Shadow Reality Chapter Two Part A(rough) Ranma played with a strand of golden hair, watching his fiancee sleep. What he found so intriguing was that she was actually asleep. The training both he and Nabiki received didn't allow such a state. Their 'sleep' was actually a complex meditation technique that had the same results, more or less, as sleeping. To learn the technique took days, however actually training the body took far longer. The first step required all conscious thought to be brought to a halt, this allowed the body to go into it's natural healing state. Secondly the sub- conscious had to be aware of the outside world. To monitor the ki levels, air pressure, unusual sounds, anything that might give rise to a threat. When triggered, the consciousness was pulled back online and the choice was made to wake up or return to the meditative state, still appearing to be asleep while this was happening. That was the trickiest part of it. The only difference the technique had to actually sleeping was that the user never dreamed. In addition, once the technique had been mastered it was thought impossible to ever naturally sleep again. Nabiki made sound and her hand twitched, causing her fiancT to laugh. "Are you dreaming Nabiki-chan?" He asked the sleeping figure softly. There was no response, but he hadn't been expecting one. "What's it like?" He continued speaking to the unconscious figure. "What are you dreaming about?" Letting the silky gold slip from his fingers he brushed a hand across her pale face. "The past maybe? The future?" His voice fell silent and he continued watching her. The alarm clock rang. Reaching over her he shut it off. A soft sigh escaped Nabiki's lips and she opened her eyes slowly. She smiled at Ranma, then yawned and stretched her arms out. "Nyow?" She sounded, curling against him. "You don't talk much in this form." His only response was another beautiful smile. "Were you dreaming?" A nod. "What was it like?" "Like another world." Her musical voice flowed pleasantly, more of a sensation then a sound. Abstaining from any more indulgence on curiosity's behalf, Ranma sat up. "We better get downstairs before Akane wakes up. Can't have her seeing you like that." "When's the wedding?" Akane asked Ranma during breakfast. Ranma looked over at Nabiki, who shrugged. "We haven't really set a date yet." She told her younger sister. When she and Ranma did marry, it would bring an extreme change to both their lives. It was a change Nabiki wanted desperately, but was unsure if she was ready. A child at seventeen years old might not be the best idea. "Why not?" Akane asked, absently tugging on a bit of her long hair. "No reason to," She easily lied, "As long as I don't get pregnant there's no hurry." Akane blushed lightly at the response. Or more specifically, the thought of how Nabiki would get to that stage. "Nabiki, you really should get married if you and Ranma are going to... 'sleep' together." Kasumi chided gently. "Sis, if we followed that rule we would have been married a long time ago." Nabiki laughed and Akane turned even redder. Since when had her imagination been that good? "Shouldn't be thinking about your sister's fiance like that Akane-chan." Ranma said as he watched her turn crimson. "I wasn't!" Akane protested weakly. "Honestly Akane, all those boys and yet you want my Ranma?" Nabiki looked on with a grin as Akane became more flustered. "Nabiki! How could you say that? I would never..." Akane trailed off. They were laughing. Even Kasumi was smiling at the joke. Akane pursed her lips and reappraised her sister. Why was she acting like this all the sudden? Did Ranma put her into that good of a mood? Feeling a little childish she pulled down her lower left eyelid and stuck her tongue out. Soun watched the scene happily. It was nice to see them all getting along so well. Breakfast continued on, along with it's share of teasing and questioning, until it was time for the 'children' to leave. "It's nice to see Nabiki and Akane getting along so well, isn't it father?" Kasumi echoed Soun's thoughts as she cleaned up. They had enough money to hire servants to do such work, a hundred servants even, but Kasumi insisted on doing it herself. Just as her Mother had. "Yes. They are getting along well aren't they?" He paused, contemplating the reason. Nabiki had always been somewhat cold and indifferent to Akane. Treating her more like a guest in the house then family. Although Soun never knew for sure, he suspected it had something to do with the fact Akane had never been put through any of the training and had no knowledge of the family 'business'. The eldest of Soun's children sat down beside him, setting her cleaning aside. "Father..." She began, "When will you tell Akane?" "Tell her what?" The father replied evasively. Kasumi frowned. "You have to tell her soon Father. If you don't it will put Nabiki and Ranma in danger. As it is neither has had a chance to train their Shadows. And what about when they have children?" She sighed. "The longer you wait, the less likely it is that she will accept it." My, wasn't the table interesting? The wood such high quality! The ever peaceful and loving Kasumi glared at him. "It's time for her to grow up Father. She had sixteen years of innocence, now it's time for her to join the world." Soun retreated slightly under the glower. "But Kasumi-" "But nothing!" Her face turned hard and unforgiving. "You always protect her! Your pure little girl. So naive, so innocent. Sixteen years! Did you try nearly as hard to protect Nabiki? Or me?" Her eyes glistened lightly with unshed tears as she voiced years of suppressed thought and anger. There was silence as they looked at each other, Kasumi with anger, Soun with sadness. Noise slowly drifted in from outside the house, only faintly, but there none the less. People yelling to each other, wares being sold, a funeral procession taking place on their street. All of which went unheard by the created and the creator. "Akane is..." Soun broke the silence then faltered. "She is special...." He put his hands out placattingly but they were slapped away. "What is so special about her!?" Kasumi screamed, his words only having angered her more. "Everything is given to her, she never does a thing! She has no idea what her true lineage is, she has never had to kill!" Kasumi's eyes blurred over, as she continued speaking. "You aren't happy with what Nabiki is, happy with what I am, but it's your own fault! You made us the monsters!" A trickle of tears left her eyes, cascading down her face and falling onto her modest