Dual Destinies

Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. You know the rest.

Warning: This version contains a lemon scene. Read at your own risk!

Italic: Thoughts

It was the busiest night in the history of the Nekohanten. Patrons formed a line two blocks long as everyone tried to get a final taste of the restaurant's superb food before it closed its doors forever. With prices reduced to half and special discounts awarded for large parties, the establishment was constantly packed to full capacity.

Inside the Cat Café, Shampoo was working her hardest. She was especially grateful for the assistance being provided by Nabiki, Kasumi and Ukyo. The middle sister was tending the register, while the eldest was helping her great-grandmother in the kitchen. Many of the customers were surprised to see the proprietor of a rival business waiting tables, but Ukyo smiled and took their orders with just as much enthusiasm as Shampoo ever did.

The purple-haired Amazon was glad for the constant activity, as it took her mind off the tragedy that had occurred earlier that day. She was grateful that her future husband had come to comfort her...

Three hours before at the Nekohanten...

Ranma Red arrived at the restaurant a few hours before the great sale was to take place. He met his future in-law at the door as she was hanging up a sign.

"Son-in-law! Are you here to see Shampoo?"

"Yes Cologne. Is she home?"

"Yes she is, but she came in very distraught and she refuses to tell me what is wrong. I had thought she would have been glad that we would soon be leaving for China and that tomorrow is... her wedding day. Do you know what's wrong?"

"I'm afraid I do." Ranma Red then related the events that had occurred that afternoon and he choked up when he told her that Ryoga and Mousse were dead.

"No wonder she's so depressed." Cologne said after her son-in-law finished with his tale. "She thinks that she was the reason which drove Mousse to his unfortunate end."

"Yes. Although she didn't love him, I know she still thought of him as a friend. Seeing him commit suicide like that was a bad shock. She ran away after seeing him die and I was hoping to talk to her about it."

"She's in her room and refuses to come out." Cologne looked up the stairs and sighed. Turning back to Ranma Red, she looked at him with a softer expression. "Go to her son-in-law. She needs a good shoulder to cry on. Perhaps you can convince her that it wasn't her fault that Mousse refused to accept his defeat. I will need her tonight! I expect business to be very heavy and even with the Tendos and Ukyo assisting me, I will need Shampoo as well."

"Oh that's right! You don't know it yet!"

"Know what?"

"Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane are now part of my family. My mother had decided to adopt them and the papers were just finalized today. They're no longer Tendos. They're part of the Masaki clan now and my sisters."

"I see. One can see the irony of it all. The children of the Saotomes and the Tendos have been joined, but not in the way that Soun Tendo or that fool father of yours had intended. By the way, have you seen either of them?"

Ranma Red's expression hardened as he related his previous encounter with his father. "Although no one has seen or heard from Akane's father in over a week now."

"A pity." Cologne remarked, then looked back to the stairs. "But enough small talk. Go to my great-granddaughter! I do not like to see her in this state! She is an Amazon and... the only family I have. Besides you and your brother of course!"

Nodding to the aged matriarch, Ranma Red headed up the stairs and toward the Shampoo's room. As he stopped in front of the door, he leaned forward and listened. He could hear the faint sobbing noises from within the room. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door. After a moment Shampoo answered in a quiet voice.

"Shampoo no want to talk great-grandmother!"

"It's me, Ranma Red. You know. Airen?"

In a flash, the door swung wide open and Ranma Red found himself crushed in a mega-Amazon glomp by his fiancée.

"Airen! Hold Shampoo! Never let go! Never, EVER leave Shampoo! Shampoos already lose Mousse! No can bear it if she lose Airen too!"

The magic-using twin was still recovering a bit from the previous battle and was gasping for breath. Putting his arms around her he managed to stammer out a word.

"C-calm!"

Instantly, the two were bathed in a red energy and Shampoo's body relaxed. When the calming spell took full effect, Shampoo felt her legs give out from under her. Ranma Red knew he overdid it a bit and caught her as she fell forward. Sweeping her off her feet, he carried her back into her room and set her onto her bed. Sitting down beside her, he waited for his future spouse to compose herself.

"Shampoo, I know that you feel that you're the reason that Mousse killed himself, but it wasn't your fault!"

"Why not?" Shampoo said in a sad tone. " Mousse was always obsessed with Shampoo. Never ever give up on her! Even after losing Honor Duel, he still ignores Amazon law and chase after her! He dead because of her!"

