Heart of Fire, Soul of Ice
By: DemonSaya
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 does not belong to me. I've merely kidnapped them and am holding them for a large sum of money. Rumiko Takahashi get's her characters back on weekends and holidays only. Other than that, I am in possession. If you would like to borrow one, please e-mail me.
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Part 9: The Whole Story
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Fushicho waited for Ranma and Akane outside the dojo, her face tense, Oukami at her side. She'd rarely felt such a feeling of dread. She knew the Kawaii Cafe sign would read closed once again today. She also knew that she'd have to collect the lost boy, Ukyou, Shampoo, and Mousse. She felt her hands shaking and swallowed hard.
Oukami looked down at her, his face slightly concerned. "Daijoubu?"
"Iie. I'm scared, Oukami." She looked back up at him, her fathomless black eyes troubled. "Terrified."
He rested a hand on her shoulder. "Things will go as they will. We can do nothing to stop them, try though we may. This battle will end many lives, but one of these six will save everyone. Only one will survive to defeat him. But he will be defeated, and the mortals will rule earth once again."
"You speak as if it's fate."
"Fate can be changed. I have the fortune of knowing the way it should happen, with or without our intervention. However, our intervention will cost more lives, which is why I did not come forward in the beginning." He stroaked her cheek and smiled at her tenderly. "My beautiful pheonix. Do not fear. I have seen what will happen. The God of Fortune smiles upon these children."
She gave a shaky nod. "It will be Ranma, wont it." She said, softly, watching the pair embrace in the hall before heading towards the door. "It will break him if she dies."
"Do not worry, Fushicho. All's well that ends well." He held up his finger as the two joined them, looking anxious and worried. "It's time to go. We must go to Ucchan's and collect Ukyou and Ryouga, then go to Nekohanten and collect Mousse and Shampoo."
Akane cringed at the mention of Shampoo. "Alright..."
Ranma put his warm arm around Akane and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry, love. Nothing will happen to you, I'm here, I'll take care of you, I promise." He smiled gently at her, stroaking her arm tenderly.
She looked trustingly up at him with a smile. "Hai..." She put her arm around him and they headed off to pick up some friends, and some rivals.
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Ukyou blinked as Ranma came in, in the company of the new girl and boy, and Akane. "Ranchan? What's up? Isn't it a little early for lunch...?"
Ryouga heard the name and lunged towards him, but froze midway, seeing Ranma and Akane practically wrapped around each other. Ukyou didn't seem to mind much, either. He forced himself to halt, but glared at Ranma with angry eyes. He still hadn't forgiven him for exposing his curse to Akane.
"Ucchan...These are Fushicho and Oukami. They need to speak to all of us. I mean ALL of us." Ranma looked directly at the lost boy, his face serious. "We have to get Shampoo and Mousse, too. We're meeting at the Kawaii Cafe this afternoon. Will you two be there?"
Ukyou nodded without a second thought. "I'll make sure Ryouga doesn't get lost, too." She heard Ryouga growl and smiled at the fiancee's. "It's good to see you two are doing okay again." She walked around them and embraced them. "You two stay out of trouble at least until this afternoon, alright?" She said with a grin.
"As much as we can." Ranma promised, then led Akane out. He knew she was dreading the next part. Now was when they'd have to go get Shampoo and Mousse, but he would make sure the little amazon bimbo didn't touch his fiancee.
Akane sighed, walking alongside Ranma, trembling. Yet, she had to be strong, she had to be. She couldn't let Shampoo think that she was a flake! She had to prove that she was strong.
As they walked into Nekohanten, Shampoo launched herself at Ranma. Ranma stepped away from the embrace. "We're here on business, Shampoo. Where's Mousse, this involves him as well." He said sternly, glaring at the amazoness.
The hopelessly near-sighted Mousse walked out, looking rather harassed, and somewhat bruised. "You rang?"
Akane smiled weakly at Mousse, bowing a bit. She watched the myopic boys eyes widen and then he smiled. "Our friends, Fushicho and Oukami are waiting for us outside. We need you and Shampoo to come with us. I have a feeling that this is about that anxiety permeating the air." She said softly.
Mousse looked towards Shampoo who was scowling. "We're going." He commanded gently, and grabbed Shampoo's arm.
She ripped it from his arm, cursing and shrieking in Chinese. 'KEEP YOUR DAMNED HANDS OFF ME!'
His face looked slightly pained, yet, he still pressed a few points on her neck and caught her as she collapsed. Carefully he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. "Let's get going before she wakes up. She's hard to control when she's thrashing around like a wild animal."
Ranma and Akane stared at him, shocked at how easily he subdued her. Akane hadn't seen it the other time, and was amazed. "Wow, Mousse..." The opened the door for him, letting him carry her out.
Fushicho and Oukami just grinned at each other. They led the way towards the cafe, and Ranma looked towards the jewelery store he bought Akane's engagement ring from. He was still hurt she hadn't answered yet. Maybe it was because of his curse. Maybe she didn't want to marry someone who was a girl whenever she got caught in the rain. His face saddened, but he didn't have much time to brood over it as they stepped into the Kawaii Cafe.
Ukyou and Ryouga were already there, sitting at a table in the corner, each of them drinking soda's and talking rather animatedly. Ranma half-smiled. He knew those two liked each other. He'd known it awhile. Quietly, he led Akane over to the same table and slid across from them. "Hi." He said softly.
