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"I-I have to save Akane!" Ranma told the girl desperately, almost a plea. "Please, you may borrow her body until we find her soul, but please take good care of her."
Flowers Aren't Frozen Part II
Warning of War
By Cyberella
"Such trust," the girl took Akane from his arms. "That is an excellent quality." Her hands melted into Akane's shoulders, her arms slowly seeping in.
"Please!" Ranma prayed. "Say I made the right decision."
"You did, do not worry," she seemed to have read his mind. "You made the right decision."
She didn't stop until every fragment of her body was inside of Akane's.
"Ah!" Mousse shot back from Kodachi's blow. He re-adjusted his glasses as he jumped back to his feet.
Akane's eyes opened.
"Listen, you stay here," Ranma told her. "I have to help the others!"
"I can fight," she told him. "It just may take a minute to re-adjust to her body's features."
"No! You stay here!" Ranma dashed to Kodachi, his fists in a blurring frenzy. Kodachi was hit, but it was minor.
"Ranma!" Shampoo was grateful to have some more help.
Mousse unleashed a storm of his chains at Kodachi, the ends wrapping around her several times, but also around Ranma as well.
"You idiot!" Ranma yelled over his shoulder. Mousse tried to focus.
"I am sorry, Soatome! I did not see you!"
"'Didn't see' me my butt," Ranma mumbled as Mousse freed the both of them.
"Oh ho!" Kodachi gave a stare upon nothing. "Akane's soul is still here."
"I can assure you that she isn't," Akane spoke. "I would know."
"You're that demon aren't you? You died by a helpless mermaid and have searched for bodies to invade until you destroy them somehow. What was your name?"
"I have no name! And I haven't destroyed anybody."
"That is not true," Kodachi positioned her hands like a "time out" signal.
She clapped her hands once and a dark flash of power swept towards her. Akane was careful to avoid it, but Shampoo wasn't so lucky.
"Aiya!" Shampoo was blown back, surrounded by darkness.
Mousse was hit by dark crystals as he came for Shampoo. "Shampoo!"
The blow was fatal, blood creeping onto his robe. He landed on his rump, one hand over his chest. His attention turned to Shampoo, who was conscious, but hurt.
"Mousse, I so sorry."
"It's okay. You shouldn't move, you're hurt."
"Mousse hurt," Shampoo yanked out one of the crystals, more blood gushing out as a result. "We at defeat."
"We're not at defeat!" But even these words didn't encourage Mousse. He knew how bad the situation was.
"Kodachi, can't we settle this later?" Ranma kept his eyes to the ground.
"You only say that because you know you're at a loss."
"I never wanted to fight anybody."
Kodachi was silent. She flew backwards, up into the sky, her hair waving at the frame of her pale face delicately. She repeated her hands motions, as a wave of powers swept over the four below.
A sphere of forced power surged from the back, guiding the four through safety, blocking out all of the attack. The powers hit the ground, uplifting chunks of dirt and grass, and the meadow's flowers. Akane stood tall, her hair waving behind her, growing weaker as the seconds dragged by. Ranma's eyes opened in surprise to find her there, blocking the pain out, the harsh bitterness of Kodachi.
"So that's your answer."
Shampoo cradled herself as she tried her best to endure the moment. Mousse had to prove that he was brave, but no one was really aware how frightened he was at the time. He had felt like a lost little boy, being picked on older bullies. He didn't want to die just yet!
Kodachi kept her flow blasts in a constant motion, Akane blocking them out. She screamed, feeling herself grow more weak from the heat. Mousse staggered to his feet and joined her. He shared the rest of his powers. Shampoo tossed the dark crystal that she had plucked out of Mousse.
"Mousse," Shampoo was in a half-daze. "Help Shampoo to feet." He helped her, and she joined in, adding a great amount of force to the overall power. Ranma's eyes were all about him, on the three determined not to die just yet. He glared at Kodachi, knowing it was his turn.
"For Akane," he thought to himself, giving himself a reason for more motivation. The four of them together, made the ball arise and expand, closer and closer to Kodachi. She dropped her arms hopelessly.
A small pouch fell from her hand before she threw herself into their power.
Mousse and Shampoo instantly collapsed, but Akane and Ranma were still conscious. Akane wiped her sweaty brow.