"Shampoo. You have to understand. I feel kind of guilty myself. I thought that challenging him to an Honor Duel would make him give up on you. I... didn't know he would come back as a monster. I certainly didn't want him dead!"

"Shampoo no want him dead either! Shampoo always said that she better off, if Mousse goes away and dies. Just like Akane always say that she no want Ranma. But like Akane, Shampoo no mean it! Can never love Mousse, but Shampoo still think of him as friend! Want to see him find someone and be happy, just like Shampoo is happy when she find Ranma!"

"That’s' good to know, but you have to realize that what happened today was not your fault, anymore than it was anyone else's. Mousse made a bad choice and he was controlled by those demons. Everything that happened today was because of THEM, not just because Mousse couldn't stop dwelling on the past."

Shampoo was silent for a moment before nodding slightly. "Shampoo know that, but she can't stop thinking that she was reason that Mousse take own life! Shampoo treated him very bad because he not believe her, when Shampoo tell him she no love him and never will! Shampoo hoped that Mousse finally give up on her when Airen say he love her, but it no work! Now Shampoo wish she never met Mousse. If Mousse never met her, he no fall in love with her and never chase her! If he no chase her, he no be dead now!"

"Shampoo, we all make our choices. Mousse just made some bad ones. But you can't hold yourself responsible for his life or death. He made the choice to end it. But I'm sure that he wouldn't want you to be feeling sorry for what happened. He would want you to get on with your life and be happy. I would have wanted you to do the same if I had been in his situation."

"Really?"

"You bet! To honor his memory, you should live life to the fullest and never forget that he was your friend! I won't forget him! Even though we were rivals, I did respect him for his determination. You should respect him for that too. I'm sure that wherever he is, he'd be glad to know that you haven't forgotten him and you're happy."

There was another long silence as Shampoo considered Ranma Red's words. Then she smiled a bit and nodded. "Airen is right! Shampoo will miss Mousse, but will not let it make her too sad. Mousse is at peace now. Best to let him have peace. Should be strong for Mousse like true Amazon."

"That's my Amazon!" Ranma Red said with a smile as he embraced her.

Shampoo returned the embrace and for a full minute, nothing was said. Her small smile gradually turned into a straight line as she remembered something else. Then in a quiet whisper, the purple-haired girl voiced out a request. "Airen... make love to Shampoo."

Needless to say, this simple statement shocked Ranma Red as he pushed away from his fiancée with a shocked expression. "W-what?!"

Shampoo's eyes shimmered with tears as she looked deeply into her future husband's face. "Please. Make love to Shampoo. Shampoo need Airen now! Mousse die in front of Shampoo and Airen almost die too. Shampoo sad not only because Mousse die, but because she scared. She is VERY scared that she lose Airen too! No want to be widow before becoming TRUE bride!"

"But Shampoo... our wedding is tomorrow and..." Ranma Red felt his panic level rise as Shampoo placed a finger on his lips.

For a moment, she paused to gather her thoughts before continuing. "Shampoo no feel bad about Mousse now. He no can be hurt anymore. He is at peace. But that not only reason why Shampoo feel sad today. Today, Airen almost die. If not for brother, Airen see Kami-sama now. No can bear it if Shampoo lose Airen! Shampoo very, VERY scared that Airen fight monsters! She scared that Airen be killed before Shampoo can SHOW how much she love him!"

"B-but..."

"Shampoo know that Airen is scared about making love to her. Shampoo scared too. Will be first time for both of us."

"Shampoo, if you're so afraid that I'll die, then don't be! I won't die! I promise you!" Ranma Red said in desperation.

"Shampoo not know that! Not know future! Shampoo needs Ranma to show her that everything will be all right! Shampoo needs him NOW! Shampoo wait so long for Ranma to say he love her! Please... make love to Shampoo!"

Ranma Red found himself in a bind. He had wanted to wait until this Dark World business was over with, before giving himself fully to his wife. But it was clear that Shampoo needed assurance. This was a side of her that he had never seen before. It reminded him of the time she was a prisoner of the Ghost Cat. She had become absolutely vulnerable, and the pleading look in her eyes seemed to pierce right through him and into his soul. She wanted... no, needed him badly. How could he refuse her?

