A Day and Night - War of Flowers

Prologue: Beckoning
"So... I'm sure of our viewers want to know now... Just who IS Ranma Saotome?" The news anchor said. "We've seen his face in the news several times over the past weeks, both in a positive light and a negative. A man who, with the help of his friends, took down the Paved Future, a Japanese Terrorist organization not once, but twice! Our news station travelled to Nerima in hopes to get an interview with this amazing teen and his friends. Michiko Suzuhara reports."

The scene cut over to a young woman holding a microphone standing at the front entrance of Furinkan High School. "Thank you, Reika. I'm standing in front of Furinkan High School right now, the very school that Ranma Saotome, Akane Tendo and Ukyou Kuonji attend. Three of the five hero teenagers that took down the Paved Future, with assistance of the Tokyo Police Force. Today is the day that Ranma Saotome himself is scheduled to return to class." She looked around for a moment. "Excuse me," she called to a student.

A moment later, Hikaru Gosunkugi stepped onto the screen. "Are you a classmate of Ranma's?" she asked.

Hikaru nodded quietly, warily eyeing the camera.

"How do you feel about your classmates being so famous?" Michiko asked.

"It's... uhh... kinda... umm... neat... I guess..."

"Okay, thank you," Michiko said, then shooed him away. She paused for a moment, staring off past the camera, and then looked back.

"I've just been informed by our correspondent that Ranma Saotome should be reaching the school any moment now. And... yes... Yes, I think I see him coming! Ichiro, get this!"

The camera swung around to the street about a block away, where Ranma was running atop a fence, with Akane keeping up easily.

"I believe he's running along the top of a chain link fence," Michiko continued, now off-screen. As Ranma got closer, Michiko was seen running towards him.

"Ranma! Akane! Michiko Suzuhara with Tokyo Morning Action News! Could you spare a moment to answer a few questions?" she called over.

Ranma immediately paused, and jumped down off of the fence. Akane followed in suit, walking up to Michiko.

"Sure," Ranma said.

"Ranma, we're going to be late," Akane warned.

"We've got some time," he said to Akane. He looked back toward Michiko. "Shoot," he replied.

"First of all, how does it feel to take down such a dangerous organization as the Paved Future?"

"It's like anything else, you know?" He replied. "You just see something wrong, and you do something about it. The thing is, there's no way I coulda done it alone, you know?"

"Of course, the others that helped--"

"Akane, Ukyou, Ryouga, Mousse, Even Shampoo."

"How do you feel about those who were killed in the first encounter? I believe their names were--"

Ranma shook his head. "Cologne and Happosai. Well, it was tragic. Shouldn't have happened that way, but the one who's responsible died that same day."

"Now, I think the question our viewers want answered most is... just who is the mysterious girl that assisted you in the last encounter?"

Ranma paused. "What?"

"Rumors have been abound from several witnesses who claim to have seen a red-headed girl dressed much the same way as you that helped destroy the Paved Future once and for all."

"They're completely false," a third voice chimed in. The camera turned around to see Nabiki shoving Michiko away from Ranma. "Now if you'll excuse us, my client needs to get to class."

"Client?" Michiko asked.

"That's right," Nabiki replied. "My name is Nabiki Tendo, and I'm Ranma's Agent. You want to talk to him, you go through me!"

Ranma and Akane quickly sped by them and into the school grounds. A moment later, Nabiki followed them.

Michiko regained her composure and looked at the camera once again.

"Well, there you have it," she said. "Words from the mouth of Ranma Saotome himself. This is Michiko Suzuhara reporting. Back to you, Reika."

The TV clicked off, leaving a light trail in the wake of the picture tube. The figure sitting in front of it stood up and sighed.

"So, Saotome," she said. "Looks like you've made a name for yourself."

She took a cigarette out of a half-empty pack sitting on her desk and lit it, momentarily lighting the dark room, as well as the unconscious figure slumped into the corner.

"Until we meet again," she said, blowing smoke at the blank TV screen.

"I'll consider that a freebie," Nabiki said.

"Freebie? For what?" Ranma asked.

"As your agent, I am to collect %45 of all your net income from television appearances."

Akane blinked. "Forty-five? I thought agents only took fif-- mpfhph-"

Ranma looked over at Nabiki, who was currently covering Akane's mouth. "I don't think I need an agent, Nabiki," he replied. He then began running back toward the school.

"Wait!" Nabiki called. "Okay, forty percent!"

Ranma kept running.

"Thirty-five! No, Thirty!"

"Bye, Nabiki," Ranma shot back.

"Fine! Fifteen!"

Ranma was already gone.

"Damn," Nabiki muttered to herself.

Ranma sat in class, absently staring out the window. It wasn't as if he wanted to go back to school, actually, he could care less. What good was being a celebrity if you had to go to school? He wanted none of it. Especially not with the stares and googly eyes he was getting from not only the student body, but the teachers as well.

He silently ruffled through his pockets and pulled out several pieces of paper, papers he had found in his cubby hole, which was stuffed. He flipped through them with distaste. Ranma didn't even feign interest in them.

Dear Ranma, one has started.

Will you marry me?

That was all it said. Didn't even have a signature. He ruffled through the papers some more. Several more marriage proposals, photographs, some of them naughty, and a drawing of him in a fighting stance, attached to a letter asking him for the rights to do a manga based on his life.

He crumpled them up and tossed them towards the trash bin, netting himself three points... if he was playing basketball, that is.

With a sigh, he looked towards the front of the class, and finally noticed the stares.

Actually, they were less stares and more looks of adoration. Ranma grumbled under his breath a rolled his eyes.

"All right, class!" Hinako exclaimed. "Now I'm aware it's very exciting for us to have Ranma and Akane back in class, but we have more pressing matters to attend to. As you're aware, we have a test today."

Ranma straightened his posture. Finally someone would help get things back to normal. He sighed with relief as Hinako began to pass out tests face-down on student's desks. Ranma readied his pencil as the test got to his desk.

"On my mark, turn them over and began," Hinako said. After a few moments, she gave them a nod.

Ranma turned over his test and began to read.

Ranma frowned.

'Dear Ranma,' it had said.

