Send C&C to: oddball22@hotmail.com Find my stories at: www.geocities.com/kaiphantom2000 Ranma 1/2: New Challenges Bonds and Connections Chapter 12 The scene that greeted Akane and Ranma when they finally entered the dojo, was one that spoke of much confusion and tension. True to Kasumi's word, the old monk-like figure in the faded, dark brown robe was sitting on a cushion on the far side of the dojo. His staff rested against the wall nearby, as he took a sip from the teacup. The group arrayed around him, contained much of the family, friends, and rivals Ranma and Akane knew. Ukyo, along with Yuri, were two of the most vocal as they waved their 'invitation' and demanded to know about Kae. Only the presence of Kasumi next to the elderly gentleman, was what most likely keeping violence from breaking out. The young couple noticed that their fathers were there as well, one standing on either side of the man, yet keeping their distance. Soun was wearing a continual frown, while Genma appeared more unsure of the stranger. Nodoka was sitting on a cushion next to her husband, looking merely curious. Nabiki was also there, leaning against the wall and studying the situation. The Kuno siblings and Sasuke were near the back of the room, surprisingly quiet, and merely observing. Occasionally one would whisper something to the other, earning a nod or a short answer whispered back. Akane glanced at Kodachi quite warily, remembering her last encounter with the gymnast. Ranma remembered as well, and directed his wife to the side farthest away from Kodachi. The last group of people surprised Akane the most, though she belatedly realized she had seen them out in the yard a short while ago. "Miyo-san, do you know what this is all about?" Akane inquired, moving to the young fortuneteller's side. Akane recognized, and nodded to, the two young men with the other girl. Hikaru she knew, but the other young man she only vaguely remembered meeting a long time, though she recalled his name to be Toshi. "Some," Miyo replied with a cryptic smile. "But I believe we shall all find out shortly. If we are wise enough to have a little patience." She gestured to Ukyo and Yuri, who were still demanding answers from their mysterious guest. Akane had no reply for that, deciding to heed the advice. Behind her, she sensed her husband had completed his own survey of the room, then walk to her side. Their hands sought out each other once more, then they sat back to wait while their fingers intertwined. They didn't have to wait long, as the old man finally spotted them across the way. "Excellent! Everyone is here." Ukyo and Yuri quieted down at this, the first words they had heard him speak since he arrived and announced himself. Reluctantly, they quieted down and turned, following his gaze to see the newlywed couple standing next to each other just inside the door. Yuri smiled slightly, while Ukyo quickly turned her head back, trying to hide her expression. "So, are you going to finally tell us what this is all about?" Ukyo asked in an exasperated voice. "I shall you what I know, yes," the old monk replied with a smile and nodding slightly. "How about starting with who you really are?" Soun demanded in a low, almost threatening, voice. "What's your real name?" Akane and Nabiki started, not really used to the barely contained rage in their father. They had seen it last night as well, but it was still quite a change from the normal weepy man they had known most of their life. Oh sure, their father got angry at times, but he usually just exploded right then and there, and then the anger was gone a short time later. In short, very similar to Akane's temper. This time, it looked like Soun was focusing that anger, and if he exploded now, he might just take the man's head off. "My name?" the elderly monk said, raising an eyebrow. He appeared to think that over, then sighed. "The name I was born with, has been lost to me for most of my life. I have taken many different names throughout my lifetime, like the two you and Genma know. If you wish a label to ascribe to me, then you may call me the Caretaker." He paused, then chuckled darkly. "Sadly, even that moniker is no longer appropriate." "What do you mean?" Nabiki asked, prying for more info about their mysterious guest. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't dig up much of anything on this man using the two names he had given last night: Ochiai and Hidenori Taga. The man known as the Caretaker sighed tiredly, then settled back on his cushion, suddenly appearing far older than he did before. "When I was but a lad no older than ten, my parents apprenticed to older gentleman. For the next ten years after that, I learned what his life entailed, since I was to take over for him when he passed away. Like me, he had no name, but was also known as the Caretaker." "This is all very interesting," Kodachi said in bored tone. "But I fail to see what this has to do with us." The Caretaker looked up and speared Kodachi with a grim look that made her gasp internally. "Because the woman I took care of was your mother." "What?" Tatewaki blurted, clearly shocked by the revelation. "Speak man, what dost thou mean by this!?" The elderly gentleman waved him off. "Well, actually she was more than just your mother. Over 900 hundred years ago, there was a woman who was married to a powerful daiymo." "Lady Kuno," Miyo whispered reverently. Despite her low tone of voice, nearly everyone heard her. "She was real..." "Indeed," the Caretaker confirmed, while nodding his head once. "I do not have the clear vision of the past that you do, as my knowledge comes from books and from what my Lady showed me. In order to seal away a threat from long ago, the original Lady Kuno underwent a ritual to use her body as a Living Key to another realm. As long as she lived, the link between the worlds would be sealed. From then on, one Kuno girl in each generation would merge her life-force with that of Lady Kuno; in effect, keeping her alive." His eyes swiveled to the two Kuno siblings. "The last was your mother, and that is why she left you two." Kodachi could only stand there, trembling, but her brother managed to throw off his astonishment enough to speak. "But, she perished the day that abomination attacked yon mental hospital." "Yes, and that is where the problem now stands," the Caretaker intoned gravely. "What problem is that?" Akane asked, speaking up for the first time. "And what does this have to do with us?" "Remember what I said, Akane-san," the old man replied, smoothing out his faded robe. "As long as she lived, the link between the realms was sealed. But now that she is gone, the portal can be re- opened, and the Dark Shogun will return." Soun sighed noisily. "As my daughter said, what does this have to do with us? I sympathize when the Kuno family over the loss of their mother, but I would still like to know what that has to do with sending Saotome-kun and I to Happosai." "Do not worry, as all shall be made clear," the old man assured Soun. He pointed his gnarled staff at a girl standing off to the side. "Perhaps Miyo-san can enlighten us?" "But I haven't seen the full story, and there is so much still left out," the young fortuneteller protested. "It is enough," the Caretaker replied. "My lady and I began sending you the dreams in order that someone from the present would know what had happened in the past. I learned what I could from books, but I am old and my memory is not what it used to be. Also, I am not long for this world." As if to emphasize this point, he covered his mouth and coughed once. "Please, tell them what you have learned." Miyo looked to Toshi, but he merely shrugged. Turning back to the gathered group revealed everyone's eyes on her. She took a deep breath to quench her nervousness, then closed her eyes and spoke. "A long time ago, a war raged across Japan," she intoned. "An army led by an unknown individual known only as the Dark Shogun, advanced from the south, conquering all in their path. Apparently, not many could stand against this army, until survivors from previous attacks gathered under the banner of Tendo Senshin." Nabiki's eyes widened at this, while Akane inhaled sharply. Soun merely looked a little surprised. "I gather than, this is an ancestor of ours?" Nabiki deduced. "That is correct," the Caretaker replied. "Please, continue Miyo-san." She nodded and closed her eyes once more, visualizing the dreams. "Senshin's army was joined by a mysterious young man by the name of Saotome Tenma, who was a warrior of extraordinary skill." It was Ranma's turn to look surprised, as Akane turned to see her husband's eyes widen. She, too, was confused. They both had ancestors that had met long ago? Miyo continued without noticing. "Together, he departed with the youngest daughter of Senshin, Akara, who was also a warrior. They sought help from the ninja clan Garou, but returned too late, finding the army campsite had been attacked by Dark Shogun's troops. From there, the two warriors headed to the Kuno castle, being accompanied by a kunoichi from the Garou clan named Kae." Ukyo and Yuri instantly recognized that name, and shot to their feet. "Wait a minute, that doesn't make any sense," Yuri interrupted. "If Kae was supposedly fighting against this Dark Shogun army, or whatever it is. How and why did she take control of my brother now? She should be dead, right?" Her voice grew soft with that last phrase, as if fearing the answer. "Many things are not impossible," the Caretaker told her solemnly. "Much has been lost to time, but great feats of magic and sorcery were not so uncommon many thousands of years ago. That is why this situation is dire now, as humans have slowly lost their innate potential and turned to technology instead. No modern