Winter

Part 4:

Frostbite

Winter...

Snow. He loved watching it float down to the earth, the way it covered everything in its white blanket, the way it tickled his face when it landed on his nose. No wait. That was Akane! Shaking his head clear, he realized he had been watching Akane dancing around in the snow for the last half hour. He rubbed his nose gently and turned his head away, eyeing something of surprise to him. Beside him lie a white lily with a note attached to it. He picked it up and read it to himself, before blushing brightly and smiling. He slipped the note in his pocket and adored the white Lily gingerly, before a tender hand brushing against his hair caused him to look up. Immediately he stopped smiling and turned his head.

"Are you done playing in the snow?" Ranma sighed. "I wanna go home."

"Why are you here anyway? You dont have to watch me," Akane snapped.

"The only reason Im here is because your dad and my dad made me come. I had other things planned you know."

"Well I wanna see the Nutcracker and we need to wait in line to get tickets."

"We? You mean you. And Im the one sitting here freezing my butt off. Youre playing in the snow..." he sniffled slightly. "I'm the one who wants to go home."

"Maybe if you would have worn something warmer, you wouldnt be freezing."

"You dragged me out here before I could grab my coat!...*sniff*..."

Ranma was about to yell some more but someone from behind wrapped a scarf around his neck gently. He turned around to see Mousse smile at him and put a warm hand on his face before taking his leave. Ranma blushed a bit, until a nosey Akane tapped him on the shoulder with a family set of tickets in her hand. He frowned, buried his hand in his hair and walked away arguing with her.

At home...

"Not again! This is the fifth time!!" Ranma whined. "What is going on?"

"Like I said Im a little busy with work and all. I'm really sorry."

"You are always busy...how are you calling me if your so busy?!"

"Took a little side trip. Trust me Ill get in trouble If I get caught."

"Dont get in trouble on my account. Look, talk to me tomorrow if you're not busy."

"Ranma! Don't hang up..."

*Click.*

Ranma sat with the receiver pressed down on the phone for a second then tossed himself on his mat and buried his head in his pillow. This was the fifth time Mousse had canceled on him and he was starting to wonder....

Three of the most heavenly months had passed over them, each day another day to treasure in his heart when he got a chance to spend a moment with Mousse. Some days he'd get only a moment to steal his breath away, and other days he would have him to himself for an hour of more, just doing nothing, saying anything that came to mind. Most of the time their lips were too busy dueling a duel that could never be won by either, yet there were times when he just wanted nothing more than to spend a lazy afternoon someplace with him...

He turned his head to the right and caught a glimpse of the scarf Mousse had wrapped around his neck earlier. He pushed it to the side. He hated it when they fought but he hated it even more when Mousse canceled on him. Mousse never canceled on him without a good enough reason, and work was beginning to be an annoyance. What the hell was so important that Shampoo and Cologne couldn't survive on their own for a moment? It wasn't like they couldn't get along without Mousse as their personal slave. And why the hell would Mousse even think to place himself in that kind of position?! Being an Amazon was one thing, but there were other jobs out there... away from that madness...

What exactly was going on?

"Ranma...werent you supposed to go out tonight?" Akane asked.

"My plans got canceled," Ranma mumbled as the phone rang again. He turned over an ignored it, deciding to just let it ring.

"Arent you going to answer that?"

"No."

"Fine then Ill answer it."

Akane picked up the phone much to Ranma's dismay, and he buried his head in his pillows again. Akane blinked in surprise as to who was calling and handed Ranma the receiver. Ranma grabbed it from her and turned his back.

"Why did you hang up?!"

"Obviously I was mad at you. You canceled on me again!" Ranma said crossly.

"I told you I was sorry!"

"Sorry doesn't cut it! I had something nice planned and now it is ruined because of work."

"You try working for Cologne! She is a slave driver and Im lucky if I can stay awake long enough to even make it there."

Ranma winced remembering that time he had taken on being a waitress. He was trying to learn his chestnut move and getting the phoenix pill so he could be a boy again. He had never ever been so tired in all his life. "I see your point..." he said sympathetically, though he was still slightly peeved.

"Look...just give me one more chance. If I screw up...you decide."

