The raven, black against the bright burning sky. A tiny dot in the vast heaven, distinct and unmoving. Cold and as unforgiving, as the winds that blew from the troubled winds, that churned and tossed the restless sea below it - foaming at the brim. Enticing like a lover that beckoned the other, that they may clasp each other in an unending embrace.
The raven, untouched, flies onward - pass the burning ball that is the sun. It's warm light bouncing off the raven's array of feathers, like water shunning the touch of black oil. And it flies on, sickened by the sea below it yearning for the sight of land. The land of its destination - of a certain promise, that lies on the distant shores of China.
And with a shriek of exultation, called to the winds, the raven flies on even farther than before. Its voice heard in the shadows of the many forests, through the grasslands of the myriad of farm fields now settling below it. Golden as the sun that shone in the bright unending sky mirroring the limitless blue sea as rustled and swayed to the passing of the wind. While the mountains in the far horizon looked like jagged teeth tearing the sky open, blanketed in white snow, echoing its wild call through the myriad of golden fields. And still it flies on, till it finally reaches a low hill with a pocket full of leafless trees on the top and flanked on either side by dry tall grass. The raven, nevertheless circles above it, scanning the far skies for something still unseen, till it finally glides down slowly to perch on a low branch that overlooked an old, abandoned and dusty road.
A road, which parted and crossed the sea of grass that freely, swayed with the passing of the wind. It's worn out path, brown and as dry as scorched soil under the heat of the blazing sun and worn away by the wind and the rain. Littered with an assortment of stones and pebbles both large and small as well as an assortment of dry dead leaves that tumbled and danced in the breeze. This road led to the mountains in the horizon and beyond it, a fertile valley of lush forest trees and haven. While the sky above it stood empty except for a few patches of slow moving, drifting clouds.
The raven as calm and composed as it was gave a sudden squawk of displeasure for the intrusion of a new stranger to his domain.
The stranger like an apparition slowly rose from the bottom of the hill on slow sure purposeful strides. His image blurred by the heat of the sun making him blurry to the beholder. And only when he got close enough, was the raven then able to see this man clearly, for this much it knew from previous contact with its cold hard master.
The stranger, the raven saw as it slowly rose into view, wore a cloth cap. Tied in such a way that it formed a rectangle above the forehead and continued that form onwards to the top and down the back of the head till it reached pass his shoulders. He also wore a blue long sleeved heavy cloth robe that fit snugly on his strong well-muscled chest. Tied at the waist by a long piece of white cloth, the rest of it hanging loosely at his side as well as a loose fitting pair of grey pants and black shoes. All of this was covered by a light coating of dust, which indicated some hard times of travel by this unusual stranger. A small bamboo rectangular-framed pack hung limply behind him as he held on to his long wooden walking staff. The man paused briefly for a while once he reached the top of the hill to wipe away the sweat that built up on his forehead, his pigtail peeked out when it tore lose of the covering given by the cloth cap. He gave a sigh of contentment as he leaned comfortably on his staff as he surveyed the surrounding countryside before him. Empty of life, save for the birds of the sky and the animals of the field. And not a single person to be seen - he was entirely alone and he gave out yet another sigh, not out of tiredness, but of a sudden longing. For his journey on the road, as he saw it, was now coming to an end.
And looking at the long, winding dirt road that lead to the foot of the mountains, he paused in silent thought of that long journey as the raven on its high perch, cold as the night that is steadfast approaching. Launched itself into the air in a flurry of feathers, cutting Ranma's reverie a bit short as he gazed up at the disappearing form of the black bird in the slowly darkening sky as its feathers fell in a slow black rain.
His attention quickly changes as he suddenly feels the biting cold of the restless wind and turns around to look back at the clouds slowly approaching.
"It's going to get dark soon." Ranma whispers to himself as he turns back from the slowly darkening clouds.
"A storm is coming..."
And with that final thought locked in his mind, Ranma runs towards the mountains just as the first black feather lands on the ground accompanied by the thunder of the coming storm.
-End Prologue-
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic - A Chinese Ghost Story
By Kahlil Noriega
All characters and rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi to whom none of this would be possible and to the creators of the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" to which I based this fanfic from.
* Author's note: This is a Ranma1/2 alternate universe fanfic from which some details may greatly differ - Enjoy!
Chapter 1 -Braving the Storm
Storm clouds cover the sun in the far horizon. Bathed in crimson and grey like a wounded animal from a fray. Absorbing what little light the sun has left to shed, before the halo of the night comes to bring the sun to its final end. While the mountains looked from afar like giant sentinels which parted and tore the vast heavens for the sun, with their sharp frost covered peaks like swords slashing the shroud of darkness in the sky.
The sun giving away what little light it could pass through the vale of clouds to bless the fertile child cradled in the womb of the mountains. Green and pure nestled in its very heart; the forest grew from the struggles of the elements. The eye of the storm has long since passed hours ago. And with it the fury of it's awesome power. Yet a trickle of that power is still evident as the lifeblood of the storm seeped out from its arms to drench the valley with its life giving blood. And the forest was thankful for it.
The ground, still filled with moisture from the rain, is soft. Growing colder by the minute as the night grew on. While mist slowly rose from the ground, playing by the suns dying light. Darting in between the trees and rocks and branches as it slowly blanketed the ground in soft wisp of white mist. Plants and grass swayed equally alike with the wind that gently passed by. Lifting in its wake, the few dead leaves on the ground making them tumble and dance as the wind willed them. While the sounds of various animals and forest life, blended in with the soft whispers of the winds gentle moan.
***
From a roadway at the base of the mountains' border, one could see the whole valley stretched out from left to right. The trees, strong and sturdy, covered the vast undergrowth in a vale of green tender leaves. And even then this canopy housed various birds and animals that considered it home. In this field of mammoth trees, the inn at the base of the mountain valley situated in a small clearing of its own by the road side, stood out against the backdrop of trees. From here it is easy enough to discern certain features for the inn itself wasn't far away from where one could see it from the mountain road. With its hanging windows that remained attach by a single hinge, to the wide open doors that let some of the rain in. Its hard wood panelled walls painted in deep shades brown as well as green where moss has found itself a home. It is almost quite surprising that someone actually lived there for it was quite run down for the smoke coming out of the chimney said as much as the aroma of food cooking did. There was also a small pen for livestock at the back of the inn as well as a broken down wagon cart with its huge wheels lying down beside it, covered by weeds, dust and dirt.
***
From a distance, one could see a running form emerging from the forest edge. Her clothes; wet and dishevelled clung tightly on her slight small body as the sounds of splattering water echoed in the cold wind. The mild rumbles of thunder swallowed up most of the sounds of her footfalls on water only to be followed then by the rain's continuous drumming a moment on. Running to escape the rain, Ranko clung hard to her cloth cap as it danced with the rushing breeze. The wind unrelenting pierced her with its cold icy touch, as she awkwardly held on to her long wooden staff as she ran towards the nearby inn.
***
The inn, like so many of it's patrons was dirty and in dire need of repair. Its creaking wooden floors mimicked the sounds of mice that freely roamed the inns dusty interior. While the stench of aged old liquor and rotting meat mixed in with the sweat of its various patrons wafted freely outside through the myriad of holes in the inns' walls as dirt and grime settled over the many tables and benches that lined it. A small counter lay in a corner of the inn beside the main doors on the left-hand side. The wall behind it held an assortment of plates, cups and saucers some were even chipped and cracked from use, as it was old and dusty. An old greying man stood behind this counter, worn and as bald as the inn he owned. Wearing only a dull blue Chinese robe over his grey pants and a piece of black cloth tied around his waist, which served as a belt. White socks and a pair of black shoes completed his attire as well as his remarkably long snow white beard that hung over his chest.
After adjusting his black Chinese cap over his head, he surveyed the inns' fairly lighted interior. Giving only a hint of a nod to what he was thinking as his hand slowly rubbed his chin. Calling a waiter to his side, a young man of twelve to fourteen years or so. He asked the lad to light a few more candles on the tables to illuminate the place a bit for it was getting dark and it seemed that the storm has not yet passed. And as the boy left to do his work only then did he truly see the boy. Sporting a close crop of black hair and brown eyes with a medium sized built. The old man thought that the boy really looked out of place in the inn with its gruff old waiters that seldom smiled. The boy would be a poor substitute indeed, for a guard if ever a fight broke out, which it often did when a few men got a little too much to drink. He thought then that he should talk to this boy about his job here, yet he shoves it aside as he greets a customer leaving the inn. There would be enough time for that later.
Waiters clothed in dull white shirts and grey pants freely circulated among its' many customers, while taking orders and giving them their respective meals. Always busy serving a variety of farmers that worked and toiled the fields all day to a group of town drunkards' bent on drowning their problems in ale. And even on occasion, a merchant or two would join in from a hard day's worth of trading in the market. While travellers in their dirt covered robes would sometimes chat and speak of their grand tales to the folks inside the inn. And through it all, the waiters kept to them selves looking quietly at their customers with dull lifeless eyes. The laughter and the noise of the many patrons washing pass them, even though their talk was clearly audible from outside. So they were quite surprised when a sudden hush settles over in the inns large interior. As all eyes were suddenly glued and focused on the new arrival standing by the doorway.
Her figure carved and outlined by the flashes of lightning only to be dimmed by its passing. Yet the picture of her standing there still remained only to be strengthened when the lightning flashed again. Which left them yearning for even more for her soft sensual curves that her clothes poorly hid because of its wetness from the rain that made them cling to her skin. The allure of this vixen left the men in the room with their mouths agape as they continued to stare in silent worship. The heat of their desire, plain and rising while they devoured the scene from which this girl walked out of some fantasy.
***
Ranko walks in. Oblivious of the hush and stares of the inns numerous patrons as she casually seats herself on a nearby wooden bench by the doors light. The lighted candle on top of the table, danced shadows and hi-lights on her with its flickering luminous glow. Collecting in her eyes, making them shine even through the darkness.
Laying down her bamboo pack and staff gently beside her bench. She pulls out a piece of white cloth from her bag and gently applies it on her cold wet body then on her face, her neck, down to her arms and hands then leaving it on top of the bamboo pack. Her robe, damp and heavy with rainwater has one side of it dangling under her shoulder. Exposing pale white flesh. Which gave its viewer, a generous view of her ample cleavage as candlelight freely danced on her smooth skin. Finding some solace from the heat of the candle, Ranko relaxes for a moment. Sighing with contentment as she the heat of the candle washed away the coldness of the rain. Its' gentle warmth, brought with it a slight smile to her face. Lifting up her arms to undo her pigtail. She lets loose in the process, a cascade of long red hair, that fell to the length of her back which she gently gathered in her arms. Taking again the piece of white cloth, she gently applies it on her fiery hair, drying it with slow soft strokes as though caressing a kitten in her hand. The men surrounding her couldn't believe their eyes as they kept thinking of the luck that brought them such a goddess in there midst.
Piercing blue eyes that cut through the darkness and gloom of the inns' interior looked out from an oval face framed by fire. While her pale virgin lips slowly ignited the fires of lust in the room. Her clothes clinging to her body even more with every slight movement of her breathing. Each breath brought with it a few more appreciative eyes. Recollecting herself, she quickly adjusts her garments, pulling it closer to her. This action brought with it, a slight chill running up her spine, which came from the cold water it still retained. The feeling passes quickly though as she settles her eyes on the presence of the young waiter before her.
"Mistress." the young waiter slowly calls to Ranko. "Mistress. I've brought you some hot soup. It must be terribly cold outside. Here please take it.... On the house... I promise...." This he said in a soft rush as he gently lowered the bowl he held onto the table.
Ranko smiles at the offering the young man gave her. And taking that as acknowledgement enough. The boy leaves her to her own business, beaming as he left to attend to his chores around the inn. Blushing as he left though stealing brief glances here and there. Ranko sees him go; though he looked no older than she did. She thought that it must be hard for the boy to work in such a place. Feeling a touch of pity for him for she sees innocence, not yet tinged by real life in the world. This she knew much when she came out.
Ranko smiles again at the thought bringing into mind past events of her life since her accidental dip in the Jusenkyo pool. The thought however brought a slight frown to her face that quickly passes with the memory. She smiles again at the thought though.
"You're really pretty!" said suddenly by a rough bearded man. The stench and sight of him cutting Ranko's reverie a bit short just as much as he rudely seats himself on the bench opposite from hers. Taking with him, her hand to caress as he continued to stare at her with a toothless grin. Cold black eyes peeked out from behind his unruly long hair. Held only back by a thin piece of red cloth that covered most of his forehead. His expression showed utter delight for the smoothness of her skin. While his friends, a group of four or five men watched the confrontation from a secluded corner of the inn. Wearing an assortment of smirks and grins. Their manner as well as looks matched the man seated before her. One of the men in the corner she saw wore an open grin, his scar crossing the length of his face on his left cheek. He wore a tattered dull green jade-breastplate over brown and torn robes as he absently toyed with the knife in his hand. Showing no concern at all what so ever with what he was doing. The others wore the same, though some brandished swords while another had an axe strapped behind his back. Yet all had the same filthy minds in their heads.
"Please leave me alone." Ranko said pulling her hand free only to be taken forcefully back again. Her along with it as she faced the man directly before her. Their faces, only inches apart. Ranko's piercing blue eyes filled with contempt and hatred was focused on the object of her disdain. Trying to keep calm as she thought of a way to get out of here.
"I know your kind," he hissed at her. At the same time slamming down a bunch of coins as he drew her face in closer to him for a kiss. A slap rewarded him for his troubles as Ranko stood up to leave. The thought of what the man said to her still lingering in her mind. Damn the man for thinking me of that! she thought. The leader still shocked by the slap for a while suddenly stands up in a blind fury as he batters away the table before him letting it crash on the far wall.
"NO ONE DEFIES ME WENCH!" the leader shouts at her as his men drew up beside him to confront Ranko.
"Master please..." the young waiter, said as he drew up beside the man, deliberately placing himself between them. "There is no need for all of this - Argghh..."
"SHUT UP!" the leader screams as he battered the helpless waiter with a backhanded fist to the face. The waiter caught by surprise takes the full blow as he crumples down to the floor in pain. The leader paid the waiter no mind as walks forward over his crumpled body striding towards his prize.
"Why are you doing this!" Ranko asks as she feels the hard wooden wall press along her spine. She didn't realise that she was backing away from the approaching form of the man till it was finally to late. The leader leaned his body against hers. Trapping her with his body while his arms outstretched on either side of her rested comfortably on the unyielding wall. She hastily turns her face away from him as the leader's friends joined in for a viewing circle around them to watch the proceedings.
"I don't know why." He replied courtly in her ear as he continued to stare at her turned face. Enjoying the feel of her this close to him. "But I do know this. You're going to pleasure me all night."
The leader smiles a toothless grin at his own reply. Outrage Ranko turns her head to face him as he gently lowered his face to steal a kiss with lips puckered up and eyes closed. Ranko repulsed by his reply gives no hesitation as she deliberately knees the man in the groin. The leader folding in half from the pain as his hands desperately grasped its source. Agony - clearly shown on his face as Ranko shoves pass him into the waiting arms of one of the leaders men. The leader, collapsed and lying on the floor before her, with eyes full of hate rolled from side to side to relieve the pain. While she desperately struggled to free herself from her captors' strong grip. Who laughed at her puny struggle to escape him.
"You are a feisty one aren't you!" the man holding Ranko said. Clearly enjoying her struggling in his grip.
`
"Let her GO!" A hard voice suddenly shouted from the back of the inn. It's call answered by several other voices though unsure who have witnessed the scene. Its' abrupt call, took the attention of the leaders men off of Ranko as they all looked for the source of it.
"What did you say?!" the scarred man said. Brandishing his knife in hand as he looked upon his audience all tuned in on the knife he held. Those men forced under that stare, fidgeted under the scrutiny as fear of their own lives over took them.
"I said, what did YOU say!" the scarred man shouted.
"I said... let her... go..." replied a fat man slowly rising from his seat. Fear clearly etched on his bloated face. His sweat trickling down as he swallowed a small lump forming in his throat.
"Why don't you just try." The man holding the knife said. His obvious threat strengthened by his companions that joined him as they all looked at the merchant who slowly cowered in the darkness again. While the rest of the inns patrons just stood there in still silence, watching. The old man at the counter could do little in anyway to help, as he felt resigned to his fate as an observer.
The leader recovering from Ranko's blow stands up, yet the pain in his groin made the attempt feeble, he still manages to stand with a little help from his followers. Anger a plain mask on his face as he stared down at Ranko with pure hatred.
"You BITCH!! Aarrummph" he said, slapping Ranko across the face as she staggers from the force of the blow to fall on the floor before him. Thin trails of blood seeped out from the sides of her mouth as she felt her cheek burn with pain. Her mind seemingly knocked out of place made her dizzy that she failed to see the leader pull out his knife and level it before him.
"NOOOOO!" the young boy screamed as he tackled the leader from behind. Encircling his arms around the leaders' waist as he pulled them both down to the floor a small distance away from Ranko. His battle cry was quickly swallowed by the noise and shouts of the leaders' men each of whom sprung to the aide of their fallen leader. Ganging up on the small boy, listing him up as he struggled to break free. All the while, the men left Ranko all alone on the floor.
"RUN MISTRESS! RUunnahuuhhhhh! Aargghhh!" the waiter screamed. Then coughing out blood as the scarred man pulled out his bloody knife out from the waiters' back. Then letting the waiter fall to the ground with eyes glazing, as he looked far off into nothing. His death wails diminishing under the fists and kicks of his assailants.
Upon seeing this Ranko runs for the door and into the shadows of the night to the waiting forests. Her mind racing with her heart making her hear again the young mans dying plea as he begged her to run. Run as a fawn might from a hungry bear with fear pushing, urging her even more to leave everything else, and flee. And she did, rising, she headed off into the night, into the forest that she hoped would shroud her from their cold dark eyes. Into the cold night she ran, the clouds dry except for their ceaseless rumble and the pounding of her beating heart.
