Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Grand Theft Auto: Nerima ❯ Knocking On Heavens Door ( Chapter 16 )

Knocking on Heavens Door



Akane sat there holding Ranma tight, so glad that he was all right. Her tears ran long and her heart relieved itself of the strain it had faced alone. He held her close to let her know he'd be there for her now and keep her under his wing. He wouldn't let Jasper near her or anyone else for that matter; it would go back to how it was before. He'd just go out and save the day as always and come one step closer to Akane's love. It may have been a fantasy of the moment but it was a sweet one nonetheless. He needed to hear her voice, and listen to it so as not to forget it again. “So how've ya been?”

Akane didn't let him go and kept his ear close to her lips. “Not too well…”

“Sorry to worry you. I've only been out of bed for a couple days now… I've been doing some bad things…”

“I'm sure it's nothing serious…”

It was optimism that was bound to crash and burn. Maybe she didn't watch the news, or maybe she just hadn't made the connection yet. Either way she was going to know and it was going to hit her heavy. “It's pretty serious. I haven't been myself lately, just an angry guy hanging around bad people.”

Akane went a little silent and the way she clung to him told him that she knew something he didn't want her to know and now she was acting like his security blanket. “I saw the news last night… They were raving and ranting about the Hurricane coming in for a second hit on the city…”

Ranma needed to change the subject but any attempt pretty much failed. “I don't know who gave me that name. It's stupid.”

“A shooting at Cologne's club was all over the T.V…” Ranma started to wince but was caught in his guilt. “A detective reported that the Kyoto Hurricane showed up at his home, threatened his family and took him hostage…” Ranma owed someone an impossible apology. “A man was murdered outside of Nabiki's place and a homeless man was found close by beaten and on the verge of death when the ambulance got there.” Ranma had almost forgotten the bum and he started shaking. “Then there was a police chase on the highway with a lunatic… five policemen were killed and he got away…” Ranma was caught and by the last person he wanted to be caught by. He hadn't come to her for this but here it was. “…It was you wasn't it…?”

He couldn't say anything. He was stuck in her arms and for once he wanted out as fast as he could. “I…” He couldn't say anything. What could he say? I'm sorry I'm a homicidal maniac. It was an accident. Blame Ryouga for being unstable. There were a boatload of excuses, but in the long run that's all they were. Excuses. He went crazy in front of the entire world for kicks and it only showed them one thing, and it was that he was crazy. There was nothing he could do for those people, but in truth most on them would have shot him dead if they had the chance and there was the conflict in Ranma's mind right there. It was kill or be killed. Get crazy or get dead. How was he suppose to explain this to her? How was he going to explain that he'd purposely messed himself up to get by for one night? She'd never have any respect for him ever again. She knew what he was capable of now and she'd only ever remember that old Ranma that called her a tomboy, which secretly meant that he loved her. He was now this new psychopath that killed any one that stepped in front of him and his goals. He'd become the monster that haunted dreams including hers and especially his own.

Then she asked him something he wasn't expecting. “Is Nabiki ok?” There it was and the old man was right again. The world didn't revolve around Ranma and the world's light certainly didn't shine directly out of his ass. “I don't care what you've done… You had your reasons… I can forgive you for everything if you tell me my sister's ok.”

What a bountiful angle… “She's fine… I got mad at her, but I didn't hit her. Her boyfriend was beating her up so I knocked him around. I got carried away later on and I couldn't think. I was messed up on drugs and-.” He started rambling and tried so hard to use those excuses he'd thought up, but she hushed him up and stopped him in his quest of forgiveness. A single finger touched his lips and the angle tightened around his shoulders.

“I forgive you… I know why you did it and… I forgive you…”

That was all he needed to go on. He'd found someone that looked him in the eye, saw what he was, and forgave him. It was beautiful and almost poetic at the same time. He ended up spending the night there on the couch and Akane slept on the other one to make sure he didn't go anywhere. Maybe they should have shared a bed, but Ranma still had to make peace with someone he'd been neglecting lately. He needed to go visit a grave and let it all out for her. He needed to confess his guilt and needed some one to tell him it was going to be all right.

Then the morning came with breakfast and a plan. They all asked him what he was going to do when he went through that door and he gave them the best answer he could. “I'm going to go do Ryouga's job, and after that I'm going to go visit her grave.” When he said Ryouga's job they all knew what he meant. Every one knew where Ukyo was and how she ended up there and Ranma was going to change that.

