People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest.

Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right.

It was a warm evening, the night everything changed. The Tendos and Saotomes were halfway through dinner. A cool breeze swept through the house sending a chill down Akane's back. After a minute of almost no conversation whatsoever, Ranma sat his chopsticks down and made an announcement.

"Well, I'm moving out tomorrow", he said.

There was another silence as the families processed what they just heard. Ranma just nonchalantly picked up his chopsticks and continued eating as if he had said nothing.

Then he winced as he heard a very loud "WHAT" coming from everyone but Kasumi.

Naturally, the first people to speak up were Mr. Tendo and Genma Saotome.

"How can you simply abandon you're duties to the Saotome school of Anything Goes, boy", yelled Genma.

Ranma simply kicked his father into the koi pond and continued eating. That is until Soun confronted him with his demon head technique.

"How dare you abandon you fiancé Ranma".

Ranma ignored him.

"Ranma can do whatever he wants. It's his life," said Akane.

This diverted Souns' attention from Ranma to Akane. He quickly broke down in tears as he said, "Oh my baby girl has become an old maid."

This set off Akane's legendary temper. The next thing Soun knew, he was in the koi pond right next to Genma.

Akane sat back down and continued her meal.

"Where will you be living Ranma" asked the always kind Kasumi.

Ranma took another bite of his meal before answering, "I'm sorry but I can't tell you that with Nabiki in the room."

"Ranma, when have I ever done anything to you to warrant such distrust?" asked Nabiki in faux-innocents.

Both Ranma and Akane raised an eyebrow at this.

Ranma quickly shrugged it off, "Look, I'm sorry for springing this on you guys all of a sudden. If I had said something even a week ago, everyone in town would know. One way or another. I just want a chance to live my life without every other person telling me what to do."

Kasumi took a sip of her tea and said, "We understand. Just don't forget to occasionally come and visit."

Ranma couldn't help but smile, "don't worry, I won't".

The conversation died out soon after. Akane remained uncharacteristically quiet the rest of the evening.

That night, at around two in the morning, Akane lay in bed, wide-awake. Stupid Ranma. How could he just up and leave like this. I can understand going on a training trip, or a vacation, but moving out entirely. That's it, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind.

Just then, she heard a tapping at her window. She got up, opened the window, and came face to face with a pair of bright blue eyes.

"I was hoping you'd be awake," said Ranma.

"What are you doing here at two in the morning," responded Akane.

"I just wanted to tell you goodbye"

It was then Akane noticed that Ranma was holding a very large pack.

"You're leaving now", she said.

"If I try to leave in broad daylight, I run the risk of people trying to stop me or being followed to where I'm going to live."

"I guess that's true. Ranma, how could you just leave us like this? Were you unhappy, was it something we did. I know you and I fight all the time but I thought that even through it all, we were friends."

Akane started to tear up and Ranma quickly explained, "It's nothing like that. You guys are the closest thing to a family I've ever had. I would do anything for you guys. Even Nabiki. I just want a chance to live my own life. No fiancé's, no one trying to pick a fight every five minutes, and no one trying to drug my food."

There was an awkward silence between the two before Ranma looked her in the eye and casually asked, "Wanna come with me?"

Akane's eyes went wide. She quickly started to think of every reason not to go. What will people think? I can't just leave my family. What will we do about money? What about school? What if Shampoo or Ukyo find out.

She sighed and noticed that she had left Ranma hanging. She looked at him and said, "Well my head says no and listed hundreds of reasons why I can't go. But in the end, I want freedom just as much as you do."

Ranma smiled at her, "Great, let's go".

"Wait Ranma, I have to pack first."

"No need, I got all you're cloths in my pack right here."

Ranma opened his pack for Akane to see. She quickly blushed upon realizing that Ranma had been in her underwear drawer. I'll hit him for it later

She then took Ranma's hand and they leaped out the window, over the gate, and into the night.

Ukyo couldn't figure it out but, some part of her told her that she needed to be awake at two in morning. As she cooked an early breakfast okonomiyaki, she stared out her window. Why am I awake right now? It's not like anything's going to happen.