"AFTER HER YOU FOOLS! DON'T LET HER ESCAPE!" the leader screamed at his men upon seeing Ranko's escape through the doors of the inn.
The men, suddenly realising this leaves the waiter they were beating and gave chase. Never seeing nor regretting the act they did as they pursued her into the darkness of the cold night. The old man, weak and beaten hefted the head of the young lad in his arms, as they lay there on the bloodied floor. Tears streaked both his eyes as he turned to look at the congregation of silent folk that witnessed the murder of the youth as they hid in the darkness.
***
{Somewhere inside the forest}
"Damn lost her again." The man said as he landed on a limb of a nearby tree. Frustration and anger clearly etched on his young face as he cursed the rain and his luck, for again his prey has escaped him. His white bandannas dancing in the wind accompanied by the long strips of cloth wrapped around the sleeves of his forearms. His circular straw woven hat hung limply around his neck even as he adjusted his footing on the branch of the tree.
Squatting down, with one knee balanced precariously on the limb, he held out his bamboo umbrella in front of him before he drove the tip of it through bark and branch for added support. The wind was cold at this height, and strong even though the storm had passed hours ago. Smoothing out loose strands of hair that covered his eyes, he surveyed the scene below him. Exploring and memorising every minute detail even though the moons' light afforded little, which played shadows in the trees and bushes. This only made him more careful.
"I'll get you... Someday." he finally answers to no one as he smiles one of his toothy grins, reliving a memory only he could see. That he was so sure of himself that it surprised him.
"But first. I need to find my way bacc...huh?"
Ryouga paused as the sounds of frantic running accompanied by shouts and screams shattered the stillness of the forest. Cutting all thoughts and memory as caution emerged instantly. Instinct brought him immediately to the conclusion of examining the cause of this disturbance. Leaping from his perch, he scanned the forest from the air, the need for action was unbearable as he readily jumped from tree to tree. In the hopes of finding the cause that bothered him so greatly.
***
Ranko could feel her own heart beating as the need for air came in short gulps. Muscles to tired from running, strained from fatigue, started to fail her as exhaustion and pain took its toll on her weary body. Her vision limited by the darkness and as well as the slowly forming fog creeping on the forests' floor slowed her pace significantly. The fear of the men chasing her as well as the fear of tripping or breaking a leg would only ensure of her greatest fears. The wind gave no comfort either for her clothes chilled her with cold even more because of its wetness. Yet the shouts and curses of her pursuers brought a sharper chill down her spine, as it became stronger and audible by the minute. Her fear rising again of what they would do to her when they caught up to her came rushing in a torrent of fearful emotions. Which spurred her even more to run.
***
"When I find that girl, I SWEAR, she will be sorry she ever tried to cross me again THIS I PROMISE!"
"Boss what if we don't find her?"
"I don't care if you trip on your face trying! FIND HER! She will warm our cold wet bodies till the night is over."
And with this thought firmly lodge in the men's minds, they ran like wolves in the hunt.
***
The wind swiftly passed by Ranko's sleek form as she dodged pass trees, roots and branches. Sweat stung her eyes making it even harder to see the uneven path before her. Her movements faltering under the agony and strain of sore muscles, yet she moves on. Her face was a portrait of sheer determination as she fought with pain, yet knowing her own limits, she knows can't go on much farther. And as her mind briefly wanders off from the trail she ran, she losses her footing as she trips on an exposed tree root that she failed to see in her sprint for freedom.
Rolling and tumbling pass shrubs and soil; she skids to a stop in a small clearing. Pain dulling her senses even further as she desperately tries to get up. She recognises the futility of it as she realises that she twisted her ankle during fall. Yet even this does not stop her determination, she drags herself on the ground, pulling, twisting making every movement a move forward. And all the while, darkness lingered, slowly stealing her vision as she realises, with fear, the extent of her exhaustion. Fear gripped her even more as the thought of being helpless under them brought tears to her eyes. The sounds of pursuit were getting closer and closer, as she lay there defenceless on the ground. Waiting for the wolves to feast upon her naked flesh. Her vision wavered a bit as the extent of her wounds took their toll on her body. She catches only a shred of a high-pitched scream and the sounds of metal upon metal as she finally slips into the waiting arms of darkness.
-End chapter one-
(First draft)
-Next chapter-
To Lotus Temple
*All comments and flames accepted though please note that this is my first fanfic. Your comments would be greatly appreciated, as it will help me improve this story. Please send all flames and comments to: becknkal@addax.bc.ca thanks!
*Authors note: I got this Ranma 1/2 fanfic inspiration from the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" and as much as I would like to stick to the original story. I must differ from it because of the characters "changes" and besides I can't duplicate such a great story. To all those who haven't seen the movie, Watch it! It is a GREAT film. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this.
Character Backgrounds: (If you were wondering...a little explanation.)
Ranma/Ranko -
He/She is a travelling scholar, a learned man/woman. Who writes and composes poems and stories, which he/she sells in the towns he passes by for a living. Much of his past will be revealed in upcoming chapters. But as we all know, the real Ranma can be such a jerk sometimes, this Ranma/Ranko is much gentler - well you decide on that.
Ryouga -
Ryouga in this story is a wandering Taoist monk who fights to keep both worlds from destroying each other. And is pretty much pure to the world.
Ranma 1/2 Fanfic - A Chinese Ghost Story
By Kahlil Noriega
All rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi and to the creators of "A Chinese Ghost Story" to which I based this Fanfic from.
*Authors note: This is a Ranma 1/2 alternate universe Fanfic to which some details may defer greatly from the original - Enjoy!
In the emptiness of the void, cold as the night and less than forgiving - and her - the center of her existence, floating in it's turbulent core of wrought emotions long kept and hidden, forced back in the recesses of her soul. Her constant struggle in life, and yet all this time she felt she was on the losing side of the battle, but now a new comfort arose, surprising but reassuringly enough, soft and tender, welcoming. The feelings that emerged from this, suddenly warmed her soul and her entire being, surrounding her like a rushing tide of water that swept her off her feet and of all senses of the cold - which ended the longing.
Soft, gentle and soothing - a touch of warm joy and happiness emerging and of a lightness she's never felt since her childhood. Of innocence like no other ever felt in hers years of wandering. Like home and of a mother's reassuring touch, unfamiliar yet welcomed, caressing her skin in soft gentle waves of heat, and maybe of love. Radiating from the light of a small flickering candle by her bedside.
Its base so thoroughly melted and spread out unevenly on the hardwood surface of the table while long tendrils of black columnous smoke snaked up its way to the clouded heavens. The small luminous, burning flame danced and flickered with but the slightest touch of the cold wind. And like a the hand of death, the fire died, consumed by the wind and darkness again resumes it's death march as the light again faded in the midst of the dying candle. And unconsciously Ranko struggles at its death, shivering and shaking out of fear and of the cold. Whose frosty hands once again held her heart yet the dying of the light that came from the small waxed candle, was enough even to illuminate even just a fraction of the darkness she felt with in.
Sleep came like a misbegotten dream yet like a child still unawares of all the problems around her. She snuggles deeper into the folds of the blanket draped around her. And frowns unconsciously, but she pays it no mind - She knows she's found rest - A rest she hadn't known for a long time. And she sleeps - she dreams as innocent as she, she dreams...
Then, she remembers it all - Lost, in the flashes of the storm...
<Flash>
<A loud thunder crash>
["Darkness?..."]
<Flash>
Darkness as far as the eye could see, here in the forest full of shadows. Where light from the moon above is but a touch of gray in the thick foliage of the forest interior. A haven for hells dark denizens to prowl and hunt, their voices carried by the passing of the cold harsh wind. Which rattled and shook the bone like hands of the leafless trees nearby.
And where the hands of death mocked those that dared enter, grabbing and laughing with the wind as its prey desperately tries to untangle itself from its vicious claws. While the ghost like fog that crept on the moist soft ground lashed out with its tentacles that reached out from its hollow, formless core. Spreading its deathly arms to cover those foolish enough to stray from the path in a shear glimmering-white patch of cold mist. Blinding anything that dared enter its forbidden cloak. And through it all, the frantic sounds of a person running where intermixed with the voices of deaths own hounds. Laughing like the jackals they are as they pursued the helpless fawn in the realms of their dark master.
<Flash>
["So cold... I feel so cold]
< Rumble >
[They're still after me - must get away."]
{Whispers}
<Did you find her?>
<No>
<Where could she be?> <GO!> <Hurry!>
<Flash> <Rumble>
["Run, must run. Can't let them get me.]
{Voices}
<She couldn't have gone that far>
<Where is she>
<Go!>
[Oh God they're coming closer!"]
<Flash> {The Fog and Mist}
["Everything is so dark - Ahh...uhhh...Can't see] - <Cough> - <Cough> - [Ahh...uhh...t... th... the fog.... ca...can....uhhh umm...can't <cough> <cough> uhh...umm...breathe."] - <Choke> uhh...umm.
<Rumble> <Crash><Footfalls on water>
["Must run, must get away.] Uhhh...oww!...umm... [The branches...ahh....Must get free- So many. Feel like hands grabbing me, slowing me down. Can't slow down] - Aaaahhrgg!!!...uhh...uhhh...huhh - [Can't - uhh...let them... catch me!] Ahhhhh!...ah...oww...it hurts...ahh...uuhh [Muscles aching - NO!...Uhhh...arrhgh] - The pain - [It hurts so much!... afraid..."]
<Ah boss, what if we don't find her?>
< Then don't show me your face ever again>
<Yeah...I gotcha boss.>
<Flash> <Thunder Crash>
Uhh...["Blood - is it mine?] {Holds up her arm as warm crimson washes down the length of it}- [It... can't be?] - Uhh...Ahh...{bloodied hand to her forehead and shakes a bit} [...feel... so dizzy...] So tired {she said in a whisper}. [Must... go on... "]
<Flash><Rumble> {Deep in the woods}
["Must run - Shadows? - so many - darting through the trees] - <Can you see her?> <No> <Look for her again.> <Wait, did you hear something?> <No, wait...over there!> <Go!> [RUN! ,must get away..."]
<Flash><Thunder Clash>
["<RUN Mistress! > - That voice? {PAIN} ahhrgh! - <Run Mistress!!!> {Flash - Boy} - The boy from the inn! - {Blood!} - His blood {A boy falling, mouth pouring out blood} that face...NO! His eyes, glazing as he fell - <Flash> {Shock} <Flash> {His death} <Flash> {as he fell} <Flash> <Flash> <Flash> {I run...as he came crashing on the inns dirt covered floor.}<Flash>{Running in the forest} - The thought of running was on impulse - they killed him! - My god, they killed him {tears from her eyes} - Must run, can't let them catch me..."]
<Flash> <Thunder Crash>
["Voices so close] - <HAHaHaHahauhHaHaHa!> - [cruel and malicious - cold and full of anger. When they slaughtered him] < Where is she? - Uhh can't find her - FIND her! > <Over here! This way! > - [The men from the inn. - They are the ones who killed that boy I met. His death cries still haunts me in my thoughts... "]
<Flash><Rumble> {Intense Pain}
Aaarhhgghh!!...["Then the pain... - So sharp - I can feel it course through my whole body] - <I scream> {Not because of the pain, no partly, it is the realization that death will come to take me.} [No, not now!]{Tumbles down in the dirt, rolling and crashing through bush and leaves} [The world spinning before my eyes till I come to a complete stop - and all I could feel is the pain..."]
<Flash> <Thunder Clash>
Uhh...ummm...["I can feel the earth under me, so soft and cold from the rain then did I know that I've stopped] <Did you see her? > <Yeah, I think she fell that way. > <That's a pretty steep fall> <you think she's still alive? > <Well one thing's for certain. > <What's that boss? > <I'm going to have my way with her, dead or alive, the things she's put me through, she'll regret having come cross paths with me. Come on! > Uhhhh...aaargh...ahh...uhhh... ["I try to move but I can't...uhh...umm... ca... can't breathe.] - [Footsteps!] - [I struggle...but to no avail...I feel...] Ahhrrghh... {pain} [...the fear clutching my heart and the warm tears streaming down my eyes - and the hurt...I feel in my soul..."] - [I close my eyes.]
<Flash>
<Do you see her?>
<No not yet. >
<She's around here somewhere.>
<I'd like to get this over done now.>
<Why?>
<This forest is giving me the chills.>
<Nahh...It's just your imagination spooking you.>
<I hope so...>
["Voices!... so close, <A face> - that grin - so dark and cold - NO!"]
<Flash><Clash of Thunder>
<Flash>
{The boy}
<Flash>
{Knife stabbing}
<Flash>
{Blood}
<Flash>
{A face}
<Flash><Flash><Flash><Flash>
["That grin - That smile - That face - NO! - MUST RUN! MUST GET AWAY!"]
"YOUR MINE!" the voice said in the darkness.
***
{Waking from the dream.}
"NNNOOOOOOOOO!" Ranko screams in the darkness of her room, <thunder crackles from outside followed by the flashes of lightning> as she bolts upright from the soft warm bed she lay on, shaking and shivering as she stared at nothing on the far end of the room. Wrapping her arms around her body as she clutched herself in a desperate embrace for sanity and from the fear of the dream.
Sweat covered most of her forehead and her torn clothes showed more than one dark wet patch as her tears freely ran down her soft moist cheeks as she cried her soul out of all the pain she felt within. Her tangled loose hair was matted and covering most of her face as realization puts fear suddenly in her eyes as she recalled the events of her chase. And with the ghost like voices that kept haunting her in her head.
["You're mine, You're Mine, You're mine..."] the voices said as she cupped her hands over her ears in the hopes the ghosts would go away. Drumming and hammering her with it's unceasing cadence.
While the memory of it all flooded back in producing a fresh batch of tears which she wept openly in her open hands, shuddering at the men's laughter as it echoed again within her thoughts and heart. Bringing with it a slight chill that crawled up her spine. While the thunder and the rain from outside mimicked the coldness and confusion that she felt within.
***
{The flashes of the storm continue from outside, the rain pounding hard on the houses slate roof}
Once all the hurt had been washed away by the tears and the pain they brought rendered into a dull throb. She looks around cautiously at her surroundings as she suddenly recognizes the foreign touch of the soft warm blanket underneath her as well as the one she held in her hand and the comfortable bed she lay on. Ranko looks at her body hastily, feeling herself for any violation and sighs with relief for being alone and at the sight and feel of having her clothes on, wet as they maybe, but thankful nonetheless.
Taking the blanket again, she brought it closer, enjoying the warmth and softness it brought against her skin. She also even found herself with a few bandages on her arms and forehead. Which brought some concern to her on who could have helped her. But then dismisses the thought quickly as the noise from the rain outside, with it's ceaseless droning as well as and the clash of thunder, brought her to stare at the simple sliding window in the room she apparently stayed in.
Lightning from the storm, suddenly lit the dark room then dimmed it again at its passing only to be followed by the crash of thunder. Ranko shivers unconsciously and turns away from this as it brought back with it the fear of the chase, and proceeds to examine the room she lay in.
The lightning from outside afforded only minimal light yet it gave enough so that Ranko could discern certain details of the room. The smothered candle lay on a small wooden table by the bed with it's slow rising gray column of smoke shifting and vanishing with the breath of the wind. She gave a slight smile as she stared at the lone candle, which had brought some warmth to her. After which she began to examine the room even further as she sat in the middle of the bed.
Aside from the small table beside her on the right hand side of the bed, there by the foot of the bed on the far wall there she saw another small table flanked on either side with a pair of wooden chairs. On this table she noted, there is a small pot with some flowers in it and a wash bowl and a small towel beside it. While above this, hung a large painting. Curious, she got up on the left-hand side of the bed, not forgetting to take with her the soft warm blanket. Which she held modestly to her chest as she walked over to the picture to look at it.
She glides to the far wall on soft uncovered feet, to view the image seen within that frame. Of a beauty whose artist might have been divinely touched. For long she stared in ecstasy. That of a girl who washed her coal black hair, by a flowing crystal stream, under the shade of a cherry tree. Flowers bloomed around her as the birds did in the air. While flowing robes of silky white matched the color of her leg as soft as the clouds that danced in the wind. Her robe of woven silk clung to her form, revealing every curve and line that bespoke of grace immortalized. Her face held an everlasting sweet smile as did her eyes, which men would want to drown in.
Not realizing her drifting hand that took to its own course to trace the outline of the girls rose red lips then as if to caress when it strayed to her cheek. Ranko blushed a bit at what she saw and did, but she couldn't tear her eyes off of it. Focused was she on the painting, that she didn't realize the shadowed form moving in the background.
"Ohh...So you're finally awake." a voice said in the darkness, the candle he held revealed a slight smile as he stepped into the room. In his hands was a small wooden tray, which held the candle and a small bowl of steaming hot soup balanced neatly on the tray.
"Wai?..Wait!..." Ranko, surprised at the sudden appearance of the stranger runs away in haste to the side of the bed, placing it between her and the stranger. All the while trying desperately to calm her as he moved to place the tray on the table which Ranko had just left a while ago. Ranko in the mean time was backing away from him as far as she could go in the far most corner of the bed as she openly stared at the intruder, gathering most of the sheets to her as a make shift shield to cover herself. And if need be a weapon, though not a very good one she thought. When the man tried to approach her, his arms extended before him in an open handed gesture while he stared at her from where he stood...
"Don't come any closer!" Ranko shouted to the man. Which he gently complied by slowly backing away as he raised his hands in a show of obedience.
"Do you always show this kind of gratitude to those who happen to have saved your life?" the man retorts with no hint of mockery to Ranko as he casually smiles at her. A sharp tooth peeking out of his mouth giving him a feral look as she stared at the man standing before her.
