Meiyo Ai soshite Nikushimi
                                         Chapter III
                            The Judgement of Boukyaku 
                          Part VI: Sacrifice and Betrayal 
                                          Post B/B              

                            A Ranma Nibunnoichi Fanfic
                                     by Joseph Kohle

     All characters of the Ranma series are the products of Rumiko
Takahashi's imagination and are used without the permission of her or
the innumerable companies that have rights to her products. This is not
intended for sale and all creative rights and copyright privileges belong
to Rumiko Takahashi and the author.  

      The waiting room in Toufu-sensei's clinic had been cleared of extra
chairs and a bed had been placed in the center of the room. Ranma-
onna lay on the bed, the statue of Boukyaku held tightly in her hand.
Ironically, being the person in the most danger, it was around Ranma-
onna that the room seemed most calm. The sheets covering the bed
were pristine. Her face was calm and composed, betraying none of peril
she was facing.
     Around Ranma were the people that loved her. They were arrayed
in a small circle each sitting silently in a chair watching the bed in the
center, waiting for Cologne to make her appearance. On each face was
a reflection of often hidden emotions. Tendou Soun was crying softly,
sad for the loss his daughter was suffering, regretting the fact that his
and the Saotome's schools would never be joined.
     Nabiki was distracted, her eyes wandering from one artwork that
hung on Toufu-sensei's walls to the next. She tried to look everywhere
but at Ranma or her sister. Living with someone for a year and half
formed a connection between them. In a way she thought of Ranma as
a younger brother. More than that it would just not be right without
him in the household. Along with him he had brought excitement and
profitability, but more than anything else he seemed to have brought the
family together. 
     The Tendou sisters had always been close, but in a way that was
distant and was never shown. They loved each other dearly and would
do anything for the other, but they did not know how to express that.
Ranma had become a sounding board. Through him they had started to
see the problems within the family, the tension that was slowly tearing
them apart. He amplified their quirks and faults just by his presence,
and somehow brought out the better qualities they had always kept
hidden.
     Now, with him leaving, Nabiki already could see the family starting
to fray. Father was becoming more distracted by Akane's grief. Kasumi
no longer held her smile at all times. She did in front of the family,
offering them that harmony and stability that they needed, but Nabiki
saw her oneechan sometimes stop outside of Ranma's door and brush
away a few tears. Even now, she was not smiling as she sat next to
Akane, trying to comfort their younger sister.
     Akane was the worst. When she had returned from her walk, she
had been a fright. Puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks had been
evidence that she had spent most of the night crying. She had spoken
only a few moments when she had returned, informing the family that
she had accepted Cologne's offer and that they needed to have Ranma
at Toufu-sensei's clinic before sunset of this day.
     From there she had disappeared upstairs. Worried Nabiki had
followed her while Kasumi had comforted their father. She had found
her sister in Ranma's room, sitting beside her bed, holding her free
hand. She had not even turned as she had entered, instead Akane had
simply spoken. "Please, I want to be alone." Nabiki had unobtrusively
disappeared out of the room, leaving her sister alone, respecting her
privacy. She had gone back later to check on her, only to find Akane
curled against Ranma, fast asleep.
     Now she was simply silent, only speaking when spoken to. She went
through he motions of the living, but up was like something had died
within her when she gave up Ranma. Nabiki knew Akane was expect-
ing the worse. She seemed to blindly accept that Ranma would lay
down to their wishes. Nabiki doubted it would be that easy. 
     She prided herself on being a good judge of character, and if
nothing else Ranma was loyal and very stubborn. He would do what he
wanted in the end, but there was always the chance he would follow his
bloody honor, and that small chance had seized Akane and refused to
portion her out any hope. 
     Silently, Nabiki promised that she would find a way to keep Ranma
here with them. The family needed him more than Shampoo or the
bloody Amazon's ever would. Besides this was not an honorable way to
gain a promise. Cologne was threatening life to break a solemn
promise. It was low and underhanded, something even she was not
likely to do. Extort, bribe, bet, blackmail, and lie yes, but she would
never force someone's honor like this. 
     There were always loopholes, however, and Nabiki would find one,
at least for her sister's sake. Besides she always could use the extra
money Ranma generated. She was willing to admit she wanted Ranma
around because she liked him, but her mercenary nature forced her  to
have a tangible reason for keeping him top compliment the emotional
one. That way she could keep up the illusion she had created that kept
her from getting hurt.
     Her thoughts were broken as the front door opened and Saotome
Genma entered the clinic. 'Uncle' Genma was for once not a panda. As
he entered his eyes flashed over everything in the room, marking
positions and distances like a trained fighter. Finally his eyes rested on
his son and stayed there as he walked into the room and took a chair in
the corner.
     Out of the corner of her eye, Nabiki saw Akane glance toward
Saotome-san. Indecision crossed her sister's face and then disappeared
like a fleeting shadow. Gently she removed Kasumi's hand from her
own and stood up. With determined steps, she crossed the room and
stopped directly in front of Saotome-san, forcing him to look at her.
     She asked him a question. He shook his head. Curious, Nabiki
leaned forward trying to catch the conversation, but they were keeping
their voices low. She had an idea about what they were arguing about.
This was confirmed when Akane pointed at Ranma and said something.
Saotome-san flinched and dropped his head, shaking it once again.
     Akane started to turn away and then reconsidered. She turned back
and sank to her knees in front of Saotome-san and spoke for a few
minutes, gesturing every so often. Saotome-san listened. It was obvious
Akane was not going to give up without fighting, and he obviously
realized this. Finally Saotome-san nodded his head once in acceptance.
     Nabiki watched as Akane stood and returned to her seat, her face
calmer than before. As she passed the table, she lightly touched Ranma-
onna's cheek. Returning to her seat, Akane sank back into the chair in
relief, her face once again becoming an unreadable mask as she
watched Ranma. Kasumi gave Nabiki an encouraging smile when she
noticed Nabiki watching. Nabiki smiled back but was unable to say
anything as the door opened admitting Cologne and Shampoo.
     The room was immediately crackling with suppressed tension.
Everyone who was occupying the room had a reason to hate the old
woman, and at least a good reason to dislike the purple-haired bundle
of Chinese hormones that was gaily smiling next to the withered, old
crone. 
     Both seemed oblivious to the mood in the room. Cologne assuredly
did not care that these people were suffering. Nabiki could tell that
Shampoo was lost in some alternate reality, happily planning her
wedding to Ranma. It sickened Nabiki. For the first time in her life she
wanted to do something for no motive other than petty revenge. She
wanted to ruin them, humiliate them, force them to come begging to
her for mercy while on their knees.
     Genma was glaring at the newcomers, ripping the two limb from
limb with his eyes. Akane was glowing slightly with repressed anger.
Kasumi pointedly ignored the two, going so far as to look the other
way when they entered. This was more of an insult than any of the
others combined. Discourtesy on the part of Kasumi was tantamount to
slapping someone in the face after kicking his aging mother out of her
own house because the minute egg had been cooked an extra ten
seconds.
     Nabiki settled for a smug expression of superiority. There was no
way she was going to give these two the impression that they had
unhinged her calm and orderly world.
     "So I see almost every one has gathered," Cologne cooed, "But
where is the good doctor?" she asked as she surveyed the room.
     "I'm here, Cologne," Toufu-sensei replied as he returned from his
library.
          "Thank you, I need a witness for this. Are you willing?" Toufu
nodded his head in acceptance. "Now there are only the small matters
of the conditions I made."
     "I already promised," Akane explained in a small voice.
     "Ah, but Saotome-san has not, and I want you to give son-in-law up
in front of everyone," Cologne explained, boring her eyes into Akane
and Genma.
     "Are you saying my daughter is not honorable?" Soun asked in a
threatening voice, "That she will not keep her word?"
     "Did I say that?" Cologne asked avoiding the question, "But as I
think about it, I want your word that engagement between son-in-law
and your daughter is broken. Do I have it?"
     "That wasn't part of the bargain," Nabiki challenged. Cologne's
condescending and insulting tone had finally gotten to her. "You've
already got enough. Akane has agreed. Saotome-san is going to agree,
there is no need for this. Besides, a deal cannot be changed once made
unless both parties accept."
     "Do you have a choice, Nabiki?" Cologne snapped, "I hold the
cards. If I want Ranma to die he dies. I will save him only if I get
what I want! Do you understand that?" Nabiki could only nod in
acceptance, unable to argue with Cologne's unassailable position.
     "You are pushing, Cologne," Toufu-sensei said, "Honor only goes
so far, and the insults you are throwing about so lightly could beget a
blood-feud you would not want."
     "*Japanese honor is weak. You are nothing compared to the
Amazon tribe. I will show you,*" Cologne stated in Mandarin.
     "*Be careful what you say,*" Toufu-sensei answered in impeccable
Mandarin, "*Your language is not hard to learn, and I will tolerate only
so much of your insolence. As a martial artist, Ranma would rather die
than see this travesty go through. You are traversing thin ice, Matriarch
of the Amazons. Ask for the promises, nothing else. No more games. I
will not allow this family to suffer any more.*"
     Nabiki was pleased when Cologne glared at Toufu-sensei after he
spoke to her. It meant that Toufu had gotten under her skin, which
please Nabiki immensely. 
     Cologne nodded at Toufu-sensei before turning back to the group,
smiling. It doesn't matter doctor. This family will suffer greatly because
of Ranma. He is not going to live through tonight. "Saotome Genma,"
Cologne said, "Do you annul the engagement between your son
Saotome Ranma and Tendou Akane? Do you pledge that your son,
Saotome Ranma, will marry my great-great-great-granddaughter,
Shampoo? Do you annul all other engagements you have made for your
son, Saotome Ranma? Do you swear this by the honor of your family
name?"
     "I do," Genma said after a moment, "I swear by the honor of my
family that all that you ask shall be done." After he spoke his head sank
to his chest in defeat. For the first time, Nabiki saw Saotome Genma's
age reflected in his face and body. He appeared as a withered old man,
who had just surrendered for the last time.
     Cologne nodded as Shampoo eagerly clasped and unclasped her
hands. Cologne turned to Tendou Soun. "Tendou Soun. Do you annul
the engagement between Saotome Ranma and Tendou Akane? Do you
give up any claim to Saotome Ranma carrying on your dojo? Do you
swear this on your family honor?"
     "I swear it," Tendou Soun answered in a tearful voice. Cologne
nodded in response as Soun began crying in earnest, grieving for the
loss of his dream.
     "Tendou Akane," Cologne began, but she never finished as Akane
interrupted her.
     "I swear anything you ask,. I give up Ranma. He is no longer mine.
Just stop wasting time, stop tormenting us. Save Ranma," Akane
demanded, her voice near to breaking from grief and anger, "And if you
don't," Akane whispered so lowly that Nabiki barely caught the words
even though she sat only five feet from her sister, "If Ranma dies, I will
spend my life finding a way to destroy you. This I swear on my family
honor." Nabiki saw that Cologne did not hear this last part, for she only
nodded and began to pull objects from her robes and set them on the
floor in a pattern Nabiki could not discern.
     "It will take time to prepare for the ceremony," Cologne explained
as Shampoo found a chair and sat down, "I will be finished when the
moon rises, and then we will begin."

