Epilogue 

    She saw the new man at school last week . Kuno's been out of the hospital 
for two weeks now . No permanent damage , but his personality changed overnight 
. His image of himself as the invincible samurai from old was shattered . He's 
much quieter now , going about with a vaguely lost look on his face . He doesn't 
seem unhappy . He just needs to find himself again , hopefully not in another 
illusion .
    Kodachi seems to be content with her new obsession . She approached Nabiki 
yesterday with a offer of extensive cash rewards for nude pics of her Kinnosuke-
sama . Nabiki , quite out of her usual character , declined the offer . 
    Mousse was having very little luck with comforting Shampoo over the loss of 
her Ranma . She seemed hell-bent on getting him back somewhere , but in her 
adhesion to her own laws she was lost as to where to begin . Despite that Mousse 
seemed genuinely happy .
    No one had seen or heard from Ryouga after he had healed up . Those last few 
moments were still so crystal clear in her memory .
    Ranma had stopped once Ryouga had shouted . When he turned around and stood 
straight she had almost fainted . Aside from reopened wounds from his previous 
battles Ranma now had a fresh stab wound low on his ribs . She couldn't tell how 
bad it was but the stain of blood grew as Ranma stood with hands at his sides .
    Then everyone had started to shout at him at once . Only in retrospect could 
she decipher what had been said .
' Ranma ! I'm your fiancée now !" Nabiki had shouted .
' Son , WAIT !' Genma had bellowed .
' Ran-chan don't I LOVE YOU !' Ukyo had screamed .
' I'll KILL YOU !' Ryouga had bellowed a familiar battle cry .
' Ranma come back to us !' Her Father had pleaded .
    Cologne had only looked respectfully on , and perhaps with a hint of  
approval ? All she remembered doing was screaming , or was it crying ?
    In the end none of it mattered . Ranma had raised his hands , oblivious to 
them all . Ryouga had tried to reverse his charge when Ranma had bellowed Shishi 
Hokoudan . Then Ranma had been the epicenter to a explosion of heavy ki that had 
not been seen since the day Ryouga had pulled off the 'Perfect Shishi Hokoudan' 
in that duel . This one surpassed that so called 'perfect' technique . The soft 
earth , so close to the river , crumpled and compressed under the blast . When 
she had gotten to her feet and could see clearly again all that she found was a 
crater . So close to a river it began filling with water almost immediately . 
They had had to pull Ryouga out of the soft earth before he drowned . Caught 
unprepared for his own technique Ryouga suffered relatively severe injuries for 
him . Cracked ribs , broken nose , minor concussion , and such . The slash that 
Ranma had given him was shallow and largely superficial although it was long and 
required over fifty stitches to close .
    It had taken the lost boy only a few days to heal . Once given leave to walk 
about freely he had promptly gotten lost . This time on purpose . During his 
convalescence it had been explained to him that this was not just a normal fight 
that had gotten out of hand .
    Ryouga had never planned to kill Ranma , only uncontrovertibly defeat him 
for all time . Ranma lashing out at him and actually wounding him had sent the 
lost boy's already uncontrolled anger into blind rage . He had not even known he 
had stabbed Ranma . 
    After seeing Ryouga's true vindictiveness towards Ranma she doubted he felt 
guilty . Most likely she imagined he felt confused more than anything . Perhaps 
he had gotten lost as a way to find Ranma . It held to be a tried and true 
method in the past .
    Not long after Ryouga's convalescence ended her Father had elected for a 
expedition to find Ranma . Genma had already left . His excuse was that he could 
not wait to find Ranma . She thought it had more to do with a phone call from 
the Saotome residence on their answering machine . 
'Genma , you know who I am , and I know what you are .' Nodoka had started out 
in a voice like ice . 'Our son told me all I need to know . Hide in the Tendo 
residence if you will , I will not soil it with your blood . But if we meet 
anywhere else your life is forfeit .'
    After making arrangements for correspondence courses and Nabiki setting up 
everything financially for her Father she and Nabiki had set out after Ranma . 
