Decided to start another story because this one has been stuck in my head. I just recently finished watching the Kdrama Goblin the great and lonely God, its soooo good! So I got the inspiration from that for this story! I do not own any Ranma characters nor any characters from Goblin, but I have tweaked them a bit! Please enjoy and R&R!
If she knew that this is how she was going to die she would have done a lot more in her young life. Being Queen was a huge accomplishment, some would be proud to have that title and happy to die with it. Not her. She wanted love. That was all she ever wanted. She wanted to die old and loved, not young and being killed because she fell in love. Standing in front of the beautiful castle she called home, halfway down the white steps on a landing, everyone was watching. The King, her husband, stood atop the steps, glaring down with his right-hand man next to him, whispering lies in his ear, as he always did. Her words could no longer reach him, he didn't want to hear it. That snake just stared down at her, a smug look across his face. He finally got what he wanted, their deaths. So she stared straight ahead, archers high on their perch waiting for his arrival. She was dressed in her best, a dozen layer kimonos draped elegantly over her small frame. Her long black hair done up in twirls and loops, with beautiful, expensive hair pins. She is beautiful, she knew it, everyone knew it, that was one reason why the King chose her to be his wife. She was waiting for him to come, her knight, her true love. The gates to the palace opened and in he walked, bloodied and battle-ridden but he was alive. He had come back for her. He is as beautiful as she remembers. His long black hair, some up in a bun the rest left down and loose and wavy. His sword, the one the King gave him, strapped faithfully to his side. His eyes are fiery and sad at the same time, such a deep dark brown, almost black. His eyes connected with hers and she felt at peace. If they cannot be together in this life, then maybe the next will prove to be theirs. He started to walk up the steps, slowly and calmly. He is the most feared swordsman in all the lands, people feared him and he exuded such power. He came up next to her and stopped, she looked over at him with such a small, sad, loving smile. The King's voice rang out clear and loud with a warning.
"Take any further steps and she will die. Do not move. You are to be sentenced to death for treason and plotting to kill me." His voice is so angry. She closed her eyes, tears building up in them, and when she opened them she had come to her decision.
"Go to him. Do not stop. Do not stop until you get up to him. Its ok." Her voice is strong, full of emotion. He nodded and took several steps past her. The arrow struck her chest true and hard. She gasped softly as blood started to pour down her kimono. She turned slightly towards him and fell to the ground on her side. Her vision was starting to go, but she watched him as he continued to walk up those stairs, never stopping. She bled out right there in front of everyone and she could only pray to God that He would give her another chance to fall in love.
Akane Tendo groaned loudly as she woke up, her hair a mess, covers to her bed spread around the floor. The beautiful nineteen-year-old ran a hand through her hair and stood up. Ever since she died and came back to life over two years ago, she had been having this dream all the time. The same dream, sometimes different ones, but always had the same three people in it, the Queen, the King, and the Knight. Akane shook her head and tried to get rid of her wondering thoughts. The house is quiet, like it has been for the past six months, since Ranma left. No that was wrong, he didn't leave, she threw him and his father out. It was shortly after their graduation, she had found out he was leaving with everyone to go to China and train and get rid of their curses. She was upset at that, he told her not to come, he didn't want her to come. She was a burden, she couldn't cook, she was hardly a martial artist, so she should stay behind. He would leave with Shampoo and Ukyo no problem. She was pissed about that, but that wasn't what made her throw him out. She had found out their secret, his and Ryoga's secret. Akane clenched her fists angrily, she was starting to shake in anger. How could they not tell her? How could Ranma not tell her Ryoga was her beloved pet P-chan? How could they do that to her? How could she have not seen that? She felt so stupid. There was so many curses and harsh words flung that day, she had been so ashamed and embarrassed. She had cried so much. She threw them out, told them to never come back. Ranma had just smiled sadly and told her he would be back one day. They all left and Nerima had become a quiet little town, like it used to be before they ever arrived. Getting dressed in a pair of pants and a sweater Akane walked downstairs to find her family eating, she smiled and joined them. Kasumi had not changed at all, her and Doctor Tofu were finally dating, after much pressure from Akane and Nabiki. Nabiki is going to business school, easily passing and making money on the side, as she always does. Soun was the same, worrying over his daughters, but had been pretty silent without his best friend to help him cause trouble. Akane decided not to go to school, they had no money for it and she really wasn't sure what to do with her life. The young woman decided to stay at home and open the dojo up for students and trained young kids. If there was one thing Akane was good at, it was teaching children, she has always loved them. She had good patience for teaching people and she loved the art, it was a win-win situation. She had several young students who absolutely loved her. Akane ate her food and looked at her older sister.
"Nabiki, do we seriously have to rent out that room? What if this guy ends up being a pervert or something?" Nabiki had decided to rent out the Saotome's room, they needed the extra money and they were not sure when the Saotomes would be back.
"Don't worry so much little sister, if he is a pervert you can just kick his ass. Besides this guy…he is different. He won't be a problem, I swear." The pause in her answer made everyone look at the middle sister.
"What do you mean he is different? He better not be weird." Soun's voice was hard. Nabiki rolled her eyes.
"He is a grim reaper." Everyone dropped their chopsticks.
"Say what?!" Akane yelled.
"A grim reaper, he ferries the dead to the afterlife. Apparently they also need places to stay, a place to sleep, food, and so forth. He is no different from us, he has just lived a lot longer. He came right out and told me because he knew about the things we have seen and been through and thought this would be an ok place for him to stay and be himself. He is a pretty innocent guy and he is nice. So give him a chance."
