#2: Team Ranma vs. the Orochi Assassins
			The Wheel of Fire, Part 1: The New Cycle

  Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com)
  This can be found at http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma
  Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And 
all that other good stuff. The Orochi assassins belong to me. Yamata no 
Orochi belongs to whoever wrote the Orochi legend. The idea of a 
following of Orochi springs from SNK's King of Fighters series, 
blatently plagiarized for your reading pleasure. Also note that this 
particular depiction of Orochi belongs to Rumiko Takahashi as well. Take 
a good look at the proper manga volume (forgot which) or watch the OAV, "An 
Akane to Remember" for a visual depiction of this Orochi. Proper licenses 
belong to respective companies. The manga has precedence over material in 
the anime. 
  This file can be freely distributed so long as it appears in its complete 
form and proper credit. No part may be reproduced for monetary gain without 
permission from the author. (to which the answer is probably "no")

  Author's note: This story takes place after the final manga story, about 
a few weeks after the wedding fiasco. Takes place after my prequal fic, 
"Moments of Transition." This is the second story of Part 1: The New Cycle.

Plot Points (from previous stories)
==================================
1. Ranma and Akane declared their love for each other in the wake of the 
wedding fiasco weeks earlier. Most of the cast, particularly Ukyo, have 
taken the news hard. Kuno decided to embrace death. 

------------------------------------------
Opening: Love Seeker * Can't Stop It 

  In legend it is said that the eight-headed evil dragon, Yamata no Orochi, 
demanded eight maidens to be sacrificed to him every moon, or he would 
destroy Japan. That is, until the day when Princess Kushinada became next in 
line to be sacrificed. The kami Susano-O, infatuated by Kushinada's beauty, 
rose to her aide and defeated the evil eight-headed dragon. Susano-O 
separated the Orochi's godlike essence from his earthly vessel by trapping 
it in the Mirror of Yata. 
  It is said that the earthly form of Orochi lay in rest under the ground 
in Ryugenzawa, waiting for its godly essence to be reunited with it. From 
that time forth the Orochi sought to return to the mortal world to exact 
his revenge-- the complete annihilation of mankind. 
  The sealing of the Mirror of Yata wasn't absolute, as every century the 
Orochi would stir from his prison to reclaim his earthly body. And every 
century heroes appeared to defeat the god of hatred and his vile minions. 
  But, the followers of Orochi have slowly begun turning the wheels of 
their dire plans, plans that may assure victory to their dark master. For 
the time of the Reunion, the centennial ceremony when the dimensional 
fabric between the kami plane and Earth is weakest, when the Orochi will 
descend upon the Earth once more, draws near. Mankind has steered itself on 
the path of self-destruction. This time, there are no heroes in sight to 
stop him-- except one. 

Time: One week after Akane used the mongoose horn to defeat the Orochi

  Deep under the ground, a lone robed figure stood in the shadows. Only 
eight candles lit the dark hall as the figure faced the altar, the largest 
of the eight candles resting upon the altar itself. Hanging above the altar 
was a beautiful tapestry, depicting the dragon of ultimate evil, the Yamata 
no Orochi, superimposed over a map of Japan. Seven small heads sprung from 
the larger eighth head, reaching out from the center head to the rest of 
Japan. 
  The figure raised both his arms in the air, muttering an incomprehensible
mantra. Suddenly, a candle blew out. It was the large candle that rested on 
the altar. 
  Alarmed, the figure broke his trance. There couldn't have been a breeze
in here, he thought. Perhaps it is a sign from the great Orochi himself, as 
this was the Orochi's own candle that blew out. 
  "You have a task, my follower."
  Startled at the broken silence, the robed man turned about himself, seeing
no one in the dark altar chamber. 
  "Master?" The words left the man's lips slowly.
  "Yes, we are the Speaker of Orochi," said the voice. "When we reanimated 
our earthly vessel, we were stopped, and driven back to slumber, by a human 
girl. My earthly vessel is no longer a suitable host for the Reunion."
  The man allowed himself only a moment of panic. His master's return was
foretold. The Cult of Orochi waited every hundred years for their master to
return to Earth, to lead a reign of terror, but there was always a force of 
good to oppose the evil divine dragon. Until now the cult was unaware that 
the great Orochi was on the move. Only to be silenced once more. So soon! 
Why wasn't he alerted to the master's movements?
  "What does this mean, Master?" the cultist asked the Speaker of Orochi. 
  The Speaker replied, "This atrocity must not go unpunished. Summon the 
seven assassins, for the one who defeated us, Akane Tendo, will pay with her 
life. She shall serve as an example to those who dare oppose the will of 
Orochi! Find her, and exact our revenge." 
  The man kowtowed as the voice continued, "Though our earthly vessel may be 
defeated, the time of the Reunion is upon us. Another vessel must be found 
to house our spiritual essence. The last of the descendants of Kushinada 
must be found and sacrificed. The last of our wayward children must be 
found and brought to our side! In the meantime, make sure our enemies are 
destroyed!" 
  "It shall be done, master!" 

Saturday evening, Nerima, Tokyo: Present Day

  "Isn't it wonderful," said Kasumi, "all of Ranma's friends joining us for
dinner tonight!"
  Yeah, wonderful, thought Akane. Sitting at the other end of the table was
Ranma, and his little harem. On his left sat Shampoo, his right, Ukyo, and
on his lap, Kodachi. Kodachi and Shampoo were fighting over Ranma, while 
Ukyo remained strangely quiet, staring at the table, as if studying 
something there.  
  Of course, next to Akane sat Ryoga and Kuno, both fighting before her, 
trying to get her attention. Mousse sat alone, hugging a vase, thinking its
Shampoo. And of course, his glasses were on the table too. 
  It was merely weeks since the wedding fiasco that turned everybody's 
world upside-down. Kasumi thought it would be nice for Ranma's 'friends' to 
get together again, so here they were. 

  In the shadows outside the Tendo dojo, a dark, robed man stood. 
Behind him were seven other figures, robed, but towering over the 
lead man. Well, except for one, who stood at half the leader's height, 
up to his waist. Then again, all seven of them were standing on the 
fence while the leader was standing on the ground. 
  The leader turned to his seven minions. "She's in there. As the 
Master commands, Akane Tendo must die. It must be quick, otherwise the 
others might interfere. Do not fail me."
  "Hai!" the seven said in unison. Then, each jumped away. 
  The leader turned his back toward the dojo, and reached for a jade 
medallion. The circular medallion was carved in the likeness of a 
giant dragon head, with seven smaller heads snaking around the center. 
  "And so it begins...." the leader of the Cult of Orochi said. 

  Akane dragged herself away from Kuno and Ryoga; both didn't notice her 
departure. She walked to the next room, where Konatsu waited. 
  "How may I humbly serve you, Akane-sama?" asked Konatsu.
  "Hi Konatsu," greeted Akane. "I should be used to this, but after the
failed wedding and all... I don't know."
  "Ukyo-sama is all right now. You don't need to worry about her."
  "No, its not that... its Ranma...."
  Suddenly, a hand burst from the floorboards, grabbing Akane's leg. She
screamed as another hand reached up. 
  "Akane-sama!" shouted Konatsu, drawing his blade in one smooth motion, 
slicing at the second hand. But his exposed back wasn't prepared for another
threat, as another body burst through the ceiling and landed on the ninja.
As his sword clattered on the floor, the last thing Konatsu heard was the 
frantic movement in the other room. 
  "Akane!" shouted Ranma, the others trailing behind. A dark, gloved hand
held Akane in place, while the second struggled to find the other leg. A 
small figure stood atop the unconscious Konatsu. 
  "Stand back!" warned the second figure, drawing a sword. "One wrong move, 
and Tendo becomes so many slabs of meat!"
  Before Ranma could react, Kuno leaped at the figure, knocking Ranma down.
"Unhand her, vile fiend! I, Tatewaki Kuno, will save you, Akane Tendo!"
  Ryoga shouted, "Akane! I'll save you!" 
  Between Ryoga and Akane another figure burst through the floor, wielding 
a sword of his own, and dressed as a stereotypical black ninja. Another 
emerged from the new hole in the floor, and threw a chain at Kuno. The 
chain encircled Kuno's bokken three times, in which case the two struggled 
to maintain control. Finally, a third figure emerged, this one as tall as 
a desk, wearing robes obviously two sizes too large. The short man threw 
several wires from the folds of his robes, catching and entwining Ranma. 
  The figure holding Akane promptly released her. But when Akane thought 
she was safe, the entire floor of the room came crashing down, along with 
the room's occupants. 
  They all landed with a heavy thud, one atop the other. 
  Standing above were three men, all shrouded in dark flowing robes. The 
one in the center, standing a head over his two companions, appeared to be 
the leader. 
  The leader, clad in a dark robe, threatened, "Stand away, Saotome, or 
suffer the fate of your precious Akane." 
  "Hey!" shouted Ranma from the bottom of the dog pile. "How do you know
our names? Who are you?!"
  "That is not important," replied the robed man. "To know one's name is to 
have power over that individual. We are the Cult of Orochi, and know that 
Akane Tendo alone interfered with the return of the great Yamata no Orochi, 
the master of all evil. The sentence is death."
  "What?!" cried Akane. "How can it be? We've beaten the Orochi!" 
  "You merely defeated his earthly form, you worm!" cried one of the other 
robed cultists. 
  "Are you ready to die?" taunted another. 
  Ranma raised his fists. "No one's laying a hand on my fiancee!" 
  "It seems you and your friends may be more than a match for the seven 
Orochi Assassins," proclaimed the leader. "You see, I always study my 
enemies. Since my men... couldn't finish Akane quickly enough, and the fact 
that you are devoted to protecting her, I propose a challenge."
  "What kind of challenge?" asked Ryoga suspiciously. 
  "Seven of you, Tokyo's finest martial artists, against my seven warriors. 
The challenge goes to you, Kuno, Ryoga, Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, and Kodachi."
  "Ranma, don't!" protested Akane. "He's doing this to divide us! He knows 
he can't take us all on at once."
  "But he challenged me!" protested Ranma. 
  "It would be an honor to fight for Akane Tendo!" said Kuno. "I accept."
  "Me too!" said Ryoga. 
  "I guess Akane's my friend too..." stuttered Ukyo. "I'll do it, too."
  "Shampoo not back down from challenge." said Shampoo.
  "And where Shampoo goes, I follow!" said Mousse.
  Ranma turned to Kodachi. "And you?"
  "Ranma-sama... I'll follow you anywhere!" replied Kodachi, excited.
  "Then its settled!" finished Ranma. "There isn't a challenge I couldn't 
beat!"
  "Excellent," replied the robed man. "The matches will start tomorrow 
afternoon, at a predetermined location. Each match will occur once a day, 
for a total of seven for seven days." The eight turned to leave the dojo, 
but the robed man turned once more, as if remembering something he forgot. 
"One more thing."
  "Yeah?"
  "In order for us to spare the life of Akane Tendo, none of you can lose."

