Scarlet Phoenix, Blue Dragon
Chapter 10, I hate you, Ranma Saotome
Author's Notes: You know what? To all the people who don't like my stories (that's beginning to include me) please don't read them. I really am a bad writer and this is really good practice for me say if I want to go professional or something in the far future. The reviews and e-mails are really wonderful and helpful from my readers...but if you don't like my stories, please just do me a huge favor and press the back button. Snort in disgust at the utter simplicity and horrible writing and then forget about it. I write the way I write and I'm really trying to improve, but it really doesn't help if there's someone there criticising me along the way (and yes I noted that I spelled criticizing wrong). Believe me, criticism can be such a *big* help if you *know* the person criticizing you really, truly wants you to get better instead of just saying it for the heck of saying it. Now, I know *somebody* is just going to e-mail me and say something like 'if you can't take it then don't write.' Just...for my benefit...criticize if you actually have a mild interest in my stories and want me to get better...don't do it because my story sucks and you have nothing better to do. On that note, I already wrote the last chapter to Scarlet Phoenix, Blue Dragon. Now, I just need to fill in the chapters from this chapter until that one.
Discliamers: Ranma 1/2 does not belong to me, it belongs to that great lady Rumiko Takahashi. Blame her for my addiction (not that I'm complaining :) ).
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"Hey, Link! Come over here! This kid says she wants a job!" the man shouted across the room to his partner. The shout was loud enough for everyone to hear and as the other man ran over, Akane could feel all of their eyes boring into her.
"A job, huh? What would a sweet thing like you want a job for?" Link asked as he gave her a look up and down. Link wasn't a stupid man, he had been in the business far longer then any of them had and his words held more meaning then it then what it seemed. It was-
*-a test* Akane realized. Her mouth hardened, but she refused to move her hands from their place at her side. Crossing your arms or putting them on your hips in a situation like this was worst then fidgeting. It was showing your nervousness.
"You got two things wrong, *Link*," she said, putting emphasis on his name. "One, I don't answer questions from those who can't fire shout worth anything and two, I'm anything but sweet." The crowd snickered slightly and if this was an elementary school room the sounds of 'oohs' would be heard.
Link grinned amusedly at the girl for a second before asking, "Good point, but what makes you think we'll give you a job?"
"Because I know about the Blue Dragon," Akane said plainly. In the next second, Link had his arm around Akane's neck, cutting off her air supply and a knife up to her cheek.
"What do you know?" he growled out.
Pushing down her anger and fury at being treated so, Akane reminded herself that this was all part of the initiation. *It better be* she thought.
"Enough to benefit me but not enough to harm any of you," the girl said. Link seemed to contemplate this for a moment before letting her go, a large grin growing on his face.
"You're a good kid," he said.
Tucking an uneven hair behind her ear, Akane replied dryly, "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Oh but it is a compliment..." Then, after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Queen."
Giving him a half smile, the girl newly renamed Queen remarked, "Sort of flattering, don't you think?"
"I know what's right for each person and you my dear are definitely a Queen. In the worst sense of the word."
Akane stared at him for awhile, trying to decipher the hidden insult behind those words. She was obviously in...but did he approve of her or not was still a matter of question. Link, there was something behind this guy that she couldn't quite place...something too familiar for comfort. Something about a boy...training with her...laughing with her...another student of Mel's. No! It couldn't be...because if it was, he would have recognized her by now. Maybe he had.
She had to try him to be sure. Life was really just one big gamble after all. You either won or you lost...and if you lost...the game really didn't matter that much in the first place anyway...because if it did... you would have won.
"You didn't even change your name, Link," she said softly, her eyes a contrast to her words, hard and unyielding. He had turned his back from her, intending to walk away but now he stopped. For awhile, Akane couldn't gauge what he would do...what he would say. She had known many people in her life but few had been quite as unpredictable as Link. Sometimes, during her training under Mel...she had worried for him...worried that he would turn to the wrong side. Now, remembering who she worked for...Akane wondered if he already hadn't.
Link turned around and that mocking grin was on his face again.
"We shall say the same for you...Fe-fe," he said calmly before turning around to walk away again.
"Michael, I changed my mind. The girl's name is Fe-fe now. Give her all the info she needs for the next two months. Take any suggestions she has and listen to her. I don't care what she says...just follow it..." he said over his shoulder.
"You trust me that much, Link?" the blue-haired girl asked, knowing that he didn't. Just like t he others, he would monitor everything she did. That's how it was in the clan. You don't trust anyone...but you must trust everyone.