'Sorry I didn't leave my signature, but will you marry me?'

'Love Miss Hinako.'

Ranma's shoulders fell and he groaned.

"Ahh, screw this!" he exclaimed, then promptly jumped away from his desk and ran towards the door, garnering noises of surprise from the students, and a look of confusion from Akane.

He stopped at the door and turned around. "Look," he said. "This was a bad idea. I'm going home until you people can smarten up." He looked at Akane. "I'll see you at home," he said.

And with that, he was gone.

Ranma left the school grounds the best way he knew how. By jumping the brick wall that surrounded the school and began his trek home. It's not that he hated the fame, in fact, it was quite the opposite. He loved the feeling of knowing that he had helped out the country not once, but twice, but he was sick of all the bullshit from the people.

Men and women he had never met before were coming up to him on the street, basically accosting him. He had never really had the patience to deal with it before, how was he expected to deal with it now? He kicked a lone rock on the street as he dawdled down. He was so wrapped up in his own problems that he barely noticed the diaper delivery van across the street from the school, which was now starting to follow him.

"Ranger base, this is Paladin-One. Subject is on the move. Request advice," the man inside the van said over the radio.

"Paladin-One, keep with the subject, but don't let him see you. Pegasus will approach once he gets home."

"Roger, Ranger base," he replied, then shut off the radio.

"Man, this is bullshit," Agent McCarthy said. "Following some kid around? I didn't sign up for this to keep tabs on some kid. I've got some of the most advanced military and tactics training in the world, and what do use it for? Surveillance on some punk kid."

"Nobody ever told you most of this job will be stake-outs?" Agent Nelson replied.

"Stake-outs I can handle. But stake-outs on some terrorist hide-out, or maybe even a deep cover operation in the middle east," he complained. "What's the deal with this kid, anyway?"

Nelson shrugged. "Something to do with that rash of terrorist attacks here lately. Apparently this kid put a stop to them and took out the ringleaders of the operations."

"With what? A Slingshot?"

"He's supposed to be a martial arts master," Nelson said as he looked back out the window. "Uhh... McCarthy?"

"What now?"

"He's gone," he said.

McCarthy stepped up to the window. "What do you mean he's gone?"

"I mean, he's GONE."

"Dammit. Ranger is gonna have our hides. Where could he have gone?"

As if to answer the question, or to just make a point, Ranma poked his head into the range of the windshield... He was on the roof. He spoke three simple words with a grimace.

"Stop... Following... Me!"

And with that, he leapt off the roof of the van and onto a brick wall that ran along down the road.

Nelson and McCarthy looked at each other in shock, and promptly picked up the radio headset.

"Ranger base?" he asked.

"Identify yourself," was the reply.

"Paladin-Alpha," he replied. "We have... err... lost the subject."

"How?"

"He... made us and ran off."

Just then, another distinctly female voice broke in. "This is Porter," she said. "We're still tracking him on satellite. God, look at him move. He's making a beeline for the Tendo home. I can keep it from here. Paladin, move on with Archer. They're having trouble keeping track of Subject two."

"Yes ma'am," McCarthy replied, and turned off the headset.

Ranma slammed the front door and grumbled to himself, attracting the attention of Kasumi, who poked her head out of the kitchen and smiled at Ranma.

"Hello Ranma," she said. "Back from school already?"

With a sigh, Ranma nodded. "I couldn't handle it."

"Couldn't handle what, boy?" Genma said, limping down the stairs. "School?"

"No, everyone's just... acting different."

"Ahh, to be young and famous, Ranma. You know, your old man was once--"

"I'm not in the mood for one of your pick of the litter stories, dad. I just want to relax."

"Ranma, there's some food ready in the kitchen if you need it," Kasumi said, carrying laundry upstairs.

"Thanks, Kasumi," he said. "At least you don't treat me any different."

"Boy, I--"

"Shut it, Old Man," Ranma said, then fled for the kitchen.

He got himself a bowl of rice and drenched it in soya, then made his way out to the back yard.

It wasn't until he got there that he realized he wasn't exactly alone. A foreign girl was standing there, admiring the scenery.

"Uhh, 'scuse me?" Ranma said. "You can't be here."

The girl looked over at Ranma and smiled. It was then that Ranma noticed the way she was dressed-- almost like a businesswoman, but Ranma recognized the outfit almost immediately. It reeked of American Special Law Enforcement.

"Oh, great," he said.

"Ranma Saotome," she said as she neared him. "My name is Alice Porter, I'm the CIA liaison officer for the NDID." She bowed.

"The who to the what now?" he asked, sitting down to enjoy his rice.

"I'm with the American Central Intelligence Agency," she clarified. "I'm here in conjunction with the Japanese National Defense Intelligence Directorate. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to come with me."

Ranma blanched and wiped a piece of rice from his face. "What for?"

"We can't really talk here," she said. "We need your help."

Ranma looked at the woman with disdain. "What on earth for?" he asked with clenched teeth.

Alice sighed and leaned over to him. "Jusenkyo," she said.

"Jusenkyo?" Ranma suddenly got serious. "What's wrong?"

"As I said, we can't talk here. If you and your father could come with me, everything will be explained in due time."

Ranma looked back into the house and sighed. "Okay, gimme a few minutes."

Alice Porter nodded. "I'll be in the car," she said.

Ranma walked out to the front entrance of the Tendo Dojo, his father in tow and quickly got into the plain black car which was parked out front. It was a spacious car, it seemed to be small from the outside, but there was more than enough room inside.

Once Genma got in and shut the door, he crossed his arms and wore a very stoic look.

"So what's the deal here?" Ranma asked.

"I'll explain what's going on, but you'll have to wait until we get to the briefing room before I can explain why we need your help."

"Fair enough," Genma said. "I'm more curious as to why an American Secret Agent would be interested in Jusenkyo, myself."

"We've known about Jusenkyo for years," she said. "We discovered it initially in nineteen-thirty-two, through a small agency that's since been disbanded. You see, in the twenties, President Warren Harding instituted an agency who's sole purpose was to seek out the unknown. They covered everything from Aliens to Vampires, seeking out information on magic, folklore and pretty much everything supernatural or extraterrestrial from all over the world. One of the things they discovered were the Springs at Jusenkyo."

