Part V Revelations Ryoga asked himself. the voice growled in his head. Ryoga tried to ignore it. But it was insistent, demanding his attention. the voice affirmed. Ryoga ignored it. the voice said again. Ryoga screamed in frustration, smashing half a dozen boulders lying about him. Ever since he had jumped into the nannichuan, ever since, the voice had been there. At first it had only muttered to itself in the back of his mind, but the first night had changed everything. The dreams had been the worst. He had relived everything. He had watched all the tragedies of his life, all the injustice Ranma had inflicted on him. His struggle to win Akane, finally having her love him, and then reject him. When he had crawled out of his nightmares in the morning, the voice had been there, talking to him, pushing him on. Everything he thought, everything he did was commented on. And always fermenting his anger against Ranma. This was the third day with the voice. Slowly Ryoga was feeling himself slipping. It was inexorable that the voice would win. It said all the right things. It hated Ranma as much as he did. It promised him Akane. Looking around Ryoga realized he was back at the Jusenkyo pools. It even knew where he was. Ryoga laughed. What did it mater if a voice was talking to him? He wasn't turning into a pig anymore. He was a man. He would destroy Ranma. Ryoga turned on his heels and walked away from the pools, glowing with a dark aura of hatred. Startled, Ryoga looked at the setting sun and realized the voice was right again. The voice started laughing in Ryoga's headed, dark and cynical, echoing hollowly in Ryoga's mind. After a few moments, Ryoga joined his own laughter to the voices. "You will die Ranma!" he shouted, releasing a blast of dark chi into the sky. the voice answered whispering through Ryoga's mind like the Reaper's scythe. Ranko fidgeted nervously as she walked down the street next to her father and Akane. Something was out there and it scared her. Pushing herself into her father's legs where she felt safe, she made a small nuisance of herself until her father picked her up, and held her gently in his arms. Sighing she sunk into the warmth of her father's chest, trusting in him, feeling the fright disappear beneath his love. Feeling the fear subside in his daughter, Ranma turned back to his own problems. He was nervous, almost terrified. Two days of anticipation and dread and put him on a fine edge. He was glad Akane was walking slowly from the train station to the Tendo Dojo. Getting there fast was of no importance to him. Actually getting there at all was not seeming that important right at the moment. A bath in Akane's apartment was sounding much more so. For the last two days, he had watched things slowly unravel. He had known he would face the Tendo's and maybe his father, on the next day. It was easy to forget about that. Especially since he still had to deal with Akane. Her mood swings, though coming less frequently, were still terrible. They had had one nasty fight when she had told him dinner had been postponed, and that his mother would be there. She was still mad at him. No matter what had been said in the park, no matter what they had promised, it was going to be very difficult for them to reconcile everything that had happened. Akane was still hurt by his disappearance, still trying to decide how to respond to the stranger he ad become. And there was something else bothering her. Something that he did no understand. It was just too much. He had his own problems to deal with. That voice in his head had come back after the fight with Akane. Telling him what he had done wrong, berating him like a child. Ranma just did not know if he was up to this. He did not know if anyone was. Sighing, he hugged Ranko against him, seeking comfort in her presence. It suddenly seemed the most confusing thing in his life had become the least. Ranko was just there for him. No matter how many questions and problems she gave him, she had become a source of stability for him, and that is what he needed now. She needed him, he needed her. It was very simple. Nothing like what he would have to face tonight. It had been bothering him for the full two days. What would they say? How would they react? He did not think he could handle it alone. the voice said. He looked at Akane walking next to him. She could help, but she was still mad at him. He knew the fight had been both of their fault in some way, but he knew Akane would not apologize. It would be easier for him. "Akane, " he said. She did not answer him, continuing to walk in silence. He sighed. He had to get through to her, somehow. Reaching out he grasped her shoulder, bringing her to a stop. "What do you want, Ranma? We'll be late if we don't hurry," she snapped. "Well you don't really seem to be in a hurry, yourself," he regretted the words the