Special thanks to nakigoe-chan whom I can't find the profile in ff.net but still she's willing to discuss ideas with me which makes this world a great place. To chibikat who waits patiently for the next chapters I dish out. I hope you like this one if there's anything wrong with the grammar or spellings just let me know Lotusmoon82@netzero.net or lotusmoon82@hotmail.com.
To lija who reads my other fic Sliding Doors and who gives out constructive comments. Yeah baby! To all the reviewers of my fanfic, thank you although I wish more people would read my stuff and make a review. Anyway, enjoy!
ANNOUNCEMENT:
I would like to have pre-readers and I will start a mailing list on my updates of future chapters for both Makaze and Sliding Doors. If you want to be included in the mailing list, let me know by submitting a request on the review panel of this website. It's on the bottom left side of this page after the story.
---------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2. I do own the new characters, the nameless one.
Makaze
By: Lotusmoon
My tears are my fashion statements,
When I walk and sit, talk and think.
The tears are the gem of my eyes and the stabbing pain of my grief.
Trying to reach that zone of comfort and that lasting survival.
(Excerpt from Open Mic Showcase poem, The Grieving Cherry blossom.)
"Ranma, can't you take yours eyes of the television at least for a while? Nabiki asked.
"I'm waiting for updates on that Mount Kato flooding tragedy."
"But Ranma you haven't even eaten dinner yet." Akane exclaimed.
"I'm fine without dinner Akane." Ranma replied.
"Ranma we all are worried about Ryouga but you can't do this to yourself you know." Nabiki commented.
"We all know what a boy Ryouga is. He can't get lost anywhere and he's probably on his way here."
Thud! Thud! Ranma's heart was beating hard. No matter which way he thinks of it, he couldn't let himself sit by and wait for Ryouga. Ranma stood up from where he was sitting and started walking out of the room.
"A...Nani?" Nabiki trailed off.
"Ranma wait! Where are you going?" Akane asked.
Ranma looked back.
"I'm going to find Ryouga."
He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
"It's the only way I know to make sure he's fine."
Both Akane and Kasumi had a surge of delight.
At last they don't have to worry a lot anymore.
On the low card, Nabiki who never fails to notice things had something short to say.
"Okay Ranma, let's say you're going to go look for Ryouga. How are you going to get?" Nabiki's question replaced a frown on the other two Tendo sisters.
Ranma was speechless. Nabiki was right. Ryoga was on the south part of Japan. How can he manage to do it on foot? It will take him months if he goes by foot. "Nabiki's right Ranma. We all want what's good but it seems that the odds are improbable." Kasumi commented afterwards. "I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I will make sure that I get Ryoga safe here and unharmed." Ranma stated determinedly. Akane was quiet and so was the rest. Nobody said anything about the issue of money, or transportation, or even the possibility of getting to Mount Kato. All the least Ranma knows that there will be a way to get there. It it's not in sight, he will make one. "Ranma sure wants to go. Anything for a friend." No one knows what anyone was thinking. Although a certain person wants to make sure that Ryoga gets back, a way will be made no matter what. Besides, how will Akane feel if she wonders why a certain little black piglet never shows up out of nowhere ever?
"Hai!" A high kick cut through the air.
"Taaa!" He punched an invisible opponent. "Kyaa, huu…huu." A continuous pair of punches was taking place. All stress was being transformed into energy for a morning practice. "Ryoga…you little bacon-breath!" A couple of air kicks were released. Ranma was sweating profusely. He was huffing like there was no tomorrow. "Man, why of all people, me!" Ranma continued to do a couple more punches and air kicks until he felt himself exhausted to do any more katas. "That was a good workout." He kneeled on the floor, tired. He was panting. He wiped a sweat on his forehead and let out a heavy sigh.
"You feel any better?" A voice called out. Akane came out behind the entrance to the dojo. "Oh Akane." Ranma was now sitting in the middle of the dojo. He was tired and he wanted to rest at least for a while. He needs to think. He wasn't able to sleep last night because of the situation that's currently at hand. In Akane's mind, she was thinking of what she can do to help. It's making her feel uneasy that Ranma's all beaten up of the situation. Who wouldn't be? Even though Ranma and Ryoga are rivals they both share a special friendship. --Ranma I wish there's something I could do to help. --
Akane tried to make the first move to say something but she stopped abruptly. She doesn't know how to say it or when to say it.
