***PROLOGUE***

     Dark clouds gather in the night sky above the Nerima district,
blocking out what little light the full moon was giving off.  A low
ominous rumble is heard throughout the district.  Lighting crashes,
illuminating the night sky for but a brief moment.  Soon it starts,
first with a light drizzle.  Slowly but steadily it soon becomes a
heavy down pour.  By now most people are in their nice dry homes.  

     Lighting crashes again and a lone figure, wearing a black duster
and hat, can now be seen running down a nearby alley with all his
might.  As he runs the wind picks up and blows his hat off his head
but he doesn't even bother to stop and get it.  The figure continues
on, turning every now and then onto different streets.  He stops for a
moment to catch his breath.

     He places a hand up against the wall to support himself as he
rests.  He hears a noise and turns his head to look down the street.

     "Damn (huff) still (puff) haven't (gasp) lost (heave) them."

     The man reaches into his pocket and pulls something out.  The
object can't be seen because his hands completely covers the object.

     "Gonna have to hide it."

     The noise behind him gets louder and he bolts out of the alley. 
While running down the street, he spots a sewer grate and tosses the
object into it without even breaking stride.  He continues running
down the street.

      When he reaches the next intersection a black limousine pulls
out in front of him.  The front doors open up and two figures, dressed
in business suits, step out and quickly opens the rear door.  A tall
figure steps out, his figure is totally covered by the black hooded
cloak.

     "Well Davis, you gave us quite a chase.  It's over now.  Give me
what I seek!"  Requests the man in the cloak.

     Davis takes a couple of steps backwards.  "I'll never give it to
you!"

     "Now is that anyway to speak to your partner?"

     "Go to hell."

     "I don't think so."

     Davis suddenly turns around and starts running away from them as
fast as he can.  One of the men in the suits reaches into the fold of
his jacket and pulls out a rather nasty looking revolver.  He points
it at Davis and fires a couple of shots at him.  Davis staggers for a
moment but keeps going.  Davis turns and goes down an adjoining
street.

     "After him you fools!"

                              **********

     "Here you go, okonomiyaki made to order."  Chimes Ukyo as she
serves it to one of her customers.

     The door to Ucchan's opens up and a man staggers in.

     Ukyo turns to great the man.  "Welcome to Ucchan's can I...."

     The man collapses onto the floor, exposing several bullet wounds
in his back.  Ukyo manages enough self control to not scream.  She
quickly asks a nearby customer to use her phone and call an ambulance.
She hesitantly walks over to the man.  She kneels down to check to see
if he's still alive.  The man suddenly reaches out and grabs Ukyo by
the collar.

     "Must keep..... it away..... Must keep it...."

     "Must keep what?"  Asks a shocked Ukyo.

     "The key to it all..... Must keep it away..... Can't let him get
it back."

     "Can't let who?"

     The man points out the door.  "Drachenfel."

     Ukyo looks out the door in time to see a black limousine speed
away.

     "The ambulance is on it's way."  Announces a customer.

     "Good,"  Ukyo looks back at the man, "Help is on it's way.  Just
hold on for a bit longer."

     The man lets go of Ukyo.

     Ukyo shakes the man gently.  "Hey mister."  She starts to shake
the man even harder.  "Come on mister, stop playing..... Wake up!"

     "Must protect.... can't let him do it....  Just can't let him do
it....."

     "Make what?"

     An ambulance siren can now be heard in the background.

     "Can't let him make it...... Just can't let him...... If he makes
it..... then we're all in trouble."

     "Make what?"

     With his dying breath.  "Make his wish......."

                              **********

     Writer's opening thoughts:  I'll try to keep this quick and
simple so you can go on and read the story.  I want to start off by
saying that this is my first fanfic that I've posted.  So don't be to
surprised if you don't like it.  I personally think that I've done a
good job, but that's what I think.  At the end of the story you can
find a way to contact me in case you want to tell that it did suck.  I
prefer praises but I guess I would like to any type of criticism.  Be
it praises or flames, I would like to know what you the reader think.

                                                                   RTJ

     One last thing.

                           ***DISCLAIMER***

                      RANMA 1/2 IS COPYRIGHT OF:
         RUMIKO TAKAHASHI, VIZ COMMUNICATIONS, SHOGAKUKAN INC.
                       KITTY FILM & PONY CANYON

                         ***END DISCLAIMER***

     Hopefully that should be everybody.  Anyway, on with the story.

                              **********

                  ********************************
                  *                              *
                  *       R A N M A  1 / 2       *
                  *                              *
                  *              IN              *
                  *                              *
                  *    THE  KEY  TO  IT  ALL     *
                  *                              *
                  ********************************


                              **********

     "Death is nothing to be feared.  Death is but a state of
transition.  Life without hope, that is the true living hell."
Anonymous.

                              **********
                           ***CHAPTER ONE***
                          ***FORCES CLASH***


     The scene opens with the sun shining brightly over the wet
district of Nerima the next morning.  The scene then pans down to
focus on a familiar looking dojo.  Soon the scene pans into the home
and into the dining area.  Kasumi cheerfully serves breakfast to the
rest of her family.  Ranma and his father both suck it down as fast as
Kasumi can put it on the table.  Akane just watches them with disgust.
Soon the meal is finished and Kasumi starts to clear the table.  She
glances up at the clock on the wall.

     "Akane, isn't past time for you to be leaving for school?"

     Akane looks at her watch.  "Your right Kasumi," Grabs Ranma by
his arm, "Come on, we're going to be late."

     Ranma manages to grab his bag as Akane drags him out of the room.
They enter the living room and see Nabiki watching the television.

     "Come on Nabiki!  If we don't leave now we're going to be late!"

     "Hold on a moment Akane," Nabiki points to the T.V., "This is
interesting."

     T.V.:  "This is Jiro Akitsu from Nerima park.  Several days ago
while digging up this field behind me.  Construction workers dug up
what appears to be a ancient shrine of some sort.  Efforts are now
being made to determine what exactly it is."  

     Akane turns the television off.

     "Come on Nabiki, we don't have time for this."

     "You're no fun Akane."

                              **********

     "Aw, this sucks,"  Whines Ranma Saotome on his way to school,
"Such a perfect day.... and I got to spend most of it in school."  

     "Stop your whining Ranma," Responds Akane Tendo a few feet behind
him, "The weather man said that it's going to be like this tomorrow."

     "But I don't want to have to wait till Saturday.  I want to enjoy
this now!"

     "So do I Ranma, but we got school."

     Ranma grumbles a bit more but reluctantly continues on his way
towards school.  Ranma notices a stretch black limousine across the
street.

     (Man, what I would give to be in one of those.)

                              **********

     School is finally over and the students rush out to enjoy what's
left of this beautiful day.  Akane is seen walking out of the school
with a group of her friends.  Ranma rushes up to her as she says her
goodbyes to her friends.

     "Akane, have you seen Ukyo today?"

     Akane stops and looks at him.  "Come to think of it, no."

     "That's strange, when I saw her yesterday she seemed alright." 
Ranma ponders the situation at hand for a moment.  "Akane, I'm going
to swing by her place to check on her."

     "What's with the sudden concern for Ukyo?"  Asks Akane in a
slightly annoyed voice.

     "Well it's not like her to cut school for no reason.  She either
has to be sick or something is really wrong."

     "Well go ahead and check on her," In a really annoyed voice, "See
if I care!"

     Ranma sensing Akane's growing anger.  "Akane, it's not like that.
She's an old friend of mine and friends check on each other when their
sick."

     "Then go ahead and check on her already!"  Responds Akane in an
extremely annoyed voice.

     "Akane, I'm shocked."  Ranma turns his back and folds his arms. 
"I thought you would care if she was ill."

     "What would make you think that!"

     "I know that she considers you a good friend and I thought that
you considered her a good friend to."

     That remark strikes Akane hard.

     Ranma starts to walk away.  "I guess that we were both wrong."

     Akane stands there, dumbfounded by Ranma's remark.  (Ukyo
considers me a good friend.  Well..... maybe Ranma's right.  It sure
isn't like Ukyo to cut school for no reason and she did seem to be in
good health yesterday.  Maybe......)  Akane looks up and notices that
Ranma is long gone.  "Hey Ranma, wait for me!"

                              **********

     Akane and Ranma are standing in front of Ucchan's.  The shades
are down and there is a "Sorry, but I'm closed for the day" sign on
her door.   

     "That's odd, she doesn't close shop for any old reason."

     "Your right Akane."  Ranma knocks on the door.  "Hey Ukyo, are
you in there?"

     After a few minutes someone is heard walking up to the door. 
They hear the door unlock and it opens up a crack.  Ukyo peeks between
the crack and then quickly opens the door all the way.

     "Ranchan, what are you doing here?"

     "Well, you weren't in school and I was worried."

     Ukyo blushes.  "You were worried about me?"

     Coughing noises is heard behind Ranma.  Ranma moves out of the
way to reveal a slightly ticked off Akane.

     "We were BOTH worried about you."

     Ukyo looks at Akane.  "Well wasn't that nice of you."  She grabs
Ranma by his arm.  "Well since you're here, might as well come in."  She
yanks Ranma into her shop.  Akane follows him in.

     Ukyo quickly closes the door after Akane comes in and locks it. 
She moves the shades aside and takes a quick peek outside.

     Ranma watches Ukyo do this with a great amount of concern. 
"What's the matter Ukyo?  Is that creep Tsubasa bothering you again?"

     "No he's not," Ukyo walks over and sits down at a nearby table,
"I wish it were that simple."

     Akane and Ranma sit down next to her.  

     Ukyo glomps onto Ranma.  "Ranma I'm so scared."

     "What's wrong Ukyo."

     "This man came into my shop last night and...."

     "And what?"  Asks Ranma.

     "And.... he had be shot several times in the back."  

     Ranma is taken back by this and Akane gasps.

     "He was trying to prevent someone named Drachenfel from finding
something and....."

     "And what."

     "And stopping him from making a...."  Ukyo begins to zone out as
she recalls the event.

     "Prevent him from making a what?"  Inquires Ranma.

