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 gets 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.
Flame Policy: Trust me, just don't do it.
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Part 14: Fears and Panic
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Ryouga let Ukyou lead him back to her restaurant, his face drawn, his body shaking. He could see Ukyou was paler than normal, her eyes darted around frantically, her entire body looked like it would blow away in any moment. Hesitantely, he reached his hand out and wrapped it around hers, giving hers what he hoped would be a comforting squeeze. He felt her hand squeeze back and blushed, surprised. "Ukyou, it's gonna be okay."
She looked up at him, seeing the soft blush on his face and smiled just a bit. "I know, but I'm scared." She admitted. She didn't like admitting fear to anyone, and especially not men, but for some reason, she sensed that Ryouga was scared too, which made her fear seem more reasonable.
He chewed on his lower lip for a moment, nodding. "Me too," he finally admitted, seeing the surprise in her eyes. "Ukyou-"
She looked up at him and smiled. "Honey, you've been staying at my place long enough you can call me Ucchan." She said casually, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder.
He laughed nervously. "Ucchan, then...are you ever afraid that you'll die before knowing what love...really feels like?" He blushed, looking away and scratching his cheek.
She blinked, then blushed as well. "Who doesn't..." She said, then continued walking. "But...I think I can be content if I did die in this battle. After all, I deluded myself about Ranma so long, now that my eyes are open, I'm seeing everything differently, even Ranma and Akane. It's as if...they wiped the smoke from in front of my eyes and now I can really see again..." She smiled over at him. "I think the same thing happened to you."
He tilted his head to the side. "Hn...I guess so. But I don't think I could be content with death. I want to live too much." He sighed, looking up into the starry night. "I've got too much to atone for...all the dishonor I heeped upon Akane and Ranma and me..." He shook his head. "No...I have to live till they can forgive me and I can forgive myself."
"Well..." She smiled a bit. "The later of the two is bound to be the harder of the two as well." She lifted her eyes. "I guess you're right. I'm rather attached to my life as well, even though it comes with alot of insanity, care of Ranma. I probably would never have been involved in this battle if I had never met him, you know?" She laughed softly, but there was a nervous edge in her voice. "I am scared though. Not that I'll die before I'm forgiven...but that I'll die before I can ever be happy..."
"Happy is a state of mind." Ryouga gave her a confident smirk.
"So says the boy who uses his depression to make attacks." She quirked, closing one eye and arching an eyebrow. "Really, now, are you truely happy?"
He lifted his face to the sky, smiling. "I'm happier than I was. It's hard not to be when you're being taken care of by a cute crossdresser and are getting trained by gods." He grinned at her again.
She blushed. "Hey, don't you start perving on me!" She said with a blush.
He shook his head. "I wasn't."
She glared at him, then a smile formed on her lips against her will. "Sure you weren't. Come on inside, honey. I'm starved, and I'm sure you are too. We're gonna be getting a little boost on training tomorrow, no doubt about it."
He followed her in, shaking his head. What a crazy time to be falling in love with someone like her. Where was she when he thought he was in love with Akane? The answer made him laugh aloud as he followed her inside. She was thinking that she was in love with Ranma!
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The next morning found Ranma and Akane in bed together once again, obviously, it was becoming habitual, and it was a great comfort to both of them. They slept intertwined, their legs and arm and hands touching the other as much as they could. As the light of dawn filtered pink through the curtain, striking Ranma's face, he cracked his eyes open, wincing. He felt the warm mound beside him move and smiled, stroaking her back, coaxing her back into sleep.
He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't afraid. He was terrified that he was going to loose her, and she'd leave him alone. He was learning to treasure the moments that he could hold her, and it made him happy to think that they were together like this. He shifted and felt a tug at the back of his head, at the base of his pig-tail. He chuckled deep in his chest.
So that's how she plans on keeping me with her? I hope she realizes that's not a leash. He chuckled at the thought, nuzzling her hair with his chin. He felt her stir, this time, letting her come out of her comatose. "You could have slept longer..." He said gently.
"How long have you been awake?" She asked groggily. "You should have woke me..."
"Only a couple of minutes, besides, can you really grudge me a few extra moments of holding the woman I love?" He asked teasingly. The blush that swept across her face was well worth it.
