A shadow within a shadow, Sakura watched her quarry. She had noticed
him skulking in the alley behind a local ramen shop shortly after
parting ways with Saotome. Normally, she would have moved on, leaving
him to his business, but with Ranma close by and still in the throes
of the birthing plauge she knew she could take no chances.

When she had finally gotten close enough, the stench of corruption
that assaulted her senses had proven the necesity of her caution,
prompting her to follow him to an abandoned warehouse just outside of
Nerima. Now here she was, waiting for him to leave his lair once more
and allow her to investigate, she had been watching this building for
the better part of the day when when she watched a limo pull up to the
entrance and leave with him inside.

Never once leaving the shadows, she made her way silently to the rear
of the building and after a moment of concentration, leapt onto the
roof. Crossing over to a skylight, she examined the interior, finding
it empty, she let herself in with the aid of one of many gadgets on
her person and dropped to the floor in a combat crouch. After
assuring herslef that she truly was alone, she began a detailed
examination of the buildings interior, searching for any clue as to
her quarry's identity and motives.

Her only warning was the overwhelming sense of corruption that had
originally brought her here, as something struck the back of her neck,
freezing her in place.

"Welcome to my Parlour, said the Spider to the Fly"

The voice was rich and melodic, and at the moment lightly mocking.
Unable to move a muscle, she watched with no small amount of
trepidation as a man in an immaculate business suit walked into her
line of vision. He stood a good head taller than her, appearing to be
in his mid thirties, though his eyes spoke of one who had been around
much longer. He let his eyes bore into hers for a moment as his lips
streched into a thin, cruel, smile, the tips of elongated canines
making themselves known.

"And who might you be, little one? Ahh, thats right, you cant talk
right now, can you? Oh well, who you are, is less important than what
you are, child. Do you know what that is?" He paused a moment to
allow her to consider "What you are, my dear, is a light snack,
something to, shall we say... take the edge off as it were"

With that he grabbed her shoulders and bit into her throat, his
elongated canines easily tearing open her jugular. With almost
obscene sucking noises he guzzled several mouthfulls of blood before
stumbling back and hitting his knees with a strangled yell, a look of
agony mixed with confusion on his face.

The pain and shock of the attack released her from the paralisys and
she wasted no time in shifting to her war form, that of a muscular
huminoid rat. Willing her sword into her hand, she lashed out at the
creature before her, severing the arm he held up to block. Bringing
her blade into position for a follow through strike to the throat, she
was caught compleatly off guard by a kick to her abdomen that threw
her halfway across the room, into a wall of webbing that hadnt been
there a moment before.

"Cursed ratling!! Damn you, and damn your plague tainted blood!"

Struggling in vain against the confining strands she watched as the
man walked over to his severed arm, and touched it with his foot. She
felt a cold hard lump form in the pit of her stomach as the limb
collapsed into a mound of spiders which crawled onto the foot and
dissolved into it while his arm regrew, suit sleeve and all. At that
moment, Sakura knew for a fact that she was dead, the beast before her
would would see to that without question.

"Kumo..." she snarled, the word distorted by her form

"Yes ratling. Kumo." As he approached her his features seemed to melt
"And you shall pay dearly for meddling in my busssinesss.." His form
had finally settled into what looked like an arachnoid centaur, with a
grossly distended body and wickedly sharp claws that twiched in
anticipation.

It walked up to her and gently drew a line across her chest with a
claw, watching the blood well out of the razor cut, noting also that
the wound on her neck had already healed over. "Ssincse I can not
feasst on your juicsess, I sshall feasst on your sscreamss insstead!"

Sakura tried, she tried not to give the beast the satisfaction, but
everone has their limits, though her screams went unanswered. And the
end, when it finally came with the following dawn, was marked by no
one save her killer, whose only regret was that she had not lasted a
little longer.

---

Kuno ran, putting everything he had and more into keeping Saotome in
sight, and when he inevitably lost him, he paused only long enough to
question those who might have seen him pass. All the while, he went
over plan after plan in his mind, trying desperately to come up with a
way of stopping what he had seen.

Winded and footsore, Kuno finally found him, he had wedged himself
into a patch of dry dirt under a small bridge near the edge of town.
Oblivious to the world around him, he stared at something Kuno couldnt
see, although he could guess as to what it might be.

"Saotome."

Ranma shifted slightly, tucking whatever he had been examining under
his leg as he turned to address the kendoist.

"Today aint the best day to mess with me Kuno, you might not like what
you get"

"Of that I am sure Saotome, any more than Hibiki enjoyed 'what he got'
as you put it"

Ranmas head dropped in shame "You saw it all then?"

"Aye, that I did, that and more."

"More?"

There, the slightest pique of curiosity. Kuno knew, that there was no
way he coud physically stop Saotome, if the distraught teenager chose
to end his own life. What he had to do, he realized, was focus the
young martial artists attention elsewhere. Slowly, a plan was begining
to form in his mind, a way to convince Ranma that his present course
of action was unwise. It would work, but it would require revealing
the secrets of his family, revealing their second sight.

