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Genma panted hard as he tried to keep up with his son and Taro. He had asked them to help him get in shape, but he never believed they would take him so seriously. As of now, they had left Nerima hours ago, and had kept on traveling. What had Genma so tired was the fact that they had been running nonstop, regardless of the terrain. Looking ahead, he could see Taro and Ranma running as if they had just started. Genma could see the sun setting on the horizon, and wondered how much longer they would continue running. He still remembered berating Ranma for not being able to keep up with him during their training trip. It seemed like the roles had changed. Although Ranma didn't tease him about it, Genma felt just as humiliated. After the first couple of minutes, he noticed how out of shape he really was. Now, he just wished they would stop for the night. His legs were on fire, and his shoulders hurt horribly from carrying his backpack. He remembered, though, what they were gonna face. With determination brought out of stupidity and stubbornness, a dangerous combination, he continued on running. Who said those two were only bad traits?
Taro jumped over a rock and as soon as he touched the ground, he was running again. He had his eyes straight ahead, focused on returning to China. By his side, Ranma ran easily. He was used to running while Kima flew, and that had helped his endurance a lot. His skin still failed to show any signs of sweat, and his breath was completely normal. He could very well be drinking a cup of tea with his mother. Ranma turned over his shoulder and took a good look at his father. *I'm surprised pop was able to keep up this long. I had planned for us to take longer than this just to reach the coast.* He smiled as he turned forward again, just in time to avoid running into a tree. *Good, we'll have more time to train.* Turning to his side, he said. "Taro, we should stop and make camp."
Taro stopped running as soon as Ranma spoke. Both young men seemed to defy the laws of physics as they stopped instantly from their sprint. Genma wasn't so fortunate. When he noticed his companions had stopped, he had already run past them. His legs had been working almost mechanically, but they weren't ready for stopping the elder Saotome's mass. As Genma stopped, or tried to, his knees buckled and he rolled on the floor four times before coming to a stop. Coughing from the tiredness and the dust, the martial artist remained on the floor, enjoying the halt to the strain. That didn't last though. He turned when he heard the familiar sound wood being started to start a fire. Being for ten years on the road made that sound familiar. "How did we do?" He asked after recovering his breath, a little.
Ranma, who had dropped his backpack and was working on the fire, turned. Taro had entered a small forest nearby as soon as they stopped. Genma's son smiled at his father. "We covered a lot of ground today. That's good, since you won't be able to move tomorrow."
Genma didn't protest. He knew he would be so sore, his muscles would be impossible to strain. He summoned enough strength to get up and sit down next to his son. "Do you think they already made it?"
Ranma shook his head. "No. With Kima flying at full speed, they would reach China in the morning. I doubt they would risk flying during the day, much less after not stopping for the whole night." There was a certain longing in his voice.
The eldest understood his offspring. He understood just fine. Genma patted Ranma on the back, ignoring the pain it brought him to move. "Don't worry, son. You'll be with your wife in less time than you think. I don't think she will like it, but you will be."
Ranma smiled at his father's try to cheer him up. They communicated mostly with insults, as it had been during his entire life. He answered back with sarcasm dripping from his every word. "I'm sure mother will be equally excited about you."
Genma's glasses flashed as he assumed a solemn pose. "Of course, boy. Your mother knows a true man when she sees one. I can only hope that you can someday follow my steps."
"You make me sick." Announced Taro as he returned with a couple of dead rabbits. He had his usual demeaning smirk in place. "Ready for your beating, Fem-boy?"
Ranma's eyes flashed with something Genma recognized as excitement. He wasn't disappointed when his son stood up and said. "In your dreams, Pantyhose. You won't even be able to give me a decent warm-up." They remained staring at each other for a long time, and as one walked away from the campsite. Genma's stomach reminded him that the food only needed some cooking to be edible. He ignored his companions to skin the rabbits and start cooking them.