"In the thirties? So... you might have a cure?" Ranma asked.

"No," she said. "Testing was minimal. They had found many more... pressing matters to deal with at the time, which I can't really get into at this moment. Classified, I'm afraid. But from their preliminary testing, they were unable to find a cure that would be sure to work. Most of their attempts ended up as strange mutations. Half-human, half-animal hybrids and things like that. It was deemed too dangerous to continue experimentation and the project was dropped. It wasn't picked up again until recently."

"Why now?"

"There is another Agency now, not officially inclusive of the CIA, called the International Mystical Research Agency. InterMyRA. While operating mainly under CIA direction, it is an international organization, comprised of different researchers and agents from countries all over the world. InterMyRA works on a different level entirely than the CIA or any world government period. The Agency allows free reign of knowledge to and from any country, regardless of wars or national attitude. The Chinese managed to find an old tomb in the mountains of Qinghai full of mystical artifacts. The artifacts were sent over to a research facility in Alberta, Canada."

"So, what?" Ranma asked.

"Among the artifacts were several jewels of high grade mystical power, and a small collection of stone tablets, each with a spell inscribed," she said. "We were never fully able to translate all of the tablets, but we did manage to save an imprint of one of the spells."

"Why are you talking in past tense?" Ranma asked.

"The facility was nearly destroyed two months ago, several buildings were burned to the ground, but the stone tablets and the jewels were never recovered. Last month, Jusenkyo was taken by a warlord."

"Jusenkyo was taken? You mean...?"

"A small army led by a woman with some extreme martial arts ability took the place over, along with the surrounding villages and the Phoenix Tribe."

"Has any group taken responsibility?" Genma asked. "Do you think this could be the Paved Future again?"

Alice shook her head. "No. We don't believe the Paved Future has anything to do with this, but we're of the understanding from some Tribes people in the area that the attacking army come from another tribe in the vicinity. The Musk Dynasty."

Ranma snapped his fingers. "Herb," he said.

Alice nodded. "That's what they said, too. But it can't be confirmed yet. Few have escaped from the area, and of the few, only an exceptional few lived."

"Wait... Nyuchezu?"

Alice nodded. "That was one of the villages taken."

"Mousse and Shampoo," Ranma said. "I hope they made it out."

Alice laughed. "They did," she said. "They're in the briefing room right now."

Ranma and Genma walked into the 'briefing room' and scanned the area.

There were more people there than he had expected. At least thirty different people. Japanese, Chinese, he spotted a few Koreans and Vietnamese, as well as several Americans. It was a collection of cultures from all over the world, actually.

"Saotome? Is that you?" Mousse asked.

Ranma nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Glad to see you made it out."

"We both did," Shampoo said, breaking in. "And that not all." She pointed across the room to a man leaning with his arms crossed against the wall.

Ranma's eyes bugged. "Tarou?" he asked.

Pantyhose Tarou shot a look in Ranma's direction and rolled his eyes. He went back to his former position and continued to ignore everything.

"Well, well. Saotome. How goes it?" A familiar voice asked from behind him.

Ranma turned to see... Akane...

"Akane?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Umm, Ranma?" Mousse said. "That's not Akane."

Ranma blanked out for a moment, then reality started to flood back to him. "Kiima," he said, his teeth clenched.

"Relax, Saotome," Kiima-Akane said. "We're on the same side in this. If it wasn't for me, Masara and Kuruma, your friends wouldn't have made it out of Nyuchezu."

Just then, two more people walked into the room. The first was, to Ranma's surprise, Ryouga Hibiki, followed by Alice Porter herself.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Alice called from the front of the room in Japanese. Two more people repeated the statement in English and some other language Ranma wasn't familiar with. Sounded European, though.

Attention was grabbed from the whole room. Everyone fell into silence.

"You've all been apprised of the situation. What most of you don't know is that we've managed to translate the imprint of the stone tablet that was stolen from our Canadian Facility, and I'm afraid it places each and every one of you at danger."

Ranma looked around. All of them? There must be thirty people!

"The spell allows its caster to literally absorb the true form of someone afflicted by the curse of Jusenkyo, leaving them as nothing more than their cursed form-- body, soul AND mind. Yes, we're talking about a major problem for you should this... Herb come into contact with you. I'm aware many of you have special abilities, not just in your true form, but your cursed form too. Like Ranma Saotome," she motioned towards Ranma. "Who has been in international news lately for helping take down a terrorist organization. What you won't find in the news is that he was also responsible for killing a god in China recently. Also Doctor James Edwards, the leading parabiologist in charge of the Department of Transmutations for InterMyRA."

"Wait..." Ranma whispered to Mousse. "Are all these people cursed?"

Mousse nodded. "Most of them," he said. "You're lucky you weren't here when the good Doctor over there spilled a pitcher of water. The sight wasn't pretty."

"What does he turn into?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know."

"If you two are quite finished, I need to continue," Alice said, looking straight at Ranma.

Ranma sheepishly nodded.

"Now, Intelligence has told us that Herb is planning her march on Xining within the next twenty-four hours. However, we've received another bit of intelligence from a more... reliable source that Herb is coming here," she said. "To Japan. The purpose? Well, it's sitting in this room." She gestured towards Ranma's table, which had an old piece of pottery with writing on it. Ranma couldn't recognize the language.

Wait. Ranma blinked. Herb wasn't the conquering type, from what he remembered. But if Mousse and Shampoo said it was Herb, then...

"So what we need to do is come up with a line of defense. The Chinese Government has allowed us free reign over Qinghai for the purpose of fighting Herb back. As you can understand, this isn't a cause we want to bring soldiers over for. No amount of training in any government military can prepare a soldier for the unpredictability of mystics. We do have a specially trained unit ready for deployment, but there's a request I have beforehand."

She sighed and looked around the room. "Not all of you are going to be ready for a battle like this. Not all of you will be coming along. But those who can fight... those who have skills they can utilize in the fighting of the Musk army are welcome to sign up. I'm not forcing you, this is completely voluntary," she said.

