**ALL THE CHARACTERS FOUND IN THESE
                                            STORIES ARE THE PROPERTY OF RUMIKO
                                            TAKAHASHI, AND ARE USED HERE WITHOUT
PERMISSION.

The changes that have occurred before this story will eventually get their own stories, but for now I will skip to the culmination of
this group of stories, which is actually the start of the new series which will be my primary focus, but to see a summary of the
preceding events, read Before the Story Began(link here) in the Archives. Here you will also find links to previous parts of the
current story. 

***************************************************************************** ***** 

I'd also like to apologize to all you hard-core Ranma fans out there, who own every one of the Anime tapes and Manga
magazines. I love Ranma, but I do not have the finances to buy all that's available, so my collection is not complete. No doubt, I
have made many errors regarding past events and the non-major characters as well. I beg you to indulge me in my folly. For
satisfaction's sake, let's turn to the "alternate world theory." In this world, most of the events and people are the same as in
Rumiko Takahashi's world, but a few things happened a little differently, and some of the people are not quite the same. That
being said, let us get to the story. I hope that you enjoy it. 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<@>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

STOP: Before you read PART FOUR, make sure that you read PART ONE(link here), PART TWO(link here), and PART
THREE.(link here) 

RANMA 1\2; SEASON #7: TRANSITIONS 

MOVIE NUMBER FOUR 

THE PRICE OF HONOUR 

PART FOUR 

################[Chapter Five]################# 

"Ranma, I'm sorry." Ryoga knelt by the tub where Ranma was taking the ritual bath. "I failed you. I wasn't able to protect you." 

"It ain't your fault, Ryoga; you tried. I'm almost glad it's out in the open now." 

"Glad? Are you crazy? You're going to die, Ranma!" 

"Ryoga. I didn't bring you here to fight. I need you to do something for me." 

"Huh?" Ranma continued through his friend's confusion. 

"After I die, the Tendo Dojo loses its male heir, and Akane loses her fiancee. You're good, Ryoga; I admit it. You're probably the
best martial artist besides me. The Tendos need you." 

"Ra--Ranma? A- are you asking me to---- " 

"Akane likes you, and you've always been good to her; better than I've been plenty of times. I want you to take my place here,
Ryoga." 

"M- me, Ranma. I -- that is --- should-- shouldn't that be up to Akane, a--and Mr. Tendo?" 

"You're right, and I'm gonna make sure to ask them myself. Just-- just promise me you'll always take care of them, even if they
don't accept." Ryoga paused while a storm of emotions passed across his expressive face. It didn't take long for him to come to a
resolution. He reached out and put a strong hand on Ranma's shoulder. It felt good. 

"I promise, Ranma. You didn't even have to ask." The two boys looked at eachother for a long, profound moment; their eyes
saying more than a thousand words could ever express. 

"Ryoga ---" Ranma began. Ryoga's grip on Ranma's shoulder tightened. 

"You don't have to say it, Ranma. I know." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

"A-Akane. I-- I know that I'm not the most suave of guys and that I tend to get carried away sometimes, and I understand that--
that you-- you won't feel the same about me as you do about Ranma, b-- but I promise you, Akane; I'll always care about you,
and I--I'll be there for you, and I'll die to protect you. I swear it with all my heart." Ranma in the black kimono of one who is
about to die, stood by silently as Ryoga nervously gave the girl who he had loved for so long his ernest pledge of loyalty and
faithfulness. Akane gazed at him for a long moment. Her tear-filled eyes shone softly, then she moved over to him and embraced
him tightly. 

"Oh, Ryoga. That was beautiful." 

(Pretty incredible, Pal.) Ranma thought finding a new respect for his rival and friend.   (Now let's see how you handle the old
man.) Ryoga embraced Akane reverantly for a moment, then turned to face Mr. Tendo. 