     Ukyou sat in her deserted restaurant, crying softly as she watched
the night sky, waiting for the moon to rise. It was the fourteenth night,
the night Ranma was lost to them all, whether in death or to that bitch
Shampoo. 
     She was unable to go to Toufu-sensei's clinic. Nabiki had asked her
to join the rest, but that meant Cologne might force her to give up
Ranma along with Akane. It was a request that she was unable to agree
to. Ranma was her entire life. Everything that she had done was for
him, because of him. Even the threat of his death was not strong
enough to force her to give up her claim to him. Ranchan was hers. He
would always be hers and only hers. Nothing would change that. There
was no other possibility for Ukyou. 
     If he died tonight she would be devastated, but at least Ranchan
would still be hers. Small comfort though it was, it was enough to keep
her from her beloved's bedside. "Oh, Ranchan!" she sobbed, "Please be
okay. Don't die. I need you. I need you!"  
     Burying her face in her hands, Ukyou slid forward until she was
leaning across the table, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably as she
sobbed out her grief into the empty room. 
     In the darkened room, she was not alone. Two pairs of eyes
watched her grieving for her Ranchan. Each felt sorry for Ukyou, but
that pity paled in comparison to the hope that burned within each one.
Maybe there was a chance that Ukyou would finally love one of them.
Tragedy and opportunity are often two sides of the same coin.

