disclaimer: I disclaim
So, this is just a story I've had written out for a while, and finally decided to submit it. It isn't very long, only four chapters. But I think it is pretty good. I'm still writing my other story (Unpredictable Fate), I haven't abandoned it or anything...I just figured 'why not' submit this... I mean, it is already complete and everything. So anywho...I will probably introduce a new chapter every few days, so the whole story should be completely up within the week.
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"Akane!"
Ranma's scream of terror stormed through the house.
He had been tossing and turning for almost a half hour now, getting more and more violent as the seconds crept by. The panda, clearly annoyed by his sons inability to shake the dream and wake up, dragged himself up the stairs to what he considered to be the source of the problem. He wanted to catch some much needed sleep,
knock knock ---- no answer….
knock knock knock ----- still no answer…….
BAM BAM BAM!
Suddenly Akane emerged from behind the door that the panda was pounding mercilessly.
Akane was wide-eyed with fear and as white as a ghost, clearly she had not been sleeping either.
"Akane!" Ranma's scream could be heard throughout the house
Shivers went up Akane's spine as her hair began to stand on end at the sound of desperation in Ranma's cry. Reluctantly... she looked at the panda,
he was holding a sign and waving it in her face, #Do something about your fiancé#
"What can I do? We all know that he can't be woken up, we will just have to wait until he goes hoarse again"Akane almost said that last part in rote.
Does this stupid panda think that I actually like listening to Ranma scream like this? Honestly! I want to help him more than anything but I don't know how to, he seems trapped in his dreams. He won't talk to me about it after he wakes up, and he acts as if he didn't even have any dreams at all! He won't even admit to it over the few times that he has lost his voice from screaming so much…and it is always the same thing, he always and only screams MY name…why?
the panda waved another sign in her face, #He wants you, so go to him#
"I don't know what to do!"
scribbling yet another message he flung it in her face, #I want to sleep NOW!#
Akane was angry, not at Ranma, but the stupid panda,"Fine!"
she stomped off towards Ranma's room yelling back at the panda, "you are so selfish!"
lost in her thoughts of anger towards the panda's conceited practice of being a father, she neared Ranma's room and reached for the door,
"AKANE!" she stopped short as the moan forming from the very depth of Ranma's being shook her to the core. The door handle started to vibrate. Akane's eyes moistened hold yourself together girl, you can do this!
She swung the door open in an act of desperation to free Ranma from the demons of his mind.
Cautiously she stepped up to Ranma's mat, peering forward she could make out the lines of Ranma's body in the moonlight from the window oh my god! her knee's buckled as she fell to the floor. Ranma's body was shaking vigorously, uncontrollably. Akane kneeling next to Ranma, watched helplessly as Ranma clenched his teeth together fighting off the strange noises that were forming in the back of his throat. His body was soaked from head to toe in a cold sweat; suddenly his body was thrown into convulsions as Ranma started gasping for air as though the only way to breathe were to liquefy the air in his mouth and drink it down. Akane couldn't breathe, she had no idea it was this bad. How could that stupid panda leave you like this? She had come the first night that this happened, in defeat she had left not being able to wake him up. That night was a simple walk in the park compared to this; this was a nightmare. A surge of protection flooded into Akane, and be it the adrenaline, all fear vanished.
Akane ran to the kitchen and grabbed a towel, water and a bowl, in haste she fled back to Ranma's room as though his very life were on the line This can't be happening! Akane flung herself to Ranma's side and began soaking up the sweat that seemed to be drowning Ranma…after a few pats, the towel was soaked and she wrung it out into the bowl, Come on Akane, think! What could help get Ranma out of this? Akane, completely perplexed just started talking to him,
"Ranma, I don't know if this is gonna work or not, but if I can't wake you up……maybe you can still hear me… and then maybe…. you will know that I am alright…Do you hear me Ranma? Please Ranma, I'm fine, wake up."