"Fine...how about eight on Saturday by the movie theater?"

"...uh..."

"Bye."

"NO!! Alright fine. Saturday at eight at the movie theater. Look, I am sorry," he sighed, "but things are a bit complicated at the moment and I DO need the money."

"This isn't in the attempts to get me something for Christmas is it? I thought we decided that--"

"PLEASE. I already got your gift, and don't lie to me and tell me that you didn't get mine," he exclaimed before Ranma could deny it. "Believe me...I wouldn't be working this hard if it wasn't important...all right?"

"....all right."

"Do you still love me?"

"Of course I do! Why would you even ask me that?!"

"Because...I don't hear it that often now. I don't get to see you like I used to."

"....Mousse...I hate you so much..."

"I love you too. Akane's there with you isn't she?"

"Yes...and I promise I'll show you how much I hate you when I see you Saturday."

"Looking forward to it."

*Click.*

Ranma hung up the phone tiredly and sighed falling back on his pillow. How the hell did life come to this? He let his head fall backward and looked over at Akane who just stared at him weirdly.

"What?!" Ranma asked.

"What was that all about?" Akane asked. "And what was that Christmas thing about??"

"Nothing...at least, I hope its nothing..."

Saturday...

Winter was a bitter season of hidden motive and mystery shrouded in the color white. Nothing of color was to be seen lest it was woven by hand and worn to protect from the chilling winds. Everything was covered in the frozen tears of the skies, chilled to the bone from the winds of the north making their home in theirs for the brief season's passing. He stood in it, waiting with a scarf in hand, and one around his neck. He was bundled up tightly in his jacket, though his excitement and anxiety kept him from noticing his red cheeks or his numbing nose. Waiting in front of the appointed destination, he looked through the crowds of passing people before glancing down at his watch. It was getting close to eight...

"Damn it...where are you??"

The whole point of this date was to ensure that this relationship didn't fail. He hated the fact that he had to push Mousse into it, but the need to see him was almost too much to endure at times. Not being ale to see him when he wanted, not knowing if he was all right or not wasn't sitting well in the least. Before now, he couldn't seem to be rid of him. It was almost annoying how they seemed to bump into each other so many times within a day. Now he wished it was like that again. He never thought he'd want to just see more than his face passing by on the way to run an errand. Hell, he never thought he'd fall for a RIVAL, let alone a MAN. Yet he had, and hard he had fallen.

He had said it was important...whatever it was. Why he was working so hard was still a mystery to him, but he trusted him to let him know if something were really wrong. That was the whole point of trust wasn't it? The only thing he didn't trust was the Chinese Bimbo who didn't seem to know when to quit. She seemed to enjoy making him run these errands, almost as if she were doing it to keep his attention on her...

"What the hell??! Oh man...you're losing it Ranma," he muttered to himself. "Why would SHAMPOO of all people want Mousse's attention? Just get a grip..."

He wasnt far from thinking along another train of thought when a loud "Nihao!" made his skin crawl. Bravely, he turned around to see Shampoo, but she was latched on to Mousse who looked sadly at him.

Ranma knew what that meant. Work.

"Don't even tell me," Ranma said shaking his head and turning his gaze away. "I love the way things like this always pop up."

"Ranma..." Mousse said hoarsely. "I...."

"What Mousse trying say is that, he take me this place for date!" Shampoo squealed. "I so happy!"

"He what?!" Ranma shouted.

Take her here for a date?! Was she screwing with his mind!? Ranma shook his head and tried his best not to growl. "I should have known..." he mumbled.

Mousse shook his head furiously and grabbed Ranma's hands. Ranma glared at him and started to shove him away, but his red cheeks and slight cough kept him from being completely mad.

"...We....are NOT....on a date..." Mousse rasped. "She---"

"Shut up! I can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"Tell you...what?!"

"That you were sick..." Ranma murmured as he wrapped him up in his own scarf. Mousse breathed in relief. Ranma sighed softly and buried his head against his warm cheeks. "You could have just told me..."

"Ranma, we go on date now yes?" Shampoo asked.

"How about you take a rain check? Ill get back to you on that."

"Is promise?"

