...I have no idea from this point on...
[ IHNIFTPO ]
Ranma's Wish, Chapter 4
By Felix Webster ( Felix Warstar )
[felix_webster@telus.net]
All original Ranma ½ Characters Copyright Rumiko Takahashi (first
published by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by
Viz Communications), and are used without permission. Please don't
sue... cause I have no money.
" " - speech
* * - thoughts
( ) - other languages - Chinese mostly -
[ ] - Panda signs
- People in the Past -
Ryoga Hibiki ran a hand through his wild hair with a nervous smile
on his face as he accepted a handshake from the newest student with
his other hand, "Ryoga Hibiki. . . um, thanks for the help."
"Ranma Saotome," the smaller boy smiled back. They both looked at
the twenty plus others in unconscious heaps all around them. "What
was that all about?"
Ryoga seemed unhappy about the whole thing but he was even more
unhappy about having to explain. He really didn't know the other boy
yet, but it was Ranma who helped him actually get to school on time.
. . and to win the bet on that unlikely possibility, "I would assume
they bet against me getting to the school this week. . ."
"Now that sounds like a silly bet," Ranma gave the piles of human
bones and flesh a disbelieving look. "You only live five blocks from
here."
Ryoga felt the anger rise at hearing that 'little' fact but calmed
it as he realized Ranma didn't know of his curse. Squaring his
shoulders he did something he never liked even thinking about, "I
have a terrible sense of direction."
"It can't be that bad. . . can it?" Ranma tried to take the
confession as a joke but Ryoga's expression make Ranma's eyes go wide.
"It's a family curse," Ryoga cringed involuntarily as he continued.
"Both of my parents have it to a lesser degree. . . it just kinda
combined in me."
"That's. . that's rough man," Ranma replied sounding truly
concerned. "How do you get around if you get so lost?"
"Our pet dog is trained to find us and lead us home. . . other than
that it's a gamble," Ryoga shrugged as he picked up his school bag
but still didn't move to enter the school. "But she's out looking for
my Dad right now."
"Was that place I met you close to your house?" Ranma asked as he
noticed the other students moving inside with more speed.
"That lot is right behind my house. . . which has a large sign on it
that says 'Hibiki Residence'" Ryoga smiled nervously putting his hand
behind his head out of reflex.
"Great! I'd love to see a place designed for that kind of problem,"
Ranma gave Ryoga a friendly smile as he grabbed Ryoga's hand and
started to drag the bigger teen into the school. "I'll help you get
home after school, but right now we have to get to our classes."
Ryoga was speechless, he had a friend. Someone who didn't question
his curse. Someone who simply looked past it. And for some
incomprehensible reason having his hand in the person's hand made him
blush.
- - - -
The cafeteria was a pure mad house. Mad because so many boys wanted
to eat the food made there, crazy as it may seem, and Ryoga barely
made there. He had been getting to school so regularly that the
school's betting pool was drying up on that, but Ranma let him figure
out his own way to things like the bathroom and the cafeteria. He
wasn't doing so bad actually, as long as Ranma was in class he could
find it for some reason. . . not always quickly but he would find it.
That was why he was sure Ranma was in the cafeteria somewhere.
"The last two egg and seaweed salad sandwiches coming up!" the Lunch
lady called out over the roar coming from the mass of boys standing
and waiting like caged animals. She threw the two daily specials into
the air, "After that they're all gone!"
Ryoga would have made a move on the flying objects as he actually
like the combination but he held back as he saw a flash of movement
snagging both and Ranma landing next to him holding one out to him
with a smile and a sarcastic comment, "They as just soooo slow at
this school!"
Ichiro Kaniko, the school's book maker and all around scumbag, gave
the pair a wilting glare as he and his three henchmen all turned
around each with a foot print on their faces, "I see ,Hibiki, that
you and your 'girlfriend' are at it again. Can't you two be all lovey
dovey out of public view you pervs?"
"Ryoga! Just leave it," Ranma barely caught hold of the back of
Ryoga's school jacket before he could get them both into trouble.
"You know the principal's rules on fighting. I really don't want to
get suspended."
"Besides," Ranma added as he calmed down his friend and saw the smug
sneer on Ichiro's face, "we both know he's just jealous that he can't
have you himself."
Both faces dropped but Ryoga recovered before Ichiro, "I don't care
what kind of pervert he is, I'm straight!"
"Much to his disappointment I'm sure," Ranma snickered again cutting
off Ichiro's protests.
"I'M NOT GAY!!!" Ichiro screamed in frustration making everyone who
hadn't already watched the display turn and look at him.
"They why such an interest in Ryoga?" Ranma smiled evilly. "It's
almost an unhealthy obsession."
"I'M NOT OBSESSED WITH HIBIKI!!" Ichiro screamed totally red faced
as even his own lackeys were trying not to laugh. "I don't give a
damn about the terminally lost boy!"