Akane stared at Ranma while he continued to shake. Ranma's body took a break from the convulsing, and Akane seized this moment to feed some of the water into his mouth, "You must be dehydrated losing all the water you are from sweating…so I am just trying to help put some fluid back into you…It's just me, Akane…don't worry Ranma"
Akane carefully put a few drops into Ranma's mouth, Ranma took to the drops of water, encouraging Akane to feed him more. Akane feeling as though she were accomplishing something continued to feed him the entire glass of water,
"That's it Ranma, drink it all up… it's pure water… isn't it good?…. Gosh, you must be thirsty, it's all gone… do you want me to get you more? I can be right back…"
Akane got up from Ranma's side and headed for the door.
"Akane…."
Ranma's voice sounded broken, Akane froze. She turned around and noticed that he was still asleep,
"I'm here Ranma…."
He continued to whisper her name over and over and over again,
"Ranma, I'm here… please…"
please Ranma, wake up, it is breaking my heart to see you like this…slowly Ranma's voice disappeared as he simply just began to mouth her name on his lips, over and over and over again. Akane came back to Ranma's side,
"I won't leave you…"
she placed her hand on his chest and felt his heart slowly resume a normal, steady beat. Ranma's shaking had stopped, and sleep could no longer evade Akane. She drowsily began nodding off as two tears of relief escaped from her eyes…….
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Ranma awoke feeling a weight on his chest, glancing downward he noticed a hand.
Ranma's heart started beating rapidly, oh no! what did I do last night? Who's hand is that? What if Akane sees me? At that thought Ranma angrily whipped his head around real fast to see who the invader was,
"SHAMPooo…." Ranma's tongue and mouth froze
oh my god, that is Akane. What happened last night? Why is she sleeping with me? Ranma glanced around the room, Where is my dad? What on earth is going on here?… Ranma looked back at Akane…this must be a dream, that's it I'm dreaming…Ranma slowly brushed some of the hair off of Akane's face and gazed at her features,
"nice dream…"his voice scratched cough, cough, cough he cleared his throat.
Akane's hand became tense against his chest, Ranma froze, shit, this isn't a dream… what is she doing in my bed?
Akane's eyes flashed open,
"Ranma… you're awake…I'm sorry… I didn't…I mean… I……I'll be leaving now."
Akane got up, and left a very confused Ranma.
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Good going Akane, I can't believe you fell asleep with him, he is going to think you are such a pervert…Akane drowsily walked to her room and collapsed on her bed, out cold.
Being awake, Ranma decided to go get some breakfast, no need to be late for school if you're ready. Kasumi, Nabiki, Soun and Ranma's father were all at the table having breakfast, hmm… no Akane…I wonder where she is… They all stared at Ranma for a few seconds when finally in attempt to break the silence, and out of hospitality, Kasumi replied,
"Here is some food for you Ranma if you would like, I bet you are hungry"
"Yeah I beat he is!" answered Nabiki with a hint of irritation.
"Thank you Kasumi" Ranma resumed a seat at the table and began eating.
"So, Ranma, did you sleep well last night?" pried Nabiki
"I slept fine, thanks."
"Oh that's nice, I was just wondering,… because I slept like crap!"
Ranma wasn't sure where this was going...
"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"
Nabiki rolled her eyes, "well, I was just thinking that maybe you could… oh I don't know… maybe stop screaming at night!"
Kasumi apologized for her sister, "Nabiki please, Ranma can't control his dreams" Nabiki let out half a laugh, "You expect me to believe that! I bet he is just doing this to torture us… and besides that… (she glared at Ranma) it is a really sneaky way to get Akane to come to your bed, neh?"
At that remark Ranma jumped up, "I don't know what you are talking about, I don't scream at night! I am in control of my dreams, I am always in control! If that stupid tomboy wants to creep into my room at night that is her problem, I guess I'll just have to start locking the door!"
