Jason L. Langlois
02/20/97 02:29 PM
Hello! I am new to the FFML, but not to the RAAC, so some of you may have
read something of mine. I recently have been convinced that subscribing
and
submitting to this list would be worth while. So here it is, my first
submission to the FFML! Enjoy!!
All the below characters belong to Takahashi-sama, not me. Only the ideas
are mine...
Sweet Dreams
Part 1
Ukyou
Ukyou sat, staring into the sunset on the roof of her shop as Ranma
paced behind her, gritting his teeth in pain and frustration. Unshed tears
blurred her vision. She knew she had been wrong.
"It wasn't right, Ukyou. It just wasn't right."
The softness in his voice surprised her, and she turned to him. His
eyes, angry when he found her, were only showing hurt now.
She didn't know which was worse.
"Don't hate me, Ranchan. Please... don't hate me." The tears flowed
then, but she made no moves to wipe them away.
Ranma stared off above her head, fighting with his emotions. Anger,
hurt, sadness, all pinched his features. Ukyou felt her heart beginning to
break.
Then, Ranma's face relaxed, and he sighed. "I don't hate you, Ukyou.
I'm mad at you, I'm upset, but... I don't hate you."
Ukyou closed her eyes in relief, the tears flooding her eyes. "I'm
sorry, Ranc-... Ranma... I'm so sorry."
She had known it would be wrong at the time. She had hated Shampoo for
even thinking it. In fact, she only agreed to help to try to keep the
damage to a minimum. But when they'd gotten to the dojo, and she saw Akane
in... in that beautiful dress... something snapped inside her. She threw
her okonomiyaki, which was headed, along with Shampoo's Suki-man, straight
for Akane.
Ranma happened to step in the way. She found out later, he had once
again come to Akane's rescue.
She had come up here after that fiasco, chasing Konatsu away and
waiting. Ranma found her at sunset.
"You coulda hurt Akane, Ukyou. You coulda... you mighta..."
Her head hung. "I know, Ranma. I lost my head." It was all she could
think of to say, and she knew it wasn't what he wanted.
He turned away from her, looking at the lights coming up in the
darkened Nerima district. She knew he didn't mean for her to hear it, but
her hearing had always been excellent.
"I would have expected this from Shampoo... but not you, Ucchan. Not
you."
She began to sob, her sorrow coming forth in wave after wave, leaving
her alone as far as she was concerned.
She felt arms around her, arms that held her until her tears stopped,
until she could breathe again. She looked up, into the eyes of...
<Akane?>
She looked back at Ranma, who was also staring at Akane in shock. "A-
Akane... What are you doin' here?"
Akane ignored him. "Ukyou? Are you OK?" A very shocked Ukyou could
only nod.
Akane looked at Ranma, almost... smiling? "Could you leave us alone,
please? I need to... talk to Ukyou..."
Ranma stepped forward. "Akane, I know your upset and all, but..."
Akane's eyes turned to him, worry practically flowing through them.
"Please?" Her lack of anger closed his mouth more effectively than any
mallet.
Ranma ducked into the trapdoor that lead down to the second floor of
Ucchan's. "I'll... uh.. I'll be right here if you need me," he stammered
to both of them.
With Ranma gone, Akane sat next to Ukyou, also staring at the sky.
Ukyou sat, her back straight, waiting for the shouting to begin, waiting
for Akane to yell how she never wanted to see her again.
"Are you OK?"
Ukyou caught her breath. "Shouldn't _I_ be asking _you_ that?"
Akane kept looking ahead. "I'm fine. I'm worried about you though."
Ukyou looked at her. "You're _worried _ about me? _Why_?!?"
"Ukyou, we're friends, right?"
"... Y-yes... I'd like to think so..."
Akane turned to her, her concern showing on her face. "Not like
Shampoo _claims_ to be my friend, we're _really_ friends, ne?"
Ukyou nodded, her guilt returning one hundred fold at Akane's
uncharacteristic behavior. "Hai... Really friends..."