First he found Shampoo's house and had a word with her. He had to apologize for what he'd done and also he needed Dr. Tofu as soon as possible. “Are you ok Ranma? No one knew where you went yesterday and we all got worried.”

“Don't worry about me… Sorry about what I did… I'm sure you… Well…”

Shampoo was silent for a little bit but a small half smile had its way to her lips “Those bastards were with the guy that took my baby right?”

Ranma nodded with a shrug. He didn't know for sure but he was willing to bet money on it. They were more glory seekers looking for a reward then anything else. “Yeah…”

“Don't apologize then… Just stay alive and keep fighting…”

Ranma knew he could keep fighting, however it was the part about staying alive he wasn't too sure about. All he could do was live in the present and hope for the best. “Ok… I'll do it for you… Listen, I need a big favor…”

“Anything.” After that little scene he walked to a flower shop he'd been to before to ask for another favor.


“Hey Bugsy. How've ya been?”

The large guy behind the counter dropped his newspaper to see Ranma and let out a quick laugh. “Well it's about time you came around. I thought you'd forgotten about me.”

Ranma walked in and took a quick glance at some blue roses on a table to his right. “That's just wishful thinking on my end. You don't seem too surprised to see me.”

“Well I don't mean to brag but I did spring a hefty amount of money to get you patched up my friend.”

Ranma scratched his head knowing there was a payback coming up soon, and said. “Thanks, I guess.”

“Hey, you saved my best friend's life. It's only proper for me to help you in return.”

“Jerry, huh… How's she doing?”

“His arm's still got a bit of healing to do, but he's doing fine. Sorry to say, but he got a little more attention then you did. Money talks.”

“Yeah I guess so… Anyways I came here for a favor.”

Bugsy leaned back in his seat and let a smug grin hit his lips. “Already taking advantage of my generosity?”

Ranma passed him a smile. “Yeah. I'm going to need a gun or two. I dropped all mine.”

Bugsy reached under his counter and after the sound of tape ripping he put a couple of small handguns on the table. “I'm not exactly a weapon's dealer but this is the best I can do for you on the spot.”

“I just need a little protection. Gotta save lives and all that nonsense.”

Bugsy liked that statement. “Well, who are you saving? Or is it none of my business?”

Ranma picked at a flower for no real reason and said. “Can you keep a secret?”

“My lips are sealed until someone comes to me with a high offer.”

Seemed good enough for Ranma. “I'm grabbing an old friend from the hospital.”

“Oh, that girl. I've heard some bad things about her. The doctor looking after her is keeping her drugged up or something. Well, can't say I won't be happy to see her out of there.”

“Should I be worried about going there alone?”

“Nah. After what you did a couple nights ago, I think you'll do just fine. Just don't pull any heroics. Go in and come out. There should be a guy in her room to make sure that Ryouga kid doesn't pull anything, but I wouldn't worry, I hear he's kind of slow.”

“Guess no one will be expecting me then. I've got my doctor waiting for me to pick up Ukyo.”

“Good to see you got a plan. Anyways, good luck with it and visiting hours should be pretty soon, so just stay inconspicuous.”

“I Knew I could count on you Bugsy. Thanks for the guns.”

As Ranma was on his way out Bugsy said, “No problem. By the way kid. Nice shirt.”

“Thanks.”


Walk in and walk out. He remembered this plan and exactly how it turned out before. Jasper knew he was alive, so Ranma needed to be cautious. Bugsy was once again proving to be a reliable source of information, and he couldn't help but feel some sort of debt being built as he walked, but he'd worry about that later. What he needed immediately was a better plan then to just walk in and walk out. He needed a disguise and a good one at that, so what better to go through a hospital as then a doctor?

He took the long rout there to figure out what he was going to do, but it came to him half way. He remembered passing by a few years back and seeing a couple of guy out back having a smoke, or coffee, or something like that. Either way it was his way in and hopefully there'd be someone out there alone. Time passed and no one was around, so he waited for a little while. Eventually two guys came out chatting up a storm and saying something about a cutie up in room 209. Long red hair, big jugs, all that other wonderful stuff, and now Ranma had another idea. They'll identify a man going in, but never leaving.