Soun's head turned into a huge balloon like demon head,
"HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT AKANE LIKE THAT IN HER ABSENCE, SHE NURSED YOU BACK TO SANITY LAST NIGHT AND YOU TALK ABOUT HER LIKE SHE WERE SOME KIND OF HENTAI!"
Ranma freaked out and started flailing his arms, "I'm sorry! I didn't know…I… Where is Akane?"
Nabiki responded, "probably sleeping… don't you dare go wake her…. she is skipping school today, she hardly got any sleep last night"
Ranma sat down, depressed. He had no idea that his dreams were effecting everyone as much as they were, and especially Akane… How could he explain to her? He felt so guilty, that's why she was sleeping next to me this morning… she was trying to take care of me…He fought with his inner self…. You owe her an explanation Ranma!… But she will just laugh at you… No, how could she laugh at you, she just spent the entire night caring for you!… That's because she doesn't know…How do you know that? They said you were screaming, what do you think they heard you say?… It can't be audible, surely they don't know what I am dreaming about… I wouldn't be too sure…Ranma excused himself from the table,
"I'm going to school now, I'll get Akane's homework for her… So when she wakes, tell her not to worry"
"oh, that is soooo sweet…"
"Shut up, Nabiki!" At that Ranma left for school trying to come up with some way to approach Akane after school without revealing too much.
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Ranma rushed home in hope to be greeted by an atmosphere that was forgetful of the events of last night, instead when he returned, it was to a home of quiet. Where is everybody?…
"Pops!….Hello, anyone home!.. 'Kane?"
no one answered. Ranma became very afraid and started frantically searching all over the house for somebody, anybody.
"Hiiyyahh!"
That's Akane's voice, she is in the dojo… Ranma let out a sigh of relief. Casually he strolled into the dojo with arms behind his head,
" What up, 'Kane?"
Akane turned her head and looked at Ranma, she shook her head as though she had forgotten that she were practicing and was brought back to reality. After two blinks, Akane blurted out,
"Ranma… I am so sorry about this morning, it wasn't what you think… I was trying to help you"
Ranma wanted so badly to leave her in this position of apology, making him seem like the victim, and call her the perv. But Ranma knew he couldn't, he had a feeling a lot more happened last night than anyone was letting on, and he had to find out,
"Yeah, about last night. What exactly happened?"
Akane looked at him strangely, "You were having another bad dream… What are they about Ranma? You have been having them for the past two months sporadically, and each time it is getting worse. I'm afraid something really bad might happen to you next time." Ranma was not going to give in that easily,
"Stupid tomboy, nothing is going to happen to me, just tell me what happened last night so I can fix it."
Akane closed her eyes, frustrated she responded, "Why do you always have to be such a jerk?"
Ranma did not want to fight with her, "I am not being a jerk, I am trying to fix this alone. The less you know the better, just let me do this"
Akane shook her head, "Do you really think fixing this alone will make you more manly? It is ok for a girl to help you."
ok Ranma, don't piss her off… "I am asking for your help, I am asking you to tell me what happened last night." He said it real slow as though he were talking to a child. Akane, realizing she was getting no where conceded,
"Fine! You were screaming my name last night over and over again for hours!"
Oh man! She heard me screaming her name, that is not good, that is so embarrassing… "What else?"
Akane got very serious, "Ranma, you were soaked in your own sweat"
Ranma got nervous, what did I do last night?… Ranma smiled,
"Is that all? That isn't a big deal, don't worry about it"
maybe I can just play it off, I don't think once we get into this conversation I am gonna be able to drop it without revealing something I don't want her to know…
"Ranma, I won't laugh at you or be all critical, please just tell me what you dreamt last night."
The sincerity that Akane revealed through her tone was almost enough to break Ranma, for a moment he felt that he truly could share with her everything, his fears (which go beyond cats), he felt he could reveal to her his soul, and she would receive it with acceptance,
"Akane, I…."
tell her, she wants to know… No, I can't, it would be wrong of me…her eyes were searching,
"Yes, Ranma?"