moment he said them. "Ranma no.." Her voice was rising quickly, her anger showing through, but Ranma cut short her insult with his apology, "I'm sorry, Akane-chan. It's just that this has me so on end. I am so confused." Glancing at Akane, he saw her watching him waiting, still slightly angry. He pushed on, "I don't know how I am going to explain everything. With you everything just sort of fell out of my hands. I don't want that to happen here. If it does, I know something horrible will go wrong. Just like it always does." "I'm scared, Akane-chan. What will my parents say? How about my mom? Have I become a real man, or will I have to commit seppuku? I need your help in this, Akane-chan. I can't do it alone." She was still waiting, although the anger was gone now. "I don't want to shut you out, Akane-chan. I want our engagement to work this time. No misunderstandings ruining it, or our pride getting in the way. We have to trust each other, Akane-chan. But we cannot do it unless we let the other know what we are thinking." Ranma asked impatiently. "Ranma?" Akane's voice woke him up quickly. "Huh?" "I said how can I help? What is wrong with you?" Ranma thought for a second. The cure could be as much a curse. Could he tell her that? How could he explain what was happening? She would think he was going crazy. He couldn't tell her a lie though, not now. He sighed and settled for generalities, "To many problems. Too much keeps distracting me. I'm sorry." Akane looked thoughtful for a minute and then nodded her head slightly, "Okay, I'll help Ranma. Your right about all this." That sounded weird on her tongue. Ranma being right? What was going on here? Akane shook her head and continued. "We need to trust each other. So what do you want me to do?" Ranma smiled slightly. Maybe things would go right for once in his life. He quickly began talking, explaining what he wanted. Akane jumped in every so often with her own ideas. By the time they arrived at the dojo, they were as ready as they could be. Akane glanced quickly at Ranma. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand in response. "You'll do fine," he encouraged. She nodded and opened the door, and walked into her home. The plan was really simple, but it depended on her. She had to keep them untroubled and not expecting this. Ranma had said he wanted the upper hand, more than usual. He wanted to keep them in complete surprise, so they could not react to him, giving him the ability to have the whole situation in his control. It would work as long as Akane could keep things moving along steadily. She was to be the referee, according to Ranma. Ranma had laid the entire meeting out like a martial arts match. He wanted Akane to introduce him into the ring, and then he would introduce his daughter, hoping the shock value would keep everyone quiet and stunned long enough for them to herd them to the table. It was a good bet the table would be set and the family simply waiting for Akane to show. She had jumped in at that point saying that she could get them to the table by herself, since they were only expecting her. Then once at the table she would have him show up with Ranko. It would start them out on even better footing. Ranma had nodded his acceptance and continued explaining. If they could get the entire group to the table and eating, he could make the whole thing very informal. Besides food was a distraction to even someone with something more exciting to think about, especially when it was Kasumi's cooking. She and Ranma could then control things within reason, and maybe make the night go smoothly. The main point was to explain everything before they could jump to conclusions. She was still standing in the entrance way. Behind her she could feel Ranma and Ranko waiting right at the door. Akane could see her family moving about in the living room, most moving around aimlessly, waiting for her. She took a breath and entered the living area. "I'm here," she said as she entered, "Sorry I am late, but you now how it is sometimes." Everyone looked up from what they were doing. "Oh, my daughter, your here!" Soun cried looking up at his daughter from the shogi game tears in his eyes. Genma-panda quickly made half a dozen moves and then held up a sign Good to see you.' "Could you not have been three more minutes, sis?" Nabiki said from the couch, "Now I won't win the bet." Nabiki smiled, "But it is good to see you. It has been a long time. How were finals?" "Oh, they were great," Akane answered. At least Nabiki had not invited Kuno over for dinner. Those two had become very close lately, and she did not want to deal with Kuno at Ranma's throat, more for his safety and her own sanity than any worry over Ranma. She winced as she remembered their sparring match. He was unbeatable. "I got an A- on my last final, so that means I will graduate with honors at the