When life is not what you expected

by Dr Facer

Many years have passed since Ranma and Akane married. Ryoga married too, but his marriage was not for the best, not for him or for his wife...

1. Part 1

Disclaimer: Ranma ½ is a property of Viz communications, all the characters created by and copyrighted to Rumiko Takahashi.

When life is not what you expected

Part 1
By
Dr Facer

=0=

"When did my life go so wrong?" The young woman muttered as she cleaned the large, old fashioned kitchen. She was a young and very beautiful woman who had her long, shiny brown hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a white apron above her brown skirt and green shirt to keep them clean as she worked. Her face was a lovely sight and would be irresistible if it weren't shadowed by a shade of sadness that threatened to consume her and which she struggled to keep hidden. Getting no response to her inquiry other than the sounds of birds coming from outside the window, she continued cleaning without any enthusiasm.

She finished with the chores and walked out, not feeling like tolerating the crushing emptiness in the house. Once outside the woman contemplated taking the car and going for a drive but instead sat on the stairs in front of her door and glanced at her family's farm. Over there, to the left, she could see her father feeding their pigs while the workers helped cleaning one of the large pens.

The brunette noticed her mother waving at her from the other house so she waved back and managed a smile, hoping the woman wouldn't notice how fake her cheerfulness was. She contemplated her options for a few seconds, and realizing conversation could help her feel better, she walked to where her mother was.

Later…

After eating with her parents and spending most of the afternoon with them she decided it was time to go back home and start preparing dinner for her husband. But before that, she walked slowly through the farm, saying 'hellos' and 'how are yous' to the workers who were still there. It didn't take long during her walk for her mind to slip back to a time when everything had been easier, a time when she still had the illusions of a bright and happy future. She remembered how her father and his workers had built her a house after her engagement was decided, right across the farm's main road.

"That way you will have a home inside home, right in the heart of our farm and just in front of ours!" her father had told her and her then fiancée. All that had happened when she was sixteen. Now, at twenty four, she was all but happy. She had married at eighteen with the man she thought was perfect. How wrong had she been!

"God, it's been six years already?" She thought stopping in front of her house. The fact that she had spent six years trapped in there, prey of an unhappy marriage suddenly hitting her like a speeding truck. The woman wished with all her hearth that things were different, feeling the need to do something, the need to escape! The need to… she shook her head and sighed in defeat. It was useless to be angry. She had made her choice so happy or not, she couldn't change the way things were now. It was impossible for her, it was simply too late.

"And it's all because of him," she whispered with a frustrated frown. "Where could that idiot be right now?"

=0=

The woman's husband was indeed somewhere else, far away from the farm. He was in Nerima, Tokyo, and he was desperately looking for someone.

This young man walked alone, hoping to find a place that was very special to him; a place called the Tendo dojo, the place where the woman he loved with a passion that burned like the sun lived. He has been searching for this place for seven months already, and while he has entertained thoughts about his wife, it was easy for him to ignore them.

Because his wife would understand, she always did.

He had married Akari Unryuu six years before to honor the engagement her grandfather imposed on them, thinking that with time he would learn to love her as much as she deserved. Unfortunately, out of those six years, he had been with her roughly the equivalent of only two, mostly because he was lost most of the time, of course, but that was fine, as she always waited for him. She was loyal and willing to do anything for him. Akari was the perfect wife for a man who was lost five, or even nine, days out of ten.

The problem, however, was that Akari wasn't her. Akari was not the woman he loved above everything. He did care for his wife, had developed a certain attachment for her, even, it was just that Akari always behaved so... perfectly, so… flawlessly… it had been nice at first but after a while, he grew tired of her absolute devotion; so tired in fact, that he walked out one day and got lost for two weeks just to think about the whole thing without finding a satisfactory answer.

The problem, he knew, was that he now had a place he belonged to, a place to return to and call home and that meant he didn't have to worry anymore about his future. This in turn awoke his need for traveling, for wandering and exploring much more than before. It started with the occasional two weeks expedition but as time passed more and more time he spent on the road, ever wondering why he couldn't stay at his wife's side. The answer came one night he caught a glimpse of her across the street. Seeing her struck him to the core, helping him understand he was still in love with her. He rushed to meet her, desperate to hear her voice, but all he managed was to lose his way. It didn't matter, this new realization fueled his resolve and he searched until he found her. She was pregnant when he finally met her again, bearing the child of his most despised adversary and even if that meant there was no way she would ever see him as more than a friend now, he didn't feel any resentment. All he could feel was happiness, overwhelming happiness for her and her child. It was then, seeing her smiling as she told him about his hopes for her baby that he understood at last she would never be his, but he also learned that he could never, ever leave her. He simply loved her too much.

It had been five years since then, and his visits to her house only increased in frequency while the time he spent at home became scarcer.

"But who cares? Akari never gets mad at me anyway," the man thought as he continued his way.

=0=

Akari Hibiki was not happy, she had tried to sleep but worry for her husband kept her awake. He had been lost for seven months and this time he hadn't even called to let her know he was fine!

"No, he is not lost. He's out there, searching for her!" she hissed, her mood turning sour as she accepted the reason why her husband was not at her side.

Akari sighed and left her bed. She entered her bathroom and washed her face to calm down and, as she moved her left hand over her face, she caressed the soft skin of her full, inviting lips, thinking that being kissed would be nice. She was feeling lonelier than usual and her need for love and company filled her chest with pain.

"How many times has he kissed me?" she whispered and touched her lips once again. She remembered the first time he kissed her while they watched the sunset, she remembered that moment well. He asked her to marry him after their kiss, saying they should honor their engagement before her grandfather died. She had said yes, of course, as she was nothing but a naive girl back then. And their first kiss… it had been so nice… shy and gentle, perfect for the moment. It made her think it would be the first of many, many more, only it was not. Since that night he had kissed her only what, ten, twelve times?

"So much for a happy marriage," she muttered. Thoughts of her sexual life filtered to the front of her mind as her feeling of loneliness made her wish for a man to place his arms around her.

Akari sat in the toilet and snorted in frustration. Sex, bah. She was extremely frustrated with that aspect of her married life, and quite rightly so. She had made love with her husband only five times. Five times! That was probably the number of times her parents made love in two of months! And she had made love with her husband only five times in six years!

The woman shook her head, thinking how much she hated sex. No… she didn't hate it… she just didn't enjoy it. And she didn't because of what her husband did every single time they tried to be intimate.

Ryoga simply wasn't a dedicated lover. He always denied her, or finished way too quickly for her to reach orgasm. This had, of course, forced her to find ways to reach climax on her own. Akari had been hesitant at first since masturbation was taboo in her family, but eventually her needs overcame shyness. Finding pleasure that way however, as satisfactory as she found it, never made her feel complete and as a result she almost never did it.

Akari remembered then her wedding night and she frowned with a groan of resentment. What a big fiasco that night had been! She closed her eyes, feeling furious remembering how, when he finally entered her, making her think they would be as one forever, he also crushed her hopes and dreams and killed them. What began as love making ended for her being just plain sex. She had no choice but to lay on her back, motionless and defeated as she waited for him to finish. All the pleasure she had wanted to feel from his hands vanished, all the love she thought he would give her disappeared from her heart and all because of a name he whispered in her ear.

"Akane, why did he have to say her name?" she asked no one in particular. Akane… that blasted name! The name he called all the times they had made love! The name he called in his dreams! The name he whispered to the wind whenever he thought he was alone! And she hated him when he did that! Oh, how much she hated it!

"Akane Tendo, how come that a woman I thought could be my friend, is the same woman I have learned to hate so much?" Akari said and then shook her head, realizing she was being unfair. "No, that's not true… I don't hate her. Akane always made it clear to Ryoga they would never be more than friends. It's not her fault at all. I… I just hate her name, and the way he calls her name."

