Heart of Fire, Soul of Ice
By: DemonSaya
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 does not belong to me. They belong to someone a lot smarter than me. I kidnapped them against their will for a brief period of time. I have promised to return them. However, if you offer more than Takahashi-sensei, I would be willing to let you use Ranma as your sex toy for a-JUST KIDDING AKANE! ::Runs behind the scenes for safety::
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Ranma's answer was cut off quickly, by hollaring from downstairs. He heard people calling out to Akane and panic filled him once again. He jumped to his feet and ran, not noting the pain in his head or from the scratches.
To his horror, Ukyou was bleeding, soaking wet, carrying Akane, who was pale, and limp. "Akane..." He rasped.
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Part 8: Okami-Kami-Ha
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Ukyou stumbled up into the house, her face drawn and tired. "Tofu- sensei...Get Akane..." She slumped against the ground, setting Akane down there. She looked up at Ranma and cracked a weak grin. "She's incredible, Ranma. You have to hear about the chi blast she did to save you."
"Is she...is she gonna be okay?" He asked in concern. He knelt beside them, his eyes worried, his hands longing to reach out and touch Akane's face.
"She's alive, Ranma." Tofu said softly, patting Ranma's shoulder. "Help me get her to her room."
Ranma sighed in relief, and picked Akane up himself, his hands being extremely careful. "What on earth happened, anyways?" He asked Ukyou, who was leaning heavily on the good Doctor. He glanced back, noting the blood trickling down Ukyou's forhead. "Are you okay, Ucchan?"
"I'm fine. Shampoo attacked us." She shivered slightly. "Akane was so fast, Ranma! She blocked nearly all of Shampoo's blows! She's...she's faster than ME..." Ukyou rubbed her arms slightly. "Shampoo got a few good hits in, and Akane got knocked out just before Mousse came along and saved us. If he hadn't we'd have been killed."
Ranma frowned deeply. He was going to have to do something about Shampoo and quickly. He lifted a foot, in a usual display of dexterity, and opened the door with it. He walked in and sat Akane on her bed, then took up her hand, his own shaking just slightly as he did so.
Tofu and Ukyou followed him in, and the doctor sat Ukyou in a chair, then proceeded to examine Akane's ribs and head. "She's just unconsious. She should come out of it shortly. She has a few bruised ribs, but no serious injuries. She should be fine in a few minutes." He moved over to examine Ukyou and clean her up, next.
Ranma looked over at Ukyou and smiled slightly. "Thank you for standing by us. It really means alot."
Ukyou shook her head stubbornly. "You and Akane are my friends. There's no way I'd just let you guys get hurt or die." She noticed the other two in the room went rigid as a wire. "Waitaminit..." She pointed at them. "What's with the tension?!"
The doctor looked up at her. "It would turn out that the martial artists in the area are beginning to feel a strange...eerieness, I guess you could call it. A nervousness that I'm sure we're all very familiar with by now." He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I'm guessing you're feeling something similar."
She looked over at Akane and sighed. "Yeah. I am. It's strange. It just kinda started without warning, and I haven't been able to get over it. It's sort of like just before Jusendo and all...like all hell's gonna break through. Usually, quite litterally." She raised a hand to her hair and mussed it up. "Akane probably has, and Shampoo, and Mousse, and everyone else in Nerima-" Suddenly, her eyes jerked to the doctor. "You're a martial artist too?!"
Tofu smiled slightly. "Probably the only one in the entire city who hasn't fought Ranma in battle." He admitted, dabbing a clean, white cloth against her forhead gently. "I don't accept challenges, because..." He stopped, glancing out the window at Kasumi hanging laundry in the yard, and his eyes fogged around the edges, just slightly. When he looked back, he smiled sheepishly. "I really would like to have kids someday." He admitted. "Besides, I'll admit, what you kids do makes what I did look like playing around."
Akane groaned lightly, her eyes flitting open. Ranma leaned over her, smiling gently. "Hey, there..." He said, gently brushing her hair from in front of her face.
Ukyou gestured towards the door. "We'll leave you two alone, okay, sugar?" She smiled at the pair, and drug Tofu from the room.
Akane slowly lifted her hand, holding his against her cheek. "Ranma..." She whispered, smiling back. "You're awake..." She threw her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder. "Oh, Ranma!" She whispered, tears welling in her eyes and threatening to spill over her cheeks.
He gently stroked her back, nosing her hair aside and kissed her jaw lightly. "I'm alright..." He promised. "I'm glad you're okay, too...When Ukyou carried you up here, you were so pale...I thought you were dead..." His breathing was slightly ragged, and he trembled slightly. He lifted his hands, running them through her soaked hair, and he leaned towards her to kiss her. Then, he felt her hands on his chest.
On his breasts.
He cursed harshly, pulling away from her and sitting at the end of the bed. He stared down at his now female body in misery and stood, not looking at her, so he wouldn't see the disgust in her eyes. "You...should get changed..." he said softly, then stood, walking towards her closet. "I'll get you your pajama's...they should be warm-"
"Ranma." Her voice caressed his ears gently.
He turned to look at her, shaking slightly. He wanted to kiss her, but he wouldn't. Not in this form. Not unless she, dare he think, initiated it first. "I promise I'll be right back." He said softly, then pulled out her pajamas, setting them on her bed, then all but running from the room. He walked down to the bathroom, with a brief stop to grab a dry shirt, and clean boxers, then went to get a warm bath.
Damn this curse, he thought, throwing the shirt into the hamper and staring into the mirror on the wall. He stared at his female body, his eyes tormented. This was why she'd refused to marry him. This had to be it. He was a freak, he wasn't fit to be anyone's husband.