dress. "When did Akane ever have to prove her loyalty? When did you ever force her to be a Tendo? I killed my first love, a man who knew what I was and accepted it! What have you asked of her?!" She sniffled and wiped angrily at her eyes. "Nothing... Never anything from Akane...." She trailed off, her anger deserting her and leaving only pain and sadness. "Why?" Soun looked at his daughter's pain filled eyes and could say nothing, the prepared lie fleeing his mind even as he himself wished to flee from the pained gaze. As the sound of mourning people began to fade into the distance, he stood and left his wife's daughter sitting alone. Kasumi watched the retreating figure and began to cry once more. Koji watched his step-father's procession fade into the distance and sat down with a sigh of relief, how long had he been standing?. As he sat on the curb a newspaper blew by and caught against his side, fluttering like a wounded bird. Taking the paper from its nest he cast his eyes across it for lack of anything better to do. His eye caught and held on some lettering for no more then a second when he dropped the paper and jumped away from it as if burned. The wind picked up again and the raven went on its way. "Damn obituaries." Koji ran a hand across his face, trying to shake off the cold feeling. He yelped in surprise as somebody ran into him. "Sorry." She was dressed modestly, rather tall, long brown hair, eyes slightly red (assumedly from crying), and the most beautiful creature Koji had ever lain eyes on. "Are you okay Mrs...?" The words came several seconds late as that he had been busy staring at her. "Kasumi, just Kasumi." She smiled at the man. It had been along time since anyone had looked at her like that. "Were you part of the funeral procession?" He found himself shuffling his feet awkwardly, as if he were a schoolboy about to ask someone on a date. Kasumi shook her head. "No." Her eyes grew concerned. "Who was it." "My step-father. Koji Shiro." Kasumi lifted a hand to her mouth, an "Oh my" escaping first. "Did you know him?" Koji didn't remember her... then again he didn't hang around the store that much so it wasn't surprising. "Yes, I usually bought my groceries from him." Her eyes softened. "I'm sorry, you must be so sad." Koji nodded. "Yeah, he was a good guy." Kasumi and he both stood there, the awkward silence not entirely uncomfortable. "Say, wanna go get some coffee or something?" Koji asked as he mustered up his nerve. Kasumi smiled brightly. "I would like that." The two started walking when Kasumi giggled. "I haven't even asked your name." "Koji. Koji Shiro." From far down the street the raven rustled it's wings, the black text calling its portent once again. Hiroshi followed Ranma out of the classroom and into the yard. It was lunchtime, a fact which Hiroshi was painfully aware of. School had gone uneventfully, a good portion of the students were still at home. Particularly those who had seen the murdered students first hand. Hiroshi would have stayed home too, but he wasn't sure if doing so would result in his death so the decision to go to school was made. "You know, your friend was there." Ranma said, startling Hiroshi out of his reverie. "What?" The words hadn't registered due to shock. "Daisuke. He was at the gym." Ranma's voice was casual. Hiroshi gulped. "You didn't.. kill him did you Saotome-san?" After the words exited his mouth he quickly glanced around, nobody was within hearing range. "No, I didn't kill him. Consider it a favor." They continued to walk, approaching the tree. "What was he doing?" Hiroshi's curiosity and fear for his friend overrode his fear of Ranma. He hadn't seen him while Ranma was butchering the students, and he knew for a fact that he hadn't been one of the ones attacking. "Recording the fight." Hiroshi blinked once, then said no more. "Your sister is acting weirder then usual." One of Akane's friends told her. Akane looked over to Nabiki's tree, it was known as such due to the fact everyday without fail (well, everyday she was at school anyhow) Nabiki could be found sitting there, to see Nabiki holding a hand on Hiroshi's forehead. "Tell me about it." Akane turned away from the sight. She was sitting with a group of her friends about half the school yard away from said tree. Akane was popular at the school, being the wealthiest family in the district helped with this fact. For the most part her friends were really friends, but there were several who hung around her just for appearance's sake. Yuka, another of her friends, tore her gaze from the tree's general direction and spoke to Akane. "How did she get such a hunk like him!?" "You mean Ranma?" Yuka rolled her eyes. "No, Hiroshi." She sighed. "Of course I mean Ranma!" "That guy gives me the creeps." Said a girl to Akane's left. "No way! He's tall..." Yuka started. "Dark.." Said another. "And handsome!" Roughly 3/4 of the group finished. A round of laughter ensued. Akane took the moment to look uncomfortable. "He's not that tall." "Tall enough.." Yuka was staring at Ranma again. "Think Nabiki would be willing to sell him?" "Yuka!" Akane said, stunned. "I'm just kidding Akane... well mostly." She turned back to her friend. "Come on, don't tell me you don't like him!" "He's my sister's fiance!" "You didn't answer my question..." Yuka was grinning, sensing the kill. Akane didn't reply and soon she had fifteen girls bothering her. "Okay, okay!" Akane gave in after three minutes of the pleading, threatening, and general bothering. "He's kinda handsome.. and he's good at martial arts.. and strong...." "I knew it!" Yuka announced triumphantly. "But he's my sister's fiance!" Akane finished. Feeling like the whole thing was a relapse of that morning. And if she was right, the worst was yet to come. "Akane Tendo, I would date with thee!" There was a group wide groan at the voice. Akane's was decidedly false though. It wasn't often that Kuno bothered her at lunch, and for the first time ever she was thankful for it. The said kendoist managed to wedge himself between two girls and present a rose to Akane, which she half heatedly took. "Hi sempai." "Akane my love, no need for such formality between lovers-" He patiently waited for Akane to withdraw her fist from his face. "But now I offer you your chance once again! Fight with me Akane Tendo!" He drew his bokken, nearly hitting a passerby in the head, and stood at a ready stance. Akane groaned and began to think that his interruption might not have been worth the price. