Dragon and Ghost ch. 22 Preview/teaser.

[carrotglace]

For those unfamiliar with me or this story...
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/136275/1/ for ch. 1-21.
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/17205/ for everything else. There's quite a bit.
Just to prove I'm still writing...-
Hi. Been a while since I put anything out. My old PC kinda died. I spent the last few years sitting in my cave in front of the fire grunting. I haven't written in a while, and anything I had was consumed by my old PC's aging HD. All of my ways to get stuff out died before it did.
Don't worry, Insertion's big ending is beginning to stir in the back of my mind, but I need to sharpen my claws a bit.
The Dragon and the Ghost
Part 22
Pirates of the Southern Seas.
“Hail Ilpalazzo!” was the sort of stereo response. Excel raised her arm and puffed out her chest in the presence of her lord and master. Beside her, a blood soaked arm raised in salute from the ground.
A rather bored looking drow sat glaring down at her without much emotion. “Report?” He was sitting on a throne what appeared to be a cavern converted into a throne room.
“Excel endured many hardships on this mission! She bravely ventured forth into danger and horrible torture to carry out her beloved Lord Ilpalazzo's every command! She attempted to complete her goal, but was captured! Her captors beat upon Excel while Ha-chan evaded detection by being dead.”
“A most excellent ploy.” Ilpalazzo eyed the body lying on the ground next to his henchman with his eyes softening ever so slightly.
Excel noticed this and continued her story. “After her capture, Excel was thrown into a pit with no food or water. The emergency food supply seemed to be fortuitous thinking, when Excel was suddenly saved, and nearly drowned in a flash flood. Thoughts of failure, and a displeased frown on Lord Ilpalazzo's incredibly handsome features drove Excel onward, and she attacked her captors and was promptly thrown back into the pit. This time with a ball and chain on her leg to keep her from swimming out again. Fortunately, Excel was ravenous with hunger and ate her way through them.” She seemed quite pleased with her self and bounced in place for a moment as she spoke. “After her second miraculous escape, the enemy stopped trying to capture her, and simply tried to kill her. She fought onward for the honor and glory of ACROSS and Lord Ilpalazzo!”
The drow frowned at her again and shifted in his seat for a moment. The time for her to stop talking had long since passed, and she'd yet to realize it. He reached up to grab the rope that hung just beside his throne.
“Hello Ilpalazzo.”
Excel had noticed her masters pose and was frozen in place. Her head jerked back at the new group of people in the room. Her master had yet to react or move and sat a little slack jawed at the man who strolled in with his arms spread in a rather open gesture.
“Been a long time. How've you been?”
“Ryuu? What brings you?” He pulled himself from his seat with the rope and Excel dropped into a trap door under her feet.
He strolled down to meet the man and frowned at him as he drew near. The drow simply waited at the bottom of the stairs to his throne with his robes hiding his posture from view. “What brings you? The rest of you can stop hiding in that hallway now. I am drow and I can see you quite well.” He reached down and took a few crumpled pages from the blood soaked hand that reached up beside him.
“Trouble with your servants?” Ryuu didn't look very interested in discussing it at length.
“She's allergic to air.”
The young drow seemed to be recovering and the pair turned towards the approaching party.
“My, an elven princess in F. Imagine that? Tell me what you've been up...” Ilpalazzo's face fell as he stared at Mousse and stopped speaking. “Ryuu, tell me. What are you doing here?”
“You know this guy?” Ukyo didn't seem pleased with the situation. She wasn't sure how much she trusted the drow boy beside her. The Dwarf she could count on, but he only seemed interested in keeping the elf girl happy and safe. A little too much for her liking actually. Ryuu was much more dangerous than she had anticipated as well. She found that fact comforting in a strange way.
“We've met.” Ryuu was eying the man while his head was turned away with a strange grin. “See something that interests you?”
Mousse didn't look very comfortable with the stare he was getting. Shampoo was silent and almost dead to the world around her. She wasn't showing any emotion and appeared to be taking in everything around her as best she could. It was obvious she was terrified and trying her best not to show it. “What are you staring at?”
“Can you answer me that yourself boy?” The drow man's lip turned up for the briefest of moments as he turned back towards Ryuu. “Introductions can wait. What do you want Ryuu? I'm growing tired of asking.”
“Safe passage to the north gates. Ranma isn't around, and I'm stuck with the mob.”
“Stop calling us that!” snapped Ukyo. She was holding her spear rather tight and it didn't seem wise to bother her. She was feeling pretty upset with someone at the moment. “Ranma! What kind of man have you become?! The Black Swordsman?”
“A pity.” Ilpalazzo seemed a little disappointed to hear that.
“Make that the Southern Gates, actually.”
