Ranma ½ Tarot Twists
By Rachael

Episode 001
The High Priestess

   A small, old figure looked on at the city. A gust of wind blew her long, graying hair and dark brown robes about her. She scoffed at the irony of it all, this place and the boy. This was where he lived though; the city of the cards. This was where they had told her to go, and so she fulfilled the prophecy and came. She let out a small cough and looked about her.
   The hill was green in the afternoon sun and overlooked the modern city quit nicely. It wasn't what she was use to, but something you can not control. She looked at the card in her hand and smiled. The High Priestess, how fitting of her to draw it on today of all days. Zita smirked. She'd be fulfilling the prophecy soon and meeting the Prince even sooner.


   Nabiki tallied numbers on her abacus as she listened to the grunts of her sister and soon to be brother in law fight in the back yard. She made a quick note on a pad next her and looked at the bills. Ranma had barely been with them for 6 months, and he had already destroyed the roof numerable times. The roofing company knew Nabiki by voice, and so did the housing and floor companies that remade their walls and floors. Nabiki was grateful she was lucky enough to get on their frequent user discount list, not that a large amount of money wasn't exchanged with Hikaru to hack into the system and place them there.
   Nabiki paused in her diligent work to watch Ranma send Akane to her rear once again. Akane had been training with Ranma a lot, now that Nabiki thought about it. But Ranma was going too easy on her to learn, and even Nabiki's untrained eye could tell he was holding back. A wicked smile spread across her face as Ranma jumped a low kick sent his way.
   "Oh Kuno!!!" Nabiki called in a sugary voice. Ranma's head snapped around behind him, only to have his cheek meet with Akane's fist. Nabiki let out a small giggle as Ranma fell to his side and all movement stopped.
   "Nabiki!" Akane admonished. "That was dirty!"
   "That one's on me, sis," Nabiki called back with a wink. Despite herself, Akane was grateful, and Nabiki could tell. Ranma groaned from the ground and Akane reverted her attention back to her fiancée.
   "Ranma? Are you okay?" Akane knelt by his side, a hand on his shoulder. He moaned and turned over. A large welt was forming on his cheek.
   "I'll have to remember to be careful around a buff chic like you..." he grumbled as he sat up.
   Akane was beginning to fume. Of all the nerve!! "I'm sorry, but you're not supposed to just turn in the middle of a fight though." There was an edge to her voice that suggested it was his own dumb fault.
   There was a rustle in the bushes next to Ranma, and he turned instinctively. A small dark figure stared back at him, and Ranma dived for it. It hollered in protest as the grin on Ranma's face widened. Suddenly, from hammer-space itself, a large mallet was connected to Ranma's cranium and the small black piglet in his hands was in her arms.
   "P-chan!!" Akane cried with delight. "Where were you? I missed you so much!" She turned from her loveable bundle to a comatose fiancee, her voice going harsh. "Ranma, quit torturing my P-chan!!" The pig gave an affirmative squeak before they both disappeared inside the house.
   Nabiki took up Akane's kneeling place at Ranma's side.
   "That was a dirty trick Nabiki," Ranma said flatly.
   "I see you've gained consciousness," she replied.
   "Where does she get those mallets?" Ranma asked as he sat up.
   "I have deal for you Ranma," Nabiki said flatly. She stood up and walked into the dining room, where she sat down at the table where her abacus sat. Looking at her questioningly, Ranma walked over to her and took off his sweaty shirt. Nabiki lifted one delicate eyebrow at him.
   "Akane's been getting better," he said defensively. Setting his red Chinese shirt down beside him, he sat down across the table from her. Nabiki eyed him wearily. His cheek was already beginning to heal, his body was taunt and sweaty from the warm up, and his breathing was slightly rapid.
   "I see she hit you pretty hard," Nabiki said conversationally.
    "Hn?" He set a hand on the welt. "Oh this, it's nothing. It'll be alright in a bit. Now what's this deal you were talking bout? You gonna hook me up with some of those mallets or what?"
   Nabiki let out a small sigh. "Listen to me Ranma. I know you don't like Ryouga sleeping with Akane!" Ranma gave her a shocked look.
   "What?! How did you know?!"
   "I'm no more thrilled about it than you are. Now I know you can't break your warriors code or whatever, but I'm willing to tell Akane, for a price."
   Ranma's eyes narrowed and his voice grew icy. "How much?"
   "Cheap, very cheap." Nabiki said simply. "I've also noticed since the day you showed up, trouble has been at our back door like a wolf."
   Ranma gave her an empty look. "And how does this all tie in together?"
   "If you train Akane to become a better fighter, I'll break the news to Akane. Simple, ne?" Nabiki said with a sweet smile.
   Ranma smiled back. "I think I can handle that. I'm already training Akane anyway." He suddenly looked worried. "And you're sure she wont get mad
at me?"
   "She'll never know you knew. All you have to do is train her 2 hours everyday." Nabiki said simply.
   "Alright.." Ranma said as he pondered her first sentence, then nodded. "No problem. 2 hours is nothing for me, but she'll be a bit battered if we make it intense."
   "Ranma," Nabiki said protectively. "I want her to be able to protect herself, and being as everyone who you've come up against is better than her, you're going to have to get intense. Got me?" Ranma nodded and stood up.
   "I'm gonna go clean up, make sure Akane knows by tonight. I don't want her sleeping with that pig another night," Ranma grabbed his shirt, gave her a quick fierce look, and headed for the bathroom.