Not liking where her thoughts were heading and knowing she would end up crying alone if she stayed, Akari left her room and then her house, thinking it was better to find something to do or someone to talk to than letting depression drag her into a hole of self-pity. Once outside, she thought she could visit her parents but after asking one of their workers she was told they weren't home and wouldn't return until night. Not willing to return to her empty house, Akari took her bike and headed for the neighboring farm a few miles down the road. She was good friends with the owners, and had been spending a lot of time there lately. She had a good reason for it, too; he lived there, and he would certainly be happy to see her and make her company.

Ten minutes later, Akari arrived to the neighboring farm.

=0=

Ryoga Hibiki arrived to his destination at last. The dojo was now the property of Ranma Saotome, who had become a very renowned martial arts master after winning several national tournaments over the years, and it had gone from being deserted to one of Nerima's most popular. Apart from the satisfaction of having a successful school, Ranma also felt proud that his four year old son was a natural martial artist and he felt his child would surpass him by the time he was eighteen.

Ryoga, surprisingly, did not envy Ranma's success as he didn't care about the fortunes of the Tendo Dojo. What made him feel jealous and resentful was the fact Akane had given him children. And still, Ryoga was able to comprehend Ranma's son was innocent and didn't deserve the scorn he felt for his father, and this understanding helped him see the boy in a different light, to the point that he had come to love Akane's son as his own and the way the little boy called him 'uncle Ryoga' made him happier than anything else in the world.

But now, at the gates of the Tendo Dojo, all Ryoga wanted was to see Akane again, even if it meant tolerating all the questions about when he and Akari were going to have a baby and all of Ranma's not so subtle jokes about him being impotent.

"Small price to pay in order to see her and her child," Ryoga muttered and knocked the door. He waited for a few minutes but no one answered. He knocked again and again but nobody came. "It seems nobody's home, though… could it be that Akane is in labor now?"

That possibility presented the young man with a grave problem. If he tried to find the hospital she was at, he would get lost for weeks! Troubled by this unexpected development, Ryoga could do nothing but sit near the door, pondering his options.

"Oh, my! Ryoga, how are you?"

He lifted his head to find a woman standing next to him: Kasumi Tendo, now married to Doctor Tofu, mother of three, a certified nurse and the sweetest woman he had ever met.

Ryoga smiled as he stood up, seeing Kasumi meant he would get to see Akane after all. "Hello, Kasumi. I'm fine, thank you. How's everything around here?"

"Hectic, but we're all happy. Akane's daughter was born two days ago," Kasumi smiled openly at this. "She and the baby are in great health, considering the delivery was a little complicated."

"That's… that's great!" he sighed, feeling honestly glad that Akane and the baby were fine. "Is she at your husband's clinic, can I visit her?"

"Tofu said she and the baby could come home this afternoon. I came early to get things ready for the baby. Would you like to come in and lend a hand, Ryoga?"

"Of course I would!"

"Then come, we have a lot of things to do."

Ryoga followed the oldest Tendo sister into the house, happy that he would get to meet Akane's newborn child so soon.

=0=

Akari rode her bike down the road that went from the neighboring farm's entrance to the family home, where she found a woman in her fifties watering the flowers that circled the house. Beyond her, Akari saw a few workers leading four gigantic pigs into the training ring and others working on expanding the animal's corral, all of this indicating business was going well for the Takai family. Founded forty years before, this was now Japan's number one Sumo Pig farm, a position previously held by the Unryuu family for decades. Akari wasn't really bothered by that detail since she knew it was impossible for her or her parents to compete with them, particularly because the current head of their rival family, Goro Takai, used to be one of Japan's most popular yokozuna until he retired to get married. After that he returned to his family's farm and introduced new and revolutionary training methods for his pigs that had obviously paid off tremendously well.

Akari sighed, recalling her grandfather hadn't been so accepting of the whole situation, to the point he made several unsuccessful attempts at buying the Takai farm or, much to her shame, even bully them out of business. Thinking about it, the woman realized that her late grandfather had very much acted like the stereotypical bad guy in a comedy film about two rival businesses. In the end, however, his plans all failed and the families were now on friendly terms, something Akari felt happy about.

"Hello," the older woman greeted once Akari was close enough. "How are you today and how are your parents?"

"We're all fine, thanks," the brunette replied as she got off her bike. "Hot day, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is, my poor flowers really resented it. What brings you here today, my dear?"

"I was passing by and thought I'd say hi… and maybe talk to Hideyoshi for a while, if it's possible."

"I see," the older woman nodded knowingly. "My son was working at the old gym, perhaps he's still there."

"Thank you, I'll go and take a look. Can I leave my bike here?"

"Sure, leave it by the door," that said, Mrs. Takai went back to watering her flowers, thinking about Akari and feeling sad about how the girl had to put a happy front when everybody in town knew her husband was an irresponsible vagrant who refused to work at the pig farm and lived off the Unryuu's money. "She's such a nice woman, it's a real shame she married that horrible man."

…

Akari, who was quite familiar with the farm as she had often visited it since childhood, walked in contemplative silence while she made her way to the farm's old gym. She walked past the new one and waved her hand, greeting Mr. Takai as she went by. The brunette remembered then one of her cousins had asked her for his autograph, so she would have to ask for it later. Luckily for her, the former sumo champion was a very gentle man and she just knew he wouldn't refuse her request.

After going a little further down, past the main pig pen, Akari arrived to the old gym, which she'd heard was to be demolished soon. She found the man she was looking for carrying old furniture from the building and loading it into a truck. Besides the vehicle rested a massive black pig, almost as big as her Katsunishiki in fact. Akari knew the animal quite well, its name was Dashijiru and the Takai had retired him from fighting three years ago, after being Japan's top Sumo Pig champion for five years straight. What surprised the brunette, however, was that even when the Takai family lost the championship after retiring Dashijiru, they bounced back to the top of the national tournament two years later with another pig and they had stayed there ever since.

Akari sighed with some melancholy. Her family hadn't been able to go beyond fourth or third place since the Takai made a serious bet for the tournaments and while the Unryuu farm still made money from sponsorships and other pig related business, they weren't doing as good as they used to when she was a teenager. She could not blame her family's misfortune on their rivals, however; the Takais were simply too good for her to be angry at them. She in fact admired their dedication.

The young woman leaned on a fence and observed how Hideyoshi worked. He was tall and slim and also fairly strong, but what she focused on was his brown hair and eyes, since they always reminded her of the day she met him many, many years ago and with good reason, as back then she used to believe light brown hair was something only she and her mother had. She had been visiting the new neighbors with her parents and was surprised to see a boy with cinnamon hair running around. It didn't take long for them to become friends and spend the rest of that afternoon playing together. Akari smiled fondly at the memory and decided it was time to say hi.

But she stopped after the first step. Doubt and guilt filled her like they always did every time she visited the Takai farm. She knew quite well she shouldn't be here and that she shouldn't even talk to Hideyoshi. Because he was still in love with her and Akari was quite aware of that fact.

He tried to hide it, of course, but Akari knew. How could she not? They had known each other since they were children and she could tell he had never stopped loving her. She could see it in his eyes, in his face, in the way his hand lingered on her shoulder a bit longer than it should, in the way his voice called for her when they were together. He loved her.

"I have no shame," the woman reflected, her guilt growing inside her chest. What was she doing here? With every visit all she did was hurt both their feelings but… an image of a smiling Ryoga talking to Akane entered her mind and she frowned. "He's with her and not with me. So what does it matter if I talk to an old friend who actually cares about me?"