     In a whisper.  "A wish."

     "A WHAT!!!"

     "A wish, that's what he said.  I'm sure of it."

     "A wish," Akane looks at Ukyo with sarcasm, "Give me a break
Ukyo.  Couldn't you come up with a better one."

     Ukyo becomes infuriate by that remark.  She lets go of Ranma and
grabs Akane by the collar with one hand and points over towards the
door with her other hand.

     "Look at the carpet by the door!"

     Akane looks over towards the door.

     "See that large stain in the carpet.  It's blood Akane, human
blood!"  Ukyo starts to become more enraged.  "Somebody shot a man
last night and the wounded man came in here and DIED!"  Continues to
point towards the stain.  "He died Akane!  He died right there!"  She
lets go Akane and starts to cry.

     Ranma places a hand on Ukyo's shoulder.  She instantly glomps
onto him again.

     "I'm sorry Ukyo."

     Between sniffles, "I'm the one who should be sorry.  I shouldn't
have yelled at you like that."

     "It's alright Ukyo."

     Ukyo manages a slight smile.  "Thank you, both of you."  She lets
go of Ranma and looks back at the door.  "I haven't even told you the
scariest part yet.  The police came and I told them everything that
had happen.  Even about the car I saw."

     "What car?"

     "I saw a black limo last night.  It drove by shortly after he
came in."

     "A black limo," Ranma thinks about the limo he saw earlier today,
"I saw one this morning on the way to school."

     Akane thinks back to this morning.  "Your right Ranma, I think I
remember seeing one to.  Black limos aren't the common around here. 
Maybe it belonged to that Drachenfel person?"

     Ukyo folds her arms.  "After I told them about the car the police
told me to stay home.  That's why I didn't go to school today. 
Well.... that's one reason why.  After the mess, I closed shop and
started to clean up the mess.  While cleaning I saw the car again, it
was parked across the street.  I was sure that it was the same one. 
When I went to the phone to call the police, it left.  I couldn't
sleep a wink last night.  I got up once to get a drink and happened to
glace out my window and there it was again."  Ukyo looks up at Ranma. 
"Ranma...... I'm so scared."

     Ranma places a hand of her shoulder.  "I'm here now Ukyo, no need
to fear."

     Akane, with a frown.  "Oh please."

     Ukyo places a hand on his hand.  "Thank you Ranchan."

     "Tell you what Ukyo, why don't you spend the weekend at our
place."

     "WHAT!!!"

     Ukyo brightens up.  "Oh really Ranchan, I would feel so much
safer if I could."

     "It would be no problem Ukyo.  Besides, what are friends for."

     Ukyo glomps onto Ranma again.  "Oh thank you Ranma!  This means
so much to me."  She lets go.  "Let me go upstairs and get my stuff. 
It'll take just a moment. "  She bolts up the stairs.

     Ranma watches her as she leaves.  Akane grabs Ranma by his
pigtail and yanks on it.

     "Just what were you thinking!" 

     "Akane something very tragic just happened in her store last
night.  To make things even worst, some creeps are hanging around
scaring her.  How would you feel if that happened to you last night?"

     Akane lets go of Ranma.  "I guess your right.  Dad's not going to
be happy with the idea though."

     "Don't worry, I'll handle him."

     Ukyo comes back with a bag slung over her shoulder.  "I'm ready."

     "Let's go then."

     They open the door and scan the area.  No black limo's in sight. 
They leave the shop and start on they're way to the dojo.

                              **********

     The trio are about halfway there when they spot a group of little
kids huddled around a sewer grate.  They seem to be trying to get
something underneath the sewer grate.  The little kids suddenly start
to jump up and down.  Apparently they got what ever that they were
trying to get.  Ranma and company stare at the kids as they walk by.

     A black limo comes barreling down the street and stops a few feet
away from the kids.  The doors swing open and two large men, dressed
in business suits and black sunglasses, step out and approach the
kids.

     "Ranma.... that's..... that's the car!"

     "Are you sure Ukyo?"

     "I'm positive!"

     "What do you have there?"  Goes one of the men.

     "It's ours, we found it first!"  Complains one of the kids.

     "Give it to me you little brats!"  The man reaches for the
object.

     "Picking on little kids," Cries Akane, "How low can those guys
be!"

     Ranma races over to the men.

     Just as the man manages to pry the object away from the little
kid, Ranma jump kicks the man in the back.  The man falls forward onto
the ground.  His partner turns to face Ranma.

     "Picking on poor defenseless children,"  Ranma takes a battle
stance, "And scaring Ukyo!  You guys make me sick!"

     The man on the ground gets up.  "Boy, you don't know what you
just got yourself into."

     "Apparently, neither do you."

     The first man reaches into his jacket and pulls out a nasty
looking knife, while the second man attacks Ranma.  Ranma easily ducks
his attack and counters with a punch to the mid section.  The man goes
down like a sack of potatoes.  The other man approaches Ranma from the
rear, poised to stab him in the back.  The man feels someone tap his
shoulder.  He turns around to face the person.

     "Now is that sporting?"  Asks Akane with her arm cock back.

     Before he can reacted she punches him in the face.  He goes
flying backwards over the limo.  Ranma watches the man as he disappears
over the limo.  He looks back at Akane.

     "I could have taken him.  You didn't have to help."

     "What!  He was about to..."

     The rear door opens and a tall figure draped in a black hooded
cloak steps out.  Ranma and Akane stop arguing and turn to face their
new opponent.  They stare up into the hood, only to see darkness.

     Ranma takes a step forward.  "Drachenfel I presume."

     The figure just stares at Ranma.

     "Well...... are you!"

     "And if I am, what are you going to do about it?"

     "I'm gonna...."

     "You'll do nothing."  Drachenfel takes a step towards Ranma.  "I
shot a man last night to get back an object that he stole form me.  He
decided to hide it before I got to him.  Those little brats just
happened to find it.  Now do yourselves a favor and hand it over!"

     "Never!"

     "Very well then," The figure points a gloved hand at Ranma, "This
is what happens to those who get in my way!"  His hand begins to glow.
"Take this!  GEKIHOU!"  A ball of energy shoots from his hand and
streaks out towards Ranma.

     The blast hits the ground right in front of Ranma.  There's an
explosion and Ranma goes flying backwards.  Akane rushes forward at
the man.  She swings and he easily dodges out of the way.  She swings
again and misses.  Another swing and another miss.  Akane starts to
get frustrated and goes for a spinning kick.  Right before her foot
reaches his head, he reaches out and grabs her foot.

     "Nice try."  With his free hand, he reaches out and grabs Akane
by her throat.  He lets go of her foot and then proceeds to lift Akane
up by her throat.  He turns his head and looks at Ranma.  "Behold,
this is what happens to those who dare get in my way!"

     WHAM!!!

     Drachenfel drops Akane and staggers forward.  Ukyo stands behind
with a head shaped dent in her spatula on steroids.  Drachenfel stops
and turns to face Ukyo.  "Who dares to strike me!"

     Ukyo steps forward, dented spatula in hand.  "I dare!  You shot
a man, you harassed me, you sent men to steal from little kids," She
takes another step forward, "And worst of all.  You dare to hurt one
of my friends!"  She jumps towards the man and swings her giant
spatula with all might. 

     Drachenfel brings his hands together and stops the spatula just
mere inches away from his head.  Akane kicks him in the back of his
knees and he goes falling backwards onto the ground.  Ukyo swings her
mighty weapon again but he rolls out of the way and all she hits is
the ground.  
                              **********

     Ranma moans and rolls over onto his side.  "Damn..... that blast
was powerful."  His vision clears up and he observes Ukyo and Akane
taking on Drachenfel.  Ranma starts to get up but something catches
his eye.  He reaches out and pick up a small object off of the ground.
"I bet that this is what he's after."

                              **********

     Drachenfel drops down an swings his legs in a wide arc.  Ukyo and
Akane don't expect this and both get tripped up.  In an instant he's
back on his feet.  Ukyo tries to stand back up but he places a booted
foot onto her chest and pins her to the ground.

     Drachenfel looks at Akane as she gets back to her feet.  "Stay
where you are or I'll crush her rib cage!" 

     "Hey ugly!"

     Drachenfel turns his hooded head and looks towards Ranma.

     "Looking for this!"  Ranma holds a small golden key out in front
of him.

     "Give me that!"

     Ranma tosses the key with all his might down the street.  "Go get
it yourself!"

     Akane takes the free moment and rushes up to Drachenfel and rams
him with her shoulder.  This knocks him over onto the ground. Drachenfel's
two goons are slowly starting to get back up.  Drachenfel notices this
and yells at his goons.  "Don't just stand there," Points down the
street, "He threw the key that way!  Go and find it!"

     Ranma rushes over to Ukyo and Akane and grabs them both by an
arm.  "Come on, let's get out of here while he's distracted!"

     "NO!  He must pay for what he did!"  Ukyo starts advancing
towards Drachenfel.

     "I don't have time for this!"  Ranma grabs Ukyo and throws her over
his shoulder.

     "Hey, put me down!"

     "Sorry Ukyo, no time for revenge."  He and Akane start in a
sprint towards home.

     In the distance they can still hear Drachenfel yelling and his
men to find the key.

                              **********

     After the longest few minutes in the history of time, they reach
the dojo.  A very tired Ranma puts down the still protesting Ukyo.

     "Why did you have to go and do that for!"

     Ranma grabs Ukyo by her shoulders.  "Look Ukyo, that man shot
another man and......," In a lowered voice, "I didn't want him to do
the same to you or Akane."

     Ukyo calms down.  "Oh Ranchan...."  She glomps onto Ranma.  "I
didn't know that you cared that much about me."

     "You weren't the only one he was trying to save!"

     Ukyo looks at Akane from over Ranma's shoulder.  "Your just
jealous that Ranchan didn't carry you."

     "Who's jealous!"

     "Now hold on a moment...."

     "Hello Ranma and Akane," Kasumi pops up from nowhere, "And hello
to you to Ukyo.  Will you be staying for dinner?"

