Close to Death
AliasAlien
June 2016
Chapter 6: Guilt and Pride
Ryoga Hibiki walked steadily through the snow with his umbrella, his eyes and heart focused on a faraway face that existed in his memory.
Akane... The girl whose beauty haunted his dreams.
Akane... The girl whose smile shook him the core.
Akane... The girl whose laughter made his heart sing.
And Akane... The girl I will likely never see again.
With a deep sigh, Ryoga turned his focus up onto the sky. He had finally made a decision. Akane had been his first love, his first passion, and the first girl who made him want to be better than he was. But it was Akari, a girl he'd met while in the throngs of his unrequited love for Akane, who accepted all parts of him. She was thoughtful, giving, sweet, and took him for who he was. If only I could have them both... Ryoga shook his head. "But no!" He was no two-timer. Unlike that Ranma…
The thought of giving Akane over to Ranma sickened him. But for his love for Akari to blossom, he knew he had to give up on Akane. And as much as Ryoga hated to admit it, despite all of his flaws Ranma was doing a well enough job to keep Akane safe. He'd proved it at Jusenkyo, when Ranma had risked his life and a chance to cure himself of his curse to keep her safe. Not to mention Akane's equal sacrifice for Ranma: it spoke leagues to him that she would make a sacrifice like that for the pig-tailed boy. Not to mention a sacrifice Ryoga could hardly see her making for him.
As for me, I can't even tell her the truth about me. Ryoga's face twisted up in anger. About this cursed body of mine! His fingers curled into fists, noble tears welling at the edges of his eyes. "I love her, and yet, I do not deserve her. She does not need one such as myself plaguing her doorstep, uninvited."
Ryoga rounded a corner on the street, his eyes trained on the sky. "Akane. I fear that we will never meet again. But perhaps," he sighed, his soul one of a martyr, "it is for the best... for you." If she could be kept safe even without Ryoga around her, well, then, maybe he could accept losing her.
"And now," he lowered his head, speaking to the snow drifts at his feet, "I do not even know what I would say if I were to see her... So it's best this way. To stay far, far, far away from—"
Ryoga finally looked up, and realized he was not three feet from the girl he was pledging to hide from, forever, "—Akane."
The two teenagers faced each other on the bridge, both stopped still in their tracks.
Ryoga stared at her, his mouth open in shock. Akane looked back at him, her eyes wide.
"A-A-A-A," he stuttered finally, "A-Akane!" Ryoga flung his umbrella to the side as he waved his arms in shock, and a high-pitched laughter worked its way up from his throat.
"Hahahah-how are you?! I-It's been a while!" He rose his hand awkwardly. "Yo! Hey!" Fuck, he cursed himself. I didn't even know I was still in Japan, let alone in her hometown...
Maybe, an intrusive thought worked its way into his mind, it's fate. Right while I was at the precipice of abandoning all hope for my love for Akane, I find her here in front of me! That must be it, he thought as his hope raised like a bird taking flight, it's a sign!
"H-How's school been?!" Ryoga continued aloud, trying to collect himself. He was grinning like an idiot at this point, teeth showing from ear to ear. "I-It's gotten cold recently, hasn't it?! Hahahaha..."
He blinked at Akane and noticed she hadn't moved. Instead her eyes had remained focused on him. All that had changed was her lips had parted in a strange, unnerving smile. Ryoga started to frown. Then he noticed her hands.
Her fingers and her palms were wrapped in white bandages that disappeared under her sleeves. He took a step forward, concern flooding him and making him forget his awkwardness. "Hey, what happened to you–" he started to ask, before Akane creaked to life. Like a doll she moved stiffly, lifted one leg, and placed it down. Then she lifted in the other, turning herself to the left. Slowly, she stumbled straight-legged towards the edge of the bridge overlooking the water. Far below, the normally shallow canal had swollen with the melting snow and was rushing – ice cold and quickly – beneath their feet.
"Oh, uh," he said slowly as she climbed up over the short wall that ran along the bridge, "did you drop something down there?" He walked over, looking curiously down into the icy rapids below.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryoga saw her body falling over the edge.
"W-Wah!" Ryoga yelled as he jumped forward and hooked Akane's waist with the crook of his arms. The weight of her threatened to pull him over as well but Ryoga planted his feet against the small lip edge of the bridge and pushed against it, flinging them back onto the bridge. The two tumbled backwards into the snow, Ryoga landing first, Akane landing on him.
"Phewf," Ryoga exhaled a sigh of relief. "You okay?" Ryoga looked at the back of Akane's head. "A-ah," he laughed nervously, "y-you need to be careful! You could have been hurt!"
Akane remained silent. Ryoga, curious, leaned forward, his chin brushing against her shoulder. "Hm?" Suddenly their proximity made him nervous. He glanced down modestly, then realized his arms were still clasping her body tightly to him in a hug and she was sitting in his lap.
"OH." His arms shot straight up into the air, as he blushed brilliantly red. "OH, I'm so sorry! S-Sorry! Sorry! Ahaha AH sorry!" He didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or hold her again. Oh what she must be thinking... "I-I didn't mean to, I-I mean, I'm sorry – I just thought – just tried to – "
As he rambled on, Akane bent forward and struggled back to her feet. Oh she seems pissed. She wasn't even talking to him! Ryoga looked up at her nervously, fidgeting quietly by himself, waiting for her to talk. Instead, however, the black haired girl ignored him completely and made her way back to the edge of the bridge, her footsteps unsteady. Ryoga watched on, his concern rising. "H-Hey, wait," he stuttered, rising forward, reaching for her.
As if expecting to be able to walk on air, Akane stepped off the bridge and over the edge.