Ranma looked around the room. Several people stood up, almost immediately, others were more hesitant, but eventually stood up.

Kiima, Shampoo and Mousse also stood up.

Ranma looked over to his father. He was still weak from his ordeal with the first run of the Paved Future, but he was struggling to stand.

Ranma didn't waste any time. He stood up and cast a glare at his father.

"Sit down, old man," Ranma said. "You're not up for this."

Genma still stood, regardless.

Alice smiled, and took a quick count around the room. Twelve. Twelve people willing to volunteer. Not as many as she hoped, but it was still enough.

She started marking off her list. That Phoenix girl, Kiima was standing, which Alice had expected. After all, her Tribe would be put to slavery at the hands of the Musk. She had brought two uncursed Phoenix with her too, so they could be expected to join their General. Then there was Shampoo and Mousse, the Joketsuzoku pair. Ranma and Genma Saotome. Ryouga Hibiki. Doctor Edwards. A Russian girl named Natalya Heliskov, a Judo Champion. An American Aikido champion named Peter Ganner. An American Mystic named Marcia Stiles, who would be very useful. A French psychic named Gerard Dugaulle, and a Canadian Girl named Alexis Trepe, who happened to be a famous singer and champion kick boxer.

"Thank you," she said. "Everyone who's volunteered, report to room 1010 in thirty minutes. Everyone else is free to go, or are free to stay in this facility until things have died down."

After Alice left, some more commotion started up.

"Ever the hero, aren't you, Saotome?" a voice asked from nearby.

Ranma turned to face Tarou. "Hey, at least there's a point to my life."

Tarou sighed. "Well, that's all fine and dandy. But the only point I need to make right now is my foot up your ass."

Ranma blinked. "You want to fight? Now?"

"Damn straight, Saotome. The old freak is dead because of you. By my tribal law, it's only you now that can change my name."

Ranma laughed. "You're serious," he said.

Tarou clenched his fist. "I don't feel like attracting the attention of the armed guards around here, so how about we move this outside?"

Ranma cracked his knuckles. "There's nothing else I'd rather do, Pantyhose," he said, gauging Tarou's reaction. "But there's something else I have to do. So how about this... You come along on this little trip, and I'll name you."

"What?" Tarou choked out. "Are you serious?"

"Well, if you'd prefer to remain as Pantyhose, I could always--"

"NO!" Tarou yelled. "No! Fine," he said. "If that's the deal, I'll hold you to it. But I warn you now, Saotome-- if you screw me over, I'll make you regret it. If you die before the naming, I'll destroy everything that links you to this world."

Ranma smiled. "Fine," he said. "But there's one more part to this deal."

Tarou raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

"You've GOTTA pick another name. I mean... 'Handsome'?"

"Hey, it's a fine name. Names are meant to describe personalities."

"I wouldn't exactly say you've got a handsome personality, Tarou."

Tarou growled to himself. "Fine," he said. "I'll think on it. And I'll go on this little trip." He remained silent for a moment. "But as soon as I think of a name, you'd better come through with it."

"As long as you don't ditch us, fine," he said. He then placed a hand on Tarou's shoulder. "You're a good fighter, and I can respect your skill. You'd be useful in this."

"Better respect my skill," Tarou muttered to himself, then smacked Ranma's hand away. "But we're not friends, Saotome. You'd better get used to that."

"The thought never crossed my mind."

Chapter One: Cry Little Sister
"Hold on to me, Love, You know I can't stay long, All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid, Can you hear me? Can you feel me in your arms?" - My Last Breath, Evanescence

"Ranma?" Ryouga called, catching up with his friend.

"How's it going?" Ranma asked, leaning up against the wall outside the meeting room. He was waiting for his father to leave, because he had insisted on being the last one out, citing the excuse that he wanted to take a closer look at the 'treasure' of Herb. Not that Ranma believed it, but he conceded anyway.

"Okay, considering," Ryouga said. "Listen, uhh... I kinda need to stay with you tonight."

"Why? Something wrong with Akari?"

"No, no... It's just..."

"You don't want her to know," Ranma said.

Ryouga shook his head. "It'll be easier on her if I sent a letter," he said. "Provided I could even find my way there and be back in time to leave."

Ranma sighed. "You mean it'll be easier on you, right?"

Ryouga thought for a moment. "Yeah... you're right." He quickly looked up at Ranma. "But if she knew, she'd want to come. And if this is really Herb we're up against, and he could take out the Phoenix... then."

Ranma nodded. "I know. I'm not going to tell Akane, either. We'll be out of the house before she even wakes up tomorrow."

"You're sure?"

Ranma nodded. "I hate to lie to her, especially after all we've been through, but--"

"Yeah," Ryouga interjected. "I know."

"Well!" a third voice called from the doorway. "Are you boys ready for an adventure? It's been a while since these weary bones have had some spice in them."

"Don't get me started, Old Man," Ranma said. "You shouldn't even be going."

Genma looked hurt. "What do you mean, boy? I'm in the peak of my physical form!"

"You've barely been out of that coma a year now," Ranma said. "you also got shot in the kneecaps. It's a miracle you can still walk."

"You can't keep a good martial artist down," Genma said. "Besides, you still need the guidance of your father."

"Yeah, whatever," he said. "Let's go."

With a nod, the three of them started to walk.

"Ranma?" Akane called as she came into the main foyer of the Tendo Home. Quickly, she took off her shoes and looked around. Kasumi stood by the entrance of the kitchen, looking blankly at her.

"Kasumi?" Akane asked. "Where's Ranma?"

"Oh my," Kasumi said. "He left almost soon as he got back this morning. He's been gone all day."

Akane furrowed her brow. "Where did he go?"

"I'm right behind you," Ranma said, his father and Ryouga behind him.

The look of consternation drained away from her face. "Oh," she said. "Ryouga! How's it going?"

"I'm fine," Ryouga said, smiling.

"We just got your letter saying you were coming yesterday! That's record time for you."

"I didn't actually leave until last night," Ryouga said.

Akane's eyes popped open. "You got here overnight from Akari's place?"

"Yeah," Ryouga said. "I... uhh... got a ride."

