Second revision. Thanks to Gary Kleppe and Vincent Seifert for helping to improve this fic. C&C is most welcome. Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and her publishers. I am merely using the characters for the purpose of profit-free entertainment and make no claim on them. The following people have been kind enough to create a page to host my fanfics, so please take a look: Vincent Seifert: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/seifertv/kagami/ Yoshiro_san: http://members.xoom.com/Yoshiro_san/mother/ David Pascal: http://www.davidpascal.com/smj/ You can contact me at: kagami@jeack.com.au --- The breeze whipped through Akane's hair as she flew through the moonlit night. Well, not literally. Instead, she was cradled tightly within Ranma's strong arms as he leapt gracefully from rooftop to rooftop without pause or stumble. The feeling was exhilarating, she admitted to herself. She felt warm, safe, and secure. She had to battle against the overwhelming urge to simply snuggle back into Ranma's comforting presence. The 'Die, Akane Tendo!' glares she was receiving from the other three girls who were barely managing to keep up with Ranma didn't hurt either. Of course, he hadn't given her a choice about it. Ranma had simply scooped her up and leapt for the rooftops, leaving Ryoga and the other girls to follow. That had been annoying, and yet she couldn't find it within herself to complain. Maybe it was the unusually serious look in Ranma's eyes as they headed towards the Saotome home - that, and the uncertainty. As she reminisced about the end of the harbour battle, Shukumaru's kidnapping of Ranma's mother, and the unknown fate of Uncle Saotome, Ranma spoke up. "Akane," he said softly, the wind carrying and dispersing the sweet sound of her name. "I never did nothing bad when I was in the Neko-ken, did I?" "Well, you--" kissed me, she finished silently. Somehow, the words wouldn't emerge audibly. When had she stopped classifying that act under the category of evil, perverted deeds performed by Ranma? Phoenix Mountain, her mind answered: where she had died, and grown up... a little. "No... no, you never did," she answered, delighting in the sudden relief displayed in his dark eyes. But why had he asked? "Did something happen when you were fighting Shukumaru?" she prompted, seeking to learn more about that fight. She had never seen him move that fast before. If she had blinked during the last confrontation when that weird sickle-weasel had shown up she would have missed everything. Hope blossomed in her heart. Ranma's question... did that mean he was ready to open up to her, to act as if they were a couple in more than just name? "I don't want to talk about it," he said, as they alighted upon the roof of the Saotome family home. She wanted to kill him. Luckily, Ryoga landed beside them followed by the girls. Shampoo and Kodachi threw venomous glances her way, and Ukyo didn't look that happy either. Upset with Ranma, she ignored them all with considerable aplomb. She forced a neutral expression to her face before glancing down at the silent house beneath her feet. "Looks kinda dark, Ranma. Sure this is your place?" Ryoga asked. "Of course it is, Ryoga. You've been here before," Ranma answered, somewhat irritably. Ryoga's answering look clearly said 'So?' "Ranma-sama, I think it best--" Kodachi got out before being interrupted. "Airen! Is best we check out house. If demon foxes come here, Panda-man no good enough to fight them off," Shampoo said, exchanging a hostile glare with Kodachi. The temporary truce for the battle was clearly over. In answer, Ranma leapt down to land before the front door, and pushed. It swung open in silent entreaty, revealing a shadowy, cavernous maw that lead into the throat of a dark beast. No, it wasn't that. Ranma shook away the macabre images that swarmed his mind. It was then that he noticed the stickiness on his fingers where they had touched the wood of the door. The smell struck him suddenly. Pungent, metallic... and invigorating. He had to resist the urge to lick his fingers free of the red fluid. "Pops!" he shouted as he leapt into the heart of the shadows. --- An Awakening of Demons A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic By Kagami Chapter 4: Preparations for War --- The steady beeping of the life-support machine was a constant annoyance to Nabiki, who placed hospitals right at the top of her list of