Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and its characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi. This story is for the free use and enjoyment of those who read it.
Schools United
Chapter Two
By Michael Fetter
Another day, another dollar, or that's what they said. Never in his life would Ryouga have imagined that his bad sense of direction would become so profitable.
One of the best martial artists in Japan was making his way through a small out-of-the-way town somewhere to the north of Tokyo. He had been on his way to see Akari when he found himself trudging through thigh-high snow in a wasteland where the sky had been dark for days on end. After grumbling a little bit about being late, Ryouga eventually pulled out a small notepad and pencil and looked up to interview the nearest locals of this winter land.
He had to blink a few times when he realized the snow was now gone, replaced with palm trees and sand, and the temperature was no longer freezing. Shrugging away his confusion, Ryouga walked the distance to a pair of young women who had been eyeing him for who knew how long.
"Oh well," Ryouga muttered, "one town is as good as another."
* * *
Ranma settled into her seat against a large tree as she found the name of the city she, Akane, and Hiro had happened upon on their way to the Northern range. Akane had bought the little travel book before leaving Nerima three days ago. Whoever the writer was, Ranma had become enthralled by the sincerity of the small town summaries. It was like the person had actually visited each and every one of these little towns.
"Where are we at, Okaasan?" Akane asked as she returned from cleaning the cooking utensils. The dinner had been some simple easy to make soup and rice, which Ranma had foolishly left to Akane. The girl was still no gourmet, by any stretch of the imagination, but at least her cooking was now edible. Hiro had been very eager to see the pots cleaned when they finished and pleaded with Akane to let him cook next time. Knowing Akane, she probably thought Hiro wanted to idolize her culinary ability.
"Some city outside of Yamagata. We have just a few more days of travel before we lose ourselves far enough into the countryside." Akane nodded her head and sat down beside her mother. They shared many quiet moments these days, enjoying the freedom of the non-restricting nature. Sounds of chirping birds and yawning vegetation as it swayed with the gentle breezes made excellent background music to the silence.
"Okaasan, are you feeling okay?"
Startled out of her peaceful trance, Ranma turned to her daughter questioningly. "Of course, why do you ask?"
"I was just worried. We haven't been traveling as far or as fast as you used to." She bit her lip, thinking she might have gone a bit far to remind Okaasan of her old life.
Ranma tensed a bit as she recalled the young man with a pigtail who could carry enormous amounts of weight while sprinting through the mountains. As much as she hated to admit it, life at the dojo had been much harsher on her mind than her body. Ranma's physical condition had slipped quite a bit in the past six years, though she had made some impressive leaps in her ki and chi abilities.
It wasn't worth going into a new grievance brought on by Soun so she sidestepped the topic a bit. "Let's see how strong you are after having a child, daughter, then we'll talk about endurance."
Akane silently cursed herself for her stupidity and tried to segue into a new topic. Tact had somehow become a new lesson she was getting from Ranma, funny considering her once brash and arrogant attitude. "I don't think I'm as strong as I should be so maybe we can do something about it, ne? It's nice to have a goal in common."
After a brief chuckle, Ranma poked her daughter-in-law in the waist. "You may not have such a . . . goal, if you didn't insist that your boyfriends take you to the ice cream parlors so often!" Akane is still quite cute when she blushes, Ranma noted with a smirk.
"Not my fault men are such dopes that they'll do what I tell'em." She muttered under her breath. Ranma laughed again and leaned against the tree, gazing at the twinkling stars and bright blue moon.
Hiro stepped up to his mother a moment later, yawning openly and stretching out the little sore muscles in his back.
"Tired, Hiro-kun? Why don't you go to bed early tonight?" Hiro took a few steps, bringing him to Ranma's side. He plopped down onto the earth beside her and leaned against the tree.
"Nah, I'm not sleepy yet, momma." He muttered between yawns and rested his head against her arm.
"I can see that." Ranma giggled, chorused by Akane, who was watching her brother with adoration. She never had a brother before, and it was nice that he was younger; Akane was no longer the baby in the family. "So," Ranma started, "How is 'what's-his-name'?"
"Ataru. I broke things off before we left." Akane stated non-chalantly.
A frown creased Ranma's brow as she considered the number of relationships Akane had ended since her marriage. Going from a man-hater to a player did not seem healthy, for Akane. "That's too bad. He seemed like a nice young man."
She didn't look, but could feel Akane nod none-the-less. "Any particular reason?"
"Well, the trip, of course."
"You didn't have to come along if it was going to jeopardize your relationship, Akane-chan." Ranma intoned her disapproval of her daughter's weak reasoning.
Akane turned to face her with mock indignation. "What?! And leave my mother to bear the dangers of the country on her own?! I think not!"