   Lighting a black candle in a lightless room, Lunn lit the four remaining candles in the pattern. When he had finished lighting each of the candles he threw the match to the floor, spontaneously setting the room alight with the flickering flames of black candles variously placed throughout the room. A small paper on a far wall read in Japanese: "Training Hall of Dark".
   Lunn grinned at the ironic little paper, as he always did. Pacing into the center of the pattern, he outlined a large 5 point star with thick gray chalk. Sprinkling rose thorns in a circle around the star, he knelt to pay homage to his master. Careful not to damage it, he drew a string of strawberries from his pocket inside his suite jacket and placed them in front of him horizontally. Clasping his hands together he began to chant.
   "Oh great master, give me your strength, train me in your ways, and lend me your power. Through this sacrifice, blend your power with mine and make me your greatest follower. With the light of north, I invoke thee. With the light of the east, I invoke thee. With the light of the west, I invoke thee. And with the duel lights of the south, I invoke thee!!"
   A dark mist gathered around each light as he spoke, and with his final words the mist swarmed into his mouth. A low, throaty scream echoed through out the 12 story apartment. As the mists swarmed in, the lights went out and as the room went dark, a pair of dark glowing eyes appeared in the blackness of the room.

   There was a knock.
   "Yes, come in," Akane said cheerfully with a giggle and a playful squeeze of her loveable pet pig P-chan. P-chan gave a squeak of delight.
    "Hey little sis, can be talk?" Nabiki said, sitting down beside her sister. She eyed the little pig carefully.
   "Yeah, sure Nabiki. What's troubling you?" Akane asked with a smile.
   Nabiki returned the smile and laid a soft hand on P-chan's head. "Can I see P-chan Akane?" P-chan drew back instinctively.
   "Ah it's okay, baby," Akane nuzzled the creature in her arms. "You're not gonna throw him or give him to Ranma, are you?" Akane narrowed her eyes at her sister.
   Nabiki gave the sweetest smile she could muster. "Now Akane, I wouldn't do a thing like that, would I? Just let me see the pig."
   Akane thought about it; her sister never had an interest in her pig before. Maybe her sister was finally softening up. "Well, alright Oneechan." P-chan looked at Akane pleadingly as she handed him over to her older sister.
   "Nice Piggy," Nabiki said softly as she took it into her hands and set it in her lap. She didn't want to make it any happier than needed. She petted it softly on the head and it snuggled into her lap, though feeling rather awkward.
   Akane beamed at her sister, she was finally becoming caring instead of money hungry. "So what was it you wanted to talk about Nabiki?"
   "Akane, have you ever stopped to wonder where your little piggy came from?" Nabiki gave her an earnest look.
   Akane thought about the question. "No..." she replied uncertainly. "He's homeless Nabiki, he doesn't have a home to come from."
   Nabiki shook her head and P-chan picked his head up to stare at her. He didn't like the way this conversation was going. Could Nabiki know? He thought with utter worry.
   "Akane, there's something I have to tell you about P-chan." Nabiki looked down at the pig with sorrow in her eyes. Suddenly, P-chan knew what Nabiki was going to do, she was going to spill the beans about his secret. Squealing with fear, P-chan struggled in hands, trying desperately to free himself of Nabiki's suddenly strong grasp.
   "P-chan! What's wrong?" Akane looked at the little pig and looked up at her sister with concern. "Nabiki..."
   Taking a last resort, P-chan bit into Nabiki's thumb. With a cry he was thrown into the air, and he quickly ran out of the room, tears streaming out of his eyes. Akane looked at her sister with worry and took a look at her hand.
   "Nabiki, what's gotten into P-chan?" Akane asked.
   Nabiki bit back the urge to kill the pig and said with forced calm, "Akane, P-chan is not really a pig."
   Akane gave her sister a strange look. "I don't know what's gotten into you Nabiki, but you aren't just scaring me, you've obviously scarred P-chan." Akane stood up and left her room, searching for her pet pig. Nabiki swore under her breath.

