Hey all....
Here's the revised and edited version of CS 2--hope it meets all of your
qualifications.
I'm sorry about the format. I don't know how to change it to the 70 chars.
per line.
Let me know how it is...is it better? worse? phantasmorgorphic?
Gie
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: 2NDINS~1.TXT
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl {\f0\froman Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}}
\uc1\pard\ri1530\ulnone\f0 Circle Sky\par
By: Gie (phowah@cs.com)\par
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A Ranma 1/2 and Gargoyles Crossover\par
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\f1 Saotome Ranma, Tendo Akane and their familiars are not mine. They are Takahashi Rumiko-sama\rquote s. They\rquote ve just come over to my place for a bit...for a sleep-over, yeah, that\rquote s the ticket.\par
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Goliath and his familiars are the Big Mouse\rquote s (not Mousse) grotesques. Although, they have decided to perch on my roof for awhile.\par
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Aiden Ferguson is Christine Morgan\rquote s little gargess, and has asked for permission to attend the sleepover. She said yes, but to make sure she actually got some sleep.\par
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Any unfamiliar characters, such as Shiun, are mine. Sit down and get to know them, you just might find a new friend.\par
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Timeline: Well, I guess you could say it is after the manga is over with (i.e.. Saffron and the wedding) in Ranma, but time has passed and they just graduated from school. It\rquote s several years after Hunter\rquote s Moon in the Gargoyles line. (Although there were no Chronicles) I will end up diverging from the timeline some, but since this is my story, I have the right to, ne? Alright, on with the show.\par
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Chapter Two:\tab And So It Goes...\par
\tab\f1 Ranma, Akane, Ukyou and Ryouga arrived at Jusenkyo International Airport later that afternoon. As they were getting off the plane, Ryouga ran ahead and several people tried to cover up their snickers. Ranma called out as Ryouga ran past him, \ldblquote Hey Ryouga, who\rquote d think that after all the traveling around you do, you would be the one that gets airsick! That\rquote s rich.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Stop picking on Ryouga, Ranma. He can\rquote t help it!\rdblquote Akane scowled at Ranma and jogged to catch up with Ryouga to see if he needed any help. \par
\tab Ranma made a little frown after the running pair. \ldblquote Now who\rquote s going help me with the luggage?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou came up alongside Ranma and patted him on the shoulder. \ldblquote Don\rquote t feel bad Ranchan. I\rquote m here to help you out!\rdblquote Ukyou grabbed onto Ranma\rquote s elbow and left the hangar, towing him the opposite way Ryouga and Akane left, towards the luggage claim. \par
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\tab Another pair also left the hangar the same time the Nerima Four left. David Xanatos and his assistant Owen Burnett were going over the plans that they had discussed earlier. \ldblquote Now all we need is that guide. Where did you say he was going to be, Owen?\rdblquote \par
\tab The blond majordomo frowned and looked around. \ldblquote He said he would be waiting in the parking lot, with his vehicle, to take us to the springs, Mr. Xanatos. He should be around here somewhere.\rdblquote Owen pointed in a direction. \ldblquote Ah, sir, I believe that is him over there.\rdblquote And sure enough, standing by an old beat-up Army jeep, was the Jusenkyian holding a sign in badly printed English that read \ldblquote Xanatos.\rdblquote\par
\tab The guide noticed the tall foreigners and waved in their direction. \ldblquote Honorable sirs, you Zan-A-Toes?\rdblquote Xanatos nodded. \ldblquote Good, good. Let me help luggage and we be on way, yes? Want to be there before dark.\rdblquote Xanatos nodded and Owen started to help the Guide put their luggage into the Jeep. \par
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\tab Meanwhile, the Nerima Four caught up with each other, Akane and Ryouga (still looking a little green) walking up front, reading a map, and Ukyou and Ranma (sulking) were just behind, Ukyou chattering away at Ranma happily. As they passed the Americans, Owen turned around and barely missed running into Ranma.\par
\tab\ldblquote Excuse me.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I\rquote m sorry.\rdblquote\par
\tab They nodded at each other and continued on their way.\par
\tab Ranma continued to concentrate on his sulking, thinking to himself. \lquote Why is Akane being so nice to Ryouga? It\rquote s not like he\rquote s never been sick before.\rquote He frowned. \lquote Why is she fussing over him? It\rquote s not like she\rquote s his fiancee. Yeesh, why am I obsessing over this? We both sort of admitted there was something between us, and she knows I don\rquote t like any of the other fiancees that way.\rquote He looked up at the girl in question with a soft smile on his lips. \lquote Man, she\rquote s really gotten to me! All she has to do is smile that smile and I\rquote m a puddle of putty. Oh, but what a smile...\rquote Ranma was awoken from his dream of Akane in a field of flowers smiling at him when Ukyou clobbered him over the head with her spatula.\par
\tab\ldblquote Ranma, Ranma! Haven\rquote t you been listening to what I said for the past five minutes? What\rquote s going through that thick skull of yours?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ranma blinked back into real time and blushed. \ldblquote Wha? Ukyou? What did you say? Umm...which way do we start hiking?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga looked up from the map he and Akane were going over. \ldblquote Don\rquote t worry, Ranma. I have everything under control.\rdblquote He pointed in a direction. \ldblquote We should go to the east.\rdblquote \par
\tab Ranma sighed, turned and pointed the lost boy in the other direction. \ldblquote That way is east...toward the sun, remember?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ryouga stammered and scowled at Ranma, while taking a quick glance at Akane. \ldblquote Oh yeah. I knew that, Ranma. I was just testing you...yeah that\rquote s the ticket.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma rolled his eyes and hitched his backpack up. \ldblquote Okay, let\rquote s get going. We want to make it there before sunset, right?\rdblquote \par
\tab Akane looked up from the map and rolled her eyes. She glanced around the airport searching for something. She spotted a sign. \ldblquote Boys,\rdblquote she mumbled to herself. \ldblquote If we want to get there before sunset, how about we take the shuttle?\rdblquote Akane pointed at the sign, <Jusenkyo Shuttles: Last One In Five Minutes.> Ranma scowled at Akane as she smugly turned into the turnstile that led to the shuttle.\par
\tab Ukyou looked at the sign, stopped and glanced around again, a confused frown flashing across her features. \ldblquote Hey guys, wait a minute, I just realized something. Isn\rquote t Jusenkyo and all of the other places around it supposed to be in the middle of the nowhere?\rdblquote \par
\tab\ldblquote Yeah, Ucchan, they are. Why do you ask?\rdblquote \par
\tab\ldblquote Then why does the middle of nowhere have an airport shuttle and, in the first place, an international airport, to it?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ranma looked around and shrugged. \ldblquote I don\rquote t know, Ucchan. Stranger things have happened. Let\rquote s not question our good luck.\rdblquote The rest followed Akane and boarded the shuttle to head towards the Cursed Springs.\par
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\tab The sun was just starting to disappear over the horizon as the Nerima 4 got off the convenient shuttle. The Guide, Xanatos and Owen were also getting out of the jeep. Ranma and Owen looked to each other in surprise, Owen giving Ranma a nod. Plum greeted each of them and offered them tea while her father handed out some papers.\par