To her, being there in that room with Ranma is more than enough to give her goose bumps and make her quiet. It was uncomfortable. She had to catch her breath every now and then just to keep her heartbeat in moderation. Finally, she took one big deep breath. "Ranma…" she called out. "Hmm…" Ranma was staring at the shrine on the wall that was dedicated to Akane's mother when she died. "What are you planning to do?" Ranma sighed. How can he answer that question? He spent two whole evenings not sleeping just so he can come up with an idea, but he reached sunrise with red eyes and nearly fatigued. "I don't know Akane." Akane looked at him and then looked away. It wasn't that hard to come up of a solution for Ranma. Most of the time when it was one of the family that's in danger he can come up with solutions just like that. If it was Akane in danger, he will go through anything to get where she was. Resources were available and it wasn't that hard for people like Kuno to actually barge in out of nowhere to announce his newly built boat to be put to the test. This time though, it seems like it's going to be a little bit harder than usual.
"I've spent two nights thinking of how I can rescue Ryoga and each hour that I spent here thinking it only makes it harder." Akane moved a little bit closer to Ranma. "Why is that?" Ranma muffled out a sigh. "Each hour that I spend here doing nothing only puts him in more danger. I feel like I'm abandoning him and he's out there in trouble." Akane couldn't say anything. She knows he's right. The more they wait the more critical the situation becomes. I feel like I'm helpless. He's my friend and he's out there in trouble while I'm here with all the possibilities and I can't do anything." Ranma fell quiet.
Akane was quiet as well. She wanted to comfort him, hold him and tell him that it'll be okay. She knows very well that that's far from happening. He is right, with every hour that they spend doing nothing, it's a critical situation to waste time. But what could they do? All of them want the same thing, to make sure that Ryoga is well and safe.
After the challenge was issued to Ranma by mail one week ago, Ryoga wasn't back yet. He should've been declaring his famous line a week after the letter came. He was wondering why there was no Ryoga after that week passed. He waited for two days but he wasn't worried that much because he knew he probably took a detour and got lost again. After the announcement on television about the flooding tragedy in Mount Kato, it solidified the thought that Ryoga won't be back for a long time. Maybe he won't be back forever. Ranma berated himself for not listening to the details when they were right in front of him. He chose to wait for a week instead of looking for him right after the story was announced. And now two days later after waiting for a week he is exhausted and guilty. How could he betray Ryoga? His archenemy and his bestfriend, and how funny they ended up that way. He was beating himself up for two days trying to come up with an idea on how he can rescue Ryoga from the gates of hell. But all he came up with was regrets and guilt and his conscience eating up his emotions. If it was Akane that was in danger it would be thousand folds of this emotions and he didn't want to think of that possibility anyway. He went to the dojo and tried to practice his katas. It was already morning when he woke up earlier than anyone else in the house. He couldn't think straight, at least when practicing he can focus. He had been practicing for a while three hours the most doing the same katas over and over again. Trying to release his anger and his emotions of guilt. How could he? How could he? Ranma was weary. Every minute of every day that passed all he thought about was how he can save Ryoga.
I can't stand seeing Ranma like these. I have to do something. True, the way she acts around Ranma has been unacceptable. The all common malleting and beatings have all been known to be Akane's unique characteristics. Does it really matter if her hidden attributes come out and surprise people? To some no, to some it's a big deal, for instance Ranma. Nobody's used to Akane being nice and sweet. It would be a real miracle if she could stay like that forever. Although, there was only one person who believed that Akane is a sweet and kind girl and that with a little push on the right buttons, she'll come out blossoming like a flower in May. It was Doctor Tofu.
