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Loklin sat at the window of one of the guest rooms in the empty castle. There was a light knock, as Tsubasa let himself in.
"Are you upset, Loklin?"
"Yes."
"There is hardly anything to do," Tsubasa shrugged, "now that all of the things are burnt."
"That's not it," Loklin rested her forehead on the glass. Her mind was on Ryoga, but fogged over by Konatsu. And her memories.
"Then . . . what is it?" His hand rested on her shoulder.
"I . . . don't know where I belong. I do not like it here. I want to return to Father Bakuchioh."
Tsubasa's face softened. "You realize that I can never return to that place. I will be banished from Arrald if he finds out what I've done."
"Why . . .? What have you done?"
"Loklin . . ." Tsubasa looked away, his hair hiding his face. "I . . . am not like you. My parents are dead . . . because of me. My parents bringing me to the castle was an illusion. They were already dead when the guards found them, too."
Loklin stepped closer to hear Tsubasa better.
"I . . . I was never a baby. Never a childhood before thirteen. I have escaped from the depths of Hell . . . I was a slave." Tsubasa's eyes fell upon hers. "I don't even know if my name is Tsubasa Kurenai or if I am related to you . . . at all . . . I stayed at the castle because I knew I could have chosen that other than living in the streets with these powers of mine. Your father didn't even know my 'parents,' they only claimed to be related and mentioned some of their memories together that the king couldn't recall.
"The point is, Loklin," Tsubasa held her hands in between his, "I know you do not like your father for doing such terrible things to you. He is not a good king. I wish to kill him and have you take your place for the throne. Knowing King Bakuchioh, he won't hand down the crown to you until he's too feeble to walk. In fact, I don't know if he'll even give you the crown, because you are female, whether you like it or not, and he doesn't see things they way some do . . ." Tsubasa heaved a light sigh, his eyes wandering off to find some courage. "Will you be my . . . bride, Princess Loklin?"
"What? Your bride?"
"I know . . . I am a demon, and you are . . . the princess of Arrald, but I want to live with you. I've grown fond of you, being my cousin, and I think I am ready to take it one step further."
Loklin was at a lost for words. Tsubasa realized that she was having trouble, and he placed a soothing kiss on her cheek.
Loklin felt herself melt even more when he held her in. She was safe in his arms, warm, next to someone who loved her . . . . She hadn't recieved such attention by anyone . . . .Ranma . . . the knight in rusty armor
Ryoga . . . the boy who suffered so, and with the worst sense of direction
Konatsu . . . a cross-dressing ninja who saved her life from the camp
"Tsubasa," Loklin pushed him back. "I am already . . . in love. To me, you are yet my cousin, and I admire you for that. I wish to return to home."
"So do I," Tsubasa froze, his jaw clenched. "Are you going to help me?"
"You can't kill the king. Someone will find out . . ."
"Are you, or aren't you, going to help me?"
Loklin shook her head. "No. I won't have any part of this."
"Than I won't do it," Tsubasa draped his arm around her shoulder. "Let's go home."Ranma set afoot at the top of the hill, his eyes on the sky above him. He had bobbed up and down as the hill inhaled and exhaled. He had placed Princess Akane's body down in the center of the mound as Mousse had instructed him. (Please play this midi while you read)
"It's a hill where the souls communicate with Earth." Mousse had told him.
Her body was cold, but not dead. Her eyes shut naturally as she lay down.
"All I ask," Ranma spoke aloud, "is that you return the life of this girl, that was stolen from her."
Akane was still. The wind was dead. Not a blade of grass had moved.
"Is sure to work?" Shampoo whispered in Mousse's ear.
"If her soul is pure enough to drain through. Otherwise, it'll be too heavy and drift down to Hell."
There was a sqwak sqwak, like one of a bird.
"It's the dragon," Mousse clasped his hands. "It's calling for Akane's soul."Akane closed the book with a sigh.
"This is it," she crossed herself in a proper manner as she felt herself drift away in shreds.
A beam of light towered from out of the Earth, right through Akane Tendo's heart. Her head cocked to the side a little, her eyes still closed. Ranma clasped his hands in prayer, his heart beating as the glorious birth was about to shine upon her.