\tab\ldblquote These papers are release forms that need to be signed. They basically say you hold your life in your hands and will not sue or hold me or my father, the Guide, responsible for what happens here today. That is, if anything happens at all.\rdblquote Everyone gave Plum a curious look. She sighed and explained, \ldblquote They are a necessary evil; we have had to deal with consequences before.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma and Ryouga winced and started to fill out the papers. Ukyou and Akane just shrugged and filled out their own. Owen filled out the papers for both he and his employer. Xanatos signed his own name and Plum collected all the papers and looked over them to see everything was correct.\par
\tab\ldblquote Now that the paperwork is taken care of, let\rquote s see what are the reasons you have come to Jusenkyo, Land of the Cursed Springs.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane spoke up first. \ldblquote Well, Plum we received your letter stating that the springs have refilled since the Jusendo incident and have come for some Nannichuan water to cure Ranma\rquote s curse. We also want to bring home some extra water to cure the ones we left at home.\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen and Xanatos looked interested and raised an eyebrow at each other. Plum ignored them for the moment. \ldblquote I didn\rquote t expect you to be here so soon, Ranma. I also thought I\rquote d see your father here, as well.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Well, we could only afford so many tickets, so only me an\rquote Akane are the ones bringing home the water.\rdblquote Ukyou and Ryouga looked miffed at Ranma. \ldblquote Well, it\rquote s true! You guys just came along for the ride.\rdblquote\par
\tab Plum nodded and turned to David Xanatos and Owen Burnett. \ldblquote Now, sirs, what business do you have here at Jusenkyo?\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen spoke for his employer. \ldblquote Miss Plum, Mr. Xanatos here is interested in the genetic properties of several of the springs. How the water affects a human if it is an animal-based spring and similarly an animal if placed into a human-based spring.\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos took over from there. \ldblquote I just read about the Springs in an old book I had bought a while ago. I assure you, we mean no harm to any creatures or humans. We hope to do all of our hypothesizing through computer simulations, and in virtual-reality environments.\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos paused, and looked at Owen. He said nothing and he continued. \ldblquote Plus, we were in the area and thought it would be an interesting stop on our trip.\rdblquote \par
\tab The first remark quirked some eyebrows at the two Americans. The second statement received several inquiring looks from Plum, Akane and Ryouga. The third produced a massive facefault from Ranma and Ryouga. \ldblquote Interesting? Hmpf.\rdblquote Akane elbowed Ranma in the side to keep him from making any further comments.\par
\tab Plum thought about what Xanatos said, nodded again and spoke. \ldblquote Well, Mr. Xanatos, your interests seem to be pure, so I will allow your passage through Jusenkyo. Ranma and his friends have been here before and know the true dangers of the Springs.\rdblquote Ranma, Akane, Ukyou, and Ryouga all shuddered. \ldblquote Please, Mr. Xanatos, make sure you are with my father or me the entire time while in the Springs area. This is for your own safety. I can not stress that enough.\rdblquote Xanatos and Owen both nodded. \ldblquote Now are we ready? We want to get everything done before it gets too dark outside too see where you\rquote re going.\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos interrupted the Nerima group before they all headed out. \ldblquote Ranma, is it? Xanatos, David Xanatos. You mentioned that you have a curse that originated from here?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ranma gave him a pained look and nodded. \ldblquote Yeah, I guess I do. I fell into Nyannichuan, or girl spring.\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos nodded, and said, \ldblquote Would you mind if I saw it? The curse, I mean?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ranma blanched at the request and reluctantly nodded. He asked Plum for some cold water. \ldblquote Since I am going to be cured, I might as well do this for one last time. Here goes nothing.\rdblquote And so, for the last time Ranma shrunk and Ranma-chan came into existence. \par
\tab\ldblquote Fascinating. Simply fascinating.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma shrugged and asked Plum for some hot water to change back. \par
\tab\ldblquote Thank you, Ranma. I appreciate it.\rdblquote Xanatos nodded to Ranma and he and Owen left talking to each other in hushed tones.\par
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\tab Everyone paraded out of the hut to gather the equipment they would need while in the Springs area. Ranma and the rest of the Nerimians each grabbed a cask to place the water they gathered. Owen and Xanatos also picked up their equipment and supplies and went off in a different direction with Plum. Ukyou anded out torches and flashlights, since it was after sunset and dusk was settling in. Once they were ready, the Guide escorted the Nerima Four into the Springs. \ldblquote Which Spring you see first?\rdblquote \par
\tab Akane answered, \ldblquote We would like to gather a cask of Drowned Girl, and then go over to Drowned Boy, if that is possible.\rdblquote \par
\tab The Guide nodded. \ldblquote No problem. Let me show you Girl first.\rdblquote The group trooped over to the Nyannichuan, or spring of drowned girl. \ldblquote Tragic story...\rdblquote the guide mumbled while Ukyou filled up her cask. Only to be surprised that once Ukyou was done filling the cask, the spring seemed to disappear into the ground. \ldblquote Where spring go?\rdblquote The Guide was baffled. He had never seen, in all the time he was here, a spring to just disappear so quickly. Sure, the springs move around sometimes, but he just accredited that to the magic of the area. \lquote Very interesting,\rquote the Guide thought. \lquote I\rquote ll have to remember that for future pondering.\rquote \par
\tab\ldblquote What happened to the spring, Mr. Guide?\rdblquote Akane asked. \ldblquote Where did the water go?\rdblquote\par
\tab The Guide thought for a minute, and gave the best answer he could think of in such a short time. \ldblquote Spring must not need to be here anymore. See new springs form recently. Old ones leave and make room for new ones.\rdblquote \par
\tab The group shrugged and put it under the \ldblquote Weird things to think about later\rdblquote file. They headed over to the male spring, next.\par
\tab The five reached the spring. Ranma couldn\rquote t handle the anticipation anymore and checking once quick to see if he was male, jumped into the rather large spring. He stayed under for quite a while. Ukyou and Akane started to get worried. \ldblquote Ranchan, are you okay in there? Do you need help?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ryouga saw his chance to be able to get in the spring without Akane thinking him strange and asking embarrassing questions. \ldblquote Here I come, Ranma!\rdblquote Ryouga yelled and jumped into the spring after Ranma. They both surfaced a short time later; Ryouga pulling Ranma up by his collar.\par
\tab\ldblquote Ryouga, whatcha do that for? I wasn\rquote t drownin\rquote or anything.\rdblquote \par
\tab\ldblquote Then what took you so long to surface then?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I just wanted to make sure it\rquote d work.\rdblquote \par
\tab The girls just sighed and rolled their eyes.\par
\tab Ryouga and Ranma crawled out of the spring and gathered up the other casks to fill with spring water to take home. The girls didn\rquote t want to risk getting cursed so they stayed a fair amount of distance away from the wet boys. After they were done with the casks, each noticed that this spring dried up the same way the girl spring did. \par
\tab\ldblquote Hey Akane, do you still have some cold water handy? I want to check and see if the water worked.\rdblquote Akane pulled out a thermos and tossed it to Ranma, where he instantly poured the cold water over his head. He opened his eyes and looked down at his wet, cold, MALE body. \ldblquote Woohoo! It worked! I am finally a whole male again! No more Ranko! No more Kuno groping me! I\rquote m free at last. Thank God, I\rquote m free at last!\rdblquote \par
\tab While Ranma bounced around in pure joy and Ukyou and Akane watched, Ryouga started thinking. \lquote That means the pig is gone too! That means I can eat bacon for breakfast again without feeling guilty! I am a full man!\rquote Wherein, he started to run towards Akane with arms outstretched so she could share in his exuberance. Akane, seeing the Nannichuan-covered Ryouga headed for her, \lquote eeped\rquote and turned and ran in the opposite direction from him. In her urgency to get away, she tripped over a root and started to fall into a nearby spring. \par
