1 I'll Find You
Written by: Demon Saya
Preread by: AquaKnight
Chapter 1~The Legacy Begins
The pair stared at each other, feeling their last minutes rapidly moving through the hourglass. She forced herself to scoot towards him. Their comrades lay fallen around them as well, dead.
It should not end like this...he thought, his eyes looking into hers.
I know, love...she returned his thoughts, opening her mouth slightly. "I love you..." She whispered, pressing her lips to his
The battle was over. Their enemy was dead on the ground. The cost however was too high. Both of the hero's were dying. Their blood was staining the ground they lay upon. Their hands twined as they kissed, refusing to let go of each other, even in death.
I'll find you again...he swore mentally, his eyes soft with love. I swear it...we'll be together.
I know...Goodbye...Ryuu
He watched as her eyes slowly closed, death coming to her as she lay beside him. "Iie..." He whispered a tear falling from his eyes. He felt the last of his blood ebbing away and he looked skyward. Akai...he thought, as his life left him.
As they lay on the blood soaked ground, the tear fell from his face and splashed on the ground. The result was an earthquake that shook the countryside, sending people running. The earth opened up under the bloody battlefield, and the fighters were pulled into the ground, hero and villain alike, until they could be reborn in another time, a friendlier time.
Where they could relive their tragedy.
****************************************
Ranma shotgunned, his eyes filled with fear. His breath came in short rasps, his eyes panicked before he realized it was just a dream. He bit his lip, cursing under his breath. Get a grip you moron...he thought, laying back on his futon. I wonder where that came from...
His eyes scaned the room for things that were commonly in his room. He could see a bookshelf with his manga on it, he could see his dresser, his nightstand. Everything was right in it's place. He relaxed, his eyes returning to the roof, his thoughts returning to the dream.
The girls eyes still haunted his mind. They were a soft brown color, smiling and loving. I wonder who she was...he thought. He'd called her Akai in the dream. He sighed, shaking his head furiously. GET A GRIP SAOTOME! He yelled at himself. He was the best martial artist in Nerima ward. Why was this affecting him so deeply? It had no basis in reality. It was just a dream, a stupid dream! He shook his head furiously. "Get some sleep..." he said to himself.
Unfortunately, the dream wouldn't let him sleep. He sighed, giving up all hope of getting any sleep before the first day of school tomorrow.
His mind lingered on the dream until he saw the sun rising and his alarm went off. He glanced over at it, then turned it off. It was going to be a long, long day. He could tell already.
****************************************
Tendo Akane washed her face, looking into the mirror carefully. Ryuu...I called him Ryuu...I wonder who he is...he's...he's kinda...She blushed. NO HE'S NOT! She objected mentally. I hate boys. Remember, your mantra! I HATE BOYS!
She sighed, pulling the brush through her longer black hair. She'd grown it so long to please the only man she loved. Her father. Dr. Tofu had told her stories of how her mother had once had long hair, and she wanted to be the living Kiko. Her mother had died giving birth to her, so she decided it was only right to try.
Unfortunately, she couldn't do anything like mother.
Kasumi, the oldest Tendo daughter, had long hair she wore in a ponytail, her eyes always smiling, the perfect image of their mother. She was perfect. The perfect cook, the perfect daughter, the perfect housekeeper, and someday would be the perfect wife.
Nabiki took care of the financial aspect of everything. She was the sexy daughter, her hair cropped short, to her shoulders, her eyes always almost predatorial. She was still better at everything than Akane.
Akane couldn't handle the finances, she couldn't cook, she couldn't clean. Her older sisters wouldn't let her. What she could do was fight. So she did. Every day. The boys would crowd around the front gate and Furinkan and wait for her. She could tear through all of them in under a minute, but she felt empty. Her older sisters were loved by their father. She was chastised when she did wrong, and her life felt empty.
She had no boyfriend, and frequently her friends attempted to hook her up with someone she didn't know and didn't want to. Still, she wondered what if would be like.
Warm ocean blue eyes filled her mind and she blushed faintly. He'd promised he'd find her. He swore it. Part of her hoped that someone would find her and care for her as deeply as the person she'd died with. His eyes had been so loving. But there was something wrong. He'd been wearing the armor of the enemy.
She frowned confused. Why would someone wearing the enemies garb look at me like that? She wondered, looking upwards, as if the answer would be on the roof.
A sigh escaped her and she wrapped her robe around her body. A few moments after exitting the bathroom, she heard a soft curse coming from her sister. "Nabiki, I think your timing's a bit off today." She said simply, walking down the hall.
Another disadvantage to being the most wanted girl at school. It made her the target of her sister's camera. She didn't want to know how many pictures of her had been taken by her elder sister, Nabiki. Worse, she rarely ever caught the middle Tendo in action.
She sighed, looking down. "Nabiki, I need to get ready for school, huh??"
"Yeppers. I have good tabs on you cleanin' the floor with those morons in under a minute. Don't disappoint me." She winked, then sprinted down the hall.