Yes, that was her usual reasoning for visiting him. And it always helped assuage her guilt. Her resolve returned then and Akari approached the old gym. Hideyoshi was just a friend. And there was nothing wrong with talking to old friends who offered an understanding ear. Nothing at all because, during her years of solitude, he had been the only one who was there for her, becoming her confident, the only one who helped her live through her lonely days and weeks and most importantly, he cared for her, he listened to her, he was there for her. And he never tried to take advantage of her situation. He was happy being a friend and confident and nothing else.

And that was the one thing always convinced Akari visiting him was fine. Because she knew he was safe and would not do anything that would put her marriage in danger.

Calm again and confident she wasn't doing anything wrong, Akari smiled and prepared to greet him. She patted the sleeping pig's head once she walked by it, earning a soft grunt in response as Dashijiru saw her as part of the family and wouldn't try to stop her. Feeling mischievous, she rounded the vehicle and waited for him to come out of the gym, he didn't see her and when he finished pushing a bench into the truck, she stepped out quickly, right behind him.

"Hands up and give me all your money!"

The surprised young man turned around and lifted his fists to face the attacker, but he lowered them when he noticed who was standing, laughing, in front of him.

"You should have seen your face just now, Hide-kun!"

"That was not nice, Akari," he said pretending to be calm and then abruptly raised his arms and screamed, returning the scare to his old friend.

"What's wrong with you?" Akari complained but then chuckled. "I guess I deserved that, huh?"

"Yes, you did," he returned the chuckle. "Well, now that we're even... why don't you tell me what brings you here?"

She sighed and leaned on the truck. "Nothing… I just wanted to talk, I guess."

"He hasn't returned, has he?" Hideyoshi asked and sighed tiredly. "That's odd. He's never been away for this long… hasn't he called or something?"

"No, nothing, not even a letter, nothing to let me know he's fine," she lowered her face, feeling suddenly lonelier than she had in months.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"To be honest… no. I've never felt so alone before, it's torture! Not knowing when he's coming back or if he's even coming back at all… it's horrible!"

Hideyoshi noticed the way her shoulders trembled and then hear her sniff back a sob. She hardly ever cried, and seeing her cry sent daggers into his heart. He had to do something to help her feel better so after a moment of hesitation, he reached for her and hugged her with his right arm, pulling her close to offer her some comfort. "He'll come back soon. Don't worry, he always does. It's just that he lost his way more than usual this time."

Akari hugged him back and shoved her face in his chest. "He's not lost. I know where he is."

"Then why don't you go there?" he asked her. "Want me to drive you?"

"No… no… I can't go there. I can't go because he... he's with her."

"…Again? Didn't he promise he would never go see Akane Ten…"

"Don't," Akari demanded breaking the hug and turning away from him. "Don't you ever dare mention her name, I don't want to hear her name ever again!"

"Fine, I won't say it," he promised. "But what are you going to do about this?"

"I'm not going to do anything."

"I don't understand, shouldn't you talk to him about it at least?"

"Why? It's clear he prefers to be with her," Akari lamented. "I can't fight that… never could. I can't pretend I have a chance anymore, Hide-kun. I can't."

"I don't think you should give up on him."

"Hideyoshi?"

"What?"

"Stop lying and be honest just for once. I want to know how you feel about him, you can say it. I won't get mad."

For a moment he thought she was joking, but the look in her eyes convinced him that she wasn't. She really wanted to know. "Are you sure? I don't think you'll like my opinion."

"I am sure. Go ahead and say it, it can't be worse than what I think of him right now."

"Fine… just remember that you asked for it."

Hideyoshi took in a deep breath and looked deep into Akari's expectant eyes.

"I do think he's a good man Akari, he's been polite the few times we've met but… I can't forgive him for doing this to you," he paused for a moment to collect his thoughts and then placed his hands on her shoulders. "You deserve better Akari. You deserve a man who can be with you always. A man who can love you and only you… a man who listens to you! A man…"

"…Like you," she completed and walked to the front of the truck, giving him her back as she spoke. His words had made her heart ache, and she wondered if what he felt for her was true or just her imagination. She realized she had to know. "Tell me Hideyoshi, do you still… do you still love me?"

"Akari, that's…"

"Just answer me, it's very important!"

"Yes… I do… I really love you," he admitted in a low, shy voice. "I love you, Akari."

She sighed in relief, satisfied and feeling those words healed somewhat the hole she had in her heart. Smiling, Akari returned to his side and placed a hand on his chest. "Thank you. It wasn't that hard was it?"

He looked at her, puzzled, "why did you ask me that?"

"I just wanted to know if someone besides my parents still loves me. These last few days I've… I've felt like no one in this world loves me anymore."

"Akari, I…"

"Walk with me? Please, we can continue talking while we do."

They left the old gym in silence and despite what she offered, they didn't talk until they reached the stream that ran downhill behind the farm.

"You're wrong Akari," he said while picking a stone, just to throw it to the shallow waters with no enthusiasm. "I'm sure he cares for you, too."

"No, I'm not wrong. Besides you and my parents I truly have nobody. I have no friends and… do you really think I have a husband?" The brunette sat under a tree and hugged her knees, hiding her face behind them. "Don't you see it? Everyone but me has someone! My parents have each other and the farm, I'm sure you'll find a woman soon and my husband… my husband has that woman!"

He crouched in front of her and reached for her hands, but stopped before touching them. She looked worse than ever, every time before when Ryoga disappeared for a long time Akari had managed to remain calm and avoid tears. She had been sad, of course, but calm. This was the first time he had actually seen Akari crumble like this and he wasn't sure how he could help her.

"No one understands my pain," she sobbed, still hiding behind her arms. "Nobody knows what it's like to be so alone. Nobody knows what it feels like to be abandoned, discarded… no one but me!"

"Don't say that, Akari… you have me," he offered. "I will always be here for you."

She looked up and saw his gentle smile. She suddenly couldn't stand it, because it was the smile of a liar, it was the smile of the man who did nothing to stop her when she decided to marry the person who destroyed her life!

"You lie. Someday you'll get married and forget about me!"

"Even if that happens, I will never forget you," Hideyoshi swore, holding her hands for emphasis. "I would do anything for you, anything you ask!"

"…Anything?"

"Yes."

"Then love me."

"I already do," Hideyoshi swore, reaching forward to wipe the tears off Akari's face. "And that won't change."

"Thank you, I think… I think I could fall for you again soon…"

He retreated slowly and smiled a sad smile. "Akari, you are married and even if he's always away, you have a husband to care for. If you try, things will be fine between you both. I'm sure he still cares and someday, you'll have children."

She sighed and closed her eyes. "I wouldn't count on that."

"Why?"

Akari ran her fingers through her hair and looked at the stream. "It's complicated. I don't think you want to hear about it."

"I don't, and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I… I think I do want to. I need to get it off my chest," she said and then told him. She told him all about his wedding night. About how he called her name when they tried to be together or when he thought no one was listening. About how he almost never hugged her or kissed her.

"I see… I'm sorry to hear that."

"Not as much as I am," she admitted and leaned back on the tree, her eyes closed, thinking. Akari thought she would feel terrible after exposing her intimate secrets, but she actually felt… free. Perhaps sharing the burden helped more than what she thought it would. She sat there in silence until she heard him stand. Afraid that he was leaving her, she opened her eyes and hastily got back on her feet. "A-are you leaving, where are you going?"

"Nowhere, I just needed to stand up. How do you feel?"

"Oh… I-I do feel a little better," she said, and it was true, she did feel better.

"Good."

"Want to have dinner with me tonight Hide-kun?" she asked on a whim while she dusted her clothes. "I'll cook you something good."

"I honestly think I shouldn't," he answered, obviously feeling nervous by the offer.

"Please, it's hard to be alone… and I just want to have some company," she insisted, her hand on his arm. "I just want to have someone to talk to tonight."

"If it's just talking… okay, I'll go."