"Hmmmmmmmmm," Mousse hummed low and loud as the event took place. Shampoo caught on and joined him in the traditional 'Hum of Life'." Ranko was silent as her chocalate brown horse body shifted from foot to foot.
"Please, please," Ranma was in plea. "Bring her back to us. Bring her back to us...."
Akane gasped loudly in pain. Ranma glanced for a second, but continued his prayer.
The breathing picked up on the hill, as if the hill was out of breath from a long run.
Three more beams powered up from the mid-hill, right through Mousse, Shampoo, and Ranko's beating hearts. They were placed by some flying force around the hill equally. Ranma too, was powered through, his heart beating faster every moment.Princess Akane Tendo . . .
Just Akane . . . . there is so much to tell you . . . .
We are here to bring you back from your death . . . Your murder . . . .
The light drained through Ranma. It felt as though he was to be sucked up into the sky, but not strong enough to lift him. His hair had freed itself of the ponytail and was flinging in all directions, like a black fire.
"She is coming," Ranma, Ranko, Mousse, and Shampoo spoke simultaneously. "Princess Akane of Carnela . . . She is coming . . . Murder she had been . . . Murder . . . She is coming . . ."
Neither one of them knew what they were saying. It was natural, like an instinctive moment. They didn't try to control it, for they realized it was not them really doing the talking.
"RANMAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" the wind hushed down, the hill paced its breathing. Ranma opened his eyes to find Akane, laying in the center. The chi was gone, the talking had ceased. This was Akane. Akane reached out for Ranma, her body exhausted.
Ranma joined her, and helped her to her feet. She had a determined look on her face, which was not what Ranma expected. He expected fear maybe . . . . or confusion.
"Thank you," Ranma thanked the hill as he strolled Akane down the hill slowly. Akane's eyes set on the hill.
"I-It's moving!" Akane gasped. "Is it going to explode?"
"No way," Ranma grinned. "Welcome back, Princess Akane."There was no doubt that Ranma was going to set a party that night. Being out in the wilderness with no nearby cities, they were on their own.
The food was rationed equally, and the warmest blanket had been offered to Akane. Mousse was playing his flute the best he could, while Shampoo put on a little dance.
Ranma chugged down on his brandy that he had been saving for such an occasion. Akane felt more safe and hidden inside that blanket.
"Weren't there four of you?" She asked shyly.
"Yes. Ranko left," Ranma told her. Shampoo gave Ranma a seductive wink, and blew him a kiss as she twirled.
"You must be very happy," Akane daggered Ranma down with her glare. "What have you been up to while I was gone?"
Shampoo kept her eyes locked on Ranma's, and he soon returned the favor. Mousse blew too hard in his flute, causing it to crack on many notes, his glare hard on Ranma.
Shampoo ended the dance with a twirl and lay down in the grass.Ranko galloped down through the valley as fast as her feet could carry her. In her hand she grasped a paper that she had found, pinned to a corpse by an arrow. Her hair was wildly beautiful behind her, as the wind seemed to carry her away to the others.
The fire was just ahead . . . Akane and Ranma arguing, she could hear it already. Shampoo wiped her sweaty forehead, and Mousse played his flute more softly.
Ranko placed the map in Ranma's hands.
"What?" Ranma asked. "Ranko, what is this?"
"Looks like a map . . ." Akane leaned over to see. Mousse ceased the music.
"It's in some strange language," Ranma told them. "Looks Vorthanese." Ranko snagged the map.
"It's a map to a holy temple. There, five warriors who were practically gods were burried by a servant. But their powers are still there. They are intact in five metal masks that look no more fancy than a boot."
"I have heard of this legend in school," Mousse told them.
"So . . . ." Ranma shrugged.
"If we find these masks, will it increase our powers?" Mousse asked.
"Yes. These masks will increase your animaltality in your strengths, and boost your weaknesses so that you will be stronger."
"Don't we need to head for home?" Akane asked.
"Akane," Ranma sighed. "There is much to tell you. I was hoping we could have held it off. We can't go back, not just yet."
"Do we go?" Shampoo asked them.
"I think it sounds good. 'Five warriors'?" Ranma quickly counted the group mentally.
"Anyone oppose?"