"No!" Ryoga leapt forward to catch her under the arms this time – barely. "Nngh," he grunted, and hoisted her back up, placing her back on her feet. He released her again and stepped up next to her to look into her face. "A-Akane, sorry, but what do you think you're—"
Her eyes were looking straight ahead, glossy and unfocused. Her expression had changed to one of concern with her eyebrows stitched together, a small frown on her lips as she mumbled, "Ran...ma..."
Ryoga's eyebrows came together and he looked toward where her eyes were focused in the distance. "You, uh, you see him?"
In answer, Akane stepped forward again, tipping forward over the edge.
"What- no – stop that!" Ryoga grabbed her around the waist again, and dragged her backwards, keeping her on her feet. "Akane, it's dangerous—"
Again she stepped forward. Is she trying to kill herself?!
"Akane, no!" Ryoga tugged her backwards yet again, this time keeping his arms wrapped around her. It made his face flush and his ears turn red. "I'm not letting go until y-you stop...!"
They stood there, silently, Ryoga's heart beating in his ears. She's so close... Holding her like this, him standing behind her, her body pressed against his, they felt...
LIKE A COUPLE! Ryoga did his best to hold back tears, biting his lower lip. He could feel the rise and fall of her breathing, faintly smell her shampoo, feel her warmth seeping into him... Ryoga closed his eyes, praying for this intimate moment of hugging her close to him to never end.
Then, abruptly, Akari's smiling face swam before him.
Almost immediately he released her, feeling disgusted with himself. He was no better than Ranma, like this. Holding one girl, and yet thinking of another. He put a hand to his face in despair, sighing heavily. "A-Akane, I'm sorry... I-I cannot be true to myself when I'm near you... Please," he looked up desperately, "try to understa— OY!"
Akane had vanished from before him. Instead, she was back at the edge of the bridge, tipping forward dangerously.
OK, that's enough! "Forgive me, Akane," he grumbled, realizing something wasn't right. "But this is for the best!" As he reached for her again, his left hand found the nap of her neck, and his index finger and thumb sunk into a pressure point.
Like a puppet with its strings cut, Akane sunk into unconsciousness, falling backwards into Ryoga's arms. Ryoga lowered her gently to the ground, chewing on his lip. "Sorry, sorry, sorry," he mumbled with a sigh. He sank onto the ground as well, letting her head rest on his knees to keep her face out of the snow. With a heavy sigh, Ryoga hung his head. Then he quickly brought it up as the situation sunk in. "What the hell was all that?! Something is definitely wrong with her!" He looked from her bandaged hands to her sleeping face, bewildered with what had just happened.
That was so dangerous! Akane hadn't been acting like herself at all. What could have caused this? And what were the reason for her hands? As he stared at her face and tried to piece it all together, something clicked in his brain. Well, he reasoned, the person who would probably know what was going on would be—
Ryoga heard the sound of crunching snow as someone stepped up to him. "Yo, Ryoga!"
The sound of that voice sent a bolt of anger through him. Of fucking course.
"Have you seen Akane?" Ryoga looked over his shoulder, shooting daggers in the direction of Ranma Soatome. He watched on, furious, as Ranma took in the scene before him, confusion playing across his face. And yet, there was a glimmer of understanding that made Ryoga want to punch him.
"Ranma," Ryoga growled, his fingers tightening on Akane's shoulders, struggling to contain his growing rage, "can you tell me what the hell is going on?"
"...and that's where you found us," Ryoga finished with a snarl. "So will you finally explain to me what's happening to Akane?!"
"Tried to jump off the bridge, huh?" Ranma mumbled, ignoring his friend's question. "That isn't good..." Ranma shifted the weight of the unconscious Akane sleeping on his back, as his feet continued to propel them both forward toward the doctor's office in a run.
After discovering Ryoga and Akane, Ranma had swept her up onto his back with hardly a word to Ryoga before he started running away with her. Ryoga had caught up quickly however, demanding an explanation, to which Ranma said he'd get only after he told Ranma what had happened on the bridge. Thus Ryoga had jumped into the story of Akane's relentless attempts to drown herself, and by the time he finished they were only a block away from Dr. Tofu's day practice.
"Ranma, the only reason you're not under my fist is because you're holding Akane. If you don't tell me what's going on—"
"Yea, yea," Ranma grumbled, glancing sideways at the worked-up martial artist running next to him. "I got it. You'll get your explanation, let's just get her inside first." This way I can finally ask that man about the curse, too...
"Dr. Tofu!" Ranma used his foot to kick open the door and came bursting in.
The office was empty save for the lone figure across the room. The bespectacled doctor looked up in surprise from his desk. "Ranma? Ryoga? What's happened now?" Dr. Tofu grew serious and stood up as soon as he noticed Akane. "I see. Come back this way with me, lay her down on the bed over here..."
Ranma and Ryoga followed Dr. Tofu to a segmented hospital room, and Ranma slowly lowered Akane onto the bed. As Ryoga explained the use of a pressure point and Dr. Tofu started listening to her heart with a stethoscope, Ranma's eyes were focused on Akane's face. I let her down again... His fingers curled into familiar fists of frustration. I left her alone, and look what happened... If Ryoga hadn't been there, who knows where I would have found her... If she'd still be alive...
"—should only be for a little while," Dr. Tofu was saying to Ryoga. "Her vitals seem fine, so—"
BANG!
Both men jumped as Ranma punched the wall. "Damn it." Ranma punched the wall again, a small dent forming in the paint. "Damn it!" He reeled back for another punch, but Tofu caught it before he made contact. Ranma clenched his teeth, glaring at Dr. Tofu.
"Ranma," the doctor said calmly, "please don't punch a hole in my wall. Or I'll make you fix and repaint the entire office." Dr. Tofu gave Ranma a reassuring smile.
