Characters based on Rumiko Takahashi original work. I owe nothing but the idea on the story. . .I offer deep respect for the Japanese culture and their tragic history. Lastly, This story handles one character never used before (I can't even find her on the category list) who I believe fits Ryoga's life perfectly. . .Even more so than Ukyo or Akari.
Peace was never the right word in this place but when miracles swept the nation, the usual suspects originated from the humble district of Nerima, Japan.
The picture focuses on people running on the streets of big cities like Tokyo. Panic reigned all over the place when men and women escaped the hospitals still wearing their gowns, fear over some kind of illness just like the ones you see in zombie movies began to spread like wild fire. When the police arrived, the first reaction became the safety of the rest so, they created a barricade around the building while questioning the behavior these crazed sick patients presented.
The chief of police managed to tackle a man just leaving the hospital to the ground where he noticed nothing wrong with him. No disease or virus noticeable. "Hey! . . .Why are you running out of the place like crazed goats. . .What's going on inside?"
The man turned to see the officer puzzled at his behavior which made him smile at him in turn. "No Sir. . .We are not sick . . .Is the other way around. I'm . . .I'm cured. . .Five years of intense agony thanks to my cancer and this . . .boy comes close to me, touches me with his index finger and then . . .I'm cured!."
The man raised from the floor waving at the crowd when more patients joined him close by. "Hey everyone! . . .Someone cured my cancer! . . ." "And my kidney failure! . . ." "I had hours to live, and "he" cured me as well . . .!"
The T.V. news arrived to interview them when a child pointed at something the patients recognized immediately. "There! . . .On the roof. He is our hero . . .!" The cameras managed to catch a shadow leaving the place after jumping from roof to roof and disappearing into the distance.
From that moment on, many hospitals and clinics in Japan became empty buildings where once terminal patients awaited their demise. Who is this boy who saves everyone was the question in all the papers and the T.V. but even when some claimed responsibility, no one could prove the power or talent to help people that way.
In a well guarded building another meeting applied pressure in a different form. "Damn it! . . .You cannot go around saving them like this. . .This is not the right way!" His yells kept most of the presents quiet, staring at the boy receiving the punishment.
"I don't care what you say. . .People are dying indiscriminately and there is nothing anyone else can do . . .Anyone but me. . .I will . . .I . . ." The boy fell in a thud to the floor making the rest rush at his side. "Damn it! . . .Healing them that way deplete your own energy. . ." He ordered to be taken to his room then he directed his judgment over his guard.
Another voice intervened when he wanted to reproach the boy's sidekick. "Sir. . .Other agencies are trying to investigate and hack into the network. Japan internal affairs and some federal departments are asking questions about our operation."
Agent great-fang hit the desk with fury when all the attention the boy raised began to seep into secret agencies thirsty for his powers. . .Something had to be done for now. The man walked to the next room where only a small chamber filled with a clear liquid had something floating in the center.
"Don't worry my darling, your father is learning but it's a long way for him to accept his fate. . .Just a bit longer Ok?" The man walked back into the meeting room only to give his last instruction of the day.
"I'm sorry, but he is not ready. . .Take him to the serum machine and do him again. This time dump him in the forest near the Nerima district." The woman in charge to look after him tried to argue, but their eyes met and she obeyed him on her new task.
The place near a well-known city reflected confusion when the estranged boy arrived with shaky steps from a long journey. Ryoga Hibiki entered a white building near Nerima district where Akane Tendo waited patiently inside.
"Ryoga-kun! . . .You made it." The boy blinked several times after staring briefly at his dream come true staring back at him. The girl became his beacon of hope when he met her a few years ago. This time though, the reason changed dramatically when a certain pigtailed boy declared her as his fiancée and destroyed the core of his self-esteem.
The bandanna boy made sure the coast was clear until another female somewhat older than the little Tendo welcomed him in. "Young Hibiki I presume. . .My name is Esther, Dr. Esther Yamato. Miss Tendo has told me about your "special problem" and if it's Ok with you, I would like to treat it."
The raven haired girl smiled in such a way Ryoga didn't realize when he nodded with the request, went inside and sat in a small room with Akane at his side and the Dr. in front of the couple. The professional revised several manuscripts while giving the two teen to feel comfortable for their session.
Akane grabbed the trembling hands on the boy and smiled sweetly at his shyness making sure he could feel her full support. "Don't worry Ryoga-kun, Dr. Esther knows everything about your problem with Ranma and the recent incident that took you over the edge."
Ryoga tried desperately to forget that moment when a furious Ranma changed into his female disguise only to alter his plans of finally declare his feelings towards the girl. Everything went accordingly until the strange redhead lunged at the boy, kissing him passionately in front of her, the Tendo's and his fiancées before the moment of his declaration.
When everything passed, the lost boy made use of his name as he began running away in confusion and humiliation. Akane saw how her fiancé smiled at the outcome in a way she described as possessive and demeaning. The boy had signs of prideful joy when it came to embarrass Ryoga-kun with those demonstrations which made her think if it was friendly teasing or his way to mess with men.
She believed the pigtailed boy really loved her, but used the worst ways to show it, giving her the moral duty to fix his mistakes, hence, her participation on Ryoga's re-habilitation. The youngest Tendo tried ever since to find the young Hibiki and take him to someone capable to resolve their problems.
The blonde haired Doctor read while nodding a few times after putting the stack of papers aside while staring at the two teenagers afterwards. "Hibiki-san, According to our past sessions I have learned how this boy has turned your self-esteem and pride as a male upside-down."