He lashed out with his fist, punching the mirror, not caring as the glass cut into his hand. He felt moisture on his face and realized he was crying. With a harsh shake of his head, he stormed into the main part of the bath, and dumped cold water over his head. He had to find a cure. HAD to. It wasn't optional anymore, it was necessity. He walked across the tile floor and emersed himself into the warm bathtub. He had grown so used to his transformation that he no longer even noticed it happening anymore. Which was part of the reason he'd almost kissed Akane in his girl-form no doubt.
He looked at the back of his hands, bleeding from the cuts the mirror's glass had caused. "Hmph...seven years bad luck? As bad as mine is, it's probably going to wind up getting worse for the next seven years." He shook his head, lowering the hand below the water. Within a few minutes, the water was tinged pink. He couldn't stand to think that Akane may think less of him because of his curse. He would give anything to be cured right now. ANYTHING.
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Ryouga was lost.
Again.
For Ryouga, this was nothing new, but it was still emensely annoying. He looked from the map in his hands to the street sign, trying to figure out where he was. He was used to being the eternally lost boy. Although he hated Ranma for constantly calling him that, it was true. He knew he was supposed to be near here. He could tell because the feelings were getting stronger.
He'd been feeling them for weeks, a strange sense of nervousness, yet, it drew him here.
If only he knew where here was.
With a growl, he crumpled up the map and tossed it behind him.
He didn't see it hit Ukyou in the face. "Ryouga, do I look like a trash can?!" Her voice rang out behind him.
He turned towards her in shocked confusion. "Ukyou? What are you doing here?!" He asked, his eyes baffled.
Ukyou pointed up to the sign above her restaurant, where she was returning after having been patched up by Tofu. "I live here, you dolt." She said. "I suppose you're hear to try to defeat Ranma. Or gain Akane's hand." She grabbed his arm and sat him at the bar. "Don't move."
He didn't.
She sighed heavily, rubbing the back of her neck and putting a hand to the plaster on her forhead. "Take my advice, Ryouga, give up on Akane. She loves Ranma and he loves her. They need each other." She saw him about to open his mouth to object and raised her hand. "Look, I didn't want to give up Ranma, but I saw with my own eyes his feelings for her. I'm learning to accept it, even though it's difficult to watch them together. The fact is, though, they need each other."
He sulked at the counter. "Akane was kind to me..." He said softly, not looking at her. "She treated me like a person...not some freak who-" He cut himself off, glaring out the window.
"Turns into a pig." She said blandly, pouring some batter on the grill.
His eyes jerked towards her in shock. "You knew?!"
"Think about it, sugar. You changed right in front of Akane a few times, and in front of me. I'm not as blind as Akane was." She rubbed her shoulders, sighing heavily. "You're not a freak, Ryouga. No more than Shampoo, Mousse, and even Ranma. In fact, I think Ranma's got it the worst out of all of you. At least you stay male." Sh pointed out.
He noticed the plaster on her forhead and lifted his hand. "What happened?"
"Shampoo attacked Akane and I. Ranma's going to deal with her. He was so mad." She shook her head. When his fingers gingerly probed her skin, she winced, yet she felt her heart skip a beat. Quickly, she brushed his hand away before she blushed. "I'm fine, Ryouga. I'm a tough girl."
"Is Akane alright?"
She frowned. "She's fine. She's a martial artist too, Ryouga, and Ranma and I have been training her. She felt Shampoo coming before I did." She flipped the okinomiyaki and looked over at him. She didn't understand how Akane had gotten so much stronger so fast. It didn't make any sense. For most people, it took years for them to master chi techniques, yet Akane had not only managed to throw one, she managed to throw her own, based on neither depression, nor confidence. Her's was one that was based on her love for Ranma, a feeling that would grow with the use of the technique.
Ryouga felt depression coursing through him. "I wish I could have been the one to save her...but no doubt, Ranma got that role again. Always the hero, always the strongest."
"Actually, it was Mousse who saved us."
He looked at her abruptly. "WHAT?!"
"Ranma had been unconsious for a day. He was attacked by a three-headed dog in the dojo. Akane saved his life, using a chi attack." She hesitated to tell the rest of it. "I've never seen it's like. It was small, but she threw it and it burned the thing to a crisp. Later she told me she used Love as an emotion. Her love, for Ranma."
He shook his head harshly. "She can't love Ranma. He insults her constantly, he's cruel to her. He doesn't deserve her." Yet if Ranma didn't, no one did. Ranma had honor, more than anyone else he knew.
"Yet, she does. And you know it." She said softly, turning towards the kitchen. "You can stay here tonight. I'll take you to see Akane tomorrow. She deserves a nights peace."
Ryouga nodded hesitantely. "Fine." He picked up his okinomiyaki and munched on it, thinking quietly, late into the night.
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Ranma sat in the dojo, meditating, waiting for Akane to join him. She would be training in speed today, and from what Ukyou said, he should try to teach her the chestnut fist soon. She was so amazing. Incredible. She was leaning so fast.
He'd never been prouder of anyone before.
He felt his chi expanding and contracting around him and stood. He could feel someone coming. Yes, they were coming into the dojo. He heard the sound of wood cutting through air and spun, catching the quickly thrusting boken in his bare fist. "Kuno." He said blandly.
"You who doth try to trap the fair Akane into a unwanted marriage, I shall smite thee!" Kuno ripped the boken free, and spun, attacking with almost suprising precision and speed. "It hath reached mine ears that you doth present her a ring!"