Ranma looked into his face, letting his anger ebb away slowly. He lowered his arm as Tofu released him. He shuffled his feet, embarrassed about his outburst. "H-Hey... About... what you said... yesterday..." Ranma looked over at Akane. "... I need your help with something."
Dr. Tofu considered him silently for a moment before he nodded his head knowingly. "I'll make some tea. Go have a seat in my office."
"The old ghoul called it 'The Curse of Almost Death,'" Ranma said, halfway through his explanation of the curse plaguing Akane. His tea sat untouched on the table in front of him. He was sitting cross-legged on a chair in Dr. Tofu's office, his hands tucked under his legs in his lap. Keeping all his limbs contained was the only way to keep himself from hitting something out of frustration. That Akane was unconscious yet again because of this curse upset him more than words could explain. Knowing that she had come so close to hurting herself again, and that this time it was Ryoga who had saved her, also left a bitter taste in his mouth that the tea wasn't likely to get out. Ranma closed his eyes tightly. I should have been there... How could I leave her, again...
Unlike Ranma, Ryoga was not trying to hide his emotions. He had fumed when he heard about Ranma finding Akane alone in the snow, yelled when he heard that the curse had been put on Akane because of Ranma's crazy fiancée Shampoo, but it was hearing the name of the curse that made him lose it. He slammed both his hands down on the table, making the tea cups bounce. "Are you shitting me?! Ranma you've caused some fucked up things to happen but this is a whole new level!" Ryoga grabbed the front of Ranma's shirt from across the table and pulled him forward roughly. "This is her life we're talking about, for fuck's sake."
"You think I don't know that?!" Ranma yelled back, his feet finding the floor. "You wanna fight about it? Because I'll use any excuse to beat the crap out of something right now," he growled, more than glad to direct his anger toward Ryoga.
"Now, now." Dr. Tofu placed a hand on each boy's chest. He pushed without much effort against them but it was strong enough to send them both back into their chairs. "This is a place for healing, not fighting." The normally serene doctor was looking deathly serious. "Ranma, continue." Unlike Ryoga, Dr. Tofu had remained quiet and composed during the entire explanation, only moving to silence the other boy's outbursts.
With a last glare at Ryoga, Ranma turned to the doctor. "Well, erm, it's like that. Akane will keep getting into these dangerous situations and if she's still alive at the end of the ten days she loses the ability to fall in love with anyone. The old lady said it's incurable. Except for..." Ranma trailed off.
"Except for? What?!" Ryoga growled, his fingers clenching the tabletop.
"Ranma?" Tofu coaxed gently, watching as Ranma turned away to look at the floor.
"Except for," he said slowly, "if she can fall out of love with me by then, she'll be spared."
"So what's the problem then?" Ryoga couldn't remain still any longer and stood up, looking down his nose at Ranma. "We make her hate you – the sooner the better to make sure she doesn't get hurt any further."
Dr. Tofu was looking silently at Ranma, who remained staring gloomily at the floor. "It's not that simple, is it?" he asked quietly. "What else is there?"
Ranma tilted his head back and forth in an anxious habit, cracking his joints. He refused to look at anyone, realizing how selfish the next thing he said would sound. "If she comes to hate me, she'll never love me again. She'll live. And she'll be able to fall in love. But not with me. Never again with me."
Ryoga scoffed. "Really? Really, Ranma?! How she ever fell in love with such an arrogant bastard like you in the first place is beyond me. Be a man, Ranma!" He grunted as Ryoga grabbed him again, and winced at the expression on his face. Ryoga was looking at him with a mixture of disgust and disappointment. "If I can give up on her for the sake of her happiness, surely you can forget her in order to save her life."
Ranma grit his teeth and looked away from Ryoga. He couldn't face Ryoga's expression or his words. "Obviously if there's no other way, I have no choice! But I have to try to find another way to solve this! There has to be another way!" Ranma looked at Dr. Tofu, searching his face desperately. "There has to be. Have you ever heard of this?"
"Hm," came the short response from Dr. Tofu. "The description of it stirs up some... memories, possibly related or not. Can you tell me – are there any other names for the curse?"
Pulling Ryoga's fists off of him, Ranma sat back down and thought for a moment. "Um, something about 'scorned love', 'heartbreak for ten days', something like that. The old ghoul said it's a rare curse, but it's been around for a long time."
Pushing his glasses back up his nose, Dr. Tofu nodded sagely. "Give me some time to consult my books."
"Time?" Ryoga shook his head, regarding Ranma with hateful eyes. "It sounds to me that with each passing minute Akane's at risk. Ranma!" He yelled, making a sweeping motion with his arm. "If you really, truly care about her..."
Ryoga exhaled.
"Let her go, man."
Ranma looked at him suddenly, feeling cold sweep through his veins. Ryoga's tone had shifted abruptly – he hadn't heard Ryoga talk so quietly and passionately before.
Ryoga put a hand to his own forehead, and swept it backwards over his head. "If you don't do what's best for her you don't deserve her. Really, if you put your feelings before her life... You have lost the capability to watch over her and keep her safe."
Those painful words hung in the air and blanketed the room in silence. Ranma was truly at a loss on how to respond. He could only gape at Ryoga, whose intense gaze was unwavering, sincere, and angry.
"R-Ryoga…"It was the honesty of his words that stung so much, and the sincerity that shook him. What... What do I do...? Akane...
"Ryoga," Dr. Tofu's sudden and sharp tone cut through the air like a whip.
Ryoga stood up a little straighter at the commanding tone in Tofu's voice. "Er- yeah?"
"Will you check on our patient, please?" Dr. Tofu stepped up to the table, picking up the tea tray and guiding it into his hands. "The pressure point technique you used should be wearing off soon. Bring this tea in please, and make sure she doesn't wake up alone."