"Ranma..." She chastized gently. "We've got to go down to the fights, remember?"
He laughed softly. "Not for another hour. Besides, I'm enjoying laying here too much." He nuzzled her neck. "We fit together well." He said softly.
She blinked, looking at him abruptly. "Huh?"
"You not too tall, not too short...you come up to about my chin, which makes it easy to hold you, and kiss you..." His voice gradually dropped to a sweet whisper on her ear. "Even when we hold each other, each part of us fits together so well...almost like we were made for each other..." He kissed her ear lightly.
She blushed a bit, then forced herself to pull out of his arms. "Ranma we have to get ready..." She said gently, squeezing his hand.
He sighed heavily. "I guess you're right." He stood and they walked out of the house and out to the dojo to practice.
After about ten minutes, people began arriving at the complex. Some watched the two training in the dojo and silently hoped they would not be facing those two. They moved fluidly together, not quite keeping up with each other, but not surpassing the other either. They moved so fast the untrained eye had trouble keeping up. Every few minutes they'd pause on opposite sides of the dojo, panting, and grinning from ear to ear.
They used a precise amount of control when they hit each other, neither to hard or soft, and anyone with the ability to see aura could see that Ranma's was now completely silver, and Akane's had a large patch of gold along it's outer rim.
Both were laughing and teasing and they could see that this wasn't even the height of their practice. This...was the warm-up.
Finally, a loud booming voice commanded everyone's attention. They looked towards the voice, seeing the god of battle there once again. His affeminate face gazeed across the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen...the first battle of the day...will be Pantyhose Tarou versus Quan. Gentlemen enter the ring."
This caused Ranma and Akane to go outside. They pushed their way to the ring, and looked up at Tarou, who had a bucket of water in his hand. Tarou grinned. "I'm glad they never said anything about changes that make you stronger..." He said softly, then dumped the bucket over his head. Screams ran through the crowd. Even Akane hid her face in Ranma's collar.
It roared, while Quan sneered. "So they have me fighting the shapeshifter of the day." He snorted, then almost disappeared, running towards Tarou, with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Ranma's eyes narrowed slightly. Tarou was going to be too slow to keep up with Quan in that form. He'd have to turn back into his human form eventually.
As if to prove Ranma's thoughts wrong, Tarou lashed out with his entire arm, sending Quan flying back into the ring. A little blood splattered forth, past Quan's lips, and he examined his opponent more closely. His form makes him slow, but he's got a fast eye. Then I just have to move faster than his eyes!
Tarou examined his opponent as well. He's small, and quick, but is he powerful, like Ranma, too? He paused, then gestured for Quan to come at him. The martial artist once again practically vanished, reappearing above him, bringing his joined fists together over Tarou's head. Tarou roared in pain, collapsing under the blow. Yes, deffinately powerful, just slightly less that Ranma.
Ranma and Akane watched the battle in silence. Tarou and Quan were sizing each other up. In his monsterous form, Tarou had something of an advantage, with his sheer endurance and strength, but Quan was strong and fast. Akane's hand found Ranma's and gave it a worried squeeze. He returned the gesture.
Tarou straightened, glaring at his opponent, Quan. He pulled out a container of hot water and dumped it over his head. "This battle is even..." Tarou said evenly. "I think we should both forfeit..." He told Quan evenly.
Quan laughed. "Forfeit? What for? The battle may be even, but if you forfeit, you can't participate in the later battles. I intend to have a space in heaven as a god." He sneered, and lunged towards Tarou, his hands fisted, his fingers glinting slightly.
Ranma's eyes narrowed, eyeing those knuckles. They were fitted through a brass knuckler. "Tarou! Look out! He's using brass knuckles!"
The warning was a moment too late. They hit Tarou in the forarm, and an audible snapping was heard. The crowd died down, and Tarou snarled, clutching his forearm, glaring up at Quan, who leered down at him. "That's a dishonorable weapon." He hissed through his teeth.
Quan sneered, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Dishonor on me, my family. I'm not like you Japs, though. As long as I win the fight, it's all good. They'll be proud of me." He shrugged, then he picked the young man up with one hand, holding him just slightly in the air. "After all, if I have my own spot in heaven, we all go exactly where we wish to." He grabbed Tarou's neck, ignoring the struggling.
