SINS OF EDEN
Chapter 11
*****
"Well, I guess that's a wrap," said Akane as she pushed herself away from a computer terminal
and stretched.
"Good," said Nui, doing the same. "If you wanted any more, I would have had to kill you."
Akane laughed, but agreed. After spending an entire day at the library, learning all about
Druids and their history, she was about to go on a rampage herself.
"Well, that was most pointless," said Nui as she yawned.
"No it wasn't, you're just bored."
"Well duh! I never was the 'do homework' kind."
"Oh really? And just what kind were you?"
"Um, I guess I was the girl that was really popular and hated by all the geeks."
"I figured."
Nui shook her head and picked up some papers in a folder from the desk. Inside was just
about all important information regarding the Druids that was ever recorded.
"Remind me again what we're looking for?"
"Well, I told you. Any accounts on that 'it', or what-not. Anything?"
"Nope," she responded as she leafed through the papers. "Except for all this mumbo-jumbo,
I'm afraid we've come up wanting."
Akane sighed, not wanting, but having to admit defeat.
"So what now?" asked Nui.
"Well, I guess we leave it at that. Go home and go to work tomorrow. I'll see you."
"Great!" she responded as she stood. "I'll se ya then!"
Akane smiled, but hid the blush creeping on her face. She knew *exactly* why Nui was so
glad to get home.
"Bye," she responded as Nui left the library and dissapeared among pedestrians. She
too collected her findings and put them in a folder. She was tired and wanted to get home.
As Akane walked down the crowded street, she let her mind wander around in mental circles.
She had no idea what was happening, or what to expect.
*How am I gonna solve all this?* she thought to herself. It was at times like this she
actually missed Cologne, who was the real expert in the supernatural.
*Well, I guess all I can do is keep looking and hopefully I'll find an answer.*
With that in mind, she smiled as she approached her apartment building. She'd relax and...
Without warning, she bumped into a person that came from the alleyway.
"Watch it!" she said angrily as she regained her balance.
"You watch it!" the person responded.
Akane's heart stopped as she recognized that voice.
"Ranma?"
Ranma looked at her, as much surprise on his face as her's. "Hey."
"What are you doing here?"
"Going home. I use this way as a short-cut."
"Oh..."
"Well, I'll see ya," he said as he began to walk away.
"Wait," akane said unsurely.
Ranma stopped, but didn't turn. "What?"
Akane bit her lower lip. This was too good a chance to pass up. "Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Akane..."
"I need to know a few things," she said as she walked to him, standing in front of him.
"It'll only take a minute."
Ranma sighed. "Fine. What is it?"
"Not here. Let's go to my apartment."
"Akane..."
"It's right over there." She pointed to her building. "Just a few minutes."
Ranma glared at her for a few moments. "(sigh) Fine. Five minutes."
"Thanks."
Akane led the way to the place, never innitiating conversation with him, but rather saving up
her courage for this.
"Nice place," he said as she let him into her place.
"Thank you," she said as she dropped her bag into the couch. "So, can I get you anything to drink?"
Ranma stared back at her.
"Okay, just sit and let's talk."
Ranma sat on the big couch, while Akane sat in the smaller one in front of it.
"Four minutes," he said.
Akane looked down, summoned her courage and hoped this would work.
"Why are you being like this?" she asked sternly. "Why the cold act?"
Ranma seemed surprised, but the look vanished quickly. "I better..."
"You aren't going anywhere. At least not until you tell me your story."
"I don't have time for this crap. I'll just go."
"Answer me, dammit! I deserve to know!"
"Hah. Deserve? Just what the hell do YOU deserve?"
"Don't play those stupid games with me, Saotome! I know you! It wont work this time! I want to
know the full story."
Ranma glared at her. "I don't have to tell you squat. I'm not obligated to tell you anything."
"Maybe you're not, but it's the least you can do." She took in some air. "I know, to some
degree, what you're hiding."
Ranma sighed. "Chijaru let you in on some details, I know."
"Yes, but it's way too vague. I have some more... pressing questions."
"You may, but as the case may be, I don't care."
Akane suppressed a sigh of frustration. He was hard to deal with.
