Hiroshi looked up at the sky as it began to deliver his doom. *Sometimes I feel as if Susano-wo is Laughing at me... what a mighty fine Joke this time.*
Ranma hugged herself closer to Hiroshi�s arm, "Sooo.. �Roshi," She looked up as well, but with anticipation. Why she did not know.
Hiroshi looked back down, and he smiled. It was the old him shining through, even in adversity. *When your path is woven too late to shift, you might as well go with the drift.* He recited to himself. "Yes, Ranma?"
"I was just wondering...." She looked up at the sky, "If that girl of yours was going to be at the Prom tonight, I mean since you promised me that you would most definitely tell her-"
"Yes, Ranma, she will be at the Prom tonight.. most definitely," he said with no fear in his voice, in fact there was a certain warmth and acceptance that echoed in Hiroshi�s words.
Something that seemed somewhat familiar to Ranma, "What is she like, Hiroshi? If I could ask that, I mean?"
Hiroshi took on a somewhat distant, yearning expression, looking down at the snow gathering on the ground. He brought his eyes back up to connect with Ranma�s and there was such a warm feeling that swelled in Hiroshi�s chest, "Yes, you can ask, Ranma," He nodded to her, noticing how close she was.
Ranma leaned Against Hiroshi, her head on his shoulder. She didn�t know why, and for some reason she didn�t much care, she only knew that it was comfortable and almost like a dream she had had once.. with the snow falling.
Hiroshi blinked in no measure of little shock, then sighed, wrapping an arm around Ranma�s shoulders, "She is kind, and she is brave. She has honor, and love, and compassion without measure. She does such little things, so many silly things that seem sometimes childish to do... things that make her wild, untameable, like hard granite that is difficult to shape into what you want of it-"
"Because it wants to be a certain shape, instead of what you want it to be," Ranma said, smiling to herself.
Hiroshi sighed, looking up at the sky, "Yeah, I am glad you remember that stuff. She has a big heart, and never wants to hurt anyone, even though there are many people who would be hurt if she said some of the things she felt, and she has a way with people that just somehow makes her seem perfectly charming, despite her somewhat less than traditional Japanese upbringing."
"Oh really?" Ranma grinned from ear to ear, whoever she was sounded wonderful to her ears, "Is she beautiful? She really should be for a guy like you, you shouldn�t settle for less and all that," Ranma knew in her heart of hearts that some queens couldn�t be enough for Hiroshi, there were very few people who she would approve of for her friend. She was sure of it.
Hiroshi laughed, causing Ranma to look up at him, meeting his eyes. Those two brown orbs seemed to sparkle with mirth, and he wore a grin on his face as if he knew some enigmatic joke, "Not as beautiful as you are," Hiroshi almost started laughing again at his comment, and couldn�t seem to wipe the grin off his face.
Ranma pouted visibly, "I am not beautiful, what is it with all the guys saying I am some drop dead gorgeous bombshell that they would just LOVE to go on a date with? Sure, I got a hot bod, and sure, I know I�m desirable, but there�s a LOT of girls more desirable than me."
"Okay, name one Ranma," There was a slight touch of Humor to Hiroshi�s voice as he asked.
Ranma thought for half a moment, then grinned, "Ucchan! Ucchan�s very pretty, hah!"
Hiroshi nodded carefully, a careful expression of thought writ on his face, "True, true, she is beautiful, but I would bet that if you asked any number of guys who they would go out with, they would pick you. You just have this... I don�t know how to describe it, this spark of life I guess. It makes people feel as if everything around you is exciting, and they WANT to be a part of that."
"So what, am I some kind of perfect drug now?" Ranma asked jokingly, nudging Hiroshi in the rib with her elbow.
Hiroshi looked down at Ranma, her looking up at him, "Hmm.. let me check and get back to you on that..." the comment earned him a much firmer and more noticable jab in the rib, which he winced at.
They walked in silence for a good ten minutes more, Ranma bundling the scarf around her neck and hugging closer to Hiroshi.
Hiroshi opened his mouth at the end of the long silence, and was quickly interrupted before he even began.
"I am not beautiful," Was the quick reply, with an almost pouting look from Ranma.
Hiroshi sighed as they walked, "Ranma.. why do you think that you are not as beautiful as everyone claims you are??" He continued walking, noticing that they were walking through the park that Hiroshi and Tofuu often spent time around during Sunday.
Ranma stared off for a moment, then got a stern and somewhat troubled look on her face. "Cuz� I�m a guy, �Roshi. I mean... I am just a guy in a dress, all the same, that�s what I see, that�s all I see is me being made up to look like some silly girl..." Ranma trailed off, slumping her shoulders and leaning against Hiroshi.
Hugging Ranma tighter, Hiroshi brought a hand up, brushing some of Ranma�s hair from her face, "Do you relieve see only that, Ranma?" He asked in a calm, soft, caring voice.
Ranma felt stinging hot tears threaten to overflow quite suddenly, and wasn�t sure why. "I- I Don�t know, Hiroshi. I mean, I think I�ve seen some other stuff.. before... It�s just-It�s just... I.."
"You�re afraid?" Hiroshi provided, which earned a long moment of silence as Ranma bowed her head.
"Hai.. I�m afraid of what I�d see if I let myself see it, It�s a little frightening, �Roshi," She shivered, although not from the cold.
Hiroshi noticed they were walking by the small lake of water that the Kuno statue had been placed. He paused a moment, looking at the water.
"Hiroshi?" Ranma asked, noticing he had suddenly stopped. She blinked, looking up at him, he had a warm smile to greet her.. he took her hands in his, and her heart pounded for an unknown reason.