Ranma walked around the corner to a bus stop he'd passed by with a vending machine set up. He was pained by having to fork out money for water, but it couldn't be helped. He held onto the bottle and walked back to where the guys were talking and interrupted them. “Hey, I'm going to need your clothes.”

One of them said, “Wha-” And Ranma socked him with a hard hit across the jaw. The other was getting ready to turn tail and run, but Ranma grabbed him, whacked the guys head with his trusty new gun and landing him in a trash can upside-down.

The other doctor was crawling away but Ranma grabbed the back of his coat. “Sorry, man. It's nothing personal.” He got the guy to his feet, removed his glasses for him and knocked him out with a single head butt. He opened the bottle and got wet, but then she noticed something. “Awe crap…” Ranma put the smaller one in the trash. “Why do I got to be so damn short…?”

She changed clothes anyways and hoped that large white coat would cover the baggy clothes. She walked in through the door and started walking around like she owned the place. The painted arrows along the hallways showed her the way towards the reception desk. Before she got there she grabbed a clipboard from off a cart to look important and found an old lady reading a magazine at a desk and asked politely. “Hello, I'm new here and I'm a little lost…”

The old woman put the issue down and smiled at her. “Oh, hasn't Dr. Hans shown you around yet?”

Ranma had this lie covered. “Yeah, but it's a lot bigger then the last place I was at. It was just a small building back in China.”

“Oh, I see. Well what are you looking for dear?”

“I was told to check on a coma patient named, Ukyo Kuonji.”

The old woman started pecking at a computer and said, “Ok… She should be in room 432 on the fourth floor. If you get lost then don't be shy to ask, ok dear?”

“Thanks for your help.” Ranma did the standard Japanese woman bow and found an elevator. `I hate acting like a chick…' When it opened there was a man already in it and he was going up, however his eyes were going down as he smiled. As Ranma stepped in he flashed his white teeth and perfect hair at Ranma and the doors slowly slid closed. “Touch me and I'll force feed your own cock through your goddamn eyeballs.”

“Awe c'mon, give me a chance. You don't even know me yet.”

As the doors slid open on the fourth floor, any one caring to look would have seen a man laying down and moaning while holding his crotch in pain. “It was nice talking to you Steve.” And Ranma stepped out.

“Ow… My pride…” And the doors closed on Steve.

Ranma walked down the hallway following the arrows like she'd done before. She waved to some doctors and they nodded back. She was a doctor to everyone now and she was about to save a life. A small smile went across her face as she stepped down the hall and towards the patient rooms. Ukyo had her own spot between an old guy and a kid with tubes in him. She was about to knock, but after a moments thought, she knew it was pointless. She pushed the handle down and opened the door to see Ukyo lying in a bed with tubes in her mouth, flowers at her side and on the other side of the room was a man looking at Ranma with question in his eyes. Ranma assumed authority and asked the questions before the man could. “Are you a visitor?”

The man looked a little baffled and it was clear he wasn't too smart. “Uh… Sort of… I'm here to make sure she doesn't um… Uh…”

“Oh, are you a nurse?”

In truth the man had no reason to lie, he just had to say he was here on business, or something to that degree, but he must have been new to the job because his eyes raced around and he did his best to lie. “Y-yeah! Uh… Are you new here? I haven't seen you before.”

Ranma walked over to him and put out her hand for a shake. “Oh, then in that case I'm Dr. Ackamenallashoosheehabodaris. I just transferred here from Hell's Point hospital in China. How do you do?”

He took her hand and said. “I'm uhh… Nurse Larry. A pleasure to meet you Dr… uh…”

“Ackamenallashoosheehabodaris.”
< br> “Uh… yeah…”

“So Nurse Larry, before Dr. Hans comes here to check on me can you tell me a little about this patient. What are her symptoms?”

Larry had been baited into a trap and Ranma was laughing in her head. “She's uhh… She's… in a coma.”

“Fascinating…” Ranma wrote something down on her clipboard and started rustling through pages. “May I ask which doctor is taking care of her. It doesn't seem to say here…”

Larry knew this answer and gave the information with a smile and a sense of superiority in his voice. “That would be Dr. Petersburg! Yeah!”

Ranma wrote down the name and asked her next question. “Ok, so have you been cleaning out her bed pan properly?”