Rolling her eyes, Ranma settled her gaze on the brown-eyed girl. "I just wish you would settle down some day, daughter."
"It's not from a lack of trying, Okaasan. Besides, I'm still young and I have some pretty high standards thanks to my fian- . . . I have time." She finished, grimacing at her slip up.
There wasn't much more to say after that. Six years Ranma had been dealing with her lot in life and apologizing to Akane for the way things turned out. She had little doubt that if it weren't for that episode six years ago, Akane would have been her . . . Ranma's wife. How things would have been so different, she had cried herself to sleep many times thinking of the possibilities. She had thought, that after all this time, Akane would have moved on, found someone new to share her life with.
Perhaps Ranma should have seen something wrong with the way her daughter went through boyfriends. None of them had ever matched up in Akane's eyes and now Ranma knew why.
Was she here to pick things up where they left off, Ranma wondered. The girl at her side was certainly beautiful and Ranma did love her, but more as a daughter or a friend. All the years of being called Okaasan, taking care of her child, and attending those family functions had changed Ranma's very outlook on life.
Absently stroking her son's hair where his head lie in her lap, Ranma thought of how Akane must be feeling. It had taken a long time for Ranma to realize just how much Akane had loved her, and with Soun dead it was like a second chance. Sometimes, Ranma sighed in remorse, there are no second chances.
"Do you think you'll ever remarry, Okaasan?"
That was an interesting question. Did she need to remarry? Ranma could fill the roll of father and mother for Hiro if need be, but she would still be a single parent. "I don't know. Maybe if I meet someone that didn't mind all the strangeness in my life . . . I don't think there are a lot of people who could handle my particular situation."
Akane seemed to brighten as she heard that. It sounded like Ranma really needed her now. Just give her a little time to find herself . . . or himself again and things could be wonderful again. She and Ranma were meant to be together. They were engaged since before they were born after all!
"Oh, Ranma!" Akane cooed. "I'll help you in any way I can!"
Ranma gave her a half-hearted grin before removing her arm from Akane's grasp. "I'm going to take Hiro to bed. I'll see you in the morning . . . daughter."
Ranma sighed as Akane seemed to not notice the intent of the words she chose. Poor girl, she will learn soon enough.
* * *
Two more days of hiking brought Ranma and her children to the cool shade of the northern range. This was where she had the fight with Ryouga after the Bakusai Tenketsu training. They camped on the edge of a cliff where she and Ryouga had fallen at the climax of their battle. She regarded the memory fondly as she recalled the spirited and ignorant youth she once was.
It was still early morning when Ranma woke up and started to cook breakfast. The sun had peeked over the mountains an hour ago, casting away the night fog until it pooled into the valley below. Another half-hour would see the dew burned off completely.
The pan sizzled with taste as the pancakes began to cook. It was a special treat for Hiro. The boy had requested them as they passed through one of the small towns on the way north, and there wasn't anything Ranma wouldn't do for her dear child. Ranma didn't bother with waking her children; the smell ought to wake these kids up, she rationalized.
Dividing her attention between the cooking, gazing at the view, and some morning stretches, Ranma didn't notice the man entering their campsite until he coughed politely to get her attention.
Getting a feel for the man's aura before turning, Ranma discovered she knew this traveler. "Something I can help you with?" Her tone may have sounded pleasant, but Ranma was more worried about why Ryouga was here.
"Uhm, no, ma'am . . . I uh, just smelled the cooking and . . . just thought I'd, uh . . ." Ryouga cursed his awkwardness around pretty women and blushed as the redheaded woman stared at him. Why did she look so surprised?
Relaxing her stance and her features, Ranma sat down and indicated for Ryouga to do the same. "Would you care to join my family for breakfast?"
"Family?" Observant as ever, Ryouga just realized there were two tents in the clearing, one large and one medium sized. "Oh, uhm, thank you very much. My supplies sort of ran out a while ago."
Ranma just smiled and watched the 'Lost Boy' remove his pack and settle down on a nearby log.
What a nice lady, but I wonder why she's staring at me? Do I got something on my face? Ryouga wiped the back of his hand over his cheek to make sure. The redhead across from him giggled, the sound was like bells in the monastery he had 'visited' while in Tibet.
Finding control over herself, Ranma rifled through one of her bags, coming out with a wash cloth and dunking it in some water before handing it to Ryouga. The poor boy had just smeared more dirt over his face making him look like a raccoon.
Startled by the ladies hospitality, Ryouga almost took the proffered cloth. Cringing, he snapped back to reality as he watched the cold water drip onto the ground. Why is it always cold water, he thought darkly.
Ranma noted Ryouga's hesitation and almost slapped herself for her stupidity. "Oh, I'm sorry. That water is much too cold. Here." Careful not to spill any on herself, Ranma used some hot water from a travel teapot sitting over the fire. This time Ryouga accepted the wash cloth.