weapon, no matter how powerful, can stand against the power that was wielded over a millenia ago." Before anyone else could speak, he motioned for Miyo to continue. "They met up with Tenma's old training partner named Ryo Hibiki, and Akara used Ryo's horse to travel ahead to the Kuno castle," Miyo told them. "As Tenma and Ryo traveled there on foot, Kae apparently betrayed them and they were captured. They were freed with the help of a young girl named Ranko, but the two men had lost the majority of their strength. The trio eventually made it to the Kuno estate to stop Kuno Tateyama from forcing Akara to marry him." "What the hell is this all about!?" Ranma finally yelled, giving in to his increasing discomfort. The old man merely looked at him curiously. "What are we, some kind of reincarnation of people who lived a long time ago or somethin'? You're supposed to be givin' us answers, but this don't make any sense!" "I have to agree with Ranchan," Ukyo said, crossing her arms across her chest "This is just too eerie. You can't possibly be serious about this! It's just too ridiculous!" "And what does this nonsense have to do with our mother?" Kodachi shouted. "Surely you can't expect us to believe our mother left to join with some ancestor of ours?" The Caretaker pounded his wooden walking stick into the floor, getting everyone's attention. "Please, everyone! I ask that you have some patience. I will do my best to answer all your questions, but let Miyo finish her story first." When the room had quieted back down to a low murmur, the old man nodded once more toward the young fortuneteller. Miyo took a deep breath and continued. "Like I was saying, after the wedding was aborted, it was discovered that the remnants of Senshin's army and Akara's family were there as well. But the Dark Shogun's army was approaching the Kuno castle and those inside knew that it would only be a matter of time before the castle fell to the Dark Shogun's advance. Lady Kuno called Tenma and Ryo into a meeting, where they also met her daughter, Konisha." Miyo paused then, seeing if anyone would interrupt her. Kodachi looked like she was ready to erupt again, but was barely holding herself in check. The fortuneteller spared a glance at the Caretaker, then continued her story. "There, the two boys were instructed to travel to the western shore of Japan and attempt to find a young warrior Lady Kuno and her daughter had encountered a month previous, and also to possibly find a cure to their strength affliction. They set out, but were accompanied by both Tateyama and Konisha, as well as Akara and Ranko. When the small group finally reached the Sea of Japan, they encountered a little over a hundred Amazon warriors from China, led by a young woman named Xian Po." Miyo stopped again and accepted the glass of water from Kasumi, who had suddenly appeared by the other girl's side. Miyo replied with her thanks, then nearly downed the glass in several large gulps. He throat had become a bit dry with all her talking. Ranma had released Akane's hand by this point, crossing his arms over his chest and waited impatiently for Miyo to finish her story. His feelings were growing nearly identical to Soun, who was still waiting for his own explanation. Miyo handed back the glass and continued, closing her eyes once more. "Akara and Ranko were attacked by a small group of the Shogun's army, led by Kage, another Garou ninja who apparently knew Kae. During the fight Tenma discovered that the lack of his strength was due to a moxibustion point on his back, and used a heated pebble to remove it. Thus cured, he managed to defeat the ninja, but let him go rather than kill his opponent. Shortly thereafter, Tenma encountered a young woman from his old village, who had been tracking him. Her name was Kuonji Yukio, and she accompanied Tenma and the others as they headed back to the back to the Kuno castle, except for Ryo, Ranko, and Tateyama, who remained behind to the guide the rest of the Amazons." The young mystic stopped and opened her eyes then, and it was apparent to all that she was finished. "That's it?" Ranma asked in disbelief. If anything, he was more confused then ever. "There's got to be more!" Genma nodded, frowning. "The boy is right. What happened after that?" "I am afraid that is all I know, Saotome-san," Miyo replied, then turned to the Caretaker. "Can you tell me the rest?" The old man shook his head wearily. "I'm afraid not even I know exactly what happened next. I believe my Lady did, at one time, but she has forgotten much. She was the embodiment of several generations of Kuno women, but the human brain was never designed to hold more than one lifetime of memories. As a result, with every new fusion, she forgot more and more. After the second fusion, when she realized what was happening to her, Lady Kuno transferred all of her memories of that time into a magic