Akane's anger showed itself then, but more subdued than expected.
"Then _why_, Ukyou? Why did you attack me on my wedding day?" Ukyou's
face flushed, and her head bowed.
"I... I didn't want to be left alone, Akane. I saw you, and Ranma, and
at that instant... I was afraid of being alone..."
Akane's hand touched her shoulder. "Ukyou, I've always considered
you... one of my best friends. Even through all the times you tried to...
take Ranma... from me," the effort of her words stopped her for only the
time it took to swallow the lump in her throat. "I always considered you
my friend. And that's why I forgive you."
She hung her head, too ashamed of herself to look Akane in the eyes.
"Why? I almost... I could have killed you, if Ranma hadn't stepped in..."
Akane's arm slipped around Ukyou shoulders. "That's why. It wasn't
like you. You may not like me and Ranma being engaged. You may have even
tried a _lot_ to get us apart, but you've _never_ tried to hurt anyone...
except maybe Tsubasa..."
Ukyou giggled involuntarily, but Akane's words impacted her heart like
a blade. Her heart fell deeper as they sunk in, and she began to weep.
"I'm so sorry... I just saw you there, and you were... I'm so _lonely_
lately, Akane..."
Akane hugged her friend. "I know, Ukyou. I know." As Ukyou's tears
subsided, she gradually let her loose. "If you ever just need to talk, I'm
here, OK?"
Ukyou nodded, wiping her face. She looked into Akane's eyes, noticing
that the anger that had inhabited them for the entire time she had known
Ranma's true iinazuke (although she still hurt to acknowledge that Akane
had won that distinction from her) seemed absent, and the kindness that
warred with that anger now shone through, free of it's restraint. "What
happened, Akane? I thought... I thought you would hate me..."
Akane blushed and looked down. "I did... for a while... But then, I
started thinking.. about how I felt when... when Nabiki had claimed Ranma
for herself, or when I thought you or Shampoo were going to... steal him
from me, and... I began to think that if we were in opposite situations...
I might have tried to kill _you_, too..."
Ukyou found herself smiling, relieved, slightly, of the great guilt
that weighed her down. "Thank you, Akane..."
The two girls went inside and downstairs to find a very nervous, and
relived, Ranma. Ukyou noticed his eyes flickering over her, then locking
onto Akane. She couldn't help but notice them brighten when they stopped
on her own.
<He... he really loves her...>
She was surprised to note that this realization did not hurt as much as
she had thought.
The three friends laughed about old times over okonomiyaki, and Ukyou's
heart began to warm again.
Too soon, Ranma and Akane decided to go home. Ukyou, however, was
still happy from the friendships she had rediscovered. Her weary feet
traced the path to her bed.
As she discarded the bandage that had, after years, become comfortable
on her chest, and began to run the brush through her long, silky hair, she
heard a knock. "Ukyou-sama?"
She smiled slightly at the sweet, slightly effeminate voice. "C'mon
in, Konatsu."
The kunoichi stepped into the room. "Ukyou-sama... I just wanted to
say goodnight..."
Ukyou smiled brightly. "Good night, Kon-chan!"
Konatsu's eyes widened, and he returned her smile. He left, a starry
look in his eyes.
Ukyou smiled at herself in the mirror. The weight of sorrow and
depression was lifted from her with both Ranma's and Akane's forgiveness.
She remembered Ranma's first compliment to her, which had prompted her, at
least partially, to give up her 'masculine' ways.
She had said he had ruined her life, had ruined her chances to find a
husband. He responded, dodging her attacks, "What a waste, you bein' so
cute and all..."
<Leave it to Ranchan to bumble his way into my heart...>
She walked to the bed, her steps light even as she pondered a future
with Ranchan as a mere friend. That future seemed much more possible, much
happier than it had in the last few days. She sank down, allowing the
tension of the day to seep into the warmth of the mattress, pondering this
future with newfound curiosity.