With a last glance in Ranma's direction, Ryoga walked out of the room.
Silence once again filled the room as Ranma looked down in despair at his hands, and Dr. Tofu observed him from next to the table. Ranma flexed his fingers, Ryoga's voice ringing in his ears. I don't... deserve her? I can't... keep her safe anymore? Was it true? Was this the reality of the situation now? Do I need to... give her up...? Is that how you take care of someone you love?
Dr. Tofu cleared his throat. "Ranma..."
He cut him off without looking up. His eyes were clouded in shadow as he said, barely above a whisper, "Maybe he's right. Maybe I should just give in, do the right thing."
Dr. Tofu sighed, and leaned against the table. "When it comes to matters of the heart, determining what is truly 'the right thing' to do is nearly impossible." He folded his arms. "Ryoga is equally concerned about Akane, and is speaking with a lot of emotion. Don't take all his words at face value."
Ranma nodded weakly. He struggled to shake off his self-doubt for now, and looked up desperately at Tofu. "So... Do you know about this curse?"
The doctor thought carefully. "No... and yes. While I can't remember learning about this curse specifically, some details sound familiar. I have some texts in mind to consider, and I may be able to find something to help you."
Ranma's face lit up with hope for the first time since finding Ryoga and Akane on the bridge. Relief washed over him. "Dr. Tofu, thank you—"
He held up a hand, silencing the younger man. "I can't make any promises though, Ranma. This curse sounds like rare dark magic. There may be no way to escape its demands. Even if there is a way to circumvent the intention of the curse, it may not be documented anywhere. I'm going to look my hardest, but I need you to be prepared that such a cure might not exist.
"That being said, you do need to make a decision. You need to decide that if we can't find a cure, what are you willing to give up? What sacrifices are you willing to make? And when must you be ready to make those sacrifices?"
Ranma fidgeted uncomfortably as Dr. Tofu crossed his arms. He knew what Dr. Tofu was implying. If all else fails... If we can't find a cure... I need to let her go. That, and he needed to decide before it was too late, if it meant saving her life, and her chance at happiness. The thought was a heavy realization that struck him painfully. Damnit... After several moments of silence, all Ranma could muster up was a weak, "Yeah. Y-Yeah, I will." He hadn't felt this helpless since Jusenkyo.
The clock on the wall ticked away as the two men sat in silence: Ranma absorbed in emotions, Tofu giving him his space while trying to remain as a comforting presence. Slowly, voices from the next room over floated in, alerting them both that Akane had woken up.
Ranma listened to the quiet sound of her voice, unable to make out any words. He heard her laugh softly, and it sent a jolt through his stomach. How can I let her go?
Ranma finally looked into Dr. Tofu's face, his expression flat. "... You promise you'll look?"
A sympathetic smile was sent his way with a nod. "Yes. I'll do my best."
"Mm," Ranma nodded. "Thanks."
Another minute passed in silence, save for the voices from Akane and Ryoga. He swore he heard Akane say his name. Ranma sniffed once.
"Even… Even if you don't find anything…" Ranma curled his fingers into fists. "I'm going to find a way to stop this. Even if I have to create it myself. I'll find a way." He released his fingers, trying to convince himself. "I'll find a way."
Dr. Tofu nodded silently, smiling slightly. He uncrossed his arms, and stood up straighter. "I'll go check on them. Join us when you're ready."
As he walked to the door, Dr. Tofu paused in the doorway. "Ranma, one more thing.
"If Akane's life is in danger, she does deserve to know. At least enough to protect herself. If you neglect to inform her of what dangers exist to her, and she gets hurt, then that regret will follow you," he made sure Ranma was looking at him before he finished, "and be on your shoulders."
The doctor left without another word, leaving Ranma to struggle with his guilt and his pride.
The sound of curtains shuffling. The smell of herbal tea. The touch of blankets wrapped in warmth. And then the sight of the room as she opened her eyes and stiffly sat up.
She blinked sleepily, her mind in a fog. She was confused and disoriented. It felt like she had fallen asleep right in the middle of something. …What was it? And these weren't the surroundings she was used to. ...Where am I?
She heard someone stir next to her, and she turned her head.
"Hey, Akane."
The dark haired boy was smiling, and her adrenaline kicked in. She inhaled sharply, flinching backwards, about to scream – then his bandana came into view, and his face morphed into that of a different boy than she was expecting. She exhaled her breath weakly.
It was Ryoga who was smiling at her – though it had turned into a more uncertain expression at her reaction. "Y-You okay?"
Akane stared at him, flashes of memory washing over her.
She was walking home with Ranma when Mousse had appeared. They were fighting. Then they left, and she was tempted to follow, but was too tired to run after them. Then I stared walking home...
And then what happened?
The details were incredibly fuzzy. She remembered walking home, her mind on Christmas and Ranma...
Her mind had wandered to last Christmas, when she had given Ranma his scarf and he had given her the picture frame. She thought back and remembered the few moments of silence they shared together in the attic, just looking at each other... And when Ranma had whispered her name... Oh if only he would finish his sentences! Instead of denying everything! Just tell me you love –
"Ah, sorry," Ranma slid his hand into hers, pulling her to a stop. "I never finish saying what I mean, huh?"
Akane looked at him, surprised to see him right next to her, wearing the same scarf she had made for him a year ago.
Wasn't he just fighting Mousse though?
"You're wearing it," she said, feeling a blush touch her cheeks.
"Of course!" Ranma exclaimed, sliding his hand along the side of her face. "You made it for me." Here he grew awkward, speaking clumsily out of the side of his mouth. "So I have to cherish it."
Akane glowed, leaning into his touch. "I'm glad you like it."