"Well, I have to get going," he said as he stood. "I have to get home."
Akane glared at him, but looked to the side. Ranma stared back, but began to make his way
back to the door.
"What's it like to not feel anything?" she asked softly.
"..."
"I mean it, Ranma," she said as she walked up to him. "Tell me, because I really want to know."
"Leave me alone."
"Oh sure, I will. That's how you've always wanted to be, huh? Alone? It was always like that,
ever since I've known you. You always had to play the savior and risk your butt, but
you could never tell anyone what was going on, even when they could've helped."
"Akane..."
"And just when we found out, you'd go: 'but it was too dangerous.' Same old cover story
over and over again. You know, you OWED it to all of us to tell us when you went on
your crazy little adventures. But no, you just had to have your way, no matter who was
hurt."
He turned around and responded, "Do you have any idea of what the hell you're saying?
I had to leave, because I know how you all were. I knew you wouldn't be able to handle
anything. I did the right thing by going alone. Besides, nobody got hurt..."
Akane retrieved her hand, a tear going down her cheek. "Amd what about me huh? Did you
ever stop to think about how I was hurt by your leavings? Every time you went on your
'quests', you never saw it fit to take me. I'd always be too dumb or too weak or something,
that in your eyes I'd only get in your way. Do you have any idea of how humilliating
that was for me? To be labled as an unwanted hangover by someone I cared so much
about? To be thought of as useless!?"
Ranma just looked at her, a bit surprised as her words sank in.
"You have no idea of how hurtfull that was. It was always you, no one else, and when everything
got to hot, you ran away. You never took responsability for your own actions. When it came
to running your own life, you hid, and tried to blame others for your innabilities. YOU
had the power to end all the insanity, yet you kept stringing it along because it was
your 'father's fault!' Let me tell you something. It might have been so, but you could
have done something about it, but you just decided to bypass it. You just wanted to be taken
care of, all your descicions made for you."
"Whoa, you're out of line. I have been in control."
"Name one time."
"When I left."
"Yeah, and yet you still saw me as an unwanted hang-on. You still saw me as useless and
dumb not to know your reasons."
Ranma stared, but could not think of a way to respond.
Akane sobbed softly, but visibly regained control. "I'm sorry."
"What?" he asked.
"I know I wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but you could have at least treated
me with decency. I take back all I said that time, because, I, I just can't take it anymore!"
She turned and sat on the couch, cupped her face and cried softly.
Ranma was in the position he still hated the most: a crying girl. With great determination,
he dropped his bag, sat next to her and brought her head on his shoulder. He had no idea
what possessed him to do such an act, but it felt almost... right.
"Ranma... I just can't live like this anymore," she said between sobs.
"..."
"I don't- I can't take all this anger anymore. I've lived with it my whole life, and it's
brought me nothing but pain. I don't want it anymore, but I can't get rid of it..."
Ranma soothed her hair. "It's not as easy as you make it out. It's hard to change
something about yourself that's been with you all your life. I know."
"Ranma, I'm sorry," she said in a whisper.
He sighed. "I'm sorry too. I know I was selfish, and you were right. I was trying to handle
everythig my way, not caring about anyone. I- I'm sorry."
Akane sobbed loudly again and hugged him from her position with all her might, crying
into his shoulders. She felt as if a great weight had just been lifted off her shoulders,
but she still had some more to say.
"I never meant to drive you away. I just don't know how to make ammends."
"Shh, you already did. We were both idiots in our own right."
Akane gave a small laugh. "You always were."
Ranma smiled, feeling content, something he hadnt felt in a long time. "I, have something
of yours."
"What?" she asked as she raised herself from his shoulder. Her eyes were a little puffy and red.
"Hang on," he said as he stood and retrieved his bag. He dug inside for a few moments, finally
finding a small thing wrapped in a delicate silk hankerchief. "This is yours. I've been
keeping it company for a while now."
Akane stood, took the object and revealed it. Wrapped up was something a little old, made
of simple cloth. Something she didn't quite place, but seemed oddly familiar...
"Is this..." she began.
He nodded.
"My old scrungie. You kept it."
"Yeah, I guess I did."
Overwhelemed, she placed it on her chest and smiled. "Why?"