"Oh my, what a novel concept," Kasumi said, now standing behind Akane.

"Yeah, Ryouga's staying the night," Ranma said, looking at Akane. "I told him we'd do something tonight."

Akane smiled. "Sounds great," she said. "Is that where you were?"

"Yeah, we went to get him. He was wandering around downtown Tokyo when we got the message to come get him."

"Oh, what that the woman who was here this morning for you, Ranma?"

Akane blinked. "Woman?"

"That was my ride," Ryouga explained, quickly.

"Why didn't she just drop you off here?"

"Because... I... uhh... kinda lost her in downtown Tokyo. She came here to let Ranma know that I got lost," he explained.

Akane raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I... see... how did she know where we lived?"

"I drew him a map," Ranma exclaimed. "Before he left last time. He gave her the map."

"Yeah," Ryouga said. "A map."

"Oh," Akane said, staying silent only a moment later. She seemed to buy it. "So, I didn't get any homework today." She smiled. "And they let you off this time, seeing as you're a national hero and all. It's funny, really. We're getting the star treatment. Even Ukyou got off pretty good today."

"Cool," Ranma said. "Then whaddya say we head out and see her, then?"

Ryouga nodded. "Sounds good. Let's go."

After a short while, the trio arrived at Ucchans, without much notice or fanfare. Ranma was surprised, seeing as the three of them were easily some of the most famous people in the country at that moment. But, as they approached Ucchan's, they noticed something else.

The restaurant was packed. Obviously, the fame had rubbed off on Ukyou's business. Nevertheless, the three walked in, and gawked at the inside.

It was almost standing room only.

"Wow," Akane said. "Ukyou said business was going great, but I never expected this."

"Excuse me, there's a three hour waiting period for a table," Konatsu said, not looking at them yet. "If you'll give me your names now, I'll make sure to remember you if you return later." And saying that, he looked up at them. "Oh! Ranma! Miss Akane! Ryouga! Pay no attention to me. There's always a seat reserved for you three!"

Ranma smiled. "Thanks, Konatsu. Can you tell Ukyou we're here, if she's not too busy?"

"Oh, she's busy," Konatsu said. "But the new kitchen staff can take care of it for her for a little while. I'll tell her you've arrived." He then showed them to the entrance for Ukyou's living area. "It's the only place we can put you," he explained. "I'll bring some food up later, okay?"

The three nodded and sat down at a table. "Insane," Ranma said. "I haven't been back here for a while."

"It's nice to see something's happening in Ukyou's life."

"It would also explain why she seemed so tired at school," Akane said.

There was a brief noise at the door, and it swung open.

"Hi guys!" Ukyou exclaimed as she entered the room. "It's been a while, Ryouga."

"It's been a while yourself," Ranma said. "We barely get to see you outside of school. Now I guess I know why."

"Yeah, it's been insane. I had to hire a fully decked kitchen staff, and I'm in the middle of a deal to open a second restaurant in Shinjuku."

"The red light district?"

"It's well frequented," Ukyou said. "Besides, Nabiki said it would be the perfect place for a successful restaurant."

Akane nodded. "Understandable."

"So, Ryouga," Ukyou said. "What brings you back this way?"

"Just visiting," he explained.

"How's it going with Akari? I heard you made it there okay."

Ryouga nodded. "I did. She was really excited to see me, especially after what she saw in the news."

"So, when's the wedding?" Ukyou asked, smiling.

Ryouga blushed. "We... really haven't gotten that far yet."

"Sure, sure," Ukyou said.

"So, business seems to be pretty good," Ryouga said. "How's the area doing?"

"Better than ever," she said. "Now that the Nekohanten is gone, I also picked up all of their old customers."

"I thought the Kuno's bought that," Ranma said. "They run it into the ground yet?"

"Actually, no. It's weird," Ukyou said. "They're doing fine. Probably because they've turned into the local fancy restaurant. Kodachi handles the kitchen and Kuno handles the entertainment. The entertainment is usually him or some other kendoists duking it out. To be honest, I don't think he's even aware that he's the entertainment, but it still seems to work. They get a lot of the older business-type people, and Kodachi charges wild prices. I think she's also putting drugs into the food. I dunno. Some kind of addictive. I wouldn't eat there, personally."

Ryouga nodded. "Sounds interesting."

"How long do you have?" Akane asked. "I mean, we've got nobody else to see, really."

Ukyou smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that. Hold on," she said, and reached over for the phone.

"Konatsu?" she asked. "Hey, tell the guys they're on their own until closing time. Oh, and can you bring up the sake and wine I've got under the front counter?" She looked back at her guests. "You guys hungry?"

They all nodded. "And bring up a griddle," she said.

The afternoon gave way to evening, and evening gave way to night. The four of them conversed, drank, ate, and were merry. Which is to say that as they stumbled home, at nearly midnight, Akane was incredibly drunk, and the other two only moderately.

"Holy shit," Ryouga said, laughing, helping Ranma to hold Akane up. "I can't believe she polished off the bottle."

"I'll have you know I'm a very good drunk," Akane stated, punctuating her comment by touching her finger to her nose and going cross-eyed.

Ranma couldn't help but laugh. "I think you overdid it, Akane."

"Overdid it. P-shaaa," she slurred. "I'm not as drink as you thunk I am. I'm just as shober as you two." She pointed two fingers in the air and wiggled them about.

During their drunken conversation, they had reached the entrance to the Dojo.

"I'm gonna leave you two to it," Ryouga said. "I should get some sleep."

Ranma nodded, and let himself hold Akane's full weight. It wasn't that she was heavy, just that she had poor balance, and Ranma had to constantly hold her up.

"Come on, Akane," he said. "I think it's time you go to bed."

"Right," she said, pushing herself away from Ranma. She pointed straight ahead, towards the door, and took a few stiff, experimental steps before she began to lose her balance again. Ranma ran up behind her and caught her.

"I think I might need shome help, Ranma," she said.

Ranma laughed, and swept her up into his arms, and brought her inside.

"Shoes off," he said. Akane complied to the best of her abilities, pushing her shoes off with her feet. Ranma then began to ascend the stairs.

"Ranma?" Akane asked on the way up the stairs.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Are you happy?" she asked.