Face clean and feeling a good deal refreshed, he handed the cloth back, guiltily eyeing the amount of dirt now staining the white material. "I'm sorry. I didn't realized how dirty I must be. I'll clean this down in the river."
Ranma waved off the offer and draped the cloth over a nearby tree limb. "Nonsense, I have other cleaning to do already and you are joining us for breakfast."
Ryouga grinned a silly little grin and blushed. He didn't know why he would be blushing, but the young woman was being awfully trusting and kind, and all he could think about was how pretty she looked. The short-cut red hair was a bit out of the ordinary, and the clothes she wore didn't match her presence, but her cute smile and . . . delicious figure made it all work together.
Ryouga had to shake the thoughts out of his head as the woman asked him a question. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"I asked how many pancakes you would like."
He didn't want to freeload too much off of this nice woman so he told her that two would be wonderful. Ryouga had gone hungry before and it couldn't be that much longer until he arrived in another town.
"Don't be silly, Ryouga-kun." Ryouga-kun?! I really have changed. "A young man like you could eat much more than two pancakes."
How did she know my name, he wondered for a second. Ryouga's face turned even redder as he sheepishly accepted the full plate of eight pancakes and a good helping of syrup. The first bite he took was rather sedated, but the sweet taste and a delighted gurgling from his stomach made him dig in a little more eagerly, his previous quandary forgotten under a wave of sensations from his salivating mouth.
Ranma gave a hearty chuckle as she put together another bowl of batter. "There now, maybe you'll trust me a little more and answer me truthfully next time."
Ryouga nodded between bites of his breakfast.
The flap to the larger tent was brushed aside by a sleepy looking little boy with short brown hair and a new white gi that had gotten some dirt stains recently. The boy yawned, stretching, as he crossed the distance to the redhead. Ryouga couldn't help but smile at the pillow hair style the child sported.
"Who's that, momma?"
Momma? Geez, the lady must have been young when she had him. Ryouga swallowed the food in his mouth to make a real introduction. That was why the lady was staring at him earlier, he thought. "I'm Ryouga Hibiki, nice to meet you."
Hiro was still too tired to respond and half dozed on his mother's lap after getting his information.
"Why did you get up if you're so tired, dear?" Ranma asked as she stroked the boy's hair, straightening out the crease sleep had caused.
"Cause I smelled somethin good for breakfast." Came the mumbled reply from Ranma's lap.
"That would be the pancakes." She whispered into his ear. That seemed to get the boy's alert attention.
"Pancakes!" He cheered.
God could this kid be cute, Ranma giggled. "Go wake your sister and I'll have a plate ready for you when you get back." The boy was up and diving into the smaller tent before Ranma could finish her promise. Noticing Ryouga's attention follow her son, she answered his unspoken question while cooking up some more breakfast. "That was my youngest, Hiro. I'm training him to be a martial artist."
"Really?" Ryouga began to brighten. "Maybe there is a way I can repay your generosity then!"
Heh, this is too easy. "Oh?"
"Sure, I'm the greatest martial artist in all of Japan!" He announced proudly.
Ranma had to stifle a sudden need to laugh aloud and covered it with a show of coughing. The 'Lost Boy' didn't seem to notice, though. "Is that so?" She asked playfully.
He nodded and took another big bite of breakfast.
"Well then. How about a deal? You help me train myself and my family and I'll take care of the meals. Deal?" Ranma held out her hand.
Thinking a moment, Ryouga figured that he had nothing better to do, the lady was a good cook, and Akari wouldn't mind, not like they were married or anything, so he shook the redhead's hand with a smile. "Deal. How could I say no to a pretty lady." Oh my God! Did I really just say that! Ryouga blushed and tried to hide his embarrassment behind the dwindling stack of pancakes. Hopefully there wasn't a jealous husband or boyfriend around; Ryouga didn't see any rings on the lady's fingers.
Ranma smirked at Ryouga's sudden boldness. Long ago she would have beaten the boy to a pulp for saying that, now . . . eh, she knew it was true.
Looking anywhere but the grinning redhead, Ryouga found himself staring at the clean plate in his hands.
There was a yawn from the smaller tent and some shuffling of bodies. "Morning, squirt."
Hmm, that voice sounded familiar. I wonder if I met her before? Ryouga glanced over his shoulder to see the tent flap open and the same little boy as before stepped out.
Hiro jumped over to where his mother was seated, eagerly taking up the plate she offered him. "Hurry up, Akane! Momma made pancakes!"
Akane! Ryouga's eyes widened as he stared at the smaller tent. Could it be?!