"Then stop acting like you do!" Ranma spun away and put a hand on
Ryoga's back to push him outside.
A little while later both Ranma and Ryoga were sitting under a very
shady tree, Ryoga devouring the sandwich and Ranma bringing out two
bentos.
"Mom figured you'd need one," Ranma smiled as he handed the larger
box to Ryoga, who looked at it with both shock and hunger. "I mean
your mother can't always make you one."
"I don't get it. . . you've been nice to me since we met," Ryoga
said between bites happy to see the same gust for eating was being
now mirrored by Ranma. It caused him to blush for reasons that he
could not explain.
"Why shouldn't I be?" Ranma blinked in confusion. "You're a friend.
You don't treat friends like Ichiro treats his lackeys."
"What about when we met? Why?" Ryoga looked like this had been
bothering him for quite awhile.
"I saw you dent a post box out of frustration and I knew you were
strong. I saw you were skilled in the art and in what looked like a
simular school as me. People like us can only really be either close
friends or bitter rivals. . . I would rather have a friend," Ranma
explained patting Ryoga on the back. " Besides, you're the only
person other than Pop I can spar with without holding back."
Ryoga joined Ranma in laughing and when his friend's head was down
he noticed that the hair near Ranma's roots had gone red. He shrugged
it off figuring it wasn't any of his business.
- - - -
Weeks passed. Both still got razzed and bugged about being a couple
by Ichiro. Both still continued as the best of friends, even though
Ryoga started to feel real weird around Ranma. They sparred every
other day, ate together, and hung out at Ryoga's house all the time.
They didn't bother going to Ranma's anymore as Mrs. Saotome just
seemed too overjoyed about their friendship. Mr. Saotome kept hinting
at a pairing of Ryoga and what he assumed was Ranma's twin sister,
who was off at boarding school for the legally challenged. . .
according to Ranma. Ranma pointed out that his sister took after his
father's side of the family. Things didn't change much until near the
end of the term. . . then they turned totally to hell.
Ranma and his dad were late getting back from a training weekend, so
that Monday left Ryoga to try to get to find the school himself. He
actually didn't get too badly lost as he knew he was still in the
right ward when he came upon the park. He just hoped he would find
someone there to get him to school.
After a few minutes of looking around he heard sniffled crying
coming from nearby. Worried that someone was badly hurt he headed
straight toward the sound. What he found was a fellow classmate
sitting on a bench looking like he had been used as a kendo practice
dummy, "Soeda?"
". . . Ryoga Hibiki?" Soeda looked up with only one good, but very
red eye making the beating look worse. Ryoga was suddenly very
uncomfortable as Soeda was one of only three openly gay boys at
school, and the only one actually in his class.
A small battle raged inside of Ryoga. On one side he didn't want to
be seen with such a pervert, but on the other Soeda had been beaten
brutally. Everyone knew Soeda wouldn't lift a finger to defend
himself, he was a pacifist, so hitting him was like kicking a puppy.
In a sack. Only someone with no honour would do that! Ranma would
never forgive him if he didn't deal with this. Sitting down near the
other boy Ryoga narrowed his eyes, "Ichiro?"
"Mostly his goons. . . but yes, Ichiro," Soeda said looking away
embarrassed.
"Why?" Ryoga asked calmly even though the rage was building to
boiling, he had to focus on the confidence training that Ranma helped
him build to transfer the anger to more useful activities, like
planing Ichiro's pain.
"Because of you and Saotome," Soeda replied earning him a confused
look from Ryoga. "He's a closed-minded bigot who is venting the fact
that you and Saotome are flaunting you relationship in front of him
on the rest of us."
"We're just friends!" Ryoga bolted upright, the rage following back
to it's old patterns and the training all but forgotten.
"Uh huh, right," Soeda said nearly sarcastically but then waved it
off to continue. "Either way Ichiro is pissed off and taking it out
on anyone he even thinks is gay since none of them could take either
you or Saotome."
"I'll have a talk with Ichiro about that," Ryoga replied through
gritted teeth. "When I find the school. . ."
"Where's Saotome? Doesn't he help you get to school each morning?"
Soeda asked realizing finally that Ryoga was alone and not with his
friend. "You two have a spat?"
"We're not like that!" Ryoga countered nearly freaking completely
out then calmed down a bit. "Him and his Dad are late getting back
from a training trip."
"Oh?" Soeda gave Ryoga a concerned look as much as his smashed face
would allow.
"Why do people keep assuming. . keep assuming me and Ranma are perv.
. more than best friends?" Ryoga asked as he sat back down depressed,
it had really bothered him from the first time Ichiro started it and
it had gotten any better. Ichiro wasn't the only person either, too
many people had made that assumption. Heck, Soeda was gay and even he
made that assumption!
