Part VI
Just like the Old Days?
Ranma stood in a relaxed position, facing his father. One knee was
cocked, allowing him to lean to his left. His arms hung loose by his side. If
he had been next to a tree, he would have been leaning against it instead.
"Did you forget everything I taught you?" Genma snapped, looking
his son's stance up and down.
"No, I forgot nothing," Ranma answered, "I just thought I should
give an old man a decent advantage. Taking candy from a baby is no fun."
"A little overconfident, are we?" Genma asked, "I'll show you."
With that he leaped towards his son, launching into an attack.
Watching his father's movement, Ranma waited half a second
before acting. Genma launched a fast series of punches at his son's
unmoving form. To his surprise Ranma was suddenly a blur, dodging
between his multiple punches. Then he was gone as he leaped into the air.
Reacting quickly, Genma dodged to the side. Rolling to his feet, he leaped
into the air following his son.
His leap was lower than Ranma's so he would hit him as he reached
his apex and Ranma was gaining speed down. The he was there, his legs
and arms striking out in a flurry of movement. A sure hit on his son he
thought, but Ranma had twisted his body into a tight roll at the last
moment. He spun beneath the punch and above the kick, but before Genma
could react, Ranma quickly stopped the spin by grabbing his father's legs
and giving him the momentum.
Genma found himself spinning through the air to crash against the
back yard wall. Shaking his head, he looked around and found is son
standing in his original stance in the original position.
"Give up, pop?" Ranma asked.
"Never," Genma growled, charging. Ranma shrugged and leaped
towards his father. Genma took the bait and leaped to attack his son again.
As Ranma passed underneath a tree branch, he rotated and pushed off of it
with his feet. Genma watched in surprise as Ranma headed straight for the
ground, head first. Then Ranma was there, his hands reached out and
slowed his descent turning his body into a somersault. Rolling to his feet,
he launched back into the air.
Genma realized his mistake too late. He could do nothing in the air.
Ranma had angled upwards so that he would end behind his father. Genma
lost track of him as they passed positions, but he felt the kick Ranma
leveled at his back. Genma quickly found himself in the pond, a soaked
Panda. Looking back up he saw his son complete the move with a forward
flip. Hitting the ground he went into a forward roll, popping up into his
original stance, directly in front of his father, a meter from the edge of the
pond.
Genma held up a sign, You win son.'
A round of applause sounded from the audience on the back porch.
Ranma glanced over at them and nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Genma used this to react. Surging forward, he attacked his son's
undefended back.
Ranma had been expecting this. The sound of the water, the
reaction of the spectators warned him. Spinning quickly, his foot connected
with his father's approaching form, knocking the wind from him. Stepping
to the side, he allowed his father to stumble past him, before grabbing him
and flipping him back into the stone wall. Then he leaped after his father.
Genma shook his head, as he peeled himself off the wall. He did not
even see Ranma until the last moment. A sign appeared in his hands.
Help!'
Ranma landed next to his father and swept his legs., causing
genma to fall forward. Using the momentum, Ranma rolled forward with
his father, and launched him with his feet back into the pond. This time a
very wet Genma marched out of the pool and over to the house where he
poured a kettle of water on himself.
Back to normal he looked over at his son, "Next time we'll tie your
hands together. Maybe that will make it a fair fight."
Ranma nodded, "If you want to, but I'll still win."
Genma looked at his son closely. Genma knew he himself was a
very good, if not great martial artist. Few people could beat him, yet his
son had not even broken a sweat while throwing him about like a rag doll.
Pride filled Genma as he watched Ranma walk towards them.
Ranko met her father halfway, shouting, "Again, again. Make sofu
turn into a panda again.
Laughing, Ranma picked Ranko up and spun her around, "Maybe
later," he promised, "The old man will sooner or later want a rematch. He
never could take losing."
"Breakfast is ready," Kasumi called.
Ranma's eyes lit up, "You hungry, himechan?"
"Hmm" she nodded.
"C'mon then," he said, walking towards the house, still carrying
Ranko.
Everyone was at the table by the time he arrived. Quickly he went
over beside Akane and put Ranko down, and then kneeled between Akane
and Ranko. As he settled himself in, he leaned over to Akane, "Are you
okay?" he asked in a whisper.
"Ah-huh," she answered back. Ranma simply squeezed her hand.
Kasumi brought in the food and laid it out on the table. Everyone
began to serve themselves. Ranma acted his usual at meal time, although he
made sure Ranko and Akane had enough food before he began to shovel it
down himself.