Larry looked confused and asked. “B-bed pan?”

“Yeah, it's under the bed. You HAVE been cleaning it have you?”

“Umm…”

Ranma shook her head. “Well, lets see it. This is very unprofessional if I do say so myself…”

Larry sucked into the moment went under the bed and got the bedpan out for inspection. “Oh, dear… Look how dusty this thing is…” Larry looked like a baboon trying to figure out how a rocket engine worked and couldn't say much but look closely at it. That's when Ranma pulled it back and cracked him across the face with it and a loud clang followed. “Fucking idiot…”

Ranma tied up Larry to a chair and knocked it over behind the bed before any one could see and then she waited for a few minutes. `Is there any one else…?' Ranma waited patiently for about ten minutes, but she gave it up and then realized something. She had no clue how to detach Ukyo without killing her. She let out a breath and turned on the T.V in the room until she could think of a way out of this. Every so often Larry would half wake up, but Ranma just kept sending him back to dream land with a sound strike from the pan. It was the only real relief from the damn beeping that came every ten seconds for her and she knew that all the other guys got out of this watch job because of it. About an hour of pointless T.V passed and Ranma was stumped, until she heard the sound of the door opening.

A doctor stepped in with a little white box and a fresh I.V drip and saw her sitting on the side of the bed with a remote in her hand. “I hope this isn't a regular break spot for you… Hey, where's Larry?”

The answer he received was a bedpan flying at him and hitting him right in the teeth. She jumped at him and pulled him to the floor placing a bundled up part of Ukyo's blanket in his mouth to shut him up. She took a peak into the box to see various needles and other little accessories meant for mixing something up. The picture was clearing up with out having to ask too many questions. When he finally stopped whining she asked him if he was Dr. Petersburg and when he nodded, all hell broke loose. She pulled him behind the bed and pushed him to where Larry was laying. She pulled out an easily concealed gun and pointed it between his eyes. “You're going to do something for me Doctor and I don't give two shits what you think about it.”

Petersburg put his hands up above his wide eyes and asked. “W-what do you want.”

Ranma nudged her head towards the bed and said. “Her. I'm taking her out of here and you're going to unhook her.”

“I-it's not that easy… You need more then one person to do it and even if you do get her out, she'll need that stuff to stay alive.”

Ranma flinched. She couldn't tell if the doctor was lying or not, and this was something she couldn't risk, but then she thought about it for a second. “It takes a bunch of people huh?”

“Y-yeah… L-look lady, I'm just doing what I was told to do. It's not about the money I swear! My life's on the line too! No one says no to Jasper. I didn't have a choice and I can't do anything for you. Please, just go and I won't call the cops. I'm just doing this to get by.”

“Untie Larry.”

“Huh?”

“Untie Larry.” The doctor did so and he couldn't understand. Was it a way of giving up? Was she going to leave him alone? “Stand up and put your hands together.”

Petersburg did so and couldn't figure out what she was doing. “O-ok…”

“Put them above your head as high as you can reach and keep them together.” He did so and he didn't like where this was going. “I hope your doctor is more honest then you are.” His eyes went wide and the gun aimed up fast and before he could move there was the sound of a shot and when it was over he had two big holes in the center of his hands. He started screaming and that's when people started flooding in. Ranma threw the gun at Larry and beat him in the face with a bedpan just as every one came in. “Larry went nuts! We have to get Petersburg and the patient out of here now! We're transferring her over to the clinic up in Waldon Crest and we're getting him sedated with heavy painkillers down in room 209 ASAP. Get to it people!”

Ranma's orders were convincing and she sounded like she'd been there for years. They all responded to her calls and soon Ukyo was hooked up to a temporary machine meant to go into an ambulance. She ran down the halls with the doctors and one asked if she was ok, with her limp. She said she rolled her ankle but the patient was more important. It was speed records being broken left right and center with all the doctors hurrying with getting Ukyo into the back of an ambulance and Ranma followed. A paramedic jumped in with her but she shooed him out and told him to go see to Petersburg. He didn't argue and they were off in no time flat. At about three blocks away Ranma climbed up front and threw the driver right out of the van. She pulled a turn and started heading her own way with victory in sight. “We're almost home free Ukyo. We're almost there.” Ranma repeated it a few times and turned off the sirens for a slower speed. She wasn't heading for Waldon Crest, but for Shampoo's place in the opposite direction.