Ranko flashes bright crimson on her cheeks and is surprised at his sudden reply. Studying him closely she noted the mans fairly long bangs held back by multiple pieces of white cloth tied at his temples, he also wore loose fitting blue robes and pants as well as white socks and black ankle high shoes. The sleeves and tied closed with a piece of rope in a zigzag pattern the same pattern to on his shins. But what was striking was that the same white pieces of cloth were also tied around his forearms as though a bandage but is not. A white cloth belt completed the entire picture. Satisfied, she lets her guard down a bit and sits on the bed casually still looking at him though she is still uncertain as to what to do next. She misses the crimson glow on his cheeks as she sat there thinking of what to do, then finally.
"Thank you." Ranko replies slowly and softly as it seemed to her only fitting to give her thanks for being rescued from those men who were after her.
After saying this, the man relaxed a bit, and so did some of the tension that's been building since that sudden interruption.
"I...uhhmm...managed to cure most of your wounds and bandage them, but umm...I couldn't do...uhh...anything about..." the man said clearly embarrassed by this exchange. So he pointed to Ranko's disheveled clothing which revealed more than it should have.
Ranko flashes crimson at the implied statement then replying "Uhh...umm...Thank's." Ranko replies softly, cutting the man's previous thoughts as she meekly adjusts her clothing and leaves it at that in silence.
While Ranko did this, the man had moved over to the table beneath the painting and arranges her meal for her as Ranko watched from behind.
"Where am I, what is this place?" Ranko asks as the man made to move to the door upon completion of his task.
"We'll talk about that tomorrow. That's if you don't mind, do you? You've had quite an exciting day and you would feel much better if you had some rest." the man said with a touch of concern in his voice.
Ranko doesn't reply but understands what the man is trying to say. So she just smiles in acceptance and said. "Tomorrow then..."
"You should get some rest, and something to eat. I left you a bowl of soup right there on the table. You will be safe here. I promise. No one will bother you while I'm around." the man thumps his chest proudly as he said this then coughs managing only after a weak smile.
"Thank you." Ranko replied smiling.
And with that reply the man walks over to the door to leave.
"Wait!" Ranko calls. Letting her outstretched hand fall to her side as the man turns around to face her. "I...I didn't get your name."
The man looks to the ground, flushing in embarrassment, smiling coyly from underneath his calm expression then looking firmly again at her he replies saying, "Ryoga, Hibiki Ryouga. And... welcome to Lotus Temple."
Ranko smiles at this and repeats the name, "Ryouga" then nods her agreement looking at him squarely in the face as he turns around to face the door. Her Eyes still glued to his back but not before receiving a gentle smile and a gracious nod of acknowledgement from him as he departs through the door of her new room.
***
{Outside of the Ranko's Room}
Ryouga left the room feeling lighthearted, and a bit confused. In all of his years in martial arts, his training has never prepared him for what was to happen today. Never had he been so out of focus towards another person. Well maybe not all the time he thought, sometimes even half the time when his master was teaching him about the spirit world.
Maybe, his master could shed some light into the matter. ["But he isn't due for some time...huh...I guess I could wait until he comes back."] he thought. And with that locked firmly in his head he heads down the long hallway and down the narrow flight of stairs that lead into an open courtyard to do his evening meditations. Though he did have a hard time concentrating that evening.
***
{Back in the room}
Ranko watches Ryouga vanish behind the old wooden door as she sat there on the soft warm bed. Then gives a sigh of relief, as she lay back down on the bed, snuggling close to the soft pillow that was provided for her. Thinking quietly all the while of the kindness this nice young man did for her. Saving her from those nasty bandits and how he kindly treated her wounds and even fed her if shelter wasn't enough. Now that she thought about it, in the past, she has met only a few of like him throughout her journey through China. And even then it wasn't easy enough like this. She thought of repaying his kindness if she could sometime in the future but turns her attention back to the picture on the wall. Staring at it long enough it brought to mind several questions which was floating inside of her head since discovering the picture. But the thought is silently pushed aside for exhaustion finally caught up again with her and this time sleep came decidedly peaceful. While the rumble and splatter of the storm outside increased their noise was lessened by the sheltering walls of the temple. Mouthing a silent prayer to the Gods in her mind she settles down deeper into her sleep as the light from the wick of the candle on the table, underneath the portrait of the girl, finally burns out. Leaving a smoky trail that lead to the heavens and on till nighttime as Ranko slept through the storm.
***
{The next morning}
The sounds of daylight brought with it the cheerful voices of the birds, as the frolicked in the branches of the stout trees that lined the walls of Lotus Temple.
Warm gentle light flooded into the room where Ranko lay sleeping on the bed, from a nearby window. Which found her body resting on its side, her face to window, covered in the soft sheets of her blanket.
The light of the morning sun shining brightly on her face as she blinked at its brightness. Rising slowly, her arms supporting her wearily off the bed she looks at the window briefly, letting her mind settle as she tried to recall the evening's events. Rubbing her eye softly to clear it, she sits up to a comfortable position then scans the room briefly, finding the finished bowl of soup under the beautiful girl in the picture. Which she remembered, though vaguely, haunted her dreams last night, which made her blush and smile at herself.
Turning to the side of the bed her feet firmly planted on the wooden floor she stretches her arms in the air and reluctantly stands up off the bed to dress. Noting that she had only one piece of clothing and she was wearing it now, rubbing her nose at it's torn and disarrayed pieces, she tries to fix what she can and be as presentable in it. Finding the washbowl and towel she quickly cleans up her face up. Once done, she looks back at her room and begins arranging the blankets, after all she thought, ["I will be sleeping here...for a while I guess.]
***
Stepping out of the door that led to her room, she turns to find herself staring out in a fairly lit corridor. The door to her right leading into her room with two other doors, spaced away just a few meters apart from each other, ran along the hallway. Parallel to these doors she noted at the end of the hallway was an opening and in it a narrow stairway leading down.
Crossing the distance between her and the steps, she walks down and turns at an opening, she found herself suddenly staring at an open room. Lined on either side with chairs and tables of antique design and on the far wall away from her were two tall doors, currently open and pass then was a garden and beyond it the forest. Opposite these doors, beside her to the left was a single table. And on it she saw was a small statue of a golden Buddha and of other various holy instruments used for prayers and rituals. On the table was a small pot and in it were three burning incense sticks which were very fragrant as well as a holy sword that lay on it's side on a small mount right before the golden statue.
Ranko turns her attention from them to the open courtyard for she suddenly hears some noises of shouts and grunts and of the pounding of feet on stone. Walking slowly across the room she leans on the open door then slowly peers out into the courtyard before her. There she finds Ryouga practicing his martial arts on a clear floor just a few feet away from her. Shirtless and covered in sweat, still sporting those white pieces of cloth on his temples and forearms as he moved from stance to stance, and sometimes leaping and jumping, throwing punches and kicks into the air. Ranko watched him for a moment noting every precise motion and form till finally he pauses in a ready stance letting the wind blow pass his face and lifting the loose ends of the cloth into the air. His face etched to hardness as he tried to perfect his art of fighting. Then suddenly letting go of the tenseness then relaxes then turns to suddenly find her facing as a sudden moment of awkwardness arises the both fall into silence.
Ryouga didn't see or feel her presence till he finally finished his morning practice that he was still shocked to find her there watching him. ["I guess it wasn't a dream after all."] He thought. ["Well I'm glad."] He looks up to face her and gives a smile as she saw her smile at him.
"Hello" Ranko said a bit softly as she looks at Ryouga curiously.
"Hello" Ryouga replies, though a bit unsure then quickly turns to pick up a piece of cloth which he found on the small steps leading into the courtroom then quickly cleans himself up with it.
Ranko in the mean time took this opportunity to step down and sit on the stone steps. Turning to face the garden. ["How different it is from the inside. Full of flowers and trees, and...look! ... {Smiling} ... there is even a pool for water where lotus blossoms could grow."] She thought as she stared at the rectangular formation before her.
With its four small stone pagodas which occupied each corner of the simple rectangular rock formation that came to about at 2 feet in height and with a generous amount of surface above for one to sit comfortably on. It was a stone bench where people could enjoy the blossoms up-close or if one chose sleep beside them and still have room for another to sit on.
The interior of the rectangular pool was filled with water and in it were small golden colored fish that swam freely underneath the blossoms of the white lotus flowers that covered most of the center of the rectangular pool. It was a beautiful sight to see and with it, if the pool wasn't good enough, just a few meters away were trees and flowers of all sorts. And beyond this, pass another flight of stone steps was the heart of the forest itself, lush and full of green while birds flew freely in the air and forest creatures dwelt freely, grazing in the soft green grass. While the sun above the forests canopy was a bright ball of fire in the sky.
"Its beautiful here." Ranko said unconsciously as she gazed at the surrounding view of the temple court. Which itself was also a sight to see, strong stout pillars and dragons of gold and silver lined its walls and roof and hangings while the sign of "Lotus Temple" hung above the tall wooden doors of the temple, in gilded letters.
"Yes it is..." Ryouga said a bit unsure cause to him it was what it was to him, a temple as he sat across from her on the stone bench of the rectangular pool. He looks at the forest again and back at Ranko who was still facing away and looking at the forests. He blushes and turns away looking at the ground before him.
"Lady..." Ryouga called softly, then pauses when Ranko looks at him all a glow, he coughs then proceeds, saying, "...you must be hungry." Ranko just nods and smiles, blushing looking down at the ground embarrassed.
"The food will be ready in a few minutes that is if you don't mind waiting?"
"I don't mind." Ranko replies smiling.
"Good! Ohhh...oh yeah, I almost forgot...uuhhh...umm...wait here." Ryouga said smiling as he quickly stood up and ran inside the temple, leaving Ranko to stare as he vanished in it.
A few minutes later Ryouga returns carrying a small bundle and a long stick which he hands gently over to Ranko for inspection as he sat down beside her all the while looking at her.
"My pack!...but how did you..."
"Find it...it was easy enough...after I brought you here last night...I... went back to the place where I found you, I followed the trail you left behind and it lead me to an inn. There was this old man, he was grieving, I don't know why, I didn't ask. He was the one who gave me your things......" Ryouga pauses when Ranko suddenly fell silent, then he fell silent.
"Thank you..." Ranko said softly, as the joy she felt a while ago slowly vanished only to be replaced by last night's memory of a dream that still haunts her even when she is awake.
"I...I'm sorry if I brought that up - I didn't mean to..."
"No!...{Smile}...Don't be...I mean...I have much to be thankful for, and if it weren't for you... then...." Ranko said sadly smiling then stops all together. The joy she held a while ago fading in those slowly forming tears, which she gently wipes away.
"Are you... ok?..."Ryouga asked
"Yes...I'll be fine."
"Ok...I guess... I'd better start making breakfast..." Ryouga replies then stands up to leave.
"Ryouga..." Ranko calls softly before he vanished inside the temple, "If you don't mind...I'd like to take a bath and freshen up."
"Oh, ok ... umm ... That's if...if you don't mind walking - There is a small spring situated under a shallow grove over there, just beyond those trees." Ryouga said as he pointed to the direction of the grove. "Do you... want me to show you where it is?"
"No...no thank you...I...I want to be alone - for a while..." Ranko said slowly standing from where she sat on the stone steps which lead to the temple.
"Ok - So I guess...I'll see you later then,"
"Yes..." Ranko replies softly as Ryouga passes her and disappears inside the temple.
***
{The Forest}
<Birds singing>
<The slow rustling of the trees leaves by the wind>
Ranko is walking slowly on the soft worn path thinking of the past events that has happened to her so far since her encounter back at the inn. Those bandits back in the inn and the chase that followed after, then Ryouga coming to help her. She wonders then, what next could happen to her in this life. But then, as she continued to walk peacefully amid the trees and the songs of the birds began registering in her mind those thoughts were quickly changed as a sudden lightness lifts up her burden and the mood of her problems. Only then, did she begin to see the forest in a new light, and she was happy.
The birds up in the air, singing their soft sweet music while a deer freely grazed in the distance, the flowers at bloom and the magnificent sun in the sky. This was why she left home, to be a scholar, to see the world around her, to explore it. And she was happy, laughing out of pure joy.
***
{Back at the Temple, In the Kitchen}
The heat of the fire wood oven brings the room to a virtual boil, as steam from the pot's rose, escaping from the few vents in the roof and windows. Pans hot with boiling oil and frying meat was accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of the chopping board.
["I made her upset by what I said when I told happened back at the inn? I should go ask her about it, but...No it is none of my business, not now when she is sad and hurt."] Ryouga thought silently as he chopped the vegetables for their evening meal. ["Master could help me then when he arrives, then I might get some answers as to what I'm feeling right now. There were so many things that master talked about that I couldn't understand, guess that's why I get lost most off the time."] Ryouga turns away from the vegetables to check on the steamed dumplings he was preparing then quickly pulling out a burned finger when he touched the hot surface, once done with it he resumes preparing the meal.
["Now what did I forget? Oh yeah, the wine, let me see...ah here they are...Ahhh."] Ryouga goes to the wine pots on a corner then checks the first one he sees and discovers it empty. Taking another one, he got the same result, then a next one and the next until he covered each pot, making no hesitation to pop the lid to check and each one was empty.
["Damn, no more, better get some quickly for the master when he gets back, he has this particular skill of arriving when you didn't want him to. Better hurry though.{looking at through the window outside}] And with that thought, Ryouga rushes out of the temple carrying only an empty gourd and some coins to buy wine for his master and new friend. Pausing outside of the temple on a deserted field Ryouga thought, ["Now...where was that town supposed to be again?...Ohh yeah...that way." Ryouga heads off into the forest, leaping from tree to tree heading for the mountains."]
***
{Back in the forest}
Ranko has just arrived at the spot where Ryouga said it would be, and it was everything that Ryouga said and more, it was just perfect and relatively secluded. Its clear water rippling under the shade of large moss covered rocks that in itself was like a small roof over the alcove while some of it was smoothed over by the water that freely fell from above in a small film- like curtain which gathered inside the clear pool.
Surrounded on all sides by a thick wall of bushes and trees. While on the shore grew all sorts beautiful flowers of reds, greens and yellows and the forest canopy above affording only a small hole for the sunlight to pass through, bathing the whole scene in a golden shimmer of light while making the pool itself cool and inviting. Stepping close to the edge of the pool Ranko steps slowly disrobes her torn and dirty clothes as she willing steps into the cool clear waters of the shallow pool.
***
{Somewhere in the mountains}
Ryouga is walking slowly back from his trip into town. ["Took quite a while to get there though...but I did it, the sun is almost high, maybe just a few more hours or so. Oh well. Though I wonder who she is. Why am I suddenly thinking of her? Ohhh...I don't know, I don't even know her name, never was used to this..."] Ryouga stops to look at the surrounding countryside then pauses to consider his thoughts. ["Hmmm...Now where was I supposed to go? Ohh yeah...back to the temple...uhh...hmmm...back to the temple...ehh...yeah... that's the way... right? ...or...uhh...umm...or maybe that..."] After quite some time Ryouga resumes his walk.
***
{Back in the pool}
Standing waist deep in water in the middle of the pool Ranko is cooling herself up and washing her body as she thought suddenly of home and of her adventures. Thinking of her parents especially her mother, how she sang that sweet lullaby to her when she was about to sleep or when she was afraid of the ghosts in her room, and unconsciously, she begins to hum that soft joyful tune that her mother used to sing to her. And she is lost to the swirl of memories and to the song as she continued to bathe under the suns gentle light. ["How long must I live this lie? Playing two different people is easy enough when you have another body. It's just that, I don't want them to find out my secret."] Ranko thought as she remembered how much trouble her curse really is in her/his life but just continues to hum that soft tune and finds her troubles lightened at the thought of home and before all this.
***
{Somewhere}
["Damn Old man, if only he taught me as well of directions then I wouldn't be in this damn place!!!...Huhhh...hmmm...huh if only he were here he could help me out with my problems. And I wish he didn't drink too much also, then I could be back at the temple and not lost here in the middle of no where!"] Ryouga thought as he juggled the gourd, now full of wine, in his hands, bouncing it from hand to hand, tossing and shaking till finally on a miss toss it fumbles and slips out off his hands. ["Oh No! Please don't break, please don't break, please don't break...AaaHHHaH"] The gourd goes soaring through the air as Ryouga quickly dashed to catch it. ["Can't let it break!"] Running he suddenly leaps into the air and catches the gourd in his hands. ["Gotcha! ... Uhhh ... Aaaaahhhhhhhh"] The next thing he knows is that he is falling and that trees were rushing up to greet him. ["This is going to hhuuurrrtt!"]...
***
{Back at the pool}
Ranko turns to the sound of the birds suddenly flying in the air and of the sounds of branches breaking, looking out into the forest to check she decides it was nothing and resumes her bath.
***
{We find Ryouga flat on his back, covered with a few leaves and a branch}
...["Ohh...<groan>... my head...Damn old man, even when he is away - he still makes my life miserable! Oww...cuts and bruises...luckily no broken bones...damn! Should have been more careful and ... huh? ... What's that sound? ...Singing...coming from where?"] Ryouga thought as he picked himself up from the heap he just created a while ago.
Following the sound as though entranced by it, he slowly creeps along the forest floor, ducking behind trees and tall bushes. Wanting desperately not to be seen or heard as the yearning to know what has caught his attention like a hand gripping his throat as he crawled deeper into the forest till he finally comes before a tall wall of bushes and judging the source to be near. He cautiously parts a small portion of the leaves that was blocking his view.
There in the middle of the lake, waist deep in water stood Ranko, bathing under the shower of sunlight as she slowly and gently gathered water around her to cleanse herself. Her long red hair undone, wet from the water of the lake, was held back from her face as the rays of sunlight glistened on the soft contours of her smooth skin. Her back still facing him and eyes closed in deep meditative thought, unaware of the prying eyes in the bush as she ducked underneath the shower of the cool flowing water falling from above. Letting it slide across her delicate body and into the cool inviting pool.