end of the month." "That's great sis!" "Oh my daughter is so smart!" Good job. We knew you could..' ..do it." He finished on another sign, stealing half of Soun's pieces and rearranging the others. Soun looked perplexed as he saw his position suddenly reversed, but was too happy with his youngest to care. "Is that you, Akane-chan?" a voice said from the kitchen. "Hai, Aunt Nodoka," she answered, "Sorry I am late." "No problem, we were just finishing up. Is that not right. Kasumi?" "Hai," Akane's older sister answered. "Konban wa, Akane," Dr. Tofu said walking in from the back yard, "How are you feeling?" "Uh, fine, Tofu-sensei," she answered. The comfortable atmosphere was making her uncomfortable. Something would go wrong she just knew it. "Have you had any more of your spells?" he asked walking over to look at her. "Just one, four days ago, but I am feeling better." "My poor daughter, still grieving." My son was so lucky.' Genma said accidentally removing half of his pieces in his grief. "Four days ago," he said thinking about the date, "That makes a little bit of sense. It wasn't too bad, was it?" "No, Ukyou was there," Akane answered quietly, she still hated when they made all this fuss over her, "I'll be fine, stop worrying about me." "You should have invited Ukyou over for dinner, Akane-chan," Kasumi said smiling as she brought the food to the table. "She had to work, and some other things came up," Akane answered. "Oh, that's too bad," Kasumi answered, "Well dinner is ready." Everyone moved quickly towards the table taking their places. Akane sat between Nabiki and Dr. Tofu. Kasumi set the plates of food on the table. Nodoka hurried out of the kitchen with the rest. After setting the table, she sat down next to Genma, and Kasumi sat next to Dr. Tofu. Her father was at the head of the table, starting to dish out the food. Everyone began to dig in, the conversation picking up. "This smells great." "Arigato, Nabiki," Kasumi and Nodoka answered. Taste's great too,' the sign said as Genma wolfed down his food. Akane looked at her food and took a few bites. She was not really hungry. She was trying to think of how to announce Ranma. "What's wrong, Akane-chan?" Nabiki asked looking at her sister, "Aren't you hungry?" "Not really." In that case,' Genma reached for her food but was stopped by Nodoka's katana. "What's wrong, musume?" Nodoka asked. She had taken to calling Akane that after she had been told about Ranma, adopting Akane as her own. Akane looked at Nodoka and the rest. They were all watching, waiting for her to answer. It was now or never. "I guess I'm nervous." "About what?" several people asked. "How to tell you." "Tell us what?" everyone was hanging on her words. Genma had even stopped eating. Akane took a deep breath and looked at her father. "I have an announcement, Otoosan. I am getting married." Only Kasumi and Nodoka did not facevault, both looking happy as ever. "Oh, my daughter is moving on with her life. What a lucky father I am to have such a child," Soun cried into his food "Who is he?" Nabiki asked, "Do we know him?" "Ah-huh." Akane answered. "Is it Ryoga?" Nabiki asked quickly. Akane started, how had they found out about that, "No." "Well I am sure, whoever he is, he is someone my Ranma would have approved of," Nodoka said. Akane could barely stop herself from laughing. "Oh, Ranma would approve of him very much." "Well, who is he?" everyone nearly shouted. "Honey!" Akane called, "Would you please come out here." Everyone looked towards the entrance of the house. Ranma stepped out of the shadows, a smile on his face. "Sorry, I'm late, but I have been a little busy." No one facevaulted. They couldn't there minds had suddenly shorted out, even Kasumi was stunned. Before they could react, Ranma was sitting down next to Akane, and starting to dish out food, still talking, "You wouldn't believe some of the things I have seen and done. It has been incredible, but I was missing you all so much, that I just had to come home. Good idea, huh?" He smiled at everyone, and squeezed Akane's hand. "R-Ranma," Nodoka finally muttered, staring at her son. "Y-your alive?" "Ah-huh," Ranma said, "Sorry about the misunderstanding, Akane explained it to me. Really I did not know I was dead. If I had, I would have corrected." Everyone was starting to move again, questions forming on their lips, everyone was about to ask him a question. Ranma noticed this and dodged, "Oh, I want you to meet someone. Musume, you can come in now." Ranko burst from the entryway with great speed, completely excited by the game her father had created for her. Rushing forward she squeezed between Ranma and Akane, then settled down in Akane's lap. Akane hugged the girl tightly to her, and began getting a plate for her. "Himechan, this is our family. They are your sofubo," pointing at Nodoka and Genma-panda, both of whom