Everyone was silent, but Akane piped in. "When are we going home?"
"We can't go back there," Mousse shook his head.
"I'd also like to note . . . there is a river nearby. It would be a good opportunity to fill your canteens and bathe, since the water is very fresh," Ranko suggested.So that's where they spent the night, down by the river. They all bathed together like it was no big deal. Ranko was already topless, and the men were pretty much hidden in the water. Shampoo didn't care, she was used to this sort of thing, and she knew she had a great body and long hair to cover it if she wanted to do so.
Akane wasn't so sure of herself. She hugged herself to keep her breasts hidden, cursing Shampoo for being so bold and wishing that she had her long hair back to help cover herself.
The water was great, and pretty much everyone made a party out of it, even though the males tried their best to keep their eyes up or not look at the females at all.
"Ranma!" Shampoo sprung from out of the water and onto Ranma's back, hugging him tightly. Both Mousse and Akane saw this with an angry glare. Shampoo leaned over Ranma's ear and whispered, "Ranma broke Akane engagement?"
Akane froze.
So that's what was going on.
Ranma was going to ditch their royal engagement for her.
"N-No Shampoo," Ranma told her to get off fo him.
"But Shampoo miss Ranma so-so much!"
Ranma found himself nailed into the water by a rock that Akane threw. Shampoo looked up to find Akane.
"Stupid girl," Shampoo said loud enough so that everyone could hear. "Boy-girl want Ranma all to herself." Ranma inhaled loudly, tossing the rock behind him.
"What do you mean 'boy-girl'?! I am female just like you are!"
"With short hair and flat chest?" Shampoo balanced from foot to foot in a taunting way.
"The deal with Ranma is none of your business! I am engaged to him by our fathers, and you have no right to interfere!"
Shampoo placed her hands on her hips. Mousse hid near the edge of the river to avoid being noticed, along with Ranko.
"Stupid, stupid, boy-girl." Akane clenched her fists and grabbed her clothes by the side of the river, pulling on her blanket around her as she got out of the water. Ranma watched with surprise as she left.
"Wait!" Mousse chased after her, covering himself with his blanket and dragging his clothes.
Akane sat by a tree, pulling her dress completely down, staring at her clasped fists in her lap. Mousse approached her, dressed in his robe, his face worried.
"I'm sorry," Mousse sat down next to her. "But you shouldn't be so mean to her."
"What?" Akane twitched an eye. "I shouldn't be so mean?"
"She has been through a lot." Mousse blew at his bangs. "You really do like Soatome, don't you?" Akane felt a stab.
"What? I don't know exactly what you mean."
Mousse covered her mouth with his hand softly, and closed in on her. His green eyes were locked upon her pale brown eyes, his breathing light although his heart was pounding ferociously. Mousse's hand moved to her cheek as his lips touched hers lightly.
Both of them felt tremor shock through them. Akane was kissing Mousse . . . . She had no idea that he felt this way about her.
Mousse's hand moved to her hair. He cupped the bowl part of her hair and froze.
Short hair . . . . she didn't have short hair . . . .
Mousse backed off.
"Akane?"
"What?" Akane frowned.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry," Mousse felt his jaw go loose. "Please don't tell anyone of this." He turned to leave, but looked back at her over his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I thought you were Shampoo."
And if that wasn't Akane, if it wasn't so serious at the time, Akane probably would have laughed at the situation. Right then, it didn't seem to humorous.So the next day, the five were on their way to this grave. Mousse had recalled that it was called "Star Pointe" because each warrior was named after a star that glittered in the night sky.
Akane kept her eyes low, avoiding Mousse. It was a mistake, but it was embarrassing. Ranma on the other hand, was as healthy as ever. Akane was surprised that he had handled that brandy pretty well, considering he had half of a bottle.
Shampoo hummed to herself, enjoying the walking, and Ranko was silent.
Akane kept to herself, but her mind was on that kiss, though she'd hate admit it. It was an accident . . . a mistake . . . . Akane began to think of Ranma making that mistake. Even though he wasn't as blind . . . he came to kiss Akane, thinking she was Shampoo . . . Akane glared at Ranma like it was his fault, and frowned.