Furthermore, the prospect of making love to his fiancée had crossed his mind several times during the last few days. Just as his brother had started to get intimate thoughts about Ukyo, he too had started thinking about Shampoo in that manner. The way that her firm, yet supple and voluptuous body pressed against him whenever she embraced him had sent him into a series of hot flashes. Several times, he had taken a cold shower to cool his ardor, but lately, they haven't been working very well.

But it was too soon for him and he was still quite nervous about becoming so intimate with her, especially with all the stress of his life. There was the training, the battles with the Dark World, the addition of the Tendo sisters to the family, and not to mention his upcoming marriage to the beautiful girl before him. He couldn't do it.

Seeing her fiancée's reluctance to fulfill her request, Shampoo decided to take the initiative. Leaning forward, she placed her lips against his and kissed him deeply. At the same time, she put one hand behind his head to pull him closer and the other hand directly onto his crotch. She began to slowly stroke gently as she opened her mouth and rubbed her tongue against his lips.

Ranma Red's eyes widened as he felt his member begin to stiffen underneath her palm. His mind reeled as he tried to break away. Although his mind wanted to, his body did the opposite and moved closer. He had never expected Shampoo to be THIS forward, and all those other times she had shown him affection seemed tame to what she was doing now. I can't do this! I just can't! But... it feels so good! I ... Ranma Red felt his body temperature begin to rise and his heart quadrupled its rhythm. He became extremely aware of every curve of her body pressed up against him.

Shampoo could sense that he was losing his resolve and went to push him over the brink. She stopped stroking his privates and then slowly moved her hand to the drawstring, which tied up his pants. With a deft pull, she loosened his pants and then slipped her hand under the waistband. Before Ranma Red could protest, Shampoo grasped him and squeezed.

The sensation of her hand applying pressure to his manhood in such an intimate manner made Ranma Red give in to his primal urges. With a low moan, he tightened his embrace on Shampoo and deepened the kiss, literally ravaging her mouth as one hand began undoing the buttons on her blouse. He let off a low moan as her blouse fell away and her large, firm breasts came into view. Cupping her left breast, he began to suckle. At the same time, his other hand was busy with extracting her from her silk pants. With a deft pull, Shampoo found herself clad in only her panties. Not wanting to be outdone, she immediately began to remove all of Ranma Red's clothing.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Cologne was a bit surprised to hear a loud moan coming from Shampoo's room. She recognized the voice as Ranma Red's and wondered as to what was going on. She listened in for further sounds, focusing her ki to amplify her sense of hearing. Her eyes widened and her mouth turned upwards in a mischievous grin as she heard the rustle of clothes being removed and her son-in-law and her great-granddaughter whispering to each other.

"Shampoo... you're so beautiful!"

"Airen! Take Shampoo now!"

Cologne's grin became even more pronounced as she hopped over to the front door of the restaurant and locked it. She set up the sign, which said that the restaurant would reopen within two hours. After all, it would not do for someone to come in at this time. She then hopped up the stairs to her own room. As she passed Shampoo's room, she heard several more moans and sighs.

Oh well, I did tell son-in-law to comfort Shampoo! That's one way of doing it! By Amazon Law, they're already married! At least I know that they'll have no problem in giving me some great great grandchildren! Cologne sighed happily at the thought of seeing their offspring in the next couple of years.

Ranma Red stared at Shampoo's naked body. Apparently, Shampoo's hair color was natural. Before he could contemplate further, Shampoo had removed the last of his clothing and was now bobbing her head between his legs. It seemed as if she wanted to devour him. His hands pushed at the back of her heads, forcing her to take more of him into her mouth.

After ten minutes, he spilled his seed into her mouth. The Amazon greedily swallowed every drop, then moved up to kiss her fiancée. He could taste himself within her mouth as their tongues dueled with each other.

He then began trailing kisses down the length of her. Her face, her neck, her shoulders and her breasts. He then moved down the flat of her stomach, then lower. Finally, after pausing to inhale the deep, musky scent of her, he gave her the most intimate kiss of all.

Shampoo gasped as she arched toward his face. The effect that his tongue was having on her moist folds was intoxicating. After a few minutes, the pressure became too much for her as she shuddered, her climax ripping through her like a tidal wave.

When her orgasm finally subsided, Shampoo looked deeply into her future husband's eyes. "Make love to Shampoo."

Ranma Red said nothing for a long time, then smiled and nodded his head as he nudged her onto her back. Gently coaxing her legs apart, he positioned himself at her entrance.