  "Ranma, you idiot!" shouted Akane, "how could all seven of you win?! In 
single-combat, even!"
  Ranma, sparing a glance at Kuno, said, "I don't think I'll have a 
problem, but the others...." Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, 
but it WAS a formal challenge. 
  Kuno walked to Akane. "Fear not, Akane Tendo, for I, Tatewaki Kuno, will
not fail you! My swordsmanship is unequaled...."
  Ryoga interrupted him. "Don't worry Akane. I won't let you down! But I 
have to go and train now. I'll be back...."
  "No, stupid!" shouted Ranma, bashing Ryoga in the head. "You'll get lost!"
Handing the unconscious form of Ryoga to Akane, Ranma said, "Take him to 
Akari's place, maybe he won't have the urge to leave her...." He then walked
to Ukyo and Konatsu, sitting in the corner. "Ucchan?"
  "Mmmmm....?" Ukyo's thoughts were broken. "Oh, Ranchan."
  "You haven't been practicing lately. Are you sure you're okay?"
  "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Konatsu'll help me."
  "See you tomorrow then." With that, Ranma walked off.
  Konatsu and Ukyo walked out of the Tendo dojo, the others slowly 
trickling behind. 
  "Ukyo-sama?" asked Konatsu, concerned.
  "Hmmmm?" 
  "Are you sure you're all right?"
  "I'll be fine." Better time than any to make up with Akane, she thought. 
After all, what are friends for? 
  Somehow, Ukyo couldn't convince herself. No, she was certain Akane was 
still mad at her for ruining her wedding. Ranchan didn't seem to mind, but 
were things really all right?

  Shampoo and Mousse walked back to the Nekohanten alone. 
  "Shampoo?" 
  "Yes, Mousse?" 
  "You aren't going to purposefully lose, are you?" 
  "Silly goose!" replied Shampoo, giggling. "Shampoo not back down from 
challenge. Shampoo strong girl." 
  Mousse sighed in relief. Just the thought of Shampoo being beaten caused
the Master of Hidden Weapons to wince. After all, so long as Akane and 
Ranma stayed together, he still had a chance with Shampoo.... 

  Kodachi and Tatewaki sat in the sedan chair, their servants carrying them
back to the Kuno mansion. 
  "I do this for Akane Tendo, Sister. What reason other than my love could
explain it? Even if she did refuse to return it, I cannot stay idle while 
her life is threatened." 
  "Face it Brother," Kodachi said, "you're no match for anyone."
  "Dare you doubt my unimaginable skills?" beamed Kuno. 
  "Of course not, dear Brother," Kodachi replied, humoring her brother. 
"Are you sure you mastered... 'that technique' well enough? I wouldn't want 
to see my only brother...."
  "Ah, the Kuno charm at work. Girls, not even my own sister, can resist....
To the point, yes, I believe I've mastered the Phoenix Sword."
  "But if you're wrong... who else could I beat up?" Kodachi said, trying to 
force a smile. "Why do you embrace death so?" 
  "If it is life you wish me to embrace, then you are naive," Kuno replied. 
"A warrior must always be ready to accept death without regrets. I have 
lived, and I have no regrets, other than the fact that Akane Tendo refuses 
to date me. Let my death be that of a warrior-- I will die with honor!" 
  Perhaps that's why we're so different, Kodachi thought. "It is easy to 
find something worth dying for, Brother. Do you have something worth living 
for?" 
  Silence was the only answer Kodachi would get.  

Sunday

  Great, Ranma thought, of all the places. 
  If there were any place that could hold a crowd, this was it. 
  A note was received this morning from the cultists that the match was for
Ranma, held at the school gym. Ranma stood at one end of the building. To
the sides sat the audience, no doubt Nabiki's doing. 
  "Hey," she'd said, "who'd want to miss a live prize fight?"
  Ranma looked to the area where the Tendos and his parents sat. Nabiki 
wasn't there; obviously taking care of admittance fees. Nearby were some of
his 'friends,' if one could call them that, Ranma thought: Ryoga, Kuno, 
Kodachi, Ukyo, Konatsu.... 
  At the bottom of the stands were food carts of all sorts, even a cart 
belonging to the Nekohanten, where Cologne and Shampoo watched. 
Occasionally they would serve a bowl of take-out ramen. Where was Mousse?
  At the other end of the building was the Orochi assassin. Of slight build
and no appreciable stature, the assassin looked like an ordinary Japanese
man, no features or special marking distinguished the plain-clothed cultist.
Not even a weapon, he only waved a feather fan. 
  The Cult Leader stood in the middle of the battle arena, holding a 
microphone. "Witness, viewers, the might of the Orochi Cult! Watch as your
Ranma Saotome gets reduced to nothing by Shifter!"
  The audience threw their cups at the cultist. Reflexively, the Cult Leader 
created a purple chi shield, blocking the projectile attacks. When the great 
Orochi returned, he thought, these people would have to be among the first 
to die. 
  Stepping out of the way, he signaled for the match to begin.
  Ranma and Shifter circled the arena, gauging each others strengths and
weaknesses. Ranma held himself in a fighting stance, while Shifter just
walked casually, as if he were oblivious to the imminent combat.
  Something's wrong, Ranma thought. Taking the initiative, Ranma launched a
flying kick at the cultist assassin.
  Shifter merely sidestepped the attack. "Yawn."
  More punches and kicks followed, resulting in more hitting air. Shifter
stifled another yawn, and waved his fan at Ranma. "Oh, I guess the match 
started! Time to show you my power!"
  Cologne watched the two from her vantage point on the food cart. "This 
one should put up quite a match for Son-in-law." The old one chuckled. 
  Ranma couldn't dodge the feathers that flew from the fan. Not 
surprisingly, the feathers didn't hurt him one bit. "Hah, is that the best 
you can do?"
  "Of course not," replied Shifter. In a brilliant flash of light, Shifter's 
unassuming form changed, fan dropping to the floor, featherless.
  Ranma almost thought he was seeing a mirror. What stood before him was 
himself-- or rather, looked like himself. 
  "Orochi power #1, mirror-matching," announced Shifter. He retained his own
voice despite the change in form. "You can beat any other opponent, but can
you defeat... yourself?" 
  "Hmmm," Cologne started, "A lost technique! This one must be good. Son-in-
law should have more on his hands than he expects."
  Entering a fighting stance, Shifter shouted, "Take that!" One after 
another, Ranma's double threw himself into a storm of one-two punches. 
  In turn, Ranma also initiated his attack, blocking Shifter's own barrage, 
neither gaining an advantage. How could this guy know the chestnut 
technique?
  Now wasn't the time to push his luck. Ranma leaped back, then shouted, 
"Hiryu shoten ha!" The resulting tornado engulfed Shifter and shot through
the ceiling.
  "Ranma did it!" shouted Shampoo happily. 
  Cologne commented, "It's not quite over yet, child. Watch."
  Looking up, Ranma shouted, "How's that?"
  But soon the tornado dissipated, sooner than expected. Shifter landed 
on his feet, seemingly unhurt. 
  "How could he know that one too?!"
  "Fool," sneered Shifter, "every technique you know, I know! All your 
powers are at my command!" Standing back, Shifter shouted, "Moko Takabisha!" 
  Ranma escaped the chi bolt in time. Soon the two Ranmas let loose a stream
of pure chi-energy, trying to counter each other's power. "Moko Takabisha!"
  In the audience stands, Akane said, "Ranma...."
  Nabiki took a seat next to her. "He'll be fine, Akane. He's been through
worse." Taking a sip from her water bottle, she continued, "I care about him
too, you know."
  "All you care about is how much money he makes for you," countered Akane.
  Down on the ground, Mousse returned to the cart after making delivery to 
members of the audience. "Did I miss anything?"
  "Only a close fight, Mousse," replied Cologne. "Son-in-law had better win 
this one, because I won't allow Shampoo to marry such a beast."
  "Marry Shampoo?!" Mousse exclaimed, rushing at the Orochi assassin in 
anger. Leaping into the air, Mousse threw six chained spears at Shifter. 
  Losing his concentration, Shifter was hit by Ranma's blast, sending the 
assassin back. The spears cleanly missed. 
  Shifter stood up and yelled, "Cretin! Don't disturb me! Moko Takabisha!" 
The burst sent Mousse flying out of the building into the stratosphere. 
Then, turning back to Ranma, said, "Shall we continue?"
  Ranma continued to throw punches and kicks. Something Shifter said
continued to nag at his brain. What was it? 
  "All your powers are at my command," he had said. He definitely had my 
own skills and strengths. What if.... That's it!
  Leaping away from Shifter, Ranma ran, looking for what he sought. 
He looked toward his friends, then he saw it. Quickly Ranma jumped at 
Nabiki, and snatched her water.
  "Hey!" Nabiki cried. 
  "Sorry Nabiki, this one's on me!" returned Ranma. He unstopped the 
bottle and heaved it at Shifter, drenching him. 
  "Gaaaaaahhhh!!!" shouted Shifter, unaware that his form changed into a
girl body. "You think such a simple ploy will work on me?"
  "I'm counting on it!" Ranma yelled, leaping in the air toward the Orochi
cultist. He threw several hard punches at high speed, concentrating all his 
force into a single barrage of blows. 
  Shifter tried to block the punches with his hands, but his arms were 
shorter than he expected. In which case the blows he sought to block broke 
through. 
  Ranma continued to pummel his opponent.
  "No! Stop!" shouted Shifter frantically. "I yield, I YIELD!!"
  The crowd cheered as Shifter fell to the floor, beaten and bloody. His 
form reverted to his normal man shape. Ranma just stood there, quietly. 
Robed men walked to Shifter's fallen form and dragged him off. 
  One down, six to go.

  That evening, the gang gathered once again at the Tendo dojo. Kasumi had
found a new note on the door when the Tendos returned home, and Akane
wanted all of them to hear it.
  "To Akane Tendo, Ranma fought well. We know he is the strongest among
you, so we're willing to give the others a sporting chance. We've decided
on our champions based on your friends' skill levels. This list that follows
documents the schedule for the rest of the week. Fight well, for the Orochi
fights more so."
  "So, what's on the list?" asked Ranma.
  "Here it is," Akane answered. "According to this, Ryoga fights tomorrow, 
then Shampoo, then Mousse, then Kodachi, then Kuno, then Ukyo."
  "Do I detect a little hint in that order?" asked Ryoga, concerned.
  "Seems to me they want our best out first," Ranma said. "I mean, I am the 
best and all...." 
  Before Ranma could finish, heavy objects rained upon him, ranging from 
clubs to a table. Both Kunos and Ukyo and Konatsu left the room, very 
annoyed. 
  Mousse got up and said, "Not all of us are as 'great' as you are, Ranma!" 
With those biting words, he left as well. 
  Those remaining stared at Ranma. "What'd I do?"
  
