Chapter Ten:
The Nature of Love

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DISCLAIMER:
    Ryouga Hibiki, Ukyou Kuonji, and Ranma 1/2 are NOT my creations and are all copyright of Rumiko Takahashi, bless her.I claim no credit whatsoever and use them here. So, please don't sue me. I'm broke anyways. All you'd probably get is an I.O.U. hastily scrawled on a cocktail napkin with lipstick. Well, that is, if I could afford to buy a cocktail...Sigh...


Hiroshi ran a sweating hand through his light brown hair as his eyes scanned the horizon. The sun was sinking slowly in the west, being swallowed by the rolling hills that were now bathed in its dying glow. It gave them a golden tint, a sight that was something truly beautiful to behold. Not that Hiroshi noticed this at all. He was busy noting something other than the sunset. There were no signs of movement at all. In fact, the only thing that seemed to shift at all was the gentle, slightly cold breeze that wafted by every so often. Nearby, Daisuke leaned casually against a cherry blossom tree, seemingly unconcerned with their current crisis. Hiroshi turned and looked at him with a somber demeanor.

"I don't like this. She should have been here by now." He said. Daisuke glanced over at him and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hey, she's traveling with Kuno, right?" he said sarcastically. "Who knows when she'll get here. That is, if she makes it here at all."

Hiroshi snorted derisively and turned to face the horizon once again. Daisuke sighed and sat up to an Indian-style position, hands resting on his folded legs.

"I'm sure she's fine." He said, but not with much enthusiasm. Honestly, he didn't care where Nabiki was. He didn't want to be mixed up in this in the first place. But, he surmised, one must adapt to the unexpected. So, he tried his best to sound reassuring.

"Right." Hiroshi said snidely. "Your concern touches me, Daisuke."

"Hey, I was just trying to make you feel better, jackass!" Daisuke shouted. Imagine, he thought with spite, after putting all that effort into being a nice guy, and all he got was an insult.

"Go ahead and mope. See if I care." He said angrily. With that, he folded his arms and looked away in contempt. Hiroshi sighed and slowly walked over to him.

"Sorry, bud." He said.

"Humph. You should be." Daisuke grumbled. "No need to fly off the handle at me because your chick hasn't shown up yet."

"She's not my 'chick', Daisuke." Hiroshi retorted. "I'm paying good money for her services and I don't want to see her late. I'm just checking up on my investment, that's all."

Daisuke grinned. "Yeah. Sure thing. Whatever." He jibed, winking. Hiroshi rolled his eyes and leaned against the tree. He abandoned all hope of convincing Daisuke that girls could be just friends with guys long ago.

"I'm not saying I blame you, man." Daisuke said after a moment's silence. "Nabiki's really cute. I mean, for a chick that doesn't fight or anything, she's got a pretty hot little body."

Hiroshi looked down at his friend with contempt.

"Is that all you ever think about?" he said. Daisuke shrugged and leaned back against the tree, folding his hands behind his head luxuriously.

"Practically." He said lazily. "I mean, what could be better than women? Especially hot ones."

"Money." Hiroshi said matter-of-factly. "Money makes the world go around, my man. If you're rich enough, you can have anything you want. The lap of the world is open for you." Daisuke glanced up at him, amused.

"Okay, now who's the shallow one?" he said smartly. Hiroshi scowled. "Why do I even bother talking to you?" he said angrily. Daisuke closed his eyes and chuckled.

"Probably because I'm the only one who ever listens to you." He said. Hiroshi was about to open his mouth for another retort, but a distant, mechanical sound caught his attention. The wind carried the chopping sound as it drifted lazily by again.

"Hey, you hear that?" he said, straining to focus on the noise. Daisuke opened his eyes and halfheartedly listened.

"Yeah. Sounds like a helicopter." He said with benign interest. "Looks like your chick made it after all, Casanova."

"Shut up." Hiroshi sneered as the helicopter came into view, seeming almost to emerge from the setting sun. It set down nearby, and an attractive girl with brown hair stepped out and looked around. Hiroshi smiled slightly and strolled over. Daisuke rolled his eyes.

"Oh man," he muttered. "He's got it bad."

Nabiki smiled and waved at Hiroshi as he approached, then walked out to meet him. She was wearing some of her normal attire; A white and blue striped shirt and white, form fitting jeans. She was carrying a black leather notebook in her hands.

"Good to see you again, koshii." She said teasingly, but there was a minute hint of sincerity in her voice.

"So glad you decided to show up, shouchuunotama." Hiroshi said, smiling. Nabiki shrugged and motioned towards the chopper.

"Hey, I wasn't exactly flying first class. A short delay was expected." She said. Hiroshi watched as Kuno emerged from the chopper, looking decidedly better than the last time he'd seen him. Then again, the last time Hiroshi had seen Kuno was after his fight with Ryouga. Kuno was kind of bloody then. He barely looked worse for wear now. He looked around imperiously and strode over towards the two of them, followed closely by Sasuke, carrying a large burlap sack full of, well, who knows what. Hiroshi really didn't care to think about it much.

"Hello, Kuno-sempai." Hiroshi said, trying his best to sound respectful. Kuno nodded, then scanned the horizon.