Ryouga glared at Ranma. "..."
Mousse gently set Shampoo into a chair and produced some lengths of cloth, tying her to the chair with it. Everyone stared at him in shock. "She was reluctant to come." He explained softly.
Drinks were soon carried over by Hotaru, and Ranma looked over his shoulder, finding Fushicho talking to the three people at the counter. One was a woman, tall and pale, with icy blue eyes. The other two were men, one with white hair and tan skin, golden eyes shining like a hawks from behind thick bangs. The other was mose deffinately Japanese, with wild, deep green hair and eyes that were dragon green. He heard shrieks in Chinese and knew Shampoo was awake again.
Then, they all walked towards them. Hotaru sat down at the table, and the other's took seats as well. Fushicho took a deep breath before beginning. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you and Akane, Ranma." She said softly.
They blinked and stared, unsure what to say.
"First off, I would like to explain the situation to you. I'll let Oukami do that. He's a little more level headed, and knows more about it, too."
Oukami frowned, sipping his drink. "Every million years or so, there is a battle to decide the fate of Earth-"
Ukyou snorted.
Oukami looked at her firmly. "What, may I ask, is so funny."
"Sorry, for a minute you reminded me of somebody from some bad American fighting movie called 'Mortal Combat...'"
Ranma snorted too, and soon, the entire table was laughing. Even the cold- looking-woman had tears of laughter running down her face.
Oukami smiled painfully. "Actually, my dear Ukyou, that is more acurate than you think. This battle, usually takes place among the gods, to determine who will rule over the planet. It isn't supposed to happen for another ten thousand."
"So...we've got some time?" Ranma joked weakly, but he knew where this was going.
"I'm afraid not..." Oukami sighed heavily. "There is a rather ambitious, younger god who is initiating the beginning of it, with the God of Battle. His name is the God of Death-"
Stare. "God...?"
Oukami rubbed his temple. "This is where it get's complicated. He's initiating it early. Not only that, the only god truely participating is Shinigami. He is going to try to make sure he is the next ruler of the heavens and earth." The young mand stirred his drink with his straw. "If the God of Death wins the battle, and takes over, then...all life on earth will perish and this will become a planet of death, similar to Pluto."
There was silence around the table. Okay, so they were dealing with gods. They'd dealt with slightly stranger things, like in Jusendo, and Ryugenzawa, so let's face it, Oukami was telling the truth. Finally, a timid voice spoke up. It was Akane.
"Then what can we do? We're only human...it doesn't seem exactly fair..."
Fushicho held up her hand, silencing Akane, as well as signalling her ability to answer this question. "We're going to train you. You all are the strongest martial artists in the world, united as well as individually, however, if you go against the God of Death as you are, you will all perish. Oukami is the only one who knows how this is going to end. He refuses to tell anyone. The ways you can defend against these forces is by learning everything we have to teach..."
She paused to take a deep breath, looking somewhat frightened. "After you have been trained, we will remain by your sides until the final battle. You will suffer greatly throughout it, and the final battle will take three days. However, I must tell you, before the final battle, just before it, when you are about to make your stand against Oukami...each of us will cease to exist."
"Wh-What?!" Ukyou jumped to her feet, her face horrified.
"Everyone, drop your guard." The shades went crashing down and the room was almost engulfed in darkness. Then, each of those six began to glow with an eerie light.
"Hotaru, the spirit of Fire and Air. I came into existance the day Ukyou was born, I am the youngest spirit, and my spirit is linked with hers. I am highly trained at Aikido and with using the Quarter staff. I will be training Ukyou. When the final day arrives, I shall merge with her, and we will be as one. The same person."
"Ryu, the spirit of Earth and the Land. I came into existance on the same day Ryouga was born, several generations previous. I am third oldest, and my spirit is linked with his. I am accomplished at Tae Kwon Do and I use a Scimitar. On the final day, I shall merge with Ryouga, and we will be one. The same person."
"Yuki, the spirit of Water and Ice. I am linked in spirit with Shan Pu, and am the second youngest. I practice ninjitsu and jujitsu, and I'm well versed in chi. When it comes time for the final battle, I shall merge with her, and we will become one. The same."
"Taka, the spirit of Lightning and the Weather. I am spiritually linked to Mousse, and am third youngest. I shall train him, and teach him the secret arts that I have inherited upon my creation. I will merge with him and we shall share a spirit. I shall infuse my powers into him fully at that time, and we will be the same."
Everyone was shaking slightly. They weren't able to believe what they were hearing now. Okay, this had gone beyond normal wierd. Sill, the remained silent so the final two could talk.
"Fushicho, the spirit of Death and Rebirth. My soul and that of Akane are one and the same. I am third oldest. I was trained by Oukami in every form of martial art known. I hold in my hands the powers of adaptability to almost any weapon, and the magic of chi. When Akane's time to fight arrives, I will merge with her, and she will be my equal."
"Oukami, the spirit of Time and of Live. My soul is Ranma's. I am the oldest of all the spirits, and have taught most of them what they know. I do not delude myself into thinking that I am the most powerful, for everyone has their weakness. My powers are the same as Fushicho's. When it is time, I shall merge with Ranma and we will be the same. Equal, and one."
