When you're overwhelmed, and you've lost your breath,
Where the space between the things you know is blurry nonetheless.
When you try to speak but you make no sound,
And the words you want are out of reach but they've never been so loud.
.:Beside You, Marianas Trench:.
Emotion
by Jade Gillott
Chapter One
Nostalgia
The train pulled slowly to a stop, and the compartment was filled with the noises of the huffing engine dying out with a loud hiss, the wheels creaking to a stop on the track. The low mumble of voices on the train erupted into a loud chatter as people got out of their seats, stretching and yawning, then grabbing their belongings and clambering towards the exit doors. Akane stayed in her seat, not one for the tightly packed crowds. She busied herself as she waited for the crowd to die down, marking her place in the book she was reading and putting it in her shoulder bag. She noticed the baby chick (which looked more like a fat yellow seal) she'd sewn onto the bag had some stitches loose. She frowned at this, making a mental note to patch that up later. The crowd nearly gone now, Akane got up and exited the train. Stepping onto the platform, she stretched, her back and shoulders pleasantly cracking.
She was weary from the trip down from the university. She hadn't slept a wink on the train, since she didn't like them; they were too noisy, and on this particular journey a very unhappy two-year-old had decided to raise all hell for half of the train ride. Needless to say, Akane was glad to be home. She walked through the station and found the payphones. Slipping in some change, she punched in numbers, then waited. Someone picked up on the third ring.
"Hello, Tendo residence."
"Hi, Kasumi." Akane replied with a soft smile.
"Oh, Akane!" Kasumi's soft voice said happily. "So are you back in Nerima?"
"Yeah, I just got in." Akane said. "I'm going to hail a cab, and pop in at the Azalea before I come home. If I don't get a coffee in me I'm going to collapse."
"Father will be delighted to hear you're back, Akane. I went out to the market yesterday and bought you a few bottles of stawberry Calpis."
"Really? Thanks, sis!" Akane exclaimed, smiling. She loved strawberry Calpis, but she didn't buy it often. Even more so than she used to, ever since a certain someone told her the yogurt-flavoured drinks were going to make her 'even fatter'. Akane shook her head, wiping the sudden frown off her face.
"Well, I'll be home soon, Kasumi. Yeah. All right. Bye-bye." Akane hung up the phone, then made her way for the exit to grab a taxi and head to the Azalea.
Azalea Cafe was a cute little restaurant near the Shopping Plaza in Nerima, that sold great coffee. The meals were simple, but always delicious, and the bubble tea was nothing to turn your nose up at either. It'd opened up just last year, but was already quite the hot spot; right up there with Uuchan's. Only Azalea brought in more of a female crowd. Akane grabbed a cab and was at the small restaurant in ten minutes.
Walking into the cafe, her nose was met with the smell of fresh baked sweets and brewing coffee. The blender started up as she walked in and grabbed a seat by the window. The tables were round and crisp white, with chairs to match, with comfy pale green cushions. Akane nestled in, enjoying the warm sun that leaked through the window. She felt like a cat, napping in the sun. The thought made her sleepy, but she fought to stay awake. She pulled out her notebooks, deciding to take a look at her study notes. Her eyes were starting to flutter with boredom, and she barely noticed someone had approached her until she heard the tiny, far-away sounding click of a pen. Akane blinked, and looked up quickly. Then, she smiled.
"So, how many phone numbers have you gotten this morning? Twenty?" she joked.
"Twelve, if you must know. Lemme guess, a caramel latte with whipped cream, right?"
Akane poked her chin, thinking. "Hmm, tempting, but no. I just need solid caffiene. Get me an extra large coffee, hold the cream, but be very generous with the sugar."
"No problem. Be back in a sec."
Akane watched her server depart to the kitchen, then looked back down at her notes. She couldn't seem to concentrate; she should just leave her studying until she got home (after her dad stopped crying with joy and things calmed down, that is). Akane gave up and shoved her books back in her bag. Soon her server was back with her coffee, then grabbed the seat opposite her. Akane picked up her coffee, blowing at the dark liquid gently before taking a sip, closing her eyes in ecstacy at the lovely caffiene. Immediately her senses were brought back to life.