"Thank you. I'll have it all ready around eight. Please don't be late," she smiled and started walking back to the farm. "I'll go to town and get fish, is that fine or is there anything in particular you want me to cook for you?"

"No, nothing, really… I trust you'll cook something great."

"And you should."

He walked her all the way back to where she had left her bicycle, and after promising again he'd be at her house by eight, he watched her go in the direction of the town further down the highway. The young man couldn't believe he had accepted the invitation and now his mind was spinning with doubts. What if Ryoga returned that night? What if Akari really meant it when she said she could fall for him again? Could she really love him again?

It was natural for him to wonder about her feelings. Hideyoshi had been in love with Akari since they were thirteen, and for a short time, between fifteen and sixteen, she loved him back. All of that ended when her grandfather intervened and demanded he became stronger or he wouldn't let him date his granddaughter. Trying to impress the old man, Hideyoshi went on a training trip deep in the mountains, but when he came back after a few months…

"When I came back she was already in love with someone else," he lamented, recalling how Akari's grandfather told her he had deserted her and convinced her to find a strong man that could protect her and take over the Unryuu farm.

Hideyoshi sighed at the sad memories, recalling the moment Akari introduced Ryoga to him, claiming he was the only one for her. He remembered the pain, and how he finally decided to sacrifice his love for her and let her go. Now, however, he felt that letting her marry the man she ended up engaged with because of some stupid condition her grandfather forced her to agree with had been a mistake.

"I wouldn't go to the Unryuu farm tonight if I were you," a voice said behind Hideyoshi.

The young sumo pig trainer looked back and found his older brother, Ichiro Takai, standing tall behind him, hands in his pockets and a worried expression on his face.

"She's married," the older Takai son said bringing up a hand to smooth his mustache. "That means she's off limits. You've always respected that rule and avoided visiting the Unryuu farm, why are you breaking it now?"

"I'm not going to do anything," Hideyoshi argued. "I'm just going to have dinner with her and then I'll come back."

"Dinner can lead to other things," the older brother pointed out with a frown. "And you've been head over heels in love with Akari since you both were teenagers."

"I won't take advantage of her, Ichiro."

"I know that you won't… I am more afraid she may want to take advantage of you. That woman's awfully lonely, you know?"

Hideyoshi was aware of that fact. "Do you suggest I don't go? I already said I would."

Ichiro shrugged. "That's something you have to decide on your own, brother. All I can say is that you better be careful; I did see her husband lift a boulder the size of a truck with just one hand once, so keep that in mind."

"I already know how strong Ryoga Hibiki is," Hideyoshi said in a low voice. "But nothing is going to happen, trust me Ichiro, I would never touch a married woman."

"You better make sure you never do," the older brother recommended in a tone that brooked no argument. "Listen, our father fears you'll do something stupid with Akari sooner or later, and I really don't want to tell my wife and kid that you died because you couldn't keep it in your pants… what I mean is… just be careful tonight, ok?"

"I will," Hideyoshi promised. "I will."

=0=

Dusk was around the corner and celebration was just getting started in the Tendo dojo, where all the family had gathered to commemorate the birth of Akane and Ranma's second child. The parents, however, were not at the dojo right then; they were both upstairs, talking with Ryoga in the master's bedroom…

Ryoga sat in a chair while holding a little baby girl in his arms. And he was already convinced this little girl was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. The baby was smiling and looking at him with sleepy eyes and when she yawned, he felt his heart melted like snow under the shining sun. He couldn't help it, he already loved this girl as if she were his own daughter. As for Ranma… well Ryoga didn't care at all. Saotome could go to hell and stay there if he wanted, all that mattered to Ryoga were the mother and her children.

"So, Ryoga, we already have two kids, when are you and Akari going to give us the surprise and have one of your own?" Ranma asked as he got up from the bed, where he had been sitting. "You and her aren't getting any younger, you know?"

Ryoga stood up and walked to the bed so he could return the baby to her mother, he focused on the girl and the mother, finding that doing that was all he needed to ignore all the jokes Ranma could throw in his direction.

"We're working on it, Ranma. It's just… we just haven't had the time lately."

"Maybe you're the one who's lacking something Ryoga." Ranma chuckled.

"Honey, that was rude, stop picking on Ryoga, he's our guest!" Akane interrupted, embarrassed by her husband's lack of tact. "Honestly, Ranma, you should be more mature."

"Sorry Akane… it was just a joke between pals… right, Ryoga?"

Ryoga hated when Akane called Ranma 'honey' like that, it reminded him that they were married and that he would never be more than a friend to her. But he managed to keep his jealousy and anger hidden. "Yes, he's right Akane. We're just joking, I'm not mad."

"That's good," she smiled at her guest. "Anyway, how's Akari? I haven't seen her in years!"

"She's… fine, I guess," Ryoga answered, nervously scratching the back of his head and offering a shy smile. "I'm sorry, Akane, I have been kind of lost these last few months."

"So you haven't seen her."

Ryoga lowered his face in shame. "No, I haven't. But it's not my fault, this dreaded sense of direction of mine is what keeps me away from her!"

"Poor Akari, she must be so worried," Akane opined with a sad whisper. "She loves you so much. I feel sorry for her, Ryoga."

"Don't worry too much, Akane," Ranma rejoined as he caressed his wife's shoulders. "Akari knew what she was getting into when she married the 'lost boy', and I'm sure they talk on the phone all the time, isn't that true, Ryoga?"

"Yes… we talk… on the phone," Ryoga lied. He knew Ranma was somehow trying to help him, but all he achieved was to remind him he hadn't contacted Akari in months, still that lie was better than nothing. "I actually talked to her this morning, she sends her regards and all the best."

Akane smiled and was about to answer when a loud crash was heard downstairs and seconds later, and alarmed Nabiki entered the room.

"Ranma, you better go to the dojo and try to calm down Happosai before he wrecks it, our fathers made the old goat angry again!"

"It seems your dad is still the same old panda, isn't he?" Ryoga said, enjoying this development far more than what he should. "I wonder what he did to piss off the old pervert."

"This is no time for jokes, man!" Ranma said with a serious frown. "It's my dojo we're talking about!"

"Well, I'm sure you can deal with Happosai on your own by now," Ryoga smiled and leaned on the wall. "Good luck."

"Won't you help him?" Akane rejoined, her pleading eyes focusing on the young Hibiki. "You know how troublesome Happosai can be."

Ryoga wanted to say no, but one look at Akane was all it took to make him change his mind. He simply couldn't say 'no' to her.

"Fine, I'll help him," that said Ryoga quickly joined Ranma, who was already leaving the room.

=0=

Once the men were out of the room, Nabiki closed the door and then sat next to Akane, glad to have the chance to share a few minutes with her younger sister. Strangely enough, Nabiki had mellowed down quite a bit after she got married, and was able to have long conversations with both her sisters without making any sarcastic remarks. In other words, the middle Tendo sister had finally grown up and gotten quite peaceful and much less greedy and problematic as a result.

The fact she was married now to a hardworking man who owned two popular inns in Hokkaido, near the notorious Lake Toya, had helped her a lot to do the kind of growing up she needed, however.

"She's still awake," Nabiki noted as she softly caressed the baby's head. "Guess she's feeling too happy to sleep."

"That's because she's the happiest baby in the world, isn't that right, my little princess?" Akane cooed and kissed her daughter's nose. "Yes, it's true!"

"You and Kasumi make maternity look easy," Nabiki said, admiring the way her younger sister rocked her daughter.

Akane looked up and stared at her sister with a worried look on her face. "Nabiki… can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"How's your marriage going?"

Nabiki blinked, confused. "Why are you asking me that?"

Akane reached for the drawer next to her bed. She picked up a photograph and handed it to her older sister. "I ask because of this."

