Adult stuff warning. Lime? I dunno.

Standard disclaimer here :)

                        Rendezvous with Fate

   Akane smiled as she looked at herself through the mirror, then she 
touched her rounded stomach. Even now, when she had proof before her she 
couldn't quite believe that a body -- her body, could produce something as 
unique and beautiful as a human life. A baby, her baby. Amazing!

   "Aren't you surprised at how big I am?" she asked as she turned to her 
husband, Ryoga who was shaving at the sink. He paused what he was doing and 
told her "Huge!" Instead of getting mad at him (she was known for her quick 
temper especially when it came to her cooking), she smiled and proceeded to 
pick out her clothes. She smiled again, it seemed like she was always 
smiling nowadays. Even though she had to go countless times to the bathroom 
to relieve her bladder or empty out her stomach she was irrepressibly happy. 
After more than two years of trying to get pregnant, she had finally given 
up on a child (and it certainly wasn't for the lack of trying), she had been 
overjoyed when she first flew to the bathroom to throw up.

   She smiled at the memory of it. She had woken Ryoga up early in the 
morning and told him cheerfully, "Guess what? I threw up!"

   He stared at her groggily for a second then utterly convinced that she 
was crazy for waking him up so early, turned back into the covers and 
grumbled, "Just don't pass whatever's troubling you to me."

   "But Ryoga!" Akane pouted as she poked his back with her finger, "I think 
I'm pregnant!"

   Ryoga sighed as he looked at Akane skeptically, he really didn't want to 
put her down, but false hope wasn't going to do them any good, "You've told 
me that since the day we started trying!"

   She scowled at him and gave him a playful punch at the shoulder then 
stuck her tongue out at him as he slept. A home pregnancy test and blood 
test later confirmed her belief and the fact that she was still throwing up 
a week later.

   Ever since then she held her ever-present smile much like her older 
sister Kasumi had. If Ryoga hadn't been used to the other woman, he would 
have wondered where Akane's good cheer came from. But still, she was driving 
him crazy, and most of her friends who had experienced morning sickness, 
were clearly disgusted by her good cheer -- well probably not Kasumi, who 
was with her third child now...

   This morning she put on her maternity shirt and shorts as she brushed her 
short blue-black hair rushing about for her monthly visit to her 
obstetrician, "Too bad you can't come with me. You should go to your dad -- 
I mean *boss*, and kick his ass out of the corporate ladder. Better yet, why 
don't I give him a piece of my mind?" It had been a running joke between 
them that Ryoga would go and challenge his father.

   "I wish I could come too," he said clearly meaning it. Ryoga's strong 
sense of responsibility only became more apparent with the news of the 
upcoming baby.

   "I know," Akane said as she leaned forward to kiss her husband on the 
cheek, personally she wished he had stuck with the dojo, at least he 
wouldn't have a boss there.

   As if reading her mind he looked at her and said, "If my dad wasn't 
holding me down with this job I'd be doing whatever I wanted now." It was 
common knowledge that Ryoga didn't like working under his father's firm. He 
really didn't want people to think he was relying on his father for money -- 
not that he was, he had refused to take in another cent after he had turned 
eighteen, of course, that was when he realized that they *were* rich.

   "Don't get lost or anything stupid like that," Akane said sternly.

   He smiled at her and said "How could I get lost when my father sends his 
driver for me everyday? He doesn't even trust me to go to the office alone."

   She pinched his cheek, "Heck *I* don't trust you to go to the office 
alone." then she looked at her watch and grimaced, "I've got to get going, 
call me when you're ready to leave that dreadful building, okay? You know so 
I can start supper."

   Ryoga nodded at her then risked asking, "What are you cooking tonight?" 
It was another common knowledge that Akane could not cook well other than 
curry at best. So it was a relief when she answered just that.

   "You needn't go and hide at my sister's place for food." She told him 
sternly, she knew that she couldn't cook, but she *had* improved a bit in 
the years, and wasn't she supposed to at least cook a little for her 
husband? "Bye"

   "'Bye" he said then kissed her on the cheek.

   The drive towards her OB was only about half an hour, an easy drive on a 
Saturday. She turned on the radio and hummed along the lines of her favorite 
songs. The song had just ended when she noticed a tractor-trailer truck 
coming up behind her in the high-speed lane whose driver was obviously in a 
hurry. She turned on her blinker and stepped on the gas so she could pass a 
Volvo station wagon on her right to get out of the truck's way.

   "Okay, guy," Akane said slightly irritated by the driver's impatience. 
"I'll move over as soon as I can."

   The truck driver was being a jerk, flashing his lights and coming what 
looked like inches from her Saturn's bumper. Suddenly, a black Trans Am cut 
across three lanes and slammed into the Volvo, which careened towards 
Akane's car. Her stomach lurched in fear and her grip on the wheel tightened 
painfully as she swerved to the left, realizing that the barrier was just 
inches away. She almost steered clear of the accident, but made the horrific 
mistake of slamming on the brakes. The truck driver behind her, seemingly 
surrounded by cars spinning out of control, could not stop in time and his 
truck literally rolled up the back of the Saturn. Squealing tires, grating 
metal and screams filled Akane's head, "My baby, My God, save my baby, don't 
let him get hurt.", That was her last thought before she was engulfed in the 
blackness that was unconsciousness.