Even to Akane, her behavior is becoming a surprise. Since when did she care about Ranma's feelings? Since when did she think of anyone else's emotions beside herself? You really don't know a person not unless they surprise you. They come out in an aggressive form but that doesn't mean they don't surprise you every now and then. "What can I do to help Ranma?" Akane asked, still gazing at the family shrine. "Nothing!" Ranma replied.
Akane was stunned, shocked and surprised. Here she was trying to be nice and trying to do something nice for him and all he can say is nothing. That was a big insult, bigger than the insults about her cooking. It was making her really mad she was about to stand up on impulse and knock him dead before Ryoga can. How dare he says to her there's nothing she could do to help. Maybe he needs another malleting, enough pain to make him stop being rude and disrespectful. The mallet started materializing in her hands and she could feel the anger build up in every part of her body. She can't wait to beat Ranma, on impulse that has been developed overtime. She was about to knock Ranma to sleep when suddenly…
His eyes! Akane thought. They're serious. It's not like the same. When he says something insulting or inane, the gleams in his eyes were that of a comic. But now, the gleam is gloomy. It is obviously far from a childish prank. Ranma didn't say a word. Akane's mallet was suspended in the air waiting to be released. Her hands were beginning to cramp, for the mallet seemed to weigh even more each passing second; a thing that desired to make contact with the unfortunate head of a familiar skull. It hit Akane that maybe Ranma has another reason for saying what he said. Unknown to her typical reaction she went ahead and asked, "What do you mean Ranma?" Unusual acts yet surprisingly, it might change the perception of a lot of people, including him. Ranma didn't even notice.
"Akane, if I can't think of a way to get to Ryoga, how can you?" Ranma replied not even looking at her. "If you have any other way or ideas just let me know!" Ranma said sarcastically. Akane remained silent; she didn't know what to say or how to answer him back. "Ranma…" Akane called out. She moved closer to Ranma and sat beside him. This is the closest Ranma and Akane had been since that match with Mikado and Azusa. They almost did it, the kiss, the dare. But then again, it didn't happen. This time all she wants was to comfort him and to him it's not a big deal. He wanted it anyway, to have Akane that close by his side. He was aware of the closeness and the tension was building up on both of them, they could feel it. Sitting by his side was more than enough for now. Sitting by her side was more than he could ask for. Holding each other's hand won't be bad either. Ranma, I hope that what I'm about to do helps. Akane thought to herself.
"Ugh…" Ranma opened his eyes. The sun was shining brightly. The room was luminous with sunshine. "What the?" Ranma was surprised to find that he was sleeping in the middle of the dojo. A blanket over him and a pillow on the hardwood floor for his head to lay on. How did I get here? That was the wrong question, what he means was why was he still there? He remembers being in the room with Akane but he doesn't remember falling asleep. He wondered why and how? "Oh well, better get in the house before anything else." Ranma took everything with him went out and closed the door. Walking in the living/dining room he saw a table of deliciously prepared plates of food. It seems that Kasumi has been cooking breakfast. She probably wants to make the family feel safe and not to worry like her.
To Ranma, he is thankful that he ended up in the Tendo Dojo and not somewhere else. Here he feels like it is the home he left. Although it can never compare to the closeness of his feelings for his own family, this was a grateful fate for him. Besides all the riot and situation he falls into he never cease to think that this house that he is in now will be his second family; and maybe one day this is where he'll have his own family. Kids running around playing with each other, and the dojo, he'll have students and he will be known all over Japan for his school. They will live happily ever after, that is if there is such thing. Sometimes he thinks that everything will never come to be. The things that he was prevented to have for the sake of the arts. His mother had to sacrifice her maternal role. He had to sacrifice himself to stop being a son of a mother and to start becoming a disciple. For his whole years learning how to walk, in the sands and the dirt. To say his first word "mama", in the arms of the night and a cloth surrounding his body and the only onlookers were the fireflies. Dancing around like a herd of angels praising the child that has showed them delight. The things he was prevented and still is. Is this really a grateful fate to be thanked for, or is this a fate that seems like a dream yet it is awfully true? His mother, oh how he missed his mother. His house, his room, the things he could've gotten but never received. Life is cruel and unfair, yet it can also be rewarding. Uncle Suon, for his hospitality, Nabiki for her brain, at times she can get him out of tight spots. Kasumi, his second mother and a sister and lastly, Akane. Yes, life is rewarding and cruel. That phrase fits her perfectly. He can hear footsteps coming, the whole family will be eating together like every morning, laughing, exchanging insults and feeling the same awkwardness towards each other. I wish I could get over that. He could smell the coming dish of food. It seems like they have prepared more than the normal quantity. I wonder if there is anything to celebrate about? At last the plate was set on the table and the dish looked good to eat.
