(C&C welcome. Not to mention needed)

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THE GAME
By: Angela Jewell
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Based on the trilogy, The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith

Ranma 1/2 is the property and creation of Rumiko Takahashi, and whoever else owns it. I'm not making any money off of this so don't sue me. Besides, good luck if you tried. I'm broke.

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Volume 1: Spellbound
***

I long for the warmth of days gone by
When you were mine
But now those days are memories in time
Life’s empty without you by my side
My heart belongs to you
No matter what I try

~Boyz II Men

***
Chapter 8
***

Nobody made a sound. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the thick underbrush of the forest, their bodies frozen in place. An eerie stillness had long-since settled over the woods, and they had to strain their ears, listening for any sound. They stood that way for awhile: no one speaking, no one breathing. After several minutes of uneasy silence—moments that seemed to stretch on much longer—Ukyo finally spoke. Her voice shook slightly as she turned her head to glance in their direction. “You guys *did* hear that, right?”

Shampoo and Akane silently nodded.

“What on Earth was it?” she asked. A faint hint of panic had seeped into her voice, despite her best efforts to control it.

“How we know, stupid?” Shampoo replied sharply. “Is your nightmare.”

“Well, whatever it was,” said Akane quickly, hoping to prevent a fight, “I think it’s gone now so we should probably get moving. We’re not going to get anywhere just standing around.”

Shampoo nodded. “Akane right,” she replied, throwing a look of contempt in Ukyo’s direction, who glared back. “Need enter forest, is only way find Ukyo nightmare.” Without another word, she began walking towards the woods, not bothering to see if they were following behind her. Akane and Ukyo glanced at each other and shrugged, then began to walk after the Amazon.

They walked carefully, pushing bushes, and branches, and leaves aside as they continued to move further. Their senses were stretched to their limits; their eyes and ears straining for the faintest of sounds. But no matter how long they listened, or how hard they concentrated, they were met with silence.

Akane glanced around, feeling uneasy. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something seemed wrong…

Shampoo, who was walking several feet in front of the others, suddenly stopped, bringing them to an abrupt halt behind her. “Forest seem strange,” she said after several moments, looking around.

Ukyo nodded. “Yeah, I felt that too,” she replied, glancing around the area.

Akane walked over to the nearest tree and leaned against it, closing her eyes. She held them firmly shut as she allowed her thoughts to wander, her mind searching for what her eyes refused to let her see. Why was it so quiet? she wondered. Ever since they heard that strange sound, she hadn’t heard a thing: no birds, no animal movements or calls—even the sound of wind blowing through the trees was absent. The forest sounded deserted, almost . . . abandoned. There was nothing here.

 “You know what it is?” she said at last, opening her eyes to look at her companions. “There aren’t any sounds. Aside from that strange noise we heard in the bushes, I haven’t heard a thing….”

Ukyo gasped. “You’re right!” she said, sounding excited. “I haven’t even heard any animals now that you mention it!”

As if in protest a familiar sound echoed throughout the forest. Akane heard Shampoo mutter something in mandarin and Ukyo took a deep breath. It was the same sound they had heard earlier when they had first entered through the door . . . Only this time it was louder and closer than before.

Ukyo withdrew her spatula, holding it defensively before her. “Who’s there?” she demanded, her eyes scanning the surrounding area.

Just as suddenly, the noise reverberated around them, only this time it was accompanied by the faint sound of movement in the bushes. Three heads turned in unison, staring at the place where the sound had originated. There before them stood a small group of trees, their leaves forming a thick canopy above them. As if that sight wasn’t strange enough, beneath those sat several large, wide bushes which seemed to enclose the entire area, giving it the illusion of a gateway. The strangest thing, however, was the fact that the bushes were a bright, unnatural shade of red.

Akane idly wondered how they could have possibly missed it before. The entire scene looked so unnatural and out of place that it would have been impossible to pass without causing suspicion.

All three martial artists walked towards it, hesitant as they pushed through the strange, red bushes: On the other side was a large green clearing.

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

There, a few feet away, was a dirty, beat up old cart.

Ukyo gasped in surprise, her voice filled with fear and awe as she approached it. “I—I don’t believe it,” she said, her eyes wide as she walked closer. “This is my old Okonomiyaki cart.” Falling to her knees, Ukyo grabbed a handful of leaves off the ground and slowly began to wipe away the dirt and grime. “See,” she exclaimed, pointing to the faded kanji that was written on the side. “It’s our family name.”

Akane moved closer to examined the cart. “Are you saying that this is the same one that Mr. Saotome and Ranma stole?”

Ukyo nodded.

Akane bent down to take a closer look. “But that doesn’t make any sense,” she said, looking closely at the black, discolored kanji. “I thought they lost it or left it in a gutter somewhere?”

Ukyo shrugged helplessly.

“Real cart still in gutter,” Shampoo interrupted, kneeling beside them. “We not in real world: In Shadow Man’s.”

Akane, despite herself, shivered. Just the mere mention of Gabriel’s name made her angry… and, she hated to admit, a little confused. She hated him: she knew that. And yet, a part of her—a very small part—couldn’t help feeling drawn to him.  It was that small detail that angered her the most.

