Author's notes:
Just a short one-shot, it's rough and one of those short fic ideas I was 
able to salvage off my broken disk. Anyway, with that said, I hope you 
enjoy the fic. 

When loneliness Abides
By Kahlil Noriega

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ Video


The late afternoon sky was quiet and still. Empty and dark, except for 
the shining moon all alone in the sky. While the wind blew softly, 
frostily over the stillness that surrounded a nearby campfire, nestled 
deep inside the woods in the heart of the mountains.

The fire crackled and burned, roaring loudly as it was the only thing 
that could be heard in the empty forest. Somewhere, a lone wolf howled 
in the night, crying up at the moon as it stood over a ridge. The man by 
the fire felt he too was standing on one. The heated light of the fire 
failed to warm the coldness of his heart as the boy sat quietly within 
the fire light's embrace.

Cold, and alone, the boy drew his legs closer to himself. Head bowed 
over as he rested his chin on his knees as he forced a tear not to fall. 
It did, and it was not alone... 

Ryouga sat there and cried, his pack leaned heavily beside a fallen log 
were he had left it a while ago...

He didn't care anymore. 

He sat there thinking of the times Akane and Ranma looked at each other, 
felt the love that each had for the other... 

Had each other... 

The thought of them being together, it just made him feel alone, more so 
in seeing them together that he regressed farther, deeper within 
himself.
 
Depression. 

And now, those two were finally together. He had to leave, for the sake 
of her happiness and his as well. Ryouga could only hope that she was 
happy, in the end it was all that mattered. Her and the one she loved, 
but it wasn't him she loved... 

Staring at the fire again, a fire that threatened to consume all. It 
would be a fitting end, wouldn't it, he thought. Fire, but he felt only 
cold, frost biting cold that could freeze the fiery lakes of hell. So 
painfully cold, and empty...

God he loved her...

And it hurt terribly...

But just as long as she is happy, he thought out loud as he gazed up at 
the crimson sky. Dawn seemed so near that it threatened to push the 
darkness away.

He returned his gaze again on that soft crackling fire, a fire that 
slowly lost its fuel, the embers of regret and of solitude, dying, 
leaving what is to be its blacked and charred remains.

And he felt free...

No longer shackled in the past... 

He saw the crest of the sun rise over the mountains, the night seemed to 
clear with a new morning light as Ryouga stood up, turned, and walked 
away, with that of a new dawn on his back. 

And the long lonely road seemed brighter then...

~ fini


Author's notes:

Just a 'What if' idea I had if Ryouga finally got over Akane. I just 
hope it wasn't as dark as it seemed. 

Well I hope you like the story. And if there's anything you got to say 
about this fic, please tell me. Even a short reply would be nice. In 
fact, I implore you to do so. Please send all C&C, MST or even flames to 
the address below or to the FFML if you feel bold enough to do so.

And if you're curious as to what other stories I've done. Please don't 
hesitate to visit my sister's web page at:

The anything goes Ranma 1/2 fanfic page
http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9371

Anyway, that's that for my rant. ^_^

Sincerely
~ Kahlil N.

Frost fills the sky over Ten Mile Lake...
Silken threads anxious of youth....
Looking at the moon and feeling lonely...
Envious of lovers, not of immortality...
Envious of love, not of immortality...

~ excerpt from the movie " A Chinese Ghost Story "
    Ranma 1/2: A Chinese Ghost Story

FFIRC Handle: Ranka 


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