Once he saw what was behind the curtain of green, he gasps and ducks back behind surprised. ["It's her! In the pool...and Ulp! ... uhhhh...ummmm..."] Ryouga thought between gasp but was not able to finish the trail of thought suddenly immerging from the inner most recesses of his mind. And as much as wants to end it and apologize his curiosity gets the better of him and cautiously he looks back at the waiting bush as though deciding on what to do. Then finally deciding after a while (which wasn't very long) and with firm resolve he cautiously rises and parts again the veil of leaves and watches in evident fascination at the beauty in the lake for just one more quick peek. And then regretfully though dreamily he backs away from the bush. Looking away and into the forest but glances back at the wall of leaves still in that dream like trance and still unconscious of the branch that was caught in his sleeve.
So it comes as a shock surprise when the branch suddenly tore loose from his sleeve. Recoiling to hit him squarely in the face snapping his attention back and in pain. He rubs his nose where it hit him and in evident annoyance looks back at the waving branch before him. Looking at briefly he pauses for a moment as the branch swayed in the air pointing directly at him as it moved up and down he looks up at the sky above him, suddenly fearing devine retribution for his sin. ["Sorry God ... hehe ... ulp! ... uhmmm ... I'll go now."] Ryouga mouths a silent prayer then proceeds to leave by the same way he came in.
***
{The Pool}
Ranko sat there in the middle of the lake, oblivious to the world around her as she sat there contemplating on what to do now. She could go on with her travels, now that she had all her things with her she thought. But she wasn't sure if that was such a good idea. She frowned at her indecision then finally concludes in asking Ryouga if it was ok for her to stay even just for a little while longer just enough time to finish her studies.
The forest she thought would provide enough inspiration for her writings and that if there is a nearby town somewhere then she could probably sell them and get some money in return. The problem though was, she thought. ["Where am I going? All this time I've followed my heart and it lead me to numerous other encounters. Some of which I would like soon to forget. And who is she? That girl in the painting, why does it feel as though I know her."] She gave up thinking about it and suddenly turns her head to a sudden noise in the air. There, in a flurry of feathers she sees a small black bird disappear in the bright blue sky. ["That's odd, never thought ravens came this far..."] She shrugs it off and with a short sigh, rises out of the water to get dressed.
***
{Back at the Temple - Evening}
Ranko and Ryouga are sitting across from each other in front of the temple. Ranko sat on the stone bench while Ryouga preferred to sit silently across from her on the stone steps that led into the temple in silent thought, as to what, Ranko could not even guess. So she leaves him at that as she slowly rises of the bench and begins to walk around it, a hand on the rough stone pagoda statue as she stared up at the stars in the bright night sky. Wondering of the events this passed morning.
The afternoon came quietly she thought a brief tour of the temple and a nice lunch then Ryouga leaving for his habitual practice and meditation. Giving the excuse that he had to clear some of his thoughts and reflect, though what he meant by that she didn't know even then she tried to inquire as to what troubled him but always she got the same reply - nothing. She just watched him go into the temple and she on the other hand, left to pursue some writing done. Then night came easily enough, after they had their dinner, which was mostly of rise and vegetables, Ranko thought it would be a good idea to go outside and talk. Though it did cost her to enough time just trying to convince Ryouga to come, both still not accustomed to each others company and Ranko thought it would nice to break the ice some what and was finally glad when Ryouga agreed even though some what reluctantly.
Ryouga sat there quietly, all this time thinking of what to do or what to say. ["What would Master do in a situation like this?"] He gave up thinking on it as he saw her suddenly rise and circle the lotus pool staring up at the stars in the sky as he followed her gaze at it. Stars... has it been this long and late already?
Ryouga recalled spending some time in silent thought and meditation about this all afternoon though it didn't go too well as he hoped it would. And as an apprentice monk, he should have spent more of his time on studying the holy books but instead he concentrated more on perfecting his fighting skill. Which brought some harsh words from his master at his inattentiveness. ["Should have listened more to the master. Ohh...But what would Holy Scriptures do me now?"] Ryouga thought again as he glanced at her again, ["Such grace and movement and her...che..uhhh...umm"] Ryouga smothers the rest away, muttering in silence of what to do. Then looks at her again and when their eyes suddenly met she turns away smiling and he blushing uncontrollably.
"Is it always this peaceful this late at night?"
Ryouga only nods in acknowledgement still unsure of what to say as he sees her bathed in glow of the moons light and thought that she looked even more beautiful than ever. Then blushes again at the thought. ["Thank God for the night's darkness!"]
"When the moon is especially full such as this one, I used to think that I was the only one here. For I could hear my own heart beat in the silence."
Ranko doesn't comment on this but resumes her silent walk around the lotus pond and sits on the bench facing him then leans on the pagoda statue as she rested her feet up on the stone bench. Then sighs in appreciation as a gentle breeze passed by closing her eyes in appreciation of its coolness.
Ryouga in the mean time just watches as she sat there on the bench. He looks at the ground before him shortly, then after a while looks at her again. This time with a short smile on his face as he said,
"All this time you haven't given me your name."
"You never asked." Ranko tells him softly her eyes still closed in thought.
Ryouga smiles in self-amusement then proceeds in asking, "What's your name?"
At this question Ranko pauses for a moment in silent thought then finally she looks at him and smiles saying " Ranko, Saotome Ranko"
"Ranko." Ryouga repeats. "That's a nice name."
Ranko just smiles at this. Though she didn't lie - it just wasn't the actual truth. She just wanted to make sure that Ranma and Ranko were two entirely different people.
"Ryouga..." Ranko called softly
"Yes."
"...If...if you don't mind me asking. What happened when you first found me?"
"About those thugs?"
Ranko nods "Mmm...hhm"
"Well there isn't much to tell actually {he looks at Ranko to see if there was anything wrong then procedes in narrating}, Well we fought in that clearing. They were almost upon you when I first interfered, there were some small talk between me and the leader - well I don't know if he was - though in the end it got to a fight, and I won when they all took it that they've had enough. I let them go when they fled, trying to escape in the forest. I wanted to give chase but then, when I saw your still form there on the ground - I brought you here."
Ranko just nods sadly.
"Why... is something wrong?"
"No - as much...(a slight pause when she looks at the ground)...as much as it hurts thinking that they tried to hurt me...I...I didn't want any blood shed for my sake or any one else's. Ryouga...I..."
"I understand," Ryouga said quite sympathetically.
"Really?"
"Yes...really - You have a gentle heart and I admire that. You could pass off as a very good monk." Ryouga said smiling.
"No..." Ranko said softly.
After a shared moment of silence between them letting the clouds overhead slowly drift in the sky which slowly began to cover the bright full moon with a touch of grayness. Giving the atmosphere in the temple garden a much darker feel. When Ranko broke the silence...
"I...I wanted to ask you...about that painting - In my room. Who is she? Is she a friend of yours?"
"No - My master was given that painting...years ago by a friend of his. I don't know why he gave it. But the girl in that painting...well, the people in the near-by villages tells of it as a legend. A tragedy of some sort, that happened over a 100 years ago.
You see... there was this beautiful young maiden who lived in a nearby village. Well this village was, at that time, at war with another. So in order to stop the bloodshed it was arranged that she be married to this very rich man who happen to live across those mountains over there. {Ryouga said pointing in the distance at the mountains} Their marriage was supposed to unite those two warring villages in peace.
Well, during their journey to the rich mans house, the people said that the group escorting the girl was suddenly attacked by demons. And that during the conflict the girl managed to escape this surprise attack by running deep inside the forest, but the demon's still pursued her till finally in a moments desperation, she finally comes across a steep cliff with a running waterfall and jumped. Some say she drowned while others say that the demons carried her off to be the concubine of their dark lord, others still just speculate that she killed herself in some other way. The legend doesn't tell of this and is very vague though people say, her ghost is still running away but sometimes when it is late at night, like this one, she could be seen walking under the brightness of the full moon."
"That's sad..." Ranko said softly.
Ryouga just nods in agreement.
"What does the legend say now." Ranko asks inquisitively.
"Still running I guess, though I'm not to sure, the legends doesn't tell any of that."
They fall silent at that then Ranko turns away, looking back at the stars and the full moon in the sky. Slowly being covered by dark moving clouds.
"So you've lived your whole life here in this temple?"
"Yes."
"With your Master?"
"Yes"
"All this time...it must've been lonely."
"No...Not really, the Master treats me all right, and he has been almost like a father to me. He took care of me and adopted me as his own."
"What about your parents? Don't you miss them?"
Ryouga pauses for a moment then stands, walks to the far corner of the lotus pool then turns looking at the ground saying "My parents died a long time ago of a certain illness the healers couldn't cure, I was very young then. They looked really pale and could hardly even speak to me. When they passed away, I was given to the care of my Master. It seems that he was I close personal friend of the father."
When Ranko turns her head to look at him as she listened to him narrate his story all the while feeling a sense of genuine pain radiating out from him. ["Telling this must hurt him so much. I shouldn't have brought it up..."] she thought.
"I'm sorry if I brought that uh..."
"No. Don't be...I mean, it's all in the past right...I've gotten over it"
Ryouga smiles, though some what forced as he sat down on the hard stone bench, falling deathly silent as he stared at the ground before him in a somewhat confused manner. Seeing this Ranko walks over to him and sat beside him, watching him silently. The wind blowing his long hair as some moisture seeped out from his eyes as he tried to force it away by closing them tighter.
Ryouga after some time finally composes himself and stands up, turning around to face her.
"You must be tired, and it is getting late..." Ryouga said softly leaving the unanswered question behind.
"Are you sure you will be alright?" Ranko asked some what concerned.
"Yes...I will be. You should get some rest."
"Aren't you coming back inside?"
"I'll be in, in a little while...I...I just need time to think, that's all." Ryouga said with a forced smile. And Ranko knew it.
"Ok...If that's what you want." Ranko said softly turning to enter the temple but before she vanished through the doors she quickly turns around and gives Ryouga a reassuring smile then vanishes inside.
***
Ryouga watches her as she stepped inside the temple, vanishing from sight yet the feeling that accompanied her leaving brought out a sudden yearning for her company, a small knot of emotion, which he quickly strangles down. Turning around quickly to avoid looking at the temple doors, he found himself gazing up at the stars. ["Why did you leave me?"] Ryouga thought suddenly, not to sure by what he meant by that then sighs regretfully as he sat down on the stone bench, leaning on the rough stone pagoda, unconcerned and unaware of his surroundings as he stared blankly at the ground before him.
***
Ranko dresses quietly into a soft pink robe. Its worn out sleeves running up to the length of her elbows while the rest of it came just a few inches above her knees as a make shift skirt. All the while thinking silently of the days events as she finally tied it off securely with a piece of white clothe which served as a belt.
Finished with her clothes, she turns and walks over to the bed and sits comfortably down, bringing her long red hair around and started to gently comb back its loose ends. Stroking it carefully as if each gentle brush stroke eased some of the tension she felt welling up inside her. Looking blankly at it for a while still in that haven of thought, the light from the nearby candle beside the bed suddenly flickered in the wind. Playing shadows on her then suddenly going out in a pillar of rising gray smoke.
Ranko, her thoughts suddenly broken by the blackening of the room, quickly turns her attention to the candle on top of the table by the bedside. Seeing this out, she quickly scans the entire room, dimly lit by the full moon from outside, now suddenly fearful of the unseen eyes. For that much she felt, for the room itself was a touch colder and less inviting than it was before. Grabbing a blanket from the bed, she brought it closer to her chest as she scans the room again briefly before standing up to carefully go to the candle and light it again.
Stepping softly on the hard wood floor she feels a sudden chill crawl up her leg as the wind gently passed by. She ignores it though and heads to the table to light the candle, taking a match out from one of its drawers to light it with trembling hands. The fire from the match sparked to life then danced and swayed as a gentle breeze passed by, which she shields from as she lights the candle on top of the table. Now lighted, she smiles then lifts it up to chest level, watching the fire dance on the wick then notices something in a corner of her eye as a small shadow played on the wall. Turning around she suddenly finds herself staring at a pair of gleaming red eyes as it lunges her after her, her scream coming out only to be muffled by a clawed hand as she is suddenly pushed to the far wall. The candle she held so briefly fell to the ground, bouncing once then twice then finally resting on the ground. Its fire dead even before it touched the ground.
***
Ryouga is still outside the temple when his thoughts were suddenly broken by a loud high-pitched scream that came from inside the temple itself.
"Ranko!" Ryouga said in surprise as he leaped off of his seat and in to a dead run then through the temple doors headed for Rankos' room, but not before he picked up his umbrella beside the altar from which he left it. And once he got there, standing in the long hallway, he barges through the door and steps inside the room, then stops in mid stride, readying his bamboo umbrella in front of him as he saw the abomination before him.
The abomination, stooped over Ranko's unconscious form was a man - no not a man, but a creature that resembled a man, with its long sinewy arms and legs, packed with muscle and covered in some parts by bandages and what seemed to be old pieces of armor and rotting cloth. It also wore a conical hat just like Ryouga wears when he goes out at night, with its unique circular opening up top where its hair came out, tied in a bun. And when it turned around to face him, it showed a face more bone than flesh with eyes as red as blood it that it surely craved. But not now it seemed as it gave a slight smile to him then turns its attention away to the task at hand as though Ryouga was of no importance at all what so ever. Brushing him aside as it inserted both hands under Rankos' unconscious form then cradling her in the hollow of its arms to take her. Seeing this, Ryouga dashes forward to stop him, but is stopped dead in his tracks by a sudden force of wind emanating from the creature as it scooped up Rankos' body in its arms unhindered as Ryouga desperately blocked its attack with both arms crossed over his face. His eyes fighting the wind to see the abomination as its eyes suddenly brightened in the dark in an eerie red glow as it fully turned to face him, levitating off the ground a cynical smile painted on its face as he laughed at him. And just as suddenly, the wind force that held him suddenly died making him stumble forward on his own momentum which he took as an advantage as he uses this force to lunge after man as it fled through the wall and with him, Ranko. All the while smiling at him with the sureness that it already tasted victory as it vanished entirely.
Ryouga stops himself as he saw the abomination vanish through the wall then quickly looks out the window. And sure enough there he sees it, looking back up at him with that devilish smile then turns to look at Ranko then back at him as he completely turns around to run back to the forest. Ryouga alarmed, wastes no time in launching himself air born through the window and down to the concrete floor below as he went after the creature in the dead of the night, headed for the forest and to who knows what.
***
Leaping from tree to tree, he felt along his way for the presence of the abomination, trying to feel him out in the darkness of the forest as what his Master taught him to do during his training as a monk. This was what his Master prepared him for, to fight ghost and monsters, making sure that they kept to their side of the world as men did theirs, and he was good at it.
["Should have been more careful. How could I have gotten so careless, I knew bringing her here would be a mistake, I shouldn't have...I should have listened to the master more carefully..."] Ryouga thought. But forces it to end there as he concentrated harder, planning out his rescue. ["...There was no time to take blames now, there would be time enough when he rescued Ranko...that's if...NO!"] Ryouga forces the thought out of his head. ["Concentrate..."] Yet the fear made him more desperate as it is, and he hated that, as he monk, he knew things about the spirit world, the things that could happen. And death was the least thing to worry about in such an event did occur. Focusing on the task ahead of him, he kicks yet another branch to stay air born, seeking out the demon that took Ranko.
Crashing head long into a vale of white as he lands on a branch, looking out ahead of him to no avail. All he could see was white and the branch below him.
["Fog?"]
Anger boiled in him as the fog that suddenly appeared surrounded him then took solid form just as suddenly in the manner of long tendrils of smoke, a hands width in thickness, that battered and tried to grab him from where he perched. Leaping off the branch a few seconds away from being batted away by a log thick tendril, Ryouga brings his umbrella into play. Bringing it close to his chest to block the splinters from the now shattered tree trunk as he hovered in the air, slowly descending into the formlessness of the fog below.
["Damn ghost and your black magic!"] Ryouga thought. As he swatted away an attack aimed for his head then parried yet another coming straight for his chest. Each succeeding attack coming in faster and faster as he spun and parried with the umbrella blocking each consecutive attack. Opening his umbrella as he descended down into the chaos below. He used the umbrella's sharp circular edge as a mean cutting blade he sliced his way down until he finally touches solid ground. Then just as suddenly leaps away from it as a log thick arm of fog crashed and lifted, to reveal a deep hollow pit where his body had been. Ryouga, with one knee bent, ready in an open stance with one arm in front while the other that held the umbrella drew up high over his head and back as if to throw the thing at the chaotic mass that was the fogs core.
The fog then explodes in a shower of tendrils that arced over head then came crashing down on top of him. Leaping aside as he follows up with a series of cross slashes coupled with blocks and parries as he tried to fend off the continuous flow of attacks from the fog. Each severing cut he delivered on it only formed back again to resume its attack. And realizing this he tried desperately to fend off the attacks as he leaped off the ground and onto a branch high over head, the tendrils coming after him as he lifted up into the air. Closing the umbrella as he landed on the branch. He bites hard on his pointing finger, making it bleed as he used that finger as a pen to write on his other hand some symbols as he recited verse after verse of holy scriptures as he finally brought his both palms together as if to pray. And once the incantations and verses were recited he opens up both palms outward, directed at the screaming arms of the formless body of the fog as he hurled burst after burst of white ki energy at the creature. Each blast exploding and destroying the fogs deathly arms as it died with a high-pitched scream that blended in with each explosion of ki energy. Exhausted, he notes that the fog hasn't cleared up yet with the destruction of the fog beast, yet it was thinner by comparison from a while ago as he picks himself up off the branch. His breath came in short quick breaths that he drew in greedily as he looks out into the forest from where he stood on top of the branch.
"Where are you?" Ryouga spoke softly as he surveyed the area. And once his breathing normalized did he leap off of the branch then again continued to survey the scene before him - empty. No sign of the demon anywhere and just as he was about to move on. His instincts brought his umbrella to block a gleaming silver sword that would have cleaved his head in half if he hadn't been paying attention.