But he was cheerful, his eyes on the sky. He seemed pleased with himself, and Akane's face softened. He did bring her back after all.
She trudged forward, feeling slightly dizzy under the hot sun. Summer was plenty on it's way.
"How long have I been gone?" Akane thought. She remembered a battle with Kodachi, and Gosunkugi was there with a voodoo doll.
Akane cricked her neck and stretched her back. Ranma glanced over his shoulder and noticed her pain. She didn't notice his glance.
Ranma unpocketed the voodoo doll carefully, and began to rub it gently. He used his index and middle finger, rubbing along the back and neck carefully. Akane felt herself being more pushed forward, but in a refreshing way. She heaved a relaxed sigh.
"It's working," Ranma thought happily. For the next half-hour, Ranma continued to do this, hoping to help ease Akane in their walk. He had hoped that Ranko would offer Akane a ride on her back after awhile, but she never spoke much.Konatsu was asleep on the floor when Loklin slowly stepped into her room. He looked exhausted and overwhelmed, like he hadn't thought about himself in days. His make-up was fading, and more of his masculine looks appeared, but he still could have been mistaken for a female.
Loklin kneeled down next to him, her eye locked upon his angelic face. It was slightly dirty and bruised. Loklin lightly brushed away one of his bangs with her fingertip, and his eyes fluttered open to find her towering over him.
"Loklin?"
"Mm, yeah," Loklin looked at him in concern. "What's wrong? Why are you bruised?"
She handed him her hankerchief.
"Oh," Konatsu touched his face. "I'm sorry."
"What? Sorry for what?"
"It's nothing. I . . . I was clumsy. Climbing a tree in town. Serves me right." Konatsu sat up. "Where were you?"
"I was gone in Carnela. But I'm back now."
Konatsu nodded. "I'm sorry I fell asleep in here. They didn't offer me any other room."
"It's all right," Loklin sighed. "Next time, use the bed. You're human too, you know."
The luxury of a bed. This thought ran across Konatsu's mind. He . . . hadn't slept in a real bed in years.
Tsubasa knocked at Loklin's door. She came to it slowly, dreading that it might have been her father.
"We're lucky," Tsubasa told her. "If we were gone for another day, Uncle would have sent out the Drumbicus. To be captured by it twice leads to penalties. And it's hard to escape from it."
Loklin nodded.
"Anyway, King Bakuchiouh invites us to dinner. You actually, more or less."
"You can come too," Loklin told Tsubasa. "It's probably best that I don't go alone." Loklin waved Tsubasa good-bye and crept back to Konatsu, who was working on going back to sleep. "Do you want to come to dinner?"
Konatsu stared at the floor. "I'm dirty. And I've worn the same clothes for too long. I dare not approach the king."
"Well," Loklin rolled her eyes for an idea. "If you wouldn't mind a dress . . ."So that night for dinner, Princess Loklin, Mistress Tsubasa, and Konatsu entered the room, all dressed in their best gowns, hoping to avoid any scowl from King Bakuchiouh.
It was a silent dinner. The plates were warm and yet the atmosphere was cold. In the old days, Loklin wouldn't dare speak unless spoken to. Considering what she had been through, lightening up the "princess lessons," Loklin spoke aloud anyways.
"Well? Don't you have anything to say?"
King Bakuchioh looked surprised. "What?"
"Words, Bakuchioh. Speak to us to lighten up."
"You will call me 'Father'. If I were to talk to you, I think I might have a stroke!"
"Why?"
"You ran off! Tsubasa as well. And believe me, your bodyguard has paid the price for getting slouchy in her work."
Loklin's eyes widened at Konatsu.
"That's why you're bruised?" Konatsu tucked his hands in between his knees and closed his eyes.
"Drumbicus was almost sent. Do you know how hard it is to convince this animal to leave?"
"Drumbicus . . ." Loklin repeated. "Isn't that your creature that is used for traveling . . .?"
"And to find those who are out of place!"
Loklin dropped her fork. Her mind was broken into one hundred thoughts, possibilities, memories, consequences . . .
She finished her meal in a hurry and dismissed herself rudely.That night, she strolled in the pasture to the stall where Drumbicus was about. There were guards there, playing cards, who opened their way to let her in. The Drumbicus was still awake, his large black beady eyes focused on Loklin.