locations to avoid. Maybe it was the occasional nightmares she had of being trapped in a deep comatose state, unable to prevent the vile depredations of... someone; she could never remember exactly who. She shook off the vague discomfort that the dream memories produced and concentrated on the occupant of the hospital room bed instead. One Genma Saotome, her mind noted critically - currently unconscious, suffering multiple claw wounds to the upper torso, severe contusions to the head and body, broken right arm, broken left leg; prognosis: uncertain. He was wired to enough machinery to stabilize his condition, but it didn't look good. Even if he regained consciousness... Step. Step. Step. Of course, Ranma's relentless pacing around the room like a caged tiger wasn't helping to steady her nerves either. She was about to open her mouth to snap at him when her father broke in. "Waaahh!" cried Soun, tears gushing from his eyes. "Don't die, Saotome-kun! Who will I play shogi with in my old age if you do?" "I... I'd appreciate a bit more concern than that, Tendo- kun." "Saotome-kun!" "Pops, you're alive!" Ranma exclaimed, springing to the side of the hospital bed in one ground-devouring bound. "Heh, t...take a lot more than a couple of demons to put your old man down, boy." Genma shifted in the bed uncomfortably before meeting Ranma's eyes. "I'm sorry, son. I couldn't stop them from taking your mother. Guess I'm not good for much other than being a panda." "Give the self-pity a rest, Pops. I'll get her back." Ranma cracked his knuckles menacingly. "Then, my 'older sister' will have a little something coming her way." "I guess you will, Ranma. I guess you will." Genma tried to nod his head sagely and confidently, but only ended up looking as though he wanted to retch. He kept quite still for a few seconds to let the nausea pass, then asked, "Now, tell me about the battle, Ranma." Ranma described the confrontation with his demonic half- sister and her army of oni. His voice dipped and rose as the battle took shape before Nabiki's eyes. This was the first time she'd had a complete story told from Ranma's point of view. After making sure that Genma was getting treatment in hospital, Ukyo and Kodachi had quickly consoled Ranma on his second loss of the night and retreated. To prepare, they had mentioned, before promising that they'd return soon. Shampoo had left soon after, also to prepare, she'd said. Prepare for what? Nabiki snarled mentally. Akane had roped Kasumi and Ryoga, the latter literally, and headed home as well, seemingly intent on performing an excavation on the Tendo attic. That had left Soun and Nabiki to act as representatives for Genma's recovery. Of course, Nabiki had remained merely to obtain a complete story from Ranma, but he had been incredibly reticent about his part in the battle... until now. Her ears pricked up involuntarily as she slid closer to the talking Saotomes. "So, boy, are you sure she called out 'Raiha' when she used the lightning attack?" Genma asked. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure. Why? Is it important?" "I'm trying to remember... Damn, if only your mother was here!" For a moment, the two Saotomes shared a bleak look that etched their faces and turned them into mirror images of one another. Nabiki shook her head in bemusement. If she hadn't heard the truth of Ranma's real parentage from Aunty Nodoka herself, she would have sworn that they really were father and son. "I think that Raiha was one of Ansou's primary servitors. The Thunderbeast, if I remember right. If Shukumaru called out his name and used what could only have been his power, then she's bound him as her servitor. That means that your next duel with her at the 'Shrine of Thunder' is going to be a bigger trap than you think." Genma paused to examine the problem. "You'll be going against her in her home territory, and with a good likelihood that this servitor beast will also show up. You'd best prepare yourself well, boy." He turned to look around the room, acknowledging Nabiki and Soun with a brief glance. "Where's everyone else?" "Preparing," Ranma answered grimly. --- The inside of the Ucchan was astonishingly spotless despite her neglect in the evening. Of course, with her resident kunoichi in place, she shouldn't have been surprised, but then Konatsu was easily... distracted. Even as the thought of the kunoichi crossed her mind, Konatsu appeared with a broom in