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but she was still aching from those bruises Ranma had given her the day before. Which gave her an idea.. "Tell you what Kuno, if you defeat oh.... him, " She pointed at Ranma as if he were randomly chosen, "then I'll go on a date with you!" "Truly?" Kuno stood up to his full height. "It shall be done!!" With a battle cry Kuno ran across the school yard. Yuka nervously chewed on her lower lip. "I know you said Ranma was good... but so is Kuno." Akane shook her head. "Trust me, Kuno's nothing compared to Ranma. I was sparing with him yesterday and I couldn't lay a finger on him." Yuka didn't respond, watching as Kuno finished the sprint to Nabiki's tree. Ranma looked up at the battle cry. Some guy with a bokken was charging him, full speed. After he ran somebody over, literally, the students moved out of his way and a path cleared between him and Ranma. The gap closed and the one-sided battle commenced. Kuno swung his wooden sword horizontally at Ranma's head. Calmly Ranma raised his hand, catching the blade. As Kuno tugged and pulled, trying to get his sword back Ranma kicked him in the stomach, then pulled the sword from his grasp and smacked him over the head with its handle. With an experienced grace Ranma rotated the blade towards Kuno and was about to pin his foot to the ground when a hand on his arm stopped him. Nabiki, hand remaining on Ranma's arm, stepped in front of Kuno. "Tatewaki-kun, I would like you to meet Ranma Saotome. My fiance." Kuno's eyes widened at the words. "Nabiki-san! What wonderful news! My heart rejoices at your happiness!" Kuno straightened, still aching from the kick to the gut, and looked respectfully at Ranma. "Yes. He is mighty, perhaps even as mighty as I!" Kuno laughed then quieted as he noticed he was the only one doing so. This in itself wasn't unusual, but usually Nabiki would at least smile. This time she remained expressionless. "Are you well Nabiki-san?" He moved forward to look at her more closely, but she moved away. Ranma watched with an unreadable face, in turn being closely watched by Hiroshi. "Fine Tatewaki-kun. Just a bit tired." She inwardly groaned. This wasn't helping matters any. Ranma was ready to rip him apart now, whereas he would have settled for a broken bone moments ago. Kuno's face turned stricken. "Are you falling ill? Mayhaps I should send for the physician?" It was times like this Nabiki wondered if she had made the right choice oh so many years ago... "No, no, no. I'll be fine." A barely audible growl started in Ranma's throat as he watched the proceedings. Hiroshi blinked, but didn't remove his eyes from Ranma's. Ranma was getting very angry.. Kuno looked at her seriously, then nodded. "T'would be best if you hurried to your noble estate when school has ended. The animal responsible for the killings yesterday is still loose." "Animal?" She laughed inwardly. Trust the police to be predictable. She felt Ranma's ki clench slightly and barely managed not to show concern. "Yes. The officers of the law believe that the attacks were done so brutally and with such strength it could be nothing less." He sighed dramatically. "Truly, it is the most base of creature's that resorts to killing." There was a loud snarl and he turned to look, but was halted by Nabiki suddenly tugging his arm. "I believe I'm starting to get a small headache, could you get me some aspirin?" She asked sweetly. "Of course Nabiki-san!" Kuno was off once again, all thoughts of Akane forgotten. "Who was that?" Ranma asked, tone deathly cool. If Nabiki didn't know Ranma would never hurt her, she would have been very worried. "Just the local moron..." She said causally, then did the mental equivalent of beating her head against a wall. There was no way Ranma would fall for that. "Since when do you drop your guard around anybody?" The cool tone of voice remained. Hiroshi looked away from Ranma eyes. He didn't know that level of mental pain existed. Oh kami-sama. She hadn't even noticed... "Ranma, it's not what it seems. Believe me." "Really 'Nabiki-san'?" He hissed. "Then just what is it?" "It's just... he's like a brother Ranma. Really it's nothing." Ranma's gaze hardened farther. "You should know by now that you can't lie to me." He turned his back to her and walked away. Nabiki bit her lower lip. He would listen later, but not until he had checked things out for himself. And if he did that, it could get... complicated. She glanced around the school yard. Everyone had stopped paying attention once Kuno had left. No debts were due till tomorrow either. She had a call to make. "Umm.. Tendo-san..." Hiroshi started to warn her. "Go away Hiroshi." She said without looking back. It was embarrassing to have someone like him listen in on her personal life. He gulped, then scurried off. "It must be hard, you're so young!" Kasumi was sitting at a table facing Koji. The man shrugged in response. "It's not that bad. I'm the youngest on the force, but they don't treat me much different." "Well you're very big." Kasumi blushed faintly. That was impolite of her. Koji grinned and scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah, guess I am. It's a Shiro trait." She thought he was big? His grandfather was eight feet tall, he had the Shiro height. "Your father wasn't that tall." Kasumi had a faintly puzzled (and cute) look on her face, unwittingly turning Koji's mind into a little pile of goo. When she saw the look he was giving her she demurely looked down at the table. Idiot! Stop gawking! What was she saying!? Umm.. I'm so big, Shiro trait, father! That was it! "Actually he wasn't a Shiro. Mom is... she's kinda headstrong." He shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "She forced him to take the name when they got married." Kasumi smiled and toyed with her long empty coffee cup. That sounded like a woman she would like to meet. An ornate clock in the restaurant chimed softly. Kasumi looked at the time and hurriedly stood. "I'm sorry to leave in a rush, but my sisters will be home soon." Koji looked at the clock, surprised. They'd been talking THAT long? But he didn't want her to leave yet. "Umm... Maybe I could. Uhh. Could walk you home?" He offered, nervousness returning. Kasumi raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to do that?" He nodded firmly, albeit slightly confused at the question, and was rewarded with a beautiful smile. He stood and held his hand out to Kasumi. The two walked out the door hand in hand. Akane yawned. She was soooo bored. Ten minutes of her history class remained, every second felt like an hour. She was partially tempted to leave (being from a wealthy