Just then, she spied Ranma and Akane run by. Where are they running too this early? Before she knew it, she was running out after them.

"Hold it right there you two" she said.

Ranma, despite his better judgment, halted. He and Akane turned around slowly, awaiting the argument and/or fight that was about to ensue.

Ranma instantly thought of every excuse he could make as to why he and Akane were running around with a large pack at two in the morning.

However, all he got out was "…...hey….Ukyo."

Ukyo gave them both a cold glare. They both look like they were doing something they shouldn't. Ranma is carrying a large pack and Akane can't seem to make eye contact with anyone. Oh my god, they aren't eloping are they.

"Where are you going so late at night?" asked Ukyo.

Ranma had an expression on his face like a deer caught in the headlights. Ok Ranma, dad has been in these situations all the time. What would he do? Then his father's voice came into his head. "Ranma, when all else fails, lie. And if that fails, beg for forgiveness. And if that fails, run."

Ranma looked over at Ukyo, "We're going on a training trip."

"Just you and Akane," questioned Ukyo.

Akane nervously smiled, "Uh yeah, we needed to get an early start."

Ukyo eyeballed them both. They're obviously lying. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to be sad. After all, she just lost Ranma. In the end however, there was just something super romantic about the whole situation. She had a million thoughts that she wanted to vocalize. I guess I never really stood a chance against Akane. Ranma, I love you but….you're not mine.

She looked over at Akane, "You better take care of him Akane."

Akane simply nodded.

Then, simply to get one last jab at Akane, Ukyo walked over to Ranma and embraced him.

She whispered in his ear, "Stay safe on your trip and come back safely." Then she grabbed the back of his head and planted a small, soft kiss on his lips.

As Ukyo went back inside her restaurant, Akane gave Ranma a glare.

Ranma quickly interpreted the glare and said, "We'll argue later, we have to go."

Konatsu came down about twenty minutes later, wondering why the lights were on downstairs. He yawned as he went over the light switch. Then he heard a noise. It sounded like a sniffling. He looked around and noticed Ukyo huddled in the corner, crying.

"Miss Ukyo, what's wrong," he asked.

Ukyo quickly wiped her tears, "Nothing why do you ask?"

"Miss Ukyo, you know you can tell me anything. Now what's wrong?"

"I don't want to talk about."

Konatsu sighed, if she didn't want to talk, he wouldn't force her. He turned around to go back upstairs until he heard, "Wait."

Konatsu turned around as Ukyo said, "If you don't mind, could you please stay down here with me for a little while."

Konatsu didn't say a word. He just walked over and sat down next to here. The next thing he knew, she was leaning on him.

Seven years later

It had been seven years since Ranma and Akane moved to their small house just outside the city. Ranma had been able to buy it with some money he had made from doing several years worth of odd jobs around the city. They grew their own food since they hardly ever returned to the city for fear of being caught by one of the fiancés. Their lives were simplistic but neither would have it any other way.

Their relationship had changed drastically since they left. Sure, when they first got to the house, they argued for almost four weeks straight. All because Ukyo had kissed Ranma for exactly .5 seconds.

Several months later, Ranma had finally decided to man up and asked Akane, "You wanna go on a picnic tomorrow."

Akane smiled and just to rub it in asked, "Are you asking me out on a date Ranma".

Ranma could feel sweat starting to form on his head as he answered, "Yeah, I am."

They set up their meal next to a small lake that was near their house. Ranma had decided to bring with him a radio.

"I found this in the basement yesterday when I was cleaning it," he said.

"I guess some music would be nice", said Akane as she took a bite from her sandwich.

Ranma fiddled with the dial on the radio until he found something.

…I believe when I fall in love with you it will be forever.

Ranma got up and extended his hand to Akane. She smiled and took it. They must have danced for hours because they looked over the horizon and the sun was setting.

A year later, Akane was tossing and turning in her bed. What's wrong with me? Why can't I sleep? I wonder if Ranma ever has this much trouble sleeping. Probably not. That jerk could sleep through a meteor shower or an 8-hour tape of Kodachi laughing.

At that point, Akane's frustration had gotten the better of her. She got out of bed to go yell at Ranma, simply so he could suffer with her.