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\tab Akane screamed.\par
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\tab Ryouga, in his haste to get to Akane, tripped over the cask of Nyannichuan that Ukyou had set down while waiting for the others to finish up, thereby breaking the cask apart. Luckily, for Ryouga, and unluckily for Shampoo, the water soaked into the ground.\par
\tab Ranma stopped his happy dance when he heard Akane scream. He saw Akane falling toward a spring. \ldblquote Noooo! Akane!\rdblquote Ranma dove after her, trying to toss her away from the spring. He was too late. Not only did Akane fall into the water, but Ranma also fell in right after her.\par
\tab Ukyou, Ryouga and the Guide were speechless. They couldn\rquote t believe what just transpired. \ldblquote Ranchan...Akane...\rdblquote Ukyou moaned. Ryouga started mumbling nonsense syllables. \ldblquote Ranma? Akane? Quick! They aren\rquote t coming up! Somebody do something!\rdblquote But before anybody could react, a pair of bodies emerged from the deep waters, only one gasping for a breath.\par
\tab Xanatos, Owen, and Plum came running over when they heard Akane\rquote s scream. They all stood, shocked, gaping at the two in the water.\par
\tab Ranma gasped for air. \ldblquote Akane! Help, someone! She isn\rquote t breathing!\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen quickly jumped into action. He grabbed Akane away from Ranma and pulled her from the water and placed her on the ground next to the spring. Ranma quickly crawled out after her and watched anxiously as Owen started to perform CPR on her.\par
\tab\ldblquote She\rquote s gonna be okay, right? She has to be.\rdblquote Ranma wailed next to the unmoving body. \ldblquote Oh, Akane, I\rquote m sorry for dragging you here again...why does something always have to happen to us? Please forgive me!\rdblquote As Ranma broke down in tears, a sharp breath came from the once silent body of Akane. \ldblquote Oh my God...Akane! You\rquote re alive! Thank God!\rdblquote Ranma then went over to her and grabbed her up in a bone-crushing hug.\par
\tab As Ranma bawled on her shoulder, Akane opened her eyes and coughed weakly. She gently brought her arms around Ranma shoulders and gave him a small hug back.\par
\tab\ldblquote I\rquote m fine, Ranma.\rdblquote She coughed weakly. \ldblquote I need to breathe, though!\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma then realized he was crushing her, and released his grip enough to bring her face to face with him. \ldblquote I was so scared of losing you Akane. Please don\rquote t leave me.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane brought her hand up to his face and touched his cheek gently. \ldblquote You don\rquote t have to worry about that, Ranma. I will never leave you. I love you, Ranma.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma gazed into Akane\rquote s brown eyes and said, \ldblquote I love you too, Akane.\rdblquote\par
\tab With that, he brought his face down to hers and slowly brushed his lips against hers, hesitating. Ranma released her from the kiss, but Akane grabbed his head and brought him back down for a crushing kiss that surprised Ranma tremendously. Akane deepened the kiss and enjoyed being with Ranma, alive and breathing.\par
\tab After a couple of moments of staring at the couple, Ukyou snapped out of her daze. She looked at the two and made a grimace. \ldblquote Excuse me, guys. Hello? There \ul are\ulnone others present.\rdblquote She snorted disdainfully. Ranma and Akane broke their kiss and blushed simultaneously.\par
\tab At the same time, Ryouga and Plum snapped into reality. They looked at the couple. \par
\tab And blinked.\par
\tab They looked closer at the two and Plum gasped aloud. \ldblquote Oh no. What happened?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma and Akane looked confused. Akane spoke, \ldblquote Ryouga was coming at me and I didn\rquote t want to get wet, so I ran away from him. I think I tripped and fell into a spring. Ranma came after me.\rdblquote She blinked and opened her eyes wide. \ldblquote Wait a minute...I, we fell in a spring. Which one?\rdblquote\par
\tab The Guide snapped out of his trance and was relieved that he could contribute something important. \ldblquote Oh poor guests! How very, very tragic! You both fell into Gaagoirnichuan, or spring of drowned gargoyle. About 1200 years ago, gargoyle fall into that spring. Spring not seen for long time. Very tragic story. Curse permanent.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane and Ranma backed away from each other and truly looked at one another. They saw what they had become.\par
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\tab Akane and Ranma both screamed.\par
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\tab Akane started to hyperventilate. Ranma stuttered and said, \ldblquote Permanent?\rdblquote\par
\tab They looked into each other\rquote s new face and fainted.\par
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\tab Plum quickly recovered from the shock and started to gather everything and take charge of the situation. \ldblquote Let\rquote s move them inside the hut where they will be more comfortable, hmm? Then, once they wake up, we can explain everything going on all at the same time. Okay, Mr. Xanatos, Ryouga, why don\rquote t you grab Ranma over there and Father and Mr. Burnett can bring Akane in the hut. Ukyou, why don\rquote t we gather all the equipment and start heading towards shelter. The Springs are not a pleasant place to be in the complete dark.\rdblquote\par
\tab Everyone except Ryouga started in on their assignments and headed towards the small hut. He was rooted to his spot, mumbling nonsense to himself. \lquote I did it. I did it. How could I have done such a thing? OhmygodIdiditIdiditOhmygodIdidit. It\rquote s all my fault!\rquote\par
\tab Xanatos looked at Ryouga oddly and tapped him on the shoulder. \ldblquote Excuse me, we need to get him inside? Hello?\rdblquote He waved a hand in front of the babbling Lost Boy. \par
\tab Ryouga snapped out of his self-induced trance and looked blankly at Xanatos. Numbly, Ryouga picked up his end of Ranma and followed Xanatos out of the springs and into the hut.\par
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\tab Nobody noticed, in their haste to leave the springs, that Gaagoirnichuan slowly began to disappear just like the other two springs did earlier.\par
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\tab Once they got Ranma and Akane comfortable in a back bedroom, the rest of the group started to put away the remaining equipment. Ukyou went into the kitchen to talk to the Jusenkyians. Owen and Xanatos talked to themselves. Ryouga sat huddled in a dark corner.\par
\tab\ldblquote Owen, can you believe what they fell into?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote It is incredible, sir. I did not know that one existed. The book did not mention a gargoyle spring.\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos smirked. \ldblquote Well, aren\rquote t they lucky that we are along to help out?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote It seems to be that way, sir.\rdblquote \par
\tab Ukyou was still in shock over what happened to Akane and Ranma. \ldblquote They are going to be okay, right? You were just kidding when you said that the curse was permanent, right? Please say you were joking.\rdblquote\par
\tab Plum looked up from where she was making tea for everyone. She smiled sadly and replied, \ldblquote No, my father was correct. It is a permanent curse. At least it was when the last person fell into the spring of drowned gargoyle. The spring has different magic weaved through it. The gargoyle physiology is also different than most. We will explain everything once the two wake up.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga was back in his trance in the corner. \lquote It\rquote s all my fault. Oh my God, it\rquote s all my fault. If I didn\rquote t run at Akane, she wouldn\rquote t have tried to get away from me. Why must everything happen to the ones I care about? Akane\rquote s never going to forgive me. Ranma\rquote s never going to forgive me for cursing Akane. It\rquote s all my fault. Why me? Oh lord, why Akane? She\rquote s never deserved such a cruel fate. and what a truly horrible curse it is...If she could be cured, I would do anything--even gain back that damned pig curse. I\rquote ll do anything...it\rquote s all my fault...\rquote \par