Akane grabbed the edge of the ring with her hands, crying out to Tarou. "If you forfeit he can't kill you! Forfeit, Tarou! There will be other fights! He's going to KILL YOU!"
Ranma held Akane back so she wouldn't climb into the ring to stop Quan herself. He remained silent, his face serious, and somewhat frightened.
Tarou smiled at the pair. Give up? Forfeit? Why should he when his partner isn't going to? He'd have rather have died at Ranma's hand, at least Ranma was an honorable fighter. At least Ranma would have walked away if the battle was even. He lifted his eyes to his opponents, a peaceful expression on his face.
Quan brought his fist down into Tarou's face.
Tarou didn't even feel the pain of the hit. It shattered his nose, and face, and he knew that he was dead. He gave one last smile, then went limp in Quan's grasp.
Quan held him up, feeling Tarou's bright aura entering and merging with him. He was the victor.
Akane watched the blow, her eyes wide with horrified fascination. She couldn't hear anything, no cried of victory, no lamentations, nothing. She was in shock. She watched as Quan tossed Tarou's limp body aside as though it were nothing more than garbage and bile quickly rose in her throat. She broke free of Ranma's arms and ran into the house.
Ranma looked from where Dr. Tofu was checking Tarou's pulse and shaking his head, and then without a word, followed Akane into the house. He found her sitting on the floor, her cheek resting against the ground as well. The bucket in front of her had the stench of bile wafting from it.
He took the bucket and rinsed it out in the sink, his face serious. He'd never seen such brutality. He was in as much shock as he was sure Akane was in. Without a word, he sat behind her on the ground and scooped her sobbing form up into his lap.
"We're going to die." She said seriously, her face emotionless, despite the tears rolling down her face. A sob shook her body and she clung tighter to her fiancee. "Ranma...I'm scared..." She whispered.
He stroaked her hair, nodding, his eyes closed. "I know, I know..." He whispered gently. "Me too..." He held her in his arms, nuzzling her neck, his lips kissing her shoulder gently.
She sighed heavily, then pulled away from him, moving towards the tub and running hot water. She felt him move behind her and turned slightly, flushing brightly when she saw his shirt and undershirt had been removed.
He saw the flush and blushed as well. "You...don't mind, right?"
She shook her head, eeping only when she felt him gently helping her out of her gi. She found herself unable to look at him, her shyness overwhelming her. When she was unclothed, she felt him gently put her in the water, his hands careful, caring. She sunk into the water, till it was up to her neck and hid under it, shyly.
He removed the rest of his clothes, climbing in behind her and pulling her onto his lap. He nuzzled her neck, his eyes sad, but serious. "Akane, we're going to win, remember. We're going to make it to the final battle. And whoever wins, they should be able to return the souls of the dead to their owners bodies, right?" He said softly, embracing her gently. "I'm scared, but we're going to win."
She gave a hesitant nod. "I just can't help it...after Kiran and Tarou...I'm so afraid that you're going to die, and...leave me..." She looked into the water, at their intertwined legs. "Ranma...I love you..." She whispered, sounding heartbroken.
Gently he gave her a tender squeeze, nodding. "I know, sweetheart. But remember, even if I die in the final fight, you HAVE to win. You must. I need you to survive, to win, to return everyone to how they once were." He felt her shake slightly from a sob and closed his eyes. "I know I shouldn't ask this of you, and I can't make you do it, but...please, even if I do die, don't give up. You're strong. You have to stay strong. For everyone's sake."
"Then...if I die..." she began in return, but his finger stopped her words.
"Baka, I've already done it once. Now, let's think about how we're going to win these fights." He said with a grin. "Come on, love, trust me, we can do this."
She nodded, looking hesitant, and frightened. "Okay..."
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Author's notes: Hmmm...some longer chapters coming up soon...::Shakes head:: I don't know how I found the time to do THIS one. Life's been kinda crazy, ya know? Anyways, I'm kinda stressed, too. I've got alot of stuff to do this summer, before I'm shipped off to Uncle Sam. Anyways, see ya'll next chapter! Ja! Er...tell me if you think this is going okay, my style has changed since I started it...