and influential family had its benefits) but knew her friends would tease her about 'abusing her status'. "During this era the emperor was particularly feared. He had a group of elite assassins who would eliminate any threats to him or his position. Technology today is the only thing that keeps the current emperor from doing the same thing. Did you know..." The teacher droned on while the students ignored him. Akane found herself yawning again. Her teacher's paranoid ramblings lost entertainment value long ago. "You should pay more attention Akane." The teacher said, breaking from his normal routine. "After all, the assassins were rumored to be of the Tendo clan." "WHAT!?" Akane stood up angrily, smashing a fist into her desk and neatly breaking it in half. The students were divided between looking shocked and upset at the accusation, worried for the teacher, and scared of Akane. The teacher was looking nervously at Akane but continued. "In fact there are some who believe that the Tendo's still serve that function for the emperor, along with a secret group known as the Circle-" He cut off, swallowing nervously as Akane stalked toward him. "What did you say?!" Akane screeched at him. She knew he didn't particularly like her, but going out of his way to insult her family was more of an offense then could be tolerated. "Class dismissed!" The teacher said frantically. Akane was still glaring at him, upset, but reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled from the classroom by her friends. "Just ignore him Akane." Yuka patted her on the back. "You know how he is. Last week he accused the entire fifth period class of being government spies." "And before that he said Yuka's dad was really a foreign spy." Added another, causing Yuka to frown at the memory. Akane cooled down somewhat. It was true, he was always saying something stupid. She brightened. "At least we got out of class early!" The group of girls walked away laughing, not noticing as a man in a suit walked into the classroom they had just left. Ranma muttered angrily and rubbed his injured shoulder. Nabiki must have got every mage on the island guarding the archive. The source of his irritation stepped into view. "Calmed down any Ranchan?" Nabiki winced at the glare. "Don't be so angry! Really, it's not what you're thinking." She walked up to him and gripped one of his hands. "Please Ranma, don't be angry at me. I'll tell you tonight. I swear." Ranma's eyes narrowed. "Come on Ranma... don't be like this." She pressed herself against him, one hand against his chest and the other slipping its fingers between his. "Please?" She looked up at Ranma hopefully, then smiled as his fingers tightened around hers. "Okay." He said gruffly, anger dying in her pleading look. "But if you ever.. EVER sic that many mages on me again," the glare had left his face, replaced by a more playful look, "I'm going to use your books for a private bonfire." She smirked. "It's good for you." Nabiki purred as Ranma's hand made its way from her stomach upward. "You never give them the respect they deSERVE!" The last part came out in a squeak as Ranma pinched her through the thin fabric covering her chest. Akane blinked. "I did not just see that." Akane was walking with Yuka. Yuka watched the couple standing next to the gate avidly. "Maybe you didn't, but I sure did." "Yuka!" Akane reprimanded her friend. Yuka just laughed. "See ya tomorrow Akane!" She waved and ran off to catch up with a group of girls. Akane sighed and finished walking the short distance remaining. "Then we go.. that way." Koji began to walk down a street. "Umm.. Koji-san? This way." Kasumi gently guided him down a street to the left, easily forgiving the navigational error. She was used to men losing their wits around her, not to brag of course. That would be unladlylike. "Koji-san.. you do know who I am don't you?" The man looked slightly confused, but nodded. She was Kasumi. She lived in a house with her father and two sisters, one of which was going to be married. They'd talked long enough for him to know that. Kasumi seemed greatly relieved by the nod. "I was just afraid... well you didn't seem to mind walking me home and most people.." She smiled and shook her head. "Nevermind." Her family name had scared off nearly everyone. In her entire life Kasumi had only been on five dates, three of which were with the same person. She had never dreamed a police officer of all people wouldn't care about that. At the sound of laughter Kasumi turned her head to see two children playing with a scarlet colored ball. The two were passing it back and forth as fast they could, attaining an impressive rate considering it was larger then a beachball. She slowed to a halt to watch them, as did Koji. "Cute." He said, grinning as the children started running and passing it at the same time. One of the kids looked up at the voice. The boy had dark black hair and a toy badge pinned to his shirt reading 'sheriff'. "Hey mister! Catch!" The boy lobbed it at Koji. Koji lifted his hands and caught the ball, unfortunately he did this a little too rough. The ball popped with a gunshot and forced Koji's head to snap backwards. Small pieces of the thin elastic material flew everywhere, even covering Kasumi in little bits which clung to her clothing and arms. Off balance due to surprise Koji tottered back and forth for a bit, finally giving in to gravity and falling onto his back. "Koji-san?" Kasumi bent down, ignoring the children's cries of anguish over their lost toy, and looked at the stunned officer. "Are you okay?" There was a small circular patch of the crimson material directly in the center of his forehead. She brushed it off gently, repeating the process with several other noticeable large pieces. Koji shoved himself up from the ground after making sure he could retain his balance. "Yeah." He laughed. "Just surprised me. You got some of that junk you." He flicked off the offending plastic. He saw Kasumi turn her head as he did so. "Something wrong?" A faint blush was his first response. "Your hands.." Koji looked down at his hands, which just happened to be on Kasumi's chest. He pulled them away as if bitten. The two awkwardly avoided each other gazes. The two children decided it would be a good time for them to demand he pay for their toy. Koji did so gladly, thankful for the interruption. With the children somewhat mollified and the remains of the ball on the street Kasumi and Koji continued the walk home. "Kids these days..." **** Ranma paused in his Kata. He stood still for a moment, then swiftly