"Greetings, nameless admirer." He said. "I would like to entertain you with my many witty commentaries, however, I am searching for something else."

"I see." Hiroshi said slowly. Nabiki rolled her eyes.

"Indeed." Kuno continued. "Perhaps you may be so kind as to tell me whereabouts is the evil citadel of the vile sorcerer Ranma Saotome? I fear he holds my beloved pig-tailed girl captive, and I must make haste to confront him, lest he make her his unholy bride."

Hiroshi nodded. "I understand perfectly, Kuno-sempai. Just wait here and soon you'll have your chance to save the...pig-tailed girl."

"My eternal thanks, nameless admirer." Kuno said, dismissing him. Hiroshi turned and leaned towards Nabiki.

"I need to talk to you for a minute." He said quietly. Nabiki nodded.

"Be right back, Kuno-baby." She said. Kuno nodded.

"Make haste, Nabiki Tendo." He said. "Tread cautiously, for the agents of Saotome are all about us. I should not like to have to rescue you from the vile Saotome as well."

"I'll be sure to." She said, and turned to walk with Hiroshi, who was heading back to Daisuke's tree.

"Honestly," Hiroshi said as they were walking back. "I don't know what you see in that guy."

Nabiki smiled contentedly. "He's an idiot with a very big wallet. What better business associate could a girl want?" she said smartly. "Besides, I feel kind of sorry for him, in a weird sort of way."

"Just business associates?" Hiroshi said. Nabiki smiled at him evilly.

"Jealous?" she chided. "I didn't know you cared so much."

Hiroshi turned deep crimson. "I'm not jealous." He sneered. "I was just...curious. That's all."

Nabiki nodded thoughtfully. "I see." She said. They stopped, and Daisuke looked up at them with disinterest.

"Well, look who it is. Hey, Hiroshi, did you finally hook up with her? Geez, took you long enough." He said smugly, grinning. Hiroshi began to fume and grumbled under his breath.

"Hello, Daisuke." Nabiki said. "I see you still have no social life of your own, hence you're still tagging onto Hiroshi here." Daisuke smirked and closed his eyes.

"Touché, Tendo." He said with a slight sound of respect in his voice. Very slight. Nabiki smirked triumphantly. She turned and looked at Hiroshi.

"Okay, so what's this little legal problem you have?" she said, looking around. "You don't seem to be in trouble with the police or anything."

"You'd better sit down for this one." Hiroshi chuckled, motioning for her to take a seat. She shrugged and plopped down near Daisuke. Hiroshi sat in front of her and coughed nervously.

"Lets' see." He said thoughtfully. "Where do I begin?"

"How about the beginning, dingus." Daisuke commented. Hiroshi frowned, but had to admit it was a pretty logical place to start from. He cleared his throat and sighed.

And he told her everything. Nearby, Kuno stood a silent vigil, eyes ever watchful for the stirrings of the vile Ranma Saotome. Not surprisingly, none came.

*************************************************************************************

Ryu applied another bandage to the wounded body that laid before him. As he examined the chest, he was not shocked to discover that the wounds Ryouga had sustained from the Dragon Column Technique were badly aggravated. Then again, he had suspected as much. Ryouga was clearly pushing himself well beyond even the astronomical limits of his own monstrous endurance. At this rate, he was almost certain to die before he even reached Ito himself. Ryu re-evaluated his performance in the battle with Nobara with slight shame. He had been defeated so easily. Ryu had always considered himself a capable warrior, but it had been long since he had battled a strong or worthy opponent. He would certainly have to devote more time to the physical aspects of his training after this ordeal was over. That is, if it ended in their favor. Considering all of the obstacles left for them to cross, he could find very little assurance of that happening. He sighed out loud. The burden of responsibility was never a light load. After a few more minutes, Ryouga began to stir.

"Huh?" he said weakly, and strained to stand up. Ryu leaned over and tried to push him back down.

"Hold, Hibiki-san." He said. "You is much injured. Do not move much, okay?" Ryouga looked at him with confused eyes, then began to search wildly from side to side.

"Nobara..." he said, remembering. "Ryu, where is he?" Ryu motioned towards a battered figure slumped against a smashed tree.

"Is over there. No move much neither. He is out for a few days, okay?" he said. Ryouga nodded, comprehending the gist of what Ryu was saying.

"What am I doing with these bandages on me?" Ryouga said. "Take them off. They'll get in my way when I'm fighting."

"You is in no condition to fight nobody." Ryu said sternly. "You is pushing yourself too hard. Rest or you will die."

Ryouga scowled and dragged himself into a sitting position, reaching for his shirt.

"I can't rest now." He said. "Ukyou is still in danger. I'll rest when she's safe again."

Ryu sighed and sat down, resting his arm against one knee, his sheathed sword leaning against his shoulder.

"I can no stop you from going on." He said. "However, I can only still warn you that you will not defeat Ito in your condition."

"Well, in a perfect world, I'd love to be able to sit down and recuperate." Ryouga sneered, slipping the shirt over his bandaged chest. "But this is the real world. I don't have the time. It's my fault she was kidnapped, and it's my responsibility to get her back."

Ryu looked at him quizzically. "I do not understand." He said slowly. "How is Ukyou kidnapped your fault?"