The sword with its short thick curved blade and tasseled hilt came swooping pass his head as he deflected it away. Flew then turned for another pass, this time aimed for his chest which he blocked it with the umbrella just as another one came rushing out still directed for his chest. Back flipping to avoid the coming blade, he collapses his flip to land on his back with legs straight on top of him as the blade zooms pass on top of him. He then quickly pushes back hard on the ground with his arms to flip back into a squat and into a roll ending up into a readied stance, with his umbrella held like a sword in front of him. Waiting for the next coming strike. Which did not come. Slowly he rose up to stand still waiting for those blades to appear from out of the thickets of the forest. That he is caught of guard when out of the ground, two skeletal hands grabs both his ankles and drags him under ground as he tried desperately to get free. It was a hopeless struggle as he was pulled unwilling into the ground and below the surface.
The quite of the forest was shattered by a sudden explosion as dust and soil alike were hurled away from Ryouga who rose up straight into the air screaming. Glad at last to be free of the confines of mother earth as he lands on the surface to face the demon before him. Studying him carefully as he noted the creatures imposing form. Dressed in what he noted was a ninja uniform, a katana was strapped to his back he glared at Ryouga through the rim of his conical hat. Standing there with his side turned towards him as well as part of his back. Its eyes glowing bright red in the darkness of the forest as Ryouga prepared to fight not only for his life, but of Ranko's as well.
"YOU HAVE INTERFERED LONG ENOUGH MONK." The ninja spoke softly, it voice echoing within the confines of the forests interior as it continued to stare at him with those blood glowing eyes.
"Where is Ranko?" Ryouga demanded.
"SHE IS OF NO CONCERN TO YOU."
"She is of concern to me! I brought her here, now where is she!"
"SUCH EMOTIONS ARE UNBECOMING OF YOU MONK, HAVE YOU FINALLY TURNED FROM YOU'RE GOD? THAT YOU WOULD HAVE HER INSTEAD OF HIM." The demon laughed at him.
Ryouga, stood there perplexed at this reply. ["Had he abandoned his God?"]
"WE ARE MUCH ALIKE, YOU AND I, COME. TURN AWAY FROM HIM, AND YOU CAN HAVE HER." He said.
And just as he said "HER", Ranko appears beside him. Dressed in a long soft, very thin, silk white robe that hid only a fraction of her beautiful body. Standing there, with hands drawn to her sides as she stood alluringly still letting the wind form and sculpt the robe around her delicately curved body. Her face showed a touch of make-up that only enhanced her features more as her long red hair flew back in soft gentle waves with the wind.
Ryouga stood there entranced as he gazed at Ranko who slowly walked towards him, placing a soft hand on his chest when she got close as he continued to stare at her open-mouthed. Her lips parted slightly as she drew a hand behind his head as she rose up on tiptoe to draw him closer for a kiss. All the while the demon stood there smiling at him.
And he wakes up from the trance. There was no Ranko beside him and only the demon ninja stood there before him. Anger radiating slightly from him. Then anger boiled in him an anger he directed and channeled as he focused his attention on the demon ninja. ["How could I have let him place that spell over me! I will not be caught off guard again, NO! Never..."]
"NO! I AM NOT LIKE YOU!" Ryouga shouts at the demon as he launched himself into battle. Bringing in forth all the training he could muster into his assault. The demon abandons his spell on Ryouga as he draws out his katana to counter Ryougas' attack. Matching him blow for blow, strike for strike as they shifted from ground to air and ground again. Each looking for an advantage as they once again crossed each other in mid-air their weapons clashing as the crossed weapons then retreats back to the ground. The ninja leaping above for an overhead strike determined to end the fight now as Ryouga drew his to block the attack. Swords fly out from the shadows of the thickets to which Ryouga managed to avoid except one. The sword catching him on his sword arm as it gave a clean cut. Pain shot through his whole arm just as the demon ninja connects his sword upon the umbrella. The force of the contact sends his umbrella flying as Ryouga back flips for cover just as the demon followed up with a horizontal slash to the chest.
Unarmed and wounded, Ryouga backs away from the demon as he took out a few pieces of his bandannas off his head while the demon just stood there watching him while Several swords flew all around him.
"WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW MONK?" the demon taunted him.
Ryouga stood there silent as he tried to steady himself, his wounded arm holding tightly on the pieces of cloth he held while the other gripped his wounded arm tightly to stop the bleeding which slowly soaked the bandanas red with his blood. Ryouga recited a few verses from the scriptures, praying as he gazed into the face of death with stoic determination.
"IT IS TIME!" and with that said, the demon sends forth a rain of swords to impale him. Gliding with the sureness of thought, controlled by desire, and filled with hate they flew straight for the heart of Ryouga.
Ryouga on sudden impulse, throws the blood soaked bandanas at the streaking projectiles coming towards him. Hope flew with those red circular bands of cloth, which from crimson to his surprise as well as of the demons turned to brilliant white. Like gleaming angelic halos, that deflected and destroyed all but one of the piercing swords. There was just not enough to block them all, that this one got through to slice Ryouga across the thigh. Making him fall to the ground in pain, the sword that cut him, only inches apart from his face.
"I HAVE YOU!" the demon said following up on his initial attack with arms over head and dark blade pointed at him. Eyes gleaming for the kill.
Ryouga grabs the fallen sword beside him and throws himself at the demon. What followed was a heartbeat of silence as the sword drove forward for the kill.
Long they stood there, the demon ninja poised over the form of Ryouga whose sword stuck out from behind the demons back. Who slowly let go of the sword it held, letting it drop on the ground with him following there after.
Ryouga remained in that pose even after the demon corpse evaporated into dust then falling himself. Breathing hard and alive. ["Alive!"] his mind thought out loud as he gathered his strength to rise when the thought of what brought him here, comes into mind.
"RANKO!"
Scrambling up to his feet, he scans the area for any sign of Ranko and sure enough he spots her in a small clearing. He quickly runs to her side as fast as he could go, fearful that he could be too late. For she was deathly pale and cold as he took her hand in his and tried to feel for a pulse. At first there was nothing he could feel only his own desperation. {"Please...please be all right"] he prayed, then slowly he felt it as if it had coursed through his, own veins. It grew stronger and with it came hope, and he was glad. Picking her body up off the soft cold ground, cradling her in his arms, suddenly fearful of letting her go when the voice of the demon rang inside his head again with that mocking tone.
["Who will you choose?"]
"I don't know." Ryouga said as he looked at Ranko whose head lay upon his shoulder sleeping soundly.
He looks back out into the forests interior then turns around as he made his way back towards Lotus Temple.
-End of Chapter Two-
-Next Chapter-
-Of Different Worlds-
*All comments and flames accepted though please note that this is my first fanfic. Your comments would be greatly appreciated, as it will help me improve this story. Please send all flames and comments to: becknkal@addax.bc.ca thanks!
*Authors note: I got this Ranma 1/2 fanfic inspiration from the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" and as much as I would like to stick to the original story. I must differ from it because of the characters "changes" and besides I can't duplicate such a great story. To all those who haven't seen the movie, Watch it! It is a GREAT film. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this.
Ranma 1/2 A Chinese Ghost Story - Chapter 3
By Kahlil Noriega
All rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi and to the creators of the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" to which I based this Fanfic from.
*Authors note: This is a Ranma 1/2 alternate universe Fanfic to which some details may defer greatly from the original - Enjoy!
* [] - Characters thoughts and maybe feelings
{} - Added descriptions, events
< > - Sound effects for events
** This is my first draft for chapter 3, I would like to apologise if some of the details seem vague. I will give a much more complete version next time. Again thank you and enjoy.
Chapter 3 - Of Different Worlds (first draft)
{The soft moaning of the wind rustling up a few of the dry leaves. It is already evening inside the forest.}
The soft hollow voice of the wind flew quietly amid the many trees of the great forest. Roaming its dark and endless confines, a lone wandering spirit, empty of thought or emotion. Its hauntingly low voice echoing amid the greenery as it sped past trees and shrubs alike. Lifting along the way some of the few dead leaves that settled on the ground as well as plucking those that were dying in the tree branches as it swiftly passed by. Stirring up soil and dust alike as they too were lifted up to follow the wanderings of the wind. While a quiet full moon watched from above, bright as ever in the dark and clear sky. Giving only a touch of white light to brighten the darkness of the evening.
Unhindered and alone, through the forest the wind went. Under the single white eye of the dark sky, the wind flew free and unchallenged. Gliding and soaring through the grey darkness of the wilderness it climbed over stout stone steps. A long simple stairway that the leaves took, as it climbed, tumbled and danced like so many marry children. Scraping their frail little bodies on the hard unyielding ground. Laughing and crying as they scratched the rough stone surface then were suddenly lifted up and carried by the strong arms of the wind to view the magnificent temple whole.
The Lotus Temple - tucked and secure in the protective arms of the great forest that surrounded it. Its tall stone walls were grey under the light of the bright moon above. While the winds hollow moan drifted again in the breeze, this time accompanied by the soft rattling of the myriad of trees.
***
A small brown leaf fell away from the arms of the wind. Twisting and turning as it tumbled down pass the sentinels of stone that stood and guarded the corners of a small, rectangular pool. Pagodas - tall, worn and proud. Guarding a treasure throve of gentle, fragile blossoms. Lotus blossoms to be exact, white and pure as the brightest pearls and as frail as a single flake of snow. Their frailty supported only by the cool clear waters of the pool as they floated aimlessly on the calm surface.
The small brown leaf drifted and then landed in the pools swallow waters. Stirring and awakening the silent water, making it produce small ripples on the surface that gradually grew to spread out over the now turbulent surface of the water. Till finally it settles back in. Reflecting the soft thin light that came from a small slightly closed window on the second floor of the temple. Its image all but blurred as it vanished with the rippling of the water.
***
{Inside the Lotus Temple, in Ranko's room}
The light from a small flickering candle, atop a small wooden table by the bedside, illuminated the small and quiet room. Its interior a dimly lit as the light from the single candle flickered and danced, playing small shadows that graced bare walls. The wind outside picked up strength producing almost all the sounds inside the room besides from the small crackling of the fire and the light breathing of its occupants.
Huddled in a small corner of the room sat a lonely figure. Head leaning against the wall with legs drawn close to him, his forearms draped over his knees. As the figure sat there silently mulling over thoughts that troubled him. Ryouga sat there in stoic silence. The heat from the candle hardly ever touched his troubled spirit. Eyes permanently fixed on the sleeping form lying on the bed. He closed them tightly, letting memory again assail him once more of events from the night before...
***
<Flash>
{Rain outside, pounding on the roof and windows}
{Lightning from outside lighting the room briefly only to be followed by the crash of thunder}
Walking through the door that led into Ranko's room. Ryouga steps in carrying her still and cold form in his arms as he dared take a quick glance to see her breath coming in short gulps of air. Her face pale from the demon's long touch, yet this could not mar her beauty. Worry and despair crowded on him at once though, making him discard the idea quickly as Ryouga moved closer to the bed. Gently lowering her down.
Lighting the candle on top of the table he sits down beside her on the bed. Concern made him take hold of her cold hand as he tried to feel for a pulse that came to weakly to be felt. And he hesitates on what he thought he must do. He knew what prolonged contact with spirits was dangerous; absorbing their life force until all that remained was a hollow shell of the person victimised. And the consequences after, far outweighed the absorption of spirit. All of these negative thoughts he forced out from his mind then weighed all the consequences of his actions if ever he tried to do this dangerous technique. Need drove and pushed him to take the chance, but should he fail...No he didn't want to even consider the consequences of failure.
Gripping her hand, he felt her growing colder as the devils taint seeped into his hand. And he shook with fear on what he must do. He desperately wished that his master could be here, but prayer only worsened Ranko's condition. If he doesn't act soon...["NO!"] he practically screamed in his mind. Not wanting to consider that it could be already to late.
["Master...What should I do?"] He desperately called in his thoughts as he felt her pulse slow down as the effect of prolonged contact with the demon took its toll on her spirit. Ryouga lifts her up and off the bed, need driving him to do what he must do in order to save her life.
Laying her down gently on the hard wood floor. He sits her up properly with legs crossed and her back straight. Her arms dangling limply at her side as Ryouga moved behind her and sat cross-legged. Stretching his arms on either side of him, Ryouga closed his eyes and focused ki, mind and spirit for the difficult task ahead.
***
Recalling his Masters teachings he let them resurface once more in his mind and into his hands. With eyes closed, he cleared his thoughts of all emotion as he brought both of his palms together before him, focusing his ki and spirit to the technique that could inevitably, save Ranko's life. Opening his eyes, he rips the back of Ranko's robe, shoving aside the thought of seeing her exposed skin before him as he cleared his mind once again of all the emotions he felt a while ago. And into preparing both mind and body to the difficult task ahead. Once he started, he knew there was no going back.
Lifting his right hand he probes the back of her spine, running his fingers down her skin to the bottom of her ribs as he pushed down hard on the point flooding it with his ki. Ranko gives out a gasp as she felt the first surges of power course through her body. ["Open the flood gates of her spirit."] The voice in his mind told him. ["Two points above, 13th vital point - press."] His fingers worked methodically as he moved his fingers in response to the commands in his mind. ["Heart, lungs, liver, mind each has a point that contributes to the whole"] And Ryouga's hands move from vital point to vital point, rearranging her metabolism to cope with the strain of the demon's taint on her body. And through it all he felt his reserves weaken as the technique took its toll on his body and spirit. ["Must...contuinue..."] he commanded himself as he felt that he is nearly done with the process.["The most crucial point!"]
["Awaken the five forces of Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Spirit."] The voice commanded as Ryouga drove his left, palm between her shoulder blades, focusing his last remaining strength in reviving her spirit. And somewhere along the bridging of both mind and body, he felt something. ["Odd? Something's connected to her, but what..."] He couldn't describe it at all for it eluded him when he tried to even probe it.
All the while, Ranko had her back arced and she lets loose a small cry. This was the final element of the revival technique, should he fail- "Aarghhh..." ["PAIN!"] He focused his mind, fighting fatigue and pain as he coughed out a bit of blood from his mouth from the intense strain on mind and body.
"Aaahhh..."
And he is done. Collapsing on the hard wood floor, his arms weakly supporting him as he tried to focus his mind and body to recover from the technique. His breathing came in huge gulps of air, as blood dripped out from his mouth. Sitting up properly he tries again to steady himself, letting his mind clear and his vision adjust from the blinding light from the candle.
While his mind teetered on the brink of blacking out, nausea hit him. Sitting there behind Ranko, he tried to recover from the strain of it all. ["It was worth it..."] He thought when he heard her breathing normally. And he was glad. When he finally regained much of his strength, he gathered her in his arms and gently laid her on the bed. Placing a soft warm blanket to cover her as she settled comfortably on her pillow. Her breath, he saw, rose slowly as she rested in a relaxed sleep. Taking her hand in his, he felt for her pulse, which came readily to him, strong and warm. And he smiles in relief.
Standing, he takes one of the chairs at the foot of the bed beside a table and sits. Relaxing into a comfortable position as he focused his eyes on Ranko's sleeping form on the bed. His body tired from the strain of performing the technique drifted off to sleep when it mercifully came. While the splatter of the rain outside softened its cadence.
<Light...>
Opening his eyes, Ryouga allowed the memory to subside as he tried to forget the events of the past yet one event always resurfaced. And as much as he wanted to forget it, it just wouldn't go away. Recalling the events of that battle. That battle with the demon in the clearing. And even now as he pondered on the events coming out from memory. He knew he only managed to escape it barely and with a little bit of luck. ["No, it was luck entirely"] He thought, stroking his bandaged forearm unaware of this act, a small cut he received from fighting that demon.
The cut didn't matter to him, it was small in comparison to what troubled him today. For the first time in his life he was afraid and confused, and it sickened him beyond belief. He knew he never once doubted his faith for a moment. ["Why now?"] He thought, the words that troubled him again rumbled in his ears and in his mind. ["Who will you choose, Who will you choose, Who will - NO! - No, No, No,No, NO!"] Ryouga ends that trail of thought as he closed his eyes shut, desperately covering his ears as he denied the voices in his head.
["Have you abandoned Him?"] The thought finally asked. The drumming and hammering of the voices ended with this single question, and Ryouga felt shaken as he tried to deny the accusation the voice said to him in his mind as he stood up abruptly. Taking with him, his umbrella that was leaning beside the doorway. He stops as he turned around to look back on Ranko's sleeping form.
"I will be back..." Ryouga promised softly as he gently closed the door behind him.
Stepping out into the dimly lit hallway, he makes his way down the stairs and into the grand hall of the temple. The darkness of the night lay still before him as a cold wind passed by. Making the few candles in the hall flicker at its touch. Nevertheless, Ryouga dashes outside; umbrella in hand as he passed by the small lotus pond that gave the temple its namesake. While four stone pagodas that lined the corners of the rectangular pool watched him go as he took the flight of steps two at a time then leaping off as he ran headed for the heart of the dark forest.
***
{Back inside the room}
Ranko shivered and shook under the covers of her blanket, sweat plastered her fiery red hair to the sides of her face as she tossed and turned on top of her bed. Her small soft hands tense and pale from gripping the edge of the blanket as she crossed her brows, keeping her eyes tightly shut while the trance like voices continued to invade her dreams...
<Light...>
"...Master. Master?" a voice softly called from outside his thoughts. Ranma slowly opened his eyes adjusting to the brightness of the day outside as he looked out into the palace gardens. His face empty of emotions though his eyes could never have properly hid his troubled thoughts. He withdrew his hand from the elaborate wooden window, bringing it to his side. The thought of the many hours he stood there was forgotten ever since this whole incident ever began.
