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Disclaimer: All the characters used in this fic are the property of some other people. The people with the *real* talent. I wish that I could say that the whole idea was mine, but I can't. There is one thing that I can say though, I came up with the plot. *Sigh* However, I do not make any money from this, I do this all for fun! ^-^

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~*~Hidden Soul~*~

~*~Part I~*~

*By: Me*

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"Make sure to pack fresh underwear," Kasumi said as she walked from room to room checking to make sure everyone was packing quickly for the long journey she know was ahead of them. "Father? Mr. Saotome?" Kasumi asked as she stepped into the tearoom, where they both sat playing a friendly game of chess. (Even though neither one had a clue what they were doing).

"Why yes dear Kasumi? Was there something you wanted?" Mr. Tendo asked as he turned to look up at his daughter's face.

"Yes father. We're preparing to leave and I wanted to know if you or Mr. Saotome were coming with us." She said, an innocent smile growing on her lips. And by the look on Mr. Tendo's face, he looked like he may have even been caught off guard by such a question. "Why dear Kasumi, I would love to accompany you but..." He began, then trailed off.

"Nahh...he's faking..."Mr. Saotome said, cutting off Mr. Tendo's thought. Suddenly, cold water splashed from behind and connected with Mr. Saotome's back turning him into a panda.

"Mr. Saotome! I'm ashamed! I would expect that kind of answer from my father, he's lazy! But come on, this is after all your only son we're talking about here!"

The panda turned to see that it was Nabiki who has splashed him. Then he began mumbling incoherently in his panda language.

"Oh, Mr. Saotome?" Kasumi started. "Does this mean you'll be coming with us after all?" The panda nodded in agreement. It looked like he didn't have any other choice but to go.

"Great! Then I'd better be off to finish packing!" Kasumi said as she headed for her room. Nabiki had just finished and was waiting, as Akane stepped out of her room.

*Sigh* Now what? Akane asked to herself as she looked around the room. She felt really bad about Ranma's soul and all. She didn't understand why such a device would have been put into the hands of a person such as Kuno. But then again...money talks! And Kuno had plenty of it. Akane never really liked Kuno. However she always thought of him differently than everyone else. And he was definitely different. That poetry he spouted everywhere he went there was something, almost, infectious about it. Akane pushed those thoughts away for now however. She had more important things to worry about. Way more important things...

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Kuno sighed to himself as he took one last glance around his bedroom. He had checked and rechecked a few times now, but he wanted to make sure not to forget anything. Turning to leave he was confronted by a certain "Black Rose".

"Well, well, well, what do we have here, brother dear? Are you going somewhere?" Kodachi asked her elder brother as she blocked the door.

"Why, yes I am...if you wouldn't mind, I have to be off now." Kuno said as he attempted to push his twisted sister out of the way.

"Not so fast...you still have to answer my question!" Kodachi said as she pulled out a black rose. Twirling it gently between her fingers, she asked once again. "Brother dear, where are you heading to, on a beautiful day such as this?"

Kuno sighed. "I have done a terrible thing, and I must go right the wrong in which I have made. I must return the soul to the pig-tailed girl." He said, it wasn't really necessary that Kodachi know all of this, but it was too late to take that back now. Kodachi sat quietly for a moment as she let the words of her brother sink in.

"So what you are saying, brother dear, is that you will be leaving for a while?" She asked looking directly into Kuno's eyes.

"Yes, that's what I'm saying." Kuno repeated as he tried to break the gaze between them. Kodachi grinned evilly. *Excellent, now I can have Ranma all to myself! This will be great!* She thought as she continued the stare down with her brother.

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Back at the Tendo Dojo:

Everyone that was going...(namely: Ranma (of course), Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi and Mr. Saotome (even though he didn't have much of a choice) was ready to go. And soon they were off.

"Awww...does Kuno really have to come along...?" Akane moaned as they headed off towards Kuno's house. It's not that she really cared if he came along or not, it's just, she thought that they could get along fine with out him.

"Now, now Akane, give Kuno a chance." Kasumi said, optimistically. "He can't be all that bad..." Kasumi, being older than the others, didn't really see Kuno as often as they did, and truthfully, she didn't really know what he was like.

Akane sighed as she looked around, suddenly Nabiki started. "Yeah, he can't be all bad..." She said as she looked forward. When they reached Kuno's place of residence, they didn't have to wait long, well, actually they didn't have to wait at all, because Kuno was waiting outside.

"Ahh...My goddess in pig-tails, let me..." Kuno started, but just as he did Akane's fist connected with his face.

"Don't even think about it!" Akane stated rather coldly. She wasn't at all in the mood for Kuno's ongoing love life.

Kuno stood for a second, completely lost in thought, then pulling himself together, he grabbed Akane and held her tightly in his arms. "Oh, Akane Tendo! You of all people to see this disgraceful crime in which I have committed, please Akane, forgive me. If I had only known I...!" Kuno was cut off by a blow to the stomach.