Akane sighed again. I wish...I wish someone could help me.
****************************************
Ranma uncomfortably tugged at the school uniform, his eyes irritable. "I hate this..." He muttered, looking into the mirror. He pulled a face, then, stared in shock, his hands dropping to his sides as he stared into the mirror. He couldn't stop staring. The image was his, but wasn't.
"Ryuu-sama, you are to lead the seige on the neighboring Kingdom."
His eyes turned pained. "B-but..."
"Your father orders it."
His eyes hardened. "Very well..."
Ranma shook his head, and the image was gone. What is going ON here? he wondered, clutching his shirt. He stared in the mirror a moment longer, his eyes panicked. His heart was beating rapidly and he looked around, just making sure he was still standing in his bathroom.
"What is going on here...?" He whispered, touching his forhead. It was cold.
****************************************
"Ranma, hon, are you alright?" Nodoka put her hand on his head. "You're like ice, son!" She exclaimed.
He shook his head. "I'm fine, kaasan." He said simply. "I have to go to school today. I'll be fine, I promise." He kissed his mother's forhead. "Kaasan, do we have any family history books?" He asked trying to be nonchallant.
"Are you okay son? Family history? You never ask for this kind of thing?"
He just shrugged. "Just curious. Bye Kaasan." He kissed her cheek, then ran out the door before he could hear anymore questions. He jumped onto the fence behind his house and ran along it, his mind moving at top speed. His thoughts were beyond his control. He looks like ME, he realized, his body shuddering against his will.
Is that who I was in the dream last night? Why did I ask mom for family history books...it can't be that I'm related to these people...can it?
Unfortunately, considering his reputation, it was more than likely. It was probable. He shook his head, trying to clear it as he approached the school. It was crowded out front. "Huh?" He shrugged, then jumped over the crowd with ease.
****************************************
Akane watched the boy disappear behind the crowd and readied herself. They charched her and she ripped through them. Some how, she felt almost familiar eyes on her as she fought.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and she felt fear grab her. NO, she thought despereately, don't let him beat me!
Suddenly, the man let go of her and fell. She spun quickly and saw warm, familiar blue eyes. She stiffled a gasp and stared up at him. Ocean blue eyes. Like the eyes in the dream. She remembered the promise and felt her heart hammering in her chest.
I'll find you...I swear it.
"Who are you..." She whispered, then ran into the building. Her heart was beating far too fast for her liking. This is impossible...this can't be...it CAN'T be the same person!
****************************************
Ranma entered the class a few seconds after Akane and he heard the bell ring as he slipped through the door. He sighed in relief. Just in time...he thought.
The teacher introduced him to the class and he was told to sit in the back of the class. He could feel eyes on him as he made his way back, most normally just drooling at him, but one pair stood out. It was a shocked, intense feel on his back. He shuddered and sat down in his desk. I wonder what's going to happen...he thought, then saw her.
The girl he'd helped this morning.
She sat a few desks up from him, where he could comfortably stare without getting caught. Her eyes were warm and brown, like the girls in the dream. He closed his eyes, remembering the odd vision he'd had this morning. I was sent to fight someone...and I said sorry to her...is it possible I killed her?! NO! I refuse to believe that! I'll never believe that! He clenched his hand into a fist and was oblivious to the pain of his nails digging into his palm and breaking skin.
He didn't acknowledge the bell ringing signaling that it was time for lunch. He continued to sit there, and only looked up when a hand lightly touched his arm. He started. It was the girl.
She looked down at him with serious, warm brown eyes. Inside them was a deep, unconditional gratitude. "Thank you...for what you did this morning...I'm in your debt."
He stared up at her, startled. "It...It just seemed like the right thing to do..." He answered, swallowing hard. His heart began thumping hard and he stood. "I'm Saotome Ranma..." He said, offering his hand to shake.
Hesitantely, she accepted his hand. "I'm Tendo Akane. Again, thank you..." She pulled her hand from his grasp and tried to get over the electric tingles going through her arm. He's powerful...no question...I'd hate to have him as my enemy...she thought, walking out of the room.
He watched her leave, and swallowed hard. His eyes moved to his hand. It tingles...almost like...like our hands were charged...I...I don't understand...
****************************************
Ranma walked into his house and saw a few books on the table in the kitchen. "Huh?" He walked over to them and lifted the note on top of them.
Ranma,
Here's what you asked for. Everything on both my and your father's ancestry. I don't know why you wish to see it, but here it is.
Your mother, Nodoka.
He nodded, lifting the books and he ran up to his room, taking the stairs three at a time. I have plenty of time to read up on this before pop get's home for evening practice... He thought, smirking. Not that it mattered. He'd long since surpassed his father's skill and he needed to fight someone who could keep him on his toes.
He opened the first of the books, which was on his fathers history. They were a society of thieves, a long line with many enemies, but that didn't sound anything like the dream. There were no mentions of battles and things like that. Not in the first book anyways.
He sighed, getting ready to settle down for a long night of reading.
