Okay folks, this is one of my VERY FIRST fanfics. I have done one or two
others, but I can't remember if I sent them in. Anyway, I lose the internet
for about three weeks starting tomorrow, so I should have part two three
and maybe four done by the time I get back. C&C welcomed and needed, just
try not to flamethrow, if possible. As I said, this is one of my first
fanfic's (the others I wrote went way down hill and were never finnished)
Public or private C&C, suggestions, comments, MST's, anything. (BTW, Ku and
Cloud are two chars. I created a while back, and some may not think it is
good to have Ukyo with Cloud, but I created Cloud for that purpose in an
older story, to have some preassure taken from Ranma after he and Akane
were married)
Thanks.
TALE OF RYOGA: Chapter 1 - Life and Death
by James
The cold rain fell to the earth with great force, saturating the ground
thoroughly as the long line of mourners passed the short casket. A heavy
sadness filled the air, pressing down around the cemetery like a thick
blanket as the sky cried along with the large group of people. The sadness
was only to be expected, but it was worse at this particular funeral.
The first two who pass the casket were a tall, muscular young man with
long dark hair pulled into a tight pig tail. He looked completely out of
place dressed in the new, black suit, white dress shirt and tie.
On his arm, a young woman with short, raven hair cried softly, trying to
contain a small amount of composure. It was useless, she decided, and
hugged her husband tightly, letting the tears flow freely.
Saotome Ranma held his wife tightly with one arm, allowing her to cry on
his shoulder, while fighting to keep his umbrella in the other. Neither she
or he had ever expected this, and he wished to the gods that he could
change it. He looked at Akane for a moment, his beautiful wife unable to
stop the tears that seemed hell-bent on coming. Slowly he felt his own
control breaking down, tears beginning to form in his eyes for his lost
friend. He wiped them quickly away and looked at the coffin, a sudden ache
forming in his stomach. It had been his fault. If he had tried a little
harder, then maybe.... maybe..... He pushed the thought away, knowing damn
well he had done all he could. Akane had to repeatedly reminded him of
this, but it had been little help.
Slowly, the couple made their way forward, Ranma whispering to Akane that
it would be all right. They stopped and turned, watching as the rest passed
slowly by.
First came Genma and Nodoka, neither of which seemed phased in the
slightest. Their faces remained emotionless as they each whispered a short
prayer. Ranma knew, however, that this was merely a cover up. His gaze
locked with his mother's and he clearly saw what he knew was pain and grief
in her eyes. He witnessed the same with his father as the two made slowly
to take their place beside he and Akane.
Slowly, Nabiki and Kasumi approached the casket. Kasumi wept softly,
holding a small tissue which she used to periodically wipe her eyes. She
fought against the harsh wind, trying desperately to hold her umbrella as
she slowly moved on, whispering a short prayer.
Nabiki stood before the casket for a moment, a blank look on her face. She
had barely known this person, but that thick chunk of ice in her chest had
melted the day she heard, and she wept herself to sleep that night. Now,
she had to force herself to stay calm, to not show her true feeling to the
ones around her. She had to be the strong one, no matter how much it hurt.
Nabiki made her way to her sisters and brother-in-law. She stood silently,
looking at the ground as Manji Ku and Manji Cloud made their way to the
coffin, Ukyo holding onto Cloud tightly.
Ku looked at Cloud, then to Ukyo. It had taken a while, but the two of
them had grown close despite Ukyo's old feelings for Ranma. He looked back
at the coffin, his umbrella fighting to break free of his grasp. He
remembered how it had happened. He, Cloud, Ranma, Akane, Kasumi, and Nabiki
had watched, helpless. It wasn't fair for one so young to die such a way,
but there was no more that could be done, and he knew it. He fought tears,
trying to remain strong. He walked forward slowly, whispering a prayer.
Cloud held Ukyo gently, patting her back as she wept on his shoulder. It
was always hard for one to lose one's friends, Cloud knew this better than
most others. He looked at Ukyo, whispering to her softly, trying to comfort
her in the only way he knew how. He frowned for a moment, unable to help
feeling that this was all his fault. If he had never brought this feud to
Nerima, if he had not led Shicak and his ninja's to the Tendo dojo, this
never would have happened.
Ukyo looked up at Cloud, a soft smile crossing his ever warm face as her
gaze met his. She jerked as sob after sob wrenched harshly from her chest.