Everyone in the room froze as Ryuu fell to the ground quite suddenly. Ranma was glaring at him as she appeared standing over him with her sheathed sword still held in the swing that had knocked the boy over. She kicked him in the ribs and frowned as she glared at the drown in front of her with her sword resting on her shoulder in it's sheath. “Don't say a word. I can take care of this, sorry for the inconvenience.”
“You have something I want.” Ilpalazzo frowned at her and stared her down.
“I told you what would happen if you bothered me about with that again. Don't take my warning lightly.” she snorted and cracked her knuckles for a moment.
Shampoo was watching the redhead with even wider eyes. “It's not possible...” Her eyes were glowing as Mousse's were, and every other drown in the room. It had been like a trip through a nightmare just to reach where she was with all those glowing eyes all around her.
“Not so attractive now?” Mousse seemed pleased and irritated at the same time.
“No. She is not drow. I can feel her connection to nature.”
“You cannot feel it with me?”
“No. I always assumed you were...removed from it. It does happen to elves on occasion.”
Mousse didn't move or respond. He glanced over to see Ranma speaking with the drow they had met with Ryuu. The servant still in the room seemed to be recovering and was on her knees and looking about. They seemed to be wrapping things up and he cursed himself for getting distracted and missing it.
“That's not what I mean.” She noticed that Ilpalazzo had moved so that his back was to Shampoo and Mousse.
“So long as it doesn't interfere with the job. What do you want?”
“The Prince, he remembered how to find this place.”
“You sure?” The redhead glanced over the man's shoulder and smirked. He was busy talking to the elf girl. Ryuu was starting to stir on the ground between them and she kicked him again to put a stop to it.
“Ryuu cannot open one of our doors. I was wondering how he got here in the first place, until I noticed him.”
“He remembers then.”
“Yes.”
“Good to know, I had him figured for lost. I suppose it makes us all do strange things.” Shampoo should be dead if what she knew of Mousse's duties to be true.
“What's that?” Ilpalazzo seemed confused.
“Nothing.” Her face fell as she seemed to remember who she was talking to. Her voice dropped as she gave the man a small grin. “I'm leaving now. I've got a job to do, and I don't mind losing a useless tag along if you catch my drift. I'll be needing to do something about it sooner or later anyway.”
“I see.” He nodded and turned back towards the throne.
Ranma turned to face the rather surprised and irate looking group behind her. She hung her shoulders a little and sighed for a moment. As she drew closer to them, her smile grew stranger and more confident with each step. Her eyes appeared wild as she gazed at them with a glassy eyed stare. “Ha...hehheh.”
“Why are you looking at us like that?” Ukyo didn't look pleased or fearful.
“Heh. You'll see, soon enough. We're leaving now, come on Ryuu.”
The man in question was just pushing himself off his rear. He glanced at the sickly looking drow and sighed as he shook his head. “Asshole.”
“What am I doing here?” Akane Tendo glared at herself in the mirror in her tent. The battle was long since over and her troops were returning home with those of her father. Both of their campaigns had been successful, and Akane had a large bag of polished skulls as a gift for her master. Saffron would ascend into godhood soon, and she would be...what? There was unfinished business at hand, and she had no idea where to start looking. It was frustrating her to no end and she stared daggers into her own reflection. “I must find him.” Her gaze changed as she seemed to look at herself a little closer. Nabiki was scheming against her now as well. She had no doubt that her sister wanted to be rid of her now.
“What do I do?” Saffron's High Priestess was a dangerous enemy, and she could become more dangerous after his accent. She felt trapped, cornered, just as much as in that cave. “There's no where to run. I want to finish it before I die.”
She turned away and paused as she noticed her father in the doorway to her tent. “Are you feeling well daughter? You seem to be acting odd lately.”
“I'm leaving. Where is the nearest town?”
“Is something wrong?” The man seemed alarmed and grabbed her by her shoulders and forced her in front of him.
She looked away from him and at the ground in frustration. “I'm fine. I have something I need to finish. It's going to bother me until I do.”
The man stepped back and nodded. “I see.”
She walked by and grabbed her sword by the tent flap before pausing halfway out. “Father?”
“Yes?”
She glanced back at him for a moment. “Who is Ranma Saotome?”
She had all of his attention and he pulled himself up to his full height with a strange angry glare in his eyes. “Where did you hear that name?”
She looked away and walked off without another word. “So. It's true then.”
A short time later...
“F?! Are you dense?” Ranma was walking down a long empty tunnel and chewing Ryuu out as the group trailed just behind them. “I give you an elven princess, tell you to take her someplace safe, and you take her to F?! What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Ryuu didn't look happy, but the pair hadn't resorted to blows just yet either. “She's fine isn't she? Look, your girlfriend is safe and everything! You know she can't get hurt with me around! I know the mission okay?!”