In her dreams, she walked along the streets arm in arm with Ranma
Saotome. It was a common dream for her, and sorely missed in the last few
days. The dreams she'd had then were... nightmares. Akane hurt, Ranma in
a rage, and her helpless to stop any of it, because it was her fault...
Her dream changed without her knowledge, Ranma smiling as Akane came to
take her place. She'd had _this_ nightmare before, too, always ending with
Akane and Ranma laughing at her, and her heart sunk. But instead, Akane
came up and hugged her before taking Ranma's arm. They walked, the three,
together, to a street corner, where Ukyou suddenly knew _her_ companion
awaited.
She could not see him, hidden in the shadows of the tree lined streets.
Even as she peered into his eyes, the quality of mystery clung to the
stranger. The stranger who was _familiar_ in the dream-Ukyou's mind.
The four walked together, Ukyou's partner always obscured by shadow.
They talked, and laughed, waving to friends as they passed.
Waving to Konatsu, who swept the walk in front of the Ucchan.
Waving to Tsubasa, who skipped along merrily.
Waving to their friends from school. And trying to duck from Kuno's
notice, giggling.
Ukyou's consciousness struggled with the question her dreamself knew,
but wasn't divulging. <If I'm not with Ranchan, or Konatsu, or Tsubasa,
who _am_ I with?>
Presently, they were at the steps in the restaurant that lead to
Ukyou's room. Her... boyfriend, for lack of more suitable description, and
her waved to Ranma and Akane as they began to walk back to the dojo. Then,
as she both knew and didn't expect, He bent down to touch her lips, and she
finally caught fresh sight of her dream love.
"Ucchan..." his voice floated to her as the sight of him fought to wake
her.
Sight of yellow and black.
Sight of a toothy, loving grin.
She woke with a start, heart beating madly, not from fear, but...
surprise. <Him? Could I really have a future with... him?>
___________________________________________________________________________
Sweet Dreams
Part 2
Ryouga
Ryouga stared out the window of the Unryuu estate, reflecting on his
life after the recent change.
Ranma had _finally_ admitted his love to Akane, even if he did deny it
later. From the look in her eye, as he had seen it from the top of Ranma's
head, she had not only heard him, but returned his feelings.
He had vowed, at that moment, that Akari would receive more attention
from him. He had not seen Ranma and Akane since. Mostly because he was
lost, but also because he had been spending more time at the Unryuu's.
Now, his heart was breaking again.
He had realized, soon after, that Akari, while sweet, and kind, and
beautiful, was not a woman he could find himself in love with. She was
everything a man could want. Loyal, without being helpless, gentle,
without being weak, and devoted, without being clingy.
But he wanted someone different... someone he could stand up with, who
would jump to his defense, should he need it, as quickly as he would jump
to hers... someone like... Akane.
<No, not Akane... someone _like_ Akane... but not her.> A flash of
brown hair flashed through his mind, confusing him momentarily.
It wasn't _just_ her lack of similarity to Akane that drove him from
her. Her infatuation with pigs, and him as P-chan, had actually nearly
brought him to shouting.
Now, as much as it pained him, he had to confront the situation.
"Akari, we have to talk."
Akari, looked up, smiling her sweet, trusting smile at him, as she had
since he had accidentally beaten her prize pig. "Yes, Ryouga-sama?"
Her smile was not helping to assuage his guilt. "May we please talk...
outside?"
She nodded, the stars in her eyes nearly melting his heart, as it had
each time he had tried to tell her in the past. This time, he steeled his
resolve as he followed her, and her pig, Katsunishiki, out into the cool
night air.
She sat on the steps, looking up at him with obvious affection. He
could not meet her eyes as he started speaking. "Akari... I have a
confession to make." As she opened her mouth to speak, he held up his hand
for silence. "Please, let me say this. I... I don't want to hurt you, but
there... there is something you don't know about me..."