She held him tightly, trying to fathom in her mind the senseless act of
violence that led to this tragedy. It had only taken a split second and the
flick of the wrist to end the life of one of her friends, and it made her
feel cold inside. She continued to cry, holding Cloud closer to her for
comfort.
Ku, Cloud, and Ukyo made their way sadly over to the group and turned to
look at the casket. Ranma ran his eyes across the cemetery, hoping he would
see who he looked for.
"I hope..., " Akane spoke through sobs. "I hope he makes it, Ranma...."
her sobs cut her short as more tears washed across her face.
"So do I, Akane." Ranma said simply, holding her close to him. He
continued to skim the yard with his eyes until something caught his
attention. Near the beginning of the path that led to the casket, he could
see a bright orange umbrella held high above a figure in dark clothes. He
looked at the person for a moment, holding his breath. It was him. He poked
Akane gently and pointed at the figure.
Akane looked up and followed Ranma's gaze. Her heart skipped a beat as the
blanket of sadness seemed to grow heavier. The figure made it's way slowly
toward the casket, his eyes locked on the ground. Akane never would have
known anyone was there if it had not been for the orange umbrella and the
bright yellow and black bandanna that shone against the afternoon sun, what
there was of it.
The tension rose as each person noticed the new arrival. Each person fixed
their sad gaze on the ground, or a tree, or each other, or anything that
would keep them from having to look at the figure. Ranma glanced at the
figure, a sad look crossing his face.
Hibiki Ryoga looked at the coffin, his sadness fuming from his body in the
form of a slightly green aura. His fists were clinched tightly as he
continued to stare at the coffin, trying his hardest not to look at the
group of people behind him, especially Ranma. He could feel the rising
tension in the air, and his depression deepened, causing his aura to flare.
He had been unable to protect her, the one he had loved so much. Tears
burned the back of his eyes, but he forced them to subside, burying the
pain as deeply as he could, as deep has he had been burying it for years.
It had come as no surprise to him that Ranma had failed to keep his promise
as he so often did. He now knew he was a fool to trust Ranma. <Damn you,
Saotome> he thought, biting his lip to keep from saying it.
Akane pulled herself slowly from Ranma's grip, moving slowly forward.
Ranma watched, hoping Akane would be able to help Ryoga cope. God knew he
needed a friend right now, and Ranma did not think he would fit the bill
very well.
Akane walked slowly through the rain, not caring how wet she had become.
She stood next to Ryoga, looking sadly at the coffin. She wiped tears from
her eyes, trying to regain some composure.
Ryoga felt Akane's presence but said nothing, his mind drifting through
his old memories. He closed his eyes tightly as tears began to trickle down
his face, his grip on his umbrella loosening.
Akane moved closer to Ryoga, laying her hand gently on his shoulder.
Ryoga jerked violently away from her hand, turning sharply to look at her.
His aura faded and his eyes filled with tears as they locked with hers.
"Please," he whispered. "Leave me alone, Akane."
Akane pulled back slightly, looking as if she had been slapped. Her eyes
filled with tears again, the pain her friend was suffering becoming all the
more clear to her. Hesitantly she turned and walked slowly back to Ranma.
Ranma took Akane in his arms, looking at Ryoga in shock. He had never seen
Ryoga act in such a way towards Akane. it was very unnerving.
Ryoga looked over Akane at Ranma, his gaze dripping acid as he looked at
the young martial artist. He turned back to the coffin, looking at it
sadly. Slowly, he extended his hand and ran it across the coffin's surface,
not worried about the thin film of water that covered it. More tears fell
down his face, his body shivering violently. He moved his hand to his
pocket and pulled a small ring from it, the ring he had planned to use when
he proposed to her. He sat it gently on the coffin.
"I'm sorry I was not there for you." Ryoga closed his eyes, keeping his
hand on the coffin. "I should have been, but I was not, and this is the
result." He turned and moved slowly away. He stopped and looked at the
ground. His body was slowly giving out on him, his legs refusing to move.
"I.... I love you Akari." He spoke softly as his umbrella fell to the
ground. He felt his body change suddenly and opened his eyes. He looked at
the group from the ground, now in his piglet form, P-Chan. The last thing
he remembered seeing was Akane's shocked gaze at seeing her friend morph
into her pet piglet. Slowly, he drifted into unconsciousness.
~#~#~
#~#~#~#~#~#
~#~#~
It had been a shock, yes, but Akane found herself unable to be mad.