Ranma & Akane talk about fights
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 gets 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.
Flame Policy: Trust me, just don't do it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 14: Fears and Panic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryouga let Ukyou lead him back to her restaurant, his face drawn, his body shaking. He could see Ukyou was paler than normal, her eyes darted around frantically, her entire body looked like it would blow away in any moment. Hesitantely, he reached his hand out and wrapped it around hers, giving hers what he hoped would be a comforting squeeze. He felt her hand squeeze back and blushed, surprised. "Ukyou, it's gonna be okay."
She looked up at him, seeing the soft blush on his face and smiled just a bit. "I know, but I'm scared." She admitted. She didn't like admitting fear to anyone, and especially not men, but for some reason, she sensed that Ryouga was scared too, which made her fear seem more reasonable.
He chewed on his lower lip for a moment, nodding. "Me too," he finally admitted, seeing the surprise in her eyes. "Ukyou-"
She looked up at him and smiled. "Honey, you've been staying at my place long enough you can call me Ucchan." She said casually, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder.
He laughed nervously. "Ucchan, then...are you ever afraid that you'll die before knowing what love...really feels like?" He blushed, looking away and scratching his cheek.
She blinked, then blushed as well. "Who doesn't..." She said, then continued walking. "But...I think I can be content if I did die in this battle. After all, I deluded myself about Ranma so long, now that my eyes are open, I'm seeing everything differently, even Ranma and Akane. It's as if...they wiped the smoke from in front of my eyes and now I can really see again..." She smiled over at him. "I think the same thing happened to you."
He tilted his head to the side. "Hn...I guess so. But I don't think I could be content with death. I want to live too much." He sighed, looking up into the starry night. "I've got too much to atone for...all the dishonor I heeped upon Akane and Ranma and me..." He shook his head. "No...I have to live till they can forgive me and I can forgive myself."
"Well..." She smiled a bit. "The later of the two is bound to be the harder of the two as well." She lifted her eyes. "I guess you're right. I'm rather attached to my life as well, even though it comes with alot of insanity, care of Ranma. I probably would never have been involved in this battle if I had never met him, you know?" She laughed softly, but there was a nervous edge in her voice. "I am scared though. Not that I'll die before I'm forgiven...but that I'll die before I can ever be happy..."
"Happy is a state of mind." Ryouga gave her a confident smirk.
"So says the boy who uses his depression to make attacks." She quirked, closing one eye and arching an eyebrow. "Really, now, are you truely happy?"
He lifted his face to the sky, smiling. "I'm happier than I was. It's hard not to be when you're being taken care of by a cute crossdresser and are getting trained by gods." He grinned at her again.
She blushed. "Hey, don't you start perving on me!" She said with a blush.
He shook his head. "I wasn't."
She glared at him, then a smile formed on her lips against her will. "Sure you weren't. Come on inside, honey. I'm starved, and I'm sure you are too. We're gonna be getting a little boost on training tomorrow, no doubt about it."
He followed her in, shaking his head. What a crazy time to be falling in love with someone like her. Where was she when he thought he was in love with Akane? The answer made him laugh aloud as he followed her inside. She was thinking that she was in love with Ranma!
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The next morning found Ranma and Akane in bed together once again, obviously, it was becoming habitual, and it was a great comfort to both of them. They slept intertwined, their legs and arm and hands touching the other as much as they could. As the light of dawn filtered pink through the curtain, striking Ranma's face, he cracked his eyes open, wincing. He felt the warm mound beside him move and smiled, stroaking her back, coaxing her back into sleep.
He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't afraid. He was terrified that he was going to loose her, and she'd leave him alone. He was learning to treasure the moments that he could hold her, and it made him happy to think that they were together like this. He shifted and felt a tug at the back of his head, at the base of his pig-tail. He chuckled deep in his chest.
So that's how she plans on keeping me with her? I hope she realizes that's not a leash. He chuckled at the thought, nuzzling her hair with his chin. He felt her stir, this time, letting her come out of her comatose. "You could have slept longer..." He said gently.
"How long have you been awake?" She asked groggily. "You should have woke me..."
"Only a couple of minutes, besides, can you really grudge me a few extra moments of holding the woman I love?" He asked teasingly. The blush that swept across her face was well worth it.