"Mmm, delicious as always." she said. She looked up over her cup. "You on break?"
"Azalea saw you come in, and said she'd cover me. It's good to see ya again, 'Kane."
Akane smiled. "You too, Ranma."
Ranma smiled back. "How ya been?" he asked.
Akane shrugged, turning her coffee around on the little plate. "The last few weeks were stressful, but now midterms are done and out of the way and I have this break to look forward to." she said. "How about you?"
"Well, Zale is a great boss, and I always get a free parfait whenever I want." Ranma said with a grin.
Akane rolled her eyes. "She's rewarding you for supplying her business with so many customers. You know all these girls are here for the eye candy." she said.
Ranma's cheeks reddened slightly, but he said nothing to disagree. They did make it pretty obvious, all the girls who came here. Even the chicks who came with their boyfriends made eyes at him. Ranma cleared his throat. "Besides that, the job at the community centre is fun, too."
"Saotome-sensei, teaching self defence." Akane said. "You still helping out at the dojo, too?"
Ranma nodded. "Of course. Whenever I get a chance, that is." he replied. "Kasumi always makes my favourite for dinner then, too."
"Is all you think about is food?" Akane deadpanned.
"Is it weird I'm thinking about pork cutlet right now?" Ranma said.
"Considering it's you, I have to say no."
"Exactly."
Ranma and Akane stared at one another for a while, then burst into laughter. Suddenly, the two both felt like they were being watched, and in unison peeked around the restaurant. Practically every customer was looking in their direction, glaring daggers right at Akane. Each girl emitted dark, menacing auras of pure envy and malice. Ranma and Akane shivered simutaneously.
"Might wanna drink that coffee then book it." Ranma muttered under his breath. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
Akane snorted, bringing her attention back to her coffee. "Don't you mean women? When it comes to you and girls there's always a plural."
"Jealous, tomboy?" Ranma jeered.
"Hardly. I am the girl that's sitting with you, after all." Akane replied. Then, her voice took on a more solemn, nostalgic tone. "Besides, I stopped being jealous a long time ago."
Ranma offered her a sad smile, and the two were silent for a while, not uncomfortably so. Within a few minutes, they slid back into a light conversation, the breif moment of remembering past.
"I'm home!"
Ranma got no reply. He headed into the kitchen, pulling his keys out of the small apron around his waist and hanging them on one of the pegs on the wall. He untied his apron and placed it on the counter. Heading for the fridge, he loosened his dark green tie and undid one of his shirt buttons. He opened the fridge, and grabbed the carton of orange juice.
"Ranma?" a voice called out, as Ranma pulled a glass from the cupboard.
"In the kitchen," Ranma called back, pouring the bright orange liquid into the glass. He heard footsteps approach, and he turned away from the counter as he took a sip of juice.
Ryoga entered the kitchen, and Ranma gave a small wave as he looked over the rim of the glass at him. He lowered the glass, letting out a content sigh as he set the glass on the counter, then offered Ryoga a smile.
"How was work?" Ryoga asked as he walked up to him.
"Good, thanks. Akane's finally back in town; she stopped by and grabbed a coffee and we chatted for a bit. She says we should drop in on the Tendo's tomorrow; apparently Kasumi wants to throw some kind of welcome party for her." Ranma recapped.
"Sounds fun. We should go; you're free tomorrow." Ryoga said. Ranma nodded in reply.
Ryoga came right up to Ranma, placing his hands on the counter on either side of the slightly smaller boy. Ryoga leaned in and gave Ranma a slow kiss. Ranma sighed in content, pressing the small of his back against the counter as Ryoga leaned in further, their bodies touching fully. Ryoga released his lips, a soft breath escaping from both boy's mouths. Ranma's eyes fluttered open and he offered Ryoga a small smile, his face already flushed from the simple kiss.
"Mmm, oranges." Ryoga hummed, licking his lips.