****************************************
Akane walked into her room and saw Nabiki sitting on her bed. "Nabiki-oneechan..." She said softly, blinking. "What's up?" She'd been hoping for a chance to think about the dream again.
Her sister's eyes rose to hers. "Who was that boy who helped you this morning?"
Akane blinked. "Doshite?"
"Just tell me!"
"Saotome Ranma." The youngest Tendo looked baffled. "Oneechan, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost..." Then she realized what was wrong. "You lost money this morning didn't you."
"Yeah...because a few people betted on you needing help before the battle was over this morning. I'm not that worried about it...Just wondering about the boy..."
"Why?"
"Akane..." Nabiki's face took on a sisterly look. "Please, don't have anything to do with that boy...The Saotome's aren't our friends...in fact it's quite the opposite. We've been enemies since Sengoku Jidai..."
Akane froze. "Neechan?! Wha-"
"Father told me a long time ago of a legend. Two people from our clans killed each other, starting a bloody feud for many years. The feud died out after a while, just to bitter arguments, but it's not over yet. I fear you may be hurt."
The youngest Tendo hung her head. "Hai...I'll do what you ask..." She sat on her bed, and listened to her sister walk from the room. For some reason, her heart hurt. What's wrong with me? She wondered, baffled by the odd emotions. His eyes are so like the boy in the dreams...could they be related...she blew out a puff of breath and looked into the mirror. I wonder...wha-!?
She stared into a reflection of herself, but not of her room. "WHAT!?"
"Akai, you musn't love him. He's our sworn enemy."
"I know that, neechan..." She shook her head. "I know he's our enemy, but..."
"NO!" The girl in the background stepped forward. "If there's a war, who do you think they'll send?! They'll send HIM. Because of this, you musn't love him!"
She looked away. "But...he saved me...he treated me with kindness..."
The girl shook her head furiously. "Look, if anything bad were to happen, I...I just don't want to see you hurt, imotochan..."
She smiled over at her sister. "Arigato, oneechan..."
Akane shook her head, jerking her eyes from the mirror. When she looked back, it reflected her and her room again. She quickly turned off her light. Something's going to happen... she realized. I have to know WHAT!
****************************************
The ball would go on for hours, and the birthday boy was no where to be found. Or so it was thought.
Ryuu heard the scream from the balcony of the ball room, where his party was going on. His head jerked up, and he searched for the person who owned the shrill shriek. He couldn't see them. With a growl, he jumped from the balcony and landed lightly on the ground, looking around.
"Where do you think you're going gorgeous?!"
"N-NO! Leave me be!"
He ran in the direction of the cries, and noticed his father's guards harrassing a young girl in a brightly colored kimono. "Hey, I don't think your employer pays you to rape guests!" He said, his body taking a ready stance.
"H-huh?!" They backed from the girl. "R-Ryuu-sama..." They ran.
"Feh..." Ryuu looked back to the girl. "Are you alright?" He asked softly, kneeling beside her.
She quivered in fear. "Please...d-don't hurt me...I didn't mean to sneak in...please don't be angry with me..."
He laid a finger on her lips. "It's alright. You're safe now, I wont harm you..." He helped her stand, noting there were many tears in her kimono. One went right across her breasts. He sighed, removing his silk outer kimono and wrapping it around her shoulders. "Here..."
She stared up at him baffled. "Who are you?"
He smiled down at her. "I could ask you the same, little trespasser."
She blushed. "A-akai...Tendo Akai..."
His fingers brushed across her face. "I'm Ryuu..."
"TRESPASSER!" A voice shouted.
****************************************
Akane shotgunned, startled. "What was that?!" Suddenly, she realized it. She'd dreamt again. She shook her head hard. "Ryuu..." She whispered, closing her eyes. What's going on here? Why is my heart beating so quickly?
She could only come up with one answer. She was in love with Ryuu. A character in a dream...who had no basis in reality...she closed her eyes biting her lip. This is impossible...she thought, looking at the roof.
She felt her heart slow and sighed, trying to understand why she was dreaming such strange things.
****************************************
Ranma stared at the ceiling. "Tendo...Akai...Tendo Akane...this has to involve the Tendo's..." He said, his eyes narrowing. "I gotta figure out what's going on here..." He bit his lip, sitting and opening the book. His heart was racing in panicked fear. I need to understand!
He had finished the two on his father's history. Nothing in them mentioned the Tendo's. Now he was starting with his mother's family history. He bit his lip, reading rapidly. He had a few hours before school and he doubted greatly that he'd be getting any extra sleep.
After several hours of reading, he sighed. No luck...he thought, slipping a marker onto the page he was on and slipping the book into his satchel. I guess I'll finish reading it at lunch...
"Ranma! Breakfast's ready!"
"Hai!"
****************************************
Akane's eyes were glued to Ranma's back and he could feel it. He knew she was behind her. How long are you just going to stand back there...he wondered.