Silence reigned in the room. "This is unbelievable." Ranma finally murmered. "I know I've had some crazy shit happen to me, but this is the single most wierd event that has ever happened in my entire life. And that includes my curse."
Murmers of agreement went around the table.
Finally, Oukami half-smiled. "Haven't you wondered why your most recent chi attack which you have complete control over is called...Oukami-Kami- Ha?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I just thought it sounded cool." Ranma admitted. "All the other's I've learned were named before I learned them except Mouko-takabisha, and that's just appropriate..." He looked away, somewhat embarassed.
"Well, then, tell me why Akane's first chi attack was called 'Fushicho-Ai- Ha'. It was named spur of the moment, and it hasn't been renamed."
Ranma opened his mouth, then shut it. "Man...After this one, I swear, I quit. No more." He took a long drink of his soda. "I wonder if it would be possible to retire..."
Akane was sitting there, her face still. "We should go. It's getting late." She stood, her hands shaking, and she walked outside. She could hear Ranma heading out after her, and kept walking. It looked as though Ranma was going to be the savior of the world again. She sighed, wishing that just once, just one time, she'd get to be the one to save everybody. That she'd get to be stronger than Ranma.
Ranma caught up to her and put an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, sweetheart, are you okay?" He asked gently, rubbing her arm. He noticed she was looking depressed again and put his hands on her shoulder's. "Akane, what's wrong?"
She shook her head. "I don't know." She lied.
He wrapped his arms around her, and guided her face to his shoulder. "Akane, it's okay, I'm here...I wont let anything happen to you." He promised, stroaking her hair. "If you need to cry, I'm here." He rested his cheek against her shoulder, and rubbed her back tenderly.
He was suprised when Akane shoved him away. "A-akane?"
"Why..." She wiped her tears away. "Why do you always get to be the strong one?! Why do you always get to be stronger than everybody else?!" She shook her head. "It's not fair!"
He stared at her in confusion. "Do you think I LIKE having all this wierd crap happening to me?! To US?!" He caressed her face. "Akane, I just want to be able to live a normal life. I...I want to be able to be with you...I would give up my ability just for that..."
She pushed him away again. "Ranma, I need some time...time to think about us and everything else. I need time..." She turned away from him.
He stood there, hurt, and reached towards her again. "Akane..." When she slapped his hands away, his head sunk to his chest in defeat. "Okay. I understand. I'll let you have your time..." He turned and trudged down the street back towards the dojo. He did it again. He pushed her too hard, he was forcing her. He couldn't help it. He loved her. He wanted her to accept him as he was, but knew she wouldn't.
He didn't feel the rain begin beating down on him, didn't care as he felt his change. It was another barrier. Another obstacle. He rubbed his face, trying to get the tears from his eyes. Men didn't cry. He walked inside the Tendo house, waving away the towel Kasumi offered him, ignoring his father's pestering, even ignored his mother's questions. He simply disappeared into the bathroom, flipped the sign to occupied, and remained there.
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The next day, Ranma was no better. When he was down, he became unresponsive, and it disturbed the entire house. Even Akane, who realized she'd hurt Ranma. She couldn't get past the lump in her throat, or her own pride to talk to him again. She didn't know how to. As they walked to school, she noticed he reverted back to his old habbit of walking along the fence, except he didn't throw insults down at her. He simply ran along, his eyes slightly dead.
He didn't eat with her and the spirits at lunch, instead, he left campus and went to Ukyou's for lunch. He could barely stand being near Akane during class.
He sat at the bar, suprised to find Ryouga there once again. He was actually helping Ukyou around the place, and seemed to be learning his way around quite well, for the eternally lost boy. Every now and then she'd have to guide him to the sink, or turn him towards the grill, but other than that he was doing quite fine.
Ranma gave something resembling the ghostliest smile. "Hi, Ucchan."
Ukyou immediately recognized the situation and hurried towards him. "Don't worry, hon, I'll get em started now." She explained to Ryouga, and Ryouga began picking up the slack for the other customers. The kunoichi, remained in the ceiling guiding Ryouga carefully. Although he was in love with Ukyou-sama, he knew what would happen if her business went down the toilet.
"Okay, sugar, tell me what happened." She passed one of the okinomiyaki towards Ranma and watched him devour it. She'd packed three into him when he finally began talking.
"After I left...I kinda pushed Akane about the proposal...she was upset at me, mainly because she thinks I always get to be the strong one, but...It's not like I ask for it...I..." He hung his head. "She hasn't spoken to me since yesterday afternoon."
She passed him a fourth. "She just needs time, Ran-chan. I'm sure she'll come around. Don't worry, she loves you, but she's afraid. She's still very young, and considering the danger ouf your life..." She paused. "Perhaps she wants to wait until after things settle down, and she's sure that another opponent or fiancee wont pop out of the woodwork." She patted his hand as he devoured it.
He looked at Ukyou in confusion. "You don't think that it's my curse, do you?"
She shook her head. "Ranchan, it's not about your curse. Believe me. That's the least wierd thing that's ever happened to you. Look at the neko- ken, and Jusendo! Things are wierd for you honey, but if this battle thing really is going to give us power...and whoever wins will be in charge, I think things will get alot easier or all of us."
He nodded, standing slowly. "I better get back to school. Lunch should be about over."