  In her room at the Kuno mansion Kodachi lay on her pillow, staring at the
ceiling. She knew she wasn't very good, but that was beside the point. All 
there had to be done now was to find a way to make events turn her way. 
  While his sister contemplated her course of action, Tatewaki Kuno stood in
the courtyard, practicing swings. A nearby servant continuously chucked 
watermelons at his master, who sliced them with ease, even with the 
intensification of the barrage. Speed was the key.
  The entire time Kuno practiced his cyclone slash he mentally went over 
the steps of the Phoenix Sword attack. This was the dangerous technique Kuno
gleaned off the Phoenix egg, and it was extremely deadly to the user and
the target. He'd only get one shot at it, he knew. But it would be worth it
to save Akane Tendo. 
  How Kuno longed to use the Phoenix Sword upon Ranma Saotome! But, no! 
Akane Tendo's life, her honor! depended on the upcoming battle.  

  A sign hung from the front of Ucchan's reading "Closed," for Ukyo tried 
to focus her attention on practicing her okonomiyaki martial arts style. 
She'd neglected her practice since the fiasco at Ranma and Akane's wedding 
weeks ago, sinking into guilt and depression. She never told anyone,
not even Konatsu, the guilt she carried, attacking friends to achieve her
own selfish ends. The wedding was the real thing. And Ranma loved Akane. 
  Ukyo put her giant spatula down and sat at one of the seats. Konatsu 
watched nearby, hiding in the shadows. Ukyo buried her head in her arms
on the table.
  "Ukyo-sama, are you all right?" asked Konatsu.
  "Ah... I'm fine. Better get some rest...." Ukyo muttered. She scooped up 
her giant spatula, then walked to her room.
  Konatsu followed, then stopped outside Ukyo's room. He could faintly hear
crying. He moved to open the door, but stopped himself. 
  I can't help her, Konatsu thought. Ukyo had very few friends, the closest
being Akane, Ranma, and himself. While Konatsu didn't approve of the attack
at the Tendo dojo, he forgave Ukyo, knowing exactly how she felt about the
matter. He was sure Akane and Ranma forgave her too, but Ukyo didn't seem to
recognize that; perhaps she was tripping over her pride as a chef and as a
person. No, this was something she had to deal with on her own. She has to 
make the first move on her own time. 

Monday

  Ryoga, with the help of Akari, made it to the battle ground, a park just
outside town. Akari insisted on coming, knowing how important the battle was
to Ryoga, and she didn't want him getting lost on the way.
  "Akari," started Ryoga, "wish me luck."
  "Ryoga!" Akari said. "No matter what happens, I'll always love you."
  This time there wasn't a crowd, only Ranma and the others, and the lone
Orochi champion-assassin. The man wore a loose robe, holding a staff in one
hand. His head was bald, except for a single ponytail gathered on the back
of his head. 
  "I am Reaver," said the Orochi cultist, "and you must be Ryoga."
  "Get ready, cultist!" shouted Ryoga, dropping his backpack. 
  "Then let it begin....!"
  Reaver charged, waving his staff overhead. He brought it down on Ryoga, 
pounding him with each twirl and stroke. But Ryoga didn't seem to mind, in
fact, the staff strikes hardly affected him. 
  Realizing his mistake, the Orochi swept the staff low, knocking Ryoga to
the ground. 
  "Well," started Ryoga, "that's more like it! Bakusai Tenketsu!" He jammed 
his finger into the ground, causing rocks to fly at Reaver.
  "Aaaaaahhhh!!" Reaver tried to block the rocks with his staff, with only a
few getting through. "What is this power?!"
  Ryoga let out a battle cry, then let loose more rocks, causing Reaver to 
move more frantically. One large rock snapped the staff in two, knocking the
cultist to the ground.
  "Was that all?" Ryoga taunted.
  "Noooooo.... Such power.... but I have my wits as well!"
  Reaver sprang up from the ground, and instead of Ryoga, he leaped at 
Akari. "Orochi desperation hostage technique!" He held the girl in a 
headlock.
  "Stand back, or I'll snap this girl's neck!"
  Ryoga yelled, "Akari!! Let her go!"
  "And lose my advantage? Never! Surrender now, or she dies!"
  "Ryoga," Akari said, tears welling in her eyes, "I'll always love you....
I understand...." She stood rigid, waiting for the killing blow. 
  "Akari... no!" A sudden rush hit Ryoga. All backed away as blue flames
surrounded the lost boy. 
  "What the...?" said the puzzled Reaver. "Stop that!"
  Reaver let go of Akari in shock as Ryoga let loose all his depression. He 
threw his arms out, palms facing his opponent, shouting, "Shishi Hokodan!!" 
  There was little left where the assassin once stood. 
  From the shadows, the leader of the Cult of Orochi scowled. 

Tuesday

  Shampoo watched her opponent carefully as the two circled around in the 
middle of the street. The Orochi cultist wore heavy black robes, appearing
many sizes too big for him. Standing only up to Shampoo's waist, this man 
called himself Strand.
  "Chinese Amazon," taunted Strand, "I'll show you the superiority of the 
Cult of Orochi's martial artists!"
  With fluidlike motion Shampoo bashed with her bonbori, one after another, 
but Strand behaved as if he hardly felt the blows. 
  "Biofeedback," Strand explained, "allows me to cushion the blows!"
  Shampoo yelled, "You not fight! Fight me!"
  The Chinese Amazon placed one foot between Strand's legs, hard. 
  "I'll show you," Strand said, recoiling, "the true power of my arts!"
  Throwing out one hand out of the folds of his robe, Strand let loose five
wires at high velocity. Shampoo blocked the attack with one of her bonbori, 
but Strand pulled the weapon away, discarding it at his side. Raising his 
other hand, more wires flew out, disarming Shampoo further. 
  The cultist chuckled. "Now to finish you!" Throwing both arms, Strand 
shouted, "Orochi ten finger constriction!" He threw ten wires at Shampoo, 
wrapping around her multiple times. She tried to flex her bonds, but they 
were too tight. 
  "You fight dirty!" Shampoo yelled. "Coward like you fight disarmed 
warrior with cheap tricks! Full contact with Shampoo now!"
  "Come now," said Strand, "aren't you going to give me the satisfaction of
a simple scream? One would suffice. There's no need to ruin a beauty such 
as yourself."
  But Shampoo refused to make a sound. In anger Strand tightened his grip, 
squeezing Shampoo until her skin bled. 
  From his position, the Cult Leader slapped himself in the forehead in 
disgust. So this was the price of isolating the Cult assassins from the 
outside world, especially from beautiful women....
  "Come now," Strand started, "feel the pain! I hunger for your fear! Such 
beauty... feel the terror!" The assassin's emotions seemed torn between 
lust and duty. "Let it consume you, and die! Let it all go! I can't bear to 
destroy such beauty as yours... scream, now!"
  "Shampoo!!" cried Mousse. In anger, he threw three darts at Strand's 
wires, cutting them in half. 
  Strand looked at Mousse in anger. "Stay out of this! I'll deal with 
you...."
  He never finished, as Shampoo smashed the small man in. "Shampoo not lose
to you. Even if Shampoo alone not strong enough, she still has friends to
count on." Mousse smiled in relief while the others cheered.
  "Not for long!" shouted Strand in anger. Retracting his broken wires, the
cultist launched them once more. But they weren't going for Shampoo. 
Instead, the wires lashed out at one from the crowd. Ranma couldn't dodge 
the wires in time as they curled themselves around his arms and legs. 
  Strand retracted the wires and held Ranma high in the air. "Do you love 
this one so, Amazon?" taunted the assassin. 
  "Ranma!" shouted Shampoo. 
  "Watch, you little whore, as your boyfriend beats you to death!" Ranma's 
body descended to the ground as Strand raised himself into the air, the 
wires supporting him. With a few twitches of his fingers, Strand forced 
Ranma to throw a punch at Shampoo. 
  Shampoo fell back, surprised that Ranma would actually hit her! 
  "Hehehehehe, the marionette technique!" boasted Strand. 
  "Shampoo..." Ranma started, "I'm sorry...."
  "Ranma!" shouted Mousse as he leaped into the fray, "how dare you harm 
my darling Shampoo?!" He threw three darts at Ranma's direction. 
  Strand stared at Mousse annoyingly. "YOU AGAIN?!" 
  In that moment of distraction Shampoo moved Ranma in such a fashion that 
the incoming darts slashed several of the assassin's control wires. Strand 
fell to the ground with a loud *THUMP!* 
  Shampoo stood over Strand and threw him to his feet. "Fight me alone, or 
not at all!" Behind the Amazon Mousse pounded Ramna into the dirt. 
  Strand spat, "That's it, you're dead!" 
  Strand threw all ten wires at the Amazon. Shampoo dodged them all, ending 
with a tangle for Strand's wires.
  "Chinese finger trap technique! Now who better?" Shampoo taunted. 
  "Not fair! You Amazon whor...."
  Shampoo punched his lights out with one well-placed fist. "Now you die!"
  Noticing a truck heading her way, Shampoo picked up the unconscious 
cultist, and threw him in the path of the truck. The moment she looked away 
the truck came and went. 

Wednesday

  Mousse stood on the roof of Furinkan High along with his Orochi opponent. 
He stood unconcerned in his flowing robes, then discarded them, revealing
a highly muscled frame. This was the one who tried to hold Akane to the 
floor days ago, Mousse thought.
  "I be Tango," said the cultist. "And I be your worst nightmare!"
  "We'll see about that," Mousse countered. Lowering his glasses, he 
shouted, "I am the Master of Hidden Weapons and all things avian. I won't 
let you harm Shampoo or anyone else!"
  "We'll see about that, you little runt."
  Mousse launched himself into the air, throwing loose tethered knives at 
the muscled cultist. Tango held out one arm, allowing the projectiles to
wrap around. Pulling his arm ever so slightly, Mousse was dragged forward.
  "Oooohhhh... methinks you're all talk."
  Letting go of the tethers, Mousse leaped into the air, spinning, then, 
with feet forward, shouted, "Raking hawk talons!" The spiked sandals raked
at Tango's face, forcing Tango to block with an arm. Skin peeled away with 
each rake, but never penetrating the thick skin of the assassin. 
  But with his other arm Tango swatted Mousse away. And all fell Mousse and 
glasses.
  "My glasses!" exclaimed Mousse.
  "Oh, let me get those for you.... oops!" Tango stepped on the thick lens
glasses, then kicked them out of the way. "Orochi dirty tricks technique!"
  "Hey, that's dirty fighting!" shouted Ranma from his vantage point.
  "Mousse!" Shampoo exclaimed, with a slight hint of concern. 
  Mousse got up quickly and let loose several chained spears. Unfortunately, 
they flew off in the wrong direction. Tango kicked Mousse to the ground, 
chains scattering on the roof. 
  Blind without his glasses, Mousse took the brunt of many kicks from the 
Orochi assassin. 
  "C'mon now, fight back!" Tango demanded.
  I can't see, I can't see, I can't see! Mousse's mind was too busy with the
shock. How could he fight what he couldn't see? How could he stop this man
from hurting Shampoo later on?
  Shampoo.
  Your problem is your sight, moron, he told himself. So what? He still had 
his other four senses. Taste? No, stupid. Touch? Nope, the guy won't let you 
get close enough to feel him. Smell? Yes, he certainly did smell, but Mousse 
couldn't rely on that too much. Hearing. Yes.
  Mousse got up, facing the wrong direction of Tango. Tango walked closer, 
taking his time, taunting. He's behind you, Mousse told himself. 
  "C'mon, you cripple!" taunted Tango. "I expected a man's fight, but you 
ain't worth writing home about. Surrender!"
  Cripple? Why you...!
  "Fist of the white swan!" shouted Mousse. Although swinging wide, the 
porcelain swan moved too quickly to block, the blow hitting Tango square in
the jaw. Suddenly, the sounds Tango made ceased, only to be replaced by a 
slight cracking sound.
  At that point Tango's glass jaw shattered, knocking him out for the count.
  Mousse, unaware that the fight was over, could hear nothing, and tripped 
over the fallen cultist's body. Lying stomach to the ground, he heard 
several sets of feet running toward him. More opponents, eh? 
  Ranma let out a cry as Mousse leaped up and attacked him. 
  "Mousse, you won," Shampoo said. 
  "Shampoo?" Mousse said, stopping in mid-punch. 
  Ranma couldn't get out of the way in time to avoid Mousse's tackling hug. 
To Mousse, the only thing he could think about was Shampoo. 
  The Cult Leader shook his head in disgust. Blast that Achilles heel! 