Nodoka watched Ranma eat and shook her head in despair, she had
hoped that part of Genma would not stick with him. Ranko was no better,
the only concession she made was to separate what she liked and did not
like, and then she followed her father's example.
"Well, Ran-chan," Nabiki said, "It's obvious she's a Saotome."
"Did you have any doubts?" Ranma asked, actually stopping to
answer.
"No, but I just like as much confirmation as possible," she said,
"You know how much my clients like good information."
"That never stopped you from telling them whatever you felt like,"
Ranma shot back, a small grin on his face.
"Oh, Ran-chan, I only did that to people I knew, and besides, it did
help you several times."
"Hai, that's true," Ranma said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"So it could be said that you owe me still. And I think, you will be
wanting to keep the information about a certain girl out of somebody's
hands," Nabiki smiled sweetly, starting to reach out her hand for the
inevitable money
So that was what she was after. He should have known. Ranma
shook his head and looked at Nabiki, "No."
"Huh?" Nabiki asked.
"I said no, Nabiki. I know you too well. You might hurt me with
some information, but this concerns a little girl as well. You would not do
anything to hurt her. Your morals are still in there somewhere." Ranma
was somewhat proud of how he had handled it. Nabiki's blackmail
attempts had always annoyed him, but he was not going to let her
disappoint his daughter. He wasn't going to let her see that he was
ashamed of her parentage, and he was not even sure if he was. She was
simply his daughter, plain and simple
Nabiki looked at him for a second, her hand still out. Closing and
pulling her hand back she lowered her head slightly, "You called my bluff. I
couldn't hurt Ranko."
"I thought so, but just to make you feel better, I will buy you
something this afternoon when we go shopping."
"Don't forget to stop by the clinic this morning Ranma," Dr. Tofu
said from across the table. He looked at Akane then, "Why don't you come
also, Akane."
"Hai," Akane said still idly stirring the remains of her breakfast.
Putting down her utensils, she stood up. "I think I will go for a walk."
Ranma looked up at her, "Do you mind if I come along?"
For some reason Akane looked relieved as Ranma said that. "No,
Ranma. I would like that."
Nodding Ranma stood up, "Okaasan, could you watch Ranko?
We'll pick her up before heading over to Dr. Tofu's."
"It will be no problem, Ranma. I think I would enjoy getting to
know my granddaughter," Nodoka answered cheerfully.
"Arigato," Ranma said as he leaned down next to Ranko, "I'll be
gone for a bit, himechan. You stay here with obasan, and be a good girl."
"Hm," the little girl nodded. She stood up, quickly and ran to
Nodoka, promptly sitting down in her lap. Smiling Ranma and Akane
walked out of the house, together.
<So this is Nerima,> the voice said.
<I think it is. It looks familiar,> Ryoga replied. He was looking
down on the plain where Nerima spread out, part of the sprawling mass of
Tokyo.
<So where does Ranma and this Akane live?>
<At the Tendo Dojo.>
<How do we get there?>
<I don't know, generally I just wandered around and sooner or
later found it.>
<Your pathetic.>
<Shut up, damn you! I can find the dojo. I can find Ranma
anywhere!> Ryoga started walking down towards the city, his aura
glowing darkly around him, the voice laughing in his head.
Ranma sat silently next to Akane in Dr. Tofu's waiting room. He
was enjoying the her quiet companionship as he had all morning. Their
walk had been uneventful. Ranma had just enjoyed being with Akane as
they had moved about the city. Chatting idly they had passed the time.
Shying away from the topic of their relationship, they had just caught up on
things.
Ranma had found out several interesting things that made his life
easier. Shampoo had gone back to China about a year after his death.
According to Akane, she had been heart broken. The news hurt Ranma, he
did not like seeing any of his legitimate iinazuke get hurt. Ukyou at least
was healing, albeit slowly, but she was. Ranma knew that she would press
on, besides he would always be there for her. He was her friend, and he did
love her in his own way.
There would be nothing like that for Shampoo, he realized. She
would have to live with his death for the rest of her life. Hopefully she
would find someone else to love. Secretly Ranma hoped it would be
Mousse. He had always respected Mousse. He had strength and tenacity,
not to mention a great heart. Ranma was sorry he could never have become
his friend, but at least now, Mousse had a chance with his true love. Ranma
would not get in the way of that, even to spare Shampoo. Eventually, he
might visit her. Many years down the road, when her claim on him would
have disappeared.