"So Kasumi, what's the occasion? How come there's so much food here?" Ranma asked politely. No one answered, like he was talking to a ghost. Finally he looked up and he saw Akane. He wasn't surprised or anything. "Oh it's you Akane." He doesn't know if he was still dreaming but is Akane's cheeks red? He was pretty sure she was blushing but why? "Ugh, so Akane what's up?" Akane wasn't saying anything. "Good morning Akane?" He still didn't get any answer. Okay so what's her deal? "Hmm, where's everybody?" Akane sat down and started filling up her bowl with rice. "Everybody went out. Nabiki went outside for her business and Kasumi went to the market for today's lunch. Father and Uncle Suon went out somewhere. Grandpa Happosai, I don't know." Ranma started to fill his own bowl with rice when he came up with the idea. "So it's only you and me here?" Akane quickly said yes and remained silent after that. "So if Kasumi's out in the market who cooked breakfast?" Ranma asked. Akane became tense; she started fidgeting and almost lost control of her bowl of rice. "Ah, Ranma your food is getting cold." Akane finally said. "Kasumi of course before she left for the market." Ranma started eating his food. He seemed to have forgotten his problems like this was the first day he ever spent breakfast without having to be awkward with one another. "So did everyone else eaten breakfast yet?" Akane though seemed to just watch Ranma eat his food. "Yes." She smiled and started eating hers. She wished every morning could be like this. Quiet and tranquil, no insults or any comments that doesn't need to be heard.
"Say Akane, don't you think it's too early in the morning for all of them to be doing what they're doing?"
"Huh?" "What are they doing?"
"You weren't listening to me were you?" Ranma gulped down his soup and started himself another serving of the soup. "I said don't you think it's too early that they're going places." Ranma scooped a second serving of rice and some fried pork with sauce. "I don't know." Akane smiled gently.
"Ugh. Okay." Neither of them seemed to say anything, there was nothing to say except preserve the moment of silence. Who knows? Maybe it'll be more than this in the future?
Footsteps can be heard from the stairs coming down. It wasn't just one footstep but it sounds like a herd making way to the living/dining room. And all the members of the Tendo family came out and sat at the table. Kasumi came last. "Wow this looks good and it's awfully a lot. " Both Ranma and Akane stared at the unexpected arrival. Ranma looked at Akane who blushed madly out of embarrassment. Finally, Ranma elbowed her lightly and whispered to her, "I thought they weren't here?" Akane couldn't answer back. She, was busted, she lied to him.
"This one looks good."
"Hey don't hog it all I want some."
Kasumi came in and sat at the table. Everybody was eating his or her portions. "Oh my!" Kasumi said out of nowhere. Akane felt like fainting. Everybody gave out their version of "Eh?" and wondered what was wrong? "This is simply delicious. Who cooked it?" Kasumi's question all stunned them.
"What are you talking about Kasumi you cooked breakfast didn't you?" Nabiki asked. Everyone was still wondering.
