DO YOU REMEMBER...?

By Bing

Part Three: Lovers

Chapter 19 - The Executioner

Above her hovered gloomy clouds that spread across the lifeless sky like a gray blanket. Below her laid towering buildings and busy streets crowding with people and vehicles that looked like ants from where she stood.

Nerima, Kodachi thought. At last! I have arrived!

How she longed for this day! After almost two decades of being imprisoned in that hellhole, Kodachi valued the meaning of freedom. She thought about what happened to the asylum two nights ago and smiled. Good riddance to that place.

Of course, her escape would not be all that possible if not for the mysterious stranger, who claimed to be her "sister", visited her at the asylum several days ago...

***

(Flashback)

***

Kodachi smiled at the memory. Before her visitor left, she slipped her a piece of paper. When she was alone in her room, she looked at it and saw that it was a map of the asylum with Xs marked on certain spots.

When the patients were given their "free time" to go outside and wander within the grounds of the asylum, Kodachi managed to separate from her group without being noticed. With the map memorized in her head, she set out for the marked places in the map.

The first place she went to was a large bush. Hidden beneath it was a small bag. When Kodachi opened it, she discovered that it contained her old equipment. She grinned like a pirate who had just found a treasure. In the next place she looked, she found homemade bombs, and she knew what must be done.

What a sight it was to see the asylum on fire! While everyone was running for their lives, Kodachi slipped out into the night, unnoticed.

And now here she was back in Nerima to settle some unfinished business. She was determined not to fail and make sure Akane Tendo will sign her death warrant.

***

~Tendo Residence~

Ranma and Akane were just coming home from a visit to the obstetrician’s office. As soon as they stepped into the house, they heard the telephone ringing off the hook.

"I’ll get it," volunteered Ranma.

Akane nodded and went to the living room as Ranma picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Salutations, Saotome."

"Oh, hey, Kuno. What’s up?"

"I have very important business to discuss with you about your divorce."

Ranma sighed. "Let me guess. She’s still not giving up, right?"

"Quite the contrary. I was summoned by Michiko’s lawyer around midday. It seems that your wife is willing to cooperate with the terms you have presented."

"What? You’re kidding right?"

"Would I waste my precious time to tell jokes over the phone?"

"I take that as a no."

"Our presence is requested at her office in Osaka tomorrow afternoon. Will you be prepared?"

"Prepared? Kuno, I have been waiting for this day for months. Of course, I’m ready."

"Very well. My limo shall come for you in the morning. Farewell."

A few seconds later, Akane heard a loud cheer. Then she saw Ranma running to the living room with a huge smile on his face.

Puzzled, Akane gazed at him. "Ranma?"

He didn’t say a word. He picked her up by the waist and spun her around. Akane shrieked and laughed as Ranma put her down.

"Ranma! What has gotten into you?"

"Akane! I’m getting my divorce!"

She gasped. "You’re kidding!"

"Nope!"

"Oh...oh, Ranma!" She embraced him and murmured, "There is a light at the end of the tunnel after all."

"I told you everything was going to be fine" Ranma placed his hands over her cheeks and kissed her.

Akane nodded. She rested her forehead against his as they looked into each other’s eyes filled with hope and love.

She whispered to him softly. "Please, take me upstairs."

Ranma nodded, smiling with his eyes. He reached down and swept her into his arms, kissing her gently as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He then purposefully walked up the stairs, carressing Akane's lips with his own. Reaching the bedroom door, he gently nudged it open and laid Akane down on their bed. He gently carressed her cheek, causing her to open her eyes and smile.

Ranma placed his hand on her knee, pushing the hem of her skirt up. He grasped it, and pulled it over her hips, revealing her pantied sex as he kissed and nuzzled her neck. He continued to pull up her dress, revealing her slightly growing belly. He urged her arms up so he could pull the dress off, over her head, and off her arms, and she lay on their bed, her simple undergarments as soft to the touch as her skin as he kissed and stroked every inch of her. Then he stopped, his head resting on her hips.

Akane looked down at him, and saw him smiling back at her as he gently kissed the bulge in her stomach. She smiled and stroked his hair as she heard him whisper, "Hello, little one."

Ranma felt his mistress tugging at the buttons on his shirt, so he slid up and lay next to her, his hands wandering over her body as she pulled the buttons on his shirt free and the string out of his trousers. He raised his arms and let her tug his shirt off over his head as he shook off his pants. Then, he had to gasp, as Akane had somehow sneaked a slender, feminine hand down into his tented boxer shorts, grasping his manhood.

He thrust against the warm flesh of her hand instinctively, then shook the cobwebs out of his head and pulled her hand free as his hands went around her, gathering her close as he kissed her soft lips, his tongue thrusting deep into her mouth and dueling with hers as he pulled free her bra catch. Akane raised her arms as the kiss broke and he pulled her bra up over her arms and dropped it beside the bed. He moved down and nuzzled her breasts, latching onto one of her nipples and beginning to suckle.

Akane moaned as his tongue tweaked her nipple, feeling her sex growing ever moister. Ranma abandoned her firm nipples and moved down her body, kneeling between her legs as he grasped her panties. She raised her legs as he pulled them off and tossed them aside. She closed her eyes, expecting his entry, and was surprised by a cool breeze across her sex just before his tongue stroked her from the bottom of her slit right up to the bud of her clit.

She arched her back and moaned as Ranma licked and kissed her sex and thighs, using his fingers to open her and dip his tongue into her channel. His finger slid smoothly into her as his tongue swirled upon her clit, and stroked that spot that he had long ago learned drove her wild. Akane exploded in orgasm, her juices flowing over his hand. He payed little heed, licking up her juices, thoroughly cleaning her sex. Then, he moved back up the bed and grinned at her as she strove to catch her breath.

Akane had had enough of that grin. She leaned up and removed his boxers. She glanced back at him, and saw him with his eyes closed, smiling.