Ryouga sighed and looked off towards the direction of the trail of leaves Ito had left behind. "I couldn't save her when she needed me, Ryu." He said distantly, his mind replaying the scene again for him in all its shameful detail. "I failed her. Just like I failed everyone else I ever cared about."

"How so?" Ryu said. Ryouga sighed and sat back down, crossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees.

"When Saffron kidnapped Akane, it was Ranma who saved her, not me." He said solemnly. Ryu had no idea who Ranma, Saffron, or Akane were, but he listened anyway. " I should have tried harder. Maybe then, things would have been different. But I didn't, and she slipped away from me forever." There was a moment of quiet reflection. “Maybe I never really had her at all.” He added finally.

"And Akari." Ryouga continued, his voice cracking slightly. "I...I couldn't be a man for her. I loved her, but in my heart I betrayed her to Akane several times, even if Akane and I never really did anything. I don't think Akari ever even realized it, and I was content to let it be like that forever."

As Ryouga spoke, Ryu noticed a melancholy aura settle about him, and he gritted his teeth, as if angry about these things he was feeling. Or in pain.

"I was a fool to think it could be like that forever. A damn fool. God, I can't believe how naive I was!" he shouted bitterly.

"Is natural for us to try to live out what we think is perfect life, Hibiki-san. Is desire for perfection that builds great things. Is also what tears them down." Ryu said. Ryouga paused and nodded thoughtfully for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess so." He said. "I guess in a way I was trying to do that. But, this isn't a perfect world."
"I believe you was already say that earlier." Ryu noted.

"Well, it's true." Ryouga snorted, annoyance in his voice. Ryu resigned himself to sitting quietly again.

"Akari was such a sweet girl." Ryouga said sadly. "She even knew about my curse, and it didn't matter to her. She deserved someone better than me. A real man, who wasn't afraid to love just her."

Ryu perked up. "Curse?" he said warily. "You is cursed?"

Ryouga looked puzzled for a second, then he realized Ryu had never seen him transform. It was the most amazing stroke of luck, actually. Ever since leaving Nerima, he had yet to be splashed by cold water once. Silently, he cursed the ill timing of his good fortune.

"Yeah. A long time ago, I fell into a cursed spring in a valley." Ryouga said with a twinge of anger.

"You is referring to Junsenkyo cursed springs, then?" Ryu said. Ryouga nodded, somewhat surprised by the hairdresser's knowledge.

"You know about them, then?" Ryouga said. Ryu shrugged and nodded.

"Have passes by Joketsukozu once, long ago." He said, referring to the infamous Amazon villiage of such notably colorful characters as mousee and Shampoo. "Amazons warn about cursed place. So I no go there. Simple as that, okay?"

"Right." Ryouga said bitterly. "As simple as that." The two men sat in silence for another moment. The cool wind drifted by slowly.

"So, you is saying you is betraying two people you care for, then?" Ryu said. Ryouga nodded.

"And now Ukyou too. That's three." He said solemnly. "I could never...I mean, she would never...I’m unworthy to be anything to her, even a friend. I make myself sick."

Ryu frowned at the bitterness in his comrade's voice. He had no idea this was eating him up as badly as this. No wonder he was so skilled with the Shishi Hokoudan technique. He had no idea how Ryouga could ever be anything but depressed.

"Is not your fault." Ryu said. "Is no guidebook for how to live life, Hibiki-san. All must make mistakes. Is one of the few sure things in this world."

Ryouga frowned. "Hey, I didn't say it wasn't okay to make mistakes. But the ones I make are unforgivable."

"I am sure Ukyou does no blame you." Ryu said thoughtfully. "If what Nobara say was true, she is much caring for you."

"I don't deserve her love." Ryouga said bitterly. "She's such a good woman. She deserves someone strong, who can protect her from danger."

"Maybe so." Ryu said, gazing out into the horizon. "But is you she love. I would not pass it by as you wish to. Is perhaps a bigger mistake than any other you could make."

Ryouga sighed and leaned up against a cherry blossom tree, staring at Nobara's unconscious form.

"You think we should tie him up or something?" he said after a few moments of mutual reflection. "I mean, you know, in case he wakes up."

Ryu nodded. He reached into his backpack and tossed Ryouga a length of silk rope. Ryouga stood and began to bound the tuxedo-clad boy tightly. He looked back at Ryu, who was still gazing out towards the setting sun.

"Ryu?" he said. The samurai turned and looked back at him.

"Thanks. For listening." Ryouga said, and resumed his chore of bounding Nobara. Behind him, Ryu noted with content that he had concentrated on the spiritual part of his training as much as he did. Some battles the sword could not win, after all. Ryouga finished and walked back over, standing over him and staring into the horizon. He winced at the burning pain under his bandages and sighed.

"It's too late to move on tonight, I guess." He said solemnly. "We might as well rest here." With that, he relented and went to curl up under a tree. He didn't quite catch the slight smile that slinked across Ryu's face. Ryouga sighed and closed his eyes, trying to get as comfortable as he could.

Hold on, Ukyou, He thought as blessed sleep began to wash over him, I won't fail you. You'll see. I'll make myself worthy of you, or die trying.

*************************************************************************************

Nabiki looked over the blazing of the newly made campfire at Hiroshi. He had just finished telling her one of the most ridiculous tales she had ever heard. Given the people she lived with, that was truly a feat.