     The image formed in her mind and was quickly merged with her ki.
A moment later an arc of shimmering energy swept outward from her
hands to slash through the ethereal form of Boukyaku, leaving a swath
of darkness missing. With a shriek of rage, Boukyaku formed a shield
around his form, retreating to heal once again.
     Letting out a breath of air in relief, Xian Lin turned to help Ranma,
but decided against it as she watched him fight amongst Boukyaku's
creations. They had split up the fight early. She was concentrating on
Boukyaku's physical form, since she was more efficient with her ki
attacks.
     Ranma had taken the burden of defending her from the minions
Boukyaku disgorged from the ground. His strength in this prison made
the job a simple one, only the number of demons hindering him. 
     Xian Lin watched in awe as he moved through the converging
beasts, his red shirt the only splash of colour among the seething mass
of black. He flowed through them like a stick into water, sliding past
demons in a fluid dance of death that left mangled and still forms in his
wake.
     There was no pause in his form. One attack led to another and then
another. Styles changed in mid step. From power to precision and
grace. One moment he was a charging bull bringing down a massive
beast, only to switch in the next instant to a lithe reed that slipped
between the smaller opponents, lashing out quickly and efficiently to
remove the threat.
     It was not fighting, it was an art form. The heightened connection
Ranma had gained with his spirit had created a masterful fighter in this
hellish prison. He used small amounts of ki to augment his attacks,
allowing him to remove opponents with one strike in most cases.
Enthralled, Xian Lin watched him slip beneath an outstretched arm,
striking upwards as he swept the feet of another beast on his side. The
first fell, it jaw smashed into it brainpan. The other died as Ranma's
foot crunched down on the exposed neck when he vaulted off the fallen
beast to leap toward a massive worm-like creature. 
     Xian Lin saw a brief flash of ki as Ranma descended. She recogniz-
ed it instantly. It was his failed attempt at diverting a ki attack. He had
changed it into an extension of his arm, his perfect reflexes allowing
him to strike and release the blast in perfect conjunction. The worm
split open, the black mist that composed its form dissipating into the
air.
      As he landed, Ranma pivoted and lashed out with several kicks that
were a blur to even Xian Lin's trained eye. One, two, three creatures
fell, and then Ranma completed the circle, coming to rest on the balls of
his feet. So caught up in Ranma's movements, it took a moment for
Xian Lin to realize that the last of Boukyaku's latest wave had been
defeated. 
     Ranma relaxed slightly and turned toward her. He nodded his head
and made his way to her side, as the creatures he had defeated
dissolved back into the earth. 
     "That one was shorter than the others," Ranma observed as he
neared her, "I think we're starting to exhaust Boukyaku's strength."
     "He was not ready to fight us," Xian Lin explained, as she watched
Boukyaku for signs of reentering the fight, "I told you that the four-
teenth night has not yet started. Once it does, Boukyaku will gain his
full strength, and then we will be in trouble."
     "How's that?" Ranma asked, "We seem to be holding our own, if
not getting the better of the situation. Those creatures he's creating are
like fighting practice dummies."
     "That's because they are extensions of his power. One on one they
are no match for you, and Boukyaku does not have the skill to counter
your martial arts and deal with me also. He might be powerful, but he is
still limited in how he thinks. That will end when the new moon rises.
The statue will start augmenting his power than. We will be in serious
trouble. I don't know if we'll be able to defeat him than."
     "But you said we'd have a chance," Ranma exclaimed, "Now you're
saying we have no chance?"
     "No, we can still win," Xian Lin shouted. She had to tell him the
truth, but she didn't know how to make it sound encouraging, "If
anyone breaks the curse, we'll be fine.  We can hold out for the entire
night. If we do not find a way out by the time the new moon sets, then
we'll lose for sure. It just becomes harder at this point. We've just
gotta hope that someone will break the Judgement."
     Ranma glanced at her uncertainly. Xian Lin could feel that he
thought she had betrayed him, and it hurt her. "Don't turn away from
me, Ranma," she pleaded, "We will lose if we don't work together. I
don't intend to let Boukyaku have you or me. Trust me."
     Nodding Ranma turned to watch the encased form of Boukyaku. It
would only be a little while before he began to fight again. Boukyaku
healed faster than Happousai could steal panties. "I'm not giving up.
Not now, not ever. We'll finish this, Xian Lin. One way or another it
ends." He fell silent for a second before turning back to face her. "I
trust you. I have no reason not to."
     Xian Lin smiled as she drank in his faith and acceptance of her.
Then the world around them began to tremble, the air shimmering.
     "What's happening?" Ranma exclaimed in surprise. 
     "The moon must be rising," Xian Lin shouted back as the air filled
with a thunderous rumble, deafening to the two companions. Their ears
pulsed in pain as the noise became unbearable. Then everything went
silent, painful, eerily silent. 
     The air ceased shimmering and became a dull red color. Ranma and
Xian Lin found themselves standing on a flat, featureless plain of black
marble that extended as far as the eyes could see. In front of them
Boukyaku was a vaguely man-shaped form, the chaotically swirling
darkness of his previous form shaping the body. "Now you are mine!"
he proclaimed triumphantly.
     The ground exploded around them, disgorging hundreds of his
demon minions. In an instant the tide of the battle had turned and Xian
Lin and Ranma were fighting for their lives as Boukyaku chuckled in
amusement.

     Cologne finished her preparations. All of the ingredients and objects
needed for the breaking of the Judgement were spread out before her in
the correct design. Everything would go fine. That is it would go fine if
she hadn't switched one of the key ingredients, a herb that when
ingested opened the body and mind to the energy of the world, but
when mixed with the other objects blocked the power of Boukyaku,
preventing him from attacking the victim. Instead of the herb a powder
of wolfsbane and ginger was held in the container that had once held
the herb. Toufu would never notice the difference since wolfsbane and
ginger had established niches in mythological medicine.
     A triumphant surge of emotion blossomed from the statue as the
moon rose unseen in the sky. This signaled the start of her doctored
ceremony. Cologne began speaking in the ancient tongue of the
Amazon tribe. The words were the same as she has been taught tot
break the Judgement. She reached for the first object and began the
purification ritual.

