The Dragon and the Ghost.

Part 3

The impossible dream.

Ranma sat brooding across from Ryu in a run down looking tavern. The place was 
sparsely populated by a few rough looking humans who sat along the bar or at the 
tables that lined the walls. Smoke hung in the air from a few patron's pipes and 
cigarettes. The remains of a meal was spread out between the pair.

"What's eating you Saotome?" said Ryu finally after a while of ignoring the 
pigtailed boy.

"That elf girl," said Ranma as he rubbed the sides of his head.

"What about her? She paid us enough and the job is done. What, you got a thing 
for her or something?" Ryu seemed slightly amused by the prospect.

"No, it ain't that," grumbled Ranma, he sighed and looked up at his partner. 
"She knows."

Ryu sat up abruptly with an angry look in his eyes. "She knows what?"

"She knows who we are. That whole job was some kind of test."

"Test?" asked Ryu carefully.

"Yeah. She wants us to do another job."

"What job?"

"She won't say."

Ryu leaned back in his chair and growled. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I'm thinking about taking her up on it."

Kumon let out a humorless laugh. "So you do have a thing for the wench?"

"No, she's offering ten million gold pieces."

"So?" countered Ryu lazily.

"You want in if I decide to go?" Ranma stared at him with a dead seriousness in 
his eyes.

"Like I would let you do something so stupid on your own," countered the boy 
with another distasteful snort. He paused and turned his head away. "Ranma, you 
know what we have to do to her. It can be done after the job if you prefer."

"Yeah, I know. She knows too much."

The pair sat brooding and drinking for a long time after that.

----------------------

Shampoo sat in her room overlooking the canopy forest from a window carved into 
the wall of the great tree. She was dressed in a long flowing gown of deep green 
that spread across the ground around her. Her hair was done up in a tight bun on 
top of her head and several expensive looking jewels hung from her ears and 
around her neck. It was late and the moons shone brightly in the sky above 
surrounded by the stars. A silver light played across the treetops below giving 
the top of the forest the appearance of a frozen sea. The door to her chambers 
opened and a familiar figure walked in.

"Shampoo, it is time."

"I know Mousse," said the girl with a sigh. "I hate these events."

The elven boy was dressed in robes that hung loosely off of his body. His hands 
were hidden away within his sleeves and his thick glasses rested on top of his 
head. He nodded and moved to help her up stumbling across a stool that lay in 
the center of the room.

"Oh! I didn't see you there!" he exclaimed as he attempted to help the stool to 
its feet. "Please forgive me Shampoo!"

The princess giggled into her hand for a moment before straightening her face up 
and scowling at him. "Mousse you idiot!" She kicked him in the face sending him 
sprawling across the floor of the room as she passed him. She pointed her nose 
into the air and left him in the room alone.

"She is so fierce!" he sighed. After a moment of lying love struck on the ground 
he stood up and dusted himself off. He smirked and picked up the stool before 
placing it back in its place and walked out of the room after her.

Shampoo entered the great hall and smiled as she walked up to her great 
grandmother. The room was a large ballroom with a wooden floor. Torches lined 
all the interior walls that were carved from the great trunk of the tree. 
Several tables lined the sides of the room filled with various food ranging from 
wild game, to nuts and berries. Another table had several large kegs of wine and 
wooden cups. The party was attended by many people in expensive looking 
clothing. Mostly elves, but with a good majority of humans as well. Most, if not 
all of the people in the room were probably nobles of some kind.

The shrunken old woman motioned to the chair next to her and nodded. She was 
sitting on a throne that sat upon a raised platform along the back wall of the 
room. "Come, Shampoo. Do try better than that. I know you hate these parties, 
but they are an important part of your future duties."

The young elf snorted and crossed her arms. "Politics."

"Yes, not every problem can be solved with your fists. You are the finest 
warrior of your generation my dear, but that will not be enough to rule after I 
have passed on."

Shampoo felt her jaw clench at the old woman's words. She did not want her to 
die, for obvious reasons of course. The fact that she had no real desire to rule 
only helped her reluctance to think about it. She paused and glanced around the 
room.


"Great Grandmother. Where is Mousse?"

"Eh?" the old woman turned her gaze onto the floor. "I don't see him here. Why?"