She nodded, watching him go, then she sighed, flipping the sign to closed, after the last lunch patron left. "Poor Ranchan..." She whispered, sitting at the bar and cooking herself an okinomiyaki, as well as one for Ryouga and her ever present shadow. She noticed the concern on Ryouga's face and looked towards him. "Hm, Ryouga?"
"Do you still love Ranma?" He asked, his eyes concerned.
"Yeah." Ukyou admitted. "Part of me always will."
"Then why are you helping him get together with Akane?" It bothered him. He couldn't understand why she would help her rival get with the one she loved.
She smiled. "Ryouga...part of love is wanting the person you love to be happy, even if they're not with you. The way I see it is, by the time I got here, he'd already fallen for her. I'd never stood a chance. I accepted it, and I like to think I'm a better person for it. I love Ranma, but he loves Akane. He always has, and Akane has always loved him, even if she wouldn't admit it."
He ate the okinomiyaki in silence for awhile. "I want to be over Akane, but I don't think I am yet." He admitted. "I knew Akane loved him, but...I was so wrapped up in my desire for revenge and my hatred for Ranma that...I couldn't see that all I was doing was setting myself up for the ultimate rejection."
Ukyou smiled. "Hey, sugar, we all get hurt. I guess we're both lucky, though, that they're still our friends, even though we both tried to get them apart. And that we have someone who's trying to help us get throug it all."
Ryouga looked at her in suprise, then he smiled back. "Yeah...I guess we are."
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Ranma sat in the dojo, watching her practice with the buckets, his eyes sad. He knew he wouldn't push her if she wasn't giving him the signs, but it was so hard feeling the way he did and not being able to tell her, and pull her into his arms and kiss her until they both couldn't think anymore.
He knew she loved him, but Ukyou was right. He couldn't push her or he'd push her away. So instead, he sat there, his blue eyes sad, but proud. He noticed Akane wasn't trying hard and gently scolded her. "Akane, you're not trying, why not." He didn't ask, he commanded. If he was going to teach her, he had to get her to understand that he was her TEACHER when they were in the dojo. It was not a place for relationship problems or personal spats.
"Ranma..." She turned to him, shocked that he'd actually adressed her. She sighed heavily, sitting before him in the submissive student position. "I'm sorry, sensei, what is my punishment?" She lowered her head, not looking at him.
He frowned a bit, taking her cheek, easing her face up. "Akane...I am not going to punish you. However, I want to know why you're not trying. If it's because of the...the things I said..." He swallowed hard. "Akane, I'm sorry. I'll try to stop being so pushy. I'm used to having everything my way, and you didn't give me that, and I've been sulking about it. I'm really sorry...I shouldn't be pushing you if you're not ready."
She lowered her gaze, staring at the floor. "It wasn't that, Ranma...I'm just tired of you always getting to be the one to save everyone. I used to be the strongest. Stronger than anyone else, but...then you came and now I'm the one who always has to get saved..." She gave a sniffle. "I...I want to be strong again..."
Ranma gently put his arms around her, embracing her gently. "Oh, Akane..." He whispered, his eyes saddening. He understood how she felt. He understood, perhaps better than anyone. "I don't like being the strongest, Akane. And I'm more proud of you than I ever have been of my own accomplishments. I've reached my peak. You're not anywhere near your's yet. By the time you do reach it...You'll be able to clean the floor with any other martial artists that come down the pike. And I'll stand by your side when you reach your peak."
She sniffled, wipping her eyes, then smiled up at him, a dazzling smile. "We're a couple of idiots, aren't we." She said, resting her head comfortably against his chest.
"Hn." He agreed, stroaking her hair, and smiling, resting his chin against the top of her head, and enjoying the feeling of closeness between them. He was content. Happy.
Neither of them knew that across the street, a young, purple-haired amazoness was watching them through tear filled eyes. She had never seen what love truely looked like before. Even though countless people had tried to explain it, she never fully understood.
Until now.
It took seeing the one she believed she loved embracing her greatest rival to make her see what love was. Where she was from, marraiges were arranged, and you stood a great chance of not being in love with the person you were married to, so you had to learn to either fake it well, or force yourself to love them. Yet, those loves paled in comparison to this thing.
"Is this what stupid duck-boy feels for me?" She questioned, her eyes shimmering with tears. Not tears of grief. Tears at finally being able to understand something. She could understand the emotion that people said caused their toungue's to go tied, and their hearts to skip beats. She laid a hand over her heart and smiled a bit.
She didn't love Ranma.
She was free.
She turned from the two embracing loves and began to walk back towards Nekohanten, a new spring in her step, and a different kind of smile on her face. Not the naiive one she wore when throwing herself at Ranma. A true one.
She walked into the restaurant, and a hush took over the place. Mousse looked up at her and she watched his eyes widen and pupils dialate dramatically. She smiled at him, and disappeared up to her room.
Mousse simply watched her go, his mind having one thought. She understands.
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End Part 9
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AN: Well, 3 parts and counting till the battles begin. Everyone excited?! Now's when I start to be horribly cruel and kill off people. Don't worry, this story DOES END HAPPY! Also, 14 more parts till the final battle, and the story doesn't end that chapter either. I'm going to be cruel and horrible and drag this out till it's painfully long. Just kidding! It's really only a prolouge, 30 chapters, and a possible epilouge. It's not like it's a novel or anything ^_^
By: DemonSaya
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 does not belong to me. I've merely kidnapped them and am holding them for a large sum of money. Rumiko Takahashi get's her characters back on weekends and holidays only. Other than that, I am in possession. If you would like to borrow one, please e-mail me.
