Please tell me I'm not the first to have done this...

WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
songfic by Jeff Walker

Ryouga is the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Wherever I may roam is
 Metallica�s.  I claim no rights to either.


	[As the first strings of the sitar sound off, we see a lonely stretch of
 highway, somewhere in the middle of a dessert.  The ground is sparsely dotted
 with dry, sickly looking shrubs.  The heat is intense as we see distortion
 rippling off the surface of the pavement.  Through the twisting a familiar
 figure begins to form, at last we see Ryouga appear over the rise.  As the
 music begins to intensify there is a close up of Ryouga�s travel-worn shoes as
 they plod up and down it time with the drum beats, dust rising with every
 step.  He walks wearily but somehow with a purpose.  As the music speeds up
 another notch our view is through Ryouga�s eyes, looking at the road ahead.
 Suddenly it speeds up, zipping along the road.  There is a flash of light and
 as the music slows back down we see Ryouga standing on a cliff looking out at
 a dark forest.  At first glance his face seems emotionless but as we look on
 his face reveals that he is struggling through many emotions.]

...AND THE ROAD BECOMES MY BRIDE
I HAVE STRIPPED OF ALL BUT PRIDE
SO IN HER I DO CONFIDE

[Ryouga smiles slightly as an image of Akane fades into view.  She is dressed
 in a light blue sundress and seems happy and care free. Ryouga reaches out to
 her, she looks at him and reaches out for him as well.]

AND SHE KEEPS ME SATISFIED
GIVES ME ALL I NEED

[The image distorts, Ryouga closes his eyes and makes a fist as Ranma appears
 with Akane and takes her in his arms]

...AND WITH DUST IN THROAT I CRAVE
ONLY KNOWLEDGE WILL I SAVE
TO THE GAME YOU STAY A SLAVE

[Ryouga showing up at the Tendo Dojo.  He turns away and runs, only to appear
 in front of it again.  He looks up at the gate and shrugs.  With a sigh he
 walks in.]

ROVER
WANDERER
NOMAD
VAGABOND
CALL ME WHAT YOU WILL

[There are images of Ryouga in many different parts of the world.  Thick,
 tropical jungles, rocky mountains, crowded cities, etc.  In every place only
 one thing is the same, the look of confusion and helplessness on Ryouga�s
 face.]

BUT I�LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND ANYWHERE
AND I�LL REDEFINE ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME

[Ryouga is seen building a small camp.  He is chopping fire wood with his
 fists and we see a bed roll laid out with his pack on top of it.  He seems at
 ease in the outdoors but his face reveals a kind of panic hidden within.

...AND THE EARTH BECOMES MY THRONE
I ADAPT TO THE UNKNOWN
UNDER WANDERING STARS I�VE GROWN
BY MYSELF BUT NOT ALONE
I ASK NO ONE

[We see a tearful Akari reaching out for Ryouga as he walks away from her, not
 looking back.  We see his face, he is on the verge of tears but will not let
 them fall.]

...AND MY TIES ARE SEVERED CLEAN
THE LESS I HAVE THE MORE I GAIN
OFF THE BEATEN PATH I REIGN

[Ryouga holds a picture of Akane in one hand and Akari in the other.  He
 crushes them and throws them to the ground in frustration.  He quickly scoops
 them back up and smoothes them back out.]

ROVER
WANDERER
NOMAD
VAGABOND
CALL ME WHAT YOU WILL

BUT I�LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND ANYWHERE
AND I�LL REDEFINE ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME

[Image of Ryouga walking with, the image of the door to a small house over his
 head.  The house seems old and is in a state of disrepair.  A sign hangs near
 the door, and written on it is the word Hibiki.]

BUT I�LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND
AND I�LL TAKE MY FIND ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME

[We see Ryouga out in the night, cast in shadow.  As rain pour in buckets on
 him.  Ryouga begins to change slowly and painfully.  He twists and turns in
 agony, his flesh and bone changing, conforming to his cursed frame but the
 shadows prevent us from seeing exactly what is happening.]

BUT I�LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND ANYWHERE
AND I�LL REDEFINE ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME
CARVED UPON MY STONE
MY BODY LIE BUT STILL I ROAM
WHEREVER I MAY ROAM

[As the music builds to a finale, Ryouga hangs his head low.  Seemingly
 engrossed with his own pain he drops to his knees and looks up at the sky.  A
 familiar orb of energy builds in his hand, Ryouga contemplates it with a look
 of disgust.  Standing, his face sets grimly as he holds his arm towards the
 horizon and releases the blast.  It arcs slightly and impacts, the ensuing
 blast grows until all that can be seen is white.  The light then slowly fades
 to black.]


I had to do this, it just fit so perfect.  I will find it hard to belive that
 no one else has done this, so please tell me it ain�t true.
-The Texas Ranger	

�Another song finished, another puss on the wall!�- James Hetfield during the
 making of the black albumn.