left the dojo. Following an instinct Ranma leapt onto the roof and swept the surrounding area with his eyes. All he saw was a man walking down the street and Kasumi entering the house. Slowly the feeling faded. Still uneasy he dropped back onto the ground and entered the dojo once more. Koji smiled as he walked down the road, rubbing his cheek. She had kissed him! Only on the cheek, but that was good enough for him. He continued walking several more yards then froze. There was something odd.. it felt like he was missing something. Koji glanced over his shoulder. No.. hadn't dropped anything. His eyes lingered on the house Kasumi had entered, then it hit him. He ran back to the gateway and read the sign. "Tendo Dojo?" Koji turned pale. **** Nabiki yawned and stretched out on Kasumi's bed, smiling at the feel of the silk sheets. Her sister's tastes occasionally rivaled her own. Nabiki had changed into her short-shorts and a T-shirt when she got home, and now was glad she had. She rubbed her legs against the sheets, imaging how they would feel in her Shadow form. The soft, smooth feel intensified a thousand-fold... she shivered at the very thought. Nabiki entwined her legs into the sheets, at the same time pulling them around herself. The sheets were still cold, slowly warming thanks to her body heat and felt nearly liquid. Nabiki really wanted some cold water. Kasumi opened the door to find her sister firmly tangled in sheets and laying on her back. There was only one thing for Nabiki to do. "Meow?" Kasumi burst into laughter. "Thank you, I needed that." Kasumi helped Nabiki untangle herself from the kittenish mess, hugging her when finished. Kasumi released her as Nabiki tensed up. "What's wrong." Nabiki shook her head. "Nothing, you just surprised me. It's been a long time since you hugged me." Kasumi folded her hands in her lap. "I suppose it has. It's been a long time since I've laughed like that too." Both were silent for a moment, recalling past times. "So what'd you want to talk about?" Nabiki asked, breaking the melancholy mood. "I talked to Father about Akane." "Really?" Nabiki had thought she would have had to do that. "What happened?" Kasumi sighed. "Nothing of course. He won't do anything to hurt his 'special Akane'." Nabiki scoffed. "Naive is more like it." "Sometimes I can understand him." She looked down at her hands. "Akane is still innocent. She doesn't know what it's like. How it feels to take somebody's life. I can't look at my hands without seeing the blood..." She shivered and looked away from them. "I guess he doesn't want her to become monsters like us." She rubbed the palm of one hand as if trying to wipe it off. Nabiki shook her head. "We're not monsters." "Aren't we?" She looked at her sister sadly. "We certainly aren't human." She opened her hands and small sparkles blinked into existence above them. "Humans don't have this kind of power. They don't kill innocent people. They don't ruin lives." She clenched her hands. "Yes they do. Who do you think gives the orders?" Nabiki stood and faced the window. "Our Emperor does. The politicians, the savages, the wealthy, the powerful. We are just tools." Kasumi shook her head. "Anyone who gives such commands isn't human. But even they are better then us. Tools? Maybe. But we have a choice and are still willing to carry out the actions. Sometimes I wonder if we cause more evil then we stop." "Don't say 'we', Kasumi. You may have been given a job or two, but your hands are pure white compared to mine." Nabiki softly placed her hand on the window. The setting sun cast a deep red onto her body, bathing her in blood. "And as for being evil... I suppose I am." Her voice was resigned, a long realized fact finally spoken. "I never said that Nabiki! You aren't evil." Kasumi looked at her sister worriedly. "I am Kasumi. If a person does evil things then that makes the person evil, ne?" Nabiki smiled sadly, her voice becoming a mere whisper. "You want to know something even worse? It doesn't matter to me. It's all I know, all I can remember being." She closed began to close her hand, leaving smear marks on the window. It continued to tighten, crushing something only Nabiki could see. "What would I have been? To have never killed... Innocence... I can't picture myself like that. Without this power, what would I be? Just another girl... another pathetic, unknowing peasant." "But the they are happy. Can we say as much?" Nabiki smiled. "Ranma is my happiness. As long as I have him, I'll be fine. You know how that is." "The family name took Him away from me though." Kasumi felt the old depression returning, but it was held at arm's length by a certain someone. "You'll find another Kasumi. Daddy doesn't have a hold on you anymore, all your debts are paid. If you really wanted to you could just leave all together." She looked over her shoulder at her sister as she spoke. "What about you? Will you ever be free?" Nabiki gave a short, harsh laugh and returned her gaze to the window. "No. It's my duty to uphold the family tradition." She shrugged. "Each of us has a role in life. Mine is death." But it wasn't supposed to be Nabiki, it should have been mine. I wonder if you even remember... Kasumi looked closely at her sister. She had gotten the hardest life out of them all. The training Kasumi received paled in comparison to that of Nabiki's. She could still remember the mornings where she would awake to find Nabiki trembling and unable to move or speak, remaining like that for days or even weeks at a time. None of it had never been explained to her. Part of Kasumi didn't want to know. From outside the window there came a childish scream of surprise, followed by laughter. She saw Nabiki's gaze lock onto the source, a small smile playing at her lips and a hand moving to her stomach. She was in such a rush to bring another life into the world. Her own child. Kasumi didn't understand it. At a very young age Kasumi had decided never to have children, it was a decision she still stood by. It seemed a sin to create a soul into this world. Love and joy never outweighed the pain and agony. It was constant strife. Strife which, if what the church said held true, couldn't be solved even by the Reaper's touch. At least not for anybody in her family. It wasn't that Kasumi didn't want a child, she planned on adopting when the time came, but to make another suffer just to fulfill her own wants? She had done enough of that to last a lifetime. "I should go." Nabiki said at last, turning away from the sun. She smirked. "I bet Ranma could use a little company." Kasumi