"Thank you, for your help," Ranma refused to make eye contact. "For saving Akane, and us."
"Akane isn't yet saved." She thought to herself. "What is your name?"
"R-Ranma, Ranma Soatome."
"Well, Ranma. I'm sure you must feel a little akward calling me 'Akane'. What should we name myself?"
"Oh yeah, you don't have a name? Did anybody ever call you by a name before?"
"Well, I believe the last time, I was known as 'Ranko'. But . . ."
"'But what'?"
"It's an awfully simular to your name. Could be confusing."
"No, I like it. Ranko's real.... cute. Mind if I call you Ran-Chan though?"
"'Ran-Chan'. I like it." She grinned with her eyes shut. "Ran-Chan...."
"We better check on Mousse and Shampoo," Ranma nodded their direction.
Ranma's eyes caught the pouch, which he collected with the doll. He felt the world go black as he sat on his feet, keeping the doll close to his heart, his shoulders shaking from his tears. "Akane..." he whispered.
Akane placed her hand on his shoulder in comfort, bringing the colors back to surround him in. He wiped his tears quickly before he stood before Akane.
"I wish Akane was here to see this," she told him. "To see how much you miss her. You must remember that I am not her, but while I borrow her body, I will do whatever is in my power to find her for you."
Ranma's large hand was upon her shoulder, but he removed it sadly.
"Th-Thank you."Ukkyou cradled the pig with a grin. "Hey honey. You look hungry."
"What's that you found?" Konatsu asked.
"A piglet! See?" Ukkyou showed Ryoga to him. "Isn't he cute?"
"Very cute. He might have disease."
"Oh, don't be mean! I want to keep him..."
"Who-Who is he?" Ryoga thought sadly, his eyes focused on Konatsu.
"Has Ukkyou forgotten me already?"
"My name is Ukkyou. Do you have a name, piggy?"
Ryoga gave her an oink.
"How about 'Pig-Chan'?" Konatsu suggested.
"'Pig-Chan'? How ridiculous! What about P-Chan?"
"Pig-Chan, P-Chan, they're the same, aren't they?"
"Not quite!" Ukkyou cuddled P-Chan close. "You're so cute!" She kissed him lightly on the snout, not caring if he had disease or not. P-Chan gave her a sad oink.
They continued to walk about the forest, heading back to their tree. A pile of wood lay at the base of the tree, some tools cluttered together nearby.
"I can't wait until the hut is finished."
Ukkyou herself wanted the hut to be closer to the water, rather than in the middle of the forest.
"How far is the lake from here, Konatsu?"
"Uuuh, I'd say about an hour and a half."
"Oh," Ukkyou hugged her knees, P-Chan beside her. She wanted to see the lake so badly, she was dirty enough as it was, and she needed more scenery than just trees.
"Do you want to go there tomorrow?" Konatsu grinned.
"Yeah! I'd love to!"
"Ok, ok," Konatsu patted her head. "It's too late tonight, but we can go tomorrow, 'kay?"
"Okay." Konatsu sat next to Ukkyou casually, his eye kept upon her lovely face. He couldn't take his eyes off of her for a minute, she was beautiful, despite the fact that she was dirty. Ukkyou kept her eyes aside, thinking about Ryoga.
"He's got to be somewhere out there," she told herself. "If anyone can survive anything, it's him. Oh Ryoga..... I wonder what he's doing right now.""Mousse," Ranko was leaning over him as his eyes opened slowly. (Please play this midi for effect)
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Mousse tipped his head to the side weakly. "So tired."
"I can understand that," Ranko grinned. "You put a lot of back into your work! You are not a bad magician!"
"I'm not much of a magician, I'm afraid. I use weaponry as my craft." His mind slipped back to the fight. "How's Shampoo?"
"She's fine, still resting I believe."
"Where is Soatome?"
"In the lobby. We're in an inn for the night."
"In town?"
"Yes. Orange Canary I believe."
"Shampoo," Mousse clutched the blanket tightly. "Where is she?"
"She's in the room down the hall."
Mousse hobbled out of the bed, the blanket clinging onto him. He threw it aside in frustration, having trouble keeping his balance. He tumbled away from Ranko, but she reached out for him in a hurry.
"You shouldn't be out just yet! You still need to heal."
