AN: in this story, Chi is life energy, Ki is what you do with it, Rue is Chi/Ki focused through the ‘bond’ of a contract monk and ‘his’ Hime. Chi and Ki are interchangeable in this manner. a Chi-Bolt, by what ever name you call it, is life energy given form. A Ki-bolt is a focused bolt Chi. usually by channeling an emotion when you focus the Chi, do you get the various Ki bolts. So in this regard, all Ki-bolts are Chi-bolts.

Shikabane Hime one half

isdh

“What happened? How did we get here? How long was I out? Where are Akane and Xian Pu? Why Ranma, Not son-in-law?”

the old woman giggled. “In that Order; You killed a God, Mu Tsu brought us here, a few hours, with Mu Tsu, and the Kiss of Marriage is broken, and the Kiss of Death carried out, but not by your hand.”

"Going to need more, old monkey."

She bopped him on the head, "Manners, Ranma. Okay, what was the last thing you remember clearly?"

"Firing a chi-blast at Saffron. then seeing Akane and Shampoo laying on the ground. it goes dark after that." Ranma clutched his head, but not in any way related to the bop on the head.

"You killed Saffron. As your bolt left your hand, he fired one at Akane. As yours burned through him, his ripped through the flesh of both Akane and Xian Pu. Both girls died in your arms. In your grief; you crafted a soul binding, bringing them back to life, if you want to call what they have, life.”

“What do you mean?”

“She means this.” Mouse stepped to the side, revealing the bodies of the girls. “The damage is almost completely repaired, but they have yet to regain awareness.”

Ranma was at Akane’s side, running his senses over the girl, her flesh was knitting together on the cellular level. her heart and lungs were clearing of and beginning to function again, infact, with his hands on her, her healing tripled in speed. Turning to Xian Pu, he clutched her hand, and her healing quickened as well.

“What’s going on?”

the worry in his voice, brought a warmth to her aged heart. She also noticed the look in Mu Tsu’s eye. she was going to have to handle him later.

“In the moment of their death, you gave of yourself, your soul, your life-force. the doing of this is forbidden; because when one soul binds to another, both live only half lives.” Ko Lon pulled her pipe out and lipped the stem. “But with you, Ranma. there is a small possibility that you might be able to not only live a full life, but support both these girls as well. It has to do with your life force generation, and reserves. Only Saffron and Herb out shine you in both generation and storing of chi, but they are not human. Ryouga out generates you, but lacks your refined use of Chi. if he tried to bond as you did, he could support three such bond mates, but they would all die within years, burned out from within.”

“Are they going to be ok?” Ranma was beginning to panic, his voice tight with the strain.

“Yes, and No.” Ko Lon closed her eyes. “Or rather, No and yes. They Died, Ranma. For mortals, there is no coming back. Even for me, there is no returning once that door is opened. no turning back.” She opened her eyes, and peered into his eyes. “But you offered of your self what no mortal should be able to offer. and with your payment you have bought these two girls a second chance. There is a further cost, but in time, you three will work out the kinks and grow even stronger.”

“Baka” it was weak, but it was Akane.

“Ranma. there is one more thing. Your life with each of these girls, as a suitor, is over. You can not marry them, they are DEAD. If you try to marry them, I MUST destroy them.”

“what?” that snapped him up right. “That means...”

“Ukyo wins by default. Your love for these girls, breathes life into them as we speak, but anything more will force me to destroy them and burn the bodies. I will scatter their ashes to the wind, and anyone who gets in my way." this was growled out.

"So there is no chance..?" Mu Tsu asks calmly, his voice trailing away.

"There is a chance that, in a few years, they can restart their chi generation, and in doing so, become human again. This is the chance that I thanked you for. If Shampoo awakens from this state, into her full human state, she will be stronger, and she can reclaim her place in the world, including the kiss of marriage."