Ranma was suprised at the skill behind the blow. He flipped backwards, his eyes wide. "Kuno?" That was when he noticed something he hadn't before. Kuno had an enormously formed aura. It was a shade of navy-blue, and huge! Was it possible that Kuno actually had...SKILL?! He was so shocked by the revelation that he failed to block the next strike, which hit him in the side.
His eyes widened in shock. He stopped, grabbing the end of the bokken. "Kuno...I don't have time for this. Akane's going to be coming in here to train shortly, and since I am her sensei, I can't allow you to destract her." He ripped the boken from his hand.
"Akane will be mine..." Growled Kuno, his face furious. "I come to protect her from the dangers coming and you-"
Ranma lowered the blade, his face serious. "You sense it too. I shouldn't have underestimated you, Kuno." He tossed the blade at him. "Now get out. Like I said, I have to do a little training myself before Akane arrives. I promise you, Kuno, the next time we fight, I expect us both to fight seriously."
The older boy looked somewhat shocked. "I doth always fight with seriousness." He said softly.
"You lie." Ranma said evenly, bluntly. "I can see your aura, Kuno. You would do well not to underestimate me next time, because our next fight...will be our last. No matter who wins it, no more of this. It's bad for us, and it's bad for Akane."
Kuno's eyes narrowed. "Fine, I shall fight with every fiber of my being and I shall defeat you, Saotome." He bowed slightly and walked out. A sign of respect from one artist to another.
Ranma watched him go with a serious expression, then began gathering the fighting chi around himself. He'd heard of Akane's chi blast. He knew he'd have to develope one himself. One that would flow freely, even in the most dangerous of battles. Even when his confidence was failing him. He closed his eyes and the chi around him grew slightly.
From what he'd heard, Akane's chi blast had managed to turn the beast attacking him into dust. He had to wonder which emotion she'd used. Anger and worry seemed likely, but he'd seen such blasts before, and they hadn't had such an effect. He didn't notice it, but outside his body, his chi was gradually growing as he fondly thought of his fiancee.
Eventually, he couldn't help but think about her soft, smooth skin, her silken hair, her big brown eyes, her sweet lips. These thoughts made the aura bigger still. When he opened his eyes, he was glowing blue all over, and lighting the room with a blue tint. His eyes widened. He brought his hands together slowly and felt the chi obey his every command. It was incredible, warm and energizing.
He'd never felt such a limitless well of chi before. He couldn't name the emotion, all he knew was it stemmed from his thoughts of Akane. Everything about Akane made him feel stronger. The most gentle touch of her hand could give him the strength to save her, the need to hold her.
As he thought, he tried tricks with it, extending it from his body through his palms, and drawing it back in, sliding it from one arm to the next. He even went as far as to push it through his legs till it lifted him a few inches off the floor. He had never felt such an incredible, natural high before. It was like riding on sunshine. Like climbing a rainbow. He laughed, and began a kata, each kick and punch sending the chi out just slighly.
Amazing.
He closed his eyes as he did the kata and let himself go with the feelings. After a few moments, he went to the weapons wrack and pulled down a quarter staff and began using that as well, watching as light streaked across the air, from his chi. It was bright blue, and it left a silver, sparkly trail in it's wake. He'd never been on such a natural high in his entire life. He continued to spin, and attacked his imaginary partner, grinning from ear to ear. This felt better than confidence ever had.
He returned the staff, and grabbed a boken, using that next. Then nunchaku, then sai, then a three part nunchacku which doubled as a staff. Each time, it did similar things. Finally, he reached up and pulled down a katana, which was engraved and very finely made. He withdrew it, and began again. It was an amazing feeling. He was so caught up in his excersizes that he didn't hear Akane gasp as she entered the room.
After a few moments, he decided it was time to try it as a chi blast. He sheathed the sword, still glowing and once again gathered the chi between his hands. He took a deep, relaxing breath and thrust his hands forward, staring through narrowed eyes. Blue light shot out from his hands, streaking silver across the room. He didn't know it, but his eyes were glowing silver.
Akane watched as the chi dispelled into the air and Ranma straightened. She didn't want to spoil his moment, but she had to train. She could see the gentle smile on his face, one that so greatly reminded him of the one he would give her now and then.
Ranma slowly turned, smiling at Akane. "Akane..." He said softly, reaching out a hand towards her, his eyes warmer than the sun on a spring day. He stepped towards her and touched her face softly. "I almost thought I was just imagining it..." he admitted, smiling sheepishly.
"Wh-what?" She whispered breathlessly, her hand holding his to her face, her eyes unable to look away from his.
He shook his head. "If my memory serves me right...you're getting speed training today, ne?" He lightly caressed her cheek with his thumb, and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
She blushed, nodding. "A-aa..." She pulled out the two bags, one of nuts, the other of screws. "Why did you want me to get these?"
He winked, pulling away and going to get two buckets. "Dump both bags in one of these." He said, setting them down in front of her. "And I'll show you."
She nodded, wondering what he had in mind for them. She opened the bag and dumped them in, listening to the tinks into the metal bucket, wincing slightly. It hurt her ears a bit. After she was done with that, she opened the other bag, dumping that one as well.
Ranma picked them up, shaking them , mixing the nuts and screws together, making it rather difficult to tell one from the other. "Speed is one of the most important weapons in combat, second only to knowledge. Especially for smaller people, and women. It gives them an advantage over someone who is all strength. However, you have to know how to balance speed and strength as well." He set the bucket down and closed his eyes. When he opened them, his fists began moving at speed that was almost impossible to see, his hands a blur.