"Um. . how should I say this. . ." Soeda started as he gave the
large, and very strong boy a worried glance. Figuring he couldn't
hurt much more than he already did he decided to actually explain
what he saw. "It's the way you two look at each other. . . no, more
the way you look at Saotome really. The happiness in you eyes from
just being near him says so much. When you mentioned that Ranma
wasn't back yet the pain and loneliness was obvious. Whether you want
to believe it or not you are in love with Saotome. . . and the rest
of us are envious that you found someone like that."
"Look, I'm willing to deal with Ichiro for you. . to get him to at
least lay off, but don't try putting your twisted views on Ranma's
and my friendship," Ryoga stated coldly and stood up. "Now I need you
to get me to the school."
Soeda didn't look happy about going back but agreed.
- - - -
It was the last of the school classes for the term and Ryoga,
although still the best friend he could be, was distant of late. His
mind was working overtime on what Soeda had said, the idea still did
not want to file itself into his brain. It wasn't that he denied his
feelings for Ranma to himself anymore. . . it was that he didn't
believe he was gay. Nope. Nada. Not interested in guys!
He didn't feel the slightest bit attracted to any other guy, and
when a girl he ran into one weekend tried to kiss him for saving her
cat he fainted from blood loss at the idea that a girl was being that
kind to him. But when he even thought about Ranma his heart soared.
Finally he made up his mind, he had given Ranma a note the day
before and wouldn't answer any of Ranma's questions about what it
meant.
Ranma had not been happy about what Ichiro had done to Soeda when he
found out, but to Ryoga it seemed the anger came for different
reasons. Both of them had confronted Ichiro at different times to
'discuss' with him his behaviour, and after Ranma's little talk
Ichiro took ill and had to finish the term by correspondence.
"Remember, me and Pop are training in China this summer so I can't
do much because I have to pack," Ranma reminded as he walked away
from Ryoga's house holding the note and still confused as to why his
friend would challenge him.
". . . maybe he found out I'm a girl? It would explain why he's been
so distant lately," Ranma said to herself as she tried to figure this
all out and continued to her own house.
- - - -
Ranma stood in the empty lot looking very annoyed. She had been
there for three days already and Ryoga was nowhere to be seen! He
lived just behind the lot for heaven's sake! And she was cold,
hungry, and very wet from the recent rain during the early morning.
"What are you doing girl!" Genma demanded loudly as he stood to one
side and did not like the look of his daughter's state. "Your Mother
nearly killed me when you didn't come home. . . two days ago!"
"Sorry Pop," Ranma replied apologetically. "Ryoga challenged me but
he hasn't shown up yet."
"Why would that boy what to challenge you?" Genma looked confused.
"You two were nearly inseparable. . . Wait! You didn't tell him did
you!? I know your Mother would be happy about you finally having a
boyf. . ."
"No Pop, I didn't tell him!" Ranma cut her Father off before
something completely uncomfortable was said. "He may have figured it
out for himself though. . . it would explain the challenge if he felt
betrayed by me for not telling him."
"Either way we can't wait for the boy any longer," Genma waved it
all off as he put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Whatever it is
it can wait for when we get back. Your Mother wants to say goodbye
before we leave. . . and you could use some dry clothes."
"I guess Pop," Ranma walked out the lot with her Father, she was not
happy but he was right it could wait until they got back from China.
"I really wanted to clear this up before going though. . . it might
really a potential problem later."
- - - -
One half hour later Ryoga Hibiki ran into the vacant lot, dirt
encrusted on his clothes from hard travel. He slowed to a slower pace
as he walked onto the turned ground from the pavement and carried a
bouquet of very dead roses as if they were precious as life itself.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he realized that Ranma was not to
be seen anywhere. Knowing his own problems he took a moment to make
sure it was the right lot then cursed as he knew he was where he
wanted to be. Ranma knew enough about his curse to know to wait for
him to finally get to the lot. . . but Ranma wasn't there.
Ryoga felt a sensation that he hadn't felt since he was a child, he
wanted to cry.
He stopped it before it started by fuelling the grief and pain into
the rage. Ranma didn't care, if he did he would have been there! No,
Ranma must have known what Ryoga was going to say! He must have
guessed what Ryoga had only recently understood for himself recently.
He knew and he chose to make a fool of Ryoga! Ranma never ignored a
challenge, but he wasn't there!
Ryoga's rage blinded his reason so totally that he missed the muddy
tracks that led out of the lot, still fresh. Instead he crushed the
roses and screamed to the heavens, "RANMA SAOTOME!"
"I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR TOYING WITH MY HEART!"
"I WILL HAVE REVENGE ON YOU FOR MAKING ME QUESTION MY MANHOOD!"
"I WILL FOLLOW YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, AND INTO HELL ITSELF IF
I HAVE TO MAKE YOU PAY!!"
Ryoga ran out of the vacant lot as his mind let him remember where
Ranma should be going, China, and that wasn't very hard to get to!