She reached up to adjust the rear view mirror to get a better look at Ukyo, and saw her sleeping with out expression. She didn't know what was happening, what had happened, or who was there. It was easy to get her out, but Ranma didn't want to break the news for how long she'd been zonked out for. A closer look in the mirror showed how thin Ukyo was. Her face looked fragile at best and her skin was pale. Her figure almost looked like Ranma's, however Ranma had the luxury of eating while Ukyo had an I.V drip, feeding her all she needed. It was going to take her a while to recover that was for sure. Then terror struck Ranma's mind. What had they put her on to keep her out of it? Was there going to be damage? A hidden addiction? Was she just a damn vegetable now? Had Ranma waited too long to help her?

Her foot pushed down on the gas a little harder and she needed to hear from the doctor if she was going to be ok. Ranma couldn't lose his childhood friend. Not in a million years if he had anything to say about it. She pulled the van up close to the back gate where Tofu was waiting and Ranma jump out of the ambulance to help with the unloading. When she got to the back Ukyo was already off and surrounded by Tofu and other men taking her pulse and other things Ranma couldn't figure out. “Who're these guys?”

Tofu waved for them to go inside and explained. “Bugsy sent these guys over to help.”

“You know Bugsy…? Of coarse you know Bugsy.”

“Yeah. Ukyo will be fine with us for now, so be patient while we wake her up.”

Ranma didn't like the idea of waiting but it couldn't be helped. “Fine…”

“Trust me ok? I'll give you a call when she's up.” Tofu handed Ranma a cell phone, and said. “You haven't paid your respects yet have you?” Ranma knew what he meant and shook her head. “Then I think you should go visit the grave… You're friend said he'd wait for you there.”

“My friend?”

“Bugsy said he'd be there waiting for you. He didn't say much else. Come in and get cleaned up first thought. You don't want to go looking like that.”

Ranma started walking into the house and pulled out the clothes she had bundled up inside her coat. “I don't think she'd care much, but…” Ranma's voice trailed off and when he was changed back and ready to go, he grabbed fashionable cane from Cologne's collection and started walking on alone.


Ranma couldn't remember when walking had taken so much out on him. It was his weakness along with his wounded legs that held him back from what he'd been before. Ever since he was shot down, he'd become just some guy, another face in the crowed. He wasn't special anymore with cool tricks up his sleeves and special attacks he could use to do away any one with. Ranma almost tripped and put a hand against a wall for support. No… It happened long before he was shot down. He'd just given up on it all and decided to have fun with every one else. Sure he could still remember how to do those fancy flips, kicks, and punches, but it was the will to do so that was no longer there. It took a tight situation and a burst of adrenaline to do what he used to do in an everyday light training. He'd become this pathetic version of himself that couldn't hold his own with out a couple of guns at his side. The only thing that was really left of himself was that toughness he'd gotten from getting up with a bloody lip and winning against all odds. Even now with his legs killing him he went on as if nothing was wrong and he'd get to where he needed to be if it killed him to do so. He knew in the back of his mind like he'd always known that scraped knees mean jack squat in the long run, it was all about making damn sure you came out on top with every one beside you.

The graveyard was coming into sight and Ranma started to pick up his pace. After he got a good step happening he picked it up again and turned it into a light jog. It hurt him, but the pain was good. It told him that he was alive and it was because of them. His jog turned into a run and his run turned into a sprint. His legs wanted to quit on him but he wouldn't allow it. He kept pushing himself harder so as not to keep her waiting any longer. Even if it was a mound of dirt with a box under it he needed to say he was sorry, and he needed to tell her he had to move on, even if it was without her. When he got to the gates he almost collapsed, but managed to hold himself up with a hand clasped around an iron bar. He caught his breath and walked in looking around trying to figure where she'd been buried. He walked around until he saw a man crouched in front of a stone slab doing something to it. He looked familiar, but Ranma couldn't place him from behind. It must have been instinct, but Ranma asked the man with out knowing why. “What're you doing?” When the man turned around Ranma saw a face he didn't want to see. “Willis? What the hell are you doing here?”

