The crescent moon's gray brightness was the only thing lighting their way as they sailed, only a few tiny stars littered the skies. They must not see my fear. I have to be strong. Ranma may have died, but I haven't. These three won't get the best of me. Akane thought while looking around the ship, which was actually quite large. They had released her from the potato sack, so she could now move freely. Ryoga sat towards the back (near Akane) because he had gotten them lost several times before. In fact, that is why they were sailing around in the middle of the ocean. They should have gotten to their destination by now, but somehow they were lost.
He had been staring at her, but when he saw her look at him, his eyes instantly fell to the floor and he blushed slightly. Shampoo was on the other end with Kuno, trying to figure out if they were going the right way now. After deciding that they were headed in the right direction, they both took a seat at the front of the boat, intent on staring at Akane. "He'll find you, you know," Akane stated boldly. "And when he does, you three will not be too happy."
"That's exactly what we want, your highness," Kuno responded, his long wooden sword in hand.
"And what do you plan to do with me exactly?!" She asked, wondering to herself how she could have ever gotten kidnapped by such a buffoon.
"We only kill you Akane, no need worry," Shampoo answered with a cheery grin. Akane's boldness suddenly dissipated, and she began to shake inside. Do they really want me dead?
"Do we really have to kill her?" Ryoga asked the other two. "I agree with Ryoga, it seems quite unethical to destroy such a beautiful flower."
"No argue, must kill Akane." Shampoo said, staring at her, and the two men sighed with regret. No use arguing with a beautiful, strong, Chinese amazon, they thought simultaneously.
Time just seemed to drag for the next few minutes until Ryoga questioned, "are you guys sure that we covered our tracks?"
"Of course, you imbecile!" Kuno responded, but was only asked again, five minutes later, "are you sure that nobody's following us?"
"How can anyone possibly even know that we have the princess, moron!" Kuno yelled, but second-guessed himself, "why do you ask?"
"Oh no reason... except, when I looked behind us, I noticed the huge ship that's gaining on us. I just thought you guys would want to know." He stated matter-of-factly.
Shampoo and Kuno both got up to look at the back of the ship.
Must stay calm, don't do anything stupid. Nnnnnhhhhhh how could I have been taken so easily?! They won't succeed, they won't! Akane thought as she looked around one more time. At the moment when the other three decided to turn away and look behind, she leapt from the ship.
S P L A S H
was all they heard before they turned back to see that Akane had vanished into the ocean.
I have to swim. I have to. I can make it! Akane thought as she managed to stay afloat for a few seconds. I have to swim! Please! Don't let them... "RAN--!" She managed to gurgle before she started to sink into the ocean.
"Akane!" Ryoga screamed as he rushed to the side of the boat where she jumped off. He could only see one of her hands being taken by the ocean before he leapt in after her. "Akan--squeal squeal," came from his mouth as he was instantly transformed into a little black piglet once he hit the bitter cold water. His tiny arms, and legs scrambled desperately as he swam to catch up to her lifeless, sinking, body.
"Lower the rope!" Kuno screamed as Shampoo threw the sturdy rope down the side of the boat. Miraculously, with strength that seemed to come from nowhere, the little black piglet emerged, dragging Akane with his tiny teeth, and as if by another miracle, he managed to climb up with her, landing safe and sound.
"That was very bold of you Akane," Kuno told her with sarcasm.
"Only compared to some," she responded as she sat upright. She noticed a tiny black piglet breathing heavily next to her, and she cradled it against her chest. "Where did this cute little black pig come from? And what happened to Ryoga? Awww, poor little piggy's all wet," she cooed as she petted it. "I'm gonna call you P-Chan, were you the one who saved me?" She asked it as she pecked him lightly on the snout. "Why did you guys stop me from drowning anyway? I thought you wanted me dead?" She asked, suddenly remembering that she was in a dangerous situation. The two simply gave puzzled looks, and they continued on their journey, with the ship behind, gaining on them fast.
"Squeal squeal squeal," the little piglet screamed as Shampoo pulled him from Akane's sleeping arms. "Shhhh, you not want wake Akane, you want her know you turn to little piglet?" Shampoo asked him, and he instantly stopped making noise. She had managed to find a tea kettle, which happened to be yellow, and heated up some water. The sun was starting to rise, and a soft orange glow could be seen all around. They had finally reached the cliff.