"Of course. What do you mean?"

"I mean, are you happy? Here. With me."

"Of course I am," he said, finally reaching the top of the stairs.

"That's good," she replied.

"Why would you think otherwise?"

Akane gave a drunk sigh and pouted. "I worried about you when you left school this morning," she said. "I thought you were going to take off again like you did before."

Ranma remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"But it's okay," she continued, hugging him. "You're here now, that's all that matters to me."

Finally, Ranma reached Akane's bedroom door. He nudged it open with his foot, and walked in. He approached her bed and let her down. She giggled as she landed on her bed, and lay down on it.

"Comfy," she commented.

Ranma smiled. "Okay, Akane," he said softly. "I'm gonna go to bed now."

Akane sat up in her bed. Or, at least, she tried to. She stumbled back down onto the bed after a moment.

"No," she said from her position. "I want you to stay in here."

Ranma's eyes popped open. To... stay in here? With her? His heart started to pound.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want to be lonely," she said. "I want you to stay with me for a while." She patted the bed next to her, gesturing for him to sit.

Ranma thought for a moment, and ventured a look at the clock. Twelve-thirty. They'd have to leave in three hours.

"I dunno, Akane," he said. "I'm pretty tired."

"No!" she said. "You can sleep in here, then. I don't want you to go," she continued to whine.

Ranma's heart started further. "Okay, fine," he said. "Just let me go get my futon, okay?"

Akane looked up at him. "You... can sleep in my bed. With me." Her face suddenly got very intense, looking up at Ranma.

Ranma swallowed. "Akane," he said, trying not to betray his feelings. "I... you're drunk. I don't think this is such a good idea."

"I want you to be with me, Ranma," she said. "Here."

"But, I... your dad... I..."

"I'm a grown woman, Ranma," she argued. "And we're going to be married anyway. It shouldn't matter."

Ranma thought for a few moments, and looked over towards the open door. He took a step towards it.

"Ranma?" Akane asked, looking up into his eyes. Ranma blinked, then took another step towards the door... and closed it. He turned back to Akane.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked. "I mean... tomorrow you aren't going to freak out about this?"

Akane shook her head. "I've wanted this for a while," she said. "I want to..." she paused for a moment. "Share myself."

Ranma swallowed a lump again, and then walked towards Akane's bed.

Ranma lay next to Akane, silently stroking her hair while she slept. They had... done it. Something so unexpected to Ranma that he still questioned whether or not it had actually happened. But here she lay, snuggled up against him, completely nude.

Ranma, of course, lay completely nude as well. He looked over Akane's shoulder at the time. Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes he had to leave.

Damn, he swore to himself. He wished it didn't have to be this way. He wished that he could stay behind with her. He wished...

It didn't matter what he wished. It was over now. It was done. Maybe she wouldn't remember, but Ranma hoped she would.

He wrestled with his conscience for a minute before making the decision. What he had to do was more important than his feelings, and what's done is done. Stealthily, knowing she was drunk, he climbed over her, careful not to disturb her slumber. She looked so sweet, so peaceful. The night was passionate, and Ranma again felt a twang of guilt as he dressed himself. Slowly, he tiptoed out of the room.

"Took you long enough," Nabiki said.

Ranma jumped in shock. "Nabiki!" he said. "What are you doing up?"

"I should ask you the same thing," she said, looking behind Ranma into Akane's room. "She must have worn you out pretty well. Even Daddy could hear you two."

Ranma blushed. "Listen, uhh--"

"And Ryouga's downstairs with your dad. They're waiting for you, but before you go, you're going to tell me where you're going," she said.

"Nabiki, listen, I can't--"

"Can't what? Fuck my sister and run off without an explanation? Oh, I know you can't. So let's hear it."

"Nabiki, I--"

"Or I could wake her up and you could explain why it is that all your things were packed by your father and are now sitting in the foyer. That not even he will tell us where you guys are going, or when you'll be back."

"Nabiki, I don't want Akane following. It could be dangerous."

"Fuck that, Saotome," she said. "She was there with you every step of the way since Jusenkyo. She found you when you were working for those terrorists. She helped you and Ryouga save a little girls life. You can't tell me---"

"I'm going to Jusenkyo," he said.

Nabiki cocked her head to one side. "Why?"

"Listen, you can't tell Akane," he said.

"I'll reserve my answer on that till I hear the whole story," she said.

"Nabiki, please. It's too dangerous."

"Who is it? The Phoenix?"

"Worse," Ranma said. "It's Herb."

Nabiki's eyes popped open. "You mean that other He-She? The one from... where was it?"

"The Musk Dynasty," he said. "He's been... He nearly destroyed the Phoenix, the Joketsuzoku, and he's working his way here."

"For what? You?"

"And Ryouga," he said. "And my father, and Shampoo and Mousse, and a collection of other cursees."

"Shampoo and Mousse? They're here?"

Ranma nodded. "So is Kiima," he said.

Nabiki stayed silent for a moment. "You took him out before--"

"Luck," Ranma said. "Now he's a lot more dangerous. He's got an army."

Nabiki's jaw dropped. "So, what? You're going to fight in a war? Why not let soldiers handle it?!"

"We are the soldiers," he said. "Listen, this needs to be dealt with. Can you do me a favour?"

"Don't tell Akane?"

"Right. I'm going to write her a note before I leave. Can you leave it on her desk for me?"

"You're gonna owe me big for this one, Saotome," she said. "And I warn you now, if you ditch us, and take off or die, you'll be paying out your ass in the afterlife."

Ranma nodded. "I promise I'll be back," he said. With that, he was gone.

"What's the matter, boy?" Genma asked, slapping his son on the back. "Not what you expected?" He beamed with pride.

"Shut it, Old Man."

Ryouga merely blushed whenever he looked over at Ranma, apparently, everyone had heard.

"Why so shy, boy? It's a grand day. And besides, it's always tradition for the wife to bed with the husband the night before a journey!"

"Just shut it, Old Man," Ranma said. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

"He's right," Ryouga said, getting over his shyness. "We need to focus on what's coming."