were having their eyes jump back and forth between Ranko and Ranma, "That is Aunt Nabiki, and Aunt Kasumi." Kasumi was actually trying to get over the first complete surprise in her life, and it had been two surprises, "That is Dr. Tofu, your Aunt Kasumi's husband. And that is Mr. Tendo, your future sofu." "Everyone, this is my daughter, Ranko," Ranma announced, "Well I am starved. I haven't had Kasumi's cooking in ages." He started eating. That was his mistake. Once he added just a bit of his normal personality, he lost the edge, and the family overwhelmed him. Suddenly he was surrounded by everyone. They were crying, hugging him. He felt his mother kiss him over and over again. Genma and Soun were both making Niagra look small. "What happened?" "Who is her mother?" "I am so happy your back." "How could cheat on Akane?" "Why were you gone so long?" "Are you cured?" "We have missed you, Ran-chan." "What were you doing?" "What are you going to do?" "Are you and Akane finally going to get married?" "Oh my son-in-law. I am so happy" I knew my son would never die that easily.' "Quiet! Will you all be quiet!" Ranma shouted. He was on edge. Ranko was crying at his side. Akane looked like she was about to bolt. "I said be quiet and I will explain everything." He was floundering. "SHUT UP!" Akane suddenly screamed, "Let him explain. He does not need this from all of you!" Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Akane. She was crying again. Ranma took the sudden lull in combat, to reach out and pull the sobbing Akane and his crying daughter into his arms. Gently soothing them, he looked at everyone circled around him. "Maybe we should not have done it this way, but I knew this would happen. Neither Akane or myself need this. I came back for your support. I came back because my life was slowly getting out of hand. I came back because I missed Akane. I will explain everything. Just give us a moment, and don't bother us." With that he stood up and walked into the living room with Akane and Ranko. Sitting down on the couch, he started to comfort them. Ranma snapped, not wanting to deal with that now. "He's right," Dr. Tofu said sitting back down at the table, "They are both very unbalanced right now. Look at them. Let us finish diner and then talk to them." Everyone nodded, though their curiosity made them watch Ranma, Akane, and Ranko. Everyone had questions. Nodoka wanted to go to her son. She had not seen him since he was a child. When she had found out he was dead, she had almost killed herself. Genma had prevented her. And now against her wildest dreams, he was alive and back. She watched him comfort Akane and his daughter. The way he did it, the way he had handled the situation. "He is a man, Genma." She said, tears in her eyes, her voice choking up. Genma watched his son and nodded. He has grown up. I wonder where he got the girl?' the sign asked. "So do I," Nabiki said, seeing dollar signs from all of this. But even that was held back by her emotions. For some reason she felt ashamed for swamping Ranma. She couldn't wait to hear his tale, but right now she could not bring herself to leave the table. What Ranma had said just made sense. Nodoka was right, he was a man. Soun was crying uncontrollably, telling everyone that this was the happiest night of his life. Kasumi collected a few plates of food and took them over to Ranma. Setting them down next to him and his crying companions. Ranko looked at her as she came up. The girl was no longer crying, but she seemed reluctant to leave her father's company. She was a beautiful child. Kasumi idly wondered where she had come from. "Okagesama de, Kasumi-chan." Ranma said looking up at her. "We're sorry, Ranma," she said. "I know, Kasumi-chan. There was just no way to do this comfortably. Finish dinner, and then we will talk then." He turned back to Akane who was still crying, though it was softer now. Ranma's presence seemed to comfort and soothe her. Kasumi smiled as she walked back to the table. She had always known those two were right for each other. The rest of dinner was a subdued affair. The family at the table trying to eat and not bother Ranma and Akane. They watched Ranma and Akane talk together quietly. Finally both of them started eating. When everyone was finished, they moved into the living room, sat down in different spots and listened as Ranma told his tale. The hot water was soothing. Seeping into his muscles and tendons, relaxing his whole body. The night had not gone as he had expected, but he had realized a long time ago that nothing ever does. He had survived the night, that was all that mattered. Sighing, Ranma closed his eyes, glorifying in the heat of the water. The night had been an absolute nightmare for him. Akane's breakdown had been the worst for him. Sitting there holding her, he had found out how much his death had hurt