She stepped inside his room quietly but something happened. She tripped over a dumbbell that Ranma had carelessly left on the floor. Akane had found herself now in Ranma's bed with Ranma who was fast asleep.

She was about to get up when she felt something. Warmth. Suddenly she felt Ranma's arm around her, pulling her close.

"You could have knocked first", he said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," Akane lied.

"You woke me, the minute you opened the door."

"You were faking the whole time".

"Yup."

Akane sighed. Then she impulsively decided to get underneath the blankets with Ranma. She lightly punched him in the arm saying, "You'll pay in the morning."

They had been sharing a bed ever since.

It took almost six months for Ukyo to finally get over Ranma. It was freeing for her her. She was happier than she had ever been. There was no more heartache, wondering what Ranma was doing and whom he was doing it with. And there were no more constant battles with Shampoo or Kodachi.

She smiled as Konatsu came down from their apartment upstairs. He had been such a good friend to here since Ranma left. It wasn't long after her new lease on life that Konatsu had asked her out on a date. He had gone so far as to even dress in boys cloths for the occasion.

Then one date led to more. Now, Konatsu was coming downstairs with the most valued thing in both their lives. He held in his arms a baby girl named Keiko. She had been named after Konatsu's mom.

With the baby in their lives, neither one of them could stop smiling. She looked so much like her father but she had her mothers' eyes.

Their happiness would unfortunately be cut short.

It was Keiko's fifth birthday when a terrible tragedy occurred.

Konatsu was walking home with a birthday cake in his arms. He was only a few blocks away from Ucchan's when out of nowhere, a drunk driver ran into him.

"Momma, when's daddy getting back?" asked Keiko.

Ukyo looked at her daughter and smiled, "He should be back any minute with you birthday cake."

Several hours later, Ukyo was sitting in front of a hospital. She had sent Keiko to her dad's house for the time being.

A tear went down her face. He's gone. What am I going to do now? What am I going to tell Keiko?

After getting done with various paperwork and grieving for over an hour, Ukyo went home.

She started digging through the various cabinets that adorned her kitchen until she found what she was looking for. I haven't seen you since I first got here.

She unscrewed the lid on the vodka bottle and announced, "To my darling Konatsu". Then she took a swig. The swig soon turned into a gulp. The next thing she knew, the bottle was empty.

Two years later

Akane and Ranma were sneaking their way back through the city. They were going back to their home after a visit to their families.

"I can't believe Kasumi and Dr. Tofu are engaged," said Akane.

"I guess a lot changes in few years," said Ranma.

Akane then turned around and gave Ranma a cute smile, "I'll race you home."

They were about take off when they heard a scream.

"Follow me," said Ranma as he took off in the direction of the scream.

"Get away from me" Keiko shouted at a group of four street punks that were harassing her.

"This couldn't be any simpler little girl. Pay us 2000 yen and you can cross the bridge and go home to your mommy. You don't want us to get rough."

The lead punk then grabbed Keiko by the hair and threw her down on the ground. Keiko looked up and found herself surrounded by all four of them.

Then suddenly, a pigtailed figure ran up and jump kicked one of the punks in the face.

"You shouldn't pick on little girls," he said.

The three remaining punks looked over at him, "This is none of your business. Now get lost before you get hurt, pretty boy." They each reached into their pockets and pulled out switchblades.

Then a girl with dark blue-black hair knocked another punk out from behind. She then quickly took her place next to the guy with the pigtail.

Who are these people, thought Keiko?

After the thought left her head, the remaining two punks were on the ground, unconscious.

The pigtailed guy came up to her and asked, "Are you all right?"

Keiko slowly nodded. The experience left her feeling light headed. So much so, that she passed out.

"What do we do with her?" asked Ranma as he picked her up.

Akane thought for a moment, "Let's take her back to our place until she wakes up."

Keiko woke up an hour later. She was in a strange room and had virtually no idea how she got there.

"Oh you're awake," said a strange voice.

Keiko looked around to find a shorthaired lady sitting next her.

"Who are you?" asked Keiko.

"I'm Akane, you wanna be friends" said Akane with a very bright smile.