The news about Kodachi had lifted his spirits. She had apparently
gone insane after hearing about his death. At the moment she was locked
away in an asylum, with no foreseeable release date. Ranma had no
intention of relieving her suffering. She deserved what she got. She had just
caused too much trouble in his life. As far as Ranma knew, she was the
only girl Ranma would hit without a second thought. Heck he would
probably pound her into a bloody pulp if she ever bothered him or his
family again.
On the other hand, Kuno Tatewaki was still roaming the world. In a
way it did not really bother Ranma. Kuno was annoying, but it was really
only because of his stupidity. He was an honourable man, and Ranma had
to respect that in him; however, he was still chasing Akane and pinning
over his osaga no onna. Ranma might have to talk to Kuno about that. At
least Nabiki had somehow gotten a hold on the baka. If anyone could keep
Kuno in line it was her.
Really only Akane and himself stood between their relationship
continuing. Things were slowly looking better. They had become
comfortable in each other's presence this day. Staying in the past and away
from delicate subjects had helped, that and the fact that he had kept his big
mouth shut. He could still make a mess of things by just opening his mouth,
but he had learned a little bit of control over time.
Leaning back, he watched Ranko playing with some blocks on the
floor. She seemed to be building a small cottage with them. For some
reason it reminded him of the Himalayan valley. He had spent over four
years of his life there, and in a way it had become a place he could call
home. He smiled remembering all the things that had happened there. The
training, his pregnancy, Ranko's first year. All those memories of her
growing up, learning to crawl, and taking her first steps into his arms.
"What are you thinking about, Ranma?" Akane asked as she saw
him smiling and watching his daughter. She was trying to figure the new
Ranma out, and had found that he would generally answer her questions if
she simply asked him.
"Just about the past," he answered, taking her hand, "I was
remembering the valley in the Himalayas where I trained and brought up
Ranko. It is just one of the few places that has really felt like home for me.
I sort of miss it."
"Do you want to go back there?" Akane asked nervously. She did
not want him to leave her.
"Hai, but only if you want to," Ranma answered much to Akane's
pleasure, "I think you would like it. Maybe we wouldn't live there, but it is
a place to be alone, a place just to relax, free from the cares of the world.
It's a place where you can enjoy life, and learn to love it."
"I would like that, Ran-chan," Akane said leaning slightly against
him, just allowing her love for him to talk, "I think it would be wonderful
to just escape for a while." She felt Ranma's arm slip around her shoulders,
holding her gently, his hand squeezing hers. She liked when they were like
this, their defenses down, just the two of them.
"Ranma?" Kasumi's voice called from the door to the examining
room, "Would you come back her with Ranko, please? We are ready for
you."
Sighing in regret, Ranma unhooked himself from Akane and stood
up. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he smiled, "We'll talk later, Akane-chan." with that he picked up Ranko and walked back into the waiting
room.
Akane sighed as she watched him leave. <Why do we always get
interrupted?>
Sitting on the examination table, his shirt next to him, Ranma
watched as Dr. Tofu moved about the room, looking for something. Ranko
sat in a chair across from her father, sucking on a piece of hard candy. She
had been the first to be examined. Tofu-sensei had pronounced her
completely healthy. He had given her a few vaccinations, when Ranma
informed him that she had not been immunized yet.
"So can you give me an explanation, Dr. Tofu," Ranma asked, "I
mean she was born two years ago, tomorrow. Uh-oh. I almost forgot her
birthday. I'll have to tell everyone." He stopped for a second to get his
thoughts in order. The week had just been too confusing, especially if he
had forgotten his only child's birthday. <Baka!>
"But look at her, she looks like she is four, and I have somehow
lost eight months of my life, in the process. Do you have any clu..AHHH,"
he yelled as he was suddenly doused with cold water, "Hey, I told you the
change only comes when I soak for about an hour or so!"
"Just making sure," Dr. Tofu explained, writing down a few things.
Ranko giggled from the chair, amused by her wet father. Ranma glanced at
his daughter and sighed, <I just cannot win in these things.>
"You say it was when you went into the hot springs?" Dr. tofu
asked, coming over to examine Ranma.
"Uh-huh. I was starting her on solid foods, and she was little bit
filthy, and we were next to the springs, so I decided to take a bath with her.