her. She had become extremely vulnerable. Similar to Soun Tendo's reaction to his wife's death, in that a small thing could set her off, Akane's tears were of desperation and depression. It was her way of retreating from what had hurt her. For nearly half an hour he had held her and listened to her cry to herself, talking above her sobs. So much had poured out of her. Ranma had thought he had understood her pain, but tonight. It had wrenched his heart listening to Akane. She had suffered so much. Listening to her, he had discovered that his death had robbed her of everything she loved. Losing him had just been too big of a blow. She had never gotten over her mother's death, and just as she had found someone who could make her happy, she had lost him. It had been too much for her to bear. She had tried to kill herself that very night, only Nodoka checking on her had stopped it. From there he had listened as she cried out the past four years of her life. The agony of making herself continue each day. If it had not been for Ukyou and his mother he would have lost Akane years ago. They had been there to support her through so many days. It was because of them that she had finally made an attempt to appear normal. She had started going through with her days, making an effort to live, but she had not wanted to. She had told him that she only lived because it would kill those she loved if she died. Eventually she had to start believing he had not died to continue. Every day she woke up and told herself that she would see him again, and every night she would cry herself to sleep, when he did not show up. She had lived in denial for those years. Ukyou had been right about Akane blaming herself, but Ranma had been surprised when she had told him that she at times she had found her grief turn to anger and hatred towards him. He could not blame her. Listening to her, he had started to hate himself for going on his stupid quest. He had ruined her life. How could she still love him? Her depression was not all that had happened. She had lost confidence in herself. She had started to retreat from confrontations. She could not take the pressure, the uncertainty in her own abilities. She did not want to face anyone, trying to protect herself. She had lost the spark in her that had made her Akane. No one had seemed to realize this though. She had hidden it very well. Every time that the pressure became to much, she simply broke down. Everyone thought it was just her grieving at some memory. She had been crying because she was helpless, unable to do anything. She had come to depend so much on him as a protector, a friend, someone she could always count on to be there for her that she lost her own strength in his death. That was why she had broken down after yelling at everyone. The pressure had been too much. She had lashed out, trying to help him, trying to help herself. She had found her old strength for a second, but then had collapsed in on herself, not wanting the pressure anymore. She did not want to face the changes in her life. Ranma had listened to this and more as Akane had cried in his arms. He had just listened and soothed her, letting her emotions to run their course. There were still so many questions. She had mentioned Ryoga again, and Ranma wondered what he had done. Ukyou had said he had helped her, but where had it gone? Those were things he knew she would tell him in time, and he was prepared to wait. He had finally convinced her to eat, and they had ate in silence, simply taking comfort in each other being there for the other. After they had finished, Ranma had noticed the rest of the family watching them. Taking a deep breath he had motioned them over to hear his tale. Akane had stayed with him, although he had suggested that she get some sleep. He was actually glad she had. At times she had helped him smooth over a few things. The session had started out with the hundreds of questions he had been dreading. The crying parents and family trying to get his attention, touching him to make sure he was not an illusion. He had almost lost it again, before Dr. Tofu had brought everyone to heel. Once the questions had died down, Ranma had told them his story, in a very abbreviated form. He had covered the highlights of his adventures, but even this had caused so many questions, that it had taken him several hours to complete the tale. Just telling his story had been the easiest part of the night, dealing with his and Akane's families had been the hard part. Tendo Soun had nearly killed him once he had realized Ranko was his daughter. As Akane, he had thought he had been sleeping with another woman. It had taken him ten minutes to stop them all from deciding killing him would be a good idea. His mother had been bad too. Ranma had found out that his father had decided that Nodoka did not need to know of his