They were close, too close… he tore his eyes away from her,
"I can't remember"
He knew she wouldn't believe him, but if she would just be willing to play this game, and realize how important it was for him not to tell anyone, especially her. But to no cigar, "Ranma, please do not lie to me. You could tell me that people refuse to give your girl form ice cream anymore in your dreams for all I care, but don't tell me you don't remember"
Akane was practically shaking, Ranma had never seen Akane so intent on getting information out of him. more happened last night than she is letting on…
"Do you expect me to be so honest with you, when you won't even tell me what happened last night?"
Akane frowned, "Do you promise if I tell you everything, you will tell me your dream?" this is what you were afraid of Ranma, you are gonna corner yourself into a wall… Ranma took a deep breath,
"I promise."
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Akane couldn't believe it, they were actually having a real conversation, compromising like real adults. Did he really just promise that he would tell me his dream?… A foreboding feeling tapped at Akane's conscious, telling her that she didn't really want to know what force could rattle Ranma physically as much as it did. I know it is more than just a dream, and since I am in it, I have a right to know…don't I?…
"Well…" Ranma interrupted her thought pattern,
"now is as good a time as any to tell me what happened last night"
Akane couldn't understand how Ranma could be so calm about all this, she marveled at how composed Ranma was considering how uncontrollable he was the night prior. Akane didn't want to add more to what ever was tormenting his mind, so she thought that she would be as gentle as possible,
"Sit down Ranma"
Ranma cocked one eyebrow at her, "Please, is more like it"
Akane bit her lip, "please sit down Ranma".
Ranma plopped to the floor of the dojo with a loud thud. Akane sat across from him, "Ok….so…last night I was trying to sleep in my room when I heard you yelling my name at the top of your lungs…"
Ranma interrupted her disbelievingly, " heh… At the top of my lungs? You sure it wasn't more like a loud.."
"It was at the top of your lungs!"
"Ok, sheesh, at the top of my lungs…continue…"
Akane paused for a moment, just tell him.. "Anyway, your father came and got me, but I was afraid to go down, because you sounded really bad…and I didn't think I could really wake you or help you anyway… but I went anyway….and when I went in your room I saw you there drenched in your sweat"
Akane stopped.
Ranma looked at her confused, "You already told me that, if you think I am gonna tell you my dream based off of that information, you have another thing coming"
Akane continued again, "I walked up to your bed and I saw you… you were shaking real bad, uncontrollably, like you had an internal vibrator or something…and you kept making these scary noises with your throat… and you were grinding your teeth…and then the saliva in your mouth...well... I couldn't make out if it was your saliva or the sweat perspiring from your body"
Ranma looked at her expressionless. Akane felt like that was a good sign,
"so… I went and got a towel, and some water… I dried your body off… but don't worry, I didn't touch you anywhere inappropriate!"
Ranma had a hazed look over his eyes, snapping back to reality he replied sarcastically, "well that's a relief, I was real worried there for a second"
Akane cleared her throat, "anyway, I fed you the whole glass of water, and then you got quieter, and I placed my hand on your chest to monitor your heart beat…and I guess I fell asleep to you whispering my name…that's it, I swear!.. Now it is your turn."
Akane couldn't believe she just told him all that, his pride must be hurting right now, what guy would like to know that he was being nursed like a crazy person while he slept?
Ranma knew it was his turn to talk, but he needed a moment to digest everything Akane just told him. He was making strange noises? He was fed water by Akane? She actually dried his body off? why on earth would she do that, wasn't she repulsed? Ranma could not understand her, she was one of the most violent females he knew, and yet when it really mattered she responded in a way that truly showed she had a feminine heart of the purest nature…why would she care for me, she obviously hates me…no, not obviously…but maybe it was just her duty, she did say that my pop had to force her to come to my aid…she didn't really want too…It is so unfair that I have to reveal to her the darkness of my dream, Ranma Saotome was not created to be vulnerable!… But I wasn't created to break a promise as a martial artist either…Damn!