receptacle, so that one day someone would know exactly what happened back then." He indicated Miyo. "Well, that was useful," Kodachi spat out with an air of her old disdain, trying to hide her tumultuous feelings about the truth she had just learned about her mother. "Just what do you know, then? Or can you only offer vague comments and explanations?" "Sister..." Tatewaki said, placing a hand on her arm in an attempt to calm her. "Perhaps there is more to learn?" She glared up at him, but saw only concern, and so she relented. The Caretaker appeared not to be bothered by the Kuno girl's comments. "I assume Tenma and the others confronted the Dark Shogun and his generals, but for some reason were unable to defeat them. Instead, Lady Kuno enacted her last resort spell to trap the Shogun into another realm. Apparently this also had the effect of expelling the generals from Japan, warding the country and keeping them from returning. That was approximately 977 years ago." He closed his eyes and sighed. "But with my Lady's passing, that which has been 'locked' has now been 'unlocked'. The portal to the other realm can be re-opened and the Dark Shogun can return. This also means the generals, now known as 'Rogues', can know freely enter Japan." "Return?" Akane questioned, looking quite confused. "But they should be dead now, right? I mean, this happened hundreds of years ago, right?" "Longevity is not a problem for those who know the secrets behind life and death," the old man explained. "I am not totally sure how they did it, but the generals of the Shogun somehow preserved themselves, waiting for the moment to revive and recover their leader. Now, they seek to restart the old war and take over Japan. Their number is few, but my Lady saw glimpses that their ranks are slowly expanding. Soon, they will come here." "So, we're supposed to stop them, is that it?" Ranma asked, finally understanding a little bit of it. If there was one thing he knew well, it was fighting. "Why didn't you say so in the first place. I may not understand much of anything else, but if it means a fight, I can handle it." He grinned and cracked his knuckles for effect. "Though I never thought I would say this," Tatewaki intoned. "I shall stand with thee if any of these accursed infidels dare to set foot in the Land of the Rising Sun!" Nabiki shook her head while rubbing her temples. "Something about this still doesn't make any sense. Why couldn't our ancestors defeat this Shogun before? And how do you expect us to succeed where they failed?" She turned a glare on Ranma and Kuno. "It might be a good idea to know this little bit of info before you recklessly run off and get yourselves killed." "To answer your questions," the Caretaker replied, as everybody waited for his response with much expectation. "I don't know. I only know that Tenma and Akara perished during that fight and everyone else barely got away with their lives. It is rumored that Tenma and Akara willingly gave up their lives, in order that Lady Kuno's spell would be successful, but I'm not sure." Akane stiffened at this, worry evident on her face. After all this time, she knew Ranma pretty well. If there was a threat, he would fight it; doubly so if the threat even remotely affected her. But what hope could they have against people that had lived for hundreds of years? Ranma had just barely bested Saffron, and these Rogues had apparently been more than a match for their ancestors, including Ranma's. She blinked, suddenly realizing that there was an inconsistency here. "Hey, if the Saotome ancestor died, how come the line still exists?" "Because there was more than one Saotome ancestor," the old man explained. "Tenma had a sister, and it is from her than the line continued from." "Let me guess," Nabiki offered dryly. "It was Ranko." The Caretaker nodded. "You are correct. The two siblings were separated at birth to protect them, and only at the end did they figure out they were related. Ranko was weakened greatly by the last battle, but survived and gave birth to a son nearly a year later. She used to be a strong warrior, but when she unable to fight anymore, she began to record the styles and moves that Tenma had used on various scrolls and books. Some of these ended up being taken back by the Amazons as they headed home. The majority, however, ended up sealed away, hidden from the world when Ranko apparently realized the power that one could gain by using them. Nearly a hundred years ago they were found, by a young martial artist who was traveling the land seeking to improve his skills." Soun's eyes widened at that. "Y-you can't be serious!" "Why not?" Genma answered his friend, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "It does make sense, of why he is as good as he is." Ranma eyes narrowed in confusion. "What? Who are you talking about?" Akane elbowed him. "Don't you get it, Baka? They're