Trials and Tribulations II



" You're insane aren't you!" 

Ranma-chan backed away from the table in shock.The other members of the 
Tendo household started to murmur amongst themselves. Nabiki popped her 
tape out and turned it to the other side. 

" How dare you mock me! I am Happ..." 

"Is it true?" Ryouga said in wonder," Is it true that there is a cure 
for us out there? In...what did you call it...the Makai?" 

Happosai nodded his head and stood up, grabbing his bag in one hand and 
balancing with the other."Yes it is very true. Though...I'm not sure it 
would be safe for you all to go there.." 

" Whattcha mean it wouldn't be safe!" Ranma-chan yelled as she brought 
her foot up on the table with a loud 'thump'," I'm not scared of 
anything!" 

Ryouga snorted.< That fool. > He sat in contemplation as the noise level 
roise around him and squabbling resumed on all sides. Suddenly, a 
thought occured to him.< If I get the cure and Ranma doesn't ,then Akane 
will be mine for sure! > He looked around suspiciously,< But how to do 
it... > 

" Baka!" 

Ryouga's eyes bulged out as he felt Ranma crash into him, sending them 
both into the pond.< Oh no. > 


``````````````````````````````````````````````

" That'll show that good for nothing..." 

" Akane..." 

" Thinking he can just leave me here. Well,he has another thing coming!" 

" Akane," Her father tried again," Didn't you hear what Happosai had been 
saying? You need a substantial amount of energy just to survive the portal," 
He looked at his daughter in sadness," I'm sorry honey but you just 
can't go." 

Akane stared at her father in shock, her right eye twitching,
" Can't Go?" 

" Yes, sweety..." 

" But I wanna go!" 



Ryouga 'bweeped' in panic and stroked his little legs as fast as he 
could as he felt the water of the pond close over his head.< Surface to 
far... > Suddenly a pair of hands gently lifted him from the pond and 
nestled him in their arms. 

< Ranma? > "Bweep?" 

Ranma-kun emerged from the bathroom and toweled himself off. He stared 
down at P-chan as he lay on his bed, asleep.< I have to be the one to 
find the cure. How's Ryouga gonna survive with that weakness of his? At 
least I stay human. > He took one last look at P-chan before he snorted 
and settled down to get some shut-eye. 


``````````````````````````````````````````````

Next Morning...
" Ranma no baka! Get ready for school!" 

Ranma opened his eyes with a groan," Akane! I told you I'm not going 
today. I have to find a cure!" He started to lay back down when he heard 
her footsteps stop right outside his door. She stood there for a second 
and then gave a little 'Hn',turning around for school. 

Ranma let out the deep breath he had been holding and pulled himself out 
of bed.< I bet Cologne knows about the Makai. I'll go ask her for more 
info. > As he was heading for his dresser he froze. Shuffling sounds 
were coming from under his bedsheets. He hesitantly walked up to his bed 
and pulled back the sheets to find... 

" Ryouga?" 

P-chan was still here? No way. He tiptoed over to the snoring pig and 
waved his hand over his face.< Still asleep. Now...to sneak out. > 



Ranma walked down the street on his way to meet Cologne. For some reason 
though, he was getting the feeling he was being followed... 

< You don't think you can get away from me that easy Ranma do you? > 
Ryouga picked up his pace as Ranma turned a corner up ahead. It was 
amazing that he had been able to follow him in the first place. But if 
it helped the curse... 

" Hey Cologne!" 

Ryouga looked up from his musings to see Ranma walking toward Cologne 
who was perched on a wall on the other side of the street. < Kuso! I was 
to get to her first! > 

" Hello Ranma. Hello Ryouga." 

Ranma spun around to see Ryouga behind him. " Hey! What do you think 
you're doing here?" 

Ryouga snorted," Same as you. Just trying to find a cure." 

" Wait a minute," Cologne jumped off the wall to land between the two 
boys," What is this about a cure?" 

Ranma sat on a bench, the others following suite," Well, Happosai told 
us there was this cure in the Makai and..." 

" What?!" 

Ranma and Ryouga both looked over in surprise to see Cologne white as a 
ghost." What'd I say?" 

" Forget the talk of cures. Just forget it." 

" But wait," Ryouga yelled as she turned to leave," You have to help us! 
You just have to! What about Shampoo? Wouldn't she like a cure?" 

Cologne slowly sat back down and studied their solemn faces. Something 
tickled in the back of her mind. Some premonition? 

" All right," She said in defeat," I'll tell you all." 

Ranma and Ryouga gathered closer. Each shooting glares at the other. 

" On one condition." 

Ranma's blood ran cold and Ryouga stiffened. 

" You two must stick together. If you don't...you will surely die." 

" What?!" They both chorused in amazment. 

" Promise." 

Ryouga looked at Ranma with distaste, and Ranma looked at Ryouga in the 
same way.< Maybe I could lose him in the woods? > 

" I promise." 

Ryouga looked at Ranma in surprise. Suddenly his eyes narrowed. 

"Is this a trick?" 

" No Ryouga," Ranma said," It's better that we all have cures than none 
of us right?" 

Ryouga looked at Cologne and then Ranma. " I guess so." 

" Okay," Cologne said as she closed her eyes in thought," let me see 
what I can remember... 


"The Makai is a place full of demons and magic. Its only gates are at 
six key points around the world. Which is a good thing since some of the 
demons could escape if there were more. Keep in mind, demons aren't too 
fond of humans. There are different kinds of demons with different kinds 
of powers. Some so weak as to be the level of you and I. Some so strong 
they are at the level of gods. Do you still want to go?" 

Ryouga took a deep breath and looked at Ranma. He appeared to be totally 
calm.< I'll be damned if I'm going to let Ranma beat me! > 

" Yes!" They both chorused at the same time. Cologne stared at them 
sadly and shook her head. 

" I'll meet you at dawn, in the dojo," She said slowly," I'd advice you 
to...wrap up all your business in this world..if you can." With that she 
got up slowly and walked away. They weight of their futures bearing 
heavily on her back. 



To Be Continued....