"Come here, I have an idea," Hiroshi pulled ranma towards the cool waters of the lake.
"Wait, Hiroshi, what are you doing?!" Ranma pulled against Hiroshi, trying to get her hand free as she wondered what he was doing dragging her off the beaten path towards the water.
"Just trust me, allright??? here.. slip off your shoes and step into the water a little.... just a little," Hiroshi stood by the water, watching Ranma intently.
Ranma knocked on the top of Hiroshi�s head, "Uhm, you ARE still there, right???"
Hiroshi smirked, "Funny, just do this for me, please??? Indulge a foolish person for tonight," He took one of her hands, squeezing it gently.
Ranma blinked and stared at him for a long moment, then rolled her eyes, "I must be nuts t�listen to this stuff," She slipped off her shoes, grinning while she did so.
She gently touched her feet to the water, shivering a bit as it�s cool feeling assaulted her, nowhere near as cool as the air around though.
"Okay, I am standing in water now. So what is the point?" She asked, grinning back at him.
Hiroshi took on that intense, passionate gaze as he looked at Ranma, "Close your eyes, Ranma..."
Ranma gave him a curious expression, pursing her lips as she was getting ready to ask a question.
"Just close your eyes for a moment, okay?" Hiroshi asked, looking directly at Ranma with that thoughtful passion of his.
Ranma sighed again, closing her eyes, "Okay, now what?"
Hiroshi slowly ran over the concept in his mind, "Do exactly what I say... first, imagine your male self, try and remember every detail you can," He said in a calm, soothing voice.
Ranma nodded after a long moment, "Okay, now what??"
"Now imagine a fire burning in your mind along with the image of yourself," Hiroshi closed his own eyes, taking a deep breath and running through the concept in his mind again.
Ranma nodded again, Hiroshi didn�t need to see to know the positive response.
"Now toss the image of your male self into the fire-"
"What?!" Ranma said, opening her eyes and looking at Hiroshi.
Hiroshi sighed in frustration, "Just trust me, Ranma, it�s ONLY a temporary thing, you aren�t actually burning your male self... it�s a mental trick I want you to try, please?"
Ranma glared at Hiroshi for a moment, then closed her eyes again. Hiroshi counted up to three minutes before she nodded. "Done," She intoned in a distant manner.
"Now begin running through your mind all the male things that pop into it... memories, feelings, whatever, anything and everything, try and find as much as you can and toss it into the fire," Hiroshi watched Ranma, who�s brow was furrowed in thought.
Several minutes passed and Ranma�s stern expression of concentration ebbed, giving over to a more relaxed and calm look.
Hiroshi continued watching, and found himself studying Ranma�s face, every curve and line... her jaw, her lips, how her hair framed her face.
His heart ached suddenly for him to reach out and touch her, and as if by some strange independant force his arm raised against his will, his eyes transfixed on the beauty before him. His fingers came within inches of Ranma�s face, trembling, so close yet so far away.
Then Ranma nodded, causing him to jerk his hand back. Her breathing was easy now, as if she had fallen into a meditative trance. "Got everything, I think, Hiroshi," She kept her eyes closed, making sure there was nothing left.
Hiroshi sighed at the almost-touch he had made, then forced a smile back on his face, "When you are done with all of that, clear your mind of anything that is left at all.. make it empty and peaceful."
Ranma nodded only a moment later.
Hiroshi stepped closer to her, putting a hand on her shoulder instead... "Now open your eyes and look down at your reflection."
Ranma slowly let her eyes drift open, as if in almost a dream. Her eyes drifted slowly downward, and was suddenly captivated with what she saw, almost causing her to jump in shock. "Is that me?"
Hiroshi smiled, relaxing, "Yep.. that is what we see when we see you in female form."
Ranma touched her face, looking down at the reflection calmly, "I- I really am beautiful," She intoned in a hushed, barely audible manner. She ran her hand across her face, her cheek, brushing her hair lightly aside as she gazed in awe at her reflection.
Hiroshi�s tone was soft as he replied, looking at Ranma with a plainly amorous glint in his eyes, "Yes, Ranma, yes you are... and it�s about time that you realized what everyone else see�s in you," He smiled and held out his hand, a signal that they needed to get going to the Prom.
Ranma looked at his hand a moment, then took it carefully. She looked at him, something stirring in her heart, "Thank you, Hiroshi," She found herself saying, not really knowing why her voice was low, pleasant, filled with care.
Hiroshi smiled back in turn, pushing his own emotions into the back of his mind, "You are welcome, Ranma. We should get going, the Prom isn�t going to wait on us you know," And then the moment had passed.
Ranma blinked, seeming to come out of some far distant dream state, she smiled, stepping out of the water and slipping her shoes back on. "Hai.. let�s go, Hiroshi," She smiled, taking his arm again.
The snow fell silently all around them, seeming to paint a picture of eternal bliss.
* * * * * *
The prom was being held in an enclosed Stadium which was, on rare occasions, used for housing various sporting tournaments. It had made very little money in the long run, only enough to keep it open, and concidering it�s relatively small size, it was perfect for a dance.
It had only needed a little touching up... all of which had been dutifully taken care of by the Prom Commitee, which was.. of course.. headed by Nabiki Tendou. In all sense of truth, Nabiki Tendou headed ANY school project that involved making money. Nobody would say it out loud, of course, but money just seemed to flow towards Nabiki, for fault of a better explanation.
Akane Looked around at the people who were coming in the doors, at the refreshment table with all the fixings of a banquet. She blinked, noticing some of the intricately fancy dresses and tuxes that the other women and men wore.
