Animal I Have Become
Note: Chinese-""Thoughts/ Flashbacks
Man, I can't believe that it's been over two months since I last updated. Sorry to everyone that had been waiting, but I had to deal with some issues and I got stuck when I was half way through this. Anyway enjoy.
No, I don't own Ranma ½. If I did, I be wouldn't be here would I?
Chapter 7: Bleeding Truths Within the Rainfall
The rain sliced through the wind as Akane stood several feet away from Ranma. Ranma stared into Akane's eyes as she felt her own tears were mixed with the rain as they ran down her cheeks.
Akane for one was staring wide eye at the tearing redhead.
"What?" Akane asked as she didn't catch what Ranma had just said.
"I said, I'm the one who killed pops." Ranma repeated.
Akane felt her mind going a hundred miles an hour as she finally grasped what Ranma was saying.
"You mean…. You…." Akane was saying but couldn't bring herself to say anything else.
Ranma glanced down, misery written all over her face.
"Yes, after I woke up, I found blood all over me along with pop's body and a band of bandits in front of me." Ranma shuttered slightly before continuing, "Thanks to my heighten sense of smell I figured out that nearly all the blood that was all over me was from pop." Ranma said as she felt even more tears came flowing along with the terror in her voice as she spoke.
"I tried to deny it, but everythin' was all in front of me, I caused pop's death. One way or another it kept hittin' me that I was a murder, somethin' a respected martial artist is not." Ranma got out as she felt herself chocking with sobs as she layed down at the ground.
Akane slowly stepped forward as she bent down and gently grasped the shaking red head.
"Shh…. I'm here." Akane said softly as she held onto the red head.
Ranma stared off over Akane's shoulder to no where particular.
"There's more." Ranma said before she continued, "I felt myself slipping more and more often as I wandered around after I had buried pop….." Ranma choked back a sob before continuing, "And nearly every time I awoke I found something either cut up really bad or dead."
"At first it was just dead animals, squirrels, rabbits, and just about any small critter….."
Akane felt Ranma cringe and shaken really badly as she held her.
"Then one mornin'…. I…. I found ……. a….. a ….." Ranma choked but just stopped as she held onto Akane.
Akane at this point was very concerned as tried to comfort Ranma.
"A…. body…. of a p-p-person." Ranma finally replied out loud.
Ranma cried and cringed as she continued to grip onto Akane, as if holding onto a lifeline. Akane for one was putting all the pieces together from since the first day Ranma had arrived. In which she finally came to the conclusion of why Ranma was distant from time to time.
'Even though he was staying with my family, he kept himself distant to prevent from hurting anyone in fear of himself.'
Akane felt her heart going out to the cursed boy before her as she felt tears start to pour down mixing in with the rain.
"Then at one point I found pop's journal among the stuff that I had. Even though that it was mostly destroyed I found pop had talked quite a bit about a friend of his." Ranma paused for a second before continuing, "I wanted to start makin' amends, so I figured that I would let pop's friend know what had happened to him and leave."
Akane pulled back a little until she could see Ranma's face clearly.
"Why didn't you say this before?" Akane asked with concern as she tried to hold back a few more tears.
"Because I thought that I was only goin' to tell your father about pop before I walked off. I didn't know that both yours and my pop had an honor agreement for you or one of your sisters to marry me."
Ranma then glanced down at her right hand that was behind Akane while blood was still dripping off it.
"And look at me! I'm just a monster, a complete freak that murdered a lot of people, even my own father!" Ranma heartily yelled as she gazed at her hand.
"You don't know that!" Akane replied back, "How can you be so sure? You said it yourself; you only woke up to having your fathers and the bandit's blood on you!" Akane plead as she tried to make Ranma realize of who he wasn't.
"How would you know that?" Ranma asked with a small hint of hope, "What doesn't make me a monster if you only have known me for a few weeks?"
"I…..don't really know, but I do know that to me you're not a monster Ranma." Akane replied back.
"How can you say that after all the people the people that I hurt or killed? You saw one example from my fight with Ryoga." Ranma wistfully replied.
Ranma once again glanced back down at her hands as blood was nearly washed off by the rainfall.
"If I could slip that easily again, who knows what I'll do next." Ranma whispered.
"What I know Ranma, is that you're been kind and generous despite your past and you try and make things right. That what makes you a good person despite everything that you did before." Akane replied back to Ranma's question, "And as for condition, I still want to be your friend regardless of what will happen."