"Ranma..." She chastized gently. "We've got to go down to the fights, remember?"
He laughed softly. "Not for another hour. Besides, I'm enjoying laying here too much." He nuzzled her neck. "We fit together well." He said softly.
She blinked, looking at him abruptly. "Huh?"
"You not too tall, not too short...you come up to about my chin, which makes it easy to hold you, and kiss you..." His voice gradually dropped to a sweet whisper on her ear. "Even when we hold each other, each part of us fits together so well...almost like we were made for each other..." He kissed her ear lightly.
She blushed a bit, then forced herself to pull out of his arms. "Ranma we have to get ready..." She said gently, squeezing his hand.
He sighed heavily. "I guess you're right." He stood and they walked out of the house and out to the dojo to practice.
After about ten minutes, people began arriving at the complex. Some watched the two training in the dojo and silently hoped they would not be facing those two. They moved fluidly together, not quite keeping up with each other, but not surpassing the other either. They moved so fast the untrained eye had trouble keeping up. Every few minutes they'd pause on opposite sides of the dojo, panting, and grinning from ear to ear.
They used a precise amount of control when they hit each other, neither to hard or soft, and anyone with the ability to see aura could see that Ranma's was now completely silver, and Akane's had a large patch of gold along it's outer rim.
Both were laughing and teasing and they could see that this wasn't even the height of their practice. This...was the warm-up.
Finally, a loud booming voice commanded everyone's attention. They looked towards the voice, seeing the god of battle there once again. His affeminate face gazeed across the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen...the first battle of the day...will be Pantyhose Tarou versus Quan. Gentlemen enter the ring."
This caused Ranma and Akane to go outside. They pushed their way to the ring, and looked up at Tarou, who had a bucket of water in his hand. Tarou grinned. "I'm glad they never said anything about changes that make you stronger..." He said softly, then dumped the bucket over his head. Screams ran through the crowd. Even Akane hid her face in Ranma's collar.
It roared, while Quan sneered. "So they have me fighting the shapeshifter of the day." He snorted, then almost disappeared, running towards Tarou, with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Ranma's eyes narrowed slightly. Tarou was going to be too slow to keep up with Quan in that form. He'd have to turn back into his human form eventually.
As if to prove Ranma's thoughts wrong, Tarou lashed out with his entire arm, sending Quan flying back into the ring. A little blood splattered forth, past Quan's lips, and he examined his opponent more closely. His form makes him slow, but he's got a fast eye. Then I just have to move faster than his eyes!
Tarou examined his opponent as well. He's small, and quick, but is he powerful, like Ranma, too? He paused, then gestured for Quan to come at him. The martial artist once again practically vanished, reappearing above him, bringing his joined fists together over Tarou's head. Tarou roared in pain, collapsing under the blow. Yes, deffinately powerful, just slightly less that Ranma.
Ranma and Akane watched the battle in silence. Tarou and Quan were sizing each other up. In his monsterous form, Tarou had something of an advantage, with his sheer endurance and strength, but Quan was strong and fast. Akane's hand found Ranma's and gave it a worried squeeze. He returned the gesture.
Tarou straightened, glaring at his opponent, Quan. He pulled out a container of hot water and dumped it over his head. "This battle is even..." Tarou said evenly. "I think we should both forfeit..." He told Quan evenly.
Quan laughed. "Forfeit? What for? The battle may be even, but if you forfeit, you can't participate in the later battles. I intend to have a space in heaven as a god." He sneered, and lunged towards Tarou, his hands fisted, his fingers glinting slightly.
Ranma's eyes narrowed, eyeing those knuckles. They were fitted through a brass knuckler. "Tarou! Look out! He's using brass knuckles!"
The warning was a moment too late. They hit Tarou in the forarm, and an audible snapping was heard. The crowd died down, and Tarou snarled, clutching his forearm, glaring up at Quan, who leered down at him. "That's a dishonorable weapon." He hissed through his teeth.
Quan sneered, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Dishonor on me, my family. I'm not like you Japs, though. As long as I win the fight, it's all good. They'll be proud of me." He shrugged, then he picked the young man up with one hand, holding him just slightly in the air. "After all, if I have my own spot in heaven, we all go exactly where we wish to." He grabbed Tarou's neck, ignoring the struggling.