Of course, Most of them were here for the NORMAL version of the prom. Not a lot of people would participate in the Annual Martial Arts Prom Tournament.
She was also shocked at the size of the dance floor.. while it was a small stadium, that still made for a fairly large area for dancing. Half of it was blocked off, reserved for the contest.
Akane herself had thought it was a completely ridiculous idea in the first place when it was proposed by Kuno in her freshman year. Just another means to get her to date with him, she had assumed... yet the tradition had stuck, even though she hadn�t participated until this year.
"It looks very nice, Akane," Ryouga cast a wary look around at the gathered people, some talking, some getting food at the banquet table. Ryouga was adverse to leaving Akane�s side, seeing as how he could get lost so easily, especially in a new place.
"Yeah... Nabiki sure did a great job, not that it�s surprising," Akane�s last few words were said in a bitter manner, as if Akane had taken a bad pill.
"Ahhh, to behold the virtuous beauty that hath been gifted most wonderfully to the pure and devout lady of the raven hair, yay, to behold such a precious gem amidst the false glass of the numerous other less than ample flowers is to truly perceive what true maidenhood should represent.
Yes, I, Kuno Tatewake, hath been overcome with the vision of kami that hath been gifted to me by the gracious and benevolent spirits of the eve, and mayhaps this noble soldier of virtue may even be so dubious as to give this fair blossom a chance at his noble self upon the grace of the ballroom floor," The familiar voice intoned behind Akane and Ryouga.
Akane ground her teeth, one of her brows twitching with not a small amount of fury. She rounded on Kuno, about to throw an insult at the arrogant snot who would dare approach her on such a night.
Kuno stared back impassively, waiting for something to be said, his own eyes meeting Akane�s, respectfully as an equal, "Or perhaps the fair blossom has come to challenge the champion of Furenkin sporting events upon the self same floor that he would choose to declare his devoted self to the cause of her heart, in which case, I must insist that we hold our anger for perhaps a more prudent period of alottment, persay, I would suggest that you hold your fury for the battle which you would wage tonight, for although I have been lenient in my treatment of you up until this point, tonight shall be another matter entirely," Kuno said in a serious manner.
Ryouga growled and cracked his knuckles, "Don�t you have any respect for a lady, Kunou!? Akane has told you countless times that she doesn�t have any interest in you," Ryouga was angry that the kendoist would choose TONIGHT of all night�s to approach Akane to declare his love, but then again, Ryouga would have expected as much from his mentality.
Akane held out a hand on front of Ryouga, her teeth clenched, "I hate to say it, but Kunou is right Ryouga.. you want to wipe the floor with his butt, do it in the tournament."
Kunou bowed in a formal manner, offering a yellow rose to Akane, "A simple offering, if we are to do battle then I wish you the best of luck.. for although I might otherwise allow you more leeway to do as you please, allowing you to win victory of me, my partner is less than lenient about losing.. hence I come to warn you that no mercy shall be shown in this night�s tournament, as would otherwise be the case."
Akane blinked for a moment in shock, then renewed her stern expression, her hands on her hips, "And why do YOU care to help us, Kuno?"
Kuno stood, still holding the rose out in offering, "If I once had been an enemy, perhaps I have finally beheld the inherant fault of my nature, and.. have questioned my actions to you as honorable. Though my own benevolent fantasies do me justice, I doubt that others find them so dubiously enjoyable, or as safe as I do. In truth, I am unsure if I should have ever escaped into my own avalon of dreams and hopes.
I pray that you may perhaps come to forgive me with time for my erronious manners and dishonourable conduct, for I have acted with very little maturity towards a lady of your own caliber, or one of fair Ranma�s caliber for that matter... both of you deserve far better than I may offer. Perhaps, in some strange twist of fate, I have earned a small sample of maturity that you all seem to believe I am lacking from."
Ryouga growled, almost ready to ignore Akane�s request and pound Kuno�s face into the ground of his own free will. "Why can�t you just talk *NORMALLY* you freak?!"
Akane put a gentle hand on Ryouga�s shoulder, holding him back again, "Kuno, why should I believe you�ve actually caught a clue after all this time??? How do I know you just won�t revert to mind numbing idiot next week???"
Kuno raised an impassive eyebrow, looking at Akane carefully. "Because, Akane, my obliviousness on this last attempt was farse."
Ryouga and Akane facefaulted.
"Wh-wh-what?!" Akane asked, grabbing Kuno by the lapel. "You mean you were PLAYING stupid!?"
Kuno looked down at Akane impassively, with a calm and accepting air. "Indubitably so, Tendou Akane... The reaction was a coping strategy to help deal with the truth, as have been all the numerous other seemingly impossible situations that have arisen from my legendary ignorance. Did you never entertain the notion, fair Akane, that I could be capable of scamming??? After all, it is quite possible since I was forced to grow up with that mercenary of a sister you call Nabiki," Kuno spat the words with distaste.
"Impossible, Akane, nobody can play that stupid," Ryouga glared at Kuno, who looked back impassively, which enfuriated Ryouga even more, *Damn arrogant cocky bastard... should wipe the smirk off his face...*
Akane let go of Kuno, "I have to agree with Ryouga, Kuno... and why should we believe you now???"
Kuno sighed, shaking his head, "Admittedly, I chose not to see the truth that I truly knew, this does not mean that I did not perceive the events or actions that all of you believe I misconstrued and modified in my head. I did, most definitely, know the truth in a most unpleasant manner, but one cannot accept insanity when ones vision of a perfect world does not include it," Kuno brushed his free hand through his hair.