"Uh...sure..."

"Ai ya! Shampoo got date from Ranma!! Shampoo so happy!!"

Shampoo bounced up and down and wasted no time in running home to tell Cologne. Ranma watched her leave with a sweat mark on his brow until Mousse tugged at his pigtail gently. Ranma laughed nervously for a minute until Mousse kissed him on the cheek and led him away.

"Sometimes, I wonder about you Mousse," Ranma sighed as he leaned against him. "Why do you work so hard anyway?"

For you, Mousse thought to himself. Money is hard to earn, especially around Cologne.

"Poor Mousse," Kasumi said handing him some Tea. "This should make you feel better."

Mousse smiled in appreciation and sipped the hot tea gratefully. He still had no voice but it was alright. Silence in this house was a good thing. You didn't get pounded for saying something insulting. His ears picked up the familiar sound of running and yelling and he looked up to see Akane chasing Ranma with a Bokken. Ranma skidded into the room and slipped hitting his head on the table. Everyone gasped and stepped back when Ranma rose rubbing his head. Akane was quick to kneel down and punch him and gasped in horror when he started to cry.

"Oh man! He hit that spot on his head again!" she screamed.

"Oh dear. Ill go get the ice," Kasumi said running out into the kitchen.

"Wahhh!!" Ranma cried. "Why did you hit me for?!"

"I'm sorry. Just stop crying!"

"You are so mean!"

"I'm sorry, really sorry!"

"Really?"

"Yes. Just stop crying."

"I...cant believe that worked," Ranma said leaping up to his feet and pulling a face. "You are so gullible."

"Oooh! Ranma!!!"

"Nyah!" he said running away.

"Come back here!" "Akane said running after him.

"Not a Chance!"

Hmm...he seems to enjoy making Akane mad, Mousse thought. I wonder why?

That answer was simple really. Over the gentle weeks and first few months he had been here, he could always feel a sense of brotherly compassion between them and it never developed into anything more. Less even. Yes at times it was much less that a mutual friendship, almost hatred and the probably was more on Akane's part than on Ranma's.

Again he sipped his tea, though he felt a bit faint. Evolving wasn't an easy process, and the symptoms always looked as if it were nothing more than a really BAD cold. He was going to have to be careful in the coming days...

He lowered his gaze down to the table when the sudden rush of footsteps caught his attention. He looked up and if he had the power to scream he might have. Akane and Ranma, who was soaked in hot water, turned their attention on Happosai who jumped over his head splashing cold water on his own head. Mousse, ticked and mad as hell, put down his ruined tea and turned to Happosai.

"Mousse...aw...let me get you some hot water," Ranma said coming up behind him.

Mousse ignored him for the moment and narrowed his eyes and the little man running about. He growled deep and his horns sparked with life, unleashing the same deadly energy on Happosai. The oldest pervert screamed as he was shocked and fell to the ground burnt to a crisp.

Mousse smirked softly even if he felt like lead. Somehow the last thing he saw was Ranma's worried face before falling into the dark.

SHIT...

It was a while before he regained consciousness. Ranma kept the damp cloth on his forehead, changing it every so often. Mousse shivered a bit letting out a sigh, when he opened his eyes.

"Ranma?"

"Easy Mousse," hushed the braided boy next to him. "You need to rest..."

"I can't....I have to...go to to work." he said trying to get up. A firm hand pushed him back into the bedding and an angry set of eyes looked him over. "Ranma...."

"You aren't going anywhere. You hear me? You are burning up! I'm not about to let you go back into the freezing cold this sick, you got me??"

"But..."

"No buts about it. You are staying right here..."

"I need..."

"Would you forget about your stupid job already!?"

If he could he would. If he could stop the change, he would. But there was no stopping it, and he didn't want Ranma around for something he didn't need to see. He removed to cloth from his brow with a growl and cursed quietly when he noticed the burn marks.

"Damn it!"

"Mousse!! Forget about it!"

"I can't exactly do that! I need money to live...and unlike you, I have to work for place to live!" Mousse spat sitting up angrily. "I'm not arguing with you...I'm going back to work."

"Mousse....what is wrong with you?! Don't you see you'll just get worse!?"