"I must have hit him harder than I thought then," replied the young girl with a 
shrug.

Cologne cackled in amusement for a moment and sighed. "I'm sure he's fine dear."

"Really? That's too bad," muttered Shampoo under her breath. 

The boy in question appeared through the doors of the great hall and wandered 
around a bit before engaging in conversation. Unfortunately for him, he was 
talking to one of the potted plants that lined the walls between the hanging 
torches.

Cologne turned towards her granddaughter and suddenly became serious. "Do you 
have any word back yet?"

"No, nothing," replied the girl with a shrug.

"We may be forced to proceed anyway. The dark presence within the east only 
grows in power each day."

"Do you think this will truly work?" asked the girl with a stern look on her 
face.

"It must, the Emperor has been quiet far too long. I do not believe that the 
conquering of the east will be enough to sate that childish imp long. Soon he 
will look towards the fertile lands we inhabit. When that happens, it will be 
far too late."

"He is powerful indeed," agreed Shampoo. "I'll crush him myself if I have to."

"Don't be foolish child."

"Are you saying I'm not skilled enough to beat that child?"

"No, you are not. His army is fearsome, and he has many powerful servants. You 
would not even be able to reach him, much less fight him yourself. It is not 
your destiny."

"I see."

Cologne sighed and shook her head. It was easy to see that she was far from 
convinced.

-------------------

The party had ended a short time ago, Shampoo sighed as she entered her room and 
lay out across the bed that took up most of the center of the room. A 
beautifully carved wooden dresser sat along the wall opposite the door. She sat 
up and looked in the large mirror that hung from the wall just behind the 
dresser. After a moment she lowered her hair and walked over to the mirror, 
picking up a brush from the dresser top. She sat down in the small chair in 
front of it and began to brush lazily.

After a while she stood up and went over to the window, gazing out over the 
stars again. "I grow tired of waiting." She turned to the dresser again and 
pulled out her nightclothes. Thinking on her position again. The life she led 
was a far cry from what she truly wanted. The life of a forest elf shouldn't 
have so much pageantry. She should live among the trees, living with the flow of 
life. However, her station in life would not allow that. She could feel the flow 
of nature still, it was strong within her and would probably never disappear, 
but she knew that the feeling was slowly fading from her. A cold wind blew into 
the room and she shivered for a moment. She sighed and looked into the mirror 
again. She stepped back in shock and stared at it.

A small brown note had been stuck into the frame. It had two words scribed 
inside of it.

"Mission accepted."

She carefully lifted the delicate note into her hands and flipped it over a few 
times. She felt anger rise up inside her and threw it onto the ground. "How dare 
they! Those arrogant!" She sat down again and calmed herself. 

--------------------

A strong looking figure clad in black armor kneeled before the Emperor. The room 
was dark and cold, the shifty gray of marble and stone gave off minimal light 
from the moonbeams that shone through the windows that were carved high up in 
the walls of the great chamber. The large Dragon and Phoenix emblem was hanging 
above the throne on a long tapestry that rose to impossible heights near the 
ceiling. 

"Ah, Your Majesty, how can I be of service?" The voice was young; it seemed out 
of place within the frightening visage of the black metal.

Herb stepped forward from the shadows and sneered. "Tendo, I trust you have been 
well?"

"I have," spat the voice with a hateful snarl suddenly apparent in his tone.

"Excellent."

"We have a job for you."

"Your will is mine," said the black clad figure as he bowed his head.

"Good." another figure emerged from the shadows. The voice was feminine and very 
beautiful. Her body was concealed by a long black cloak that covered her form 
completely. "The Emperor wishes you to accompany him. We will be leaving in 
three weeks."

"May I ask where?" inquired the dark figure.

"The northern country of Joketsuko."

"Our mission?"

"Diplomatic. He wishes to start, relations, with the king of that land. It holds 
a valuable secret that could benefit us in the future."

"I see." said the man cautiously. "My other duties? The Emperor does not require 
my protection I'll wager."

"My, but you are a sharp one! That will be revealed in time. Leave us now, and 
don't forget to tell your sister I said hello, Akane." Herb smiled as the girl 
growled angrily at him.

