Previous chapters are being modified for grammatical errors and wording. I will be also adding more scenes to previous chapters, so I will let you know when the updated chapters are available. So new chapters will take a little longer to release T
It looks like this might be a long fanfic…so I hope you're enjoying the direction this fic has gone so far.
Kudos to SirOsiris and Mamoru Kusanagi for being my Pre-readers!
Replies to reviews are at the end of the chapter. Please review!! They let me know people are reading my fanfic, so I'm more enthusiastic about writing the next chapter. Till then, thank you very much for the reviews! I am reading each and every single one and thinking about using them for future ideas and changes. jL
Chapter 10
Previously…
"I agreed to an arranged marriage."
….
"I'll be gone for a month to take care of business and I....Can...can you help me take care of her? She's strong, but sometimes, everyone needs a friend to listen to them."
"…take care of her…" Kei's last request echoed in Ranma's head as he watched Kei's retreating back. He then turned around and started to walk down the path Aoi had taken earlier.
The birds were chirping melodiously. The soft wind blew lightly thru Ranma's hair. The morning sun peeked through the tall trees, creating rays of sunlight that bounced from the dew on the giant green leaves. The air, still damp, created a serene, misty atmosphere. For once, Ranma did not notice the soothing environment. He was concerned about Aoi.
Over the past two weeks, her quickness to smile and tease, her tolerance when explaining Calculus and Japanese to a difficult Ranma, and her ability to put Ranma at ease, made them become fast friends. And right now that friend was hurt. Ranma remembered how out of place those unshed tears looked in her ocean-green eyes; eyes that had always shone with affection and amusement.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aoi sitting on a rock, looking down at the small fresh-water pond below. The pond was no larger than a tennis court, but the little waterfall created by the small stream going into the pond produced a relaxing and calming sound.
Her sandals were thrown to the side of the rock and she had one foot dangling above the pond. Her head was propped on her knee and she had her arms entwined around her toned calf. She was staring into the water, deep in thought, not noticing the morning chill in her navy blue boxer shorts and gray Eden sweatshirt. 'What do I do now?' Ranma stood there for a moment debating his plan of action.
"Now you know why we're not so different after all, Ranma."
Ranma slipped off his Chinese slippers and sat down next to Aoi, and let his feet dangle close to the surface of the water. He looked down at the pond. Red, orange and gray koi were swimming around in circles. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything." She sighed. "Sorry, I'm giving you a hard time."
Ranma turned to look at Aoi. Her normally perfect porcelain face was pale and her eyes were puffy. Her ocean-green eyes showed such hurt that Ranma's heart could not help but hurt, too. Ranma turned his eyes away and looked at the little waterfall.
Aoi suddenly swung her arms around Ranma's neck and burst into tears. Her body convulsing as her anguish and grief were released through her hot tears. Stiffening and close to panic 'What do I do?' His first impulse was to shove Aoi away and run away, but her sadness, and firm grip, prevented him from doing so. Ranma did not know what to do. So he just sat there, with his hands at his sides, while Aoi cried on his shoulder. The sobbing slowly ceased, but Aoi's head was still on Ranma's shoulder.
After what felt like hours, Aoi got up. She took a deep breath and leaned back. Picking up a rock, she threw it into the pond. A few meters away, it created a loud splash, as if that one rock contained all her anger, frustration and sadness. She turned to Ranma with a smile, "Sorry about that. I'm okay now. Thanks for letting me use your shoulder. I needed that. Come on, let's get going before we miss class."
She offered her hand to Ranma. Ranma looked at her questioningly. Her face had more color to it and although her eyes were red and puffy, they not longer contained that sadness. Ranma took her hand and Aoi pulled him up. "Uh…no problem." Ranma shrugged sheepishly and walked with Aoi back to Auen. Both were silent during the trek and said "See you later" as they went into their own rooms to change.
When Ranma arrived downstairs for breakfast, he noticed that Aoi was already at the table. So was Kei. Both were acting normally, save the fact that they were looking everywhere but at each other. This went unnoticed by their astute housemates.
"Now that everyone is here, I have something I would like to say" He waited as everyone stopped eating and questioningly turned his way. "I will be gone for a month due to some company business." Kei raised his hand to silence the concerns from his housemates. "Don't worry, it is nothing very serious." Pausing to take a breath, he turned away from his house mates and closed his eyes in hurt. "Fukai and Yoshi Industries are discussing a merger through a business marriage between our families." All eyes then turned to Aoi.
Kei turned back to his housemates. His expression unreadable. "I hope that this doesn't change our relationship. And…and I hope you won't ask too many questions and will support each other through this change." Kei looked directly at Aoi. "I must leave now, take care." Kei bowed and walked out the door.
No one said a word. Trey decided to break the uncomfortable silence, "Huh?"
"We broke up." Aoi said calmly, looking at her housemates. "It had to be done. It was mutual, let's leave it at that." She got up with her bag and left.
"Oh man, oh man, oh man!" Brenn said deliriously, as she digested the information. "How could this happen? They were THE couple. This can't be happening…."