"I don't care..." he said getting to his feet. He was in no better shape than before. His face was flushed with red and he had circles under his eyes, but more present was his stubborn attitude. Ranma couldn't figure him out and he really didn't want to at this point. Mousse was out the window before he could say anything else and he was left calling after him.

"Mousse!....Mousse!"

But Mousse was gone. Ranma sank to his knees. Was it all over that fast? He didn't know when the first tear had fallen but he knew it would be a long time before the last would fall. He curled up into a human ball and stayed in the room for the rest of the night.

Mousse slept soundly under the sheets, with a damp cloth atop his forehead yet again. His fever had gone down but he was still tired. Slipping over to him, she watched Mousse with suspicious eyes, ones that had been watching him for the longest time, ever since that day he'd come back with his renewed eyesight and a new heritage to accompany it.

Cologne walked over to him and spied the gift that lay aside him with curious eyes. She knew something odd was going on because Mousse had been working harder than usual this month and not once did he even pine over Shampoo. Ever so gently, she put her hand to Mousse's head and rested it there until her hand was set ablaze with fire that did not burn. She pulled her hand back.

"I don't believe it..." she cried softly. "Mousse you idiot...you should have said something! Now look at you."

"Shampoo...wouldn't understand," Mousse said weakly. "No one would.."

"What? Mousse? Don't talk...save your strength. You're going to need it."

"No...listen to me...Cologne. Shampoo wouldn't understand about this..."

"Why not? It's just evolution..."

"And her sworn duty is to protect what belongs...to me. She would kill me...and then Ranma. Demons...aren't her best friend."

".....what are you saying?? Is there someone else?? Someone you've been seeing??"

Mousse managed to open his eyes, revealing the red that was slowly replacing the gentle turquoise. "Yes..." he breathed. "I do...love another..."

"Mousse! You know you're engaged to the one fated for you! What the hell are you doing messing around with a human for a lover?!"

"....I love him. I love him...more...than anything."

"Who the hell could you love this much that you'd risk being seen at this point?!"

He had to laugh bitterly as he closed his eyes again. He'd die laughing if he were to see her face. "Its Ranma..." he sighed. "It was always Ranma...I just didn't know."

"WHAT?!"

"Not so loud."

"Sorry. Look, Mousse, Shampoo is not going to be happy. She'll definitely try to kill you for this. Here...take this," Cologne said offering him a small vile. "it'll will help you to recover."

Mousse knocked it away with all the strength and hissed in objection. "No! I don't want it," he growled angrily. "Shampoo is never happy. Do me a favor...and keep quiet till I'm better. That's the least you owe me...and all I ask."

"I will grant it to you. Now rest...you need to grow strong again."

"Just know that....I truly love him....and I didn't mean to hurt Shampoo. He's...mine however...and it's going to stay that way."

Mousse fell back asleep under his own words and rested his body under Colognes gaze. Cologne lowered her head and shook it before she hopped back over to the door. She knew Mousse was in love and now she knew with whom. Now all that was left to do, was to keep Shampoo from killing him...

At least until he was better. Then he could defend himself.

"What!?"

Ranma just kept his face buried in his hands. He couldn't even touch his breakfast. They gone out to eat, Ryoga, Mina, and himself because Kasumi had come down with a slight cold. With the left over money Ranma had from working odd jobs here and there, he'd managed to treat them, but now their food would go half uneaten.

"You can't be serious!" Ryoga cried dropping his rice. "After three months you just up and quit?!"

"I didn't do it..." Ranma sighed. "Mousse was sick...and he wanted to go back to work. I told him to forget that stupid job of his....and then we had this huge fight! I think it's over."

"Just because you had a fight doesn't mean it's all over," Mina said. "Lot's of couples have fights."

"....they do?"

"Sure! You're new to this having a relationship thing," Ryoga chirped. "It was just a fight. Unless he says it's over to your face or you want out, there's still a thing going on."

Mina took a bite out of her roll and nodded in agreement. "Ryoga's right. I mean it's not the end of the world. Being in love means taking the ups and downs. This is just a down."