"Oh no I didn't cook breakfast. I was coming down to start cooking but then I saw that there was already breakfast set on the table so I didn't bother. This pork sure is tasty." Every one of them almost dropped what they were holding. It was automatic like a light switch. They knew who cooked breakfast and they started to sweat. All eyes were on Akane. Akane was becoming tense again and not because of the way they reacted to the news but to the way they acted towards her cooking. "Say Akane, did you cook today's breakfast?" Nabiki asked. They were waiting for the answer. For a while everyone was too shocked to eat then finally Kasumi had something to say. "This sure is good Akane. Say won't you cook lunch today as a favor for me? I would like to taste your lunch. I mean if your breakfast is this good I can't wait for lunch." Kasumi smiled gently. In Akane's mind it was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She was glad and happy or maybe a combination of both yet, with all the happiness she's feeling she was still doubting. There was one person out of the herd she wanted to hear what he has to say. Akane was still looking at her bowl staring steadily not moving. Everyone was quiet but thankfully they were out of their shock. "Yah Akane I can't wait for lunch!" Nabiki stated while she ate a second serving of one of Akane's dish. Akane was overwhelmed with delight. She was sad yet she was happy, she was happy yet there was something missing. Everybody went on eating their breakfast but they didn't forget two people who were seating beside each other, probably feeling awkward towards one another. Something was missing from her happiness, like there was supposed to be more yet it was short. She replied politely on how she will try to make a good lunch for everybody. All of a sudden Ranma got up and excused himself out of the living room and left. Everybody was too stunned to say anything. They wanted to be careful not to say anything because there was one person who probably was more shocked than they are. But they can't keep doing what they were doing so they just stopped. Akane was saddened. All the praises and all the compliments and hope, now all gone. It vanished right at the moment where she expected the one person that would tell her the praises she's wanted to hear. Instead, he walked out, like it would hurt him to be nice to her or even say something good about the efforts she did just for him. To make him happy, to make him forget about the things he's been thinking of for that past two days. And how does he compliment her by her efforts, by the one thing he's good at, insulting her by getting up and leaving when he found out that she cooked breakfast. That creep! Akane thought of nothing else but Ranma's rudeness. She excused herself from the table and walked outside.
"Oh my, did I say something wrong?" Kasumi asked.
"Don't worry Kasumi it's not you." Nabiki replied.
Akane needs to get fresh air after what just happened. That was embarrassing and humiliating. She didn't care if it was her own family, she reasoned if it was other people that would have been worse. She still had the emotion to be embarrassed, and to become furious and sad and…content. Content? How can she be content after what just happened? How can she think of herself as less worthy if Ranma doesn't approve of her cooking? So what? At least her family finally learned how to appreciate her. How can she even think that she needs Ranma's approval on anything she does? If he's too stubborn to see what she has to give then that's his lost. Or maybe, maybe he just really doesn't want to admit what she did for him. Maybe he thought that it was wrong for her to lie to him just because she didn't want him to know that she cooked breakfast and she didn't want him to ruin it by saying she cooked it. Or maybe, maybe there were a lot of things why, but right now she can't think. She's too sad to think of anything. All I wanted was for you to forget your problems at least for a while. I just wanted to help. Akane began to sob.
That afternoon, "Kasumi?" Kasumi looked behind her to see Akane. "Yes?" Akane was fidgeting she didn't want to disappoint Kasumi yet she felt she wasn't worthy of cooking the family lunch, at least not anymore. "Can I just…can I…just pass for today. You know on cooking the family lunch. Would that be okay?" Kasumi was quiet from hearing what Akane just said. She played along; "You don't feel good Akane?" Kasumi asked. "No, I just…I'm fine Kasumi. I just don't feel like cooking lunch today. Is that okay?" "Of course it is. Don't worry Akane you can cook whenever you feel like it okay?" Kasumi gave out a smile that made Akane smile back.
The day passed with everybody eating lunch and dinner. Although, it was very quiet for two people, it was an awkward silence. They all went to and finished their meal with out saying anything and went to bed without exchanging one word.
------------------------------------------------
"Ugh…mm…" He opened his eyes to see a sight that shivered his spine. An unexpected encounter with nature sent him terrified for his years to come. "What? What happened?" Still dazed from the occurrence he tried to stand up but failed so. "The village what happened to the village?" He cried out. No one responded to him but the silence. It was a deafening silence. He looked around; trees and barks were everywhere. Parts of houses were scattered around. He once again stood up and when he realized he could walk without falling he started to scan the area. Bamboos, plates, pillows socks and all kinds personal belongings were lying on the ground. He scoured through the pile to see if there's anything he could find to give him a clue of what might have happened. He started to feel his head hurt, like it was splitting in two. He started having a headache and visions cam rushing to his mind.