"At last! The Cliffs of Insanity!" Kuno screamed gleefully, waking Akane just as Ryoga finished putting on the rest of his clothes.
They released the anchor near the base of the cliff, and caught sight of the long rope that dangled down from the top. "How we spose clime up there?" Shampoo asked.
"Insolent woman! One of us will carry us all up this sturdy rope!"
"And who you mean to do that?" She asked, eyelids half closed at the stupidity of the situation.
"One of you has to be strong enough to carry all three of us! It's in the movie!"
"What movie you talk about? This is no movie," she responded, and Akane began to flail her arms to the ship coming closer to the cliff. "We're over here!" She yelled.
"What you do Akane?" Shampoo said, giving her the evil eye, and as she did so, Ryoga decided it was best to start climbing.
"Will everyone just get on," he growled. "It's probably well known that I do have the best arms here," a sigh came from his mouth as the three climbed onto his shoulders, each wrapped tightly around some part of his body.
"Here we go," he said as he began his climb. Everyone was shocked because he does have extremely strong arms, and before they knew it, they reached the halfway point. "Wait!" Akane yelled, and Ryoga stopped instantly, "we left P-Chan down there!" His arms seemed to give way a little when she said this, "he's fine," he responded as a huge sweat drop appeared on the top of his head.
"Hurry up you fool, he's gaining on us," Kuno said as they all looked down to see a man with a black pigtail climbing steadily up the rope. He wore black pants and a red, Chinese, shirt, but they couldn't see his face because it was hidden behind a black mask. He appeared to be flying up the rope without pause, and Ryoga quickened his pace. Moments later, the four had successfully scaled the cliff, and the man in black (not counting his obviously red shirt) was only a quarter of the way from the top.
Kuno hurriedly released his hold on Ryoga, and took out his sword. He swung at the rope, and although his sword was made of wood, it somehow managed to slice through. Instantly, the remaining rope slithered off the edge of the cliff.
The three kidnappers rushed to the edge, and were shocked to see that the man was still dangling only a few meters from the top. "Shampoo and I will take Akane, you take care of him. And, swiftly!" Kuno ordered Ryoga.
"I'll have to do it left handed," he responded as he took hold of the umbrella that was tied to his back, "I wouldn't want it to be finished that quickly."
"Oh, WHATEVER! Just finish him off!" Kuno yelled to him, and sped off with Shampoo and Akane.
Ryoga stepped back towards the edge, and noticed that the man was having a hard time. "Can I offer you some help?" He asked him, but only received a grin in return. The man grabbed a steady piece of the rock with both his hands, and kicked his feet off the cliff. With hands firmly planted, his feet gradually made their way over his head, and he pushed down with his hands. The action caused him to somersault right to the top of the cliff, and land inches from Ryoga's nose. Wow, he thought, he's pretty good.
"You know that I can't let you pass," Ryoga told him, and the man in black nodded, knees bent, in a stance ready for attack. "Why don't you rest a minute," Ryoga suggested. I don't want this to be too easy!
"How nice of you," the man said sarcastically, and sat down on the ground, away from the edge.
"You wouldn't happen to turn into a panda when splashed with cold water would you?" Asked Ryoga hopefully.
"Do you begin all conversations this way?"
"Or perhaps, know a crazy redheaded girl?" The man in black's eyes suddenly opened wide, but not long enough for Ryoga to notice.
"NO! I definitely don't know anyone like that."
"I'm Ryoga Hibiki, and I am the last person that you will see alive."
"It's good to know that you're the last person I will ever see." He responded back with no hint of fear or sarcasm, or any emotion whatsoever.
"Well then, shall we begin?" Ryoga asked as he took out his red umbrella. The man in black, now back in his fighting stance replied, "I'm ready when you are."
I hope you guys liked this chapter. This was kind of a long one, but I hope it was worth it :) In case you guys didn't know, The Princess Bride is my fav movie and book, so some Chapters are based on the book and vise versa. I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anything better than the "cliffs of insanity" hehe, but some things are better left unchanged ;) I'll write more soon, but in the meantime, tell me what you thought ^_~ But... please be kind.