Time for a surprise, Ranma! She thought as she leaned toward his hard, hot manhood.

Ranma grinned as he felt himself engulfed by hot wetness.Then something happened. He felt something stroke him within that warm, wet grasp. He opened his eyes and glanced down... to see Akane vigorously sucking on his shaft!

"Akane! You don't have to do UNNHHH!" He cried as she felt her tongue tease his head as she sucked a little harder.

Akane was enjoying the way Ranma was quickly becoming a gibbering idiot as she eagerly sucked his manhood. Such an odd taste. Not bad, but odd.

Ranma was quickly approaching his limit. "Akane... you don't have to...I'm going to..."

Akane heard him, but she paid him no heed. She sucked him a bit more...

"UNNHHH!!" Ranma groaned as he came.

Akane was not as ready as she thought. As he came, his seed spewed into her mouth, quickly filling it. She attempted to swallow, but she failed. Her mouth came up off of his erection as she took a look of grim determination upon her face, swallowed her mouthful of seed, and dove down once again toward his seed spilling staff, suckling it as he had her nipples. His juices flowed down her throat as his climax finally slowed, then stopped. She licked up the last of his spilled seed and sat up beside his hips, facing him, smiling as she licked her lips.

Ranma's face was a confused mix of pleasure and horror. "Akane, you didn't have to do that! I would never have asked you to do that."

Akane looked at him. "Didn't you like it?"

"Yes, but that isn't the point! You didn't have to do that!"

"Why are you so scared? I wanted to do it. Because it made you feel good. I stopped caring about what other people thought of our sex life long ago. If it's not their bedroom, it's not their..." She giggled a girlish giggle that made her seem like a teenage lover who had just, well, embarrased her boyfriend, instead of the pregnant thirty-seven year old mother that she was.

"Affair! This is our affair. It's called a love affair for a reason, Ranma. We do things with each other because we love each other."

"I never would have asked you to do that. It seems so... demeaning."

"Why do you like to do the same thing to me until I'm dizzy with pleasure, Ranma?"

"Because..."

"Because you love me, right? And that's why I did it to you."

Ranma reached over and tugged at her until she lay above him, her sex pressed against his stomach.

"It's different. You were my fiance for three years, and even though I leapt into the fray to rescue you from everything I could, even though I never let anyone hurt you, I couldn't even say that I loved you, or kiss you, or complement you, or even hold you... I may have been a good knight in shining armor, but I was a lousy boyfriend. You may have bounced me around a lot, but I could take it. I deserved it.

"But you, you were always there for me. When I was lonely, you were there to cheer me up. When I was hurt, you were there to comfort me. When I was happy, almost always, we were happy together. You let me back into your life, become your lover, even after I hurt you so badly by breaking the engagement. You gave birth to my child, and raised him so well that I can't believe it. You became my mistress when you saw how much Michiko was hurting me. You are carrying my child, even though we aren't married. Never have been."

Akane leaned down and kissed him. "Because I love you. Lousy boyfriend maybe, but almost all of the girls at Furinkan had boyfriends. How many of them had their own personal samurai? Even if he was a bit of a baka. Being your girl meant a lot to me, even if I couldn't admit it to myself. I still can't forgive myself for how bad my temper was. I really hurt you sometimes. I guess, I felt every time I made love to you, it felt as if I was taking back one of those blows. And I have to admit, you're a great lover. And I love my children. Our children. I love the way it feels when our child moves in my womb. Even if Michiko never gives you up, I will be your wife in all but name. If that is all I can have, it will be more than enough."

Ranma was crying. "You don't understand. Do you know how I ended up engaged to Michiko? One night, after a test that took a lot out of me, she somehow suckered me into a bar. Then she got me so drunk, that.. that... that I thought she was you."

Akane looked down at him with understanding.

"You weren't my first, Akane. I wish with all my soul that you were, but you weren't. I slept with her while I was still engaged to you. I guess I'm just switching the roles. I cheated on you, and now I'm cheating on her."

She leaned down and gazed into his eyes. "No, Ranma. I was your first. She was the first girl you ever slept with. I'm the first girl you ever made love to. The only one you have ever made love to. Even though everything around us conspired to tear us apart and keep us that way, we always remained faithful to each other in our hearts. And that is all that matters."

Ranma reached up and held her close. "I love you, Akane."

She kissed the tears from his cheek. "I love you, Ranma."

With that, she repositioned herself carefully, found his once again hard manhood with her dark cleft, and sank down upon him, closing her eyes and breathing deep, savoring the pleasure.

Ranma groaned at his entry, reaching up to grasp her hips. He began to thrust up into her just so, focusing on keeping his strokes long and deep, pleasuring her as much as he could.

Akane focused on returning the favor, thrusting down onto him, deep and hard, nuzzling his cheek, kissing his tears as they flowed from his eyes. He had himself convinced he was some kind of monster. That he didn't deserve love, she thought.

"You are my lover, Ranma. My only lover. My only husband. The onlyfather of my children. My only love. I will always be. Always."

She felt him thrust high, deep, and his seed flow from him, its warmth spreading within her body. She pressed her hips down, and her climax engulfed her, warm and satisfying.

She lay down on him, his manhood still high inside her, twitching slightly as seed still spilled from it into her depths. She kissed his eyes and nuzzled his cheek. She whispered to him. "Always."

***

Kuno’s limousine arrived promptly at nine. Ranma and Akane stood in front of the Tendo house as Kuno stepped out of the vehicle.

"How bright and cheerful thy morning but its beauty is nothing compared my sister-in-law’s," he said.

Akane smiled at him. "Hello, Kuno. It’s nice to see you too. How’s Nabiki doing?"

"My wife whose eyes are as captivating as a rose is in good spirits. Thank you. I shall mention your inquiry about her."

"Thanks, Kuno."

Kuno looked at Ranma. "Shall we embark on this journey?"

"Ready when you are, Kuno," replied Ranma.