"Hush, Brenn. Aoi needs us right now." Makoto said softly, concern evident in her voice.
The warning bell rang, and for once, everyone got up slowly and walked unhurriedly towards their classes.
By the time Ranma reached campus, the rumor mill was in full swing.
"Did you hear?? Aoi-chan dumped Kei-san!!"
"No way, I heard that Kei-san broke up with Aoi-chan!!"
"I heard that Aoi found out Kei-san was sleeping with other girls, so she broke up with him!"
"Aoi-chan's single now. There's nothing better than a girl on the rebound…"
"I heard that Kei-san got some girl pregnant…."
"Can you believe the ridiculous things people are saying?" Angela asked angrily as she broke through the crowd towards Ranma. "You'd think people would have more class than spread all these stupid rumors." Angela said loudly, silencing the whispering frenzy around her.
"Let's get to class, Ranma. I can't stand hearing this anymore." Ranma didn't have to be told twice as they hurriedly went to their History class.
Luckily, when they arrived, Mr. Bright was already writing the day's agenda on the board, so the students were not speaking as loudly as those out in the hall.
However, even Mr. Bright's animated lecture about the treachery amongst Chinese heirs in the Tang Dynasty could not keep his mind away from this morning's event. Ranma stared blankly at Mr. Bright as he spoke. Not a single word entered his mind.
'I don't get it. Why is everyone making such a big deal out of this? Kei-san's being a man. He's living up to his honor and his family's wishes. That's what a man should do! But…why do I feel so sad when I see Aoi? Is this what it will be like for the other girls when I choose? What am I going to do? Either way I hurt someone. Seeing Aoi cry was bad enough, but seeing FOUR girls cry is even worst. ARGHH!'
"Ranma?" A slim hand waved in front of his eyes.
"Huh?" Ranma looked at Megumi's concerned violet eyes.
"Class is over. Are you okay?"
"Yea, it's just been a long day, you know?"
"Tell me about it." Angela said from behind as she approached the pair.
"I'd imagine you know all about what's going on. Why, I bet you helped fuel all this craziness." Megumi accused Angela haughtily.
"No. Aoi-chan's my best friend. Unlike somebody here, I don't spread dirty rumors about my friends to get ahead." Angela shouted back.
"Whatever. I don't even know what the heck she's talking about, Ranma. Ranma?" Megumi looked around and found that Ranma was already at the door on his way to his next class.
"Look what you did, Megumi. Smart move." Angela ran after Ranma, her wavy blond ponytail bobbing as she swerved through the crowd of students.
"Ranma! Sorry about that." Angela finally caught up to the martial artist as they headed to English.
"Huh? Oh…it's okay."
Angela's violet eyes narrowed. 'I bet he didn't even know that he left me behind! What a jerk!' But her eyes turned soft after a moment. 'He's just worried about Aoi-chan. We all are.'
Like History, Math was a blur. However, English did nothing to stop the controversy. Instead, it added to it. The class was debating the ending of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Two star-crossed lovers from feuding families fell in love. But their love was forbidden, so they married in secret. However, they were tore apart by their families and revenge. In the end, both lovers died for each other.
"It's romantic. Dying for love." One girl said as she sighed and put her hand at her heart.
"Pssh. Who needs love? I say Romeo should have killed all the Capulet's for revenge after Juliet died. Rather than dying for some girl, he will be a powerful leader in Verona."
"They should have just run away, eloped. Who cares what their parents think?"
"Can he really run from family duty an' honor? Once a man rejects duty an' honor, he's nothin'!" Ranma countered, inciting a heated discussion.
"What exactly is duty and honor, someone's archaic notion of pride? Girls were once killed for being raped by a man. And that man walked away freely! Where's the honor in that?" Another girl replied.
"That was hundreds of years ago! You can't equate that with the present." Another boy interjected.
"Oh? So you're saying that what's happening to the women in the Middle East is made-up? That women have to hide and cover every single inch of themselves is fake? If even one part of them is exposed while outside, they're immediately hunted and killed! By their own father, brother, son and husband! Is THAT what you call honor?" The Chinese girl replied expressively.
"Good point, Chan." The small, short blonde-hair teacher nodded in agreement to the girl. Haruka Nagata's red eyes were excited about the lively discussion her class was so animatedly taking a part in. "So class, what exactly IS honor, and how is that related to family duty?"
"Honor is man's code for integrity, dignity and pride. It's man's personal integrity. That's what separates us from animals and beasts." Ranma said.
"Ranma's right. Honor is a man's personal integrity. Without that integrity, everything that man does is unethical and immoral." A dark-haired boy said.
"So who decides what is ethical and immoral? Who decides what is honorable?" Ranma asked the class.
The class became silent, deep in thought. "Society." Chan said. "That's man's ability: adaptation and evolution. It's how man has survived so long. What was honorable hundreds of years ago may not be honorable now. Or what we see in different cultures is not considered honorable by our own society, but that's based on society's interpretation as a whole."
"But only the man himself can determine whether he has that personal integrity, that honor. Other people can't judge that." A brunette girl from England countered.