"Since you obviously shall not take my gift when offered from mine own hand, I shall leave it thusly," Kuno set the rose gently down upon the table beside Akane, "So that you might consider accepting it later, if at such a time you deem my apology worth noting."
Akane glared at Kuno, yet under that facade she was unsure WHAT to think. Last time they had trusted Kuno had figured out the truth, he turned around and started acting the part of an ass again.
Kuno, noticing that no answer was forthcoming, bowed formally, then rose, turning on his heels he strode off to find his date.
Ryouga growled, punching the table fiercely, splintering it into two halves. He blinked in a fair bit of surprise and then growled. "I don�t like Kuno, Arrogant Pompous Self Absorbed-"
"Ryouga, how often do you know Kuno to apologize for something?" Akane�s voice had a curious tone to it, she lifted the rose from the remains of the broken table, sniffing it in an absent minded fashion.
Ryouga blinked, then thought for a moment. Come to think of it, Kuno almost NEVER apologized about any of his shortcomings. He was usually far more arrogant than to allow himself to be demeaned in such a manner.
Akane wound the rose into a section of her dress, *Good luck, he say�s... I�ll need it with Ranma.*
As if on cue, the knockout redhead strode into view, her arm locked in Hiroshi�s, "Yo, Akane!!! This place is pretty jumping, huh?"
Akane smiled back at Ranma, "You bet, if I had known it would be this interesting I would�ve tried coming last year and the year before."
Ryouga smirked at Ranma, "So, are you ready to lose Ranma??? With Akane and I paired, I�m sure you don�t stand a chance," Ryouga loved prodding Ranma.
A cool and calm smile was returned for his taunt. Instead of Ranma replying, Hiroshi spoke up in response.
"I wouldn�t count on that, Ryouga..." The brown haired boy smiled a knowing smile, a self assured, cocky, confident smile. Ranma simply reflected the expression without a word.
"Good Luck, P-chan," Ranma said with a slight smile, "And may the best man win."
Ryouga grinned, looking at Hiroshi. Ranma growled.
"You know what I meant, Baka," the redhead grumbled, throwing a friendly punch at Ryouga�s arm.
Ryouga chuckled and nodded, "Yes... the best to you too," And the two clasped hands for a moment.
Akane blinked in silent surprise, "Wow.. I never thought I�d see both of you act so maturely, I�m shocked."
Ryouga rubbed the back of his head, laughing a bit and Ranma blushed.
"Hey, s�not like we fight ALL the time Akane," Ranma�s voice was defensive.
Akane grinned, nodding, "Right, just most of the time," her answer caused Hiroshi to chuckle quietly.
They all turned to look at the arena when someone picked up the microphone.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...."
* * * * * *
Daisuke sat in a corner of the auditorium, alone, typing on his miniature laptop (Pieced together from spare parts, yet again.)
His mind wandered, thinking of a billion seperate ideas as his fingers tried to keep up with them. His brain awash with equations and formulas.
Which is a good enough reason that he didn�t notice someone approaching him. That is, not until that laugh...
"OOooooohohohohohoho!!!" That laugh... caused Daisuke to tense up, his hands to suddenly go cold and clammy, he lifted his head, looking up at the figure who emitted the laugh.
Some people would say a thing out of a nightmare... others would say a walking wet dream, until they heard that laugh. Daisuke had to agree with the former appreciation of the youngest Kunou sibling. She was, after all, nuttier than a payday candy bar... and a candy bar isn�t expected to drug you or beat you.
"You will do nicely, peasant.. do you know how to dance?" Kodachi asked, running a hand through her luxurious black hair. She was dressed in a dark red tight fitting gown, with a low cut neckline and a bottom that barely brushed her ankles.
Needless to say, Daisuke was NOT directly drawn to her face... rather her cleavage, and to that is what he spoke.
"K-K-Kodachi.. urr.. what are you doing here?? This is the Furenkin High School Prom-" He was cut off abruptly by Kodachi�s laugh, causing the protrusions he was staring at to bounce with her mirth.
"Ignorant Peasant!! My Father is principal of this school, I have every right to attend a dance that my darling Ranma will be at, do I not?? Now, do you dance or don�t you???" She asked in a stern manner, glaring fire at Daisuke, not really seeming to notice his lewd gaze, or if she did, not bothering to scold him for it.
"Urrr.." Daisuke asked intelligently, rapidly going through his choices on how to avert himself from the situation. Sure, Kodachi was good looking... but then again, she was also totally bonkers, or that�s what Daisuke thought.
"Good, then you shall be my partner!!!" Kodachi grabbed him by his tie and began to drag him off to the Martial Arts Dancing Tournament.
Needless to say, he did not go quietly.
* * * * * *
Ranma ran her hand around the small metal bracelet fastened around her wrist. It was connected to a thin but strong leather cord of about 3 feet in length, and about 1/4 of an inch in diameter. The other end was attached to yet another bracelet, which was securely fastened around Hiroshi�s wrist.
The other people participating in the tournament were wearing similar bracelets, each attached to their partners twin bracelet.
"The rules are simple!" The announcer intoned. "Anyone who�s link is broken will be disqualified! Anyone who leaves the designated fighting area, or is thrown out, will be disqualified! Anyone using deadly weapons will be disqualified! All attacks must be in synch with the music, and must be graceful and in step with the dance!!! Final winner will be judged both on Skill, strength, and grace!"
Ranma looked at the other competitors... Mousse and Shampoo were there, but they were staring straight at eachother, Mousse whispering in a low voice.