" This . . .Magic curse . . .Sure is controversial to say the least and takes the taboo men are not supposed to know from women to an unfair advantage. Than again, I have listened at how serious he takes his own manliness even when he uses his "female" ambiguity in a very careless behavior. Tell me if I'm wrong from the next statements."
The older woman made sure both boy and girl were comfortable before she went into detail about her conclusions in the matter so, after some fixing of chairs and stares between them, she proceeded to mention them carefully.
"You met him before arriving to Nerima, when you two were very young and at that time he managed to humiliate you in a somewhat healthy way. . .Just like normal teens do for rivalry." Ryoga assented positively at the description to the point where he scoffed silently at how everything began.
"Second. He fell into this magical pool turning him into a female when interacting with cold water. According to Akane Tendo's recollections, he begins to "understand" this curse like a tool he can manipulate in his pursuit of fighting his enemies . . .Case in point . . .You."
Once again the boy nodded quietly while Akane smiled at him with a face who told him he had her back and support. The boy smiled back, turning quickly around to keep tabs on the doctor's study.
"Third. From all the males in this boy's life it seems you are the most affected by his curse. Family and friends have described through Miss Tendo's comments how he considers you his only rival and friend which gives him the misplaced right to do so inconsiderably."
"Fourth. He is Akane Tendo's fiancé and future possessor of the Saotome-Tendo school in martial arts. His father taught him about the inequity women possess as weak and defenseless beings in the art, life and pretty much anything out of being a house wife."
"Fifth. He is engaged yet with another three fiancée who have deserved the title fairly and who believed themselves the right ones even though the family follows a pre-arranged marriage enforced by their own rules."
Her vision moved to the raven haired girl expecting jealousy or hatred toward her boyfriend, but her demeanor never changed for as long as her friend was in the line of fire. Consequently, she began to see certain dependency the girl had over Ryoga Hibiki. .. The observation went into the records while the doctor proceeded to finish her statement.
The expert moved the stack of papers oddly around the table until they all were neatly stacked in formation and then, she changed her leg, crossing it reservedly from one to the other while staring at the boy. "Lastly, the straw topping your crisis turned out to be the only demonstration of love many teenagers consider the last rite of passage in a relationship."
"This boy turns into a girl and by showing his dominance as a male, he uses his female charms and kisses you in front of everyone you hold dear. Now after some deliberation we have come to the understanding that you are attracted to his curse and wishes to find a way to take that feeling away for good. . .Am I correct ?"
The last point passed so fast Ryoga had no chance to react at the implication he developed thanks to Akane's boyfriend. The girl was right there listening at everything he went through and the smile never left her lips. He waited for a big tantrum, an undignified reproach or the infamous mallet ready to strike but non came.
The girl sighed at his demeanor with desire to help a friend and to correct what the other boy had caused from the start. "Ryoga-kun, I'm here for you. . .The Doctor knows about the rod of love incident and I explained how Ranma has wronged you with his curse on every turn."
Shades of red and pink adorned his face when the sudden comment about his most embarrassing time with the pigtailed boy made him squirm on his seat in shame. "I swear Akane-san, the rod was meant to hit . . ." He stopped before the cliff only to contemplate the shrugged brows the girl displayed when waiting for the last part.
"Oh, right . . .About that. You see Ryoga-kun. I know . . .Well, about your feelings and I am very flattered. The fact is . . ." She liked him very much, but not in the way he expected so, to tell him about it would be something she wasn't prepared to do just yet though.
"I . . .I like you too. . .It's just . . ." The boy looked to the floor in a defeated manner when the "I like you but I love Ranma" declaration loomed in her explanation. Trying to sound goofy, the lost boy drove his hand to the back of his head while laughing hysterically at her lack of words.
"I know . . .I really do, and I'm glad for you two. . ." He damned it all to hell inside but his feelings for the girl's well being were still true. The doctor saw how they cared for each other even though their relationship meant different applications for both.
The practitioner cleared her throat in such a way, the teens turned together to see her, she meant to do that and when everything had been settled, she returned to the case. "I see you too are very close and I'm happy for it. Now Mr. Hibiki. . .The problem you have warrants very dangerous repercussions as an individual and the future interactions this Ranma could develop as husband and acquaintance."
"I propose a center for re-habilitation where you can surpass these emotions while giving Miss Tendo's boyfriend a chance to change his ways."
Ryoga thought about the idea as something strange but given the circumstances, he did not object with what he believed was an expert opinion. With nervous determination, his shy nod let the doctor know he agreed with her idea completely.
"Yes . . If it helps me take away this darn feeling for that bastard I will go anywhere you want me to." Akane felt relieved when Ryoga accepted her counsel and friendship even when love wasn't part of the deal. The girl always saw him like a true friend capable to get her out of trouble just like Ranma, but he lacked the drive the Saotome heir had towards leadership and challenges.
"I'm glad you agree Ryoga-kun, I'm sure this all be in the past soon enough and we can all be a big family like before." Both teens were happy for the new objectives and while they talked about how they would at least write or keep a communication by phone, the doctor left the room coming back pushing a table with syringes and a bottle a moment later.
"Mr. Hibiki, I need you to sign this piece of paper in accordance to the treatment I will enroll you in, and Miss Tendo. . .These are release notes I need you to sign as well. Only to make this session an official one." Completely unaware of any disturbance or unfair treatment, both teenagers signed happily the documents while they ignored everything else.
The doctor left the room after grabbing all the requested paperwork and waited outside for a brief lapse of time. Ryoga ran out of words and valor when the girl began to blush at the situation where they waited alone in the room. There was nothing wrong to it, but they were never left like this before.
