Gold Digger Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Smoke and Wind ❯ Allys and Fears ( Chapter 4 )

The Disclaimer is in the Prologue.

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In a out-of the way castle in the middle of nowhere on the East Continent of Jade, one would swear that a war had just taken place. There were beaten and broken undead all about, bits of the zombies scattered all about and/or broken into an unrecognizable mesh of pulp, rotted clothing, rusted armor, and broken weapons.

However, while there were all indications of an all-out war, that was just not the case. All of the damage was caused by one woman on the warpath. A rather pissed, nasty, annoyed Dwarven fighter.

G'nolga had already spent half a week walking and searching, yet she still had no clue as to where she could find those two children. Not too many people that she asked knew what she was talking about, or would even associate with her.

Still, if those that were 'law-abiding citizens' would not help her, than she would have to get help from those that were more 'under-handed' and into 'shady dealings'...

And that it exactly what brought G'Nolga to Rook's Keep. She had worked with the Undead Knight of the East in the coupe that had gotten her disgraced and destroyed her honor. However, while that was not a memory she looked fondly upon, she knew Rook had his resources. Hopefully, he would be home... After all, she knew that Rook was 'destroyed' and she did not want to have to waste her time searching his keep for anything that would help her track down those meddling kids. And once she had their location then she could continue on her way...

G'Nolga pushed the large wooden double-doors of the small fortress opened. The Dwarven fighter bellowed at the top of her lungs. "ROOK!!!!"

Getting no answer, G'Nolga decided that if she was going to get anything done, then she'd have to look for the Undead Knight herself. Striding further into the fortress, G'Nolga's eyes narrowed in annoyance as she saw a grouping of a half-dozen Ghost Knights that were guarding a large, intricately carved set of double doors. "What an annoyance..."

The Ghost Knights were no problem for G'Nolga. They were large, but they weren't all that dexterous. With a few good dodging movements, G'Nolga could easily get out of harms way. And with a few good strikes with her staff, the Ghost Knights more or less fell like dominos to her, the magical energies keeping the souls in the armor were disrupted as she smashed them with the metal ends of her staff.

Once all had fallen to her, G'Nolga roughly pushed the doors open, revealing a throne room. "ROOK!!!"

And indeed, Rook was there. Sitting on a slightly tarnished metal throne, the Undead Knight of the East sighed and had his hands clasped and on his lap. "Well, well... G'Nolga... What a... 'pleasant' surprise... From what I heard you had, more or less, joined the ranks of my people..."

G'Nolga snorted. "Don't be an idiot. Do you honestly think I would let myself fall in combat with anyone else BUT Julia?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Rook said, "Well, G'Nolga, when we last worked together, it was up to ME to keep your old, withered, Dwarven ass from biting the big one... Remember that," Rook growled, "Lycanthropoid's small automaton?"

G'Nolga winced and growled at the memory. She was about to strike Julia's two students, the Jagwere and that girl down when Rook had saved her, sliced some small metallic creature that was about to descend on her. "Never mind that, you undead waste of space! I need help!"

Shaking his head, Rook said, "G'Nolga G'Nolga, G'Nolga .. What makes you think I owe you anything? We both got screwed over by Tirant's plan, and I already saved your life once..." Leaning forward, he said, "If anything, it is you who owes me..." His eyes sparkled momentarily with a red light.

Momentarily because G'Nolga had punched Rook's head into the wall behind him, having moved with a speed uncharacteristic of her. "I see someone doesn't have their little teleportation trick..."

Rook growled. It was true. He had gotten rid of that enchantment on his armor since it was proving to be more of a hindrance than a help, especially the last time, when the Armsmaster's daughter Brianna, and that small, defective Jagwere Sheila used his armor's teleportation against him, to freeze him, and break him apart. Pulling himself back together was quite a task, but he had managed it. "That was rather uncalled for, Dwarf..."

Smiling, G'Nolga said, "You do realize without your spell, you're more or less prey for me to hunt, don't you?"

Narrowing his eyes back at the Dwarven fighter, Rook sneered underneath his face-mask. "What of it, G'Nolga?"

Relaxing her stance, G'Nolga said, "Well, Undead, look at it this way... As soon as I get what I need, the sooner I can leave you in peace to do whatever it is you're planning..."

Rook was silent for a moment. He knew that there was probably no way he could get out of this encounter intact unless he gave into the disgraced Dwarven Weaponsmaster's demands. "All right, all right... Yeesh, what is it you need, G'Nolga?"

G'Nolga became serious. "I need you to give me something to find two certain people I'm looking for..."

Rook raised an eyebrow to this. "Would this have anything to do with that rumor of you biting the dust..."