"The glass, Saotome, the one you intend to slit your throat with, the
one you are hiding under your leg"

Ranma jerked as if slapped, he tensed as if to run, then slumped back
down. Picking up the aforementioned shard, he toyed with it, drawing
it across his thumb to check it's edge. "Im not sure I really wanna
know how you knew about this Kuno, but honestly, why do you care?
You've hated me since the day we met, why should you care if I do
this?"

"I understand your reasons, Saotome, and in your position I would be
sorely tempted to do the same. If it were merely your life in
question, I would provide a clean dagger and act as your second if you
wished, but this is _not_ the case"

"What do you mean 'This is not the case'?! You saw what happened!
You saw what I did to Ryouga, theres a good chance that I killed him!
This is the only way I can keep from hurting anyone else Kuno. So why
shouldnt I? Why!!"

Keeping his face compleatly passive against Ranma's histerics, he
allowed himself a small sigh of frustration before answering. "I can
give you no definitive answer on that Saotome, I simply know what I
saw. Just as I saw you here, with your throat slit and that piece of
glass in your hand, just as I saw how that sword got under the
training hall. I watched it happen while you were digging for it"

As Kuno went on to describe the scene he had witnessed, Ranma's jaw
dropped further and further, the scene matched his memories to a 'T'
including details that he himself had forgotten. By the time Kuno had
finished his narrative, the piece of glass lay on the ground forgotten
as Ranma climbed to his feet.

"How...?"

"My family has had the sight for generations, Saotome, and has paid
the price. My price you know well, he calls himself the 'Blue
Thunder' and is madly in love with your female half."

"You know? When? How? But...?"

The look of consternation on Saotome's face almost made the revealing
of his secrets bearable, stifling a small chuckle he continued. "I
know, Saotome, He, does not, nor will he ever I suppose"

Puzzlment was evident on Ranma's face as he eyed the kendoist. "I
dont get it... You act like he's someone else, I mean, he's you...
isn't he?"

"He is both Saotome, and neither as well. He comes and goes as he
pleases, as discomfiting as that can be at times. I know not which is
worse however, the days when lies are all I know, or days like today,
when all I see is truth. And the truth that I saw today was this,
should you end your life here and now, uncountable numbers of
innocents shall perish as a result"

"How?"

Kuno's contenance be came grave as he revealed his vision. "I saw a
rain of fire, destroying all in its path, I heard their screams
Saotome, it is not a vision that I would care to see again, though
doubtless it will live on in my nightmares. I dont know if your death
causes it, or if by living you do something prevent it, I simply know,
that if you perish, so shall we all."

Ranma suddnly found himself sitting again, as his legs gave out from
under him in shock. It had seemed so simple a few moments ago, one
quick slash, and he would never have to worry about huring anyone
else... But now that was no longer an option, if there were _any_
chance whatsoever of prediction becoming reality, then there was no
way he could risk it. Looking up at the for once sane kendoist, he
knew that he was going to have to live.

"What then Kuno, what can I do? You dont understand what is happening
to me, hell, I dont understand it. All I know, is that there is so
much anger in me, I feel like I'm gonna blow, and the voices,
Kami-sama the voices, they wont shut up!"

Kuno shook his head. "That, Saotome, is something that you are going
to have to solve for yourself. I have no answers for you."

"Well what about Akane?" Ranma's voice showed mild desperation. "She
saw what happened, she saw what I did to Ryouga..."

"Again," Kuno interrupted, "I know not. You would be better advised
to seek guidance from one more versed in the arts mystical than
myself... Perhaps the crone from the chineese restaurant may have
some wisdom to impart on this matter."

Ranma brightened up slightly at the suggestion. "I suppose you're
right, the old ghoul might have something..."

His rumination was cut off as he _felt_ something change in Kuno, he
looked up to see the swordsman's eyes start to gaze over as his
posture became rigid. Kuno suddenly looked at him as if for the first
time, as his lips curled into an imperious sneer. 'Aw hell...'

"So! The sorcerous dog Saotome has finally fallen before me..." He
drew his Bokken "Well, let it never be said that the scion of House
Kuno is less than merciful... Your end shall be swift knave!"

Twisting on the ground, Ranma lashed out and planted his left foot
into Kunos gut before he could level a blow, knocking the delusional
swordsman into the side of the bridge and rendering him unconcious.
'Damn! Of all the times to space out... Well, that tears it, I have
no choice, but to go back and face the music. Damn, I hope Ryouga's
ok'

Arranging the fallen kendoist into a more comfortable position for his
impromptu nap, Ranma turned and headed back to the scene of the fight.

---

Ichiro was annoyed. Most of the day had been wasted luring that girl
into his trap, and she had turned out to be nezumi... 'Damn that
race!' Of all the shifting breeds, the rats were the only ones who's
blood was unpalatable. His stomach protested slightly, as if the
memory itself hurt, and the worst part was, that he had no one to
blame but himself. He had been so eager to feast on her that he hadnt
bothered tasting the blood first. Sure, breaking her overnight had
calmed him somewhat, but it had also distracted him from his current
task. To make matters even worse, healing the damage done to his
system by the ratlings blood had taken most of the following day,
leaving him dangerously weak and in need of nourishment.