Loklin set her torch to the holder on the wall and examined Drumbicus carefully.
It had red scales, and the shape of the legendary dragon, except she didn't breathe any fire. There was a gold spine of spikes that ran down from the neck to the tip of the tail. With two legs and two arms, the Drumbicus was laying on her blue empty belly.
"Hi there," Loklin slowly reached out to pet her head through the bars, hoping that large mouth wasn't going to eat it. Drumbicus accepted the friendly attention and sqwacked in approval.
She was like that for a few minutes, admiring the creature locked in her cage in her stall. Loklin heaved a sigh and got to the point.
"I need your help," Loklin told her. "I am . . . looking for someone . . . ." she leaned against the bars as if she wanted to hug them. "Can you find Ryoga?"
The Drumbicus was confused. Loklin sighed again.
"I don't think I have anything of his . . ." Loklin regretted. "Nothing with his scent on it. Will you take me out to find him? I can show you the way . . . ."Ryoga found himself to be lost. "Where the Hell is the castle?!" he shouted at the sky.
Pasture . . . pasture . . . and more pasture. That's all he ran into. Occasionally there were towns and travelers, and corpses of some sort. He had even ran into an abandoned wagon with a broken wheel. That was his home for a few days, empty except a few jars of pickled fruits and some toys.
"Hmph," Ryoga narrowed his eyes at the string puppet that he held. He was convinced to sell it for food."Excuse me!'' Loklin barged into Akari's house. Akari woke up quickly. Apparently, she fell asleep on the floor while reading her book in the fire's glow. "H-Have you seen Ryoga? Ryoga Hibiki?"
"Ukkyou?" Akari yawned and straightened herself up. "Weren't you kidnapped?"
"Sort of. This is important. Have you seen Ryoga?"
"He . . . he left. Almost a week ago."
"Oh no." Loklin slapped her face. Drumbicus waited outside, chewing on the over-grown grasses. "Okay then. Do you have anything . . . that he left behind? Anything that he touched . . .? At all . . .?"
Akari was still for a moment, but trudged to the fire mantle and grabbed a yellow and spotted bandanna. She handed it to Loklin with a sigh.
"If you see him . . . tell him I'm sorry." Akari kept her eyes on the floor. "And Ukkyou, you and Ryoga are always welcome here. Please stop by. It really does get lonely out here."
"Thanks," Loklin hugged the bandanna to her. She turned to leave and thanked Akari again before the door was shut. Loklin waved the bandanna in front of Drumbicus's nose so that she may pick up a scent. "There's a good girl, good girl."
Drumbicus wrapped one of her tentacles around Loklin's waist, placing her on top of her back as she set off.
WAFF, WAFF, WAFF! The wings blew as they flew above the ground.Ryoga patted the ground and sat, with a sigh. He looked up towards the sky, the stars hopeful, but so was rain. He lay down in the grass, making a bed out of his backpack, his gaze upon the stars.
In his mouth he chewed a dry blade of grass, little shreds gathering in his jaw. He rolled to his side, bored and tired, but too awake to fall asleep just yet.
"Ryoga! Hey, Ryoga!"
Ryoga looked up. Was someone calling him?
"It is! It's Ryoga!"
Ryoga sat up and looked around. He caught the dragon-like creature coming down for him, full in its red glory.
"A dragon!" Ryoga came to his feet. The dragon landed, a girl on its back, sliding down its side. Her long dark hair fell upon her, their eyes locked.
"Ryoga . . ." Loklin stepped carefully to him.
"U-Ukkyou!" Ryoga ran up to her. "Oh my god! Are you all right?! What did that old bag do to you?!"
"N-Nothing Ryoga. I'm fine." Loklin placed her hands on his shoulders, cocking her head to the side a little, examining him. "You look exhausted."
"Nothing too warped, I hope!" Ryoga began to chuckle his silly laugh. Loklin chimed in lightly.
"Listen Ryoga. Please come back."
"What?"
"Come back with me. To the castle?"
"I-I was looking for you." Ryoga scratched his head. "H-How did you find me?"