curse. So Ranma had had the unpleasant task of explaining to his mother why he had gone off in the first place. The worst part had been that his mother had understood. He had found out that the promise his father had given was only a threat for his father not Ranma, and considering it was a curse that made him unmanly' his mother would have forgiven him. Killing his father right there had entered his mind instantly when he had found out. Only Akane's hand on his shoulder and Ranko sitting in his father's lap, now a human, had prevented him. His father's stupidity and pride had kept Ranma from his mother for his entire life. It had taken everything in him to not howl in pain right then when his mother had told him that she would have forgiven him. Tears came to his eyes as he thought about it. Not having a mother had affected Ranma's life greatly. Having to hide from her had always hurt him more than anything else. He had always wanted to just be loved by his mother, to have her as a confidant, as someone who would hold him when his curse and the frustrations of his life became too much. Without her he had grown up not knowing how to face himself. It was only with the birth of Ranko that he had been able to face his feelings. She had forced him to grow up. Explaining Ranko had been the hardest part in the tale. They had taken his story of the progress of his search in stride. Asking questions for clarification occasionally, they had listened attentively. When he had told them of what the old man of the mountain had said about the cure and what it meant, they had mostly just starred at him, their mouth's opening and closing, in unison. Finally Nabiki had said, "How much money do you have on you, Ran-chan?" He had simply ignored her. Nodoka and Genma had starred at Ranko, shock etched into their features. Kasumi had only stated "Oh, my!" Dr. Tofu had starred at him and said simply, "I would like to examine you and Ranko. Tomorrow?" Ranma had only nodded. He thought they had finally accepted after a while. Especially after he had explained that him and his cursed form were two different bodies, only sharing a soul and mind. It helped that it was impossible for them not to love his daughter. Things had died down from there. It had been getting late, so Ranma had pressed that they all get some sleep. Sleeping areas were quickly figured out. He and Ranko had been placed with Akane in her room. Ranma had dragged a futon in to the room, and set it up. Then he had tucked Ranko in and said good-night to Akane before slipping out for a relaxing bath. He had been soaking for at least half an hour. It reminded him of the dips in the hot springs back in the Himalayas. Maybe he would take Akane there so they could relax and work everything out. It was secluded and relaxing. Yes that is what he would do. His thoughts were broken off as the bathroom door. He glanced up at it wondering who it was, when he felt a familiar prescence. He sank back into the water, unworried. Waiting for her. She was standing in a place she had never been. Although the place did look familiar. It was rocky and barren, but hundreds of pools dotted the features. Each had a single bamboo shaft standing in its center. "Where am I?" she asked, a little scared. This place was dangerous. It was filled with grief and suffering, she did not like it. "Your at the beginning and the ending," a woman's voice answered. She spun around and looked at the woman. She was slight of build. An elfin face framed with braided dark hair held light hazel eyes that starred compassionately at her. She looked familiar, like she should know her or had met her but forgotten her name. "Who are you? Does Otoosan know you? Do you know where Otoosan is?" she asked suddenly remember she could not find her father anywhere. She could not even feel his prescence in the back of her mind like she had always been able to do. Suddenly she was very scared. "I am Hui-cheng. I am part of you, and part of your father. So I would say your father knows me," she smiled, her face lighting up with life and beauty. Though her presence was comforting, and she was not lying, somehow she knew the woman wasn't, there was something wrong in this place. Almost like a nasty odor that found you wherever you were, or just a shadow that blocked the sun for a moment sending a chill down your spine. "I don't like this place," she whimpered, "I want Otoosan back. Please let me go home." "This was never a nice place," the woman said, "Numerous tragic things have taken place here." "Then why am I here?" she asked, "I've done nothing tragic, have I?" "No. None of this is your fault, Ranko," Hui-cheng explained to her, "But you are part of what it will take to heal this place." "How do you heal a place?" she asked perplexed. "I don't know, but you and your father must do it. I can only.." she stopped in