  That evening at the Tendo dojo, the friends gathered once more. Shampoo
cheerily handed Mousse another set of glasses, one of many sets for just
an occasion as that had passed.
  "I think this'll be the part where they get a little more desperate,"
said Akane. "It seems to me that each Orochi assassin uses increasingly more
dirty tactics."
  "You mean cheating," Ranma corrected.
  "But nobody is better at it than Kodachi!" replied Kodachi. "I've spent 
the past few days fabricating my latest plan."
  "Well, whatever it is," started Ranma, "I hope you win."
  "Ranma-sama, do you really mean that?" asked Kodachi.
  "Ranma!" Akane protested.
  "Hey, gimme a break! Don't you want her to win too?"
  "Oh," Akane said, realizing what he meant. "Sorry."

Thursday
  
  How fitting it was that this next battle took place at Kodachi's own 
school. The very same room where Girl-Ranma fought Kodachi so long ago.
Ranma and gang sat near Kodachi's corner of the ring. Sitting next to Kuno
was Miss Hinako, who, for some reason, was invited by Kodachi herself.
  A part of Kodachi's mind bothered her: did Brother care if she won or 
lost? 
  Kodachi twirled her ribbon playfully as her opponent entered. An ugly, 
female cultist threw off her robe, clad beneath in her own leotard, 
decorated with the Orochi all around. She pulled a chain from her belt.
  "I'm Lash, the Temptress of the Shadows. Charmed, I'm sure." 
  "I am Kodachi, the Black Rose!" She stuck out her tongue. "If you're the 
kind of women you cultists see, then what I'm about to do is a service!" 
  "Then let it begin."
  Lash's chain met Kodachi's ribbon in the air, both snapping back quickly. 
Drawing closer, Kodachi initiated her attack of thousand clubs, pummeling
Lash with the onslaught. After the first few blows, Lash began swiping the 
clubs away with her chain. When she ran out of clubs, Lash retaliated with a
deep kick into Kodachi's chest, knocking the wind out of her.
  "Ready to give up yet, Black Rose?"
  Kodachi looked up, but was experiencing a double vision at that moment. 
Shaking her head, she drew a bouquet of black roses, and thrust them in 
Lash's face. Gas spewed forth from the bundle.
  "You'll pay for that!" Lash cried. 
  Kodachi's ribbon wrapped itself around a nearby chair, which she promptly 
tossed at Lash. The assassin's chain could do little to block such a 
projectile. Following the chair were various other objects and then some, 
that weren't bolted to the floor. 
  Tossing away the chain, Lash reached for a chain sickle. 
  "Hey!" protested Kodachi.
  "Orochi weapon upgrade!" Swinging once, twice, three times, she nicked 
Kodachi's legs, causing her to fall. 
  The pain shot through Kodachi, and now she was having trouble getting up.
  "Surrender."
  "Never!" shouted Kodachi. She reached for a whistle and blew.
  "Heh, was that supposed to help you?" taunted Lash. 
  Someone cried, "Happo go-en satsu!"
  Suddenly, Lash felt her energy seeping from her body. Looking around, she
found the source: Hinako held a 5 yen piece before her, sucking the chi out
of Lash at an alarming rate.
  "Stop it!! Nooo....." Lash collapsed as Kuno helped his sister to her 
feet. 
  "Now who's better?" mocked Kodachi. She laughed. 
  "A match well played," congratulated Kuno. "One can only expect the best 
from a Kuno." 
  The Cult Leader dragged the fallen Lash away from the battle ring. This 
was definitely not going well. 

  The Cult Leader stood within the altar chamber once more, where eight 
candles once glowed brilliantly. Now, only two remained, barely illuminating 
the chamber as the leader of the Cult of Orochi walked to the side of the 
slab where Lash lay silently. 
  "I see you are still breathing," noted the Cult Leader. 
  The ugly Orochi assassin's eyes fixed on her leader. "Please, let me live, 
sir! I can finish the job!" 
  The robed man shook his head. "You know I cannot allow that." He raised a 
fist, which now glowed with evil, purple chi energies. "Since you've failed 
to destroy yourself, I must do it personally. It will be slow and painful." 
  The two remaining Orochi assassins, standing in the shadows of the altar 
chamber, backed out the double doors as the tortured screams of Lash began 
to echo throughout the room. Both knew failure was not an option. 

  Tatewaki Kuno relaxed in meditation before the shrine he'd built to house 
the Phoenix Egg. 
  The room was dark but for the eternal light that shone down on the 
Phoenix Egg, a good luck charm for martial artists. The man who sold Kuno 
the egg believed that Kuno could not possibly handle the power of the 
invincible Chinese Phoenix Sword, the ultimate technique of swordsmen. How 
he was so very wrong. 
  The Phoenix flames that served as the heart of the legendary attack was 
fueled by the soul; one with a weak soul couldn't hope to survive a single 
use. Only the strong survived use of the Phoenix Sword, but at this point 
Kuno hardly cared if he lived or died after using it. Soul power could be 
replenished over time, but if it were all eaten at once by a sudden burst 
as the Phoenix Sword created, the results were fatal. 
  The Phoenix Sword, quite literally, destroyed one's soul. 
  Quietly, Kuno sat, a family ancestral sword lay exposed from its sheath 
before him, allowing the blade to bathe in the Phoenix Egg's eerie aura. 
With outside thoughts and other worldly matters purged from his mind Kuno 
mentally recited the steps to make the Phoenix Sword truly possible. 
  How ironic, thought Kuno, that in order to master the invincible attack, 
one must surrender their life to death. Akane's love can never be mine; my 
life serves no more purpose in this regard. Dear sweet Kodachi could never 
master the technique; she embraced life too much. Death, however, was to 
be expected and embraced, by the warrior code. I fear not death, for the 
strength of my ancestors is with me. 
  What would death feel like? he wondered.  

  Kodachi stood alone in the dark chamber. The only light in the room shone 
down from the ceiling, illuminating a large pedestal. Resting on that 
pedestal was a finely-decorated urn, decorated with small gems of varying 
value. 
  She winced as she stared at the urn, unwilling to look at the nameplate 
firmly attached to the pedestal. Without looking, Kodachi burst into 
tears, unheard by anyone, the sole mourner of the deceased. Not even her 
wretched father mourned the loss of Tatewaki Kuno. 
  Later Kodachi went to feed Midorigame, her pet alligator. But the recent 
events that'd transpired broke the usual joy she'd usually have when 
visiting her favorite pet. 
  She tried losing her thoughts in her gymnastic practices, but her 
emotions soon got the best of her. To others it seemed as if the proud 
Kuno girl lost her love of the sport. And it wasn't far from the truth. 
Who else did Kodachi continually flaunt her skills toward, and mock and 
tease on about comparable ability? 
  On her way to a shower Kodachi was assaulted by lawyers and hanger-ons, 
seeking either her favor or matters of the estate. The whole trip she was 
overwhelmed by the sheer mass of the people, they all wanted a piece of 
her, after all, she was the sole inheritor of the Kuno estate. 
  As it was, she'd received an invitation to Ranma and Akane's wedding. 
Why? She'd help ruin their last one, wouldn't Ranma think even less of 
Kodachi Kuno? Nevertheless, Kodachi went, and watched, a Western wedding 
that went on without a hitch. When it came to pass that people could 
object to the pairing, Kodachi found she couldn't speak. And in the closing 
party how strange it was that her dear brother be missing! Kodachi needed 
to vent her anger on someone. 
  Then she remembered: he's dead. And in that moment all the people she 
cared for and who cared for her were gone. 
  Kodachi was alone. 

  Suddenly, Kodachi sat up, back in her room, sweating hard and out of 
breath. Was it a dream? 
  Putting on her slippers and a night robe, Kodachi quietly walked down the 
hall to Tatewaki's room. Quietly opening the door, she peered inside, 
finding him fast asleep, a bokken in his arms. 
  A dream, it was, but would it be? Could it be possible that Kodachi Kuno 
needed her brother? The thought of it! She didn't need him, Tatewaki only 
got in the way. 
  Tomorrow held the answers. 

Friday

  Kodachi and Tatewaki walked together that morning, on the way to the 
next combat. Kodachi's skirts and stockings all but obliterated all races 
of the previous day's cuts and scrapes inflicted by the assassin woman. 
The doctors had assured her that they'd recovered quickly; for this Kodachi 
was happy. Tatewaki reasoned to himself that it was pure vanity. 
  Walking gave the two time to think to themselves, no sedan chair this 
time. How refreshing to breathe the morning air! 
  "Brother," Kodachi started. 
  "Yes, dear sister?" Tatewaki asked. 
  "Don't kill yourself, or I'll kill you," Kodachi threatened. 
  "Rest assured," began Tatewaki, "that I, Tatewaki Kuno, would have the 
pleasure of trouncing you and your alligator to the depths of the Abyss...
next week."
  The Kunos laughed. 

  The beach was the scene for the next combat. Kuno stood near the gang, 
practicing his movements before the next Orochi cultist champion-assassin
appeared.
  "Kuno."
  Kuno stopped and turned. Akane and Nabiki. "Ah, Akane Tendo."
  "Look, I know we haven't been the best of friends, but for what its worth,
good luck," said Akane. 
  "Ah, Akane Tendo... I would walk barefoot in Hell for you! Your beauty
inspires me to do the impossible. I...." 
  "Yeah, whatever," cut in Ranma, dragging Akane away. 
  Nabiki watched the two walk off, then said, "You'd better watch yourself, 
Kuno-chan. You still owe me quite a sum of yen...." She walked off. 
  "Oh, if only the pig-tailed girl were here, then my life would be 
complete; nothing could stop me!"
  Hearing those words, Ranma jumped into the ocean, then came back. 
"Kuno-sama!" she exclaimed, trying not to be sarcastic.
  Kuno hugged the dripping-wet girl. "Oh pig-tailed girl! How wonderful to
see you care for Tatewaki Kuno so! Akane Tendo inspires me to do the 
impossible, but you, my dear, inspire me to do the impossible twice over! 
Where have you been, my love?"
  "All right already, let go!" Ranma shouted, breaking away from Kuno. She 
then ran off, searching for the nearest kettle of hot water, Kuno not far 
behind. 