"You actually expect me to believe this?" she said. Hiroshi sighed and smiled slightly.

"Well...yeah, actually." He said nervously. Sitting cross-legged beside Nabiki was Kuno, who had apparently felt the area was Saotome-safe and had joined in to listen to the bulk of Hiroshi's tale. Wisely, he left out the whole part about fighting Kuno. In fact, he was starting to doubt if Kuno even remembered it happening. Brain damage tended to do that to people, or so he'd heard.

"Such a tragic tale of woe." He commented. "It is only proper that I lend my superior swordsmanship in the quest to free the fair damsel from her tormentors. A true samurai could do no less. Do you not agree, Sasuke?" The small ninja seated next to him nodded eagerly.

"Indeed, master Kuno. You are truly noble." He said. Kuno smiled grandly.

"Indeed, that I am." He said. "Surely you are all grateful of my offer?" Nabiki, Daisuke, and Hiroshi all raised their eyebrows at the Kendoist simultaneously.

"Uh, thanks, Kuno." Hiroshi said slowly. "That's very generous of you."

"Yeah." Nabiki said. "Are you sure you're feeling okay, Kuno-baby?" Kuno glared at her imperially.

"I assure you I am in perfect form, Nabiki Tendo. Do you find it so hard to believe that the great Tatewaki Kuno has a heart of gold?"

Why not? Daisuke thought irritably. His head is made of lead, after all.

"Besides," he said sternly. "Such despicable cads as these 'Four Seasons' ruffians are undoubtedly in league with the vile Saotome. Possibly agents of whatever nefarious organization he has created. To pursue them is to move a step closer to rescuing my lovely pig-tailed girl from his insidious magics. Do you not agree, Sasuke?"

Sasuke nodded eagerly. "Oh, positively, Master Kuno. Your thinking is as impeccable as ever." Kuno nodded, reassured.

"Ah, loyal Sasuke. You are truly gifted with an insight lacking in the common henchman." He said. Daisuke groaned. Hiroshi glanced at Nabiki, who rolled her eyes.

"Anyway ..." Nabiki said, pushing the last conversation aside. "Even with Kuno-baby's help, we're hardly a fighting force to be reckoned with. If we hope to have any chance of evening the odds, we've got to beat them at their own game. That means we'll have to find a little loophole in their laws somewhere."

She began to flip through her leather-bound notebook, and Hiroshi noted each page was marked with laws from Shurkashuuton Tengoku.

"Where on earth did you get that?" he said. Nabiki raised an eyebrow at him as if saying "You really have to ask where I got information ?"

"Oh, that's right. Nevermind." He said, sitting back down. "Sorry. I forgot. You're Nabiki Tendo. You can get anything."

"Anything?" She said slyly, and grinned at Hiroshi. He squirmed uncomfortably. Daisuke looked at the two of them and shook his head.

"Okay, I'm gonna just go to bed now, okay?" he said snidely. "You two just keep the sexual innuendoes down to a minimum, if you could.”

"I thought I told you to stop saying things like that, stupid!" Hiroshi shouted, but Daisuke crawled into his sleeping blanket, ignoring him. He slept with a smile on his face.

"Sorry about that." Hiroshi said nervously. Nabiki shrugged.

"Don't worry about it." She said with a gleam in her eyes. "He wasn't entirely off the mark there."

Hiroshi swallowed hard. "W-w-w-w-what d-d-do you m-mean?" he said nervously.

"I mean, I should stop teasing you. We're supposed to be working, after all." She said simply, and began to thumb through her notebook, making marks on potentially important points. Hiroshi sighed in relief.

"I shall not pretend that my knowledge of the workings of law are as great as my combat prowess and charm." Kuno declared suddenly. "It is hardly necessary for a samurai to bother with such things. However, loyal Sasuke is well-versed in the arts of the bureaucracy. He shall assist you on my behalf. I must prepare for tomorrow with my usual purifying routine."

With that said, he walked over to his sleeping bag and was soon snoring loudly. Nabiki and Hiroshi looked at Sasuke, who smiled politely at them.

"Well," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Shall we begin?"

*************************************************************************************

Ryouga idly scratched the bandages under his shirt in annoyance as he took in his new surroundings with mild interest. It was the province of Summer by all accounts, or the weather in Spring had suddenly taken a turn towards very hot. All around them stood giant trees, the name of which he could not remember. They were the kind you could drive a reasonable sized van through, if you cut a big enough hole into it. The temperature was sweltering, and he idly brushed the sweat from his forehead. Behind him, Ryu was scanning the area.

"Is no sign of Summer master." Ryu said.

Ryouga looked back at him quizzically. "How do you know that? We have no idea what he looks like. Hell, it could be that girl for all we know."

Ryu shrugged. "I see no one. Therefore, is no Summer master here, okay? Simple as that."

Ryouga grunted. It made sense, he supposed. They continued on through the forest, dwarfed by the sheer size of the trees around them. In a lot of ways, it reminded him of how he felt whenever he looked up at the sky at night, or whenever he was near Ukyou. Part of something much larger than himself. Something...greater. He stopped as a strange odor wafted into his nose. Ryu looked at him quizzically.