“This no coincidence,” Shampoo firmly added, turning to meet their gazes. “Cart here for reason.”

T * * * G

Ranma, meanwhile, was still in the attic.

He was sitting completely motionless, the mirror clutched tightly in his hands. The surface of the glass had long since darkened, leaving behind only faint lingering images. His expression was grim and angry and his knuckles were white. But still, his tight grip on the handle never loosened.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get that vision out of his mind: Akane, leaning against the wall; Gabriel leaning over her as he caressed her with that damned rose—his lips so close to hers they might as well have been kissing.

But they didn’t, he reminded himself. Akane didn’t. He felt some of the anger slowly drain away at that realization. But not all of it. Just because Akane was able to resist this time didn’t mean Gabriel wouldn’t use some other method to get what he wanted. And he knew Akane wouldn’t be able to stop him if he ever decided to get serious. Hell, *he* couldn’t even beat him… at least not yet.

Unlike Akane, Ranma’s true strength came from his ability to learn from his mistakes and adapt: he never lost twice. And as soon as Gabriel came within 10 feet of him, he’d show him just what he was capable of. He flexed his hands as he grinned.

Besides, he always loved a challenge.

Turning his attention once more on the mirror, he concentrated, willing Akane’s face to come into focus. Then, he watched.

T * * * G

The cart, no matter how long they looked at it, remained a silent enigma: it offered no answers and only created more questions. Even a swift kick by Akane had heralded no results.

“So, what happens now?” Ukyo asked at last, finally moving away from her dowry. “Is the cart going to do a transformer number and try to kill us all, or something?”

Akane shook her head and Shampoo scoffed.

“I don’t think so,” Akane replied, looking intently at the cart. “I don’t think the cart itself is your nightmare, if that’s what you mean. If it was, something would have happened by now. But I’m sure it’s related in some way, we just have to figure out how.”

“Okay. So how do we find out?”

“No we.” said Shampoo, her patience waning. “You figure out, stupid. How we know?”

Akane could see the angry battle aura surround Ukyo as she glared hatefully at the Amazon. “That’s easy for you to say you, you—” Akane quickly stepped between the two, once again playing mediator. “Look you guys,” she said, glaring from one girl, to the other. “You can fight all you want, but it won’t get us anywhere.”

“If Ukyo in grave faster, then is worth it. One less obstacle.” Shampoo smiled icily as Ukyo glared in reply.

“Honestly! I don’t have time for this!” Akane screamed. Before she even realized what she was doing, she had thrown an angry punch with her right hand at the cart. Although she hadn’t used all of her strength, it was still enough to cause a small dent. Shampoo looked on, slightly impressed. Akane, oblivious, went on. “Have you guys forgotten what’s at stake here?” she asked, her voice low and serious. “Maybe neither of you has much to lose, but my sisters are out there! I don’t have time to sit back and watch you both waste the little time we _do_ have, arguing and fighting.”

Both had the good sense to look embarrassed.

“Now,” she continued, taking a deep, calming breath. “I say we take a look around the area, okay? After all, something led us here and it sure wasn’t the cart. If we can just find whoever, or whatever made that sound earlier, then maybe we can figure out how to get out of here.”

“Right,” Ukyo agreed, trying to sound cheerful, but failing. “Besides, who knows, maybe my nightmare was getting lost in a forest.”

Akane tried to smile faintly in reply. Somehow she knew it wasn’t going to be that easy….

T * * * G

The girls continued circling the unfamiliar terrain. Although they were impatient to find someone—anything, in order to get this nightmare over and done with, they all knew it was better to be cautious and careful, rather than eager and careless. It was that thought alone which prevented them from yelling out in frustration every time they found themselves back at the red-bushed gateway.

It wasn’t until the fifth time, however—once they’d found themselves standing before the strange clearing yet again, that they finally threw themselves down on the ground in defeat.

“Is hopeless,” Shampoo said, sighing in frustration. “We look all over forest, and still we end up here.”

Ukyo kicked the dirt at her feet. “I hear ya,” she said, nodding. “I had no idea my nightmare would be so boring.”

“There’s got to be some kind of connection,” said Akane, once again looking around the area, only to come to rest once more on the cart. “It can’t be a coincidence that every time we left, we came back to this exact spot.”

Shampoo and Ukyo nodded, but both looked beaten and indifferent at the revelation. They were still no closer to solving this nightmare than when they had first found the small clearing.

“Okay, Ukyo” Akane replied, her voice firm and hard. “Spill it. We have to know what it is you drew for your nightmare. Walking around isn’t getting us anywhere and we’re wasting time. We won’t laugh at you no matter what your nightmare is, I promise.” Akane threw a warning glare at the Amazon. “Right, Shampoo?”

Shampoo nodded. “We no make fun,” she assured Ukyo, the contempt and hatred at last gone from her voice. “We call truce, yes? Shadow Man enemy now.”