After five minutes, and some inhaled food, Genma finally turned his attention to the fight. Ranma and Taro had only walked twenty feet away. His eyes widened at the sight. Seeing Kima and Ranma fight was impressive, since there was a clash between weapons and bare hands. Seeing Taro fight Ranma was different. Genma had always preferred barehanded fighting, and the sight of the two best martial artists he had ever seen was something he welcomed. This was skill versus skill. A fatal dance made beautiful. The intensity of the match only added to its appeal. *My son and Taro seem to be about equal in hand to hand. Ranma's a little faster and more flexible, while Taro's stronger.* He analyzed. To any other not so experienced in the martial arts, the fighting duo would seem like equals. The differences were minimal. The styles they practiced were incredibly different, though. Ranma fought with something Genma recognized as a more developed anything goes. His chest swelled with pride at the sight. Taro, on the other hand, fought with a karate-based style. His movements were perfectly measured and strong.
So distracted was Genma with the fight, that he failed to notice the first drops of rain. A few minutes later, a wet panda was staring at two fighting figures still at it. Neither stopped until well into the night.
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The next few days were spent mostly in training. Genma was the one to need it the most, since he was way out of shape. Sparring with Ranma in the mornings was good, but it only gave him endurance for a short one-on-one fight. 'We might be facing dozens of enemies once we reach China.' Taro had said. Besides, it had been a long time since Ranma left for a cure, in which Genma seldom did any training. So the martial artist asked the two youths to help him regain his old form. They would spar the entire day, and Genma started to instruct his son in the most advanced forms of the Saotome Forbidden Techniques. Ranma already knew most of them, but Genma refined his knowledge with it. It came as a surprise to Ranma that those same techniques could be used with weapons as well. His mother had developed them when Genma tried to teach them to her. He smiled when his father told him Nodoka would be training Kima in the techniques. It would mean a good sparring match when they met again.
It took them five more days to reach the coast. They boarded a ship to cross the sea. It would be best to try and not call unwanted attention on themselves. Three people swimming the entire distance could do that. The captain of the ship had apologized, but there was only one room left. The trio found it lucky, since they didn't want to part. As soon as they left Japan, they were entering enemy ground.
As they were getting ready to tuck in for the night, Genma asked. "What now?" They would reach China without problems, or so it seemed, so he was curious to know what the plan was.
Ranma answered as if he had thought about months ago. "We will repeat our journey from the last time we came."
Genma was surprised. "What? Boy, you realize last time we walked from Jusenkyo to the amazon village."
Ranma nodded. "But on the way to Jusenkyo, we will cross over Musk grounds."
Taro continued for his companion. "We'll be under the cover of a training journey to visit several sites. The Musk are widely known for their power, so it will be a believable excuse."
Ranma pointed a finger at Taro. "Taro is supposed to be our guide and translator. We have to look like we have never been to China before. After we visit the Musk citadel, and speak to Herb, we'll head to Jusenkyo. From there, we leave for Mount Phoenix. There's no need to visit the amazon village."
Genma nodded, thinking the plan to be achievable. "Are you considering all that can go wrong?" He asked, finally.
Taro smirked arrogantly. "If something goes wrong, we eliminate it." Genma found that the boy was serious, and understood. He prayed that nothing forced them to take that kind of action.
They all laid down to sleep, considering it would be suspicious if they didn't turn off the light. Very soon, Genma's snores could be heard all over the ship. Ranma and Taro didn't mind, but they were still awake. "Fem-boy?"
"Yeah?" Answered Ranma without opening his eyes.
Taro's smile could be seen with his tone of voice. "Your father hasn't changed even once since we boarded the ship."
Ranma smiled. "Yeah. I've noticed he doesn't change as much as before. Maybe the Jusenkyo curses' attraction of water reduces with time. Either way, if an amazon sees him change, our cover's up. Did you bring it?"
Taro snorted. "You know I prepare for anything, unlike someone I know. We're safe."
Ranma frowned. "Don't count on it. Even when I prepare for 'anything' like you, something comes up and screws everything up." Then he added with a playfulness he didn't feel. "It's part of my charm." They both laughed softly at the joke, knowing it was the entire truth.
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Ranma ducked under a chair thrown his way and punched to his right, at the same time kicking left. "You just had to do it, pop." He said sarcastically. Two people landed on the floor, passed out from the pain those hits delivered. Ranma didn't have time to continue arguing as he tilted his head back and out of the way of a left hook. He would have punished the attacker with a front kick, had it not been for another punch from a different guy. *How many did he piss off?* Ranma asked himself as he handled the five people surrounding him.
