LizMUN: yaddi-yaddi-yaddi.. same thing as before.. on with the fic..

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Sibling Rivalry pt. 3

What Dreams May Come...

	Ranma blinked.  It would have been nice to say that he was blinking 
from the brightness of the room, for it was full of light.  But, that 
was not the case here.  No, he was blinking in confusion.  Where was he? 
Just a few seconds ago, he was recieving a Gold Medal in the Olympics 
for Martial Arts! He had it in the bag.  Those other contenders were no 
match for him. 
	*Sigh* What's so special about this place.  There's no doors, no 
walls... NO FLOOR! Wait! Someone's comming.  It's a girl. Oh man, I hope 
it's not another fianc�e.  Well, it wouldn't be a total loss, she is 
pretty cute, especially with that school-like uniform. At this Ranma 
reflexivly cringes, half-expecting Akane to pop out of nowhere, and wack 
him with her mallot. But nothing.  Safe from Akane's mallot, I must be 
dreaming...
	"Yes, Ranma, you are dreaming."
	"ERK... Hey wait a minute! How'dya know my name? Who are you?"
	*Giggle* "My, my. You living are just bursting with questions aren't 
you! I love it! My appologies for not introducing myself right away.  I 
am Auxillio. I know your name, well, because this is your dream! It'd be 
awfully rude if one intrudes a dream, and not know who's dream you're 
intruding."
	"Auxillio? You're like, Ryouga's guardian Angel, aren't ya?"
	Auxillio blinks, then laughs.
	"Angel? Me? A Guardian Angel? I.. uh.. I guess you can say that. 
Guardian angel... Heh! Hmmm."
	"Yeah, whatever.  So why are haunting me, and not Ryouga."
	"I'm not haunting anyone! Ay! I've no time for common chit-chat! I came 
here to express my disapointment in you, Ranma Saotome!"
	"What'dai do?"
	"What did you Do? You were given a perfectly good opportunity to start 
anew, with your new brother, and you threw it away! Hell, I even called 
the whole stupid quarel off, and still you turned your back on the whole 
thing!"
	"HAH! I knew it! I knew Ryouga wouldn't just call the whole thing off 
like that! He's too stuborn."
	"Hai! And believe me when I tell you this, but making him call it off 
was no easy matter! That boy's set on causing you some severe bodily 
harm!"
	"Feh, I can take him! But I, for one, would rather have him out to kill 
me than him being nice to me! Least it's something I'm already used to!"
	"What? Heh. You are an odd boy.  But, that's not the reason is it?  
There's something else here.  Yes.. I see it.. You're afraid of 
something!"
	"I'm Not afraid of anything!"
	Auxillio crosses her arms and scoffs at Ranma, giving him a look, most 
mothers across the world use, when they know their children are lying to 
them. Suddenly a soft purring is heard. Ranma whips his head, eyes wide, 
looking for the source of the sound.  The room goes black, which 
startled Ranma, for he was getting used to the room being so bright. 
Suddenly he finds himself in some sort of under-ground room.  There was 
something about that room that soo frighteningly familiar.  He catches a 
movement beside several boxes, and stiffens in fear.  Suddenly he 
remembers.  He was now back in that cursed room below his old home.  The 
one that haunted his dreams, countless times.  The very room, where he 
learned the cursed "Cat-fist". 
	Ranma stood there trembling, as the cats emerged from their hiding 
places, surrounding him. He instantly jerks his foot away, when a kitten 
had come across to show it's affection.
	"He was just being nice, Ranma!"
	Ranma looks about, and see's Auxillio hovering above the room. He looks 
at her pleadingly, then yelps, when another kitten rubs itself against 
his leg.  Auxillio sighs, and closes her eyes.  The room fades into 
black, and they once again return to where they had all started.  Ranma, 
seeing the cats have disapeared, along with the room, huddles against 
his knees, trembling from the shock.  Auxilio comes down from the air 
and walks toward Ranma. She extends her hand, to which Ranma instantly 
cringes away from.  She steps closer and gently places her hand upon 
Ranma's shoulder. His trembling stops. 
	"The one thing I am grateful for, is that Ryouga was not raised the 
same way as how your Father Raised you!" She shudders.
	"What kind of Angel are you? What's the big idea torturing me like 
that!"