"I want to see Shampoo."
"No, you need rest."
"Please," Mousse's eyes burned into hers. "Either release me or take me to her." Ranko was silent in thought for a few moments, but finally agreed to lead him. Across the hall and down three rooms, Shampoo lay asleep on a cot that looked much harder than Mousse's bed.
She was asleep on her side, her back facing them as they snuck in. Ranko bowed to signal that she was leaving for their privacy's sake. She shut the door quietly.
The room was fairly small, but about the same size as the other one. The other room contained much more light, the head of the bed was right under a window.
"It's cold in here," Mousse mumbled quietly to test if Shampoo was asleep. She didn't move, except for her breathing. A thin yellow blanket kept her warm in her sleep, tucked in tight to her shoulders. "She must be freezing." Mousse carefully approached her. The wooden floor creaked under his feet. His soft eyes were kept upon her violet hair, which looked so much more lighter under the open window. The moon was nearly a half. He rushed to aid this, closing the door and latching it. Shampoo moaned lightly, but only in her sleep.
"Sh-Shampoo?" he whispered. No response. He made his way to the door, his legs still giving him trouble. His ankle gave in as he fell aside onto the bed. Shampoo's eyes snapped open. She sat in bed quietly, her eyes on Mousse. "I-I-I'm sorry! I only wanted to check on you and closed the window! I was leaving!"
Shampoo was silent. Mousse gulped hard. "Here it comes.... Tell me to leave, but don't yell at me."
"Is cold in here," Shampoo hugged her bare arms. "Mousse feel bad?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was leaving, but legs are still asleep," Mousse responded quickly, not getting what she meant by 'feel bad.' "I'll leave now."
"No. Is okay." Shampoo leaned against the headboard with a yawn. "Ranma and Akane? How they doing?"
"They seem to be doing fine actually," Mousse slowly crept up more onto the bed so that he didn't have to use his leg. "Akane, or the spirit, seems to be doing fine, and Ranma's in the lobby. We're in Orange Canary. Are you... hungry?"
"No, tired." Shampoo lay back down her eyes on the cracked ceiling. Mousse carefully lay down too, slowly so not to disturb Shampoo. "Has Mousse been possessed by evil spirit?"
"No. C-Can't say I have." He hit the back of his head onto the hard mattress. "Ow. This thing is practically made out of wood."
Shampoo pushed the pillow to him.
"But you need it more than I do," Mousse could barely talk. A lump was locked in his throat, nagging at him to be more careful what he said at moments like these.
Shampoo urged the pillow to him, than placed her head at the end. Mousse turned to his side so that they were facing each other. His eyes were on hers with wonder, wondering what he was daring to so to prove his love for a near-stranger.
Shampoo's eyes drifted elsewhere, probably on the ceiling. She clutched the pillow space between them gently.
"Did Mousse mean what say at forest?" Mousse's heart skipped a beat.
"Y-Yes. I meant it, Shampoo."
His hand crawled on top of hers, feeling more confident since Shampoo brought up the conversation. Her hand was cold, but his were soothing to her, so warm and soft.
"I... love you, Shampoo." He squeezed her hand lightly, hoping she wouldn't jerk it away. He was grateful that she never did.
Shampoo closed her eyes, but not to block the world out. She scooted the few inches left closer to Mousse. He was overwhelmed with joy, his heart thumping harder in his chest. His arms folded her in, the sleeves acting as a blanket.
He kissed her forehead, then inhaled the flowery scent of her hair.
They both fell asleep just like that.In the morning, Mousse awoke on the bed, Shampoo still asleep. He was rushed with a strange wave of guilt that he had never experienced. Had he hurt Shampoo in any way?
He couldn't help but touch her cheek lightly. So fragile...
"I didn't mean to hurt you if I did," he could barely sputter. She didn't move an inch from his soft touch. He dropped his hands to his side when his face grew hot, and he decided to leave. His hair was a mess, but he didn't care, he didn't want to wake Shampoo.
He pulled a wooden comb out of his sleeve. It was plain and rough, but better than nothing at all. He ripped it through his hair a few times, straightened out his robe, and inhaled a sigh before knocking on Soatome's door.
An old woman answered the door.