- - - -
Ranma stumbled as a feeling of dread washed over her and Genma
actually had to catch her before she ended face first. She couldn't
explain it but suddenly she felt as if she was alone in the world
again. She hadn't felt like since before making friends with Ryoga
and she didn't like that fact that feeling came back as they walked
in to the Saotome family home to get ready to leave for China. "I
should have stayed. . ."
"You are in no state to stand there any longer," Genma replied even
though he knew she was talking to herself. "As it is I think you
should stay home for a day or two so you can recover you health."
"No Pop, I'm fine. It's passed already," Ranma reassured her Father
and stood up straight putting a look of determination "I'm not
putting off going to China for even one more day. I have a feeling it
will be the most important training trip we've ever done. . . I feel
that I'm destined to learn the greatest of all Martial skills from
this trip and I won't miss that for anything!"
"That's the girl I raised!" Genma smiled and hugged his daughter
proud at her drive, her determination to be the best.
- - - -
Akane barely responded to her older sister's questions, she tried to
focus but it was so hard. Her family's concern was lessening finally
as she actually was getting better, she at least talked to people
now. She was so bad that she hadn't even tried to defend herself when
Shampoo attacked her demanding to know where she hide Ranma. It had
been up to her Father and Genma to start defending her from the
onslaught that Ranma's missing caused. The two showed many why it was
that one had a Dojo and the other had trained one of the strongest
Martial Artist of the age, even Cologne was finally impressed with
them.
It had be several weeks since Ranma disappeared by wishing himself
away, but not long enough for Akane to wish to idiot back. During
that time she had a mental breakdown and nothing anyone tried brought
her out of it. But know she was almost ready. Almost back. The spark
was coming. The anger.
She was coming back to herself because the time was coming and she
needed to be centered to face it right. She needed to think, to come
up with a wish that brought Ranma back to her. . . without ruining
what he had wished for. He had tried to solve it all, the curse, the
fiances, and the rivals in one go. . . and according to the old
shopkeeper Ranma got his wish, if only after a fashion, and she
wasn't going to ruin it for him but she needed him back!
"Akane? Akane, I asked what you plan to do about that stone?" Nabiki
said again as she snapped her fingers in front of her younger
sister's face.
"Wha. . Huh? Sorry Nabiki," Akane replied out of reflex still no
emotion in her tone.
"That wishing stone you mentioned. . . I went to the shop you talked
about and the old shopkeeper actually showed it to me," Nabiki looked
disturbed at what she remembered was in the shop. "You're going to
have to have a plan and a wish ready as that guy isn't going to wait
for you, if someone else gets there first they get the wish and we
have to wait again."
"He told me to come back," Akane said softly not understanding,
Nabiki just said the old man wasn't waiting for her.
"He offered me the wish when I went in. Told me I'd have to wait the
remaining week for it to finish recharging though," Nabiki had a look
of annoyance in her eyes as she would just love that wish. . . even
knowing what wishing led to around Nerima. "He also told me that he
had to move on after that because too many wishes had be granted
here."
"What!?" Akane snapped her head up finally. "He can't!"
Nabiki had to restrain Akane from running out of her room, "Calm
down! The old guy actually told me that whoever made the next wish it
was going to involve Ranma directly. . . most likely to get him back."
"But they'll get it wrong!" Akane stated in a panic. "They'll undo
what he wished for too!"
"It that what you are worried about? That to get him back the wish
would have to cancel Ranma's wishes?" Nabiki looked a little shocked.
"It's his fault that he made four wishes trying to be cleaver."
"You would've tried it too!" Akane spat loudly at her sister. "You
just love to get more than your fair share!"
"Whoa! Where'd that come from? First you barely acknowledge the
world, now you're back and shouting at your own family," Nabiki moved
slightly farther back in the rolling desk chair. "But you're right
that I would have tried something simular. . . only I'd have
succeeded."
"No, no you wouldn't have," Akane said as all the emotion drained
away again. "One wish. Only one wish."
"To get exactly what you wish for," Nabiki nodded. "He told me the
warning too. And Ranma could have simply asked for the curse removed
from the moment he received it. Or that he never got cursed in the
first place. It would have solved so much."
"Then we would be dead right now," Akane said softly. "The curse
brought people to train Ranma in more powerful styles. . . it made
him push himself beyond his limits just to prove to himself he was
still a man. Everything revolved around that curse."
"Whatever. I don't see it, all I see is the problem that curse
brought him, you, and us," Nabiki narrowed her eyes as she got up to
leave, she wouldn't admit that her little sister was right twice in
one night. Even in her condition. It happened very rarely thankfully,
she must be under too much stress herself to not think of every angle
about Ranma's wish.
"I need a wish," Akane said as she put an arm over her eyes to block
out the ceiling light.
"You'll have one, I'll make sure of that sis," Nabiki replied softly
as she quietly left the room.
- - - -
AN: Ranma is referred to as a guy for the most part in this chapter
as that is how everyone is supposed to see her. People have asked for
me to get back to Akane for aftermath and this chapter was prime to
do it as there really could be a dream sequence at the end in this
one.