It was a cold trail at best . Ukyo had closed and subsequently sold shop in only 
two days before setting off after Ranma . They had started out a week after the 
last battle . 
    Ranma had left no trace . Cologne had given them some unofficial advice as 
they left Tokyo . According to her Ranma would most likely not head to China , 
he knew there was no cure there . She had also mentioned to them two more things 
. One : it was a good possibility , about a forty percent chance , that Ranma 
was in fact , dead . If that was the case she suggested they honor his memory 
and move on , honoring his wishes . Two : if they did find him there was no 
guarantee that he would listen to them . If that was the case , again it might 
be best to honor his wishes .
    So far they could only visit the places that Genma had surmised that he 
might visit or hide out at . Out of a long , long list , none had even seen or 
heard of Ranma in years .
    Now she sat on a mountain trail , waiting for Nabiki to finish washing up 
after their dinner . The sun set out here was absolutely stunning . Still , the 
creative curses of her sister about mosquitoes was enough to distract her from 
both the vista and her worries . For now at least .



    So far she had completely struck out . But just a few weeks of failure was 
no where near enough to deter her in the least . She had searched and found him 
after ten long years . She could and would do so again , but hopefully this time 
it would not take so long . 
    Thanks to the Yatti she had bought before leaving she was never entirely 
broke . Out of frugal preference she favored sleeping outdoors in a warm bedroll 
to the more expensive option of a hotel . 
    Every town she passed through she made a through check for Ranma . It was 
fairly easy . Female customers being natural rumormills . A boy of his 
extraordinary martial arts prowess would be noticed quickly and become the 
subject of gossip just as quickly . It was only a matter of time before she 
found him again . 



    With a tired sigh I plop myself down on my bed . I lay there for a few 
moments before a full body stretch . I know I heal fast , but this is somewhat 
amazing . 
    Two weeks and three days ago I woke up in the middle of the night to the 
sound of my own groaning . I had lived . 
    Before the full apex of the Shishi Hokoudan I leapt and thrust the blast 
downward to keep the full force from hitting everyone else . I had made it into 
the river . Well , more like I fell into the river . My more buoyant form 
allowed me to drift downstream even as I fought to remain conscious . 
    A sandbar a few kilometers downstream had allowed me to gather my strength 
and get to the bank before finally passing out .
    The fact that I woke up that night proves that my body seems to have 
regenerative powers . I could barely roll over onto my back before I fell asleep 
again . However , sometime around noon the next day I was able to stand . 
    The walk back to Tokyo was a long one . I never realized just how much 
ground I can cover when I'm leaping about . I waited until dark before actually 
moving into Tokyo . The way I looked , blood soaked , and beaten up , I'd 
attract police attention I simply did not need .
    I had made it back to my hiding place . A alley frequented only by the 
homeless . A place where anyone could stand in the open and only be part of the 
background . The others wanted to help me . I had protected them in the past . 
So I declined their offers of direct assistance , I could not tax what little 
they had . 
    Changing into my final set of clothing I made one last errand in Nerima the 
next day . I bought two outfits and donated my old one to a guy in the alley who 
had been kindest to an outsider like me .
    Then I had skipped Nerima on a bus and recalled my final stand .
    Even now I wonder at how lucky I had been in that final plan . Earlier in 
the week there had been a few minor land slides in that area . I had watched a 
few clips of life footage . One of them had been of a sinkhole that had opened 
up in the area due to the loose soil . It had reminded me of the crater that 
Ryouga had made during our duel over the Shishi Hokoudan and my Moko Takabasha .
The memory had logged itself away until a lull in our final fight . I had been 
wondering why he did not use the Shishi Hokoudan . Then where I was nearby and 
the news story clicked in my mind . 
    I had already planned to lose everyone by using a big Shishi Hokoudan so 
there was no real change of plans . Still the fact that I could think under such 
conditions still amazes me . 
    I had finished planning during my long walk back to Tokyo . I needed a 
disguise . Nothing new for me there . But this time it had to be a good one . 