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\tab In the back room, Ranma woke up in a dark, unfamiliar room and rubbed his head. \ldblquote What fleet of trucks hit me? I feel horrible. Where am I? Where\rquote s Akane?\rdblquote Akane moaned and started to stir next to him. \ldblquote Akane? Are you okay? Akane?\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane shook her head to clear the cobwebs. \ldblquote Yes, I think so. Where are we? Did I have a bad dream, or did we actually fall into a spring?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma looked sadly in Akane\rquote s direction. \ldblquote No, it wasn\rquote t a bad dream. We actually fell into a spring. Both of us. But the question is, what spring did we fall into?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I think I heard the Guide mention something about a gargoyle. Is that what we are, now? Gargoyles? What are those?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Ain\rquote t a gargoyle those statues of demons on churches, Akane?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote You\rquote re right, Ranma. I didn\rquote t think they were real creatures.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Me either. Hey, do you still have your flashlight, Akane? I wanna see what we look like.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I think so, Ranma.\rdblquote She shuffled around a bit. \ldblquote Yes, I do. Here, let me turn it on.\rdblquote \par
\tab Akane turned on the light and saw Ranma for the first time. At least coherently. She looked, really looked at him and gasped. He really looked like, like, well, a demon! \ldblquote Ranma, is that really you?\rdblquote He nodded. She crawled over to him to get a closer look. She set down the light so it would shine completely on him. Ranma\rquote s skin wasn\rquote t the normal tanned color anymore. It had darkened to a shade of charcoal grey. She reached up to touch his face. The texture of his skin changed, too. It now felt like a soft, well-worn leather glove. His hair grew considerably longer, past mid-back, and believe it or not, was the same color as his old cursed form--bright red. She touched it to make sure it was real. It was.\par
\tab Her eyes traveled around his face. He still looked like Ranma; if you can ignore the horns that were coming out of his head. Two thin horns arched out of his skull, one at each temple, and circled around his head. They curled down and inwards slightly at the end. Two smaller, stubby horns sprouted next to each of the longer horns. Her hands roamed over his face, his horns and his ears. The ears were longer and tapered to a point at the tip. His eyes were still blue, maybe a little brighter, but that could have been the effect of his skin dramatically offsetting them. He didn\rquote t have any eyebrows to speak of, though. They now looked like bony ridges that stuck out from his face.\par
\tab Her eyes traveled down his body. She noticed that his frame was considerably larger and more muscled than it used to be. \lquote Not that it wasn\rquote t before,\rquote she silently added. His arms were similarly more muscled, as well, and at the elbows, a protrusion? She felt the elbow spur and frowned slightly. \ldblquote It feels like a bone,\rdblquote she said aloud. She moved down to his hands, and gasped. They weren\rquote t really hands anymore, more like claws, or talons. And where did the fifth finger go? His shirt was in tatters. Pieces of silk held together by strands were scattered over his body, barely covering him up.\par
\tab\ldblquote Ranma, you look weird with just those rags on. You might as well take your shirt off. Your pants seem salvageable.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma looked down at himself. He blushed and started to take away the scraps of clothing that remained on his body. It didn\rquote t take too long and Akane gave him another glance. She blushed a little and continued to explore her fiancee.\par
\tab His legs had drastically changed and looked more like a crouching animal\rquote s, with the ankles being tremendously higher than a normal human\rquote s feet with a toe on the high heel. His feet had the same type of claws as his hands, but much larger in proportion. A small piece of his slipper surrounded one toe. As she was looking at his feet she noticed something behind him. \ldblquote A tail!\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote What? I have a tail?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Yes you do. See?\rdblquote As Akane grabbed the tail, Ranma jerked it out of her grasp and brought it across his body. It was long and thin, tapering at the end to an arrowpoint. \par
\tab\ldblquote Oh yeah. Cool! I always wanted a tail.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane rolled her eyes and noticed something else. \ldblquote Ranma, turn around. Look!\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma stopped playing with his tail and glanced behind him. \ldblquote Wow! Wings!\rdblquote\par
\tab And wings they were. Gigantic bat-like wings protruded from his back. Akane reached back to feel them . \lquote They feel like soft leather,\rquote she thought. \lquote They\rquote re beautiful.\rquote Black stretched across the frame and the same shade of charcoal grey colored the wing\rquote s undersides. Two little claws were attached to the end wing strut. \par
\tab Ranma tried to move them and was able to flap them a little. \ldblquote I wonder if they work like real wings? \par
\tab\ldblquote I guess we\rquote ll have to see,\rdblquote Akane smiled at Ranma. \par
\tab Ranma smiled back. He adjusted the light to shine on her. \ldblquote Yeah, I guess so. Now, let me take a look at you! My goodness, Akane! You sure live up to your name.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane looked at herself for the first time. She blushed and swatted at Ranma. \ldblquote Yeah, whatever. It\rquote s not like I picked it out.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma took a moment to take Akane\rquote s new image in. Her skin color did indeed live up to her name. Her skin tone was a deep red, almost a wine color. She still looked like Akane, big brown eyes and all. She had the same bony eyebrows as he had. Her hair was the same midnight blue, maybe a little darker, but the length had grown drastically. It now reached to about mid-back. Ranma reached out to brush a lock of hair away from her face to take a good look at her and hit something hard. \ldblquote Hey, Akane--you got something hard on your head.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane reached up to feel the top of her head and gasped. \ldblquote I have bones sticking out of my head!\rdblquote Well, almost. Ranma leaned over and parted her hair. She had four horns growing out the top of her head. They were triangular in shape and ran down her scalp in a straight line. \par
\tab\ldblquote They look like that dinosaur\rquote s horns. Stagasaurus or Stepasaurus or something.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Stegosaurus, you mean?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Sure, whatever. They\rquote re neat. Ooh! Sharp too.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma\rquote s gaze then traveled down to her ears, which were elongated to the tips on the end. \ldblquote Your ears are like mine.\rdblquote As his gaze wandered lower, he blushed considerably. \ldblquote Um, Akane, you might want to, um, adjust your clothing.\rdblquote \par
\tab Akane looked startled and looked down at herself. She blushed deeply herself, and quickly covered her expanded attributes with the clothing she had left. Hers was in pretty much the same state as Ranma\rquote s--tatters and strips of cloth were all that was left of the outfit she had on when they left Nerima. \ldblquote Stop looking then, pervert.\rdblquote Ranma blushed again and continued to take in his fiancee\rquote s new body.\par