A sudden hiss made the bandanna boy shrug puzzled by the noise only to feel the heaviness on his pupils forcing him down. He fought desperately to stay awake but by the time he realized the amount of gas pouring in the now sealed room was too much, there was nothing else he could do.
A voice through an intercom told him to relax and let the gas keep its course. The boy recognized the tone as the doctor's words filled his ever sleepier mind. "Relax Mr. Hibiki . . .This is part of your treatment. There will be no discomfort of any kind and you will be ready in a few minutes."
The woman gaped at the amount of tranquilizers she pushed into the room when the boy finally dropped asleep for what it looked like days. "I swear. . .Patient zero-zero-three must be the best example we could ever retrieve."
Another group of scientists wearing white uniforms entered the now breathable room with different tools and medical instruments while preparing the boy and the girl for their specific procedures. The Psychologist rushed at the leader's side making sure her clients would be well taken care of.
The tall man with the brightest white suit calmed her down with his interpretation of the law. "Don't worry Miss Esther, patient 003 has eluded us forever, but we finally caught him thanks to this girl. She will be treated as part of the experiment without her knowledge so rest assured, nothing will harm them during the "procedure"
Medical equipment was placed besides the hospital bed where Akane Tendo laid from the anesthetics. The leader went ahead and inquired every detail prior to the crucial moment with the older medic before any insertion. "Dr. Esther, tell me. . .Has the patient undergone the Follicle-stimulating hormones treatment and the . . .?"
The doctor rolled her eyes at the obvious questions the man tried to impugn on her. "Of course. I have treated Miss Tendo with the injections, hormones and checked her vitals. Blood samples have been taken and she is the perfect candidate for Mr. Hibiki in that aspect."
After the man is satisfied, he orders his team to go ahead. A small ultrasound guided needle is inserted, extracting the desired objective from the youngest Tendo. After the operation, the team begins to evacuate the area while taking Ryoga as part in their experiments. The Doctor grabs forcibly at the leader only to provoke him in ire, but her message goes across without any more altercations.
"Sir. What is the point of free him a week ago and bring him back this way. . .Why didn't we just kept him secured?" The man had to give her detailed information on a "need to know" basis but her question was valid as well. "Miss Esther. Ryoga was followed that day we extracted him. . .I had to "kick" him away from us on a place where everyone know him as a nobody. . .That's why I did what I did.
"Don't worry Doctor. . .Patient 003 will be taken care of in our facility and you are invited as well. . .This is the fifth sample we have procured from this girl so there's no need to keep her with us." They left just before Akane woke up a few hours later with a headache. The girl felt strange when the doctor seemed to discuss something with another person but, when she waved at her, her disconcert grew even more.
"Dr. Esther, excuse me but did anything just happen while I waited for Ryoga-kun? And for that matter . . .Where is he?" The woman gave a stack of sheets to the nurse in question and proceeded to sit with her friend. "Akane-Chan, Mr. Hibiki has been trans-located to a new facility where he will be attended properly."
She moved even closer trying to make clear her instructions. "Akane, Ryoga is going away for some time so I don't know if he'll be able to establish a way to communicate with you, but this is for the best . . .According to my study, he has suffered physiological scarring due to these contacts with a female who doesn't even exist in the first place."
"He would end up falling entirely for "him" or would arrive to the conclusion to harm him more seriously from his teasing. I believe he needs the constant counseling where I can supervise him and where he'll have the environment necessary to heal once and for all."
The girl felt cornered by her feelings to keep him safe and the desire to see him at home, just like an important part in the family. After some doubts, her shaky nod and bow told the doctor she would support the decision no matter the immediate consequences.
The girl left the clinic in the outskirts of town with lousy steps, Ryoga Hibiki left his image running in her mind as she walked into a more identifiable zone in the Nerima district. An hour later, she felt back at home when Ranma jumped out of no where hugged by Shampoo and Ukyo following close behind.
The boy blinked several times when he realized his "main" fiancée stared at him with a frown of her own. "Akane . . .This ain't what it looks like . . .I . . ." The girl scoffed at his explanation and at the other two girls while avoiding the boy inquiring looks altogether.
"Can it Ranma. . .You can keep them for all I care . . ." The youngest Tendo re-initialized her walk back home lost on the bandanna clad teen who she gave to a stranger for his own good. Ranma stopped and read her physical language until the glomp came from both girls in a desperate way to proclaim their dominance over him.
"Damn it Shampoo . . .Ucchan . . .This ain't time to joke around. . .Let me . . .Let go!" The boy tried to release away from them while the two teens fought valiantly for their prey. "Me no let husband go. . .Akane no obstacle today. . .You I love . . .I keep."
The other girl managed to separate them quickly enough but her struggles died when the Tendo girl left the battlefield without a fight. Ukyo accepted something was going on and a dumb girl with nothing in her mind but the pigtail boy was not her.
"I'm with you Ran-Chan, Something must be bothering Akane so much to let this pass like nothing. . .Than again, she is the strongest candidate against my love and rightful place as your cute-fiancée." Her struggles continued once again only to be held back by his relentless eyes.
Ukyo could be the sanest of his fiancée when serious matters fell on the teen, she is the quiet and reserved teen who needs to take care of a business for her survival so, she immediately moved away after boasting a cute giggle at the boy.
"Fine . . .Fine, let's see what's wrong with Akane Ran-Chan . . ." As long as the purple haired girl was attached to the Saotome boy, there was nothing impeding the plan which she followed happily. Moments later, a worried Kasumi sat on the living room of the Tendo residence. The teens arrived when Soun kept walking up and down with a frown on his face and a desperate worry for his youngest daughter.