"Akane……. I …….. thank you" Ranma said as she was full of tears that were mixing with the rain on her face, "I needed that."
Akane gently hugged Ranma closer to her while keeping a gentle but firm grip on Ranma. None spoke as the rain kept falling down around them.
All of a sudden Ranma started to make a little noise that sounded like she was chuckling, "Funny, only a few days ago we were in the exact opposite position."
Akane pondered for a few seconds before she found herself giggling as well.
"Yeah, funny how things happen that way." Akane replied.
Neither of them spoke as the rain kept falling down, creating small and loud drops against the concrete ground.
It was at least an hour before Akane finally reached to front gate to the Tendo compound. It would've taken her so much time if it weren't for her carrying Ranma in her arms.
She then stepped inside as the rain kept pouring in. As soon as they were both underneath the side roof, Akane gently set Ranma down.
Akane giggled as she watched Ranma shake water off as her cat ears shook on top of her head. Ranma lightly growled at the situation.
"That's one thing I hate about the curse. Wet cat ears are defiantly not comfortable." Ranma grumbly pointed out as she pulled off her black Chinese shirt. Akane felt herself start to blush as she saw that Ranma was only wearing a wet white shirt underneath and it was as if it wasn't really there at all.
"Ranma! Can you please change upstairs? A wet white shirt is not the best thing to walk around in." Akane quickly explained as she pointed out why, while she blushed in embarrassment.
Ranma blinked and then glanced downwards. She found herself giving a quick yelp and turned around.
"Sorry, habit of mine." Ranma replied.
"That's ok, just change in your room." Akane answered back.
With a quick nod Ranma quickly rushed up the stairs and headed towards her room.
Akane sighed as she watched Ranma disappear up the stairs, she then headed towards the living room.
"Akane dinner will be ready soo…. Oh Akane, your hair!" Kasumi called out and pointed out as Akane had just came past the kitchen door.
Akane stopped and turn towards her sister.
"Oh, Kasumi. I was going to ask you if you might help me with this." Akane said as she held onto what remained of her long hair.
"Ok, but I thought you liked your hair being long." Kasumi replied as she came from the kitchen carrying a pair of scissors.
Akane lightly shrugged, "I changed my mind."
Kasumi had Akane sit down on one of the table chairs as she slowly cut the remaining long hair pieces. She lightly hummed as she did her work.
Akane for one kept having her mind wandering back to a certain pigtailed boy.
Ryoga huff and grunted as he marched through the streets of the Nermia ward, getting nearly lost at every corner. On top of that it was raining very heavily.
"I don't care if I have to camp on the Tendo's door step! We're going to finish this fight, once and for all!" Ryoga shouted as he carried his red umbrella as he turned around the corner.
He then stopped to read a sign that was in front of him.
"Tendo School of Anything-Goes Martial arts. Finally I made! Ranma, I'm going to get you back for everything I've had to endure!" Ryoga exclaimed as he marched within the compound.
The door slowly slid open as Ryoga peered inside; and taking notice of Ranma's sleeping form. He then slowly marched over to Ranma's bed and knelt down.
"Wake up Ranma! Let's fight!" Ryoga half whispered half yelled.
Ranma didn't respond as he continued to sleep. Ryoga at this point was losing his patience.
"I said wake up!" Ryoga nearly shouted as he brought his bamboo umbrella down aiming for Ranma's head.
Out of no where Ranma's hand swiped at it, thus knocking Ryoga towards the window. Ranma then jumped up and rushed forward at the intruder. He then shoved Ryoga out into the yard following not far behind.
Ryoga gently landed while having his umbrella separating the rain from him. He then turned and came face to face with Ranma's cursed form.
Ranma was just about to attack the intruder when she finally recognized the face.
"Oh, Ryoga, It's you." Ranma plainly put before she continued, "What are you doin' here?"
"I've come to finish our fight and revenge!" Ryoga responded back.
Ranma shook her head, "This again? I told you I don't want to fight you. I'd think you would've understood why when the last time you came at me."
Ryoga paused at this as he recalled what seemed like last week. Unfortunate for him that all he remembered is where he was trying to get to and getting revenge.
"All I remember is getting my revenge!" Ryoga called out as he charged at Ranma.
Ranma quickly stepped to the side as Ryoga's umbrella came down right where she stood, thus creating another but small crater.
"Because of you Ranma, I've seen hell!" Ryoga roared as he continued to attack Ranma.
This started to make Ranma's blood boil a little.