     Ukyo lets go of Ranma.  "Yes I am.  Ranma asked me to stay over
for the weekend.  That is, if it's not a problem."

     Kasumi gives her one of her famous smiles.  "It's no problem. 
I'm sure that Akane won't mind having you stay in her room."

     "My room!!!"

     "I would rather it be Ranchan's room."

     Akane & Ranma in unison.  "WHAT!!!"

     "I'm sorry Ukyo but there's no room in there for a third.  I'm
afraid that your going to have to stay in Akane's room."

     "Oh, okay."

     Kasumi smiles again.

                         ***END CHAPTER ONE***

                           ***CHAPTER TWO***
                           ***DISCOVERIES***


     Akane and Ranma both try to get Mr. Tendo to let Ukyo spent the
weekend.  Not wanting to give the real reason, they tell with that the
three of them were assigned to work on a group project together. 
After a short fight they manage to get Mr. Tendo to let her stay. 
Ukyo quickly goes up and puts her stuff in Akane's room.  Ranma and
Akane both try to convince Ukyo to rest up before dinner.  After some
arguing they get her to do it.  Several hours later dinner is served
and quickly eaten.  The sun sets and Ranma, Ukyo and Akane are now in
Akane's room.  Ukyo and Akane sit crossed legged on her bed while
Ranma sits at Akane's desk.

     "I still can't believe that you just threw that key down the
street."  Grumbles Ukyo.

     "Who said that I threw it down the street."

     Akane and Ukyo look at Ranma.  

     "I saw you throw it down the street Ranma.  I saw it gleam in the
air as it flew overhead."  Exclaims Akane.

     "I threw A key but not THE key."  Ranma produces a small golden
key with a clear gem set where one would expect to be a hole for a key
ring.

     "Let me look at that," Ukyo grabs the shiny key from Ranma's
hand, "Hey.... I think that this is real gold."

     "Real gold!  Give me that!"  Akane takes the key from Ukyo and
examines it.  She turns the key side ways.  "I think.....," She
squints her eyes, "I think that there's writing down the side of it
and it looks like it's in Japanese."

     "What's if say?"  Asks Ranma.

     "I don't know," She gives it a closer look, "It's so small. 
Ranma, in my right desk drawer there's a magnifying glass."

     Ranma opens the drawer and digs around until he finds it.  He
hands it over to Akane.  Akane takes the magnifying glass and gives
the key a better look.

     "Much better.  I think I can read it."

     "What does it say?"

     "Hold on a second will you."  AKane stares at the tiny writing.
"It says, Speak the word and the way to Nozomu Yurusu will be shown."

     "Nozomu Yurusu?"

     "The way to where?"

     "Wait, I think that there's something written on the other side."
Akane turns the key over.  "Yes, there is!"

     "Well."

     "Just one word," Akane looks at is closely, "Tejinakatoba."

     The key begins to glow.

     Akane lets out a slight scream and drops the key onto the floor. 
The key hits the floor and spins several times.  It comes to a stop
and stops glowing.

     "Weird."

     Ranma leans over and picks the key up from the floor.  Hey looks
it over.  "I wonder why it glowed like that?"

     "It did it right after Akane said that word."

     "It did," Ranma thinks for a moment, "What was it again......
Tenjidoka.... Tenjinaka....."

     "Tejinakatoba."  Goes Akane.

     The key glows again and Ranma lets go of it and it falls on the
floor again.  Again the key spins around a few times then it stops
glowing and comes to a rest.  The trio just stares at the key as it
rests on the floor.

     "It's seemed to come alive in my hand when you said that word." 

     "That's what it felt like to me to."

     "That's strange," Ukyo reaches down and picks up the key,
"Tejinakatoba."

     The key glows yet again and Ukyo drops it on the floor.  Again it
spins around.  It stops glowing and it comes to a rest.

     "Is it just me," Asks Ukyo, "Or does it seem to always point in
the same direction after it stops glowing?"

     Ranma and Akane think back to the last few times.

     "I think your right Ukyo."  Akane bends over and moves the key to
make it point in the opposite direction.  "Tejinakatoba."

     The key glows and turns to point in the direction that it was in
before Akane moved it.

     "That's so weird."  Ranma looks to where the key is pointing to. 
"It's pointing towards your window Akane."

     Akane gets up and walk towards the window.

     "Hey Akane, didn't the writing on the key say speak the word and
the way to someplace will be shown?"

     "That's right, it did.  I guess that Tejinakatoba must be the
word."  

     The key glows but doesn't move.

     Akane opens her window and places her hands on the window sill. 
"Well there's nothing really out in that direction, nothing much
really."

     Ukyo walks up to Akane.  "Well, what's out in that direction?"

     "Mostly homes, and if you go out about seven or eight miles
you'll hit the beach."  Akane shuts the window and walks back to her
bed.  "Who said that it had to be pointing to something here in Japan.
It just might be pointing to something across the sea."

     "Think Akane, it's written in Japanese.  It's got to be pointing
to someplace here in Japan."

     Akane frowns at Ranma.  "Look Ranma, the only building of any
real importance in that direction is the library."

     "Library?"

     "You know, a big building filled with books."

     "I know what a library is!"

     "Could have fooled me."

     "Calm down you two," Ukyo places a hand on Akane's and Ranma's
shoulder, "It's getting late and I for one can use some sleep.  Why
don't we go and figure this out tomorrow."

     "Ukyo's right Ranma," Akane yawns, "I'm tired to.  Let's work on
this tomorrow."

     "Okay."  Ranma heads towards the door.

     "Oh Ranchan!  Aren't you forgetting something?"  

     "Thanks for reminding me Ukyo," Ranma goes over and picks up the
key, "I better hold on to this."

     "That's not what I meant."

     "What did I forget?"

     Ukyo glomps onto Ranma.  "You forgot to give me my goodnight
kiss."

     "WHAT!"

     "Wait a se...."  Ukyo kisses Ranma.

     "HOW DARE YOU," Akane grabs a rather huge mallet from her closet,
"IN MY OWN ROOM EVEN!!!!"

     Ukyo stops kissing Ranma.  "Jealous?"

     "I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S JEALOUS!!!!"  Akane swings her mallet.

     "Now hold on Akane...."  Ranma tries to stop Akane but gets
smashed with the mallet.

     The scene pulls back from outside the window.  Loud crashing 
noises can be heard inside the room.  As the scene pulls back even
more, we can now see the neighboring homes.  The noises from the
Tendo's house get louder.  Dogs start to bark and lights start coming
on from the houses.  A cry of "Not again" can be heard through out the
neighborhood.

                              **********

     The sun rose lazily on this Saturday morning.  Usually most
people use this day to sleep late but not all people are that lucky.

     "Come on Ranma, get UP!!"  Yells Akane at a semiconscious Ranma.

     "Hold on a moment Akane," Ukyo gives a fiendish smile, "Let me
have a try at that."

     "Okay."

     "All Ranchan needs is motivation," she leans over Ranma, "All he
needs is a good morning kiss."

     "WHAT!!!"

     Ranma hears this and, not wanting a repeat from last night, jumps
off his futon.  "I'M UP, I'M UP ALREADY!!!!"

     "Oh shoot, I was really looking forward to that kiss."

     "I bet you were."

     "Your just jealous Akane."

     "Who's said I'm jealous!"

     "I did."

     "Is that so!"

     Ranma steps in between the to girls as their battle auras start
to glow.  "Come on now ladies, can't we all just get along?"

     "Ranma... Akane... Ukyo... Mr. Saotome... breakfast is ready." 
Yells Kasumi from downstairs.

     These words wake Mr. Saotome up, Ranma and company didn't even
disturb him, and in a cloud of dust he races out of the room.

     "That man really likes his meals."  

     Akane and Ranma shakes their head in agreement.

                              **********

     Breakfast is quickly eaten and the trio are now standing in front
of the dojo.

     "So do we follow the key or what?"  Inquires Ranma.

     "What ever this thing points to must be important."  Ukyo grasps
the key tightly in her hand.  "One life has already been taken because
of it."

     "Want to know what I think," they look towards Akane, "I think
that we should just hand the thing over to the police.  Look, like
Ukyo said, one person was killed over this thing.  Who knows how many
more might have already been hurt or worst by that evil man.  I afraid
that he might come here to look for it.  He's got to have figured out
by now that Ranma didn't throw the real key.  I just don't want
anybody else to get hurt, especially not my family," looks at Ranma
and Ukyo, "And especially not you two."

     "I understand what you mean Akane, but I just can't sit by after
what he tired to do to us."  Ukyo lays out her hand flat and puts the
small key on her hand.  "I for one am going to follow this thing to
the end.  With or without any of your help."

     "Ukyo, you know that me and Akane won't let you go alone."

     Ukyo smiles.  "Thank you, Ranchan.  You to Akane."

     "Hey, what are friends for."

     Ukyo looks at the key.  "Okay it's decided then.  We'll see where
this thing leads us to."  Ukyo says the magical word and the key glows
and starts to spin.  The key spins in her hand for a moment and soon
comes to rest.  It's pointing in the same direction it was last night.

     The trio leaves the Tendo home towards destination unknown.

                              **********

     The group follows the key, every now and then they stop and say
the magic word to get their bearings straight.  After couple of miles
they indeed arrive at the library.  They past the library but the key
turns around and points back towards the library.

     "It looks like that it was pointing at the library after all." 
Ukyo puts the key back in her pocket.

     "Why would it be pointing at the library?"

     "Don't know, Ranchan.  Why don't we go in and find out why."

     They enter the library and take a look around.  Nothing seems to
strange about the place.  The trio meet in a vacant part of the
library.

     "What are we looking for exactly?"

     "I have no idea Ranma.  Ukyo why don't you try the key again."

     Ukyo pulls out the key and says the magic word.  The key glows
and points towards the floor.

     "It's under the library.  What are we going to do now?"  Groans
Ranma.

     "Who said it had to under the library?  It might be in the
library's basement.  The archives are down there."

     Ukyo pockets the key.  "Then let's go down there."

     They find the stairs to the basement and go downstairs.  The
group looks around the archives.  No one is to be seen.