We went into the pool. I felt the tingling sensation that goes with my
change, and then it was just all pain. It felt like something was ripping out
of my body, and then I started seeing all these images. Some were from my
life, some from Hui-cheng's, but at the end there were things that seemed
not to have happened, like they were going to happen later. Then I was
falling into unconsciousness, and then I awoke with Ranko in my arms, like
she is now. That was three months ago."
"Hmm," Dr. Tofu answered. "Where did you get these scars?" he
asked touching Ranma's marked cheek
"I don't know. They were on my face when I woke up," he
answered, "Do you think they have something to do with the curse being
only partly cured?"
"What do you think, Ranma? You know more about this than I
do."
"I don't know. That's the problem. I don't understand any of this.
Last night Ranko had a dream where she was at Jusenkyo. She was meet
there by Hui-cheng who said that we had to heal the place. Then she saw
two men. One was Kaidu, I am sure of it. He was a large, brutish man with
fierce eyes and a black soul. The other she won't describe, just saying that
she felt sorry for him because Kaidu was feeding the darkness in his soul.
Then she was mad at him because he wanted to kill me."
"Things are becoming very confusing. A daughter that does not
age normally, unaccounted for months, scars, weird dreams, and some sort
of connection between me an Ranko," <Not to mention Hui-cheng talking
to me in my mind.> But he could not tell Dr. Tofu that. There was a
difference between weird occurrences and hearing voices.
"Why don't you let me look a few things up, Ranma." Dr. Tofu
said, "Besides I want to check the samples I took from you and your
daughter. Maybe I will think of something, or find something out."
"Arigato, Tofu-sensei," Ranma said hopping down from the table
and pulling on his shirt. Ranko left her chair and walked to her father. As
usual Ranma picked her up, after he was dressed, "Why don't you and
Kasumi stop by the dojo tomorrow night. I think I'll have a party for
Ranko."
"That would be nice, Ranma," Dr. Tofu said, "We will be there."
"Arigato," Ranma said bowing, "Arigato for everything."
Ranma left the examination room, nodded to Kasumi as he passed
her. She smiled back at him and waved. Out in the waiting room, Ranma
smiled at Akane, who was sitting and waiting.
"You ready for some lunch, Akane-chan?" he asked, walking
towards her.
Akane stood up and met him halfway, "What did Tofu-sensei say?"
she asked, worry in her voice.
"He doesn't know, but he is going to look up some things, and he
took blood samples from both of us," he answered, putting Ranko down,
and taking one of Akane's hands, "C'mon, let's just get some lunch.
Besides we still have to meet Nabiki for shopping, and I almost forgot that
tomorrow is Ranko's birthday. I am going need to get some stuff."
"Ranma no baka!" Akane said reproachfully, "How could you
forget Ranko's birthday? What kind of father are you?"
Ranma smiled, "A very busy and preoccupied one who remembers
throwing a party for her first birthday about four months ago. Besides, as
long as she gets a party and presents, I think she will be happy enough to
forgive me. Is that not right, himechan?"
"Hai," Ranko said walking towards the door. Akane and Ranma
went after her, looking for a place to eat.
"Why do I have to carry all this stuff?" a laden down Ranma
complained from behind about a dozen packages and bags that Nabiki had
given him over the course of the afternoon.
"Because, you owe me, Ran-chan," Nabiki stated, "You have six
years of interest to pay me."
Ranma groaned, "Why me?"
"Your the one who went away," Nabiki stated, picking up a doll
and examining it, "Will Ranko like this?"
Shuffling the packages around so he could see, Ranma glanced
quickly at a doll with blond curls and a sweet face with a red rose-bud
mouth and blue eyes. "I don't know," Ranma stated, "She has never really
played with toys. I am not much or a craftsman and so she had only a few
things with me. Get it if you want. She could use it as a practice dummy if
she does not like it. Just make sure it is not one of those dolls that wet
itself. Don't forget I sleep with her."
Nabiki laughed, "Okay, I'll get her something else. How about a
cat?"
"Don't even joke about that, Nabiki-chan," Ranma said in a
strangled voice, glancing around, expecting a cat to show up any minute.
He shivered. He hated cats. He knew his fear was irrational, but when he
saw one, all he could think about was the tearing, gleaming claws as they
ripped the fish off of his seven year-old body.
"Okay, how about a pig?" she said laughing, and walked back out
into the street. Ranma muttered under his breath as he followed her out.
"What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?"
"Where are Akane and Ranko?" Nabiki asked him once he was out
in the street.
"They are down the street getting something to eat," Ranma
answered without even thinking about it, "They'll be here in a few
minutes."