Akane heard a pinging sound and looked at the bucket at her feet. It was slowly filling with the nuts, but no screws. Finally, Ranma stopped, when exactly half of the bucket was filled with them. Her eyes wide, she lifted her eyes to him.
He pulled a third bucket out of nowhere, and dumped both buckets in at the same time, then proceeded to repeat, this time, filling both buckets, one with screws, the other with nuts. When he was done, he looked at her. "What was that?" He asked, her, knowing she should be able to answer.
"K-kachuu tenshin amaguriken..." She whispered, her eyes wide. "Oh, Ranma! Are you really going to teach that to me?!" She gasped in excitement, glomping him.
He chuckled lightly. "Yes, but later. First we've got to try to get the rest of you faster." He smiled, winking lightly. "At the speed you're learning, you'll have it by the end of the week." He stepped back from her. "First, we're going to spar. I'm not going to touch you, but I'm going to block. The training is over when you can get through my speed, and hit me." He stepped back again. "Training begins." He said evenly, his entire body relaxing.
Akane lunged towards him, trying to concentrate on everything he'd taught her. She swung, and kicked, and he blocked and dodged. She didn't realize it, but she was nearly matching speed with his blocks. He was just a bit faster, fast enough that if they were really sparring, that he'd be kicking the crap out of her. All she realized, was that she was having fun. He was smiling at her in that irritating fashion that always managed to turn her on in ways she didn't want to think about right now. It was a cocky grin, but at the same time, it was encouraging.
After over half an hour of that, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted. She'd been going all out on him, moving as fast as she could, faster than she ever had before, yet she hadn't been able to touch him. Frustrated, she punched the ground.
Ranma flopped down beside her, breathing heavily. He looked at his forarms and noticed that they actually did have rather large pink welts that would undoubtedly turn to bruises. He smiled, then helped her sit, pulling her against his side. "You were incredible." He whispered against her hair.
"I'll never be as fast as you..." She lamented, looking away from him.
"Don't count on it." He showed her his arms and pointed towards one of the welts. "I almost didn't catch that one in time." He said, grinning from ear to ear. "You're alot faster than you think you are, Akane. Just give it a little more time."
She stared at it, and lightly touched it. "Do they hurt?" She asked, looking at him in concern.
"Everyone of them." He saw the distress on her face and kissed her nose. "And ya know what? I wouldn't trade the pain for anything in the world..." He caressed her face.
"Ranma...about your proposal..." She said softly.
"Yes?" He whispered hopefully.
Suddenly, the door flew open, revealing Oukami and Fushicho. Their faces were flushed and both were out of breath. "Ranma...Akane..." Fushicho gasped. "We've got to talk to you...tomorrow."
Akane felt her heart sink. She'd been going to accept. Why did they always get interupted?! The moment had been shattered, and she knew there would be no chance to salvage it. "About what, Fushicho-san?"
"The nervous feelings I'm sure you're both feeling." Oukami said softly.
The pair stared at them in shock. It looked like they'd be getting their answers sooner than they thought.
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Akane sat in the tub, staring at the opposite wall. Perhaps it was gods will. She sighed, resting her head on her knees. As she'd predicted, Ranma had forgotten what she'd been about to say when Fushicho and Oukami had arrived. The moment wasn't going to be salvaged.
Part of her was glad.
When she finally did accept his proposal, all hell no doubt would break loose.
"Perhaps it was all for the best." She muttered, leaning back against the tub and staring at the ceiling. She didn't know what to do now. She knew she loved Ranma. She loved him more than anything in the world. She knew she'd give her own life in order to protect him. But was she ready to get married?
The question gnawed at her mind for awhile, until she shook it out, hard. She'd been ready at the wedding fiasco. Secretly, she would love to put her beloved through the same emotional agony he put her through, but she knew she could never tell him she didn't want to marry him. She couldn't lie to him.
Yet, if she accepted, and something happened to one of them...maybe it was better just to leave it alone for now. She couldn't answer him until she knew they would be safe for awhile. She needed her peace for when she decided to marry. She needed the security of knowing she wouldn't hurt him by dying, and he wouldn't hurt her by running off headlong into another fight.
She closed her eyes, sighing. She didn't hear the door open, but she heard the soft eep when Ranma walked into the room. Her eyes snapped open and she blushed brightly. The only saving grace was he was as pink as she. "R- ranma..."
He forced his eyes away, closing them tightly, trying to discourage the urge to peek. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here...the sign wasn't up, please don't hit me..."
Akane climbed from the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. Then, she walked towards Ranma, lifting a hand and turning his face to hers. "I'm not going to hit you." She promised, stroaking his face lightly. "I promise. I'm not going to hit you anymore..." She pressed herself onto tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'm done in here. You can have it." She walked from the main part of the bathroom and into the changing room, feeling his eyes on her as she changed into her pajama's. "Goodnight..." She whispered, glancing back at him, and giving him a gentle smile.
He watched her go with a forlorn look on his face. "Oyasumi..." He replied, swallowing to get past the lump in his throat. Why hadn't she answered him?! He'd known she was going to when they were in the dojo, but then Fushicho and Oukami had to come along and ruin the moment! He grabbed his hair, pulling it. "Dammiiiiiit..." He grumbled, going to take his bath.
Maybe she wasn't ready to answer. She'd had a perfect opportunity. Maybe she felt like she was being forced into it. He sighed, dumping the cold water over his head. "Okay...I'll wait before I ask her again. I don't want her to get mad at me for forcing her..." He nodded resolutely, then moved to climb into the warm bath.
He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. The water still smelled like her.