     "Use the key Ukyo."

     Ukyo takes out the key and says the magic word.  The key glows on
cue but this time it doesn't spin.

     "That's odd, it didn't spin."

     "Wait Ukyo, do it again."

     Ukyo listens to Akane and says the word.  The key glows again and
still doesn't move.  Akane runs down one of the aisles.  Ukyo and
Ranma follow in bewilderment.  Akane stops and looks at the bookrack
in front of her.

     "Say it again."

     Ukyo does.  This time the key glows and so does a thick, leather
bound book sitting on the shelf.  Akane pulls the book off of the
shelf.

     "I thought I saw something glow in this direction."  She walks
over to a nearby desk and puts the book down.  She tries to open the
book but notices that there is a lock on the book, keeping it closed.

     "Here," Ukyo hands Akane the key, "See if this will unlock it."

     Akane puts the little key in the lock and sure enough it opens
the lock.  Akane opens the book but quickly realizes that it's NOT
written in Japanese.

     "Oh this is great," Ranma slams his fists down on the desk, "We
follow the key to the library.  It leads us to this stupid book and
what happens.  We can't read the stupid book because it's in another
language!"

     "Give it to me," goes an familiar voice, "Maybe I can read it."

     "Drachenfel."  Growls Ukyo as she turns around to face him.

     Drachenfel stands several feet behind them.  His flunkies are
standing right next to him.  "Is that anyway for a sweet young lady to
act?"

     Ranma puts a restraining hand on Ukyo's shoulder.  "What do you
want?"

     "World domination, but I guess the book and key will do for now."
Drachenfel stretches out a hand.  "Hand them over if you know what's
good for you."

     Akane picks up the book and clutches it to her chest.  "NEVER!"

     "What a shame."  Drachenfel snaps his fingers.  His two goons
both pull out a pistol and point them at them.  "I ask again, HAND
THEM OVER!!"

     Akane starts to reluctantly hand the book over but before she
does.

     "AND WE SAID NEVER!!"  Ukyo grabs hold of the bookcase next to
her and pulls it down on top of Drachenfel and his two goons.  A shot
goes off put no one is hit.  Akane, Ranma, and Ukyo take the moment
and race towards the stairs.

     Drachenfel lifts the bookcase off of them and tosses it at the
fleeing trio.  Ranma, Ukyo and Akane are to busy running to see it
come crashes down on top of them.  Before they can lift it off of
them, Drachenfel jumps on top of the bookcase pinning them.

     "You, young lady, got allot of nerve to do that to me!"

     "Just wait until I get free.  Then I'll show you nerve!"

     "What's with all this noise?"  Demands the librarian as she comes
down the stairs.

     This distract Drachenfel long enough for Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo
to lift the bookcase up enough to crawl out.

     "What's happened down here?"  Yells the librarian.  Ukyo and
Akane zoom by the stunned librarian.

     Ranma stops for a second and points towards Drachenfel.  "He
knocked the bookcase over on us.  Go yell at him."

     "Is that so.  I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."  The
librarian goes changing off towards Drachenfel.

     (That ought to stall him long enough for us to get away.)

     They dash out of the building and keep running.

                              **********

     The librarian comes charging down the stairs towards Drachenfel. 
"Now what it that I heard!  Did you knock a bookcase over onto some
poor defenseless kids!"

     "Shut up granny!"  A bright red glow is emitted from Drachenfel's
hood.

     The librarian look up into the hood and let's out a blood curling
scream.  Her eyes roll back up into her head and faints.  Drachenfel
and company quickly go up the stairs and look around.

     "Why even bother, they're long gone by now!"  Drachenfel turns to
face his men.  "Go get the car, I know where they're bond to show up!"

                              **********

     Ranma and company run down the streets and then duck into an
alley.  The three lean up against the wall to catch their breath.  

     Ranma peeks out of the alley and looks around.  "I don't think
that we were followed."

     Akane places the book on top of a trash can.  "I can't believe
this.  We go through all this trouble to get the stupid thing and we
can even read it.  Now what are suppose to do?"

     "I've got an idea."

     "What is it Ukyo."

     "Your not going to like it Ranma."

     "Oh no...... you don't mean...."

     "Yes I do."

                              **********

     Suddenly we find out intrepid hero & heroines out in front of the
ever famous Neko Hanten.

     "Isn't there anybody else that we could ask?"  Complains Ranma.

     "Oh be quiet Ranma.  She seems to always know about old stuff
like this."

     "That old goat was probably around during most of it."

     Our hero & heroines bravely enter the Neko Hanten.  A familiar
looking purple hair girl bounces up to them, in more ways than one.

     With a huge smile.  "Welcome to Neko Hanten," notices that it's
Ranma, "Nihao Ranma!"  She glomps to Ranma.  "You come to date with
Shampoo?"

     "Uhh...... no," tries to pry Shampoo off, "I want to talk to the
old goat."

     Cologne hops over on her ever present cane.  "Hello son-in-law,
come to claim Shampoo as your rightful bride?"

     Akane storms up to her.  "No he's has most certainly not!"

     Ukyo shoves Akane out of the way.  "That's because he's going to
marry me!"

     "Ladies let's not forget why we're here!"

     "Then why are you here son-in-law?"

     "We want to know if you can read this?"  Ranma places the book
down on the table.

     Cologne hops over to the table and opens the book.  She's flips
though a couple of page and then stops when she spies a particular
picture.

     "Son-in-law, where did you get this?"  She asks.

     "Would you believe at the library."

     "So, can you read it?"

     "Yes Ukyo, I can."

     "So what does it say?"

     "Patience son-in-law, patience."  She flips through a few more
pages.  "This book is written in a language that Shinto priests used a
very long time ago.  It seems to be a grimoire of a shinto priest."

     "Grimoire?"

     "It's journal of sorts.  It talks about the local happenings of
some village he watched over and that's basically it."

     "IS THAT ALL!!"  Cries out Ukyo, Ranma, and Akane in unison.

     Cologne looks at them with narrow eyes.  "I said that's what it
basically talks about."  

     They calm down some.

     Cologne continues on.  "Near the end it starts to talk about
omens and the birth of a child."

                         ***END CHAPTER TWO***

                          ***CHAPTER THREE***
                             ***LEGENDS***


     Scene changes to that of a typical Japanese village in the
sixteenth century.   People are going about doing their everyday
activities.  

     Cologne voice over:  "This story starts over three hundred years
ago in the tiny village of Muranise.  This was a simple village, not
much happened there.  All the fighting that was going on was far away
and they had just enjoyed a wonderful harvest.  That is until the
local priest started to have visions about a great misfortune
approaching the village.  He later connected his visions to that of a
pregnant woman.  He discovered that the unborn child would have a
special gift.  A gift given to the child by the gods themselves.  And
it would be through that special gift that the village would have such
great misfortunes."

     "While the woman was still with the child, the village council
decided that the child should be killed as soon as it was born.  One
night the mother approached the monk and pleaded with him.  She asked
the monk, how could an unborn child be so dangerous to a village.  She
then said to the monk, isn't how you bring up a child that's
important?  If this child could be brought up right, couldn't this
gift turn out to be good.  The monk thought about this."

     A cry is heard and the scene changes to one house in particular. 
Many people are gathered around it.  Several more screams are heard
from within.  Soon a baby can be heard crying.  Several more moments
pass and a young Shinto priest emerges from the hut, a new born baby
is cradled in his arms.  He covers the child with a cloth a walks off.

     "The next day the woman had her baby, it was a little girl.  Even
in her infancy the monk could feel her power.  The night before the
baby was born the monk talked to the village council.  He argued the
woman's point to them.  In the end the monk managed to get the council
to spare the child's life, on one condition.  To make sure that the
child would grow up correctly, the monk would have to take the baby
and teach her to be a virtuous person.  Soon after the baby's birth he
left with her."

     Scene changes, the village is burning and men on horseback are
seen attacking the villagers.  Bodies are strewn about with sword
wounds and arrows stuck in them.

     "A local warlord soon heard about this special child and it's
even more special gift.  The warlord decided that this gift might be
useful to him and decided to raise the child as his own.  He invaded
the village to find the child but soon discovered what had happened. 
He sent his best men to look for the monk and child."

     Scene changes again, it shows various pictures of the monk
raising the child though different ages.

     "The monk heard about the attack on the village several weeks
later.  Undaunted, the monk continued on with the upbringing of this
child.  He taught the little girl about the goodness of life and how
to stay away from the corruptions of evil.  One strange thing that the
monk discovered during his travels, was that he couldn't discover what
was so special about her.  He could easily feel the strong powers that
were within her, but he couldn't figure out what they where for."

     Scene changes yet again, the monk is on horseback with the young
girl hanging on to him.  The monk prods the horse to run faster as
three warriors behind them start to catch up.

     "It was after the girl's twelfth birthday that the warlord
managed to catch up with him.  For days the monk and the girl ran from
the warlord."

     They start to cross a wide open field.  One of the warriors fires
a bow and the arrow strikes the monk in the shoulder.  The monk and
girl fall from the horse as it continues on.  The warriors jump off of
their horses and run over to the girl.  The wounded monk gets there
first but the warriors are to much for the monk and they knock the
monk over.  The men grab hold of the girl and start to drag her back
to their horses.  The girl kicks and screams with all of her might,
but to no prevail.  The girl stops struggling and starts to say a
prayer.  She starts to glow and shocked warriors let go.  The warriors
start to back away as she begins to glow even brighter.  They suddenly
turn around and start to run with all they're worth.  Three bolts of
energy shoot forth from the girl and hit the men.  The warriors are
enveloped in a golden glow.  When the glow stops, three deer are
standing where they were standing.  The monk approaches the girl.  She
turns and rushes towards him and embraces him in a frightened hug. 
The girl glows again.  The monk then notices that his wound stopped
hurting.  After further investigating, the wound was gone all together
along with several other ailments that he had.

     "It was through that event that triggered her powers.  The monk
discovered that the girl seemed to have the power of the gods.  After
the monk discovered this he became extremely concerned.  Would her
infinite power corrupt her.  The monk became afraid for what might
happen to this girl.  He decided that they needed to go into hiding
until the girl had more control over her powers."