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Part 9: The Whole Story
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Fushicho waited for Ranma and Akane outside the dojo, her face tense, Oukami at her side. She'd rarely felt such a feeling of dread. She knew the Kawaii Cafe sign would read closed once again today. She also knew that she'd have to collect the lost boy, Ukyou, Shampoo, and Mousse. She felt her hands shaking and swallowed hard.
Oukami looked down at her, his face slightly concerned. "Daijoubu?"
"Iie. I'm scared, Oukami." She looked back up at him, her fathomless black eyes troubled. "Terrified."
He rested a hand on her shoulder. "Things will go as they will. We can do nothing to stop them, try though we may. This battle will end many lives, but one of these six will save everyone. Only one will survive to defeat him. But he will be defeated, and the mortals will rule earth once again."
"You speak as if it's fate."
"Fate can be changed. I have the fortune of knowing the way it should happen, with or without our intervention. However, our intervention will cost more lives, which is why I did not come forward in the beginning." He stroaked her cheek and smiled at her tenderly. "My beautiful pheonix. Do not fear. I have seen what will happen. The God of Fortune smiles upon these children."
She gave a shaky nod. "It will be Ranma, wont it." She said, softly, watching the pair embrace in the hall before heading towards the door. "It will break him if she dies."
"Do not worry, Fushicho. All's well that ends well." He held up his finger as the two joined them, looking anxious and worried. "It's time to go. We must go to Ucchan's and collect Ukyou and Ryouga, then go to Nekohanten and collect Mousse and Shampoo."
Akane cringed at the mention of Shampoo. "Alright..."
Ranma put his warm arm around Akane and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Don't worry, love. Nothing will happen to you, I'm here, I'll take care of you, I promise." He smiled gently at her, stroaking her arm tenderly.
She looked trustingly up at him with a smile. "Hai..." She put her arm around him and they headed off to pick up some friends, and some rivals.
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Ukyou blinked as Ranma came in, in the company of the new girl and boy, and Akane. "Ranchan? What's up? Isn't it a little early for lunch...?"
Ryouga heard the name and lunged towards him, but froze midway, seeing Ranma and Akane practically wrapped around each other. Ukyou didn't seem to mind much, either. He forced himself to halt, but glared at Ranma with angry eyes. He still hadn't forgiven him for exposing his curse to Akane.
"Ucchan...These are Fushicho and Oukami. They need to speak to all of us. I mean ALL of us." Ranma looked directly at the lost boy, his face serious. "We have to get Shampoo and Mousse, too. We're meeting at the Kawaii Cafe this afternoon. Will you two be there?"
Ukyou nodded without a second thought. "I'll make sure Ryouga doesn't get lost, too." She heard Ryouga growl and smiled at the fiancee's. "It's good to see you two are doing okay again." She walked around them and embraced them. "You two stay out of trouble at least until this afternoon, alright?" She said with a grin.
"As much as we can." Ranma promised, then led Akane out. He knew she was dreading the next part. Now was when they'd have to go get Shampoo and Mousse, but he would make sure the little amazon bimbo didn't touch his fiancee.
Akane sighed, walking alongside Ranma, trembling. Yet, she had to be strong, she had to be. She couldn't let Shampoo think that she was a flake! She had to prove that she was strong.
As they walked into Nekohanten, Shampoo launched herself at Ranma. Ranma stepped away from the embrace. "We're here on business, Shampoo. Where's Mousse, this involves him as well." He said sternly, glaring at the amazoness.
The hopelessly near-sighted Mousse walked out, looking rather harassed, and somewhat bruised. "You rang?"
Akane smiled weakly at Mousse, bowing a bit. She watched the myopic boys eyes widen and then he smiled. "Our friends, Fushicho and Oukami are waiting for us outside. We need you and Shampoo to come with us. I have a feeling that this is about that anxiety permeating the air." She said softly.
Mousse looked towards Shampoo who was scowling. "We're going." He commanded gently, and grabbed Shampoo's arm.
She ripped it from his arm, cursing and shrieking in Chinese. 'KEEP YOUR DAMNED HANDS OFF ME!'
His face looked slightly pained, yet, he still pressed a few points on her neck and caught her as she collapsed. Carefully he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. "Let's get going before she wakes up. She's hard to control when she's thrashing around like a wild animal."
Ranma and Akane stared at him, shocked at how easily he subdued her. Akane hadn't seen it the other time, and was amazed. "Wow, Mousse..." The opened the door for him, letting him carry her out.
Fushicho and Oukami just grinned at each other. They led the way towards the cafe, and Ranma looked towards the jewelery store he bought Akane's engagement ring from. He was still hurt she hadn't answered yet. Maybe it was because of his curse. Maybe she didn't want to marry someone who was a girl whenever she got caught in the rain. His face saddened, but he didn't have much time to brood over it as they stepped into the Kawaii Cafe.
Ukyou and Ryouga were already there, sitting at a table in the corner, each of them drinking soda's and talking rather animatedly. Ranma half-smiled. He knew those two liked each other. He'd known it awhile. Quietly, he led Akane over to the same table and slid across from them. "Hi." He said softly.