Ranma walked in with Shampoo and Ukyo when his father and Mr. Tendo rushed over, grabbing him by his shoulders and inquiring on the girl's odd behavior. "Ranma-kun! . . .What did you do this time?" The pigtailed boy kept blinking at them lost by the question, he wanted to know the reason as well for her sudden lack of interest by his affairs so, he pushed them gently and began to walk stairs up . . .Into her bedroom.
"I don' know what happened . . .She got all distressed an' sad by somethin' . . .Let go . Let me find out." The teen moved softly at her door, when her voice told him she knew of his presence. "Ranma . . .I know you are there. . ." There was no rebuttal or argument from any of them until the girl spoke again. "Come in."
The boy did as asked and entered her bedroom after closing the door behind. "Akane . . .What got you so spooked? . . .It ain't like you to pass a fight with me an' you seemed tense by somethin' . . .Did anythin' happened on your school trip?"
The girl looked exhausted by the lack of answers or sudden reactions she is so famed to do when angry. Normally, Akane would mallet him first and demand an explanation or blame him for something he did not do in the first place, but this girl presented a questioning look. . .More like wanting to know something.
"Ranma . . .Why? . . .Why did you kiss Ryoga-kun "that" time?" The girl turned her chair around to give him her full, undivided attention which made the boy even more nervous than before. "I know you two have history and yes, I know you love to tease him in the most extreme situations, but it never went beyond the pretense of being a loved one."
"You lied to him about who you really were to take advantage, dressed provocatively to push him away from telling me how he feels . . ." At that point, the pigtailed boy gasped silently, but the girl nodded anyway to let him know she is not the fool they always made her out to be.
"Yes . . .I know he loves me and I know he has desperately tried to declare it to me. . .I talked with him and I let him know "gently" that I am not interested in him that way. I know is hard for Ryoga-kun to accept, but he did anyway . . .I could see it in his eyes . . .I . . .I felt terrible . . ."
The girl's eyes began to tremble, fact she didn't hide any longer. "It took him all the strength in the world to confess me about P-Chan and the beating I gave him could have sent you to the hospital. . .Believe me, I accepted his misguided explanation for hiding it to me in the first place, but I saw it. When punch after punch, he never avoided or defended himself. . .Taking every hit in and even though I know he can take that and more, his eyes told me how sorry he was."
The girl's last comment escaped her lips with shaky tones to where she couldn't hold it anymore, crying bitterly by something else. Ranma felt like a jerk so he walked closer to her and with all his power, moved his shaking hand on top of her shoulder. . .Something he had never done before.
Akane felt the contact to the point where the girl turned and hugged him forcibly while tears damped the boy's red shirt. "Akane . . .I'm sorry . . .I don' know what came over me that time. . .I thought to myself. . .Well, if Mikado did that to me an' others tried, why not force the same hell on him once an' for all . . .I never meant . . ."
The girl finally rested on his chest not caring for foolish pride or self-respect as a strong woman. Her eyes darted into his, trying to prolong the moment a bit longer. "Ranma . .. I . . .I love you and I know you love me, but what you did to him pushed him into madness. . ." The teenager braced herself for his reaction and the reason of her despair before she could let everything go. "Ranma . . .He is so confused by what you did and how you pushed him in front of everyone that he told me how "in love" he feels for you. . .Can you understand how humiliated he is? . . .He loves you because you kept slipping through his guard with all that teasing, and now . . .Now he is gone from my life maybe for good . . ."
That was the reason. That was the point burying her in sadness and sorrow. The funny thing is, he began to feel the same way. The pigtailed boy grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her gently away for a moment while staring at the girl with puzzling interest.
"W-What . . .What did you do?" The girl sobbed and hiccuped for a few seconds before she went on about the several appointments she and Ryoga had for the past month with a psychologist. The treatment he underwent where the doctor ran a mental scan for his insecurities and weakness received by the girl-type Ranma and his own curse were damning at best, creating new forms of depression the boy had trouble to recover from.
"We assisted twice a week for the last five weeks after you did that to him . . .Ranma, those were my extra-curricular activities with my friends. We made a lot of progress and in that small room we talked about our feelings and his curse, but I could see how desperate he was when the doctor mentioned you and him as an item."
"It must be really hard to accept you are attracted to another boy while your best friend stabs you in the back with "I like you but not love you" speech and that depressed me a lot more than anything. I learned his gentle side. . .And I saw how the strongest man in the world is the weakest, most sensitive boy who no one understands, one who lives with no family but us, made me endear him as more than a friend. . ."
The girl signaled him to sit at her side on the bed so the conversation could go more comfortable. "Ranma . . .I love him like my very best friend. . .I can separate your love from him, but I want him in my life. It sounds selfish, but he has been there for me as much as you have and he deserves a loving family . . .Someone who can take care of him when lost or depressed. . .I need him with me . . ."
Ranma felt something stabbing his hearth as well when he realized how always everything goes out of control when you least expect it. "Tell me where he is . . .I will find him an' I'll beg if necessary to be at our side . . .Well, I may not beg, but I'll find a way to repair what I've done. . . I just need . . ."
He wanted to keep pushing a challenge, to show his determination for someone who always had his back and considered him a friend, but her sad expression never left his sights. He waited for the girl to finish before he could lung into the dying afternoon to look for his ally in need.
"R-Ranma . . .I thought I was doing the right thing . . .I . . .I recruited him into a rehabilitation center where he is supposed to re-evaluate his feelings and psychological problems. The doctor told me I wouldn't be able to see him . . .Maybe ever."
She let herself fall in a thud against her pillow where not tears but silence filled her sad face. The boy stared away in pain and indignation by it, he grabbed his legs forcibly trying to find a way to rescue him but with no idea where to look.