The visions were flickers of images all rushing into one movie. It was so fast that he almost fell down. "This place was my home and now I have to leave everything behind." He started to walk down the path where it will lead him out of the mud field. He kept walking until he tripped and fell. He was upset and depressed and regretting. He was upset that he had to live the place he has come to love, depressed for loosing everything. And regretting for he lost. He lost He lost someone and he lost his promises and now he's losing his mind. Suddenly, a wind gust past him and his tear streaked eyes started to dry.
"Don't cry," said the wind. He heard it, he was sure he heard it. Something sweet, it sounded so sweet. The voice was perfect and the sound was coming from, back there! He started to trace the sound; it was under the mud somewhere in the barricades. He took one log and threw it aside until he was doing so continuously. He was digging in the mud, digging and digging. Until he could dig no more. He found the sound to have vanished like the voice that he heard. Then, it came back and he listened intently. He heard the same sound over and over until he can make sure that it was the same one. It was close by, like it was in front of him. Not far from where he was, he saw a glittering box. It was gleaming in the dark clouded day. It was calling him.
------------------------------------------------
The day was bright and it was welcoming. It was another day to be spent being carefree and happy, or so the Nerima district thought.
"What!" Soun screamed. "My baby Akane's gone!" "Oh Akane, Akane!" Suon yammered repeatedly.
"Daddy stop crying for crying out loud!" Nabiki pronounced.
"Kasumi, Akane is gone!"
"Yes father I know. It'll all be all right." Kasumi assured his father.
Ranma came in witnessing all the commotion. Ranma wasn't able to get it at first, but looking at the details he got the idea. Everybody was in the living room; of course it was breakfast, although there's no breakfast on the table. Suon is crying and Nabiki and Kasumi are comforting their father. Now here comes in Ranma asking, "What happened?"
"Akane's gone Ranma. We don't know where she went." Nabiki was quiet for after a while, there's nothing else she could say. She walked out of the living room while she glared at Ranma. Ranma's thoughts were all in one basket that's too full to be added with more information. He was intrigued by Nabiki's glare and on impulse he followed her outside. Nabiki was too quiet and too busy to be doing nothing but think. It was awkward for Ranma to approach her because that glare could only mean one thing, it was him why Akane left. Nabiki made sure of this assumption before anyone else can actually pinpoint it out. Nabiki heard Ranma come up and without hesitation she turned around and looked at him straight in the eye. "What have you done Ranma?" Nabiki was furious yet she knows very well how to hide her feelings. Her eyes were cold and it contained no emotion of sadness, worry or pity. Nabiki's voice sent Ranma out of his shoes. He was nervous to face Nabiki even at the height of everything he's been thinking of. "What have I done what?" Ranma replied.
"Still want to play ignorant Ranma?" Nabiki stared cold and hard.
"Look here Nabiki I'm still in shock that Akane's not here when she's suppose to be but whatever you're getting to I don't have anything to do with it." Ranma's answer made Nabiki only more furious. "You have nothing to do with it? Let me tell you something. You're the whole reason why Akane is not here. You made her leave!" Nabiki's announcement made Ranma weak in his knees. What could he have possibly done to make Akane leave? Was it something he said or done or ate?
"What? If there's something to be said just say so Nabiki."
"Very well. If you want to be oblivious to everything that's right in front of you, I pity you. For the sake of my sister, I'll lay it out. Remember yesterday morning when we found out she cooked breakfast?" Nabiki started.
"Yeah what about it?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma, out of all people I expected you to be the one who'll know." Ranma was still quizzical about what Nabiki was trying to say.
"I still don't get it?" Ranma finally announced.