Kuno headed for the limo as Ranma turned to Akane, smiling. He took her hands into his. "Well, this is it."

"I never thought that this day would come," she admitted.

"It’s here now. This is just the beginning, Akane."

She smiled at him and tilted her face up to him. "A beautiful beginning for us."

"You and me, Akane." He pulled her close and leaned his face inches over hers. "Together...for life...." He kissed her between each pause.

Akane gazed deeply into his blue eyes. Their romantic spell was broken when they heard the horn coming from the limo.

"You’d better go," she said.

""Yeah." Ranma squeezed her hand. "I’ll be home by dinner time."

The kissed each other one last time before Ranma entered the limousine.

***

From a distance, Kodachi watched as Akane waved while the vehicle pulled out. Her eyes went small, glaring at Akane with hatred.

"Enjoy your final hours on this earth while you still can, Akane Tendo, for today is your Judgment Day."

***

~Ucchan’s, hours later~

"There’s still some baby food leftover from Ren’s lunch in the fridge. I put out some extra clothes for him. You can find them on top of the drawer. What else? Oh, he usually takes a nap around four."

Ryouga rolled his eyes as he followed Ukyou to the doorway of the restaurant. Shifting Ren from one arm to the other, he sighed. From the way she rambled, you’d think she’d be gone for more than a few weeks instead of a few hours.

As soon as Ukyou stepped outside of the restaurant, she turned to Ryouga who said, "Ukyou, would you relax? I’ve got everything under control."

"Oh, Ryouga-honey, I know you do!" She exclaimed in a sweet voice. Then her voice turned very business-like. "Now I already made dinner for you guys, just in case I get in late. And ...oh! Akane’s number is posted on the fridge."

"Ukyou! Would you just go already?"

"Oh, alright, Ryouga!" She sighed and turned to Ren. "Oh, Ren! Mommy’s going to miss you so much!" Ukyou showered Ren’s face with kisses.

Ryouga was exasperated. "Ukyou, you’re just going to be across town! Sheesh!"

“I can’t help it. This is the first time I’m going to be away from Ren for more than ten minutes.” Ukyou gave Ren another kiss. “Oh, baby, please don’t cry while Mommy’s gone.”

Contradictory to what his mother said, Ren burst into tears.

“Oh, no! I knew it! I knew this was going to happen. Maybe I should take him with me.”

“Ukyou, you need a break from Ren. I mean you’re always tired. You said so yourself once,” he told her over Ren’s cries.

Ukyou nodded sadly and then she gasped. “Oh! His food! It’s-“

“In the refrigerator,” finished Ryouga. “I know. You went over that already.”

“Oh, right! Did I forget anything?”

Ryouga nodded. “Yeah, you did.”

“What?”

“My goodbye kiss.”

Ukyou blinked and then burst out into laughter. “Oh, Ryouga-honey! I am so sorry!”

She leaned closer to her husband and then they shared a sweet kiss. Ren shrieked and placed his palms on their cheeks.

Ryouga turned his head to him. “Hey, can’t you see I’m kissing a beautiful lady here?” As his son shrieked again, he said, “Oh, too young to see that, eh?”

Ukyou smiled rather sadly. “Bye, you two.”

As she was leaving, Ryouga was saying goodbye and lifting Ren’s small arm to wave it at Ukyou while the little baby continued to cry. Ukyou turned to wave back and fought the urge to take Ren from his father who was trying to soothe him. She decided that Ren was going to be okay and went on her way.

Moments later, Ukyou was passing by the Nekohanten and saw Shampoo emerging from the restaurant.

"Ukyou!" Shampoo smiled and waved at her.

"Hey, Shampoo!" Ukyou greeted. "Where you off to?"

"To the market. Mousse wants sweet and sour fish tonight. I haven’t seen you in awhile. How are you?"

"I’m fine."

"And Ren? Where is he?"

"I left him with Ryouga."

"Oh, where are you going?"

"To Akane’s. Ranchan asked me to keep her company."

Shampoo was puzzled. "Why? Where did Ranma go?"

Ukyou leaned closer to the woman. "To Osaka. Apparently, Michiko has agreed to the divorce."

"What?" Shampoo couldn’t believe her ears.

"I know! I had trouble believing it myself when Ranchan told me! I thought Michiko was going to hold on to poor Ranchan for eternity! What a pain that woman is! Ugh! Oh, well. I’m glad that she’s letting go of him. She has more sense than I thought."

"Yeah..."

"Well, I better go. Akane’s waiting for me. I’ll see you later," She called out gaily as she left.

Shampoo frowned to herself. Michiko was agreeing to the divorce? Impossible!

The door to the restaurant opened and Mousse came out. "Shampoo, thank goodness! You haven’t left. Let’s have pork instead of fish."

She turned to him, looking like she didn’t hear a word he said.

Mousse looked concerned. "Shampoo, what’s wrong?"

"Michiko...is divorcing Ranma."

Her husband let out a snicker. "It’s about time."

"Mousse! You are missing the point!"

Mousse nodded. "You’re right. That doesn’t sound like the Michiko we know. It’s too good to be true. I wonder if Ranma is even suspicious about her sudden change of mind."

"I don’t know, but right now Ranma is at Osaka...and Akane is alone." She turned to her husband worriedly. "Oh, Mousse, I don’t like this at all."

***

~Osaka, Japan~

Kuno and Ranma took Kuno’s private jet plane to Osaka. Several minutes after they left the airport, they arrived at the Tanaka Towers. Michiko’s secretary informed them that her boss was still in a conference closing in on a deal.

They waited outside at their office and moments later, Michiko arrived with her lawyer.

"Ranma!" Michiko smiled. "What a pleasure it is to see you!"

Ranma bobbed his head once. "Michiko."

"Were you gentlemen waiting long? I do apologize. These meetings just seem to go on and on."

"That’s okay, Michiko."

"Well, enough small talk." Michiko opened the door to the office. "Let’s discuss business, shall we?"