Ukyo nodded at Shampoo and smiled. Then, turning to Akane, took a long deep breath. “Alright, I suppose it’s only fair,” she replied. “The reason I kept putting it off in the first place was because I knew that it would affect you two as well.” She looked at them apologetically, and then turned her gaze once more to the ground. “And I guess—I guess I thought that if I didn’t say it, if I didn’t admit it, that it wouldn’t happen. And, I know you must think it’s actually been working since we haven’t found much, but the truth is, it hasn’t.” Ukyo paused, and released the breath she had been holding. “Yes, I drew a forest,” she said, grimly. “And the cart really is a part of my nightmare—a small part—but the fact is, that this,” Ukyo said, motioning towards her beaten up, abandoned cart, “is not what I drew.”

Akane looked at her in confusion. “You mean, you drew a forest, but that isn’t really your nightmare?”

Ukyo nodded. “There’s no way I could’ve really drawn my deepest, darkest fear,” she explained, looking once more at her cart. “So, I just drew a picture of a forest instead. After all, I didn’t really think everyone was going to put down their real weaknesses for everyone to see. Of course,” Ukyo laughed bitterly. “I never dreamed we’d actually have to live out these fears. … but I guess the Shadow Man knew that. That’s why I’ve felt so uneasy ever since I saw the cart.”

Akane’s mouth fell open in surprise, as comprehension slowly began to sink in. There was only one thing that could affect both her and Shampoo, as well as Ukyo, and that was a certain pig-tailed martial artist. “Does the cart have anything to do with Ranma?” she asked softly.

Ukyo nodded. “You got it, Sugar. Of course, there’s more to it than that, but essentially, I don’t want to lose Ran-chan.”

“And that’s part of the reason the cart appeared?”

“Yeah.” Ukyo looked sadly at her missing dowry. “I knew that if I had it back, that I would lose my claim on him and—and you have to understand,” she said, looking straight at Akane. “My entire life was dedicated to defeating Ranma and Genma. I continued cooking, I perfected my art, all so that I would be able to get revenge on them for abandoning me. They cost me so much,” she said softly, “so much, and yet, when I saw him again, after he called me cute…” Ukyo shook her head. “I just couldn’t stay mad at him anymore: I didn’t want too.”

Shampoo looked at the ground and smiled knowingly. “Ranma have that effect on people.”

Ukyo blushed and nodded. “That’s why I can’t lose him,” she said, turning her gaze once more on Akane. Her tone was cold and hard, no longer reminiscent and soft as it had been a moment ago, and Akane felt uncomfortable under the intensity of her gaze. “I won’t.” Ukyo added resolutely.

After her declaration, the three girls sat in silence, each unsure of what to say. Even though Akane now knew what Ukyo’s nightmare was, for some reason she didn’t feel relieved, or any better prepared.

Suddenly, the Amazon stood up and began to stretch. “What we do now?” she asked, looking at the two girls beside her. “Ukyo tell nightmare, but still we here. Why door no appear?”

“Aren’t you forgetting?” Akane said softly as she got up to stand as well. “Knowing your nightmare isn’t enough.” She looked sadly at Shampoo and then turned her gaze once more on Ukyo. “She has to live it.”

Ukyo shivered.

“Don’t worry,” Akane said, as she took the Chef’s hand. “We’ll be here to help you thru it. You just need to remember that it’s not real… if you remember that, then you’ll be fine.”

Ukyo tried to smile. “Thanks,” she said softly, all emotion gone from her voice. “But I think the two of you are the last people I’ll want to see when it happens.” Any response was cut short as all three girls suddenly turned their attention to the strange red bushes.

The familiar sound of rustling leaves could be heard from the underbrush, and suddenly the outline of a figure appeared, emerging from the thicket. Ukyo quickly removed her spatula, as Akane and Shampoo moved into defensive positions. Just as quickly, however, Ukyo was lowering her weapon, even as Shampoo and Akane were taking a step back in surprise.

Before them stood a blue-eyed martial artist wearing a red-chinese shirt. His hair was pulled into a tight pigtail and he was smiling as he continued to walk closer. 

“Hey,” he said, grinning. “So, what’d I miss?”

“Ranma!” Shampoo and Ukyo wasted no time. Both girls ran excitedly towards the martial artist, their faces flushed with joy. Akane, however, remained standing where she was.

“Ranma-honey, it’s really you!” Ukyo grabbed a hold of his arm, her heart racing, while Shampoo grabbed a hold of the other. “Ranma come looking for Shampoo, yes?” the Amazon asked hopefully.

Ranma smiled as he took turns looking back and forth between Shampoo and Ukyo. “Of course it’s me,” he said with a laugh; turning his attention back to Shampoo, he winked. “And who else would I be looking for?” he asked. Neither noticed that he looked directly past them and at Akane after saying it.

But unlike her oblivious comrades, Akane wasn’t fooled.

She wasn’t quite sure how Shampoo and Ukyo could be so easily tricked—hadn’t they just been talking about Ukyo’s nightmare? This was obviously the beginning of it. And couldn’t they tell that wasn’t Ranma just by looking at him? After all, her fiancée didn’t have eyes like that…

What was Gabriel up to this time, she wondered.