	"The Cat thing? Well, I never said I was an Angel.  I'm just a figment 
of your imagination! But all the same, I appolgize for my actions. My.. 
have I drifted off from my primary intention!"
	"Your what?"
	"The reason to why I decided to invade your thoughts in the first 
place!  I've come to caution you about what is to come.  It seems the 
spiritual link you and Ryouga share, is weakening."
	"The What?"
	*Sigh* "The spiritual link! It's an invisable bond which most twins and 
or siblings share from thier births up till their deaths.  I'm surprised 
you never figured it out!  I mean, has it ever occured to you as to why 
Ryouga, dispite his lack of direction, would always find his way back 
your way? Whether it was to the Tendo Dojo, the High-school, the Tunnel 
of Lost Love, or even... Jusenkyo... POOF! There he was?"
	"Well... now that you mentioned it.. I just figured it was was just 
coincidence, I mean, Japan is a small country."
	"Coincidence? Once or twice, yeah.. but hundreds? Japan is small, but 
not small enough for even the likes of Ryouga, to bump into you once 
every often! Even I'd get skeptical at this point! But alas, I cannot 
continue this conversation much further.  My time here is up."
	"Wait! What will happen if the link.. you know.. disapears?"
	"Then consider his odds of ever seeing you again, grow against him 
greater! One day, he'd probably think of using a boat to cross to 
another small island, and then find himself in Mexico! After that, kiss 
your chances of ever seeing him again, good bye! But, I mean, what's it 
too you? I know what you're thinking.  You'll finally be rid of him! 
Well, if you can live with yourself afterward, knowing you chased your 
brother away... to each his own, I suppose.  Ciao!"
	"That wasn't what I was thinking!"
	"If you say so. OH! If, by chance the Fates are feeling generous, and 
you two ever cross paths again, tell him I said Hi, alright Ranma?... 
Ranma?"
	"YOU DUMMY, WAKE UP!"
	
	Ranma's eyes snaped open. He looks around him, and see's Akane, sitting 
beside his head.
	"Aw geeze Akane! It's too early! What's your hurry anyway! There's no 
school!" Ranma turns away from Akane, and pulls the blanket over his 
head, trying to salvage some more of his much needed sleep.
	"I found Ryouga!"
	This woke him up. He pulls off the covers from his face, and sits up, 
looking at Akane.
	"What?"
	"I said I found Ryouga! Aren't you listening? I was out for my morning 
jog, and I found him sleeping on a tree in the park!"
	Ranma quickly throws off his covers, showing off his blue boxers. Akane 
looks away, blushing, she then shakes it off, when she see's Ranma 
opening the door.
	"Ranko! Wait!"
	"Huh? Ranko? OH! You mean...?"
	Akane nods. Suddenly, as if on cue, Nodoka's voice rings throughout the 
house. 
	"Akane! Ranko! Breakfast is ready!"
	Akane leans her head out the doorway.
	"Comming Auntie Saotome!" Akane looks at Ranma, whispering. "Hurry up 
Ranma! Ryouga's downstairs too."
	Ranma, durring this time, ran into the bathroom, and quickly drenches 
his head not a bucket of cold water, thus transforming himself to his 
cursed form. She emerges from the bathroom, towel-drying her hair. 
	"I'm ready, already!"
	The two girls run down the stairs, and walk cautiously to the table.  
There, they did indeed find Ryouga sitting with the rest of the family, 
but they were shocked to see that Genma, was not in his panda-form. 
	"Auntie Saotome! What brings you here?"
	"Oh, good morning Ranko! Well, I was hoping to catch Ranma, but Genma 
here, says that he went to spend the night with a couple of his friends. 
I also came because my husband here, says he had a surprise for me. I'm 
just dying to know what it is!"
	Ranma-chan seats herself between Akane and Ryouga, seeing it's the only 
spot available. She looks at Ryouga, who gives her a questioning look.  
He leans over, whispering.
	"Ranko?"
	Ranma gives a sheepish laugh, then turns all serious, and whispers 
back.
	"I'll explain later!"
	Genma clears his throat, and stands. 
	"Yes. Well then. Nodoka, dear, as you well know, it was sixteen years 
ago, today, that we made a decision, that would change our lives 
forever."
