Disclaimer (since I forgot it the last time): Ranma½ does not belong to me. I'm not writing this story for money, but only for fun. Don't sue me.

Author's note: Thank you so much for all those who reviewed! ^___^ I didn't know it was that good. D-chan -you read my mind.

About the grammar mistakes: English id not my mother tongue...I hope that you'll forgive me for the mistakes.

November Rain

Chapter 2

"My goodness! What happened to him?!" Asked Kasumi as Ryoga and Akane entered the house, carrying Ranma with them.

"Um…Well…" Ryoga started, wondering how to explain what he had done.

Akane stepped right before him and explained instead, "He's sick since yesterday, and he didn't say nothing to us. He collapsed on the way back from school today", She said.

"Oh my…" Kasumi said quietly. "Quick! Take him to his room!" She said and rushed to the kitchen to get a bowl with cold water and a washcloth.

Ryoga nodded. "Okay", he said and went upstairs with Ranma in his arms. Kasumi went up after him, but just as Akane was about to go after them, too, she saw someone, which made her stop in her tracks.

"Mr. Saotome!" She called out and ran to where he was sitting, playing Shogi with Soun, as usual.

"Hmm?" He asked, still staring at the board.

"Come quick! Ranma is sick and has a high fever!" She said and grabbed his arm, but he stayed sited as if he has no care in the world. "Come on…" She tried pulling him up again.

"He doesn't need me, he'll make it through", said Genma and continued staring at the Shogi board, waiting for Soun to do his move.

"Check mate" Said Soun triumphantly.

"Argh!" Genma's blood started boiling. "Come on, Tendo! Do over".

"No do overs, Saotome". He said in return.

"But Mr. Saotome…" Akane tried again.

"Not now, Akane! Can't you see that I'm busy over here?! Ranma will do just fine by himself". He cut her off and fought with Genma about his last move.

"Hmph", Akane waved him off and stormed up to Ranma's room.

When Akane entered Ranma's room, he was already covered, medicine on the floor next to him and a washcloth dipped with cold water on his forehead.

"His father won't come. He's playing, as usual". Announced Akane and sat next to Ranma.

"Well, I think I'll go make lunch now". Said Kasumi and got up. "He needs a doctor". She said.

"I know! Let's call Dr. Tofu!" Said Akane and was about to go and call him, but Kasumi stopped her from do so.

"Dr. Tofu can't help him. He's a specialist for muscles and bones, not diseases. I think we better call for our family doctor". She said before leaving.

"I'll go find his number. You'll stay with him until I'll get back, Ryoga", said Akane and left the room, too.

Ryoga waited a few minutes before turning to Ranma. "Hey, Ranma? I know you might not hear me, but I only wanted to say that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have beaten you up like that. If it weren't for me, you would have been fine now. I should have listened when you said you're not feeling well". Ryoga chuckled to himself when he thought about what he just said. "Actually, when you think about it, I never listen to you. No…We never listen to each other. I guess we better start doing it, don't you think?" Ryoga held Ranma's hand and shook it a little.

"Ryoga…" He looked up and saw Akane standing by the door, he eyes shimmering with tears. She entered the room again and sat next to Ryoga. "You and Ranma really are good friends, aren't you?"

Ryoga nodded, yet kept on staring at Ranma. "He's a good friend…I think that only now I understand…Or begin to", he said.

Akane nodded. "We understand things only when the worst happens".

"Indeed, and it's a shame that it's that way". Agreed Ryoga. Both of them sighed in desperation.

"I called the doctor. He should be here soon", said Akane and walked over to the window, waiting for the doctor to enter through the gate.

*~*~*

Everyone sat in the living room and waited for news from the doctor, who was still up in Ranma's room and examined him. After half an hour or so, the doctor returned with a gloomy expression.

"Doctor!" Akane exclaimed and ran to where he was. Everyone ran after her. "How is he?" She asked.

"Well", the doctor started and looked towards the staircase for a minute before facing them again. "He has a Pneumonia. I gave him a medicine- it supposed to help him for now. He needs to swallow it three times a day, so be sure to give it to him. I wish him a fast recovery", said the doctor and bowed. Soun paid him and the doctor left.

"Well, it's late. You too got school tomorrow, Akane and Nabiki. Go to sleep, everybody". Said Kasumi and gave Akane the medicine. "Put it on the able in Ranma's room", she ordered and left.

"Mr. Saotome?" Akane turned to Genma. "I've got a favor to ask".

"Yes?" Asked Genma.

"I want you to make sure that Ranma gets through the night. I mean, that he doesn't have a high fever and stuff like that".

Genma smirked. "Oh? Then why won't you do it, Akane my dear?" He asked.

Akane's face became red from anger, or it might have been embarrassment. "Maybe because he's your son?!"

"But he's your fiancé", Genma retorted.

"Grrr…" Akane was angry. 'I won't stay here and argue'. She thought to herself and retreated to her room. Forgetting to put the medicine in Ranma's room.

Genma smiled satisfyingly to himself.

*~*~*

The darkness; is surrounded him. Engulfing him from every corner…that is, if there were corners in where he was now. He had nowhere to run. "Pop? Akane? Someone?" he shouted. 'Where did everyone go?' he thought to himself. Laugh. He heard them laughing, all those who hate him without a justified reason. They mocked him. He was helpless. He thought it was impossible, but the darkness only grew darker, trapping him inside it. He screamed at the top of his lungs and started kicking violently, not willingly. He struggled to get out. "Akane!!!! Pop!!!!"

"Wake up, boy!" he heard a distanced voice, a voice that sounded like his father's.

"Pop?" he whispered helplessly.

"Wake up!!" The voice was worried.

Ranma groped about, looking for his father's hand. "Help me…" he whispered and started whimpering.

------

Genma was in hysteric. 'What in the world is wrong with the boy?' he wondered. He was sleeping peacefully when he suddenly felt someone kicking him. He was almost positive that his son was back to self for a moment, but then he heard him screaming. He turned and tossed in his sleep. Genma tried to wake him up, but with no avail.

"Everyone! Quick! Come over here!" he called in his panic and turned back to his son. He put his hand on Ranma's forehead and the color drained from his face. "He's burning up…" he mumbled.

"What's wrong?!" Asked Soun upon entering the room.

"It's Ranma", answered Genma. "He's not waking up…"

"Oh my…" Said Kasumi quietly. She dipped the washcloth in cold water and put it on his forehead. She made him swallow a pill against fever while he was sleeping. Ranma kept on screaming and struggling as if there's no tomorrow. Just then, Akane entered the room.

"Ranma!" She shouted in panic. She knelt beside him. "Ranma! Can you hear me?! Ranma?!" she yelled, tears started forming in her eyes. She held his hand firmly. "Wake up, Ranma! Wake up!"

And he screamed.

To be continued…

Author's note: I'm not sure if someone can get this bad overnight, but I read about it.

Please, review!