  The Cult Leader and the next assassin stood alone at the opposing end of 
the beach, talking in hushed tones. 
  "The fates of your predecessors was ritual sacrifice," the Cult Leader 
explained. "Finish this one quick, and you may live longer."
  The assassin nodded. "In life we serve only the Orochi!"

  Standing opposite Kuno stood the Orochi assassin, bearing a sword and 
dressed in robes similar to Kuno. Kuno himself tossed away his bokken in 
favor of a steel blade.
  "My name is Clash," said the cultist. "Time to end this."
  "Agreed," answered Kuno. "You, my opponent, have the good fortune to be 
the one who witnesses my finest hour!" He bowed, then drew his blade. "I am 
a warrior; let the battle be joined!" 
  "With pleasure," replied the assassin with a sneer. 
  Both swords clashed as the two swordsmen charged through the loose sand. 
For each blow Clash made Kuno raised his sword to block, and likewise vice 
versa. From the stands it appeared to Ranma that neither held the upper 
hand.
  "Your skill is commendable," said Clash.
  "Yes, it is important for you to recognize superior ability," replied 
Kuno. 
  "But it won't save you!" roared Clash. 
  Leaping back away from Kuno, Clash thrust his sword into the ground. 
Reaching into the folds of his robe, the cultist produced several 
basketball-shaped objects with a fuse sticking out one end. 
  "I think you'll get a blast outta these!" taunted Clash. "Orochi 
Daikarin!" He threw two of the bombs at Kuno, the fuses lit. 
  "My... how unoriginal, and lacking in style." Kuno yawned, then raised his 
sword. In one smooth motion, Kuno executed the cyclone slash technique, 
cutting both bombs in half in mid-air. The fragmented explosives landed 
harmlessly to his sides. 
  In fury Clash threw several more bombs, but each successive barrage was 
cut down in similar fashion by Kuno's cyclone slash. 
  "Looks like the watermelons helped him out," Ranma commented. 
  "You are a warrior lacking in skill," taunted Kuno, stiffling another 
yawn. "Funny, that I would count you amongst the world's true warriors? I 
think not." 
  Tired of the game, Clash retrieved his sword. "Very good, you defeated my 
technique. Now lets see if you can defeat this one!" Leaping into the air, 
positioning his blade in a downward stab motion, Clash shouted, "Prepare to 
die!"
  Kuno looked up, unconcerned, then leaped into the air, his sword raised in 
a rising arc motion. "Blue Thunder final attack: Tenchi raimei kiri!"
  The two blades met, neither gaining a hit, but at the peak of Kuno's jump 
he brought down his blade with such speed that the air around him crashed 
in thunder. Blue lightning-- formed from Kuno's focused chi, illuminated 
the ancient Kuno sword. The blade bit through Clash's left arm, severing it 
at the shoulder, blood spraying all about from the fresh wound. The blue 
lightning leaped onto the assassin's body, wracking him with great pain as 
he fell back to the unfeeling earth below. 
  "Now, my enemy, you have felt the wrath of Heaven and Earth!" taunted 
Kuno. He inspected his clothes, annoyed that he actually got blood on 
himself. "After this you'll have to pay for a new set of clothes, my good 
man...."
  Angrily staring at his severed left arm, dark blood dripping on the beach 
sand, Clash pointed his sword (which was held in his remaining arm) at Kuno 
and cursed. "You'll pay for that, maggot!" Spinning his own blade thrice, 
Clash buried it in the sand and yelled, "Orochi ground rippler!"
  The sand reacted according to a wave, as if the sand itself were water. 
The rippling wave reached Kuno and knocked him off balance, causing him to 
fall to the sand. 
  Clash sent forth two more waves, knocking Kuno away from his blade. 
Drawing his blade from the sand, Clash walked steadily to the fallen form 
of Kuno. "Looks like its the end for you. Surrender, maggot."
  Kuno lay on his back, facing the afternoon sun above. Now wasn't the time 
to lie on your back, idiot! he told himself. Akane Tendo and the pig-tailed 
girl were counting on your success! 
  The fires of the sun inspired Kuno, and he realized what he must do. 
Perhaps death wasn't a bad thing, Kuno thought. At least he wouldn't have to 
watch little Kodachi live alone with the family fortune and nobody to turn 
to.... 
  "I have something worth dying for," Kuno muttered under his breath. "And 
I intend to take you with me...!" 
  Before the killing blow came Kuno rolled out of the way, with Clash 
burying his blade in the sand where Kuno's heart would've been. He placed 
a foot into Clash's gut, knocking the assassin off-balance. Reaching for 
his sword, Kuno stood up, momentarily disoriented, then focused on his 
Orochi opponent. 
  Standing with feet spread, sword gripped before him in both hands, Kuno 
began to feel the chi swelling inside him, burning from within. Now, to 
channel the energy into the sword.... The ancestral Kuno sword's blade burst 
into chi-flames. 
  Onlookers gaped with awe as Kuno's form began to glow in eerie flames. 
Only Kodachi knew what this meant. "Brother, no!!!" 
  "Behold!" cried Kuno. "The Kuno school ultimate attack: the invincible 
Chinese Phoenix Sword!" 
  Flames danced around the blade of Kuno's sword. Clash tried to block the 
attack with his blade, but without the leverage of two arms the sword was 
beaten away. 
  "You fool!" spat the Orochi assassin. "You're going to kill us both!" 
  "I fear not death!" shouted Kuno. "That is why you are not a true 
warrior!" To himself, he muttered, "Phoenix flames, guide the hand that 
wields thee!" 
  With all his fury, Kuno cried, "Hiiiiiyaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!" 
  Kuno launched into one massive strike, raising his sword overhead, flames 
trailing behind. One look into Kuno's eyes scared Clash as he realized his 
defeat. Tatewaki Kuno brought the blade down, throwing all his momentum into 
the final blow. To him and onlookers, it was as if a great fiery bird 
crashed to the earth. 
  "Damn you...!" screamed Clash, as he realized he was burning alive. 
  The area the two were standing burst into a huge column of flame. 
  The light! Kuno thought. It's... beautiful. I'm sorry, Kocchi.... 
  "Nooooo!!!" screamed Kodachi, tears flowing from her eyes. 
  "Kuno!!" shouted Nabiki, standing from her seat, refusing to shed tears. 

  Tatewaki Kuno stood alone in the column of light. He threw out his arms 
to welcome the light, allowing it to consume him, to elevate him to Heaven. 
So this was what dying was like, Kuno thought. Shall we proceed to Heaven? 
  It's so beautiful. They should have sent a poet. 
  No, I AM the poet. 
  Suddenly, all of Kuno's senses were bombarded with memories, every single 
memory within Kuno's own mind. Life... flashes before my eyes, Kuno thought. 
Heaven must welcome me even now.... 
  He saw memories he never knew he knew, especially his first years of life. 
He saw memories he wished he never knew, especially his own father shaving 
his head. He saw memories he cherished, the day he first lay eyes on the 
pig-tailed girl, the day Kodachi was born, becoming class president, winning 
the fencing championship in the name of his school during his first year in 
Furinkan High. He saw himself comforting Kocchi after their father 
departed... she felt useless and abandoned, now that both parents were gone. 
No, it was then Kuno found a new purpose in life-- he became the father. He 
saw memories of vanquished opponents, Ranma Saotome... and.... 
  Everything stopped right there. He remembered watching as the pig-tailed 
girl melted under the effects of hot water, twisting her perfect, beautiful 
form, into that of the sorcerer, Ranma Saotome. 
  "You're the key!" accused Kuno, jabbing a finger at the image. "Why do 
you torment me, even in the afterlife, knave?!" 
  Over and over, the image replayed before Kuno. With each instance Kuno's 
anger intensified, until he could stand it no longer. Anger radiated about 
Kuno's body like a storm; the light around him became bathed in the hellish 
red battle aura. The insult was too much to bear; never shall I enter the 
gates of Heaven with such a stain upon my honor! 
  Almost a whisper, Kuno thought he heard his sister say, "It is easy to 
find something worth dying for; do you have something worth living for?" 
  "Kocchi, I have something worth dying for," Kuno shouted, "but I now have 
something worth LIVING for!!" 
  The last two words Kuno voiced echoed across time and space, as the images 
shattered. 
  Raising a fist into the air, he cried, "Keep the doors open to await my 
ascension to Heaven! My business down on Earth has yet to be finished... by 
my great ancestors, and those yet to come, I, Tatewaki Kuno, sacrifice my 
life to restore honor to the great Kuno name that has been wronged!" 
  Kuno dove back down the column of light, against the flow to Heaven. With 
all his might and will, Tatewaki Kuno forced his way back to Earth. Wait 
for me, Kocchi, I'm not leaving you just yet! 

  The others had yet to realize the full impact of the Phoenix Sword as 
the flame column subsided, with Clash falling from the air, and Kuno, 
kneeling on the ground, collapsed, both smoking. 
  "Somebody get help!" cried Ranma. 
  Akane spared a glance at Nabiki. Her face was stone-cold as she started 
counting a wad of yen produced from her pocket. "Nabiki!"
  Nabiki replied, "If he dies, I won't get my money." 
  Kasumi put a hand on Akane's shoulder, who was ready to protest. "Akane, 
let it go." The two sisters turned away from Nabiki, watching others run 
to Kuno's unmoving form. "She cares, Akane... in her own way."
  Kodachi was the first to reach her brother. 
  "Speak to me, Brother!" pleaded Kodachi, cradling her brother's head in 
her arms. "Don't leave me alone!"
  Kuno's eyes opened, and gave a weak smile. "Ah, the light! How beautiful 
it was...." 
  "Ah, he'll be fine," Ranma said, feeling for Kuno's pulse. He put a hand 
on Kodachi's shoulder. "Besides, he should be able to handle any punishment 
after what I gave him for months." 
  "...they should send another poet...." 
  "That's it, he's out of it," concluded Ranma. 
  Nearby Clash's charred body crashed, throwing up sand into the air from 
the impact. The smoke barely had enough time to escape the burned husk when 
the Cult Leader approached him. 
  Clash's nearly-skeletal hand reached for his leader. "Help... me...." he 
whispered. 
  The leader shook his head disappointingly. He raised a fist, burning with 
purple chi energies. "Failure is not acceptable, you know that. Your death 
shall be a slow one." 