Ranma grinned sheepishly, then lifted his eyebrows in thought. "Hey, I may not finish speaking, but I can finish something else right now!" He moved his hand off her face, and instead took her other hand in his, and started pulling her toward him, toward the edge of the bridge.
She laughed, his energy infectious. "Where are we going! What are you doing!"
"I'm going to finish teaching you to swim!" Ranma tugged on her sleeve, pulling her along, right to edge.
"B-But," Akane shuffled, embarrassed. "I'll just flounder and sink, like always."
"No you won't," Ranma released her hands, and moved behind her, placing his hands on her back. "Because I heard love makes you float." He leaned his head against her shoulder, whispering in her ear. "Do you love me?"
"Yes," she said it so quickly it was like a reflex.
"Then trust me."
Akane nodded, and stepped off the bridge, but suddenly found herself being pulled away. Faintly in the distance she heard a voice yelling, but before she could understand what it was saying, there was Ranma behind her again.
"It's okay, try again."
She tried again and again, but kept feeling herself being pulled back. The voice was yelling, and confusing her. She was struggling to move forward. Her heart starting to ache and feel heavy. "Ranma! I can't! Help me!"
Ranma appeared in front of her, his feet balanced on the edge of the bridge. "Akane," he laughed, shaking his head in amusement and motioning her forward in encouragement. "Hurry up and die."
Akane grabbed herself quickly, a sudden shiver spreading up her spine. She remembered now, all of it. She remembered him speaking, and tugging on her sleeve, and trying to pull her toward the river... She remembered it, and yet it felt like she was an outsider watching...
Lost in thought, she didn't notice as Ryoga spoke up, saying, "Oh, sorry, are you cold?" He stood up, and moved to the window, shutting it tight. "It felt warm in here to me," he said with an awkward laugh. "But this is fine too..."
Ryoga sat back down in the chair next to bed, watching her. She seemed ignorant to his presence, lost in thought. She's probably remembering us on the bridge... He felt a small blush creep up his neck. How I held her... How we were standing...!
Ryoga cleared his throat, and Akane turned her head sharply to him. "A-a-ah, A-Akane," he stuttered, absent-mindedly poking his two index fingers together, "about earlier..."
"Ryoga!" Akane said cheerfully, "when did you get into town?"
"Eh?" was all Ryoga could say, his hopes crushed. "Eh?"
Akane smiled, tilting her head inquisitively. "Are you spending Christmas here?"
"Uh, uh," he mumbled, "No, I... Well, actually," he changed his mind right then and there, "yeah. I'm going to be around the next few days." I'll be here for you, Akane.
"That's nice," Akane replied easily, smiling at him. "I feel like I haven't seen you in a while. I hope you'll have time to hang out while you're here."
"Y-Yeah!" He scratched the back of his head, his disappointment about her forgetting about the bridge already fading as she talked about them spending time together. "Absolutely!" He grinned ear to ear.
Akane laughed quietly at his reaction. Ryoga's so silly!
Looking at her smile, Ryoga couldn't help but feel at peace. Akane was beautiful. Akane was kind. Akane deserved better than Ranma. Suddenly his mood darkened, remembering the conversation they had just had. Ranma wasn't thinking straight. He wasn't willing to put Akane first. How despicable. Ryoga's hands tightened into fists. Well if he won't do what's necessary, then I will.
"Akane!" Ryoga said suddenly, making her jump.
"Y-Yes?"
"T-tomorrow," Ryoga stumbled over his words, "w-what are you doing..."
Akane blinked. "I need to go Christmas shopping."
"W-Would you," he swallowed hard. Get through it! "W-Would you like to g-go with me?"
"Oh!" Her mind immediately went to Akari. I bet he wants some help getting her a present, and he's too shy to ask. That's so sweet! Akane smiled, "Yes, Ryoga. Of course we can go together ."
God's above, thank you. This is bliss. Ryoga found himself fighting tears for the second time that day as his heart burst into fireworks in his chest. A date! A date with Akane! He bit on his fist to keep from screaming in joy. A chance for me, and a chance for us... I won't waste it!
Akane, meanwhile, was glancing around the room, oblivious to Ryoga's joy. "Say, Ryoga," she finally thought to ask. "Why am I at the doctor's office?"
"Ah," Ryoga said, growing serious abruptly. "You..." He was unsure of what to say. "What do you remember?"
"Hm," she said slowly and thoughtfully. "Ranma... and I were walking home, and then Mousse came so they ran off fighting. We had just gotten out of class, and Ms. Hinako had sapped our energy, so I remember I was moving slower than normal..." What do I say about that vision on the bridge? She bit her lip. That was the last thing she remembered before waking up, after all. No way, she thought suddenly. I don't even know what the hell that was, so it'd be a waste to even mention it. "...And that's where it gets kinda fuzzy. I don't remember doing anything to send me here?"
Ryoga cracked his knuckles. He wasn't going to cover for Ranma. "Well, I found you on the bridge—"
"We think you collapsed from over exhaustion," Dr. Tofu said with a calm, gentle ease from the doorway.
"Dr. Tofu!" Akane said in surprise, then bowed her head in greeting. "Sorry for all the trouble."
"No trouble at all," he waved off her politeness and walked over to the two. He sent Ryoga a glance that Ryoga easily interpreted as 'don't say anything.' It made Ryoga frown and cross his arms, but he remained silent.
"Ms. Hinako's drain on you was probably the last thing your body needed. Rest, however, has done you some good I think." Dr. Tofu reached for a pair of scissors on a nearby desk top. "Let me see your wraps while you're here, anyway. I think the bandages might be able to come off now."