Genma smiled as he blocked a kick with his left arm and followed with a punch to the groin. The man obviously didn't get up. The martial artist had no time to celebrate as he jumped away from a knife wielder. "They can't take a joke, boy. You dare blame your own father for this. What a shame!" His act of solemn indignation was put off because of the other two guys coming his way. Genma jumped straight at them, and using his mass, pinned them both down to the ground. He gave each a kick to the head as he jumped to his feet, and ready to take on another opponent.
Ranma felt a sharp pain on his left arm. He turned just in time to see as a thug retrieved a knife from his forearm. Ranma's eyes narrowed. *To hell with holding back.* He had been using just enough force to knock his opponents down. If there were less of them, he could keep it up, but the numbers and intention didn't allow him. "Big mistake." He told the guy giving him a goofy smile and waving the knife around. Ranma caught him by the throat and, one handed, threw him against a wall twenty feet away. The thug crashed with a sickening crunch and bonelessly dropped to the floor. It was quite possible he had a dozen of his bones out of place after a hit that strong. Ranma turned to his next victim. *This guys are trash. Better give them a lesson so they don't bother anyone else.* Genma had made some street thugs angry because he cheated them in a card game for money. What the eldest Saotome didn't expect was for the band to be of over twenty members. Ranma caught a punch with his right hand and crushed the bones of the fist. The thug started crying like a girl. Instead of letting go, Ranma pulled hard and, as the guy was about to pass by his side, released what was left of the hand and elbowed his opponent with enough force to break his jaw and drop him like a sack of potatoes. He then kicked back, right at the knee of someone trying to sneak up on him. The knee was crushed and the thug was about to scream when a hammer blow caught him on the right shoulder. His arm was dislocated, but he didn't scream. The pain was too much, so he passed out where he was standing. Ranma then somersaulted over two others, and took their hair in his hands. As he touched the ground he used his momentum to lift them over his shoulders and ram them to the ground. The sound of bones breaking and the asphalt cracking could be heard very clearly. Needless to say, they didn't get up. As he turned around, Ranma received a hit with a steel bar in the head. He turned a deadly glare on the offender. The guy went for another hit, but it never connected. Ranma ducked under the clumsy swing and swept the feet from under his opponent. As he hit the floor, Ranma took the bar from his hands and with both hands embedded it through the guy's shoulder, and a good five inches into the ground. "NEXT!" Ranma cried angrily. His eyes promised death to his next opponent.
The angry yell, and the fact that the man with black hair and in the white gi had completely trashed whoever came close to him, made the rest of the gangsters start looking for ways out of the alley. Before anyone knew what happened, Ranma and Genma were the only ones standing. "What happened, boy?" Asked Genma, seriously. Ranma hardly ever lost his self control like that.
Ranma, for his part, was at a loss. "I don't know. I got angry at them, thinking of the harm they could cause to others." He was genuinely trying to find something to explain his outburst. As his head cooled down, he realized the damage he had inflicted. Even if they deserved it, it just wasn't like him to be that vicious.
Genma's eyes widened in understanding. It had happened to him as well, weeks after he left the Saotome home in his training trip. "Son." His son turned to him. "You have to control yourself. Hurting these people won't bring you and your wife together."
Ranma looked at him questioningly. "What?"
Genma sighed. "I felt the same way when we left on our training trip." He turned towards the end of the alley, where he saw Taro running to catch up with them. "You have to calm yourself, or you'll lose it again." Inwardly, Genma was surprised by the burst of anger. It seemed like Ranma hadn't changed so much after all. His temper was as strong as before, but Kima seemed to have control and direct it. Even if she didn't know. Now, without her, Ranma was becoming unstable. The craziness of Nerima had prevented that, but there was no craziness here. *I hope we get to Phoenix Mountain fast. If Ranma snaps, I don't think there's anything that can stop him aside from Kima.* Genma had witnessed the fights between Taro and Ranma. Both were about equal in normal hand to hand, but Ranma always won because of his endurance. After a couple of hours, of course. The problem was in the fact that Ranma's special techniques were dangerous, more so since he had combined the Nekoken and the Saotome Forbidden Techniques. He got out of his thought mode as Taro reached them.