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End Part 8
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Author's notes: Eheheh,
By: DemonSaya
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 does not belong to me. They belong to someone a lot smarter than me. I kidnapped them against their will for a brief period of time. I have promised to return them. However, if you offer more than Takahashi-sensei, I would be willing to let you use Ranma as your sex toy for a-JUST KIDDING AKANE! ::Runs behind the scenes for safety::
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Ranma's answer was cut off quickly, by hollaring from downstairs. He heard people calling out to Akane and panic filled him once again. He jumped to his feet and ran, not noting the pain in his head or from the scratches.
To his horror, Ukyou was bleeding, soaking wet, carrying Akane, who was pale, and limp. "Akane..." He rasped.
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Part 8: Okami-Kami-Ha
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Ukyou stumbled up into the house, her face drawn and tired. "Tofu- sensei...Get Akane..." She slumped against the ground, setting Akane down there. She looked up at Ranma and cracked a weak grin. "She's incredible, Ranma. You have to hear about the chi blast she did to save you."
"Is she...is she gonna be okay?" He asked in concern. He knelt beside them, his eyes worried, his hands longing to reach out and touch Akane's face.
"She's alive, Ranma." Tofu said softly, patting Ranma's shoulder. "Help me get her to her room."
Ranma sighed in relief, and picked Akane up himself, his hands being extremely careful. "What on earth happened, anyways?" He asked Ukyou, who was leaning heavily on the good Doctor. He glanced back, noting the blood trickling down Ukyou's forhead. "Are you okay, Ucchan?"
"I'm fine. Shampoo attacked us." She shivered slightly. "Akane was so fast, Ranma! She blocked nearly all of Shampoo's blows! She's...she's faster than ME..." Ukyou rubbed her arms slightly. "Shampoo got a few good hits in, and Akane got knocked out just before Mousse came along and saved us. If he hadn't we'd have been killed."
Ranma frowned deeply. He was going to have to do something about Shampoo and quickly. He lifted a foot, in a usual display of dexterity, and opened the door with it. He walked in and sat Akane on her bed, then took up her hand, his own shaking just slightly as he did so.
Tofu and Ukyou followed him in, and the doctor sat Ukyou in a chair, then proceeded to examine Akane's ribs and head. "She's just unconsious. She should come out of it shortly. She has a few bruised ribs, but no serious injuries. She should be fine in a few minutes." He moved over to examine Ukyou and clean her up, next.
Ranma looked over at Ukyou and smiled slightly. "Thank you for standing by us. It really means alot."
Ukyou shook her head stubbornly. "You and Akane are my friends. There's no way I'd just let you guys get hurt or die." She noticed the other two in the room went rigid as a wire. "Waitaminit..." She pointed at them. "What's with the tension?!"
The doctor looked up at her. "It would turn out that the martial artists in the area are beginning to feel a strange...eerieness, I guess you could call it. A nervousness that I'm sure we're all very familiar with by now." He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I'm guessing you're feeling something similar."
She looked over at Akane and sighed. "Yeah. I am. It's strange. It just kinda started without warning, and I haven't been able to get over it. It's sort of like just before Jusendo and all...like all hell's gonna break through. Usually, quite litterally." She raised a hand to her hair and mussed it up. "Akane probably has, and Shampoo, and Mousse, and everyone else in Nerima-" Suddenly, her eyes jerked to the doctor. "You're a martial artist too?!"
Tofu smiled slightly. "Probably the only one in the entire city who hasn't fought Ranma in battle." He admitted, dabbing a clean, white cloth against her forhead gently. "I don't accept challenges, because..." He stopped, glancing out the window at Kasumi hanging laundry in the yard, and his eyes fogged around the edges, just slightly. When he looked back, he smiled sheepishly. "I really would like to have kids someday." He admitted. "Besides, I'll admit, what you kids do makes what I did look like playing around."
Akane groaned lightly, her eyes flitting open. Ranma leaned over her, smiling gently. "Hey, there..." He said, gently brushing her hair from in front of her face.
Ukyou gestured towards the door. "We'll leave you two alone, okay, sugar?" She smiled at the pair, and drug Tofu from the room.
Akane slowly lifted her hand, holding his against her cheek. "Ranma..." She whispered, smiling back. "You're awake..." She threw her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder. "Oh, Ranma!" She whispered, tears welling in her eyes and threatening to spill over her cheeks.
He gently stroked her back, nosing her hair aside and kissed her jaw lightly. "I'm alright..." He promised. "I'm glad you're okay, too...When Ukyou carried you up here, you were so pale...I thought you were dead..." His breathing was slightly ragged, and he trembled slightly. He lifted his hands, running them through her soaked hair, and he leaned towards her to kiss her. Then, he felt her hands on his chest.
On his breasts.
He cursed harshly, pulling away from her and sitting at the end of the bed. He stared down at his now female body in misery and stood, not looking at her, so he wouldn't see the disgust in her eyes. "You...should get changed..." he said softly, then stood, walking towards her closet. "I'll get you your pajama's...they should be warm-"
"Ranma." Her voice caressed his ears gently.
He turned to look at her, shaking slightly. He wanted to kiss her, but he wouldn't. Not in this form. Not unless she, dare he think, initiated it first. "I promise I'll be right back." He said softly, then pulled out her pajamas, setting them on her bed, then all but running from the room. He walked down to the bathroom, with a brief stop to grab a dry shirt, and clean boxers, then went to get a warm bath.
Damn this curse, he thought, throwing the shirt into the hamper and staring into the mirror on the wall. He stared at his female body, his eyes tormented. This was why she'd refused to marry him. This had to be it. He was a freak, he wasn't fit to be anyone's husband.