   Akane found P-chan walking the halls in a dazed confusion. She scooped him up in her arms and headed down stairs. She sat herself on the back porch and gave gentle ministrations to her pet. Nabiki walked down the stairs and sat beside her sister.
   "Feeling better?" Akane asked mildly. Nabiki raised an eyebrow and looked at her through the corner of her eye. A slam of the front door drew the attention of all three.
   "Is anyone home? I'm back from shopping!" Kasumi called. Nabiki stood to go help with the groceries. Soun Tendo walked in from the living room, Genma-panda walking behind with a few friendly grumbles.
   "Ah Kasumi, my eldest daughter, you came back to your poor old father," Soun hugged his daughter.
   "Why father, of course I came back," Kasumi said brightly. "And I brought you your cigarettes." Soun clasped them in his hands and kissed Kasumi. "And I got you your bamboo shoots Mr. Saotome." The panda signed his sarcastic appreciation. "Nabiki, I bought the batteries you needed, and of course I have Akane's things." Akane turned pink and nodded her thanks. Kasumi sauntered off into the kitchen, feeling she had accomplished a job well done.
   "Tea anyone?" Kasumi called as she brought a try from the kitchen.
   "Hey Kasumi, back from shopping?" Ranma called to her. He took a seat at the porch, close to Akane.
   "Yes I am, I have what you wanted as well," Kasumi said with a sweet smile. Ranma blushed for a split second then nodded. Ranma took notice of the pig in her arms, and shot a look to Nabiki. She mouthed the words later, and he nodded. He smiled evilly.
   "Hi Akane, good work out. Ready for tonight? Hey pig," Ranma taunted P-chan with a poke to the nose. A low growl emitted from both master and pet. Ranma looked up at Akane with puppy dog eyes.
   "Ranma, what do you think you're doing?" Akane asked, swallowing her rage.
   "I can talk to the pig, can't I?" He emphasized the word pig.
   "You can't poke him though," Akane narrowed her eyes at him.
   "Hey," Ranma held up his hands pleadingly, though his voice was quit the opposite. "It's not like I want to sleep with it or anything." Suddenly, from hammer-space and the reaches beyond, came Akane's Mallet of Vengeance.
Only, to the surprise of the spectators, it never hit. A small, withered hand held the large mallet inches from Ranma's head. Ranma opened his eyes one at a time. The household watched with intense interest. Ranma gazed with bewilderment at the small figure in brown robes. The other hand went to throw back the hood to reveal the owner of the hand.
   The old women had long graying hair and dark green eyes. She was incredibly old looking, older than Cologne, Ranma thought. Her eyes sparkled with youth though, and she had an air of dignity about her. Her brown robes shifted as she turned to Akane, who gulped nervously.
   "Young lady," the old woman said kindly, "It would benefit you if you were to keep your temporal shifting space mallets to yourself." Akane blushed, and the mallet disappeared with a pop. Nabiki watched with a startled look. This would be interesting, she thought to herself. Soun stood.
   "And just who are you?" Soun asked threateningly.
   "No need to stand," the figure said with a dismissive gesture, "I'll seat myself, thank you very much." Her careless tone would of angered Soun, if it weren't for his docile good nature. She bowed to Ranma. The household watched in wide-eyed shock.
   "Prince, the time has come," she said sweetly.
   "Time? What?" Ranma sputtered.
   "Prince? What do you mean prince? Ranma's no prince, that's for sure," Akane blurted, receiving a glare from Ranma. P-chan squealed in approval.
   "Shut up Ryouga," Ranma smacked the small black piglet on the head. P-chan growled in anger and bit his finger. Ranma hollered in protest and flung the pig into the pond.
   "Ranma!!" Akane yelled, bringing a mallet down on him before even the old woman could stop it. The mallet poofef itself into hammer space and Akane went to fetch her pet pig.
   Ranma picked himself up with a groggy frown. "Stupid Ryouga. Stupid Akane."
   "Would you like me to get rid of them Prince?" the old woman asked. All eyes turned to her in shock. P-chan squealed in protest.
   "What? Nah! No!" Ranma babbled in surprise.
   "Excuse me, but do you mind explaining just who you are?" Nabiki asked from her spot by the table. The old woman walked over to Nabiki. Akane regained herself and took a few tentative steps toward the house.
   "I am Zita," she replied. Before anyone could blink she had fished out an object from her robes, turned and flung it at Akane. Both Akane and Ranma caught it, or more precisely, Ranma caught it and Akane caught Ranma's hand. In their hands was a card.
   "What's this?" Ranma demanded hotly.
   "That is your fortune for the day, prince," Zita said with a slight bow.
   "You're a fortune teller?" Nabiki asked mildly.
   "Oh my, what interesting guests we have today. Would you like a cup of tea as well Ms. Zita?" Kasumi asked sweetly. Ranma and Akane exchanged glances before they sat themselves around the table.
   "Thank so very much, Ms. Kasumi, I would like a cup of tea," Zita smiled and sat down.
   "So what does it mean?" Akane asked as she stared at it. The image starring back at her consisted of a mature woman meditating with the moon just above her forehead. Light radiated from the moon and her head alike, and her hair waved about her in feathery strands, extending to all areas of the card. The number 2 stood in Roman Numerals in the center of the moon, and several other strange symbols she'd never seen before. One of which she knew was Hebrew and another was another picture of the moon.
   Zita studied Akane and Ranma carefully, looking at each one evenly. She carefully weighed the answers she could give and decided to best start with an explanation. "It is a Tarot card. It is the Second Key, symbolic of the Moon. It relates to each person in a different way, for each person has a different life and situations ahead of them. It applies to many situations and can be interpreted in hundreds of ways."
   "Quit speaking in riddles!" Ranma yelled. Zita looked a bit taken aback. Nabiki cleared her throat, and all eyes went to her.
   "The High Priestess: Dualism; secret; hidden truth; wisdom; silence; spirituality; spiritual femininity; the mature woman. She is inspirational and intuitive. She is the virgin goddess, daughter of the moon, and archetype of feminine consciousness. Her astrological sign is Cancer, her element is water, and her number is two, which represents balance or yin and yang. She is passive and plies her craft in secret and connects us to the unconscious, dreams, and psychic powers." Nabiki read, looking up from her book.
   "Well done, apprentice," Zita said. Nabiki raised an eyebrow at the referral.
   "Thank you Zita," Nabiki said.
   "Nabiki, I didn't know you studied Tarot," Akane said in surprise.
   "Well I suppose that would make me the one who plies her craft in secret," Nabiki replied off handedly. "And I suppose Ranma would be both Yin and Yang."
   "Both Yin and Yang?" Zita asked.
   "Oh yeah," Nabiki said with a smile. "Ranma's got this curse where he turns into a girl. He got it from…"
   "Jusenkyo." Zita finished. Nabiki nodded, a bit astonished.
   "Just who are you anyway?" Ranma asked. Zita stood and gave him a low bow.
   "My apologies, prince. I am Zita, the Reader of the Stars of your court," Zita said.
   "Why do you keep calling Ranma prince?" Kasumi asked as she set tea out for everyone.
   "Thank you Kasumi," Soun said politely. "Isn't she a good little girl?" Soun said to Genma, who nodded.
   "Ranma and his chosen shall be the soul heirs to his kingdom," Zita said as she sat back down. She took a small sip of her tea.
    "Ranma and his chosen? Chosen for what, and what kingdom?" Akane asked, beginning to get frustrated.
   "Calm down, my dear. I speak of the great Dragon Kingdom, ruling over Earth. He shall chose one women to become his mistress and they shall rule the Kingdom together." Ranma and Akane blushed vividly. P-chan squirmed from her arms and left.
   "Pop, is this some kind of plot to get me to marry Akane?!" Ranma asked violently, turning to his father. The panda singed in the negative. Ranma glared at him.
   "Oh dear, you are already engaged?" Zita asked.
   "Yeah," he grumbled. Akane turned a light shade of pink.