G'Nolga's eyes narrowed as she glared at Rook. She mentally vowed to tear him apart as soon as he helped her. "You could say that..."

Rook nodded his head in understanding. "I think I might have something..."

********

Meanwhile. . .

'Click' went the sound of Ranma's cell as the Edge Guard sealed him in.

Ranma nodded to his guard, a Jagwere by the name of Gar he had recently become acquainted with due to Ryoga's in-opportune timing and attack.

"Sit tight Mr. Saotome, we'll get this cleared up quickly." Gar said as he reattached the keys to his belt chain.

"Sure. If you have anymore questions.." Ranma grinned, walking over to the bed and patting it, ".. I'll be right here."

Gar nodded, before turning away and exiting Ranma's immediate visual range. He heard him conversing with some one, Onoli, Ranma believe by the tone of voice, about questioning some more witnesses.

Ranma sighed, slumping down on his bed for a moment. "I wonder what Tanya's going to say about all this..."

********

Tanya glared, having arrived home moments ago, her nostrils flaring angrily. "What do you mean my husbands been arrested?!"

Sheila, as with most of the people she knew, did not like Tanya. Granted she hadn't had much to do with the woman, but her past reputation spoke for itself.

"He was arrested for disturbing the peace and for being involved in a nasty domestic dispute." Sheila answered evenly, allowing a frown to cross her features.

"Where is he?!!" Tanya snarled, clenching her fists tightly. It figured her husband would go and do something like this. What really pissed her off (and scared her) was the fact the rumor mills would spread talk of her husbands and this unknowns fight. If G'Nolga was indeed alive, they should expect a visit from her post haste. Not good, neither she nor her husband were ready for another confrontation with the dishonored Weaponsmaster.

"Look lady." Tirga butted in, having no idea how close Tanya was to exploding at them, "You're husband is in safe hands. The investigation shouldn't take too long, and if he's as innocent as he says he is he'll be let out tomorrow. Just relax and let us do our job."

Tanya growled, she quickly contemplated blowing the arrogant son of a bitch Officer and his annoying bitch partner away. She calmed down, reminding herself that that part of herself was gone, buried under the shared love of herself and her husband.

"Fine." Tanya said angrily, before turning around and stomping back into the cabin. Tomorrow when Ranma got out, she was going to make damn sure he knew how.. 'disappointed' she was in him.

********

Ranma dreamed, ignorant of the unconscious shiver his body had just felt.

He dreamt of a time long since past, of people that were and to a degree still were his friends.

"Akane.." he mumbled as he dreamed about his last talk with her, just before he had been banished to Jade and the repercussions that were sure to follow because of it.

"Akane.. we need to talk." Ranma said sadly.

"Sure Ranma, whats going on?" Akane inquired with a frown.

"We need to talk about the.. engagement. Yours, Ukyo's, and Shampoo's."

Akane felt herself broil at his statement, but quickly held it down. She couldn't let herself lose control, the tone of Ranma's voice had stressed that this was indeed something of critical importance to their relationship. "What about our engagement?"

Ranma sighed, chancing his resolve by gazing into Akane's eyes. He steeled himself, "Akane Tendo. I.. I once loved you." he forced out. It was extremely difficult to say.

Akane blinked, that anger she was forcing herself to control guttered out instantly, "L-L-Love me?" she repeated, and then growled, "Once loved me?" the anger returned, but instead of lashing out she forced it down again - Proof for all to see that she was indeed gaining control of her temper. She wasn't an idiot, nor as deluded as people thought she was. She knew she had a problem, and knew she had to fix it. The problem was she simply didn't know 'how' to fix it. Thankfully Kasumi had lent a hand in that area.

"What do you mean.. 'once loved you'?" Akane asked in a pleading tone.

"All the fights, the attacks, Toma, Herb, Kirin, Saffron. I fought them all for you, for me, for us. I loved you then Akane, but.. I.." Ranma sighed, and decided to come out and say it, "But I don't love you the way you might want me too anymore. Theres too much hurt between us. The distrust, the anger.. it drove me away Akane. I can't live like that... no one can live like that."

Akane wiped a tear that escaped during Ranma's words, "But Ranma! I've been trying! I do trust you!"

Ranma smiled sadly, then shook his head, "I know you've been trying, and to an extent you do trust me. We.. we made a lot of progress since I first came here. Its just... just that I.. don't love you in that way Akane."

Akane was oh so tempted to let her tenuous hold on her anger go, to relish in the joy and power her anger would bring her. To feel the relief of dealing justice to this BOY.. but she couldn't. He wasn't a boy, he was a man... the man.. the man she loved...