"Ohhh...." Kuno moaned out loud, as he clutched his stomach. (Maybe it will sink in about now...) "Oh, Akane Tendo, such beauty is in her punch!" (And then again, maybe not...)

Akane sighed to herself. *This is going to be one long journey, I can just feel it...*

Mr. Saotome...(who is now a panda) grumbled under his breath, mostly because he was the one responsible for carrying Ranma.

"Ok, Kuno-baby, let me see it..." Nabiki stated as she held her hand out towards Kuno. Kuno blushed brilliantly, then looked around at the others. Then it sank in with Nabiki. "Ewww!! *Not that* you moron!! The map!!" *Sheesh, some people are perverted...* She thought to herself as she waited for the map. Kuno reached into his pack and produced the map.

"Here..." Kuno said, still somewhat in shock. Nabiki quickly grabbed the map and unfolded it.

"Hmmm...it looks like we should head north...now...does anyone here have a compass?" She asked, somewhat doubtful.

"I do! I do!" A voice rang out. Everyone looked around puzzled where did that voice come from anyway. Then looking down, they noticed that it was Sasuke.

Kuno slightly glared at Sasuke. "What are you doing here?" He asked, not really wanting to see him around. "Don't you have to stay behind and take care of my twisted sister?" He asked.

"Wh...Why yes, I do, Master Kuno...but I th...thought that I c-c..." Sasuke stuttered.

"Come on man! Spit it out! I haven't got all day!"

"I just thought I could help out a little, is all, Master Kuno, really!" Sasuke said, looking rather nervous, and also rather suspicious.

Kuno grinned evilly. "No, Sasuke, I won't be needing your services for now..." He said as he turned away from Sasuke. Normally he would do many things for Kuno. But Kuno thought that if he could do these things on his own, maybe Akane would be impressed. "I can take care of myself for now..."

"Y-y-yes, Master Kuno." Sasuke said as he began to leave, but before he left he walked up to Akane and handed her the compass, and smiled. Only to have Kuno, make an angry step towards him. And Sasuke ran.

"Well, now that we have a compass, I guess that we can go." Nabiki said looking around. And they were off...

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The unlikely group traveled for a few hours, until they came to the edge of some woods. Akane sighed as she looked around. Most of the scenery was beautiful and was much different than what she was normally used to seeing, in Nerima. It felt nice to be able to see different sights for once. Even Nabiki, surprisingly, seemed to adapt to her new surroundings pretty quickly.

"Maybe we should stop to rest for a bit..." Kasumi said as she smiled, looking around at the group. They all agreed, and each of them took a seat. Mr. Saotome, setting his son, down on the ground. Ranma-chan, stirred a bit but didn't wake up. *Oh, I hope he'll be all right...* Akane thought to herself, as she looked down at Ranma-chan's vulnerable form. *I don't know, just what I would do if I were to lose him now...*

The sun was beginning to set, and the light was becoming dimmer by the minute. "Oh, my..." Kasumi started as she covered her mouth with her hand. "It looks like we'll have to build a fire, or else I won't be able to make anything to eat."

Kuno, being the generous and helpful person that he is, stepped forward. Placing his hand on Kasumi's shoulder he started, "fear not sweet and gentle Kasumi. For I, Tatewaki Kuno shall come to your rescue and build a fire! So, please, fear not young and fair maidens, I being the only man will beckon to your most fondest wishes!" Feeling rather inspired by his most puissant self, Kuno stood for a moment in his glory, only to go crashing down unconscious after being struck on the head by a ticked off panda with a sign. The sign read...*Get your hand off her!* Then flipping the sign over it read *What a strangely perverse young man! After all, I'm a man!*

Reading the sign, Nabiki sighed. "Come on Mr. Saotome...you have to remember...Kuno-baby is still clueless about the whole cursed spring thing! He just doesn't get it. Believe me, I've tried explaining it to him. It's hopeless!"

Akane thought for a moment. "Hey...I think someone here, has a crush!" She said smiling her innocent smile at Nabiki then giggling softly. "I think you like Kuno, Nabiki..."

Nabiki placed her hands on her hips. "Maybe, maybe not...Besides, he liked you first didn't he?"

Akane sighed. "True, but still..."

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The next day...

Akane stretched and yawned as she sat up. Looking around, she decided to get up. *What time is it...?* She thought to herself as she looked around. Then noticing something moving in the distance, Akane stood up. *I wonder what that could be...* She thought to herself. Then she noticed it was heading in their direction. *I guess I'll find out soon enough...*

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That's all for Part I, now on to part II! That is, if you're still interested...*grins evilly*. I'm not sure yet...If you want me to continue on with the story though, all you have to do is e-mail me at Ryoko_Saotome@Yahoo.com Okay? I'd love to hear from you. ^-^