   "To 3 women, actually," Nabiki smirked. Zita seemed rather startled.
   "Well Prince, you will have to make a choice. Once you have, we will go," Zita said flatly.
   "And just who put you in charge?!" an angered and wet Ryouga said as he stepped into the room.
   "My, where did you come from, so handsome too," Zita said with a smile. Ryouga seated himself beside Akane and glared at the old woman. "Well," she said a bit disheartedly, "I was sent by the King to retrieve his chosen for training."
   "Training for what?" Soun asked.
   "Who's this king?" Nabiki asked, a glint in her eyes.
   "Where is this Dragon Kingdom?" Akane asked.
   "Hold on," Zita said with a smile. "One at a time please." She took a slow sip from her tea as the group around the table waited for her.
   "You'll have to excuse me," Kasumi said sweetly. "I must start dinner now." Kasumi smiled her sweet smile and walked out of the dining room and into the kitchen. I can still hear them though, she thought to herself as she left her family to start dinner. Should I include Ms. Zita as a dinner guest as well? Hmm, it's only polite.
   "The Dragon Kingdom…Think of it as a parallel Earth to yours. It's reachable only by great Martial Artists, ones with extremely high ki levels. That is why we must train you and your chosen partner immediately and extremely well. You will be up against the greatest forces in the galaxy, you must be willing to make sacrifices and work hard. And the king, he will be your trainer once you get to the Dragon Kingdom. He will train you in the special combat of the Ryu-kata or Dragon Style. From our studies of you, you already know some of the Dragon techniques. The Hiryu Shoten Ha or Dragon's Heavenly Blast."
   "There was nothing "heavenly" about it," Ryouga said fiercely with a clenched fist and teeth. "It was pure ki. Pure pain. True terror."
   "You've experienced it?" Zita asked with great surprise. Ryouga nodded. "My, it must have been an extremely weak blast, most would have died from a blast like that from someone from the Dragon Kingdom." The group was flabbergasted.
    "I'm sure they would of," a decrepit voice said from the hall. All heads turned to the short man in the brown gi. "I never would of thought it'd come from the Legendary Dragon Kingdom." Happosai said thoughtfully.
   "You know of the Kingdom?" Zita asked.
   "Ah yes, I learned of it when I was young. In fact, it was just after my tragic breakup with the dear young Cologne." Happosai received flat glares from everyone but Zita, who didn't know him. He rambled on. "We were young and in love, and we couldn't stay away from each other. Hot Hands Happosai, everyone called me."
   Ryouga slammed a fist into the old man's head. Zita was shocked. "Enough of your perversions, Freak. How did you come across the legend already?"
   "Well, like I said, Cologne and I had just gotten over a bad break up when I decided to take a looksie at an old book of hers she'd given me, to see if there were any well kept memories of course."
   "Yeah, whatever, just keep telling your story," Ranma muttered.
   "Well I was just browsing when it started talking about great all mighty powers and such, and well, it just drew my eye. So it said the Legendary Dragon Kingdom hoards the great good ki energy of the universe, letting only the chosen and strong bear it on their backs, and only the chosen shall fight when the time of darkness shall come. So it is written, so let it be done." Happosai took a long draw on his pip, then let it out in little flower and panty shapes of smoke.
   "That's right, he stole it from my tribe!" a decrepit voice called from the porch. The unwrinkled group (Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Ryouga, Soun and Genma) all neatly face-faulted onto the wooden floor boards.
   "Ah, here is the wrinkled one now," Happosai said calmly.
   "Just who are you calling wrinkled, letch," Cologne whacked him in the head hard then took a seat next to him.
   "I take it you are Ms. Cologne," Zita said.
   "Yes, you are wise to call me Ms, I am older than you," Cologne said.
   "Oh my, Ryouga, Master Happosai and Cologne, three more for dinner," Kasumi said as she peeked her head out from behind the kitchen wall.
   "So why me anyway?" Ranma grumbled.
   "You are the chosen, why not?" Zita seemed a bit shocked by his lack of enthusiasm. "You have displayed loyalty and a great amount of strength and courage. You are possibly one of the greatest heirs to the Ryu or Dragon Throne."
   "How long have you been studying my son-in-law?" Cologne asked.
   "Ah well, since he first started training, he had a great amount of energy that radiated even to our parallel dimension." Zita pondered something then smiled.
   "Well what if I don't want to?" Ranma asked belligerently.
   "Then we'd have to make you come, wouldn't we?" Zita lifted an eyebrow and watched it sink in. "Perhaps kidnapping, or harsh beatings to the innocent, whatever it takes."
   "That's blasphemy!" Ryouga shouted, slamming his hands on the table. Nabiki frowned as she noticed a tension crack run through the wood with a small splintering sound.
   "Desperate times call for desperate measures," Zita replied calmly.
   "So I've got no choice," Ranma growled, clenching an unseen fist under the table. Akane looked at him from the corner of her eye and placed a hand on his fist.
   "What do you mean desperate? Is someone in danger?" Akane asked gently.
   "Grave, grave danger. The whole kingdom is being threatened, and if this force captures the kingdom they can destroy your world as well with their new found power." Zita frowned deeply and her face grew dark.
   "What type of forces?" Cologne asked.
   "Evil ones. Big, bad, evil ones," her voice and face darkened as she spoke. "Their origin is unknown, but they are a force to be reckoned with."
   "They who are from the dawn of all time, they who are equal to that of their opposite. They of the Kurai Tora Chi. They who control the fathomless, the undead or wanted. Speaking of dark, bringing of black, destroyer of night. They who are of the Black Tiger Blood." Cologne mumbled. Zita seemed shocked, the others were confused.
   "Another profit book?" Happosai asked casually. He received a nod in reply and he took a long draw on his pipe.
   "I understand this must be hard on you. I'll give you until tomorrow. You must have a decision for me and be able to tell me who your chosen is." Zita stood, though she seemed almost the same height as before.
   "His chosen?" Cologne asked, an edge in her voice.
   "Yes, he must chose one women to carry on his duty with him as heir to the Ryu Throne." Zita turned her gaze toward Ranma. "You have 'til tomorrow Prince, make your choice wisely." She smiled, slapped a card on the table and zipped away, out the porch and into the streets.
   "Son-in-law," Cologne said. Ranma looked at her, an irked expression on his face. "I expect that you will chose Shampoo. The consequences shall be great if you chose otherwise." Her eyes narrowed in emphasis.
   "He shall chose whoever he wants Cologne," Soun said fiercely. She turned to him calmly. Soun kept his gaze steady. "I will not have you choosing my heir's wife. He chooses Akane, and that's final." Akane and Ranma blanched.
   "Is that so?" Cologne asked, hopping a bit closer on her stick. Soun's gaze was steady.
   "It is," Happosai said, taking a stand for once. Nabiki watched with surprised interest. I can't believe they're standing up to her.
   "Oh my, is Ms. Zita gone?" Kasumi asked. "Well, I guess I brought an extra plate for nothing. You are staying for dinner, aren't you Ms. Cologne?" Kasumi held a plate tentatively in her delicate hands, hoping her interruption was forgivable and would relieve some of the tension in the room. Cologne started a staring contest with the old pervert.
   The tension grew as their auras flared around them. Happosai stared at her laxly, yet Cologne stared at him with intense burning hatred. Finally, she gave one last burst of aura before she turned to Kasumi.
   "No Kasumi, I wont be staying for dinner, but thank you." She left the house via the porch. Happosai took his place at the table and looked at Kasumi expectantly. She beamed at him and handed him a plate full of food.
   "Looks delicious Kasumi," Happosai said and began to dig in. Nabiki, like a stealthy cat, slinked the card left behind by Zita to her side. It was noteworthy, she thought to herself.