Kunou had found a partner that definitely did not sit well with Ranma... the girl, Ami, had a lot of experience in rhythmic gymnastics, as well as the soccer team. Not only that, but Ami was smiling at Ranma with a burning glare.
Ranma glared back, defiant. *I will give her what she deserves, after that night...* She felt a thrill of adrenaline rush through her as she burned her gaze through Ami.
The girl flinched, if for but a moment, but then turned away from Ranma, looking up at Kuno.
*Bitch* Ranma mentally growled. Ranma wasn�t one for using vulgarities, even in her own mind, but she would make an exception for Ami.
"Let the dance beg-" The announcer�s words were cut off sharply with the bounding echo of Kodachi�s laugh.
She pointed at the announcer, Daisuke next to her and firmly tied with her ribbon, "Surely you would not start such a fiasco without first inquiring of the Black Rose if she might wish to join?" She asked in a commanding tone of voice.
The announcer began to object, but couldn�t shake the huge grin on Principal Kuno�s face, as if daring him to keep Kodachi out of the tournament. Sweating profusely, he nervously intoned, "Urr, why, urr.. no Miss Kunou!!! We would be honored to have a woman of.. uhm.. your level participate in the competition!!!"
Kodachi gave a nod of her head, without truly looking at the announcer. Everyone stared at her as Miss Hinako (One of the Judges) gave her and Daisuke a pair of bracelets.
"Seriously!! There�s someone else who is a MUCH better dancer than me, Kodachi!!! Besides, I don�t really lik-" Daisuke�s nervous string of excuses was abruptly cut off, as the Announcer�s had been.
"Peasant, you should be honored that a beautiful flower of the Noble house of Kunou would choose YOU to be her partner in this charade! Now be silent and assume the position!" Kodachi snapped.
Daisuke immediately dropped onto all fours, his behind facing Kodachi.
Since everyone was watching the exchange, almost everyone burst out laughing as Daisuke grinned.
Kodachi kicked him in his rear, "Not THAT position, Dolt! The PROPER position!!!"
"Which one would you prefer??" Daisuke asked, grinning and looking up at Kodachi. Everyone started laughing again, causing Kodachi to turn a bit red in the face.
Kodachi picked Daisuke up and shook him violently, "Be silent and obey, Peasant!! My patience is short right now, and you will respect my beauteous self, knave!"
Daisuke gulped at seeing the anger in Kodachi�s eyes. *On second thought..* Daisuke chided himself, *I don�t think I want Kodachi angry with me.*
After another moment of people trying to control their laughter, the arena was calm again. The Announcer looked around, then smiled, "Allright... Begin the Dance!!!!"
Each partner in kind linked arms with eachother as the music began, each beginning a somewhat fast paced dance to the beat of the music.
Ranma linked eyes with Hiroshi, a determined look in her gaze. Hiroshi smiled in return, and nodded slowly, as if knowing exactly what Ranma could be thinking.
Their bodies seemed to relax, move in an almost uncanny unison... as if fluidly, they were moving as one.
The lights flashed on the dance floor, reflections of the slowly revolving silver sphere hanging but a few yards above their heads. With the rhythm of their twin beating hearts, they moved as one. Their eyes for only eachother, yet seeing their surroundings far better than most inthe competition.
A pirouet from a female in one of the other pairs turned into a devious kick at Ranma�s head, deftly avoided with grace as Hiroshi spun her to the other side of him, catching her around the waist as he carefully dipped her in one arm, his eyes locked upon hers.
His seemingly random dip avoiding a couple who spun through, legs flashing quickly in an attack that caught the couple behind Ranma and Hiroshi, sending them sprawling across the dance floor, they soon recovered themselves, ready to continue.
On the other side of the Dance floor, Ami averted her eyes from Kunou for a moment, burning them in a pathway towards the scarlett haired temptress that seemed to steal the attention of the judges with expert maneuvers.
*That arrogant... that.... he will pay, the bastard... Mocking women like he does* She felt the seething fire burning in her, and took the lead of the dance forcefully, causing Kuno to blink.
"Pardon me, Madame Ami, but it is tradition that the man naturally take the lead, and such as I am so manly a man, it is less than proper that you should even dare presume to take from me what rightfully should be-" His words were sheered quite short with the burning vengeance in Ami�s eyes.
"Shut up and dance, you idiot," She spat the words out as if they were acid, meant to burn and hurt. To her credit, Kuno flinched, and proceeded to open his mouth, then thought better as she jerked him one way, swinging him like a weapon into a man, throwing him violently from his partner and into a wall, thus breaking the leather strap connecting the two.
Kuno�s head Rang from the impact, and his shoulder hurt just as much. *Truly, I should pick my dates more carefully, for the fawning mistress seems to hath metamorphosed into a bile filled demoness.... truly, Tatewake, you should think carefully before you presume to act.*
Ami�s vengeance was not lost on another couple. "Oh, god.. I should have known she wouldn�t have stopped after the party," Akane looked fearfully at Ami, who was burning a warpath straight for Ranma and Hiroshi... reluctantly, at first, Kuno was participating... until he was forced to move with his partner by a few choice words from Ami.
Ryouga lifted Akane in a spin, taking her away from a barreling girl who was thrown by another pair, also seperated from her partner. "What are you talking about, Akane?" He set her down gently after another moment, looking into her deep brown eyes.
Akane blinked, bringing her gaze level with Ryouga�s as she quickly stepped forwards in the dance, Narrowly avoiding another attack, "Ami is after Ranma... she.. really really hates him. More than you do, I think... I have no idea why, but she wants to hurt Ranma badly," Akane and Ryouga seperated slightly as someone flew between them, their fragile cord humming as it almost snapped.