"How do you do that?" Nabiki asked curiously, "You cannot see in
front of you with all those packages, but know exactly where Ranko and
Akane are without even looking."
"How much is it worth to you? Maybe ten thousand yen?" Ranma
said.
Nabiki laughed, "You have learned, Ran-chan."
"I had a good teacher," Ranma said without thinking.
"That will be five thousand yen," Nabiki said simply.
"Huh?" Ranma exclaimed.
"Teaching fee," Nabiki said simply. Grumbling Ranma handed her a
bill, not even trying to argue. He knew from experience that it would just
increase the amount. Luckily Akane and Ranko showed up, carrying ice
cream cones. Ranko's face and hands were naturally dripping chocolate ice
cream.
"Otoosan!" she shouted, "We got ice cream. Have you ever had ice
cream? It is sooo good!"
"You never gave your daughter ice cream, Ran-chan?" Nabiki and
Akane scolded at the same time.
"Hey, this is the first time I've had her in a place where she could
get it," Ranma argued back, "You try finding ice cream, or any other
sweets while stuck in a valley in the Himalayas." Nabiki and Akane
laughed.
Ranma took his ice cream and tried to eat it while holding the
packages. Somehow he managed, without making too much of a fool of
himself. "So where to next?" he asked as they walked down the street,
"You have bought about everything you could need, Nabiki."
"I still need to get Ranko something," she answered.
"Fine," Ranma answered, "I am not going to deprive her of gifts.
Just no pet..." He was interrupted by a familiar voice from up the street. He
could not see the owner, but he knew who it was. <Why me?>
"Surely the gods must be smiling on me this day, for they have
fated my steps to cross those whom I am unworthy to even approach on
my own, nay, whom I am even unworthy to worship from afar, but I must
do this for I do love them both so much beyond what a mortal creature
could know that I am struck blind and dumb and mute by the very picture
of their unearthly beauty shining in my illustrious mind to remove all dark
shadows on my soul and being. Oh, the fiery beauty and strength of Tendo
Akane, and the cold perfect perfection of a diamond reflecting the sun that
is my Tendo Nabiki, how is it that I could ever choose between, much less
with the third of the sweet innocent and beauty of my osaga no onna,
enslaved by that foul sorceror Ranma, even in the cold raiments of death
that so fit that villain's body? I cannot choose, I must have them all."
"He said that all in one breath?" Ranma asked amazed.
"He's been practicing," Akane said to him.
"I can tell," Ranma responded. They had stopped at Kuno's
greeting and were now waiting for him to approach them.
"But who are these strangers in the company of my Athena and
Hera. The innocent child doth bring the memory of my lost osaga no onna
unto mine heart. If it were not an utter impossibility on account of the
purity of my lost pig-tailed goddess, I would swear upon my own family's
honor that she was the divine daughter of my love."
Ranma couldn't help himself, he had to laugh at Kuno for that one.
It was just too good. Listening to him rant and rave was almost as much
fun as punting him into low earth orbit. Usually he would have shut him up
half-way through his first sentence, which he was actually not very sure had
ever ended, much less been a complete thought, but for some reason he had
missed listening to Kuno's endless soliloquies, if simply for the
entertainment value.
Kuno exploded at Ranma's laughter, "Who art thou that doth mock
the melancholic grief of the great Kuno Tatewaki, former Blue Thunder of
Furinkan High School, now the rising star of the Corporate Kendo
Tournaments, and the Silver Thunder of the Stock Market? Hide not like a
cur behind thy packages and face me as a man, or art thou truly a mangy
dog yapping at thy betters?"
Ranma had to admit that Kuno's insults and ego had increased
immeasurably in six years, but he could really not let this pass. Maybe just
knocking him into the wall would work? Well he had to answer the
challenge at least.
"Kuno, you just happened to insult the father of the girl you just
recently praised," he said calmly, not really wanting to fight the fool.
"I know that voice!" Kuno exclaimed, "That is the voice of my
most despised enemy, Saotome Ranma! Face me like a man Saotome,
release these women from you violent enchan...ugh."
Kuno was cut off as Akane's fist connected with his stomach,
toppling him to the ground gasping for breath. "I'm sorry Kuno, but we are
busy right now. Why don't you stop by the house tomorrow night? We are
having a party for Ranko."
"We would be delighted to have you, Kuno-baby," Nabiki added,
"Please say you'll come." Kuno simply grunted something that sounded
affirmative.