"Hell?!" Ranma shouted angrily, "You wouldn't even know the true meaning off it!"
"Akane." A small voice called out.
Akane slowly opened her eyes to see both her sisters standing over her still in their nightdresses.
"What do you want?" Akane replied as she gave a small yawn.
"There's some one outside. I think it's a burglar." Kasumi spoke in a small worried voice as she pulled her small sister up.
"Ok, but why did you wake me up too?" Akane asked as she was still half asleep.
Nabiki slightly rolled her eyes at this.
"It should be obvious that you're the martial artist of the family." Nabiki plainly put, "And that Ranma's not in his room."
At that Akane stood completely up without her old sister holding her up. She quickly grabbed a shinai from off the wall as all three sisters slowly made their way through out the house.
They just reached the door leading out to the porch in the backyard when they saw a figure running in the rain as the thunder flashed.
"It is a burglar!" Kasumi gasped as she nearly jumped back.
Akane stepped forward still carrying the shinai and was just about to head out when Kasumi tapped her shoulder.
"Here, use this." Kasumi said as she held out a barbell.
Akane stared at it before grabbing it and turning back to the door.
She had just made it to the door when she heard a girl's voice over the heavy rain.
"You wouldn't even know the true meaning off it!"
'That sounds like Ranma!'
With that Akane quickly stepped outside and threw the barbell at the other figure in the rain.
Ryoga had no time as something came and smacked him in the face as his umbrella was knocked out of his hands. After he quickly realized that he was being hit with rain, he headed out into the street running very fast.
"Ryoga!" Ranma called as she ran after him.
Akane blinked as she stared at where Ranma had ran off.
"Ryoga?" Akane said to know one in particular.
Ranma ran quickly after Ryoga being not far behind. Though when Ryoga turned around the corner as Ranma continued to follow she couldn't see him anywhere.
"Now where did that block head go?" Ranma said as she glanced around.
She noticed something on the ground in the middle of the street, though it was a little hard to make out. As she stepped closer she took note that they were clothes.
As Ranma bent down and picked them up, she noticed that were Ryoga's clothes.
Ranma frowned at this.
"What are Ryoga's clothes doin' in the street?"
With that in thought Ranma headed back while carrying Ryoga's clothes.
Akane was sitting at the table sipping some hot chocolate when she took notice of Ranma just coming through the door carrying clothes that looked familiar.
"Are those Ryoga's clothes?" Akane asked as she took another sip.
"Yeah, I found them in the street when I was chasin' Ryoga." Ranma resorted back as she sat at the table.
Akane blinked at this.
"You mean he's running in the street naked?" Akane asked as she was putting the pieces together.
Ranma face faulted at this.
"I doubt that Akane." Ranma answered back, "I think he might have a Jusenkyo curse."
"Are you sure?" Akane asked, "That would explain a few things for the way he's been upset at you."
Ranma lightly shrugged, "I'm only guessin'."
Akane stretched her arms before she started to walk away from the table.
"I'm going to be getting ready for a bath." Akane responded as she walked out of the room.
Akane had quietly walked into her room as she glanced around her dresser for her clothes when she heard a small noise coming from within her room.
"Who's there?" Akane asked to no one in particular as she glanced around her room.
Out of know where a small black blob came and aimed right at Akane's face. Akane had quickly raised her hands to block it, thus knocking it away. It landed several feet from her as it tried to get back on its feet.
Akane looked down and saw that it was a small black piglet.
'A pig?'
"Come here little one." Akane called as she reached down and picked up the pig.
"Oh, you're all wet from the rain." Akane said with her sweet voice as she walked out of the room, holding the pig close.
If one were to look very closely they would've notice a small yellow black spotted bandana.
Ranma was still sitting at the table when she heard someone coming from the hallway. She turned and saw Akane walking in with something small in her hands. When Akane got close enough Ranma saw that it was a small black pig.
"Where did you get that?" Ranma asked with interest.
"I found it in my room." Akane answered back as she held it out.
Ranma stepped forward to take a closer look when it all of a sudden to rush forward at Ranma, but was unsuccessful as Akane was holding it back.
"What's wrong with it?" Ranma asked.
"I don't know." Akane responded back as she pulled the pig back until it calmed down, "Maybe it's just afraid of your cursed form's appearance."
Ranma shook his head, "I don't think that's it Akane. Can I see it for a second?"