smiled a bit. "You two act like love-sick teenagers." Nabiki didn't miss the joke. "There is a reason for it. Most of the time we didn't see each other more then twice a month, sometimes even less then that. Whenever we did meet up we always made the most of our time." Another meaningful smirk. "Don't worry so much Kasumi, we're still getting used to the idea that one of us isn't going to be gone the next morning. We'll calm down," She headed out the door, "eventually." Ranma looked at the girl in front of him. It had obviously taken her a lot to put aside her pride and ask, which meant she would be dedicated. He wasn't too worried about breaking the contract, he doubted she would ever get that far. Nabiki would probably be grateful... why not? "Okay. I'll train you." "Really?" Akane asked happily. It was embarrassing to know there was a boy who fought better then her, but the fact he was her sister's fiance helped a bit. "But there is one condition." He added as an afterthought, recalling past 'accidents'. "What?" "No falling in love with me." He said firmly. "What!?" Akane screeched. "Why you... stupid... arrogant... BOY!" Akane spun around and stomped out of the dojo, slamming the door behind her. Ranma shrugged. He thought it had been a reasonable request. A pair of arms emerged from the shadows behind Ranma, wrapping themselves around Ranma. Slowly a body emerged, revealing itself to be Nabiki. "There you go again. You really don't understand us do you?" Ranma was unsurprised by her appearance. The 'hide in the shadows' trick was exactly that. A parlor trick. It was the first thing one was taught to detect in most 'schools'. "I do sometimes." He protested, turning to face her. He smirked. "You should know that." She smiled "You're not as good a charmer as you think Ranchan. And besides, that's not what I meant." Actually he was a very, very good sweet talker. But there was no way she would let him hear her say that. "Oh?" "You just made my little sister fall in love with you." Ranma looked at Nabiki curiously. She just smiled back. "Don't worry about it though." She slid one leg in-between his and leaned in closely. "We have business to attend to." Now where could she get some cold water...? Ranma looked at the nearly sleeping figure in his arms. He brought his hand gently across her smooth white skin, earning a weary smile from her. "I don't know why you wanted to use this form Nabi-chan. You tire so easily." He frowned concernedly. "And I'm afraid of accidentally hurting you." He traced a light bruise on her face. She snuggled closer to him, putting her lips to his in a gesture of love. "I feel more alive like this." Nabiki whispered softly, pure sounding voice not reaching past his ears. "I can feel the magic, I can taste it. It's how I've always wanted to be." Ranma found himself growing tired as well. He slid his hands lower along her body to a more comfortable position, electing a small shiver from Nabiki. "I'm glad you decided to talk. I was getting tired of trying to understand noises." Nabiki giggled a little, eyes dancing in amusement. "I think we both enjoyed the noises moments ago my love." She rested her head against his chest, golden hair fanning gently at the movement. "Ranma, let's get married soon." He raised an eyebrow, a habit which he'd picked up from Nabiki, and mulled it over for a moment. "Are you sure?" "Yes." She exhaled silently, blowing several strands of gold in the process, and relaxed against him. "I want it." "I know you do." If either had been asked what they felt at that moment, odds were neither would be able to reply. Peace, contentment, and happiness were rare for the two. For all three to take place at the same time had never happened before. But at that moment, at that place, and at that time the two found such bliss they would remember it for the rest of their lives. The moon looked on with a satisfied air, blessing the two lovers with its pale light through the open window. For this short time their sins were lifted, as was their past and future. They no longer had names or responsibilities, they were just two teenagers in a love that was pure and innocent. Slowly the two drifted off to sleep. Outside the crickets chirped their soft song while they could, for with the rising of the sun came the return of life. "So are you with me?" "This is insane! What if we're caught?" "We won't be. Now are you with me or not?" "I... I don't know. Will there be others?" "Yes." "How do you know they won't turn you in? How did you know I wouldn't?" "I have my ways." "..." "..." "Okay I'm in. But don't expect me to come running to the rescue if you get caught!" "Of course, of course. I only ask that you be ready for when the time comes." He watched from the shadows of a tree, just far enough to not be sensed by her or the ones close to her. Far below him She sat motionless within a circle. Around her sat the remaining three matriarchs. Remaining three... That bastard Saotome. This was his fault. The sing-song chant of the matriarchs worked it's way through the air and he involuntarily held his breath. They had begun. At first nothing happened, but then a red glow began to smooth itself over her. It worked from her chest outward, spreading up her neck and down her body sumotainiosly. As it licked at the edges of her face She inhaled sharply, face creasing in pain. But She didn't cry out, She was strong... so strong. The chant deepened and slowed as the glow moved faster, working it's way down her thighs and up to her eyes. As one the matriarchs stopped and the glow snapped around his beloved one, enveloping her in an angry red aura. "Why do you disturb us?" Cried a hundred voices, calling from the human vessel. "We offer you a chance to repay your debit." Said one matriarch, peering upward at the possessed girl with no sign of fear. Her entire domineer changed. The angry glow faded into a weeping pink and her face slowly untwisted from it's scowl to a look of hesitant hope. "Free?" Asked the hundred voices. The matriarch nodded solemnly. "Not all of you though. The strongest may achieve freedom, the others will remain." The battle began. The young body began to convulse and shake, glowing a bright red once again. After several minutes of this wounds began to appear on her body, veins pressed upwards nearly bursting from the skin and limbs twisted into incomprehensible angles. All the while the matriarchs chanted. The chant counter acted the mortal wounds, healing them and re-healing them as the convulsions continued. An hour later the screams began, lasting long