     Toufu watched as Cologne began her ceremony. More than
anything he was curious about how the Amazon Matriarch was going
to break the Judgement. He hoped to gain some knowledge from her
that might help him with many of his patients. Besides she wanted to
make sure that he was able to help anyone else who was Judged by the
Amazon tribe.  
     He could not understand the language. It was not exactly Chinese,
but it was close to it. The forms and inflections were different though,
so he could not follow it. He could follow the ritual though. Fascinated
he watched her prepare a mixture of water and mustard seed. He used
the same mixture hot to relieve congestion, but this was cold and she
added a powder that caused the mixture to foam. This she took to
Ranma's bedside. Dipping her fingers in the paste she drew a complex
series of patterns across Ranma's brow and right arm. Then she took a
piece of red ochre and spiraled the patterns together, connecting the
statue, third eyes and heart. The remainder of the mixture was poured
over the stature, hissing violently as it dissipated upon touching the
statue. 
     From this point she returned to her original position and replaced
the bowl and red ochre exactly in their original positions before she
started on the next step of the complex ritual.
     "Hiryu Shoten Ha!" Ranma shouted. The whirlwind flew from his
hands to decimate the massed minions in front of him only to end
abruptly and satisfyingly by slamming into Boukyaku, disrupting the
swirling chaos of the demon's body.
     The attack halted Boukyaku for a moment as he repaired the
damage Ranma had caused. On top of this the minions had been
thinned to the point where Ranma could actually rest for a moment.
Unfortunately, Ranma needed more than a moment of rest. His
resources had been drawn to the limit by this battle. There was no lull
in the combat, just a steady wavering of the intensity. The only reason
they were not being overwhelmed was the weakness of Boukyaku's
demonic creations and the fact that the spirit was unable to adapt to the
strategies Ranma and Xian Lin were inventing as they fought.
     At this moment they had reverted to their original tactics. He was
holding the limitless minions as Xian Lin concentrated on Boukyaku.
The fact that his attack had struck the bastard was just an added bonus.
In most cases he was to keep the demons from Xian Lin. 
     He glanced over at her. She was standing behind him like a burning
angel of vengeance. Her white aura gleamed in the reddish haze of the
world like a lighthouse on a stormy night. With an imperceptible
motion, Xian Lin cast several arcs of ki that streaked toward
Boukyaku, crashing into his body with a crackle of power.
     Screaming in rage, Boukyaku gestured toward Xian Lin. And black
cloud enveloped her, crushing downward oh her form. With a cry,
Ranma raced to her aid. His headlong run was halted as the black
sphere began to crack, white light leaking into the sky. The blackness
closed in once more and then exploded outward. 
     Xian Lin was kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily. Ranma
started to go to her when he saw the ground erupt behind her,
disgorging several massive demons. Shouting a warning, Ranma darted
forward, laughing himself into the air.
     Descending quickly he rotated to aim himself directly at the fore-
most creature, a massive brute that shambled forward, its four arms
waving rapidly in front of it. The thing never had a chance. Ranma was
on top of it before it realized it was in danger. Striking out, Ranma
spoke at the last moment before he struck, "Touch of the Blade." A
blade of ki instantly appeared in his hand, slashing through the
creature's neck and shoulder. 
     The severed head fell with Ranma, landing next to him, and rolling
in front of him. It shimmered for a moment and then Ranma was
starring at Akane's severed head, her mouth agape in a silent scream,
her eyes starring horrified at him. Screaming he backed away from the
hideous sight.
     There was an evil chuckle echoing in his mind. Glancing away from
the disgusting sight, Ranma found himself confronting Akane and
Ukyou. Each was approaching him, swinging either mallet or spatula.
Involuntarily he stepped backward. He could not fight them. His heart
would not let him. 
     "They're not real," he told himself, "You're not hurting them."
     "Ranma no baka!" He barely dodged the mallet as it descended
toward his head. Leaping backward, he regained his position and warily
watched the two approach him. They're not real, not real.
     With a cry they charged him. Ranma ducked the blows easily,
sliding in between the two. He could not keep this up forever though.
He leaped to avoid Ukyou's spatula and then twisted in midair to avoid
the descent of the mallet. His hand touched the ground and he
cartwheeled into a defensive stance.
     Akane and Ukyou pressed in on him, forcing him to dodge more
blows. The more he dodged the faster they became, their attacks blurs
to any but his eye. After a few moments their attacks overwhelmed
him. He dodged Akane's mallet only to be swiped in the side by a
spatula. Stumbling from the blow, he tried to dodge, Akane's back
swing but was clipped in the shoulder. He was sent flying by the blow
to land a dozen feet away.
     Grunting in pain, he pushed himself off the ground as the two
rushed at him. He knew he could not win this unless he attacked, but
even if they were shades, they appeared to be his love and his best
friend. "They're only illusions. The are not real," he repeated to
himself." Closing his eyes, he met them head on his hand flashing
outward. He pulled the punch on instinct but still felt soft flesh and the
cracking of bones. Akane's scream of pain filled his ears. 
     It almost halted him, but he forced himself to continue. Tears sting-
ing his cheeks, he lashed out in the direction of the scream.  His knife- 
hand connected with a crunch, and Akane's voice was silenced by a
gurgling cry.  Opening his eyes, he pivoted, lashing out backwards. His
foot connected with Ukyou's midsection. Behind him the gurgling cry
ended as Akane's body slumped to the ground with an audible thud.
     No time for that now. Concentrate. Its just Boukyaku. Only
illusions. He spun, his leg whipping around to catch Ukyou on the side
of the head. There was a snap as her head was wrenched to the side,
her neck broken. 
     Ranma stood silently, his eyes riveted to the two creatures he had
just killed. They still looked like his friends. They had sounded like his
friends, and even felt like them to his extended senses. Boukyaku had
done this, perverted his own loved ones. Forced him to do the one
thing he never would.
     Turning he looked past, Xian Lin's glowing form. If she had noticed
what he had done, she did not show it, but he knew she could hear his
thoughts. In a moment she would know what he was thinking. 
     Beyond her Boukyaku rose over the landscape, a black mass of
swirling clouds and vapor. Slits of red approximated eyes and a mouth.
As his eyes found Boukyaku, the demon turned to stare at him, an
gleeful gloating filling Ranma's mind.
     Anger flared within Ranma. This was going too far. It was obvious
they were going to lose. Boukyaku was too powerful, and he had
noticed nothing while here that even approximated outside interference.
Well he would not go easily. He would take Boukyaku with him,
destroy that thing as his last breath left his body. That thing would not
enter his world, would not have Akane.
     Glowing brightly with his power, Ranma launched himself forward,
his feet barely touching the ground as he raced towards Boukyaku. He
was past Xian Lin in an instant. He heard her cry out for him to stop as
she realized what he intended.
     Nothing was going to stop him. Death was a small price for Ranma
to pay. He had been prepared before to pay it before. He would have
gone through with seppuku if his mother had ever found out about his
curse. Now in his death, he would assure the survival of his loved ones. 
     Screaming a battle cry, Ranma allowed his ki to surround him, lift
him up from the ground. In a blinding flash, he streaked downward into
the gloating form of Boukyaku. As he hit the world exploded, darkness
surrounding him as he lashed out, striving to take Boukyaku with him,
as he was dragged into oblivion.