"She did! But I was going to cook breakfast today, Ran-!" Akane's voice caught in her throat as her eyes fastened on the familiar bandanna clad boy. "RYOUGA!!!"
The target of Akane's anger, Ryouga, had barely enough time to observe the arc of Akane's swing as her mallet descended upon his head. He crumbled quickly onto the ground, dazed, as visions of pretty birdies flew about his head.
"Akane, that's enough!" Ranma snapped, standing up to make her harsh tone seem that much more dangerous. Even Hiro was startled out of his eating by the roar of his mother's voice.
Akane couldn't believe what she was hearing. Here was the boy that had beaten a defenseless pregnant woman and Okaasan was just letting him be! "B-But Ranma . . ." The cold stare in the redhead's eyes stopped the fight before it could start. Akane backed down, dropping onto the log beside Hiro in a huff.
"R-Ranma?" The voice was strained and slightly muffled by the earth, but it was definitely Ryouga. He pushed himself off the ground and stared intently at the kind woman who had offered him breakfast. It made sense. How else could she have known his name, and who else had such fiery red hair. "Ranma Saotome!" A bit of fire returned to the 'Lost Boy's' eyes as he looked upon his greatest rival.
Somehow, unbidden, Ryouga's eyes tracked across Ranma and to the little boy that was now standing in front of his mother. Mother?! A flash of memory hit Ryouga straight between the eyes as he recalled the reason he had left Nerima so long ago.
"Oh my God! Saotome-san!" Ryouga dropped to his knees and started banging his head against the ground. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please forgive me!"
"No." It was a barely audible response, but it filled Ryouga with dread. "It's not Saotome anymore."
"Huh?" Ryouga looked up expecting to see a scornful woman with a desire to see blood. Instead he found a somewhat sad and tired looking lady. "What do you mean?" His eyes glanced back and forth between Ranma and Akane and the little boy between them. "You . . . Akane . . . and you . . . together?"
Ranma smirked and shook her head. "Not in the way you think, but I did marry a Tendou."
Wait, Ryouga started working over this mystery in his mind, so Ranma didn't marry Akane? He wouldn't go after Nabiki and Kasumi was taken by the doctor, so who? Ryouga paled as he once again stared at the little boy and his 'mother'. "I . . . I . . . I . . . should go." Like a zombie, Ryouga picked up his pack and started to head off for the forest, his eyes always staring straight ahead.
"And walk out on our deal?" Ryouga stopped.
"What deal?" Akane asked.
Ranma didn't answer, but waited for Ryouga to face her again. "You wouldn't leave three helpless people alone in the wilderness, would you?"
Ryouga tried to swallow, but found his mouth had gone dry. He could easily hear the meaning behind Ranma's words. The beating he had given her while she was pregnant had still not been forgiven and Ryouga was honor-bound to pay for his crime for the rest of his life if need be. And this time, he did not believe there was enough time for him to experience the Hell he surely deserved.
"Hai, Tendou-sama." Ryouga bowed deeply as he waited for his first command.
"Good, now sit down and finish your breakfast. We'll start in another hour." Ranma returned to the frying pan and dropped a few pancakes onto Akane's plate then handed it to her. Hook, line, and sinker, she thought smugly as she started her own breakfast.
* * *
It was late and Ranma-chan had still not found a place to sleep for the night. She had been on the run for six months now and her condition was really starting to show. Running through the city, people had stared and pointed at her, mocking the dirty little slut in their fair town. What trash she must be, they claimed. It was enough for Ranma to scream and try to run even faster.
Her energy was being sapped by her extra baggage and it seemed to be getting heavier every day. Ranma used to sprint across the rooftops with ease, skipping over streets in a single bound. Now she was reduced to running, more like hobbling, along the sidewalk and having to stop and rest every half-hour or so.
Now that it was dark out, fewer people were around to notice her. It was almost worth the cold rain and chilling wind to be out of people's attention.
Ranma-chan had been surviving these last few months by reverting to the training her father had given her, stealing. It wasn't honorable, but it was preferable to dying and becoming a murderer of the child she was carrying. She may not have wanted the child, but Ranma-chan wanted to be as honorable as possible and that meant keeping the baby. People had told her about abortions, but when it was described she had been so repulsed by the idea, Ranma-chan had dry-heaved into a wastebasket for a good ten minutes.
Trembling from the cold, Ranma-chan sought shelter in the doorstep of an abandoned warehouse. The streets looked clear as she looked up and down for signs of pursuit. Akane had been hot on her tail for the past week thanks to the police search of the homeless shelter she had been holing up in. Akane had been there and had almost caught Ranma immediately if not for the easy roof access Ranma had discovered.