"M-- Mister Tendo," he spoke, "I realize that I don't have Ranma's skill in Martial Arts, and-- and I'm not the son of your good
friend, but I have a deep respect for your Dojo, and the 'Anything Goes' school of Martial Arts. If you accept me, I'll do
everything that I can to make sure that you never regret taking me in; and to defend the honour of the 'Anything Goes' School and
the Tendo Hall. Please, Sir. I give you my word of honour." 

(Allright, Ryoga.) Ranma conceded silently. Of course it worked. Tears of overwhelming emotion streaming down his cheeks,
Soun Tendo put both hands on Ryoga's shoulders. 

"Ryoga Hibiki, you are a youth of honour and courage. On that alone and the fact that Ranma trusts you so completely, I would
be honoured to call you son!" Then he embraced him so tightly that even a strong boy like Ryoga was left gasping for breath.
Genma arrived just as Ryoga recovered. He was in black too and his bald head was uncovered for the first time in 10 years. He
only wore a black headband tied around his brow right now. The time for the ritual was at hand and dressed in black herself,
Nodoka Saotome arrived, as pale as the walls that would witness the terrible scene. Ranma faced Soun, Akane and Ryoga, his
face betraying many emotions. The grim line that he would walk both started and ended with them. Nabiki and Kasumi came over
to join them. Ranma saw the way that Ryoga held Akane and the way that Mr. Tendo stood behind Ryoga, and knew that their
good future was assured. 

"I know that I've left you guys in good hands." he spoke quietly. 

"Ranma." Akane spoke. He gazed at her briefly, then moved on to the next group while Genma said his emotional goodbyes to
Soun, Ryoga, and the girls. 

"I'd hoped that you'd marry my daughter someday, Ryoga, but I'm glad that you're here for my second one." 

"Mr. Saotome." (Akane) 

"Thank you, Father." (Ryoga) 

"Goodbye girls." 

"Oh, Mr. Saotome; I'm so sorry." (Kasumi) 

"I always hated tragedies." (Nabiki) 

"Soun!" 

"Genma, you fool!"  The two men embraced eachother as they rarely ever did. Both of them had tears in their eyes. They pulled
apart and just looked at eachother, arms clasped. Ranma, looking at the scene from the side, couldn't help noticing that it was
very much like he and Ryoga had looked at eachother in the bath chamber. He was talking to Miss Hinomiyo. 

"Sensai Hinako; I haven't known you for very long, but thanks for the help up to now." 

"No, Ranma Saotome. Thank you. I owe you a great deal." They shook hands and Ranma moved on. 

"Thank you for looking out for my boy." 

"It was worth it, Mr. Saotome."

"Senior." It was one of the rare times that Ranma had ever addressed Kuno formally, and the scion did not quite know how to
react. "You're the last person that I wanted to see this, especially since you probably have no clue why I'm doin' it, but it's been
an experience. As a parting gift I'll tell you this. The pig-tailed girl 's name is Ranoka, Ranoka Saotome, and she wants to say
goodbye too. You won't be seein' her around anymore either." Nodoka turned towards her son in surprise. 

"A name? They gave her a name?" 

"Yes, Mrs. Saotome." Kasumi spoke softly; "They named her in your honour." 

"A wild breeze." Fresh tears filled the woman's eyes. " What a perfect name for my child, had she indeed been a girl." Kuno heard
none of the conversation; he was still stunned by Ranma's revellation. 

"You-- your sister?" he exclaimed. "She is your sister? So all this time, you were protecting your sister, as is a brother's sacred
duty! Ranma Saotome, I am fraught with contrition! You are more honourable than I realized. But, Alas! Why is the fair Ranoka
Saotome not here to witness her brother's passing?" 

"Let's just say that we're a part of eachother." Ranma spoke; "Believe me, this is gonna hurt her as much as it hurts me." 

"Ahh! The fair, gentle child cannot bear to see the cruel death of the brother she so adores. Would that my own sister could be as
devouted. Alas, woe that truth must be so cruel!" 

"Senior, I think that's about as much 'truth' as you can handle." 

"Farewell, Ranma Saotome. Die with nobility." 