     Akane watched the ceremony with unfeigned interest. It seemed
Cologne was half done, at least she had gone through half of the items
she had placed in front of her. She was now reaching for three more.
She picked up two stones. One was a flat oval, the other a cracked
chunk of some black stone. The third was a white bone that appeared
to be from a human finger, although Akane was not sure.
     Lifting Ranma's hand, Cologne placed the oval stone underneath it
and then placed the broken stone at the corner with the finger bone
bisecting the oval from the broken stone to the opposite edge. Having
done this she spoke a few words and inverted Ranma's hand, and
slammed the statue downward towards the oval. It hit the bone
squarely, pulverizing the fragment, swirling dust around the statue of
Boukyaku. 
     Suddenly Cologne cried out in pain as a blue pulse of energy burst
from the statue to fill the room, flowing over everything and everyone.
The blast rushed through Akane, filling her with an intoxicating taste of
pure power, but as the initial rush reached its plateau within her, she
felt a calm sense of purpose and surrender, a dread sense of purpose.
     "Ranma," she whispered, trying to hold onto the feeling. It was like
trying to hold a breeze. It slipped through her fingers, rushing back out
of her, draining into the statue once again. An aching emptiness took
the place of the dizzying power that had just filled her. She saw her
disappointment mirrored on every other face in the room. Except
Cologne. Her face was confused, filled with fear and shock.      
     Her expression struck Akane. "What's wrong?" she shouted, "What
happened?" Don't let anything go wrong. Please don't.
     "I-I don't know," Cologne answered, "This has never happened
before. The dust is supposed to be fused with the statue. What is
Ranma doing? What is going on?" She continued talking but slipped
into Chinese, making it impossible for Akane to understand. After a
moment, she stopped talking and watched the statue for a moment.
     Curious, Akane followed Cologne's eyes. She briefly saw the blue
covering the entire statue, and then the black was there, slowly growing
more powerful, beating the blue back, beating Ranma back.
     "Just don't stare at it!" Akane shouted, "Help him. Finish the
ceremony. He's losing. Can't you see that? I made your stupid promise.
Save him, dammit. Save him!" 
     Cologne shuddered for a moment and then went back to her original
place and bean to prepare the next part, her motions more rushed, but
the exactness of the ceremony was still there.
     Akane did not watch her. She watched the statue. The black still
covered less than a quarter of the statue, Ranma seemed to have
slowed Boukyaku's progress, but he had not stopped it. 
     It was an agonizingly slow advance. Ranma fought each step of the
way, at some points even shoving the other thing backwards, regaining
the lost ground, but this was not very often. As inexorable as the tide,
the black spread over the statue like a fungus, until it covered nearly
half.
     At this moment Cologne brought the next part of the ceremony
forward, she had a feather and a small bowl of glittering dust. Dipping
the feather in the dust, she brought it up with a quick jerk of her hand.
A glittering cloud surrounded the statue and Ranma's hand. With quick
and exact strokes, Cologne slashed a pattern in the dust, leaving
glittering marks on the black statue. 
     Akane leaned forward in hope as Ranma advanced against Bouk-
yaku, forcing the black to retreat until it held only a quarter of the
surface area. As soon as the dust had settled though, Ranma was
already losing ground, faster than before. Desperate, Akane glanced at
Cologne. She had picked up four of the last six items. That meant that
she was almost done, three more steps at most, most likely two. Akane
silently urged Cologne to hurry as she glanced back at the scene of the
battle and saw Ranma tenaciously holding onto his precarious position.
     Just a little while longer, only a little while longer. Please, Ranma.
Don't give up. Don't give up. As if Ranma could hear her pleas, his aura
pushed into the darkness, parting it like a knife cutting silk. Then he
was falling back under Boukyaku's retaliation, the blackness penetrating
the blue.
     Akane cried out, but then Cologne was laying the next part of the
ceremony on Ranma's breast which rose rhythmically despite the titanic
struggle Ranma was embroiled in. As the intricately marked wooden
bowl was placed on Ranma's breast, his aura increased in intensity,
pushing against, Boukyaku. A moment later though he was falling
back, losing ground quickly as Boukyaku pressed his attack 
     Crying out in horror, Akane, almost rushed to Ranma's side. His
blue covered only a quarter of the statue now, glowing faintly under the
oppressive weight of the dark aura pressing inward on it. Then
everything changed and fell apart at once. A white light began to
suffuse Ranma's blue, turning Ranma's aura into a serene blue-white.
For a moment the black was pushed back, but it was not enough.
Nothing seemed to be enough.
     Then Cologne was there again, lifting a bowl over the statue, she
poured it over Ranma's hand and the statue. There was a flicker in the
black, and it was pushed back, but then it stopped and surged forward
almost triumphantly. Something had gone wrong. Something was
wrong.
     "Save him. Stop this. He's not winning. The curse isn't broken."
     "I don't understand," Cologne stated, "It should've worked. I did
everything right. You have to hope now, there is nothing more I can
do. I've opened the way for Ranma. He must find his own way back."
     Ranma was not finding his way back though. He was losing once
again, retreating slowly but surely. The additional power of the white
not able to save him. He was down to a small, wan point among the
black, when Ranma's body began to glow white. Light poured through
the room illuminating everyone's tense face. It increased in intensity
until rushing toward the statue. Ranma's position exploded outward as
the white flooded around and into the statue.
     Boukyaku was shoved backwards in a rush, his position thrown
from the winning side to the losing in a matter of seconds. Then the
consequences of this action struck Akane as Kasumi gasped in shock,
and Toufu-sensei rushed to Ranma-onna's body. Turning her face
slightly, Akane saw that Ranma was no longer breathing. Just like
before. He was dead. Dead. It was impossible to suppress the wail of
grief that rose in her throat, to join Shampoo's own shrill scream.