"Ranma?" Mousse adjusted his glasses. "Are you okay? You look really old!"
"Whatta great way to greet an elder!" the woman bapped Mousse on the head with her fist. She slammed the door in his face.
The door to his right opened. Akane's head poked out.
"Mousse," she slid out of the room. "You awake too, huh?"
"Where's Soatome?"
"He's been asleep. When do you suppose we should wake them up?"
"I don't know. Shampoo could use some rest. Soatome, too, I guess."
"Shall we?" Akane nodded towards the lobby. "I am kind of hungry. Haven't eaten in a few years." Mousse cocked an eyebrow, but followed her in.
Shampoo lay awake in her bed. She was up when Mousse touched her. He spoke so softly, almost a passion in the art of his speech. She stared up at the ceiling, Mousse's smile and Ranma's arrogant grin flashing across her mind like a flicker of flame. She felt her eyes fill when she thought of Ranma.
She knew she blew it. Sure, he didn't know she was being controlled, but he had no idea who she was really. It made Shampoo sick that she was forced to do such trickery.
"But she dead now," Shampoo mumbled, thinking of Kodachi. "Dead for good." Ranma..... Ranma re-entered her thoughts. "Oh, Ranma!" Shampoo cupped her face, flipping to her side. "What Shampoo do?" It was Akane's fault that this was so difficult. And Mousse. How dare he stay in her room?
Just because she was a gypsy, he expected more out of her? How could she even possibly consider Mousse over Ranma?
"Akane gone too," Shampoo wiped a tear, carefully covering up the evidence of her crying. She had the sudden urge to see Ranma, and after a few minutes, finally urged herself to her feet as she dragged herself down the hall."So she does love Ranma," Akane spoke to herself, surrounded by the darkness. She was alone, the only soul in this vast place. It was a complete abyss, she had no idea how far out it went.
The only glow was a book that she had found after she died. It's covers were a golden leather, and the pages a metallic silver with words scribed into them. Akane found herself reading the book, digesting what the others were doing. The words were placed out of nowhere as the events came about.
She continued on as she read about Shampoo meeting Mousse and her body in the lobby.
"Ah, good morning there, Shampoo," Akane greeted her as she made her shy entrance. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, very well," Shampoo plainly spoke, not making eye contact with Mousse, who was blushing furiously. Shampoo made herself a seat at the table across from Mousse.
There were some shouts from the back of the hotel in the kitchen. A servant-girl rushed out to take orders nervously.
"One ration for the each of us," Mousse told her. "I'll pay for it." The girl nodded, her mouth speaking "three" but not her voice as she rushed into the back to pick up their orders.
"Ranma," Akane held the book with a sigh. "Wake up.""I come from Arrald, oppressed by an untruthful king!" a girl in a breastplate and a short blue skirt skidded into the lobby. "I am Princess Tsubasa, and Carnela is in danger!"
"What are you talking about?" a man slammed his mug of rum onto the table.
"Hey, it is the princess!" another exclaimed.
"I need to form a band of warriors who are willing to fight the king. He's plotting to attack Carnela for the sake of the land."
"You're crazy," someone nearly chanted.
"Are you now? I think you should take this to the king," Akane stood tall.
"Oh! You're-!" Princess Tsubasa pointed, "that ugly tomboy-ish princess from this place, aren't you? The one that was at the castle recently?""UGLY?!" Akane scratched the page with her nails. "How dare she!"
"You should watch your tongue or bite it," Akane frowned. "We are on our way to the castle, so you should take this matter to King Soun."
The day clouded over as they continued on their travel. Tsubasa had her own horse, Shampoo and Akane on one, Mousse and Ranma on the other. They had reached the castle at dusk just before some heavy rain came about.
The servants squealed in delight, but King Soun was hysterical. His eyes drained completely, his arms around his daughter and Ranma. Mousse, Shampoo, and Princess Tsubasa stood nearby, not really knowing what to do.
"Oh, Akane!" Kasumi ran into the room. She was tempted to throw her arms around her sister, but stopped herself before she did.
"Thank you," the spirit spoke, not really knowing what to tell them. She had caught on that this was her "father" and "sister."
"Hey, where's Nab- Princess Nabiki?" Ranma asked.
"Oh, she's in her room," Kasumi informed him. "She hasn't been feeling too well lately."