\tab Ranma noticed that she was a lot taller herself, and her body was more muscled and well-defined than before. Her arms were straining at the seams of her sleeves and bone spurs broke through where her elbows were supposed to be. She also had the four taloned hands, and when he looked, huge four taloned feet were visible. He looked up her legs and saw she had some bone spurs on her knees as well. \ldblquote I don\rquote t have those on my knees, Akane.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Well, do you expect us to be exactly the same?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Well, sorta. We fell in the same spring. I thought we\rquote d get the same stuff.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane thought a bit about that. \ldblquote Well, maybe the spring adapts to each person, giving them their own unique characteristics. Just like if they would have been born that way.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I guess,\rdblquote Ranma shrugged. \ldblquote It makes sense. Hey, look at your tail. Heh, I shoulda guessed.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane reached for her tail. It was long and thin, like Ranma\rquote s, but instead of an arrowhead for a tip, it was in the shape of a hammer.\par
\tab\ldblquote Yeah, I guess. It looks sort of weird, though. Hey, I have wings, too.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma touched Akane\rquote s wings. They were bat-like wings, like his. The outside of the wing was black, like his, but what was different was the underside was midnight blue; the same color as her hair, unlike his were the same color of his skin. On the last wing strut, three finger claws were resting. \ldblquote Her wings are so soft. You know, she is really cute this way. Not that she wasn\rquote t before, but she really is this way, too. So beautiful...\rdblquote \par
\tab Akane, startled by those words, blushed deeply. \ldblquote Do you really mean that, Ranma? Do you think I am cute--beautiful even?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma, shocked out of his reverlie by Akane\rquote s words, blushed considerably. \lquote I thought I said that to myself!\rquote \ldblquote Um, yeah, I do, Akane.\rdblquote He shyly smiled at her \ldblquote You definitely are not uncute.\rdblquote Akane blushed almost purple against her scarlet-colored skin. Ranma continued. \ldblquote So, um, what do we do now?\rdblquote\par
\tab Before Akane could answer, there was a knock at the door. Plum peeked her head around the door and noticed the pair was awake. \ldblquote I see you guys have recovered from your swim. Would you like to join everyone else so we can talk and answer any questions that you might have?\rdblquote \par
\tab Ranma and Akane nodded and started to get up, but promptly fell down again. They tried to get up again, and Ranma succeeded, while Akane promptly fell back down on her tail. \ldblquote Oof!\rdblquote \par
\tab Plum laughed. \ldblquote Be careful, Akane. It will take a minute or two to get used to the new legs and feet. Plus, the tail will throw your balance completely off.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Yeah, I figured that one out, Akane. It\rquote s like standing on your toes and leaning forward.\rdblquote He smiled encouragingly. \ldblquote You can handle it, Akane.\rdblquote Slowly, with Ranma\rquote s help, Akane got up and they staggered into the other room where everyone was waiting for them to wake up. Xanatos, Owen and Ryouga stood up when they entered the room and Ryouga backed further into his corner. Ranma looked at Ukyou, but she shied away from his gaze and focused elsewhere.\par
\tab Plum cleared her throat to try and get everyone attention. She had a monstrous book in her hands and opened it to a certain page. \ldblquote Now, to begin. Ranma and Akane, you fell, as you can guess, into a spring called Gaagoirnichuan, or spring of drowned gargoyle. About 1200 years ago a gargoyle wandered through this area and drowned in that pool. This book only tells of one time when a human fell into that spring and what happened. As I said earlier, the curse turned out to be permanent. Hot water did not affect the cursed form at all.\rdblquote Everyone but Owen and Xanatos gasped in horror at the news. They just looked at each other with questions on their faces. \ldblquote Let me continue, please. Over the years, we have found that different curses have different temperature triggers. We have not had a chance to find the temperature which this curse will activate. It just might be higher than what was attempted last time. Shall we experiment?\rdblquote\par
\tab The Guide handed his daughter a kettle. \ldblquote Okay, we\rquote ll start with the warm water and go from there. Ranma, please come over here.\rdblquote Ranma went over to Plum and waited for the water treatment. Plum poured the water over Ranma\rquote s head. Nothing happened. \ldblquote Okay, we\rquote ll go hotter.\rdblquote The next kettle was significantly hotter, but Ranma still did not change. They kept going, increasing they got to boiling. This did activate the change, but with strange consequences. Ranma started to slowly shift to human form, one part changing back at a time, but he screamed in agony with every change. Akane stumbled over to Ranma to see what was wrong.\par
\tab\ldblquote Are you okay, Ranma? What\rquote s wrong? Why are you screaming?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote It hurts! It\rquote s never hurt before! What in the hell is going on?\rdblquote\par
\tab Plum went and got a glass of cold water and poured it over the screeching Ranma. This did reverse the transformation. This time, Ranma didn\rquote t feel any pain and it was done within moments. \ldblquote I guess the switching of physiology between human and gargoyle is just too painful.\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos and Owen shot each other a knowing look. They started to talk quietly to themselves.\par
\tab Akane and Ranma looked at each other. Akane sniffled and started to cry. \ldblquote I guess the curse is really permanent. I don\rquote t want to have to go through the pain of transforming every time I want to revert back to normal. What are we going to do, Ranma?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma wrapped his arms and, somewhat clumsily, his wings around Akane in a hug. She bawled on his shoulder. \ldblquote Sshh, sshh, Akane. It\rquote ll be okay, I promise. I don\rquote t know what we\rquote ll do. We really can\rquote t do much of anything, I guess, except keep on going one day at a time like we always do.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga sat up quickly came out of his corner. He asked Plum, \ldblquote What if we just go dunk them back into the boy/girl springs? Won\rquote t that return them to normal?\rdblquote \lquote Please say it\rquote ll work...\rquote\par
\tab Everyone started to talk excitedly. Plum butted in before things got out of hand. \ldblquote Actually, Akane could get cured if there was any Nyannichuan left, but Ranma is permanently a gargoyle. The water only works three times. Ranma has been dunked three times, so your casks of Nannichuan will not work. Akane has only been dunked twice, so she still has a chance, if you gathered Nyannichuan.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou nodded. \ldblquote We have Nyannichuan in one of the casks. We were going to bring it back for Shampoo, but let\rquote s use it now.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga turned ghost-white and felt sick to his stomach. He fell back into his corner with a thud. \ldblquote Um...we don\rquote t have any girl spring water anymore, Ukyou. When I tried to go after Akane, I tripped over the cask, and I sorta broke it. The water soaked into the ground. I\rquote m really, really, sorry, Akane. I didn\rquote t mean it. Please forgive me!\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane looked like she was about to cry again. Plum also spoke. \ldblquote Also remember, the springs dried up after the water was gathered. We can\rquote t go back into the Springs and gather more. I\rquote m sorry, Ranma, Akane. There is no cure.\rdblquote Akane turned to Ranma\rquote s shoulder again and restarted her crying.\par
\tab At this point Xanatos and Owen finished discussing things and Xanatos cleared his throat. \ldblquote Excuse me, Akane, Ranma, but I think we have a solution for you, or at least something you can consider.\rdblquote Everyone looked to David Xanatos with a question. \ldblquote We, Owen and myself, actually happen to know a little bit about your new species. It didn\rquote t shock as much as the others when you popped out of the spring as gargoyles. Being from New York has somewhat dulled us on the extraordinary.\rdblquote Owen just nodded. \par
\tab\ldblquote Isn\rquote t New York where the gargoyle sightings reported in the news happened?\rdblquote Ukyou wondered aloud.\par
\tab\ldblquote You are correct. I have had personal experience with the gargoyles in New York. They are, in fact, residing with me in their ancestral home. You may have heard of Castle Wyvern? On top of the Aerie Building?\rdblquote\par