She started when she heard his voice in her head, plain as day. That dream last night...the one before that...why does my heart beat like this...like it beats when I'm around Ranma-kun every time I have one of those dreams...
When she reached the school, she decided to just do what she normally did and plow through them easily. She did. In less than a second, she was heading into the school, not even sweating. She smirked, flipping her long pony tail over her shoulder.
Ranma smirked, walking in too. He'd bludgeoned the trouble maker from yesterday the second he'd gotten through the gate and she hadn't even noticed. Oh, well, maybe it's better...I don't have time for girlfriends anyways...I have a mystery to solve!
He raced into the school.
****************************************
Ranma sat under a large tree during lunch, reading his mother's family history. The book was far thicker than his father's books, and was the only one on his mother.
He sighed, still reading until a shadow fell over him. "Huh?" He looked up. A girl with shoulder length brown hair was glaring down at him. "Who are you?"
"Tendo Nabiki." She said calmly. "I want you to understand something perfectly clear. I don't want you anywhere near my sister, Saotome. I know who you are and I know who your family is. Just stay away from her. She doesn't need help from the likes of you."
He stared up at her shocked. "Tendo-san..." He said softly, his face baffled. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
She leaned over, grabbing the collar of his uniform. "Keep reading. You will."
When she was gone, he looked after her, still completely baffled.
****************************************
Ranma walked along the fence, his nose still stuck into the history book. He could hear someone calling him, but found he was so enthrawled in it, he couldn't tear his eyes away. Then, he felt two hands snatch him off the fence. "Eh?"
Then, he was face to face with his mother. "Ranma, stay away from those girls. Trust me, just do it." She drug him home, her face furious. "I should have KNOWN they'd still be living in this area...they have for five hundred years and they'll continue to do so."
Ranma, was clueless about what was going on.
****************************************
Nodoka poured herself and her son some tea, her face a mask of pain. "There is a great deal I must tell you about the Kirara clan. We came to Japan during the feudal period when Sairyuuen married a Japanese princess. We lived here in peace for a long time until a neighboring domain started to try to push at our borders...they were the Tendo Clan."
Ranma looked startled at the name. "You mean those girls who go to my school..."
She nodded. "Now, Sairyuuen was powerful, equally as powerful as Tendo. Unfortunately, the border war started a feud. After several years, the feud died with the children of the two clans, during a bloody battle. They remained peaceful for a time and the border dispute ended, but...the damage had already been done. The clans were often at war, the last being a hundred years ago."
He looked at the ground. "What was his name...the one that died during the battle...?"
"Sairyuuen's son, Ryuu."
Ranma felt like he'd recieved a death blow. "The one from the other family?" He asked in a whisper.
"I do not know. Do you now understand why you must not go near those girls?" She put her hands over her son's before he jerked away, bolting to his feet. He swallowed hard and took off, running from the house.
"Oh, dear..." She murmered.
****************************************
Akane heard a knock at her window and looked up to see Ranma. Her breath caught and she remembered the warning. Don't let him in, girl...that boy is nothing but trouble! Instead of listening to her thoughts, she slowly unlocked the window, and slid it open. "What are you doing here?!" She whispered.
He stared at her, his face nervous. "Did you know the legend??" He asked softly. "Please, tell me if you know about Ryuu and Akai!"
She started. "I...I have heard the story..." She lied.
"Is that it?" He asked insistantely.
She nodded. Unfortunately, her eyes gave her away.
"You've been dreaming it, too..." He whispered, surprised. "You've been dreaming about it, too...it happened five hundred years ago, but-"
She spun away from him. "Get out of here! You don't know what'll happen if you are caught on our property..." She turned towards him. "Yes. I've been dreaming it too...I just wish I knew what it meant."
He stepped towards her and caught one of her hands. "Akane- san...let's figure this out together...we're the one's dreaming these things...no one else that I know of...let's work this out...it would end the fighting..."
She stared up at him surprised. Her hand was tingling like he was a charged atom. "I...I can't...if my sister found out-"
He released her hand, his eyes sad. "Would you be willing to try?" He asked softly.
Her eyes rose to his. "I...I wont guarantee my assistance, Saotome- kun. I'll try."
His lips turned up into a smile and he moved over to her window. "I'll see ya around, Akane-san..." He said softly, his eyes taking on the warm look they'd had in last nights dream. "If I have another dream...I'll tell you..."
She slowly sat down on her bed after he was gone. "It can't be...he can't be Ryuu..." She swallowed hard. "He can't be..."
****************************************
Ranma bit his lip, laying on his futon at bed-time. She can't be her...it's not possible...I can't believe it...
But he knew it was true. She was exactly like Akai in the dream. Her smile, her nervous, sad look. Her frightened look. The manner she carried herself in, her voice. Everything.
He swallowed hard. Somehow, her smile affected him the most. Her smile was like the clouds parting and letting the sun shine through. It lit up an entire room. She was so...
He sighed, trying to get his mind off of those thoughts. He closed his eyes, relaxing. "Time for another dream..." He whispered, switching off the light.