"I-I love you Ranma." she cried out, before turning away and running back into the House.

Ranma looked at Akane's retreating form sadly. He did love her. Just not in the way she, or their families wanted. He didn't know what to call it, but he just knew in his gut it wasn't the love a man and a woman would share.

Ranma didn't even care to notice the rain clouds above him releasing their tears. Even when away and left the only home that he ever had known, he didn't notice the soft drops of cool water change him to a her.

His own tears went unnoticed as well. If asked, he would simply blame it on the rain.

********

"Thank you for you're assistance, that will be all." Gar said tiredly as the final witness left. It was a tiring ordeal, dealing with Mr. Saotome and the Mercenary/Bounty Hunter Hibiki. Oh yes, he knew of Mr. Hibiki due to his reputation, likewise for Mr. Saotome. Not many people could 'defeat' G'Nolga, and if rumor has it he recently did battle with Master Julia - Some how managing to draw with the Armsmaster.

Onoli slid a mug in front of Gar, taking a seat as he sipped from his own, "It's hot cocoa. Drink up, it'll relax you're nerves."

Gar grunted, taking the pre offered drink and sipping cautiously. Gar smiled contently as the warmth from the drink spread over his body, already working wonders in relieving the stress he felt over the situation. "Thanks sir."

Onoli waved the thanks off. The two officers were quiet for a moment, until Onoli broke the silence with a question, "So what is you're final judgement, concerning our newest inmates."

Gar sighed, setting his drink aside, "Mr. Saotome's statement coincides with all the witnesses reports. Mr. Hibiki's claim that this was all Mr. Saotome's fault does not. It's obvious by the reports Saotome is innocent."

Onoli nodded thoughtfully, looking out a window, "It's late, Gar. We'll release Mr. Saotome in the morning and file the charges against Mr. Hibiki in the morning." he turned from the window, taking note of Gar's exhausted demeanor.

Gar nodded, shuffling some papers, "Yes sir. I'll just file these.. " he let loose with a loud yawn, then continued, ".. before heading off to bed."

Onoli shook his head, standing up, "No Gar. Go get some sleep, I'll handle the bureaucracy." when Gar looked ready to protest, Onoli reiterated, "Don't make me order you, Gar."

Reluctantly Gar nodded, finished the last of his drink and climbed the stairs - the thought of his warm bed making him feel warm and relieved.

********

Ranma came awake late in the night/early in the morning, and immediately sighed as he remembered what had dreamed about. An idle thought about how the Tomboy and her family were doing crossed his mind, before he disregarded the notion. That part of his life for the most part was closed.

Ranma knew he still had to deal with Ukyo and Shampoo before that chapter of his life was closed permanent. He didn't get the chance, what with Ryoga attacking him and Happosai banishing the two of them to Jade.

The hours past quickly, Ranma lost in deep contemplation. He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of keys jingling into a lock.

Turning to the cell door, Ranma caught sight of Thorpan, a Werepanther he had the pleasure of meeting the day before. Thorpan was a friendly person, and a hell of a officer if the way he acted during his interrogation the day before meant anything.

"Hey." Ranma grunted softly, standing up and away from the cell door as his jailor opened the door.

"Morning Saotome-san." Thorpan responded jovially as he opened the cell door, "You're free to go. We just have some papers, and a witness statement for you to sign before you're a free man."

Ranma nodded, following Thorpan's lead by exiting the cell, "Glad to hear this misunderstanding is solved."

Thorpan nodded with a grin. He rather liked the Pigtailed martial artist. Oh sure, some of the other officers didn't trust him much, but that was mostly due to his association with Tanya, a known criminal. Still, he seemed like an okay guy, and obviously liked enough by the people of Seer's Hamlet if the numerous people who came forward in his defense meant anything.

"So. Where are these papers you need me to sign?"

********

Tanya glared the glare of a pissed off spouse when her husband entered the house.

Ranma eeped, immediately sprouting off apologies, "I'm sorry Tanya! I didn't mean for it to happen! Don't be mad!" he pleaded.

Tanya, shaking in anger (or was it fear? Ranma couldn't tell) stalked up to her Husband. Their eyes met, and for a moment the pigtailed martial artist though he was going to get his ass kicked, but was pleasantly surprised when Tanya hugged him tightly. Gibbering about how scared she was that he had been hurt, and something about G'Nolga'.

Ranma sighed and smiled sadly, taking the distraught Kryn and hugging her tightly. He knew he was still in trouble, but at least he knew with out a shred of doubt his wife loved him more than anything.

That knowledge, in and of itself, was all that mattered.