Ranma sighed placing his head in his arms. Maybe they were right. Mousse hadn't said he wanted to end things, but he was rather upset. He didn't know what to do now, but had to apologize somehow. Maybe today in fact. But how was he going to work up the nerve to face him?

"Earth to Ranma!" Ryoga called. "Hey! are you coming or not?"

"Huh? Coming where?"

"In your pants. *tch* come on. We're going to the Nekohanten. I hate it when you're miserable."

Mousse sat in the chair and yawned from all the exhausting work he had been doing. He had been on his feet most of the day and carrying those heavy loads back and forth in the snow was not easy. His back hurt, his hands were swollen, and he had a headache the size of Japan. He needed to get some sleep and get off his feet before he over did it. Ranma had warned him about it, but he hadn't quite earned the amount he needed yet. Today's wages however placed him well above the zone he was aiming for so it was finally all right to actually forget his stupid job for a moment.

Like Ranma had wanted him to.

Ranma. He couldn't help but groan at the thought of him. He hadn't meant to snap at Ranma or get into that huge fight with him. He only wanted to get him something extra, but to do that, he needed the money. And as he had said before, working for Cologne was tedious work for a cheap pay. Aside that little issue, with the changes he was undergoing, he wasn't sure if Ranma could handle seeing something like that hinder him so badly. It was almost over, but the worst of it was always at the end.

Putting his head down on the table, he groaned miserably as Shampoo came over and put down another task for him to do. He was near the brink of the final change and buried his face in his hands to hide his eyes.

"Shampoo. I cant do this anymore...I'm exhausted," Mousse sighed. "I need to rest."

"Is what get for being so lazy," Shampoo exclaimed. "Is good exercise."

"I cant...I really cant...please..."

"Come on Mousse. Is job. You need work to earn keep."

Mousse sniffed quietly. It wasn't fair to be treated like trash because he was a male. It just wasn't fair! He got to his feet unsteadily, regaining his balance when he gripped the table. He could feel the fire in his cheeks and in his hands, suffocating him. He thought he was going to die on his feet.

"That's enough Shampoo," Someone exclaimed walking into the restaurant. "He needs rest!"

"Mousse!"

Mousse managed to look over to the doorway to see Ranma staring at him in horror. He couldn't stand up anymore and fell on his knees, barely managing to stay up on his hands alone.

"Damn it, not now..." he breathed to himself. "Oh god..."

Ranma ran over to where Mousse sat and wiped the sweat away from his brow with the back of his chilled hands. The cold was a welcome comfort and he leaned into it. Ranma wrapped his arms around him cursing Shampoo for driving Mousse so hard. He would have knocked Mousse in the head for that matter as well, if not for the fact Mousse had collapsed against him.

"Mousse..."

"Ranma....please forgive...me."

"He's burning up!" Ranma cried. "Someone call a doctor!"

"Ranma..."

"Mousse....please. You need to rest now."

"There's no need to worry," Cologne said hopping over to them on the cane she always carried. "I have something to help cure that nasty virus of his."

Ranma didn't trust her one bit, but at this point he couldn't think of anything else to do. Mousse lifted his head off of Ranma's shoulders, turned himself around to stare at the eldest of his clan sporting a potion bottle he'd been avoiding. He shook his head trying to inch away from her but she caught his chin and down went the potion.

He grabbed his throat coughing as the burn traveled from his throat and down his esophagus into the pit of his stomach. Before he knew it, he was on fire, screaming from the inside out as he was literally forced to reveal a little more than just his horns. Those grew a bit longer and the red glow of his energies was set ablaze. He ripped himself from Ranma's hands and rolled over, revealing a tail for a brief second. He opened his mouth to scream again, inadvertently revealing fangs of a demonic nature and the true color of his eyes. Gold Irises glared at the little old woman before him, who stood smugly on her staff awaiting him to become aware of his new power.

Oh he was aware of it...and he was aware of something else hidden within the one person whom knew NOTHING about this.

"SHIT!!"

"Mousse?! Mousse!!"

Mousse calmed down long enough to allow Ranma to pull him off of the floor and into his embrace. That was strange, seeing that he should have screamed from being burned, literally. However the case, he seemed to be resistant to it and even stranger was the sight of his hands channeling that energy to become his own. He said nothing of it, but those eyes of his were questioning it inside of the concern he held for his well being. Mousse gave him a small smile of reassurance. He'd be all right.