"What wrong?" he said sternly. "Why we stop?"

Ryouga began to glance around, looking desperately for the source of the odor.

"Do you smell that?" he said in a low voice. Ryu, confused, sniffed the air. He smelled it now, too. A scent very familiar, but yet he couldn't place it.

"Smell like...like...burning wood..." he said, getting a good whiff of the air. Suddenly, Ryouga caught a glimpse of a thin red line forming down the middle of one of the giant trees. Smoke rose from it as it continued to widen and swell. His eyes widened with horrible realization.

"Get down!" he shouted, grabbing Ryu and ducking for cover on the green forest floor. The two men watched in fascinated horror as the crack continued to widen, and a pair of hands shot through the opening, gripping either side of it. There was a loud snapping noise, and the tree split in half, falling to either side, smoking. Standing on the newly made giant stump was a boy familiar to Ryouga. He wore a white button up shirt with a collar, an unbuttoned red vest, and black slacks. His hair was brushed back neatly. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides.

"He...he tore that sequoia tree in half..." Ryouga said, noticing how the word suddenly leapt onto his tongue. He ignored the fact that ther shouldn’t be a sequoia tree in Japan for any reason.

He must have the strength of a monster... Ryouga thought, remembering Akane saying something similar the first time he had fought with Ranma. It was ironic, in an odd way. He almost laughed, but maintained his composure.

"Ah, you must be Master of Summer." Ryu said eloquently. The boy bowed to them both, respectfully. He seemed nice enough.

"I am Hisaki Bakajikara, and I have been ordered to destroy you." He said with some regret. "Please forgive me, but I must follow the laws of our land."

"Whatever. Let's go." Ryouga said, standing in a defensive posture. Ryu stood beside him, sword ready.

Hisaki grunted. "I am sorry about your girlfriend, Ryouga. She loves you very much. That's why it pains me to do this. When you die, please bear me no ill will. I would like to think I can die with a clean conscious."

"You shut up about Ukyou, you bastard!" Ryouga snarled. "I'm going to tear your throat out if you have so much as laid a hand on her..."

"I understand you reaction." He said. "Come, let's get this over with."

*************************************************************************************

Ukyou looked at the disheartened woman in front of her with a small measure of sympathy. Yokio actually did love Prince Ito, or at least, she thought she did. Ito was, by her accounts, an emotionless bastard. This mistress of Winter, despite the company she kept, as actually a decent person. She had emotions, and she expressed them in a human way. Ukyou had assumed that a woman in charge of winter would be rather cold-hearted by nature. Maybe there wasn't as much typecasting here as she had at first guessed. Well, she could admit she was wrong.

"I'm sorry about all this, Ukyou." She said for perhaps the fourth time since yesterday night. "I don't want you to lose a man you so clearly care for.” Ukyou flushed a little. She couldn't help it.

“Well, I understand. It's not your fault, Yokio. It's Ito that's to blame for all this." She said bitterly. "Who the hell does he think he is? God?"

Yokio frowned. "Ukyou, please, you must understand something about Ito. He was raised since birth to believe in the law as the ultimate judgment of right and wrong. Not God, and not even our own conscious. He was conditioned to behave like this. He was trained to become the Master of the Four Seasons, and to inherit the school and this valley. You can't really fault him for how he is."

"I can." Ukyou grumbled. "People can think for themselves."

Yokio sighed. She had no retort for that. Ukyou turned and gazed out of the window for the millionth time. She thought of Ryouga and the others, and what they were doing right now. She missed them all. They were her friends, and despite their shortcomings, they were all a part of her life for the past two months. They were integral to her continued existence. She liked to cook for them, to keep them in line, to talk with them, joke with them....

Her anger rose, and she gritted her teeth against it. Those guys had given her life a new purpose. Like it or not, she needed them. She wanted them as her close friends. And, of course, she wanted Ryouga as more than a close friend. Much more.

"What am I to do, Ukyou?" Yokio said distraughtly. "I can't stand having these feelings for him and him not knowing. It makes me hurt so much..." Ukyou sighed. She knew the feeling all too well.

"You have to tell him." She said, finding it somewhat amusing that she was dolling out advice she herself was too afraid to take during her obsessions with both Ranma and Ryouga. Nevertheless, she knew what she was saying now was the right thing to do. She didn't wish the emotions she had to suffer through on anyone. Not even the people who kept her from the man she loved.

"You can't let the chance slip you by. If you wait too long, if you hesitate to make the move, then he may slip away from you. Forever." She continued, still gazing out of the window.

"I won't let that happen." Yokio said softly. "Oh, Ukyou, thank you so much. I don't think I could ever repay you."

"Let me see him again, Yokio." She said, her voice assuming a pleading tone. "Let me touch his face one last time, or feel his hand holding mine. It's not so much to ask, is it? Yokio sighed and looked at the floor.

"If I were to be caught, I would be killed. So would you." She said. Ukyou walked over and sat down next to her, putting her hands on the woman's shoulders.

"I don't care." She said sternly. "I'm willing to take the chance. That's the nature of love, Yokio. You'd do anything, suffer through anything, just for one small sample of real, strong, unconditional love. All of our greatest trials are suffered through for love. I would rather see him and die than miss him and spend my days trapped here."