\tab Everyone just gaped at the two Americans. They couldn\rquote t believe what was happening. Millions of questions were flying between the Nerima Four. \lquote Did he actually know other gargoyles? Why was he offering up this information? Why was he at Jusenkyo right when they needed him? Is he for real?\rquote\par
\tab Xanatos interpreted their unbelieving looks and continued. \ldblquote Yes, it is true. I am in association with the Manhattan clan of gargoyles. Actually, I am the one responsible for them coming to New York. But, like I said, I may have a solution for you, but will have to discuss it with others first. Owen, if you don\rquote t mind, can answer any questions about the gargoyle physiology and what-not, while I contact the others.\rdblquote Owen nodded, and Xanatos left to the back room to make a phone call.\par
\tab\ldblquote Of course, Mr. Xanatos. I am happy to answer any questions that you might have.\rdblquote Owen looked at his watch and saw it was about two hours until sunrise. \ldblquote I had better explain some certain details before it\rquote s too late.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane sniffled and tried to regain her composure. \ldblquote What would those be, Mr. Burnett?\rdblquote Ranma looked concernedly at Akane and listened closer.\par
\tab Owen continued. \ldblquote As you can tell, it is nighttime now. But at sunrise, the gargoyle physiology goes into a form of statsis.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma looked confused. \ldblquote Statsis? You mean asleep.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote That\rquote s right. But, there is a special condition surrounding this. Gargoyles, at night, are living and breathing flesh, but during day, they turn into stone; statues if you will. They remain in the stone state until sunset that night.\rdblquote Everyone around them gasped except for the Jusenkyians. Akane and Ranma looked like they were going to faint again. Ryouga and Ukyou looked sick.\par
\tab Plum sighed. \ldblquote I read about that in the book. It seemed impossible to believe, but why would the book lie?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Yes, it is true. I have witnessed this numerous times over the years and it is perfectly natural to the gargoyles and to their constitutions. Actually, they welcome the stone hibernation because it heals the wounds of the night and makes them feel visibly and mentally refreshed. The \lquote Stone Cure-All\rquote they call it.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane asked, \ldblquote Are gargoyles sentient beings? Like humans? I was wondering, because they are animal in nature, aren\rquote t they, um..we?\rdblquote She shook her head in frustration. \ldblquote I thought maybe the spring gave us special abilities.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Yes, Akane, gargoyles are sentient beings. Most are very intelligent, and have IQ\rquote s in the same range as normal humans. Although, there are animal characteristics that are apparent at certain times.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga spoke up. \ldblquote Like when?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote When they are angered or in battle. Their eyes will light up; white for males, red for females, and tend to growl and roar and attack with their talons. Gargoyles are raised at an early age to be warriors, to hunt and to protect the clan.\rdblquote He looked up and turned toward the door. \ldblquote But maybe we should continue this conversation later. Mr. Xanatos hopefully has returned with some good news.\rdblquote\par
\tab Everyone turned to the bearded man that walked in the room. \ldblquote You are correct as always, Owen. Ranma and Akane, I just got off the phone with our other companions on this trip. They happen to be some of the gargoyles I mentioned earlier. We had left them in Ishimura, Japan to visit some \lquote relatives\rquote there. I have told them about you and a little bit of your situation. They would like to meet you, if possible. They can answer all of your questions a lot clearer than we could, since they are gargoyles themselves. Would you want to meet them? I can arrange to have them meet you at home tomorrow night.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma and Akane looked at each other and nodded to the unspoken question. She smiled weakly and answered for the both of them. \ldblquote We would be honored to meet your friends, Mr. Xanatos. If it is possible, we would like to explain ourselves to our families before we meet yours. They might feel a little overwhelmed by us, and others might add fuel to the fire.\rdblquote Akane thought silently. \lquote Plus, they might not accept us in the first place.\rquote Ranma sensed what Akane was thinking and wrapped a wing around her. She looked back at Ranma gratefully.\par
\tab\ldblquote That should be no problem. But, as Owen warned you earlier, it is almost sunrise and it is time for you to go to sleep and turn to stone. I would like to offer my services and give the four of you a ride home. I will have a jet ready and waiting at the airport within an hour, and in order to get you home in one piece, we should get you in the plane before you become too heavy to move.\rdblquote He paused and raised an eyebrow at the Nerimans. \ldblquote That is, if you accept my help.\rdblquote\par
\tab The Nerima Four looked at each other and shrugged. Ukyou spoke for the group. \ldblquote We would be happy to accept your help. One question I have for you, though, is why do you care about them? It\rquote s not like you owe them a debt of honor, or anything. You didn\rquote t cause their curse.\rdblquote Ryouga whimpered in the corner.\par
\tab Xanatos just laughed off the question. \ldblquote I\rquote m sorry if I have not explained my motives clear enough to you yet. When I first met the gargoyles in Manhattan, I did some rather unpleasant things to them. They have since forgiven me and I have allied myself to their cause of keeping New York safe.\rdblquote He smiled at Ukyou and the two new gargoyles. \ldblquote To tell you the truth, there are not many gargoyles in the world. I only know of several select clans, and their numbers are very small. I would do much to help anyone of the species. It would be inhuman of me not to.\rdblquote \par
\tab\ldblquote I guess that\rquote s okay,\rdblquote Ranma responded. \ldblquote We better get going, then. How much time do we have until sunrise?\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen glanced at his watch. \ldblquote We have about an hour and a half before sunrise. Including packing up, we should reach the airport in just under an hour. We should get going if we want to beat the sun.\rdblquote\par
\par
\tab Everyone agreed and started to pack up the remaining Nannichuan casks to take home and the rest of the equipment. Ranma went over to Ukyou and tried to start a conversation. Ukyou started at Ranma\rquote s contact with her and backed away.\par
\tab\ldblquote Ucchan? What\rquote s wrong? You haven\rquote t said much throughout the night. Is there anything bothering you?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Oh umm..Ranch-Ranma...I\lquote m just trying to take all of this in. A lot has happened, you know?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma rubbed the back of his head. \ldblquote Yeah, I know that pretty well. It\rquote s sort of hard to believe all of this is happening so fast. But we have been through worse, haven\rquote t we? I know we\rquote ll get through this one as well.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Yeah, I guess.\rdblquote Ukyou looked at him out the corner of one eye. \ldblquote So, Ranma...umm..You were pretty close there with Akane for awhile. I thought you didn\rquote t like her in that way?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma started to blush, and quickly tried to take control of this emotions. \ldblquote Well, you know, after the wedding and the other things that was going on, we have been getting along much better. We have been more open and honest with our feelings toward each other.\rdblquote \lquote I think we proved that back at the spring, \lquote Ranma thought silently. He got a serious look on his face. \ldblquote Now, something else really bad happened, and I am trying to get used to it as well as Akane. I have the advantage on this one. She\rquote s never had a new body before. I have, but now this time, this is my real body. At least I don\rquote t have to worry about switching forms all the time and changing in the wrong place at the wrong time. There is no cure. I have to get used to that early on so I can help Akane adjust to it as well.