Revised version. Thanks to Vincent Seifert for his help. 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 broken body in his arms was so very light. Ranma cradled her tightly against him as the tears poured down his cheeks in an unrelenting rain of anguish and despair. Why?! Why had this happened?! Why had he permitted this to happen?! Through the mist of tears, he saw her face, so perfect that it seemed a silent mockery of life.... AKANE!! Ranma screamed his grief and rage to the uncaring night. His heart, his soul, gone, flown beyond the winds of recall. Why had this happened?! This is what will be, a voice whispered in the darkness. Who?! Who is there?! The darkness was silent. Answer me! Ranma demanded. This will happen should you pit your power against Shukumaru, the voice whispered. A warning you should heed, mortal. A chance for you to avoid fate. A chance to change what will be. Relinquish your power and submit to your better. For Shukumaru shall prevail. You dare-- Ranma stopped abruptly as a second voice echoed within his mind. No, there is a better way. Permit me. The voice took control effortlessly, and spoke. I know you. I know you, Lurker of Dreams. A dream? wondered Ranma. Akane's shattered body seemed so real. How could it be? Lurker of Dreams, I know you and I name you! The voice that spoke from Ranma's mouth commanded powerfully. You who would harm my heir! You who would harm the Demon Lord of the East! You who would harm me! Chikumo, show yourself!! The form that shimmered into view was stunningly beautiful: a great crystalline spider of delicate proportions. What little light that relieved the darkness was caught by the sharply-angled surfaces of its body, and reflected a thousand-fold as dazzling rays of light. Its two foremost legs were upraised in a threatening manner, their razor-points held ready to pierce. Who calls?! Who has the power to call Chikumo?! Do you not know me, Chikumo? Ranma's voice asked with brittle amusement. Your master in all things? Yami-no-Tsume-sama! Chikumo's voice echoed its shock. Forgive me, my Lord! I did not know! Ignorance is no excuse. Have I not told you so before? There is only one penalty for such actions, and that penalty is-- "Death," Ranma whispered as he awoke to the dawn. --- An Awakening of Demons A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic By Kagami Chapter 5: Comes the Thunder --- Climbing Fuji-san was a traditional lovers' pastime. Unfortunately for the present couple attempting the journey, the current times had produced a detrimental effect on tradition: the lower slopes of Fuji-san were heavily enshrouded by a thick bank of polluted fog. Nevertheless, Noboru Ishiyama and Tsuyu Kumori persevered in their efforts to reach the Shrine of Thunder. Kaminari- jinja was famous as an attraction for both tourists and young lovers. Rumour had it that a couple pledging their love beneath the shrine's kimon - the northeastern gate erected to ward off demons - would be protected from all evils and blessed with a happy life together. "There it is," Tsuyu said happily as they rounded the trail. Noboru grinned in reply, pleased to see their objective finally before them. The shrine was laid out in typical Shinto fashion, with a series of steps beginning from a large torii gate and leading up to a smaller entrance to the main shrine building. The kimon was to the right of the main entrance and.... He paused suddenly, taking in the unbelievable sight. "Tsuyu, do you see that?" he asked, pointing towards the kimon. With her hand in his, Noboru could feel her stiffen in shock as she gazed at the scene before them. Kaminari-jinja's famous kimon had fallen. As if in response to his question, the mountainside seemed to tremble faintly. A low rumble reached his ears and the ground lurched beneath his feet. Rocks and stones began to fall in broken showers, dislodged by the shaking earth. "What--" Noboru burst out just as the little bit of Fuji-san that he and Tsuyu stood upon heaved suddenly. He staggered, trying to keep his footing. Beside him, Tsuyu cried out and clung to him fearfully. They backed away, heading down the rocky trail as fast as possible, anxious to report the sudden quake to someone in the authorities. Behind them, the mountainside slowly quieted. Tumbling stones rolled to a rest in new locations, their mossy sides lying exposed to the harsh afternoon sun piercing the gloomy overcast. The swirling clouds of dust thrown up by the recent upheavals settled once again. Behind them, Kaminari-jinja patiently awaited its true victims. --- The noise of Tokyo Station in the afternoon was deafening. Nabiki looked around with avid interest and drank in the bustle of businessmen in uniform dark suits, hordes of school children escaping from their Saturday school half- days, and women of all descriptions mostly intent on work, shopping, or marketing. If she needed any indication