"As you wish." Her voice dripped in venom as she bowed her head to the man 
placidly.

"My, but those Tendo girls are spirited."

"Silence Herb. Keep your perversions to yourself in front of the Emperor," 
snapped the cloaked woman.

"Enough. Leave me," said a small voice from the throne. He was hidden away by 
the shadows. 

The pair bowed to him and backed away into the pitch-black corners of the room.

---------------------

Herb strolled down the hallways of the palace towards his room and snarled. 
"Impudent brat. I'll see him dead soon enough. Lime! Mint! Before me!"

A pair of young beast-men appeared out of nowhere and kneeled before their 
master. One was rather like that of a tiger, short orange fur covered his body 
and two fangs protruded over his lips, a long tail waged slowly from side to 
side behind him. The other was a werewolf, although his features were more human 
at the moment, the wolf within him was still evident in his appearance, his 
fangs protruded slightly out of his mouth and his hair was slightly more wild 
and grew onto his face despite his young age. Both of their eyes were golden 
like those of their master and each wore the skins of the animals they 
represented as clothing.

"Yes, master?" they chimed in unison.

"I want you two to keep an eye on Akane Tendo for a while. She's growing 
dangerous. I hold her sister close to me. That should be enough to keep her at 
bay for the time being. However, her anger may grow to far for that to matter."

"Yes master."

Herb turned away from them with his cape billowing a little over dramatically as 
he entered his chambers. He closed the heavy door behind him and smiled. 

The room was lavishly decorated with expensive looking furniture and carpets. 
All of them had the crest of the Emperor on them. In one corner was a large bed 
covered in deep red sheets made from silk and satin. A ghostly lithe figure rose 
from the bed and smiled at him.

She was dressed in a tight dark blue evening gown and wore two large red 
earrings. Her lips were painted a deep red that accentuated her pale skin. Her 
short brown hair fell into place around her face as she moved towards him.

"Ah, Nabiki. Come to visit again?" said the man casually as he sat down on one 
of the large wooden chairs that rested in front of the large fireplace.

"Don't be so naïve," laughed the woman coldly. Everything in her actions gave 
way to her icy persona. "You know what I want."

"Ah yes, power that I can provide?"

"Maybe later, I was thinking of something more physical at the moment."

"Perhaps. How is our young Saotome doing these days anyway?"

"He's still a thief, and every bit as hard to track now."

"Yes, that technique of his is very interesting."

"I am at a loss to explain it. He seems to know when I'm watching him; I can 
never get more than a moment's glance at him. He's become quite handsome."

"Has he?" Herb's smile fell slightly.

"Jealous?" quipped the girl. "Oh, Herb darling, you know that I'm willing to 
become the Queen of Ice in more than reputation at your side."

"Or anyone else who might be able to grant that to you," said the man with his 
smug looking grin returning once again.

"I'm not going to even try to deny that," said the woman with a sigh. She sat 
down on his lap and kissed him for a moment.

"You're cold," he commented.

"The dragon within you appreciates that, you have no desire for warm blood at 
your side."

"Heh, I won't deny that either," said Herb lazily as she shifted in his lap 
slightly. He looked at her again; the cold fire that burned in the back of her 
light brown eyes caused a shiver up his spine. "You are positively evil. What 
makes you think I trust you enough to make you my wife?"

She laughed again; it was as cold and heartless as before. "You don't, but then 
again, that's exactly why you will. Now come to bed." She stood up and took his 
hand leading him towards the sheets. He made no move to resist her.

+++++++++++++++++++

"Come out you idiots," snarled Akane as she stood on a balcony overlooking the 
city below. It stretched out as far as the eye could see. It was quite 
breathtaking from this height, but a closer inspection would only reveal the 
dirt and grime that the rooftops hid from view.

Lime and Mint appeared before her each growling in annoyance. "What is it?"

"Herb sent his two lackeys to spy on me again did he?"

"Yes," grumbled Mint angrily.

"Very well, if you're going to be hanging around you might as well make 
yourselves useful. We leave in three weeks, and while you're here, I want you to 
keep that idiot, Lord Kuno, away from me."

"Of course," muttered the pair in unison.

"Come on, we're going to see my father," snapped the angry sounding woman as she 
stalked away. 