Yokio nodded. Suddenly, she understood. Standing up, she took a deep breath and nodded.

"Very well, then." She said solemnly. "I am a sorceress by training. I will transport us there."

Distantly, Ukyou felt a small resurgence of hope flutter in her heart. She let it stay there as she followed Yokio out of the room.

*************************************************************************************

Ryouga charged forward, digging his heels into the ground and barreling full speed at Hisaki. The master of Summer made no attempt to move, and Ryouga connected full force, delivering a powerful blow to Hisaki's chest. He stumbled back, fazed slightly, and smiled.

"Not bad, but you'll have to do better than that." He said, and twirled around, suddenly striking out with a swift spinning kick. Ryouga caught it to the chest and reeled as the force smashed into his with the power of a meteor. He flew backwards, crashing into the side of another sequoia tree, spitting up a massive spray of spit and blood as he felt his ribs bend and snap. Four, maybe five. Dazed, he stumbled to his feet. Distantly, he noticed his bandages no longer itched.

Well, he thought with dry humor, at least that's something.

Before he could react, Hisaki was on him, gripping him tightly by his shirt and hoisting him into the air one handed. Ryouga felt the wind forced from his lungs as Hisaki proceeded to beat his injured chest with his free hand. Each blow exploded in a flare of burning hot pain.

Ryu leapt from behind, katana raised high into the air, preparing to strike. It certainly wasn't the most honorable thing to do, but sacrifices had to be made. Hisaki glanced behind him just in time and reached up, catching the blade between his fingers deftly. With a flick of his wrist, he tore it away, then followed up by elbowing the samurai, all in one smooth motion. Ryu, dazed by the force of the blow, soared through the air and moaned as he saw a tree flying up to meet him. He struck it headlong, and the force actually smashed him straight through it, leaving an odd hole in the mighty tree. Ryu hit the ground, unconscious. Despite his dazed condition, Ryouga groaned.

Dammit! He thought bitterly. Guess I'm alone again. Hisaki turned back and smiled at Ryouga.

"Now, where were we?" he said, hauling Ryouga back and smashing him against a tree, then proceeding to drive his fist into the stunned boy's stomach over and over again. Grasping at conciousness with all his might, Ryouga grabbed Hisaki’s arm and twisted himself free, then used his momentum to hurl the Summer Master forward into one of the larger trees. Hisaki slammed into it full force, sending a shower of splints outward as the tree collapsed onto him.

“There.” Ryouga spat, wiping his forhead and wincing. “That’s that.”

The pile of wood and splinters rumbled slightly, much to Ryouga’s shock, then exploded outward. Hisaki was kneeling in the center of it, and stood slowly to face the lost boy again.

“Heh. Well done, Ryouga.” He said with no hint of sarcasm. “A lesser man surely would have been killed. I expect a good fight from you. Don’t let me down.”

“W-w-what the hell are you!?” Ryouga said incredulously, barely able to stand. Hisaki smiled.

“As Master of Summer, I draw strength from the anger of others. That is my technique, and why it is therefore impossible for someone like you to defeat me.” He said cooly. “It would be better to surrender to death. I can do it quickly and painlessly if you wish. Ukyou is not watching. She would not need to ever know that you gave up.”

“Feh.” Ryouga grumbled, taking up his fighting stance again. “I’ll never surrender to the likes of you.”

Hisaki nodded sadly. “I thought not.” He said, sighing. “Very well then, come at me! Fight with all of your strength!”

Ryouga charged forward, delivering a flurry of kicks and punches to Hisaki, who only made a halfhearted attempt at deflecting them. They didn’t even seem to phase him. It was like fighting against a steel wall.

His thoughts were cut short when Hisaki’s hand shot forward through his defenses, grasping his neck Lifting him high into the air, Hisaki began to strike the prone teen over and over again. Ryouga suddenly found himself in a place without pain, locked deep within his mind, watching Hisaki beat him. He was totally unable to react. His body was shutting down. He was dying.

No! His mind shouted in desperation. Not now! Not before I can save her... Before I can tell her...

He felt consciousness ebbing away for a final time.
Tell her...

He reached out for it-
I...I...

-straining with every once of willpower he had left-
...love...

-and he felt his body stretching itself beyond its limits for one-
...I...love...

-last-
...her...

-shot-
...Ukyou...

His half closed eyes flew open in a sudden fit of rage. Taken by surprise, Hisaki stared at him stupidly.

"What the..." he said. "How can you possibly..."

"I...WILL...NOT...DIE...NOW..." Ryouga growled, blood flowing down his chin in streams. Hisaki released him and took an uncertain step back. Ryouga raised his hands in a diamond formation and closed his eyes, knowing he was putting everything he had into this last desperate chance.

"Shishi...Hou...ko..." he whispered, fighting to stay up, to ebb back death for one last time.

"No, WAIT!!" Hisaki shouted, throwing his hands in front of his eyes.

"..Dan..." Ryouga whispered, and he felt the boiling, burning within him surge like electricity into this last blast. There was a flash of light, a scent of searing ozone and the trees succumbed to the force, collapsing and shattering and the ball of chi absorbed Hisaki, screaming, and he flew out of sight. In the aftermath, Ryouga stood shakily at ground zero, and smiled.