He lashed out with his fist, punching the mirror, not caring as the glass cut into his hand. He felt moisture on his face and realized he was crying. With a harsh shake of his head, he stormed into the main part of the bath, and dumped cold water over his head. He had to find a cure. HAD to. It wasn't optional anymore, it was necessity. He walked across the tile floor and emersed himself into the warm bathtub. He had grown so used to his transformation that he no longer even noticed it happening anymore. Which was part of the reason he'd almost kissed Akane in his girl-form no doubt.
He looked at the back of his hands, bleeding from the cuts the mirror's glass had caused. "Hmph...seven years bad luck? As bad as mine is, it's probably going to wind up getting worse for the next seven years." He shook his head, lowering the hand below the water. Within a few minutes, the water was tinged pink. He couldn't stand to think that Akane may think less of him because of his curse. He would give anything to be cured right now. ANYTHING.
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Ryouga was lost.
Again.
For Ryouga, this was nothing new, but it was still emensely annoying. He looked from the map in his hands to the street sign, trying to figure out where he was. He was used to being the eternally lost boy. Although he hated Ranma for constantly calling him that, it was true. He knew he was supposed to be near here. He could tell because the feelings were getting stronger.
He'd been feeling them for weeks, a strange sense of nervousness, yet, it drew him here.
If only he knew where here was.
With a growl, he crumpled up the map and tossed it behind him.
He didn't see it hit Ukyou in the face. "Ryouga, do I look like a trash can?!" Her voice rang out behind him.
He turned towards her in shocked confusion. "Ukyou? What are you doing here?!" He asked, his eyes baffled.
Ukyou pointed up to the sign above her restaurant, where she was returning after having been patched up by Tofu. "I live here, you dolt." She said. "I suppose you're hear to try to defeat Ranma. Or gain Akane's hand." She grabbed his arm and sat him at the bar. "Don't move."
He didn't.
She sighed heavily, rubbing the back of her neck and putting a hand to the plaster on her forhead. "Take my advice, Ryouga, give up on Akane. She loves Ranma and he loves her. They need each other." She saw him about to open his mouth to object and raised her hand. "Look, I didn't want to give up Ranma, but I saw with my own eyes his feelings for her. I'm learning to accept it, even though it's difficult to watch them together. The fact is, though, they need each other."
He sulked at the counter. "Akane was kind to me..." He said softly, not looking at her. "She treated me like a person...not some freak who-" He cut himself off, glaring out the window.
"Turns into a pig." She said blandly, pouring some batter on the grill.
His eyes jerked towards her in shock. "You knew?!"
"Think about it, sugar. You changed right in front of Akane a few times, and in front of me. I'm not as blind as Akane was." She rubbed her shoulders, sighing heavily. "You're not a freak, Ryouga. No more than Shampoo, Mousse, and even Ranma. In fact, I think Ranma's got it the worst out of all of you. At least you stay male." Sh pointed out.
He noticed the plaster on her forhead and lifted his hand. "What happened?"
"Shampoo attacked Akane and I. Ranma's going to deal with her. He was so mad." She shook her head. When his fingers gingerly probed her skin, she winced, yet she felt her heart skip a beat. Quickly, she brushed his hand away before she blushed. "I'm fine, Ryouga. I'm a tough girl."
"Is Akane alright?"
She frowned. "She's fine. She's a martial artist too, Ryouga, and Ranma and I have been training her. She felt Shampoo coming before I did." She flipped the okinomiyaki and looked over at him. She didn't understand how Akane had gotten so much stronger so fast. It didn't make any sense. For most people, it took years for them to master chi techniques, yet Akane had not only managed to throw one, she managed to throw her own, based on neither depression, nor confidence. Her's was one that was based on her love for Ranma, a feeling that would grow with the use of the technique.
Ryouga felt depression coursing through him. "I wish I could have been the one to save her...but no doubt, Ranma got that role again. Always the hero, always the strongest."
"Actually, it was Mousse who saved us."
He looked at her abruptly. "WHAT?!"
"Ranma had been unconsious for a day. He was attacked by a three-headed dog in the dojo. Akane saved his life, using a chi attack." She hesitated to tell the rest of it. "I've never seen it's like. It was small, but she threw it and it burned the thing to a crisp. Later she told me she used Love as an emotion. Her love, for Ranma."
He shook his head harshly. "She can't love Ranma. He insults her constantly, he's cruel to her. He doesn't deserve her." Yet if Ranma didn't, no one did. Ranma had honor, more than anyone else he knew.
"Yet, she does. And you know it." She said softly, turning towards the kitchen. "You can stay here tonight. I'll take you to see Akane tomorrow. She deserves a nights peace."
Ryouga nodded hesitantely. "Fine." He picked up his okinomiyaki and munched on it, thinking quietly, late into the night.
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Ranma sat in the dojo, meditating, waiting for Akane to join him. She would be training in speed today, and from what Ukyou said, he should try to teach her the chestnut fist soon. She was so amazing. Incredible. She was leaning so fast.
He'd never been prouder of anyone before.
He felt his chi expanding and contracting around him and stood. He could feel someone coming. Yes, they were coming into the dojo. He heard the sound of wood cutting through air and spun, catching the quickly thrusting boken in his bare fist. "Kuno." He said blandly.
"You who doth try to trap the fair Akane into a unwanted marriage, I shall smite thee!" Kuno ripped the boken free, and spun, attacking with almost suprising precision and speed. "It hath reached mine ears that you doth present her a ring!"