  Kuno lay in the hospital bed as the others circled around him. Kodachi 
never left his side the entire trip. It turned out that Kuno, unlike his 
opponent, suffered no major burns. The wounds were dressed immediately, and 
the doctors said Kuno could leave tomorrow. 
  "Saotome," said Kuno. 
  "Yeah?" asked Ranma. 
  "I don't regret stopping your wedding, it was too soon... you never asked
my permission." Kuno looked at Akane, then closed his eyes. "It is out of 
love I do this, for Akane Tendo. With my permission you may marry Akane 
Tendo. Make her happy, or I'll come after you."
  Ranma was at a loss for words. Kuno was giving up on Akane? "Uh, sure."
  Akane smiled, but Ranma didn't notice. 
  "Dear Akane Tendo," said Kuno, "because I love you so much, I can't bear 
to see you unhappy." 
  Akane didn't know what to say. 
  "I have gazed upon the light," continued Kuno, "and in that instant 
everything became clear to me. And yet I still don't understand why my dear 
sister loves you so...." 
  "That's great, Kuno-chan," Nabiki interrupted, speaking for the first 
time. "But you'd best not forget about how much you owe me." 
  Soon all filed out the room, leaving Kuno and Kodachi alone. 
  Enjoy life while you can, Saotome, for your day will come.... 
  Kodachi picked that moment to hit Tatewaki with another pillow. "You 
idiot! How dare you try to die on me?!" She hit him until tears came to her 
eyes. Putting the pillow down and burying her head in it, Kodachi tried her 
best to hid any hint of joy. Tatewaki was perplexed at her behavior. 
  Kuno said, "Many doors have been opened in an instant, and I know not 
the meaning or understanding of it all. By the light, I have achieved 
enlightenment, if only for a moment. And nothing could ever be the same 
again...." 
  Closing his eyes, Tatewaki Kuno continued, "Ah, my Akane Tendo, tis better 
to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all. How I wish I could 
date her! And the pig-tailed girl...." He paused. "I know who the pig-tailed 
girl is-- the one who shares the name of Ranma Saotome. Let us discuss that 
matter, shall we, Sister?" 

  The leader of the Orochi Cult stood within the altar chamber, where 
eight candles stood, only one lit. Not long ago the sixth candle blew out, 
leaving only one left. 
  "Master," the cultist began, "we've yet to defeat Akane Tendo and her 
fellow martial artists, and we haven't found a suitable host for your 
earthly vessel. One of your children, the Orochi Family, has yet to be 
accounted for. The eighth descendent of Princess Kushinada has yet to be 
located. Perhaps it is not the time for your return."
  "Yes," the Speaker said, "perhaps in a few more centuries, the world will 
be ready for my reign of terror. But yet, there is one candle left. One last 
chance to finish off Akane Tendo. If not, then you are to destroy yourself, 
and allow another to take your place." 
  The Cult Leader stiffened. "M..Master?!" 
  "If you can't perform such a simple task, then you're not fit to be the 
leader of our followers. Exact our revenge by defeating the seventh 
opponent. Then, and only then, will your own life be spared." 
  The cultist looked around the dark chamber. Under the unlit candles were 
the dead husks of the defeated Orochi assassins. The Orochi never accepts 
failure; the defeated were sacrificed in Orochi's name on the very stones 
they rested on. The dark, purple blood of Orochi flowed from their wounds. 
  Only one assassin remained. There would be others, the Leader knew, but he 
really wanted to live to see Orochi return in the centuries to come. After 
all, he hadn't lived all these centuries just to die now. 
  "Master, be assured it will be done!" 
  From the shadows of the chamber one lone figure watched the Cult Leader 
finish his communion with the Orochi. He waited until the immortal man 
left the chamber before emerging. Dressed in a dark blue uniform, black 
cape flowing behind, the man kneeled before the altar. 
  "Be assured, my master, we shall be triumphant when the Reunion comes! I, 
personally, have made sure to put the wheels into motion that would make 
everything go our way. Even now, one of our enemies is on the move." 
  "Yes, Eldest of our children," replied the voice in agreement. "Yes 
indeed. But, I will not tolerate incompetence within my followers' ranks. 
Do not fail me." 

  Later that afternoon Mousse walked into Ucchan's, head low, seemingly 
studying the floor. He took a seat at the counter and buried his head in 
his arms. Ukyo walked to him. 
  "Hey, sugar," Ukyo greeted, smiling. It was among the first instances 
she'd greeted anybody like that in weeks. 
  Mousse didn't respond. 
  "What did you do to Shampoo this time?" she asked. 
  After a long moment of silence, Mousse finally answered, "I dropped a 
hot bowl on Shampoo. It was really hot, so she got really mad and kicked me 
out."
  "And why did you drop the bowl?" 
  "I was so happy... happy that she cared. I couldn't control myself." 
  And how the endless cycle repeated itself in the restaurant every couple 
of weeks, Ukyo thought with a sigh. She couldn't help but put herself in 
the place of Shampoo and Ranma in the place of Mousse... a fantasy that 
was! Of course now Ukyo's Mousse turned up as Konatsu, but she was getting 
used to him being around, even if he was incompetent. 
  If Shampoo were busy with Mousse, that'd be one less fiancee for Ranma! 
Ukyo thought. That reasoning for helping Mousse was always on the surface, 
but deep down inside she wished Ranma would want her. If only Ranma knew 
she existed... not as a friend, as a girl. 
  "Well," Ukyo said finally, "flowers never hurt." As Mousse sat up, as if 
an idea hit him, Ukyo said, "Just don't do anything fancy like last time, 
okay sugar?" She could still remember the exploding flowers, and shuddered. 
  "Thanks Ukyo!" Mousse exclaimed, then dashed out the door, frantically 
looking for a flower shop. Shampoo, I'm coming!
  Oh Ranma, she thought, if only it could be that easy for you to see my 
love for you. 

  That evening Ukyo continued to practice her fighting style. Konatsu 
entered, having finished taking out the trash out back. 
  "Look at what I found," said Konatsu, holding a small white cat in his 
arms. 
  Ukyo stopped, then walked to Konatsu. "Oh, poor thing! Have you been 
digging through our trash? Don't worry, I'll fix up something nice for you!"
  Taking the cat, Ukyo told Konatsu, "I want you to fetch Ranchan for me. 
Don't be gone long. Tell him I need to talk to him." 
  Konatsu nodded, understanding the request. Finally, she could face her 
shame!
  Konatsu exited the front, leaving the door slightly ajar. Outside, hiding 
in the shadows across the street, a lone figure polished his blade, then 
silently walked across the street. 
  Ukyo laid down a bowl of water for the cat when she heard the door slide 
open. "Konatsu? Back already?" she asked, without looking. Something felt 
wrong....
  "No." came the distorted voice of the Orochi assassin, clad in black ninja 
garb, holding his blade in readiness.
  Ukyo turned, startled, then frantically looked for her giant spatula. 
Oh come on, jackass! Where is it?! 
  The assassin looked Ukyo over, and became captivated by her beauty. In 
another lifetime, the two might've been friends... or closer. The assassin 
shook the fantasy from his head, remembering his mission. 
  The assassin charged, and Ukyo let loose a flying kick. 

  "This had better be important, Konatsu," Ranma said, being hurrily dragged 
along by the male kunoichi. 
  It was not long before the two reached Ucchan's, but something seemed 
wrong. 
  "It's too quiet... Ucchan?!" In worry Ranma dashed ahead of Konatsu, 
running through the open door, and stopped in horror at the sight he saw. 
Konatsu caught up, then screamed. 
  Ukyo lay in a pool of her own blood, a little white cat trying to rouse 
her.

  After Konatsu removed the cat, Ranma entered. The bleeding came from a 
chest wound, a single stab. Ranma's panic over his old friend blocked out 
the guilt in his mind in undoing a girl's shirt, but he had to get her 
bandaged. After finishing, he instructed Konatsu to get help. 
  "Ucchan...." Ranma started, not knowing what to do. 
  "Ranchan...?" Ukyo answered faintly.
  "Hang in there! Help is coming!"
  "I'm... sorry, Ranchan. About the wedding, about me, everything...."
  "Don't talk! Save your strength!"
  "I... I can't do it anymore, Ranchan! Everything I've lived for... I've 
failed... as a woman, as a person, as a martial artist.... I've never had 
any friends, except you, Akane, and even Konatsu. And I turned around and 
ruined your wedding... some friend I am!"
  "Look, it's okay, Ucchan...."
  No longer fighting back tears, Ukyo interrupted, "I was so afraid, 
Ranchan! Please don't leave me alone! Please...!" 
  Ranma carried Ukyo to her room, and lay her in her futon, hoping to make 
her more comfortable. His friend cried herself to exhaustion, babbling about 
being left alone. For the life of him, Ranma couldn't figure out what Ukyo 
was talking about. 
  Ranma left and walked to the refrigerator, hoping to find something to 
eat while waiting for help. He hoped Konatsu knew what he was doing. 
Opening the door, Ranma spied an okonomiyaki, wrapped in shrink wrap, in 
the corner. And it looked like it had Ranma's favorites on it. He took it 
out, and walked toward the microwave when he stopped. 
  There was a message on the okonomiyaki; no big surprise, considering this 
was typical of Ukyo's style, but the message was what bothered Ranma. He 
read it over a second time, just to make sure he understood the message. 
  It was a love letter. To... me. 
  "Ucchan...."

  It was not long before the paramedics arrived and carted Ukyo off to the 
hospital, probably to join Kuno. Konatsu left with them, but later Akane 
arrived. Ranma spent most of the time in Ukyo's room, looking through her 
stuff. 
  Akane walked in, seeing Ranma staring at a small television set, watching 
a video. 
  "Ranma?"
  "Oh?" asked Ranma, surprised at the break in silence. 
  "What're you watching?"
  "This?" pointing at the monitor. "Its a video from an amateur singing 
contest. I don't know, but it seemed out of place here... so I had to see 
it."
  "Trying to get your mind off Ukyo?" asked Akane, concerned. 
  "Yeah, I'm trying," answered Ranma. "Kinda funny, really, I recognized 
Tsubasa on the video... the guy got booed off stage." 
  "But I discovered why the tape was here." Ranma walked over to the VCR and 
rewound the tape. An image of Ukyo appeared, singing a song she wrote, 
"Okonomiyaki Love Letter." 

					*  *  *  *  *
Okonomiyaki ni kaita RABU RETAA (Okonomiyaki Love Letter)
Song can be found on the Ranma Fighting Karuta CD as track 13

	[#13 Kuonji Ukyou, I'll sing "Okonimiyaki ni kaita Love Letter"]

	I don't hold a grudge against you for dumping me, but
	that you're my childhood playmate stung my eyes.

	The crashing, raging sea, squid, prawns, scallops;
	the sauce is very fragrant.

	Feeling jealous, me!
	You, who I fell in love with, lied!
	Before my hot feeling cools off,
	on a okonomiyaki,
	on a okonomiyaki, I wrote a love letter.