that Nerima was merely a small pond in the vastness that was Tokyo, this was certainly it. She scanned for the Shinkansen platform to Nagoya, while automatically tracking the various paths of Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Shampoo, Kodachi, and Ukyo. A helpful ticket attendant pointed them toward the correct platform, and Nabiki followed on behind Ranma, who surged through the endless crowd with single-minded purpose. She absently noted that Kodachi was holding a blushing Ryoga's hand, in order to lead him in the right direction. Interesting. She mentally toted up the number of pictures in her collection that had Ryoga in them. Thankfully, the crowd thinned a little as they approached the Nagoya platform. The Shinkansen waited patiently for its passengers. Its low shape and new paint made it look sleek and quicksilver fast. Five minutes for good-byes, Nabiki thought as she glanced at the station clock. No big deal, really, the whole mission. It was simply another of Ranma's annoying problems. They'd come home safe with Aunty Saotome, just like they had on every other occasion. Somehow, Nabiki couldn't really convince herself of that comforting thought. "I'm sorry, Ranchan," Ukyo said, looking a little forlorn. "I promised I'd wait for Konatsu to get back. I'll follow on as soon as I can." "S'okay, Ucchan." Ranma smiled cockily. It seemed a little forced in the glare of the afternoon sun. "We'll leave a few demons for ya." "Spatula Girl not come too late or none left," added Shampoo. She toted a large pack that had a number of interesting bulges. No weapons were in evidence, which made Nabiki wonder how she'd managed to squeeze them into the pack. "Shampoo and Rose Girl take care of all." "I must say that the Chinese commoner speaks the unvarnished truth," Kodachi mused. "We shall have a glorious time rescuing your mother, shall we not, Ranma- sama?" "Um, sure--" "Who is Chinese commoner?! Rose Girl not know of what she speak! Shampoo is greatest warrior of Joketsuzoku! Study to become Matriarch - is no higher standing than Council of Elders!" The Chinese Amazon looked ready to tear into her snobbish opponent. "Bah. And what of that? The Kuno Clan can trace our heritage back to the first Emperor of Japan, Jimmu Tenno. Legend has it that our ancestors were granted our demon- hunting powers by Susanoo himself: that, in itself, is more than two thousand years of history," Kodachi finished smugly. "Hah! Chinese Amazon tribe come to new home in Warring States time. Over _three thousand_ years of history..." Shampoo's voice faded into the background as Nabiki approached her sister. Akane had yet to say a single word in the conversation, which was hardly like her. She stood not far from Ranma, cradling the tightly bundled package that contained Mother's katana. That had been a surprise to Nabiki, though on reflection, it shouldn't have been. "Take care, Akane. Come home safe," Nabiki said, surprised to find herself really meaning those words of concern. Of course, if Akane didn't make it back... she'd have to marry Ranma instead: a fate obviously worse than death. "Thanks, Nabiki," Akane replied, sounding surprised as well. Nabiki turned towards Ranma. His dark eyes stared back, deep black pools that hid his emotions beneath a show of supreme confidence. That difference had struck her from the very first moment they had returned from the harbour - Ranma was notoriously easy to read, after all. Whatever he was hiding hadn't come up in the conversation with Genma while she had been present, but he had gone back to the hospital again yesterday, and one final time this morning. Somehow, her hidden recorder in the room had gone missing, leaving her without a clue as to the Saotomes' conversation. "And you, too, Ranma-kun," she said soberly. --- The scenery that whipped by as the Shinkansen headed for the Shin-Fuji Station was dull, being composed mostly of small cityscapes and large factories. Kodachi sighed her discontent as she sank back into the comfortable seat. It wasn't the seating or the food that caused her discontent; both were quite good. It was the fact that they were in economy class that rankled her. She should have converted her own ticket and those of Ranma- sama and Ryoga-sama back at the station. On second thought, it was the seating that irritated her as well. Akane Tendo had somehow managed to maneuver Ranma-sama into sitting beside her. That annoying bit of chicanery by the Tendo girl had only left her with the secondary option. She had directed Ryoga-sama into the row behind, and promptly seated herself beside him, leaving Shampoo to sit alone amidst many grumbles. The loss of her primary prey soured her minor victory over the Chinese girl. Still, all was not lost. "Ranma-sama, I wish to have a moment alone with you." Her quiet words resonated amid the buzz of other conversations, and drew a response from the others as