Despite the fact that Ryoga had probably seen her naked more times than she
could count, she still could not be angry. Ranma had confessed everything
on the way back to the dojo, P-chan/Ryoga resting silently in her lap.
Under normal circumstances, she would have beaten them both until they
were black and blue, especially Ranma for hiding this fact from her for so
long. But not now. Ryoga was suffering enough. The death of Akari had hit
him hard, and in his condition she was afraid he would hurt himself.
"I am sorry, Akane," Ranma interrupted her thoughts. She looked at her for
a moment, a stern look on her face.
"I promised Ryoga I would never tell anyone about his curse," girl-type
Ranma continued, the look on Akane's face not helping her at all. "It was
kinda my fault that he is cursed, it was the least I could do for the guy."
Ranma looked at the bus seat before her, wishing se had made it into the
bus BEFORE her umbrella was pulled from her grip. At least that way she
could talk to her wife in her true form.
"I understand, Ranma," Akane sighed, the look falling from her face,
replaced by one of sadness as she looked down at P-chan/Ryoga, then back at
the red-hair female that was her husband. She had grown used to Ranma's
cursed female side, though she was still slightly uncomfortable with her in
public. "I feel bad for Ryoga. He has been through so much...." Tears began
to build in her eyes.
Ranma hugged Akane tightly, trying not to crush P-chan/Ryoga. "I know,
Akane. But we can only hope and pray for the best."
"I know..... I just wish it weren't so hard.." Akane hugged Ranma, not
caring that he was female now. She glanced back at P-chan/Ryoga. He seemed
slightly uncomfortable, as if he were having nightmares.
~#~#~
#~#~#~#~#~#
~#~#~
The memories were horrible..... It had not been a good day to start with,
this much he had decided. The view of the hospital ceiling had provided no
comfort, and neither had the nurses or doctors that had been there over the
last two days. He looked around the room, every fiber of his body aching.
Shicak's men had really done a job over on him, and he knew he would be out
of the art of fighting for a week or two. At least Cloud and Ku were all
right, and so were Akane and her sisters.
Ryoga rubbed his side, flinching as he came across his cracked ribs. He
had been told his arm was broken, and his ankle would be swollen for a few
days. Other than that, he would be fine. He tried to sit, but could not. He
fell back to the bed with a grunt.
"Going somewhere?"
He glanced at the far wall, Dr. Tofu standing in the door grinning.
"Dr. Tofu....." he managed, his throat dry.
"I thought I would come down and see how these big hospital doctors were
treating you." Tofu walked quickly to the bed, adjusting his thin frame
glasses slightly.
"Okay I guess." Ryoga managed, rubbing his throat gingerly. "Could I have
some water?"
Tofu walked quickly to the tap, turning on the hot water. He let it warm
slightly and filled the glass, returning to Ryoga's side.
Ryoga took the water, drinking it down in one. He held the glass out to
Tofu. "Thank you, doctor."
"Your welcome." Tofu took the glass but did not move. "So, they are
treating you okay then?"
"Yes, as good as doctors can." He laid back, trying to concentrate on the
events of the past two days. His eyes widened slightly, his body bolting
upright. "Akari!! Has.... has Ranma found her yet?"
Tofu pushed Ryoga gently back to the bed, his face looking the same as
when he entered. "I don't know yet, Ranma has just returned. Try to rest,
Ryoga. We will know shortly." His voice was calm and soothing.
Ryoga looked at the ceiling, feeling like death. <Please Ranma, save her>
he thought, closing his eyes tightly.
~#~#~
#~#~#~#~#~#
~#~#~
"Mr. Hibiki?" the voice floated through the room, making almost no noise
at all.
Ryoga's eyes slid open slowly. Above him stood a young, attractive nurse.
She smiled sweetly, though it seemed a little forced. "Yes?" he asked.
"Dr. Medfield needs to speak with you, sir." The nurse moved slowly across
the room to retrieve his yellow tunic and raggedy black pants. "Please
dress and come into the hall."
Ryoga watched as the nurse made her way from the room. He then stood and
pulled off his hospital gown. After pulling his clothes on, he found a
group of bandanna's in his pocket and slipped them on, tying them under his
bangs to keep them out of his eyes. Slowly, and painfully, he made for the
door. Pulling it open, he saw another young, attractive women standing
before him. "Dr. Medfield?" he asked.
The woman turned and smiled a very professional, very practiced smile.