     Scene changes, a man is on his knees in front of the warlord.

     "Unknown to them, someone saw what the girl did to the warriors. 
This man went and told the warlord about he saw.  The warlord became
worried.  What if her powers were to be used against him.  What
defense would he have against someone with powers like that.  He soon
came up with a plan of action."

     Scene changes, the monk is kneeling next to a bed ridden little 
girl.

     "The warlord hired a powerful sorcerer to make a special potion
for him.  This potion was designed to weaken and to make someone
become completely obedient to the first person that they saw after
drinking the potion.  He gave the potion to his best warrior and he
succeeded in putting into one of her drinks.  After consuming it, she
unexpectedly became ill and fell into a deep sleep."

     Scene changes, the monk now carrying the girl in his arms through
a forest.  A blindfold is placed over her eyes.

     "A sympathizer in the warlords ranks tells the monk about the
potion.  The monk places a blindfold over the girls eye's.  The monk
couldn't bear the thought of the girl becoming enslaved, even to a
good natured person like himself.  They flee again, knowing that the
warlord cannot be far off.  The girl awakes the next day and discovers
what has been done to her.  She tries to remove the curse place upon
her but discovers that the potion had weakened her to much.  The girl
starts to cry.  The monk tries to console her as much as he can.  For
such a young girl to be blessed with such powers and now to be blinded
because of them.  The monk felt that he had to do something."

     Scene changes, the monk is kneeling down in a field and a small
campfire in front of him.  The girl is sitting next to him.

     "On the night of the winter solstice, the monk beseeched the gods
to help the girl.  Dark clouds suddenly gathered and in the night sky.

They parted and a beam of light shot forth into the camp fire. 
Tsukiyomi, the moon god answered his prayers.  The god knew that if
the girl fell into evil hands then all would be in jeopardy.  The moon
god swung his mighty pike and sliced open the air itself.  He had
opened a door to another world and told the monk to take the child
there.  With this the Tsukiyomi disappeared back to his place in the
sky.  The monk placed the child in the portal and started to leave. 
The child called out to the monk asking him why he wasn't going with
her.  He told her that he had to leave and lead the evil warlord's
army away from here.  The monk continued to tell her that the
warlord's evil sorcerers might discover the location of the portal and
try to open it.  The girl grudgingly agreed with the monk.  She closed
her hands together and they glowed.  She opened her hands and gave the
monk a small magical key.  The monk then took the key and used it's
magical powers to close the portal."

     Scene changes, the monk is kneeling in front of the warlord.

     "The warlord eventuality does capture the monk.  When brought
forth to the warlord, the monk tells him that he had killed the girl
to prevent the warlord from capturing her.  Infuriated, the warlord
casts the monk into his dungeons.  The monk stayed there many years
until the warlord was finally defeated by a rival."

     Scene changes, the monk is standing next to a newly built shrine.

     "The monk wanders back to the site where the portal was located. 
Even though the evil warlord was gone, he couldn't open the gate.  He
knew that another evil person would hear about her release and might
go after her again.  The monk couldn't stand the thought of putting
that sweet girl through those tortures again.  He decided to wait
until the world was ready for her, even though it might take centuries
before it was.  He built a small shrine on the spot of the portal.  He
carved her name into one of the stones to honor her.  He soon left,
never to return again."

                              **********

     "Wow, what a story."  Comments Akane.

     Cologne shuts the book.  "Yes, it is."

     "So that's why he want's this key."

     "Who want's that key son-in-law?"

     "Just some crazy guy in a cloak.  He's been chasing us all over
Tokyo trying to get it away from us.  He even tried to kill us a
couple of times."

     "Ranchan, don't act so casual about it."

     "By the way," interrupts Akane, "What was the girl's name."

     "Nozomu Yurusu."  Answers Cologne after a long drag on her pipe.

     Akane opens the book back up and starts flipping through it.  "So
this monk sealed away this little girl in another world."  Akane looks
at a picture in the book.  It's life like picture of the monk with the
girl sitting on his knee.  "That monk sure could draw."  She flips
through a few more pages until she comes to the end of the book.  On
the final page there is what looks like a picture of a small shrine in
a field.  Shampoo looks over her shoulder and stares at the picture.

     "Shampoo saw picture before."

     Akane looks at Shampoo.  "Where?"

     Shampoo races out of the room and after a few seconds she
returns.  She drops a newspaper down on the table and points at the
picture.  "There!"

     Everyone leans over to take a closer look at the picture.  It's a
picture taken from the excavated site in the park.  Sure enough, it
looks almost like the picture in the book.  After one adds three
hundred years of age to it.

     Cologne looks at the picture in the paper and then back at the
picture in the book.  "Well I'll be damned.  Shampoo's right, it is
the same picture as in the book."  She points towards the picture in
the book.  "Look here at these symbols in the picture in the book."  
She points at the newspaper.  "They're the same as in the paper."

     "Did Shampoo do good?"

     "You did very good great grand-daughter."

     "So that's why Drachenfel want's the key so bad."  Ranma slams
his fists down on the table.  "He found the shrine and he wants the
key to open the gate to enslave the girl!"

     "We can't let him do that!  Isn't that right Ranchan?"

     "You got that right!"

     "There's still one thing that bothers me."  Interrupts Akane.

     "What's that Akane?"

     "How did he find us at the library?"

     Silence consumes the room.

     "Akane's right."  Ranma stands and picks up the book.  "We better
get going before he finds us again."

     Ukyo walks up to Ranma.  "So where to now?"

     "Where else," turns and starts to leave, "To the park."

     Akane rushes up to Ranma.  "Are you crazy!  He'll be expecting us
to go there."

     "I know."

     "Then why are we going there?"

     Ranma stops.  "If we don't go to him," turns to face Akane,
"He'll come to us again."  Ranma places his hands on Akane's
shoulders.  "Like you said earlier, this man is crazy and will do
anything to get this key.  I don't want to go home and endanger the
people that mean the world to me."

     "Oh Ranma...."  Akane sheds a tear.  (You really do care, don't
you.)

     "Akane, I've got to stop him.  If I don't then who will?"

     "You better go with him grand-daughter.  I got a feeling that
he'll need all the help he can get."

     "Yes great-grand mother."

     "Great, just what we DON'T need."  Grumbles Ukyo.

     "Okay, off to the park we go!"

                              **********

     The sun is starting to set after another beautiful day in Nerima.
For the four people entering the park, it was just the calm before the
storm.  They silently move through the park with the greatest of ease.
They soon came upon the excavation site.  The shrine consists of a
large rectangular rock slab decorated with carvings.  A ring of stones
forms around the slab.  They look around the site, no one to been
seen.

     Ranma walks up to the rock slab and looks in over.  He spots a
carving that looks like the key.  Under it is a small crack in the
rock.  "This is to easy."

     "Okay," a voice is heard behind them, "Then let's make it hard
for you then!"   Drachenfel steps out from behind a tree.  His long
hooded cloak billows slightly in the wind.  "I was wondering when you
would make the connection.  Now hand me the key and you can go free."

     "I didn't bring it."

     Drachenfel begins to laugh.  "I seriously doubt that."

     "Uh, Ranma..."  Akane tugs at his shirt.

     "What is it now Ak..."  Ranma notices Drachenfel's two goons
approaching from the rear with guns drawn.

     "Just give me the key!"

     Ukyo pulls out two mini-spatulas.  "And we said NEVER!"  She turn
around and throws then at the two goons.  The spatulas hit the men in
their gun hand and they drop the guns.  Akane charges one of the men
while Shampoo goes after the other. 

     Ukyo pulls out her king sized spatula and charges at Drachenfel. 
She swings and misses.  She swings again but Drachenfel grabs her
weapon and tries to pull it away from her.  Ranma approaches
Drachenfel from the rear and grabs him in a massive bear hug.  Ukyo
takes to open shot and hits him the chest him all she's worth.

     "That's for that man that you killed!"

     "Which one?"  Drachenfel lets out a mighty yell and begins to
glow.  The glow begins to feel like fire to Ranma and he let's go of
him.  Drachenfel then drops down and legs sweep them.  He gets lucky
and knocks both of them down.  Ranma and Ukyo roll out of the way to
prevent him from stomping on them.

     "Enough with this foolishness!"  Drachenfel jumps back and begins
waving his hands.  "It's time for me to end this little game!  I've
got to much at stake to fool around know!"  A large ball of energy
begins to form in his hand.  "Ultimate attack, KUROI MONO BAKUHATSU 
SURU!"  The energy ball turns black and launches out towards them. 

     Ukyo tries to dodge the attack but trips on a tree root.

     "Ukyo!"  Ranma jumps in front of Ukyo absorbing the brunt of the
blast.  The blast sends Ranma flying backwards out of sight.

     "Ranchan!"  Cries out Ukyo.  Ukyo picks up her weapon that she
drooped when she tripped.  "You bastard!  I'll going to kill you!" 
Ukyo attacks Drachenfel with a new determination.

     Drachenfel dodges her attacks with the same ease as before.  On
one attack, Ukyo over extends her reach and gives Drachenfel an open
chance to strike her in the stomach.  Ukyo doubles over and Drachenfel
follows up with a foot to the face.  She drops her weapon and falls
over backwards onto the ground.  Drachenfel picks up her weapon and
holds it overhead.  "Now I finish it."

     "I don't think so."

     Drachenfel's two goons go flying right into Drachenfel, knocking
him over.  Akane races to Ukyo's side a checks her wounds as Shampoo
races to face off against the cloaked man.

     "Are you all right Ukyo?"  Asks Akane as she helps her up.

     "Just had the wind knocked out of me, that's all."  She rubs her
jaw.  "I think I'm going to need to see a dentist after this one."

     "Where's Ranma?"

     "That's right, Ranchan.  He told a blast for me and went flying
into the woods."  She puts a hand on Akane's shoulder.  "You better go
check on him, I still got some unfinished business to take care of."

     "Okay."