“How did you escape the attic?” Ukyo asked, as both girls led Ranma further into the clearing.

The Ranma imposter made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Aw, you know me,” he said arrogantly, “No place can hold me for long.” Ukyo grinned and nodded her head knowingly, clinging tightly to his arm.

Akane raised an eyebrow. Well, she thought, unimpressed. Gabriel certainly had Ranma’s character down…

“How you find us, Ranma?” Shampoo asked. “Door close behind after we enter: you find new door?”

Ranma shook his head. “I was already here,” he said, shrugging. “I found the door you guys came through earlier, and was lookin’ around. Then, when I saw all of you coming in after me, I hid.”

“So you were the one we heard in the bushes,” Ukyo replied happily. “What a relief. But why’d you hide?”

“Guess I was kinda jumpy after the whole cat thing,” he said. “I had to make sure it was really you, an not some sorta trap or illusion.”

Akane almost laughed. For a moment she considered telling Shampoo and Ukyo the truth, but in the end decided against it. This had to be Ukyo’s nightmare: she was sure of it. And if she told Ukyo it wasn’t really Ranma, she might jeopardize their chances of ever getting out of this accursed forest.

For now she would just watch and wait.  

“So, whose nightmare is this, anyhow?” Ranma asked, looking between Shampoo and Ukyo. “I didn’t know either of you were afraid of trees?” Ukyo punched him playfully as she laughed.

“Silly,” she said, smiling. “We’re in mine. But luckily, it doesn’t look like it’s going to come true.”

“Huh? How do ya figure?”

“Because,” she told him cheerfully. “You made it here. Nothing could possibly happen when you’re here to protect me.” She sighed dreamily as she leaned her head on his arm.

“So, Ranma,” Akane said, sounding out his name carefully. “Do you know when the nightmare’s going to start?”

Ranma smiled. “I’m sure something will happen very soon, don’t worry.”

Ha! Don’t worry, he says, she thought with a laugh. Easy for him to say....

Moments later, as if in response to his words, Akane suddenly felt the ground beneath her feet begin to shake and tremble. It was slight at first—hardly any movement at all—but it wasn’t long before the speed and force began to pick up, and she found herself thrown to the ground, the forest moving unnaturally all around her. Akane craned her neck, searching for Ukyo and Shampoo. They were lying across the clearing, several feet from where Gabriel had been; and the more the ground shook, the further apart they seemed to get. Akane tried to sit up—to climb back to her feet—but found herself unable to stand.

“What’s happening?” she yelled in frustration. She never expected this to be part of the nightmare.

“I don’t know!” the disembodied voice of Ukyo answered. “but I can’t move!”

Akane turned to look at Shampoo who nodded in agreement. Suddenly, she remembered Gabriel, and scanned the area: but he was no where to be seen... and the more she tried to concentrate, the dizzier, and weaker she found herself becoming. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to shut out the spinning movement that was going on all around her.

What happened next occurred quickly and without warning: one moment the forest was spinning around them, and the next, it had stopped—like a car slamming on the brakes. And when she finally opened her eyes again, they were no longer in the forest…

All around them was an impenetrable darkness.

The voice that came was soft and confused, and Akane turned to see Ukyo standing beside her. “What—? Where are we?” she asked, sounding uncertain and frightened. “And where did Ran-chan go?”

Akane strained her eyes, searching for any sign of Gabriel. “I—I don’t know,” she replied, equally confused. She had thought he’d stick around until the end—most likely to play on Ukyo’s fear of losing Ranma—she definitely hadn’t expected him to completely disappear on them... especially not so soon. On the other hand, she could barely make out the faint outline of Shampoo who was only lying a few feet away; it wouldn’t be surprising if Gabriel was simply hiding in the shadows, watching them....

“Are you okay, Shampoo?” Akane asked, turning to the Amazon.

Shampoo nodded as she climbed shakily to her feet. “Why we no in forest,” she asked, looking around. “And where Husband?”

Akane and Ukyo shrugged, as lost and confused as her.

The Amazon was silent for several long moments, until suddenly—unexpectedly—she fell to her knees. Akane and Ukyo were at her side in moments, fear and confusion written across their faces. “Shampoo?! What’s happening? What’s wrong?”

The girl remained silent, her head hanging down as she slowly began to disappear right in front of them, her body merging with the surrounding darkness.

“Ukyo!” Akane turned to the Okonomiyaki chef, her eyes wide. “It’s happening—your nightmare! It’s started!”

Ukyo shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. “No,” she replied. “This wasn’t part of it. You—you and Shampoo—you guys weren’t in it. This is something else.”

Akane stepped closer and grabbed a hold of her rival, forcing her to look at her. “Ukyo, this is only part of it! If Shampoo disappears, then I know I’ll be next... whatever your fear is, you have to face it.”

Ukyo looked around, her eyes wide and frightened, and Akane softened her voice. “I’m not sure what this has to do with your dream, or what’ll happen here after I disappear: but I know that if you don’t face it, or overcome it, there’s a good chance you’ll end up trapped here—or worse.”