she was sure they must. "Huh? Well, um--" Ranma-sama sounded diffident about the entire matter. "What you want with Airen, Rose Girl?" The Chinese commoner's blunt query from her seat two rows up was rapidly fired in response, the hostility barely hidden beneath a thin veneer of civility. "And whose 'Airen' is he?" Akane Tendo snapped back, disgruntled by the Amazon's possessiveness. Nevertheless, she, too, was united on this subject. She turned her head, displaying a frown. "Why do you want to speak to Ranma, Kodachi?" "Why, merely to discuss our relationship--" "What?!" The stereo quality of the screeches of protest from her commoner rivals was a delightful melody to her ears. "-- as Devil Hunter and foe," Kodachi finished smugly. "That is a matter that must be resolved as soon as possible. I must know of Ranma-sama's intentions." "If you want..." He shrugged, obviously reluctant. Despite herself, Kodachi could not hide from the sadness that permeated her soul at his tactless display of indifference. It didn't matter. It wouldn't matter. She would still win him to her side, no matter what obstacles stood in her path. "What? You're going with her?!" Akane snapped. "It ain't like that, Akane," he protested. "If we're gonna save Mom, then we've got to fight as a team." "Fine, then! Go with her. See if I care!" Kodachi hid a sigh. The Tendo girl was simply wrong for her beloved Ranma-sama. She treated him like a prize, inviting all others to take him away. Well, the Black Rose would accept that invitation, and Akane Tendo would learn to her sorrow that prizes were won by the swiftest. "Perhaps we may converse at the end of the carriage, Ranma- sama." Kodachi stood up, intent on bearing her prize away. She didn't succeed entirely. Comments from the remaining trio chased after them. "Airen, you speak with Shampoo on battle tactics after this, okay?" "Why don't you sit down beside me, Ryoga-kun?" "Ah-he-he, sure, Akane-san. Say, isn't that Sapporo that we just passed?" The change was almost instantaneous following Ryoga's comment: she felt Ranma suddenly tense up behind her. A wave of icy tingling ran down her spine. Piercing, hot eyes seemed to bore into her back as they walked towards the end of the carriage. It was an utterly unnerving feeling. Both her natural senses and Devil Hunter powers screamed warnings of caution. She caressed the silver bracelet on her left wrist for reassurance. It failed to reassure her at all. Each step felt as though she was allowing some wild beast to stalk her. Each footfall became an enticement for it to devour her. It was all she could do to walk naturally down the passageway. She finally reached the rear door, and abruptly spun around to confront... Ranma-sama's questioning eyes. She frowned. Had Ranma-sama's eyes been tinged with yellow? The feeling of being threatened vanished as though it had never been. Kodachi took a deep, calming breath. What on earth had just happened? Had Ranma-sama really-- "All right, Kodachi. What's all this about?" She breathed a small sigh of relief out through her mouth. Nothing. Just an imaginary attack of nerves, Kodachi thought, trying to convince her shaken feelings. "Why, Ranma-sama, isn't it about time that I heard the full story from your lips?" Kodachi asked, masking her confusion. The full story was unfortunately succinct, coming from Ranma-sama. Nor did it suggest a path for her to take. Nevertheless, it confirmed what she'd already guessed from various snippets of conversation. "So, for the moment, our purposes run alongside one another. You wish to rescue your mother from her demonic captors, and I shall have the chance to destroy more of the hellspawn. But, ask yourself this, Ranma-sama: what are your long-term plans?" Do you intend to claim your father's title? Kodachi wondered. "Where will your path lead us after this?" "I dunno, Kodachi. First things first. We rescue Mom an' wipe out all the demons at the Shrine. We can talk about the rest of it afterwards." He smiled, seemingly confident of her involvement, and in truth he was correct in doing so, for otherwise she would not already be present. "That is well enough, Ranma-sama. I would prefer for us to remain allies, and never enemies." Remembering the sudden apprehension that had swept over her earlier, Kodachi heartily reaffirmed that intent to herself. --- "Thanks for walking me home, Ukyo," Nabiki said as they stood outside the Tendo Dojo. "No problem, Sugar," Ukyo replied. She looked somewhat preoccupied with her own thoughts. "I have to get back to the Ucchan and see if Konatsu's back yet." "Okay, then--" The wooden front gate of the Dojo swung open, creaking slightly. The two girls spun round nervously, and Ukyo's hand went to her battle-spatula, before they realized who it was and slowly relaxed. Kasumi emerged from the front gate, carrying a covered dust pan and brush. "Oh, Nabiki, you're back safely. And