Ranma was suprised at the skill behind the blow. He flipped backwards, his eyes wide. "Kuno?" That was when he noticed something he hadn't before. Kuno had an enormously formed aura. It was a shade of navy-blue, and huge! Was it possible that Kuno actually had...SKILL?! He was so shocked by the revelation that he failed to block the next strike, which hit him in the side.
His eyes widened in shock. He stopped, grabbing the end of the bokken. "Kuno...I don't have time for this. Akane's going to be coming in here to train shortly, and since I am her sensei, I can't allow you to destract her." He ripped the boken from his hand.
"Akane will be mine..." Growled Kuno, his face furious. "I come to protect her from the dangers coming and you-"
Ranma lowered the blade, his face serious. "You sense it too. I shouldn't have underestimated you, Kuno." He tossed the blade at him. "Now get out. Like I said, I have to do a little training myself before Akane arrives. I promise you, Kuno, the next time we fight, I expect us both to fight seriously."
The older boy looked somewhat shocked. "I doth always fight with seriousness." He said softly.
"You lie." Ranma said evenly, bluntly. "I can see your aura, Kuno. You would do well not to underestimate me next time, because our next fight...will be our last. No matter who wins it, no more of this. It's bad for us, and it's bad for Akane."
Kuno's eyes narrowed. "Fine, I shall fight with every fiber of my being and I shall defeat you, Saotome." He bowed slightly and walked out. A sign of respect from one artist to another.
Ranma watched him go with a serious expression, then began gathering the fighting chi around himself. He'd heard of Akane's chi blast. He knew he'd have to develope one himself. One that would flow freely, even in the most dangerous of battles. Even when his confidence was failing him. He closed his eyes and the chi around him grew slightly.
From what he'd heard, Akane's chi blast had managed to turn the beast attacking him into dust. He had to wonder which emotion she'd used. Anger and worry seemed likely, but he'd seen such blasts before, and they hadn't had such an effect. He didn't notice it, but outside his body, his chi was gradually growing as he fondly thought of his fiancee.
Eventually, he couldn't help but think about her soft, smooth skin, her silken hair, her big brown eyes, her sweet lips. These thoughts made the aura bigger still. When he opened his eyes, he was glowing blue all over, and lighting the room with a blue tint. His eyes widened. He brought his hands together slowly and felt the chi obey his every command. It was incredible, warm and energizing.
He'd never felt such a limitless well of chi before. He couldn't name the emotion, all he knew was it stemmed from his thoughts of Akane. Everything about Akane made him feel stronger. The most gentle touch of her hand could give him the strength to save her, the need to hold her.
As he thought, he tried tricks with it, extending it from his body through his palms, and drawing it back in, sliding it from one arm to the next. He even went as far as to push it through his legs till it lifted him a few inches off the floor. He had never felt such an incredible, natural high before. It was like riding on sunshine. Like climbing a rainbow. He laughed, and began a kata, each kick and punch sending the chi out just slighly.
Amazing.
He closed his eyes as he did the kata and let himself go with the feelings. After a few moments, he went to the weapons wrack and pulled down a quarter staff and began using that as well, watching as light streaked across the air, from his chi. It was bright blue, and it left a silver, sparkly trail in it's wake. He'd never been on such a natural high in his entire life. He continued to spin, and attacked his imaginary partner, grinning from ear to ear. This felt better than confidence ever had.
He returned the staff, and grabbed a boken, using that next. Then nunchaku, then sai, then a three part nunchacku which doubled as a staff. Each time, it did similar things. Finally, he reached up and pulled down a katana, which was engraved and very finely made. He withdrew it, and began again. It was an amazing feeling. He was so caught up in his excersizes that he didn't hear Akane gasp as she entered the room.
After a few moments, he decided it was time to try it as a chi blast. He sheathed the sword, still glowing and once again gathered the chi between his hands. He took a deep, relaxing breath and thrust his hands forward, staring through narrowed eyes. Blue light shot out from his hands, streaking silver across the room. He didn't know it, but his eyes were glowing silver.
Akane watched as the chi dispelled into the air and Ranma straightened. She didn't want to spoil his moment, but she had to train. She could see the gentle smile on his face, one that so greatly reminded him of the one he would give her now and then.
Ranma slowly turned, smiling at Akane. "Akane..." He said softly, reaching out a hand towards her, his eyes warmer than the sun on a spring day. He stepped towards her and touched her face softly. "I almost thought I was just imagining it..." he admitted, smiling sheepishly.
"Wh-what?" She whispered breathlessly, her hand holding his to her face, her eyes unable to look away from his.
He shook his head. "If my memory serves me right...you're getting speed training today, ne?" He lightly caressed her cheek with his thumb, and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
She blushed, nodding. "A-aa..." She pulled out the two bags, one of nuts, the other of screws. "Why did you want me to get these?"
He winked, pulling away and going to get two buckets. "Dump both bags in one of these." He said, setting them down in front of her. "And I'll show you."
She nodded, wondering what he had in mind for them. She opened the bag and dumped them in, listening to the tinks into the metal bucket, wincing slightly. It hurt her ears a bit. After she was done with that, she opened the other bag, dumping that one as well.
Ranma picked them up, shaking them , mixing the nuts and screws together, making it rather difficult to tell one from the other. "Speed is one of the most important weapons in combat, second only to knowledge. Especially for smaller people, and women. It gives them an advantage over someone who is all strength. However, you have to know how to balance speed and strength as well." He set the bucket down and closed his eyes. When he opened them, his fists began moving at speed that was almost impossible to see, his hands a blur.