The chatted pleasantly while Tofu's unwrapped her hands and feet and looked them over for any swelling or signs of frostbite on her fingers and toes. Ryoga watched on, silently. "It looks much better," Tofu finished saying. "I don't think you'll need to bandage them again – it's a good idea to get some air over them now, but I would recommend ointment before you go to bed."
"Mm," Akane said in positive acknowledgment. "Thank you for taking such good care of me."
"My pleasure," Dr. Tofu said with a smile. "Ah, but it is getting late. You're of course welcome to stay as long as you need – "
"Oh no, I'm feeling much better," Akane said, already swinging her legs out of bed and reaching for her shoes.
Dr. Tofu nodded, "Then I'll go grab a little extra ointment, and then the three of you can be off. Ryoga, would you help me?"
Ryoga stood up, his expression grumpy. Akane paused. "Wait, the three of us?"
A small cough alerted her to a third presence. Akane turned and looked to see Ranma standing in the doorway, his arms cross over his chest. "Yo," he muttered, his face dark. He was looking toward her, but refused to make eye contact.
Akane blinked at him, her heart rate speeding up. "R-Ranma..." Why do I feel so scared?
"We'll be right back." Dr. Tofu guided Ryoga forward with a hand on his back, and the two of them slid out through the doorway, forcing Ranma to step all the way into the room so they could move past. Ryoga cast a last glare at Ranma as he closed the door behind them.
Now they were alone, Akane sliding on her shoes and trying to calm herself down, as Ranma stood awkwardly near the door, unsure of where to look.
"S-So – "
"Well – "
The both stopped. Ranma sighed, and looked out the window. "I'm sorry."
Akane looked up at him quickly, her breath coming fast. "For what?" Does that mean – on the bridge – there was no way that was really him, was it?
"For leaving you behind," Ranma mumbled. "I shouldn't have run away with Mousse like that..."
"Oh," she responded, her mind clearing. Of course that wasn't him. He was with Mousse. I can't blame Ranma for these crazy visions... She heaved a sigh, putting on a brave face. "Oh, that's alright. I thought that I was feeling much better than I was, so it's my fault, too – "
"Don't," Ranma said quickly. Akane stared at him as his face darkened even more. "Don't make excuses for me. I should have been there. I should have been there today, and I should have been there two days ago when you were walking home alone, too. I feel like..." He trailed off, but Akane remained silent, waiting for him to finish. Ranma kicked at the floor. "I feel like, ever since you almost got hit by that truck, that I've just been letting you down. Like I haven't been there when you needed help. And I... I'm sorry."
"Ranma..." Why does he look so sad?
"I'm sorry," he said again quickly. "I'm just... sorry." Sorry that I've been so selfish. And that I continue to be... I just... I can't let you go, not yet, not without trying everything I can...
Akane stood up. "Ranma, what are you talking about?" He just looked so sad and guilty... She hated seeing him that way. "Hey, look at me." Akane walked up and stood in front of him, forcing him to look at her. He looked defeated, weary, and downtrodden.
"Akane, I'm sor-"
"Ranma, shut up."
The stood there staring at each other. Ranma was wide-eyed, and Akane was glaring at him.
"You look like the world is going to end. It's not. Calm down." She huffed. "You were there for me when I almost fell off the roof, and you were there for me when that beam fell in the dojo." Akane thrust her hands in front of his startled face. "Dr. Tofu says my hands are fine now. And I just took a, uh, nap because of Ms. Hinako. Albeit not in a great place, but I'm fine now. And we don't have to worry about our test grades. And it's almost Christmas!" She stamped her foot, hoping Ranma was understanding she was trying to say. "So... so you need to stop blaming yourself!"
Ranma looked at her, confused, but shocked more at her outburst than anything. She looked angry. But is she.. actually trying to comfort me?
Her expression softened. "Now don't look so sad. It weirds me out. You don't give up like that."
Ranma let out a small sigh of a laugh. "Akane... Thanks. That's what I needed to hear."
Akane smiled. "I can slap you too, if that'll help." She raised up her arm quickly in jest but Ranma caught it to stop her, just in case she was serious.
"Nope, I'm good." He looked down into her face, and felt more relaxed than he had since before his fight with Mousse. I'll find a way to fix it all, for this smile.
He realized he was still holding onto her arm, but he didn't immediately let go. Instead, he lowered her arm, and as he did so he let his hand slide down over her elbow, over her wrist, and into her hand. He paused there, momentarily, enjoying the look on her face as she looked down at their hands. He slid his thumb over the back of her hand in a small caress before he, too, started to feel embarrassed. As he went to pull his hand away, however, Akane squeezed it softly and he froze.
Eep, he thought, his mind going blank as Akane looked up into his face, her cheeks just starting to turn pink.
"But thanks, Ranma. For getting so serious on my account." She stepped a little closer, still holding his hand, feeling nervous around him now for a whole new reason. "It's nice to know you care."
"I-I-I..." Ranma stuttered, his mind running away from him. "A-Ak-kan..e..." His body started to move on its own, taking over for its panicking owner. Why am I... leaning forward...
"Ointment!" Ryoga yelled, as the door burst open.
Akane and Ranma jumped away from each other like an electric shock had coursed through them, their hands pulling apart.
"I-it's ready," Ryoga gasped, breathing heavily. Dr. Tofu appeared behind him, smiling genially.
"We just went to the next room to go get it, but Ryoga got lost getting back here. While it's difficult to understand how someone could get lost when there's only one hallway, it's amusing to witness."
"A-Akane," Ryoga gasped, staring at Ranma. "L-Let's go..."
"Yea," she mumbled. She shot a last glance at Ranma, who was scratching his nose to cover the blush across his face, and smiled to herself.
"Ranma, let's go home."
"Ryoga? What are you looking at?"