His heart pounded in his throat as she stared up at him, a hint of fear
visible in her eyes. "I... I don't... really... likebeingP-chan."
He mentally cursed himself for his weak spine.
Akari smiled in relief and understanding. "Ryouga-sama, I know that!
And I believe you! I know the only reason you sleep with me as P-chan is
so that you don't want to be tempted..."
Ryouga stopped her by grabbing a hold of her hand. "No, it's more than
that. I don't like the fact that I _turn_ into P-chan." When she merely
looked at him, smiling but obviously not understanding, he nearly cried out
in desperation. "I don't _like_ pigs! I didn't like them _before_, and I
almost _hate_ them after... after the curse!!"
Akari smiled, but it was now desperate, as if her life depended on his
love. "I'll give them up! You won't ever have to look at another pig
again!"
Ryouga slumped, not able to bear the idea of hurting her further, but
having gone too far to stop. "I can't ask you to do that, Akari... san.
You have loved pigs longer than you have loved me... and... your
livelihood, your future, is in this farm."
Her head bowed, and Ryouga, staring at the ground, saw two tiny wet
spots forming beneath her. He turned, grabbed the pack he had left
outside, and began to walk away.
"Ryouga... wait..."
He stopped, heart pounding, miserable thoughts running through his torn
mind. Hearing her voice break, hearing her call him merely Ryouga, without
the -sama ending, nearly shattered his heart of glass. Now, he stopped,
unable to face her.
"Do you really not... love me?" The last two words came out in the
barest of painful whispers, driving needles into his heart.
"Akari, it's not-"
"Please, answer me." It was not loud, nor forceful, but was still as
serious as any command.
Ryouga sighed, heart drooping, and breathed in deeply before answering,
quietly, in hopes that it would lessen her pain.
"No."
He turned then, watching her. She looked straight at him, in a look
he'd seen Akane use on Ranma when she was sure he was lying. Then, it
softened, saddened, as if she knew he was speaking the truth.
"Please, at least stay for dinner."
He had purposely brought this around before dinner, to prove to her he
was not expecting, nor using this to get, a last meal. He opened his mouth
to protest, but his stomach, already anticipating the days of wandering,
betrayed him.
He reluctantly followed her inside and sat at the table as she began to
prepare the meal.
It was delicious as always, but the strained silence between them hung
over the table like a dark rain cloud, shortening both of their appetites.
She walked with him to the front door, and gave him a final kiss on the
cheek farewell.
He looked into her eyes, so full of pain that he felt positive his own
heart would break even further.
"I... I never meant to hurt you, Akari..."
She smiled sadly. "I know, Ryouga-sama..." She kissed his cheek
again. "I understand..."
He walked away into the sunset, tears flowing down his cheeks, but not
looking back at the weeping figure standing outside of her door.
He didn't know how far he walked, because for once, he had no real
destination in mind. He only knew that his feet where aching when he
finally found a place to rest, a flat place under the stars beside a
stream. His heart was heavy. He had no Akane, and he had given up Akari.
There was no one left to love him, to warm his heart. His mind swam in the
loneliness, crying out for a solution, or for rest. Final rest. He turned
his mind to a solution, finding the thought of a _final_ 'solution' too
cowardly to consider.
<I need to find friends... I need to talk to someone.> His mind
instantly flew to Akane, but he squashed that. <No! She... she loves
Ranma...> Ranma came next, and Ryouga was surprised to realize that
this... Saotome, this object of his hatred for so long had somehow become
his... friend. He nodded to himself. <I'll find Ranma... and Akane...
they'll help.> His eyes drooped, and he lay down on the soft moss.
<Tomorrow. I'll go to them tomorrow...>
His eyes drooped heavily, and he drifted off to a deep sleep.
He wandered through the forest, lost as usual. As usual, he was
attacked at all sides. But this time, none of his foes had Ranma's face.
In fact, this time, Ranma and Akane fought by his side. But they were
still rapidly losing, and Akane was hurt.
