At the lashing I got from my sister's tongue, I decided to try out what the fic would look like in a Japanese setting. So since I couldn't decide for myself I'll let you guys in the FFML decide for me...

there's a list of what was changed in the author's note (end of chapter 1) if you're interested...

Tell me which of the two you like better, the one in Japan or the one in Newport. :) E-mail c&c your vote to ysis@hotmail.com, because I wouldn't get your mail if you press the Reply button :)

The new scenes are Very Rough Draft...sorry...although the old ones have been pored through again. :)

Thanks to Jose Aragao and my sister Angel for pointing out my mistakes I hope it won't be that bad this time round.

Thanks to those who have shown interest in this as well.

C&C begged for

Standard disclaimer here :)

(Not much change here except for the scene where the lawyer delivers the packet and a few minor changes to the letters)

                      Rendezvous with Fate V.2
                  (Japan Version (trial)

 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.

 There was a young woman with a shriveled up crone standing there, the woman was wearing a skimpy white Chinese dress that hugged her body closely, she carried the briefcase, while the old woman stood there using an old wooden cane for support.

 "Ryoga Hibiki?" The younger woman asked, she appeared quite stunned at the nod, but quickly collected herself and looked at the old woman who prodded her to go on, "I Len Dy and Great-gradnmama Xian Pu. Len Dy and great-grandmother too, too sorry to disturb at such ... awkward time. Great-grandmother read accident to Len Dy in plane in way heres. Is--"

 "Forgive my great-granddaughter for her inaptness towards your language Hibiki-san." She smiled a little to reveal a perfect set of teeth, "But perhaps I should explain the reason why we're here inside?"

 "This isn't the best time..." Ryoga said, but he still 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 old woman.

 "We are so sorry to come at such an awkward time...My name is Xian Pu and current matriarch of the Amazon Village, and this is my great-granddaughter Len Dy. I am honored to have reached this age where in I am able to deliver this to you personally. You see a friend entrusted this to me when I was quite young, with a request that it be delivered to a Ryoga Hibiki at this address on this date. To be honest with you, 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.

 "I have some idea of what it may contain, the person giving me some clues, although it would be best if you yourself open it. I was 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 gave it to you...when you were young? In China? 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 Chinese except the owner of the Chinese restaurant down the street." Ryoga creased his eyebrow to think, "No. No one"

 "I never actually said she was Chinese." The matriarch smiled, "I think you would find the contents rather surprising. She gave me that ohh... more or less three hundred years ago."

 "Only way to find out is to open the packet." Len said, obviously hoping he would do so in her presence. That earned her a quick bop in the head by the matriarch.

 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. Uy, Honored Matriarch."

 Xian Pu Nodded, she signaled to her charge that the meeting was terminated, but smiled at Ryoga, "I know you will be curious, I would just like to say I knew her. Here is the address of the lodgings we will be presently at. A visit from you would be welcome."

 Len rose from her seat and smiled at him while placing a supposedly comforting hand against his shoulder. Clearly, she was disappointed, the mystery would continue, at least for a time. Her other friends back in the village would be disappointed as well.

 "I'll show myself out..." Xian Pu he said when it became clear that Ryoga had been engrossed in reading that letter. She understood that the young man would need his time alone. She gave her great-granddaughter another bop in the head when they were in the streets. "<Len, you are going to have to re-learn your manners, improve your Japanese and be a little bit more useful than what you did today.>"

 Len cringed at that "<Sorry grand-mother...>"



 Ryoga couldn't believe what he held in his hand. Surely it was a gift from the gods. Why? Because the letter was from Akane.



Dear 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 Xian Pu will do as I tell her...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 1600's (since you may think she's Chinese...well she's not...Just because the messenger is...) well anyway...I'm drifting.

 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. (But then...I decided air Mail VIA Shampoo would be great, neh? Assuming the old hag is still alive by our time...your time now.) You know, you can ask her anything about my life now, she'd know most of it.

 Having me in and* another century doesn't help a bit, and I couldn't possibly send it in your father's ancestors, how am I supposed to know if your relatives don't get lost and such??? -- Oops sorry, I couldn't help it) Besides, that would spoil the whole FUTURE for them...for us, and we don't want them to ruin the timeline and all that.

 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 neat little trinkets that I've collected that would be priceless in our time. They should make you rich, rich, rich! Shampoo would give you those... I told her not to give you that until...later... (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...)

 The other packet contains...a few remembrances...

 (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
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