***

A lazy, quiet Saturday afternoon is just what I needed.

Nabiki sighed as she relaxed by the pool where the twins were playing volleyball.

What a shame her husband had to work. Then again, she knew how Kuno was helping Ranma and how important this divorce was. However, Nabiki thought that Michiko’s willingness to divorce Ranma was too good to be true.

Well, if Ranma gets his divorce and marries Akane, it’s all for the best. He just better not screw this up.

A shadow hovered over Nabiki. "Mistress Nabiki."

Nabiki saw Sasuke through her dark shades. "Yes, what is it?"

He held out the cordless phone to her. "There’s a telephone call for Master Kuno."

"Why are you giving it to me then?"

"I think you better take this."

Nabiki sighed again and snatched the phone from him. "Yes? This is Nabiki Kuno."

"Mrs. Kuno, this is Dr. Seiji Fujita from the Sakagami Institute for the Mentally Disturbed. Do you have any idea where I can reach your husband?"

"I’m sorry. He had to go to Osaka on business. Is there something wrong?"

"Something is very wrong, Mrs. Kuno. His sister...she has escaped."

"WHAT?" Nabiki quickly sat up as she snatched her sunglasses off. "How the hell did that happen?"

"The asylum caught on fire a few days ago."

"Why weren’t we informed about this?"

"We’re sorry, Mrs. Kuno, but we didn’t notice that Kodachi was missing until we were transferring the patients into another asylum."

SHIT! Nabiki shut her eyes for one moment.

"Most likely she will be heading there to Nerima. We’ve already dispatched a team, and they’re on their way there."

Nabiki nodded. "I see. Thank you, Doctor. If we hear anything, we’ll be sure to contact you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Kuno. We’ll be in touch as well."

Nabiki hung up, and when she looked up, she discovered the short ninja giving her a puzzled look. "Has something horrible happened to Mistress Kodachi?"

"Worse. She’s escaped."

"Kami-sama!" He exclaimed.

Without wasting another second, Nabiki started dialing Kuno’s number.

***

Kuno and Ranma emerged from the Tanaka Towers and headed for the limousine.

"Well, Saotome, I see that things will soon be settled between you and Michiko. I can tell that she was pleased that with the proposals you made."

"I never wanted a penny from her," said Ranma. "All I wanted was a divorce."

As soon as they reached the limo, the chauffeur, Keitaro, immediately informed him. "Master Kuno, Mrs. Kuno called three times. She wants you to call her."

"Did she say why?"

"No, sir."

Kuno nodded. He and Ranma went inside the car. He told the chauffeur to drive them to the airport where his private jet plane was waiting to take them back to Tokyo.

"I do hope this is important," said Kuno as he reached for the carphone. "The last time she called me was while I was in a meeting, she was furious because I hid her credit cards."

"I wonder why." Ranma rolled his eyes.

There were three rings before someone picked up the phone on the other line. "Hello?"

Kuno recognized the voice immediately. "Hello, my love."

"Tacchi! It’s about time you called! I’ve been trying to reach you on your cell phone."

He reached inside his pocket and looked at his cell phone. "I turned it off. You know I detest being disturbed while I’m in a meeting."

"Well, this news is definitely going to disturb you, darling. Your sister has escaped."

"Kodachi?!?!"

"Who do you think?"

"Oh, the horror! The thought of that insane woman running around free as you and I is pure madness!"

"Tacchi...you do know that she might come here." Nabiki’s voice was low.

"Yes, yes, I am aware of that, my beauty. I shall be home as soon as I can."

"Okay."

"I bid you farewell."

As soon as Kuno hung up, Ranma looked at him, worriedly. "Kodachi’s escaped?"

Kuno nodded. He called out to the driver. "Step on it, dear man. I must get to Nerima immediately."

As the limousine picked up speed, Kuno muttered under his breath, "Kami, help us."

***

~Tendo home, early evening~

Ukyou walked out of the kitchen after fixing herself a small snack after Akane had gone to the dojo to practice following dinner. Ukyo had wanted to go with her, but Akane had stated that she wanted to do her exercises alone.

The okonomiyaki chef frowned, but decided to let the pregnant woman do what she wanted. After all, who wanted to argue with a pregnant woman? Besides, she was nearby if anything happened.

She settled down in front of the TV to watch the evening movie and began to munch. The movie was so good that she didn’t see the attack coming. From out of nowhere, a ribbon wrapped itself around her neck and flung her into a wall. Ukyou crashed into the wall and slumped to the ground, her breath gone for the moment. When she had the strength and presence of mind to look up, her eyes widened in shock at the figure approaching her.

"Koda..." was all she could say before the bouquet of flowers were shoved in her face and the world went black.

Kodachi smiled. "That was TOO easy." She laughed silently to herself. "And now, for the main attraction!" Her grin turned positively malicious. "It’s time to finally settle old accounts, Tendo..."

***

Akane was in the dojo when she heard the small ruckus come from the house. Curiosity peaked. She broke from the tai chi she was performing and walked back to the house.

"Ukyou?" she called tentatively.

She passed the kitchen and walked into the living room, where she froze for a split second. The okonomiyaki chef was lying on the ground, unmoving.

"Ukyou!" She exclaimed while running over to the fallen woman and checking her vitals. She exhaled in relief when she realized Ukyo was still breathing. However, the chef was out like a light.

"What happened?" she asked silently to herself.

"Ohohohoho! I took the liberty of making sure we wouldn’t be interrupted during this evening’s festivities," came a sly, female voice from behind her.

Akane sprang to her feet. "Kodachi! What are you doing here!?"

The crazed, former gymnast smiled evilly. "Let’s just say you have a debt I intend to collect." Her eyes narrowed. "Your life!"

With that, she let the ribbon fly. Akane’s instincts kicked in and she dodged to the side, narrowly missing the strike that cut into the wall. Surveying her options, she realized she would have to move this fight elsewhere, away from Ukyo and to place where she had more room to maneuver.