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou pondered over Ranma\rquote s explanation. She hesitated and asked, \ldblquote Can I ask you a question, Ranma? Please tell me the truth, and I really mean The Truth.\rdblquote She hesitated some more, and swallowed. \ldblquote Do...do you...oh hell...do you love Akane? Really, truly and deeply? Don\rquote t dodge the question. The Truth.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma wasn\rquote t expecting THAT question. He looked startled, but thought about it and blushed a red as deep as Akane. He bowed his head and Ukyou almost didn\rquote t hear his answer. \ldblquote Yes,\rdblquote he whispered. \ldblquote Yes I do, Ukyou. Very much so. I hope you can understand and accept it. I really do.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou looked defeated and hung her head lower than Ranma did. She sighed and turned away from Ranma. \ldblquote I guess I do understand, Ranma. I\rquote ve been watching you two for a while now, and have seen your love for each other grow. I felt desperate. I thought I was going to lose you to her. I came along on this trip to see if I could drive you two apart, but I can see that\rquote s not going to happen. You\rquote re already lost to me. I...this is hard for me, Ranma, so bear with me.\rdblquote She hesitated again and continued. \ldblquote I...I release you from our engagement, Ranma. This is for the best, and I think you realize that, too.\rdblquote Ukyou looked up at Ranma, wiping the tears away from her eyes with her sleeve. She weakly smiled at Ranma and gave him a wink. \ldblquote Besides, I don\rquote t think we are really compatible anymore.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma blushed once more, and then impulsively grabbed Ukyou in a big bear hug, wings and all. \ldblquote Thank you, Ucchan. I hope we can still remain friends.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou grimaced at the hug, and then at the mention of being friends. \ldblquote Sure Ranchan. I will always be your friend.\rdblquote She squirmed in his grasp. \ldblquote Can you release me now? I\rquote m not used to the talons and wings yet. They are sort of intimidating.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma released Ukyou, and brought his tail up to his hands. \ldblquote Yeah, I know what you mean. I still am not used to them, and they\rquote re mine!\rdblquote Both laughed a little at this and returned to packing up their supplies.\par
\tab Meanwhile, Akane was slowly packing away hers and the others supplies. She frowned a bit at Ranma and Ukyou, but didn\rquote t say anything. Ryouga approached her cautiously.\par
\tab\ldblquote Umm..Akane? Can...can I talk to you for a minute?\rdblquote\par
\tab She looked up at the boy. She noticed he was white as a sheet and shivering. \ldblquote I guess so, Ryouga. What do you want? You don\rquote t look so good. Are you still feeling bad from the plane ride?\rdblquote\par
\tab He shook his head. \ldblquote No, I think I might have caught something from jumping in the water after Ranma.\rdblquote He swallowed and continued, with his head bowed in sorrow. \ldblquote Um...Akane? I\rquote m really, really, really sorry that you fell in the gargoyle spring. It\rquote s all my fault. If you weren\rquote t running away from me...\rdblquote Ryouga trailed off, sobs taking the place of his apology. He fell to his knees with his hands covering his face.\par
\tab Akane looked startled and stared at Ryouga. \lquote He thinks its his fault? Well, it sort of it, but I don\rquote t blame him. I should have watched where I was going.\rquote \ldblquote Ryouga, please, stop. It\rquote s not your fault. Ryouga, so don\rquote t blame yourself. I should have watched where I was going.\rdblquote She winced and continued. \ldblquote Sure, you shouldn\rquote t have chased me, but I don\rquote t blame you. Ryouga, please, don\rquote t cry. It\rquote s not your fault.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga kept babbling and bawling. \ldblquote I can\rquote t stop, Akane. It is my fault. I caused you to fall in the spring. I should have never come. I\rquote m sorry, Akane. Please try to forgive me. Don\rquote t hate me. I wouldn\rquote t be able to live with myself if you hated me.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane shook her head and knelt down in front of Ryouga. \ldblquote Ryouga, snap out of it. I * Do* Not* Blame* You. If it is anyone\rquote s fault, blame Jusenkyo itself. It\rquote s magic chose me and Ranma to become gargoyles.\rdblquote Akane looked surprised at what she said. She put that thought aside to think about later. \ldblquote Ryouga, look at me. Tell me that you don\rquote t think it is your fault.\rdblquote\par
\tab He looked up at her, eyes red from crying. \ldblquote But it is my fault, Akane. I can\rquote t forgive myself as easily as you can.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote But you must. I won\rquote t let you wallow in your own misery. I care for you, Ryouga.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Really? You care about me? Why?\rdblquote\par
\tab She gave him a small smile. \ldblquote You\rquote re my friend. I care for all of my friends, Ryouga. Now, buck up and let\rquote s finish packing, okay?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga sniffled and matched Akane\rquote s smile with one of his own. \ldblquote Okay. Thank you, Akane. For being my friend.\rdblquote\par
\tab She stood up and helped Ryouga up. She gave him a hug. He shyly returned it, a blush spreading across his cheeks. \ldblquote You\rquote re welcome, Ryouga.\rdblquote\par
\par
\pard\ri1530\qc *****\par
\pard\ri1530\par
\tab Soon, the jeep was packed up and ready to go. Everyone piled into the jeep, waved goodbye to Plum, and were off to the airport.\par
\par
\tab While in the vehicle, Akane talked to Ranma. \ldblquote I saw you talking with Ukyou before. What was that all about?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I was worried about her. She hasn\rquote t said much since the dip in the spring and I wanted to see what was up.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote And what did she say?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote She said she was trying to get used to the change and we talked a little.\rdblquote He hesitated and played with his tail. \ldblquote She also released me from our engagement, Akane.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane looked startled. \ldblquote Really, Ranma? That\rquote s a big surprise. Did she give a reason?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma thought about how he could answer that question. He decided on the truth. \ldblquote Yeah, she said that we weren\rquote t compatible anymore, and she\rquote s seen something growing between us lately. I think she\rquote s right about that, Akane. Do..do you think so too?\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane looked into Ranma\rquote s face. \ldblquote Yes, I think she\rquote s right. We have been getting along really well lately. I want that to continue, Ranma.\rdblquote She looked down a little. \ldblquote Plus, I kind of liked that kiss earlier. I\rquote d really like that to continue, too.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma gave Akane a lopsided smile. \ldblquote Yeah, I liked that, too.\rdblquote He pulled her closer to him, and she rested her head on his shoulder.\tab\ldblquote Ryouga talked to me, too.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma frowned a bit. \ldblquote What did he want?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote He blamed himself for us getting the gargoyle curse.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote He should. It is his fault.\rdblquote\tab\par