"Gotcha..." he said, and feel to his knees. It was over now. The cold fingers of death were at his throat, beckoning him forth. He struggled to stand once more, sweat rolling down his face, but collapsed again, shaking. Convulsing. He was weak. Dying. Failing again.

Ukyou, I'm sorry, His quickly fading mind cried out desperately. I failed you...

A single tear, so long in coming, so needed for emotion, fell to the ground from his eye. He let it go. Perhaps warriors could cry, sometimes, his quickly closing mind blurted out with ironic humor.

"Ryouga!" a female voice shouted from somewhere outside of his collapsing self, and he creaked his eyes open to search for it. And there she was.

Like and angel, a vision, she was there. She was free. Safe. Here.

Thank the Gods... he said inside himself, and reached out for her. She fell to her knees, hugging him tightly. It hurt him, but he didn't care anymore. He wrapped his arms around her and wept into he shoulder. Distantly, Ryu stood and leaned against a broken tree, watching the scene in all its bittersweet emotions.

"I never stopped believing you'd come for me." Ukyou said, her voice cracking with emotion. She snuggled tightly against his neck, savoring its warmth for all she could.

"I'm...sorry you...were...kidnapped..." he gasped in a raspy tone. Distantly, in her mind, the words of Ryu's story in the hospital mocked her with their ominous prophetic aura.

I was told once, long ago, a story of two people whose felling for each other were never realized by them...

She stroked his hair gently and looked into his eyes, those eyes she had first noticed so very long ago. They were the same. There was an emotion in them, behind the sadness and the suffering, an emotion he wanted her to know he felt so badly.

"I...I...failed...you..." he whispered, then coughed in obvious pain. Ukyou shook her head fiercely.

"No, no, no..." she said softly, cradling his head. "You didn't fail me. You saved me." His eyes brightened, and the sadness seeped away.

"I...didn't...?" he said softly.

...She was very much caring for him...

"No." She said. "Never, ever, have you let me down. Never once. God, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"No..." he said, struggling to sit up, gnashing his teeth against the pain. Death would not have him. Not yet. "Not...your...fault..."

She held him, trying to make him stop struggling. He was killing himself. He couldn't die. Not now. Not ever.

"I'm so sorry." She said, her voice quivering. She held him tightly, not wanting to let go. Not wanting him to slip away. He hugged her just as hard. She was his tether to life. The only reason he was alive now was for her.

...And he her, yet neither would say nothing for fear...

"I...need...to tell...you...something..." he whispered. She looked at him with her reddening eyes. He touched her cheek slowly, softly.

"I...I...I..." he stammered, choking as he spit out more metallic blood. She gazed into his eyes, and knew what he was trying to tell her. It hurt her so much to hear it, but it made her so happy.

"I love you, Ryouga." She said softly, smiling her best smile. He stared at her, wide-eyed.

"Y-y-y-you do?" he said weakly. She nodded, and he smiled slightly.

"I...I..l-l-l-l-l-l-ove y-y-ou, t-too." He stammered meekly, and suddenly a great weight was lifted from him. It was as if the universe itself were suddenly taken from his shoulders. "I...love you m-more...more than I...thought I could...love...anything..." he continued, gritting his teeth.

It was too much for her. Ukyou’s lip began to quiver, and the tears rolled down her cheek. He did love her. He really did.

...Man was great fighter. One day he battle a powerful dragon to save girl after she was taken away. He save her, and he tell her he love her...

She kissed his forehead tenderly, and he felt his eyes welling as well. There was something in his throat, a tight knot that hurt badly. He smiled up at her.

"I....I...have...to go...away..." he whispered. "I don't....think...I can...hold on...anymore..."

Ukyou grasped him by his shirt tightly and her face contorted into a mask of bitter rage.

...But he is badly hurt...

"No!" she shouted at him, desperately, as if somehow she could force him to stay. "You will not die now! I won't let you, do you hear me! I WON'T LET THEM TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME!"

She fell against him, sobbing. He rubbed her back, amazed he had the strength left to do it. "I'm sorry..." he said bitterly, in a fading voice. "I’ll never...leave you..."

... And dies in her arms...

She felt him slip away. His hands slid off of her back and to his sides limply. There, in the arms of the woman he loved...

Ryouga Hibiki died.

Ukyou shook him, desperately trying to revive him, to bring him back to her. He was gone. He had wandered off and left her behind after all. She held his limp body close to her, rocking back and forth, weeping, hating herself for it.

"How pathetic." A cold voice said from behind them all. Ito stepped into the charred clearing and looked around with contempt. Around him still fell the delicate leaves Ukyou had come to despise so much.

"Yokio, you brought her here, didn't you?" he said sternly. Yokio looked down and said nothing. Ito sighed and shook his head.

"Why?" he said bitterly. "You know what the penalty is for breaking that law..."

Still, she was silent. He turned to her, suddenly glowing with emotion. It was anger.

"Why are you making me do this!?" he shouted at her, grabbing her and shaking her shoulders violently. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US!? This is all we have! You're destroying it! For what!? For her?" he shouted, pointing at Ukyou. "For her precious boyfriend who so recklessly endangers himself for NO LOGICAL REASON!?"

Yokio looked up at him with tender eyes.