A flash of lightening and boom of thunder brought her back to the present. Her feet and hands were numb from the cold and her clothes, a maternity dress with woman's underwear, were dirty from weeks of use. Normally, she wouldn't have been caught dead with the feminine attire, but pregnancy caused to many things to feel uncomfortably heavy. At least the morning sickness had slackened off a bit.
Weak as she was, Ranma was still able to knock down the large door and escape from the cold. Her teeth chattered as she walked into the dark and empty building. There was nothing here to make a fire or warm her body so she had to find a secluded spot to huddle in. Hopefully her own body heat would be enough once she curled up into a ball.
"Ranma!"
The yell came from outside and was easily identifiable as Akane. The girl was just too damned persistent. Taking shelter behind a pillar, Ranma closed her eyes and waited. She didn't make a sound except the slow intake of air, as she listened to Akane's footfalls out on the street. Hopefully the other girl would miss the broken door and walk right passed the warehouse.
"Ranma!"
Akane was much closer this time. The girl had some idea that they could still be together even after her father's decision. Well, there was no way that Ranma was going to let anyone find her and force her to marry Soun! She was a guy for God's sake!
"Ranma!"
It was further now. Ranma let out a sigh of relief as she slid down to the floor with her back against the steel pillar. She landed with a wet plop as her soaked dress slapped the floor and was drained of some of its water under her weight. Tucking her knees in closer to her chest, Ranma wrapped her arms about her body and tried to work some warmth back into her body. She was pretty sure the cold wasn't good for her child.
"Excuse me?" Ranma jumped to a standing position as a voice came from the darkness. "Do you know how to get to . . . Ranma?"
Ranma-chan's hands started to tremble in fear, grasping the pillar for security, as she realized who was in the warehouse with her. She should have checked the area more carefully, but she was so tired and cold . . .
"So, I've found you at last, hey Ranma?" The sound of cracking knuckles reverberated throughout the large room like the pop of rifles. On a normal day, Ranma would have enjoyed another fight with Ryouga, but she just didn't see it as possible this time.
"R-Ryouga." She gasped, thoughts of the cold fleeing her as she looked for some way to escape. "F-Fancy meeting you h-here." Maybe she could talk him down . . .
"RANMA! PREPARE TO DIE!"
. . . maybe not.
Ranma was skidding across the ground before she knew what was happening, a red imprint of where Ryouga had hit her was forming on her left cheek. Her energy spent and reflexes dulled by pregnancy, Ranma-chan was completely at the mercy of her attacker.
Ryouga couldn't believe he'd gotten in such an easy shot. Ranma, his greatest rival, seemed to be putty in his hands as he continued to knock the redhead around. Her face was turning black and blue under the constant pummeling from his fists. For whatever reason, Ranma was not protecting her face, but had her arms wrapped protectively around her stomach.
"What's wrong Ranma?! To afraid of my might to defend yourself properly?! Here, let me show you the virtue of proper training!" Grabbing the red pigtail and lifting the girl off the ground, Ryouga landed a turning kick to her side and sent her crashing into the far wall. "That was pathetic Ranma! You really are turning into a girl!"
She hurt, a lot. Ranma could barely see out of her puffy and swollen eyes and her mouth had the coppery taste of blood in a major way. The kick to her side had cracked a rib and she was afraid that another such hit would force the bone into something important and easily damaged. Forget about her self, Ranma couldn't let an innocent child be killed. This was going to have to end quickly.
Ranma-chan roared in anger, a blue aura jumping to the surface. It wasn't as strong as it used to be, but it would have to be enough. She charged up ready to throw a strong ki blast. Across the way, she could see Ryouga walking towards her, his green aura lapping at his body like a flame as he readied his own ki blast.
"Back off, P-chan!" Ranma screamed. "I don't wanna fight you now!"
Ryouga smirked and kept walking closer. "That's too bad Ranma. Cause I've been looking forward to this day for some time. Shi Shi Hokodan!"
"Mouko Takabisha!" Ranma released her blast to intercept Ryouga's. If the blast hit her, she wasn't certain if her body could put up with the abuse and protect her baby. As soon as the blast was gone, she scrapped her will for enough energy for a second blast.
"Shi Shi Hokodan!"
Too late!
Ranma felt her body being lifted off its feet as she braced herself for the blast. The clothes on her body were being scorched as she became enveloped by the ki. Her arms continued to cover her belly as her last conscious thought was for the safety of her baby.
Ryouga watched in satisfaction as Ranma's body was flung like a rag-doll through the wall of the warehouse. Not wanting to lose a second of this wonderful revenge, he rushed through the hole Ranma's body had made and bound for the limp body in the middle of the road.