She ducked under another ribbon strike as Kodachi moved in. Akane was about to attempt a leaping roll when she realized something. The baby! I have to be careful or else...

Quickly abandoning that idea, she waited for the next ribbon. Instead, a bladed hoop was released. She dropped to the ground, letting the hoop fly harmlessly overhead.

I can’t keep this up! I need to take her out!

Akane sensed more movement and rolled as gently as she could, just in time to avoid something that exploded when it hit.

Her ball bombs!

The explosion bit into her side, and sent the pregnant woman out the shoji doors and into the yard. She landed on her hands and flipped to her feet from the impromptu handstand. She winced at the pain in her side from the explosion.

That was more powerful than I remember...

"Kodachi, can’t we talk about this?" Akane tried to reason. "You don’t have to do this."

Something unidentifiable passed across Kodachi’s face, and then it was gone. "The time for talking is over. My freedom was taken from me! I spent 20 years in small room as a prisoner. All because you kept my Ranma-sama from me!" She lashed out again with multiple ribbon strikes.

Akane danced around to avoid the attacks, all the while working closer to her opponent. Kodachi launched a few more ball bombs in response that backed the youngest Tendo up and created a kind of smokescreen that obscured each other’s view of the other.

With a cry of rage, Kodachi dropped the ribbon and launched herself through the smoke with a pair of clubs. She swung at her target as soon as she came in range, but Akane caught the offending arm and flipped Kodachi onto the ground, hard. The Black Rose gasped as the air was forced from her lungs. Akane followed up with a pile-driving punch, but Kodachi brought a club up to block.

A warning bell sounded in Akane’s head, but she was too focused on the fight to heed it. As her fist connected with the club, spikes popped out and dug into her hand, drawing blood. Akane screamed and pulled her hand away.

Kodachi used the break to regain her feet, and the offensive. "Attack of a thousand clubs!"

Akane turned inhaled sharply at the lethal attack coming her way. There was no way she could block that attack, especially only with one hand.

So, she executed the Saotome Secret Technique. She ran.

She only got a few feet before a ribbon wrapped itself around her ankles and sent her to the ground. She twisted her body to cushion her landing by her arm, protecting the tender package she carried in her womb.

As she turned onto her back, she caught sight of Kodachi bearing down on her from above with a spiked club. And she was aiming straight for her stomach. Akane thrust out her other arm and took the hit on her forearm, crying out in pain as more blood coated that arm. Kodachi withdrew and stopped for a second.

"I seem to remember you fighting slightly better than this before," she said evenly. "But your actions have all been to protect your... stomach..." Kodachi’s face twisted as she realized why. "Ohohohohoho! You’re pregnant, Akane-dear? Well, since you obviously must have forced yourself on my beloved Ranma, I will have to remove both you and this bastard child!" She snarled the last part as she struck again.

Akane, though getting weak from the blood loss, managed to twist and block again with her legs. Again, the spikes bit deep, and again Akane cried, but she managed to kick out and land her feet into Kodachi’s stomach, launching the other woman several feet away.

The pregnant Tendo tried to regain her feet, but she was starting to feel weak and dizzy from the blood loss. She managed to crawl to the wall and pull herself up onto to her good leg. No sooner than she did so, she collapsed again.

She looked up as Kodachi approached. Murder and hate was clearly written in her eyes. The club drew back one more time. Akane tried to get up once more, but she couldn’t.

I’m sorry, Ranma... I tried.

But it didn’t.

A chain shot out of nowhere and plucked the weapon from the crazed gymnast’s hand.

"What the...!?" was all the Black Rose could say before a purple blur plowed into her.

"Mousse, get Akane to hospital while I take care of this crazy woman!" order Shampoo.

"Sh-Shampoo?" Akane stammered, not believing her eyes.

The Amazon risked a glance back as Mousse picked Akane up. The injured woman saw a thousand things pass through the Joketsuzoku woman’s eyes, and most of them conveyed her sincere sorrow at her actions and her desire to whatever it took to make it up to Akane. "Do not worry, you will be alright," was all she said before returning her attention to the now-attacking Kodachi.

That was all Akane saw before Mousse leapt out of the yard and she blacked out.

***

At Kuno’s insistence, Keitaro drove above the speed limit through the streets of Nerima. His master seemed more restless to go home since they left Osaka. Rather question Kuno’s orders, Keitaro simply did what he was told.

They decided to drop Ranma off at home first. As he turned towards the street that would take them to the Tendo dojo, Keitaro continued to speed up. Suddenly, he saw a figure emerging from the left side of the road without a warning. Keitaro gasped and slammed on the brakes. The limousine screeched to a sudden halt while its passengers let out a yell.

That was close. Keitaro was breathing in and out deeply.

Regaining quickly from the event, Kuno snapped out at his driver. "Were you trying to rush us to our deaths, Keitaro?"

Keitaro said, "I’m sorry, Master Kuno, but someone just came out of nowhere right in front of me, and I had to stop before I could hit them."

"Let’s just hope that you didn’t hit him."

Ranma felt strange. Instincts told him to get out and check if the person they nearly hit was alright. "Let’s go see."

The three of them went out of the car. Illuminated by the streetlights, the road stretching before them was deserted save for the man who was crouched down on the ground.

Ranma called out, "Hey, man, are you..."

The martial artist trailed off. He couldn’t see the face, but a feeling of recognition gradually came over him as he stared at the man’s long, black hair and the elegant Chinese robe he wore.

The stranger turned slowly to stand up. Ranma saw that it was Mousse. He was carrying a woman in his arms. The woman was pregnant. The woman was...was...

"AKANE!" Ranma shouted.

Without giving Mousse the chance to speak or move, Ranma quickly snatched Akane from his arms. He could barely breathe as he stared at Akane’s bleeding body with horror.

His eyes turned accusingly at Mousse whose clothes were stained with Akane’s blood. "What have you done?"