Ukyo-san, how nice to see you again." She smiled at the both of them. "I'm back," Nabiki said laconically as she tried to ignore the sweat beading her brows. "Say, what's that, Sis?" she asked, pointing toward the dust pan. "I don't see you going to the bins all that often." "Oh, this? I was sweeping Ranma's room and found it. I thought it best to dispose of it before it starts to smell." Kasumi lifted the covering cloth so both girls could see. "Eeew!" Nabiki quickly recoiled. "What is that?" Ukyo asked in horrified fascination. Kasumi's smile dimmed slightly. "A spider... I think." --- Musical chairs. Ranma solemnly mused on that thought as he walked up the worn track that led to Kaminari-jinja; it showed signs of recent disturbance if the jumble of loose stones on the path was any indication. He had never realized just how passionately he loathed the game. Shampoo had roped him the moment he had returned from the talk with Kodachi, and then contrived to sit beside him on their return. Then Akane had pulled him away for a 'chat' that had consisted mostly of stony silences. Thank Kami-sama the trip hadn't lasted any longer. A lone crow mocked their arrival with a derisive caw, before flapping its way toward the distant shrine. It's black wings flashed darkly in the dimming afternoon sun, heralds of the coming twilight. "They know of our presence, Ranma-sama," Kodachi commented, eyeing the raven-black messenger. Ranma shrugged indifferently. "Didn't think we could sneak in, anyhow. Let's go on then," he said. "Ranma, look," Akane said, pointing at the broken kimon of the Thundershrine. She was speaking to him again. Well, that was Akane - quick to anger, quicker to forgive. She was often a fiery ember that he could warm himself against on long, cold winter nights, and sometimes, a raging inferno that would burn him to a cinder. He could never be sure which. That, in part, was what kept him inter-- He frowned, dismissing the thought. "We'd better get ready," Ryoga suggested as he pulled loose his new umbrella. Unlike his old one, the present umbrella was made completely from metal. Steel ribs extended from the solid iron cap, with sheets of a flexible metal that had been lovingly burnished a coppery colour folded in between. He held the handle and gave it several practice swings, before smiling. Ranma wondered where he'd gotten it. Shampoo began to extract her sword, twin bonbori, several prayer bead necklaces, and a miscellany of other odds and ends from her pack. Akane carefully unwrapped her bundle, sliding her mother's beautifully lacquered katana out from the confining cloth. Kodachi touched her silver bracelet, but did not immediately summon her soul weapon. "All right. You all know the plan. Ryoga and Akane on the left flank - nearest the mountainside. Shampoo and Kodachi on the right. Divide whatever forces oppose us, and I'll head right up the middle for the shrine. If Shukumaru appears, she's mine, no matter what. Okay?" Four nods responded, and they were ready. --- The door to her prison swung open. Nodoka glanced up from her decorously seated position to see Shukumaru enter. Under a different set of circumstances, this woman would have been her stepdaughter. Unfortunately, it didn't seem likely that they would be bonding anytime soon. Still, she had to try. Death in battle was indeed a manly end, but it was one that she preferred not to see for Ranma. "Shukumaru, listen to me--" "It is time. My dear stepbrother approaches his destiny with death. I shall dangle the bait before his very eyes." Shukumaru's smile was as cold as ice. "Oh, and he has that girl with him. I believe I shall enjoy the pain that killing her will give my brother." "Listen! You don't have to do this. We can resolve--" Shukumaru shook her head. "You waste your breath and my patience. I will not be swayed from my course now. Make peace with whatever gods you hold dear." She swept her hand in an arc, darkness flowing across the room. As false night fell inside the cell, Nodoka blinked. When her eyes opened again, she was outside, before the Shrine of Thunder. The late afternoon sun struck her harshly, causing her to blink furiously in an effort to make out what she saw: Ranma. Akane-chan. Three of their friends. And demons. Lots of demons. --- The demons had appeared suddenly, issuing from the shrine like a monstrous flood. Kodachi summoned her Soul-Lash as the tide of demons swept towards them. Beside her, Shampoo held up a prayer bead necklace and bowed her head. "What, might I ask, will be the use of those?" Kodachi asked. "Crazy Rose Girl watch." As the demons approached, Shampoo hurled the necklace into the air. "Lei Kung! Under the contract that binds us, I, Shampoo, command you!" She drew her sword from its scabbard on her back and brought it down in a blinding arc, striking the circular string of beads in midair. The necklace exploded in a dazzling flash of