Keiko nodded. Then she noticed a ring on Akane's left ring finger.

"Where did you get that ring?" she asked.

"Oh this, my fiancé Ranma gave it to me."

"How romantic."

Ranma soon walked in asking, "Is she awake yet?"

Keiko took one look at Ranma and then whispered into Akane's ear, "He's very handsome."

Ranma then took a seat next to his fiancé and the two of them spent some time getting to know their houseguest.

They didn't know that the whole time, they were being watched.

Ryoga drew back from the window. In the year that Ranma and Akane left, Ryoga had tried to focus on his relationship with Akari.

The relationship however ended badly.

"How could you do something so horrible?" shouted Akari

"I was only protecting her from that scumbag Ranma" Ryoga shouted back.

"Protecting her how? By turning into a pig and spying on her, or sleeping in her bed, or watching her change. What kind of protection is that?"

"If you'll just let me explain."

"Get out. I don't ever want to see you again."

They argued for another hour but in the end, Ryoga was in his pig form and being hauled off and beaten by Akari's sumo pigs.

As Ryoga stumbled away, the only thoughts in his head were, fine I don't need her. I have Akane. I bet she's just waiting for me to come and rescue her from Ranma.

So, almost 9 years later, here he was. Looking into Ranma and Akane's house. Staring at Akane, her husband Ranma, and their child.

He stole Akane from me and married her. That should be my child in there, not his. Ranma, you will pay.

He left, knowing he would be back soon. He decided to come back with help. He knew there had to be several people who would love to get revenge on Ranma.

An hour later, Ranma was standing in front of Keiko's house.

"Ucchan's. Don't tell me your Ukyo's girl."

"Did you know my mom?" asked Keiko.

"A long time ago."

"Wanna come in and say hi?"

"No, that's all right. I doubt she'd wanna see me."

"Ok, thanks for saving me."

"No problem. Oh, Akane wanted me to tell you that you can come over anytime you want."

With that, Ranma left.

Keiko walked into her house where she noticed her mother passed out on the stairs leading up to their rooms. Ukyo's eyes lazily opened, "Where have you been."

Keiko could tell her mom had been drinking again. She had been doing that a lot since her dad died. Not to mention, she had taken up smoking. Keiko shook her head, "I've been with some friends."

"You were supposed to come home to help with the restaurant," slurred Ukyo.

"I'm sorry mom," said Keiko as she walked over to Ukyo.

Keiko helped her mom up and they slowly made their way to Ukyo's room.

Over the next three months, Keiko had become a regular guest at Ranma and Akane's house.

"Here Akane, this is for you. Happy birthday" Keiko said as she handed Akane a box with a bright red ribbon on it.

"Thank you Keiko," said Akane as she opened the box. Keiko had given her a small black and white harlequin mask. It had dark circles around the eyes, with black triangles above and below the eyelids. The lips of the mask were painted black with two lines on each side to extend the smile.

Keiko looked up at Akane, "So what did Ranma get you?"

Akane looked over at Ranma and then smiled. She put her hand over her stomach and said, "He gave me something wonderful."

"I know where Ranma and Akane are," said Ryoga as he sat in the Nekohanten. He had made a point of calling together a party consisting of Shampoo, Tatewaki, Kodachi, and Gosunkugi.

"Well, spit it out," shouted the elder Kuno.

Shampoo hit Tatewaki over the head, "What point. Even if he remember, he never be able to show us. Lousy sense of direction."

"That's where you're wrong," said Ryoga.

"What you talking about," asked Shampoo.

Ryoga reached into his backpack and pulled out what looked like a compass. "I got this after accidently wandering into some ancient ruins. In simple terms, it's a magic compass. All I have to do is think of the place I want to go and it will lead me straight to it."

He looked around and asked, "Where's Mousse. I'm surprised he's not here."

Shampoo coldly said, "When great grandmother give up on Ranma and go home, Shampoo force stupid Mousse to go with."

"Too bad. I'm sure he'd enjoy getting back at Ranma and Akane for all the years of toying with us. All the years of pain and heartache, they caused. My life was destroyed because of those two. And it's time we paid them back for all of it."