The rain had thankfully stopped so that he could continue with Ranma's beating. It was true what they say, 'Revenge is sweet'. Outside there were street lamps that made it easier to see his opponent. For a while in the warehouse, Ryouga hadn't even been able to tell the sex of the person who had entered the building. Now he had a clear view of Ranma-chan so there was no where for her to hide. She had really let herself go since the last time we fought, he noticed with disgust. "You're getting fat and slow like your father, Ranma." He commented while hoisting the limp girl up by her throat. So close he could tell that Ranma had stopped breathing.
Ryouga panicked. He'd talked about it, but never really meant to kill the womanizer. Dropping the girl like she had the bubonic plague, Ryouga backpedaled a few feet until he ran into a lamppost.
"Ryouga!" Akane cried from down the street. She was running to meet him in the street. "Have you seen Ranma?" Her hurried steps had suddenly faltered as she took notice of Ranma's bruised and battered form. "Oh my God! Ranma!"
This just couldn't be happening, Ryouga thought. Could he have really killed Ranma. "Akane, I . . I . ."
"What happened to her?" Akane gasped in shock as she pressed two fingers against Ranma's neck. "Ryouga, she's not breathing!"
"I . . I know." He muttered and waited for Akane to hit him. "Akane, I didn't mean to-"
"Get over here you idiot! We've got to help her!" Ryouga nodded and stumbled over to Ranma's body. "Do you know CPR?!" Akane was cursing herself for missing the first aid class because the teacher wanted her to do mouth to mouth with a dummy.
The 'Lost Boy's' eyes suddenly went wide as he considered what was involved in CPR. "I-I can't do that! Ranma and I-"
Akane looked at him aghast. "You moron! There's more at stake here than you or Ranma! We've got to save her baby!"
Baby?! Looking over the body at his feet, Ryouga's eyes locked onto the large stomach he had assumed was a weight problem. That was why Ranma had been guarding her stomach the entire time! And he had kicked her down there! "Oh my God!" Ryouga stumbled backwards until he ran into something solid. "Ack!"
"Dr. Toufuu! Ranma isn't breathing!" Her eyes were tearing as she kneeled at the other girl's side. The doctor took immediate action and started pressing shiatsu points on Ranma's chest.
There was a tense moment when the only sound to be heard was the regular pitter-patter of water dripping off the rooftops. Then, pounding hard once on Ranma's chest, Dr. Toufuu was able to start her breathing once more. Akane cried in relief and grabbed Ranma's hand, trying to offer comfort in any way she could.
Ryouga watched the proceedings in sick horror as the doctor continued to examine Ranma's body. Barely, on the outskirts of his consciousness, Ryouga could hear Dr. Toufuu's assessment of the redhead's wounds being caused by fists. If they had hit her a little harder in the side Ranma would not have a child to worry about anymore, he said. Ryouga's face went from pale to completely ashen.
With this shocking revelation, Akane slowly focused on Ryouga. Everything suddenly fell into place for her as she began to growl. The doctor could only watch as Akane stood up, red flames of her aura burning so hot that there was a strong smell of ozone in the air. Taking slow, dangerous steps in Ryouga's direction, Akane pulled two mallets out of thin air, one for each hand.
Ryouga gulped as he watched the love of his life advance on him with murder in her eyes. He didn't even dare block or attempt to avoid her spinning strike. The mallets made contact with his head and stomach in one uniform hit with all of Akane's strength and power backing them up.
Collapsing onto the concrete after hitting a steel lamppost, Ryouga had only enough strength to look up at his attacker. Akane was no longer the only person present. He was surrounded by Ranma's friends and family. Each glared at him with the same disgust and hatred Akane had shown.
"Is that it, Ryouga?" Nabiki demanded.
"Can you only beat on defenseless women?" Kuno yelled this time.
Kasumi then stepped out. "You are pathetic, P-chan!"
"You lower than garbage!" Shampoo spat at him.
Raising her combat spatula, Ukyou screamed, "I'm gonna turn you into pork okonomiyaki!"
Ryouga's face bounced off the ground, increasing the size of the impact crater beneath him. When he looked back up again, Akane stood there with a mallet over two feet in diameter. "How could you think I would ever love a pig like you! RYOUGA NO BAKA!" She pounded him into the ground once again.
"Look at what you've done!" It was the scream of a little boy.
Ryouga lifted his head painfully off the ground again. In front of him stood Hiro, snarling at him with the pain of a life growing up with a mother that was always so quiet and cold now.
Further off in the distance, where Hiro pointed, Ryouga could see Ranma-chan, six years older, looking like an empty husk of who she once was. Behind her, Soun stepped out of the mist and grabbed Ranma by the shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss. All the quiet Ranma could do was cry as she was forced to endure the man's attentions.
"You ruined my life!" Hiro screamed with intense hatred. "I'm going to KILL YOU!"