light, forcing Kodachi to shield her eyes. Crackling bolts of lightning stabbed into the ranks of the demons facing Shampoo. One particular oni caught the brunt of a blast fully on its torso, leaving only a pair of charred legs sticking upright. Another three demons behind the first were bowled over, with only one staggering up again. A cacophony of ear-piercing howls shattered the air as demons ran about, trying to put out burning fur and blazing hide. Kodachi raised an eyebrow. "Impressive." "Hmm, strange. Is more powerful than Shampoo expect." The Chinese Amazon hurled a second necklace up and swung her blade again, sending another burst of lightning bolts into the mass of scorched demons. This time, seven oni were struck down by Lei Kung's wrath. She snapped her fingers suddenly. "Ah, Shampoo understand. Is Thundershrine here. Japanese God of Thunder also angry at demons. Make necklace more powerful." On the left flank, things weren't going quite as well. Nevertheless, Ryoga and Akane were doing an workmanlike job on the mob before them. Ryoga laid about him with his metal umbrella, beating each of his opponents into the ground. Akane had singled out a tentacled demon and was methodically slicing it apart, one tentacle at a time. A dozen wriggling appendages were lying on the ground, testament to her skill with her mother's katana. Ranma shivered slightly as he watched her grin in delight. Akane was quick to forgive and forget... most things. Obviously, being groped by a perverted demon wasn't one of those things. The plan was working - the narrow path prevented the attacking demons from overwhelming them with sheer numbers. There was only one problem: the demons were too thickly crowded for him to get through the middle. Then he saw them appear: Shukumaru and his mother. If you can't go through, then go over. "Ryoga, I need your shoulder!" he shouted. In reply, Ryoga slammed the demon facing him into the crowd behind, and held himself briefly still. That moment was enough. Ranma bounced off Ryoga's shoulder and spun about in midair, absorbing the shock of his impact on the mountainside with his feet, before launching himself over the heads of the demons below. For a brief instant, he felt his feet tingle where they had come into contact with face of Fuji-san, but he dismissed the thought as he landed in front of Shukumaru. "Shukumaru! Let my mother go!" Ranma snarled. "Come now, dear brother, do you really expect me to forfeit my advantage?" Shukumaru smiled mockingly. "But if you wish, I will release her... in exchange for you, dear brother." She touched Nodoka's throat with her razor-sharp claws. "Otherwise, I shall rip her throat asunder." "Shukumaru, what is your grievance against my son?" Nodoka asked. "Do you fear that he seeks his father's position? Do not. Ranma has no love for such things. If you feel that it is I who has sinned against you by loving Ansou, then take my life." She raised her chin, exposing her vulnerable throat to the sharp claws that hovered before her. "But spare my son." "Mother, no!" Ranma cried out in horrified disbelief. "I won't let you sacrifice yourself!" Umibouzu, Ranma thought furiously. He needed the Great Serpent's power now! But how to call him? Dimly, he recalled Shampoo's chant at the beginning of the battle, and his lips twisted briefly. Why the hell not? Umibouzu! Under the contract that binds us, I, Ranma Saotome, co-- Speak not those words, Ranma Saotome, if you would live! The voice of the Great Devourer echoed within his mind, rich and dry. You are not my master to speak so of commands! Then, how-- You ask... politely and humbly. All right. Ranma gritted his teeth. Umibouzu, grant me your power! I, Ranma Saotome, do ask it of you... please. Not a humble creature, are you, Ranma Saotome? Umibouzu sounded amused. Perhaps I should have specified 'abjectly' instead. He paused, and Ranma held his breath. Very well, I grant it. You may use my seal as you see fit. A vast roaring filled his ears as potent words of power eclipsed his vision. He seized the seal he needed, battling to hold himself together as the power cascaded about him, rippling and thundering like breakers upon the reef that was his mind. The words wisped before his eyes as the world cleared. The tableau in front of him still held, with little time apparently having passed. He chanted silently. Shukumaru's claws touched Nodoka's exposed throat, and then halted as the Saotome matriarch's words impacted like bolts of lightning. How foolish! she cried out within. The mortal woman's life was already in her hands. How then did she presume to bargain with what was not hers? And yet.... She closed her eyes. Kill her now! Blood calls to blood. A life for a life - that is the price that must be paid, her rage demanded. Use her! Her dear brother would go like a lamb to slaughter in order to save his mortal mother. Two for the price of one, her cunning