mid-sentence and looked around, worry and fear on her face. Something malevolent touched her mind. She tried to scream, but the woman put her hand over her mouth, silencing her. "Shhh, child," she cautioned, "Don't say a word. We are in danger." She nodded her head, willing to do anything to get out of this place. The evil was growing in strength, she felt like she was going to vomit. Just when she thought she could take no more two figures walked over the lip of a cliff and down towards the pools. The woman pulled her tighter to her and moved behind some rocks. As they came closer she could make them out. One was a man who looked liked her father. He was about the same size with dark hair caught in a pig-tail. He wore bandanas and carried an umbrella over his shoulder. There was a dark splotch on his soul. She could see it. It was eating at him slowly, but it would eventually consume him. There was something else there though, pity, sorrow, and repressed love. She could not hate him, he looked so forlorn, so alone. She wished she could help him. The man next to him, almost mad her scream. He was a large muscular man with fierce eyes and shoulder length jet black hair. His body was covered in black leather armor, a wickedly curved sword hung at his side, swinging with each step. His soul was a dark whirlwind of hate, anger, rage, and death. He was slowly feeding the dark splotch on the other man's soul, encouraging it to grow. They were close enough now that she could hear them speak. "Why are we here?" the bandana clad figure asked, motioning at the pools. "Because I can only show you what you need to know here." the dark figure growled. "As long as I get to kill Ranma and have Akane, I don't care," the other answered fiercely, the dark splotch on his soul doubled almost instantly before sinking back to something slightly larger than before. The dark man watched this and smiled evilly. Her heart fell like lead in her chest as she heard this. "I won't allow them to hurt Otoosan." she whispered. The thought of her father hurt struck terror in her soul. She could never survive without her father. He gave her everything. He was always there for her. He had been both her mother and father, taking the roles of both. She loved him completely. She only wanted to please him, make him happy, and she knew that was all he wanted to do for her. Anger flared in her, no one would hurt her father. Jumping up she shouted, "You leave Otoosan alone!" "Ranko, nooo!" Hui-cheng shouted pulling her down. The dark man spun to face the rocks. "You!" he shouted. "Run!" Hui-cheng shouted, pushing her out of the boulders away from the pools. Terror gripped her heart, as she sped away from the pools. Behind her she heard the rage filled shouts of the dark man, ordering the other man to find and kill her. She did not look back, she ran and ran, her breath rattling in her throat, the adrenaline pumping in her veins. Mist slowly enclosed her. She could hear the scrambling sounds of footsteps behind her. She ran faster, the mist filling with light. She felt a hand touch her. Screaming she wrenched forward, and sat up in her bed, tears streaming down her face. "Otoosan?" she asked looking around, "Where are you, Otoosan?" She was suddenly scared. Had that man taken her father? She jumped out of bed. Aunt Akane was sleeping in the bed, she tried not waking her, but she made a lot of noise trying to get out of the room. As she left the room looking for her father, she did not see Akane eyes flutter and open, looking around the now empty room. She entered the hallway. She saw a light coming from the bathroom. Her father must be in there. Crying she ran towards the door and cracked it open. She could feel him. He was in there. Sobbing softly, the fear still pounding in her heart she pushed into the bathroom. It was only Ranko at the door, but suddenly his mind opened. Fear and terror entered his mind. Then he heard her soft sobs. Jumping out of the bed he rushed to her, picking up his daughter, he held her close to him. She was shivering in fright. "What is wrong, himechan?" he asked his voice full of worry. "He said he would hurt you," she cried, "Then he chased me. Don't let him hurt you, Otoosan." "Shh, darling," he comforted as he rocked her slowly, "No one is going to hurt me. No one will take me away from you. I'll always be with you. It was just a dream. You had a bad dream." "But Hui-cheng told me to run," Ranko sobbed, "She was so scared." "What?" Ranma exclaimed. How did Ranko know about Hui-cheng? And why was she having dreams about her? Oh God, what is happening? "C'mon, let's get you back into bed," trying to think of several things. "I don't wanna." Ranko said, "I don't wanna leave you." Ranma stopped and looked at her, how should he handle this. She had never refused him before, but then she had never been so high strung after