Ryouga sat up quickly and looked frantically about the camp for the attack he was still expecting to come. His shirt and hair were plastered to his body in a heavy sheet of sweat. His heart was beating a hundred times a second and felt ready to burst straight out of his chest.
He'd had nightmares before, but this was the first one he had involving Ranma in a long time. Like some people, Ryouga tended to look at dreams like an omen. Whatever the meaning, the idea of danger was hard to miss.
If nothing else, this enforced the idea that he had a lot to seek forgiveness for from Ranma. Ryouga would be a slave for the rest of his life if Ranma wanted him to be. Hopefully, no one would ask him to commit seppuku because Ryouga would do it without batting a lash.
* * *
The next few days seemed to pass by like a dream. Ranma could be a terrible taskmaster. She was starting everyone off with a lot of endurance and strength training. Akane didn't need it as bad as Hiro or Ranma herself, so she just kept pace with the little boy to be sure he didn't get lost.
Somehow, amazingly enough, Ryouga had not gotten lost once since they had started. He acted as if Ranma was his master and never left her side unless she told him to. No matter how friendly she treated him, Ranma could not convince Ryouga that he was anything but a servant.
Of course, for a woman with sore muscles this came in handy every now and then.
At the moment, Akane and Hiro were carrying some large boulders on their backs and running to the foothills of a nearby mountain. To keep Ryouga from getting lost Akane and Ranma would trade off who would run with Hiro every other lap. Now was Ranma's free time, capitalized by the massage she was getting from Ryouga.
"So Ryouga," She began, rocking under the man's ministrations of her shoulders and neck. "What have you been up to for the last six years?"
"I've been doing a lot of traveling and trying to keep up my skills." He responded while kneading a tense group of muscles in Ranma's neck. It was weird. Ranma had lost a lot of her strength and if he pressed just a little harder he was certain he could snap her neck. At the same time, Ryouga felt Ranma's aura had become a good deal more powerful and focused, unlike his own. Perhaps it was a trade off for marriage.
"Tendou-sama?" He asked. Ranma never tried to make him stop referring to her so formally. Ryouga thought it was just a part of his punishment.
Relishing the 'Lost Boy's' strong grip, Ranma had not the strength to respond except to grunt her approval.
"What was it like . . . being married?" He asked.
He got no immediate response except the tensing muscles under his hands. Whatever it was she was thinking about, Ryouga had certainly struck a nerve. "It is not something I wish to talk about."
"Sorry." After a long pause where he considered the things that might have gone on, Ryouga paled a little more and considered himself fortunate to not turn into a woman. "How come you don't want to change anymore? Does Hiro not know about it?"
"Oh, Hiro knows and he doesn't mind, but I've simply got new priorities in my life. The Ranma Saotome I was and the Ranma Tendou I am now are two very different people. I've been Hiro's mother for a long time now and I don't think I could, or would want to, give that up." The massage done, Ranma stretched her arms experimentally and nodded in satisfaction at the relief of pain. Ryouga still sat behind her, considering Ranma's words.
She really isn't the Ranma I knew. She seems much more grown up and ready to accept her responsibilities. Could the marriage have been a good thing for Ranma? Ryouga took an assessing look at the figure before him. She sat tall and acted with honor, but her voice had a little pain and sadness in it. He could even see it in her eyes. The deep vibrant blue that made women go crazy were now sullen and introspective when she was in one of her cold and stoic moods, which occurred quite often, he discovered. No, he decided, what happened to Ranma may have turned out okay, but there was too much scarring below the surface.
The first question had brought a myriad of images floating through Ranma's mind. In most of them she was angry and alone. Soun was always the cause for her hard times like he took a pleasure in her suffering. The last night they had together, Ranma was certain the man took pleasure in her suffering. It just took a life-threatening situation like alcohol poisoning to make him admit it. Other images, of her son and her daughters, were accompanied with joy and happiness. Though she rarely let those emotions show anymore, especially at the dojo, Ranma was always laughing or smiling in her head.
She knew people saw her as cold because of the abuse she endured, but if she were any different it might have been her lying lifeless on the floor that night. Ranma had to be strong and silent. Each battle required its own tactics.
Sighing like the weight of the world had been thrust on her shoulders Ranma leaned backwards until she rested against Ryouga's hard stomach. She may not have to deal with the pain of living in the dojo, but she still had her memories and they were as clear as the nightmares that came to her at night.
Ryouga started shifting in his seat as Ranma rested against his chest. He still couldn't get over the fact that this woman used to be Ranma Saotome, his rival and tormentor. What was he supposed to do? She claimed that she was not the person she used to be, but how far did that go?
"Sit still will you, Ryo-kun? I'm not going to bite." She teased the 'Lost Boy' a bit and watched in amusement as he blushed and became as motionless as a statue. Hard like a statue too, Ranma smirked, leaning a little more into Ryouga's well-defined musculature.