talking about Happosai." "Happosai!?" Ranma blurted, clearly surprised. "The old freak found a buncha scrolls and things with secret techniques on them?" The Caretaker nodded. "My Lady had been searching for them for a long time, and was surprised when Happosai found them. Unfortunately, he hid them again before we could act to safeguard them. The best we could do, was to send a Saotome to him for training so he could relearn the techniques that were known so long ago. We also sent a Tendo, so the two families could meet once more. Unfortunately, Happosai taught different parts of the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu to each of you." The old man indicated Genma and Soun. "We don't know what possessed him to do this, but suspect it was something he read in the scrolls." Soun chuckled darkly. "Or didn't teach us everything, because he wanted to be sure we would never defeat him. I wonder what he did with all that knowledge." Genma nodded, and when he spoke, his voice was devoid of emotion. "We'll never know now, since he's gone for good." There was one other person listening in on all of this. Pantyhose Taro reclined on the roof of the dojo, listening to the conversation taking place within. His note had said there would be information about Happosai to be found here, but instead of confronting everyone, he hung out of sight and listened. If the freak did show up, he could get the drop on the old lech and then finally get his name changed. He found all the previous bits of information only mildly interesting, as it didn't really concern him; until they talked about Happosai. That was when his ears perked up, only to catch Genma's line. Taro thought angrily. He wanted to punch the roof, or swoop down into the dojo and beat everybody within an inch of their lives. In fact, he had just settled on that second option, when he heard that strange old man speak again. "Oh, I wouldn't say he's gone for good." That got everybody's attention, but most of all Taro's, who froze and strained his ears, hoping the old man would elaborate. "But he said he didn't have long to live when he left," Ranma protested. "Yes, he did, didn't he?" the Caretaker replied, somewhat amused. "It's true that he's not well, but he is still very much alive. The last my Lady and I saw of him, he had left for China. My Lady's vision is hazy when trying to view events happening outside of Japan, but she did mention that he is still alive." Taro stood, then silently dropped down to the verandah surrounding the dojo. He grinned. "Why don't you come in, young man?" came the elderly gentleman's voice again. "You don't have to leave just yet." Taro froze, aware that while he was next to the dojo door, no one should have heard or seen him. Ranma was the first to appear in the dojo entrance. "What?" He looked eyes with the other youth out there and blinked in surprise. "Pantyhose Taro?" *Whap!* "Don't call me that!" Ranma rubbed his head and scowled, as most of the group inside either went to the windows to look out, or joined Ranma outside. Akane stopped just behind, and a little to the side of Ranma, while Ukyo took up a position just to the other side of him. "Hey, Ranchan, wasn't this the guy you were tellin' me once, that was too stupid to get his own name changed?" Ukyo asked curiously, seeing the pantyhose sash around the guy's waist and hearing his name. Ranma nodded, smiling. "Yep, that's the jerk." Taro seethed, then grinned suddenly. "Hey femboy, do all your friends crossdress? Or is your friend a gay-boy?" He indicated Ukyo who was dressed in slacks and a shirt (and breast bindings, as she was used to them). While not looking entirely like a guy, she didn't appear incredibly feminine, either. "Why you, jackass!" Ukyo scowled and drew her battle spatula, preparing to inflict grievous bodily harm. "I'm 100% woman!" She was stopped by Ranma's arm blocking her advance. "Ranchan, what-?" Ranma shook his head. "He maybe an arrogant jerk, but he's also a pretty tough fighter." "In other words, sorta like you?" Akane said with a smile. Taro laughed as Ranma scowled at Akane. "Well, femboy, as much as I'd like to stay and pound you, my business is with the old freak." He turned to the elderly gentlemen standing in the dojo doorway. "Hey old man, is Happosai really in China?" "Yes he is," the Caretaker replied. "But I do not know his exact location." Taro waved him off. "No problem. I'll just look for a rash of panty thefts." The Chinese youth turned to go, but then caught sight of Kodachi, the girl who had treated him. She seemed to be watching him with a look reserved for the dissecting of specimens. Needless to say, it made him feel rather uncomfortable. He also noticed that she seemed to be a part of femboy's little group, and somehow he felt a little hurt by that, but shook it off as he headed for the pond. Ranma crossed his arms over his chest. "Good