a dream. "Hai, you can stay here and finish my bath with me. Would you like that?" "Hai," she said her face lighting up a bit as she snuffled. "C'mon, himechan," he said tugging off her pajamas, and carrying her over to the tub. He hoped this calmed her down enough to sleep. He was not up to all night child-care. Sinking down in the tub, he sighed as the still hot water covered his body. Ranko snuggled against his chest, hugging him tightly, "Don't leave me, Otoosan." she said. "I won't, musume," Ranma assured her. He was becoming worried. She had never acted like this before. He was used to her clinging to him, especially after the incident at the hot springs, but she had never been possessive, or scared that he might leave her. That was the farthest thing from his mind. Losing Ranko was one of his worst nightmares. He sighed and looked at his daughter's red head cradled against his shoulder. He could still feel her shivering, even in the hot water. "Ranko, what was your dream about?" he asked. "Bad," she said. "Why was it bad?" he asked. "There were two men who wanted to kill you," she said, "Hui-cheng wouldn't let me protect you. She made me run away." "Do you know who Hui-cheng is?" Ranma asked. Ranko shook her head, "No, she was just nice. She told me things." "What did she tell you?" "She told me that the place with the pools was very tragic. She said we had to heal the place, and she couldn't help us. Then the men came, and they were bad." "Who were the men?" Ranma asked trying to get everything he could from his daughter. "One was a big dark man. He had an evil soul. It was all black and horrible. The other man was sad. His soul was being devoured by the black thing. I wanted to help him, but then he said he wanted to kill you. I don't like him anymore" With that she just huddled closer against him and held him tightly. She was crying. Gently stroking her soft hair, he sang softly to her, trying to make it alright. Slowly she settled down, and fell asleep in his arms. Ranma sighed, she was sleeping peaceful. he demanded, He gulped as he said that. Be in Ranko? He looked at his sleeping daughter. No, she was his daughter, not just some dead Chinese woman. Then something connected in his head. he stopped. He knew she was not there anymore. It felt empty in his head. During the time the water had turned warm. Ranko was still sleeping, curled on his chest. He decided that sleep would be a good idea. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day. He had to go see Dr. Tofu, shopping with Nabiki and Akane. Time with his parents. Maybe a match with his father. So much to do. Yawning he slipped out of the tub, and dressed himself and Ranko, careful not to wake her, then headed for the door. Turning the lights out he went back to Akane's room. Quietly he opened the door and went in. Akane was in her bed, sleeping. Ranma softly put Ranko in the futon, and walked over to Akane's bed. The sheets were wrapped around her body tightly. Her breathing even and deep. She looked so peaceful, so innocent. "I'm sorry for everything, Akane-chan," he whispered watching her, "I never wanted to hurt you. I won't ever let anything hurt you again. You have my word." Bending down he kissed her cheek lightly. "I love you, Akane-chan." He went back to his futon. And slipped into next to Ranko. Soon he was asleep. Akane watched Ranma fall asleep, her mind a confusion of emotions. She had followed Ranko out of the room and down to the bathroom. Sitting outside the bathroom door, she had listened to Ranma comfort his daughter. Listening to him had given her another insight into Ranma. She had never knew how deep his emotions were. She felt her own love for him rise as she listened to him and Ranko. After awhile he had gone quiet, but a little later, she heard him murmuring to himself. She could not make out the words, but he sounded like he was talking to someone. She wondered what was going on. Maybe he was just talking to his Ranko. Finally she had heard him leave the bath. Quietly she slipped back into her room and into her bed. As he walked in, she had feigned sleep. After tucking Ranko in, he had come to check on her. He had watched her for a second and then whispered that promise to her. She had almost started crying when he had said those words. She began to see how important she was to him. It made her feel safe like she used to when he would always protect her. She had missed that. Then his lips had brushed her cheek. She could still feel them. She watched Ranma for a time. How could she hate him? He was so kind now, so different. He loved her, and would do anything for her. She knew she loved him, but now it was deeper. She wanted to be with him, she realized. It did not matter what had happened. She needed him back. She would make it work between them. She promised herself that as she slipped into sleep.