"Oh my. How strange, we are going to have a grim reaper living with us. Does he like normal food? I hope he does, otherwise I wouldn't know what to feed him." Kasumi looked only a little uncomfortable but only at the thought that she wouldn't know what to cook him.
"Alright, fine. One wrong move though and I will kick his ass, even if he is a grim reaper." Akane mumbled the last part, she cheated death once so it made her a little nervous. Nabiki was a good judge of character so she would believe her older sister. They finished their meal in silence and Akane left to go get the dojo set up for her class.
An hour went by quickly as Akane cleaned the dojo and set it up, they wouldn't be arriving for a little bit, but Akane liked to have it ready. Nabiki walked in the dojo, looking around with a small smile.
"You will certainly have this place up and ready for when Ranma comes back, you two will be ready to run it together." Akane shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't really care if he comes back. I don't want to marry him. This is my dojo, run by my family, I will never give it up." Her voice is cold and Nabiki's smile wavered.
"Sister, you will forgive him, time will heal everything. It doesn't matter how stupid that boy is, and he is really stupid, but you love him. Don't try to deny it either, I see right through you. No one is here so I cannot make money off your confession, but at least admit it. You love that stupid idiot." Nabiki knew her well, she always knew what Akane is feeling. Akane sighed and looked away from her sister. She clenched her fists tightly around the broom.
"That…that may be so. I am hurt and I am tired. Most of all I am tired of lying to myself. He hurt me and I am tired of fighting for him when he won't make a decision. I want to love someone and have them love me back. Is that just too much to ask, nee-chan?" Akane looked at her sadly. Nabiki's eyes widened, her little sister looked so much older than even Kasumi. Nabiki could see the results of everything Akane had been through, some of it was good and most of it looked bad. For the first time Nabiki really wanted to use violence on that idiot. Never would she allow those other fiancé's of his to belittle her sister, to hurt her sister. When they came back, and she knew they would come back, they would face her wrath if they got in her way of protecting her little sister. If Akane wanted to be with Ranma, Nabiki would make that happen. If Akane fell in love with someone else, Nabiki would help her as much as possible. Nabiki shook her head, focusing back on her sister.
"You do and it will happen. Sorry. I came out here to get you because our new tenant will be here soon, shall we go greet him?" Akane set her broom down and followed her older sister out the gates of their home where Kasumi and Soun were waiting. A couple minutes later a man walked towards them with a black suitcase. He is wearing an all-black suit with black pants and black boots, his trench coat is even black. He is beautiful, so good looking people stopped and stared at him. His short, curly black hair looked perfectly wind-swept. His face and any skin showing is unbelievably pale, ghostly pale. Yet his lips were slightly colored red. His eyes are a deep, dark green. This man looked to be around thirty or thirty-five, but he is well built and pretty skinny, despite his tall stature. He stopped before them and bowed.
"I am very pleased to meet you. I will be your new tenant. Thank you again for allowing me to stay with you." His voice is deep and cool. For some reason Akane couldn't shake the feeling that she knew this man, that something about him is very familiar.
"It is no problem. I am Soun Tendo, this is my house and dojo, these are my three daughters who live here. Kasumi is my eldest and is currently dating someone. Nabiki is the middle child, but you have met her. This is my youngest daughter Akane, who will inherit my dojo. May we have your name?" All three girls almost rolled their eyes at their father's introductions. The grim reaper looked slightly uncomfortable at them.
"My apologies. I do not have a name. When I died a long time ago I committed a big sin, which led me to become a reaper. I do not know of my past, my sin, nor my name. I am sorry." He starred at the ground. They all looked at him sadly. Akane stepped up to him and took his hand, shaking it. She smiled at him.
"Like my dad said, my name is Akane and I practice martial arts. I don't care about your past or the fact that you don't have a name, but if you try anything to me or my family I will kick your ass. It's nice to meet you, can we just call you Grim?" For some reason Akane felt connected to him, she wanted to be his friend, he looked like he desperately needed one. Shocked the man nodded his head.
"Yes, you can call me Grim. Thank you Akane. Do not worry I will not try anything, after all you are human and I am not. Thank you."
"That is such a good idea Akane, Grim is a lovely name. Tell me Grim, is there anything you do not eat? Or are there certain things you have to eat? I have been so worried about that." Kasumi brought a hand up to her cheek, looking thoughtful for a moment.
"I like vegetables and fruits, I am a vegetarian. I hope that does not bother you." Kasumi smiled softly at him.
"Not at all. I will make sure that your meals will have no meat."
"I told you he was a good man. Here you guys thought he was going to kill us or something." Nabiki sounded nonchalant which made the rest of the Tendo's laugh. Grim looked slightly confused. Akane felt a shiver go down her spine, she could feel someone watching her. Turning around she found a man watching her down the street a ways. He is wearing several layers of clothes but was at least a foot taller than herself. He is carrying a huge pack. His short wavy hair framed his face. His face…there is something familiar about his face. It looked oddly like the one from her dream, the knights face. They looked almost identical. His eyes were wide, his hands trembling, and he was whispering something she couldn't make out.
"Who is that?" Nabiki asked looking at the same man. Surprisingly it was Grim who answered.
"Goblin." The man moved towards them quickly and stopped an arm's length away from Akane. He dropped his pack to the ground and his shaking hands came up towards her face, but did not touch her.
"I found you. I finally found you." Akane looked at him confused and slightly worried, his voice trembled and was thick with so much emotion. Akane couldn't even move as his hands fluttered around her face, gently yet firmly holding the sides. He brought her up and lowered his own head and kissed her.