Akane heard a pinging sound and looked at the bucket at her feet. It was slowly filling with the nuts, but no screws. Finally, Ranma stopped, when exactly half of the bucket was filled with them. Her eyes wide, she lifted her eyes to him.
He pulled a third bucket out of nowhere, and dumped both buckets in at the same time, then proceeded to repeat, this time, filling both buckets, one with screws, the other with nuts. When he was done, he looked at her. "What was that?" He asked, her, knowing she should be able to answer.
"K-kachuu tenshin amaguriken..." She whispered, her eyes wide. "Oh, Ranma! Are you really going to teach that to me?!" She gasped in excitement, glomping him.
He chuckled lightly. "Yes, but later. First we've got to try to get the rest of you faster." He smiled, winking lightly. "At the speed you're learning, you'll have it by the end of the week." He stepped back from her. "First, we're going to spar. I'm not going to touch you, but I'm going to block. The training is over when you can get through my speed, and hit me." He stepped back again. "Training begins." He said evenly, his entire body relaxing.
Akane lunged towards him, trying to concentrate on everything he'd taught her. She swung, and kicked, and he blocked and dodged. She didn't realize it, but she was nearly matching speed with his blocks. He was just a bit faster, fast enough that if they were really sparring, that he'd be kicking the crap out of her. All she realized, was that she was having fun. He was smiling at her in that irritating fashion that always managed to turn her on in ways she didn't want to think about right now. It was a cocky grin, but at the same time, it was encouraging.
After over half an hour of that, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted. She'd been going all out on him, moving as fast as she could, faster than she ever had before, yet she hadn't been able to touch him. Frustrated, she punched the ground.
Ranma flopped down beside her, breathing heavily. He looked at his forarms and noticed that they actually did have rather large pink welts that would undoubtedly turn to bruises. He smiled, then helped her sit, pulling her against his side. "You were incredible." He whispered against her hair.
"I'll never be as fast as you..." She lamented, looking away from him.
"Don't count on it." He showed her his arms and pointed towards one of the welts. "I almost didn't catch that one in time." He said, grinning from ear to ear. "You're alot faster than you think you are, Akane. Just give it a little more time."
She stared at it, and lightly touched it. "Do they hurt?" She asked, looking at him in concern.
"Everyone of them." He saw the distress on her face and kissed her nose. "And ya know what? I wouldn't trade the pain for anything in the world..." He caressed her face.
"Ranma...about your proposal..." She said softly.
"Yes?" He whispered hopefully.
Suddenly, the door flew open, revealing Oukami and Fushicho. Their faces were flushed and both were out of breath. "Ranma...Akane..." Fushicho gasped. "We've got to talk to you...tomorrow."
Akane felt her heart sink. She'd been going to accept. Why did they always get interupted?! The moment had been shattered, and she knew there would be no chance to salvage it. "About what, Fushicho-san?"
"The nervous feelings I'm sure you're both feeling." Oukami said softly.
The pair stared at them in shock. It looked like they'd be getting their answers sooner than they thought.
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Akane sat in the tub, staring at the opposite wall. Perhaps it was gods will. She sighed, resting her head on her knees. As she'd predicted, Ranma had forgotten what she'd been about to say when Fushicho and Oukami had arrived. The moment wasn't going to be salvaged.
Part of her was glad.
When she finally did accept his proposal, all hell no doubt would break loose.
"Perhaps it was all for the best." She muttered, leaning back against the tub and staring at the ceiling. She didn't know what to do now. She knew she loved Ranma. She loved him more than anything in the world. She knew she'd give her own life in order to protect him. But was she ready to get married?
The question gnawed at her mind for awhile, until she shook it out, hard. She'd been ready at the wedding fiasco. Secretly, she would love to put her beloved through the same emotional agony he put her through, but she knew she could never tell him she didn't want to marry him. She couldn't lie to him.
Yet, if she accepted, and something happened to one of them...maybe it was better just to leave it alone for now. She couldn't answer him until she knew they would be safe for awhile. She needed her peace for when she decided to marry. She needed the security of knowing she wouldn't hurt him by dying, and he wouldn't hurt her by running off headlong into another fight.
She closed her eyes, sighing. She didn't hear the door open, but she heard the soft eep when Ranma walked into the room. Her eyes snapped open and she blushed brightly. The only saving grace was he was as pink as she. "R- ranma..."
He forced his eyes away, closing them tightly, trying to discourage the urge to peek. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here...the sign wasn't up, please don't hit me..."
Akane climbed from the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. Then, she walked towards Ranma, lifting a hand and turning his face to hers. "I'm not going to hit you." She promised, stroaking his face lightly. "I promise. I'm not going to hit you anymore..." She pressed herself onto tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'm done in here. You can have it." She walked from the main part of the bathroom and into the changing room, feeling his eyes on her as she changed into her pajama's. "Goodnight..." She whispered, glancing back at him, and giving him a gentle smile.
He watched her go with a forlorn look on his face. "Oyasumi..." He replied, swallowing to get past the lump in his throat. Why hadn't she answered him?! He'd known she was going to when they were in the dojo, but then Fushicho and Oukami had to come along and ruin the moment! He grabbed his hair, pulling it. "Dammiiiiiit..." He grumbled, going to take his bath.
Maybe she wasn't ready to answer. She'd had a perfect opportunity. Maybe she felt like she was being forced into it. He sighed, dumping the cold water over his head. "Okay...I'll wait before I ask her again. I don't want her to get mad at me for forcing her..." He nodded resolutely, then moved to climb into the warm bath.
He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. The water still smelled like her.
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End Part 8
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Author's notes: Eheheh,