"Shampoo... this is going to hurt. If I do this... there's no turning back!"

"Shampoo know that. Take Shampoo now!"

Taking a deep and final breath, he plunged forward.

Shampoo let off a murmur of pain as her shield of virginity broke. Her arms and legs clamped onto Ranma Red with a grip that threatened to crush him.

Ranma Red was in heaven. The feeling of his manhood deep within Shampoo's tightness almost made him lose control as he waited for Shampoo to adjust to his invasion.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you sweetheart."

"Is okay. Shampoo know it hurt first time! But Shampoo want this more than anything! Wo ai ni!"

"I love you too Shampoo!" Ranma Red replied as he kissed her. "Do you still hurt?"

Shampoo shook her head as she partially withdrew from him, then took him back inside. Then he began to move. At the same time, his body briefly flared with a red light. They established a slow, but steady pace at first. Soon Ranma Red was thrusting faster as the pressure within him started to build. Shampoo also felt herself nearing her climax as his pace quickened.

A few minutes later, Shampoo cried out as her orgasm ripped through her. "WODE AIREN! SHAMPOO LOVE YOU!"

"SHAMPOO!" Her fiancée yelled as his seed spilled inside of her. He then collapsed on top of her, totally exhausted and spent.

Sometime later, the couple awoke and engaged in some quiet conversation. They were still intimately joined and did not wish to separate anytime soon.

"Shampoo... that was... great! Is this how it's going to be? After we're married?"

"No." Shampoo replied with a mischievous smile.

"No?" Ranma Red said in confusion.

"It get better!" Shampoo said as she kissed him.

Ranma Red smiled as he felt his member begin to harden within her.

Two hours later, Ranma Red came down the stairs with a smile on his face. He met Cologne at the bottom and said, "You don't have to worry about Shampoo. She'll be all right!"

"I'm pretty certain that she's feeling quite... satisfied with herself right now." Cologne replied with a grin.

Ranma Red's cheeks turned a deep crimson. "You... know, don't you?"

"It was rather difficult NOT to have heard the two of you! For a moment I thought you'd never stop! I wished my husband had possessed your... enthusiasm, when he was alive!"

"Uhhhh... let's keep this between the two of us, okay?"

"As you wish, son-in-law!" Cologne chuckled.

The present...

Shampoo sighed happily as she replayed every little detail of her experience. Her husband had lived up to the 'wild horse' definition of his name. With another lovesick sigh, she turned her attention back to her work.

While the Nekohanten was hopping with business, Ranma Blue was sitting on the roof of the Ucchan with his brother. They watched the sunset as they discussed the day's events.

"It's hard to believe that Mousse and Ryoga are gone." Ranma Blue said sadly.

"Uh-huh. They were a pain in the rear, but I can't help feeling sorry for them. They didn't have to die."

"Well, even if they didn't kill themselves, the Mark of the Demon had changed them permanently into monsters. They would have been stuck like that forever."

"Some choice! Live your life as a monster or die."

"Speaking of choices, do have any regrets about the choices we've made over the last two weeks?"

"Like what?"

"Do you think we could have done anything better? Like stopping Akane from killing herself, the breakup of the Tendos or about Mousse and Ryoga?"

Ranma Red was silent as he contemplated the past events. He then said, "I'm not sure if we could have done anything different from what we've done before. I couldn't think of any other way to get Mousse off Shampoo besides the Honor Duel."

His sibling nodded as he replied, "Yeah, and Akane would have thrown herself off that building anyway, no matter HOW we could have told her we're marrying someone else."

"Mom had to know, how Pop used us over the last ten years!"

"We could've handled Kodachi a lot better, instead of hurting her feelings like that. Problem with that was she wouldn't believe anything we said to her, unless we told her straight!"

"Things have really changed for us, haven't they?" Ranma Red remarked.

"Yeah. Akane, Kasumi and Nabiki are our sisters now, we're going to married tomorrow and going back to China. We're going to face opponents that'll make the others look like warm-up exercises and the fate of the world rests on our shoulders! I'd say things have definitely changed!"

"By the way, Blue. Have you talked with Akane? I mean, she was pretty upset when she saw Ryoga die."

"I've tried to talk to her about it, but she just wouldn't open up to me. She's tried to hide it from me, but I've seen her cry about Ryoga a couple of times."

"I guess she really did care about him, despite the fact that he lied to her all this time."