Ranma rolled his eyes, but smiled. Then he ducked under Ryoga's arm, too fast for Ryoga to react. Ryoga spun around, and Ranma went back to the fridge with the orange juice carton.
"Pork cutlet tonight sound good?" he asked, pulling out the meat.
"Sure," he said. "What about dessert?"
Ranma gave him a rueful smile as he grabbed the frying pan. "Wind pudding with air sauce." he replied.
"All over your body?"
Ranma froze, nearly dropping the frying pan, then looked at a mischievous-looking Ryoga with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't make me throw you on this frying pan, P-chan." he said blandly.
Ryoga raised up his hands in surrender, but considering he still had that look on his face, Ranma knew he wasn't sincere, and was probably imagining it in his head right now. Ranma put the pork in the pan, then went to grab the rice cooker.
Later, they sat out in the dining room, eating quietly. Ranma examined the peice of pork pinched between his chopsticks, looking thoughtful.
"Are you sure you should eat this, Ryo?" he asked suddenly. "I mean, isn't this cannibalism on your part?"
"Hilarious, Ranma." Ryoga replied.
"I know, I thought it was, too."
Akane caught herself reading the same sentence for the fourth time. Grunting in frustration, she slapped her book shut and pushed her chair backward, rubbing her temples. She couldn't concentrate, no matter what she did. Maybe there was just too much excitement going on right now; it was the first time she'd been home in a long time. She simply couldn't focus on her studies, when she was back in the once-chaotic town of her teen years.
Nerima had calmed down over the years, that was for sure. The Nerima Wrecking Crew had its run, and dissipated over the years, but that didn't mean anyone would forget the antics of the Jusenkyo cursed, and all the crazies inbetween. Akane stared out into the night sky, feeling a sense of nostalgia. Back then, she never would have said it, but now she kind of missed those zany days of her teenage years. Certainly, there was never a dull moment, not after Ranma Saotome came to Nerima, and brought all the other lunatics with him.
"It sure is nice and quiet," she said to herself, her eyes narrowed. Then, her face softened. "Maybe just a little too quiet..."
As much as she knew she needed this break, she sort of wished she was back at school. That way, she wouldn't have all this free time to think; she'd be much too busy for that. Now, she had a whole lot of nothing to do, and no idea what to do with it all. She'd never realized how lonely she still felt, even after three whole years. She knew she'd been hurting at first, but soon enough she had university to worry about, and it drowned out her sorrows. Now she had no distractions, and the buried feelings were all coming back.
"Honestly, Akane!" she suddenly chastised herself. "It's been three whole years. Surely that was enough time to find somebody else. I mean, there's plently of nice boys at the university. Handsome, too. Most of them party. Okay, all of them party. Most of them are kind of stupid, too...looks only get you so far. Come to think of it, none of them weren't exactly drop-dead gorgeous, or anything. Even if there were any decent boys there, it's not like I'm making a very big effort of meeting them, or talking to them, let alone date them!"
Akane huffed. She got up from her chair and flopped onto her back on her bed. She turned, stuffing her face into the blankets. They smelled like home.
"Who am I kidding?" Akane sighed regretfully into the yellow blanket. "I'll never bother to try. I know it. I could never replace that jerk."
Akane turned back onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. She'd long since abandoned her childish denials, and could now easily say (if not with a bit of remorse) that she'd fallen hard for Ranma; much, much harder than the measly schoolgirl crush she'd aquired for Dr. Tofu. Ranma had made her feel worthless and precious, ugly and beautiful, all at once.
He had been like a typhoon. He had recklessly whisked her from her feet, whether she liked it or not. Then, she grew to like the wild whimsy of that strong wind, and let that current of air take her wherever it went. Then, the typhoon was gone; vanishing as quick as it had came. The end was so aburpt, she wasn't ready, and she'd plummeted to the ground.
Akane shut her eyes tightly. She hadn't stopped loving him, and she knew she never would. It wasn't like she'd been a complete hopeless case these past three years, however. She had moved on, in a sense. At least, she'd come to terms with everything. She still loved Ranma, despite having her heart broken. Even though he'd taken Ranma from her, she and Ryoga were still very good friends. Sometimes he even called her at the university, even though it was long-distance.