"To remind of you, if I ever needed it."
"Ranma..." she said, but never finished. She walked up to and cupped his cheek. "Thank you."
She raised herself to meet him and kissed his lips. Just a small peck, but it felt good.
Ranma stood inmobile as Akana kissed him. He looked into her eyes as she finished and felt...
happy. Happier than he had ever been in a long time. He reached down for her and brought
her to him, kissing her over and over again.
Akane hadn't felt this good in a long time. This was how it was supposed to be. It was right...
In a sudden moment, she felt very strange, as if something was pulling on her essence, and she could not break free. She tried to move, but was paralized. Her breathing became really quick,
and in one swift moment, she was thrown into the couch, panting. She regained her breath
as she looked up at him, only to find him also panting and staring at her through shocked eyes.
"I- I have to go," he said. he didn't wait for a response. He picked up his bag and ran from
the apartment, not paying heed to her calls.
Akane called after him, feeling oddly tired. It was as if she was being pulled out, or something like that. She made her way to the couch, not closing the door. She layed there, trying to recuperate.
*What on earth was that?* she though as she felt herself regaining herself.
-----
Ranma ran as fast as he could down the street, finally stopping just a few blocks from his own home. He layed his hand on a building wall and leaned towards it. He panted, not from lack of air, but from something else.
"No- I- can't... Akane..."
He closed his eyes and felt a tear roll out from his closed eye.
"No..."
"Quite good, quite good ol' chap," cam a voice from beside him. He opened his eyes at stared at the man, who was clapping.
"Shin..."
Shin smiled and leaned his back on the wall, exhaling deeply. "Most unusual event, but very
entertaining. I almost cried. Oh yeah, and by the way..."
Shin locked his eyes onto his. "You have officially screwed us." He turned and began to walk
away. "Fix it," he said before he was out of earshot.
End of Chapter 11
Author's Notes
Remember in some of the early episodes when Akane's hair was cut? She lost a small scrungie with it, so I thought he should keep that. Carrying around a bunch of hair falls into my category
of weird.
'Till next time...
BlackDragon
Chapter 11
*****
"Well, I guess that's a wrap," said Akane as she pushed herself away from a computer terminal
and stretched.
"Good," said Nui, doing the same. "If you wanted any more, I would have had to kill you."
Akane laughed, but agreed. After spending an entire day at the library, learning all about
Druids and their history, she was about to go on a rampage herself.
"Well, that was most pointless," said Nui as she yawned.
"No it wasn't, you're just bored."
"Well duh! I never was the 'do homework' kind."
"Oh really? And just what kind were you?"
"Um, I guess I was the girl that was really popular and hated by all the geeks."
"I figured."
Nui shook her head and picked up some papers in a folder from the desk. Inside was just
about all important information regarding the Druids that was ever recorded.
"Remind me again what we're looking for?"
"Well, I told you. Any accounts on that 'it', or what-not. Anything?"
"Nope," she responded as she leafed through the papers. "Except for all this mumbo-jumbo,
I'm afraid we've come up wanting."
Akane sighed, not wanting, but having to admit defeat.
"So what now?" asked Nui.
"Well, I guess we leave it at that. Go home and go to work tomorrow. I'll see you."
"Great!" she responded as she stood. "I'll se ya then!"
Akane smiled, but hid the blush creeping on her face. She knew *exactly* why Nui was so
glad to get home.
"Bye," she responded as Nui left the library and dissapeared among pedestrians. She
too collected her findings and put them in a folder. She was tired and wanted to get home.
As Akane walked down the crowded street, she let her mind wander around in mental circles.
She had no idea what was happening, or what to expect.
*How am I gonna solve all this?* she thought to herself. It was at times like this she
actually missed Cologne, who was the real expert in the supernatural.
*Well, I guess all I can do is keep looking and hopefully I'll find an answer.*
With that in mind, she smiled as she approached her apartment building. She'd relax and...
Without warning, she bumped into a person that came from the alleyway.
"Watch it!" she said angrily as she regained her balance.
"You watch it!" the person responded.
Akane's heart stopped as she recognized that voice.
"Ranma?"