Mousse had seen that deadly look before once upon a time in Jusendo, but the Chinese Amazon stood firm. "This isn’t what it looks like, Saotome. It was Kodachi who did this."

"What?" Kuno was shocked. "You have set your eyes on my insane sister!"

"Yes. Shampoo is fighting her right this minute at the Tendo dojo. I’ll explain later, but right now you have to get Akane to the hospital."

Ranma nodded. "I’m taking her there right now."

Taking off his coat and removing his cellular phone, Kuno said, "Saotome, I insist that you take the limo. My driver shall get you there in no time."

Without any protest, Ranma went inside the limousine, carrying Akane with him. Kuno offered his coat to apply pressure on her Akane’s wounds. Ranma was grateful for this and thanked him.

As soon as he closed the door on them, Kuno turned and found himself facing Keitaro who asked, "Master Kuno, what about you?"

"Worry not for me. Worry for the two lives that are endangered at this moment." He started dialing a number on his phone. "I must summon the authorities. My sister must be in custody immediately, and I am determined to make certain of that. Go now!"

Keitaro nodded, and got in the limousine and drove out of there as fast as he could, leaving Kuno and Mousse in the night.

***

Back at the compound, Shampoo continued to evade Kodachi's crazed attacks. "You now face

Amazon warrior, Kodachi. I give you one chance to give up, now."

Kodachi's only answer was a snarl as she attacked with two more spiked clubs. Shampoo shrugged and produced her twin bonbori, blocking the attacks and flicking a kick to her opponent's face. The Black Rose's face snapped up as she stumbled backwards, but she recovered quickly and struck again.

To Shampoo, her opponent's moves were bordering on the desperate, and Kodachi seemed to be attacking with more rage.

"Get out of my way, you gaijin hussy!" Kodachi snarled.

Shampoo brought her bonbori up. "You must go through me if you want to get Akane." Her eyes narrowed. "And you shall not pass."

"Very well," the Black Rose conceded and leapt to the attack, ribbon flicking out rapidly.

Shampoo blocked the first few strikes with her own weapons. She let the next ribbon slash wind around the handle of her bonbori, and gave a mighty tug. As expected, Kodachi was agile and skilled, but her strength was no match for the amazon.

Before being pulled too far off balance, Kodachi released the handle and leapt back to the roof of the dojo to gain some room. Shampoo was on her a second later and the Black Rose was forced to bring her clubs up to block. A rapid series of blows and counter blows was exchanged, and it was clear Shampoo was giving more than she got.

In desperation, Kodachi feinted with her clubs, then jumped away at the last moment. When Shampoo looked up, Kodachi was... smiling at her? And looking at the amazon woman's feet.

Shampoo looked down just as the ball at her feet exploded with all the force of a grenade. With a pained scream, Shampoo was tossed to the ground. She landed hard and rolled to her back, trying to marshal her strength. Dimly, she realized she had lost her weapons and there was a pounding pain in her chest.

Laughing triumphantly, Kodachi descended gracefully to the ground and prepared to finish her opponent off. Then, much like she did earlier with Akane, she raised the spiked club and aimed her strike.

Suddenly, a hand shot out and stopped the club with a well-placed finger between the spikes.

The crazed woman's eyes widened in shock, which was just enough time for the downed amazon warrior to make her move. Placing one hand behind her on the ground, Shampoo arched her back, vaulting her feet straight up and catching Kodachi in the chin. The maneuver snapped her mouth close and whacking her head back. Shampoo completed the motion, going into a handstand, then twisting to land on her feet.

When she regained a readied position and faced her enemy, Shampoo assessed the damage. Her body was aching from the powerful explosion and she had numerous burns and cuts over her body.

Kodachi, on the other hand, was just getting back up and holding her jaw, grimacing as if in much pain. A trickle of blood ran down out of her mouth and ran down her jaw, and Shampoo surmised she had probably bitten her tongue hard.

Well, an Amazon warrior was trained to fight despite pain when locked in combat. Apparently, the pampered life Kodachi had led hadn't taught her to take hits as well. Seizing the initiative, Shampoo charged hoping to catch Kodachi off guard. Caught flatfooted and without weapons, the Black Rose retreated before the onslaught of punches and kicks seeking her out. Unfortunately, she only managed to dodge half of them.

Shampoo didn't know how much longer she could keep this up. Her chest was on fire and she was beginning to feel dizzy from the pain. Each punch or kick hurt her almost as much as Kodachi, due to the burns that cover various parts of her arms and legs. She smiled as Kodachi grunted in pain from a particularly vicious strike to her stomach.

As the crazy woman doubled over, Shampoo brought her leg up and snapped three kicks that whacked Kodachi's face back and forth. Then, with a short wind-up, a fourth kick flew upwards and rocked the former gymnast up and away. Kodachi landed unceremoniously on the ground a several yards from her former position. Shampoo painstakingly trudged up to her, pausing only to pick up one of her fallen bonbori in case the Black Rose had more fight in her. Though from what the amazon warrior could see, she didn't.

"It is over," Shampoo said softly. "Stay down."

Kodachi attempted to rise and Shampoo shook her head. With another strike to the head via bonbori, Kodachi joined Akane in unconsciousness.

***

As the limousine rushed through the streets, Ranma held Akane who lay limp in his arms, rocking her. Kuno’s jacket was now seeped with Akane’s blood.

She’s losing so much blood. He gazed at her worriedly.

"Hang in there, Akane," Ranma whispered.

He moved her closer to him and kissed her forehead.

I won’t lose her. Not when I’m so close. Oh, please, Akane, if you can hear me, stay with me. Please...please...I love you. I don’t ever want to lose you again.

***

When Mousse and Kuno arrived at the Tendo dojo, they saw Shampoo bending over the unconscious gymnast. The Chinese Amazon stood up and looked at them.

"It’s all been taken care of," she said.