Ukyo and Akane turned to look helplessly at Shampoo, who seconds later, disappeared completely from sight, the image of her large, defiant eyes forever engraved in their minds. Ukyo continued to stare at the place where her rival had sat—now a black, empty space.

“I don’t know how to stop it,” she said softly, a hint of panic seeping into her voice. “I don’t know how to fight this.”

“Ukyo…”

 

”If Ranma was still here,” she said suddenly, wishfully. “If he was here, he’d know what to do.”

Akane hung her head sadly, until a voice from the shadows interrupted. “What makes you think that?” it said.

Akane and Ukyo turned to look at their speaker who was standing half in and half out of the surrounding shadows—Akane knew who it was the moment she heard him speak.

“Ran-chan?” Ukyo asked, leaning forward to peer into the unwelcoming shadows. Her heart swelled with hope as she saw the faint outline of the figure standing still before them.

“Ukyo, that isn’t Ranma,” Akane whispered.

The Okonomiyaki chef turned confused eyes in her direction, and then laughed. “Of course it is,” she replied. “He probably just got thrown over there when the ground started shaking...”

“No, Ukyo, it’s not,” Akane insisted.

“Don’t be silly,” Ukyo replied, standing up. She turned to look at her fiancée who seemed to blend into the shadows surrounding him. “Ranma-honey, you’ve been listening, haven’t you?” she asked, her voice shaking. “Well, if you have, you’ve got to help me. Just—just promise you’ll never leave me—that you’ll always be by my side, and I’m sure I can beat this.” She paused as she took another step forward, and then continued in a small, low voice, “Please, Ranma! If I don’t lose you, then I can win...”

“Okay,” the voice said, emerging at last from the shadows. “Oh, dear Ukyo,” he said, his voice loud and mocking as he walked towards her. “I will love you forever and never leave you: you’re the only girl for me. In fact, I’d be all too happy to give Akane to the Shadow Man—then we can be together for the rest of our lives, and live happily—ever—after.” He stopped before a surprised, angry Ukyo, and smiled. “Was that alright?” Gabriel asked, laughing.

Ukyo’s mouth fell open in surprise; then embarrassment, until finally it settled on anger. She took a step back as she watched the Shadow Man suspiciously, her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her hand moving unconsciously to the hilt of her spatula. “And what did you do with Ran-chan?”

Gabriel smiled and shrugged. “Sorry,” he said, shrugging. “But I’m afraid he was never here. I was just having a little fun,” he said with a wink.

Ukyo’s grip on the spatula tightened. She was trying her best to resist the urge to pound the grinning jerk before her into the ground. She turned away quickly, lest her anger get the better of her. “Akane, did you know about—“ her words died in her throat as she turned to look over at her on-again, off-again rival, only to see her kneeling on the ground, her head down—the hands that were out before her, slowly fading in and out of sight.

“Akane... oh no...”

The young martial artist smiled faintly in reply as her sad, apologetic eyes faded completely from view. Ukyo stood by, powerless, watching as Akane disappeared just like Shampoo. When she was completely gone, she turned angrily to Gabriel.

“What’s happening?” she demanded, stepping towards him. “Where did they go?”

He smiled and shrugged. “That would spoil the fun,” he replied.

Ukyo’s eyes narrowed in fury as she unleashed her spatula, holding it out before her threateningly. Gabriel winked. “I’m afraid that’s my cue to leave,” he told her. “Good luck with your nightmare. You’ll need it.” And then he too was gone.

T * * * G

Ranma in the attic, his eyes trained on the mirror, watched Ukyo as she stood alone in the darkness. He wasn’t sure what was going on… but he knew it must have something to do with Ucchan’s nightmare.

His confusion and worry, however, didn’t last long. Before he could sense something was strange or out of place, he found himself suddenly growing dizzy, and putting a hand to his eyes, he closed them, looking away briefly from the glass mirror.

That moment was all the time Gabriel needed.

When Ranma opened his eyes, he was still in darkness… but standing before him was Ukyo.

T * * * G

A loud roar reverberated throughout the room, and Ukyo turned. She stood completely still, suddenly afraid. She wasn’t sure what she’d see—what to expect… and then she heard him:

“Ukyo?!”

Her eyes widened, and her heart sped up as she saw Ranma standing before her. His clothing were torn, his hair disheveled, and he looked almost as confused as she was.

“Ranma?” she asked. “Is—is it really you?”

 

“Come on, Ukyo,” he complained. “You wouldn’t fall for another fake me, wouldya?”

Ukyo’s mouth fell open in surprise. “How did you—”

Ranma’s eyes grew cold and angry as he looked beyond her, past something she couldn’t quite see. “That bastard Gabriel,” he muttered. “He’s been making me watch everything this whole damn time.” She could see the anger radiating through him, lighting his eyes with a familiar fire that she rarely ever had the chance to see. Ukyo didn’t need any more proof: she knew at once that this was her Ranma. Even Gabriel couldn’t reproduce the fury and hated that was shining fiercely in his steel-blue eyes.