Ranma looked at her, as much surprise on his face as her's. "Hey."
"What are you doing here?"
"Going home. I use this way as a short-cut."
"Oh..."
"Well, I'll see ya," he said as he began to walk away.
"Wait," akane said unsurely.
Ranma stopped, but didn't turn. "What?"
Akane bit her lower lip. This was too good a chance to pass up. "Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Akane..."
"I need to know a few things," she said as she walked to him, standing in front of him.
"It'll only take a minute."
Ranma sighed. "Fine. What is it?"
"Not here. Let's go to my apartment."
"Akane..."
"It's right over there." She pointed to her building. "Just a few minutes."
Ranma glared at her for a few moments. "(sigh) Fine. Five minutes."
"Thanks."
Akane led the way to the place, never innitiating conversation with him, but rather saving up
her courage for this.
"Nice place," he said as she let him into her place.
"Thank you," she said as she dropped her bag into the couch. "So, can I get you anything to drink?"
Ranma stared back at her.
"Okay, just sit and let's talk."
Ranma sat on the big couch, while Akane sat in the smaller one in front of it.
"Four minutes," he said.
Akane looked down, summoned her courage and hoped this would work.
"Why are you being like this?" she asked sternly. "Why the cold act?"
Ranma seemed surprised, but the look vanished quickly. "I better..."
"You aren't going anywhere. At least not until you tell me your story."
"I don't have time for this crap. I'll just go."
"Answer me, dammit! I deserve to know!"
"Hah. Deserve? Just what the hell do YOU deserve?"
"Don't play those stupid games with me, Saotome! I know you! It wont work this time! I want to
know the full story."
Ranma glared at her. "I don't have to tell you squat. I'm not obligated to tell you anything."
"Maybe you're not, but it's the least you can do." She took in some air. "I know, to some
degree, what you're hiding."
Ranma sighed. "Chijaru let you in on some details, I know."
"Yes, but it's way too vague. I have some more... pressing questions."
"You may, but as the case may be, I don't care."
Akane suppressed a sigh of frustration. He was hard to deal with.
"Well, I have to get going," he said as he stood. "I have to get home."
Akane glared at him, but looked to the side. Ranma stared back, but began to make his way
back to the door.
"What's it like to not feel anything?" she asked softly.
"..."
"I mean it, Ranma," she said as she walked up to him. "Tell me, because I really want to know."
"Leave me alone."
"Oh sure, I will. That's how you've always wanted to be, huh? Alone? It was always like that,
ever since I've known you. You always had to play the savior and risk your butt, but
you could never tell anyone what was going on, even when they could've helped."
"Akane..."
"And just when we found out, you'd go: 'but it was too dangerous.' Same old cover story
over and over again. You know, you OWED it to all of us to tell us when you went on
your crazy little adventures. But no, you just had to have your way, no matter who was
hurt."
He turned around and responded, "Do you have any idea of what the hell you're saying?
I had to leave, because I know how you all were. I knew you wouldn't be able to handle
anything. I did the right thing by going alone. Besides, nobody got hurt..."
Akane retrieved her hand, a tear going down her cheek. "Amd what about me huh? Did you
ever stop to think about how I was hurt by your leavings? Every time you went on your
'quests', you never saw it fit to take me. I'd always be too dumb or too weak or something,
that in your eyes I'd only get in your way. Do you have any idea of how humilliating
that was for me? To be labled as an unwanted hangover by someone I cared so much
about? To be thought of as useless!?"
Ranma just looked at her, a bit surprised as her words sank in.
"You have no idea of how hurtfull that was. It was always you, no one else, and when everything
got to hot, you ran away. You never took responsability for your own actions. When it came
to running your own life, you hid, and tried to blame others for your innabilities. YOU
had the power to end all the insanity, yet you kept stringing it along because it was
your 'father's fault!' Let me tell you something. It might have been so, but you could
have done something about it, but you just decided to bypass it. You just wanted to be taken
care of, all your descicions made for you."
"Whoa, you're out of line. I have been in control."
"Name one time."
"When I left."
"Yeah, and yet you still saw me as an unwanted hang-on. You still saw me as useless and
dumb not to know your reasons."