Ryoga looked back forward, and grinned at Akane. "Oh, no, it's nothing, ahaha..."
Akane gave him a puzzled smile, but didn't ask further. Instead the two walked side-by-side down the street, passing window display after window display. The displays were each arranged differently, but had many of the same themes: smiling Santas, reindeers with red noses, mistletoe and Christmas trees, and presents. Presents everywhere. Small boxes, larges boxes, bags, bows, all brightly colored and tied up in shades of red and green.
Christmas was in full swing in the downtown Shopping Plaza, and for the last few hours Ryoga and Akane had been strolling through the center of it, finding gifts for everyone they cared about. Akane seemed to enjoy the decorations the most. For Ryoga, however, he just enjoyed watching Akane. When a new window display caught her eye, she'd sprint over to it and point out everything she saw that she liked. Sometimes they went into a store just so she could watch a train display as the train puttered along the walls of the entire store. Other times when they would pass by a large snow drift she'd pick some up in her hands just to mold it and play with it before dropping it and move on.
Damnit, Ryoga thought, putting a hand to his face as she ran up ahead to look at another display. She is being just too damn cute right now.
His plan had formed slowly in his mind overnight. He would take Akane out for the day during one of the most romantic times of the year, and slowly win her over with his charm. Simultaneously he would also mention and remind Akane of every despicable thing Ranma had done to her over the years, planting a seed of hate for him in her mind. As the date went on, he'd slowly convince Akane to give up on Ranma. After all, if she fell for Ryoga instead, the curse would have to disappear and Akane would be unscathed and rid of Ranma for the rest of her life.
His only regret was the what this meant for the pig-loving green-haired girl who also had stolen his heart. Akari... Ryoga heaved a sigh, following slowly behind Akane. I'm sorry... You must understand, I don't have the time to sort out my feelings... Akane's life is in danger, and I can't just sit by and watch her life get destroyed by Ranma. I thought that he was strong enough to protect her, but now, he curled his hands into fists, glancing over his shoulder, now I see better. And I can't leave her side until I know she's safe. Ryoga looked up at the sky, willing his words to reach Akari, wherever she was. I will try to return to you, if I can... But for now, I need to focus on Akane.
Suddenly the girl in question was in front of him, looking at him with concern. "Ryoga? Are you feeling okay? You seem sad..."
"Oh," Ryoga said, quickly transforming his face into a smile. "No I'm fine! Hahaha! I'm happy being here," he mumbled, "with you..."
Akane tilted her head in pleasant confusion. "Yeah. It's nice to get a chance to see you."
Ryoga's heart swelled – an opening! - and he leaned forward. "Ak-"
"Hey!" She said suddenly, pointing behind him. "There's a great café over there, why don't we rest for a bit and get some hot chocolate?"
"Uh," Ryoga said, looking toward the café. Movement off to the side caught his eye. He frowned for a second, then looked back and grinned at her. "Yes, let's do that."
As they walked up to the front door, Akane let out a small groan. "The line is so long..." She peered inside. "And it's pretty crowded... Hey, is it ok if we sit outside?" Her hand was already on the door handle, her mind made up, a smile gracing her lips. "You grab us a table before it fills up, and I'll get us drinks."
God her smile was dazzling. "Yes," anything you say, "sounds good!"
"Great!" With a small wave she disappeared inside, leaving a grinning Ryoga waving after her.
"Ahhh, Akane," he sighed in bliss. I shouldn't be thinking about Akari when Akane is right in front of me... This was a rare opportunity to be alone, and he wasn't going to waste it.
But as he wandered over to a table by a bunch of decorative bushes and a Christmas tre, he couldn't help but musing aloud, "Though we're not totally alone." He sat down, and stared the bush down with half-lidded eyes. "Are we, Ranma?"
The bush shuttered in shock, then the pigtailed head of Ranma popped up over its leaves. "Pah!"
Ryoga shook his head in disappointment as Ranma climbed out of the bush, dusting leaves out of his hair and clothes. "What, no costume today Ranma? Not going to pose as an old girlfriend to interrupt mine and Akane's" – he narrowed his eyes, drawing out the last word, "daaate."
"This isn't a date," Ranma scoffed, sitting down across from him. "It's an errand run that you invited yourself on." He crossed his arms, glowering at Ryoga.
"Oh, is that so?" Ryoga replied sarcastically. "How many errand runs involve an intimate setting of two people drinking together alone in a café?"
"Outside a café," Ranma replied bluntly.
"Shut up," Ryoga snapped. "Why have you been following us?"
Throughout the last few hours, Ryoga had looked over his shoulder to spot Ranma lurking behind lampposts, trash cans, inside large groups of people, and even crouching on the awnings of storefronts. This however (he realized with slight glee), was the first time him and Akane had been separated long enough for him to confront Ranma about it.
"More importantly," Ranma growled, "what's your plan, Ryoga?"
It had been a shock to Ranma this morning when Akane had said she was going shopping today with Ryoga. She had mentioned it nonchalantly at breakfast this morning, when Nabiki had commented she looked dressed up.
When Ranma nearly choked on his rice, and asked when they had planned that, Akane had rolled her eyes and said he'd asked her yesterday at the doctor's office if they could go.
"And you said yes?!" Ranma had demanded, and Akane had shot him a glare.
"I haven't seen Ryoga in a few weeks! Besides, it's not like it's any of your business," she had replied curtly before leaving shortly after.
A fuming Ranma, remembering his conversation with Ryoga yesterday, knew this wasn't going to be an innocent date, so he had tailed them the entire day. What bothered him most, besides seeing her smile more today than she had the entire week before, was that nothing dangerous had happened to her. Not that he wanted her in danger… But when he was around her, accidents seemed to pop up left and right. But being with Ryoga seemed... safe. Which pissed him off to no end. There were no fiancées interrupting their time together, no curses threatening their lives, no enemies cropping up demanding battles. Instead it was just Ryoga and Akane, enjoying their time together.