Written by: Demon Saya
Preread by: AquaKnight
Chapter 1~The Legacy Begins
The pair stared at each other, feeling their last minutes rapidly moving through the hourglass. She forced herself to scoot towards him. Their comrades lay fallen around them as well, dead.
It should not end like this...he thought, his eyes looking into hers.
I know, love...she returned his thoughts, opening her mouth slightly. "I love you..." She whispered, pressing her lips to his
The battle was over. Their enemy was dead on the ground. The cost however was too high. Both of the hero's were dying. Their blood was staining the ground they lay upon. Their hands twined as they kissed, refusing to let go of each other, even in death.
I'll find you again...he swore mentally, his eyes soft with love. I swear it...we'll be together.
I know...Goodbye...Ryuu
He watched as her eyes slowly closed, death coming to her as she lay beside him. "Iie..." He whispered a tear falling from his eyes. He felt the last of his blood ebbing away and he looked skyward. Akai...he thought, as his life left him.
As they lay on the blood soaked ground, the tear fell from his face and splashed on the ground. The result was an earthquake that shook the countryside, sending people running. The earth opened up under the bloody battlefield, and the fighters were pulled into the ground, hero and villain alike, until they could be reborn in another time, a friendlier time.
Where they could relive their tragedy.
****************************************
Ranma shotgunned, his eyes filled with fear. His breath came in short rasps, his eyes panicked before he realized it was just a dream. He bit his lip, cursing under his breath. Get a grip you moron...he thought, laying back on his futon. I wonder where that came from...
His eyes scaned the room for things that were commonly in his room. He could see a bookshelf with his manga on it, he could see his dresser, his nightstand. Everything was right in it's place. He relaxed, his eyes returning to the roof, his thoughts returning to the dream.
The girls eyes still haunted his mind. They were a soft brown color, smiling and loving. I wonder who she was...he thought. He'd called her Akai in the dream. He sighed, shaking his head furiously. GET A GRIP SAOTOME! He yelled at himself. He was the best martial artist in Nerima ward. Why was this affecting him so deeply? It had no basis in reality. It was just a dream, a stupid dream! He shook his head furiously. "Get some sleep..." he said to himself.
Unfortunately, the dream wouldn't let him sleep. He sighed, giving up all hope of getting any sleep before the first day of school tomorrow.
His mind lingered on the dream until he saw the sun rising and his alarm went off. He glanced over at it, then turned it off. It was going to be a long, long day. He could tell already.
****************************************
Tendo Akane washed her face, looking into the mirror carefully. Ryuu...I called him Ryuu...I wonder who he is...he's...he's kinda...She blushed. NO HE'S NOT! She objected mentally. I hate boys. Remember, your mantra! I HATE BOYS!
She sighed, pulling the brush through her longer black hair. She'd grown it so long to please the only man she loved. Her father. Dr. Tofu had told her stories of how her mother had once had long hair, and she wanted to be the living Kiko. Her mother had died giving birth to her, so she decided it was only right to try.
Unfortunately, she couldn't do anything like mother.
Kasumi, the oldest Tendo daughter, had long hair she wore in a ponytail, her eyes always smiling, the perfect image of their mother. She was perfect. The perfect cook, the perfect daughter, the perfect housekeeper, and someday would be the perfect wife.
Nabiki took care of the financial aspect of everything. She was the sexy daughter, her hair cropped short, to her shoulders, her eyes always almost predatorial. She was still better at everything than Akane.
Akane couldn't handle the finances, she couldn't cook, she couldn't clean. Her older sisters wouldn't let her. What she could do was fight. So she did. Every day. The boys would crowd around the front gate and Furinkan and wait for her. She could tear through all of them in under a minute, but she felt empty. Her older sisters were loved by their father. She was chastised when she did wrong, and her life felt empty.
She had no boyfriend, and frequently her friends attempted to hook her up with someone she didn't know and didn't want to. Still, she wondered what if would be like.
Warm ocean blue eyes filled her mind and she blushed faintly. He'd promised he'd find her. He swore it. Part of her hoped that someone would find her and care for her as deeply as the person she'd died with. His eyes had been so loving. But there was something wrong. He'd been wearing the armor of the enemy.
She frowned confused. Why would someone wearing the enemies garb look at me like that? She wondered, looking upwards, as if the answer would be on the roof.
A sigh escaped her and she wrapped her robe around her body. A few moments after exitting the bathroom, she heard a soft curse coming from her sister. "Nabiki, I think your timing's a bit off today." She said simply, walking down the hall.
Another disadvantage to being the most wanted girl at school. It made her the target of her sister's camera. She didn't want to know how many pictures of her had been taken by her elder sister, Nabiki. Worse, she rarely ever caught the middle Tendo in action.
She sighed, looking down. "Nabiki, I need to get ready for school, huh??"
"Yeppers. I have good tabs on you cleanin' the floor with those morons in under a minute. Don't disappoint me." She winked, then sprinted down the hall.