"I hate that stuff..." Mousse sighed softly. "I told you....I would get better on my...own!"

"Yeah right," Ranma snorted. "Just a minute ago you were burning up! Why didn't you take it before?"

"Because he never liked medicine," Cologne answered. "Besides he was working too hard to listen to reason. He must really like this person to buy them---"

"Shut up you old ghoul!" Mousse hissed. "Stop causing trouble!"

"Buy what?" Ranma leaned in closer to Mousse. "What do you mean?! Something for Shampoo?!"

"Heh-heh...Ranma, I wasn't buying her anything. Honest!"

"Why not!? Shampoo not good enough for stupid Mousse?" Shampoo cried.

"No that's not what I meant!"

"Oh really?" Ranma huffed crossing his arms.

"Ranma...."

"Just....shut up." He said it with a secret smile telling Mousse he wasn't angry anymore. Mousse grinned out of relief and promptly fainted in Ranma's arms. Ranma knew it was probably a side effect and just held him, ignoring the looks he got from Shampoo and Cologne.

Akane walked down the corridor, broom in hand and exhaust settled on her features. She had just finished cleaning out the rooms on the second floor of the house, and she needed a long awaited break. She headed for the staircase and planned to go downstairs, when she heard muffled voices coming from Ranma's room.

She sighed. He was confusing most of the time. Just the other day he'd brought Mousse over and now he'd let Mousse stay over until he was recovered. Why on earth would he want the very same rival that had wanted to kill him over that Chinese bimbo Shampoo, stay in the same house, let alone the same room? She knew Ryoga had come over and he wasn't really a concern. But Mina? It seemed like she had become fast friends with Ranma.

Speaking of which, she watched as he came up the stairs carrying some soup that Kasumi had made for Mousse. He walked past without so much as a hello or a glance, which was highly unusual for him.

What was going on?

Ryoga tumbled off the bed with Mina landing atop on him and beating him to death with a pillow. Mousse laughed at their horseplay even as they got up and began chasing each other around the room. Ryoga ducked on the side of the bed pretending to cower before Mina's playful wrath which ended as soon as Ranma came into the room.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing," Mousse laughed quietly. "Ryoga just insulted Mina's pride and got a face full of pillow..."

"Is that so?"

"No!" Ryoga cried. "She started it!"

"I did not!"

"Did so!"

"Let's not start this again," Mousse laughed. He stopped when Ranma placed the tray on the side table and sat next to him on the bed. Something was bothering his pig tailed love and being sick wasn't going to keep him from finding out.

"Ranma?"

"Can I ask you a question Mousse?"

Mousse sat up a bit. "Sure. Ask away."

"Why were you working so hard for extra pay? You made yourself sicker than you had to be...and you really scared me."

"I'm sorry...I just wanted to buy you this."

Ranma turned and came face to face with what Mousse had worked so hard to buy. A ring made of white gold, just as plain as day. It was such a simple gift but beautiful nonetheless. Without waiting for him to consent, he snatched Ranma's left hand and placed it on is ring finger. A perfect fit, if he were to say so himself.

"Mousse..."

"It's a temporary engagement ring," he said taking Ranma's hands into his own. "It's not the one I wanted to get you, but--"

"....Mousse...are you...saying that..."

"What? That I want to spend the rest of my days with you? Um...something like that?"

"Mousse!!"

"Wha?! Damn it Ranma, don't make me say it in front of the pig-boy!"

Ranma toyed with the idea of smacking him upside his head, but he settled for hugging the air out of him instead. Ryoga didn't have a problem with hitting him however. He waited until Mousse had let go of Ranma to punch Mousse in the arm for that comment.

"Pig-boy my ass..." he grumbled.

He laughed gently pulling Ranma down to lay with him. Ryoga and Mina grinned at each other. This was working out just as they'd hoped.

No one realized Akane had been at the door, listening in. She hadn't heard much since everything was so muffled, but she knew now that Ranma was in love. But with who??

"Ranma...what's going on?"