	* sound of numerous chimes and clapping from audience *
	[Thank you!  Ran-chan, I did it!]
					*  *  *  *  *

  When the song was completed, Ukyo was presented with a prize. Ranma 
turned off the VCR. "The song was about me. Why couldn't I see it?" 
  "Ranma, what are you trying to say?" 
  "We've been friends for over ten years. Now I find she wanted more from 
our friendship." He showed the frozen okonomiyaki love letter to Akane. "I 
couldn't think of her other than as a friend. Why couldn't I see it? Why 
couldn't she tell me?" I'm her only friend, if Akane was still mad at her. 
"I thought I had Ucchan all-figured-out." He tried to laugh. "When we met 
again last year, I thought I knew her then, and it turned out she was a 
girl. How much more don't I know?" 
  Akane reached for Ranma's hands. "Ranma, even between friends, some 
things are hard to share." 
  Yeah, he thought, especially about a certain black piglet.... 
  "So, how long have you known?" Ranma asked suddenly. 
  "Ever since she set me up on a date with Ryoga," answered Akane a bit 
surprised that Ranma was being perceptive. Ranma, why are you blaming 
yourself? Akane thought. In any case, there was only one way to settle it. 
  With sharp determination, Akane announced, "Ranma, let's go." 
  "Go? Go where?" 
  "To see a friend. To talk. A lot." 

  Later that night, Ranma and Akane arrived at Ukyo's room, which, 
coincidentally, was the same room as Kuno's. Doctors completed operations 
on her, and concluded that the wound wasn't fatal, but there was a major 
loss of blood. They said the rest of it was up to her. 
  Kuno lay sound asleep with Kodachi resting by his side. Akane couldn't 
help but admire the ties between brother and sister. Perhaps there was 
something good in the Kunos after all.
  "Ranchan?" asked Ukyo weakly. She smiled as she recognized Konatsu, Akane, 
and Ranma standing over her. Still friends.... 
  "Ukyo-sama," Konatsu said, "build up your strength, you'll be fine."
  "But... Akane?" she began to say, then tried to sit up. "I gotta go...." 
finished Ukyo, then pain shot through her body. She lay back down. 
  "Ukyo-sama, don't strain yourself," pleaded a concerned Konatsu.
  Ukyo nodded. "Konatsu... could you leave us for a moment?"
  Bowing low to the floor, Konatsu left the room. 
  Akane squeezed her friend's hand. "Don't worry about it, we'll think of 
something."
  "I'm sorry, Akane.... I let you down again." 
  "Again?" asked Akane. 
  Ukyo answered, "About the wedding, I shouldn't have helped ruin it... I 
was so certain Ranma didn't want to marry you Akane... what kind of a 
friend am I? How can I forgive myself if you can't forgive me?" 
  Well... I guess the Jusenkyo water Mr. Tendo hid was an added incentive, 
Ranma thought. 
  Akane thought back to the day after the wedding, when she'd confronted 
Ukyo. Ukyo believed the wedding was another sham, that Akane was forcing 
Ranma to marry her. Ukyo was mad that Akane would betray her trust, but all 
that changed when Ranma told Ukyo who he loved, and who he wanted to marry. 
So this was what was bothering Ukyo for weeks-- the role of betrayal had 
turned tables. 
  "You did what you thought was right," Akane said finally, then added, 
"from the heart. Friends look after each other. You were just looking after 
Ranma...." 
  "I let my desires get in the way of my duty!" Ukyo said. Duty to friends. 
"I was so... hurt. I'm so sorry... about everything. What I've done to you." 
  Akane reached for Ukyo's hand. "You're forgiven, Ukyo. I'm sorry I was so 
insensitive to you, too." 
  Ukyo turned to Ranma. "Please don't leave me Ranchan...."
  "Leave?" asked Ranma. "What makes you think I'm going anywhere?"
  "I was afraid... afraid that, after what I did, we would drift apart... 
don't leave me again, like you and your father did long ago...." She 
paused. "Remember when we were engaged long ago? Father didn't want me to 
be alone... I don't want to be alone...." 
  Ranma grasped her hand. 
  "Ucchan," Ranma started, "I'm your friend. You shouldn't ever worry about 
me leaving you, because I've never left, and I don't intend to do so." 
  "Ranma, Ukyo..." Akane said, "we're all friends... friends stick together, 
no matter what. You can always talk to us. We're always here for you. 
Perhaps now, we can be better friends." 
  There was a long pause. "Thank you Akane," Ukyo said finally. "Thank you, 
for being a friend, despite our past differences." She turned to Ranma. 
"Thank you for being there, Ranchan...." Ukyo closed her eyes, a genuine 
smile forming on her face for the first time in a long time. It was good 
to get the heavy guilt off her shoulders. 
  Well, that matter was settled. 
  "Umm... Ucchan?" Ranma started nervously, "I... uh... found your, uh... 
your okonomiyaki. The one in the refrigerator. I was hungry."
  Tears welling up in Ukyo's eyes. "I was too embarrassed to give it to 
you, not after I found out about the wedding. I couldn't say it; this was 
the only way I could express my feelings for you. I'm sorry, Ranchan...."
  "No, I'm sorry," Ranma interrupted. "I couldn't see past our friendship." 
  "Insensitive jerk," Ukyo whispered in reply. "You never knew...." 
  Shaking his head, he added, "I thought I had you figured out, Ucchan, but 
every time that happens you turn around and surprise me. I thought I had 
you figured out even after I found out you were a girl. You are cute, 
Ucchan, but I can't think of you the same way. Please understand, Ucchan, 
that I don't mean to hurt you, that's the way it is." 
  "I... understand," replied Ukyo, turning her head toward Akane. Lucky 
girl, she thought. Talking this out really must help. Life wasn't fair. 
Face it, girl, you lost long before you started. 
  "You know Ucchan," Ranma started, changing the subject, "you sing quite 
well."
  Ukyo's face flushed with embarrassment. "Ranchan, you didn't see that 
contest video, did you?" If her spatula was within reach, reflex would've 
taken over, with Ukyo hitting Ranma in the face for it. Fortunately for 
Ranma, the spatula was back at Ucchan's.
  "You can join us anytime," Akane said, thinking about herself, Nabiki, 
Kasumi, Shampoo, and Ranma, singing together.... Heck, the way things were 
going, why not ask Kodachi? Then again the group hasn't been together for a 
great deal of months now, not since the last Christmas party. 
  A long pause of silence. Finally, Ukyo said, "I wish it could all be 
different... If only I'd not ruined the wedding...."
  "There's always the next one," commented Akane. Wait a minute....
  "Akane?" asked the puzzled Ranma. Oh boy, let's not get into this....
  There was another long pause. Ukyo broke the silence. "There's still the 
matter about the challenge tomorrow morning. Even in my weakened state, I 
still have to go...."
  "Don't worry about it Ucchan," Ranma assured her. "Just get some rest."
  Shortly thereafter, Ucchan fell fast to sleep. Exhausted, Ranma thought.
  Ranma walked toward the door when Akane reached for him. "Ranma... where 
are you going?"
  Ranma opened the door, motioning for Konatsu to come back in. As he 
passed by, Ranma told him, "Take care of Ucchan for me, okay? They might 
come back to finish the job."
  Konatsu nodded, and took position at a chair by Ukyo's side. 
  Before leaving, Ranma turned to Akane. "To answer your question," then 
paused for a moment, "I'm going to be a good friend."

  Akane seated herself at a chair opposite the wall Ukyo's bed was against. 
Konatsu sat still, unmoving, a constant vigil over his master. 
  "Akane-sama?"
  "Huh?" asked Akane, stifling a yawn. 
  "Are you and Ukyo-sama truly friends?" asked Konatsu innocently. 
  "I... guess so. We've been through a lot together. Mainly over Ranma." 
Akane couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "We've been through a lot."
  "Could you tell me about it?"
  Akane smiled, realizing Konatsu was doing this to pass the time and ease 
worry. "Okay, where shall I start?" 
  All night, Akane related from the day she first met Ukyo. Then how she set 
her up on a date with a reluctant Ryoga, the incident surrounding the hiryu 
shoten ha technique, the Tsubasa incident, the secret sauce, the Tunnel of 
Lost Love, the fight with Miss Hinako, the mystic umbrella, the cursed 
spatula, that weird tako-kid, all the way to meeting Konatsu for the first 
time. And perhaps a few more in-between. 
  Konatsu was fast asleep, resting his head against Ukyo's pillow. Akane 
smiled.

Saturday

  Ukyo woke the next morning finding Konatsu's head resting at the edge of 
her pillow. She smiled at the sleepy ninja. Looking around the room she 
spotted Kuno and Kodachi, still sleeping, and Akane, resting on a chair at 
the opposite end of the room. Where was Ranchan?
  "Akane?"
  Akane gave a loud yawn. "Ukyo?"
  "Where's Ranchan?"

  "Have you heard what happened last night?" asked Kasumi to Nabiki.
  "Yeah, heard there was an accident at Ucchan's."
  "I wonder where Akane could be?"
  The Tendo sisters sat next to their father and the Saotomes in the stands 
of a make-shift battle arena held in the park. The center of the arena 
was the location of a fountain, spewing cold water from the mouths to the 
pool below. 
  Nearby were Shampoo, Mousse, and Cologne, with Cologne sitting between the 
two, probably to keep Mousse away from Shampoo. Next were Ryoga and Akari, 
talking about something neither Tendo sister could hear. Both Kunos were at 
the hospital, considering what happened yesterday. 
  "For that matter," Nabiki said, "where's Ranma?"
  Indeed Ranma was nowhere to be found. 
  Sitting at the opposing end of the fountain was the Orochi assassin, 
polishing his sword gently. The Cult Leader walked to and sat down next 
to him. 
  After a long pause, he said, "I assume you finished it?"
  The Orochi ninja betrayed no emotion from his distorted voice. "Yes, so 
now we can avenge our Master on Akane Tendo?"
  "Not yet," said the Leader, "They have until the end of the day. I'm 
interested in whatever ploy they plan to use to continue this...." 
  Suddenly, a voice from behind them shouted, "I'm here!"
  Both cultists looked in surprise as they saw Ukyo standing there, giant 
spatula in hand, bandoleer full of smaller spatulas. Dressed in her 
okonomiyaki shirt and dark tights, the sight of seeing a healthy Ukyo was a 
shock to the two men. 
  "So, you decided to come after all," returned the Cult Leader, allowing 
his hand to glow in purple chi. "I can't wait to see your 'moves.'" Amusing, 
this was. Too bad the ninja-idiot didn't figure it out yet. Oh well. 
  From the audience, Kasumi observed, "My, that doesn't look like Ukyo at 
all."
  "No kidding," agreed Nabiki. "Even a professional chef martial artist like 
her doesn't walk and talk like that."
  Ryoga looked startled. "Ukyo! What happened to your chest?"
  "Oh my!" Kasumi exclaimed. 
  Nabiki said, "Even he wouldn't be that stupid...."
  Even though he couldn't here them, Ranma, wearing Ukyo's outfit and a 
wig, thought the same thing. What was I thinking?