Ryouga glared at Ranma. "..."
Mousse gently set Shampoo into a chair and produced some lengths of cloth, tying her to the chair with it. Everyone stared at him in shock. "She was reluctant to come." He explained softly.
Drinks were soon carried over by Hotaru, and Ranma looked over his shoulder, finding Fushicho talking to the three people at the counter. One was a woman, tall and pale, with icy blue eyes. The other two were men, one with white hair and tan skin, golden eyes shining like a hawks from behind thick bangs. The other was mose deffinately Japanese, with wild, deep green hair and eyes that were dragon green. He heard shrieks in Chinese and knew Shampoo was awake again.
Then, they all walked towards them. Hotaru sat down at the table, and the other's took seats as well. Fushicho took a deep breath before beginning. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you and Akane, Ranma." She said softly.
They blinked and stared, unsure what to say.
"First off, I would like to explain the situation to you. I'll let Oukami do that. He's a little more level headed, and knows more about it, too."
Oukami frowned, sipping his drink. "Every million years or so, there is a battle to decide the fate of Earth-"
Ukyou snorted.
Oukami looked at her firmly. "What, may I ask, is so funny."
"Sorry, for a minute you reminded me of somebody from some bad American fighting movie called 'Mortal Combat...'"
Ranma snorted too, and soon, the entire table was laughing. Even the cold- looking-woman had tears of laughter running down her face.
Oukami smiled painfully. "Actually, my dear Ukyou, that is more acurate than you think. This battle, usually takes place among the gods, to determine who will rule over the planet. It isn't supposed to happen for another ten thousand."
"So...we've got some time?" Ranma joked weakly, but he knew where this was going.
"I'm afraid not..." Oukami sighed heavily. "There is a rather ambitious, younger god who is initiating the beginning of it, with the God of Battle. His name is the God of Death-"
Stare. "God...?"
Oukami rubbed his temple. "This is where it get's complicated. He's initiating it early. Not only that, the only god truely participating is Shinigami. He is going to try to make sure he is the next ruler of the heavens and earth." The young mand stirred his drink with his straw. "If the God of Death wins the battle, and takes over, then...all life on earth will perish and this will become a planet of death, similar to Pluto."
There was silence around the table. Okay, so they were dealing with gods. They'd dealt with slightly stranger things, like in Jusendo, and Ryugenzawa, so let's face it, Oukami was telling the truth. Finally, a timid voice spoke up. It was Akane.
"Then what can we do? We're only human...it doesn't seem exactly fair..."
Fushicho held up her hand, silencing Akane, as well as signalling her ability to answer this question. "We're going to train you. You all are the strongest martial artists in the world, united as well as individually, however, if you go against the God of Death as you are, you will all perish. Oukami is the only one who knows how this is going to end. He refuses to tell anyone. The ways you can defend against these forces is by learning everything we have to teach..."
She paused to take a deep breath, looking somewhat frightened. "After you have been trained, we will remain by your sides until the final battle. You will suffer greatly throughout it, and the final battle will take three days. However, I must tell you, before the final battle, just before it, when you are about to make your stand against Oukami...each of us will cease to exist."
"Wh-What?!" Ukyou jumped to her feet, her face horrified.
"Everyone, drop your guard." The shades went crashing down and the room was almost engulfed in darkness. Then, each of those six began to glow with an eerie light.
"Hotaru, the spirit of Fire and Air. I came into existance the day Ukyou was born, I am the youngest spirit, and my spirit is linked with hers. I am highly trained at Aikido and with using the Quarter staff. I will be training Ukyou. When the final day arrives, I shall merge with her, and we will be as one. The same person."
"Ryu, the spirit of Earth and the Land. I came into existance on the same day Ryouga was born, several generations previous. I am third oldest, and my spirit is linked with his. I am accomplished at Tae Kwon Do and I use a Scimitar. On the final day, I shall merge with Ryouga, and we will be one. The same person."
"Yuki, the spirit of Water and Ice. I am linked in spirit with Shan Pu, and am the second youngest. I practice ninjitsu and jujitsu, and I'm well versed in chi. When it comes time for the final battle, I shall merge with her, and we will become one. The same."
"Taka, the spirit of Lightning and the Weather. I am spiritually linked to Mousse, and am third youngest. I shall train him, and teach him the secret arts that I have inherited upon my creation. I will merge with him and we shall share a spirit. I shall infuse my powers into him fully at that time, and we will be the same."
Everyone was shaking slightly. They weren't able to believe what they were hearing now. Okay, this had gone beyond normal wierd. Sill, the remained silent so the final two could talk.
"Fushicho, the spirit of Death and Rebirth. My soul and that of Akane are one and the same. I am third oldest. I was trained by Oukami in every form of martial art known. I hold in my hands the powers of adaptability to almost any weapon, and the magic of chi. When Akane's time to fight arrives, I will merge with her, and she will be my equal."
"Oukami, the spirit of Time and of Live. My soul is Ranma's. I am the oldest of all the spirits, and have taught most of them what they know. I do not delude myself into thinking that I am the most powerful, for everyone has their weakness. My powers are the same as Fushicho's. When it is time, I shall merge with Ranma and we will be the same. Equal, and one."