At that moment, Ukyou had woken up and appeared from the kitchen. She was surprised to see them. "Shampoo! Mousse! Kuno!" Then she looked down at Kodachi. "Oh...wow."

"You okay, Ukyou?" asked Shampoo.

"Other than the room seems like it’s spinning...I’ll live. But what happened to Akane?"

Kuno reassured her, "Have no fear. Ranma is with her. She is safe."

"Thank goodness," said Shampoo in a relieved voice.

"We came just in time," Mousse told her as he put his hand on her shoulder. Shampoo looked back at him and smiled.

There were loud sirens from the distant background. Several moments later, the four of them noticed flashes of blue and red light were coming down the street, and two police cars came into the view in front of the house.

As they waited to meet the cops, Ukyou turned to the Chinese couple. "By the way...what were you two doing here anyway? And how did you guys know Kodachi was here?"

"We didn’t," admitted Shampoo.

Mousse replied, "Shampoo had a hunch that something was going to happen to Akane while Ranma was gone."

"What do you mean?" Ukyou frowned.

"A few weeks ago, Michiko came to me," confessed Shampoo. "She asked me to kill Akane and her baby. I refused. When I heard that Ranma was getting his divorce, I became suspicious. Why would Michiko want to divorce Ranma when a few weeks ago she wanted to kill Akane?"

"You mean Michiko is behind all this?"

Shampoo and Mousse nodded.

The okonomiyaki chef sighed. "I wonder why that doesn’t surprise me."

"If this is true," said Kuno, "then my poor delusional sister was just an instrument she used for revenge."

"You got it, sugar," Ukyou told him.

"Then Michiko must be punished, and she must pay for the consequences."

***

She was floating through the clouds of unconsciousness. Her eyes gazed around. This world was a dark and desolate place. She continued to wander, looking for a way out. Then as if by miracle, a light appeared out of nowhere.

Akane.

The light spoke to her.

She smiled and followed it.

***

"Akane? Akane, wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open, and her vision focused slowly on the face before her. The first thing she saw were his eyes. His beautiful, blue eyes. She smiled.

"Ranma." Her voice came out weak.

He smiled back. "Hi."

Akane looked around, not recognizing the white room. "Where...where am I?"

"In the hospital."

Akane’s eyes suddenly widened with alarm. "Ranma! The baby!"

He reached for her hand and held it. "The baby is fine, Akane. I spoke to the doctor already. The two of you are going to be fine."

She let out a sigh of relief and winced in pain from the cuts which were now covered with bandages.

"Kodachi," she said softly. "She came out of nowhere and just attacked. She knocked out Ukyou first and then started to attack me. I fought her as much as I could. And just when things seemed hopeless, Shampoo and Mousse came. They saved my life, Ranma. If it weren’t for them...I don’t know what would have happened."

Ranma nodded. "We saw Mousse carrying you when Kuno and I were on our way to the dojo. I took you here. Then he and Kuno went to the dojo together. Kuno just called me while you were in the ER. Kodachi’s in police custody now."

"What about Ukyou?"

"Ukyou’s fine. She’s on her way here to see you as a matter of fact."

"And Shampoo? And Mousse?"

"They’re at the police station right now, Akane. Everything is going to be okay. You don’t have to worry."

Akane nodded. "Yeah...yeah..."

"Why don’t you rest?"

"I am tired," she admitted. "I think I’ll go to sleep."

Ranma agreed, "Yeah, you do that."

"Will you stay until I fall asleep?"

"I’ll be right here. I won’t leave your side," he promised.

"Thank you."

She closed her eyes, and Ranma watched her fall asleep with a faint smile on her face.

***

~Nerima District Police Station~

Tatewaki Kuno had just gotten off his phone after telling Nabiki that he was at the police station. Earlier before, he had called the hospital to check on Akane. Ranma had told him that she was doing fine.

A police officer approached Kuno and informed him that Kodachi was now awake.

Kuno was led to the cell where The Black Rose was being kept. Alone, she was sitting on the bed while wearing a straitjacket.

"Brother dear!" Kodachi stood up as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?"

"I stand here before you to declare myself as your lawyer. I swear to defend you my sister," he said.

"Why do you treat me as if I am some kind of a criminal? I demand to be released!" Kodachi cried out. "I’ve done nothing wrong. I only wanted to walk among the free and the privileged."

"You were attempting to murder Akane Tendo and her child."

"I was only trying to save my Ranma-sama from that wretched woman’s clutches. How dare that vile wench carry his child when that role should have been rightfully mine."

"No matter what your defense is, dear sister, the act you committed is pure evil. The judge may not be so lenient on your tale, which is why I am here. I want to help you...only if you allow yourself to be helped.

"I do believe that you did not do this on your own. Otherwise, you would not have gotten out of captivity. My sister, a mad woman is out there. Her evil deeds must come to a halt immediately, but she can not pay for her crimes unless you make some confessions."

Kodachi frowned. "What do you want me to do?"

"Start by telling me how you met this woman."

***

~Nerima Local Hospital~

As promised, Ukyou came by to visit Akane who was asleep. Ranma was glad to see her and thanked her for visiting. Ukyou couldn’t stay very long since Ryouga and her family might be worried.

The doctors decided to keep Akane overnight. Ranma, never wanting to leave her, stayed at the hospital with her. The nurses had given him a cot to use for the night.

Ranma had been sleeping peacefully until someone was shaking him awake. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a badge hanging over his head.

"You Ranma Saotome?"

Squinting, Ranma got up to face a large, beefy man in a cheap suit. "Yeah, who wants to know?"

"I do." He glanced at Akane who was still in a deep sleep and then looked at Ranma. "May I speak with you outside for a moment?"

Nodding, Ranma led him outside of the room and closed the door behind them.

The other man spoke first as he drew out a pen and a tiny notebook. "My name is Detective Joben Maruyama. I am in charge of the investigation of the attack on Akane Tendo. I’d like to ask you a couple of questions."