The pair of beast men looked at each other and shrugged. They had been sent to 
do this for their master before. Akane seemed to look at it as if he was loaning 
her his two servants. They didn't mind really, it was easier to follow her that 
way and keep tabs on what she was doing. She was a much easier taskmaster than 
Herb anyway. Her tone was intimidating, but she usually sounded like that, after 
a while they had gotten used to her gruff nature.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Kasumi Tendo smiled as Akane walked into the chambers of Soun Tendo. She was 
dressed in long flowing white robes and had the same cheerful disposition as 
always. She was a drastic contrast to the dull gray that seemed to fill the 
palace. "Hello Akane, have you come to visit father?"

"Yes, where is Lord Tendo?" said the girl with an unusual calm about her.

"In his chambers with mother. Shall I call him for you?"

"No. He is expecting me today," said the girl as she pulled off her helmet and 
tucked it under her arm. Her short cut black hair was matted from wearing the 
heavy armor, but she looked quite stunning without it. The only thing that 
marred her was a tiny scar just under her right eye that ran across her cheek. 

"Oh my! It's Mister Lime and Mister Mint! How are you today?"

"Fine Mistress Kasumi," muttered the pair in embarrassment. 

"Would you like some tea?"

"Boy, would I!" exclaimed Lime happily.

Mint elbowed him in the ribs and coughed. 

"Sorry. I mean thank you, Mistress."

+++++++++++++++

Akane walked into her father's chambers and kneeled before the man. He was 
sitting on a small throne dressed in armor similar to hers, but much lighter. He 
stroked at his mustache and frowned deeply. At his side a beautiful woman of 
about his age sat. She was clothed in a simple dark green dress and had a frail 
look about her.

"Mother, Father," greeted the girl as she looked up at them from her knee.

"Tell me child, what did the Emperor want with you? If I may inquire that is," 
asked Soun calmly.

"He wished me to accompany him on his journey in three weeks. We will be 
visiting the country of Joketsuko, to the north."

"Hmm, I take it you will not be guarding him?" inquired the man further.

"That would not be my duty, he would not say more."

"Hmm, I see. I wish you well then."

Akane nodded and bowed to her parents.

As soon as she walked out the door Soun broke down into tears. "Oh! My baby girl 
is growing up so fast!"

His wife sighed and shook her head. "Idiot."

++++++++++++++

Akane walked out into the small room where his sister served the two beast men 
tea cheerfully. The scene looked somewhat ridiculous, but she brushed it off and 
shook her head.

"Come on, we're leaving."

Lime and Mint looked up in unison and then back to one another before standing 
up and following after Akane.

"Goodbye! Thank you for visiting!" said Kasumi cheerfully as she waved at them.

Akane raised her hand and waved without looking back. 

Lime looked at his companion and sighed. "She sure is a nice lady."

"Yeah, most priestesses don't like us at all," agreed Mint.

++++++++++++++++

Ranma stood in an open field outside the forest and waited patiently. Shampoo 
would be arriving soon to tell them of their objective. Ranma was in his cursed 
form at the moment and was pacing about nervously. 

"Jeez, just sit down will ya?" snorted Ryu.

"You know how much I hate waiting," retorted the pigtailed boy as he continued 
to pace.

"The wait is over," said Ryu as he stood up and nodded towards the approaching 
elves.

"There's more than one," said Ranma as he glared down at the two figures 
approaching from the bottom of the hill. One of them they recognized, the other 
was a short and shriveled looking elf who was probably thousands of years old.

"Hello," greeted the elder as she approached them carefully.

"Who the hell are you?" asked Ryu.

"I am Cologne, the elder of the elven tribe within these woods. This is my Great 
Granddaughter, Shampoo. We want to hire your services."

"I know that, she told you about us?" prodded Ranma carefully.

"No, It was my idea to seek you out. Forgive my methods, but we had to be sure 
of your skill. I will pay you well, and you will save this kingdom from ruin if 
you are successful."

Ryu growled. "I hate playing hero. War is good for business."

"As you say," agreed Cologne with a small nod. "That is one reason why we are 
paying you so well."

Shampoo looked at the old woman in surprise, but remained silent.

"Shampoo will accompany you," started the hag.