“What's this? A lover's spat?” Mousse seemed more annoyed than anything else.
“Better not let them hear you say that.” Shampoo glanced back at him with a little annoyance in her voice.
“They don't scare me.”
“They should. Not even I would try and stand against the Black Swordsman.” Ukyo didn't look at either of them as she said it and continued on as they froze in confusion.
Mousse shrugged at the elven girl's confused frown.
Their guides were still arguing as they walked just ahead of them. “Wait!” She rushed up to the knight's side and walked beside her. Mousse kept up just behind them and watched their backs.
“What do you mean? What's the big deal about...”
“Five thousand men fell at Ahlen's Keep. The siege lasted only four hours.”
“So?” Mousse didn't seem impressed.
“Those soldiers faced only one boy.”
The pair of elves both glanced at the man in question's back and the two swords that hung there.
“There are other stories, a child warrior and mercenary who slaughtered uncountable numbers of men at battles all across this land. About three years ago, the stories stopped, or so I thought.”
“What do you mean thought?” asked Shampoo in confusion.
“They simply changed into stories of the Dragon Ghost. I'm not a fool, but I have been blinded by the feelings from my youth far to long.”
“Giving up?” asked the elven girl with a strange smirk on her face.
“I'll decide that when I find out who he really is.” She made it clear that she was finished talking as she sped up her pace a little to put some distance between them.
“Great.” She glanced back at Mousse for a moment and he started to pick up his pace towards her. “Stay back. I'm afraid I don't trust you alone down here. I'll kill you if you get to close.” Her stare was hard and firm when she finished speaking and turned away.
He clenched his fist and growled as he stared at the ground in frustration. He had spent his life protecting her, he'd do anything to keep her happy. She couldn't trust him? Why not?
Ranma narrowed her eyes as she stopped walking and turned to face them with her finger up to her lip. “Company ahead.”
Ryuu didn't seem worried and snorted. “So what?”
“We are in what could be considered 'hostile territory'. I'd rather not piss of the locals and have to hack my way out of here.”
“I agree.” Ukyo stepped forward and gave them both a serious looking frown. “You made some sort of deal didn't you?”
“Huh?” The redhead turned to face her with a nervous looking grin. “What makes you say that?”
She grabbed him by his collar and pulled him close to her. “What did you do?”
“Nothing. They're just going to try and kidnap Mousse here later. No big deal.”
“What?” The knight was furious and slugged her across her jaw. “You...you...”
“What?!” Ranma sat up with wide eyes. “Look, it's not that big a deal. He's just a tag along and he's on his own. I don't need him and he's gonna get in the way sooner or later. My job is her and that staff.”
“What does that make me then?” She was staring down at him with her fist clenched down. Everyone else was standing around them watching.
“I also agreed to help your queen if I could. Like I said, after this mess is over, you can have the stupid staff if you need it. Once I deliver, you do as you please.” Ranma was returning her stare and seemed much more cautious as she put a short distance between them. “I don't like having him along much, and he can stay as long as he's useful. I wouldn't worry about him, I know what's coming and unfortunately he can handle it no problem.”
“What would you know of what I can handle?” Mousse stepped forward and with his chest puffed out. “I should kill you for what you've done!”
Ranma put her arm across his shoulders and shook him a bit. It threw him off for a moment and she poked him in the chest. “Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about.”
“You've put Shampoo in danger!”
“Nah.” She strolled forward with a different swagger about her and chuckled to herself in an odd way. Ryuu jumped off the wall he was leaning against. He looked like he just remembered something that made him really nervous. Ukyo and Shampoo stepped back a little. She didn't sound normal.
“Is Ranma all right?” Ukyo turned towards Ryuu and he rushed up to the redhead's side.
“Maybe this isn't such a good idea...” The swordsman put his arm across her shoulders and walked with her. “I mean, I don't think the knight can take it. We should find...”
“Another way to Jusendo?”
“What? Jusendo? That would take weeks!”
“Aye, it would.” She nodded with a menacing smirk.
“Why?” He gripped her a little tighter in an implied threat.
“There's something there we'll need.”
“What's that?” he asked her with his voice tensing a little more.
“Don't know, all I have is a map.”
“Can I see it?”
“No, I've got it up here.” She poked her finger on her temple and chuckled again. “We have to go. That's about all I can tell you.” She strolled forward and chuckled to herself.
“Something has put her in a good mood.” Ukyo frowned at her two companions, Ryuu and Ranma tended to stay a few paces ahead of them when they were together. Ranma was taking the lead and Ryuu didn't look happy. In fact, he looked mortified with terror.