There was no competing with what those two had. It was funny, she never saw it at first. Her first, earliest memories of Ryoga Hibiki were of the angry, hopelessly directionally-challenged boy who attacked Ranma on the Furikan High grounds one day. With Ryoga always shouting 'prepare to die!', and Ranma with his constant teasing, it was pretty much impossible to tell how those two were 'friends'. So it certainly threw eveyone for a loop when Ranma and Ryoga ended up together. Now that they weren't at each other's throats, Akane could see their bond ran deeper than rivals. They were best friends; they made each other happy.
Akane was happy for them, despite everything. They were perfect for each other, she had to admit, and at the end of the day, she just wanted Ranma to be happy. If good friends was all they could be, then Akane was grateful to have that much from him. As much as she wanted more, it would have to suffice.
"I really doubt Akane drinks Asahi beer."
Ranma hefted up the case of beer, and handed it to Ryoga. It was the following day, and the two were in a liquor store not too far from Ryoga's house.
"I don't think she even drinks, period." Ranma replied. "This is for Pop and Mr. Tendo, not Akane. They drink this stuff like it's oxygen."
Ryoga looked down at the case of Asahi, looking hesitant.
"You know, they're going to get intoxicated faster than you can say 'maybe you've had enough for one night', right?" he said.
Ranma shrugged, smirking. "Yep, and that way Pop will be too drunk to try anything funny. You know how he gets when we visit. We can't let him stay sober." Ranma handed Ryoga several bills. "Here, you go buy this, I'll wait outside."
Ryoga headed for the counter while Ranma walked out of the store. It certainly reeked in liquor stores; he tried to be in them as little as possible, if at all if he could manage it. Ranma inhaled the fresh air gratefully.
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or did I just see you leave a liqor store?"
Ranma turned towards the voice, and smiled. Ukyo walked up to him, a grin on her face. Her long brown hair was pulled off her neck in a colourful clip, and she wore skin-tight knee-length blank pants and a light blue tank top. Ranma's smile grew when he noticed his longest friend still wore absolutely no make-up. With her hair up, she practically looked like a boy.
"Hey, Uuchan." Ranma greeted. "What brings ya down this way?"
Ukyo shrugged. "I'm on a sake run; the restaurants' running low. The prices at this store are better than the one in the Shopping Plaza. It's a little far, but I always get the best for my customers." she winked at him. "What about you, Ranchan? I thought you hated drinking."
"I do. We're just buying some booze for Pops and Mr. Tendo. We're goin' up to the Tendos tonight, because Akane's back in town." Ranma answered.
"She is? Tell her I said hi." Ukyo said with a smile. "So, how's work at the Azaela? My offer still stands, you know. Work for me, free deluxe seafood special whenever you want one."
"Tempting, but you're a slave driver, Uuchan. Konatsu only takes your crap because he's head over heels for you."
Ukyo blushed. "I'll have you know, I raised his salary to 10 yen an hour, and that's a damn fortune to him!" she said hotly. "And I'm not a slave driver, I'm the nicest freaking boss you'd ever lay your eyes on."
"Yeah, I'm sure you are..." Ranma said. "So, c'mon, are ya gonna give the poor sap a chance, or what?"
"Intimate employer-to-employee relationships are strictly forbidden, Ranma-honey." Ukyo said matter-of-factly. "If I did that, I'd have to fire him."
Ranma rolled his eyes. Ryoga came out of the store, spotting Ukyo over the box of Asahi.
"Oh, hey there, Ukyo." he greeted.
"Hey, sugar. Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I gotta hurry and get back to the restaurant. I can only leave Konatsu in charge for so long before all hell breaks loose."
Ranma nodded. "Nice seeing you, Uuchan." he said.
Ukyo waved, heading toward the store entrance. "Drop by the shop sometime, 'kay, hun?"
"Will do," Ranma waved back, then Ukyo disappeared into the store.
Ranma and Ryoga walked over to a small blue car, and Ranma popped the trunk, Ryoga putting the case of beer in the trunk while Ranma opened the car doors.