Silence reigned in the room. "This is unbelievable." Ranma finally murmered. "I know I've had some crazy shit happen to me, but this is the single most wierd event that has ever happened in my entire life. And that includes my curse."
Murmers of agreement went around the table.
Finally, Oukami half-smiled. "Haven't you wondered why your most recent chi attack which you have complete control over is called...Oukami-Kami- Ha?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I just thought it sounded cool." Ranma admitted. "All the other's I've learned were named before I learned them except Mouko-takabisha, and that's just appropriate..." He looked away, somewhat embarassed.
"Well, then, tell me why Akane's first chi attack was called 'Fushicho-Ai- Ha'. It was named spur of the moment, and it hasn't been renamed."
Ranma opened his mouth, then shut it. "Man...After this one, I swear, I quit. No more." He took a long drink of his soda. "I wonder if it would be possible to retire..."
Akane was sitting there, her face still. "We should go. It's getting late." She stood, her hands shaking, and she walked outside. She could hear Ranma heading out after her, and kept walking. It looked as though Ranma was going to be the savior of the world again. She sighed, wishing that just once, just one time, she'd get to be the one to save everybody. That she'd get to be stronger than Ranma.
Ranma caught up to her and put an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, sweetheart, are you okay?" He asked gently, rubbing her arm. He noticed she was looking depressed again and put his hands on her shoulder's. "Akane, what's wrong?"
She shook her head. "I don't know." She lied.
He wrapped his arms around her, and guided her face to his shoulder. "Akane, it's okay, I'm here...I wont let anything happen to you." He promised, stroaking her hair. "If you need to cry, I'm here." He rested his cheek against her shoulder, and rubbed her back tenderly.
He was suprised when Akane shoved him away. "A-akane?"
"Why..." She wiped her tears away. "Why do you always get to be the strong one?! Why do you always get to be stronger than everybody else?!" She shook her head. "It's not fair!"
He stared at her in confusion. "Do you think I LIKE having all this wierd crap happening to me?! To US?!" He caressed her face. "Akane, I just want to be able to live a normal life. I...I want to be able to be with you...I would give up my ability just for that..."
She pushed him away again. "Ranma, I need some time...time to think about us and everything else. I need time..." She turned away from him.
He stood there, hurt, and reached towards her again. "Akane..." When she slapped his hands away, his head sunk to his chest in defeat. "Okay. I understand. I'll let you have your time..." He turned and trudged down the street back towards the dojo. He did it again. He pushed her too hard, he was forcing her. He couldn't help it. He loved her. He wanted her to accept him as he was, but knew she wouldn't.
He didn't feel the rain begin beating down on him, didn't care as he felt his change. It was another barrier. Another obstacle. He rubbed his face, trying to get the tears from his eyes. Men didn't cry. He walked inside the Tendo house, waving away the towel Kasumi offered him, ignoring his father's pestering, even ignored his mother's questions. He simply disappeared into the bathroom, flipped the sign to occupied, and remained there.
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The next day, Ranma was no better. When he was down, he became unresponsive, and it disturbed the entire house. Even Akane, who realized she'd hurt Ranma. She couldn't get past the lump in her throat, or her own pride to talk to him again. She didn't know how to. As they walked to school, she noticed he reverted back to his old habbit of walking along the fence, except he didn't throw insults down at her. He simply ran along, his eyes slightly dead.
He didn't eat with her and the spirits at lunch, instead, he left campus and went to Ukyou's for lunch. He could barely stand being near Akane during class.
He sat at the bar, suprised to find Ryouga there once again. He was actually helping Ukyou around the place, and seemed to be learning his way around quite well, for the eternally lost boy. Every now and then she'd have to guide him to the sink, or turn him towards the grill, but other than that he was doing quite fine.
Ranma gave something resembling the ghostliest smile. "Hi, Ucchan."
Ukyou immediately recognized the situation and hurried towards him. "Don't worry, hon, I'll get em started now." She explained to Ryouga, and Ryouga began picking up the slack for the other customers. The kunoichi, remained in the ceiling guiding Ryouga carefully. Although he was in love with Ukyou-sama, he knew what would happen if her business went down the toilet.
"Okay, sugar, tell me what happened." She passed one of the okinomiyaki towards Ranma and watched him devour it. She'd packed three into him when he finally began talking.
"After I left...I kinda pushed Akane about the proposal...she was upset at me, mainly because she thinks I always get to be the strong one, but...It's not like I ask for it...I..." He hung his head. "She hasn't spoken to me since yesterday afternoon."
She passed him a fourth. "She just needs time, Ran-chan. I'm sure she'll come around. Don't worry, she loves you, but she's afraid. She's still very young, and considering the danger ouf your life..." She paused. "Perhaps she wants to wait until after things settle down, and she's sure that another opponent or fiancee wont pop out of the woodwork." She patted his hand as he devoured it.
He looked at Ukyou in confusion. "You don't think that it's my curse, do you?"
She shook her head. "Ranchan, it's not about your curse. Believe me. That's the least wierd thing that's ever happened to you. Look at the neko- ken, and Jusendo! Things are wierd for you honey, but if this battle thing really is going to give us power...and whoever wins will be in charge, I think things will get alot easier or all of us."
He nodded, standing slowly. "I better get back to school. Lunch should be about over."