     Xian Lin sank back onto her haunches as Ranma disappeared into
Boukyaku, the blazing bolt of blue energy he had become, slamming
into Boukyaku's chaotic form, imposing order upon certain parts of it.
     She knew what Ranma was doing. She had felt him building up to
this moment, and had hoped he would not do it, but he had. It was a
noble attempt and might work, but not with him alone. Unlike him, she
realized many of the truths of his situation. He was no longer a part of
his body. In actuality, she inhabited his body, keeping his body alive
and functioning. At this moment and since he had entered the statue,
Ranma had been spiritually dead. He had transcended the mortal plane
to the one she had been cursed to inhabit, while she was given a hold
on life. 
     It would be so easy for her to slip back into his body and take
control of it, but she would not do that. That action would open the
corridor for Boukyaku and give Ranma to oblivion. She would not do
that to him. He deserved more than that, but know he was doing it to
himself.
      Without her help he was doomed to failure, but she realized that it
was going to cost his life to defeat Boukyaku. She did not have the
strength to defeat the demon and sustain his body. At least for awhile,
she could let him take the burden. She needed to rest while she could.
     Carefully she watched the battle that raged within Boukyaku, while
she replenished her strength, gaining back her center and balance.
Reckless and foolhardy that his move was, Ranma had the strength to
give Boukyaku a challenge. She saw this in the very first instant of the
attack.
     As he struck, the creature of ki  Ranma had transformed himself into
had dispersed Boukyaku's form, filling it with Ranma's own energy.
Instead of a body of swirling black, a glowing blue sphere had taken
Boukyaku's place.
     This was destined to last. Ranma had struck quickly and powerfully,
surprising Boukyaku. He had only unhinged the demon, forcing the
thing to recuperate and start from the beginning. Xian Lin saw Bouk-
yaku begin his counter. A small dot of black appeared on the sphere
Ranma was controlling. 
     Xian Lin heard Ranma's feelings and thoughts clearly. His anger had
not left him and he instantly pounced upon Boukyaku, forcing him into
a defensive position from which he would have to fight out of. Ranma
attacked mercilessly, forcing Boukyaku to gain every inch of ground
that he had lost,. The process was arduous and painful for Ranma. He
was fighting a new type of battle, and only his determination and sheer
force of will was keeping Boukyaku at bay. 
     Dreams and wishes don't build houses, so is it with determination
and will. Though they help, superior skill and strength will ultimately
win out. This was the reason Ranma was slowly beaten back. He was
too inexperienced and not as strong as Boukyaku. Then as the sphere
was almost half and half , the world around them shuddered.
     Xian Lin felt the difference in Boukyaku instantly. He was distracted
by a new threat from the outside, that was trying to contain him. Split
by the second front, Ranma gained his opening. Xian Lin experienced
his dreadful glee, as he slammed into Boukyaku with a renewed
vengeance, pushing him back until he was in a less formidable position. 
     This trend was not a permanent one. Xian Lin realized this.
Someone was trying to break the curse, but that meant that Boukyaku
was going to fight harder. It was imperative that Ranma survive this
fight. If they were breaking the Judgement, he would be pulled from the
fight and saved however, if he lost before help could reach him, there
would be no saving him.
     As if Ranma realized this, he punched an attack deep into Bouk-
yaku's position, driving a wedge of blue into the swirling chaos, Bouk-
yaku was a step behind him, pushing deeply into Ranma's defense,
swaying the balance once again.
     Xian Lin could feel the desperation in ranma, the exhaustion. He
was nearing his limit. Then a burst of strength flooded through him,
forcing him back to the edge of the balance for a moment. Xian Lin
knew that the strengthening of the spirit had been completed, there was
only one more step and Ranma would be free, it simply required Ranma
to hold out, but he would not be able to.
     She could feel his attacks weakening, his defenses shattering under
Boukyaku's onslaught. He needed her help. Taking her feet, Xian Lin
decided it was time. Embracing her ki, she moved to the sphere and
touched the blue, joining her own mind with Ranma's becoming one
with him in the fight against Boukyaku.
     The experience was a new one to both of them. There conscious
minds were still separate, but their ki had joined to form one being, a
being that could deal with Boukyaku on two levels. They fought as a
team, bolstering the other's attacks and defending each other. 
     Being of two minds, it was harder for Boukyaku to break though,
but blocking him was still difficult.  His attacks were more powerful
then they could manage. They needed more strength, more power, but
to gain more power she would have to release the hold on Ranma's
body. He would die, but they would win. 
     Hold on. Hold on. There is only one more step, then we can return.
Then this will be over. 
     I know. I'll hold out. He will not win.
     Slowly they retreated from Boukyaku, backing up until they thought
there was no where to go, and then Boukyaku became distracted,
screaming in rage. 
     The final part. It must be. Now Ranma.
     They both surged forward, slamming into Boukyaku, pushing him
into a major retreat that almost turned into a rout, but then he stopped
and held his place, a sensation of glee filling the void they were within. 
     Boukyaku lashed out, throwing his entire might against them. Xian
Lin and Ranma were overwhelmed, tumbling backwards towards the
point they had just left as if an avalanche carried them.
     What's wrong? I thought we had won.
     I don't know. I don't know. Something is wrong. Just fight. We can't
let him have your body.
     Is there anyway to defeat him?
     Xian Lin could feel that he already knew the answer. I don't want
to. There is still hope.
     No, thee isn't Xian Lin. I can't let im win. Let me die. It will save the
ones I love. Join with me. We must stop this menace. Trust me.
     Xian Lin knew Ranma was right. They had failed, the cure had
failed to work. There was no other way to keep Boukyaku from
winning. With both of them at full strength, Boukyaku would hold no
chance. They could easily contain him, it was obvious. Gently she
reached back to Ranma's body and freed her remaining ki from his
body, allowing it to die as she gathered all the energy she had used to
sustain him. 
     It rushed into them like a wave of water from a shattered dam. It
filled them, amplified their power to a height unknown to either of them
before. For an instant they discovered what it felt like to have the
power of the kami in their hands. What the held was beyond any words,
but it was barely enough to hold Boukyaku.
     With a combined cry, they used Ranma's death to the utmost and
attacked Boukyaku, forcing him away from the now empty husk that
had held Ranma. He would not get Ranma's body. No one would. 