into the night. Nabiki woke up with a start. She had forgotten! "Ranma!" She half hispered/half shouted. He opened an eye and looked curiously at her. "I need to tell you about Tat-" "No you don't." He said firmly. "What?" She said she would tell him, so she had to. It would also relieve the bit of guilt she felt about the whole mess. Ranma sighed. "If I'm right, or even close to right, then this is going to be something that will make me very... upset." Ranma paused for a moment, trying to organize his thoughts. "You know me Nabi-chan. You know me better then anybody else, but you don't know everything. If you were to tell me..." He looked away for a moment. "If you told me I wouldn't be able to stop myself." A chill settled about Nabiki's body. He had never used such a tone with her before, it was almost an open threat. But the thing with Kuno wasn't bad enough for him to get that angry.. was it? "I'll just keep assuming that I'm imagining things." He looked back at her. "It can't be anything close to what I'm thinking, you wouldn't betray me. Nabiki, I want- no it's more then that. I _need_ to be able to trust you." He smiled at her. "Okay?" She said nothing for a moment, then nodded. "Okay." She lay back down and pulled the sheets around her. Silence resounded in the darkened room. Kasumi hummed softly to herself as she walked along the sidewalk. Maybe it was a bit bold to interupt Koji-kun's lunch break, but she was too restless to do anything else. She nodded at the various greetings called to her by various vendors and continued on her way. The sun shone down brightly all around her, banishing shadows and the chill of morning. The occasional bird would call out, the odd car would pass by, all in all a winter day nice enough to be one of summer. She reached the police station and peered through one of the large windows. Good, they were on break. Steeling her resolve she took a slightly deeper breath then usual and pulled open the door. They looked up as one, each officer peering at the figure who had walked into their haven. It was a relitivly quiet neighborhood, making it rare to recieve a visitor. Even moreso to recieve during daylight, criminals tended to wait for the starlit cloak of darkness to go about their duties. The tinted windows which cut down on the light became useless as the open doorway beamed light in, forcing most to be blinded for the second it took their eyes to re-adjust. Koji happened to be walking past the now open doorway and was fully blinded by the glaring light. As who it was finally registered, the populace of Nerima's finest reacted together once more. A Tendo, a threat. Hands reached towards guns instinctivly, then withdrew. Kasumi, no threat. Kasumi kept her smile on her face, either not noticing or pretending not to. "Good afternoon Koji-kun." She spoke the words as his sight cleared. "K-Kasumi! What are you doing here?" His voice came out trembling. Fear? Why would he fear her... unless... but he knew yesterday right? No she had seen that look before. "I'm sorry.. I'll go." Smile slipping from her face she gently retreated from the doorway. On her way out she bumped into a stocky figure. "Kasumi-chan?" Cheif Ukato watched confusedly as she rushed past him, soon dissapearing around a corner. He hadn't seen her since the funeral. Making a mental note to check up on her later he walked into his station and found everybody looking at Koji. Koji seemed to be slightly dazed and a bit scared. The cheif put on his best scowl and swept his eyes across the room. What the hell was going on? First Kasumi, now this. Well, if all else fails... "Koji, in my office. Now." He walked past the semi-dazed youth and entered said office, taking a seat at his desk. Koji entered the office quietly, sitting down across from Ukato. At the moment he was feeling fairly confused, and when confused Koji tended to get angry. Not the best of policies, but it seemed to run in the family. "Sir I don't see how my personal life is any of your business!" He growled out the words. Personal life? Well it was a start. "Oh?" Ukato quiered in a polite voice, perhaps he could discover what this was about without asking anything. "Even if she is a Tendo, it still doesn't give you the right to intru-" Koji's anger abruptly left him. The cheif could be a very scary person when he wanted to. Ukato's eyes were locked onto the younger man's, raw anger showing in them. The pieces had fallen into place. Kasumi running away with a hurt expression, the whole station staring at Koji... Ukato stood up and put his hands firmly on the desk in front of him. "What did you do to her?" Where Koji's voice had been filled with the fire of anger, the chief's was ice cold. Koji's backbone attempted to reassert itself. "I told you it was none of your-" *CLICK* Who knew the chief was that fast with a gun? "If you hurt her..." Ukato trained the gun on the figure before him. "I swear you will not live to regret it." "Um chief, could you put the gun away? It's not like I raped her or anything..." Koji laughed nervously. In fact he hadn't done anything, at least he didn't think he did. Ukato blinked. Geeze, what was he doing? Of course Koji wouldn't have done something like that. His nerves must be tighter strung then he had thought. He holstered the gun. "You're right. Sorry. But you did something to her, I've only seen Kasumi look that hurt twice before." Koji was silent for a moment. "Was she crying?" "Not yet, I think she about ready too though." The chief groaned as it hit him. "Kami-sama." He sat back down tilted his head back, sighing. "I wouldn't have shown you those pictures if I had known you were going out with her." Not that the pictures had been of Kasumi, she wasn't like that, but the fact that her sister had that power was probably enough to frighten Koji away. "I'm not going out with her." He said slowly. Ukato looked at him. "Really?" Koji nodded. "We just met yesterday." Ukato was confused. "So what was the problem then? I walk into the office and see you standing there looking like you'd just been told your going to be a father." Which was actually what he had originally feared, then his protective instincts for Kasumi kicked in and things got out of hand. "I don't know.. I mean I like her and everything but I didn't know that, that she was a.. you know.." "A Tendo?" Koji nodded. Ukato sighed. This was going to hurt. "Koji, don't put her family's sins on her. She's not like them. Kasumi is the sweetest girl you'll ever meet and a pure soul to match. Just because her family may be the way it is doesn't mean