"Good! I'm glad that is settled," Ranma said, "Let's go get the rest
of our shopping done." With that the group walked off, leaving a gasping
Kuno on the ground. Idly, Ranma wondered how Akane could incapacitate
a man so easily.
It was getting late, the sun slowly dipping beneath the horizon the
shadows, deepening on the quiet streets that the three walked. Nabiki had
left them several hours ago, taking most of the packages with her when
Ranma and herself had insisted. She had told her older sister to inform the
family that Ranma, Ranko, and herself would get dinner in the city tonight.
They had gone to a small quiet restaurant for dinner, ending out the
day in a decent meal and subdued conversation. In Akane's opinion it had
been the perfect day. Even the incident with Kuno had been more laughable
than disastrous. She was glad she had stopped Kuno from making a mess
of things by challenging Ranma. The day had just gone so well, that she
had not wanted anything bad to happen, and now the day was coming to a
close with a beautiful sunset turning the sky to a panorama of fiery orange,
red, and purple.
She leaned against Ranma, feeling the warmth and strength of his
body against hers. His arm encircled her waist as they walked, drawing her
closer. She was truly content and happy for the first time in a long while.
No doubts or conflicting emotions had vied for her attention during the
day. Instead she had just watched Ranma, feeling herself won over again by
his actions. His kindness towards Ranko and herself, the good faith he took
Nabiki's administrations and requests in, even the way he had handled
Kuno had been admirable.
"Ranma," she said softly.
"Hmmm," Ranma answered.
"I've been thinking about what you were saying at Tofu-sensei's
clinic," Akane said, "About that valley and how you wanted to go there."
"Hai," he said looking down at her.
"I think I would like to go there," she said glancing up at him, "We
need to work out everything between us, and I think some privacy would
be the best."
Ranma walked in silence for a moment thinking, he had not
expected this from Akane. It was a big jump for her. Two days ago they
had not been talking, now she wanted to go back with him to the valley. He
wondered what he had done right.
Pulling her closer to him, he answered, "Whatever you want to do,
Akane-chan. I would love to go back to the valley with you."
Akane stopped walking at gazed up at Ranma. Sincerity and
tenderness filled his eyes, as he returned her gaze. Reaching up she touched
his scarred cheek gently. So much pain, so much suffering, so much had
changed in their lives, but as she looked into Ranma's eyes she saw the
love, the soul that had never forgotten her.
His hand brushed her cheek, and lifted her chin. His touch left a
trail of fire along her skin. Closing her eyes she leaned up to him, their lips
brushing at first and then pressing together. Encircling his neck with her
arms, she pressed herself into Ranma's body, allowing the flood of emotion
and heat carry her away. Ranma's presence next to her was all she cared
about. His hands gently caressing her back, his arms pulling her into his
body, molding her to his form.
Akane was sorry when he broke the kiss, but he did not release her,
instead pulling her into his embrace and holding her tightly. "I love you,
Akane-chan," he said, his lips brushing her forehead.
Akane replied with what was in her heart, no second thoughts now,
"I love you.."
"RANMAAAA!" The cry shattered the mood. Destroying the
perfect night, the security she felt in Ranma's arms. It brought back her
dark mood.
Akane recognized the voice. <Oh, God, please don't let it be him.>
But she saw the familiar figure racing out of the shadows towards her and
Ranma, and knew without a doubt who it was.
Ryoga had been wandering Nerima all day. Up and down the
multitude of streets his feet had carried him past places he recognized, and
some places he did not. He had stopped in Ucchan's forgetting that she no
longer ran it. He had stood in the school yard, hoping someone from the
Tendo home would walk past. Nothing he did got him anywhere, and the
voice in his head had been no help. It just constantly berated him and
demanded that he find the Tendo Dojo.
As night fell, Ryoga was enraged, swearing as he wandered the
streets. Cursing his bad luck, cursing fate, cursing the voice in his head,
cursing Ranma. If he was alive as the voice had said he was, he would die
when he found him. This day had been too much to bear. The whole trip
had been too much too bear. Every step of the way, the voice had haunted
his mind, telling him things. Telling him that the only way to get Akane was
to defeat Ranma, to kill him.
Then there had been that dream. The young girl who had shouted at
them. Then he had been chasing after her, the man next to him demanding
that he capture her and bring her back, and if he could not, to kill her. The
thought had horrified him. The child was innocent, but the man had pushed
him on, showing him the love he would have from Akane if he did this.
Ryoga had followed them. Akane's love always broke his will to resist.