[ IHNIFTPO ]
Ranma's Wish, Chapter 4
By Felix Webster ( Felix Warstar )
[felix_webster@telus.net]
All original Ranma ½ Characters Copyright Rumiko Takahashi (first
published by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by
Viz Communications), and are used without permission. Please don't
sue... cause I have no money.
" " - speech
* * - thoughts
( ) - other languages - Chinese mostly -
[ ] - Panda signs
- People in the Past -
Ryoga Hibiki ran a hand through his wild hair with a nervous smile
on his face as he accepted a handshake from the newest student with
his other hand, "Ryoga Hibiki. . . um, thanks for the help."
"Ranma Saotome," the smaller boy smiled back. They both looked at
the twenty plus others in unconscious heaps all around them. "What
was that all about?"
Ryoga seemed unhappy about the whole thing but he was even more
unhappy about having to explain. He really didn't know the other boy
yet, but it was Ranma who helped him actually get to school on time.
. . and to win the bet on that unlikely possibility, "I would assume
they bet against me getting to the school this week. . ."
"Now that sounds like a silly bet," Ranma gave the piles of human
bones and flesh a disbelieving look. "You only live five blocks from
here."
Ryoga felt the anger rise at hearing that 'little' fact but calmed
it as he realized Ranma didn't know of his curse. Squaring his
shoulders he did something he never liked even thinking about, "I
have a terrible sense of direction."
"It can't be that bad. . . can it?" Ranma tried to take the
confession as a joke but Ryoga's expression make Ranma's eyes go wide.
"It's a family curse," Ryoga cringed involuntarily as he continued.
"Both of my parents have it to a lesser degree. . . it just kinda
combined in me."
"That's. . that's rough man," Ranma replied sounding truly
concerned. "How do you get around if you get so lost?"
"Our pet dog is trained to find us and lead us home. . . other than
that it's a gamble," Ryoga shrugged as he picked up his school bag
but still didn't move to enter the school. "But she's out looking for
my Dad right now."
"Was that place I met you close to your house?" Ranma asked as he
noticed the other students moving inside with more speed.
"That lot is right behind my house. . . which has a large sign on it
that says 'Hibiki Residence'" Ryoga smiled nervously putting his hand
behind his head out of reflex.
"Great! I'd love to see a place designed for that kind of problem,"
Ranma gave Ryoga a friendly smile as he grabbed Ryoga's hand and
started to drag the bigger teen into the school. "I'll help you get
home after school, but right now we have to get to our classes."
Ryoga was speechless, he had a friend. Someone who didn't question
his curse. Someone who simply looked past it. And for some
incomprehensible reason having his hand in the person's hand made him
blush.
- - - -
The cafeteria was a pure mad house. Mad because so many boys wanted
to eat the food made there, crazy as it may seem, and Ryoga barely
made there. He had been getting to school so regularly that the
school's betting pool was drying up on that, but Ranma let him figure
out his own way to things like the bathroom and the cafeteria. He
wasn't doing so bad actually, as long as Ranma was in class he could
find it for some reason. . . not always quickly but he would find it.
That was why he was sure Ranma was in the cafeteria somewhere.
"The last two egg and seaweed salad sandwiches coming up!" the Lunch
lady called out over the roar coming from the mass of boys standing
and waiting like caged animals. She threw the two daily specials into
the air, "After that they're all gone!"
Ryoga would have made a move on the flying objects as he actually
like the combination but he held back as he saw a flash of movement
snagging both and Ranma landing next to him holding one out to him
with a smile and a sarcastic comment, "They as just soooo slow at
this school!"
Ichiro Kaniko, the school's book maker and all around scumbag, gave
the pair a wilting glare as he and his three henchmen all turned
around each with a foot print on their faces, "I see ,Hibiki, that
you and your 'girlfriend' are at it again. Can't you two be all lovey
dovey out of public view you pervs?"
"Ryoga! Just leave it," Ranma barely caught hold of the back of
Ryoga's school jacket before he could get them both into trouble.
"You know the principal's rules on fighting. I really don't want to
get suspended."
"Besides," Ranma added as he calmed down his friend and saw the smug
sneer on Ichiro's face, "we both know he's just jealous that he can't
have you himself."
Both faces dropped but Ryoga recovered before Ichiro, "I don't care
what kind of pervert he is, I'm straight!"
"Much to his disappointment I'm sure," Ranma snickered again cutting
off Ichiro's protests.
"I'M NOT GAY!!!" Ichiro screamed in frustration making everyone who
hadn't already watched the display turn and look at him.
"They why such an interest in Ryoga?" Ranma smiled evilly. "It's
almost an unhealthy obsession."
"I'M NOT OBSESSED WITH HIBIKI!!" Ichiro screamed totally red faced
as even his own lackeys were trying not to laugh. "I don't give a
damn about the terminally lost boy!"
"Then stop acting like you do!" Ranma spun away and put a hand on
Ryoga's back to push him outside.