	Nodoka takes in a sharp breath, and bites her lower lip, remembering. 
She looks down at the rice bowl not wanting everyone to see the tears 
forming in her eyes.
	"Genma, you promised we'd never speak of that incident ever again!"
	"Let me finish, my dear! As it was, sixteen years ago we had decided in 
order for us to survive, we would have to give away one of our own.  
Sixteen years later, we now find ourselves reuinited once more!"
	"What? I don't understand. Just what are you saying?"
	Genma walks over to where Ranma and Ryouga are sitting. Ranma Gulps.  
Has his pop finally flipped his lid? If mom finds out that I'm actually 
Ranma... *GULP!* Genma then leans and puts his hands over Ryouga's 
shoulders.  The boy looks up questionably.
	"Nodoka, darling, allow me to present to you, Rykia Saotome."
	"Rykia? I'm not Rykia, I'm RyougaaACK!" Ryouga could not finish, for he 
found himself being embraced tightly by Ranma's mom. Sure he had the 
strength of a rock, but he was a bit startled to find he he was having a 
little dificulty breathing.
	"Oh! My son! *sob* My son's come back to me!"
	Ryouga didn't know what to do? He looks around the room, confused.  
Soun was crying waterfalls from such a happy occasion, but he seemed to 
be very sentimental over everything. Genma was standing there, looking 
smug/proud.  Kasumi was beaming, what else was new? Akane was smilling 
at him, tears in her eyes. This left Ryouga confused even more. He looks 
over at Nabiki, who was smiling as well. But it wasn't her usual plastic 
smile, this one seemed, a bit real. Finally, he looks over at Ranma. He 
wasn't smiling, yet, he wasn't giving him an angry stare. He looked a 
bit... uneasy, if he didn't know any better, he'd say he was jealous.  
No, he's probably just upset, after all, to him, I'm not his brother! 
Ryouga sighs.  What if he was right?  What if it was all just a big 
misunderstanding.  He didn't know Nodoka much, but he sure as hell 
didn't want to upset her.  One thing, that sword she's weilding on her 
back, it's a bit intimidating.
	Nodoka reluctantly pulls away. At this, Ryouga regains his breath. She 
smiles, and places her hands upon his shoulders. Then looks him over.
	"My Ryikia! Look at you! So tall, so strong looking! You've grown up to 
be such a handsome man, my son!"
	At this, unbeknowest to all, Ranma twitched.
	Ryouga blushed. Placing a hand to rub the tension from behind his neck.  
He looks downward, and laughs nerviously. Nodoka raises a brow, and 
blinks. She then peers closer to Ryouga, who instantly takes a step 
back.
	"W-what?"
	"Fangs?"
	Fangs! Of course! That was proof he didn't belong to the Saotomes! None 
of them had fangs. His face fell. He knew it was too good to be true. He 
clenches his fists in fustration, but his head snaps up, attentivly, 
when Nodoka begins laughing.
	"Just like father's! Of course, his fangs were not as long as yours, 
but they run true. Do you not remember, husband?"
	Genma looks up at the ceiling, as if trying to remember the old man.  A 
vision of a wrinkly, diminuative sack of bones, grinning at him with a 
toothless grin, as he begins to swing his katana at a young Genma, for 
even thinking himself worthy to marry his daughter. 
	Nodoka shakes her head, then once again attatches herself onto Ryouga 
in a softer embrace. 
	"No matter! But forgive me, my ramblings are postponing our breakfast. 
Come, let's eat!"
	Nodoka gently scoots Ranko, and sits herself between Ranko and Ryouga. 
They all commence eating. Genma and Ranko, in their usual half-starved 
manner, the rest, in contrast, ate calmly.  Ryouga, just picked at his 
food. It looked delicious, and dispite his tummy rumbling, craving for 
nurishment, he just couldn't make himself take one bite.
	"Rykia, dearest, what's the matter?"
	~I'm not Rykia! I'm Ryouga! Ryouga Hibiki! I'm not your son! I don't 
even look like you!~ Oh, how he wanted to say so outloud, but he just 
couldn't find himself doing so.  He looks at her, her eyes full of love 
and understanding. He spat mentaly. Love? Right! Understanding? HAH!  