"It's the nature of love, my lord." She said softly. Ito's anger drained away, and he stared at her, baffled.

"What?" he said softly. Ukyou’s same words earlier surged back into his logical, calculating mind. They were echoing...haunting. Haunting him with their prescence. "Love...?"

She reached up and touched his cheek.

"I love you, Ito. I'm sorry." She whispered, and kissed him lightly on the lips. He stood, transfixed, and found himself unable to move. Ryu limped over and waved his sword in front of the Prince's eyes.

"What you do to him?" he managed to cough out. Yokio sighed and knelt down beside Ukyou, who was still cradling Ryouga in her arms, oblivious to everything around her.

"I froze him temporarily. It will give me enough time." She said.

"Enough time?" Ryu said. "I afraid I do no understand. What you intend to do?" he raised his eyebrow slightly. “Aren’t a maho-tsukai, are you?”

Ignoring him, Yokio looked into Ukyou’s distant eyes.

"Ukyou, you were the first person I could ever call a friend. I'm sorry we couldn't have been better ones. But I know how I can pay you back. I'm going to give him back to you." She said solemnly. Ukyou looked up at her, confused.

"W-what?" she said.

"I am a sorceress, and as such, I can transfer life from one being to another." She said. "That is my gift as the Mistress of Winter. Please accept this as an apology."

With that, she stood and a slight static sensation filled the air. Yokio began to glow with an inner light that radiated out of her, a blinding white purity that caused Ukyou to shield her eyes or become blind. Ryu closed his as well. When the warmth and light washed away, Yokio smiled one last time, then fell to the ground. There was silence. Then, in her arms, she felt it. She felt him breath deeply. His eyes fluttered open slowly, confusion filling them.

"Ukyou..." he said softly. "Am I dead?"

"Of course you're not dead, you big idiot." She teased, slapping him on the shoulder. Tears were running freely down her cheeks. "If you were dead, then why would I be here?”

“Did you die too?” he said, still dazed. Ukyou smiled, taking his confusion in good stride. She shook her head slightly.

“No, and neither did you, Ryo-chan. You never were very good at listening to me, were you?” she said smartly. Ryouga’s face became even more confused, a feat some would claim was impossible at this point.

“Huh?” he said, rather bluntly. Ukyou chuckled.

“I told you I wouldn’t let them take you away from me, didn’t I?” she said smartly. She smirked slightly, but the care was obvious in the shine of her eyes.

"Then it wasn't a dream?" he said softly. "You really meant what you said..." He seemed mystified by the very concept. Ukyou nodded.

"Only if you meant what you said, sugar." She said softly. Instead of answering her, he reached up and pressed his lips to hers. It was less theatrical then the first, and better in almost every way. This was mostly due to the fact that this one was backed by pure, exposed love. It was more intense a moment than she had ever imagined. She wrapped her arms around his neck, savoring every second of this moment.

Ryu watched them with a genuine smile.
Perhaps I should have told her how the story really ended, He thought idly, but decided against it. He couldn’t remember anyway. Ryouga stood, holding her in his arms, pressing her to him, not breaking their kiss. Their bond. It could no longer be denied or hidden. It was out in the open. Ryouga closed his eyes admist the sensation. He was damn glad it was out, too.

But bliss could not last forever. They broke the kiss off, looking at each other in wide-eyed amazement.

"Wow." He whispered, and she could do nothing but blush fiercely and smile. Suddenly, They both turned at the sight of movement from the corner of their eyes. Ito turned to face them, walking towards them with a deathly look about him. Ryouga pushed Ukyou behind him and stood stolidly. Ito walked by him, kneeling by Yokio's prone form instead. Ukyou and Ryouga exchanged confused glances as Ryu limped up beside them. Ito fell to his knees and scooped her into his arms, and he seemed to be shaking, almost as if...

He's crying, Ukyou thought with amazement. Ito turned and looked at them, a tear rolling down his face.

"She...loved me?" he said silently. Ukyou nodded.

"Very much." She said. "With all of her heart." Ito looked at them and smiled slightly.

"I understand why you were crying now." He said solemnly. He turned away from them and began to walk towards the crystal tower.

"Leave this place and never return." He said bitterly and vanished into the distance. After a few moments, the crystal tower faded from view. Ryu, Ryouga, and Ukyou all looked at each other for a moment.

"Well," she said finally. "What are we waiting for? I still have to get home, remember?"

Ryu chuckled. "I am not understanding you in the littlest." He said. "Is horrible ordeal, and yet you still in good spirits."

Ukyou looked at Ryouga, and he exchanged a smile with her.

"Why shouldn't I be?" she said. Silently she blessed Yokio for her sacrifice. In a more perfect world, they would have been best friends, she surmised. In a more perfect world. She clasped Ryouga’s hand tightly and began to lead him off into the distance.

"Uh, Ukyou..." he said, and she stopped and faced him.

"What's wrong?" she said.

"It's this way." He said, and smiled. Scowling she let him lead her. Ryu smiled.

"Only too ironic." He said, then his eyes widened.

"Hey, wait, Hibiki-san!" he shouted limping to catch up to them. "Ukyou was right! You going wrong way! Ryouga!"

Overhead, the stars shone brightly.

*************************************************************************************
End of Volume One...