As if on cue, a black van arrived, and let the three martial artists inside. To their surprise, they noticed that Alice Porter, the American Agent was in the passenger seat, and they were also joined by Doctor Edwards.

Edwards was a tall man, but as skinny as they come. He smiled as he greeted the three of them. "Ranma Saotome," he said, extending his hand. Ranma shook it, acknowledging him. He also shook Genma and Ryouga's hands. The van started to drive away soon after.

"I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to meet you three in person. I was following the news reports quite carefully when you took out the Paved Future. Quite ingenious, I might say."

"Thank you," Ranma said. "But I didn't do it alone."

"I'm quite aware," he said, acknowledging Ryouga. "That ki-blast of yours was some spectacle."

"You saw that?" Ryouga asked.

"Well, of course. It was plastered all over CNN. I'd only seen it once before. CNN said it was some kind of weapon, but once you see one blast, you learn to recognize them quickly."

"Doctor Edwards has a keen interest in martial arts mysticism," Porter explained. "It's what led him to studying Jusenkyo."

"Yes, well," he started. "I've never really had the constitution for studying the arts physically, but the mysticism had always interested me. But when I learned of Jusenkyo, I made that my main focus. I daresay there's no one man in the world that knows as much as I do about Jusenkyo."

"Really?" Ranma asked. "So... is there a cure?"

Edwards sighed. "Alas, no. I myself was cursed several years ago to turn into a bear, due to a mishap in the lab. Since then, I've experimented with many different cures, and it's turned out to be quite disastrous."

Ryouga gave a shudder. "Disastrous seems to be the right word for that," he said.

"What is it exactly that you turn into, Doctor?" Genma asked.

Edwards smiled. "I'm sure you'll find out in due time, Mr. Saotome."

"You speak very good Japanese, I notice," Genma mentioned. "Could it be that you spent some time in your youth here?"

"You're very perceptive," Edwards said. "My parents were missionaries in Ube for most of my youth. I learned a near-perfect dialect and could speak fluently for as long as I can remember."

"We're going to stop by to pick up some others," Porter said. "It won't be long before we're at the airport."

Sure enough, the van stopped, and three more people climbed in. Ranma's eyes popped wide, but then let them settle.

"Do you have to be so casual about that?" he asked Kiima.

Kiima looked down at herself. "What? This?" She laughed. "Couldn't be helped Saotome. We were asked to maintain a low profile." She brushed off her outfit, a schoolgirl number she had been given to wear during her overnight stay in Japan. Along with her were Kuruma and Masara, looking just as uncomfortable as Kiima, sitting in the van. Something they had never been inside before.

"Fine, but as soon as we're in the air, you're changing to normal," he said.

"Gladly," Kiima said. "I'm actually interested in how this airplane device works. I've seen them fly around before, but never truly understood the mechanics behind it."

"Kiima, Kuruma and Masara of the Phoenix Tribe. It is good to see you under more... friendly circumstances," Edwards said.

Kiima nodded. "As with you, Doctor."

"Wait, you know each other?" Ryouga asked.

Kiima nodded. "Doctor Edwards found himself at odds with us on a few different occasions."

"Not on purpose, my dear," he said. "The things I do in search for knowledge, I do for the good of all."

"But some knowledge is best kept secret, you understand," Kiima said.

"And I haven't told another living soul," Edwards said, broadening his smile.

"We're coming to the airport now," Porter said. "Cut the small talk, we're going through a checkpoint."

They did so, as the van drove through the checkpoint, the driver gave a sheet of paper to the posted guard. He shone his flashlight into the vehicle, made a head count, and then nodded to let them through.

The van pulled right into the tarmac, and parked not far away from a plane that was already beginning to launch. They left the vehicle, and started to look about.

It seemed as though all the others had already arrive. Ranma scanned the crowd. He noticed some of the people he had recognized from the day before were present, as well as twelve other men and women. Ranma assumed them to be the special forces group that was to accompany them.

"Ranma?" Shampoo called. "You come here now. Meet Shampoo new friend."

Ranma looked around carefully, and then looked to Alice. She looked back at him. "You should probably get to know everyone," she suggested. "It'd be good to know your allies on this little jaunt."

Ranma nodded and walked up to meet Shampoo.

"Natalya, this Ranma. Ranma, this Natalya."

Natalya Heliskov was a tall woman of red hair and green eyes. She smiled at Ranma and put forth her hand. Ranma took it an shook it.

"So, you are Ranma Saotome," Natalya said, with a thick Russian accent. "It is pleasure to meet you."

Ranma nodded. "Likewise," he said.

"Your reputation precedes you, Ranma," she said. "Even in my backwards country, we know your name. Many think you are no more than... how do you say.... hot air, but it is obvious from meeting you that you are a man of many abilities."

Ranma nodded. "Yeah. So I understand you're a judo champion."

"Da," she said. "In fact, it is reason for my curse."

Ranma cocked his head to one side. "So, you're cursed too."

"Da," she said. "We all are, except for them." She pointed at the special forces, who seemed to be keeping to themselves.

"Don't monopolize the hero, Natalya," another voice interrupted from nearby. A blonde haired girl, no older than Ranma walked up to them.

"Ah," Natalya said. "Ranma Saotome, Shampoo, this is Alexis Trepe."

Ranma shook Alexis' hand, and narrowed his eyes at her. "You... look familiar," he said.

Alexis smiled. "Television," she said.

Ranma blinked for a moment, then his eyes popped open. "You're that American pop idol!"

"Canadian," Alexis continued. "Everyone thinks I'm American, dammit."

"Alexis is also known as Rex, in many cases."

"Rex?" Ranma asked. "Wait... Rex Ebert? Nabiki has a poster of that guy up on her wall."

"Actually, Rex is me. We're both... well, each other."

Ranma blinked. "Spring of Drowned Man?" he asked. "It exists?"

"Don't get your hopes up," she said. "You don't wanna know what happens if you jump in there."

Ranma looked at the two of them separately, then at Shampoo. "How uhh... did you--"

"Shampoo know Natalya long time," Shampoo said. "She once hunted by Shampoo."

"Da," Natalya said, laughing. "My airplane seemed to have a problem staying aloft during a trip to a tournament in Shanghai. It crashed in the mountains not far from Jusenkyo."