"Are we going to have to do this everytime we visit the Tendos?" Ryoga asked, sitting down in the passenger's seat.
Ranma smiled grimly, twisting the keys and putting the car in drive. "We're talking about my father," he said. "we'll be getting him drunk the rest of our lives."
Akane sat with Nabiki at the table, watching the television. Her father and Mr. Saotome sat out on the porch, playing shogi out in the sun. Nabiki was snaking on potato chips. Akane averted her attention from the show on the television, looking outside at the koi pond, just as an orange-and-white flash made the water shiver. When Ranma used to live here, the poor fish were disturbed at least three or four times in a day, as Ranma and Genma both took plunges in the pond. Whether it was during the daily morning spar, or fighting over food at breakfast, or Ranma chasing Happosai, or Akane kicking him in herself after he mocked her cooking skills or made a comment about her weight. Now, the koi were finally at peace.
"So, how's school going for you, Nabiki?" Akane asked suddenly, turning around to face her older sister.
Nabiki suddenly put on her trademark smirk, that was saved for when she was making money. Akane narrowed her eyes, knowing the look all too well.
"What have you been up to?" she asked suspiciously.
Nabiki put on a faux hurt look. "Me? Why, nothing, dear sister. Whatever could have given you the impression that I was up to something?"
"Just spill it, sis." Akane sighed. "Let me guess; you're selling old snapshots of me to the boys at your school, aren't you? Nabiki, I really don't want a whole bunch of horny university boys looking at pictures of me."
"You made it clear to me you were uncomfortable with me selling photos of you. Being your loving elder sister, I heeded your wishes. Besides, I'm passed those Furinkan days. I've still got a few devoted boys come to me from time to time wanting photos of Ranma's girl form, but that's not my hottest seller."
"If it's not me, or Ranma, then who is it? You've been using the both of us to make a quick buck for years." Akane quipped.
Nabiki ignored her sister's jab. She glanced at Akane and sneered. The expression made Akane gulp. It was a look of pure, unforgivable evil.
"You'd be surprised at all the girls at my school," she said. "who go absolutely crazy for...boys' love."
Akane's eyes bulged. "Boys' love...oh, Nabiki, you didn't!" she exclaimed. "Does Ranma know you're doing this? Sis, he's going to kill you!"
Nabiki waved her hand dismissively. "Relax, Akane, he knows. Ryoga actually made a bargain with me to give them a percentage of the profits, too. Who knew he could negotiate?"
"D-do they actually pose for you?" Akane asked incredulously.
Nabiki smiled. "Well, I do my usual spy work when I can, and I also have someone working on the inside to make it easier."
"Someone on the inside? Who?" Akane asked.
"Ryoga."
"HUH?"
"Well, who else would it be?" Nabiki said. "He takes pictures of Ranma whenever he gets the oppourtunity. Ranma is none the wiser, of course. I've practically worn out the negatives with all the copies I make. It's unbelievable; there's this one girl that even made a doujinshi of them. I'm like a God, and I can practically have a bath in all the money I make each week. Those two are a gold mine."
"I just knew you'd find some way to benefit out of all of this." Akane said, deadpan.
"Don't I always?" Nabiki said sweetly.
"You're unbelievable."
"Want some pictures? Set of five for a thousand yen each." Nabiki said, putting on her businesswoman voice. With a flourish, she slapped five pictures onto the table.
Akane took a look at the photos and blushed. "No, thanks." she muttered.
"Really? Not even this one? Ranma isn't wearing anything but boxers in this one."
"I know, I can see it!" Akane snapped.
"Or what about this one?" Nabiki went on. "I'm telling you, a thousand yen is a cheap price to pay for gems like this. Look, he's still dripping from the furo and in nothing but that towel that hardly reaches his knees..."
"I said no!" Akane shrieked, almost purple now.
"Oh," Nabiki said, looking over Akane's head. "Hey, you two."
Akane whirled around, facing the entrance to the living room. Ranma and Ryoga stood there, wide-eyed, staring at Akane liked she'd lost her mind.