"Absolutely not," snapped Ranma and Ryu at the same time.

"You are thieves, I don't trust you," said Cologne with a firmness in her voice. 

"You trust us enough to put her in our care though?" said Ryu with his eyebrow 
raised slightly.

"I am the greatest warrior of the village, I can take care of myself," snapped 
Shampoo.

"As she said," agreed Cologne. "However, this is not the only reason behind 
this."

"And that is?" asked Ranma.

"Only she may return the item to us. If you return without her, you will not be 
paid. Not only that, we will destroy you."

"I don't have time to play babysitter for no palace raised little princess. If 
she goes, you're on your own," said Ranma.

"If you go without her, you will fail," finished Cologne.

"What do you mean?"

"Accept my terms and I can explain to you, otherwise..."

"No," snapped Ryu.

"Fine, why am I taking her?" asked Ranma as he put his hands up.

"Two main reasons, first, to be sure you do not betray us to the Emperor."

This caught both boys' attention.

"Secondly, because only she will be able to grab hold of the prize. You know no 
magic. It is her bond with nature as an elf, and her training in sorcery that 
will allow her to obtain the prize."

"You're going against the Empire?" said Ranma with a small look of surprise 
evident.

"We must, or our peace will be destroyed within a few years, if not sooner."

"Interesting," said Ryu with his usual calm.

"Two conditions, one is that she gets no special treatment. I'm not an envoy; 
she's on her own. Second is that you tell us what this big prize is right now."

"Fine, you are going to obtain the staff of the Emperor."

"What?!" Ryu jumped back. "That's impossible!"

"No, it is not. In three weeks time, he will be in Joketsuko on a diplomatic 
mission. Well, not really, but that is the outward intent of the visit. He will 
be out of the palace, and he will have the staff with him."

"Humph, that's one for the history books," commented Ranma.

"Are you insane Ranma?! This is the Emperor we're talking about!"

"So?"

Ryu calmed down visibly at this. "We don't need this kind of publicity. Wizards 
and mages are bad enough, but this?"

"This'll make us the greatest thieves of all time Ryu. Don't pretend you're not 
interested, or scared."

"Who says I'm not scared? Only an idiot wouldn't be," grumbled Ryu as he hung 
his head. "All right, fine."

"Excellent. How long do you need to prepare?"

"We're ready now," said Ranma with a snort.

"Very well, come to the village in three days. Shampoo must prepare, even if you 
are ready. There is much to do, so we'll leave you now." The two elves turned 
away and started back towards their home.

"This is another fine mess you've gotten us into Saotome," growled Ryu. "Every 
two bit bounty hunter on the planet will be looking for us now!"

"They already are. We're already the most wanted men in the world. How much 
worse can it get?"

"Every time you say that..." started Ryu.

"Yeah, yeah, it gets worse. I know."

"Come on, we've got a lot of gold to spend before we go. I want to be happy one 
more time before I march off to my death."

Ranma smirked at this and laughed. "Wine, women, and song then?"

"Wine and song. Women give us headaches, you should know that by now."

The pair turned away and began walking towards Alta city once again.

++++++++++++++

Meanwhile, a short distance away...

A short and burly young dwarf stalked towards the city in front of him. He had a 
long and curly black beard and wore a large hammer across his traveling pack. 
His chest was covered in thick iron armor, and a golden helmet rested on his 
head with two long horns jutting from the sides. He walked briskly and muttered 
under his breath, casually shoving aside any travelers he came across with his 
massive, but stocky arms. "When I get my hands on that Ranma runt... I'll tear 
him apart! The bastard! Nobody steals from me! The nerve of that punk! I'll eat 
him alive! Better yet, I'll cook him first!" He paused in the middle of the 
road, and roared with laughter as he pictured the things he'd do when he finally 
found his prey in the back of his mind. "Nobody messes with Good Fang the 
Blacksmith!" He stopped and glanced around. The city he had been walking towards 
was gone. "ARGH! Now where am I?"

TBC...

Thought I'd show what everyone else was up to with this part. Bet ya never 
expected me to do that to Ryoga did ya? I'm thinking Akane was a bit of a 
surprise as well. As for Nabiki, well, I like her better when she's evil.