"True. But on a whole, we base our opinion and actions on what society thinks and deems acceptable. No one is omnipotent enough, except kami-sama himself, to decide right and wrong." A student in the back replied.
"Okay, honor is important. So is duty. But what of love? Choices? What of living life the way one WANTS to, not the way family demands." One dark-haired boy said bitterly. "It's asking the age old question of destiny versus choice."
"Screw family and destiny. Live the way you want to."
"That's easy for you to say Matthew. You aren't going to be disowned if you go your own way. You have it better in America."
"It's not any different! Just stop being a trust fund kid and make your own money, Tadashi. Then you won't have to worry about being disowned by Mommy and Daddy." Matthew smirked as he taunted Tadashi.
"Well, at least I have a Mommy and Daddy with money." Tadashi sneered in reply at the angry blonde.
"Okay, class." Nagata-sensei clapped her hands and stopped the pending fight. "I think that was a very interesting and involving debate. So I hope that after this discussion, you should all be able to write your own opinions in a 5-page, double-spaced essay. Due this Friday."
The whole class groaned in response as they began to pack their bags.
Biology passed by in a blur. When Ranma went into the cafeteria to get his lunch, if possible, the gossiping was worst.
As Ranma stood in line for food, he could not help but overhear the conversation in front of him. "My father told me that Yoshi and Fukai Industries are discussing a merger. I bet you it's a business marriage." A green-haired girl said to her two other friends.
"What a lucky girl! All I can say is, I'm glad I got a chance with Kei-san before he met Aoi." Her silver-haired companion said slyly.
"You're lucky. Aoi had to come and ruin everything. I could have been next, you know. But…how was he?" The brunette asked as she nudged her friend.
"A proper lady does not kiss and tell. But…let's just say it will be difficult to find someone better." The group burst into a fit of giggles.
Ranma stared at the girls with disgust. 'How could they be talking about stuff like that?'
He started out towards the benches with his tray and found his table. Conversation around Aoi was hushed. But Ranma noticed that a large group of guys were standing near the table.
"…if you need someone, I'll be here for you…" Ranma heard as he approached the table.
"Thank you, Jay-kun. But I'm fine." Aoi said with a strained smile. Jay smiled back and left the table dejected.
Ranma sat down at his lunch table besides Angela and Bobby.
"Aoi-chan. You should just stop these rumors and tell everyone what's going on. This is getting way out of hand." Angela groaned in frustration.
"You won't believe the things I've been hearing." Sasha Kitachi nodded in agreement as her sea green curls moved against her shoulders. Ranma has come to know Sasha as a fun-loving and easy-going girl who is always ready to laugh and smile. But currently her unpainted mouth was set in a worried line.
"If you ignore them, it'll eventually stop." Bobby shrugged as he ate his sandwich.
"Easy for you to say. You're a guy." Angela countered as she took a bite into her taco.
"I just wish these guys would give up already. Can you believe even girls approached Aoi-chan?? As if breaking up with Kei turned you into a lesbian?" Sasha asked incredulously.
"Here comes another one…" Angela sighed as she saw the approaching boy. "Don't they ever stop? Do we need to post a sign or something??"
"Hey, Aoi-chan. Well, you know, now that Kei's gone. If you get lonely or something, just give me a call. I'm your friend, and I can be a SPECIAL friend, too." A black-haired boy said as he tried to ease up beside Aoi.
Aoi suddenly stood up. "Look." Aoi said loudly to the entire crowd. Her eyes were filled with cold fury. And her body was trembling from barely controlled rage. "Let's make something clear. I'm not lonely. I have friends." Aoi stared at the red-faced cowering boy. "And I don't need any SPECIAL friends, either."
She turned back to the crowd. "It was mutual. There was no third party. Just stop talking about this and get on with our lives, okay?" She looked at the crowd until she saw nods of consent.
"That sure did the job." Sasha said admiringly as Aoi finally sat back down.
"I'm okay. Really, guys. Don't worry about me. We knew it would happen sooner or later. So don't make a big deal out of it, okay? If I can learn to deal with it, so can you."
When the lunch bell rang, Aoi got up with her friends and headed to class.
Athenais: You were the first to review my fanfic after I stopped. Thank you for reminding me I still have a fanfic out there that people read. You helped me start it again )
dogbertcarroll: Your reviews and comments have always been helpful. Thank you for pointing out the flaws and holes! I will be making modifications to previous chapters. Please continue w/ the critical feedback.
helen27, sirk, Night-Owl123, sean, Jerry Unipeg, Xzero, ColdCypher: Thanks!! I'll be making changes to previous chapters as I'm updating, so go back and read it again sometime )
fanfic lover: Ranma will have a chance to show off his superior martial arts skills….sometime in the future
an author: Thanks. I often miss it because I'm so use to writing shorthand. But, I made changes and uploaded it so it would be easier to read for future readers.
Mia, IceDragon2k: Hahaha, I'll think about giving him a non-NWC girl. In the meantime, Ranma has a year in Eden, a lot can happen in a year ;-)