How can she understand what he was going through? And why should he act 
like everything was alright?  This was the woman who supposably gave 
birth to him, then gave him away! From his perspective, that's not love 
at all! He stands up.
	"I think I just need some air. Please excuse me." He bows, then heads 
on out to the porch. Finding himself in the kitchen, the turns back and 
walks down the hall, finding himself somehow upstairs, he turns toward a 
window, opens it, then jumps out onto the roof. At least now he was 
outside.
	Ranma, after seeing Ryouga's departure into the stairway, eats his 
breakfast with lightning speed, then stands straight up.
	"Ryouga! Wait!"
	"Ranko! Leave him alone, he will return."
	"With his sense of direction? Not likely!" Ranma bows to Nodoka, then 
at Kasumi. "Breakfast was great, Kasumi! Bye!" And with that, he rushes 
up the stairs.
	Nodoka just watches Ranko leave, and shakes her head. 

	Ranma was surprised he didn't have to go far. After stepping out onto 
the roof, he saw Ryouga sitting opposite end of the house, facing the 
the emerging sunrise.
	"Ryouga?"
	Ryouga turns and looks at Ranma.  He smirks. 
	"Weren't you listening, Ranma? I'm "Rykia"." He spat, disgusted at the 
very least with that name. He turns back around, and looks at the rising 
sun. "...First I find out, my parent's aren't even my real folks, now I 
learn that my name's not my real name! What's next? I find out I'm 
actualy a pig, and my cursed form is human? Hah! Wouldn't be surprised. 
So. What's with the Ranko Act?"
	"Don't change the subject! Listen Ryouga, this is hard for me to say.."
	"Then don't say it! If you don't want to accept this, that's fine with 
me. I just can't stay here any longer. I just want to get as far away 
from this hell-hole as possible. I'm leaving. Take care of your folks, 
Ranma." Ryouga stands up, this time pack already on his shoulders. 
(Compliments of Pack-space, from the makers of Kettle-space and 
Mallot-space.) He begins to walk toward the edge of the roof.
	"What about Akane?"
	This made Ryouga stop dead on his tracks. He looks up.
	"Akane...." He shakes his head, then continues on to the edge of the 
roof.
	"Damnit Ryouga! You're just going to walk away like that? Are you so 
pig-headed that you'd walk away, knowing you'll be hurting those care 
about you? No way! I won't let you hurt my mom like that!"
	Ryouga sharply turns and looks at Ranma.  Surrounding him was a 
familiar blue ki, giving a visual represntation of his depression. He 
glares at Ranma.
	"YOUR MOM was the one who gave me away in the first place! If she 
didn't want me then, who's to say she still wants me now?" His ki burns 
brighter, each word, was like adding wood to a fire. "I don't know why 
you're even trying to stop me! The only connection between us two, was 
my word to make you pay for the hell you made me suffer, but that's 
gone!  And all you did was make my hell Worse!"
	"If it's a fight you want, then I'll gladly give it to you!"
	"I said I wouldn't, and I keep my word!"
	"You didn't say it! Auxillio made you say it! If that's not enough to 
fight me, then I release you of your promise." 
	Ryouga anger was now mixed with confusion. Auxillio? Somehow he knew 
she was involved that way. Never, under his own will, will he give up 
his revenge. Ranma doesn't deserve to get off so easily. He looks down 
at his palm, already he could see the ball of light forming for the 
Shi-Shi Hokoudan. He's no longer honor-bound to his word, and it'd be a 
shame to let such energy go to waste. He snaps his head up at Ranma, who 
gulps, knowing what's about to happen.
	"Aw, Shit! Not here, Ryouga!" Ranma leaps down to the front gates, and 
begins to run. Ryouga chasing after him.
	"RANMA! GET BACK HERE AND PREPARE TO DIE!"

	Akane looks up from the table, hearing Ryouga's battle cry. She gets up 
and runs into the kitchen, seconds later, emerging with a kettle of 
boiling water. Ignoring all the looks from the others, she runs out the 
front door, to chase down Ranma and Ryouga. She finds them in an empty 
lot several blocks away from the dojo.  Already they were fighting like 
always. Ranma, being in female form, was at a disadvantage with her 
size, but made it up with her speed. She was dodging all the debri that 
were cause from the "Breaking Point" technique.