One that I could live under . No , not a disguise but a new identity . Saotome 
Ranma was dead finally . Saotome had died with his mother . Ranma had expended 
himself in his final stand against all odds , just like he would have wanted . 
'So who am ?' I had thought to myself . 
    It dawned on me slowly . I was both genders , as I was no longer a 'man-
among-men' being a girl was no limitation but a tool .
    Once out of Nerima I had rented a hotel for one night and set another long 
plan into motion . I hoped this would be my final plot . 
    First I purchased brown colored contacts . No blue eyes in my description 
for either form . Then black hair dye . In my male form it makes no visible 
difference but in my female form my hair stays black . Before I dyed my hair I 
took out the dragon's whisker and let it grow down to my waist in my girl form  
before tying it back again . So now I had brown eyes and black hair just like 
everyone else . 
    Now for a new identity . I still don’t know if this is temporary or who I 
will become permanently . Frankly I don't care much anymore . I contacted one of 
the computer crackers that I recalled from Nabiki's files . With a hearty sum of 
money he was more than happy to create personallized school , medical , and 
other records for a Kamiya Sachi , age seventeen , sex female . 
    I doubt that Cologne would even think I'd start a new life as a girl . I 
didn't either . It was the cracker's idea , he heard a female voice on the phone 
and of course assumed the rest . The name was from me though , I heard him 
mumble about not being good with girl's names and I just went along with the 
rest . 
    With my new identity being processed I spent a few more nights in capsule 
hotels and hunting for a job that I could do well without attracting attention . 
I found it about the same time everything was set up and paid for . 
    Now I'm Kamiya Sachi , a young girl , orphaned at age fourteen by a car 
crash . Living on her own by choice , working as a bike messenger and part time 
at the nearby Kaiyama Kassin ryuu Dojo . I live in a mid sized art studio now 
being rented out as an bare bones furnished apartment . It's perfect for me , 
hardwood floor , sparse furniture , small kitchen , small bathroom , mostly open 
space with a high ceiling . Just the essentials . As I'm on the ground floor I 
can practice without disturbing my neighbor above me . 
    She's nice enough to me . Even though she's only two years my senior she 
treats me somewhat like a child . But I don't complain , at least I know who to 
come to for domestic questions .
    Next week I should be starting school again . It's a nice school this time , 
no real reputation , no craziness , just normal kids . I'm registered as a girl 
, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem . I'm working on a little thing to 
keep me a girl when I'm in a dress . It's like a leg band , inside I have cold 
water that's insulated from my body heat . When my legs expand during the change 
it snaps and gives me enough cold water to halt and reverse a accidental hot 
water incident . Aside from that I just have to be careful in public , besides 
my week after the necklace taught me that hot water avoids me and cold hunts me 
, doesn't really matter which form I'm in . 
    My alarm goes off and I hop over the table and click it off . I'm already in 
my biking gear and ready to work . 
    I'm walking my bike out the door when my neighbor comes down the stairs . 
" Sachi-san !" She hails .
" Konnbanwa , Fumi-san !" I call back and wave . Not my old hyper-cutezy act , 
now a natural response . I'm not trying to be a man-among-men or a perfect 
little kawaii girl , I'm just trying to get by .
" Sachi-san , could you do a job for me ?" She hustles up with a parcel .
" Sure ," I smile . " But I'm afraid I'll still have to charge …"
" Here ." She hands me double my normal rate tip included . " I know it's out of 
your way , but could you do it before you come home tonight ?" 
" Only if you tell the Dojo I'll be late ." I take both money and package .
" Not a problem ," She nods . 
" Where to then ?" I've already placed the parcel in the bike's saddlebags , and 
the money in my hippack .
" This address , it's for a old school friend of mine ." She follows me out the 
door .
" Oh ?" I straddle the bike . " Where ? From around here ?"
" No , my old school in Nermia ward , Furinkan high ." She tells me as I peddle 
off .
    It takes all my effort not to react until I'm out of her sight .
    The whole day's deliveries fly by for me . I avoid attention even when 
riding on a fence or carrying my bike and hopping over traffic would be faster . 