   Akane never woke up from that ordeal, her car, with her inside, was 
crushed beneath a truck, a Volvo and the white concrete barrier. The highway 
was strangely silent as the last tire screeched against the asphalt. It was 
as if no one dared to make a sound. It was like, for that second, everyone 
held their breath, to stop and stare, to stop and say a silent prayer of 
thanks.

   Akane realized she was floating away from the wreck, desperately her 
hands flew towards her abdomen and felt for her baby while looking down with 
awful detachment at the twisted metal that once was her car.

   She felt an utter sense of peace and calm that only the dead can feel, 
but there was something else there, a yearning for something, a sadness that 
most who drifted to heaven never feel, and as it grew stronger  as she 
floated father away from the gruesome wreck, that she was overwhelmed by it 
and started the impossible journey towards her body.

   Had she looked up, she would have seen a circle of angels on a tight 
circle, opening the clouds for her to a gate towards, peacefulness. They all 
looked at her puzzled then turned to each other and began whispering amongst 
themselves. The woman had a strong determination to live -- had she been 
sick, she would have recovered and given a second chance, but this was not 
sickness that they were having but an accident, an untimely death, with an 
irreplaceable body. Usually, if the person did not know they were dead, they 
were given a day to roam the earth until they realized their state, but this 
woman knew that for a fact that she was indeed dead. They had something of a 
problem here, they thought as the woman stretched her hand out towards the 
direction of her body. A woman who knew she was dead but had the strong will 
to want to return, they had a rare case here, a very rare case.

   They spoke to each other until one angel gave out a triumphant shout 
which sounded as a loud thunderclap to those who lived below.

   She was perfect. She out of the thousands and thousands of candidates 
that was put before them was the one who could take the challenge and face 
the past that was ruined.

   With a questioning look to God, who gave a pleased and satisfied nod, the 
decision was made. Akane Hibiki was the one who could fix the wrong a 
bumbling angel did more than a hundred years before.


                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   The funeral had been hell, it was as if his depression, which Akane had 
taken away from him came back in a huge mountain before him and was placed 
in his shoulders. He had walked around with as much bleakness as he had when 
he was roaming around Japan, he still couldn't believe that she was dead. 
That Akane was dead, that their baby will never live, that he will never 
have a child with her, and that he will never grow old with her...and so 
much more could have's and should have's.

   Now, not only was he mourning for the loss of a wife, but the loss of a 
son or daughter, he never even had a chance to see. He sighed not knowing 
what had happened wrong.

   And now, he was in their apartment, with reminders of Akane in every 
room. He looked at her slippers at the mat and the pile of groceries she had 
left at the counter. It was as if she was still there, and any moment she 
would come through the door, to tell him that she was home. He looked up at 
the things she had carelessly left when she was readying for that visit, he 
couldn't pick them up. Not yet. To do so, was to close the image of Akane. 
He needed them there to tell him that Akane still existed, and that she 
still did, inside his broken heart.

   Ryoga loosened his tie and sat down throwing his charcoal suit aside, he 
told himself he would never wear that somber suit again. It was there that 
the doorbell rang and caught him. He sighed, he couldn't bear and go up to 
see who it was. It probably was another friend to tell him that they were 
sorry and offered sympathy. He couldn't bear that, he wanted to loose 
himself in his depression for a while, he needed it, just for now. He knew 
they meant well and that they too were grieving her loss, but he couldn't 
face them yet. He sighed in defeat as it rang again, and went towards the 
door, _At least I can't hear sobbing, so it means it isn't her father..._ As 
he opened it he was surprised to see a complete stranger at the door.

   A young-woman wearing an expensive suit, carrying a briefcase, a lawyer 
perhaps. "Ryoga Hibiki? Oh my God!", the woman appeared quite stunned but 
quickly collected herself, "I am so sorry to disturb you in this awkward 
time. I read that accident in the newspaper on the plane on the way here. 
I've always hated those damned tractor-trailers. My name is Roberta Fisher 
from Tillman, Bancroft, Bancroft and Schuler, from the United States. I am 
here in a matter of some importance -- and mystery, actually. May I come 
in?"

   "This isn't the best time..." Ryoga said, but stepped aside allowing her 
to enter. He led her to the living room, where Ryoga sat heavily in his 
chair, not even attempting to hide his weariness.. The woman sat on the 
couch, snapped open her oversized briefcase and brought out a thick leather 
packet, which she handed over to Ryoga. He looked at the thick package with 
a little interest then brought his attention back to the young lawyer.