     Toufu-sensei checked Ranma's vitals. He was not dead yet, but it
would not be long. His breathing was very shallow, almost impercep-
tible, but his heart was still beating. It was amazing the body was still
living. It meant that ranma had left some residual ki to keep him alive,
but not much. Toufu did not understand what had happened, but he
knew that if some ki was not placed into Ranma's body he would never
be able to return.
     He stood back from his body, trying to think of something. It was
hard to think with Shampoo and Akane crying. The other's shout and
grief stricken voices were not helping maters much either. 
     "I told you," Cologne suddenly shouted, her voice carrying through
the din to reach Toufu's ears, "I can't do anything. I opened the path for
his ki to return, he just must use it. Obviously he knows it is there since
he drained his ki to attack Boukyaku. Is it my fault the boy is stupid?"    
     Draw ki back into the body. He had heard that before. Some herb.
He knew it was something he had heard of, that he must have in the
clinic somewhere. Suddenly he snapped is fingers. Datura. Datura was
the answer. It would make the body receptive, open it to ki. 
     Spinning he rushed from the room to his medicine room. Throwing
the door open he rushed in and began to dig through the many different
bottles and pouches of herbs. Finally he found what he was looking for
in a bag. It was the dried leaves of datura.
     Grabbing the pouch he rushed to his clinic and turned on the hot
water as he looked for a mortar and pestle. He found one and took it
over next to the sink. Opening the bag he took out three leaves and
then after a moments consideration took out two more. It would be
very strong, almost lethal, but he needed that kind of strength to be
assured of the result.
     Placing the five leaves in the small bowl he ground them to a fine
powder. He poured the powdered datura into a beaker and added
enough water to make it a syrupy mixture. Allowing it to steep for a
few moments, he went to find a hypodermic needle and syringe. 
     He found one on the opposite counter. Rushing back he filled the
syringe with the datura solution. Leaving the rest next to the sink, he
rushed back out into the waiting room. Everything was still in an
uproar. It was split down the middle of grief and anger. Akane was
slowly turning to anger, her grief burning away under her anger. Nabiki
was glaring at Cologne who stood calmly watched the battle continue
around the statue. No one noticed him as he slipped next to ranma.
     To his relief he found Ranma-onna was still living, although just
barely. Without a second thought, he plunged the needle into Ranma's
vein and injected most of the datura into his blood system. 
     Stepping back he placed the syringe on the table and watched
Ranma closely. It should only take a few seconds, just a few seconds.
Ranma's body suddenly twitched, her left hand clenching in pain, a soft
moan escaping her lips. Even with the commotion, the small noise and
movement halted everything. Soon everyone was watching Ranma,
praying for him to make it.

     They were holding Boukyaku, they could hold him for the entire
night. He would not win. It was obvious to them. It was obvious to
him. There was an unspoken agreement between them. They were
about to call the contest when the unexpected happened. 
     Xian Lin and Ranma felt it first. A connection with Ranma's body
opened and began to tug at them. Someone had found a way to get
them back, but then they saw the danger. Boukyaku could follow with
them, or simply push past them. There was no way to save themselves.
If they did Boukyaku would win, but it was hard to resist their ki's
natural tendency to return to its original shell.
     We can't go back. We've got to stay.
     I know. I'm sorry I can't save your life. I was hoping so much.
     It is worth it, Xian Lin.
     She couldn't do it. She could not let him throw away his life like
that. He deserved a chance. She did not want him to become cursed
like her. It was not fair to him. He had suffered so much in his life.
There was still things he had to finish. Besides she cared for his friends
as if they were her own. In a way they were. She had come to know
them with Ranma. She shared his perceptions and memories of them.
She loved them as much as he did. Therefore she did not want them to
suffer.
     They all deserved more. She made her decision. It was a small
sacrifice.
     Promise me you'll find a way to save me. Promise me.
     What are you doing? You're blocking me.
     Just promise. Please
     I promise Xian Lin. I'll save you, but please don't do this. Let
me stay. 
     No, go. She pushed herself away from him, shoving Ranma back
into his body. Boukyaku screamed in rage as he realized what was
happening, but Xian Lin imposed herself between him and Ranma's
body. He would not get free. He would never get free.
     I promise. I swear I'll find away. That was the last she heard as
Ranma left her life as quickly as he entered it. Then Boukyaku was
crashing into her, trying to crush her. She refused to give him that
satisfaction. She fought him, delaying him while Ranma regained his
body and his senses enough to close the connection between his body
and the statue.
     Hurry, ranma. I can't hold out forever. Please hurry. She blocked a
vicious attack and slashed back with her own blast of energy. Hurry.
Please hurry.