     Ukyo races to help Shampoo as Akane goes to look for Ranma.

     Ukyo spies her discarded weapon on the ground and grabs it.  She
also notes that the goon squad are starting to stir.  After a quick
couple of blows to the head, they stir no more.

     Shampoo is holding her own against Drachenfel.  Drachenfel
manages to knock Shampoo's bonbori away, after discovering how much
pain that those silly looking things can inflict.  Shampoo swings and
Drachenfel grabs her arm flips her over his shoulder, into a tree. 
Ukyo charges and he sidesteps her.  She swings her mighty weapon in a
wide arc.  Drachenfel ducks and shoulder slams into Ukyo, causing her
to drop her weapon again.  Ukyo surprises him by grabbing hold of him,
they go rolling around on the ground.  Shampoo jumps from the tree and
joins in.

                              **********

     Akane searches through the park desperately trying to find Ranma.
Akane stops and listens for a moment.  She hears the sounds of
fighting in the distance.  She tries to block out the sounds of the
fight and tries to see what else she can hear.  She hears the wind,
birds chirping, crickets, and what sound like running water.

     (No, he couldn't have......) 

     Akane sprints towards the sounds of running water.  She comes
upon the park fountain.  Floating face up in the fountain is Ranma-
chan.

     (Of all the places to land.  It had to be in the fountain.)

     Akane wades out into the fountain and pulls Ranma-chan out of the
fountain.  She shakes Ranma-chan and gets a moan back in response.

     "Did anybody get the number of that truck?"

     "Come on Ranma!  Ukyo and Shampoo are back there facing off
against that monster!"

     Ranma-chan snaps awake.  "Ukyo and Shampoo alone with that
monster!  What are we waiting around for!"  Ranma races back towards
the shrine.

                              **********

     The fight is going badly for Drachenfel.  Shampoo got back her
bonbori and his help is still out cold.  He knew that the other female
went to find the male or to get help.  Either one would be bad for
him.  He formulates a quick plan of action.  Drachenfel raises his
arms into the air.  "Okay girl, enough with the practice.  It's time
to start getting serious.  Drachenfel special attack, KURAI KIRI!"

     A dark mist start flowing out from under his cloak.  The mist
envelopes Shampoo and Ukyo.  The two girls start chattering their
teeth as a bone chilling cold consumes them.  They try to fight back
but the cold is just to much and they both fall to their knees.

     "Feel the wrath of Drachenfel!"

     WHAM!!

     Drachenfel falls forward after some one strikes him in the back. 
The dark mist disappears but Ukyo and Shampoo can still feel the
bitter cold.  Drachenfel rolls onto his back to face his attacker. 
Ranma-chan takes a stance with Akane next to her.

     "So another female decides to join the fight."

     "Hey, I'm a guy!"

     "In my days, females were allot more obedient.  No matter, I'm a
nineties type of guy."  Drachenfel gets up.  "If you females want to
get physical, than I am to.  Take this, GEKIHOU!"

     The blast is weak and Ranma and Akane easily dodge it.  Ranma
counterattacks and so does Akane.  Drachenfel is to tired from his
fight with Ukyo and Shampoo to dodge both attacks.  Both attacks
strike home and Drachenfel stumbles backwards but stands.  Shampoo
manages to shake off Drachenfel's cold attack and hits him in the head
with her bonbori while his back is turned.  Drachenfel drops like a
lead weight.

     Ranma-chan and company look down at his unconscious form.

     "Now what do we do?"  Asks Akane.

     "I guess we turn him over to the police."

     "Good idea Ranma."

     Ranma-chan pulls the key out of her pocket.  "I guess I didn't
have to bring this after all."

     Drachenfel suddenly sits up and jumps at Ranma-chan.  The two
collide and go rolling around on the ground.  Akane and Shampoo pry
Drachenfel off of Ranma-chan.  Ranma-chan gets up and searches her
pockets.

     "The key..... it's gone!!  Give it back!"

     "I've waited countless years for this moment.  Now that I got the
key back, I'll never giving it up.  KURAI KIRI!"

     Dark mist starts flowing from his cloak again, chilling everyone
to the bone.  Drachenfel pulls the key out from the folds of his cloak
and runs over to the stone slab.  He inserts the key into the small
crack next to the carving of the key.

     "Oh no you don't!"

     Ranma-chan jumps onto to his back but he knocks her off.  He
turns the key and the rock slab begins to glow.  Ranma-chan jumps onto
him again, this time with Ukyo's help.

     "Get off me you brats!"  Drachenfel tries to pry them off but to
no prevail.

     The slab begins to glow even brighter.  Suddenly there is a
bright flash.  Drachenfel, Ukyo and Ranma-chan have disappeared.

     "Ranma..... Ukyo..... where... where did they go?"  Murmurs
Akane.

     "To other side."  Replies Shampoo.

                        ***END CHAPTER THREE***

                          ***CHAPTER FOUR***
                          ***NOZOMU YURUSU***


     Even with her eyes open, Ranma-chan is surrounded in complete
darkness.  Ranma feels like she's falling, no wait, it's more like
floating.  Ranma tries to call out, but not a sound is made.  There's
another bright flash of light and Ranma falls and hits solid ground. 
She picks herself up and looks around.  She's in an open field that
looks like the park, but with a strange difference.  The sky in the
park when she left wasn't green.  Ranma hears a moan and spots Ukyo. 
She hurries to her.

     "Ukyo, are you alright?"

     Ukyo blinks her eyes a couple of times and looks around at her
new surroundings.  "Where are we?"

     "I guess we fell through the doorway with Drachenfel."

     "Drachenfel!  Where is he!"

     They search their surroundings for him but he's nowhere to be
seen.

     "Damn!"

     "Look there!"  Ranma-chan points to some crumpled grass.  "He may
be gone but he left us a trail."  Ukyo and Ranma follow the trail into
the woods.  They follow the trail for what seems like eternity until
it leads them into another clearing.  A small humble looking hut rests
in the middle of the clearing.  A think strand of white smoke comes
from the chimney.

     "What do you think Ukyo.  Should we go and knock?"

     Ukyo glances around.  "Drachenfel's trail brought us here.  Might
as well."

     Ukyo and Ranma-chan carefully walk up to the hut's door and
knock.  They wait, but there is no response.  They knock again, still
no response.

     "Maybe no one's home."

     "Maybe, Ukyo.  But I don't think so."  Ranma-chan rams the door
and it effortlessly opens to the force.

     When they enter the hut they are instantly overwhelmed at what
they see.  At first glance one would think that they just entered the
imperial palace itself but Ukyo and Ranma know better.

     "How can all this fit in such a small hut?"

     "Magic."  Drachenfel appears form nowhere.  "I'm to close to be
stopped now!"  With renewed strength.  "GEKIHOU!"  A ball of energy
shoots from his out stretched hand.

     The ball of energy passes between Ranma and Ukyo and explodes
behind them.  They go sprawling forward.  Drachenfel does a spinning
kick and hits both of them.  Ranma recovers from the attack quicker
than Drachenfel expects.  Ranma use the free moment and strikes
Drachenfel in the midsection.  Drachenfel doubles over and Ranma grabs
him by the cloak.

     "Let's see what you look like under that hood of yours!"  Ranma-
chan pulls back his hood and is shocked at what she beholds.  "You!"

                              **********

     Akane and Shampoo circle the stone slab.  Shampoo jumps on top of
the stone slab and starts pounding on it.

     "Bring husband back!"

     Akane grabs Shampoo and tires to pull her off.

     "Stop that Shampoo!  If you break it, they might not be able to
come back."

     Shampoo stops.  "Not come back."

     "That's right.  They might not come back."  Akane helps Shampoo
off of the slab.  They walk over to a nearby tree.  "All we can do now
is wait.  Wait for them to come back."

     "Are you sure they come back?"

     "I'm positive."  Akane sits down and rests against the tree. 
After a few moments Shampoo takes a seat next to her.  Akane looks at
Shampoo's face and notices her worried expression.  (Ranma, you better
come back.  I don't know what I'll do if you don't.)

                              **********

     "Your..."  Ranma-chan let's go of the cloak and takes a couple of
steps back.  "I saw your picture in that book. Your that..."

     Drachenfel stands back up.  "Yes, that's me.  I'm the monk from
the book.  I'm the one who raised the girl, taught her about
everything that's righteous and good.  I'm the one that sent her here
and rotted in that warlord's dungeon for years because of it."

     "How can you still be alive?"

     "On the day her powers became active I was wounded.  She healed
my wounds and made me immortal.  When the warlord locked me up and
took away my grimoire.  Just to spite me he hid it.  To make matters
worse, I had hid the key in the book.  I've spent the last three
hundred years looking for the book and key."

     "What happened to you.  The story held you as a virtuous man, 
now look at you."  Ukyo takes up a stance next to Ranma,  "You let
yourself become corrupted by the same evils that you stood up
against."

     "Trying living over three hundred years.  Time can really change
a person.  Now out of the way!"

     Ranma take up her battle stance and Ukyo grips her ever trusty,
yet slightly dented, battle spatula from hell.

     "You'll have to get through us first!"

     "Very well then."  

     Drachenfel rips off his tattered cloak and throws it at Ukyo. 
Ukyo swings her spatula and tries to cut the cloak in half.  To her
surprise, the cloak seems to come alive and wraps itself around her
weapon and herself.  Drachenfel rushes Ranma-chan and starts throwing
punches at a surprising speed.  Ranma-chan easily blocks most of the
strikes.

     "So you want to play like that," Ranma-chan cracks her knuckles,
"I can play like that to.  KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!"  With an even
faster speed Ranma-chan strikes Drachenfel more times than he thought
possible.

     Drachenfel stumbles back and wipes his bloodied lip off with the
back of his hand.  He turns his head and spits out a tooth.  "Not bad,
for a girl."

     Charges at him.  "I'm a guy!"  Ranma-chan throws another punch
and Drachenfel dodges.  Ranma throws several more punches but
Drachenfel dodges them all.