Evil smiles appeared on everyone in the group.

"When do we attack," asked Kodachi.

Ryoga took one last look at them all and said, "Tonight."

That night, Akane sat quietly reading a book, waiting for Ranma to get home since he had decided to take Keiko home that night. Why is it that in vampire books and movies, everyone seems to be in denial about their existence? Seriously, how could Oskar not realize that Eli was a vampire?'

Suddenly, there was a knock on the the door.

Who could be here at this hour? I bet Ranma lost his keys again.

Akane walked up to the door. She was maybe three inches away when the door suddenly burst open, hitting her in the face and knocking her down. She looked up to see Ryoga standing over her with an evil look on his face.

Before she could react, Ryoga grabbed a fistful of her hair and threw her on the couch.

Behind Ryoga, Akane could make out, Shampoo, both Kunos, and Gosunkugi.

Ryoga snapped his fingers and Tatewaki walked up and held an actual sword to her throat.

"Now you're going to sit back and shut up. When Ranma gets here, the real fun can start."

"Why are you doing this? What did Ranma and I ever do to you," cried Akane.

Ryoga didn't answer.

Ranma eagerly ran back home. Akane had been to the doctor earlier today. They had an ultrasound done. They both couldn't stop smiling because the doctor told him, they were having a girl. I can't believe it. For the first time in my life, I'm happy. Ranma soon caught himself smiling for no reason. His house was insight but something was off.

Why is the door broken?

Ranma slowly entered his house, finding nothing. Then he felt a presence behind him, but it was too late. Before he could turn around, he felt a searing hot pain on his back.

"How does it feel to be weaker than I am Soatome," laughed Gosunkugi. He held in his hands the torn moxibustion chart. At that moment, Ranma knew what had been done to him.

Ranma raised his fist to punch the voodoo practitioner in the face. Then, a red ribbon wrapped around his neck.

Kodachi laughed, "If you had only married me Ranma darling, this could have easily been avoided."

She dragged Ranma and sat him down in a chair. Then, she and Shampoo made sure he was tied down tightly.

Ryoga then stepped out in front of him.

"It's payback time Ranma" said Ryoga. Then he moved out of the way to show Tatewaki dragging Akane and throwing her down in front of him. Ryoga snapped his fingers and Tatewaki and Gosunkugi proceeded to tear off the struggling Akanes' cloths. Her struggles were in vain since she had the same moxibustion technique used on her.

Ranma struggled futilely against his bonds, trying his hardest to break free.

"One more thing," said Ryoga as he looked over at Shampoo. Shampoo moved behind Ranma and placed her hands on the side of his head. Her fingers then touched several points alongside his head. The next thing Ranma knew, his eyes were forced opened and he couldn't close them.

Ryoga laughed, "You get to watch as your wife 'enjoys our company'".

Kodachi grabbed another ribbon and used it to gag Ranma.

Ryoga, Tatewaki, and Gosunkugi finally finished "having fun" with Akane over an hour later. They left Akane on the floor in a state of shock, with tears running down her face.

Ranma wasn't in much better condition. His eyes burned from not being able to blink. His heart ached from not being able to save his fiancé from the bastards that he at one time called friends.

And after it was over, Ryoga and Tatewaki dragged him outside of the house.

Ryoga looked at Shampoo and Kodachi and said, "You know what to do."

As Ranma was being dragged outside, he heard various crashing sound coming from inside. The next thing he knew, he was being untied. Ranma quickly got to his feet.

He looked around to find himself surrounded by Ryoga, Tatewaki, and Gosunkugi. Ryoga quickly punched him in the face. He fell towards Tatewaki who punched him again.

In the meantime, Shampo and Kodachi had finished wrecking the house and hog-tying Akane so she wouldn't go anywhere.

As they joined the rest of the group, Ryoga again brutally punched Ranma in the face.

"Is she secure," asked Ryoga.

"She won't be going anywhere," replied Kodachi as delivered her own punch to Ranma.

Soon all of them, even Gosunkugi, started to brutally beat Ranma into a bloody pulp. By the time they were done, Ranma could barely move. He painfully struggled to get back up, if only to pay them back for everything they'd done tonight.

