Ranma 1/2
Caught In A Steel Trap

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Making his way through the forest as fast as he could, trying to seek shelter, P-Chan mentally cursed Ranma, the rain, and everything else he could think of at the moment that had anything to do with his predicament.

*SNAP!!*

With a squeal of horrible pain, P-Chan twisted around and managed to touch the trap with his right forehoof, performing the breaking point technique. With the trap gone, he felt a lot better, though his leg was throbbing where the trap had been.

*****

Ranma took another bite of ramen, then looked up as Ryoga limped into the Nekohanten. "P-Chan!" he teased, "Where've ya..." he stopped short. "Ryoga, what happened to your leg?"

"Steel trap." Ryoga snapped. "And I'm fine, Ranma, thanks for asking."

"Whoa." Ranma breathed, in awe.

"One three-flavor ramen, please." Ryoga ordered as he collapsed.

Shampoo, Cologne, and Ranma got Ryoga into the back room where Mousse joined them. Cologne examined the lost boy carefully.

"Well?" Ranma asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"He's been poisoned." Cologne replied. "Whoever laid that trap out must've intended to kill something with it. Possibly a large animal attacking their livestock or family."

"Innocent animal get killed in trap." Shampoo complained.

"That's why they're illegal." Cologne assured her.

"But if they're illegal..." Mousse hedged.

"Because some people don't care if it's illegal." Cologne pointed out. She covered Ryoga up to his chin, and looked up.

"He's in a coma." she said. "There's nothing I can do for him. I'm sorry."

"Please. There must be something..." Ranma begged.

"What about Dr. Tofu?" Mousse suggested. "Perhaps he can help Ryoga?"

"For once you have a good suggestion." Cologne told Mousse. "Perhaps he can, indeed."

Dr. Tofu considered the matter carefully. "I can help him." he said. "But he'll need new blood."

"How do we locate his family?" Ranma asked. "The Hibiki's are scattered all over the globe."

"There is another here in Nerima. Though he is not aware of it. He wandered away from his family when he was barely able to walk and they never found him. Fortunately, he was found by a kind family who raised and nurtured him. I've already called him and told him the situation. He was a bit shaken up by the news of his being Ryoga's brother, but he's agreed to the donation.."

The door swung open and a familiar form walked in.

"Thank you for coming so quickly." Dr. Tofu said, graciously.

Ranma stared at the figure in the doorway.

"T'would be folly indeed to lose mine own brother ere we truly siblings be."

After the transfusion, Kuno remained at Ryoga's side until, hours later, Ryoga finally woke up.

"How doest thou feel, brother of mine?"

Ryoga blinked at Kuno. "Brother?"

"Brothers we have always been and brothers we shall always be." Kuno explained what Dr. Tofu had found out..

"How about lunch once I get out of here." Ryoga decided. "I think we have a lot to talk about."

-OWARI-