Unconcerned for the grandeur of the palace he lived in, with its ornately decorative jade statues and lacquered furniture as well as hand-woven silk tapestries that hung limply on painted red walls. Silk curtains trimmed in gold decorations adorned and covered some of the carved wooden windows. All in all, everything about the palace was very old and dull to him. Even the finely crafted imperial dress he is wearing was common enough for many of the young noble lords of the House of Saotome. Such finely crafted garments were adorned in heavy gold string, which clearly stood out against his red silk robes. All of this was of little comfort to him, as did everything else here in the palace - maybe not all though, the gardens always did bring him a certain peace.
He sighs in regret as the calls of his servant finally pierced through his momentary reverie, so absorbed was he on the view outside that he didn't hear him enter at all. That was how good he was he thought. His faithful servant and long time friend here in the palace...
"Satsuke." Ranma spoke softly as he turned around to face the old ninja master.
Satsuke always had his long black hair pulled and tied at the back of his head by a long piece of black string as well as supporting a very short beard that covered most of his chin and outline of his mouth. His tough leather like skin was tight around his skull and hard as his eyes, but right now he saw, they showed a certain gentleness if now concern. Which was quite a surprise for Ranma. Satsuke has been Ranma's guardian and teacher when his father was too busy with court and battle that he was not able to spend enough time with his son.
"Young Master" Satsuke softly replied from where he knelt. Right fist firmly planted on the ground before him in a form of salute as he waited, head bowed, for his masters reply.
"What is it Satsuke?" Ranma spoke a bit irritated, but he held back his anger for being interrupted, this was Satsuke he was speaking to after all.
"Master... My Lord - your father... wishes to speak with you." Satsuke replied softly and a bit hesitantly. It is no secret around the palace that there exist a certain tension between both father and son. The knowledge of this though did not help his situation much, when he knew the news he brought...
"If it is about the wedding arrangements, I won't go! I will not marry her!" Ranma spoke loudly enough that Satsuke could not hold his shock at this reply as his head jerked up suddenly from surprise.
"Bu...bu...But Master -" Satsuke gasped.
"No buts Satsuke. I will not talk to him nor do I want to see him!" Ranma spoke angrily out of irritation for his father as he turned around to face the window.
"Bu...but young Master...if your father...I mean...If Lord Genma finds about this..." Satsuke cringes at the thought of bearing the blunt of his Lords anger. "...Please... my Lord ...please - at least try to speak to him." Satsuke begged.
Ranma sighs in defeat. "All right Satsuke...but only for your sake. You've been a good friend to me for a long time now." And with a bit of hesitation he continues "...I will do what you ask."
"Thank you my Lord Ranma. Thank you!" Satsuke replied gratefully from where he knelt on the floor bowing.
"Satsuke." Ranma spoke softly as he turns to look at him. The anger melting away as he paused for a moment to consider his words.
"Yes my Lord?"
"Is it true what the rumours say?" Ranma asked a bit puzzled.
"What rumours my Lord." Satsuke asked confused.
"You know. About these rumours, that speak of the one that I will marry."
"Yes, what about it?"
"Is it true what they say, that her beauty...that she is very beautiful?"
"Yes my Lord, that's what the people I've talked to say."
"That is what they wish to believe. Satsuke...should I." Ranma asks as he turns back to stare through the window and outside.
"It is not my right to..."
"I asked you a question Satsuke...should I"
Satsuke sighs as he thought about the question for a moment before answering. Sitting down, we considered the implications of their marriage and other equally important issues so that when he spoke, it was with the calm assurance of a teacher telling a foolish student of his error as he pointed out the most obvious answer...
"My Lord...young master, your marriage would forever unite the Houses of Tendo and Saotome and with it, the end of the war. Much is at stake here. And there is a lot of hope for the union of the two greatest families..."
"Honour again...I know all that. But you never actually answered the question" Ranma spoke exasperated.
"Yes, I didn't. But that is not for me to decide."
"Satsuke...I don't want to marry her." Ranma said.
Satsuke remains quiet over this as he mulled the implications of the decision. Though he did feel a bit worried about his choice. Lord Genma would not be pleased with this answer. And the idea of bearing the blunt of his anger made him wince at the thought of pain.
"I don't want to marry her by my fathers hand...I'm not yet ready for that kind of commitment...maybe when I'm ready could I consider even marrying her...." Ranma continued.
"Then you will consider it my lord?"
"Yes...I guess so. You can tell that to my father at least... My father...Lord Genma...I...{pauses as if considering again his response} he could arrange for me to meet with her and if I...."
Silence reigns after that as Ranma looks down at the ground defeated as he thought of a way to rephrase it, but it hardly mattered anyway with Satsuke's next reply and he is glad for his friends choice of words.
"I understand My Lord." Satsuke leaves his room just as Ranma turns away to stare out once again into the majestic settings of the garden he saw through the window. With eyes focused on the scenery yet his mind empty and distant, as though he was looking at something else. A vision, probably, of a coming battle and when he closed his eyes he could hear it, the cries of the dying and those who would soon later die...
<Flash>
<"Arghh!">
<Slash>
<Clang>
<"Uhh">
<Noises from the battlefield>
Screams and battle cries can be heard in the crisp dry air, as were the sounds of crossed swords and streaking arrows flying for their mark. And all along these lines, men died and so did creatures that should have been dead long ago as combatants paired off in the bloody field. Their sword fights overshadowed by the burning castle and town in the far horizon. Warriors of the Houses of Saotome and Tendo battled alongside each other, each respectively dressed in red and black armour. Their swords dripped with the blood of their enemies as they held their ground against the assault the Demon Lord's minions.
Charging through the mass of undead warrior's, mounted men of the House Saotome charged into the heat of battle. At their head rode a familiar figure atop a strong white charger, the rider dressed in red trimmed with gold as his long pig-tailed hair ran the length of his back as he brandished a wicked long sword stained in black blood. "Rally to me!" Ranma shouted over the heads of his men as he waved his bloodied sword up high in the air. Then violently hacking one of the demon warriors that came too close to his sword arm. Ranma's other arm called his soldiers forward as they battled with the Demon Lord's minions. Their vigour renewed at the sight of him as they fought with a savagery that came from fighting overwhelming odds. Looking over the heads of his men Ranma manages to catch a brief glimpse of the cause of this infernal war, before his vision of the Demon Lord was lost amid the burning remains of a battle ravaged wagon.
***
The Demon Lord, mounted on his strong black war-horse, watched in epic glee as his warriors took delight in hacking off the living flesh of their enemies. Savouring the warm blood that splashed on their bony hands as they killed mercilessly. Taking great pleasure in ridding of the enemies of their infernal Lord and Master whose blood red eyes clearly enjoyed the slaughter. Sitting contentedly on his dark mount, the Demon with his silver white hair flowing behind him that left only a shining bald spot on top of his head smiled.
The battle raging on as the fires of warfare consumed the town that was under the shadow of the castle. Farmers and women ran about amidst the burning houses. Screams of frightened folk and children alike drifted in the air accompanied by black clouds of smoke from the burning houses.
***
In the midst of this furious fighting was Ranma, battling in his scarlet robes and armour. His face covered in a light cover of ash and sweat yet it marred little of his handsome face that bore only determination as he hacked off the head of a demon creature lunged Ranma with its red slicked blade. The attack left the creature open for Ranma to step aside as he severed the creature's head at the neck. Always a fight closer to his goal as the demon king strode by pass a burning wagon slaughtering a man who attacked him from the side. Ranma doubled his effort to reach him and once they faced each other, they fought with a savagery like no other, like lions pouncing and stalking the other till finally their swords crossed between them. Sparks flew. Their faces only inches apart from bare blade.
***
The demon gives a triumphant smile as its eyes focused on Ranma whose blade he forced closer to his neck. Ranma pushes on it hard, shoving the demon aside then following it up with a cross slash which the demon nimbly avoided with its blade. The demon smiles at him as he through Ranma's blade to the side then barrelling him with his shoulder making Ranma fall down flat on the ground. Avoiding the slashing blades by rolling to his side, Ranma quickly gets up and off the ground as he manoeuvred his sword before him. His eyes firmly glued on the demon as it shifted its stance to a higher one, levelling it so that the tip of the blade pointed at him and was well above the demon's shoulders. They squared off, judging each fighter for any signs of weakness.
Answering to a mental call, demon warriors ran out from nearby streets passing their accursed master. Each lunged to attack Ranma who by now saw the demon lord retreating as he engaged the demons. ["Coward!"] Ranma cursed in his head as he concentrated his attack in clearing an area for him to manoeuvre.
***
["Uh...Fire?"] Ranko thought in surprise, as she leaped away to avoid a falling burning timber that fell on her path. Confusion assailing her as much as the concern of fleeing the village she called home. ["Home?"] She thought quite puzzled at the thought of this as being her home. She discards the idea as she covers her mouth and noise to block the burning fumes of the black smoke. Smoke stung her watery eyes as she tried to clear the smoke with her waving hands.
Finally the smoke clears enough to see and she is fear stricken. Striding amidst the burning remains of houses she sees the demon lord. The gleam in its eyes held her in place as she tried to move muscles that would not respond. And the demon lord moved closer and closer. Eyes still locked with hers even as another burning timber fell and flared on the ground between them. Through the flames she saw him coming, his image blurred yet the light from the fire reflecting in his eyes laughter invaded her thoughts, she was still rooted in place.
Too late was she in reacting that the demon was already upon her, when she finally tried to escape. Turning around to flee only to be stopped as she turned to face the demon lord that held her arm firmly. His eyes bright and red as she sensed epic glee in them. And fear makes her weak.
***
Happosai smiled at the prize he found amid the burning houses of the town. The beauty he held would prove to be a satisfactory servant to his desires as he examined her more closely. Her bright blue eyes and fiery red hair even now has already planted the seeds of lust in him and the fires inside burns more brightly at the thought of taking her. He pulls back his right arm up high and then drives it down and through her chest sensing her essence seep into his hand as he greedily absorbs her life into him. And he laughs a cruel demonic laugh.
***
Ranko feels her soul being ripped out of her, her cries of anguish reflecting the intense pain of having her life drained before her as she gradually felt weaker by the minute. And her agonising cry is lost as another one takes after it.
***
"AaaaahhhHHH"
<Slice>
Ranma slices off the Demon Lords arm as he followed up his attack by a quick horizontal slash to the chest and then a kick that made the demon topple over and away from him. Seeing the girl he held a moment ago, he rushes to her side cradling her head in the hollow of his arm as he poised his blade to guard them selves from the demon. That by now was recovering from the attack as it drew its blade in a ready stance.
"You will be all right." He assured to the wounded girl, unsure whether or not she understood. He knew only one thing, this battle must end now.
***
She falls to the ground hard then is picked up in strong muscled hands. Gentle she thought as she looked into the eyes of a handsome youth. He felt her lay her down gently on the ground, his assurances lost amid the chaotic sounds of war. Ranko sees his go as they battled each other in the fields. All image and senses are lost when darkness finally overcomes her.
***
{Inside Lotus Temple}
Waking from the dream shocked and afraid, Ranko sits up on the bed as she finds herself wet with perspiration and tears. Cradling her head with one hand, the other steadying her on the bed as she tried to hold back the onslaught of tears trying to break out. ["No...I mustn't cry".] Ranko tried to berate herself in her thoughts. ["It was just a dream. Just a dream..."] Ranko shaken finds that she could not sleep. Tossing the bed sheet away, she draws her legs over the side of the bed and stands up to leave the confines of her room and into the main hall below. As she stood there, leaning on the temples huge open doors. She finds consolation from looking up into the night sky. And a small teardrop slides down from her eye to moisten her cheek.
***
{Somewhere in the forests and out of the dream.}
In the dark heart of the wilderness, the wind rattled the dry leaves of the trees as the branches swayed in the breeze. Its passage accompanied only by its soft gentle howl as it wandered in the darkness of the night. As it caressed the soft silky waves of pink-white fabric, which served as the walls of a simple open hall that, was held by four strong red pillars. In the middle of this shrine atop a finely woven carpet of intricate designs lay silk covered pillows. Small candles lighted the hall all around, atop several long thin metal stands while others were scattered on the floor.
And in the middle of this lay a very beautiful woman. Her back exposed and partly covered by her long silky black hair, which barely covered her exposed smooth skin to the soft caresses of the wind. Her dress of soft silk white robes lay quietly by her side. Arms crossed on top of one of the pillows as she rested her cheek on it, eyes closed and partly dreaming. Her red lips parted invitingly as she smiled.
"Uhh......huhhh...Mmmm"
She gasps in a bit of pain then settles back down again when it passed then settling back on top of the silk pillows as she turned to look at the cause of her brief pain to the hands that applied them. Long red nails moved gently from her shoulder as they took out the needle that was creating her tattoo of a simple red flower. Blood seeped out from the small wound that the needle created as another woman of similar beauty lowered her face to lick the wound clean.
"Ukyou..." the girl gasped at the touch of the girl's moist tongue on her wounded skin as she turns to look at her with eyes slightly closed and lips partly open.
"Yes mistress..." Ukyou replied softly from where she sat beside the girl. Rising up slowly to sit properly as she took the sharp needle away, placing it gently on the floor beside her.
"How long has it been?" the girl asks softly from where she lay atop of the pillows as she turned away to look at the darkness outside of the small shrine.
"About a hundred years now I guess, my mistress." Ukyou replies softly.
"Ukyou, you've been a good friend to me for these past many years and yet you still continue to call me that. Why?" the girl asked a bit puzzled still focused on the view outside.
The girl sighs, then smiles as she continued to speak as if lecturing a young girl.
"Mistress..." Ukyou pauses when she saw the slight frown form on her mistress lips. And smiles to herself as though laughing at a joke only she knew as she continued.
"Akane...I know. That's why I haven't forgotten. And besides, it's all I have left of my former life."
"You have me." The girl said as a matter of fact staring at the black night pass the fluttering silk curtains of the shrine.
"No - somebody else already has you. Or have you... forgotten already?" Ukyou asked a bit curious.
"No, I still remember." Akane replied sadly.
"Then... that is good. You still remember then." Ukyou said, not noticing Akane's silence. "Here let me straighten out your hair."
Akane sits up and lets her comb her hair back as Ukyou arranges it softly in one hand as she took out a red comb that was lying on the floor near the pillows.
"Ukyou should I -"
Akane stops as she gets up and so does Ukyou when they suddenly feel a mysterious presence. A very evil presence that she knew. When from out of no where appeared a figure, blade bare as he attacked Akane who fended off the blade by moving out of the way and turning to deliver a blow to the side of the head. More followed after the first warrior, each appearing as though at the top of their jump as they landed and immediately attacked. Ukyou and Akane fought them off with zeal. When suddenly Ukyou was attacked by the Demon Lord that suddenly appeared out of no where behind her. Hammering her with a fist to the chest making her stagger back. Akane turns as she finishes off her attacker as she screams Ukyou's name as she jumped to engaged the Demon Lord in battle.
"Ukyou!" Akane screams as she blocked an attack from the demon lord.
Ukyou turns around as she manages to free herself from the one she was fighting, finishing him off, looking then at Akane with those desperate eyes.
"Ukyou - GO!" Akane screamed as she battled with the Demon Lord and his men.
"Mistress..." Ukyou called hesitantly a moment before when Akane calls out again.
"GO!" Akane cried, her voice imploring her to escape.
And with all of the hesitation in her she tore her eyes away as she turned around to flee. Flying into the darkness of the night not once ever looking back at the shrine below as tears flowed out freely from her eyes. Tears she shed for Akane's sacrifice.
***
{Somewhere inside the great forest}
"Ah!"
Ryouga lands on a stout tree branch still determined to hunt down demons. Anger at their kind boiling in him as the thought of Ranko lying on the bed made his depression much worse than it all ready is. Leaping off the tree again he glides in the air and as he slowly descended back down he kicks yet another branch to remain air born.
["It is my fault that she got hurt. My fault that the demons came after her, they came after me. It was my responsibility to watch out for her. I promised. It's my fault!"] Ryouga screamed in his thoughts as he flew, tears seeped out of his partially closed eyes as he soared in the forest treetops. His grip on the handle of his umbrella tightened, as did his resolve to do the deed he came here for. No longer would he wait for them to strike. This time he would be the hunter.
A scream pierces the night air, a woman's voice he discerned and so were the sounds of sword fighting. The whizzing sound of a blade as it cut through the air as did the grunts and snarls of determined fighters was unmistakable. Ryouga heads in the direction of the noise, his brow crossing down as the adrenaline of a coming fight excited him in a frenzy that exploded at the sight of the combatants.
A beautiful long black-haired girl dressed in robes of fine blue silk battled several demon warriors. Long dead warriors made to serve under the wing of a demon king. Though why they suddenly appeared eluded him. He knew warriors such as these seldom come out, but the answer wouldn't come as battle lust raged inside him. He leaped into the air and landed in the heat of the battle with umbrella slashing in a tornado of vertical and horizontal cross strikes as he blocked and parried each attack delivered by the demons he fought against.
***
{In the clearing}
Ukyou didn't know who this stranger was, but his battle skill was indeed welcome as she finished off the one she was fighting to stare at the new comer. Though she wasn't able to dwell much further on who this stranger could be, for she found herself with a new opponent, she did keep in mind to thank the stranger later once the fight was over as determination covers her face.
***
One charged him with blade up high, Ryouga quickly puts him out of his misery with a lunging stab through the chest that broke through withered flesh and bone alike. Withdrawing his weapon from the corpse he backs away then side kicks the corpse off his weapon as he opened his umbrella and waved it left to right at extreme arcs fending off a combined attack from his opponents, which he now counted was only four. Leaping off the ground, he lands on a branch of a tree. Looking down on his opponents who themselves leaped up after him. He leaps away when one of the attacks cleaves off the branch he was standing on cleanly.
Hovering in the air he lets loose his umbrella at the attacker. The umbrella spinning through the air like a top as its edge cleanly cut through the creature's skull and arm. Ryouga in the mean time kicked off another tree to remain in the air just as the umbrella turned in an arc headed towards him. He catches it in mid air and lands on another branch waiting for another strike. Which he doesn't get as one of the warriors sliced cleanly the trunk of the tree making it fall. He leaps off of it and into the air again.