Ranma stared, but could not think of a way to respond.
Akane sobbed softly, but visibly regained control. "I'm sorry."
"What?" he asked.
"I know I wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but you could have at least treated
me with decency. I take back all I said that time, because, I, I just can't take it anymore!"
She turned and sat on the couch, cupped her face and cried softly.
Ranma was in the position he still hated the most: a crying girl. With great determination,
he dropped his bag, sat next to her and brought her head on his shoulder. He had no idea
what possessed him to do such an act, but it felt almost... right.
"Ranma... I just can't live like this anymore," she said between sobs.
"..."
"I don't- I can't take all this anger anymore. I've lived with it my whole life, and it's
brought me nothing but pain. I don't want it anymore, but I can't get rid of it..."
Ranma soothed her hair. "It's not as easy as you make it out. It's hard to change
something about yourself that's been with you all your life. I know."
"Ranma, I'm sorry," she said in a whisper.
He sighed. "I'm sorry too. I know I was selfish, and you were right. I was trying to handle
everythig my way, not caring about anyone. I- I'm sorry."
Akane sobbed loudly again and hugged him from her position with all her might, crying
into his shoulders. She felt as if a great weight had just been lifted off her shoulders,
but she still had some more to say.
"I never meant to drive you away. I just don't know how to make ammends."
"Shh, you already did. We were both idiots in our own right."
Akane gave a small laugh. "You always were."
Ranma smiled, feeling content, something he hadnt felt in a long time. "I, have something
of yours."
"What?" she asked as she raised herself from his shoulder. Her eyes were a little puffy and red.
"Hang on," he said as he stood and retrieved his bag. He dug inside for a few moments, finally
finding a small thing wrapped in a delicate silk hankerchief. "This is yours. I've been
keeping it company for a while now."
Akane stood, took the object and revealed it. Wrapped up was something a little old, made
of simple cloth. Something she didn't quite place, but seemed oddly familiar...
"Is this..." she began.
He nodded.
"My old scrungie. You kept it."
"Yeah, I guess I did."
Overwhelemed, she placed it on her chest and smiled. "Why?"
"To remind of you, if I ever needed it."
"Ranma..." she said, but never finished. She walked up to and cupped his cheek. "Thank you."
She raised herself to meet him and kissed his lips. Just a small peck, but it felt good.
Ranma stood inmobile as Akana kissed him. He looked into her eyes as she finished and felt...
happy. Happier than he had ever been in a long time. He reached down for her and brought
her to him, kissing her over and over again.
Akane hadn't felt this good in a long time. This was how it was supposed to be. It was right...
In a sudden moment, she felt very strange, as if something was pulling on her essence, and she could not break free. She tried to move, but was paralized. Her breathing became really quick,
and in one swift moment, she was thrown into the couch, panting. She regained her breath
as she looked up at him, only to find him also panting and staring at her through shocked eyes.
"I- I have to go," he said. he didn't wait for a response. He picked up his bag and ran from
the apartment, not paying heed to her calls.
Akane called after him, feeling oddly tired. It was as if she was being pulled out, or something like that. She made her way to the couch, not closing the door. She layed there, trying to recuperate.
*What on earth was that?* she though as she felt herself regaining herself.
-----
Ranma ran as fast as he could down the street, finally stopping just a few blocks from his own home. He layed his hand on a building wall and leaned towards it. He panted, not from lack of air, but from something else.
"No- I- can't... Akane..."
He closed his eyes and felt a tear roll out from his closed eye.
"No..."
"Quite good, quite good ol' chap," cam a voice from beside him. He opened his eyes at stared at the man, who was clapping.
"Shin..."
Shin smiled and leaned his back on the wall, exhaling deeply. "Most unusual event, but very
entertaining. I almost cried. Oh yeah, and by the way..."
Shin locked his eyes onto his. "You have officially screwed us." He turned and began to walk
away. "Fix it," he said before he was out of earshot.
End of Chapter 11
Author's Notes
Remember in some of the early episodes when Akane's hair was cut? She lost a small scrungie with it, so I thought he should keep that. Carrying around a bunch of hair falls into my category
of weird.
'Till next time...
BlackDragon