Akane sighed again. I wish...I wish someone could help me.
****************************************
Ranma uncomfortably tugged at the school uniform, his eyes irritable. "I hate this..." He muttered, looking into the mirror. He pulled a face, then, stared in shock, his hands dropping to his sides as he stared into the mirror. He couldn't stop staring. The image was his, but wasn't.
"Ryuu-sama, you are to lead the seige on the neighboring Kingdom."
His eyes turned pained. "B-but..."
"Your father orders it."
His eyes hardened. "Very well..."
Ranma shook his head, and the image was gone. What is going ON here? he wondered, clutching his shirt. He stared in the mirror a moment longer, his eyes panicked. His heart was beating rapidly and he looked around, just making sure he was still standing in his bathroom.
"What is going on here...?" He whispered, touching his forhead. It was cold.
****************************************
"Ranma, hon, are you alright?" Nodoka put her hand on his head. "You're like ice, son!" She exclaimed.
He shook his head. "I'm fine, kaasan." He said simply. "I have to go to school today. I'll be fine, I promise." He kissed his mother's forhead. "Kaasan, do we have any family history books?" He asked trying to be nonchallant.
"Are you okay son? Family history? You never ask for this kind of thing?"
He just shrugged. "Just curious. Bye Kaasan." He kissed her cheek, then ran out the door before he could hear anymore questions. He jumped onto the fence behind his house and ran along it, his mind moving at top speed. His thoughts were beyond his control. He looks like ME, he realized, his body shuddering against his will.
Is that who I was in the dream last night? Why did I ask mom for family history books...it can't be that I'm related to these people...can it?
Unfortunately, considering his reputation, it was more than likely. It was probable. He shook his head, trying to clear it as he approached the school. It was crowded out front. "Huh?" He shrugged, then jumped over the crowd with ease.
****************************************
Akane watched the boy disappear behind the crowd and readied herself. They charched her and she ripped through them. Some how, she felt almost familiar eyes on her as she fought.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and she felt fear grab her. NO, she thought despereately, don't let him beat me!
Suddenly, the man let go of her and fell. She spun quickly and saw warm, familiar blue eyes. She stiffled a gasp and stared up at him. Ocean blue eyes. Like the eyes in the dream. She remembered the promise and felt her heart hammering in her chest.
I'll find you...I swear it.
"Who are you..." She whispered, then ran into the building. Her heart was beating far too fast for her liking. This is impossible...this can't be...it CAN'T be the same person!
****************************************
Ranma entered the class a few seconds after Akane and he heard the bell ring as he slipped through the door. He sighed in relief. Just in time...he thought.
The teacher introduced him to the class and he was told to sit in the back of the class. He could feel eyes on him as he made his way back, most normally just drooling at him, but one pair stood out. It was a shocked, intense feel on his back. He shuddered and sat down in his desk. I wonder what's going to happen...he thought, then saw her.
The girl he'd helped this morning.
She sat a few desks up from him, where he could comfortably stare without getting caught. Her eyes were warm and brown, like the girls in the dream. He closed his eyes, remembering the odd vision he'd had this morning. I was sent to fight someone...and I said sorry to her...is it possible I killed her?! NO! I refuse to believe that! I'll never believe that! He clenched his hand into a fist and was oblivious to the pain of his nails digging into his palm and breaking skin.
He didn't acknowledge the bell ringing signaling that it was time for lunch. He continued to sit there, and only looked up when a hand lightly touched his arm. He started. It was the girl.
She looked down at him with serious, warm brown eyes. Inside them was a deep, unconditional gratitude. "Thank you...for what you did this morning...I'm in your debt."
He stared up at her, startled. "It...It just seemed like the right thing to do..." He answered, swallowing hard. His heart began thumping hard and he stood. "I'm Saotome Ranma..." He said, offering his hand to shake.
Hesitantely, she accepted his hand. "I'm Tendo Akane. Again, thank you..." She pulled her hand from his grasp and tried to get over the electric tingles going through her arm. He's powerful...no question...I'd hate to have him as my enemy...she thought, walking out of the room.
He watched her leave, and swallowed hard. His eyes moved to his hand. It tingles...almost like...like our hands were charged...I...I don't understand...
****************************************
Ranma walked into his house and saw a few books on the table in the kitchen. "Huh?" He walked over to them and lifted the note on top of them.
Ranma,
Here's what you asked for. Everything on both my and your father's ancestry. I don't know why you wish to see it, but here it is.
Your mother, Nodoka.
He nodded, lifting the books and he ran up to his room, taking the stairs three at a time. I have plenty of time to read up on this before pop get's home for evening practice... He thought, smirking. Not that it mattered. He'd long since surpassed his father's skill and he needed to fight someone who could keep him on his toes.
He opened the first of the books, which was on his fathers history. They were a society of thieves, a long line with many enemies, but that didn't sound anything like the dream. There were no mentions of battles and things like that. Not in the first book anyways.
He sighed, getting ready to settle down for a long night of reading.