"We'll never know what would have happened if Akane ever confronted him about it."

"With everything that's happened to her, she really didn't need this! She's died, gone to the Kami Plane, got tortured by those demons, and lost her family name. She was just starting to get her life back on track by telling Kuno off and stopping those morning fights. Now this happens! It's just not fair!"

{"Life is seldom fair, Ranma Blue!"} Taron said as he and his brother appeared behind the Chosen Twins.

"Soren! Taron! Is it time for our next training session?" Ranma Red asked as he and his brother turned to face their mentors.

Soren shook his head as he said, "No Ranma Red. You and your brother have finished with your training with us."

"Really? We're done?" Ranma Blue inquired.

"Not quite." Taron replied. "My brother said that your training with US is over. The final stage of your training shall take place tomorrow in China, when you retrieve the Mystic Sword and the Elemental Hammer. Fortunately, you'll have an extra week to do this."

"What do you mean? I thought the Contract expired in two days!" Ranma Blue declared.

"In this case, we have been given an extension. Because of the Dark World's attempt to break down the interdimensional barrier, before the time of the Contract Renewal, this was seen as a breech of the agreement to wait every thousand years. The penalty was a week's extension and any further hostile movements against the Earth or you, will be seen as a forfeit. After you have gained the weapons of power, you will have a few days to rest and prepare for when the Contract is to be fulfilled."

With a smile Soren added, "This'll also give you some time to enjoy the pleasures of married life, but I'm sure that Ranma Red has already found that out! See you later!"

Before Ranma Red could respond to that remark, both immortals disappeared.

Ranma Blue turned to his brother in confusion. "What did he mean by..." His eyes then widened as he realized the implication of Soren's words. Seeing his brother's cheeks redden with a crimson hue, confirmed his suspicions. "You didn't... did you?"

The other half of the Masaki twins became even more embarrassed as he twiddled his fingers and said, "Uhhhhhhh.... well... yes."

"You son of a gun!" Ranma Blue said as he smiled and pounded him on the back.

"Well... Shampoo was feeling bad about what happened today and one thing led to another and..."

"Did you use any... protection?" Ranma Blue asked in concern.

Ranma Red nodded as he replied, "Soren had taught me some spells that weren't... battle-related. One spell in particular was a... method of birth control. It was supposed to make it more... pleasurable, but it also stopped Shampoo from conceiving."

Ranma Blue nodded in understanding. Then his smile became mischievous as he asked, "So, do you have any regrets?"

Ranma Red thought for a moment and replied, "Other than the fact that we jumped the gun, not really. I wanted to wait, but when Shampoo became...you know, I just couldn't say no." Ranma Red's blush returned with a vengeance, coloring his cheeks a darker hue than his shirt.

The other Masaki brother chuckled as he was amused by his sibling's embarrassment. He thought about teasing him some more, but decided to relent. "It's okay Red! You're going to be married to her tomorrow and I'm sure Mom would love to have some grandchildren someday!"

"Blue!"

"Okay Red! I'll stop, but on one condition!"

"What's that?"

"How was she?"

"Huh?"

"You tell me every juicy little detail! Don't hold out on me! I might want to try that stuff on Ucchan someday!"

"Well..." Ranma Red began. "I tell you one thing! Shampoo's legs have one hell of a grip! She could crush a boulder between those legs!"

When early morning came the next day, the Nekohanten had been boarded up and the signs removed. Inside the building, Cologne handed the keys to the real estate agent and the sale was complete. There were several crates that was stacked near one corner of the now empty restaurant. The tables had been cleaned with their chairs placed upside-down on their tops. Everything had both been removed and stowed away, or had been sold off. There was nothing left to show that the Amazons ever existed in Japan.

As the real estate agent bid Shampoo and Cologne farewell, the two Amazons took one last look at the place, which had served as their means of livelihood and their home for almost a year. They had not expected to stay in Japan for so long a time, but the events, which followed their arrival had left them with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. They had done it. After many months of agonizing failures, missed opportunities and embarrassing setbacks, Ranma would finally join the ranks of the Amazons. At least one of them would.