Walking into an establisment near his quarry's he took a seat and
watched as the young cook skillfully worked her trade, mixing batter
and adding toppings at a frantic rate. A girl in a kimono.. no, make
that a man masquerading as a girl in a kimono, came and took his
order. He ate slowly, not really tasteing his okonomiyaki as he
waited for the rest of the patrons to exit the store.

When closing time came around, he found himself alone with the owner
and her crossdressing waitress. Leaving money on the table, he headed
for the door, but instead of exiting, he locked it and flipped the
sign to 'closed'. Turning, he faced the other occupants, finding that
they had armed themselves, one with a sword, and the other, of all
things, with a bakers peel. Letting himself dissolve into his war
form, he couldnt help but laugh at the horror that etched itself
plainly on their faces, as their weapons dropped to the floor.

---

The sun was on the verge of setting when Ranma arrived at the dojo,
and what he found there did not bode well at all. His father was
waiting for him outside the gates, their packs at his feet and a
severe expression on his face.

"Dont bother going in there boy, she's not there, and you're not
welcome... For now anyway." Noting the look of pain on his son's face
he continued. "I've spoken with Soun, and we have agreed that it
would be best if you spent some time away from the Dojo... At least
untill Akane calms down a bit"

Ranma's shoulders slumped in defeat, he knew there was no point in
arguing. "Where.. where is she?"

Genma felt something inside him twist at the expression on his child's
face, but hardened his resolve. "She's at the hospital, waiting for
the results of Ryouga's surgery." Seeing Ranma's look of surprise he
continued on before he could be interrupted. "Yes, he survived,
barely, but he survived. If it had not been for Akane, you would have
torn his throat out... Yes, I saw you Ranma, I saw the whole thing,
and frankly boy, Im dissapointed in you."

Stepping over to Ranma he delivered a stunning smack to the back of
the boy's head. "Just _what_ the hell was that?! Have I not taught
you better than that BOY! Twelve years of training and you lash out
like a common THUG! The Art is about _discipline_ boy, it is about
_control_! How DARE you disgrace our family Art?!"

Ranma fell back, caught completly off guard by his fathers reaction.
His current situation forgotten for the moment, he tried vainly to get
a word in, to explain himself, to explain the rage. He was so
flustered by his fathers assault that he could'nt even get angry, all
he could do was vainly try to compose his thoughts and provide a
response.

Genma was having nothing of it, he knew that this was not the best
idea, but his son _needed_ control, he needed to be able to keep
himself in check. "You were _angry_? What is this?! Who are you,
Akane? Maybe your girl side is going through that time of the month?!
Where is the discipline I taught you boy? So you turned into a rat?
_So What!!_ You turn into a girl several times a day!! Thats no
excuse!!"

With a snort of disgust, he stiff armed Ranma's pack at him hard
enough to knock him back a step. "We are going to take advantage of
this time boy, _you_ are going to train, and you will _keep_ training
untill _I_ decide that you can control yourself. DO YOU UNDERSTAND
ME!!"

Still in shock, Ranma did the only thing he could, he put on his pack
and bowed to his father. "Hai Sensei!"

That settled, father and son took one last look at their home for the
last 8 months, turned around and walked away.

---

Ichiro dropped the husk that had once been Ukyo Kunoji and let out a
sigh of satisfaction. Turning to the unconsious Konatsu he smiled.
Standing, he brought Ukyo's image into his minds eye, studying every
detail. Then he collapsed into a mound of variable sized spiders
which reformed themselves into her image, clothing and all.

Kneeling by Konatsu, he began to shake him, waiting until the kunoichi
awoke, then, staring deeply into Konatsu's eyes, he pushed the boy's
psyche with his will, pushing untill it gave, forcing Konatsu to
literally see things his way. Chuckling softly to himself, he watched
as the emotions played across Konatsu's face, fear, anger, sadness,
loss, confusion, and finally adoration. "Ukyo.. sama.." Yes, this
one would make an adequate servant for now.

Later that evening as he cleaned up the Ucchan, Konatsu was in heaven.
Ukyo loved him! He felt like dancing he was so happy. She loved him,
his Ukyo-sama! She wasnt feeling well however, but she trusted him
with the store, because she loved him. She didnt want anybody coming
between them, so he would tell anybody who asked that she was visiting
family in Kansai.

As he shoved a strange oblong leathery object into a trash bag, he
wondered briefly where it had come from, and what it was, for that
matter, it looked like dried leather and felt like it was full of
sticks... Ahh well, that didnt matter, his mind began swimming with
Ukyo's smile as he finished bagging it and tossed it out in the
dumpster. Wiping down the counter, he came across a lone spider the
size of his palm and looked down at it adoringly. "Ukyo-sama...."


Tbc.