“...Ran-chan.”

Then her eyes widened as she saw it: the large object that was lying directly behind him: her old, beat up, Okonomiyaki cart. She watched the pushcart nervously, as Ranma turned, following her gaze.

“Whoa, it really is that old cart!” he said, bending closer to look at it. “Me an pop didn’t have it for long, but it looks almost as good as new!”

Ukyo smiled uneasily.

Her fiancée stood up and walked away from the cart, glancing around the clearing. “Don’t suppose you know where Akane or that jerk Gabriel went?” he asked, turning to look at her. “I mean, I saw them disappear through the mirror, but...”

Ukyo quickly shook her head as she felt her heart fall. He didn’t even seem to care that he had found her… all he cared about was finding Akane and Gabriel.

“Damn,” Ranma muttered as he cracked his knuckles, his expression tight and grim. “I’ve got a score to settle with that bastard,” he said, stepping away from the cart.

“He doesn’t stand a chance against you, Ran-chan.”

Ranma’s smile grew. “I know,” he laughed.

Ukyo smiled as she watched him. He looked so strong, so confident: and even the torn clothes and wild hair couldn’t mask his handsome features. “I’m really glad you’re here,” she said, although the words were directed more at herself, than at him.

He grinned. “Me too,” he said, laughing with relief. “I was starting to think I’d never get out of that damn attic.” His good humor faded as he looked at her in seriousness. “So, where are we anyway?” he asked. “One minute I’m watching you guys through the mirror—the next, I’m here. Is this part of your nightmare or something?”

Ukyo blushed deeply, and forced a cheerful smile. “Not sure,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I just drew a forest…”

“That’s weird,” Ranma said, looking around in confusion. “I wonder why we’re not there anymore then.”

At that moment, Ukyo felt something strange in the air—something she couldn’t quite explain. It was a choking presence; and it seemed to be surrounding only her. Seconds later when she went to open her mouth to speak, words came out that were not her own. “Ran-chan, do you love me?” she asked. At soon as the words left her mouth, her eyes flew open in horror and she stood still, her heart beating uncontrollably in her chest. She threw her hands immediately over her mouth, afraid she’d say something else, equally embarrassing.

Ranma was staring at her, just as surprised. “Um… Ucchan, you okay?” he asked. “Where’d that come from all of a sudden?

She nodded her head quickly, her hands still covering her mouth. He continued staring at her, confusion and worry written clear across his face.

Her hands, against her better judgment, slowly lowered from her mouth, and once again she was speaking. “You don’t really love Akane, right?” she asked. She could hear herself asking the question, and yet, she still couldn’t believe it was really her. Something—the choking presence she had felt earlier—was making her. But the questions, the fears—they were things she’d always secretly wondered but could never gather up the courage to ask.

She frowned, troubled and confused by these questions. She didn’t know why she was saying all of these things out loud… she absolutely feared the answers… but, she wanted to hear his confession of love and his denial of Akane, even more....

“Well?” she prompted.

Ranma stared at her with uncertainty. “Err, did something happen here that I don’t know about,” he asked her. “You’re actin’ really weird, Ucchan.”

Ukyo quickly shook her head. “No,” she said quickly. “I—I mean, yes.” Her voice became low, and she looked at the floor, too embarrassed to meet his gaze. “I mean, I think this is part of my nightmare,” she finished softly.

He looked at her, confused. “You’re asking me things because of your nightmare?” he repeated, frowning. Ukyo smiled uneasily—he didn’t look too convinced.

“You got it, Sugar.”

Ranma’s hand slipped unconsciously to the back of his head, a nervous habit she had always found cute. “But if this is your nightmare, wouldn’t I be answering the things you don’t want me too or something?” he asked. “It don’t make any sense….”

Ukyo shrugged. “I don’t understand it either,” she told him. “But I need you to answer truthfully.” She paused as she watched him, carefully gauging his expression. “Do you love me, Ranma? Or... or do you love Akane or Shampoo instead?”

She could see how nervous, how uncomfortable he was by the way he was shifting uneasily where he stood; his hands were lying awkwardly at his sides, as if he wasn’t sure what to do with them. “Err, well, I—I guess, that...”

...Ukyo’s heart sped up. “Yes…?” she asked.

“Hell, I don’t know, Ukyo.”

She looked at him in disbelief, and her heart fell. “Yes, you do,” she said, growing angry despite herself. “You’ve always known, so just tell me already!” She had come this far, she wasn’t going to back down now. Not when she finally had him alone, and to herself.

Her eyes drifted unconsciously to her Okonomiyaki cart.

Ranma swallowed nervously. “Well, I—I mean, ya know you’re my best friend, right Ucchan?”

She nodded.

“And—and that we’ll always be friends, right?” He paused, waiting for her to agree. Again, she silently nodded. “An, ya know, I can’t really get outta my engagement to Akane—you know our pops: they’ll never give up—and I know you think you like me an stuff, but you know how relationships can screw up friendships, right? So, how bout we just stay friends? That way, we don’t gotta worry about all that other stuff.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, hopeful.