Ranma ½ Tarot Twists

Episode 002
The Tower

   Kasumi hummed lightly as she gathered the dishes and took them into the kitchen. Things had turned out better than expected, hopefully, they'd stay this nice.

   Meanwhile, Nabiki sat up against the wall and stared at the item in her hand. It was one of Madame Zita's Tarot cards, the Tower to be precise. A card often confused with terror and death and deceit.
   "Nabiki?" Akane asked gently. Nabiki looked up in surprise, hiding the card.
   "Yeah Akane?"
   "Um, are you feeling better?" Akane took a spot by her sister's side, sitting cross legged.
   "Better?" Nabiki asked.
   "You seemed sick earlier," Akane explained softly.
   "Well, to tell you the truth there's something I've been meaning to tell you all day," Nabiki looked at Akane with earnest.
   "Yes," Akane prompted with a nod.
   "Well, don't you find it odd that Ryouga would appear only moments after P-chan left?" Nabiki asked. Akane was caught off guard, and her jaw went slack as she thought about it. "And isn't it strange that P-chan has a bandana just like Ryouga's? Or could it be coincidence that both of them have a terrible sense of direction? And how about the way neither of them seem to like Ranma all that much?" Dawning realization rang in Akane's ears, bursting her into reality.
   "Nabiki, what are you saying?" Akane asked slowly, taking time to think.
   Nabiki placed her hands on Akane's shoulders. "Akane, I'm trying to tell you your little pet P-chan is big old Ryouga. They're one in the same."
   "How?" Akane managed to stutter, a daft look in her eyes.
   "Jusenkyo," Nabiki replied flatly. Akane's eyes opened wide in shock. A short silence passed between them before Akane got up. A blank look washed over her face, and she trotted upstairs to her room quietly.