“Um, I'm not about to ask. Ranma is acting very strange.” Shampoo looked to be feeling a bit better since the redhead showed up.
A short distance ahead...
“Heh. Excel lies in silent wait of her prey!” The girl was leaning against a rock and drooling as she waved a sword about over her head. She had a small dog tied to her head that seemed to be holding on in silent suffering.
Beside her, a young drow girl with a pale complexion and a soft raspy voice glanced up at her. She looked more like she was using the rock to hold herself up. “Senior Excel, what is it we are doing again?” A light trickle of blood was running out of the corner of her mouth.
“Ha-chan! It is very important to remember our duty to ACROSS and Lord Ilpalazzo! We must wait here, and capture the lost prince at any cost! We must not fail in our sacred duty! My beloved Lord Ilpalazzo! Excel may be forced to accidentally on purpose kill the object of your affection! She will gladly open her arms to comfort you in your time of need! For in order to fulfill her mission, she will no doubt be forced to cut down, and maim, and crush the evil harlot, Lord Ilpalazzo loves so much! Though Lord Ilpalazzo may never forgive her for such actions, she lives with the hope he shall be merciful with his faithful Excel, and see fit to grant her...”
“Hi Excel.”
“What the hell is this?” The drow prince walked up to the redhead who was watching the drow girl's speech with a wide grin on her face.
“It is Excel's prey!” She pointed at Mousse and laughed out loud as the rest of the group walked up. Ryuu had passed by already and ignored the scene. He stopped when he realized everyone else had and was leaning against the wall again.
Ukyo noticed the other drow was lying on top of the rock with blood seeping down to the cave floor from her face. She walked closer and poked the back of her head. “Are you all right?”
The head sat up and coughed, spraying the unfortunate knight's face with blood and spit. “I'm...fin...” Her head hit the rock again with a dull thud.
The knight shrieked in shock and revulsion as she jumped back away from the pair.
“Come on Ha-chan! We must complete our mission for Lord Ilpalazzo and ACROSS!” Excel gave her friend's body a hearty slap on the back before grabbing her limp hand and pulling her off the rock and onto her face. “Ha-chan! This is no time to be dead! Cruel fate! Excel must now complete this most dangerous assignment all alone!” She walked up to Mousse and grabbed him by the arm meaning to pull him back to her master.
“What the hell are you doing?” he frowned at her as she simply kicked up dust in her efforts. He wasn't moving.
“Hmm, it seems the task is more difficult than Excel anticipated!”
“Why the hell are you wearing a dog?” Shampoo couldn't contain herself and walked up closer to them.
“You won't stop Excel from completing her mission!” The drow girl held her sword up with her free hand.
Mousse was about to clock her when the elf girl spoke up.
“You can have him if you want. That's just really weird.”
“This is Menchi! Excel's emergency food supply! You'll have to excuse us, we have a mission to complete here.”
“We? She's dead!” Ukyo was still trying to wipe her face off enough to satisfy herself she was clean. She pointed at the other drow's body.
“I told you we didn't have anything to worry about. Ranma started walking down the tunnel with her hands in her pockets. She seemed satisfied with the events.
Excel was about to turn the sword on Mousse when he belted her across her skull one good time and sent her down. “I suppose I shouldn't be to angry with him then. Still, the principal...”
“I don't care if you like him.” Shampoo shrugged and started after the others.
“Gross!” Ukyo was still wiping off her face. “When is this stupid tunnel gonna end anyway.”
“Just ahead!” called back Ranma. She turned forward again and chuckled to herself. “I can smell it, we're drawing near...”
“Please reconsider. She'll try and kill you if you do this.”
Ranma was ignoring Ryuu's pleas. “The sea.” She was almost stumbling at this point and rather looked like a sailor fresh off the boat from a long voyage.
“What's wrong with him?” Ukyo was eying Ranma as she walked up to Ryuu. She didn't look like she wanted to speak with her.
“You'll find out. We're going to Jusendo.”
“That's across the sea! Are we going to charter a ship?” She didn't look pleased. “Why are we going into the lions den? Jusendo belongs to the Emperor, more so than the rest of his empire, it's his home.”
“Don't know. This is her show, and I'm smart enough to believe her when she says we're going.” He looked like he just broke down for a moment and shook his head. “Damn. Look, maybe you shouldn't do this. We'll be back, our business is still here.”
“What?” She frowned at him and furrowed her brow.
“Go back, or you may not be able to stay a knight. If you continue now, don't say I didn't warn you.” He turned away and rushed after Ranma. She was stumbling out the entrance to the cave into a torrential downpour.
Ukyo glanced back at Mousse and Shampoo as they passed by. She clenched her fist and strolled after them. “You're not leaving me behind.” She had a night to think it over anyway. There was no way they were sailing in this weather.