hand. "Ukyo-sama, welcome home. I glad that you've returned safely." Konatsu bowed, sincere happiness flashing across his face. "Thank you, Konatsu," Ukyo replied, both touched and warmed by the displayed concern. She reflected on the thoughts that had occupied her mind as she walked back from the hospital. Genma had been badly injured, her beloved Ranchan had turned out to be a half-demon, and Mrs. Saotome had been kidnapped. Shouldn't she be feeling something other than numb acceptance? No, there would be time to reflect on all of this later. "Konatsu, I need you to go to my home town in Kansai." "Of course, Ukyo-sama. I would be happy to do it," said the kunoichi. "What is the task that you wish me to accomplish?" Ukyo didn't answer immediately. Instead, she grabbed a pen and paper and began scribbling. "Deliver this note to my parents and follow their instructions. Hopefully, they'll agree to my request." She folded the piece of paper and handed it to Konatsu. "Very well, Ukyo-sama." Konatsu accepted the folded note and carefully placed it within his kimono. "I'll return as soon as I can." "Thank, Konatsu. I'd go myself, but Genma was attacked by demons and he landed up in Nerima General. I want to stay near Ranchan in the meanwhile." She paused and gathered her thoughts. "I'll explain everything to you when you return, Konatsu. You have to be back by tomorrow night, so.... I'll either be here or over at the hospital. Please hurry." Konatsu bowed gracefully and vanished. --- The delicate silver casket gleamed quietly in the shadowed light as Kodachi Kuno gently traced her fingers over the filigreed surface. Mother... her mind whispered, you are sorely missed by your beloved daughter. She touched the large opal that was set in the upraised lid before lowering the cover to hide the now-empty internal compartment of the casket. "Dear sister, what do you intend?" The carefully cultured voice of Tatewaki Kuno penetrated the dark confines of the Kuno manse's basement. Kodachi spun around quickly. "Why, nothing, dear brother. Merely cleaning up a few items." She forced a laugh. The hollow sound was undoubtedly due to the echoes in the basement. She slipped the silver item behind her back and attempted a nonchalant stance. "That foul demon Saotome has lured you into another of his fiendish schemes, has he not?" Tatewaki tried to sound sternly disapproving. Oh, brother, Kodachi thought, if only you knew.... Her darling Ranma-sama was half a demon. What did that little truth mean for Kodachi Kuno? As the Devil Hunter of the Kuno Clan, her course was clear: all demons had to fall before her, and so Ranma-sama must perish as well. As Kodachi, the beautiful high school student aged eighteen, Ranma-sama... Ranma-sama was her heart, her soul, her reason for life - well, him and Ryoga-sama as well, of course. What course should she follow? What path should she choose? Well, it would be of no use to speak to her brother of this pretty dilemma. "Of course not, dear brother. Have the pig-tailed girl and Akane Tendo rejected your advances yet again that you prove so suspicious of my actions?" Her brother flinched as her words struck true. Tatewaki recovered and turned away, his back stiff with inflicted offense. "Very well, sister. Do as you please. I merely came to inform you that the servants has prepared our afternoon repast in the Teak Room. Join us there if you will." Kodachi sighed internally. Why was it that she could only speak to Tachi through subtle insult? "Certainly, brother. I will join you shortly." --- The Nekohanten stood dark, lonesome and cold, but Shampoo was oblivious as she rooted happily through a pile of Amazon artifacts. She was certain her great-grandmother wouldn't mind their use in a worthy cause. It was really quite simple - save Airen's mother, and win his undying gratitude and love. She would have to thank this Shukumaru for the opportunity... before killing the demoness for offering insult to Ranma's family. Yes, indeed, a worthy plan that her great-grandmother would certainly respect, and her unapproved usage of the artifacts would pass without censure. Besides, why else had her great-grandmother brought them here if not for use? The sharp ringing tones of the telephone interrupted Shampoo's happy planning. She grabbed it on the third ring. "Nihao, have reached Nekohanten restaurant. We closed... oh, is you, Mousse." Shampoo looked unenthusiastically at the