"We'll try first thing in the morning Akane. . .We will find him an' he'll be at our side. . .He may love you an' it may get awkward but we'll find a way to make it work. . .Hell, even if he likes me like that, I wouldn't mind learning "that" side on my own."
His nervous smile told her his last statement meant as much as the response he gave her all those months ago in Jusendo, he understood being part woman was in him, so maybe learning the whole thing would be as well. "Ranma . . .Do you have any idea what your talking about?"
The boy nodded and then shook his head negatively. "Well no . . .I don' know what am I getting' into, but if you need him in our family . . .I'm willing to compromise." There was again. Akane saw how Ranma loved to declare his feelings in the most romantic and retarded of ways and by giving himself in girl form, he told her how far he was willing to go for his love. . .Than again, she thought the boy had an attraction of sorts after so many intimate demonstrations with Ryoga.
"Fine. . .I'll hold you to your word when the time comes. . .It may be a mistake, but I'm willing to compromise too if we manage to rescue him from himself." The boy swallowed harshly when the promise stayed up in the air.
This was no technique to learn like the Ryo-Shoten-Ha or the Moko-Takabisha though. This was a promise to see Ryoga as a male, thing he despised above anything else. . .Yet, accepted at some level from the lost boy's guilt ridden result.
His doubt floated in the air a moment later when the words he said began to sink in. "Y-You wouldn' let me go that far . . .Would ya?" Akane giggled at the question with a sudden gasp afterwards. "See Ranma. . .You need to think before you open your mouth. . .What if I was a pervert and would allow you to do that?"
The boy turned blue for a moment then, his smirk told her how stupid his declaration really sounded. "I really need you to keep tabs on me 'kane. . .Otherwise . . ." They both smiled at the comment only to go back to the matter in hand.
"Let's pay a visit to this doctor tomorrow. . .I'm sure we can convince her to let P-Chan leave that place." Akane frowned at the name for an instant but a sigh of relief escaped her lips when thinking about her friend instead of pounding on the boy.
They decided to stay close the rest of the day which in turn made two teens downstairs very angry. "Why he taking so long? . . .Husband need Shampoo! . He must be in trouble." The chef scoffed at her with disdain when silence occupied the bedroom, giving her the right idea of what was happening there.
"I should go and storm the place, but this is not my house sugar. . .You do what you like, but I believe Akane won this round." The girl swung her giant spatula on her shoulder while leaving the Tendo residence with a heavy heart.
Minutes later, the Chinese girl left reluctantly as well. Genma and Soun finally sighed in relief, they had plans to force the two stubborn teenagers together, but the missing lost boy proved a lot more effective for their objectives than what they hoped for.
"At last Soun my friend. . .It seems our children will be together." The Tendo patriarch joined him with such a smile, Kasumi and Nabiki wondered about his sanity. "Indeed Saotome-Kun. . .We have ourselves a wedding at last! . ."
Back on the bedroom, the tension seemed to center on the boy more than the girl this time. Ranma had the nagging sensation of danger, something he could never explain told him their new goal might not have the desired result in the end.
Akane noticed this too when her eyes darted into his. "What is it Ranma? . . .We can't have everything set only to doubt a second later." The boy sat on the bed, a few inches away from the girl. "Kane . . .What I did. . .What if . . .What . . .If . . ."
The girl sat near the edge of the bed contemplating his question. This wasn't a doubt for what they planned to do. . .This was about. . .Akane gasped in awe when it finally dawned in her mind. "You. . .You really like him. . .That must be it. You must feel attracted to him when in female form isn't?"
The boy blushed at the idea and at her disconcerted face. "I. . .I can't explain it damn it!. . .I'm a man among men. . .I will not fall for those stupid sensations!" The girl suddenly realized something new, something he needed to know.
"I am a fool. . .I've been trying to help Ryoga-kun from his problems when you needed me as well. I'm sorry Ranma. . .I was blind by the idea of you as a jerk. . .Not a victim." The girl lunged at his side comforting him with an honest hug, not in a romantic way, but a supportive one.
"We need to go and talk to that doctor. . .Maybe she can help you too." The boy moved in place fearfully when thinking others would know of his weakness. He never accepted the idea before, but he understood what happened in his life threatened to change it for good .
"This is what Pop told me a few years ago, I can' believe he was right." Akane looked sternly at him. . .Waiting for his reason. "He said, If I accept the girl curse that I would open a gate and let a bunch of stuff in. He said that in time I would accept other things which could destroy me in the end. . .This is one of 'em Akane. . .I began to see my curse as part of me an' now I feel weird when seeing "him" close by . . .I have to tease him trying to notice me. I'm doomed . . . !"
Akane pulled his sadden face back at her with a decisive move. "No Ranma. . .Your female form is part of you and your not the only one. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have a male side. . .Maybe not a physical one but your teasing has told me so."
"Tomboy . . .Un-cute. . .I know how you work and I've become self-conscious about it. Still, in the end I realize I can live with it if I let it." She needed to tell him how important the boy was in her life but Ranma wasn't her sole purpose in her world.
"If we had never met and Ryoga would be here, I would be at his side. You don't replace him and he does not replace you. . .Is just the way he is and I know how loyal he has become to you. . .You don't owe me any explanation, but I'm glad you let me know."
This was the beginning of the real relationship they needed to establish before becoming a couple. Ranma and Akane felt a common denominator in the lost boy, thing that solidified their link even more. They began to open up like never before and the conversation kept going all night long. A few hours into the morning , the two exhausted teenagers gave their last hug before readying for school.