insisted. It hardly matters, spoke another, dry as dust and heartless. It hardly matters, as long as death results. And yet... she remembered those words: Take my life, then, but spare her. Father... what a fool you were. She had spurned that offer. Shukumaru opened her eyes... to see the flicker of power within her brother's black orbs. "Ankoku Shizumaru!" Tricked, she snarled within. Foolish, her mind cried. "Death, then, dear brother!" Her claws raked across the taut flesh of Nodoka's neck... and skittered off harmlessly. Astonished, she glanced at her victim and saw the blackness crawling over her body. With an oath, Shukumaru lunged back to escape the seal that surrounded Nodoka. The black tendrils expanded, covering the frozen form beneath a shroud of night which shimmered and pulsed, streaming darkness into the air. Then it was gone, and all that remained was emptiness. "Brother, what have you done?" Shukumaru whispered. Inwardly, she knew. Once before, she had been the victim. Her dear brother, Ranma, had sealed his beloved mother away. "Saved her. From you," he said softly. The pain in his eyes mocked her thwarted vengeance. How dare he? How dare he?! Shukumaru's lips curled. "I am not yet defeated, dear brother," she whispered. "A death, I will have. If not your mother's, then another." The bitter smile widened as she spoke the word of summoning. "Raiha!" she called, exultant. "Under the contract that binds us, I, Shukumaru, summon you!" The earthquake staggered everyone upon that slope. The ground shivered as though in fear, cracking and sundering before a primal force. Ranma stumbled to one knee as the surface beneath him heaved violently. Yet, he knew... staring into Shukumaru's cold eyes, devoid of any pity, he knew he wasn't even near the epicentre of the quake. He stumbled upright and turned towards his friends. In the brief instants of his confrontation with Shukumaru, the melee behind them had altered. Ryoga and Akane had been pushed closer toward the mountainside, while Shampoo and Kodachi had been swept backwards down the slope of path. The plan had come dangerously apart. Neither pair were in range to support the other. Kodachi was battling a shaggy beast that sported claws and fangs, and oozed a huge number of flailing tentacles. The array of deadly weapons facing her had prevented the Devil Hunter from closing in for a kill. Shampoo had resorted to her twin bonbori, smashing down any demon within her range with both deadly power and graceful speed. Ryoga and Akane had been grimly battling an overwhelming horde of oni when the first tremor struck. Gasping, Akane managed to stay on her feet. A flick of her katana decapitated an off-balanced horse-headed ogre. She sliced apart a trio of darting tentacles, inciting a bellow of pain, and was parrying a massive claw from another ogre- demon when the ground rolled beneath her, sending her tumbling. Then the slope of Fuji-san exploded. Stones, pebbles and bits of broken earth pelted her prone body. A large rock struck her head and she winced in pain. The world swam crazily around her, and she had to fight to regain her breath. The bright light eclipsed the shower of earth. Akane blinked back tears as the harsh radiance washed over her. Desperately, she shaded her eyes with an upraised hand so she could see, and then wished she had not. It stood a full ten meters tall at the shoulder, and stretched out more than twice that in length: a vast blue wolf in shape, made of pure crackling lightning. The snarl that emerged from its throat sounded like the distant rumble of thunder magnified a hundred times. Raiha, she woozily remembered, was its name. As though her thoughts had called it, the vulpine head turned her way. Piercing cerulean eyes stared down upon her, contemplating a morsel to be devoured. Akane's view of the creature was abruptly obscured by a man-shaped shadow. "Ryoga-kun," she whispered in sudden recognition. "Stop! I won't let you harm Akane-sa-- Ooof!" Ryoga's voice was cut off as a crackling blue paw swatted him into the side of the mountain. And then there was nothing between the Thunderbeast and herself. --- Author's Notes: 1) 'Chikumo' translates as 'earth spider'; from 'chi' which means 'earth', and 'kumo' meaning 'spider'. 2) 'Noboru Ishiyama' means 'stone mountain climb'; from 'ishi' which means 'stone', 'yama' meaning 'mountain', and 'noboru' meaning 'climb'. 3) 'Tsuyu Kumori' means 'cloudy dew'; from 'tsuyu' which means 'dew', and 'kumori' which means 'cloudiness'. 4) 'Kaminari-jinja' translates as 'Shrine of Thunder'; in fact, 'Kaminari ga naru' means 'Give forth thunder' which is where the title of this chapter originates, 'jinja' means 'Shinto shrine'. 5) 'Lei Kung' is the Duke of Thunder in Chinese mythology. 6) 'Ankoku Shizumaru' translates as 'Dark Suppression'; from 'ankoku' which means 'dark/black/demonic', and 'shizumaru' which means 'suppress'. --- --