phone as it started burbling sickeningly happy words of delight at her. Luckily, various sounds of pain soon overcame the declarations of love and marriage, and a withered voice replaced the undoubtedly unconscious Mousse. She switched to Chinese and started explaining the night's events. "Yes, great-grandmother. I'm fine.... Yes, Umibouzu appeared... the memorized speech worked really well. Learn the other fifteen by heart as well?" Shampoo's voice trailed off dejectedly. "Yes, great-grandmother. But... listen, great-grandmother, Airen's mother was kidnapped by his demon half-sister... Shukumaru... yes, we're going to rescue her... tomorrow... protect the others? But, why... very well, great-grandmother. I will. Good-bye, great-grandmother." Shampoo replaced the handset as Cologne's voice cut off. Frowning, she retraced her steps towards the pile of magical artifacts. She picked up the next one, contemplated it for a while, then placed it into the stack of useless discards. Dragon fang? No. Magical gourd? No. The Eye of the Matriarchs? No. Ancestor's Stone? *shudder* No. Ah, prayer bead necklaces. Now, they would be useful. --- "Hah! I found it!" Akane's voice echoed triumphantly in the vast space of the Tendo attic. "I knew it was here!" "What would that be, Akane-san?" Ryoga asked from the other end of the attic. The connecting rope between himself and Akane was stretched to its utmost length. It was most embarrassing, especially since most passerbys had chosen to gape at the both of them - his fist clenched involuntarily at the memory of that bokken-wielding weirdo who had tried to accost Akane - even though Kasumi had somehow evaded censure. Still, he understood the reasons. Both Tendo sisters walked over to join him. Kasumi was dusting a cloth-wrapped package in her hands while Akane's face bore a brilliant and enchanting smile. "My mother's katana. I'll be able to carve up those pervert monsters if we face them again!" Ryoga nodded in agreement, though some small part of him shriveled at her vehemence. "But why is it up here?" he wondered aloud. Surely, the blade was a family heirloom and deserved prominent display? "Oh." Akane's face was briefly shadowed as his question obviously raised distressing thoughts. "I'm sorry, Akane-san. I shouldn't have--" he blurted. She cut him off with a decisive shake of her head. "No, it's not your fault, Ryoga-kun. When mother passed away... it was a painful time for all of us. The merest sight of any item cherished by mother would drive dad to tears and he'd sink into despair for days. In desperation, we hid everything up here until he could recover. He never did, though, not really, so all of mother's treasures stayed up in the attic." Akane paused as Kasumi raised the cloth-covered family blade. A faint tug at the strings untied the knot, and they unraveled to fall on the floor. She drew aside the covering cloth to reveal an ancient hilt, black with age and lacquer, yet strong and firm, and demanding to be held once more. "Hidden away, but not forgotten," murmured Kasumi as she touched the hilt. "Unseen, and yet still cherished." Her fingers seemed to withdraw reluctantly. The blade had always been carried by her mother. It had seemed so much a part of her that Kasumi could hardly bear to part with it - and yet, the Tendo heritage would once more be guarded by the family blade. That was surely right and proper. Kasumi bowed her head in respect. "It is yours, Akane-san," she said formally. "May you use it well." Akane bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Onee-san." --- The hospital room was silent. Genma had been efficiently cleaned and reclothed by one of the floor nurses, and was now staring unenthusiastically at his dinner - his very unappetizing dinner. The hovering presence that was Ranma didn't exactly help his appetite either. "Out with it, boy," he snapped irritably. "What?" Ranma looked up distractedly from his pacing. "What do you mean 'what'? You've been hovering about me like a horse-fly, Ranma. It's getting annoying." Genma pointed his fork at his adopted son. "So, out with it!" Ranma glared at his unrepentant father before slumping down in a chair. "Look, Pops. Why did'ja train me in the Neko-ken anyway?" "Eh? What does that have to do... ah, your power, it's finally appeared. That's great, son!" he congratulated Ranma. "Or maybe not," Genma added as Ranma favoured him with another glare. "So, what's