Akane nodded as she brought it to Ranma again, but this time making sure that it didn't jump out and attack Ranma. When Akane finally brought it Ranma's hands, Ranma was about to hold it when it reached out and bit her hand.
"Ouch! What's the problem with this pig?!" Ranma yelled as she pulled back her hand.
"I don't know Ranma." Akane responded as she went and picked up the piglet. "It probably feels that you're a threat, but I don't know why it should."
Ranma glanced at her hand as it started to slowly bleed.
"I'm going to be taking my bath now." Akane called out as she made her way to the bathroom, "And Ranma, I'm sorry about the pig."
Ranma waved her hand in Akane's direction, "Don't worry about it, just make sure that it doesn't bit you."
With that Akane left the area, leaving Ranma top her thoughts.
'That pig seems familiar some how, but I just can't put my finger on it.'
Ranma was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard a scream coming from the bathroom. Without thinking she got up and rushed towards the scream.
Akane sat the pig down at the edge of the furo and was starting to take of her clothes. The pig was almost staring at her when it suddenly had a small nose bleed and tipped over into the furo's warm water.
Akane had just finished getting her clothes off when she noticed that the pig wasn't where she set it at.
"Where is it?" Akane questioned as she glanced around.
Akane then noticed bubbles coming up from the furo and a small black figure in the water.
"Must have fallen in." Akane obviously resorted as she walked back to the furo.
When she had gotten closer, Akane noticed something else was in the water. She went in to take a closer look and found herself screaming at what she saw.
A boy.
A naked boy to be precise.
She then saw a small yellow black spotted bandana and recognized the boy before her.
Ryoga.
Right then a small piece of Ranma's conversation from earlier.
"I think he might have a Jusenkyo curse."
Akane found herself shaking her head violently as she quickly covered herself. After a few seconds anger came forth.
'That……..that…. pervert! I can't believe that Ryoga! I'm going to….'
Akane was suddenly interrupted from her thoughts when she heard some one else come in the room. She turned and saw that it was Ranma who was staring at the scene before her.
Ranma quickly rushed through the sliding door, hurrying towards Akane's scream. She had just opened the door to the furo when she stopped at what she saw before her.
Akane standing there, naked but covered up.
Ranma found herself blushing before she noticed something was in the furo. Upon a closer look she noticed the figure right away.
'Ryoga! But what would he…..'
It then all came together. Ryoga maybe having a Jusenkyo curse, the small black pig that Akane was carrying, the black pig biting him on sight, Akane going to take her bath, Akane screaming.
Akane's screaming coming from the bathroom.
Ranma at this point found himself growling very deeply.
'That…..that….how dare him!'
Ranma's eyes at this point had start turning red. Akane noticed this as well.
Ranma stretched out her hand as she showed off her claws.
"Ranma don't do it!" Akane called out as she hurried over to her.
Ryoga was just coming to when he heard a girl screaming at the top of her lungs. He tried to glance up, but found himself sliding back into the furo.
As he tried to get up a second time he heard growling and another shout coming from the same girl. When he completely opened his eyes, he wished he hadn't.
Red colored eyes meet with his own as he tried to get out of the way. The figure quickly slashed forward at him just as he stepped to the side.
Ranma's clawed hand ended up colliding into bath wall thus making a small hole into the wall. Before she could completely pull her hand out of the wall Ryoga amscrayed out the room and was gone.
Ranma was about to follow when she felt a pair of hands grabbing her waist and quickly held her down. She was about to attack her holder when she recognized the scent of someone familiar.
It was scent that she recognized as a friend and no threat.
Akane felt Ranma relax in her arms as she continued to hold onto Ranma. She then heard Ranma's breathing going steadier as she felt her push up against her.
'That's funny, it almost feels like…'
That's when Akane realized that she was still naked as the day she was born ever since the whole incident began. She then slowly stood up and quickly grabbed a towel to cover up while she blushed bright red.
After she finished she turned back to Ranma's sleeping body. She slightly frowned as she came and sat down near her. A small tear started to come down her cheek as she held Ranma's form close to hers.
'It's my fault that she reacted that way.'
Finally this chapter is out! I swear I had several different versions on how I was going to write this and I got really stuck at one point. Then off course was the wrapping up of how to end this chapter.
Well I'm just glad that I was able to finish this. I got to say I loved the situation of Ranma needing the comfort of Akane as Akane need his only about a week earlier.
Well anyway, I roughly got the next several chapters planned out, but still needs some work done on it. So I hope that I will get the next one out soon.