However, Ryoga would have none of that. He grabbed Ranma by the pigtail and drug him back inside the house.

"I'll kill you," wheezed Ranma.

Ryoga kicked him in the chest to shut him up.

Ryoga smiled, "You know, I'm feeling generous tonight Ranma. I've decided to let your child, wherever she is, live. Maybe I'll go find her when she is…of age. And as an added bonus, I'll let you die with your little whore wife."

Ryoga walked over to where Akane was tied up and dragged her over and next to Ranma.

"I hope you two have a happy last few moments," he said as he exited the door.

He turned to the rest of the group and said, "Burn it"

Within minutes, the whole house was aflame and Ryoga and his group had vanished into the night.

Inside the house, Akane had managed to get her left hand free of the bindings. She used her hand to inch her way closer to Ranma.

"Ranma, get up. We have to get out of here," she cried.

Ranma struggled to get up but he quickly went back down. "I don't think I can make it Akane. It feels like my legs are broken. You get out, save yourself."

But as he said that, a large chunk of burning ceiling came down on Akane. Akane cried out in pain as it pinned her down.

"AKANE" Ranma cried out.

Akane looked up at her fiancé, her eyes filled with sorrow. She cried, not in pain but from all the things she and Ranma would now never get to do.

They couldn't start a family. They couldn't travel the world. They couldn't run the schools. However, there was one thing that they could do, even if it wouldn't matter after that night.

Akane reached out and grabbed Ranma's hand, "Ranma, what should we name our baby."

A solemn tear went down Ranma's cheek, "I don't know, what do you think."

"How about Sakura?"

"No, to generic."

"Ok then, Saeko"

"No. How about, Megumi?"

"Almost, but not quiet."

"Oh wait, I know. We could name her Noriko."

"I love it and I love you Ranma."

"I love you Aka—"

However, before Ranma could finish, the rest of the ceiling caved in on them.

Keiko was flipping through channels on the TV. It being Sunday, there were hardly any cartoons on and they couldn't afford cable. Then, a picture caught her eye. She couldn't figure out where she'd seen the sight before but then it hit her. It was the spot where Ranma and Akane's house should be. But all that was left was ashes and rubble.

The news reporter was rambling on, "The authorities were alerted to the fire by several students who were camping near the area. The fire appears to be arson but so far, there are no suspects. Police have found clues to identify the two residents. They are Ranma Soatome and Akane Tendo."

Keiko quickly turned off the TV. It couldn't be true. They were her friends. The never hurt anybody. And now they were gone.

The only other time that Keiko had cried that much was the day she found out her dad died. She left her room and laid down next to her mother who was too hung-over to notice her.

The funeral came and went. At the request of the the Saotome and Tendo families, all of Ranma and Akane's closest friends attended.

"He was my friend, he was my rival. I'll miss him," said Ryoga as he stepped down from the front of the church and took a seat next to Ukyo.

"That was really nice, what you said," said Ukyo. She decided to sober up for this event. Granted as soon as she got back, she would give a toast to Ranma and Akane.

"Thanks Ukyo" said Ryoga in mock shyness. He noticed a little girl sitting next to her. She looked familiar but I couldn't figure out where he'd seen her before. Ukyo soon interrupted his train of thought.

"Wanna join me for a drink tonight," she asked.

"Uhh…sure" replied Ryoga.

They decided to finish their conversation later. For now, they looked towards the front as Shampoo got up to speak.

It had been over a years since the tragic deaths of Ranma and Akane.

Keiko placed a single rose on their gravesites as they had been buried next to each other.

"I miss you guys so much. Mom hasn't been much help. She and that Ryoga guy go out at night and come home reeking of alcohol. I hate him so much. He's always treating me like I'm four. Well, I guess I'll bug you guys some other time."

As she left, a large crow flew overhead and landed on Ranma's headstone. The crow squawked several times and then started pecking Ranma's headstone.

The crow looked over the grave and suddenly, the ground started to move a little. As time went on, the movement became more erratic.

The ground eventually started shifting and soon, a hand emerged from the dirt.