you should fear her, or hate her. She's her own person, don't assume she is like her family. If she opens up to you, then your one of the luckiest people on the face of this earth." The chief stuttered for a moment then took a deep breath. At another time he had given this exact same short speech to his own flesh and blood. "And if you love her, don't let go for anything. She's a one of a kind." He took a shaky breath. "Now get out of here!" He said gruffly. "And you better straighten things out! I've seen that look you have before and you and I both know what it means." Koji cracked a smile, not wholly convinced but willing to give it thought. "Thanks." He left the office. Ukato looked at a picture on his desk then closed his eyes, raising an aged hand to wipe away the tears. The bell rang, signaling the end of school. Hiroshi leapt out of his seat, making his way towards the door when a hand reached out and caught him by the scruff of his shirt. "Whoa there Mr. Empath." "H-Hi Ranma-san." Hiroshi's voice came out somewhat stifled due to the fact his collar was currently choking him. "Hey. Your coming over to the Tendo's place today. Okay?" Ranma's voice was nearly friendly... nearly. "Okay." He bobbed his head for emphaisis, sighing in relief as Ranma set him down. Nabiki appeared in the doorway and looked at the two. "All set?" Ranma nodded and the trio went on their way. She was young, no older then fifteen. Her long blond hair flowed down to her ankles, fine strands set into movment with the slightest wind. She wore an old fashioned black vest, a V shaped cut in the vest just below her neck revealed that she wore a white blouse beneath it. About her waist she wore a skirt the same midnight black as her vest, it's modest length covering her legs completly. Her face was thin and delicate, pale skin revealing her nationality to be other then asian. Her eyes however could not be seen as that there was white cloth covering them. When looked at in passing it was merely a blindfold, however at a closer look it appeared to be made out of such high quality material that to call it such would be a degredation of it's beauty. It was a pure white color, seeming nearly see through under favorable lighting; offering glimpses of color that dissapeared so fast to make one belive them an illusion. Sewn onto the cloth were intricate designs sown in an even brighter white, barly visible to the untrained eye. There were seven in all, individually boring but together a sigh most fascinating to behold. Such design as to keep one lost in them for years. This was the girl that greeted the trio as they entered the Tendo home. "Good afternoon Saotome-sama, Tendo-sama." She bowed to each of them. "Sara." Nabiki inclined her head to the girl as a greeting. "Still wearing it huh?" Ranma asked, looking at the cloth. "You might as well take it off. You're going to be here a while and you'll end up reading us one way or another." The girl's lip quivered slightly, and it seemed for a moment she would plea otherwise. In the end however she bowed her head and carefully removed the cloth. Hiroshi watched from behind the soon to be married couple, intensly curious to know what was going on but also somewhat afraid of finding out. As Sara lifted her head Hiroshi flinched back as though he had been attacked. For a reason he could not say, Hiroshi couldn't force himself to look at her eyes. It was as if her eyes and his were two positivly charged magnets, bounding away from each other if contact became even close to achived. "Is that him?" Her whisper quiet voice seemed to attack Hiroshi's ears from every direction. "Yes. You could tell?" Nabiki moved from the doorway, followed by Ranma and Sara. Hiroshi stayed behind. "No, no really. It was just a guess." Sara had bowed her head again, making sure not to look up. She clenched her hand holding the cloth like a child would a safety blanket. Without being asked she set herself down on the sofa and waited for her next order. Ranma paused and dragged Hiroshi inside the house. "Is there a problem Hiroshi?" "N-no.. Umm... Why am I here?" Maybe if he passed out, that seemed like a good idea. Ranma answered with a quiet smile, saying nothing more. Nabiki pointed Hiroshi to the couch, next to Sara. Hesitantly he sat down, looking away from her. The brunette eyed the pair curiously. "Well everything seems okay. Sara, we'll be withen shouting range if you need us. Is there anything you need to know that they left out in the breifing?" Sara shook her bowed head. "No Tendo-sama." Nabiki smiled and leaned on her fiance's arm. "Akane's gone for the day... what do you say we get a little practice with our Shadows in?" Ranma nodded and the two left. Neither spoke, either content to sit or too nervous to do otherwise. A clock in the house chimed silently, signalling five o'clock. Still neither spoke, although Hiroshi began to squirm nervously. Finally Sara finished gathering her nerve and asked a question. "Am I ugly?" Hiroshi looked at her, startled by her voice and momentarily forgetting the painful buzzing sound. "No, of course not. You're bea... you look nice." "But you don't look at me. They never tell me if I'm pretty or not.. and I don't look like you or Them." She gestured down to her pale skin and blond hair. "That's because you're English, or American... or some other place maybe. You're not ugly, trust me." Sara weighed his words, and decided he was just having pity. That was still nice of himm though, more kindness then everyone else gave her. "Should I start now?" Hiroshi tried to force his eyes to remain on her. "Start what?" Sara drew back from him. Was he testing her or something? She hadn't done anything wrong... She shouldn't have spoken. It was her fault. She bowed her head again. "I'm sorry. It was just that we sat here for so long and I thought Saotome-sama wanted us to begin right away." "Sorry? What're you sorry for? And start what?" Maybe he just misunderstood her. His head was really hurting. Kasumi, who had been dropping by every now and again to make sure things were well in hand, decided to clear up the confusion. "You can start anytime you want Sara-chan. You're the teacher." Sara looked up in shock. Her? In charge? "But Tendo-san!" Kasumi shook her head, smiling. "Just Kasumi. Keep the formalities for my sister. Just do your best and you'll be fine." Kasumi left from thier sight. Sara rose a hand as if to stop her. Kasumi was always so nice to her. There wasn't any malice or darkness... why couldn't she stay? Despairingly she dropped her hand and turned to Hiroshi.