121

two black vans roll to a stop. four robed monks get out of each. two carrying heavy duffels. two monks at each end of the alley, two prepping for the messy work of cleaning up the scene. one was recording the scene for the archives, and the last was talking in hushed tones to the monk that had called it in. they were completely ignoring the girl, as she was ignoring them.

"...then she caught scent of the Shikabane and we tracked it here. We were not in time to stop it from ripping those foolish boys apart, but it was quickly over, both for them and for it."

"Okay. She is racking up the 'kills' quickly. You two have been together for less then a year, and she is already over half way to ‘heaven.’ what are you going to do?”

“She is okay with the truth, but I am worried. She is approaching the end quite quickly. I fear that you will need to have a second team join us soon, as she getting two per night, these days.” Tu-Kee looked at the young girl.

"Two per night?" the Inspector turned to look at the young female, "That is unsettling. That Shikabane are rising often enough for you two to find two per night. I fear that just one team in the greater Tokyo area is not going to cover it. I will call the head temple to see about getting additional teams out here. Since the Seven Stars fell last year, it has come to the attention of a few that random Shikabane are appearing around the globe. Some are causing trouble, but most are being destroyed by non-temple forces. The ’U.S.A.’ have rumors of both Necromancers and something called a ‘Slayer’, Europe has rumors of ’Hunters.’ The Temple has sent emissaries to each of the major hotspots, but so far no word has returned.”

The young girl stood, lifting her weapon clear of the ground. “I scene something big, coming from that direction.” She pointed.

The inspector turned to look. “That is the Nermia ward. Nothing goes there, too dangerous. “

“It is not one of my ‘sisters‘, but it does not ’taste’ like this one did.” She turned to her monk. “We are going.”

121

Mu Tsu was worried. No not worried, conflicted. He wanted to pound Ranma. Pound him to pulp, then pound him some more. because the boy-girl had gone to china, Xian Pu followed. While there, she suffered mortal injury. that was enough to kill Ranma for right there. But to do something now, would only kill her again.

So he fidgeted, if you call walking six daggers across your knuckles, fidgeting.

Ranma turned and snapped, “If you need to do something, go find Pops. Limit yourself to unarmed combat, if you can. Not like a blind, trigger happy, assault squad like can bring him down without using steel.”

That did it, Mu Tsu would show that two timing, food sucking, coward just how good he was. As he stomped out of the Dojo in search of his prey, he paused to think, ’Did I mean Genma or Ranma’

Stepping past Ranma’s mother who was sitting watch at the dojo door, to block the fathers from doing something stupid, he looked about, not noticing that his glasses were in place. There was the fat panda playing go with mister Tendo. stepping to the side, he dropped his entire load of weapons. from his sleeves poured swords, daggers, chains, assorted throwing weapons, two training potties, a kitchen sink, and a high caliber sniper rifle.

The noise caused the Panda to turn and look at him, allowing Tendo to slide a piece about on the board.

“Mister Tendo, I need to barrow your partner there. I need to workout a kink in my leg.”

then Spotting someone sitting beside Kasumi...”Miss Ukyo. I think you are needed in the dojo. Ranma spoke your name...”

the panda was caught in a shoulder slam as the young lady moved through the space he was occupying, sending him flying into spinning crane kick. With a back flip, the heavy beast landed on his hind legs, dropping into a low crouch.

You cost me my game, boy!

flip

There was Money on that game!

flip

I am taking it out of your hide!

The panda then led with the sign. and the dance was joined.

121

“...Miss Ukyo. I think you are needed in the dojo. Ranma spoke your name...”

That was all she needed to hear. as she lunged past Soun, she clipped the Panda, sending it flying. She ended her bolt-run three paces from ‘Auntie’. She straightened her clothing, ran a hand over her hair, she stepped closer to Auntie, kissed her on the cheek, “for luck” then into the Dojo.

She saw Ranma holding hands with Akane and Shampoo...

“Going somewhere, sweetie?”