"Not on your life, Fe-fe, but Mel would have my head if she knew I did anything to her favorite." With that he departed and left her to the sharks that was known as the followers of the Blue Dragon.
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"You can put the gun down now, Ryoga, she's already left," the Blue Dragon said to his friend.
Grinning, the so-called 'pig-boy' did so.
"Just making sure you don't reveal our secrets and order our doom a few years early, Ranma," Ryoga said in an amused tone.
Glaring murderously at his friend, Ranma said in what could almost be called a pouting voice, "I wasn't really going to cut him up and deliver him to Happosai for dinner, you know. It was just a comment."
Looking blandly at the other boy, Ryoga said, "Riiight...and I'm supposed to believe this because... why? Sorry, Ranma, if I hadn't pulled out my gun, you would have been out that door right now and our whole cover would have been blown because of your stupid anger."
"It wasn't stupid!" Ranma said as he looked over the place where Akane had been and was now gone. "Did you see what he did to her?"
"Sorry to be the one to tell you this but living in this city, I'm sure Akane have gone through worse." Seeing Ranma's shocked and horror-filled face, Ryoga groaned. "Anyways, Blue Dragon, what did you think about that whole scene at the end? Fe-fe? Mel? What was that all about? Do you think the two know each other?"
Not turning around, Ranma continued to look down at the 34th warehouse. Something was nagging at him. His instincts told him that some major scene had just occurred and he had missed it.
"Huh? Oh, sorry, what did you say?" the pig-tailed boy said as he turned around.
Throwing his hands up in the air in a mock fashion, the once bandana-clad boy said, "I don't know why I bother!"
"Come one, pig-boy," Ranma said putting an arm around Ryoga's shoulder and leading him out the door. "We'll think of something...I'm sure...we'll think of something."
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The woman known as Natalie Tanson stepped out of the plane terminal and breathed in the good sight that was her homeland...Japan. The people were wonderful, the people were wonderful...and the family...
*...is going to kill me...* she thought wryly, anticipating and yet dreading her reunion with the people she lost. *...more like threw away...* that little, treacherous voice whispered again. As much as she tried, she could never get rid of that voice. She hoped it would leave after this trip.
There were so many things she needed to do. She needed to talk to her sisters again, apologize and explain. Yet, there was still something she had to do before she reconciled with the living.
She had to deal with the dead.
She had to deal with her father.
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Kasumi sat beside her father's gravestone and arranged the flowers like she did every first of the month. She cleaned his gravestone, cut the weeds surrounding it and brought fresh flowers every chance she could. Sitting with her legs under her, she smiled softly as she told her father of what had been going on.
"...and Akane still leads that large company. She went and joined the Blue Dragon's group and I don't know what to do, daddy. I wish you were here to tell me. I know Akane will find herself in the end, but I can't help worrying for her. What if she goes to far and doesn't come home one day? What will I do without her? Tofu is wonderful, he knows who I am and doesn't ask me what I know. It's sort of funny if you think about it. Akane really has become such a great success, hasn't she father? It's just so sad that she has to lie about who she is. I know my little sister herself is confused. She's built too many false characters, the Scarlet Phoenix, Akane Vardisi, and Fe-fe...she isn't sure about who she is anymore. I really hope Ranma can help her find herself, daddy...otherwise...well..."
At this, the beautiful woman sighed sort of sadly and whispered a good-bye to her father, followed by a promise to return again soon.
{Two hours later}
Akane stood impassively in front of her father's grave. The dull ache was there, throbbing inside her...but not a fraction of as painful as it had been. She wasn't learning to let go, exactly, since she would never be able to let him go...but she was in the process of accepting the pain so that it was no longer pain anymore. She never brought anything on these rare visits to her father's grave...only herself and her heart. She hasn't forgotten, but she's learned to forgive him for leaving...and with that forgiveness came her greatest listener. During these moments and visits, she poured her heart out to him and then felt silly for talking to a piece of marble. Yet, she still continued to come back and spill it out again.
"I don't have a lot to say this time, daddy. Just that I know something's about to happen. I met Link again and it's sort of heartbreaking to. I mean, he and I were never that close under Mel's training but we still had been members of the same clan...and he given the choice he would rather choose the Blue Dragon over the Scarlet Phoenix. I'm sure if he knew I was the Scarlet Phoenix, he would have joined with me...but he didn't...and so he chose the Blue Dragon. Do you know what that means, daddy? Link has always had a perspective eye and very good at judgment...so when he compared the two strengths of my side and the Blue Dragon's, he chose the other. Now...I'm a little unsure...and doubtful. Does this mean the Blue Dragon really is stronger then me? Well, I have to leave, daddy...busy schedule, you understand. I'll come back if I can...but if you don't see me again soon...you'll know what happened."