Ryouga took her hand, spinning her towards him and wrapping his arms around her from behind... *Ranma... friend or enemy.. do I really want to see him hurt??? Not that someone as inexperienced as she probably is could hurt Ranma... but maybe I should lend a hand.*
Taking Akane�s hands, he spun her carefully back into the starting position as the music changed subtly.
The pace was faster, something of a quick and flighty melody. People began speeding up in their movements, some losing the graceful air that they had maintained, others being easily taken out by more experienced participants. Lights flashing, couples spinning, eyes locked in perpetual union.
Her gleaming blue eyes, his sparkling brown eyes, fixated on only eachother as their dance, seemingly random and chaotic, took on a beauty that seemed far beyond the kata Ranma had done alone the past few mornings. There was a certain yin and yang about their match, Ranma�s fast paced and often brash maneuvers were contrasted with Hiroshi�s calm, thoughtful, and patient grace...
Both mixed, meshed, melded into a flawless machine, weaving in and out from between brawling couples, seemingly untouched. *The trick..* Hiroshi told himself, *..Is not in defeating others. It is in not being defeated.*
Ranma thought the same, although circumstance forced the pair into defending themselves, and often into removing some competition from the arena.
Neither noticed the deadly siren that was slowly spiraling her way towards them, intentions to dash them out of the rings, as those fell singers had attempted to do to Odysius in that age old legend. Nothing stood in her way, for nothing could. She would not let her anger be quenched for yet another night.
She weaved, dodged, sometimes jumped over her competitors, all in a single minded attempt to get at Ranma. Kuno was far beyond arguing with her, since he had deduced there was no reasoning with her. A wise sentiment, from one of the biggest buffoons in the school.
"Mu-Tsu.. why for girl hedging path towards Ranma?" Shampoo asked as mouse spun, arms around her hips as she raised a graceful leg, booting a man in the back and sending him sprawling into the date as Shampoo landed, once more looking up at her husband.
Mousse cast a glance towards Ranma as he dropped into a sweeping kick, his hand linked gently in Shampoo�s as she leaped over him in a flying kick, both mirrored eachother for a brief moment. The judges noted that Shampoo seemed to hang in midair for a moment before both her and her partner�s attacks impacted.
A man fell violently to the ground from the sweep kick Mousse had delivered, and another couple�s strong leather cord was snapped in two by Shampoo�s attack as she sent one of the girl�s flying.
"She seems to be out to get Saotome, Beloved," Mousse noted as they both spun on their heals, joining once more at the hands.
"What we do?? Can�t have Ranma lose, would not be good fight if She not make it to finals," Shampoo swung Mousse around, and like a rubber band Mousse used the momentum to swing Shampoo at another pair... shampoo�s hand clasped tightly to Mousse�s as she lifted off the ground, spinning in an arc with one leg extended to drop another partner from yet another couple.
The battle was thick and furious, but was strangely conflicting, the grace and adeptness that each couple took in their movements matched the music well, yet was also mixed with attacks and defenses that seemed to flow with the dance as easily as if they fit.
Ryouga and Akane rolled to one side together as two couples clashed, the grace of their dance ending in a brawl.. which was quickly ended as the four people were dragged out of the arena, disqualified for their obvious disrespect of the rules.
"That was close, Akane," Ryouga turned the roll deftly, allowing the two of them to end standing, once again moving to the music.
Akane looked at Ranma, a worried expression on her face, "Ryouga.. I am worried about Ranma.. have you seen how Ami is barreling through everyone?? Even if it *IS* graceful, for her part, she is also dead set on eliminating Ranma," Akane found herself pulled closely up against Ryouga as he spun gently on his heels, dipping her low as he followed, someone flying where her head had been.
"Not too bad at what she is doing, either... she definitely has some skills, I will say that. Don�t worry about Ranma, he can take care of himself... he *IS* the best, you know," Ryouga said in a half snide, half mocking tone. He did bother to coat it with a small amount of respect, however.
Akane sighed, shaking her head, "I just don�t know.. I.. I have a bad feeling about tonight, Ryouga."
He linked his hands tightly around her waist and jumped into a backflip, landing closer to Ranma and Hiroshi, who seemed completely oblivious to their surroundings.
Ryouga furrowed his brow in stern contemplation, "You should be, Akane.. after.. the way Ranma was acting around Hiroshi earlier, even I am feeling somewhat uncomfortable with what it could mean."
Akane blinked, caught off guard as she mulled over what Ryouga could possibly have meant. The moment cost her as a couple, in unison, kicked her square in the back, sending her sprawling forward onto Ryouga.
They both rolled for a moment, and then stopped, Akane laying atop Ryouga in a somewhat compromising position.
Ryouga wasn�t surprised that Akane�s cheeks became noticably colored... he only prayed to Kami that she didn�t notice how red he was sure his face must have been.
Akane scrambled to get up, she knew her cheeks were hot. *What the heck am I embarrassed about? This is RYOUGA... my friend,* Still, the heat in her cheeks persisted, and was echoed by a faint heat from much lower on her body. *Stop that.* She told herself, shoving the thoughts farther back in her head.
Ryouga scrambled up as well, taking Akane�s hips in his hands, trying to force the blush to leave his reddened face. *IwillnotdefileAkane�smemory, IwillnotdefileAkane�smemory, IwillnotdefileAkane�smemory* He chanted to himself while pushing the improper thoughts to the back of his head.
Nearby, on the dance floor, Kodachi was using her �Partner� As a bludgeoning tool to beat the other dancers with. Daisuke�s head felt as if it was stuffed with cotton, his body sore all over from the tossing and colliding with his fellow classmates. *When will the hurting stooooop!!* he screamed in his mind.