"Ranma! Get her out of here!" He ignored the protests and faced his
friend. "GO! You can't lose her again!"
Ranma nodded, pain in his eyes, and bolted off, carrying Akane to
safety.
Ryouga fought hard, but was no match for these beasts who drove him,
pushed him to a cliffs edge. He looked down, and a plan formed in his
mind. <They want me dead. Well I'm not going alone!>
He blasted the leader back, knocking down the remaining still conscious
monsters, and then turned and ran toward the cliff. The demon's, blinded
by their rage, bolted after him, not stopping as he dove over the side.
At the last minute, he caught a branch jutting out. The monsters,
screaming their rage and defeat, fell to their deaths in the rocky place
below. He looked up, and to his despair, found more, fresh monsters, eager
for battle.
He sighed, and closed his eyes, tapping into his depression. <At
least... Akane will be safe...>
His concentration was interrupted by a primal scream above him.
He stared up, surprised, as a new warrior, moving so fast he could not
focus on the form, attacked the creatures with a blade of some form. Part
of him, then, recognized the creatures as his own destructive anger, fear,
and hatred. The new warrior, a woman, crushed and threw the monsters of
emotion into oblivion, then reached down a hand to help Ryouga up the
cliff.
He took it, and helped pull himself up. "Thank you," he said, wearily,
not quite seeing her face.
"Of course." The voice was familiar, but he could not place it. "I
had to save you."
He smiled a half smile, closing his eyes. "I could have defeated
them..."
He felt the impact before the voice reached his ears, but both were
playful. "Yeah, but then, what chance would there be for _us_?"
He felt the kiss on his ear just before he woke up, as the playful
voice floated between his sleeping and waking state.
"Jackass..."
He slowly opened his eyes, confused by the dream, but understanding the
implications perfectly. <Could... could I really find happiness with...
her?>
___________________________________________________________________________
Sweet Dreams
Part 3
Possibilities
She woke with the morning sun in her face, a bird chirping cheerfully
outside of her window. She smiled, remembering the dream she had earlier,
his soft voice lingering in her mind. She allowed the thought to grow, to
at least provide her with a little warmth. <Even if it is a ridiculous
idea.>
Her heart argued that it wasn't so ridiculous, and she prepared for
school, not contradicting it.
He awoke, his back sore, and once again thought of her face, her smile,
her laugh. She didn't care how she was perceived, he had decided that she
wasn't more masculine than feminine. She was really cute, despite what he
had thought before. <Even if she may never give me the time of day.>
His heart argued that he had to try, and he washed, ready for the day,
agreeing.
Her day was half over, and she rushed home to prepare for the other
half. She opened the restaurant, and rushed to clean for the lunch rush.
His day was half over, and he was lost... again. He was in a town he
never recognized, and he knew that made no difference. He turned into the
first door he saw, looking for directions. A shop door opened, and he
followed the proprietress in.
"Excuse me, Can you tell me how to get to the Tendo Dojo?"
She was frozen by the now familiar voice, which had played in her head
all morning. She turned. "Ryouga?"
He was frozen by the cute face before him, which had floated before his
eyes throughout his travels. "Ukyou?
They stared, and then, nervously, he turned to go. She called out to
him, haltingly. "W-wait..."
He turned back, dazed, overflowing with emotion. Her blush only made
her look cuter to his dream biased eyes.
"Y-you... you must be hungry..."
He nodded slowly, and let her lead him to the counter. He didn't want
to take the chance of getting lost.
He watched her hands skillfully create what they had made a million
times before. Somehow, he knew this one would be the best one he'd tasted.
Ukyou looked up at Ryouga, seeing him watch her, and blushed. Ranma
had never watched so closely, but she wasn't nervous. Somehow, she knew
she might be watched like this again.
The okonomiyaki was finished, and they two got to know each other all
over again.
To them, all that could be seen was a future of bright sunshine...
And Sweet Dreams.