Damn, he thought resentfully, I never get that kind of time with her...
He didn't want to think of the implications of that, and instead chose to focus on what Ryoga was scheming against him.
"My plan, Ranma?" Ryoga scoffed, looking off to the side. "You insult me."
Ranma rolled his eyes and sighed. "Alright, well. Listen, Ryoga, about what you said yesterday..." Ryoga tensed up, remembering their conversation. "It... It might be selfish of me, but I'm not willing to give up that easily. No curse has ever defeated me before, and I'm not about to let this one."
"Really, Ranma?" Ryoga sneered. "That's what this is about? You would risk Akane's life for pride? Because you don't want to feel like you lost to some curse?"
"That's not it!" Ranma yelled, getting angry. "I'm just not ready to give up without even trying first! There has to be another way for this curse to end, and I'm going to find it!"
Ryoga shook his head. "You're unbelievable. Until then you're willing to keep her life at risk for the next few days? Even if you do find a cure," Ryoga leaned in, whispering harshly, "she could die before then."
"I'm not going to let that happen," Ranma replied fiercely. "I'm not going to let this curse touch her. And that includes changing her feelings." He stuck his nose up and looked away, trying to appear nonchalant. "It's none of my business who she cares about, but I'm not going to let this curse dictate her life."
Now it was Ryoga's turn to roll his eyes. "You're a shameful man, Ranma. If a girl loved me at the risk of her life, I'd tell her to forget me and move on."
"Yeah right," Ranma muttered, "let's see how you react when it happens to you."
Ryoga shook his head, and looked toward the door of the café to see if Akane was coming back soon. He wasn't about to let Ranma ruin the romantic mood he was working so hard to establish.
Ranma picked at a loose thread on his pant leg. "... Are you going to tell her?" Ranma mumbled, glancing sideways at him.
"I thought about it." Ryoga shot a glare at Ranma. "But then I realized: she's suffered enough by your hands already, why make her deal with something else? Instead I'm just going to make her realize for herself what a waste of space you are, and that there are better men out there for her, like me—" Ryoga hesitated as Ranma looked at him in surprise. "Shit."
"So that's your plan?" Ranma laughed, standing up. "Man, you never change! Well now I know I don't have to worry. Your attempts to woo her in the past have always failed before. Besides, what about Akari?"
Ryoga was bristling with anger. "Akari... Akari will understand! It's for Akane's life!"
"You keep lying to yourself that your intentions are pure, let's see how far it gets you," Ranma said with a bitter laugh.
Ryoga jumped to his feet, reaching for his bandana. "Ranma!"
Ranma held his arms up in front of him defensively. "You wanna fight?!"
The two boys held their positions, staring each other down.
Suddenly a tinkling of a bell reached their ears, and a quizzical voice called out. "Ryoga? Where are you?"
"Shit," was all Ranma had time to swear before he found himself being launched to the side. He landed back in the bush, whose cold leaves swallowed him up and hid him from view.
"Ahahaha," came Ryoga's nervous laugh, followed by footsteps. "Akane, hi!"
"Ah, there you are. Here you go – do you want to go sit down?"
Ranma struggled to get more comfortable without shaking the bush too much. He was also trying his best to overhear their conversation – their voices were quieter since Ryoga had moved away.
"Ahh, actually," Ryoga glanced over his shoulder, then looked back at Akane. "Why don't we keep moving? Sitting was making me too cold."
Akane giggled, "That's why we got the drinks! But that's fine, there's actually a store nearby I think you'll really like."
Ranma strained to hear as their voices faded with distance.
"It has a lot of rare... around the world... find something for..."
"Oh, really... we'll… great..."
"Damnit," Ranma muttered quietly to himself. He may have mocked Ryoga's idea when he heard it, but it made him nervous. What if what Ryoga said and did, on top of the negative consequences of the curse, really made Akane change her opinion of Ranma? Ranma ground his teeth. I won't let you hate me!
As Ranma dug his way out of the bush and dashed behind an inflatable Santa Clause, keeping an eye of Akane and Ryoga, another figure nearby was keeping a close eye on the pig tailed boy.
The occupant of the table on the other side of the bushes stirred, looking down the street to make sure Ranma really was gone. They had been hidden behind a small Christmas tree, enjoying a snack at the restaurant next door to the café, when Ryoga and Ranma had started talking. They didn't see me at all...
The person picked up their empty plate, smiling to themselves. "Now that was an interesting conversation to overhear..."
Author's Note 6/7/2016: Sooo we all know it's been a long time, sorry this update came so late. I want to make it clear that I will NOT give up on this story though. I've already written the last chapter, so don't worry, you'll definitely get a conclusion to this story! One reason I've been slowing down is I've been writing what I want, when I want, which means when I think about other stories I want to write, I've been working on those over this one. But I promised myself not to post those until I've finished this one. (But they are Ranma/Akane themed, so maybe look for those in the future?). I was also planning on making this chapter longer, but told myself, "Just get something out! The next one will just have to be super long!" So look for that, too. Hope you enjoyed! Like always, I'd love to hear what you think. Cheers!
Edit: Also I feel like Ryoga is a big contradiction in this chapter, struggling to balance Akane and Akari, so I hope I touched on that enough to make it clear he's very conflicted and struggling with who he wants to be with - and ultimately, in this chapter, decides Akane's life is too important for him not to try to do something. The fact that 'that something' is to try and make her fall in love with him is a character flaw in him, as there are probably other things he could do... But he's a little selfish, too. ;)