“But what about Gabriel?” Ukyo asked suddenly. “If you lose Akane, there’s no way your dads will make you marry Kasumi or Nabiki instead. If the Shadow Man wins and he gets her, then—“

Ranma shook his head. “That won’t happen,” he interrupted, his eyes cold and hard at the mere mention of the Shadow Man’s name. “Besides,” he said, lightening his voice. “Once he finally realizes what an uncute tomboy Akane is, he’ll change his mind and beg me to take her back.”

“But what about me,” Ukyo blurted out. “What about my cart! Our dad’s made a promise too!”

Ranma took a couple steps back, and motioned towards the cart sitting behind him. “Err, ‘bout that. It’s right here. Since you got it back, can’t we just... I don’t know... call it even or something?”

Ukyo looked at him in disbelief. “That’s not really my cart,” she said incredulously. “And NO, I CAN’T just ‘call it off!’”

“Ukyo...”

She turned away from him, her hands tightly gripping her spatula for support. Well, I guess I’ve got my answer, she thought angrily. She wiped furiously at the tears forming in her eyes, silently cursing Gabriel and this stupid Game.

This was all his fault.

She never would have asked Ranma if he loved her if not for this stupid nightmare. She hadn’t needed to hear his answer—she hadn’t wanted too—she realized that now. She had been happy just being by his side, waiting for him to come to her of his own free will. She always thought that if she was patient, and understanding, he’d come to his senses eventually...

“Ukyo?” he asked again. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she lied, “I’m fine.”

She took a long, deep breath, staring at the darkness that surrounded her. That’s when she realized that nothing had really changed. She’d always known Ranma put Akane’s engagement before hers—that was the same as before. And he never did come out and say that he loved someone else... all he said was that he can’t get out of Akane’s engagement. It wasn’t long before she felt a new hope begin to stir deep within her. Maybe there was still a chance for them, she thought excitedly. If he really did lose Akane to Gabriel, then she had no doubt he’d choose to marry her over Shampoo...

Wiping away the lingering tears, Ukyo turned to look once more at Ranma. He looked troubled and worried as he watched her, and she felt her heart soar with his concern. He had to love her—he just had too. Maybe he was denying his feelings for her because he felt there was no hope for them….

“You sure you’re okay, Ucchan?” Ranma asked.

This time when she nodded, she meant it. “I’m fine,” she told him. “Let’s try to find a way out of here, huh? I’m sure Akane and Shampoo are waiting for us.” And I’ve got a couple of things to say to Akane, she thought happily.

“Sure,” Ranma said, grinning.

Ukyo grinned back—though she wasn’t grinning for long.

As she watched him out of the corner of her eye, she saw his hand flicker briefly in the dark, just like Shampoo’s had done before disappearing. Oh no, she thought. Ran-chan! She stopped abruptly and turned to look at him, only to see him staring down at his hand, his eyes wide with shock.

“Damn it,” he muttered, staring intently at his hand. “Any idea how I can make it stop?” he asked.

Ukyo shook her head as she grabbed onto his arm. “Don’t worry,” she told him. “I won’t let you disappear.”

Ranma laughed. “Don’t think there’s much you can do, Ucchan,” he said.

The Okonomiyaki chef shook her head fervently. The hand that was holding onto his tightened, even as his arm continued to disappear from beneath. The tighter her grip, however, the weaker and dizzier she felt herself becoming. Then, suddenly, she felt Ranma push her away.

“Ran-chan?”

“Don’t touch me!” he said as he took several large steps back.

Her eyes widened in confusion, and she took a small tentative step towards him. “But—but, Ranma…”

With every step she took, her fiancée took another, larger step back. He shook his head. “Don’t come any closer, Ucchan,” he warned her. “The moment you touched me, you started disappearing too.”

Ukyo looked startled for a moment and she stopped. “W-what?”

Ranma frowned apologetically as he met her wide, confused eyes. “When you held onto my arm a minute ago, I noticed that your hand started to disappear, and you looked like you were about to pass out. But the moment I pulled away, you were fine.“

Ukyo shook her head quickly. Nothing he was saying made any sense. Sure, she had felt a little dizzy... but she would have noticed if she were disappearing….

“I’ll be fine,” she told him, though her voice betrayed her.

“Uh huh,” Ranma said in disbelief. “You will if you stay waaaay over there.”

“But—“

“I’ll be fine,” he insisted. “This is your nightmare—I’m probably just in the way, anyway.”

Ukyo shook her head quickly. Ranma didn’t know that her entire fear revolved around him—she couldn’t let him disappear now. Besides, she didn’t know how to beat her nightmare if he was gone. Maybe the only way to make the door appear, was to stop him from disappearing...

Without another moment’s hesitation, Ukyo closed the remaining distance between them, grabbing on to Ranma’s arm as she did so. “I won’t lose you!” she said defiantly.

Ranma’s eyes widened, and his expression grew grim. “Ukyo, don’t be an idiot!” he said. “You’ll disappear too if you keep talkin’ like that!”