The detective stood up with a piece of chalk in his hand and pointed down at the stone. “Just fixing a mistake…”

Ranma started looking around and ask. “Should I be worried?”

Willis shrugged. “That's entirely up to you.”

Ranma didn't feel like a fight, so he looked down at the gravestone. On it the name Jane Doe had been crossed out and replaced with Sheela. “You came here for that? Why do you care?”

The detective took a seat on the grass and looked at the stone with empty eyes. “Thought I'd just make sure every one knew her name… Old guys like me are like that you know? Can't leave the past alone until we've prodded it to no end. How about you? Why are you here?”

The calm the detective was under was unnerving for Ranma but he took a seat on the grass as well, knowing he couldn't run away from bullets right now. “Me…” Ranma took in a breath and thought about it for a second. “I guess for the same reason… I told her I loved her… Put a ring on her finger and then she was gone… Trying to save my sorry ass…”

“It worked didn't it?”

Ranma shook his head. “Worked or not, I'd do anything to trade places with her. I've had over a month to coupe with it, but… Awe hell, why am I telling you? Some one tipped you off and you've got your buddies here for an arrest.”

“I'm off duty right now…”

“You're dedicated.”

“I'm off duty till I get my head back on my shoulders.”

Ranma had an idea at what the detective was getting at. “Did I give you a scare? Sorry, I was really screwed up at the time.”

Willis shrugged. “Nah. I'm stressed about losing my niece. They wouldn't let me anywhere near the scene and all I got were a few photos. I think dirty cops were all over it… I got a glimpse here and there, but I was never allowed to identify the body… After you said her name I knew right then it was her…” Ranma's eyes opened wide and he was now sitting in front of Sheela's emotionally unstable uncle. “I still haven't told my brother, or his wife, or mine for that matter… I have to tell them don't I? Or should I just keep my mouth shut and give them hope that she's still out there, alive and doing well?” Willis paused for a moment and looked at Ranma with an unknowing look. “What should I do?”

Ranma was finding it hard to answer questions again, but this time he had an idea. “I wouldn't know what to do either. Any one could say go on and tell them, but shit… I don't know either. All I can do is keep going on an kill the bastard that killed her.” Ranma had that lump in his throat again and he was finding it hard to talk. “I'm sorry I couldn't save her… But I swear to god I'll pay them back for this.” He started thinking about all those moments they made each other happy. All those times they made love and shared victory. Ranma's head sank down and he started to cry. “I swear to god I'll get them for you Sheela…” His tears hit the ground and touched the soil she was beneath. “I'm sorry…” His voice came out jagged and he couldn't keep himself straight. A hand touched his shoulder and it was the detective offering comfort.

“We'll get through this kid… It may be too late, but at least I know she was with a caring guy…”

Another hand touched his shoulder and when he looked up it was the friend that was waiting for him. “You're alive…”

Hikori took a seat beside Ranma and he gave him a smile. “A bullet can't keep me down. I'm angry with you though. It took you long enough to get here.” Hikori hit Ranma's shoulder and looked hard at the stone. “Hey, chin up man. We'll get those guys. All of us.”

Ranma turned his head when he heard footsteps and saw all his friends there coming to offer a prayer. Akane came first and sat on his other side. He smiled through his tears and landed her a hug. “Thanks…”

“You can't do everything alone Ranma… She tried to save me to remember?”

“Yeah…” Next came Bugsy with some flowers, Jerry limping with a cane and Kuno dressed all formal beside her. They didn't say much but they stood behind him in front of the grave. “Hey guys… Kuno?”

“Tis sad to hear of your loved one… I offer any aid I can.”

Behind them were Ranma's parents as well as Soun and Nabiki. “Mom? Dad?” Genma was wearing a strange glove and it was probably from the thrashing he'd given him.

His mom went to her knees and pulled her son towards her. “Thanks god you're alive… Why didn't you come to me sooner?” Her eyes watered with his and she held him looking at the grave. “Are you ok…?”

Ranma held her arm and rubbed it. “Sort of…” He looked up at his dad and then had his hand. “How's the hand?”

Genma was still unhappy but at least his answer told him a lot more then it told others. “It's a… Reminder.”

Soun stood beside his friend and Nabiki came close to Ranma. She tapped him on the head and said. “I don't remember you looking so unhappy… Thanks for getting me away from that guy…”

“Sorry I was a dick… Where's Kasumi?”