   Ranma let out a deep sigh. The night wasn't cold, but there was enough of the winter chill to make the spring night bite. The skies were clear and the stars twinkled with all the luster of faded rocks and Ranma gazed at them with all the interest of a blind horse. The roof was hard against his back, and his thoughts circled his head with relentlessness, making him nervous and confused. He glared at the stars above him, wishing he could be someone else for a time.
   "Arg! Decisions!" Ranma cried to the world around him. He clenched his fists. He knew who he wanted to take, but he…he just didn't know…he didn't know what would happen.
   "So you're gonna do it?" Ryouga asked mildly. Ranma turned with surprise.
   He sighed and a fog came over his eyes. "Not much choice, if I don't we're all dead, if the old ladies tellin the truth that is."
   "You think she is?" Ryouga asked, sitting down beside his companion, though he'd never admit it. The truth was, Ryouga liked Ranma, but he still wanted to be better than him, that's how he'd always felt. It was a kind of bitter, loving jealousy.
   "Tellin the truth?" Ranma turned to him, not really seeing the eternally lost boy.    "Yeah, I guess. She seemed too…what's the word? Sincere. Besides, Nabiki believed her, and that's all the convincing I need. And if I don't, she'll resort to killing people and kidnapping, not something to be taken lightly."
   Ranma came out of his haze to stare at his once again friend. Ryouga lifted a single doubting eyebrow. "You really believe her, with all that voodoo card talk? I personally don't believe a word she said."
   "Then why are you asking me about it?" Ranma asked edgily. "Ryouga, if you really don't believe her, why are you bugging me? She gave me till tomorrow to make my decisions." Ranma laid back on the roof with an agitated grumble.
   Ryouga sat quietly for a moment. It was a long moment; the type that seemed to last an eternity and drag on until the dawn. "Who are you going to chose then?" he asked, ice in his throat.
   Ranma turned his head to him and they locked eyes. "Who do I always chose? Who do I always fight for Ryouga? Isn't it obvious?" Ryouga seemed almost angered by the insolence in Ranma's voice.
   "You can't have her Ranma!" Ryouga yelled.
   "She's not yours to give Ryouga! She's just your friend!" Ranma replied back hotly.
   "Like she's yours?!" Ryouga demanded, standing up ready to fight.
   "You know what P-chan," Ranma replied sourly. "I'm the one she cries for when she's kidnapped, I'm the one she fights Shampoo and Ukyo for, I'm the one who defends her and is always there when she needs me. You take advantage of her and sleep with her in pig form, and you can't even tell her!"
   Ryouga ground his teeth together bitterly and charged at Ranma with all the bestial rage of a wild boar. "Now you die!" He sent a fist hurtling towards Ranma, who gracefully slipped from it's path and dodged the three bandanas accompanying it. A back flip sent him out of the way of a certain heavy red umbrella, and a swift kick to Ryouga's forehead sent the lost boy sailing off the roof.
   Ranma sighed and sat back down on the roof. Before he knew it, Ryouga was sitting at his side again and dusting off his umbrella. Ranma stared at lusterless stars, waiting for Ryouga to comment. When he didn't Ranma turned to the boy to see why nothing came from him. Ryouga turned his head slowly to look his enemy/friend in the face.
   "I don't see how she can love you," Ryouga quietly commented. "You tease her, you fight, you're cold hearted and cruel and you usually make her cry. You're irresponsible and you drag around 20 other suitors behind you. I don't know how she puts up with you, nor how she can love you."
   Ranma seemed a bit shocked and watched as a few tears trickled down Ryouga's cheeks. There seemed a look of utter pain in his eyes, like he were being shredded and burned from the inside out. A type of ragging fire that burned deep within the soul and only a true heart could cure and put out. Ranma's heart fell.
   "And when you hurt her, that's when I'm there. I'm the one she confides in when you tease her, when you break her heart dozens of times over, and when you can't be the man you should be. Whether she knows it or not, I am always by her side when you break it. I've seen what you've done to her, and I've heard what it's like first hand. Truly you are a monster, and you are not worthy of such a blessed woman, and yet she loves you like no other."
   Ranma regarded the roof shingles intently before he spoke again. "And that is why I owe it to her to take her with me. I've hurt her so much and I've done so much to her Ryouga." Ranma looked at him pleadingly. "I want to protect her and keep her from this danger, but from the best I can tell if she can protect herself as one of the greatest fighters in the galaxy, she'll be safe."
   Ryouga regarded his companion sadly. He gently laid a hand on Ranma's shoulder and gave him a wane smile. "Look…"
   "No, listen Ryouga, I owe this to her. Ever since the day I arrived she's been targeted by danger that's after me, not to mention I've been hurting and deceiving her since the first day we met. I want to leave and let her live a normal life and stop hurting her or chose someone else, that way she doesn't have to go through with it, but I know that too would hurt her. So for once, I'm going to do what I should do; the first time around." Ranma looked at Ryouga confidently.
   "Look Ranma, I just don't want you to be doing this for all the wrong reasons. Do you really want to drag her to something that maybe she's not ready for? Or maybe she doesn't want it? Ranma, you should be doing this out of love. And I don't want to see Akane's heart broken."
   "You're right Ryouga," Ranma looked at him graciously. "Thank you so much Ryouga." Ranma slapped him on the back lightly. Ryouga gave him a wry look.
   "Um…yeah. No problem Ranma, now to go see Akane," Ryouga smiled and poured a canteen full of water over himself.
   "HEY!" Ranma called after the little black pig as it scampered off towards the house. Ranma sighed, thought for a second, then smirked. "Well Ryouga, it looks like you'll be in for a bit of a surprise if Nabiki kept her end of the deal. Hmm, I wonder if I should start Akane's training tonight… Well, I need to talk to Nabiki anyway."

   Nabiki looked up in cynical satisfaction as she watched a little P-chan run down the stairs in fright, a 10 kilo dumbbell rolling down after it. She let out a small chuckle as P-chan ran squealing out of the house.
   "Yo Nabiki," Ranma said with a grin. "I guess you broke the news to Akane." He sat down by her, leaning casually against the wall. He noticed her quietly pull a small card from up her shirt sleeve.
   "Yes I did Ranma, now it's time for you to keep your end of the bargain," Nabiki said as an angry Akane tramped down the stairs. She looked at the two by the wall with fire in her eyes.
   "I'm going to the dojo," she said coldly as she tightened the belt on her gi.
   "I'll be in to join you in a minute," Ranma said with a wave of his hand. She nodded off-handedly and stomped her way to the Tendo training hall.
   "Well, great job Nabiki," Ranma smiled as he began to get up.
   "Uh Ranma," she said flatly. "You are going to chose her, aren't you?" She looked at him intently. He seemed rather shocked then over came himself and smiled smugly.
   "You know Nabiki, I think that's my decision. You'll find out tomorrow, once I've made it." He walked out of the room with a confident strut. Nabiki scowled at his retreating back, and fingered the card in her hand.
   "The tower, how troublesome," she whispered quietly.
   "Maybe some tea would calm you," Kasumi said politely. Nabiki looked up in shock and smiled.
   "Actually Kasumi, that would be quit nice right about now," Nabiki took a full cup from Kasumi and quietly padded up stairs. She closed her bedroom door quietly behind her and flipped the switch to her computer. After setting her cup of tea down on her desk she sat herself down in the plush chair. She looked at the bottom desk drawer and then opened it, pulling out a stack of books.

   "Kyah!!" Akane screamed as she slammed her hand through a pile of cement bricks. She then whipped the sweat from her face and cleared the rubble. She felt better, but she was still so mad. When's Ranma gonna get her for my training? She thought sourly to herself.
   "Yo, you ready?" he asked tightly as he rounded the corner. He received a curt nod and then they both broke into a fighting stance. Akane rushed forward, driving her bare feet into the hard floor and bounding off with such force as to fling her into a fast, heated frenzy of punches and kicks. Ranma dodged each with little difficulty; deftly maneuvering out of the way of each powerful yet graceless will sent hurtling toward him.
   He could feel her intensity, her concentration, and her relentlessness build with each missed strike, giving her an edge. Ranma jumped over a low kick, did a split to avoid a punch and barely managed to escape an oncoming high kick to his nose. Recovering quickly, he desperately wheeled out of the way of a kick to his midsection, and blocked several of her punches. He paced back a step, and Akane advanced, grim determination etched into her suddenly hard features.
   She's getting better, he thought daftly. Maybe she's good enough to leave here…No, I can't, I have to marry whoever I chose. Damn this all. He cried to himself, and forgot his current predicament. He blocked and blocked and then sent an easily readable high kick Akane's way. She dodged and aimed a kick to sweep him off his feet. Ranma expected this and jumped…right into Akane's trap. She propped herself up on her hands and sent a second kick aimed at his midsection while a third went toward his head.
   Ranma twisted out of the way of the first, but there was no way to avoid the second one; the one aimed toward his face with deadly accuracy and speed. The kick that could knock him out, if it were Ryouga's, and kill him if it were one of Ukyo's sharp spatulas flying at his temple. Ranma searched for some tactic and found one, but it was not one he wanted to use, it was too dangerous, and could possibly seriously hurt Akane.
   Gritting his teeth, refusing to use the technique, he held up his arms to take the grit of the blow, planning to be sent spinning into the wall with superhuman force. The blow connected, and Ranma did spin, but the thing that went through his mind as he was flung toward the far wall of the dojo was not about pain, but nothing other than extreme joy. He knew what to do now.