Nabiki grabbed the picture and looked at it with a frown. It showed her and her husband walking far away from each other. She recalled that day, and it bothered her someone had taken her picture.

"Who gave you this?" The middle Tendo sister asked as she threw the photo into the garbage can.

"Tatewaki. He said he happened across the picture during a trip to Hokkaido and was giving it to me as a small 'favor to her lost love' or something like that," Akane explained. "Nabiki, I'm sorry he had your picture, but…"

"Akane, my marriage is fine."

Akane, noticing her daughter was already sleeping, got up and carefully placed her on her crib before she turned to look at her older sister. "It didn't look like that to me Nabiki. The picture tells a different story. You two look so… cold to each other in that picture. Is everything really alright? Remember you can trust me. If something's wrong, you can tell me or Kasumi, we can help you."

"Well, first of all, thank you, Akane. I appreciate you worry this much for me," Nabiki said with a smile. "And I remember the day that picture was taken. We had a little argument, but things are fine now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. In fact, I'm quite sure the next time I visit you'll be asking me why my stomach's getting so big," Nabiki said with a wink.

"Why would your stomach get big? Wait… that means… you?" Akane asked, her eyes opening like saucers. "No! Don't tell me that you're…!"

Nabiki grinned. "Pregnant? Yes, two months!"

"That's… that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" Akane congratulated and hugged her sister with all the love only sisters can have for each other. "Does Kasumi know, what about father?"

"Kasumi knows. I'm telling daddy later tonight," Nabiki smiled. "I bet he'll be happy all his daughters have given him grandchildren now, don't you agree?"

The younger sister chuckled. "I agree. He's been asking you when you planned to give him a grandson or granddaughter for years!"

"Tell me about it," Nabiki rolled her eyes as she remembered her father's constant demands that she became a mother like her two sisters. "He kept asking me any chance he had, it was a pain!"

"Well, now he won't be asking you that… now he'll ask you to let him train your child," Akane joked, letting out a soft giggle at the face her sister made when she heard that. "You know he will ask."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Nabiki sighed. "But the truth is that…"

Another violent crash was heard from the dojo, interrupting whatever Nabiki planned to say.

"You'll have to call the carpenter tomorrow," the middle Tendo sister remarked.

"It won't be necessary. Ranma's students can fix the dojo, they have done it before."

"As part of their training I assume?" Nabiki asked.

"Of course, carpentry and fixing a dojo is a very important part of martial arts training," Akane joked, imitating Ranma's voice.

And then, the sisters heard Ranma insulting Happosai, a panda growling and a furious Ryoga cursing Akane's husband and blaming him for causing a disaster.

"I guess some things never change around here," Nabiki smirked.

"Well, there are no more kidnappings and we hardly ever get death challenges," Akane pointed out as she smirked back. "You'd know that if you visited more often."

=0=

He parked his car next to Mr. Unryuu's truck and spent a few minutes inside the vehicle, thinking about what he was doing. It had been six years since the last time he'd been here, when the Unryuus invited him and his family to Akari's wedding. Since then, the only interaction he'd had with her was when she visited him to talk about Ryoga's absences or when they met during sumo pig competitions but now that he was here again he couldn't help but to think this was wrong.

"Maybe I should just go back home," he muttered and was about to start the car again when someone knocked on the window. One look and he found Akari's father staring at him.

"Well this is a surprise," Mr. Unryuu said once Hideyoshi got out of the car. "Been years since you dropped by."

"Hello… I'm…"

"My daughter told me you'd be coming tonight. I really didn't think you would."

"She did?"

"Yes, but you must know I'm the one who has the final word on any offer you present her," Mr. Unryuu clarified. "I don't know why you believe she'd want to buy some of your pigs…"

"Oh… well, the thing is…"

"Look, I'm not saying we aren't interested, we may actually be," the pig trainer admitted, gazing thoughtfully at his pig pens. "But I'd rather you have come to me directly. Next time remember I'm still the one in charge here, ok? Akari and Ryoga aren't the owners yet."

"Yes, Mr. Unryuu… I'll remember it."

"Good, I won't keep you then, Akari said you were supposed to see her at eight and she dislikes unpunctuality."

"I seem to remember she does," Hideyoshi agreed.

"Good night, then," Mr. Unryuu nodded, circled the young man's car and then headed home.

"Yes, good night."

"Oh, and don't be a stranger, Hideyoshi," the older pig trainer said once he was behind his white fence. "You're always welcome here, your family, too. Tell them to drop by; we'll have a big meal by the river, or something."

"I'll tell them, Mr. Unryuu. Thanks for the invitation."

…

"I saw you talking to my father, Hide-Kun," Akari said as she opened the door. "Hope he didn't give you a hard time about you being here."

"He didn't, he just said you told him I wanted to sell you some of our pigs," he answered, looking at her with a puzzled expression. "Not what I was expecting at all."

"I had to tell him something to explain why you'd visit tonight," she explained with a shrug. "It was the first thing I could think of. I hope it doesn't bother you."

"Not at all, and we can talk about it. We do sell pigs, you know?" He looked around as he followed Akari to the dining room and saw no hints of Ryoga being in the house. He had hoped he wouldd be here. "Akari… is Ryoga here?"

"No, and he hasn't called either," she sighed and stopped, hugging herself and lowering her eyes, realizing that thinking about Ryoga made her feel a pang of regret for having another man in the house when he wasn't around.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Please, don't be," she took in a deep breath and decided that just having dinner with an old friend was not a bad thing. All she wanted was someone to talk to, nothing else. "Anyway… dinner isn't served yet. Can you please wait a moment while I bring it here?"

"Do you need help with that?"

"Thank you, but there's no need, just wait here."

Hideyoshi went into the living room and managed to relax a little once he was sitting in one of Akari's comfy couches. Things were perfectly innocent so far and he was relieved. Akari, whom he at some point imagined would be waiting in a sexy dress, was wearing plain jeans and a white blouse, and that was good, it meant things would go just as they should and he did not need to worry anymore.

The young man even started to feel stupid for thinking Akari wanted something else… no, not just stupid, he also felt ashamed. How could he ever fantasize that she would try to seduce him? She had only invited him as friends. The fact he loved her remained, but seeing her acting so normal helped him feel confident that despite her asking him to love her, she would never ask him to cross the line, and he was glad. Akari was a married woman who was beyond his reach.

"Time for dinner," Akari called from the dining room.

Later…

Akari spied from the kitchen. They had finished dinner a few minutes before and Hideyoshi was again on the living room, sitting by the window, waiting for the tea she had offered. The woman was feeling glad he had agreed to have dinner with her, as having someone in the house to talk to was nice, and chatting with him here had been easier than when she visited him in his farm. She flushed a little then, embarrassed as she recalled how she dared asked him to love her that morning. She regretted it a little, and considered it selfish of her as she knew she couldn't love him in return, but then reasoned they could care for each other as friends and that helped her feel less ashamed about what she had asked of him.

"I'm sure he appreciates I'm not telling him how Ryoga is almost never home," she thought as she poured tea in cups. All things considered this wasn't such a bad experience, and she was hoping he would agree to have dinner again the following week. If her husband was home by then, then the three would be able to have dinner together, and that would be even better.

If Ryoga was back of course. And that was a very big if. Chances were he would still be lost at least an extra month or two before he felt like coming back home.

"Well, his loss," Akari decided while she placed the tray with tea and cookies in the table near the large couch Hideyoshi was sitting on.

"Those sure look good," Hideyoshi said. "Did you bake them?"

"Yes, earlier today; I hope you like them," she answered as she sat across him on the sofa.

"I noticed you've gradually dropped the pig comparisons," he observed as he reached for a cookie.