 

“I don’t care,” she replied, avoiding his disapproving stare. “I won’t let my nightmare win!”

Ranma tried to push her away, but every time he did, his hand kept passing right through hers. He sighed in frustration as his clear blue eyes met hers. “Are you crazy?” he shouted. “You can’t beat this thing if you disappear!”

Ukyo shook her head, ignoring his words. “It’s alright,” she insisted. “As long as I’m with you, I’m sure—“

“—Are you listening to yourself?” Ranma demanded. “You’re not making any sense! Did part of your nightmare involve you losing your mind, or something?!”

Her grip on his arm loosened—but only slightly. She could feel the dizziness slowly returning, but she ignored it. “I—I don’t care,” she replied, avoiding his gaze.

Ranma frowned. “Well, I sure as Hell do,” he replied severely. “I’m not gonna let you do something so stupid, Ucchan. Now LET GO!” Ranma tried to pull away again, trying his best to separate them, but his hands refused to retain their grip, and the harder he tried, the stronger she seemed to hold on.

“Will you STOP pushing me away?!” Ukyo shouted.

Ranma frowned as he watched her. “What will hanging onto me achieve, Ucchan?” he asked angrily. “Nothing! We BOTH disappear. But if you stay here, you can still get out.”

Ukyo shook her head in reply. “But I’ll be all alone,” she said softly.

“Maybe that’s the nightmare ya gotta face,” he said.

Ukyo looked at the hand that was gripping tightly to Ranma—really looked at it—and gasped: her hand was slowly beginning to disappear—just like Ranma had said. And the longer and more intently she watched, the more her arm seemed to blink in and out of focus. Startled, she released her grip, and taking a long, deep breath, stepped several feet away from him.

She heard Ranma heave a loud sigh of relief. But her eyes refused to meet his as her gaze drifted unconsciously to the old Okonomiyaki cart that lay abandoned and forgotten behind her.

“You’re right,” she replied at last. She didn’t know what else she could say... Gradually she lifted her eyes to watch Ranma, who was now nothing more than a faint, hazy outline. It wasn’t long before he disappeared completely too, just like Shampoo and Akane.

And he had been smiling. The jerk.

Ukyo fell to the ground beside her cart, and before her the door appeared.

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Akane watched as a new door opened before them: and seconds later, she saw Ukyo slowly emerge. Her head was hanging down, and she was walking slowly, as if in a daze. Once she was out, the door closed behind her, then seemed to merge with the wall, vanishing.

“Ukyo, are you alright?!” Akane asked, walking towards her.

“Is Ranma here?” she asked, ignoring the question.

Akane shook her head. “No. We haven’t seen him at all,” she replied. Taking a step forward, she placed a comforting hand on Ukyo’s shoulder, who casually shook it off.

Slowly, Ukyo lifted her head to meet Akane’s startled gaze. “I’m not giving up on him,” she said suddenly, her words cold and hard. “Just because I made it out, it doesn’t mean I’m giving up,” she finished softly.

Akane, taken aback, silently nodded, unsure how to respond.

Shampoo, however, stared at her in surprise. “How Ukyo survive if she no give up Husband?”

Ukyo sighed as she turned away. “I really don’t want to talk about it,” she replied. “I’m going to forget all about it and concentrate on getting out of this horrible place. Come on,” she said, turning to look at her companions over her shoulder. “We’re on a time limit, right? Let’s get out of here as fast as we can.”

Akane and Shampoo both nodded: they couldn’t agree more.

Walking quickly, all three girls headed off down the hallway, the light from the candles that lined the walls, throwing strange, distorted images against the wallpaper.

And Ranma, back in the attic, threw a punch at an imaginary opponent who wasn’t there….

***

End of Chapter 8

***

Author’s Notes

____________

         Questions? Comments? Flames?

         Let the Flames come: this time, I probably deserve them...

         But to give credit where credit is due: Thanks go to Rumiko

Takahashi, (for creating the Ranmaverse and all the wonderful characters in

it), and to L.J. Smith (for being one of my favorite authors and for

writing so many wonderful books!)

         AND I’ve created a new graphic for this story! Be sure to check it out on my new website: http://ranma-romance.com/game.html.

         WOW! I am SOOO sorry this took so long to finish!! Actually, this was ALWAYS the chapter I dreaded writing the most—even before I decided to write this story! I was never sure how to handle Ukyo’s nightmare, and every time I thought about it, I felt overwhelmed and confused. I actually changed it several times… but I guess I’m happy with how it turned out. To be honest, I’m just SOOOO relieved it’s over and that I can move on to the other nightmares, I don’t even care anymore. J

         Anyway, I hope it wasn’t too disappointing for you. I promise the next chapter will be much better... Well, maybe I shouldn’t say better, but at least you won’t have to wait another year for it. ;)

         Of course, if you’ve read all the books, then I’m sure that you know what’s coming next—so I doubt you’re too eager.

Anyway, see you then! ;)

Ja!

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One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
that word is love.

                     - Sophocles -                     

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My email:
jewellangela@gmail.com

Homepage:
http://ranma-romance.com

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CHAPTER 9