     Akane watched eagerly as Ranma's body struggled. Then she was
suddenly coughing, her arms lifting from the table as she tried to move.
Akane saw Ranma's eyes flutter open for a second and then again a
moment later. 
     She began to run to him. He was going to live. The nightmare was
over. Ranma was coming back to her. In her delirious state, she did not
see Shampoo until the Amazon knocked her aside in her own attempt
to reach Ranma's side.
     "Stupid girl, remember promise," Shampoo shouted as she grabbed
Ranma's left hand, "Husband no longer yours."
     Akane sank heavily to the floor as she heard this. It was true, she
had given up Ranma. Cologne had saved him, or at least opened the
way to save him. Rightfully she had no claim to him anymore. She
wanted to cry. She wanted to shout in grief, but she would not give
anyone that satisfaction. She had done what had been needed. She
would not regret it. She would accept it.
     But it still hurt. The pain of not having him tore at her heart, ripping
her apart. Roughly she shoved the grief down. It did not matter any
more. She had lost him. Before he had come she had gotten along fine,
why not when he was gone now?
     Because he is part of you. Akane shook the thoughts away and
stood up, watching as Ranma came back to life, her eyes starring
around groggily. 
     Akane watched as Ranma pushed away Shampoo. Ranma's mouth
was moving soundlessly. It seemed like she was calling for her, but
Akane could not go. She put on a blank face. She would show no
weakness. She would not give Shampoo and Cologne the satisfaction. 
     Ranma's eyes meet hers. Though they were clouded and unfocused,
Akane saw the plea in them, the hurt and the confusion. He needed her.
Something horrible had happened to him, and now the one person he
did not want comforting im was and the person he needed was
watching impassively.
     Forcing herself to turn away, Akane walked towards the front door.
She was not going to cry. Her grief would never be shown to the
world. "Akane," Ranma's soft begging cry reached her as she stepped
through the door and into the street. It destroyed her. But she did not
shed a single tear on the outside. On the inside though, she was sobbing
her heart out.

     It was like swimming through syrup. He struggled to reach the
surface and the fresh air. His mind was exploding form the effects of
the journey into his body. Something was trying to drag him back into
dreams and illusions. No he would not allow it. He would not.
     With renewed determination, Ranma struggled to the surface of
consciousness. Finally he broke free and became aware of his surroun-
dings, the air rasping in his lungs, the bed underneath him, the clothes
on his body. Like a drowning man gasped for air, he grabbed each of
this sensations and enjoyed them.
     Slowly his other senses came back. Sight was the first. He was in
Toufu-sensei's clinic. The Tendou's and his father were gathered around
him, and..Cologne and Shampoo. He tried to push himself up, wanting
to wring the old woman's neck. Then Shampoo was in his arms,
hugging him. 
     Disgusted, Ranma tried to pushed her away from him, but his arms
felt like they had been weighted down with lead. Shampoo barely
moved under his onslaught. She asked him a question as she hugged,
but he had not regained his hearing yet.
     What is going on? Where is Akane? He tried to move Shampoo
aside and saw Akane starring at him, her face a stone statue. What is
going on? Why is Akane so sad? Why is Shampoo in my arms?
     He glanced around. Everyone but Shampoo seemed to be miserable.
Kasumi had a pitying look in her eyes. Nabiki was glaring at the
Amazon in his arms. Soun was crying, as was his father. Toufu-sensei
only looked at him with sad eyes. 
     He turned back around and saw Akane leaving. He found his voice.
"Akane!" he called out, but she did not respond. He tried to push
himself up to go after her, but there was no way. He was too weak.
     "Husband stay with Shampoo," Shampoo said. Ranma was over-
whelmed by the noise of the room as his hearing returned. 
     "I'm not your husband," he stated, "Nor will I ever be."
     "Violent girl give you up, Father promise husband to Shampoo,"
Shampoo explained, "It only way great-grandmother allow you to live."
     Ranma sank back onto the bed, his mind reeling. He had to marry
Shampoo? Akane had given him up? No, it couldn't be true. What kind
of hell had he returned to. This was not worth Xian Lin's sacrifice.
     Xian Lin! He glanced down at the statue.  A black aura and white
fought across the surface, but it was obvious Xian Lin was losing. He
had to help her, but how. In desperation he lifted the statue and
smashed it on the bed. There was the crackling of glass and something
wet covered his hand and the statue. 
     Surprised Ranma watched as the black aura of Boukyaku halted its
attack and retreated from Xian Lin. Soon the white covered most of the
statue, the black only occupying a small corner. 
     Picking up his hand, Ranma saw a little blood from where the
broken syringe had punctured his skin, but there was a syrupy sub-
stance on his hand and the statue. Had that done it? He did not know
but for the moment Xian Lin was safe. At least that was one less thing
to worry about. Now Akane and Shampoo and a way to free Xian Lin.
Ranma suddenly wished he had never broken off any of his engage-
ments. His life had been so much simpler before. He was still musing
over his new situation as he slipped into sleep, the statue clutched
tightly into his body. 


     Author's Notes:

     Boy was that a long one. I never intended it to be that long, but
I guess I really needed to get to the point at a god rate rather that rush
it. Well I don't want to put to much in this Note, just a few comments
that will be a repeat of the things in my Author's Foreword.

     Ch 3 is finished and now we are going on to ch 4 and the rest of
the series. This is wherre ht eoriginal story iI had planned takes up. For
anyone who has lost track of the time at this point. CH 3 covered 14
days In the curse and 2 days before, so 16 days, ch 2 was 5 days, 2 in
the hospital, 2 training that were not shown and the one of the date. Ch
1 was a week, about seven days, actually eight because it goes into the
day he wakes up. So total time so far is 29 days, just a little over four
weeks. Just though some poeple might want to know. I don't make a
big dfeal of days of the week or actuall time. It is easy to miss in my
writing, and I guess I dont want people confused.

     Well I didn't really tie anything together now did I? Ha, ha, ha,
And yo thought I'd have a nifty clear everything up solution, well you
probably didn't but let me gloat. I've not had enough to gloat about
lately ^_^ Anyway. Truthfully Ranma only changed states and there is
still a lot of problems, as will be explained in later chapters. I just hope
I keep it interesting enough for everyone.

     Oh well enough taling. Ive gotta start writing again, actually nix
that. I'm going to bved, and I'll write tomorrow

     Until next time
     
     Ja ne

     Joseph Kohle