"Yeah, thanks Buddy." Ranma moved on to Happosai. 

"Farewell, son. Enjoy." 

"You will die with honour, Master Saotome."

"Ranma, I'm sorry to see you go. It's been a challange training you, my wild student;" he grinned slyly, "both of you." 

"Yeah, well don't get too confident, Ol' Man. Ryoga ain't gonna be any easier to beat than I was; and leave the girls alone, at least
for a week; you owe me and Pop that much." 

"Ryoga has almost as much potential as you do, Son. I'm sure we'll get along just fine." 

"I'll bet." Ranma replied sarcastically. 

"I've grown to respect you, Son; I'll say that. You face things like a man." 

"Thanks. I guess I learned a few things from you too." A final exchanged glance between the two of them, and Ranma moved on
again. 

"Farewell, Master. I am grateful for all that you have taught me, and my son." 

"You're finally taking some responsability for your life, Genma. I respect that. I'm sorry that it ended up costing you the
life of your son." 

"Thank you, Master. Your training will help us through this."

"Goodbye, Tsubasa. I gotta say; you've turned out well. I'm glad you've been on our side, even for a short time. Ukyou's lucky to
have you around." 

"Thank you, Senior Classman Saotome. It's been a privalage knowing you, rival or not." Ranma clasped his hand warmly. 

"You'll do okay, Kuranai." Then he turned to Ukyou. 

"I'm sorry, K'you." he spoke quietly; "I've caused you a lot of trouble without meanin' to. I hope you can forgive me." 

"Oh Ranma, Honey. Do you really have to do this?" 

"I wish I had a choice." 

"Sometimes I think this whole country and its traditional honour is really screwed up! You don't deserve this, Honey." Ranma
managed an ironic grin. 

"We don't always get what we deserve, do we?" He smiled again as Ukyou's eyes filled with tears and lay his hand gently along
her cheek. "You'll be allright, Ucchan." 

"Goodbye, my love." She put her arms around his neck and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Then she reached for Tsubasa's
hand. Ranma passed on to the next group. 

"Ukyou, sorry for all the trouble." 

"You're forgiven, Mr. Saotome. Thanks for Ranma, Honey; even for a little while." 

"You are a kind lady and an excellent cook."

"Granny; I want to thank you for everything, okay?" 

"It hasn't been all roses, Son-in-Law. I've given you enough troubles. You have weathered them well." 

"Thanks. Hey, see if you can teach Ryoga the Hiyrun Shoten Ha when I'm gone, will you? He's really got to learn how to keep
his cool." 

"In honour of your bravery, Son-in-Law. I would teach him anything." 

"Thanks." Teary-eyed despite her usual, hardened nature, Cologne climbed to the top of her staff and gave him a quick peck on
the cheek. 

"The Gods be with you, Ranma Saotome." Feeling his throat tighten in spite of himself, Ranma moved quickly on to Mousse. 

"Mistress Cologne. May the Gods bless you and your family, in this life and beyond. " 

"I will not wish a dying man ill. The heavens be kind to you, Genma Saotome."

"Mousse." Ranma held out his hand; "It's been real." Mousse hesitated before taking the pre-offered hand, but his grip when he
accepted the parting gesture was warm and firm. "You're a skilled martial artist and a good man. You deserve the best." 

"Despite all that has gone on between us, Honoured Rival, I did not wish for an end like this." Mousse replied, facing Ranma with
respect. "Sacred or not, this vow is cutting short the life of one who might have been a great man. I cannot rejoice in that." 

"You're pretty decent after all, friend. Thanks." They shook hands in mutual respect, even the beginnings of what might have one
day become friendship. Then they let go, and Ranma moved on to what, strangely enough, would probably be the hardest
goodbye before the last. 

"Mousse." 

"Sir. May your life's judgement be just." 

"I admire a man who talks straight. For all it's worth; thank you."

"Shampoo." The Amazon threw herself into Ranma's arms uninhibited. This one time, he did not pull away. 