   Nabiki opened one of several of her books, quietly thumbing through the pages. She carefully read the inscription.
    "The Tower: Key of 16 of the Major Arcana. Also referred to as the Lightning Struck Tower.
    "Powered and influenced by Mars. Change by unstoppable forces, sudden unexpected events, misery, pain, ruin, misfortune, downfall, terrible danger and evil influences."
   Nabiki sat back, looked at the card sadly and dropped it in between the pages of her book. Slamming the book closed and dropping it on the floor, she dashed to the dojo, where she heard a huge crash. Nabiki cursed under her breath and ran faster.
   Upon her arrival, she found Akane kneeling by Ranma's side for the 2 time that day. He didn't look too good, more like he'd just been pulverized by Ryouga and one of Akane's large wooden mallets. Nabiki padded quietly to Akane's side.
   "Oh Ranma!" she whimpered as she gripped his hand. "I'm so sorry. I…I didn't mean to…I was just so mad…and…Ranma!" Akane squeezed his hand tightly as her face became distorted with anguish and distraught with guilt. He opened a set of faded blue eyes, staring at her from a distance and thinking through a fog. Grasping desperately at his first thought he mumbled a ragged gag of pain. Akane wrapped him in a gentle hug of joy and then pulled him to his feet.
   "Idiot," she mumbled with a smile.
   "Gosh ba-jabbleing tomboy…kick like brick…smell like stick…built like hick…" he shook his head and Akane managed to ignore him.
   "Come on, I'll take you to your room," wrapping his arm over her shoulder, she lugged him to his room. She slid the door open, found Genma-Panda knitting, and closed it right away.
   "Kitty Panda plays with pink thread…." Ranma stammered and let out a small hick up.
   "Well, at least he's somewhat aware. If a 'kitty panda' can count as aware," Akane chuckled to herself.
   "Kitty can count, can too count!" Ranma denied loudly. Akane fumbled with the knob of her door, finding it difficult to manage, she kicked the door open with little grace but much ease and flopped her heavy load on the bed.
   "Shh," Akane hissed at him, he quieted immediately. "Stay here, I'll be right back." She ran downstairs and grabbed an ice pack, which Kasumi had prepared when she heard the large crash in the dojo. Akane smiled at her good natured sister who waved cheerfully at her and then she dashed upstairs to aid her ailing fiancé.
   "Ow," he grumbled lightly as he rubbed his head.
   "Oh, you're….in your right mind," Akane seemed a tad surprised but handed him the ice pack for his head. He took it, but not graciously.
   "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked belligerently.
   "You were babbling, you weren't making any sense. You feel any better?" Akane seemed deeply concerned, though only her voice showed it well. Ranma grimaced at the cold pressure on his temple.
    "I s'pose, what'd you get all mad for?" Ranma made like her didn't already know, hoping that he could pass it off.
   "Like you don't know," she said, turning away angrily. "You kept trying to tell me, but it just never sunk in." She turned back to him, a small sliver of a tear in each eye. She'd just lost the only friend she ever thought she could confide in. Ryouga and P-chan were one in the same; mind, heart, soul.
   "Ranma," she asked quietly. "Why didn't you tell me?" The tear edging at her eye slid down her cheek, leaving a glistening streak of water. A bewildered look smashed into Ranma as he watched the tear draw under her chin and hang. Akane brushed it away irritably, like her eyes had betrayed her.
   "Akane," Ranma said softly, "why are you crying?" He seemed uneasy, like he wanted to sprint for the door and slam it shut behind him as he ran. She bit her lip carefully, trying to make up her mind, trying to find her answer, trying to form something coherent in her mind.
   "Ranma," she whimpered with a slight gasp, "why didn't you tell me sooner?" Her lip quivered as she tried to keep her cool control. She starred at him pleadingly, and when she received a confused look, she turned away, clasping her hands tightly in her lap.
   Ranma laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and asked quietly, "Akane, I'm not sure what you are talking about…" She turned on him violently, pure spit in her eyes.
   "Ranma, you knew the whole time! Why didn't you tell me?!" Her accusing voice bit bitterly at his heart. Her eyes softened as his intense confusion deepened. "About Ryouga, you dummy. And P-chan. WHY?!"
   Ranma watched her intently, realizing he had to tell her the truth, she deserved it. "Akane, I was under an oath, I couldn't tell you, I swore. I never dreamed he'd try to sleep with you. I tried to tell you indiscreetly, but you never understood it, you never caught on."
   Akane gazed into his sympathetic eyes and wrapped him in a hug as she finally let her tears go, burying her head in his shoulder and weeping quietly. Ranma placed his arms around her and rocked gently, feeling terribly guilty. He placed his head comfortingly against her bear neck, letting his hair play gently on her soft skin.
   "Akane," he said quietly. "There's something I have to tell you." He listened and waited patiently as her spasmatic breathing calmed. She sniffed and let out a long sigh. Pulling away to look at each other, their eyes locked and a moment of secure understanding passed between them.
   "Akane?" Ranma asked, trying not to sound too uncomfortable. "I've made my decision."
   She looked at him with an air of confusion. "About what Ranma?"
   "I've decided I want you to come along with me Akane," he watched her expression switch instantly to surprise. "I want you to train by my side Akane. I want you there to help me defeat whatever it is I'm up against." He shook his head sadly.
   She gazed at him in disbelief. "Ranma?" she asked quietly. "Are you sure? I mean, I'm certainly not the best partner. You know Shampoo and Ukyo are far better than me, I'll just hold you back."
   "Akane, you're far stronger than either one of them and you wont grab me in the middle of a fight and you have an intense aura and you're the biggest advantage. Sure, you're slow and maybe not the best," Akane glared at him. "But I can train you. Besides, I don't think I could handle being with Ukyo and Shampoo 24 hours a day, and I'm far more use to you."
   Akane thought for a moment, ignoring her fiancé for the moment. She brought her hand up to her face thoughtfully. "I…I don't know…Are you sure Ranma?" He nodded. "Alright then, no harm in a bit or training."
   Ranma placed his ice pack in his lap and put both hands on her shoulders as a smile consumed his handsome face. He could be so sweet sometimes, Akane thought quietly and blushed. "Thanks Akane." She blushed a deeper pink.
   "Don't worry Ranma," she smiled. They locked eyes, deep feelings building and filling the air with their heat. Ranma could hear his heart beating loudly in his ears, and suddenly realized just how close he was to Akane. Gripped with overwhelming emotions, Ranma grabbed for the one he best understood and leaned forward. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and rushed out of the room, taking his ice pack with him. Akane watched him with shock.
   She sighed and walked to the bathroom, it was definitely time to take a bath. She'd kicked Ranma's butt in training, it was time for a bit of a reward. Smiling, she headed to the bathroom, patting herself on the back as she made her way to the furo.