"You OK, mister customers?" He asked in broken Japanese, very distressed. They had to cover the part of being their guide. He didn't need much acting about the distress part, though. Witnessing Ranma being so vicious really shocked him. Sure, he would fight even more ruthlessly, but Ranma just wasn't like that. He exchanged a look with Genma, and it seemed like the father had the same thoughts.
"We're fine. Let's get out of here before the police arrives." Ranma said as he picked up his pack and headed towards the street. Genma and Taro exchanged another preoccupied glance before following.
Unknown to them, someone had witnessed the entire fight from a rooftop. *Strong males.* She thought with a smile forming on her lips. She jumped over the rooftops, a plan already forming on her head.
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"I don't like this." Ranma announced as they neared a group of amazons. The women warriors were blocking the road, obviously inspecting everyone that came this way. Genma and Taro exchanged a knowing glance. Ranma had become less patient and easier to get angry over the last couple of days. Since that day in the alley. The only thing that calmed him was for them to remind him of his wife, or have a sparring match. The exercise, even if it wasn't very demanding, controlled the raging inferno. They had been walking for hours now, so it was almost natural for the warrior to be on edge. Taro and Genma feared what would happen if Ranma didn't remain calm during the encounter. Their plan depended on stealth.
"Calm down and let me do the talking." Said Taro with annoyance. He wished to kick Ranma's butt for being an ass, but he knew that would only blow their cover. *Damn it, fem-boy! Snap out of it!"* As they neared the amazon group, Taro waved. "'Hello!'" And he hated acting like a moron.
The amazons had seen the three males approach them. Two of them wore white gis, while the third one used a Chinese villager's attire. The leader of the amazon party stepped forward. "'What's your business?'"
Taro faked nervousness at the harsh words. "'These people come on a training trip.'" He stated, pointing a finger to Ranma and Genma. "'I'm taking them to some training grounds.'"
The amazon nodded. That wasn't uncommon. Japanese fighters always came to China to train and return to their island with more skills. She eyed the two foreigners and licked her lips. The older one seemed strong, but nothing special. The young man called her attention, though. He was tall and seemed very strong. "'Are you taking them to our village?'" She asked, intent on knowing when. Taro nodded. The amazon turned to her group and ordered one of them. "'You, go with them.'"
"'What?'" Taro asked.
The amazon turned to him. "'We are sending all groups that cross our territory with an escort.'" Her tone of voice told him not to question their decision. She turned and said. "'You will leave in the time it takes for your guide to get ready.'" She started to walk away.
Taro had to restrain the desire to twist that girl's arrogant neck. He turned around and walked to Ranma and Genma. "What happened?" Asked Genma, who had noticed Taro's problem controlling himself. If two of their group were unstable it could mean trouble.
Taro kept his voice low. "We are getting an amazon to escort us through their territory. Most likely so that we visit their village."
Ranma smiled. "Let them." Incredulous stares answered his statement. "If we have an amazon with us, they won't suspect our intentions. We'll reach the Musk Citadel much faster without all the patrols stopping us."
Taro had to nod to the logic. They had lost a lot of time avoiding coming in contact with the patrols, but it was getting harder. If they had an amazon to guide them, they would travel a lot faster. He was surprised for Ranma to be so calm right now. Until he saw the man's eyes. Ranma was glad because doing things this way he would meet with Kima a lot sooner. "We won't be talking as often. Are you OK with that?"
Ranma noticed the worried looks Taro and Genma gave him. Well, Taro didn't look worried, just less offensive than usual. He smiled inwardly. "I can live with that." He admitted to himself now that it was not seeing Kima that had him this stressed. Incredible he depended so much on her, since he had been alone most of his life.
Genma sighed but nodded. "I suppose we can use the escort to avoid trouble."
Their conversation was cut short as a young amazon neared them. She stopped a few feet away, with an angry scowl on her features. "'Do they speak Chinese?'" She asked impatiently. *I can't believe they have me escorting foreigners for one lousy mistake that wasn't even my fault.* She thought, which only made her scowl deepen. The fact that she recognized them from somewhere was overlooked due to her annoyance.
Taro shook his head. "'They are Japanese martial artists. I'm taking them to the Musk Citadel.'"