"She fall in spring of drowned tiger. Two days later, Shampoo hunting her."

"It was sheer luck that I fell into a hot spring," she said. "And turned human. Shampoo brought me back to her village, where I was soon on my way back home."

"Mine wasn't so momentous," Alexis said. "My grandfather was an adventurer. Back before the second world war, he travelled through Qinghai, and did some trading with a tribe called the Musk. He came back with a jar of magic water that he kept in his attic... until my fourteenth birthday."

"What happened?" Ranma asked.

"It's weird when you're fourteen years old, and find an interesting jar in your grandfather's attic that says 'Do Not Open', and how that makes absolutely no difference. Needless to say, my Grandfather was less than thrilled."

"I wouldn't doubt it," Ranma said.

"It's okay, the old fart is dead," she said.

"Hey, Ranma," Ryouga called, trying to attract his attention to elsewhere. "Come here for a minute."

"You'll excuse me," Ranma said. With a nod, he was excused, and went over to talk to Ryouga.

"This is Peter," Ryouga said. "He was on a training trip when he discovered Jusenkyo."

Ranma smirked. "Sounds familiar," he extended his hand and shook Peter's.

"Great, just great to meet you, kid," Peter said, a wide smile on his face. "I can recognize your skills. We need to spar sometime."

"Spar?" Ranma asked, then smiled. "Sure. I'd like that."

"So, the question I've gotta ask-- as I've asked Ryouga here, is just what exactly is your curse?"

"Drowned Girl," Ranma said. "You?"

"Drowned Boy," he said, laughing. "Little boy, actually. It can be useful when it needs to be."

Ranma smiled. "Yeah, we used to know someone with the same curse. Lukkosai."

Peter shook his head. "Can't say as I've ever met him, but it would sure be a pleasure to. I'd love to have a curse-mate, so to speak."

Ranma nodded. "Yeah, well. The guys a little more trouble than he's worth, if ya ask me."

"You know that stuff rots your brain, right?" a voice asked from nearby.

Peter looked over for a moment. "Yeah, well... I don't see you winning and purity contests."

Ranma and Ryouga looked over to see a girl standing alone against the stairwell of the airplane. She was young, and most definitely gothic.

"Who are you supposed to be, anyway?" Peter asked. "Bloody Mary?"

"She is Marcia Stiles," a man with a french accent said, stepping into the conversation. "And, like me, she is a mystic. So I suggest you drop ze attitude and show ze proper respect."

"You're not a mystic, Dugaulle," Marcia replied. "You're a mindfucker."

Dugaulle made a face, but then let it slide. "A crude, American term for my... shall we say... particular skills. Always like ze American to take a beautiful gift and demean it so."

"Aren't you that guy who talked to the ghost of Jim Morrison?" Peter asked. "I think I saw you in one of those tabloids..."

"I am Gerard Dugaulle, speaker of ze dead," he said.

"So, what'd the man have to say?"

"He said to leave him alone," he replied.

"Wait," Ranma said, looking at Dugaulle. "You.. can talk to dead people?"

"I can," Dugaulle said. "But it is not my only skill. I can also read your thoughts."

"You only wish you can," Marcia said. "All you can do is run through emotional responses. Otherwise you never woulda had your little accident."

Gerard looked like he was about to explode. "You... you are a bitch and a whore!" he then stormed off.

"Smart," Peter said. "Sounds like you two get along real well."

"He's a stuck up jerk," Marcia said.

"So, what's your game?" Peter asked.

Marcia shrugged. "I dunno. What do you think it is?" she made a subtle motion with her head, and, to everyone's surprise, she started to change in front of them. The change had only been noticeable to Ranma, Ryouga and Peter, though. She changed from Marcia Stiles, into... Ryouga Hibiki.

Ryouga promptly squealed.

"Illusions," Peter said. "Nice. So, what's your curse?"

Marcia reverted back in a split second. "Crow," she said, simply.

"And frenchie?"

"He's messed," she said. "He turns into a half-human, half- dragon."

"There's a spring for that?" Ranma asked.

Marcia shook her head. "Nah, that one dried up a while back. Gerard is as least unique. Get him to tell you the story sometime," she said.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Alice called from the center of the crowd. "In five minutes, at Oh-Four-Hundred, we will be setting off. I suggest you take care of baggage now, and board the aircraft. There is no need to worry about passports or customs, we'll be overlooked once we arrive. Am I understood?"

There was a flurry of nods.

"Very well," she said. "Then let's board."

The alarm clock went off at the stroke of six-thirty, and Akane's hand was swift in turning off the offending noise, knocking it to the side of her bed. Grumbling to herself, Akane sat up in bed and swung her legs to the floor. She yawned, and promptly covered her head with her hands.

Damn, she thought to herself. She must have drank a little too much. In fact, she still felt quite drunk.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. Oh yes, today would be a fun day at school. Great fun. Amazing fun. Oh well, Ranma would have to--

Ranma.

Oh God, she almost forgot! But how could she forget? It had happened only hours earlier. She spun her head around. Ranma was absent from her bed. She assumed he had gone to his own bed after... their brief jaunt through happy-making-land.

No matter. She smiled to herself. Hangover or not, last night was a night to remember. The night it finally happened. The night she finally gave herself to Ranma.

That's when she noticed the white piece of paper sitting on her nightstand that hadn't been there the night before. Had someone been in her room?

She picked up the paper and looked at it. It was a letter.

Dear Akane, it read.

Akane could already feel her stomach sink.

''I'm sorry, but Ryouga, Pop and me are gone. I'm sorry we didn't tell you. I'm sorry I can't be there when you wake up. It's the place I want to be more than anywhere else... but I need to take care of something. It's better that you don't know where we're going, I don't want you following us, for your own safety. All you need to know is that something came up, and it needs our immediate attention. I will be back, I promise.''

Akane stared in disbelief at the letter. Again? She dropped to her knees, and felt tears start to well up in her eyes.

Akane, the letter continued. ''I love you. Ranma.''

Shuddering, she dropped the letter to the floor, put her face into her hands, and began to cry.