****************************************
Akane walked into her room and saw Nabiki sitting on her bed. "Nabiki-oneechan..." She said softly, blinking. "What's up?" She'd been hoping for a chance to think about the dream again.
Her sister's eyes rose to hers. "Who was that boy who helped you this morning?"
Akane blinked. "Doshite?"
"Just tell me!"
"Saotome Ranma." The youngest Tendo looked baffled. "Oneechan, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost..." Then she realized what was wrong. "You lost money this morning didn't you."
"Yeah...because a few people betted on you needing help before the battle was over this morning. I'm not that worried about it...Just wondering about the boy..."
"Why?"
"Akane..." Nabiki's face took on a sisterly look. "Please, don't have anything to do with that boy...The Saotome's aren't our friends...in fact it's quite the opposite. We've been enemies since Sengoku Jidai..."
Akane froze. "Neechan?! Wha-"
"Father told me a long time ago of a legend. Two people from our clans killed each other, starting a bloody feud for many years. The feud died out after a while, just to bitter arguments, but it's not over yet. I fear you may be hurt."
The youngest Tendo hung her head. "Hai...I'll do what you ask..." She sat on her bed, and listened to her sister walk from the room. For some reason, her heart hurt. What's wrong with me? She wondered, baffled by the odd emotions. His eyes are so like the boy in the dreams...could they be related...she blew out a puff of breath and looked into the mirror. I wonder...wha-!?
She stared into a reflection of herself, but not of her room. "WHAT!?"
"Akai, you musn't love him. He's our sworn enemy."
"I know that, neechan..." She shook her head. "I know he's our enemy, but..."
"NO!" The girl in the background stepped forward. "If there's a war, who do you think they'll send?! They'll send HIM. Because of this, you musn't love him!"
She looked away. "But...he saved me...he treated me with kindness..."
The girl shook her head furiously. "Look, if anything bad were to happen, I...I just don't want to see you hurt, imotochan..."
She smiled over at her sister. "Arigato, oneechan..."
Akane shook her head, jerking her eyes from the mirror. When she looked back, it reflected her and her room again. She quickly turned off her light. Something's going to happen... she realized. I have to know WHAT!
****************************************
The ball would go on for hours, and the birthday boy was no where to be found. Or so it was thought.
Ryuu heard the scream from the balcony of the ball room, where his party was going on. His head jerked up, and he searched for the person who owned the shrill shriek. He couldn't see them. With a growl, he jumped from the balcony and landed lightly on the ground, looking around.
"Where do you think you're going gorgeous?!"
"N-NO! Leave me be!"
He ran in the direction of the cries, and noticed his father's guards harrassing a young girl in a brightly colored kimono. "Hey, I don't think your employer pays you to rape guests!" He said, his body taking a ready stance.
"H-huh?!" They backed from the girl. "R-Ryuu-sama..." They ran.
"Feh..." Ryuu looked back to the girl. "Are you alright?" He asked softly, kneeling beside her.
She quivered in fear. "Please...d-don't hurt me...I didn't mean to sneak in...please don't be angry with me..."
He laid a finger on her lips. "It's alright. You're safe now, I wont harm you..." He helped her stand, noting there were many tears in her kimono. One went right across her breasts. He sighed, removing his silk outer kimono and wrapping it around her shoulders. "Here..."
She stared up at him baffled. "Who are you?"
He smiled down at her. "I could ask you the same, little trespasser."
She blushed. "A-akai...Tendo Akai..."
His fingers brushed across her face. "I'm Ryuu..."
"TRESPASSER!" A voice shouted.
****************************************
Akane shotgunned, startled. "What was that?!" Suddenly, she realized it. She'd dreamt again. She shook her head hard. "Ryuu..." She whispered, closing her eyes. What's going on here? Why is my heart beating so quickly?
She could only come up with one answer. She was in love with Ryuu. A character in a dream...who had no basis in reality...she closed her eyes biting her lip. This is impossible...she thought, looking at the roof.
She felt her heart slow and sighed, trying to understand why she was dreaming such strange things.
****************************************
Ranma stared at the ceiling. "Tendo...Akai...Tendo Akane...this has to involve the Tendo's..." He said, his eyes narrowing. "I gotta figure out what's going on here..." He bit his lip, sitting and opening the book. His heart was racing in panicked fear. I need to understand!
He had finished the two on his father's history. Nothing in them mentioned the Tendo's. Now he was starting with his mother's family history. He bit his lip, reading rapidly. He had a few hours before school and he doubted greatly that he'd be getting any extra sleep.
After several hours of reading, he sighed. No luck...he thought, slipping a marker onto the page he was on and slipping the book into his satchel. I guess I'll finish reading it at lunch...
"Ranma! Breakfast's ready!"
"Hai!"
****************************************
Akane's eyes were glued to Ranma's back and he could feel it. He knew she was behind her. How long are you just going to stand back there...he wondered.