"Ranma! What Shampoo do without you?" Akane looked on with tears in her eyes, but they were not tears of anger, which
seemed so petty right now. They were tears of shared sadness for the loss that hurt them both more deeply than she had known. 

"I'm sorry, Shampoo. Whatever else happened between us, you've pretty much been good to me." 

"Ranma good to Shampoo too. Shampoo hurt in heart." 

"You'll be allright, Shampoo. You're strong and you got people who love you." 

"Ranma." Shampoo wept, and he managed a grin. 

"You know; I'll even miss the cat." 

"You run away from Shampoo-cat." The maiden spoke, her tears temporarily stopped with her mystification. 

"I can't help that." Ranma spoke, "but it wasn't 'cause it was you, Shampoo." 

"Shampoo miss girl-Ranma too." Tears slipping softly down her cheeks, the Amazon said goodbye to her would-be husband
forever. She kissed him gently on the cheek, like a butterfly, then drew away overcome with grief. It was at this point that Ranma
took her hand and joined it to Mousse's. As he clasped his hands over the link both of them looked at him in surprise. Ranma's
blue eyes met Mousse's spectacled ones in a steady gaze. 

"Take care of her." 

"My life on it." Mousse replied with heartfelt sincerity. Shampoo responded completely. 

"Mousse." She wrapped her arms around his neck and held tight as he reverantly closed his arms about her as well. In the face of
the deepest tragedy two predestined souls were finally where they were meant to be. That, at least, was a comfort. Then came
the hardest goodbyes of all. 

"The Gods' blessings on you, child." Genma spoke quietly laying his hand gently on Shampoo's hair. 

"Kasumi, Nabiki, I ---" 

"Don't say a word, Little brother. I might start crying." 

"Goodbye, Sis." She hugged him, tears in her eyes in spite of herself. 

"Give the afterlife hell, Kiddo." Then it was Kasumi's turn. She kissed him on the forehead and embraced him softly as her tears
fell into his hair. 

"Oh, my Ranma; how I'll miss you." 

"Kasumi." Ranma was getting choked up as well. "You made my world a better place; more than you know." He hugged her
back tightly, and moved quickly away. Mr. Tendo's eyes were streaming tears again. 

"Goodbye, Father." He was immediatly caught up in an embrace that nearly aphixiated him right then and there. 

"Ranma! Oh, Ranma my son! You have brought me such pride and joy in your short life, as to fill an eternity! The tragedy of
losing you is beyond words! To see your young life cut short so cruelly, tears in my soul!" Ryoga and Genma finally succeeded in
prying the man's arms from around the boy leaving Ranma gasping for breath. 

"Get a hold of yourself, Tendo!" Mr. Saotome was shouting shaking his friend fiercely. "Pull it together! Show some dignity,
Man!" Ranma managed another brave smile regaining both his own and his father-in-law's composure. 

"You've been kind to me, Sir. Thank you." 

"Forgive my outburst Saotome, Ranma." Tears still streamed down his face, but this time Soun Tendo only clasped the boy's
shoulders firmly. "Farewell." Ranma turned back to Ryoga, who let go of Akane for the final goodbye. 

"You take care of things here Ryoga or I might just have to come back and haunt you." Ryoga had tears in his eyes as he replied,
but this time they did not spill over. 

"I'll keep my part of the bargain, Ranma, but I'm holding you to yours. Don't you dare back out this time, Saotome or I'll track
you down in the afterlife myself!" Ranma grinned. 

"Just don't get lost." 

"Ranma, you jerk." All that he was and felt seemed to hang in Ryoga's last statement and Ranma could already feel his heart
breaking. Looking into his best friend/worse enemy's wet eyes, he knew that Ryoga was suffering the same. Then it was time for
the hardest goodbye of all. Akane could not restrain herself. 

"Ranma, don't do this! It wasn't your decision. This isn't fair!" 