The amazon nodded. "'Let's get it over with.'" She said, her patience long gone. Taro motioned for Ranma and Genma to follow, and they all started into Musk territory.
The trip itself was short and boring. Genma and Ranma sparred toning down their abilities. Several amazon parties stopped them, but let them go as soon as they recognized one of their own. They reached the Musk Citadel in two days. "'That's the Musk Citadel. We'll arrive tomorrow morning.'" Announced the amazon as they stared at the grounds from a distance.
Taro nodded, making sure to sound as detached as possible. "'I'll tell the Customers.'" He left back to where Ranma and Genma were setting camp. He couldn't help but turn over his shoulders to gaze at their guide. She wasn't the usual prideful and arrogant amazon. At first she had been mad, but as time went by she became more bearable. Shaking his head to get rid of that line of thought, Taro started once again for camp. No use in thinking about their amazon guide, since tomorrow they would get rid of her.
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The amazon woke up with a start, feeling something was very wrong. As she got out of her tent, her fear proved to be justified. None of the three males were in sight. She couldn't believe her eyes, since she was an amazon. How could three males sneak off from a fully trained amazon warrior? Her eyes looked for tracks or any other trace of the direction they had taken, only to find nothing. She cursed for a good five minutes before she gathered her things and made her way to the Musk Citadel. She wouldn't live to see another day if these three escaped. Elder Khu Lon had made that quite clear after her first failure.
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It wasn't even dawn yet, but the Musk Citadel had activity like never before. Raiding parties prepared themselves for another day of war. They had caught four winged people trying to fly out of China. And of course, not even ashes remained of those. There was a big group getting ready to assist the troops in the front line.
Deep in the most private chambers of the Citadel, Herb was in his war room, studying a map of the zone. He had perfect knowledge of the location of different parties from the amazons, as well as his own men. *It will be a matter of time before Saffron falls.* He thought with a grim smile. Even though Phoenix Mountain could sustain the people living up there, the sheer difference in numbers would be their downfall. The winged people would seize to exist.
When Cologne had visited him, he was more than surprised and enraged by her daring behavior. How dare she invade his private chambers? The news that she brought, however, made him overlook that fact. Saffron was an adult, again. The biggest threat to the Musk was once again at full strength. Herb had no doubt in his mind that he could take Saffron out, but he didn't think a full-scale war would be in his favor. It was a simple fact that made the difference. Saffron's people could fly, his could not. Therefore, when Cologne offered a truce to get rid of their winged enemies, Herb didn't hesitate. He knew the amazons could betray him at any time, but they would not do it until Phoenix Mountain was nothing more than ashes. Ashes from which not even Saffron would be able to revive from.
Herb smiled wider and sat on his chair. Yes, things were good right now. With Saffron out of the picture, the powerful Musk could then take care of the amazons and be the only ones remaining in the area. His thoughts were pleasant ones. Too bad they were brusquely interrupted. The door opened to reveal his servant Mint. "'Herb-sama. Some travelers from Japan are here to see you.'" He said with reverend to his ruler.
Herb frowned. He wasn't usually bothered for giving audiences. He just wasn't in the mood to hear what some pathetic Japanese men had to say. "'Tell them to leave if they want to stay alive.'" Noticing Mint didn't move to obey his orders, his frown deepened and he asked annoyed. "'What are you waiting for?'"
Mint shuffled with his feet a little before answering. "'One of them is Ranma Saotome.'" His voice was soft and hesitant, but to Herb's ears it was like the roar of a lion. Saotome was here? Herb's expression changed from anger to confusion. Why would he only person able to defeat the king of the Musk be here? "'I'll receive them in the throne room. Take them there at once.'" Mint nodded and left in a hurry. The king of the Musk sat back on his chair and contemplated things. He had heard the stories of how it was Ranma who defeated Saffron some time ago. If he could convince the pigtailed martial artist to join him in defeating the Musk... A wide smile illuminated Herb's features. Ranma Saotome would also be a great advantage in the conflict with the amazons.
Considering a bad idea to make his prospective ally impatient, Herb stood up and started for his throne room. Thoughts of how having Ranma by his side would affect the battlefield. He snorted. *The both of us could probably take down the entire mountain.* He thought with amusement. The possibilities were very good.