The magic-using Masaki would more than certainly strengthen the bloodlines of the warrior women. Even if he did not possess the staggering power of one of the Chosen Twins, his martial arts skills and innate ability to learn techniques quickly, put him far beyond the skill level of any of his generation. As of now, the aged matriarch considered his martial arts to be on a par with Soren and Taron’s, whom she considered as her betters. Furthermore, Cologne was satisfied that her great-granddaughter would be happy, if the previous day was any indication. Although Ranma Red still refused to teach her the magic spells he had learned, just having him in the tribe made him a valuable commodity. The efforts put into getting him to become part of the Joketsuzoku had reaped great rewards for Shampoo and her tribe.

After a moment, the two warrior women nodded to each other and left the building, heading toward the Masaki home. Each was carrying a heavy backpack. The rest of their belongings had been packed into crates and were to be picked up and shipped to China later. Shampoo had a large smile on her face, as she was eager to meet with her soon-to-be husband.

At the Ucchan, Ukyo was also finalizing her preparations to leave. After setting up the sign, which said that her restaurant would be closed for a few weeks, she then set about putting some final items into her own pack. After the last piece was neatly stowed away, the daughter of Haruka Kuonji put on her bandoleer of mini spatulas, then slung her large spatula over her back. She hefted her luggage over one shoulder, left her establishment and headed to meet with her fiancée.

An hour later, the front of the Masaki home had become crowded, as the family of the Ranma twins and their respective fiancées and future in-laws stood on the front lawn. Shampoo was clinging onto Ranma Red with more amorous affection than usual. When she whispered something into his ear, his che f8c eks became flushed with crimson. Shaking his head while smiling, Ranma Red gave his fiancée a peck on the cheek, then walked over to his brother, who was standing at the front of the group.

Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane were carrying packs and were standing beside the Nodoka. The three girls were very nervous, because not only they were about to travel to a distant land, but they were also going to witness the weddings of the Chosen Twins. After all that had occurred, it was a bit unnerving to see Ranma marry someone else other than Akane.

Akane was deep in thought at this time. So much had happened to her in the past two weeks. Ranma was no longer her future husband. Her greatest rivals will become their wives in just a few short hours. She had died and had gone to the Kami Plane. She had undergone inhuman torture to her soul and later her body. She had witnessed the deaths of two people, one of which who she had considered as a good friend. Although she was still angered over the fact that Ryoga had lied to her for a long time, his death had made her realize that Ryoga did not deserve her resentment, but rather her sympathy. It was all an unfortunate coincidence that he had become cursed, then tricked into becoming a monster.

With a sigh, Akane put away her thoughts and turned to face the twins, who were at the time, addressing the rest of the group. Both of them also had large packs strapped to their backs.

"Well, is everybody here?" Ranma Red asked as he looked around.

"I hope everyone has all of their affairs in order, because once we get going, we won’t be coming back for anything." Ranma Blue added.

There was a collective nod as each person signified their readiness to depart.

"By the way. What time does our plane leave for China?" Akane asked.

"Who said anything about a plane?" Ranma Red replied.

"But your brother said that we would be flying to China today!"

"We will be flying there! But with the fate of the world at stake, planes are too slow!" Ranma Blue and his brother began charging up their ki energies.

"So how are we..." Akane never got to finish her question as both twins floated off the ground and hovered above the group at a height of fifteen feet.

Nabiki also stared in amazement. For a minute, she began thinking about the amount of money that could be made with a power like that. Then she remembered that she was not in that kind of business anymore.

"Please!" Ranma Red called down to the group. "Everyone come a little closer together! And don’t worry what is going to happen next! We won’t let anything happen to you."

The others did as they were asked and moved closer together. Ranma Red began focusing his power and invoked his spell. His palms glowed with a white light as he directed them toward the people below. There was a sudden explosion of light as Ranma Red released his spell.

"CRYSTAL SHAPING MAGIC!"

The Masaki family, the Amazons and Ukyo found themselves inside a large bubble that was transparent and seemed to be made of glass. Akane became a bit edgy as it reminded her of the time she had been trapped in a similar structure in the Kami Plane. She closed her eyes and willed herself to be calm.

As the sphere formed around the group, Ranma Blue invoked his gravity-altering powers to levitate the orb into the air. With a nod to his brother, the twins streaked off in the direction of China, closely followed by the crystal orb. There was a sound detonation that echoed through Nerima as the twins and their passengers broke the sound barrier. They were on their way.

To be continued...

Author's Notes

The Masaki twins are now on their way to fulfill their destinies. Everything that connected them to their former life as Ranma Saotome is gone. Stay tuned for Chapter 25.