One of the warriors picks up and hurls the fallen tree at Ryouga, which he avoids as he saw it crash into the other trees.
***
Ukyou sees this too as she fought hand to blade with her attacker were in one movement manages to steal the warriors sword out of its hand. She then follows it up by turning around as she chopped the demon's head off at the back of the neck and then hurling the blade at the one who threw the tree. Stabbing him in the back thus killing it. She goes after to help him when an intense pain suddenly racks her body and blood escaped from her open mouth as she staggers a bit. Turning to find a sword embedded in her side as it was yanked out by one of the demon warriors. The pull tore a scream from her as she spun in the air then finally fell on the ground before the demon swords man.
***
Ryouga turns at the sound of the cry of the girl he tried to save only to find the dead corpse of the demon warrior the girl had just killed on the back with a sword. He finds the girl on the ground as he parried the other warrior's attacks as he tried to make his way to the girl. Who by now he saw was crawling on the dirt trying to flee with much effort as the demon stood by her with sword held high to strike.
Ryouga makes no hesitation as he risked jumping high up in the air, turning around in the air so as he tilted his head up to look down on the warriors below him. Who were trying to stab him as he twirled around in the air their strike going no where as he parried each attack on him. Then landing right before the demon swords man as Ryouga blocked its downward stroke. Both of them stared into each other's eyes. Ryouga used this chance to push the others sword away as he followed it up by doing a diagonal flash aimed for the head. The demon on the other hand backed away as the other warriors closed up on Ryouga from behind. Ryouga pushes the demon swords man away as he concentrated on fighting the other two warriors. Blocking a head strike with his umbrella as he returned with a strike of his own to the head. The demons backs away out of umbrella reach as Ryouga swats a clear space before him. The demon swords man between the other two lesser warriors.
At the signal of the demon swords man the other two move side ways trying to flank Ryouga on both sides Ryouga on the mean time changed from stance to stance. Lowering his weapon then bringing it to face level. And as both warriors flanked him, the one on the right of Ryouga came at him with an overhead strike followed by the other with a lunging strike for the chest. Ryouga sides steps to avoid the lunge as he blocked the other with his umbrella then suddenly pivoting to deliver a back handed slash to the back of the head of the one that came with the over head strike as he passed by. The other moving pass him as Ryouga engaged the one he just hit. Trading attacks at each other neither one scoring a hit when at a critical moment when Ryouga cornered the other with blade on the neck and his umbrella pushing on it to make it closer to the others neck. The other attacked from behind giving Ryouga little time to bring his weapon for a block or to evade. When his opponent is suddenly caught by threads of hair like a rope. Wrapping the demons neck and arms stopping the attack as the warrior was lifted up and of the ground. And torn before his eyes. Head arms and legs scattered like so many pieces of debris. Ryouga follows the length of hair to the girl who was staggering jump to stay up as she leaned on a tree. Her tired and dull eyes looked at his as blood poured out of her mouth.
***
Ukyou looked at him, seeing the confused look in his eyes as he looked at her. Then it hit her. The markings she took for granted. The scent of his spirit, strong and clean, holy like a monk. She was looking at a monk. The shock of the thought sapped all of her remaining strength. Her arms weak from supporting her now lost all power as Ukyou fell on the ground.
***
Ryouga looked at her as she fell then was snapped back to reality when he was pushed aside by the other warrior. Making him fall back flat ono the ground as it and the swords man retreated into the recesses of the forest. Ryouga was still in shock to find himself still alive. More so to find that the one who saved him was a ghost. A spirit. As a monk it was his duty to destroy evil ghosts. Still in shock he tried to Ryouga looked at her as she fell then was snapped back to reality when he was pushed aside by the other warrior. Making him fall back flat onto the ground as it and the swords man retreated into the recesses of the forest. Ryouga was still in shock to find himself still alive. More so to find that the one who saved him was a ghost. A spirit. As a monk it was his duty to destroy evil ghosts. Still in shock he tried to g
She tilts her head forward, bowing as tears seeped out from her eyes.
"Finish it." She said softly. Ukyou tried not to cry. Her spirit she knew would be dispersed like the stars. Her existence decided upon this mortal. If she had only the strength to flee...but no she does not. She acknowledges her destruction at the hands of this youth.
Ryouga is confused at what she said. He didn't want to kill her that he was sure off. He couldn't move himself to destroy such a beautiful girl more over the fact that she saved his life. But duty...
"Go" he said. It surprised him.
Ukyou surprised at this turns her head slowly. Confusion evident on her tear covered face as she looked at the man before him.
"Go" Ryouga said more strongly. "You are...free." Ryouga said as he tried to battle the tears that wished to flow.
Ukyou could not still believe her ears at what she heard but seeing the sincerity in the young man's eyes that...
Ukyou slowly rises off the ground, forcing her arms to move which now had the strength. Leaning on a tree she turned her head to look back at the man. But only sees his back as he slowly moved away. Using his umbrella more as a walking staff as he made his way out of the forest.
Ukyou could only see his strong back as he walked away as she tried to heel herself of her wounds. Ghosts do not die of cuts but are only weakened to a point that they could not hold their form anymore. They may as well don't exist at all. She was far from that she knew. As she tried to regain her strength, she looked at the man again as he slowly walked away. She saw him smile when he turned around to look back at her. And she could only smile back in return as he turned to move away again. She can't help but feel a slight tingle in her chest and a smile on her face, as she leaned on the trunk of the tree resting.
***
Ryouga is walking slowly back to the temple. Drained of anger and frustration he slowly makes his way back, the road to it much clearer as he thought of what he did. And could not help but smile. Clean of conscience he knew he did the right thing when he released her. And that was all that mattered. His sorrow didn't feel as heavy as it did before this. And once he was sure of his strength he ran. Running with renewed strength.
***
{Somewhere inside the forest.}
Akane is walking silently amidst the tall trees. The lake's edge beside made the ground cold underneath her yet it compared little to what she felt inside. The knowledge that she managed to escape only spurned the hope that Ukyou got away also. Looking out pass the edge of the lake, the lake they used to frequent together as she noticed the slow moving mist that slowly formed on top of it, which barely covered the small wooden bridge and dock. Moving softly and gracefully, she made her way to it.
And under the full moons light she began to weave her spell over the place. Turning and spinning, her hair flying in the air as she spun her weave around the place. And once the spell was done, she opens her eyes slowly and joy welled up in her. She had made a new home.
***
{The lair of the Demon Lord}
The sword master slowly made his way back to his Master's temple. With him was the other warrior who fought with the monk. Fear and worry accompanied them both as they were immediately escorted to their lord's throne-room where they fell on their knees before him.
Immediately they tried to explain the outcome of their fight. The Master looking more and more grim at each word of failure. And in the end they were devoured by the Master they served. And once the deed was done, he ordered his warriors out.
Sitting there on his throne, the demon lord rubbed the scar on his arm, his eyes bright as ever as he recalled distant memories. Smiling as he laid out his plans. Soon he thought, very soon...and he laughed, his eyes bright red in the darkness.
***
{Back inside the Lotus Temple}
Ranko is casually walking outside, admiring the temple grounds as they always did comfort her like no other. The cool, forest air freshened her more so by the fact that she was partly covered with perspiration. She had walked out upon waking knowing that to stay longer in bed reminded her more of the dream. Lightly touching a delicate white flower on a bush, the moisture on it cool to the touch as did the sweet smell of it brought a smile on her face. She took the stem off the bush and carried the flower with her to enjoy its sweet scent and walked around the lotus pond. Turning to a call of her name, she spots Ryouga running up and out of the forest, beaming with joy, for what she did not know. But she smiled nonetheless as he stopped before her. He was smiling with delight as he looked at her.
"Why, what's wrong?" Ranko asked confused wondering if her face was dirty and he was laughing at her.
"No nothing's wrong. I'm just glad that you're all right." Ryouga said beaming.
"I'm fine, where were you?"
"Just out." Ryouga said smiling. Ranko looked radiant under the moon's light.
Then she frowns as she walks closer to him examining the condition of his dress seeing it torn and dirty with blood. She stops and looks at him in the eyes with concern.
"What happened?" Ranko asked softly.
"It's nothing...really." Ryouga said.
"Are you sure?" Ranko asked.
"Yes I am." Ryouga said breathlessly as he noticed how close Ranko was to him. He blushes slightly.
Ranko seeing him blush, realises the awkwardness of their position and her hand still on his wounded chest. She takes her hand away as though burned and turns away from him in embarrassment. Ryouga didn't notice this at all as he was still light headed from the experience.
Walking away Ranko goes to one of the four stone pagoda pillars and lays a hand on its rough surface. Still confused of her dream yet curious of what happened when she was abducted by that demon. She turns a bit to look at Ryouga who was by now a bit tense as though fighting a force inside him. Puzzled she turns fully and walks around the pool then stops halfway when he finally spoke.
"I'm...sorry." Ryouga said full of emotion as Ranko looks at him.
"Sorry for what?" Ranko asked confused.
"I'm sorry for tearing your clothes." Ryouga said softly.
"Oh that, I was wonderin-" Ranko wasn't able to finish as Ryouga spoke on through.
"...There is a town nearby, you could buy a nice dress there, provisions and maybe even a boat to sail out." Ryouga said in a rush.
"A boat? Provisions? Ryouga, are you asking me to leave?" Ranko asked a bit worried. First her dreams then the attack then this it was happening so fast she had to know.
"Leave - Yes." Ryouga said defeated.
"Why? Why do you want me to leave?" Ranko asked in a tone a bit desperate.
Ryouga confused stuttered when he spoke. "Wha...why? - Ranko...you've just been attacked by demons left for dead. Isn't that enough reason for you to go?"
"No - Ryouga, I'm already deep in this as you are. I'm not about to abandon it..."
"Yes you are! Don't you understand...I don't want you here." Ryouga said in a burst of worry and anger of desperation in a sense as he regretted the moment he spoke the words.
Ranko shocked at this couldn't give a reply to this as she looked at Ryouga whose tear filled eyes looked at her.
"I...I'm sorry...I...I...I didn't mean it like that." Ryouga said stuttering.
"What did you mean...?" Ranko asked softly, afraid of what she might hear.
"I'm just afraid, that with all of this, the demons might hurt you and if that happens I wouldn't be there to help." Ryouga said turning away.
"Ryouga... Please don't turn me away."
Ryouga inhales deeply thinking it over and drops his head in defeat as he turns around and shakes his head in acquiescence to her.
Ranko seeing this inhales deeply and smiles as she wipes a tear off her cheek.
"You'd better get inside, the soup's getting cold." Ranko said smiling as a laugh escapes her lips.
Ryouga gives a smile too and realising the churning in his stomach gives no hesitation at all in being led inside the temple.
***
{Inside the kitchen of the temple}
Ryouga is eating a bowl of noodles using his chopsticks to greedily push food into his mouth as he looked at Ranko pass the bowls rim. Ranko smiled as watched him eat, amused at how he ate. Ryouga noticed this peculiarity that she wasn't eating that he offers her a bowl which Ranko politely refuses saying that she had already eaten. Smiling again, Ryouga continues eating while an amused Ranko watched him pig out. She laughs a bit at the thought as she tried to stifle her giggles as she continued to watch him eat. Ryouga suddenly conscious of her giggling slows down a bit to look at her. Ranko in the mean time doubled her efforts to stop from laughing. But when Ryouga finally put on a face of puzzlement, his face dirty with some sticky rice on his face. Ranko just couldn't help it as she burst out laughing no longer hiding the amusement.
"What?" Ryouga asked smiling.
Ranko covers her smile with the back of her hand as she tried to hold out her laughter.
"What?" Ryouga asked a bit more.
"Hasn't anybody ever told you before that you eat like a pig."
"No."
"The way you eat too much we might as well go into town to stock up on food."
"Hmm...That's a good idea. Why don't we."
"Really?"
"Sure. First thing in the morning."
Ranko smiles happily.
***
{Inside the town}
Ranko is walking slowly in the dust-covered streets of the town, with its dirty walkways and alleys, and rundown houses that featured all sorts of banners and fliers that advertised wares and restaurants. Vendors in dull green sweat covered shirts shouted their wares as their bandannas fluttered in the air. The crowd was light today she noticed as only a few people were walking in the streets. Children ran and played chase while angry mothers called out to them to come home. Buyers arguing with the prices of the goods while the local black smith shop with its giant bellows and metal works kept up an unceasing noise with its constant hammering of iron which echoed openly into the streets. Though not to be out done by the vendors shouts. All the while Ranko walked by in a small space of her own, a basket full of fruit tucked in the hollow of her left arm as she passed by the towns streets. Never paying attention to the admiring glances given by some of the men around her.
Brushing off a loose strand of hair she walks on stopping by an elderly woman's shop to but some vegetables.
***
Ryouga is walking somewhere inside the town, deciding a while ago to explore the town and see some of its many shops. He was not used to the hustle and bustle of town life. Occasionally bumping into several strangers when his gaze lingered to long and still walking around, which produced some harsh remarks to come his way.
He admired the simple dwellings of these people for it is very different and new when compared to his own life style inside the temple. For the town itself was a lot dirtier and noisier than he was used to, but it was understandable because these people never grew up inside a holy temple. And now that he thought about it, the only real person he could talk to back then was his teacher and master.
["It's so...different here. - huh... woahhh"]
So absorbed was Ryouga in his thoughts that he couldn't even hear himself speak as others angrily shoved pass him then leaping aside as he was almost run over by a horse pulled cart. The driver shouted angry curses at him as he sped pass, Ryouga didn't understand what he meant or said because he just wasn't used to curses and such, so he just smiled back at the man.
"Mister, would you like to buy some flowers?" A voice said in the background behind Ryouga.
Ryouga turns around at the sound of the voice behind him. And is surprised to find a beautiful girl standing before him. Her hair long black hair fell pass her shoulders as she was dressed in a soft blue Chinese robe and matching pants. In her left arm she cradled a small basket filled with an assortment of beautiful blossoms. Red, yellow and white flowers were tied to form a simple bouquet, which she held close to her chest as she looked at him over the gentle blossoms as she waited for his reply. She smiles when she saw him blush and Ryouga stammers a bit as his mind tried to register the question again.
"Wha...what?" Ryouga asked stupidly.
The girl smiles again at his reply, stifling a short gigle as she repeated the question a bit more slowly this time for him.
"I said, would you like to buy some flowers."
"Flowers?" Ryouga asked lamely.
"Mmm Hmm." The girl said as she held up the fragile blossoms in her hand as she arranged them qucikly though stealing a few brief glances at him.
"Why...yes, please." Ryouga blurted out then smiled.
"How many?"
"All of them..." Ryouga didn't consider his response.
"All of them?" the girl asked puzzled.
"Uh, huh." Ryouga just nods not hearing her question as he continued to stare at her from where he stood.
Taking his nod as acknowledgement enough she begins to adjust the flowers of the bouquet then gently hands it over to Ryouga, which he takes absently. His eyes never leaving her as he took it.
"How much?"
"One silver coin."
Ryouga digs into his pockets looking for the coin and hands it over saying, "Here..."
"Thanks." The girl replied as she turn around to leave.
"Uh miss..." Ryouga called suddenly when she moved away yet when she turned around to face him. His mind goes momentarily blank as he was struck once again by her beauty making him forget what he was going to say.
"Yes?" The girl asked smiling as she waited for him to respond.
Bridging the gap between them, Ryouga considered what he was about to say.
"What is your name?" Ryouga asked, feeling a bit vulnerable as he waited for the girl's reply.
Akari considered the question briefly then looked back at the man before her. He seems nice enough she thought. When finally she decides, replying, "I'm Akari."
"Ryouga. Hibiki Ryouga" He said smiling.
"Its nice to meet you Ryouga."
"You too. Umm...do you always come here?"
"Yes, but only in the morning...Ryouga, I have to go." She said, a bit reluctantly.
"Why?"
"Well you see. My parents don't usually allow me to talk with boys. They will get angry..."
"I understand..." Ryouga replied feeling a bit of pain in his heart in seeing her leave. Her form growing smaller and smaller as she moved farther and farther away from him. Finally he calls out yet again. "Wait!"
Akari turns to look at him, puzzled, as Ryouga again bridged the gap between them. "What?" Akari said smiling as she looked at Ryouga whom she noted was breathing a bit hard from his run. She patiently waited for him to talk.
"Will I ...will I ever see you again?" Ryouga said with a tinge of hope.
"Maybe..." Akari said, though not too sure, but she also hoped they would.
"This is for you..." Ryouga said as he handed over the flowers he just bought a while ago.
Akari surprised by this gesture doesn't know what to say or do as she looked at Ryouga's outstretched hand, which held the beautiful bouquet then to his sincere face and smile. Akari blushes for his thoughtfulness as she accepted the bouquet. Ryouga smiles deeply as she took it, seeing her more beautiful with the flowers in her hand as she gazed upon the soft delicate flowers then back at him smiling.
"Thank you." She said.
She then plucks out one of the gentle blossoms from the bouquet and gives the flower to Ryouga saying. "Keep it, it's for you." She said smiling. Ryouga slowly reaches for the flower, and he smiles back at her.
"Ryouga...I have to go." Akari said hesitantly.
"I understand." Ryouga said a bit lonely.
"I will see you again ok." Akari said as they parted ways.
"Yes we will." Ryouga said finally as he once more looked at the departing form of Akari as she made her way through the crowd. Turning he walks unconcernedly, his thoughts full with the images of endless fields of flowers and her nestled in its center.
***
{In another side of town.}
Ranko is walking quietly in the plaza. Oblivious of the stares she generated amongst the men, unconcerned of the noise and the bustle of the now somewhat crowded streets of the town. The plaza itself wasn't that big just a few hundred sq. meters with roads branching off of it. Neighboured by huge shops and restaurants with its accompanying stalls and vendors who tried to interest several passers-by for their goods.