Herb turned the last corner and opened the door. As he stepped through, he noticed Ranma had grown from the last time they met. He was taller and a lot more muscular. His hair no longer was in a pigtail, but loose in a long black mane. His stance had changed from cocky to powerful. A power not without the experience obtained with years of fighting. The changes were astounding. Turning his attention to the other two, he could see another young man of about Ranma's age. He stood proudly, with something bordering on arrogance and a demeaning smirk on his lips. The other man was older and bold. He wore wire trim glasses over his eyes. Not bothering to give them a second glance, Herb walked to Ranma. "Saotome, what a pleasure to have you with us." He said grandly.
As soon as the door opened, the trio turned to the leader of the Musk. The half dragon crossed the frame of the door and studied them carefully. They did just that. Herb was just as Ranma remembered him, the most impressive feature being the aura of power emanating from the man. They stood patiently waiting for their host to speak first. It had been relatively easy to enter the grounds. Ranma stood forward and asked for Mint or Lime. The former appeared on the gates and recognized Ranma immediately. Asking for an audience with Herb wasn't necessary, since the king's servant took them to the throne room without further question. Now they stood in front of a man partly responsible for a war. The war in which their loved ones were in danger. The tension between the three could almost be physically felt. They remained silent as Herb greeted Ranma. Genma and Taro partly angered at being so easily put aside.
Herb noticed the silent study the trio was giving him, but continued unfazed. "It is good of you to come now. We require the help of every possible warrior to defeat a great evil. An evil you know." He was hoping to ensnare Saotome with the legend of how he defeated the Phoenix King.
Ranma turned to Genma and Taro, who gave him nods for him to talk. He was the one who knew Herb, after all. Steeling himself, Ranma cleared his throat and looked at the king with a hard stare. "I know what you ask of me, Herb." Herb had a smile from ear to ear at this. Saotome would help him. "You have allied yourself with the amazons and have Phoenix Mountain completely surrounded."
Herb nodded. "With you we will be able to defeat the winged people in half the time we had planned. We will release the world from the great evil Saffron's minions represent."
Ranma noticed Herb had improved in his speech. He would find himself lost in his words if it wasn't because he knew why he was here. "I don't think so." The warrior said gravely. Herb was taken out of his stupor by these simple words. He turned an incredulous stare at Ranma. "We came here to ask of you one thing. That you abandon this plan of destruction. War never solves anything."
Herb allowed a small smile to appear on his lips. "I forgot who I was talking to. You never liked the idea of killing someone." He shrugged and started for his throne. "I suppose we'll have to manage without you. Every single person on that mountain will die. And the great Ranma Saotome will be known as the coward that didn't want to participate in our glorious mission." He smiled inwardly to himself. He knew Ranma enough to know that he would do anything to prove he wasn't a coward.
Ranma was angered by Herb's words. He didn't care much about being called a coward. He had matured enough to know that what people said about him had no real value. What he did had. What had him angered was the fact that Herb spoke of killing people he called friends and loved ones as if he was talking about killing insects. "For the last time, Herb. Call back your forces."
"Easy boy." Genma said as he took a look around. They were surrounded by guards, and were in the middle of the enemy grounds. If they revealed their identities, this could very well be the end for them. He had no doubt they could leave the room easily, but leaving the entire Citadel was another thing.
Taro was already looking for ways to get out of here in the quickest way possible. *Damn it, fem-boy. Great timing you chose to lose it.* He had recognized the distinctive signs of Ranma becoming agitated. The time in the alley had been the first of a couple that happened until they met with their amazon guide. Since then, Ranma had been able to control himself. But now...
Herb glared at Ranma. "Saotome, why are you so interested in my people stopping the war?" He was starting to become suspicious. Ranma had too much information. His eyes scanned the three people in front of him, carefully this time. He noticed Ranma's companions were tensed, ready to jump at any second. Why would they be like that? Unless... Herb's eyes opened wide with the discovery. "You have allied yourself with my enemy." He accused pointing a finger at Ranma.
Ranma smiled at this. A smile that didn't reach his eyes. A smile that sent a shiver down the spine of every person who saw it. For that smile promised doom. "I can't let you hurt them, Herb." He said calmly. Scanning the room quickly, he could see the guards were reading their weapons to strike when their king gave the order. They were completely surrounded. He didn't care, though. His mind was completely set in protecting the ones he loved.