“She had a few things to do.”

“Oh…”

The Amazons came in next and they all looked grim. With them was the old man and even he offered a few words of prayer. Shampoo kneeled down behind Ranma and grabbed his attention. “Don't give up yet, ok? Keep fighting for us.”

Ranma held her hand tight and nodded. As usual Mousse wasn't happy to see Ranma but he behaved. “Stop getting beaten up ok? You're worrying us.”

Cologne offered a few items and burned some incense filling the air with a sweat perfume. Ranma put eyes back on the grave and after a while he just broke down. His closest friends all touched him as he sat there crying his guts out. He couldn't pray for her, or ask forgiveness. If she were alive she'd just shrug it off and tell him not to worry so much. She forgave him for not being there for her, but he didn't forgive himself. There was no way to make any of this right, the best he could do now was patch up the wound and hope the scar would be feint. The sun shined down on them all and he was the only one crying. The tears were easy to get rid of, but the memory would never run dry. It was time to get up and start fighting the real fight. It was time to stop pissing around in bars looking for a good brawl, and look for Ryouga and Jasper. It was all he could do and it was the best any one could do now.


The wind picked up momentarily and when it stopped ever one heard a man clear his throat. They all turned except for Ranma. It was a man in a black suit with a lot of guys with him. “I'm sorry to break up the party here, but I'm here to collect Mr. Soatome. Step away from him now and Jasper promises to leave you all alone.”

Ranma was getting pissed as he heard that name spoken. This ground was sacred and they came baring that name. Jasper. The one that made ever one's life hell. The one that made Ryouga kill Sheela. The one that tore Shampoo's baby from her stomach. That sick twisted son of a bitch. Ranma's tone was violent when he spoke and it made some men step back. “You… You come here and demand me to come with you…? It's sickening…”

The leader of the pack had his cool air around him like he'd already won. “Just come quietly and we won't kill every one here. Don't make it hard on them Mr. Soatome.”

It was that line that made Ranma twist with lightning speed and pull out two handguns. It was to his surprise that ever one there did the same. Kuno was at the bottom of the chain with his kendo stick and just above him was Nabiki standing in the back with a 9mm held in both hands with an icy look in her eyes. The two masters were on either side ready for action and working their way in were Soun and Genma with their useless kung fu and Nodoka with a new yet smaller six-shooter. Mousse had shotguns hanging out of both side of his sleeves and handed Shampoo something that would normally be used to shoot down an aircraft. Even the detective had his piece out and ready to defend the ground these bastards were intruding upon. Bugsy and Jerry had their own sort of flare. Bugsy had his flowers held like something big an heavy sort of like a tommy gun, while Jerry kicked her cane up causing it to split in half and open up into a double barrel shot gun she held with one hand. Hikori had an SMG ready for action and it had fifty rounds that could easily run faster then any one there.

Nabiki told Ranma all he needed to know. “These better have been a good investment Ranma.”

Akane had something of her own and it was automatic, but Ranma put a hand against it and pushed it down. “Don't do what I've done…” He turned her safety on and stepped forward. Most of the bad guys didn't have guns out, for they knew it was a losing battle. The fire in every one's eyes burned the very souls of the men in suits. “This is MY city and I'm taking over!” Spit practically flew from his mouth and he was about to play tag and the last one standing would be the one he'd squeeze info out of. Team Nerima was back in action and from the looks of it they were all willing to get their hands a little dirty. Jasper had pushed every one too far and they now had the will to fight back. They're leader had return and he'd lead them to Jasper as well as the fight of their lives. Ranma was back and he was himself again with that angry eye and cocky look. No more crying was needed, just revenge.

The leader was shocked and looked right at Bugsy. “I thought you were going to back us up!”

Bugsy shrugged. “I said it was going to be a set up. I just didn't mention that it was going to be yours.” Armed to the tooth with all his old friends, Ranma was now unbreakable and after he breathed in he took the first shot. And fury followed with him, sounding a lot like gunfire.


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(Guns N' Roses - Knocking on Heavens Door: Yeah I know, I've used Guns N' Roses again but they've got so many good songs. Bob Dylan did the original, but that man cannot sing to save his life. I'll get another one up soon. See ya aoon and party hard damnit!)