"Akane, I am only gonna say this once, so listen closely"
Akane focused all her attention on Ranma, intent on hearing everything that he said, "Sometimes when I am sleeping, I hear this voice… it tells me that it is looking for revenge, to pierce a heart… the next thing I know I am in the alley way of some street in Nerima and…the fog…there is all this fog around me…it is thick and I'm searching…I can't see very well…I hear a heart beating… strong…. I think it's yours" Ranma wondered whether he should go on, she might get the wrong idea and think that I am in love with her or something…But aren't you in love with her?… No, she is just a tomboy…Your tomboy…Shut up!..
"Anyway, I am running like crazy trying to find you, I am screaming your name…I see this huge dagger in the sky and it is pointed north, and it is charging at something… I don't know how to stop it…I can't.. I just run with it….And that is what I dream every night…it ends with me chasing after the dagger…except last night"
oh god, she is gonna laugh in my face, what kind of a person gets affected from dreams like this?… a person in love… no! a person who …
Akane looked at him wide eyed, "what happened last night that was so different?" she was completely in suspense.
Ranma held his breath and then released, "I saw you... as the target.. I jumped up to the dagger, but it kept like electrocuting me… I couldn't steer it away…and you were just standing there… you couldn't move…but you kept telling me that it was ok…that you weren't going anywhere…and the dagger…like it was forever falling in a pit…is forever aimed at your heart…and you are forever at the other end incapable of moving…and I can't…I…I can't save you!… that's it; there! Are you satisfied?"
Ranma stared blankly at Akane, looking for some sign of any emotion, be it humor, anger, sympathy or even a new found affection. Akane revealed none of these emotions though, instead she just got up and walked out of the dojo, leaving Ranma sitting on the floor alone.
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Akane was a few paces out of the dojo when suddenly she collapsed, on soiled hands and knees she started rocking herself back and forth. If it weren't for the way Ranma was affected at night while sleeping she would've taken this as nothing, but she couldn't believe it to be just a dream. She was afraid, afraid because something inside her told her that her heart was going to be invaded. Was Ranma simply the invader? If he was, he obviously didn't want to be invading her heart, why did he scream my name so much? Akane felt that it went deeper, that someone or something out there was invading Ranma's sleep and in turn would soon invade their life. He does care for me! I know he does, he is always saving me…he saved me from Saffron. Tears started escaping from Akane, and as the pool formed beneath her hands the moistness of the soil caused her hands to sink.
"A…Akane…"
Akane froze.
"You don't need to cry, it is just a dream, I told you I can deal with it and I will get over it"
Akane took a deep breath and stood up, turning around she faced Ranma, "I am not crying, I just… I am sorry… that's all"
Their eyes locked for what seemed to be like eternity, Akane wanted to tear away but she couldn't, she was mesmerized by Ranma's tenderness. His eyes started to grow watery, and just when she thought she was going to burst, Ranma broke the silence with an attempt to speak, but instead reached out to grab her hands
SQUISH! the mud oozed through their intertwined fingers.
Ranma looked at the mud, moment gone and said,"clumsy tomboy, you better go wash"
Out of embarrassment Akane dashed to the house and up the stairs to the bath.
Ranma stood in silence outside, whew, that was a close one…you were gonna profess your love to her…that mud in her hand, that is how she will receive you…she thinks you are perverted, dirty, stupid, and worthless…
In defeat, Ranma dragged his feet into the house to wash his hands, unaware of a presence that loomed, smiling in the darkness of the shrubs. Two beady eyes shamelessly looked on in success of what was about to come, his low growl following with dark humor seeping through his sharp teeth…
waiting...for the perfect moment.
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So there is my first chapter! Yay! review if you like, just no flames please, though constructive criticisim is appreciated.
Happy Labor Day Weekend! Be Safe!