Kodachi�s eyes fell on Ranma, and her irises seemed to Narrow, *The VILE Red WITCH attends this Social??? How dare they allow such a venomous heathen to walk the grounds of my Father�s School!!*
Kodachi spun around in a graceful pirouet, her body contracting almost like a spring as her hand locked on Daisuke�s, wrenching him into the spin, She put all of her strength into it, and then threw the helpless boy into the air, the leather cord connecting her and Daisuke snapping from the force.
"GAAAAAAAH!! WHYYYY MEEEEE?!?!" Daisuke wailed as he flew through the air, Ranma seemingly unaware of her friends trajectory.
Kodachi realized that as soon as her �Partner� connected with the ground, she would be disqualified from the competition, she growled with no minor annoyance and tossed her hand forward, a rhythmic gymnastics ribbon lashing out from seemingly nowhere, wrapping around Daisuke�s hurtling form just as he smashed into a couple, narrowly avoiding Ranma.
The announcer blinked, looking at the Judges, "Can she do that???"
Several of the Judge�s conferred, Principal Kuno ending the debate with the valid question of if she couldn�t, who was going to stop her?
Kodachi laughed her hearty, bellowing, disturbing laugh... several of the couples collapsed, screaming about the pain in their ears, which naturally got them disqualified since they couldn�t continue, the laugh being stuck in their heads.
Kodachi yanked on the ribbon, which brought Daisuke hurtling back towards her.
"Did anywon git da name o� dat Truck???" Daisuke blubbered, his head ringing as he flew back through the air. He landed in Kodachi�s arms, his head ringing and his eyes seeing two Kodachi�s, which caused him to laugh like a gibbering madman.
"This isn�t LOGICAL Jim!!!" He screamed, grabbing kodachi by the sleeves of her dress and shaking her violently.
Kodachi sneered in disgust of the pathetic excuse for a partner she had chosen. With a swift Yank, Kodachi sent him hurling back towards Ranma and Hiroshi, who seemed at peace while dancing.
"WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE MEEEEEE!" Daisuke flailed his arms as he glided through the air.
Suddenly, both Hiroshi and Ranma spun, extending their feet to connect directly with Daisuke, and adding force to send him BACK towards Kodachi, both uttering simultaneously, "Sorry �bout this Dai!" as their feet connected.
As he flew back he crossed his arms across his chest, "Oh SURE, you two WOULD kick me when I�m down, wouldn�t you?!" his comment ushering a giggle from the pretty redhead with the handsome friend of his.
"It�s nothing personal, Just business," Hiroshi said, quoting many Mafia movies at the same time as he spun Ranma around gracefully to avoid a suddenly VERY close Ami.
Kodachi was laughing heartily as she looked up, then blinked when she realized her weapon was heading straight for her. She began to make haste the other way, just as Daisuke barreled into her, both rolling end over end, and Daisuke ending on top, his face buried in her bosom.
"Yu knwww... They Rlly d�make gd pllows..." Her mumbled around the expanse of flesh surrounding his head.
Kodachi Slapped him mercillesly, to no avail, "Get off me you lecherous heathen!! How dare you defile the virgin grace of the Black Rose!!!"
"N�thin yu say m�dme.." He mumbled again, then began to purposely get off kodachi, �Accidentally� placing his hands where they shouldn�t go.
"HENTAI!! DEFILER!! LECHEROUS CRETIN!!!" She brought back her fist and then forward so that it connected squarely with Daisuke�s face, sending him soaring through the air again, She glared death at him as he flew, until she noticed several couples staring at her bosom, which was now very bare and absent of a undergarment.
Kodachi screamed and ran straight for the bathroom.
Daisuke clutched the bra in his hands, Tears of joy streamed from his face, "I don�t care what Anyone says.. today is a GOOD day to die!!" he crashed firmly into the wall and began sliding down, a silly, happy grin on his face.
Akane noticed the tail end of the whole exchange, "Wow.. I feel sort of sorry for Kodachi," She turned with Ryouga, avoiding a carefully planned attack as she and her partner danced amidst severl more skilled pairs.
"Why?? She is insane, and deserves a bit of humiliation for some of the cheating she�s done," Ryouga leaned down as Akane flipped, her back over his, and landed on her feet after taking out one of the offending competitors with a swift kick.
"Sure, but... well.. no girl should be shamed like that, on her Prom night no less," Akane found herself having a lot of extra space, only about 10 couples left from the 40 that had started the contest. Her and Ryouga, Ami and Kuno, Ranma and Hiroshi, and two other pairs who seemed to be fairing well enough.
Ami had been ruthless in her pursuit of Ranma, Kuno half reluctant to harm the red head caused her no end of grief in the contest, until she became so short with him that he finally took her seriously with her threats.
She had been following Ranma and Hiroshi for a good 15 minutes, and each attack was expertly deflected, be it from her or from Kuno. They moved in unison, in perfect symbiosis of eachother.
Eyes together, heart together, mind together, two bodies made one. The lights flashed, and they danced. Their eyes never wavered, and they danced. Their graceful movements beautiful yet complex in the same respect.
Ami was growing frustrated, yet suddenly she saw an opening, something RARE. Yet before she had a time to exploit it, and then a pair spun between her and her target, a purple haired girl and her raven haired date. The Amazon team.
Ami sneered, and spun as well, aiming a kick at Shampoo, which Mousse blocked with his arm as he spun Shampoo away from the obvious attack.
"You want Saotome..." Mousse said in a quiet, calm manner.