"I haven't done that since I was nineteen, so you're not paying enough attention," she said with a grin, recalling how she always compared people and things she liked to pigs. "I thought it was cool back then, you can't blame a teenager for having silly quirks."

"Point taken," he agreed.

"There's something I wanted to ask you this morning, but I didn't. Would you mind if I…?"

He looked at her and his eyebrow raised. "Not at all. You can ask me now if you want to."

"Why did you leave back then?" She said, her eyes set on his. "We were already dating, you even confessed and then, one day… you were gone. Where did you go, why did you go?"

The young man drank a sip of his tea and wondered how to answer that. They had always danced around that issue, and he still didn't feel prepared to deal with it.

"…I just had to leave," he answered, avoiding her eyes. Hideyoshi believed Akari had placed her late grandfather on a pedestal, and didn't want to hurt her feelings telling her what the man had done to separate them.

"It was because of my grandfather… my mother told me," the brunette revealed with a sad sigh.

"Yes. He told me he would only let you be with a strong man," he was surprised by her admission and didn't really know what else to say. "I shouldn't have listened to him, but… Akari, I was just a kid, I didn't know better."

"… After you left he convinced me I had to marry the first man who defeated Katsunishiki, so I'm not better than you in that regard. I was just a kid, too," Akari admitted, feeling some regret and resentment towards her grandfather. "I loved my grandpa, he was the person I respected the most back then… and I still love him but I… I can't say I agree with many of his choices."

"Like how much he tried to buy us out of the sumo pig business?" he recalled. "I believe he would have bulldozed our farm if he ever got the chance."

"Yeah… apologies for that," Akari whispered. "I wish I could say he didn't mean it but…"

"Hey, you're not your grandfather," he smiled. "You or your parents don't have to feel any remorse for his actions."

"…Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, I've never blamed you for anything."

Akari nodded and they sat in silence for a few minutes, none of them finding a topic to talk about until she asked him about his brother's family. They talked about them for a while until that started to die down too and a second awkward silence fell between them.

"Well… I guess it's time I leave," the young man said after finishing his tea.

Hearing the word 'leave' sent a spike of fear through Akari's chest, because that word meant she would be alone again and it was too soon. She didn't want to be alone, or at least not yet. Trying to think about a new topic of conversation as fast as she could, all she managed was to say the first think that entered her mind, which turned out to be this: "So… Hide-Kun, are you ready for the next sumo-pig tournament?"

"Well, of course we are, it's the All Japan tournament!" he replied with almost tangible excitement, leaning back on his seat and much to Akari's relief, quite willing to talk about that topic. "This year we'll be debuting three new pigs, we don't expect to win first place, but we're confident at least one of them will be in the top five! And what about you, are you ready as well?"

"Yes, and I'm pretty much sure this year we'll be the champions," she boasted, though her voice lacked confidence and she hoped he wouldn't notice.

"Oh, do you have new pigs ready to debut?"

"Of course we don't! We gave Katsunishiki special training for this year's tournament!"

"…I see," he crossed his arms and lowered his head, pensive. He then looked at her with a serious frown. "Akari, forgive me for telling you this, but you really shouldn't register Katsunishiki to this tournament."

"Oh? And why shouldn't we?"

"I saw him sleeping outside. He's too old and could get hurt."

"Well, maybe he is a little old, but he can still fight as good as always!"

"Please, I'm sure not even you believe that lie."

She fidgeted a little. Of course she knew Katsunishiki was old and no longer as strong or fast as he used to be, but he was their only chance to win at least eight place in the tournament. She would not admit that out loud, though.

"I think I already know the reason why you're using him again."

"You… you do?" Akari asked, honestly surprised. "And how?"

"Your father was a little bit too interested in our pigs when he talked to me earlier, and if I'm not mistaken, you're having breeding problems."

Akari poured some tea in her cup. "Yes. I hate to admit it, but we're having trouble with that."

"Want to tell me a little about it? Maybe I can offer some good ideas."

"Well… I don't know… dad may get angry," Akari seemed to consider her options and finally, she decided it was worth listening to what he had to say. "Alright, it's like this. The rate of pig births hasn't decreased, but we have less 'AAA' pigs now and for some reason they just aren't as big or strong as the ones from Katsunishiki's generation."

"I see… well, the reason why your new pigs are weaker and smaller than the previous ones is obviously the result of your family devoting all their efforts on training only Katsunishiki," he reflected and then quickly added. "This means that all the other pigs got less training and therefore, the new pigs are not as strong as the previous ones… and you can't breed Katsunishiki now because he's too old. I imagine then that Katsunishiki's progeny wasn't properly trained either. That's why you're having problems, am I wrong?"

"No, you're not. That's what's happening and we don't know how to fix it," Akari answered with a sad sigh. "We're not facing a crisis yet, but in five years or so… we may have to retire from the sumo pig business and focus only on selling pork."

"Well, that's not an entirely bad choice, there's a lot of money on the meat market. We sell pork too and it accounts for a large amount of our income."

"We do as well, but that's not what we Unryuus are about. We are a family of sumo pig trainers and that is how we wish to continue for as long as we can."

"Which I assure you it won't be long unless you retire Katsunishiki and start training a new generation of sumo pigs from zero, Akari."

"But what about the good name of our farm and our reputation?" she asked, concerned about the implications of what he suggested. "It will take us at least ten years to raise a pig as strong as Katsunishiki, maybe even more!"

"I know it's not the best solution," he admitted. "But I'm afraid it's the only one and I'm sure you can see it, too. You're the next in line to train your family's pigs, Akari, so you should start now."

"Hide-Kun, do you know how much sponsorship money we'll lose if we do what you suggest?"

"No, but I can imagine," he said with a sad sigh. "But… just think about it Akari, this could be your chance to be born again. Your chance to do things the way you want to and be free of the mistakes you made in the past. Think of it as a new adventure."

"You make it sound easier than what it actually is."

"I know it isn't easy," he agreed. "But all you need is determination to do the right thing and I know you have it."

"Maybe… maybe you're right."

"Of course I'm right, how else do you expect to get another champion?"

Akari shivered at those words, they were affecting her in more ways than one. Maybe Hideyoshi was right, maybe she could still fix her farm but… more importantly, maybe she could still fix her life. She looked at him and felt a surge of emotion she hadn't felt in a long time. This made her lower her eyes and take in a deep breath. This feeling… it couldn't be, or it could?

"Hide-kun… you should go", she said, her words slightly pained. She needed to think deeply on this conversation and the feelings it had brought back. "I… I need to consider everything you said before I decide on what to do."

"Alright, you think about it," he told her and smiled. "You'll see I'm right."

…

Akari walked Hideyoshi to his car, but she had been silent as they walked, her mind going on and on about the last part of their conversation. When they reached his vehicle and he fished his keys out of his pocket, she realized he would be leaving and that a night alone was all that waited for her. Despite herself or maybe because of what he said a few minutes before, she reached for his arm in an attempt to stop him.

"Wait…"

"What is it, Akari?"

"Hug me, please?"

"What?"

"Just hug me. You can do that, can't you?"

He hesitated but slowly, his arms almost moving on their own, he reached out and hugged her. He pulled her close and she did the same resting her head on his chest. He could feel her warmth and smell the essence of peaches in her hair. This was something he had wanted to do again since he was fifteen, and the fact she was accepting him was slowly demolishing all the walls he had around his heart keeping his emotions in check. If she said or did something that made him think she wanted more, he would probably lose control, and he actually wanted it, too.

Akari almost lost it then. It had been years since a man held her close like this and feeling the arms of someone special for her circling her, keeping her safe and protected… the way this hug transmitted his need of having her near almost drove her to the point where she couldn't think. Her breathing quickened and her heart thumped harder and harder. She remembered the shy way he held her hand back when they were teenagers and how she had hoped back then that they would always be close like this.