Herb sat on his throne and asked. "Why? You feel you owe something to them because you killed their god?"
Ranma shook his head. "I can't let you hurt my wife and unborn child." He stated matter of factly.
Everyone was petrified in place at the admission. Taro didn't know about Kima being pregnant. Genma was scared to death about their lives. The guards and Herb couldn't believe what they had just heard. Ranma had married someone from that mountain? After all that had happened between him and that people? Herb was the first to recover and his reaction took everybody by surprise. He laughed. It wasn't demeaning, nor was it sarcastic. It was a true laugh. When he recovered enough to speak, he said. "Now you're gonna tell me Kima is your wife." His laughter died and his face paled when he saw Ranma nod. *Damn. I thought he was joking.* Indeed. Herb had thought it was all a big joke. Now that he knew Ranma would be his enemy, he was seriously considering things. He couldn't kill him where he stood. The price for his troops would be too great, and Ranma's companions were unknown to him. Too many unknown variables. With that in mind, Herb stood up and motioned for his guards to ease their grip on their weapons. The king then turned to his three guests. "I shall let you leave this place, today." Genma and Taro sighed in relief. "But know this. The next time we meet, it will be as mortal enemies." He frowned deeply. "You once saved my life. Consider my debt to you paid, Saotome. For you shall walk out of my domain unharmed."
Ranma nodded in acknowledgement. "Herb, I regret that I'll have to kill you. I know you, and now you won't stop in your quest to destroy us." Herb nodded. They shared a long and silent look. Any more words would have been a waste. Both knew what they had to do. Ranma would find to the very end and beyond to protect his family. And Ranma Saotome was at his best when fighting for the ones he cared about. Herb would fight not out of pride, nor personal wishes. The king of the Musk would fight because of his people. There was no doubt in his mind that destroying Saffron and his people was the best for his kingdom. War tends to be that way. There aren't bad and good guys, just people with different beliefs.
Ranma turned on his heels and, without giving signs of acknowledging the guards' presence, walked out of the room. Genma and Taro followed close behind, although eyeing all the guards carefully.
As they left, Herb sat back on his throne and wondered how such a perfect opportunity had turned into such a big problem.
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They reached Jusenkyo that very day. They had run nonstop for hours. Ranma's mood had improved greatly since they were so close to reaching their destination. He was helping Genma with his backpack, so that the older martial artist could run for longer without tiring himself to death. "Be careful not to fall in a spring." Ranma warned.
Taro snorted. "We know." He wasn't crazy about the possibility of turning into a girl like fem-boy, so he heeded the advice. Genma had bad memories from this place, so the advice was pretty much wasted on him. They tentatively made their way through the pools, changing their course so they would start towards Phoenix Mountain. Ranma had said the danger of falling on a spring was worth being safe from amazon eyes. They could already be informed of the three people roaming around the area, since their amazon guide had been left behind and had most probably reported in.
The valley was covered by a deep fog, which made the way through the springs even more risky. Of course, it was the danger of falling on a spring that would most probably keep the amazons away. "How are we gonna enter the mountain? It is supposed to be completely surrounded." Genma said as he walked around a big spring.
Ranma smiled grimly. "We'll just have to improvise." There was a glint in his eyes that, when seen by his companions, made them stop and look at each other with apprehension. Ranma Saotome was getting ready for battle.
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Following close behind, an amazon smiled at having been able to keep up with the unbelievable pace Ranma had set. It had taken her a lot of patience, but the three men had walked out of the Citadel unharmed. She asked one of the Musk guards who those three were, and the answer she got took her completely off guard. It was more important than ever to follow them, and so she ran behind them for more time than she would like to remember.
Now, being so close, she could feel that her honor would be satisfied before she died. Hefting her spear testily, mostly to see just how tired she was, the amazon warrior followed. "'Ranma Saotome.'" But there was no one to hear her words.
END PART 8
Author's notes: Took me a while this time. Sorry about that, but RL is being hard.
Well, next part will cover the arrival of both parties to Phoenix Mountain, as well as uncover a few mysteries. Hope you enjoy it.
Until Part 9! |