"You must go through us," Shampoo finished, as they both lept into the air, flipping and suddenly descending in a twin flying dragon kick.
Ami squeeled and spun Kuno in front of her, the Kendoist being hit full with both kicks and sending him sprawling, with his date, 10 feet back.
Shampoo and Mousse continued their dance, watching Ami and Kuno respectively.
The offending couple rose again, still attached, and Ami once more began her ruthless pursuit of the redhead on the dancefloor.
Moments later a whistle was blown loudly by the announcer, "TIME!!!! We will have a short break before we continue with the remaining groups. Take your time, there will be an hour.. go socialize with your friends who AREN�T participating in the competition, get a soda, relax while the judges work up their scores thus far for the remaining pairs," After having spoke, he quietly walked over to the judges and began to conferr with them.
Ranma and Hiroshi relaxed, Ranma didn�t find it too odd how close she was to Hiroshi.. she felt comfortable. She felt SAFE.
Slow music began to play, a noticable contrast to the upbeat melodies that the dance contest was prone to.
Neither recognized the song, which was in english.... but the melody had a certain harmony with their souls...
"There used to be a greying Tower alone on the Sea,
You became the Light on the Dark side of me.
Love remained the drug that�s the high, not the pill...
And did you know, that when it snows, my eyes become large, for the light that you shine can�t be seen...."
They calmly danced, Ranma holding Hiroshi close, as if she might lose everything important if she let him go.. the lights dimmed, slowly changing to a deep azure that drifted lazily across the dance floor.
Two as one, one in love, Love in vain, Love Plain, yet distant. Their arms seeming surreptitiously wrapped around eachother, as if nobody else was around to watch them. Alone on the dance floor of life, yet alone together.
"Hiroshi??" Ranma asked in a quiet voice.. as if she suddenly had some sort of inkling, something that was scraping it�s way slowly up from the pit of her supressed emotions...
"Shhh, Ranma... Shh.. I know.." He knew she so longed to say those words, those words that she didn�t even know she wanted to say. Words so hard to say, three simple... simple words.
He held her tighter, his own tears threatening. *What would you do for love, Hiroshi?? Would you give it up, if need be? Would you walk away? Are you that brave, Hiroshi?*
The words taunted him... that small, nagging concience he had been cursed with. Something that had always made him a compassionate, caring, noble person he now feared and hated.
A hand came to rest on Hiroshi�s shoulder, breaking the nigh perfect moment.
"I ask, with infinite humility and great embarrassment, if I might have a word or three with your partner on this eve, fair Saotoe Ranma, so that I might discuss some matters which thine ears are not adept to hear. If you please, that is, M�lady," Kuno looked quite serious as he spoke, and looked directly at Ranma�s eyes as Hiroshi gazed up at him in curiosity.
Ranma bristled, "Just a second, Kuno... ain�t you supposed to be with mega-bitch-monster?" Ranma glared fire at Kuno, her disposition none too friendly at being interrupted.
Kuno�s lips tightened into a thin line, "My... date is less than appealing to bear social company with, thusly, I have informed her that she might mingle with her female cohorts and thus leave me to peruse my own modest aquaintances for intriquing debate topic. A needless boast, but enough for her rather simple mind to rationalize that I may, indeed, need mine own personal space," Kuno crossed his arms, looking at Ranma with a level expression.
Ranma narrowed her eyes, her hand unconciously on her hips in a rather feminine stance of righteous anger, "I don�t like you, Kuno... since I came to this town, you have done nothing but fawn over my girl side, even when I explained to you what was up. If you want to-to-to Talk to Hiroshi, then FINE, TALK TO HIROSHI!"
Ranma turned on her heels and stomped off, leaving Hiroshi standing somewhat stunned and speechless.
"Never have I seen the lady fair let down her scarlett blessed locks of hair... nor have I witnessed so divine a wrath, as shown Ranma�s most FEMININE warpath. Methinks all is not right in the world," Kuno frowned in quiet contemplation.
Hiroshi sighed and shook his head, despite Kuno�s knack for ignoring general reality, he had hit the nail on the head for once. Ranma was acting female... and very bizzarrely female at that. No doubt about it anymore.
He turned patiently, looking up at Kuno, "What did you want to speak to me about, Kuno?"
The Upperclassmen looked down at Hiroshi, his lips tightening again as his brow furrowed, a serious expression for the kendoist. "Methinks that a less public surrounding may be more appropot to that which I severely must discuss with you, Miramoto Hiroshi," Kuno brought his hand up, running his index and middle fingers along the line of his jaw and rubbing his chin in a thoughtful motion.
"The balcony should suffice well enough, if you will but step before me, I shall follow in post haste," He bowed at the waist, waiting for Hiroshi to walk up to the balcony before he did.
Needless to say, this was an ODD reaction from Kuno.
"Kuno.. uhm.. are you allright? You aren�t your usual pompous self," Hiroshi looked at the bowing upperclassmen. Kuno was ALWAYS blabbing about his superior status, this seemed like something out of the Twilight Zone.
"My arrogance is ill fitting on this night, when sternness is much more needed," Kuno rose from the bow. "I am asking of you if I may speak in private with you.... this is not an easy thing for one such as I to do, who has pride and honor that is hard to ignore for very long, so I ask again," Kuno held a hand towards the stairs, waiting for Hiroshi to move.
Hiroshi sighed, then nodded. Whatever could make Kuno serious HAD to be severe indeed. He began walking up the stairs, followed shortly by the kendoist.
Nabiki Tendou watched them go, her mind asking a million questions... all of which she had no answer to.