Akane grabbed the edge of the ring with her hands, crying out to Tarou. "If you forfeit he can't kill you! Forfeit, Tarou! There will be other fights! He's going to KILL YOU!"
Ranma held Akane back so she wouldn't climb into the ring to stop Quan herself. He remained silent, his face serious, and somewhat frightened.
Tarou smiled at the pair. Give up? Forfeit? Why should he when his partner isn't going to? He'd have rather have died at Ranma's hand, at least Ranma was an honorable fighter. At least Ranma would have walked away if the battle was even. He lifted his eyes to his opponents, a peaceful expression on his face.
Quan brought his fist down into Tarou's face.
Tarou didn't even feel the pain of the hit. It shattered his nose, and face, and he knew that he was dead. He gave one last smile, then went limp in Quan's grasp.
Quan held him up, feeling Tarou's bright aura entering and merging with him. He was the victor.
Akane watched the blow, her eyes wide with horrified fascination. She couldn't hear anything, no cried of victory, no lamentations, nothing. She was in shock. She watched as Quan tossed Tarou's limp body aside as though it were nothing more than garbage and bile quickly rose in her throat. She broke free of Ranma's arms and ran into the house.
Ranma looked from where Dr. Tofu was checking Tarou's pulse and shaking his head, and then without a word, followed Akane into the house. He found her sitting on the floor, her cheek resting against the ground as well. The bucket in front of her had the stench of bile wafting from it.
He took the bucket and rinsed it out in the sink, his face serious. He'd never seen such brutality. He was in as much shock as he was sure Akane was in. Without a word, he sat behind her on the ground and scooped her sobbing form up into his lap.
"We're going to die." She said seriously, her face emotionless, despite the tears rolling down her face. A sob shook her body and she clung tighter to her fiancee. "Ranma...I'm scared..." She whispered.
He stroaked her hair, nodding, his eyes closed. "I know, I know..." He whispered gently. "Me too..." He held her in his arms, nuzzling her neck, his lips kissing her shoulder gently.
She sighed heavily, then pulled away from him, moving towards the tub and running hot water. She felt him move behind her and turned slightly, flushing brightly when she saw his shirt and undershirt had been removed.
He saw the flush and blushed as well. "You...don't mind, right?"
She shook her head, eeping only when she felt him gently helping her out of her gi. She found herself unable to look at him, her shyness overwhelming her. When she was unclothed, she felt him gently put her in the water, his hands careful, caring. She sunk into the water, till it was up to her neck and hid under it, shyly.
He removed the rest of his clothes, climbing in behind her and pulling her onto his lap. He nuzzled her neck, his eyes sad, but serious. "Akane, we're going to win, remember. We're going to make it to the final battle. And whoever wins, they should be able to return the souls of the dead to their owners bodies, right?" He said softly, embracing her gently. "I'm scared, but we're going to win."
She gave a hesitant nod. "I just can't help it...after Kiran and Tarou...I'm so afraid that you're going to die, and...leave me..." She looked into the water, at their intertwined legs. "Ranma...I love you..." She whispered, sounding heartbroken.
Gently he gave her a tender squeeze, nodding. "I know, sweetheart. But remember, even if I die in the final fight, you HAVE to win. You must. I need you to survive, to win, to return everyone to how they once were." He felt her shake slightly from a sob and closed his eyes. "I know I shouldn't ask this of you, and I can't make you do it, but...please, even if I do die, don't give up. You're strong. You have to stay strong. For everyone's sake."
"Then...if I die..." she began in return, but his finger stopped her words.
"Baka, I've already done it once. Now, let's think about how we're going to win these fights." He said with a grin. "Come on, love, trust me, we can do this."
She nodded, looking hesitant, and frightened. "Okay..."
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Author's notes: Hmmm...some longer chapters coming up soon...::Shakes head:: I don't know how I found the time to do THIS one. Life's been kinda crazy, ya know? Anyways, I'm kinda stressed, too. I've got alot of stuff to do this summer, before I'm shipped off to Uncle Sam. Anyways, see ya'll next chapter! Ja! Er...tell me if you think this is going okay, my style has changed since I started it...
Ranma & Akane talk about fights