Trials and Tribulations XIV



Ranma lay on the hard floor of his cell, shivering as he looked up at 
the sky through the barred windows. The silence was complete, and for 
the first time in weeks, Ranma was able to contemplate his situation. 
< Ryouga is in trouble for sure, and Issoku is supposed to be helping 
me save him,> Ranma frowned,< but what he wants from me in return is so 
confusing> He already knew he belonged with Ryouga and none other. He 
could feel it as his cheeks flushed and his brow furrowed with worry at 
the same time at the mere thought of the lost boy. < I guess I just have 
to tell Issoku… the truth> Ranma shivered and bit back the feeling of 
fear that wanted to jump out at him as those violet eyes popped back 
into his mind. But now they were angry, and the anger was directed at 
him. Restless, he decided to get up and move around. His thoughts 
turned over and over in his head as he thought of how to approach 
Issoku, as he followed the puff of air in front of his cold face. 



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As the night waned on, Ryouga’s eyes still stayed wide open and afraid 
of the tall demon sleeping on the floor beside him. Careful not to make 
too much noise, he pulled himself into a sitting position and sat there, 
silently staring at the wall in front of him. He couldn’t bring himself 
to think of Ranma, it hurt too much. The memory of that last kiss was 
seared into his brain so vividly that he could almost feel that soft 
skin under his hands and lips again, and taste the warm breath of Ranma 
as he gasped in surprise.< But now,> Ryouga hung his head,< that bastard 
Issoku has taken him away from me!> Stifling a sob, Ryouga looked back 
to the floor and gasped. There Ousui lay, smiling up at him menacingly. 

“ What,” Ryouga cleared his throat, “ What do you want… master?” 

Ousui’s eyes narrowed. “ Are you hungry?” 

Ryouga’s stomach growled in testament of his recent lack of eating and 
he colored at Ousui’s amused gaze. “ Eat from my pack.” 

Startled, Ryouga just stared at Ousui until his hunger was spurred into 
action. He ran over to Ousui’s knapsack and found in there a loaf of 
bread big enough to feed a family. A flicker of unease settled around 
Ryouga as he wondered how he might have acquired this, but soon enough 
he shook off the feeling and took a cautious bite. 

Just seconds later, Ryouga fell back to the floor as he felt a 
tightening around his chest. The loaf of bread fell to the floor, and a 
smug Ousui moved into his line of vision. “ Still hungry?” 

Whimpering, Ryouga clutched at his heart. 

“ Don’t worry little ningen, I won’t let you die,” Ousui smiled, “ I 
still need you to carry me into the Ningenkai.” 

Ryouga’s head snapped up and he stared at Ousui in confusion and fear. 
“ Wait, didn’t I tell you? Well, I’ll be using your body as 
transportation…indefinitely. P-chan too,” Ousui laughed, “ You must be 
stupid if you didn’t think I knew about that! You and your pretty 
friend.” 

“ Leave him alone!” 

SLAP! 

Ryouga cried out in terror as he looked into Ousui’s mad eyes, his hand 
still high in the air from the resounding slap. 

“ I’ll do what I please with him,” He smiled, “ I’ll even make sure he 
gets a treat later on.” 


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“ Ryo…Ryo…” Ranma tossed and turned in his sleep as visions of the lost 
boy danced in his head. Touches, caresses, and playful laughter 
permeated his dream, and he bit his lip to keep from screaming out. 
“ Ryo, don’t leave…” 

*creak * 

Ranma opened his eyes quickly to see Issoku leaning over him with a 
frown on his face. Ranma blushed, “ Hai…gomen.” 

“ That’s alright….but this is not, they’re gone.” 

“WHAT!” 


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Ranma and Issoku silently crept down the corridor, ears open for any 
stray sounds. Ranma could hear is blood thumping in his ears rapidly as 
he struggled to stay calm. He took a deep breath and focused on Issoku's 
back before him as he moved on. 

They soon came to the entrance way of Ousui's cell, and were greeted 
with a dark and empty room devoid of life. Issoku's violet eyes widened 
in surprise, but then sooned narrowed with anger. Ranma looked over at 
him quickly as he heard a low growl start in the back of his throat. 

"Damn him! He crossed over, the lucky bastard." 

" Crossed over?" Ranma asked in a weary voice. 

Issoku looked back and stared at him for what seemed to be eternity. 
Ranma fidgeted under the heavy gaze." Ranma, are you willing to give 
your life for this Ryouga?" 

Startled, Ranma glanced down and cursed as he felt his cheeks heat up.
"Yes." Looking up hesitantly, he felt momentary fear as he saw Issoku's 
eyes narrow even more," Yes, I do." 

"Very, well then." Turning his back to Ranma, he marched down to the far 
corner of Ousui's cell and knelt in the darkness that pervaded it. Ranma 
felt chills run down his spine as he saw his violet eyes glow in the 
dark. Suddenly, without warning, a scraping sound, followed by the 
emergence of some sort of vortex appeared on the floor and took all of 
Ranma's attention. 

Ranma held his breath and glanced at Issoku in confusion," Are we....?" 

Issoku smiled," After you." 

Gulping down his fear, Ranma asked one last question," Why haven't all 
the other inmates escaped yet?" 

" This place is far better than death." 

"That's not what I wanted to hear." 

There was a great wooshing sound and suddenly silence pervaded the space,
a silence even deeper than the silence before. 


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Twigs and various tree brush clattered and banged against Ranma’s 
wretched form as he struggled to stay with Issoku. Panting, he started to
run as he feared losing Issoku as he rounded the corner. “ Wait!” 

Suddenly, Ranma bumped into a warm figure, and nearly fainted as he felt 
arms going around him. Looking up, he met Issoku’s hungry gaze and opened
his mouth in confusion. Taking the advantage, Ranma was soon left without 
words as a warm wet mouth plundered his own. 

* slap * 

“ Keep your hands to yourself!” 

Issoku’s smile vanished and he reached up to touch the red spot that now 
covered the left side of his face," You need me in this place, you 
haven't seen anything yet," He smiled, “ You’ll regret your choice.” 

Ranma blinked as Issoku stomped passed him. A shiver went through him as 
a gust of wind shook the trees.He gasped, and stumbled forward as his 
eyes struggled to take in what he'd seen. His blood froze in horror as 
he stared beyond the tree line, to the swamp land before them. 




To Be Continued …