A little while later both Ranma and Ryoga were sitting under a very
shady tree, Ryoga devouring the sandwich and Ranma bringing out two
bentos.
"Mom figured you'd need one," Ranma smiled as he handed the larger
box to Ryoga, who looked at it with both shock and hunger. "I mean
your mother can't always make you one."
"I don't get it. . . you've been nice to me since we met," Ryoga
said between bites happy to see the same gust for eating was being
now mirrored by Ranma. It caused him to blush for reasons that he
could not explain.
"Why shouldn't I be?" Ranma blinked in confusion. "You're a friend.
You don't treat friends like Ichiro treats his lackeys."
"What about when we met? Why?" Ryoga looked like this had been
bothering him for quite awhile.
"I saw you dent a post box out of frustration and I knew you were
strong. I saw you were skilled in the art and in what looked like a
simular school as me. People like us can only really be either close
friends or bitter rivals. . . I would rather have a friend," Ranma
explained patting Ryoga on the back. " Besides, you're the only
person other than Pop I can spar with without holding back."
Ryoga joined Ranma in laughing and when his friend's head was down
he noticed that the hair near Ranma's roots had gone red. He shrugged
it off figuring it wasn't any of his business.
- - - -
Weeks passed. Both still got razzed and bugged about being a couple
by Ichiro. Both still continued as the best of friends, even though
Ryoga started to feel real weird around Ranma. They sparred every
other day, ate together, and hung out at Ryoga's house all the time.
They didn't bother going to Ranma's anymore as Mrs. Saotome just
seemed too overjoyed about their friendship. Mr. Saotome kept hinting
at a pairing of Ryoga and what he assumed was Ranma's twin sister,
who was off at boarding school for the legally challenged. . .
according to Ranma. Ranma pointed out that his sister took after his
father's side of the family. Things didn't change much until near the
end of the term. . . then they turned totally to hell.
Ranma and his dad were late getting back from a training weekend, so
that Monday left Ryoga to try to get to find the school himself. He
actually didn't get too badly lost as he knew he was still in the
right ward when he came upon the park. He just hoped he would find
someone there to get him to school.
After a few minutes of looking around he heard sniffled crying
coming from nearby. Worried that someone was badly hurt he headed
straight toward the sound. What he found was a fellow classmate
sitting on a bench looking like he had been used as a kendo practice
dummy, "Soeda?"
". . . Ryoga Hibiki?" Soeda looked up with only one good, but very
red eye making the beating look worse. Ryoga was suddenly very
uncomfortable as Soeda was one of only three openly gay boys at
school, and the only one actually in his class.
A small battle raged inside of Ryoga. On one side he didn't want to
be seen with such a pervert, but on the other Soeda had been beaten
brutally. Everyone knew Soeda wouldn't lift a finger to defend
himself, he was a pacifist, so hitting him was like kicking a puppy.
In a sack. Only someone with no honour would do that! Ranma would
never forgive him if he didn't deal with this. Sitting down near the
other boy Ryoga narrowed his eyes, "Ichiro?"
"Mostly his goons. . . but yes, Ichiro," Soeda said looking away
embarrassed.
"Why?" Ryoga asked calmly even though the rage was building to
boiling, he had to focus on the confidence training that Ranma helped
him build to transfer the anger to more useful activities, like
planing Ichiro's pain.
"Because of you and Saotome," Soeda replied earning him a confused
look from Ryoga. "He's a closed-minded bigot who is venting the fact
that you and Saotome are flaunting you relationship in front of him
on the rest of us."
"We're just friends!" Ryoga bolted upright, the rage following back
to it's old patterns and the training all but forgotten.
"Uh huh, right," Soeda said nearly sarcastically but then waved it
off to continue. "Either way Ichiro is pissed off and taking it out
on anyone he even thinks is gay since none of them could take either
you or Saotome."
"I'll have a talk with Ichiro about that," Ryoga replied through
gritted teeth. "When I find the school. . ."
"Where's Saotome? Doesn't he help you get to school each morning?"
Soeda asked realizing finally that Ryoga was alone and not with his
friend. "You two have a spat?"
"We're not like that!" Ryoga countered nearly freaking completely
out then calmed down a bit. "Him and his Dad are late getting back
from a training trip."
"Oh?" Soeda gave Ryoga a concerned look as much as his smashed face
would allow.
"Why do people keep assuming. . keep assuming me and Ranma are perv.
. more than best friends?" Ryoga asked as he sat back down depressed,
it had really bothered him from the first time Ichiro started it and
it had gotten any better. Ichiro wasn't the only person either, too
many people had made that assumption. Heck, Soeda was gay and even he
made that assumption!