"Sure. Go ahead."

"Where were you during the attack?"

"I was just coming home from Osaka. My lawyer Tatewaki Kuno was with me."

He scribbled the information down. "What were you doing in Osaka?"

"I was discussing the terms of the divorce with my wife Michiko."

"Uh-huh. The victim...Akane Tendo...I am told that she is pregnant."

He nodded again. "Yes. I am the father of her child if that’s where you’re getting at."

Maruyama looked up from his notebook. "Does your wife know about this?"

"Yes, I told her. My marriage to Michiko isn’t all that great, and I have been asking for a divorce for months, but she wouldn’t give in. When I found out that Akane was pregnant, I kept on insisting on the divorce. Finally, she agreed."

"And so you were away while Miss Tendo was attacked."

"That’s right." Ranma paused. Where are you getting at?"

"Akane Tendo was attacked by a woman named Kodachi Kuno. Do you know her?"

"Unfortunately, yeah," replied Ranma.

"We have a reason to believe that she didn’t commit this crime on her own. She has confessed to us that she was hired to kill Akane Tendo by your wife Michiko Saotome."

Ranma was overcome by shock. "What?!"

"We have two testimonies stating that your wife is capable of masterminding this crime. One was from Kodachi Kuno and the other from Shampoo. She said that Michiko visited her at her home and tried to hire her to kill Miss Tendo."

There was no response from Ranma.

"You don’t seem surprised."

""Shampoo told me," admitted Ranma with regret. "She warned me that something like this might happen."

"And you didn’t believe her."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Shampoo and I are not on speaking terms. I didn’t trust her."

"Weren’t you ever suspicious, Mr. Saotome?"

"I don’t know. A little, maybe, but you see I was so desperate for this divorce. When I heard that Michiko was finally going to cooperate, I was really happy because that meant that I could finally marry Akane."

Maruyama nodded and finally closed his notebook. "That’s all for now, Mr. Saotome. I’m so sorry for what happened."

Ranma asked, "What’s going to happen now?"

"We’re going to find some more solid evidence that would link the attack to your wife, but with Miss Kuno and Shampoo’s confessions and the fact that there is a motive, this is definitely an open and shut case." In a confident voice, he added, "Don’t worry, Mr. Saotome. We’re going to get her."

Ranma glanced at slumbering Akane through the small window of the door. The thought of losing Akane and their child all because of Michiko’s jealous rage and revenge made his blood boil and scream for justice.

Turning to the detective with a stern look in his face, he said, "See that you do, Detective."

***

~Osaka, Japan~

The servants were asked by their mistress not to be disturbed, but Aneko was worried. Since the news broke out, her mistress had been incommunicado. She was not unaware of the events that will happen, and she braced herself of what was to come.

Aneko finally decided to go against the mistress’s wishes and approached her chambers.

She knocked on the door. "Mrs. Saotome?"

There was no answer.

The knocking became louder. "Mrs. Saotome!"

There was still no reply.

Finally, Aneko grasped the doorknob and turned it. To her surprise, it was not locked. Pushing the door open, the maid stepped inside the room.

The first thing she saw was the television. A news reporter was speaking, and it took Aneko awhile to realize that it was a recording of this morning’s news.

"...In this quiet neighborhood of Nerima, a woman named Akane Tendo was attacked in her home last night. Her attacker was identified as Kodachi Kuno. Kuno was a patient in the Sakagami Institute for the Mentally Disturbed. A few days prior the attack, Kuno escaped from Sakagami when the asylum was caught on fire.

"Kuno is now under police custody and has revealed to the police that she was hired to attack Tendo. She identified the mastermind as Michiko Tanaka-Saotome, the owner of the Tanaka Towers and Tanaka Enterprises.

"Tanaka was seen at Sakagami when she was visiting Kuno two days before her escape. Kuno claimed that Tanaka ordered her to set the asylum on fire. Tanaka is facing charges on the attempted murder of Akane Tendo and on arson..."

Aneko shook her head to herself and turned away from the screen. And that’s when it happened. She saw Michiko standing before her and gasped with fright.

Michiko’s face was caked with makeup. Her cheeks were bright red from the rouge she wore. There were clumps of mascara at her eyelashes. Her lipstick was smeared over and around her lips.

"How do I look, Aneko?" She asked in voice that was bright as day.

"Mrs. Saotome..."

"Don’t I look beautiful?"

Aneko couldn’t speak. Chills started to run down her spine.

Michiko sighed. "Oh, what am I asking you for? I know I am always beautiful."

When she finally found her voice, the maid asked, "Mrs. Saotome...why are you doing this?"

"Don’t you know? They will be coming for me soon, and I have to look good."

It was clear to the young maid that she was no longer herself. She was not the smart, sophisticated, beautiful woman Aneko knew. That woman was replaced by this crazed, grotesque-looking creature.

"Would...would you like me to do your hair, Mrs. Saotome?"

She smiled. "That would be lovely. I want to look my best." As Michiko sat before her vanity set, Aneko started to brush her hair. "I must not let them think that I am defeated. That is the secret when you face your enemies, Aneko. You must look proud."

"Yes, Mrs. Saotome."

"My father taught me never ever to accept defeat. My husband...he thinks he can get his way, but no. One day he will come back to me, Aneko. You know that, don’t you, Aneko?"

"Yes, Ma’am."

"Now make sure you do my hair right. I did my make-up perfectly! I don’t want you to mess up my appearance. I must look good for my husband. I must make him regret that he left me. He’s a fool not to. I am the most beautiful creature on the face of this planet. How will he be able to resist me now?"

As Michiko babbled on about her beauty, Aneko brushed her hair in silence except whenever she was addressed.

The police arrived, and they arrested Michiko Tanaka-Saotome. The servants would never forget the day they took away their mistress who would not agree to come along quietly if she was not allowed to bring her make-up because she insisted that she "did not put enough on."

***

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