Kyoto, Japan
Far away in a laboratory set in Kyoto, Ryoga Hibiki laid on a bed when he first woke up from a long nap. The boy examined his surroundings only to find the bed and a door. . .Nothing else. He was dressed which made him wonder why but ignored it all together thinking on pressing matters.
The fanged teen walked into the door, finding yet another room with a table and two chairs in the center. Something pushed him to walk and sit on one chair while waiting patiently for another person. Not two minutes had passed when a man entered the room, sitting in front of the fanged boy.
He looked strangely familiar to Ryoga, something told him he existed in his mind long before this visit, but couldn't place him well enough. "I . . .I know you." Said the boy with a shrugged eyebrow. The man did nothing but stare at him until a smile crept in.
"That's . . .Impossible. We have met before, but the company has erased your memory more times than I can count. . .Interesting. . ." The older man rested his elbows on the table while hiding his face with his intertwined hands.
Ryoga tried to stay focused on him, but something kept sneaking in his mind. . .Something telling him to stare at the far wall on the left. The boy did as his sensation told him. His captor raised his eyebrows this time at the sudden change on the boy, questioning his motives.
"Why are you staring at the wall? . . .All the answers you need rest on the person in front of you." Ryoga ignored him after his eyes searched something specific set on the white drywall. "There is something . . .No . . .Someone behind that wall . . .Who is it?"
The man smiled happily at the boy when his instincts began to manifest. A loud laugh followed next which made Ryoga look back at him. "Good one Ryoga Hibiki . . .No matter how many times we re-program you, you always find "her" . . .I'm utterly impressed."
The lost boy tried to make sense on all the information he heard. He had been here before and he had met him on several occasions. His memory had been wiped for some reason and someone special in his life and who he doesn't remember right away stayed right next to the room.
"Fine old man . . .I think is time for you to explain this. . ." The man changed into his serious demeanor but stopped from talking any further until another person entered the room. Dr. Esther stood at the old man's side with a notebook and a pen in hand.
He sighed when a familiar face arrived, giving him a more relaxed composure. "Dr. . .I'm glad you're here . . .Tell me . . .Where is here?" The older woman did nothing but readying her pen over the notebook. The old man proceeded to talk when the boy set his attention on him.
"Ryoga Hibiki. . .This is not a coincidence. . .We have monitored you for the past year and a half. Although is a shame we couldn't get in time when you were in Jusenkyo, we managed to keep tabs on you when reappearing in Nerima."
The man's tone turned even more serious when the reasons for his stay were declared. "This is the Omega complex. An organization with the purpose to monitor and protect private interests in Japan. We have existed by several names and denominations but this time everything has changed."
The man began to make sense on the boy when his voice and eyes reminded of someone close to him. Ryoga gaped at the sight the moment the old man opened his mouth to keep talking and a fang popped unannounced.
"Those eyes. . .And . . .The fang. . .Who are you?" The man tried to control himself but his pride beat him to it. "This is very hard to explain, but I will do my best . . .Son . . ." That word threw him off guard. Ryoga Hibiki grabbed his head when a fit of dizziness invaded his head.
"But . . .But mom and dad are away. I wrote them a few weeks ago and they were fine . . .You're lying!" The old man sighed at his response, moved back to the support of the chair and pulled a letter from his pocket. "Mom . . .Dad. This is Ryoga. . .I have traveled all over the world in hope to find you and maybe discover new techniques for my art."
"I have met this girl Akari who seems really nice . . .Not as nice as Akane-san but that bastard did something so awful I don't think I'll ever go back there. . .Anyway. I hope I can meet you soon and we can be together for good. . .I'll try to stay focused and write you more often. Your son Ryoga Hibiki."
The lost boy felt a pang when his letter reminded him of family. He stood up, letting the chair drop noisily besides them. "How . . .How did you get that . . .Are you my . . .My father?" he tried to explain everything logically but failed terribly when the man before him didn't resemble his memory at all.
On the speaker near the second door, a voice he recognized brought him back to reality. "Damn it Kenta . . .Stop messing with my son! . . .I need to see him . . .Now!" The man scoffed at the commanding tone only to wave at the mirror Ryoga didn't noticed before. His face contorted into the biggest smile he could muster when after so many years his mother walked into the room. "Mom! . . .It is you!" Mother and son hugged for several minutes before the man intervened with a cough.
More chairs were brought in and the four sat at the table. Ryoga waited patiently for everything that happened to his family. His mother tried to talk, but Kenta forbid her to go on. "Ryoga. . .There is something you need to know." Said his father before beginning his story.
"A few years ago. . .1936 to be exact, your grandfather Kyo Hibiki worked for a scientific development department in Japan. He developed new theories for a new alternate mode of energy. . .A human type. In the next years he perfected this through the help of old Buddhist masters who told him the fabled Chi energy human possess was the type of energy he had attained."
"Kyo was forced into the world war two with the mission to protect this country. He was sent to Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 to explain about Chi induced defense systems when the Americans dropped the first nuclear bomb."
His old man stared directly at him hoping he was understanding so far. "Your grandfather ended up in the middle of the blast who took the life of 166,000 people. All of the city was decimated and in the next days many more died by it's exposure, but my father prevailed somehow."
"According with his records, your grandfather managed to use his own Chi to bury himself during the attack. He hid from everyone he knew, leaving the rest behind and beginning a new family away from any city."
His father kept on the story as Ryoga gaped at the impossibility of someone surviving such blast, but he kept listening intently. "Later on, he developed certain abilities which were passed to his first born. I developed immunities to many virus and illnesses alike. . .In the end that was my undoing."
"The government finally caught up to me and I ended up as a prisoner after your mother fled with you. She kept you safe but sooner or later we knew they would find her as well, so . . .She left you at home and took all the hounds away from our little son."