the problem with it?" "I couldn't control it, that's what. It almost took me over. I wanted to... to kill Shukumaru, to kill everything, and then--" Ranma stopped abruptly, tightening his lips as the memory reached out and reclaimed him: 'All of creation stood before his power. He only had to reach out and seize it, to claim it for his own. Shukumaru would be first. He would seize her, use her, discard her, then kill her. Then he would take all of his fiancees as concubines, making Akane his first....' Again, he stopped short of completing the thought. He remembered it so vividly: the sudden and savage lust for control, the raw desire to possess everything and everyone - to make them all his own. The sensations had been powerful, unslakeable, disturbing... and yet, oddly compelling. He shook his head and took a deep breath. "You can't run away from your power, boy. Surrendering such an advantage in the face of an enemy is foolish. Take it, use it, and only then consider the consequences. That's the core of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryu, after all," Genma said sagely. Ranma hid a sigh. Expecting good advice from Pops? What on earth had he been thinking? --- The planning session wasn't going well. Ranma was still at the hospital while Ryoga was helping Kasumi in the kitchen, so it was left to the four girls and Nabiki to work out a decent attack plan. The tension in the air could probably be cut with a knife, Nabiki thought as she entered the room. The frosty glances that each 'fiancee' flung about made the room seem as cold as a fridge. Well, better than having them burning up the furniture with hot auras, she guessed. "So, have you done anything about travel arrangements?" she asked casually. The quickly turned heads and stricken glances sent her way told her no. She hid a sigh and held up six Shinkansen tickets. "Well, I expect to be reimbursed for these. Ranma's ticket will be my contribution, I guess. Ryoga's, though..." She left the thought hanging. "Have no fear, Nabiki Tendo." Kodachi sniffed superciliously. "I shall reimburse you for both those tickets." Bingo, Nabiki thought. There was something between Kodachi and Ryoga. She'd have to find out what eventually, but for now... "In that case, I have another offering to contribute to Aunty Saotome's rescue." She held up a rolled sheet of paper. "The complete maps for the Shrine of Thunder and the surrounds." "Aiyah, Shampoo impressed," the purple-haired Amazon said as she reached out with an eager hand. "Same here, Sugar. How did you get these?" asked Ukyo. "Oh, it was pretty easy. I blackmailed Old Man Higurashi up at the Higurashi Shrine," Nabiki answered casually. "Nabiki! You didn't!" Akane exclaimed, completely outraged. Nabiki sighed theatrically. "How little you think of me, little sister. You didn't really think..." She shook her head mournfully as Akane nodded firmly. "You wound me." "I know you, Nabiki," Akane replied. "Actually, I simply bribed him with a plateful of Kasumi's cookies. He said it was for his grand-daughter, who was suffering from tuberculosis, but from the greedy look in his eye I figured he wasn't really going to share." Nabiki smiled in amusement at Akane's doubtful look and clarified. "Well, last time he mentioned she was suffering from leukemia, so I took it with a pinch of salt. Got these as well, though I don't know how useful they'll be." She laid down a stack of o-fuda beside the Shrine of Thunder maps. Shampoo unrolled the maps, carefully weighting down each corner of the fragile paper. The Shrine was completely exposed, she thought with dismay. It was nestled on a large flat spot between two rising slopes on the side of Fuji- san. A weathered path serviced the shrine, winding its narrow way along the slope. "No trees, no cover," she muttered. "Is not good." "A frontal assault doesn't really appeal to me, Sugar," Ukyo commented. "We could split up," offered Akane. "Fuji-san is climbable, so one party comes up the front and the other sneaks around back." Shampoo shook her head. "No, is bad idea. You split force when face bigger enemy, you..." She struggled to find the right words. "... invite defeat in detail," finished Kodachi. "The Amazon is clearly correct in this instance. We either attack the front or the back. That seems to be our only two choices. Which will it be?" The sliding door opened to permit the graceful entrance of Kasumi, who balanced a tray