"Hello, Nabiki." Ryoga said, breaking the silence. "How are you?"
"Oh, I can't complain." Nabiki said, nonchalantly stowing the photos in her pocket.
"Hello, Ranma, Ryoga." Kasumi said cheerfully, walking into the living room. She spotted the case of beer Ryoga carried. "Oh, what's this? My, Asahi is father's favourite beer. How thoughtful of you."
Soun and Genma came in from the porch, and both men lit up at when they spotted the box Ryoga carried.
"Ryoga, my boy, let me take that off your hands." Soun said, walking over and taking the box. Soun passed them and headed for the kitchen, to put the bottles in the fridge, Genma quickly following. Ranma and Ryoga looked at each other, Ranma giving him a 'what did I tell you?' look.
"Please, have a seat, you two. I just put on the kettle, so I'll bring out some tea soon."
"Thanks, Kasumi." Ranma said. He and Ryoga walked over and sat down opposite Nabiki at the table.
"I saw Ukyo earlier, 'Kane. She says hi." Ranma said.
"I haven't seen her in ages," Akane said. "We should all go down and see her, and grab a bite to eat."
"Hey, Ranma, isn't your birthday coming up soon?" Nabiki asked suddenly.
"Yeah, actually. It's next week." Ranma replied, stealing a chip from Nabiki's bag.
"Twenty-years-old," Akane said in astonishment. "Time really flies. When I look at you I still see the puny redhead that came in here kicking and screaming, carried by a panda."
Ryoga laughed. "I always see the boy with the bread," he said. "who I always thought was kind of cute."
Ranma went red, and turned his attention to the television, where a girl in a skin-tight, neon blue leotard and bright pink leg warmers was going through exuberant exercises-something he had no interest in whatsoever.
Kasumi walked in with a tray, carrying everyone's tea. She sat down at the far end of the table, facing Akane, and handing everyone their tea, then placing her own cup infront of herself.
"We were just talking about Ranma's upcoming birthday, Kas." Nabiki said.
"Oh, that's right. You're going to be twenty, isn't that right, Ranma? My, you're all growing up so quickly." she said with a smile. "We've never really held a party for you, have we, Ranma? Have you ever had a birthday party?"
"Well, Pops always tried to get me some kind of present when we were training." Ranma said. "It was never anythin' too special. A pack of band-aids one year; 'you're gonna need 'em', he'd said. A pair of socks one year, probably stolen from a cheap store. Always taught me a cool pressure point, too, and a secret Saotome family technique."
"So, you've never had an offical birthday party?" Akane asked in wonder. She felt bad for him, ten years roughing it with a cheapskate father who stole band-aids and socks couldn't have been very fun. He must have been lonely. Ranma was so gaurded, he never let anyone worry about him.
Ranma shrugged. "Well, I never had any friends to have a party with. Any friends I did make were short-lived, since we only stayed in one place for a few days, or a week at most." he said.
Everyone was staring at him, giving him a sad, empathetic look. Even Nabiki had the decency to look a little pitying.
"Wh-what? What's with the faces?" Ranma stammered, feeling uncomfortable under their gazes. He looked at Ryoga for help, but his face was the worst. Ryoga was the only one who could relate to him, when it came to being without friends all his childhood years. He knew how Ranma felt, though the boy stubbornly hid it inside him, he knew that lonliness was there, the longing for a loving family and friends.
Looking away from Ranma's embarrassed face, Ryoga slapped his hand onto the table. "Well then, it's settled." he announced. "We're definetly throwing Ranma a party."
"Oh, what fun! What should we do?" Kasumi said happily, immediately jumping into preparations.
"W-wait, you guys! Isn't this supposed to be Akane's welcoming party? Shouldn't we-?" Ranma began to argue, but cut himself off at the look Ryoga gave him.
"Ranma, you're going to be twenty. This is a big turning point in your life; you're becoming an adult." Ryoga looked over at Akane. "Do you mind, Akane?"