With that she kissed her fingers softly and placed it on the top of the gravestone. Turning around, she walked away.
{Two hours later}
The woman hesitantly walked toward the gravestone. It had been so long when she had been here...so many years. How many times have she had nightmares about this place? About her father rising from his grave and haunting her for abandoning her sisters? Natalie Tanson was rich and powerful woman and everyone accepted her...but would he? Would a man who had been gone for so long take back the daughter that didn't have the strength her sisters and mother had?
Slowly, Natalie walked until she was in front of the gravestone. Then...
...then she remembered.
She remembered the brave man that loved his family so and was devastated by the lost of his wife.
She remembered the way she always thought she was taking care of him when he really took care of her.
She remembered...how love is forgiveness.
With a sob, Nabiki Tendo collapsed in front of her father's grave and cried out years of pain and loneliness.
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Mousse stared down at the letter in his hand. How could this letter possibly be true? Surely it wasn't. He had went outside his hotel room when he saw this letter sitting on the floor with nothing written on the front envelope. Knowing to be precautious, he had checked it before opening it and reading what was inside. The note was simple and elegantly written yet how could it possibly be true? It would help him gain his revenge on the Blue Dragon, but...no, there were no buts. Somewhere, deep inside him, Mousse's warrior instincts told him what the contents of the letter said was true.
This was the letter:
You seek the Scarlet Phoenix. She is Akane Tendo.
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It was night when Akane arrived at her mansion. The servants were gone already and she was way too exhausted by the day's events. Turning on the lights, she walked into the old room Ukyo had dubbed 'the old parlor', she dropped her purse on a chair and plopped down onto a chair. Sighing, she closeehr eyes for some much needed rest.
Instantly, her eyes opened as she sensed it. Someone was in the room with her. Someone with the ability to fight.
Not moving a muscle, she said casually, "Come out. I know you're there. No use in hiding in the shadows."
The figure grinned as he stepped from the shadows.
"It's been a long time, Akane Tendo," he said. "Or is it the Scarlet Phoenix now." Shocked by what the stranger knew, Akane moved her eyes to look at him and the sight of the familiar person shocked her down to the core.
"Mousse!" she gasped out as she stood up.
The full sight of her person made the warrior hesitate a little. He didn't remember her like this. In fact, to be truthful, he hadn't remembered her much at all. During the time that he knew her, she had just been Ranma's fiancee. A girl that he could use to gain Ranma's attention and help him win Shampoo. He didn't remember those large brown eyes...or that blue hair that flickered in the light. He certainly didn't remember her being quite so beautiful. Wait! That wasn't right! He loved Shampoo...would always love Shampoo...but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a beautiful woman. He had never noticed anyone before Shampoo's death and he hadn't noticed anyone after...but...
"Hello, Akane," he said, trying to sound calm.
That jolted the shock out of Akane and reminded her of his earlier words.
Giving him a look that could kill...or freeze someone, she questioned, "What do you know?"
"Only that you are the Scarlet Phoenix and that we have a common enemy."
"Who?" the girl asked out, still suspicious of the other's motives. She didn't know the guy, for goodness sakes, and the time that she did, he hadn't done much to recommend himself. What with trying to kill Ranma and marry Shampoo and all.
"The Blue Dragon. I'm here to propose an alliance. One that will benefit the both of us. You give me access to your clan and I'll help you get rid of the Blue Dragon...for good."
"Why do I have to believe you? What have you got to offer me, Mousse? I already know how to fight," Akane said. A spark of something glimmered suddenly in Mousse's eyes.
"Ah yes, of course. However, I know some things that you don't, Scarlet Phoenix. Things that would help you win and end this thing once and for all."
"What things?" the girl asked.
A slow smile crept up Mousse's face as he said, "Things like the Blue Dragon's identity."
Akane's eyes suddenly flashed then and Mousse had to step back from the jolt it gave him. It was as though a giant fire had just blazed before his very eyes and he was helpless to control it.
"Really..." the Scarlet Phoenix said as she slowly approached Mousse until they were only inches apart.
"Who is the Blue Dragon?"
Seeing the glimmer of hope and expectation in her eyes, Mousse almost regretted his next words. Almost.
"The Blue Dragon is..."
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...and in the next moment...a few say...Mu Tsu killed the last remnants of Akane Tendo...
...and somewhere hidden deep within the shadows outside of the city, Tasukin grinned...
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Author's Notes: Eh...don't kill me?