riddance." Kodachi caught the tone of voice Ranma used, and frowned. She could look at her former love in a whole new light now, when before she couldn't see anything but what she wanted to see. Before, she would not have attributed anything like dislike or animosity to her dearest Ranma- sama, but now she could see him for the human he was. She also noticed that no one else seem to care much about what Taro did. Making up her mind, she separated from the group to walk towards the lone Chinese boy. "Sister, what are you doing?" Tatewaki asked. The gymnast ignored her brother, and spoke to Taro. "Would you care for some company on your trip?" Akane stepped forward. "Kodachi? That's not such a good idea. Taro is dangerous, and-" "I have never cared what you thought before, Tendo, and I do not intend to start now!" Kodachi snapped at Akane. As the other girl recoiled in shock, Kodachi briefly regretted her words. Part of her was scared at how easily it seemed to be able to slip back into her old role. She didn't want people to fear her, but she still held plenty of negative feelings for her old rival and those weren't easily overcome. Ranma's eyes became hard. "Akane's right, Kodachi." "You should listen to them," Taro told her, while keeping his back to her. "Heh, first time I agree with femboy, imagine that." "And why is that?" Kodachi asked him sharply. "You don't want my company?" Taro shook his head. "Naw, I live it rough on the road. A rich, pampered girl like you wouldn't last five minutes out in the real world." Kodachi's eyes narrowed at the stinging barb. "Oh, so you assume to know me? Perhaps I should listen to everyone else and forget about helping a mere gaijin peasant? Or perhaps I should have just thrown you out with the rest of the refuse when you crashed into my house?" "Fine!" Taro barked. "You want a real reason? How about this!" "Taro, don't!" Ranma yelled, sensing what the other boy was going to do. *Splash!* Selah eep'ed and dashed into the dojo, and Hikaru fainted. Miyo and Toshi merely looked amused, while Nodoka backpedaled in fright, only to have Genma put his arm around her shoulders. Kodachi took a single step back as the hulking monstrosity rose from the Tendo's koi pond. Her eyes grew wide, and she stared for several long seconds as everyone else awaited her reaction. It wasn't quite what they expected. "Oh, my, my, my, my, my," the Kuno girl stated in a very Kasumi- like fashion. Then, "Ohohohohoho! How marvelous!" "Moo?" Taro blinked in surprise, figuring the sight of his cursed form would be enough to drive the girl away. Why wasn't she, though? And why exactly was he trying to scare her away, anyway? He could not recall the reason off hand. Ranma turned to Tatewaki and Nabiki, who happened to be standing next to each other now. "You sure she ain't nuts anymore?" "Perhaps she is not fully recovered," Kuno said, eyeing the great beast and slowly drawing his katana from it's sheath. Given past experiences with another grotesque creature, he came to a logical conclusion. "Truly, that is a demon, however." Before anyone could stop him, the kendoist leapt to the attack. "You idiot!" Nabiki yelled, knowing it was fruitless. "Don't!" Taro eyed the swordsman coming at him, and raised a finger. *Squirt!* Then he turned to the side to allow Kuno's visually impaired leap to carry him into the pond. *Splash!* Kuno leapt up, clawing at the black stuff covering his face. "I be blinded! Do not worry, sister, I shall yet smite the demon!" Kodachi rolled her eyes as her brother tried to wash the octopus ink out of his own, then she clubbed him on the head with a tonfa, dropping him like rock. "I appreciate the sentiment, Tatchi, but I believe I am in no danger." She was at a loss to explain why she felt that, however. She glanced up at Taro again. "My, you are quite an interesting beast." Taro was suddenly hit with that dissecting look again, and it still made him nervous. Especially the way Kodachi was eyeing his tentacles and licking her lips. "Moo!" He tried to look threatening. Kodachi gave him a lidded glare. "Right, well if you're through, shall we go?" "Kodachi, I really don't think you should go with him," Ranma stated evenly. "Jealous are you, Ranma-sama?" Kodachi told him icily. "That is hardly suitable for a married man. Unless you plan to add me as your mistress? I suppose I should expect that, considering all the women you let chase you around, never caring about their feelings." While Ranma spluttered at this, Kodachi turned to Akane. "Congratulations, Tendo, you won. You can keep your little man-that-turns-into-a-woman. I'd rather have someone with a much more powerful form!" Before anyone else could protest, she lanced out with a ribbon that wrapped itself around Taro's left horn, then gave a tug and swung up to land on his shoulder. "Shall we be off?" she whispered into his ear. "I assume those