She started when she heard his voice in her head, plain as day. That dream last night...the one before that...why does my heart beat like this...like it beats when I'm around Ranma-kun every time I have one of those dreams...
When she reached the school, she decided to just do what she normally did and plow through them easily. She did. In less than a second, she was heading into the school, not even sweating. She smirked, flipping her long pony tail over her shoulder.
Ranma smirked, walking in too. He'd bludgeoned the trouble maker from yesterday the second he'd gotten through the gate and she hadn't even noticed. Oh, well, maybe it's better...I don't have time for girlfriends anyways...I have a mystery to solve!
He raced into the school.
****************************************
Ranma sat under a large tree during lunch, reading his mother's family history. The book was far thicker than his father's books, and was the only one on his mother.
He sighed, still reading until a shadow fell over him. "Huh?" He looked up. A girl with shoulder length brown hair was glaring down at him. "Who are you?"
"Tendo Nabiki." She said calmly. "I want you to understand something perfectly clear. I don't want you anywhere near my sister, Saotome. I know who you are and I know who your family is. Just stay away from her. She doesn't need help from the likes of you."
He stared up at her shocked. "Tendo-san..." He said softly, his face baffled. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
She leaned over, grabbing the collar of his uniform. "Keep reading. You will."
When she was gone, he looked after her, still completely baffled.
****************************************
Ranma walked along the fence, his nose still stuck into the history book. He could hear someone calling him, but found he was so enthrawled in it, he couldn't tear his eyes away. Then, he felt two hands snatch him off the fence. "Eh?"
Then, he was face to face with his mother. "Ranma, stay away from those girls. Trust me, just do it." She drug him home, her face furious. "I should have KNOWN they'd still be living in this area...they have for five hundred years and they'll continue to do so."
Ranma, was clueless about what was going on.
****************************************
Nodoka poured herself and her son some tea, her face a mask of pain. "There is a great deal I must tell you about the Kirara clan. We came to Japan during the feudal period when Sairyuuen married a Japanese princess. We lived here in peace for a long time until a neighboring domain started to try to push at our borders...they were the Tendo Clan."
Ranma looked startled at the name. "You mean those girls who go to my school..."
She nodded. "Now, Sairyuuen was powerful, equally as powerful as Tendo. Unfortunately, the border war started a feud. After several years, the feud died with the children of the two clans, during a bloody battle. They remained peaceful for a time and the border dispute ended, but...the damage had already been done. The clans were often at war, the last being a hundred years ago."
He looked at the ground. "What was his name...the one that died during the battle...?"
"Sairyuuen's son, Ryuu."
Ranma felt like he'd recieved a death blow. "The one from the other family?" He asked in a whisper.
"I do not know. Do you now understand why you must not go near those girls?" She put her hands over her son's before he jerked away, bolting to his feet. He swallowed hard and took off, running from the house.
"Oh, dear..." She murmered.
****************************************
Akane heard a knock at her window and looked up to see Ranma. Her breath caught and she remembered the warning. Don't let him in, girl...that boy is nothing but trouble! Instead of listening to her thoughts, she slowly unlocked the window, and slid it open. "What are you doing here?!" She whispered.
He stared at her, his face nervous. "Did you know the legend??" He asked softly. "Please, tell me if you know about Ryuu and Akai!"
She started. "I...I have heard the story..." She lied.
"Is that it?" He asked insistantely.
She nodded. Unfortunately, her eyes gave her away.
"You've been dreaming it, too..." He whispered, surprised. "You've been dreaming about it, too...it happened five hundred years ago, but-"
She spun away from him. "Get out of here! You don't know what'll happen if you are caught on our property..." She turned towards him. "Yes. I've been dreaming it too...I just wish I knew what it meant."
He stepped towards her and caught one of her hands. "Akane- san...let's figure this out together...we're the one's dreaming these things...no one else that I know of...let's work this out...it would end the fighting..."
She stared up at him surprised. Her hand was tingling like he was a charged atom. "I...I can't...if my sister found out-"
He released her hand, his eyes sad. "Would you be willing to try?" He asked softly.
Her eyes rose to his. "I...I wont guarantee my assistance, Saotome- kun. I'll try."
His lips turned up into a smile and he moved over to her window. "I'll see ya around, Akane-san..." He said softly, his eyes taking on the warm look they'd had in last nights dream. "If I have another dream...I'll tell you..."
She slowly sat down on her bed after he was gone. "It can't be...he can't be Ryuu..." She swallowed hard. "He can't be..."
****************************************
Ranma bit his lip, laying on his futon at bed-time. She can't be her...it's not possible...I can't believe it...
But he knew it was true. She was exactly like Akai in the dream. Her smile, her nervous, sad look. Her frightened look. The manner she carried herself in, her voice. Everything.
He swallowed hard. Somehow, her smile affected him the most. Her smile was like the clouds parting and letting the sun shine through. It lit up an entire room. She was so...
He sighed, trying to get his mind off of those thoughts. He closed his eyes, relaxing. "Time for another dream..." He whispered, switching off the light.