I check the address she marked on the parcel . It's the Tendo residence all 
right . For Tendo Kasumi to be precise .
    I take a deserted back route just so I can up my speed to around fifty to 
sixty kilometers per hour without anyone seeing . I'm deep in Nerima at least 
thirty minuets before I should be . I slow to a stop before the turn onto the 
Dojo's block . 
    This could blow what little I've gotten together right outta the water . 
Then again by phonecall Fumi could ask Kasumi if she got the package from her 
neighbor messenger . If I give the job to anyone else it could still be blown . 
Well , I never did like not facing something .
    Nothing about the place has changed . I guess I shouldn't expect anything to 
have , Ranma's hasn't been gone for a month yet . It takes longer than that to 
undo over a year of damage . 
    I leave my bike at the gate and waltz up to the door . Kasumi opens it 
before I can even knock . 
" Ah , you must be Kamiya Sachi-san ." Kasumi bows politely to me . " Fumi-chan 
, told me that you'd be delivering it ." 
" Konnbanwa , Tendo-san ." I bow to her formally , as to a superior . 
    Without further word I hand her the parcel . SO far I haven't seen any 
recognition or suspicion in her at all . Then again I never could read her when 
she didn't want to be read .
" Please come inside ." She offers , after taking the small box . " I know it 
must have been a long ride ." 
" Gomen nasai ," I bow again . " I couldn't impose ." 
" I insist ." She stepped aside to make way . It would be rude to refuse now .
" Domo arigato Tendo-san ." I scuttle inside .
    I take great care in looking about and not heading directly to the living 
room , I'm not supposed to be familiar with the layout of the house .
    Wordlessly she ushers me into the living room where she already has a glass 
of water waiting for me . I quick check with my peripheral vision and other 
senses confirm the absence of any other person in the house and of any hot water 
kettles in the room . Be that as it may , I don't dare relax my guard .
    Politely waiting for her to do so first I sit and take a glass of water 
after confirming the presence of ice in it .
" You see , Fumi-chan is a writer ." Kasumi began , as she carefully opened the 
box . " I'm sure you already knew that . But , she first writes all of her 
outlines in longhand . What she does is send me a copy of the finished book and 
the original outline ." She pauses and blushes slightly . " It's an odd hobby 
but I like to compare the outline with how the final copy turns out ." 
    I only nod meekly in acknowledgement . The sooner I'm out of here the better 
for all concerned .
    She takes out the hardback book 'Saffron Robes , Black Kimono' , and the 
handwritten outline titled 'Hidden in the Monastery' . I sip the water and 
pretend to rest as she oohs and aahs over the two objects . Finally she politely 
sees me to the door and dismisses me .
    The second I'm around the corner and out of sight I pick up the pace to 
about as fast as I've seen any normal bike messenger ride . I'm on full paranoid 
alert the whole way home .
    Once home I lock everything and close all the windows for the night . Then 
it's a nice shower and a good few hours lounging about as guy . I suppose I 
still have no name in my guy form . Or is it now I'm a girl that turns into a 
guy ? I may just be turning into Ukyo in that respect .
    I know I should be dwelling on things and all emotionally worked up after 
being in the Tendo house again . But , you know ? I did my final duty to 
everyone then I died for all intents and purposes . 
    Saotome Ranma is dead , yup , I killed him . But whoever I am now still 
remains to be seen . I guess when I cut through the tangle I gave everyone a 
change to be free , even myself . 
    I have no idea who I am anymore , but I always did like a challenge . I won 
in me against everyone . Now it's me against me , this should be interesting .

         End Epilogue 


C&C welcome .   Ghaleon_WG@hotmail.com
Whether or not I write a continuation to this depends on reader response . HINT 
, HINT THERE ! 
    I know this was a long and complex fic so feel free to flood me with 
questions , comments , et cetera .
    This has to be the longest single fic I've written to date (6-3-2000) so I'm 
going to go off and let my fingers ache and my brain misfire for a while . 
Ja Ne!