"Yes, Mr. Hibiki. I am Dr. Medfield."
Ryoga looked at her for a moment. Despite the smiles, she seemed
uncomfortable. His worry grew, a deep fear growing in his mind. "Is
something wrong?"
Dr. Medfield's smile faded, a serious look crossing her features. "Um...
yes. I need you to come with me, please." The doctor turned slowly and
began to walk allowing Ryoga no time to ask questions.
A numbing pain formed in the pit of Ryoga's stomach as he slowly followed
the doctor, trying his best to keep up. "What has happened?" he asked.
The doctor did not answer but continued to walk. Suddenly, she stopped.
Turning, she spoke softly. "Mr. Hibiki, I hate to have to ask you this now,
but we need to know if you can identify someone for us." She stepped to
the side slightly, the door behind her reading 'Morgue'.
Ryoga froze, his body becoming numb. His eyes scanned the word on the
door, a growing sense of fear attacking him. "Okay." he whispered softly
despite the urge to turn and run, to run away from that place and never
return.
Nervously, Dr. Medfield pushed the double door open and held it for Ryoga
to go through.
Ryoga slowly entered the room, a blast of chilled air hitting him in the
face. The place was heavy with the presence of death, and it made him
queasy as he entered the dimly lit room.
Dr. Medfield moved swiftly ahead of Ryoga, moving close to a man in all
white. She leaned close to him and whispered in his ear. He nodded and
moved across the room. "This way," said Medfield, walking swiftly behind
the man in white.
Ryoga followed, his peace sluggish. He was not sure he was ready to ID
dead bodies, but he felt he must if they thought he might know them.
The man in white pulled a long rolling table away from the wall. On it, a
white sheet covered a seemingly feminine body, Ryoga could see this from
the figure. She was average height and average build. He was beginning to
become very uncomfortable.
"You ready?" asked Medfield, her voice full of concern at Ryoga's reaction
to seeing the table.
"Yeah," Ryoga whispered weakly, not really believing it himself.
The man in white grasped the sheet and pulled it down to just below the
person's chin.
Ryoga gaped at the sight before him. He could not believe what he was
seeing. "Oh.... no....." he whispered, his gut twisting in pain. On the
table before him lay Akari, her features pale and dull. He looked at her
for a moment, the woman he most loved on a table before him, dead.
"How...." he managed, tears building in his eyes.
"I don't think that is important....." began Medfield.
"How?" he asked again, a hint of anger filling his voice.
Medfield glanced at the man in white. The man in white pulled the sheet
back over Akari's head. "I am sorry, sir," he began. "That is privileged
infor...." he did not finish.
Ryoga moved swiftly forward, grabbing the man in white by the neck and
pinning him to the wall, his feet hanging several feet off the ground.
"TELL ME, DAMN YOU!!!" he scream, pushing his hand deeper into the mans
neck, squeezing tighter.
Medfield moved slightly forward but stopped, unsure what to do as she
watched Ryoga.
The man in white choked weakly. "I.... I can't tell you....."
Ryoga squeezed tighter, refusing to let go. He turned back towards the
table. "Forgive me, Akari. I must know...." he whispered. With his other
hand, he grabbed the sheet and pulled it from her body. He looked her body
over, not caring that she was naked. He gasped in horror, releasing the man
in white who promptly fell to the floor, gasping for air.
Ryoga's eyes were wide with horror. A deep, red cut stretched across
Akari's neck where a large knife or sword had slit it from one side to the
other. He moved closer to the table, looking in shock at her neck.
"Oh my god..." said Medfield, trying to find a new sheet to cover Akari's
corpse.
Ryoga draped the old sheet back over Akari, covering her up completely
with the exception of her face. He looked at her for a long moment, tears
burning his eyes. He reached out and brushed Akari's cheek with his hand.
Her flesh was cold and dry. He halted his fight, letting the tears flow
freely. Ranma had promised to protect her, he promised. Ryoga's rage began
to build, a dull pain forming in his stomach at the thought of the name
'Ranma'.
~#~#~
#~#~#~#~#~#
~#~#~
Ryoga's eyes popped open, the nightmare too much for him. Even with his
eyes open, Akari's body still haunted his vision, refusing to leave. He
looked slowly around the room, trying to forget the nightmare.
He was in Akane's room, on her bed. He tried to sit, but could not. His
body was now human again. "OH SHIT!!" he cried aloud, not meaning to, but
too distracted to even notice. Akane had seen him change into P-chan. He
was in for it now. He looked around the room, then at the window. Maybe he
should leave. If he did, she could not hate him to his face.
