Ranma sighed. He was a dimension away from Nerima and still the Uncute Tomboy was making his life difficult. Still, he had to stop her, she looked like she was ready to pursue the retreating shadowlands army to the festering pit of Fu-Leng itself. He just picked up a decent-sized rock and threw it in an almost bored manner, back turned to Akanyo.
The improvised projectile struck true, right between the armor plates and her helmet. Moto Akanyo was sent instantaneously in Yume-do. Her mount, without guidance from its mistress, stopped and instinctively turned back. Ranma took the horse's bridle and guided him to the nearest gate. From where he was, he didn't see the boggled expressions of his family, his love and Utaku Xian at that new superhuman display.
Hida Kisada was proud of his son. Ranma was going to become one of the greatest heroes in the Crab clan's history. Barely past his gempukku, yet he took down two onis by himself. His doubts were evaporating like snow before Lady Sun's gaze. His son had really been chosen by the kamis. That meant his words about the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named were true. The Dark God, knowing he couldn't break the Crab's vigilance, had chosen the path of subversion this time. But no matter the means employed by Fu-Leng, he will find the Crab opposing him on his way !
Yakamo was loudly cheering his little brother. He had feared he was too much like his Crane mother to be a true warrior. He silently vowed to follow him to Jigoku itself if that was necessary to defeat the shadowlands. The Emperor was too weak and the clans locked in their little feuds : It was up to the Crab to save Rokugan, as always.
Sukune was already making plans in his head for the coming compaign in the Empire's territories. Since the clan needed to keep the Wall's defences up (the shadowlands had already proven quite willing to change their strategy, more surprises would be coming, he was sure of it), it wouldn't be easy but the Crab's duty never was. Ranma had always treated him better than most like O-Ushi, maybe it was time to pay his debt.
Kuni Yori said nothing. His plans needed to be revised. Perhaps they had a chance after all...
Otaku Xian had heard from some Crab bushis Ranma's prediction. Once Akanyo was conscious again, they would ride to Shiro Shinjo and warn their clan of the threat. An alliance will surely be made between the Unicorn and the Crab. Too bad she was already engaged. Ranma... 'Wild Horse'... With a name like that, he should have been an Unicorn.
*****
When Ranma passed through the gate, he found Bayushi Kyoko waiting for him. He saw the looks of respect directed at her by his fellow clansmen . As the Crabs always say : "Prove yourself on the Wall and then we'll talk !". Even his father seemed to have been impressed by her bravery and fighting skill. But Ranma knew something no one did, he had recognized her style as ninja archery. Rokugan's samurais pretended shinobis didn't exist to minimize the danger they represent. He knew they were very real, thanks to his experiences back in Nerima.
They stood there for a few fleeting moments, looking in each other's eyes. Then she moved to embrace him. It would have been a scandalous display in Rokugan's courts but here, in Crab lands where Death struck often and quickly, it was seen as two lovers seeking comfort after having both faced the same trials and survived.
That sweet moment was interrupted by...
See other episodes by Jamil Nate
(Posted Mon, 04 Nov 2002 23:15)
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