   "I must confess to you that despite the circumstances, I am glad to have 
been the one to deliver this to you. That packet has become quite a legend 
in out office. You see, an elderly woman named -- ahhh Kodachi -- forgive me 
I don't think she left her last name, brought that into our office sixty 
years ago with a request that it be delivered to Ryoga Hibiki at this 
address on this date. To be honest, I didn't think such a person existed, 
but then the accident and the packet clicked together, so to speak."

   "What is this?" Ryoga said, holding the leather packet, his curiosity 
finally piqued.

   "That's just it. We have no idea. We were given very specific 
instructions, and part of that was that no one was to open the packet except 
Ryoga Hibiki. You."

   "You say a woman brought it to your office sixty years ago? In the United 
States? And instructed you to deliver it now? That's impossible. It doesn't 
make any sense. I haven't been outside...oh...well I think I haven't been 
outside Japan. I don't know any Kodachi's." Ryoga creased his eyebrow to 
think, "No. No one"

   "The only way to find out is to open the packet. The lawyer said, 
obviously hoping he would do so in his presence.

   Ryoga did so, unbuttoned the leather carrying case, and withdrew a thick 
packet of individual letters tied together in a brittle red ribbon. He 
fished around inside the packet and withdrew a single envelope with the 
words, "Open First" scrawled on it. Ryoga opened the letter, taking out two 
sheets of paper with an impossibly familiar handwriting on them. He read the 
first few sentences, growing very still. His eyes, against his will, filled 
with tears.

   "I'm sorry," Ryoga rasped, "I've got to be alone right now. I know you're 
curious. I'll fill you in some other day. Just not today, Ms. Fisher."

   She rose from her seat and smiled at him while placing a supposedly 
comforting hand against his shoulder, "Of course, I understand". But 
clearly, she was disappointed, the mystery would continue, at least for a 
time. And the crew back in the office would be disappointed as well. "I'll 
show myself out..." she said when it became clear that Ryoga had been 
engrossed in reading that tantalizing letter.

   Ryoga couldn't believe what he held in his hand. Surely it was a gift 
from God. Why? Because the letter was from Akane, whoever that Kodachi woman 
was, would be solved after this.

Ryoga,

   You know I don't have much for writing letters...but since I have no 
other way of contacting you, here I am writing this blasted thing. Smile, 
Ryoga, I know you must be devastated now, believing I am gone and lost to 
you forever... well I guess in a way that's true.

   This is going to be hard to believe and I know that it is, well, kinda 
weird, but hey, life's supposed to be weird I guess... But I think you know 
me well enough to realize that what I am about to tell -- write -- whatever, 
is true and not a cruel joke.

   I thought long and hard if I could give this to you and in the end I 
thought that it would be a great comfort to you right now. Well, by now, I 
think you know who this is (especially with my chicken scratch of a 
handwriting). I am an old lady now, and think of you with love and our two 
years together (well probably more so and so if we start when we met, but 
since you get lost so much I guess it's about, ahhh four years).

   The strangest thing happened to me on that accident, if the lawyers will 
do as I tell them...about three days after that thing happened. Anyway...um 
someone up there decided that I shouldn't die. But as you probably know (but 
don't like to think about) my body was unrecycable, to be rather graphic. It 
was irreparably damaged. So, somebody in heaven decided I should live, but 
in another woman's body. Unfortunately they chose this woman from the 1800's 
(who's Japanese mind you, whose family migrated or something like that. Way, 
way back...ahh...don't ask me how they did that with that law about not 
leaving Japan and all sorts) I'm drifting again...

   Over the years I've written you letters, (surprised? Gah, you won't 
believe how I miss the ballpoint pen) always with the idea that someday I 
would send them to you. I pray that this packet gets through you. I tried to 
pick out a law firm that will still be around in your time. (Having me in 
another country *and* another century doesn't help a bit, and I couldn't 
possibly send it in your father's firm, how am I supposed to know if your 
ancestors don't get lost and such??? -- Oops sorry, I couldn't help it)

    The poor people in that office thought I was an eccentric old fool. I'm 
just eccentric though, and after all I've been through, I deserve a little 
craziness. I've had a good life, I've been happy, for the most part, though 
it was hell -- well in the beginning anyway. Let me tell you...

   Isn't this strange? I'm sure it's stranger for you. By now, for me, this 
is natural. (Now aren't you proud of me? Writing I mean...How long is this 
anyway???) I've enclosed some stock certificates that I took out in your 
name, which I think are still redeemable. They should make you rich, rich, 
rich! (Not that you aren't, but your pride wouldn't acknowledge that, now as 
for these, this is from your wife so go and redeem them, kay, I'll be sad if 
you don't...ahhh and It's okay if you remarry, a good person like you 
shouldn't dwell on me too much...)

   The most important thing, though, are my letters. My life.

						Your loving wife,
	        					Akane



Author's note:

Hmmm.... For those who actually read the standard disclaimer it's on the 
next thingy....for those who skips it, it's in the next thingy too! :)


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