His mother began to cry when remembering his face and the last goodbye they shared that moment. "I swear Ryo-kun. . .If there was another way for me to stay at your side I would have done so before leaving you, but they were on to me that fateful day."
Ryoga remembered that time when his mother kissed him on his forehead and wished him all the luck in his life. He didn't understand the reason entirely but he knew Ranma Saotome and his father had left the city and he needed to satisfy his pride as a fighter, so he left everything else behind and went for his challenge.
His father talked next about his involvement in all this. "With time, the riches my father amassed helped him fund this operation where the Hibikis were set free from any persecution. We established a team who helps and controls other super-humans while protecting the innocent."
"This is where you come in. We have met before. . .Ever since you returned to Nerima chasing that cursed boy. We tried to contact you and give you purpose but you refused and denied anything so we had to erase that memory and set you back in the land."
"This time is different. . .Isn't it?" The question made him wonder at the reason for his acceptance but the nagging sensation kept pushing him towards the far wall. "You are telling me all this now because of who is on the other side of that wall right? . . .I may deny or fight back, but you're sure I won't do that because of that person. . ."
Mother and father nodded agreeing with the boy. There was another surprise in Ryoga's life and he never expected anything like this, forcing him to accept the explanation and wait for the last part.
"Fine. . .I understand I have some kind of ability thanks to you dad and my grandpa by consequence, but what am I doing here?" The doctor scribbled every detail on the conversation as well as the reactions on the boy and how he handled all this new information.
His father continued with the explanation as her mother moved her chair at the boy's side. "Son. Your grandfather died a year after I was born. His Chi couldn't keep up with the exposure of radiation in that day, but all the energy manipulated his DNA and when the time came, it manipulated mine as well."
"It mutated him. . .Me. . .And now you. . ." Ryoga knew something was inside giving him power when techniques like the Bakusai-Tenketsu would have killed a normal fighter. Ranma managed to master many powerful techniques and he knew that, but every time they fought. . .Every time he faced terrible odds, something forced him to hold back. . .To not go all the way in this power
His father nodded when he recognized his own prowess as a martial arts expert. "I know what you are thinking Ryoga and yes, Ranma Saotome and others are capable to learn and develop many incredible abilities normal human beings can't. . .But you excel in something else. . .Something they can't learn or master."
"You are born with the hidden power many look after. Your immune system and defense capability are perfect. You may not be as powerful as that ascending dragon your rival can release, but you most certainly can resist it and even overpower it."
The man threw a set of pictures on the table where he proudly smiled at him. "I'm very impressed for your training on the ShiShi-Hokodan technique by the way. . .No Hibiki has been able to actually use offensive attacks, that is, until now."
This time his mother carried the conversation on her own. "Ryoga-kun, I know how much it hurts you to be alone but believe me. . .I've been there for you every single time you were lost. . .and" The older woman hugged him tenderly when telling him about his intimate problems.
"Son. . .This Akane Tendo seems a bit tomboyish but I'm glad she took care of you. Now, Ranma Saotome might be just as blunt, but that curse sure made you suffer the most. . .I will have a word with him soon enough. In the meantime don't let it bother you. . ."
Ryoga sweat-dropped while turning red, but seeing the comprehensive eyes in her mother helped him release that pent up agony. "Thanks mom. . .Ranma has a way to sneak in you. . .I like him as a friend, but he is annoying when pride make him do stupid things. . .Still, he is a good guy."
Everyone talked about their relationships and how everything was turning a lot better than other times which made him go back at his memories. "Dad. . .If I can do that and we have tried before. Why erase my memory at all? . . .What was the point?"
The man chuckled at his own puzzled tone when the old Ryoga would fight him relentlessly about it. "Because when you learned to develop your abilities, you chose the hero path." He moved closer to him trying to make the next instruction a lesson in life.
"Son. . .We cannot be the heroes. . .We were made to stay back on the side-lines and let others take the publicity. We are the unknown heroes who save the day, but no one can know about." Ryoga frowned at him not understanding but sudden realization told him about Ranma and him as fighters.
"I think I know what you mean. Every time Ranma and I fight, in the end I move away. . .Personally I don't like being the center of attention, but honestly. . .I don't think I can handle it either." His mom nudged him on the head gently while smirking happily at him.
"Son, Ranma Saotome and Nerima are very nice and all, but outside your zone of comfort there are others who try to take advantage of boys like you. For instance, we knew you found a home with the Tendos so we had a little chat with the Yakuza family and they do not get near Nerima.
Other organizations in the government have tried too, but they were denied thanks to our intervention in matters of national security. . .They owe us so we made that place safe, otherwise all those highly trained masters would be captured and turned into agents at the service of others."
While the conversation took a nice pace, Ryoga's sight kept moving to the left wall with more interest than before. "All this is great and all, but tell me dad. . .Who really is on the other side of this room. . .I feel something but I can't pinpoint the sensation."
Mother and father got up and walked at the second door. "Come son. . .Is time you meet her once again. . ." They kept leading him through a series of corridors and doors until entering into a dark room with machines, lights and a chamber filled with some kind of viscous liquid.
Inside the chamber, a small fetus was kept in check, the small baby seemed healthy when tiny kicks and hands moved every now and then. Ryoga saw how a tiny life form was becoming a real human being, but in a tube . . .Somehow . . .
"Mom. . .who is he?" His mother ran her arm around the fanged boy's neck while touching the crystal from the chamber. "I'm sorry Ryoga-kun, but "she" became too strong to insert her into a normal surrogate mother. This chamber can barely keep her alive."