Pushing aside her own amusement, Ranma ventured to continue her plans for the young man. "Ryo-kun, are you married?"
His eyes grew to the size of saucers and his face deepened into a darker shade of red. "T-Tendo-sama! Wh-What are you saying!?! I-I-I . . ."
"Just a question, Ryo-kun. Don't tell me a big brave man like you can't handle a simple question." Her voice was playful. Well, as playful as Ranma could make her voice sound nowadays. The stoic tone she normally used was a bit hard to overcome.
Ryouga coughed and stretched out the collar of his shirt a little, suddenly feeling very warm. "Uh, no. I'm not m-married."
Ranma smiled inwardly a little, letting her hand draw circles along Ryouga's pant legs. "Really? I thought you and Akari would have gotten together at least."
"S-She didn't want to wait forever and decided to move on with her life two years ago. Akari married some guy she met at a Sumo Pig Championship." He tried to remain calm. It was a silly idea he was having that Ranma was thinking of marrying him. But why is she doing that thing with my leg!
"Good for her." Ranma commented. "You ever think of settling down some day?"
"O-Okaasan!" Akane had just finished her last lap with Hiro and dropped the boulder onto the ground. She couldn't believe what she just heard! Not to mention what she just saw! "What are you doing to Ranma, you pervert!" Akane charged with her mallet raised.
The head of Akane's mallet hit the ground with an ineffectual thud. Two heads turned to the woman sitting in Ryouga's lap as the sides of her blade slipped into its scabbard. Both individuals swallowed at Ranma's calm and intimidating stare. "I said something before about overreacting, didn't I, daughter?"
Akane nodded quickly and hid her hands, still holding the grip of her mallet, behind her back and looked at the ground at her feet.
Ryouga was tenser than ever. He had seen Ranma carrying her katana around everywhere she went, but never saw her use it. Technically, he still hadn't. Ranma's swing had moved too fast for him to see except for the brief flash of the sun reflecting off of metal.
Taking it all in, Ranma relaxed when she saw no more dispute with Akane. She hadn't had to do that to the girl in a long time and it seemed a little cruel to scare her so badly, but there was no better way to get through to Akane. Nodding to herself, Ranma picked herself up. "Thanks for the back rub, Ryo-kun. You three go wash up now and I'll have dinner ready when you get back." She walked off silently, stepping lightly through the forest like she was floating above it.
When Ranma was out of sight, Akane glared once again at Ryouga. "You leave her alone." Her voice dripped with acid. "Okaasan has had enough trouble with men." Grabbing a towel from a nearby tree, Akane stalked off for the river to wash up quickly.
After a minute, Ryouga stood up and headed for camp, hoping he could get some hot water from Ranma.
* * *
"I still don't know why you have to sleep in my tent." Akane growled as she made room for the boy.
Focusing all of his attention on the small corner of the tent, Ryouga made sure to avoid looking at Akane as she moved about in only a t-shirt and shorts. The summer heat had gotten especially bad tonight and Ryouga would have been sitting in just his shorts if it weren't for his tent-mate. "I-I could ask your mom to let me switch places with Hiro if you want."
Akane stopped settling herself in her sleeping bag instantly. Turning her head slowly, she looked at Ryouga through a red haze. Snarling, Akane pulled out a new mallet to swing. "You would like that, wouldn't you, you PERVERT!"
Instinctually covering his head with his arms, Ryouga tried to call out a desperate plea. "Remember what your mom said this afternoon!" He held himself still for a few deep breaths then came up when he still didn't feel the impact.
Akane was still glaring at him, but the mallet was gone. Her battle aura was glowing softly about her body and the muscles along her arms were tense, but she wasn't attacking him. "And you remember what I told you this afternoon."
* * *
Sitting awake in the other tent, Hiro looked over at his mother with a question printed on his face. "Why does Akane-neechan call Ryouga a pervert, Okaasan?"
Ranma placed her finger in the book she was reading to keep her page and smiled a bit. "Oh, your sister will call a boy a pervert if she likes him a lot. Just her way of saying she cares."
Hiro thought this sounded weird, but accepted it as true since his mother had never lied to him before. Girls can be so weird, he thought, drifting off to sleep. "Akane must really like him then."
Saying nothing, Ranma watched her son close his eyes and curl up on his side asleep. "I think she does, my angel."
End Chapter Two
* * *
Ranma seems to be very girlie in this chapter, I realize that, but I shrug and move on with my life. Things just seem to fit and I can at least tell you the girlie attitude she has with Ryouga is just an act. That should be easy enough to tell, but if you're still not sure what's going on then I'm not going to say.
Again, C&C are welcome. Please send to jehtek@hotmail.com
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Ja ne.