"We stopped by Akari's house. This bandanna had your scent, which is how we found you." Loklin handed the bandanna to him. Loklin gulped hard, but added, "Pl-Please come back. This isn't healthy. You need food and a good shelter. Please join our home."
"I can't." Ryoga waved her away. Loklin shrugged.
"All right, Ryoga," she felt her eyes water. She had always hoped that she and Ryoga would be together, always. They always looked out for each other, and she had hoped to have died that way.
Ryoga stared at the ground, his bandanna in his hands.
"You know, you're not a bad guy," Loklin told him, pausing from hitching back on Drumbicus's back. "You're tough, and make others feel better about life. You deserve a great soul mate. And . . . . it won't totally bother me if that sould mate isn't me." Loklin sat at the top and positioned herself. "Akari said she was sorry." Ryoga's eyes slowly came up from the bandanna to her eyes. She sat atop the dragon, her face peaceful.
"Sh-She did?" Ryoga asked her. Loklin nodded.
"You know, sugar. With your sense of direction, you'll never find your way back . . ."
Loklin nodded towards the Drumbicus, offering him a ride.
Ryoga grinned, and joined her, wiping his bangs out of his face with his sleeve.
He sat behind Loklin, slowly allowing his hands to meet around her waist. He smiled at her nervously with a light laugh.
They flew across the stars, their hair wildly in the wind, but that was all part of the beauty. Everything was so small, Ryoga couldn't recall being so high up in a long time. Ryoga rested his chin on Loklin's shoulder with a silly grin."So he's . . . . dead?" Akane blinked hard. "My family's dead?" Ranma nodded slowly.
"I wanted to tell you this when we got a chance to be alone," Ranma noted. "I thought you might need some private thought on this."
"Who . . . Who did this?" Akane clutched the sides of her head, keeping her face low so Ranma could not see her.
"Tsubasa. The neice of King Bakuchioh."
"So they were going to start with a war!" Akane's eyes drifted to her left, where the others were, on the other side of the hill. She leaned against the tree, tears building up in her eyes. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Akane . . ." Ranma's eyes burned into hers. Her heart beat faster, receiving the tingling feeling that she got before someone was about to kiss her. Ranma looked so serious, passionate even.
"Why are you looking at me that way?" Akane made a face. "I'll be all right. I just guess this is my hope to freedom from royalty."
"Aren't you going to re-claim the throne?" Ranma asked.
"Maybe someday, but not now."
"If you don't go back soon, Carnela will be going under," Ranma told her. "We could lead to Hell or it could be taken over. I say we step up."
"You're making it sound like you're already the king."
Ranma blinked hard with a blush. "Well, no. It's just that . . . I thought you might need some help Akane. You didn't really think, being the third daughter, that'd you's actually rule Carnela, did you? This is a tough position."
Akane dried her tears with a sigh, staring down at her hands. Avoiding eye contact, she asked Ranma, "A-Are we still engaged?"
Ranma's heart skipped a beat.
"Are we still engaged?"
Shampoo or Akane . . . this was his chance. If he told her "no," than it'd be easy to marry Shampoo. To break off the engagement, just like Shampoo wanted.
"Well, I . . ."
"Nihoa, Ranma!" Shampoo rushed up to them. "Is airen ready for bed? Is bedtime!"
Akane frowned at Shampoo, who didn't seem to notice. Ranma came to his feet, glanced back at Akane, and left with Shampoo.
"Idiot," Akane punched the tree trunk. "You dummy."Ryoga slid from Drumbicus's back, treading to Akari's door. Halfway there, he stopped and rushed back to Loklin, who was still seated.
Ryoga stood on his tip-toes to reach Loklin, who bent down a little. He reached for her face, cupping it with both hands, and kissed her on the cheek. His fingers moved to her stubby ears as the kiss ended. "You have beautiful ears, no matter what they've done." Ryoga said over his shoulder as he headed back, "You will always be my Ukkyou, won't you?"
"And you, my Ryoga," Loklin clutched her heart, feeling her tears explode from her eyes. Her shoulders shook as she watched Ryoga enter Akari's house. She sobbed on Drumbicus's back heavily, and wept the whole way home."Ryoga, I will always be your Ukkyou."