She looked up at him and smiled softly. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be enjoying this as much as she was. She suddenly recalled their dates as teenagers, the fun times they used to have and the way he always supported her now they were adults, the friendly ear he provided, the steady hand on her shoulder, the counsel he offered when she visited him…

"Would you kiss me?" she whispered, prey of a need she couldn't fight anymore. "I… I know I didn't give you my first kiss, but…"

His heart jumped at her words, and for a second he wasn't sure he had heard correctly. He opened his eyes and looked at her expectant beautiful face, at her slightly open mouth, at her full, inviting lips, her flushed skin… he brought a hand up to cup her face and felt happy when she leaned on his touch.

"If it wasn't me it didn't count…" he said with a sigh, closing the space separating him from the woman he loved. "It didn't count…"

And then he stopped. His lips were almost touching hers, he could feel her hot breath burning his skin with desire and he had to bite his tongue to regain his senses. He could not do this!

"What's wrong?" Akari asked when he broke the hug, a tinge of fear evident in her voice.

"We can't do this."

"But…"

"We can't… I'm sorry, but we can't."

She tried to reach for him but lowered her hands when she noticed the serious expression on his face. "No, don't apologize… it was my fault. I shouldn't have done this to you… I know how you feel and I still asked you to…"

"I …I have to go," he managed to get out, his voice pained.

"Yes," she agreed, her voice as full of pain as his. "You better do."

…

She walked back home and stopped to pet old Katsunishiki. She had to admit Hideyoshi was right, Katsun was really old. As the massive, faithful pig pressed its snout against her palm, she realized it was unfair to make this noble animal fight again. Katsunishiki had done his part for the family, he deserved to spend his final years in peace.

"Don't worry, Katsun. I'll convince father you've earned your retirement," Akari swore as she scratched her pig's ear. "You won't have to fight again in a tournament… I promise you that."

The gentle pig grunted, apparently in agreement, and then lowered its massive head to the ground, falling asleep in a matter of seconds.

"I wish I could sleep as easy as you, old friend," she sighed and entered her house.

Akari slowly made her way to her bedroom, ignoring the dirty dishes on the kitchen or the cups and pastries in the living room. Why should she clean? There was nobody here to see the mess.

She was alone.

Her husband didn't care enough to be around and if she had to be honest with herself, she wasn't sure she wanted to have Ryoga around anymore. Did she even ever love him? At eighteen she was sure of their love but now… now all she could feel was that their marriage had been a mistake. A mistake she was forever destined to carry.

But… she didn't have to, did she?

She sat on her bed and Hideyoshi's words came back to her.

"I can start all over again from zero…" she thought, understanding that her fate was not set in stone. "I still have a chance make things right… I can live a new adventure…"

"Maybe he's right, maybe all I need is to gather my courage and start over. I can make my life be what I want it to be," she whispered, emotion swirling in her chest as she identified what this feeling inside her was. "I can be Akari Unryuu again, and I don't have to be alone anymore… because there is someone who really loves me and… and I love him… I love him, too."

Akari felt tears sliding down her face and she smiled as she dried them. These were not the tears of sadness she had shed so many nights. These were tears of hope for a better future, a future where she wouldn't be alone.

=0=

Ryoga staggered out of the crater he and Ranma had created when they finally hit the ground and wondered what the hell Happosai had put on that last bomb he threw at him and Ranma. The old pervert had never blasted them so hard, or so far away, before. He eyed the crater behind him and saw Ranma was still sitting there, trying to make his shredded clothes look presentable with an annoyed frown.

"Ranma, just give up," Ryoga called. "That shirt's beyond repair, just like mine. Be glad we still have pants."

"Stupid, perverted old man," he complained as he stood up. "I'm sure he super charged that last Happo Dai Karin with something!"

"We'll find out what he did when we get back and kick his butt, so come up here."

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

By the time Ranma was out of the crater, Ryoga was no longer around and try as he might, the Saotome master could not feel any trace of his rival's ki.

"Of course he would be able to get lost in less than three seconds," Ranma sighed tiredly and made his way back to his home, not caring much about trying to find his friend. Ryoga would return sooner or later, after all. He always did.

Somewhere else, Ryoga looked left and right, wondering how just taking a few steps away from the crater led him all the way to a six lane highway. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head in disappointment. He was lost again and his chances of finding the Tendo dojo again that night were probably zero, so he simply reached for his wallet and checked if his credit card was intact. It was, so that meant he would be able to get new clothes, gear and food to prepare for the time he would surely spend on the road.

"At least I met Akane's daughter," Ryoga said with a smile, remembering the cute baby he had held in his arms just minutes before. "I hope I can see the baby and her mother soon."

Sighing at the missed chance to spend some more time with his beloved Akane, he started walking in a random direction, trusting his luck to find a place to buy new clothes and something to eat.

"…Perhaps I should go home for a little while. It has been months since I was there," he thought as he walked, realizing there was no reason he shouldn't go and see Akari.

The man looked up and smiled at the star-filled sky. He felt reasonably content with his life. He had a pretty wife, a nice farm that would be his someday, Akane's friendship and the love of her children. For a man like him, that was enough to feel more than happy.

Thinking about going home, but hoping he would find the Tendo dojo instead, Ryoga Hibiki marched on.

=0=

Akari was expecting him. It had been two months since the day she decided to make a change for the better and now, she finally had him in front of her. He looked dirtier and more tired than usual, but he fortunately didn't seem sick or malnourished which was a relief, as she honestly did worry for his wellbeing.

"Nine months, Ryoga Hibiki," she said not moving from the door, stopping him from entering the house. "That's a long time being lost even for you."

"I'm sorry, I really couldn't find the way back… I brought you something nice, though," he offered, pointing at the big and wrapped in black plastic object he carried along his backpack.

"I know what that is, I got the credit card bills last week," she said, unimpressed. "A big pig statue, Ryoga? Really?"

"But… you like pigs!"

"Yeah, the live ones."

Ryoga lowered his face, thinking that maybe Akari was angry at him this time. Well, it had been nine months so she had a good reason to be upset. He hated when things like this happened, he never knew what to do or say when women were like this.

"Forget it, just come in and take a shower," she invited with a sigh, finally stepping aside from the door. "I'll cook you something while you do; you must be hungry, you look like you have been walking nonstop for days! Oh, and Ryoga, please try not to get lost, ok?"

"Y-yes, I will… thank you."

She had been sweet with him after that tense exchange. She made sure he ate properly, allowed him to rest and then led him to their bedroom so he could sleep in a bed, which she bet he needed after nine months living on the road.

"Thanks, Akari," he said as he took off his shirt and placed it on a chair. "You're always so kind."

"I try, Ryoga, I try," she said in a low, tired voice.

He nodded and took off his pants. Akari stared at him with a worried expression on his face.

"What are you doing?" she asked, glad that he was wearing the boxers she put in the bathroom for him. "Don't tell me you want to…?"

"Well, it's been about a year," he said, wondering why she was suddenly so nervous. "I thought you'd like to… you know… be together now that I'm back?"

"No…" she stepped back to the door and stood there, away from him. "Tonight's not good."

"Oh…"

"I'm sorry, we can't, not tonight. Just… just get some sleep. Tomorrow…" she shook her head and sighed. "We'll talk tomorrow. I… I have to stay with my parents tonight, try to rest, alright?"

"Well, if you say so…" the man watched as she closed the door and then sat on the bed. He was confused. Akari had never refused sex with him before. "I guess she's really angry this time."

Hoping that the following day would bring answers, Ryoga decided to follow her advice and slept. It wasn't even that difficult, he was actually really tired.

…

He woke up to the smell of coffee. That was strange, neither he nor Akari drank coffee in the mornings. Puzzled, Ryoga opened his eyes and sat. He then looked, really looked, at the room and didn't like what he saw or, being more precise, what he didn't see.