<Resist> He could not resist very much anymore. The batlle had
dried him, he was begining to believe the voice. The voice must be right, it
was right about so many things He had told him stories of his life, how he
had won love through defeating and humiliating the weaker. Slowly ryoga
had been swayed, he had been consumed by the voices hatred. Whenever
the voice barked, it became harder to fight back, and if he was mad, he
could not even think of resisting.
<I should kill myself.>
<No, you can be so great. Just a little longer, trust me.> And Ryoga
did, continuing his search for Akane and Ranma.
There! He thought he saw them, walking close to each other on a
sidewalk, a young girl alternately dashing ahead and then returning to the
two walking figures. They were talking softly, as he approached, but he
could not hear what they were saying. He could see it was Akane and
Ranma! He exulted, he would have his revenge after all.
Silently he followed them for a few seconds, and then horror struck
him. Akane was suddenly leaning into Ranma, her arms encircling his waist,
Ranma responding in time. <No, she is betraying me. She is supposed to
love me. Damn you to hell Saotome!>
<Kill him, take the little girl. Free your Akane!> the voice in his
head demanded.
<Not yet,> he growled slowly controlling himself. He wanted more
people to see this. He would wait until they returned home. Then Ranma
kissed Akane.
Ryoga's mind went instantly blank. Ranma was kissing Akane.
Akane was not fighting him. Akane was kissing Ranma back.
<Noooooo!!!> he howled in his mind. He wanted to run down and crush
Ranma's skull on the concrete, but his body and mind refused to work
together. <Akane loved Ranma, not him!>
<DO something you idiot!> the voice screamed in his head. Ryoga
could only watch as Ranma and Akane pressed their bodies together, their
lips glued, Ranma's hands on Akane's body. <No! No! No! It s not fair!
Akane is supposed to love me. Ranma is supposed to be dead!>
<Well he is not. He is alive and kissing your love. Kill him. Show
her you are the stronger suitor.> The kiss had broken, and Ranma was
gently holding Akane now. "I love you, Akane-chan," he whispered.
"I love you.." Akane began to say. Ryoga snapped.
"RANMAAA!!!" He shouted rushing towards the couple, death in
his eyes. Ranma reacted quickly though, pushing Akane to the side, and
out of the way, before settling into a stance to meet his forward rush.
Screaming in black rage, Ryoga threw a flurry of punches that
would have killed an ordinary man, and severely hurt Ranma if they had
connected. Weaving back and forth, Ranma avoided everyone, before
flipping over Ryoga's head and landing behind him.
"Why are you doing this, Ryoga?" Ranma asked calmly from
behind him, "I don't want to fight you. What do you.." He was interrupted
by Ranko.
"Otoosan!" Ranko screamed, running towards Ryoga "I won't let
you hurt, Otoosan!"
<Kill her!> the voice snapped in Ryoga's mind. Ryoga brought his
arm up as the child came near. He brought it down fast, feeling it connect
with flesh and pain, a scream filled the air and was cut off suddenly.
Ranma saw Ranko run towards Ryoga, screaming at him to leave
her father alone. Ranma saw Ryoga raise his hand. "Noooo!" he screamed
as he understood. Diving forward his body connected with Ranko's
knocking her to the side. She screamed as she flew. Ryoga's arm
descended on Ranma. Pain flared in his body as the blow hit, sending him
crashing into the concrete. He heard several ribs snap, but he did not care.
His eyes followed Ranko as she flew threw the air screaming. Her scream
was cut short as she struck a tree, falling unconscious. Ranma's mind
exploded as his daughter's presence left his mind.
"Bastard!" Ignoring the pain in his chest, he kicked backwards,
sweeping Ryoga's legs, sending him crashing to the ground. Leaping to his
feet, he smashed hi fist down where Ryoga should have been. He had
already moved though, and Ranma's punch simply crushed the sidewalk
square. Realizing his mistake, Ranma rolled to the side, and barely dodged
Ryoga's counter-attack.
Rolling to his feet, Ranma willed himself to be calm, but it was
hard. He couldn't feel Ranko. He did not know if she was okay. Ryoga had
tried to kill her. Ryoga had tried to kill his Ranko! He calmed himself
barely in time to see the next attack.
Ducking he rolled under Ryoga's leap, popping up behind him, his
kick connected with the base of Ryoga's neck, sending him flying into a
tree. The blow had stunned Ryoga, but he would get up, Ranma knew
about Ryoga's inhuman endurance from personal experience.