"Um. . how should I say this. . ." Soeda started as he gave the
large, and very strong boy a worried glance. Figuring he couldn't
hurt much more than he already did he decided to actually explain
what he saw. "It's the way you two look at each other. . . no, more
the way you look at Saotome really. The happiness in you eyes from
just being near him says so much. When you mentioned that Ranma
wasn't back yet the pain and loneliness was obvious. Whether you want
to believe it or not you are in love with Saotome. . . and the rest
of us are envious that you found someone like that."
"Look, I'm willing to deal with Ichiro for you. . to get him to at
least lay off, but don't try putting your twisted views on Ranma's
and my friendship," Ryoga stated coldly and stood up. "Now I need you
to get me to the school."
Soeda didn't look happy about going back but agreed.
- - - -
It was the last of the school classes for the term and Ryoga,
although still the best friend he could be, was distant of late. His
mind was working overtime on what Soeda had said, the idea still did
not want to file itself into his brain. It wasn't that he denied his
feelings for Ranma to himself anymore. . . it was that he didn't
believe he was gay. Nope. Nada. Not interested in guys!
He didn't feel the slightest bit attracted to any other guy, and
when a girl he ran into one weekend tried to kiss him for saving her
cat he fainted from blood loss at the idea that a girl was being that
kind to him. But when he even thought about Ranma his heart soared.
Finally he made up his mind, he had given Ranma a note the day
before and wouldn't answer any of Ranma's questions about what it
meant.
Ranma had not been happy about what Ichiro had done to Soeda when he
found out, but to Ryoga it seemed the anger came for different
reasons. Both of them had confronted Ichiro at different times to
'discuss' with him his behaviour, and after Ranma's little talk
Ichiro took ill and had to finish the term by correspondence.
"Remember, me and Pop are training in China this summer so I can't
do much because I have to pack," Ranma reminded as he walked away
from Ryoga's house holding the note and still confused as to why his
friend would challenge him.
". . . maybe he found out I'm a girl? It would explain why he's been
so distant lately," Ranma said to herself as she tried to figure this
all out and continued to her own house.
- - - -
Ranma stood in the empty lot looking very annoyed. She had been
there for three days already and Ryoga was nowhere to be seen! He
lived just behind the lot for heaven's sake! And she was cold,
hungry, and very wet from the recent rain during the early morning.
"What are you doing girl!" Genma demanded loudly as he stood to one
side and did not like the look of his daughter's state. "Your Mother
nearly killed me when you didn't come home. . . two days ago!"
"Sorry Pop," Ranma replied apologetically. "Ryoga challenged me but
he hasn't shown up yet."
"Why would that boy what to challenge you?" Genma looked confused.
"You two were nearly inseparable. . . Wait! You didn't tell him did
you!? I know your Mother would be happy about you finally having a
boyf. . ."
"No Pop, I didn't tell him!" Ranma cut her Father off before
something completely uncomfortable was said. "He may have figured it
out for himself though. . . it would explain the challenge if he felt
betrayed by me for not telling him."
"Either way we can't wait for the boy any longer," Genma waved it
all off as he put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Whatever it is
it can wait for when we get back. Your Mother wants to say goodbye
before we leave. . . and you could use some dry clothes."
"I guess Pop," Ranma walked out the lot with her Father, she was not
happy but he was right it could wait until they got back from China.
"I really wanted to clear this up before going though. . . it might
really a potential problem later."
- - - -
One half hour later Ryoga Hibiki ran into the vacant lot, dirt
encrusted on his clothes from hard travel. He slowed to a slower pace
as he walked onto the turned ground from the pavement and carried a
bouquet of very dead roses as if they were precious as life itself.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he realized that Ranma was not to
be seen anywhere. Knowing his own problems he took a moment to make
sure it was the right lot then cursed as he knew he was where he
wanted to be. Ranma knew enough about his curse to know to wait for
him to finally get to the lot. . . but Ranma wasn't there.
Ryoga felt a sensation that he hadn't felt since he was a child, he
wanted to cry.
He stopped it before it started by fuelling the grief and pain into
the rage. Ranma didn't care, if he did he would have been there! No,
Ranma must have known what Ryoga was going to say! He must have
guessed what Ryoga had only recently understood for himself recently.
He knew and he chose to make a fool of Ryoga! Ranma never ignored a
challenge, but he wasn't there!
Ryoga's rage blinded his reason so totally that he missed the muddy
tracks that led out of the lot, still fresh. Instead he crushed the
roses and screamed to the heavens, "RANMA SAOTOME!"
"I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR TOYING WITH MY HEART!"
"I WILL HAVE REVENGE ON YOU FOR MAKING ME QUESTION MY MANHOOD!"
"I WILL FOLLOW YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, AND INTO HELL ITSELF IF
I HAVE TO MAKE YOU PAY!!"
Ryoga ran out of the vacant lot as his mind let him remember where
Ranma should be going, China, and that wasn't very hard to get to!
- - - -
Ranma stumbled as a feeling of dread washed over her and Genma
actually had to catch her before she ended face first. She couldn't
explain it but suddenly she felt as if she was alone in the world
again. She hadn't felt like since before making friends with Ryoga
and she didn't like that fact that feeling came back as they walked
in to the Saotome family home to get ready to leave for China. "I
should have stayed. . ."