"They're not here," he muttered, finally noticing their wedding picture wasn't on the wall. And a picture of their trip to Okinawa that he particularly liked was gone from the night table. He frowned and went to open the closet to find his clothes were gone. Same in the drawers, no underwear, no socks, nothing. All his things were gone.

"What is going on?"

Feeling even more confused than the night before, the young man dressed with the clothes she had left him on the room's only chair and opened the door. He followed the yellow line they had painted on the floor to help him make his way around the house without getting lost and reached the living room, where the smell of coffee came from.

He found her there, sitting in front of a man who had taken the couch further from the window. The man looked suspicious, wearing a grey suit and black tie, thick glasses and had a shiny bald spot on the top of his head. He was drinking coffee, of course, and seemed to be interested in nothing but his drink.

"Good morning, Ryoga," she said and motioned to the sofa next to her. "Please take a seat, we must talk, it is important."

"…Is everything alright?" he asked, his instincts telling him something was really wrong.

"Maybe. I think it will be when we're done… I can't tell, really. A lot depends on you."

Not liking what she said, Ryoga sat and waited, feeling tense and cornered. He didn't like it.

"Good morning, mister Hibiki," the man said after finishing his coffee. "We've been waiting for you for almost thirty minutes. Ms. Unryuu insisted on letting you sleep."

Not waiting for Ryoga's reply, the man opened his briefcase and fished out a filled with documents folder, which he handed to the more than ever confused young man.

"Please read the documents and feel free to ask if you have any questions," the man requested once Ryoga grabbed the folder. "Ms. Unryuu already signed them."

"What's all this, Akari?" He asked, not daring to look at the papers in his hand.

"A divorce decree," she provided, her voice sounding truly sad but not regretful. "This man is Mr. Takajusa, my family's lawyer."

Divorce.

The word reverberated inside his brain and made him feel cold, colder than ever before. This… this didn't make any sense! Why was this happening?

"You… you want a divorce?" he asked, placing the documents on the table and barely managing to hide the fear in his voice. "W-Why? There's no reason for it, I've never hit you or anything! I work on the farm when I'm here!"

Ryoga didn't know what to think or how to continue. This was the last thing he ever expected from Akari, and it scared him. No, it terrified him.

What had happened here during his absence? What had happened to his wife?

Akari sighed and reached for the documents and selected one of them. Sadness was evident in her face as she moved, but her eyes shined with resolution. She looked at him and then pointed at what was written on the third paragraph of the paper she held in her hand.

"There are enough reasons, Ryoga," the woman said slowly. "It's all here. Abandonment, desertion and cruel and abusive treatment."

"Cruel and abusive treatment? But… I never treated you wrong!"

"Not being here for extended periods of time and not letting your wife know where you are qualifies for all three," the lawyer said, offering an explanation that Ryoga didn't need nor want.

"And I'm sure there are at least five more motives for our divorce," Akari interjected. "I asked."

Ryoga felt his throat dry and his lungs contract. Divorce? He never even considered it. Why should he? His life was perfect! His marriage was perfect! How could things crumble like this? He looked at his wife, saw the sadness and misery in her eyes and he suddenly realized that he had truly been a bad husband. He never thought his actions could hurt Akari, and understanding that now made him feel like trash. He didn't know when she changed enough to decide a divorce was necessary, but he couldn't argue with her decision. He had hurt her, by taking her for granted, by leaving her alone, by not paying enough attention to her needs, to the farm, to her family…

This was his fault.

"Do you really want this?" He finally asked with a guilt filled whisper.

"Yes Ryoga, I do want this. I think it's the best thing to do for us," her voice was pained, but firm. "I know it hurts but… we can't continue pretending we have something when we don't and… I think it's time for you and me to admit that we never will."

He couldn't argue with that, not when his obsession with Akane had kept him so distracted he never even considered building something with Akari.

"I… I understand," he swallowed a ball of grief and nodded at her. "I'll do it… what do I do?"

The lawyer spoke. "Everything's already taken care of, Mr. Hibiki. All you have to do is to sign the papers where I marked them."

Ryoga looked up at the man and grabbed the pen he offered.

In silence, and feeling utterly defeated, Ryoga signed paper after paper until he felt there was no end to them.

"I guess this is it…" he said when he finished. "Do I have to do anything else?"

"No, I don't need anything else," the lawyer nodded, taking the documents and placing them inside his briefcase. "I'll take care of the rest. From this moment on you two can consider your marriage legally terminated. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

Saying no more, he left the house in silence.

"I sent your things to your parents' house, they should be there already." Akari said and glanced at her now ex-husband, she noticed the way his pain seemed to be emanating in waves, which in turn made her feel terrible, but there was no turning back now. "Ryoga, I could have made this a lot harder for you, but I instead asked the terms of our divorce to be so we could both be free again."

"So… you don't love anymore?" he asked, eyes closed, not caring about the conditions of the separation and not daring to look at her face because he believed he already knew the answer.

The woman shook her head slowly. "No, Ryoga, I don't. I don't love you as a husband anymore. I do care for you and we can be friends if you want, but… look, it's not the end of the world. You can use this as an opportunity to find something better."

Ryoga bit his lip and stood up. He wanted to feel angry and betrayed, but he couldn't. He couldn't because this was his fault. Knowing well that if he stayed his depression could become dangerous, and not wanting to hurt Akari or cause her further problems, he slowly moved to the door and picked up the backpack full of trinkets and supplies he left there the night before.

"I hope you find happiness, Akari," he told her and, with great effort, managed to offer her a smile.

"Thank you Ryoga," she said from the sofa, not daring to move because she knew she would cry if she did so, and she didn't want to depress him further by letting him see her in tears. "I wish you the same."

Knowing there was nothing more to be said, Ryoga Hibiki closed the door behind him and ran away from the farm as fast as his legs could carry him, driving all thoughts away, emptying his mind and letting his anguish flare around him until he finally collapsed in the middle of nowhere.

It was only then when he allowed his depression and self-loathing to blast up to the heavens in the form of a devastating Shi Shi Hokodan that pierced and shook the earth like a bomb when it descended.

When the dust cleared it revealed Ryoga standing at the center of the devastation he had caused. He stood motionless for an instant until he finally collapsed, feeling completely spent and finding his body was now like an empty shell.

And he liked that.

Because he now felt nothing.

Nothing at all.

=0=

She got off her horse and marveled at the destruction in front of her. The woman, a young brunette, was certainly quite attractive. But her beauty was not important, what mattered was that she had come here after seeing a geyser of green light shoot to the sky and then descend like a bomb that shook her house, scared her cattle and terrified her chicken.

Not being a woman fond of mysteries, she decided to investigate and here she was now, at the edge of a smoking crater so big she just knew a small lake would form here next time it rained. It was then that she saw the man. He looked hurt so she rushed to him, ready to carry him to the town's clinic if she had to.

But her heart wasn't ready when she saw who he was and, despite herself, tears of happiness glistered in her eyes. He was back! Finally, after so many years waiting for him, her savior had returned!

"Ryoga, it's you!" she yelled, smiling and feeling happier than she had in years. "You came back!

Ryoga stirred when he heard his name. He knew it was a woman, but how? He was in the middle of nowhere, how could anyone know him here? Intrigued, he forced his eyes open and found a pretty brunette kneeling at his side. He studied her for a moment and then realized he knew her.

"… Anna?" he whispered, feeling his heart beat again inside his chest. He was so lucky to find a friend! "Anna Brown?"

"Yes, my dear Ryoga… Anna Brown," she smiled and helped him stand up, her skin tingling with excitement as their hands touched. "And I missed you so much…"

-End-

Next: part 2.