   Ranma opened the door to his room and shut it behind him, not taking notice of a certain panda knitting on his cot. Ranma flopped down on his cot and turned to his side. He let out a deep sigh and focused on what was in front of him. He looked at the panda in confusion.
   "Pop, what are you doing?" He sat up on his elbow.
   The panda gave the equivalent to a smile and grumbled. Ranma rolled his eyes and produced a hot kettle of water from goodness know where. Perhaps he'd taken a few lessons from Mousse about concealed weapons. All the same, the kettle's contents landed on the panda with a splash, revealing an aged man wearing glasses and a white rag to cover his bald head.
      "What were you saying?" Ranma asked snidely.
   "I was asking who you have chosen?" Genma said quietly as he continued his knitting.
   "Akane, of course. Who else?" Ranma rolled onto his back and watched the ceiling. Genma looked up in shock.
   "Are you sure?" Genma asked.
   "Geez pop," Ranma exclaimed. "You push me into marrying the tomboy and then you get mad when I decide to chose her for training! Get yourself straight and get over yourself. I've chosen who I want, and deal with it." Ranma rolled over and closed his eyes. Genma growled at his son's back.
   "Ranma, my boy, you need to learn some respect," Genma declared.
   "Get over yourself old man, you know this is how you wanted things," Ranma said and stifled a yawn. Genma's growl emerged from deep depths in his throat. "And what's with the knitting?" Genma looked at the items in his hands.
   "Well, it's a bit of something I do when I want to think, though I mainly do it in private…." His voice trailed off.
   "Well I'm goin to sleep. Akane near knocked me out this afternoon. Wake me in a few hours when Kasumi calls dinner." Genma raised a perplexed eye at the boy, considering Ranma had already eaten dinner. He shook his head and continued knitting.

   "Akane?" Nabiki's voice called through the doors of the bathroom. "You mind if I join you?"
   "Come on in Nabiki," Akane called cheerily. Nabiki smiled as she came into the wash room. She sat down on the bucket and washed diligently and quickly. Slipping into the hot furo, her muscles began to relax immediately.
   "That was some job you did on Ranma," Nabiki said, tilting her head back.
   "Yeah, knocked him clean across the room," Akane chuckled lightly.
   "You two spent an awful long time in your room, what were you two doing in there?" Nabiki gave her sister a devilish look.
   "And since when do you spy on your own little sister?" Akane accused.
   "I'd hardly call it spying. I was just keeping an eye on my almost brother in law," Nabiki defended herself casually.
   "Well, if you must know, Ranma was telling me he'd like to train me." Akane splashed a bit of warm water onto her face.
   "And that's all?" Nabiki asked with a raised eyebrow.
   Akane looked at her sister darkly. "Yes, that's all. Can we change the subject already?"
   "Well, tell me what you think about the current turn of events?" Nabiki asked.
   "You mean that whole Ryu dynasty thing?"
   "Yes, I suppose you could call it that. What do you think of it all?"
   Akane shrugged. "I find it hard to believe, but Ranma seems alright with it."
   "Has he told you who he's chosen?" Nabiki asked.
   "Nabiki, do you believe all this. What do you think about that Madame Zita character?" Akane asked, sitting up.
   "Well…" Nabiki said thoughtfully. "I'd have to say it all sounds pretty legit to me. Even Cologne and Happosai knew about the Ryu Kingdom." Akane sighed.
   "I just don't know Nabiki, it sounds too much like one of Soun or Genma's plots. They haven't even seemed too upset by all this. And that Zita women is strange, there's something about her. I can't place my finger on it, but something's not right."
   "I know you aren't quit trusting, but maybe you should give it a chance. I think it could turn out to be very promising."
   "What, so you can get a bit more pocket cash?" Akane asked, glaring at her sister.
   "Akane, you don't honestly believe I spend all that money on myself, do you?" Nabiki asked. Akane nodded. Nabiki sneered in disgust. "Then I guess I under estimated you." Nabiki quickly walked out of the bathroom.
   Akane sighed and snuggled deeper into the warm water, letting the ripples of water relax her tensions of the day away.
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