"You are in no state to stand there any longer," Genma replied even
though he knew she was talking to herself. "As it is I think you
should stay home for a day or two so you can recover you health."
"No Pop, I'm fine. It's passed already," Ranma reassured her Father
and stood up straight putting a look of determination "I'm not
putting off going to China for even one more day. I have a feeling it
will be the most important training trip we've ever done. . . I feel
that I'm destined to learn the greatest of all Martial skills from
this trip and I won't miss that for anything!"
"That's the girl I raised!" Genma smiled and hugged his daughter
proud at her drive, her determination to be the best.
- - - -
Akane barely responded to her older sister's questions, she tried to
focus but it was so hard. Her family's concern was lessening finally
as she actually was getting better, she at least talked to people
now. She was so bad that she hadn't even tried to defend herself when
Shampoo attacked her demanding to know where she hide Ranma. It had
been up to her Father and Genma to start defending her from the
onslaught that Ranma's missing caused. The two showed many why it was
that one had a Dojo and the other had trained one of the strongest
Martial Artist of the age, even Cologne was finally impressed with
them.
It had be several weeks since Ranma disappeared by wishing himself
away, but not long enough for Akane to wish to idiot back. During
that time she had a mental breakdown and nothing anyone tried brought
her out of it. But know she was almost ready. Almost back. The spark
was coming. The anger.
She was coming back to herself because the time was coming and she
needed to be centered to face it right. She needed to think, to come
up with a wish that brought Ranma back to her. . . without ruining
what he had wished for. He had tried to solve it all, the curse, the
fiances, and the rivals in one go. . . and according to the old
shopkeeper Ranma got his wish, if only after a fashion, and she
wasn't going to ruin it for him but she needed him back!
"Akane? Akane, I asked what you plan to do about that stone?" Nabiki
said again as she snapped her fingers in front of her younger
sister's face.
"Wha. . Huh? Sorry Nabiki," Akane replied out of reflex still no
emotion in her tone.
"That wishing stone you mentioned. . . I went to the shop you talked
about and the old shopkeeper actually showed it to me," Nabiki looked
disturbed at what she remembered was in the shop. "You're going to
have to have a plan and a wish ready as that guy isn't going to wait
for you, if someone else gets there first they get the wish and we
have to wait again."
"He told me to come back," Akane said softly not understanding,
Nabiki just said the old man wasn't waiting for her.
"He offered me the wish when I went in. Told me I'd have to wait the
remaining week for it to finish recharging though," Nabiki had a look
of annoyance in her eyes as she would just love that wish. . . even
knowing what wishing led to around Nerima. "He also told me that he
had to move on after that because too many wishes had be granted
here."
"What!?" Akane snapped her head up finally. "He can't!"
Nabiki had to restrain Akane from running out of her room, "Calm
down! The old guy actually told me that whoever made the next wish it
was going to involve Ranma directly. . . most likely to get him back."
"But they'll get it wrong!" Akane stated in a panic. "They'll undo
what he wished for too!"
"It that what you are worried about? That to get him back the wish
would have to cancel Ranma's wishes?" Nabiki looked a little shocked.
"It's his fault that he made four wishes trying to be cleaver."
"You would've tried it too!" Akane spat loudly at her sister. "You
just love to get more than your fair share!"
"Whoa! Where'd that come from? First you barely acknowledge the
world, now you're back and shouting at your own family," Nabiki moved
slightly farther back in the rolling desk chair. "But you're right
that I would have tried something simular. . . only I'd have
succeeded."
"No, no you wouldn't have," Akane said as all the emotion drained
away again. "One wish. Only one wish."
"To get exactly what you wish for," Nabiki nodded. "He told me the
warning too. And Ranma could have simply asked for the curse removed
from the moment he received it. Or that he never got cursed in the
first place. It would have solved so much."
"Then we would be dead right now," Akane said softly. "The curse
brought people to train Ranma in more powerful styles. . . it made
him push himself beyond his limits just to prove to himself he was
still a man. Everything revolved around that curse."
"Whatever. I don't see it, all I see is the problem that curse
brought him, you, and us," Nabiki narrowed her eyes as she got up to
leave, she wouldn't admit that her little sister was right twice in
one night. Even in her condition. It happened very rarely thankfully,
she must be under too much stress herself to not think of every angle
about Ranma's wish.
"I need a wish," Akane said as she put an arm over her eyes to block
out the ceiling light.
"You'll have one, I'll make sure of that sis," Nabiki replied softly
as she quietly left the room.
- - - -
AN: Ranma is referred to as a guy for the most part in this chapter
as that is how everyone is supposed to see her. People have asked for
me to get back to Akane for aftermath and this chapter was prime to
do it as there really could be a dream sequence at the end in this
one.