Ranko just walks pass all of this; sometimes curtly refusing some offered wares to her by some vendors. Thinking all the while of cooking a good dinner to thank Ryouga for his kindness.
She just left a stall and was walking to the centre of the street when shouts and screams came from her right hand side. When she turned their was a large crowd of people hopping to the sides as several horse men with banners flapping in the air charged pass them. Some even swatted a few with their horsewhips to those slow enough to get out of the way. Surprise and fright held Ranko in her place as she watched the charging horse coming towards her.
***
The rider saw the fear stricken girl cannot turn in time as he yanked the reins hard causing the horse to rear back standing on its hind legs as it waved its front hooves in the air. The rider, too busy to keep the horse steady doesn't see the girl stagger back hard as she fell on to her back. The fruits she carried in her basket rolling out into the dirt. A minute of silence washes over the crowd after this when finally the rider steadies and calms his horse. His comrades stopped beside him still on their horses as the rider dismounted. Anger burning inside him as he saw the fallen girl start to rise from which she fell. Supported only by her arms as she tried to rise off the ground. He takes out his horsewhip and strides towards the fallen girl. His black robed uniform gathering dust as he marched to her. Raising his arm high in the air the one that held the whip ready to strike the girl when he was upon her.
His downward stroke is cut off by a strong grip and he whirls around to strike the one stopping him. He is thrown back to the ground by a fierce punch to the face.
On the ground the angry soldier turns and his anger melts away quickly only to be replaced by fear as he looked up at the man before him. Silhouetted by the sun on his back. The four swords arranged in an arc behind him, with bare silver blades pointed to the heavens. His lacquered black armour reflected back the sunlight as his master's cold brown eyes looked upon him. And the soldier feels ashamed for what he'd done.
"Would you strike a superior officer of the empire Keishiro?" the man said in distaste as he looked upon his fallen soldier.
"No...no my Lord Kuno." Keishiro stammered as he bowed before Kuno.
"Get out of my sight." Kuno ordered as he turned to help the fallen girl who was flatly staring on the ground at her fallen goods.
***
Ranko had no words to express her bitter disappointment as she saw her work wasted on the ground. Her gift was ruined. She wipes away a tear as she reached out to pick up the fruits and vegetables, which seemed salvageable. For every cent she had was spent on this meal she was to prepare.
She didn't realise someone was beside her until he offered an untarnished apple to her face. She turns to look at the man before her who was on his knees beside her. Offering her an apple as he smiled looking at her. Ranko wipes away her tears with the back of her hand as she gives her thanks to the man.
"I'm sorry how my soldier treated you." He goes on saying. "I humbly ask for your forgiveness."
Ranko just listens to him as he spoke this as she gathered up the rest of the vegetables on the ground...
"I am Tatewaki Kuno of the House of Kuno."
Once done picking the vegetables she rises off the ground. Kuno rises also with her as both of them stare at each other. Ranko noting Kuno's high cheekbones and strong chin as well as his long lock of hair that partly covered his eyes. Kuno did the same, memorising every inch of her beautiful face.
"Ranko." She answered softly and a bit hesitantly.
"Ranko....again...I am sorry for how my man treated you. Here let me take this." Kuno takes from Ranko her basket of fruits and He hands over a small pouch of heavy coins for her to keep.
"Please take this. In return for the fruits."
"But this is too much..." Ranko protested. She was honest by heart.
"Keep it." Kuno replied as he mounted his tall black horse and readied his men, balancing the basket in front of him on his saddle.
Ranko could not argue back with him as he rode away as the townsfolk resumed their daily lives again. Seeing the action in its end. While some felt partly jealous of the rider who is slowly disappearing away as they once again looked at the girl standing looking on at him.
In a shrouded and secluded corner of a nearby restaurant, sitting under the shade of its roof a lone watchman watched long and hard at Ranko who is by now gathering herself as she looked upon her surroundings. Musing over the event. The man in the meantime just eagerly watched the scar on his face creeping closely under his eye as he stroked a knife lovingly.
***
Ranko, now partly aware, senses the eyes staring at her. Conscious of someone looking at her more than anyone else in the town, she turns around slowly and spots the man. Looking clearly at her as several people passed by, yet his eyes still remained on her as he stroked his knife lovingly.
Ranko stared at him as he did her, when it hits her and he smiles broadly as he got up and vanished inside the restaurant. Ranko turns around hastily as she walks slowly away. Trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. She knew who the man was, and fear of seeing him again brought her to move faster. Her head turning every which direction scanning the crowds as she walked on by. Ignoring the proffered goods to her as she made her way through the crowd.
Then stops in mid-step, as she gasps in shock.
There before her, several meters away in an intersection stood the men she met in the inn. The murderers and thieves and in the middle was the man who led them. She gives no hesitation at all as she dashed through the crowd behind her, ignoring the curses delivered as she made her way trough them. The men not far behind her as they too gave chase. The inconveniences Ranko gave soon forgotten as they were shoved aside to land on the dirt covered floor of the town, As they could only curse the men who were mauling the crowd after the girl.
***
Being of small of stature and light, she easily dodged the many passers by who sometimes turned to look at her and get mauled by the rampaging men behind her. Who of being bigger and slower crashed with the crowd. Ducking into an alley she rested on it as she tried to gather her breath as she risked a peek behind the corner to see the men trying to disentangle themselves from the crowd. Then flattening herself on the wall as they passed by. Slipping away carefully she moves on into the crowd as she fled.
***
The men chasing her stopped, as they lost sight of their prey as they scanned the area. One of them looks behind and calls the others as they all went to chase after Ranko.
***
Spotted Ranko runs even faster as she sprinted pass stall after stall. Then turning suddenly to enter suddenly a fairly decorated building were the cries of laughter emanated. Running up its short steps pass bewildered men and shouts from the manager, Ranko makes her way pass. Grabbing a porcelain teapot from the tray a waiter was holding as he called and turned to Ranko to give it back. Nevertheless, she dashes up a steep decorated and wide stairway as she made her way through the open isles and into a curtained room amid the stares and wonders of the men below. Their curiosity shattered by the grand entrance of the gang men as they shoved their way pass the customers. The leader, grabbing the manager by the collar as he demanded to know where she went. The manager held by fear couldn't give a straight answer as he was unceremoniously dropped to the floor before the man as he gave out orders to his men for a search of the rooms above.
***
{Inside the brothel}
Inside the room, Ranko takes out the teapot she stole and pours its contents on her instantly transforming herself into her other form just as one of the leader's men barged on through to his surprise. The man who entered paid no attention to him at all as he looked out of the window he saw was open. And then back at Ranma who was surprised sat on the bed and away from him. Shock covered his face as he looked at the man sitting on the bed. A few moments later the leader ran up to the room.
"They say that the girl entered this room."
"No sign of her here boss."
"You" The leader called to Ranma as he stared at him. Ranma just remained silent. Worry and fear of being discovered intermixed.
"Where is she?" The leader demanded.
Weakly Ranma held up his arm, pointing to the open window.
Following the mans lifted hand, the leader followed it and dumped the man he held on the bed he lay on and looked out into the window and at the empty street below and through the roof tops of the other nearby houses.
"Ting, gather up the boys, we are leaving. She has escaped us again." The leader said as he gave a final look at Ranma as he walked out and through the door. The other looked at him also as he filed out then trailing his leader.
Ranma stands up weekly and fixes his clothing, gathering up his long black hair as he tied it into a pigtail and moved into the corridor, the men left as the others looked at them with fearful looks. Then just as they all left the building the people resumed their business as if nothing at all happened. The manager, Ranma saw, was busy with his waiters as he ordered them to clean up and assess the damage as he sighed in sadness.
Ranma made his way out of the brothel quietly amid the short whisperings and laughter of the patrons.
***
{Inside the great forest}
Walking amid the shrubbery of the dense foliage of the forest, Ranma is lost and confused if not frightened and very much alone, which the latter hardly even bothered him. The former only strengthened his resolve to go further. He had to reach the temple, somehow, that he knew too well.
Besides from seeking shelter, he needed sometime to organise his position. First, Kuno and that little mishap with that soldier of his, and then that short chase through town which resulted in my immediate need to transform to my other self. Plus the fact that I'm slugging it out in here in the middle of no where and god knows what else is out there.
His thoughts though are suddenly stopped when the first notes hit him. Soft and sweet like roses in spring bloom. Soft plucking notes followed by gentle strumming chords. A Chinese love song he thought. [But out here, in the forest?] Yet there was no denying the soft sweet music that drifted in the moon lit darkness of the forest was real. It was an enchanting tune, a spell that drew him towards its source.
Following his ears if not his heart, he trailed the darkness of the forest seeking for the source of this entrancing melody. His foot falls soft against the ground as he made his way pass trees and bushes, parting them ever so gently as not to make a sound less they overcome the gentle caress the music brought to his heart. Yet his mind could not help deny it. He wanted to know what has captured him so.
Parting a veil of soft vines that hung from a nearby tree, the curtain revealed a tranquil lake. And hovering above this were the soft wisps of white gentle mist, which gathered up the moons soft light. Small ripples created by the wind, expanded as they moved through the water. Breaking upon hitting the shore.
As the wind softly blew over the waters of the lake, the mist slowly parted, unveiling a long, narrow wooden bridge connected on the far side of the lake before him. Its dark brown railings were discernible under the light of the moon. Dark hard lines etched in the backdrop of grey-white mist. And as the wind blew on, colours began to be unveiled as soft reds and yellows coming from the lanterns brightened up the darkness with its eerie glow. Accompanied by swirling pink curtains that mimicked the soft small waves of the sea as it fluttered in the soft breeze.
The shrine sat in the middle of the large lake. Small and secluded, it stood under the cover of the trees that lined the edge of the shore around it with the bridge serving as the only way to reach it. Red pillars supported a traditional Chinese roof and from were Ranma stood, he could only note that there are no walls around it, just red railings still in that traditional Chinese design as well as elaborate decorations. The soft pink curtains served as its walls, moving in gentle waves as the music that drew him here was now accompanied by a soft sweet voice that touched his heart even more than the music did.
He walks to reach the bridge with an urgency he never felt before in his life as he tried to gather up images of what could be producing such beautiful sounds.
***
{Shrine}
Upon reaching the narrow wooden bridge, he cautiously moves on as his steps made some thumping noises on the wooden boards of the bridge that led to the small shrine. Soft silk curtains slowly flapped in the breeze as a soft mist covered the back of the shrine. When the flaps open fully, he stops, his eyes lingering at what he saw and his mouth opens as if to speak, but no sound emerges as he stares on lovingly at the sight before him.
Seated on a soft pile of silk covered pillows under the cover of the soft silk curtains of the shrine, sat the most beautiful woman Ranma had even seen, her long flowing black hair lifted gently at the soft caress of the wind. Each passing breeze made her soft silk white dress cling to her form making his cheeks burn red. He tore his eyes off her body just long enough for him to gaze into her face and it never left there. Her eyes though partly closed held emotion and feeling. Her slightly parted red lips inviting as her hands lovingly caressed the strings of the lacquered zheng instrument before her. Whose strings she plucked softly as she played music like soft slowing water.
***
The music felt like free flowing water as it finally calmed down as the song ended. Her eyes softly opens and she smiles letting the echoes of the final chord ring out into the forest.
And a moment of silence reigns as the final note dies down and the wind ruffling Ranma's hair as he looked at the beautiful lady before him.
The girl suddenly aware of his appreciative eyes smiles and blushes as she rose on soft gentle unclothed feet and moves to stand behind a low railing of the shrine. Turning her head briefly and eloquently as she looked back at the youth staring at her with evident fascination. She blushes yet again as she looked out into the waters.
"I'm sorry if I startled you." Ranma said softly, a bit hesitantly as the girl still continued to look out over the calm waters in the lake.
"It's ok..." she murmurs, still looking out over the waters.
"That music you were playing, it was really beautiful."
"Thanks. I'm glad you like it." Akane replied. "So few people ever hear my music, even more so than to share their company." Ranma remains quiet at this.
"Tell me...please, who are you and why did you come here?"
"I'm... Saotome Ranma, I heard your beautiful music while I was walking in the forest."
"You were walking in the forest?" Akane said with a touch of worry
"Yes. Why?" Ranma asked, a bit confused.
"You must not be from around here then are you? Or you would have known that there are many dangers here."
"Um...Yes. I am not of this region. Nor am I familiar with some of the customs. But if there is any danger, let me help you get out of here. I'm sure you're family must be worried about you."
"I have no family. They died a long time ago. And this is my home..."
"I'm sorry..." he started, then continued in a more passive tone, "I know how it is to lose a loved one..." Ranma doesn't elaborate on it further and Akane pushes him no further to go on. The long silence making the situation more awkward than it already is.
Wishing to break the silence between them, Akane walks over to the shrine, conscious of Ranma looking at her as she made her way pass the curtains. She blushes with his scrutiny as he turns away abruptly coughing and clearing his throat. A small blush creeps unto his face as he looked out into the night sky. Akane saw this and she smiles as she resumes her move towards the pillows.
"Its cold there outside. Why don't you join me here where its much warmer." Akane said as she looked for Ranma's reaction. He smiles at the offering and moves closer to her. Akane turns around to continue walking to the center of the shrine when she suddenly turns around at a surprised cry. Ranma stumbled over a loose and exposed floorboard making him loose his footing as he bumped and toppled over Akane. Both of them landed on the soft pile of pillows.
Recovering first, Ranma supported himself with both of is arms. Under him he saw Akane, looking more beautiful than ever this close to him. He continues to stare at her.
"Akane." Ranma spoke softly.
"Ranma." Akane said from under him.
Both of them suddenly aware of there positions. The contact and feel of each other incresing the attraction they already felt for each other.And neither one makes a move to separate.
["She's so beautiful."]
["Ranma, it just feels so right."]
["I don't want ever to move away."]
[Could this be what love is?"]
["I feel so secure when you're around me."]
["No matter what, I'll always protect you."]
["Us together forever."]
["No I cannot hurt him"]
Akane breaks away from him leaving him confused and hurt as she turned to look at him, his dazed and confused eyes looking at her, In him she sensed something more, genuine compassion and care, and maybe love. And she was touched. And she smiles but no, ["I cannot hurt him."]
"You must go"
"Why?"
"Please... you must go."
"No. I want to be with you." Ranma holds her hand in his.
A tear escapes her eye as she breaks from his hold as she ran towards the bridge. ["No, I mustn't hurt him."] She thought as she speeding off into the forest.
"Wait!" Ranma said in surprise as much as despair as he saw her break away and dash off into the forest. Ranma runs after her.
***
{Inside the great forest}
The forest covered the few trails Akane left as she sped away on familiar ground, running with a grace she perfected for years as she headed for the heart of the woods trying desperately to shake off Ranma who was keeping up with her. Calling out for her to stop if not begging.
["He's still after me?"] She thought spurring her even more to protect him.
***
Ranma barged trough a thick bush, oblivious of the pain it brought, his mind not registering it as his eyes were glued to the fleeing form ahead of him. ["Mustn't lose her"]
"NO!"
Ranma stops when he lost sight of her, desperate assailing him as he paced around the clearing unable to decide where to go. Not wishing to risk taking any path as the others could prove to be the one she could have taken. He circled the clearing, looking for signs of passage.
"Akane!"
***
{On one of the branches overlooking the clearing}
High above the clearing, on a lowly branch up top, Akane watches him below as he paced around trying to decide what path to take when she knew neither one led anywhere to her. He had found her; he just didn't know it yet. She smiles as Ranma looked vainly for her. And finally she decides what to do with him. Takes off a piece of cloth that she kept in her pocket she throws it, so that it fluttered and was caught by the breeze. Making it fly like a long white serpent swimming in the wind.
***
Pacing around Ranma catches a glimpse of the white cloth recognising it to be from the girl he was chasing; He dashes off to get it, finding it hanging limply by a branch. He takes it in his hands recognising part of the material as belonging to Akane as brings it close to his face, enjoying the sweet perfume on it. Looking around again. He finds no trace of her then looks back at the crumpled piece of cloth in his hands, he smiles as he tucks it into his robe close to his heart.
***
Akane sees all of this and smiles in satisfaction, then an idea hits her as she decides to follow this young man back to where he lived. Seeing the few belongings he had with him, the gourd on his hip, she leaps off from the branch she was on and flies in the air growing smaller and smaller as she passed trough and hid inside the gourd.
***
Ranma full of renewed hope, dashes off into the forest, headed for the temple. His mind and heart racing with the thought of Akane as he once again braved the darkness of the forest.
"I will see you again..."
-End of Chapter 3-
-Next chapter-
-"Bitter Heart Aches..."-
** Authors notes:
The characters portrayed in this story are much older than they would be in the original time line of the Ranma universe to better suit the characters from the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story".
As you may all know, this is a first draft, please check out this web site for the latest revisions of my work "A Chinese Ghost Story" at http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371 and please send all comments to: becknkal@addax.bc.ca
I would also like to give my thanks to all those who have helped and supported me with the creation of this Ranma Fanfic. Thank You!
CAST
Ranma / Ranko:
Ranma / Ranko is a noble young man/woman who seeks real adventure in the world outside of his native home. Learned and bright he is a scholar of many talents.
Ryouga:
Ryouga is a young Taoist monk trained in the arts of spiritual war craft. He is pretty much innocent in the ways of the world and devotes pretty much of his time in mastering his art and in keeping the line of the realms of the dead separate from that of the living and vice versa.
Akane:
Akane is a one hundred-year old ghost who died a very tragic death.
Ukyou:
Akane's long time best friend and constant companion, she is a ghost also.
Happosai:
He is a one thousand-year old demon living in the forest.
Tatewaki Kuno:
A young noble lord
Items:
Guzheng / Zheng
This is a Chinese zither, sizes of it vary from 13 to 17 strings and has a range exceeding three octaves and is tuned to the Chinese pentatonic scale.