She nodded, watching him go, then she sighed, flipping the sign to closed, after the last lunch patron left. "Poor Ranchan..." She whispered, sitting at the bar and cooking herself an okinomiyaki, as well as one for Ryouga and her ever present shadow. She noticed the concern on Ryouga's face and looked towards him. "Hm, Ryouga?"
"Do you still love Ranma?" He asked, his eyes concerned.
"Yeah." Ukyou admitted. "Part of me always will."
"Then why are you helping him get together with Akane?" It bothered him. He couldn't understand why she would help her rival get with the one she loved.
She smiled. "Ryouga...part of love is wanting the person you love to be happy, even if they're not with you. The way I see it is, by the time I got here, he'd already fallen for her. I'd never stood a chance. I accepted it, and I like to think I'm a better person for it. I love Ranma, but he loves Akane. He always has, and Akane has always loved him, even if she wouldn't admit it."
He ate the okinomiyaki in silence for awhile. "I want to be over Akane, but I don't think I am yet." He admitted. "I knew Akane loved him, but...I was so wrapped up in my desire for revenge and my hatred for Ranma that...I couldn't see that all I was doing was setting myself up for the ultimate rejection."
Ukyou smiled. "Hey, sugar, we all get hurt. I guess we're both lucky, though, that they're still our friends, even though we both tried to get them apart. And that we have someone who's trying to help us get throug it all."
Ryouga looked at her in suprise, then he smiled back. "Yeah...I guess we are."
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Ranma sat in the dojo, watching her practice with the buckets, his eyes sad. He knew he wouldn't push her if she wasn't giving him the signs, but it was so hard feeling the way he did and not being able to tell her, and pull her into his arms and kiss her until they both couldn't think anymore.
He knew she loved him, but Ukyou was right. He couldn't push her or he'd push her away. So instead, he sat there, his blue eyes sad, but proud. He noticed Akane wasn't trying hard and gently scolded her. "Akane, you're not trying, why not." He didn't ask, he commanded. If he was going to teach her, he had to get her to understand that he was her TEACHER when they were in the dojo. It was not a place for relationship problems or personal spats.
"Ranma..." She turned to him, shocked that he'd actually adressed her. She sighed heavily, sitting before him in the submissive student position. "I'm sorry, sensei, what is my punishment?" She lowered her head, not looking at him.
He frowned a bit, taking her cheek, easing her face up. "Akane...I am not going to punish you. However, I want to know why you're not trying. If it's because of the...the things I said..." He swallowed hard. "Akane, I'm sorry. I'll try to stop being so pushy. I'm used to having everything my way, and you didn't give me that, and I've been sulking about it. I'm really sorry...I shouldn't be pushing you if you're not ready."
She lowered her gaze, staring at the floor. "It wasn't that, Ranma...I'm just tired of you always getting to be the one to save everyone. I used to be the strongest. Stronger than anyone else, but...then you came and now I'm the one who always has to get saved..." She gave a sniffle. "I...I want to be strong again..."
Ranma gently put his arms around her, embracing her gently. "Oh, Akane..." He whispered, his eyes saddening. He understood how she felt. He understood, perhaps better than anyone. "I don't like being the strongest, Akane. And I'm more proud of you than I ever have been of my own accomplishments. I've reached my peak. You're not anywhere near your's yet. By the time you do reach it...You'll be able to clean the floor with any other martial artists that come down the pike. And I'll stand by your side when you reach your peak."
She sniffled, wipping her eyes, then smiled up at him, a dazzling smile. "We're a couple of idiots, aren't we." She said, resting her head comfortably against his chest.
"Hn." He agreed, stroaking her hair, and smiling, resting his chin against the top of her head, and enjoying the feeling of closeness between them. He was content. Happy.
Neither of them knew that across the street, a young, purple-haired amazoness was watching them through tear filled eyes. She had never seen what love truely looked like before. Even though countless people had tried to explain it, she never fully understood.
Until now.
It took seeing the one she believed she loved embracing her greatest rival to make her see what love was. Where she was from, marraiges were arranged, and you stood a great chance of not being in love with the person you were married to, so you had to learn to either fake it well, or force yourself to love them. Yet, those loves paled in comparison to this thing.
"Is this what stupid duck-boy feels for me?" She questioned, her eyes shimmering with tears. Not tears of grief. Tears at finally being able to understand something. She could understand the emotion that people said caused their toungue's to go tied, and their hearts to skip beats. She laid a hand over her heart and smiled a bit.
She didn't love Ranma.
She was free.
She turned from the two embracing loves and began to walk back towards Nekohanten, a new spring in her step, and a different kind of smile on her face. Not the naiive one she wore when throwing herself at Ranma. A true one.
She walked into the restaurant, and a hush took over the place. Mousse looked up at her and she watched his eyes widen and pupils dialate dramatically. She smiled at him, and disappeared up to her room.
Mousse simply watched her go, his mind having one thought. She understands.
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End Part 9
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AN: Well, 3 parts and counting till the battles begin. Everyone excited?! Now's when I start to be horribly cruel and kill off people. Don't worry, this story DOES END HAPPY! Also, 14 more parts till the final battle, and the story doesn't end that chapter either. I'm going to be cruel and horrible and drag this out till it's painfully long. Just kidding! It's really only a prolouge, 30 chapters, and a possible epilouge. It's not like it's a novel or anything ^_^