"Ryoga!!" A call came from outside of the room.
He looked at the door, recognizing it as Akane's voice. The door flew open
causing him to cringe, ready to be hit.
"Ryoga, are you okay?" Akane's voice was soft, not hostile. "I thought I
heard you call out."
Ryoga opened his eyes. Akane stood in the door looking at him softly. He
opened his mouth but no words formed. He tried to sit again, this time
succeeding. He looked down, seeing he was naked and warped in a blanket,
and decided not to stand. "I think I am okay, Akane." he managed weakly. He
looked around the room, trying to remember what had happened to cause him
to shift his shape. A loud thunderclap from outside answered his question.
Akane walked slowly to the bed. "Are you sure? I was on my way up to check
on you. I wanted to tell you dinner is ready. We would like it if you could
join us, Ryoga. Ranma would really like to talk to you."
Ryoga's face twisted at the mention of Ranma's name. "I.... I think I
would like to take a bath. After that, I may come down." He looked at the
floor, his mind racing in confusion.
"Okay." Akane looked at him for a moment, a worried expression crossing
her face. "I will keep dinner warm for you."
"Okay." he said simply.
Akane patted his shoulder gently and stood. She moved for the door and
glanced back for a moment. "I'll have Kasumi bring a towel up to you,
okay?"
"Okay." came his monotone reply. He looked at the floor, his face becoming
red as he fought tears.
Akane sighed sadly, exiting the room and closing the door behind her.
Ryoga let the tears flow freely. He could never stay at the Tendo/Saotome
dojo, it would be too painful. He could not stand to be around Ranma, who
he wanted dead now more than ever. He had promised, PROMISED to protect
Akari and he had not. But he could not kill Ranma, for that would hurt
Akane deeply, and he could NEVER hurt Akane. He had no where else to go.
His family were never around because of their sense of direction, and he
had no friends. There was only one option. Slowly, he stood from the bed
and walked for the bathroom, his mind made up.
~#~#~
#~#~#~#~#~#
~#~#~
Ryoga tossed the blanket to the floor and looked at himself in the mirror.
After all the hard work he had done to keep himself in the best shape he
could, he still failed to win Akane all that time ago. He failed to beat
Ranma. He failed to protect Akari. He had failed..... everything and
everyone.
He moved slowly over to the now full tub and stepped slowly into the warm
water. It overflowed slightly, draining into the floor drain. He set there
for a moment, looking blankly at the walls. Images of Akari's smiling face
flooded his mind. He smiled slightly, but it soon melted into a frown as he
remembered that he would never see her kind face again. He looked around
the bathroom, his eyes falling on Genma's straight razor. His eyes froze on
the object, unwilling to move. With intent in his eye, he reached for the
blade. He wrapped his hand around it slowly, bringing it back to him. He
stared at the blade thoughtfully. Gritting his teeth, he brought the blade
to his wrist and paused. "Forgive me, Akane." he said before catching his
breath and squeezing his eyes shut.
~#~#~
#~#~#~#~#~#
~#~#~
"Kasumi, could you take a towel up to Ryoga?" Akane asked as she entered
the kitchen, followed by Ranma. They carried the dirty dishes from supper,
and Kasumi began washing them as they were placed on the counter.
"Why of course." said Kasumi, her normal chirpyness beginning to
resurface. She finished washing the plate in her hand and wiped her hands
on her apron. Walking from the kitchen, she retrieved a towel from a small
basket and started up the stairs.
When she reached the top, Kasumi tapped on the door gently. "Ryoga, may I
come in? I have your towel." No answer. Kasumi waited a moment, then tapped
again. "Ryoga? Are you okay?" she asked. Still no answer.
A deeply worried look crossed Kasumi's face. She turned the knob slowly
and pushed the door slowly open. "Ryoga?" she asked, peering around the
corner of the door at the tub.
The color drained from Kasumi's face. Her eyes went wide, and her mouth
hung open as she looked at the tub. She could not believe the sight before
her. Blood covered the sides of the tub, flowing slowly down it to the
floor. Laying in the water, face down, was Ryoga. His arms were draped over
the sides, blood rolling slowly down his hands from his wrists, splotching
noisily onto the floor.
Kasumi screamed.
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END CHAPTER 1
Next Chapter: Ryoga's Decision