His father felt the duty to deliver the news so with nothing else to explain he grabbed his son's shoulder. "Ryoga. . .Your mother and I saw how important this Akane Tendo is for you. When we studied my physiology, we got into the conclusion that a sixteen year old human being is the best age to procreate a baby with the strongest genes so. . ."
Father and mother looked each other before releasing news that could destroy or comfort their son, swallowing harshly after a moment. Seven months ago we. . .Took . . .A sample from you and Akane Tendo, fertilized them together and this little bundle came from that procedure. We kept taking samples from your friend to keep supporting the baby and when you were brought here, the last remaining sample was taken. The baby has no need for that any longer so we don't need her anymore."
"She is ready now and will be delivered in two days premature baby." Ryoga turned purple, red and then white when understanding something he did not before. "I-I'm a father? . . .And. . .Is Akane's . . .?"
His mom brought a hand to her trembling lips in worry while his father waited for a yell of indignation but the boy's lips turned up into the biggest smile he could ever conjure. "I'm a father! . . .I'm a dad! . . .Dad! . . .I'm a Dad! . . ." Afterwards, he composed himself but his feeling never left his heart of glass.
"S-Sorry . . .I should be angry for that, but the truth is I feel a big piece of happiness when looking at her. She is the only gift I could ever get from Akane-san and I want to cherish her that way. . ." He established a direct line of sight with the growing baby while walking closer to her.
"If we tell the Tendo's they will take her from me . . .I don't want that mom. . .I . . .I love her already and I don't want her away from me." Mother and father sighed in relief when their instinct for their son's fatherly responsibility kicked in, giving them peace of mind from their choice.
He moved even closer to the chamber only to be pushed away by someone who suddenly walked into the room. The girl looked the same age as him but she looked strong enough to be a match against the boy. "Ryoga Hibiki . . .You may be her father, but you are a brute. . .Stay back away from my niece for now! . . ."
"Niece . . .?" The fanged boy tried to see who it was until the light hit her on the face. He met this this girl once, when Akane and female Ranma fought for the Dojo. "You. . .You are Natsume aren't you?" The girl smiled when her name popped without her saying so.
"Akane seems to have told you about me. Yes, I am Natsume Tendo and this is my sister Kurumi. We are the official name sake holders for our little niece so don't think she is an illegitimate daughter for the anything goes family. . ."
He could have replied with a taunt of his own but this was something he considered honorable for the little girl about to be born. Instead, he fell to his knees bowing respectfully before the serious girl. "I thank you for this honor Miss Natsume. . .My daughter is the most important being in my world and thanks to you, she'll be an official Tendo."
The girl smiled at the boy's humility, something she never expected from one of Saotome's friends. "Ryoga Hibiki. . .I'm glad we understand each other and please, stand up. . .It's an honor to be at your side and hers." Kurumi ignored any protocols when the girl jumped at the fanged boy with the charismatic happiness she always displayed.
"It's amazing!. . .We are a family once again . . ." Ryoga stared at the little girl while standing up. After a few seconds, he turned to question his father. "Dad. . .What did I do for you to erase my memory?" The old man sighed worriedly but assumed he needed to know.
"Son. . .You learned to elevate your abilities to a point where you healed others sickness. It is a noble sentiment, but a dangerous one to use when so many people try to abuse that power for their own wishes. You went into a rampage curing every terminal patient you found in hospitals and clinics."
"Like I said. . .A very nice deed, but you were hunted by agencies trying to dissect you and study how everything works inside of you. I had to bring you back, erase your memory and drop you in the wilderness again for the time being. . .I let Dr. Esther in Nerima as a way to keep tabs on you and luckily, Akane Tendo met her in time."
Ryoga had reservations towards the phsycologist but when his father cleared her own reasons the boy bowed before her. "Sorry Senpai. . .I had the wrong idea when you sedated me before. . .Forgive me and I thank you for all your help."
The doctor smiled back at him, tilting her head to one side before she could tell him this wasn't over. "Thanks Mr. Hibiki. . .But our sessions aren't over. You still have "that" problem that needs attention and I promised to supervise until you get rid of those feelings."
The boy remembered that sensation when the memory of a cute redhead pushed him against the wall with demanding arms and tantalizing lips pressed into his with such passion he slowly bled from his nose. When everyone gaped at the scene, there was nothing he could do but to contemplate a dominant female Ranma and him as a push over. . .He just had to run away.
"Yes. . .Please, help me forget . . ." His parents felt the sinking sensation his son was burying himself. His mother raised her hand into the air with a burning desire to meet that boy. "I swear . . .When I meet this boy's mother I will have a talk of my own . . ." Kenta sweat-dropped when seeing his old flame roar with the fire he always admired in the woman.
Natsume and Kurumi scoffed angrily as well when they were told how the redhead humiliated Ryoga. "I swear Ryoga. . .We left our goal to find our master and to work hard so the name of the anything goes school could not be ashamed and that . . ."boy" stays like the sole owner. I hate him for that. . .He is so arrogant. . ."
They stopped ranting when the heart-shaped eyes on the boy skipped the conversation the moment the little bundle smiled. "Mom! . . .She . . .She's smiling . . .That is amazing . . ." The older woman began to laugh like a little girl when the baby reacted to them, something she hadn't seen before.
"She recognizes you son. . .She is your daughter after all. . ." Ryoga stared with begging eyes at Natsume until the girl rolled her own, giving him permission to get near. The fanged boy gently grasped the glass, getting lost on that tiny smile a few inches away from him.
When the little baby widen her smile, a very small . . .Almost diminute fang popped into view. Everyone cheered and clapped silently hoping not to scare her, but happy the new Hibiki family became whole again.