turned to walk back. By then, she had regained her footing, her
eyes locked on her hands. As the officer seemed ready to pass, she
stuck her arm out . . .
And then she cried out as he walked through her appendage.
Again, as if she was not there.
"No . . .!"
Her eyes ****fted left, and then she walked closer to whatever the
officers were guarding. Glancing at the low stone fence ringing the
park pool, she quickly noted several shattered bricks scattered on the
pathway. And the pathway itself was marked with white chalk, forming
the outline of a human body. And there was blood. A lot of blood.
HER body . . .
HER blood . . .
"I'm . . . " she gasped, sinking to her knees. "D-dead?"
* * *
"Akane-san . . . "
Hibiki Ryouga trudged down the street. Not bothering to look up
beyond what was needed to ensure he didn't bump into anyone, the weary
wanderer tried not to let the darkness clawing at his soul overtake
him. But, then again, would it really matter? Really matter
after . . .?
** ** **
"***HI****O-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!***"
A flash of light blinded everyone. The light itself immediately
melted into a girl welding the ultimate in "magical" weaponry. "Hai!
What's wrong, Yotsuba-chan?" Hi****o asked as she stared on the would-
be detective. Then, seeing her point off to the youngest sister's
right, she turned to look. "EEEEWWWW!" She instantly recoiled on
seeing Tendou Akane's shattered body, and then she turned back to her
sister. "What happened?!"
"Never mind, Hi****o-chan!" ****n**** snapped. "Help her!"
Hi****o jolted, and then she blinked as the Staff whispered something
into her mind. "Oh, Hina understands! Hai, hai!" She raised the
glowing weapon before she pointed the crystal at Akane's head.
"Hina'll fix it . . . "
The Staff's crystal flared as a bolt of energy lashed out to wrap
around Akane's body. As the Tendous, Ryouga, Akari, Marie and Yotsuba
watched, Hi****o became icily still as the Staff's energy moved to
embrace her. Time seemed to stand still for the fretting onlookers.
Then, after what seemed like forever, the energy dispersed. Eyes
locked on the youngest of Morobo**** Ataru's sisters. At first, there
seemed confusion. Then, it instantly melted to heartbreaking sadness
as a whispered "Bye-bye . . . " escaped her. Before anyone could say
anything in response, Hi****o's voice faded into a pained scream as she
dropped to her knees, her arms keeping the Staff close to her.
"Hi****o-chan!" Marie screamed as she and Yotsuba instantly raced for
their sister's side as the energy encompassing Akane dispersed, not a
single change having been done to the woman's body. "Hi****o-chan,
what's wrong?! Hi****o-chan!" the bespectacled teen yelled as she
shook her sister's shoulders to try to get her to say something,
ANYTHING that could explain this.
For the next couple of minutes, all anyone could get out of the poor
girl was a non-stop wail. Watching this, the others took time to gaze
once more on Akane's broken body. They were quick to note that the
blood had finally stopped flowing, it forming a blackening puddle
under her back. Seeing this, Ryouga, still cradled in Akari's arms,
began to shudder.
No . . .
No, this . . .
Akane-san . . .
It just . . .
No!
Akane . . .
"Hi****o-chan . . .?"
The wanderer oinked as he turned, immediately realizing that Hi****o
was trying to say something. Marie held her sister close as Yotsuba
squeezed Hi****o's shoulders in reassurance. Finally, taking a deep
sniff, the youngest of the sisters gazed on Kasumi. "G-gomen n-ne,
Kasumi-s-san . . . " she spoke in a pained whisper. "B-but A-Akane-
san . . . "
"Couldn't you move her . . .?!" Nabiki blurted.
That was enough to send Hi****o into another crying fit. Hearing
that, Ryouga's heart shattered as Kasumi, who had been gazing at
Hi****o, staggered up. Turning away, the eldest of the Tendou sisters
spared the transformed wanderer a brief look, and then whatever
control she had over her own pain shattered. As she staggered away,
****n**** and Nabiki quickly moved to sup****t her with their hugs.
Ryouga didn't notice as Akari drew him closer to herself; his eyes had
again locked themselves on the weeping Hi****o.
Akane . . .
No . . .
"Hi****o-chan, please . . . " Marie gently probed, gently stroking her
sister's hair as tears welled up in her own eyes. "Tell us . . . "
A hand landed on the bespectacled girl's shoulder. "Kinda easy to
figure out, Marie-chan," Yotsuba hoarsely whispered. "Hi****o-chan
tried to help Akane-san . . . " Her eyes then turned down to the
weeping Hi****o. "But Akane-san decided to get on the Last Checky
instead."
** ** **
"Akane . . . "
Ryouga stopped at a corner, sparing a glance heavenward before an arc
of fresh pain surged through him. "Gomen nasai, Akane-san . . . " he
whispered, his eyes absently noting that it was safe to walk across
the street. "Gomen nasai, Akari-chan . . . " He squeezed a fist.
"Ryouga-kun!"
He stopped, looking wildly around. He then screamed out as a hand
landed on his shoulder. A car horn blared close by. Before he could
try to ascertain what was happening, two strong hands snared him and
he was literally dragged off the street. Cra****ng into the sidewalk
on the other side of the road, the wanderer grunted as dizziness
overtook him for a moment. He then looked up to see who was kneeling
next to him. "Kanami-san . . .?"
Kurosu Kanami grunted as she helped Ryouga back to his feet, her
hands then moving to dust him off before she fixed him with a
concerned stare. "Ryouga-kun, what's wrong?!" She squeezed his hands
in both of hers. "You were about to get run over by a truck!" She
pointed.
Ryouga looked, gulping on seeing a large food delivery truck stopped
at the corner, the driver giving him an annoyed look. Before any
altercation could begin, Kanami moved to guide the wanderer down the
street. "I'm back in Tomobiki . . .?" he asked as he looked around.
"Hai, Ryouga-kun. Not too far from the apartment where I live," the
tall Avalonian confirmed with a nod, she moving to wrap an arm
protectively around his. "You look like someone just died, Ryouga-
kun. What happened to you?"
"I . . . " The wanderer stopped, and then his head dipped. "Hai."
"Ryouga-kun . . .?"
"Someone did die."
Silence fell over the pair as they headed down the street. Kanami
then nodded. "It'll be alright, Ryouga-kun," she leaned up to whisper
in his ear. "I'm here for you now. We all are. It'll be alright."
A shudder quaked him, and then he felt a strange warmth surge through
him. "I . . . " He blinked before he gazed briefly at Kanami.
Seeing the concerned smile on her face, Ryouga paused before he looked
away. "I hope so."
* * *
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