"Ranma, Akane left because you walked out on her yesterday when she tried to do something good for you. She made you breakfast and when you walked out she felt like all her efforts were wasted because she wanted you to be happy. But what did you do, you left her there without an explanation why and she felt insulted. She felt like she failed again for having to make you happy. Why do you do this to my sister? I feel sympathy for her for having such a fiancee like you, oblivious and ignorant!" With those strong words it stung like a bee. She was aware how hurtful her words were but she couldn't stand the way that he treated her yesterday. True, she knows how both of them can be stubborn but the situation took a toll on Nabiki's patience. Nabiki walked away from Ranma, with Nabiki's words still ringing in Ranma's ears. He could hear Nabiki say it all over again, oblivious and ignorant.
Is what I did yesterday really made her leave? That's ridiculous! Akane would never do that. That tomboy can take anything I dish out. She wouldn't give up easily with something stupid like that. Or would she?
Ranma's feet brought him back inside the house. Everybody was still in the living room. Kasumi was fanning her father after fainting over the sudden news. Nabiki was still glaring at Ranma and Kasumi stayed quiet. Nobody said anything. No one made a sound; the only sound they could hear was their rapid breathings. Finally, Kasumi had a thought she wanted to share. "Is it possible that Akane went to…" Kasumi paused. "To where Ryoga is?"
Everybody gasped. Nobody answered.
"That's ridiculous!" Ranma finally said. "Maybe she wanted to help." Nabiki replied. "So she can make you happy when she failed to do so when she cooked you food." Ranma went tense. He knows not to cross Nabiki's line with money, but he didn't know she was this fierce about Akane. Who wouldn't be if it were their family in danger? Ranma felt guilty again like he did moments ago. "Maybe he wanted to help you find Ryoga?" Kasumi finally answered." Ranma was quiet; he didn't dare to say anything. "Why would she…?" Ranma remained silent for a while. He thought that that couldn't possibly be the reason why she left. She's probably just somewhere around. And then, all of a sudden the words rang into his mind.
What can I do to help Ranma? That same question made Ranma queasy. How can he have not thought of that? Nabiki is right, she's been trying to help Ranma by doing good things for him and yet he couldn't see it. How did he get so blind? How could he have said the things he said, There's nothing you can do to help and the actions he made, excuse me I'm done for breakfast.
With all of his thoughts, all of it, rushing back and forth in his mind. What have I done? "How could I?" Ranma said aloud. "That's right Ranma, how could you? Now you get it?" Nabiki said coldly. Ranma couldn't say anything. This time he admitted that it was his entire fault why Akane had left. Only for one thing, he needed to explain it to her but he has to find her first. Out of impulse Ranma ran back up to his room and started packing up his clothes. What was she thinking? How could she leave and not tell me about it. Most of all me, me her fiancee! Ranma was stuffing his backpack with everything he needed from food to clothing to water. How could I've been so blind?
"What are you doing Ranma?" Nabiki came out of the doorway still emitting the cold and deadly glare and now Ranma could feel her anger.
"I'm going to find Akane, I'll bring her back." Ranma announced steadily. Nabiki walked up to Ranma who was trying to make himself busy by packing more things he'll need. He knew that Nabiki was waiting for him to look up to her, instead he ignored that assumption. Out of nowhere, a white envelope landed on top of Ranma's clothes. Ranma was puzzled to see the odd object. "What's this?" Ranma questioned. He opened it and saw money. "Money of course, how can you get to her if you don't have money." Ranma stood up and looked Nabiki in her eyes. "Thank You" Nabiki walked away from Ranma but stopped at the doorway. "You're responsible for my sister. If anything happens to her, you'll definitely be sorry." She looked back, "Bring her back Ranma and after that you owe me ten rolls of pictures."
All Ranma can do was face fault but he agreed to Nabiki's terms. He sure owes her but mostly he owes the one person that he should make up with. And he'll do just that once he finds her. Ranma was speechless. He was sure of his duty and the task that was at hand but he still can't stop beating himself up to think that Akane's gone and it's his entire fault.
Hours after that he waved goodbye to each and every one of them and he made sure to Suon and Nabiki that he won't come home with out Akane.
He was on the train to the nearest city to where he can ride a connecting train to Mount Kato. He still can't shake the feeling and thought that he might lose Akane because of him.
"Akane, I'm coming. I swear when I find you, I'll make sure I tell you."