"You idiot." was his reply; "Don't you know anything? This is honour, Stupid. I have no choice." Angry tears burned in Akane's
eyes and she pounded at his chest in her fury. 

"Ranma, you jerk! You're going to kill yourself just to fulfill some stupid promise! I care about you and all you do is 'insult' me!"
He caught her wrists. 

"Have some respect for me, Akane; I'm about to die." Her tears flooded her eyes even more. 

"You don't have to! This is all just stupid; a stupid male-ego trip over something that doesn't even matter! It's your life that
matters, you dummy!" The fire seemed to burn out, washed away by the tears in her eyes and in her heart. She didn't have the
strength to pull away; not even to turn away. His eyes held hers like a chain on her soul; a gaze pregnant with unspoken emotions
that not even the most profound of farewells could adequately capture; and yet, he did. 

"You are 'so' uncute." Akane's tears spilled over and suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the lips!
The shock of the unexpected gesture was momentary and soon he was kissing her back for all he was worth. All that they were,
all that they felt was contained in that simple contact, and despite all his previous control, Ranma felt the tears well up beneath his
closed lids and spill down his cheeks in a silver stream of sorrow; blood from the bottom of his soul. As their lips finally parted
and their embrace ended, both young people felt half their souls torn away like paper. 

No last words were spoken, no comments were made. A final glance and Ranma turned away. His tears splashed across his own
clenched fists and Akane's, so recently seperated; a final link shattered. Akane turned immediatly into Ryoga's embrace. She
buried her head against his shoulder and did not lift it again. Feeling painfully inadequate, Ryoga wrapped his arms gently around
her and just held her, held her like his life depended on it. He knew as surely as he felt her pain, that she would never be his alone.
Even more, he knew that he would never want her to be; not anymore. He would love her, she might even love him, but there
would always be three in this relationship; always. 

Ranma and Genma had turned to face Nodoka now. She held the sword in front of her with both hands, horizontally. The naked
blade gleamed in the darkening light of winter twilight. Her eyes were still wet, but her face was dry. Ranma's state was just
opposite from his mother's. His cheeks were still wet, but his eyes were now dry again; the only moisture on Genma's face was
across his brow. Despite the weather, the room's storm doors were open to the garden; the long black pad on which the suicides
would kneel was on the varanda. The chill of the air only added to the grim scene playing out under the gray sea of winter's
clouds. Again, no words were spoken. Ranma and Genma bowed to Nodoka in grim silence. Nodoka looked at both her men.
By her feet, on either side of her black-robed figure, were two wooden holders. Each one held a curved, wrapped bundle;
slender and ominous, like a scythe. A moment's pause, then the mother and wife went down on one knee, and laid the sword in
front of the left stand. There was a gasp as Genma registered the meaning of his wife's choice. 

"Nodoka, no! Why must the boy ----" Then Nodoka did speak and her tone was cold. 

"You made the vow, Genma." she spoke. "You made it for an infant barely weaned from his mother's breast. Now he is a young
man; one you have raised by your own hand. You made the vow for one unable to comprehend what was happening to him.
Now I will see that you fully comprehend that vow. You 'will' watch, Genma Saotome; you will watch what you have done to our
son." 

"Ranma." Genma choked. Ranma raised his head and looked fully at his father. His eyes were clear and deep. In them, Genma
saw a bravery unmatched and the quiet despair of one resigned to his death. It was too terrible; Genma turned away. Ranma
turned to his mother. 

"I'm ready." He went down on one knee as well and faced his beloved executioner. She picked up the bundle on the stand, untied
the red silk ties and unrolled the cloth. Then she held it out to the doomed youth. Gleaming against the sable silk was a sharp,
slender blade. It was neither elaborate nor ornamented. It had a plain handle of polished red wood, and a shallow crescent blade
of silver steel with a blood channel down the center. The length of the blade was carefully calculated, as was the design. It was
not long enough to fatally damage any vital organs. It was sharp enough to sever arteries cleanly, causing as rapid a death as
possible through shock and blood loss. It was a simple, efficient instrument of death, nothing more. 