wings are fully functional." Taro shrugged and moo'ed, as if to say, "Your funeral," then took to the sky. "When my brother awakes, tell him I'm off to see the world!" Kodachi called as she and Taro disappeared into the western horizon. "That was too weird," Ukyo said, summing up everyone's thoughts. Of course, that's when Kuno awoke. "Where be the demon!?" he demanded, wiping enough of the ink off to see and brandishing his sword. Nabiki shook her head. "Kuno-baby, you are still hopeless. If you're referring to Taro, he's gone, and your sister went with him quite willingly. If you're still planning on fighting him though, I can give you all the information on him." Tatewaki nodded, then turned to Ranma and dropped to one knee. "I must be off now, but know that if these fiends from the past dare threaten our noble country, know also that I shall stand with thee in repelling them. For it is the least the once-noble House of Kuno can do to make up for past unjust actions." He stood. "Sasuke!" The little ninja appeared at his master's side. "Yes?" "It is time to go, farewell!" The not-so dynamic duo departed, post-haste. The group stood there and blinked a few times, as a stray breeze blew a rolling tumbleweed by. "Ya know," Ranma remarked at last. "I almost prefer them the way they were." Akane nodded, absently. "I think I agree." Hikaru felt someone poke and prod at his body, until he awoke and sat up. That's when he noticed the old Caretaker standing above him. "Um, w-what do you w-want, sir?" The elderly man chuckled, then his face turned serious. "It's not what I want, but what you want. If you wish to revive Ariko, seek out the Mage Clans, for only they have the magical potential to 're- ignite' her magical fuse'." Hikaru's eyes widened, for he clearly remembered the Mage Clans, and the fear associated with them. They had stalked him and kidnapped him, then locked him up. And who could forget their leader, with his powerful magic abilities. Hikaru still didn't know how he had the strength to stand against such a person, then realized it was the same strength that let him stand up against that dragon-creature. In both times, he was fighting to protect someone else. If it was just himself, he would have been too scared, and would have submitted to the inevitable. But he could not just stand by and let that sorcerer hurt Akane, nor let the dragon harm Ariko. Akane was truly lost to him now, but perhaps... "How do I find them?" he asked, not having any idea on where to begin searching. He let his staff point to Ukyo, Yuri, and Selah, who were standing in the dojo entryway and conversing in low tones. "It might be a good idea to seek out traveling companions." He waited for Hikaru's hesitant nod, then moved off, stopping to hand something to Miyo. After that, he headed for the dojo entrance, only to be impeded by a large spatula blocking his path. "Yes?" Ukyo's green eyes were hard. "What about this Kae? What is she really up to? You never really told us." The elderly monk shrugged. "I can only speculate as to her motives. She reappeared briefly during that battle at the Kuno castle, only to disappear shortly thereafter. Since she is hunting the Rogues, or the 'dark ones' as she calls them, I assume they are in some way responsible for her banishment deep within the Earth." He shook his head sadly. "I am afraid she will very likely fail." "What!?" Yuri jumped forward and grabbed the front of the Caretaker's robe. "She's got control of my brother! Are you saying she is going to get him killed!?" "I'm afraid so," the old man replied sadly. "She is highly skilled, but she is only one person. She cannot possibly accomplish alone, what a large group failed to do." Yuri's eyes shot daggers at the old man, even as she lifted him up face-to-face. "So how do we find my brother? And once we find him, how do we get her out of him? Tell me!" "Please, young lady, calm yourself!" the Caretaker said as he tried to pacify the angry girl. She reluctantly released him and he brushed his robe off. "Thank you. I'm not entirely sure, mind you, but since Kae's condition was brought about by magic, perhaps magic can undo it." He shook his head. "I'm afraid that is all I know." Yuri collapsed to the floor feeling hopeless and drained, and watched the old man walk off while Ukyo came up and sat down beside her friend. "We'll find him, Yu-chan, I know we will." The chef laid a comforting hand on the other girl's shoulder. The emotionally-turbulent ninja girl smiled wanly. "I know we will; we have to. He may be an idiot, but he's the last of my family. I won't lose him again." "Well, I must be off," the strange old man known as the Caretaker announced. "Thank you for the tea and hospitality, Kasumi- san." He offered a short bow. "You're quite welcome," the eldest Tendo daughter returned. "Please visit anytime." The old monk shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. My life was linked with that of my Lady's. With her gone, I am not long for this world. I am afraid this is the last we shall see of each other." He turned and headed for the outer gate. "I still don't really understand all of this!" Akane yelled at him, suddenly feeling frustrated. She was trying to assimilate all this new information, and failing. "Why us? Why is all this happening? Why!?" Ranma frowned, as he was thinking along the same lines. While he would deal with anything that came his way, he didn't especially like the way this was dropped on them. The Caretaker stopped in the outer gate entryway, as he took a few minutes to formulate the best response. "Because there is no one else. Because your family's were involved before. Because you may just have the key to ending this threat." He turned around to face the gathered group. "I will offer this last piece of advice: The coming battle cannot be won with fists alone. It is true you are all very skilled, possessing advanced combat capabilities. But your enemies are likewise just as powerful. It is not your power that makes you special, however. It is your compassion, your hope, and your love." He paused, then pointed his staff at the gathered. "Keep these ideals in your hearts, and you may yet triumph. Oh, and there are others that will be needed as well. you will need to explain these events to them." Before anyone could formulate a response to that, a large cloud of dust and smoke blew by the old monk, obscuring him from view. When it was gone, so was he. The group stood there for a few minutes, until a new figure came through the gate. At first they thought it was the Caretaker, until they heard him speak. "Hey, we got this strange note telling us to come here," a confused and unsure Ryoga explained. Akari was at his side and Katsunishki was behind them. Then the lost boy noticed everybody looking at him funny. "What? Are a little late or something?" It wasn't until much later when we finally figured out what the old man was talking about, and I shudder to think what would have happened to Ranma and I, as well as all of our friends, if we hadn't figured it out. The coming month would prove to be a trying time for all of us and a challenge that was greater than any of us had ever dreamed of. True to his word, we never saw the Caretaker again. Yet I can't help but look back and remember what he told us and think how we might have ended up, had he not gathered us together and revealed the past. Part of me wonders why he didn't tell us earlier, but I am thankful now that he did. I also used to wonder about my marriage to Ranma. I thought I loved him and he loved me, but because we married young, we had that many more obstacles to overcome. For awhile there, I had feared that maybe we made a mistake. I don't like being forced or controlled, and neither does Ranma; one of the many reasons our relationship floundered during that first year. But what we learned during that mighty battle, shook both our confidences. Yes, ever since Ranma showed up at our door, life had been getting steadily more interesting. What we faced in the past was nothing compared to what lay ahead. We would soon find out if we had what it would take, to face the greatest challenge of our lives... ------------------------------ Author's notes: Whew! This last chapter completes Volume 7 of Ranma 1/2: New Challenges: Bonds and Connections. One more volume to go! Coming up next is the final volume: The Phoenix and the Dragon. More old enemies and allies return, as the showdown between the forces of the past draws ever closer, with the future at stake. Yet more secrets will be revealed, more surprising twists and turns, and a new member of the Ranma cast gets cursed! What will he/she turn into? What is the secret of Jusenkyo? What purpose does it serve? Also, I know the ending to this chapter is kinda ambiguous and more of a cliffhanger than the others. I apologize for this. I would have liked a more definitive ending, but this is how it worked out. I was kinda thinking of a confrontation where everybody fights Taro's cursed form when he attacks them, because the Caretaker wouldn't tell him where Happosai is, but this is the way the story wrote itself. I still may go for that alternate ending if everyone wants to see it, however. I would like thank everybody who gave useful comments and criticisms, especially Raven Flight, since he helped me plug a few plot holes and reminded me to add a few more scenes that I was going to, but forgot the first time around. I'll get the hang of this writing thing yet... And thanks to everyone who's continued reading this far, and a really big THANK YOU!!!! to Takahashi-megami-sama, without whose genius mind, we would not have the fun and delightful members of the Ranma cast in the first place! Brad aka Kaiphantom www.geocities.com/kaiphantom2000