Akane looked at Ranma. "Ryoga's right, Ranma. We should celebrate. Trust me, I got enough of a welcome home from Daddy last night." Akane said. "Now would you shut up and let us plan your party?"
"I-" Ranma began, but it was no use. The Tendo sisters and Ryoga had jumped into planning his birthday celebration, whether the birthday boy liked it or not.
"Hey, there's this great club downtown. It's not some sleazy place, so Daddy won't have a cow." Nabiki said.
"Yeah, Sayuri was telling me about that place." Akane said excitedly. "I've never gone dancing before, that'd be a lot of fun."
"Maybe I should bring Tofu along," Kasumi said with a giggle. "A night of dancing would be so romantic."
Akane burst out laughing. "Come on, Kasumi, do you think Dr. Tofu can actually dance? Especially around you. You may be engaged now, but he still turns into a puddle around you."
"Mother taught me how to dance, I'm sure I could show him how." Kasumi said, a dreamy smile on her face.
"Hey, give the guy a break, 'Kane. I've seen him dance around the room with Betty, and he had some serious moves!" Ranma chimed in, sniggering.
Everyone imagined the love-crazed doctor dancing around the clinic with Betty the skeleton, singing tunelessly to himself, and the table erupted with laughter. The rest of the evening was filled with stories and jokes and laughs. Soun and Genma put on a drunken dance while everyone clapped in time and cheered them on. Kasumi sent the fathers up to bed after they passed out sometime later.
Later that night, Ranma and Ryoga decided it was time to head home. They said their goodbyes and hugged everyone, then left the house, heading for the car. Ranma, exhausted, let Ryoga take the wheel (he'd give directions if Ryoga got confused). Leaning back in the seat, he gave Ryoga a sleepy frown as Ryoga started the car.
"You didn't have to do that, you know." he said quietly. "I really don't need a party."
Ryoga chuckled as he fiddled with the radio. "Don't be silly. You're getting a party, and that's final." he said. He looked at Ranma and smiled. "What could possibly go wrong?"
Author's Note:
Hello, readers! ^0^
Jadells here once again, with another story for y'all. Some of you may know me as the writer of Decode. Or, Fifty Pieces. Well, to those who've read the latter, I did say I was planning to write another Ranma/Ryoga story, and here it is. I actually had two planned, but the plot for the other was the typical "Ranma and Ryoga get together, fanservice ensues, but Ranma's dad throws a hissy fit, kicks Ranma out, Ranma goes to live with Ryoga, wangst ensues, then more fanservice." In this one, all that crap has happened already. xD
So, the idea for Emotion popped into my head a while back, and I decided to drop the other story and just focus on this one. Of course, at the moment my main focus should be finishing Decode...instead, over the weekend I wrote this chapter. -_- To any loyal fans out there, I'm sorry! I promise, I'm going to put my attention back on that story; I just needed to write out this damn chapter, or else I was going to go insane. So, yeah. As much as I want to work on this story, I'm going to force myself not to write anymore, and get back to work on Decode. It's just about done, so it should (hopefully) not take too long. To anyone who enjoyed this chapter, and want more...I'm sorry again. -.- Emotion will have to wait, for now. But I promise to work super hard and get Decode complete, so I can start working on this.
If you've got any questions about this story, I'll most likely be covering them at later points throughout the story. About what's become of the rest of the cast, and what's happened after three years, and all that. Probably shove in some flashbacks, and whatnot. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
So, what did you think, folks? Your reviews are the life blood to my writing; I crave your feedback. If you were sobbing in the corner when you found out Ranma and Ryoga are together...well, tough. :) Nope, no Ranma/Akane here, people. Don't like it, then quietly move on. Please, please don't leave me comments about how much you HATE yaoi, and that Akane and Ranma belong together, blah blah blah. Jadells does not care. Jadells is doing this for fun. Do not spoil her fun. That makes her sad. However, if you LOVE Ranma and Ryoga together, then whoo-rah! Have a delicious yaoi brownie. ;3
Egad, such a long note. O.O Well, I had a lot to explain. . If you stayed awake through that banter...then take another brownie.
Till next time,
Jadells