	"Ranma! Here!"  Akane throws the kettle toward Ranma. Ranma, 
preoccupied with dodging Ryouga's umbrella, is unaware at the flying 
object until.
	*Clang* 
	Ranma, temporarly unconsious, slumps onto the ground. The kettle spills 
over, and soaks him, turning him back to his regular form. Ryouga, eyes 
blind with rage, raises his umbrela for the final strike.
	"RYOUGA! NO!"
	This seemed to snap him awake.
	"A.. Akane?" He looks up at his umbrella, waiting to be lowered and 
crush Saotome's head.
	"Aiyaa! Ranma! Get up!"
	"Shampoo, at last I caught up with you!"
	*Twack!*
	"Who you calling Shampoo, jackass! Akane! What's going on?"
	Ryouga looks around. His audience has now grown. Akane, Ukyou, Shampoo, 
Mousse, and Kuno were all here. Good! Now they all shall be witness to 
the disposing of Ranma! The glory will be all his! So, why's he 
hesitating? Crush Saotome's head, and the debt will be repaid. 
	"What are you waiting for, Hibiki! Crush that vile sorcerer! So that my 
pig-tailed girl, and the fair Akane Tendo shall be free from the curse 
to which that cur has placed upon my loves." *SMACK* *Thump*
	"Get a life, Kuno!" Akane sighed, rubbing her knuckles.
	Yes, crush Ranma! It's so easy! All he had to do, was just strike now! 
He's won! But, what of Akane? He glances out over to her.  Her eyes 
pleading, her cheeks stained of fresh tears. She'll be devistated. But, 
she'll get over it. Will she? He shakes his head, and growls. He rapidly 
lowers his umbrella to his target.
	"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Rang three high-pitched voices.
	"YEEES!" Rang two tenor-like voices. One hardly audible.
	
	~*BOOM*~
	
	Everyone sheilded themselves, as debri came shooting out at them. Dust 
had risen up into the sky, like a smoke-screen. Akane coughs out the 
dirt from her lungs. She looks up. She couldn't see anything. No 
movement, nothing.
	"..Ranma.." She couldn't hold herself up anymore, and slumps onto the 
ground, on her knees.  She burries her face within her hands, and begins 
to cry. 
	Shampoo stands there, blinking. Her eyes swelling with tears. Ukyou, as 
well, stood there blinking. Shaking her head, denying what happened, 
actually happened. Mousse was raising his fists up to the sky, laughing! 
Kuno, all dignified, sheaths his bokken.  He lowers his head, and 
smiles. Then snaps his head back up, and goes into maniacal laughter, 
along with Mousse.
	"Wait! I see something!" Ukyou looks into the dust cloud. Hoping for 
anything! Everyone gets quiet. The dust quickly settles, and they see 
Ryouga, within a small crater, leaning against the handle of his 
umbrella. Then a weak cough catches their attention. They all look see a 
battered up Ranma, impaled upside-down against the wall.  He had been 
thrown right into it because of the blast. His body then slumps down, 
and he falls face first against the ground. Slowly, he pushes himself 
up. Akane, Shampoo, and Ukyou waste no time to rush beside Ranma.
	"Shampoo so happy! Shampoo thought Stupid-boy kill Husband!"
	"Ranma Honey! Are you alright? Husband? How many times do I have to 
tell you, he's MY fiance."
	Akane just hugs Ranma, happy that he's still alive. 
	"Oh Ranma! I thought Ryouga... Ryouga?"
	Akane gets up, and looks toward Ryouga. He was pulling out his 
umbrella, which was impaled deeply into the ground.  He wouldn't look up 
to meet her gaze. He shoulders his pack, and begins to walk away.
	"HIBIKI! Thou has let that vile cur to live? Very well, if you shall 
not finish the deed, then It shall be done by my own hand."
	"Not before me, you don't! I shall be the one to defeat Ranma Saotome! 
Then Shampoo and I shall be wed!"
	"Shampoo no let Mousse hurt Ranma!"
	"B-bu-but Shampoo! I must defeat Saotome in order to rightfully call 
you.." *BONK*
	Shampoo mutters something incoherent as she peels off her bomborri from 
the now unconsious Mousse's face. 
	"Alas! The path has been cleared!  The smiting of Saotome shall be 
within my glory!"