Despite his brave face, Ranma trembled slightly as he looked upon the harbinger of his unhappy destiny. It took a moment to
overcome his loathing of the tangible death before him, then he reached out and took the knife from its resting place. He
manuevered the deadly tool about slowly, so that it lay horizontally across his hands, the tip pointing towards his heart. Then he
closed both hands firmly over it, clasping them just tightly enough to feel the sharp bite of the steel against the skin of his palms,
but not enough to draw blood. Holding it thus, shoulders erect, he made his way gracefully over to the black deathmat. Everyone
watched his progress in griefstricken silence. Even Akane lifted her head from Ryoga's shoulder to watch. Genma, meanwhile;
collapsed slowly to his knees. 

Laying the cloth across the now empty stand, Nodoka picked up the katana and holding it against her chest, blade up, she
followed her son to the varanda. Her face was hard as steel, but her eyes were full of sorrow. Ranma knelt down in the center of
the cushion facing out into the garden. He laid the knife down on the ground in front of him and taking a deep breath, brought his
hands to his waist. Eyes ahead, he undid the sash of his ritual kimono and let the black cloth fall down on either side of his lean,
well-muscled abdomen. There was no sound except for the soft weeping of the women. Even the winter creatures had fallen
silent, and the city sounds were hushed and fearful. Nodoka took up position behind Ranma's back, facing the silent audience.
She held the sword before her as one well used to handling such a noble blade. Now it was up to Ranma. Hands resting on his
knees, Ranma lifted his head to take a final look at the garden and at the world that he loved; the world that had been his home
for only sixteen and a half short years. The others watched in tense horror. There was almost an air of the unreal about the entire
situation. Somehow, none of them could yet believe that this was really happening. 

"He--he's really going to do it." Akane choked. On the varanda, Ranma had taken his last look. He barely moved as tears filled
his eyes again. A single, silver drop escaped and slipped silently down his cheek. He reached for the dagger. One hand closed
over the handle, then the other, and he turned the blade towards his midrift. The struggle was brief. His hands tightened on the
smooth handle until his knuckles turned white. His whole body trembled as he shut his eyes, willing away the fear, the doubt, the
survival instinct. It took but a moment. 

"Heyaughhh!" With all his remaining strength, Ranma Saotome plunged the deadly blade into his abdoman! 

Akane screamed and buried her head in Ryoga's shoulder once more. Everyone else cried out in shock and horror. Even being
ready for it, did not truly prepare them for the terrible moment! Shampoo and Ukyou hid against the chests of their horrified
suitors, and Happosai and Cologne turned to eachother once more. Nabiki and Kasumi clung to their weeping father, and Hinako
turned her head to the side. Kuno, fainted dead away! Ranma heard the cries of horror and grief as he made the first cut. Then he
was only aware of the terrible, fiery pain that tore through his young body. 

"Aaurrghhh!" His fists were slick with his own blood; the pain drained his strength as rapidly as the life-sustaining fluid was
draining from his arteries. Shaking with pain, shock and weakness he doubled up, fighting with his failing strength to make the
vertical cut towards his heart. He doubted that he would make it. Tears of agony flooding his eyes, he gasped out a quiet plea for
relief. 

"Mom ...." 

"Ranmaaah! Ranmaahh!" The agonized cries of his father were unmistakable. Ranma had never heard so much pain in his father's
voice. 

"Onachan! Forgive me!" his mother's voice heralded the sharp whistling of her blade as it sliced down through the air. White pain
exploded behind his eyes; then everything went black! 

Oops! Looks like I did it again. So, who wants to read PART FIVE? *Evil Grin* Let me know what you think. -SL 

(This is PART FOUR of THE PRICE OF HONOUR. The rest of the story will be posted in subsequent sections in the near
future. If you have any comments or want to post your own stories here, I can be reached at ShadowsLady@goplay.com. Hope
to hear from you. Thank you for your interest.)