     Ukyo manages to get a hold of one of her mini-spatulas and uses
it's razor sharp edge to cut herself free.  Ukyo watched as Ranma hits
Drachenfel with her Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken, and saw to her horror
that it barely fazed him.  She watches Ranma strike him several more
times but each time he gets back up for more.  She knows that he can
outlast them in a fight.  Ukyo decides on what has to be done.  She
twists the handle on her spatula and pulls out a wicked looking
stiletto from the hollow handle.  Her father had given it to her
before she left on her hunt for Ranma.  She never thought she would
use it, till now.  Ukyo carefully approaches Drachenfel from the rear.
A moment presents itself and she stabs him in the back.  Right where
his heart use to be.  Ranma-chan strikes Drachenfel and he collapses
in a crumpled heap on the floor.  Ranma-chan spots Ukyo as Drachenfel
hits the floor and then notices the stiletto in his back.  Ranma looks
up at Ukyo wordlessly.

     In a whisper.  "I had to do it Ranchan," tears start coming out
of her eyes, "I had no choice.  He was going to kill us the first
chance he got."

     Ranma-chan walks up to Ukyo and she glomps on.  Ranma tries his
best to comfort Ukyo as she breaks down and starts crying.

     "You got to understand.  I did it for us."

     "I understand Ukyo."

     They stand there, embracing each for what feels like forever to
Ranma.  Finally Ukyo pulls back from Ranma grasp and looks down at
Drachenfel.  Ukyo picks up what remains of his cloak and places it
over his body.

     Ukyo clasps her hands together.  "May you spirit rest in peace." 
She says a prayer for him and then turns towards Ranma.  "Okay, now
that we've stopped him.  How do we get home."

     "Good question."

     "Maybe the little girl will know how."

     "Might as well try.  The question is how do we find her."

     The duo look around the room and spot a huge set of double doors.
They look at each other and nod their heads.  They walk over to the
doors.  Ranma-chan reaches out to open the doors but they open by
themselves.

     Total darkness is all they see on the other side.

     "Want to go in?"  Asks a nervous Ukyo.

     "Why not?"

     They enter the dark room.  They only take a couple of steps
inside when the doors behind them swing shut.

     Surrounded by darkness again.

                              **********

     Akane wakens suddenly to a loud noise.  She instinctively jumps
to her feet and takes up a defensive stance.  She looks around and
doesn't see a thing.  She hears the loud noise again, it turns out to
be Shampoo's snoring that woke her.  Relieved, Akane walks over and
checks out the two men that she and Shampoo had tied up.  They're
still there, still unconscious too.  Satisfied she goes back and takes
up her spot under the tree.  

     Akane glances at her watch and notes that it's almost midnight. 
They had told Kasumi that they were going to be back for dinner but
that was hours ago.  He father must be worried sick about her now. 
She wanted to go find a phone and call home but she couldn't.  Akane
wouldn't leave this spot until Ranma comes back.

     No matter how long it takes.

                              **********

     A beam of light shot out from the ceiling onto a person kneeling
at an alter.  Ukyo and Ranma-chan see this and head over to the
person.  They approach the person from the rear and notice that this
person is wearing the purest white kimono that they have ever seen. 
Long braided black hair is the only thing that breaks the pure white. 

     The person abruptly sits up and turns around towards them.  A
white blindfold covers her eyes.  For all the years she has been here,
she still looks like a like twelve year old girl.

     "Who's there?"

     Ukyo and Ranma are unable to reply.

     "Is it you Drachenfel.  Have you at last come back to me?"

     "No it isn't."  Replies Ranma-chan with every amount of effort
that she can muster.

     "Who are you?"

     "I'm Ranma Saotome," gestures towards Ukyo, "And this is my good
friend Ukyo Kuonji."

     The girl bows slightly to them.  "Nice to meet you.  My name is
Nozomu Yurusu."

     Ranma-chan sits down next to Nozomu.  "Nozomu, I got a question
for you." 

     "What is it."

     "How do we get home from here?"

     "Someone has to open the door from the other side or...."

     "Or what?"

     "I could sent you back."

     "Can you sent us back."

     "I'm sorry, but I can't.  Until someone removes the blindfold,
I'm powerless to do anything."  A frightened look crosses her face. 
"Once that person removes the blindfold.  I'll be forced to do what 
ever they say.  Till the day they die."  

     (A chance to get home and to finally be rid of my curse.  It's
what I've always dreamt of.)  Ranma considers removing the blindfold
but doesn't.  (But at her expense.  Even if I am good person, she'll
still be enslaved to me.)

     "I can't do it Ukyo.  I can't remove to blindfold."

     "Why not Ranma, we get to go home and you get a chance at being
cured."

     "But she'll be enslaved to me.  I couldn't live with myself if I
did."

     "By the way, do you know what happened to Drachenfel.  He
promised that he would come back for me."

     "Drachenfel...... well he's...... it's like this....."  

     Ranma gets up and places a hand on Ukyo's shoulder.  "He's dead."

     "What.... How can this be?  I made him immortal, he can't die!"

     "What do you mean he can't die?"

     "Like I said, he can't die.  No matter how bad the wound, he'll
live.  If something does kill him, he'll come back to life.  Only if
you destroy his body completely can you really kill him."

     Ranma-chan's eyes get bigger than normal.  "You mean he'll can't
be killed!"

     The doors burst open and Drachenfel enters the room.  "Nozomu
I've come for you!"

     "Drachenfel!"  Calls out Nozomu.

     "Get her out of her Ukyo!  I'll take care of him!"  Ranma-chan
races towards Drachenfel.

     Ukyo scoops up Nozomu in her arms and runs off with the
protesting little girl.

     Drachenfel walks up to Ranma-chan.  "You bothersome girl, why do
you keep getting in my way!"

     "I guess I got a thing for pain."

     "If it's pain you want, pain you get!"  Drachenfel raises his
arms and the whole room lights up.  "Take this!  Ultimate attack,
KUROI MONO BAKUHATSU SURU!"  A huge ball of dark energy shoots out
towards Ranma.

     Ranma watches the huge incoming blast come barreling towards her.
(To huge to dodge away in time.  Only one thing I can do.)  Ranma-chan
summons up her last remaining energy.  "Try this!  HIRYU SHOTEN-HA
REVISED, HORIZONTAL BLAST!"   A huge beam of energy launches from
Ranma-chan's fist and streaks out towards Drachenfel.

     The two energy blast hit each other and a loud explosion occurs. 
Drachenfel and Ranma-chan are both sent flying backwards onto their
backs.  Drachenfel quickly gets back on his feet.

     "That was extremely impressive, for a girl."

     In a heartbeat Ranma-chan crosses the distance between them and
flattens him.  "FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M A GUY!!!"

     Drachenfel knocks Ranma-chan's feet out from under her.  As she
hits the ground, Drachenfel reaches out and grabs her by the throat. 
"Guy or girl, makes no difference to me!"  He starts squeezing her
throat.  "And in a few moments it won't matter to you either!"

                              **********

     Ukyo stops and leans up against a wall in a corridor far away
from the fighting.  Ukyo heard the explosion and the sounds of
fighting a moment ago.  It's the silence that she hears now that
causes her to worry.  Ukyo had to put her hand over Nozomu's mouth to
keep her from calling out.  Ukyo puts her down and removes her hand.

     "Why won't you let me go to Drachenfel!"

     "Listen up Nozomu, I got some bad news for you.  Do you have any
idea about how much time has passed in the other world?"

     "No."

     "Over three hundred years has passed since you came here.  During
those years something happened to Drachenfel.  He's not the same
person that you knew back then."

     "What happened to him?"

     "I'm not sure exactly.  All I know is that he's not acting the
way a Shinto priest should act."

     "And just how should I be acting?"  Goes a voice behind her.

     "Drachenfel!"  Nozomu tires to go to Drachenfel but Ukyo grabs
hold of her and pulls her away.

     "I won't let you near her!  You'll have to kill me first!"

     "Funny, that's what your other friend said."

     "You didn't."

     Drachenfel grins the most sinister smile that Ukyo has ever seen
in her life.  "Add another name to the list."

     "YOU BASTARD!"  Ukyo charges wildly at him.

     Drachenfel swings his fist and backhands Ukyo across her face. 
She is sent sprawling to the ground by this mighty blow.  

     Ukyo lies there on the ground and starts to cry.  "Ranchan...."

     Drachenfel watches Ukyo cry to herself on the floor for a moment
and then walks over towards Nozomu.  "After all these long years, I've
come back for you."

     Nozomu takes a hesitant step back.  "Is it true about what she
said.  Have you really changed over the years?"

     Drachenfel kneels down in front of Nozomu and places a hand on
her head.  "What do you think?"

     "I don't know any more."

     "YOU BASTARD, YOU KILLED THE MAN I LOVED!"  Ukyo picks herself up
from the floor and charges at him again.  

     Drachenfel reaches for his belt and pulls out the stiletto Ukyo
stabbed him with.  "Here, you left this behind!"  He plunges the
stiletto deep into Ukyo's stomach.  

     Ukyo grasps the handle and slowly pulls it out.  Blood starts to
flow into her stomach.  Ukyo let's out a mighty scream and falls to
her knees.  Ukyo let's go of the stiletto and it clatters to the
ground.  "I'll be with you shortly Ranchan."  She falls forward onto
her face.

     Drachenfel watches Ukyo twitch for a few moments and then turns
his attention back to Nozomu.  "There we go.  No more nasty
interruptions."

     Nozomu jerks back form Drachenfel grasp.

     "What's wrong Nozomu?"

     "That lady was right.  You have changed."  Nozomu turns and run
from Drachenfel.

     "Nozomu come back!"  She keeps going.  "Come back Nozomu!" 
Drachenfel stands back up and starts after her.

                              **********

     (Damn, I'm going to feel that one for days.)  Ranma-chan groggily
rolls over onto her back and rubs her throat.  (What happened?) Ranma
hears a blood curdling scream.  "Ukyo!"  Ranma forces herself off of
the floor and heads over to where she thought she heard the scream.