The Port City of Furinkan...
It was a wet miserable evening. The rain had stopped, but it was not to last. Black ominous clouds filled the sky in the distance, blocking out the sunset completely. Angry lightning flashed in the distance, weather no sailor would be caught dead in if a port could save him the risk.
The taverns were busy, and bustling with nervous chatter as the men drinking inside spoke of storms of the past. It was a night for drinking and remembering friends lost, and daring escapes from the jaws of such weather. Most of it touted as a 'hunred tines worse'!
The bartender was in a more cheerful mood than usual. His business was booming, and it would be dishonest to say he didn't look forward to such weather. He still towered over his bar with a sour frown gazing into the establishment with one glass eye. A piano played a merry tune just under the loud chattering and laughter of drunken sailors.
The doors swung open and a figure strolled in with a black hood pulled down over her features. She was wearing a sword and stood there for a moment as the lightning flashed angrily behind her. She strolled inside and moved up to the counter placing a single gold coin on the counter. “Rum. The whole bottle.”
A group walked in behind her, most of them looked nervous. The swordsman walked forward and took the bottle after the hooded figure poured herself a glass and knocked it back. He pulled a swig from the bottle itself and tossed it to Ukyo. “You'll be needing that I think.”
She frowned at him and stayed near the door leaning against the wall as she took a drink.
“What be yer business here?”
“Sailing for Jusendo.” She smiled at him as he filled her glass again. The coin more than paid for the bottle. She could have gotten a case for as much.
There was a roar of laughter from the sailors and she glanced back at them all.
There was a collective gasp from the men and they all went dead white and silent.
Ukyo stood up in alarm halfway through another gulp from the bottle. Shampoo and Mousse were standing next to her now and watching the events unfold. “What's going on here?”
“Blue eyes! Did ya see that?” muttered one of the men in earshot.
The bartender seemed to grow more cautious as he poured her next drink. “There be no sailing from this port tonight. In the morning...”
“I don't need a charter, and I sail tonight. See to it that you inform the magistrate of it.”
“Damn it Ranma...” Ryuu looked annoyed.
“Of what?” She looked up at him and the man jumped back in terror. She pulled back her hood and every man in the bar was on his feet.
“It's her!” gasped on near to the party in horror. “Captain Scarlet!”
Shampoo's eyebrow arched a little in surprise. “Never a dull moment.”
“I'll say,” agreed Mousse. “Too much if you ask me.”
“I didn't.”
“Captain Scarlet?” Ukyo was shaking and pale as a ghost. “Ranma! How could you?”
The redhead seemed to be enjoying herself quite a bit as she knocked back another. The bartender dropped the bottle as her glass clicked on the counter top. “Come on. We sail for Jusendo.”
“Now? Are you crazy?” cried the Knight as she glanced over her shoulder and out the door.
“We'll be fine.” Captain Scarlet strolled outside into the angry darkness with a nervous party following after them. There would be no sailing from this port tomorrow either.
Ukyo hung back and looked back at the horrified sailors. They were muttering and disoriented still. She could hear many familiar tales being told at once.
“The Queen of Pirates, Captain Scarlet of the Scarlet Rose. Said to be crewed by demons that leave no survivors behind in their raids.”
She rushed out the door and saw them walking along a lone empty pier out over the increasing anger of the water.
The redhead smiled as she held up her hand and stretched out her fingers over the swirling torrent. Ryuu was the only one who didn't stumble back as the sea began to boil and a sick green glow began to shine from deep below.
Ukyo screamed as the rotted hull of a doomed ship blasted up from the waters below. The wood looked rotted and waterlogged, the scarlet sails hung in tatters from the mast and the sound of drum beats and voices of sailors working to properly bring the ship into port. “What the hell?”
A rotted looking plank came down from the deck and Ranma smiled at her in a most disturbing way. She started singing a merry and grizzly song as she strolled up the deck. “What indeed? Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me! We pillage, we plunder, we riffle, and loot! Drink up me hearties ho ho! We kidnap, and ravage and don't give a hoot! Drink up me hearties yo ho!”
Ukyo staggered to her feet as she watched the others pass by her onto the boat. Shampoo looked a bit pensive, and Mousse wasn't happy. It was obvious he was moving because of her. Ryuu strolled up the ramp and glanced down at her. “Still coming?”
She pushed herself back to her feet and glared at him. “I...have my orders.”
“Your call!”
She could hear the crew welcoming their captain with a cheerful hearty roar. Shampoo could be heard screaming amongst the uproar. She steeled herself and made her way up the plank.
That's what I got so far, full chapter is a bit off as there's a bit I want to do in this one. Still, it's something. ^_^