"What is wrong with you, Ryoga?" Ranma snarled, not even
bothering to keep the anger out of his voice, "I can understand your hatred
of me, but what could possess you to attack my child? What has she ever
done to you?"
"Killing her will destroy you!" Ryoga shouted launching at Ranma.
Ranma stepped aside and grabbed Ryoga's extended arm and flipped him
into the road.
"What has happened to you?" Ranma asked stunned, "You know
that hurting the innocent is not honorable, and you have always been
honorable, no matter what else you have done, you are honourable."
"He told me to!" Ryoga screamed, standing up and facing Ranma,
"He told me to kill her. He tells me everything. He will let me have Akane.
You will not have her." Ryoga attacked again, his mind an incoherent
maelstrom of hate, anger, and disgust at his actions. <How could I have
tried to kill that girl?>
<Because you will have to eventually.> the voice screamed, < it's
one of the two ways to free me of you! Now kill Ranma, and gain back
Akane.>
Snarling Ryoga attacked Ranma again. Ranma dodged around the
attacks, but never struck back. "Stand still, damn you!," Ryoga growled,
"Can't you fight fair for once in you life, instead of sneaking up and
stealing things that aren't yours, like the bread, like Akane!" He attacked
again, Ranma dodged.
"Your always destroying everything I do," another attack, Ranma
dodged easily, still refusing to attack. "You are the one who knocked me
into the pool. You made me live a lie because of that." His attack was so
furious, Ranma had to leap out of the way and range.
"You caused yourself to live a lie, Ryoga," Ranma snarled, "I had
no control over that. That was your own decision. I had nothing to do with
it."
"Everything you do has brought more pain to my life," Ryoga
shouted starting to glow with a black aura, "It is you fault that I have
suffered. It is your fault that Akane won't love me. Why could you not
have stayed dead. The villager's should have been right. I believed them, I
did not care. It was my only chance with Akane, I had to. You should have
been dead. But now you will die!" He released a massive blast of dark chi
at Ranma. Ranma tried to dodge, but was still hit by some of it.
The blast threw him into a tree. Ranma screamed in pain as one of
his broken ribs shifted and ripped through is skin. "You will die now!"
Ryoga shouted. Ranma did not even hear him, his mind was reeling. Ryoga
had tried to kill Ranko. Ryoga had told everyone that he had died. Ryoga
had destroyed Akane's life. Ryoga had caused some many problems. He
had even slept with Akane as P-chan. He had tried to kill Ranko! He had
hurt Akane!
"No!" he shouted as he rolled to the side, gasping in pain, as his
ribs scraped the ground. Ryoga's attack snapped the tree he had been
leaning against. Ranma ignored the pain, the warm wet blood soaking his
shirt, and jumped to his feet. Rage filled him as he saw Ryoga.
"Tenshin Amiguriken," he shouted, nearly a thousand punches
slammed into Ryoga's startled form, sending him flying into another tree.
Ranma did not stop though. He followed up with a flying kick that
knocked the breath from Ryoga, sending him to the ground. Grabbing him
by the shirt collar, Ranma raised his fist and pounded it into Ryoga's face
again and again. Hearing the crunch of bone, Ranma stopped and picked up
the dazed Ryoga.
"I don't ever want to see you again. If I ever do, you will die for
what you have done tonight. You have no honour, you are worthless. I
hope you die alone and unloved!" with that he threw Ryoga over the
distant roofs, confidant, that he would never find his way back here any
time soon.
Groaning in pain, Ranma dropped to his knees. It hurt to breathe.
Every breath a scalding pain in his chest, but Ranko needed him. Slowly he
pulled himself over to where Ranko lay, cradled in Akane's arms. Akane
was sobbing uncontrollably, rocking the limp form of Ranko in her arms.
A sob wracked Ranma's chest, filling him with pain when he saw
his daughter. "Ranko!" he sobbed dragging himself towards her. She was
breathing and alive he noticed, when he got near her. "Himechan, please be
alright," he cried touching her face, gently.
Her eyes fluttered and opened at her father's touch. Ranma saw her
gaze focus on him, and cried in relief, before collapsing on the ground,
exhausted, his chest screaming in pain.
"Ranma!" he heard Akane scream. He could feel his body being
lifted, but he was so tired. <Ranko was going to be okay.> Slowly he
slipped into darkness. Barely feeling his body being carried by Akane, not
even hearing her sobs. Then it was dark.