\tab Akane swatted at Ranma and scowled at him. \ldblquote No, it isn\rquote t, Ranma. It was just bad luck that we fell in the pool. And don\rquote t throw this in his face, either. He looked like he was going to go kill himself for a while, there. We talked and hopefully, he is starting to forgive himself. I told him that I don\rquote t blame him. If he should blame anything, blame Jusenkyo itself.\rdblquote She got a thoughtful look to her face. She turned toward Ranma. \ldblquote I think it wanted us to get cursed by Gaagoirnichuan, Ranma. Why else would the Girl and Boy spring dry up right away? It\rquote s sort of creepy, don\rquote t you think?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma\rquote s doubting features answered for him. \ldblquote That\rquote s a far-out explanation, Akane. Jusenkyo isn\rquote t, what\rquote s that word you used earlier-- oh yeah, sentient. Jusenkyo\rquote s not sentient, Akane. It doesn\rquote t have a mind. How can it want to or plan on us getting this curse? That\rquote s just plain weird.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Well, maybe. But it is an explanation. Why did Mr. Xanatos and Mr. Burnett show up the same day and time as we did. Isn\rquote t it lucky that they know about gargoyles? Or gargoyles themselves? There\rquote s too many coincidences, Ranma. It\rquote s freaky.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma sighed and brought Akane closer to him again. \ldblquote Let\rquote s not think about that now, Akane. That isn\rquote t the biggest of our problems. What about being a gargoyle, itself? We\rquote re stuck like this. Even if we use the boiling water and go through the painful transformation,\rdblquote Ranma shuddered in remembrance. Akane hugged him tighter. \ldblquote Cold water will find a way to us soon enough. I think it would be easiest if we just stay gargoyles, permanently, like the Guide said. Just think if we turned into gargoyles in front of a large crowd. We\rquote d be trampled by the crown trying to kill us because they thought we were demons.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane sniffled a bit. \ldblquote You\rquote re right, Ranma. I think I\rquote d be easier if we stay gargoyles permanently. It would be in our best interests if we accepted these bodies as fast as we can, too. The sooner, the better. Maybe we can ask Xanatos\rquote gargoyles about our new forms.\rdblquote Akane brushed away a few tears. \ldblquote Oh my. What are our families going to say?\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma looked down at Akane in concern and hugged her closer, resting his cheek on one of her horns. \ldblquote I don\rquote t know, Akane. I don\rquote t know. But, I\rquote m here, Akane. I will always be here.\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane smiled into Ranma\rquote s chest and sighed. She let a few more tears fall in the remembrance of her humanity.\par
\par
\tab The jeep pulled up to the hangar, where a black jet was waiting for them with the Xanatos Enterprises logo. Everyone piled out of the vehicle and started to unload the equipment. Owen turned around and addressed the Nerima Four. \ldblquote The jet is already here and waiting. We can take off after we gather all the equipment into the cargohold. Akane, Ranma, you might want to board now and get comfortable. Sunrise is 20 minutes.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou looked at the jet. \ldblquote Xanatos Enterprises...Now I remember where I have heard that name before. You\rquote re one of the richest men in the world, aren\rquote t you?\rdblquote\par
\tab Xanatos turned to Ukyou and bowed. \ldblquote You are right, my fair lady. I do have a rather large bank account.\rdblquote He winked at her. \ldblquote I try not to let that get in my way.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma and Akane followed Owen into the jet and got ready for the ride home. Akane hesitated, and then inquired to Owen, \ldblquote Mr. Burnett, about this stone thing. Does it hurt when we go under? If we\rquote re stone, how do we breathe?\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen looked to Akane. \ldblquote Well, I am not sure about the breathing part, but you are statues. The gargoyles never mention having any pain. Like I said earlier, they welcome the change. Although, when they wake up, they do welcome the night with a roar. So, do not worry or feel embarrassed if you have the urge to let a roar out when you wake up. It is \lquote The Gargoyle Way,\rquote as one of the older members of the Manhattan clan is fond of saying.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma inquired, \ldblquote How many gargoyles are in the clan in Manhattan? Are there many?\rdblquote Akane nodded at Ranma in agreement.\par
\tab\ldblquote There are five original members of the clan; they are the ones that came over from Scotland. Goliath is the leader and has a human, Elisa Maza, a police officer, for a friend. There is Hudson, who is the eldest of the Wyvern clan. Then, there are the mated pairs. These gargoyles are the ones that are in Ishimura, visiting the clan there.\rdblquote Owen studied the pair for a moment. \ldblquote They are about your age. Brooklyn, the clan\rquote s second-in-command, and Angela, Goliath\rquote s daughter; Lexington, a computer aficionado, and Aiden, once a human sorceress, she turned herself into a gargoyle through magic to become Lexington\rquote s mate; Broadway, the clan\rquote s chef, and Shiun, a transplanted member from Ishimura\rquote s clan. Last, but certainly not least, is Bronx, a gargoyle beast; doggoyle if you prefer.\rdblquote \par
\tab Ukyou and Ryouga came into the jet. \ldblquote Hey guys, are you ready? We are just about to take off.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma looked at Akane, and set his shoulders. Akane reached and held his hand in a gesture of comfort. \ldblquote I guess so. Ready as I\rquote ll ever be. Mr. Burnett, how long until sunrise?\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen looked at his watch. \ldblquote Three minutes. Please make yourselves comfortable. Don\rquote t force the change. It will come naturally.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou looked strangely at the pair. \ldblquote The change? Oh, you mean when you turn into stone. Is that going to be weird or what?\rdblquote\par
\tab Akane sighed and glanced at Ryouga and Ukyou. \ldblquote Yes, it will. Mr. Burnett assured us that is perfectly natural for gargoyles, so I guess we have to get used to it.\rdblquote She turned to Ranma. \ldblquote Ready?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Ready.\rdblquote He looked to Ukyou and Ryouga. \ldblquote Make sure nothing happens to us while we sleep. Being stone, we probably tend to chip easily. I don\rquote t want to wake up with a finger missing or somethin\rquote .\rdblquote He looked pointedly at Ryouga. \ldblquote No practicin\rquote the Baukai Tenketsu.\rdblquote Ryouga blushed and nodded.\par
\tab Ukyou looked at Ryouga and nodded. \ldblquote Don\rquote t worry, guys. We\rquote ll protect you.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ranma nodded, stood, and reached for Akane\rquote s hand to help her stand up. \ldblquote Okay. See you guys in the morning, or evening...I guess.\rdblquote They looked at each other and Akane smiled.\par
\tab\ldblquote Ranma, I feel all tingly...is this the change?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote I feel it too, Akane. I guess so. See you later?\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote Goodnight Ranma.\rdblquote\par
\tab\ldblquote\rquote Night, Akane.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou and Ryouga watched as the stone started to crawl across Ranma and Akane. They stared in silent awe as the stone inched its way up from their feet and climbed all the way to the tips of their horns. Even while the stone crawled up their bodies, Ranma and Akane kept their eyes locked on each other, until they were completely encased in stone.\par
\tab Ukyou sighed, and turned to Ryouga. \ldblquote I guess that\rquote s it until sunset, right, sugar? Now, we get to present the Tendos and the Saotomes with a set of statues.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ryouga looked a little green. \ldblquote I can tell the jet took off. Yeah, what are we going to tell them? We\rquote re going to get back well before sunset.\rdblquote\par
\tab Owen came into the back and spoke to the pair still left flesh. \ldblquote After Mr. Xanatos and I drop the four of you off in Nerima, I will be staying behind to answer any questions the families have. Mr. Xanatos will then go pick up the other gargoyles in Ishimura and be back around sunset. Hopefully, that will give Ranma and Akane enough time to adjust their families to the situation.\rdblquote\par
\tab Ukyou and Ryouga both looked relieved. \ldblquote Thank you, Mr. Burnett. You will be a welcome help.\rdblquote\par
\tab And so, they settled in for the ride home. On the flight back to Nerima, Ukyou and Ryouga thought up and outlined a plan detailing the way they were going to break the news to the unsuspecting families.\par
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}