  "That jackass!" Ukyo yelled. 
  Supported by Konatsu, the two, followed by Akane, made their way back to 
Ucchan's, where Ukyo intended to retrieve her weapons. And now they were 
gone. Ukyo insisted on leaving the hospital, forcing herself to accept the 
pain. She walked out of her room in a spare okonomiyaki shirt. Konatsu 
couldn't help but notice the bandages bulging through. 
  "How could he do this to me?!" she screeched.
  "Ukyo-sama," started Konatsu, "don't overexert yourself."
  Akane picked up a note on the table. "Ranma, I hope you know what you're 
doing...."
  Ukyo said, "Ranma doesn't know how to fight in my style. He'll get 
beaten." And there won't be second chances, either. Pain shot through her 
chest as she spat those words. 
  Akane opened up a nearby cabinet. Withdrawing several small bags, she 
said, "There's not much time! I'll gather the bags, you two go on ahead!"
  As Ukyo was ready to turn, Konatsu stopped. "Ukyo-sama, wait here." 
She sat down at a nearby chair as Konatsu rushed to his room, returning a 
moment later with a small sheath. He handed it to Ukyo. 
  Puzzled, Ukyo asked, "A kodachi?"
  "Ukyo-sama, please.... It's not safe to enter battle without a weapon."
  "Oh, okay." Fastening the sheath around her waist, Ukyo couldn't help but 
think about the Kuno girl. 
  "Time to go, Ukyo-sama."

  Ranma threw two more spatula-darts at the Orochi ninja who called himself 
Nightshadow, but he dodged. The way things were going, Ranma would be out of 
spatula-darts in three more two-dart throws. 
  Bringing both hands on the giant spatula, Ranma arced down at Nightshadow. 
The Orochi assassin deflected the blow with his own sword, then reached for 
his own throwing darts. One bit into Ranma's leg, causing him to fall. 
  Standing over Ranma, Nightshadow declared, "You are beaten, Kuonji. I'll 
finish what I'd started last night."  
  In a flare of rage, Ranma realized this man was the attacker. "Why 
you...! You did it to her!"
  "What the...?!" Realization struck just as Ranma burst to his feet, 
bashing Nightshadow's head in with the giant spatula. "You dirty rotten
punk...!" 
  The Cult Leader burst out in laughter. Nightshadow wasn't known for being 
particularly smart. 
  "Ranma, stand back!" someone shouted. Akane?
  Looking over his shoulder, Ranma had just enough time to move out of the 
way as the bag of flour burst, blocking vision to all. He felt an arm over 
his shoulder. 
  "Ranchan, it's my fight."
  Ranma turned and looked over his shoulder. There was Ukyo, standing in 
identical garb as he, sans bandoleer. Her other arm clutched the side of her 
stomach, as if cradling the pain. 
  "Ucchan?"
  "Ranchan, I need to do this. For myself. Thank you, for being my friend."
  Without words Ranma handed over the giant spatula and bandoleer. As the 
flour bag's smokescreen subsided, Ukyo Kuonji stood over Nightshadow. 
  "You missed me," she shouted defiantly.
  Nightshadow looked up. "You're the real Kuonji. Your double was no match 
for me...."
  "You should've finished me while you had the chance. Why?" Ukyo demanded.
  "I couldn't bear to destroy such a lovely one as you.... At least, not in 
such a dishonorable manner. It seems I have a soft spot in my heart for 
beautiful women. No matter, the Orochi will correct that oversight, one way 
or another." 
  "Stop it!" Ukyo spat. "Fight me!" 
  "As you wish!" 
  Nightshadow reached for three darts, then leaped back into the air. He 
threw all three, with Ukyo reaching for three of her own. She threw them 
with such precision as to knock away the three incoming darts. As the ninja 
fell to the ground, Ukyo pegged him with her remaining three spatula-darts. 
  Akane, Ranma, and Konatsu looked on, the only ones knowing fully what was 
going on. 
  "Ukyo-sama," Konatsu pleaded, "take care of yourself."
  Ranma turned his head toward Akane. "What's the matter with you? Why'd 
you let her out? She'll kill herself!"
  "Ranma!" Akane yelled. "She wanted to come. She knew you couldn't fight 
the okonomiyaki-style." Finally, she said, "It was pride...."
  Pride, Ranma thought, could get Ucchan killed. 
  "...and duty," Akane finished, "to her friends."
  Pulling the darts from his chest, Nightshadow yelled, "Behold, Kuonji 
ninja girl, the ultimate technique in the Orochi ninja arts!" Flying into 
the air, throwing his sword straight up, arms reaching into the folds of his 
ninja robe, Nightshadow shouted, "Nightstorm!" 
  A barrage of hundreds of darts flew at Ukyo, who batted them away with her 
spatula. However, she couldn't block them all, and she fell as little by 
little the pain came back. Falling back just as the storm ended, she dropped 
her spatula, which clattered a few feet away.
  "Ucchan!" Ranma cried, both Konatsu and Akane restraining him. 
  Landing, Nightshadow caught his sword on its descent, and walked to the 
fallen Ukyo. "Your skill is no match for the Orochi martial arts." Raising 
the blade for a downward plunge, "Unfortunate that such a pretty face must 
die for our master...!"
  Somewhere in the distance Ukyo could barely hear Konatsu and Akane, 
telling her to get up? No, it was something else....
  "Good-bye," Nightshadow said mockingly. 
  But the blade didn't fall all the way. Out of weapons, out of time, Ukyo 
remembered the kodachi tied to her back, and plunged it into the Orochi's 
exposed stomach. The look on his face was priceless. Dark blood dripped 
down the kodachi's blade as Nightshadow stared at his chest in horror, the 
life draining from his eyes. 
  Ukyo watched as the ninja fell. She whispered to herself, "Ranchan, I did 
it...." 
  Her mind drifted away as Ranma, Konatsu, and Akane ran to her. Her eyes 
fluttered for a moment, then closed, as the okonomiyaki chef realized it was 
too much work to keep them open. Ukyo almost thought she heard the others 
yelling at her to wake up. Can't they just let her sleep for once? 
  "Ucchan!" she heard Ranma yell, more clearly. "Don't go! I'm here! You're 
not alone!"
  "Go away, Ranchan," Ukyo muttered. "Let me sleep...." 
  "I'll summon help," Konatsu volunteered, and ran off. 
  "Ucchan!" Ranma persisted. "You did it. Now hang in there...!" 
  Akane pulled out the darts the Orochi stuck in her. She watched her 
friend's eyes flicker open once more. "Ukyo...." 
  *SMACK!* 
  "Ranchan, you jackass," Ukyo said weakly, "stop embarrassing me." The hard 
slap she threw across Ranma's face was more than enough to convince him that 
Ukyo was fine. 

  The Cult Leader lay the last assassin body under the last lit candle. At 
that moment the last candle flickered away, throwing the chamber in 
complete darkness. The Altar of Orochi glowed with its own eerie light. 
  "You have failed," a voice boomed. 
  "Master... no!" the Cult Leader cried. "Spare me! I can finish the job 
myself!" 
  "An example must be made of you," the Speaker of Orochi replied. "Proceed 
to eternal damnation! You will walk this Earth as a man no more!" 
  The Cult Leader screamed as the pain shot through his body, as if a 
demon were clawing its way out of his own body. 
  From outside the chamber, the Orochi acolytes could hear their leader 
scream for a long time, until suddenly it stopped. One brave acolyte 
dared to enter the chamber, now plunged in the dark of midnight. 
  "Sir?" the acolyte asked. No response. Only a faint rattling. 
  Another acolyte brought a candle with him, both now searching the room. 
After reaching the altar, all they could find was dark blood spurted around 
an untouched circle, where their leader used to be. The blood had yet to 
dry and the bones yet to cease clattering on the floor beyond. 
  The depiction of Orochi above the altar seemed to smile maliciously. 

  That evening the victorious shared dinner at the Tendo dojo. Around the 
same table. 
  Kasumi walked in with the prepared meal, bright and cheery. How 
wonderful it was to have all their friends for dinner! From Father, Nabiki 
and Akane, Ranma, Mr. and Mrs. Saotome, Ukyo, with Konatsu by her side, 
Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, Ryoga, Akari, the Kunos, Tatewaki leaning on his 
supportive sister. 
  If ever there were a good time for Akane and Ranma to marry, things 
were looking better every day, Kasumi thought. 
  "Everyone," Akane started, catching the attention of all at the table, 
"thank you. For fighting for me."
  "No task is too hard when the goal is the preservation of perfection such 
as yourself, Akane Tendo," replied Kuno. Akane blushed at the compliment. 
In one day Tatewaki Kuno's world was turned upside down, then back up again. 
From that brief instant of clarity Kuno came to understand a great deal 
about himself and others.... Saotome, your time will come. Kodachi, dear 
sister, I do have something worth living for! 
  "Hmph," snorted Kodachi, "I did it for Ranma-sama." 
  Mousse said, "If it means happiness between you and Ranma, Akane, then 
anything is worth it!" Especially if he got Shampoo.
  "Shampoo do it for self, not pervert girl," snapped Shampoo. 
  Cologne peered at Shampoo curiously. Under that cold exterior, she knew 
Shampoo really cared. How strange it was, she thought, that these teenagers 
sitting at the same table were rivals and friends at once! Within this 
circle, removal of one removes them all. 
  Ryoga said, "I'll always be there for you, Akane...." then spared another 
glance at Akari, who smiled back. 
  "What are friends for?" Ukyo responded. How she wished Ranma was hers, but 
maybe, just maybe, it wasn't meant to be. Ranma and Akane... her friends... 
silently Ukyo vowed never to hurt them again. And be the best friend she 
could possibly be. At least this time, when the day finally came, she 
wouldn't snap, not with her friends to help her. 
  Ranma refused to comment. He couldn't risk saying something compromising! 
Especially in front of Akane... boy, she must think I'm a jerk, he thought. 
  Nodoka Saotome smiled. "Its so nice to see Ranma and Akane getting along 
so well!" she whispered to Genma. 
  Soun Tendo took that opportunity to speak. "Well, Saotome, we've been 
blessed all week long with no Happosai to bother us."
  "You said it, Tendo." replied Genma. "If only all our days were like 
today!"
  Of course, who would've burst through the ceiling but the old lecher 
himself...! "Never fear, Happy's here!" he shouted, bounding on the table 
with bag of panties in tow. 
  Happosai turned to Ranma. "Where've you been, slacking on training to 
carry on my dojo?! Disrespect your master by not helping him in his tasks?!"
  "Put a lid on it, old man!" Ranma shouted, sending Happosai into orbit. 


Closing: Hill of Rainbow and Sun 
-----------------------------------------
Author's Rant: 

  The tensions among the gang have yet to be resolved; each fought to 
further their own agendas. They will be explored in future chapters of this 
series. Ukyo in particular. Next time, the wedding, take two. 
  C&C welcome. This is actually my first Ranma fic. 
  This is only the second part of the first part of the Wheel of Fire series 
of stories. Be sure to catch other parts of the series at my web page: 

http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html

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