with one hand and unobtrusively guided Ryoga with the other. They both made it to the table, which was hastily cleared to make room for the refreshments. "So, what did I miss?" asked Ryoga. Kodachi pointed him towards the unrolled map and he bent over it eagerly. A moment later, he sat back with a shake of his head and a frown on his face. He reached for a cookie without comment, and bit into it decisively. A bout of hearty munching followed as each person eyed the disheartening picture before them, broken only by Ryoga's question, which hung in the air unanswered. --- The cold cell provided little variation for a prisoner: stone walls on all four sides, along with a plain ceiling and floor. Only the dim light bulb overhead and the stout wooden door facing Nodoka offered faint relief from total boredom. She sat on the hard surface, shivering slightly as the heat slowly leached from her body. She did not complain, for there was no one to receive such a complaint, nor was she inclined to make such anyway; the ten years of emptiness in her life had inured her to such deprivation. Genma - would she ever be able to think of her husband's name without recollecting the crack of broken bone or the spray of bright blood? He had seemed so still afterwards. Was he still alive? Nodoka closed her eyes and tried not to feel hatred towards her captors. It was difficult. The change was sudden. Between one moment and the next, the solitary nature of the cell was broken. Shukumaru calmly set the stool in her hands upon the floor, dusted it, and sat down facing Nodoka. She hadn't even seen the door open or close. She blinked, and in that moment, a filled wineglass appeared in the hand of her 'hostess'. Ansou's daughter, her mind acknowledged even as she failed to react overtly to the soundless intimidation. She seemed nothing like her father. Human in shape and looks, but her eyes revealed the truth. Bright with fire and zeal, and yet, so cold and soulless - empty of anything resembling kindness or warmth. Ansou had been more human. She desperately wanted to believe that, but a tiny voice whispered that perhaps he had just hidden his nature better. Nodoka banished the thought as worthless and raised her chin in silent defiance. Her captor would learn nothing of use from her, no matter the personal cost. Then her determination proved irrelevant. "So, my brother loves that hot-tempered girl, does he?" Shukumaru asked nonchalantly. Nodoka couldn't prevent a start of surprise and she hid an inward groan as Shukumaru's smile widened. She would not speak to confirm it, though: that much honour she had left. Shukumaru was not deterred by her captive's stony silence. "Does it surprise you?" she continued. "That a demon should know love? And why should it - when you had the love of my dear father." Her smile turned bitter and she drank deeply from the wineglass in her hand. "My dear, deceased father," she added mockingly before snarling, "That damned hypocrite!" The fire in her voice reached her eyes, making them glitter like cold ice. Nodoka shrank back involuntarily before steeling herself once more to present a facade of outward calm towards her demon captor. "What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled. "Ansou was never hypocritical." "Perhaps he merely chose not to share that side of himself with you, dear stepmother," Shukumaru replied in a tone as bitter as raw almonds. "But never fear. For I, Shukumaru, shall have my revenge!" She clenched her hand suddenly and the wineglass shattered. Shards of broken crystals spun and sparkled in the dancing light of the overhead bulb as they flew in a dazzling rain to disintegrate upon the cold stone floor. Shukumaru licked at the blood dripping from the shallow cuts in her palm. "Hot, cold, dry or tasteless - I will have my revenge! That bitch of my brother's will journey to my sanctum, and I shall ensure that she dies before his very eyes!" Shukumaru's laughter echoed in the small room. Nodoka Saotome closed her eyes and fought against despair. --- Author's Notes: 1) 'Raiha' - translates as 'lightning attack'. 2) 'Shinkansen' - the Japanese bullet train; one of the stops along the Tokyo-Kyoto line is Fuji-san (at the Shin- Fuji Station). 3) 'o-fuda' - Japanese spiritual wards, believed to provide protection against ghosts, spirits, and demons. They are simply prayers written upon paper and infused with the priest's spiritual/holy power. --