	"Oh no you don't! No one hurts my Ranchan when he's down!"
	"What is this? Fair Ukyou! Tell me not that thou has been cursed as 
well, by that vile sorcerer! Move aside Maiden, so that I may smite thy 
cursed demon, and free you all, so that you shall be able to date me 
within your own rights."
	"You got to be kidding.." Ukyou unsheeths her spatula, and stands 
defensive form against Kuno.
	"Ah! Thou has wished to fight against me? Such a fair maiden as 
yourself is no match for the might of the "Blue Thunder", but shall thou 
win, I shall alow thee to date with me! THEN I SHALL LOOSE WITH ALL MY 
MIGHT!  AIIEEEYAAAA-TATATATATATATATA!"
	"HEY! I never said that! You arrogant.. ACK!" Ukyou raises her weapon, 
and blocks the oncoming blows from Kuno's bokken. She pulls out her 
mini-spatulas, and flings them onto him, to which they impale themselves 
onto Kuno's sword.
	"Thou is very formidable with your odd weapon of choice. No matter, I 
shall not hold back! Thus your reward when you fail against me, will 
right all wrongs! Thou's reward for your bravery, shall be a date with 
Me!"
	"Go Brother Dear! Smite that Wench!"
	Akane looks up, and see's Kodachi and Sasuke, sitting ontop of the wall 
to which Ranma was thrown against. They wave little banners which had 
the name "Kuno" written on them. Akane sighs, then looks down at Ranma, 
who was still trying to shake off the stars roaming around his head.
	"Get up Ranma! Are you just going to lay there while Ukyou faces Kuno 
alone?"
	"Uuugh.. Man, I must be having a nightmare! I'm seeing TWO uncute 
tomboys in front of me!"
	"OOOOOO!!!  RAAAANMA!!" Akane whips out her mallot, and punts Ranma 
into the field, like a golfball. Ranma shakes off his dizzyness, does a 
summersault, and lands right between Ukyou and Kuno. Kuno smiles, and 
bows at Ukyou.
	"Alas, Fair Ukyou! My matter against Saotome exceed everything else! 
After I smite this cur, I shall spar against you, and thus be off on our 
date afterwards." He turns to Ranma, who was still shaking the kinks in 
his head.
	"Ranchan?" Ukyou sheeths her spatula behind her back, and looks at 
Ranma.
	"Wha?"
	"This is obviously your fight, so, knock him sensless for me?"
	"Pleasure!" Ranma smiles, and cracks his knuckles, threateningly.
	"To hold now another innocent maiden for your own, I shall smite thee 
moreso! You shall pay dearly for thou foul deeds! PREPARE YOURSELF RANMA 
SAOTOME!!"
	Ranma smiles, then shakes off the little white spots that appeared 
suddenly in front of his eyes. He takes his relaxed pose.  Un-noticed by 
him, he takes a step forward to balance himself.
	The other's notice.
	"Ranma! What's Wrong with you?"
	"Ranchan's must still be feeling that blast Ryouga gave him."
	"Aiyaa! Ranma no can fight like that! Stupid Bokken-boy take 
advantage!"
	"Ranma! Snap out of it!"
	"I'm Fine, Akane! I can handle this!"
	"Brother Dear! Don't hurt my Ranma Darling too much! Or I might get 
upset!"
	Kuno strikes first.  He jabs his bokken straight, intending to impale 
his weapon right into Ranma's right shoulder. Ranma turns, barely 
missing it by a few centimeters. Using the momentum of his turn, he 
spin-kicks right into Kuno's face. Kuno's head snaps right. Ranma felt 
his knees buckle, and falls, loosing his balance.
	"RANMA!"
	Kuno composes himself once more, seeing Ranma on the floor, he places 
his bokken right on his throat. Ranma stops, unable to move.  His eyes, 
wide with shock, stares right at the bokken. 
	"Already I see thou's maidens weap for joy! They know that soon they 
shall be free from thou's chains of black magic! Farewell sorcerer! I 
shall send you back to the hells from which you foolishly emerged! 
Remember this next time, you think to emerge again! I, Tatewaki Kuno, 
The "Blue Thunder" will be waiting! And I shall smite thee again! DIE 
DEMON SAOTOME!"
	"NOOOOOO!!"
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