[Druid]

Just to prove I'm still writing...-

Yay!

Hi. Been a while since I put anything out. My old PC kinda died. I spent the last few years sitting in my cave in front of the fire grunting. I haven't written in a while, and anything I had was consumed by my old PC's aging HD. All of my ways to get stuff out died before it did.
Don't worry, Insertion's big ending is beginning to stir in the back of my mind, but I need to sharpen my claws a bit.

Ouch, sorry to hear about your comp. I had mine fried by lightning about a month back, although my HDD is one of the few things to survive.

Part 22

For a large part of the conversation between Ilpalazzo, and Ranma I lost track of who was talking to whom several times. After a while all my brain was taking in was giberish.

“Um, I'm not about to ask. Ranma is acting very strange.” Shampoo looked to be feeling a bit better since the redhead showed up.

I wouldn't either, Ranma is acting a bit strange, if not downright freaky at times. Mayhap I should go reread the last chapter or two to refresh my memory.

“It's her!” gasped on near to the party in horror. “Captain Scarlet!”

^_- , Okay... that's interesting.

“Please reconsider. She'll try and kill you if you do this.”

A bit out of order I know, but I have to wonder who this she is in relation to captain Scarlet.

The redhead smiled as she held up her hand and stretched out her fingers over the swirling torrent. Ryuu was the only one who didn't stumble back as the sea began to boil and a sick green glow began to shine from deep below.
Ukyo screamed as the rotted hull of a doomed ship blasted up from the waters below. The wood looked rotted and waterlogged, the scarlet sails hung in tatters from the mast and the sound of drum beats and voices of sailors working to properly bring the ship into port. “What the hell?”
A rotted looking plank came down from the deck and Ranma smiled at her in a most disturbing way. She started singing a merry and grizzly song as she strolled up the deck. “What indeed? Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me! We pillage, we plunder, we riffle, and loot! Drink up me hearties ho ho! We kidnap, and ravage and don't give a hoot! Drink up me hearties yo ho!”

Okay, you've definately got my attention with this chapter, the curiosity is driving me mad!

That's what I got so far, full chapter is a bit off as there's a bit I want to do in this one. Still, it's something. ^_^

It is somthing alright!

[pspinler]

Great stuff. This has always been my favorite of your stories.
I agree, the conversation in the throne room and immediately following was more than a bit confusing.
Interesting to see what all will happen.
-- Pat

[Fafhrd]

Glad to see more from you.
I have to agree with the privious posters that the dialog was sometimes confusing.
Overall it got my attention.
Looking forward to more, but I first I better go reread the previous chapters as I am sure I have forgotten half the story.

[carrotglace]

This is just a draft really, I didn't proof read it very well, and those are the sort of changes I intend to make before the chapter is released.
I just gave it a once over and a spell check. ^_^;
At any rate, this part shouldn't be changed much other than cosmetic and clarification type stuff before the rest is finished. I might add a scene or two in there to fit stuff that happens later on or something.

[Nadrek]

Hahahahahahaha.
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Well, perhaps we're seeing more of the past of both Ranma and Ryuu... interesting.

[Epsilon]

Nice to see you up and writing again, CG. Hope to see a conclusion for Gaijin in this lifetime.

[Talah]

Zomg! Its a past ranma fanfiction author back to life! Nice to see you writing again! I agree with Epsilon. More Gaijin and anything else you might choose to write would be nice! What you have here is nice too!