     After a quick search she discovers Ukyo laying in a pool of
blood.  Ranma kneels down next to her and gently picks her up. Ukyo is
extremely pale and cold to the touch.  Ranma wipes some blood away from
Ukyo's mouth.

     "Don't be dead.... please don't be dead!"

     Ranma places her ear over Ukyo's heart and hears a faint beat.

     "She's still alive!"

     "Ranchan..."

     "Everything's okay Ukyo.  Don't worry about a thing."

     "I thought you were dead."

     "Nope.  Just knocked out."

     "Promise me something...."

     "Name it."

     "Kiss me before I die."

     "Your not going to die!"

     "Yes I am.  Please.... before I die.  I want you to kiss me for a
change."

     "Your NOT going to die!"

     "Please Ranchan."

     "Oh, Ukyo......"  Ranma brings her face closer and kisses Ukyo.
Ranma holds the kiss until Ukyo pulls back.

     "Get him for me......"

     "Ukyo..... wake up!"  Ranma starts to shake her.  "I said wake up!"
Starts to panic.  "I SAID WAKE UP!"  Tears start to flood into Ranma's
eyes.  "DON'T LEAVE ME UKYO!!!  I LOVE YOU TO MUCH!!!"  Ranma screams
for all she's worth.

                              **********

     Drachenfel hears an incredible scream that almost doesn't sound
human.  (So the red head has discovered her dead mate.)  He hears
another noise.  "Is that you Nozomu.  Come on out, I won't hurt you."

                              **********

     Ranma gently places Ukyo's limp body back down on the ground.  She
spies the stiletto and picks it up.

     "For you Ukyo."

     Ranma hears Nozomu scream out.  With new determination she heads
down the corridor towards the noise.

                              **********

     "I got you now!"  Drachenfel reaches out and grabs Nozomu by her
ponytail and pulls back.  Nozomu cries out in pain as he does.  He
grabs the blindfold.  "Now it's time to get what I deserve!"

     "You bet it's time!"

     Drachenfel turns in time to see Ranma-chan pounce on him, stiletto
in hand.  Ranma swings the stiletto and stabs him in the chest.   

     "This is for Ukyo, KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!"  Ranma launches into
the attack faster than she has ever done before.

     Drachenfel falls to his knees after the attack.  "I'm to close to
give up now."  He pulls out the stiletto and swings at Ranma with it.

     Ranma kicks it out of his hand and grabs him by his shirt.  "I'm
going to make you pay for what you did to Ukyo!"

     "The check's in the mail!"  Drachenfel reaches out with a hand,
grabs her throat, and head butts her.  He cocks back his free hand and
punches her in the face with all the force he can muster.  He cocks
his arm back again and punches her again, and again, and again, and
yet again.  He let's go of her and she plummets to the ground.  "Such
a shame.  She was a real cute."  He turns his head and looks towards
Nozomu.  "Let's end this game Nozomu."  He walks over towards her.

     "I ain't through yet."  Ranma tries her best to pick herself up
off of the floor.

     "What does it take to stop you!"

     "More than you got."

     Drachenfel walks over to Ranma's beaten body.  He kicks her in
the stomach.  "HOW MUCH (kick) MORE PUNISHMENT (kick) DO YOU (kick)
NEED BEFORE (kick) YOU WILL (kick) GIVE UP!"

     Ranma starts coughing up blood.  "I fight until I die."

     Drachenfel spies the discarded stiletto on the ground and grabs
it.  He then picks her up by her red hair.  Drachenfel runs the tips
of the stiletto along the side of Ranma's bruised face.  Ranma want's
to fight back but her body just doesn't want to listen.

     "I could kill you right now."

     "Then do it." 

     "Gladly."  He places the tip of the stiletto at the base of her
throat.  He pauses.  He looks at Ranma's beaten body and starts to laugh.
He drops the blade and Ranma.  "I have no desire to do such a thing.
Maybe later I will, but not now."  He turns and head over to Nozomu.
He grabs Nozomu with one hand and her blindfold with his other.

     Ranma weakly crawls over to the abandoned stiletto and grabs it. 
Mustering her remaining strength, she picks herself off of the floor
and staggers over towards Drachenfel.

     "Let's see if your eyes are as beautiful as I remember." 
Drachenfel prepares to remove the blindfold.

     Ranma raises the stiletto above her head and prepares to bring
it down.

     Drachenfel suddenly turns around and slaps Ranma.  She crashes
to the floor along with the stiletto.

     "Face it girlie, you lost!"  Drachenfel turns his attention back
to Nozomu.  "Now where were we?  Know I remember."

     He removes the blindfold.

     Nozomu opens her eyes and looks at Drachenfel.

     Drachenfel starts to cry and so does Nozomu.  They hug.  "Your
eyes are a beautiful as I remember."  He pulls back from the hug and
smiles at her.  "Now here is what I want you to do."

     Nozomu turns her head slightly.  "What ever you say, I'll do."

     "Nozomu I want you to...."

     She looks him in the eyes.

     "I want you to end the spell you placed on me."

     "If I do that you'll..."

     "I know."

     "But..."

     "JUST DO IT!"

     "As you command."  Nozomu places her hands together.  She says a
small prayer and her hands begin to glow.  She then proceeds and
places a hand on his forehead.  Drachenfel's body begins to glow.

     He stands up.  "FREE, FREE AT LAST!"  He falls to his knees and
begins to laugh violently.  Drachenfel starts to age rapidly, soon his
clothes fall to the ground.  Drachenfel aged away until he was only
dust.

     Ranma watches this and finally understands what he was really
after.  Nozomu walks over to Ranma and places a hand on her forehead.
Ranma glows and suddenly she's completely healed.

     Nozomu sits down next to Ranma.

     "I understand now,"  Nozomu grasps Ranma's hand, "He knew that
if he had you to remove his immortality that he would die and you
would be free."

     "That's right.  I guess he really didn't change as much as I
thought.  It was through his love for me that he did this.  I must
admit that I was scared for a moment.  Being immortal isn't as much
fun as one would think.  It get's very boring after awhile."

     Ranma suddenly remembers.  "Ukyo!  You got to..."

     "I know," Nozomu smiles at Ranma, "She's going to be fine.  I
guess you want to leave now."

     "Why don't you come with us."

     "I would like that..... but this place is my home.  Besides,"
Nozomu gets up and starts the walk away from her, "It's not time for
me to return."

     "Wait there's one more....."  Ranma glows and disappears.

                              **********

     "Can you cure me!"  Cries out Ranma.  She looks around and notices
that she's back in the park.

     Shampoo and Akane are awakened by her outburst.  Shampoo
immediately glomps onto Ranma.

     "Shampoo so worried!"

     "Shampoo, I can't breath."

     Shampoo lets go.

     "Wait!  WHERE'S UKYO!"

     There's another glow and Ukyo appears.  Ranma grabs Ukyo and
lifts her shirt up to see where she was stabbed.  No wound can be
found.

     "Oh, Ranchan.  In front of Akane and Shampoo to.  You must really
love me."  Remarks a blushing Ukyo.

     Ranma suddenly realizes what he's doing and turns to face an
angry Akane and Shampoo.

     "WHAT'S EXACTLY DID YOU TWO DO WHILE YOU WHERE GONE!"  Bellows
Akane.

      "He just kissed me and said that he loved me!"  Answers Ukyo.

     "HE DID WHAT!!!!"

     "Calm down Akane, she was dying and...."

     "SHE DOESN'T LOOK HURT TO ME!!!"

     "But..."

     "Ranma going to be the one hurt!"  Shampoo points a bonbori at
Ranma.

     "I just can't win."

                        ***END CHAPTER FOUR***

***EPILOGUE***


     Ranma, now in male form, is walking down a darkened street.  He
just escorted Shampoo back to the Neko Hanten.  He got a quick cup of
hot water after he fought off a raging Mousse who wanted to know why
she was with him.  Akane got mad at him a wanted to walk back to the
dojo by herself.  Ukyo is just a few steps behind him.

     "It's going to be dawn soon Ranchan."

     No response.

     "Are you still mad at me."

     "Yes."

     "I'm sorry Ranchan, it's just that...."  She stops and lowers her
head.  "I just thought..."

     Ranma stops and looks at Ukyo.  She looks up into his eyes.

     "I just thought.... about what you said."

     Ranma walk over towards Ukyo and embraces her.  "You do mean
allot to me Ukyo.  Your a very special person to me Ukyo."

     "Oh Ranchan...."

     "I do have feelings for you but......"

     "But what?"

     "I also have feelings for Akane."

     "Oh...."

     "Just remember that I do care you Ukyo.  Don't ever forget that."
Ranma gives Ukyo an extra tight hug before he lets go of her.

     Ukyo wipes a tear from her face.

     "What's wrong now?"

     "I'm just so happy."  She stares at Ranma for a moment.  "I guess
I should head home."

     Ranma reaches out and grabs her hand.  "Remember, your staying at
the dojo for the weekend."

     "That's right!"

     They start walking sown the street towards the dojo.

     "Come on Ukyo.  Let's go home."

     Ukyo stare lovingly at Ranma's face.  (Hopefully it will as
husband and wife one day.)

                                THE END

                              **********

     Well folks, what do you think.  Come on, be brutal if you want
to.  I prefer praises but I will take flames since this is my first
fanfic that I've completed.  I personally think that I did a good job,
but that's me.  To leave the praises or flames, you can contact me,
RTJ, at rtj@hotmail.com  

     Here's a quick translation of some names and words that I used:

"Drachenfel":  I got the name from a RPG game.  He was was such a
     great villain, I just had to use his name.  I have been told that
     the name is german for something, but I don't remeber what.

"Nozomu Yurusu":  It's suppose to mean "Wish Giver".  I just learning
     the language.  I think I srewed up the translation.

"Gekihou":  Shock wave.

"Tejinakotoba":  Again, this word is SUPPOSE to mean "Magic Word". 
     Plus it's SUPPOSE to be a pun.

"Kurai Kiri":  Dark mist.

"Kuroi Mono Bakuhatsu Suru":  Dark Matter Blast.  This attack was
     based on Magus' magical attack from the Crono Trigger video game.