"You cut your hair!" Soun began to cry some more. "You look like a man!"
"Please, sir," Akane urged. "If you would release me, there's something important I need to tell you."
Ranma placed his hands on his hips with a heavy sigh. Better now than later.
"I am not Akane," she grinned casually.
"What?!"
"Princess Akane died....a few days ago," her face grew more sincere. "Kodachi the Black Rose of the Yakitori Forests had her killed in battle. I am merely.... a lost spirit, only borrowing her body until her soul is revived."
"My daughter.... is dead?"
"I'm sorry, King Tendo," Ranma apoligized. "But we are going to find her.""But we are going to find her."
Akane repeated this line aloud. How could he be so sure? He had no idea where she was. She had no idea where she was."Oh, Akane!" Nabiki coughed as she entered the room. She stumbled slightly in her crooked path, trying to keep her balance straight.
"Are you all right, miss?" Akane offered her a hand. Nabiki refused.
"There is something else, a reason why I'm here, Your Majesty." Tsubasa interrupted them with a light cough. "I am Princess Tsubasa of Arrald, and my uncle is crazy. He's determined to take over your land."
"By what means?"
"'By what means?' How much 'means' do you need? He finds his country too small and your country too dull to take up so much space. He's determined to begin a war."
"I don't think you're serious." Ranma almost dared her.
"I'm serious. And if you don't make the first attack soon, he's planning to burn Wonton and then bombard the castle."
"Getting right to the point, aren't they?" Mousse rubbed his chin.
"They have created a few concentration camps of any not of Arrald blood. I have never been to one, but I have seen the results."(Please play this midi for effect) Tsubasa felt her mind slip as the world around her seemed to jiggle from side to side. She could remember it well. The song that chanted in the background by Hulgtar, a famous piannist at the time. The music drained away behind her as she stepped outside to the porch entrance of the castle.
She had her hands clasped, dressed in a red velvet dress, her blond hair piled into a bun atop her head. The sun, as orange as it was, was fragrant to the breeze, good for the heart.
That was when a cart of slaves had been wheeled into the front. They were all dirty and of a vile scent. Each clad in heavy chaining, their eyes wandered off tired, searching for any hope that was useful.
Tsubasa had overheard the driver of the cart shouting at another, about a camp to send the, off to. She had heard that they were from one camp, and onto the next. Unfortunately, that was the only detail she didn't remember.
Tsubasa was at the tender age of fourteen."Are you just going to sit by while so many are hurt? Many of them are your people, those who exit the border."
"Why, Princess Tsubasa, are you determined that Carnela is fit for the job?"
"I'm not." Tsubasa crossed her arms. "Carnela is larger than Arrald, but not as up-to-date. You lack military. You are not as wealthy in what your outcome could be. But you are not the only country going through this. I've warned Uirha and Vorthan of they're future attacks as well."
"Your uncle is brave enough to pick on Vorthan?" Ranma scratched his head. This was too much. He said no more and turned for his bedroom.
"Ranma?" Shampoo almost meowed.Ranma tossed himself onto his bed. The room was the same as it was the day he was kidnapped. He piled his armor aside, dressed in only the rags he had worn for so long. Pushing those off as well, he decided he wanted no more. No one to bug him for the rest of the day.
He turned to his side, clutching the feather pillow that reminded him of Akane. Why? He didn't know. She looked so soft and warm, and comforting, although her temper could get the best of her sometimes.
"Akane . . . . ." Ranma allowed the name to slip off the end of his tongue. He hugged the pillow a little, not wanting to hurt "her." He pulled the blanket around his shoulder tight, as if Akane was hugging him back.
Akane wasn't gone forever, was she?
This whole spirit-thing may have been a mistake, but Ranma was desperate.
"Oh, Akane!" Ranma hugged the pillow, determined to squeeze the feathers right out of it. His voice was muffled by its fabric, his tears drenched by its softness.Ranko was in her new room, labled as a guest room, since her secret was out. Already, many servants were whispering about the adventures they had been out on.
She had been curled on the floor, her heart aching for no apparent reason. She had felt many chills wisp down her spine, clutching her heartbeat in a single set of unsteady blows.
"Ranma . . ." her mouth hardly moved. "Is he the one?"Next
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