Chapter 3 "The Truth"
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"I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies." -- Pietro Aretino
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Nabiki surveyed the situation with detached interest. Ryoga meant a chance to earn money. Usually Ranma and Ryoga would fight very close battles, with Ranma coming out just a whisker ahead, though consistently so, making betting on Ranma a gold mine. It's really a shame there's no one her to bet with; it is really too bad this little battle didn't take place at school...it would have been a good chance to make a little money...
As she observed the meeting, her opinion changed. That's very strange. They aren't fighting. Why is Ranma leaving now? Nabiki continued to try to analyze the situation without much luck. This is most curious. Something is up, Ryoga is certainly out of his norm. He should have attacked Ranma, turned into a pig, or run crying into the distance by now. He's always done one of the three in the past. Why the change now, and more importantly, how can I use this to my advantage?
Nabiki watched Ranma lead Akane to where Ryoga was. Then slowly the trio moved out of sight. Deftly, Nabiki flipped on her headphones and tried several bugs until she found one near where they were. Information and preplanning win the day again, she thought and couldn't suppress a faint smirk.
"What are you listening to Nabiki?" her father Soun asked, looking up from his game.
"Oh, nothing, just a new CD, I hope it's very interesting." Nabiki said, her face going as cold as stone. It should be very interesting indeed.
*
*
In only a few moments all those memories that had brought him to the Tendo doorstep passed before Ryoga's weary eyes. A lifetime in an instant had gone by for him. Ranma had returned, Akane following him. As they returned Ryoga saw Akane say something and Ranma only shrugged in response. Then she said something quickly and shot a glare at him. Ranma only shrugged again in response. The trio moved to a spot well out of eyesight of the house. Ryoga then focused on seeing Ranma first and then to Akane. He had known them almost two years but for the first time he truly saw them. So much time wasted, but it is not in vain, not if I can fix things.
Ranma stood before him with his raven black hair, short save for his pigtail. Ryoga's dead eyes were met Ranma's blue eyes, like a swamp and an ocean colliding. He wore his ageless red Chinese shirt and black slacks. This almost unassuming young man was the person Ryoga had spent so much of his life trying to defeat. Ironically Ryoga noted he was in Ranma's shadow as he approached. Ryoga had hated or told himself that he hated Ranma so many times. For his egotism, for his ability, for the fact he had and insulted everything Ryoga needed to be happy...
Akane followed right behind Ranma. Her short dark hair framed her pretty face like a halo. Her brown eyes showed sympathy in them...probably for me Ryoga realized. She really is my guardian angel...but doesn't know I am alive. That doesn't matter though, all that matters is the answer they will give me...a final one.
Ryoga took a deep breath and turned to Ranma not wasting time for pleasantries like greetings, "I have something very important...to tell you both. Ranma, right before you started learning the Hiryuu Shoten Ha, I helped protect you from those that would try to kill you in your weakened condition. I've never asked for any repayment for my help, until now. I feel you owe me a favor."
Ryoga watched Ranma closely. At first he displayed sincere interest, but at the mention of a favor, Ranma's entire demeanor changed to a very uneasy one. Ryoga risked a glance at Akane and she too seemed nervous—much more so than before he had spoken. It's as if the two of them are having a conversation...one without words...maybe on a higher level. Their emotions seem to mirror each other. But why? Why are they both so...
"What exactly do you mean?" Ranma replied with frustration seeping into his voice.
Ryoga paused for a moment considering their actions and words closely. His words seem like a cornered dog growling. Of course?! He thinks I am going to ask for him to step down about Aka...
"All I want from you is very simple." Ryoga continued, watching Ranma tense with every word, confirming his suspicions. "I want you to listen to what I have to say. Just hear me out and not leave until I am through. Got it? Simple enough for you?"
"I can handle that, I guess." Ranma replied his fears being reduced, but not outright eliminated.
"Akane..." he said his voice nearly faltering. Ryoga closed his eyes tightly and managed to say, "I ask the same of you. Just hear me out for better or worse. Whatever I tell you, promise me you won't leave this spot until I am finished."
"You have my word, Ryoga." Akane said, with a trace of concern and quite a bit of confusion in her voice.
"Ok, Ranma, what is your true goal?" Ryoga said more harshly than he intended his eyes coming wide open to face the pig-tailed boy. No thinking just focus, it's a battle...I need to control this.
"What on earth do you mean?" Ranma replied, with raising his hands in the air in frustration.
"What do you want more than anything else in life?" Ryoga asked.
"I don't know..."
"Is it to carry on your school of martial arts? To simply practice the art? To be rid of your curse," Ryoga demanded, and with a faint grin on his face that he couldn't suppress, he added, "Or is it something else." The real answer; the only answer.
"What are you talking about?" Ranma said exasperated.
"Well, let's go through them, one by one shall we? If your goal is only to carry on the school, then why not marry Akane and be done with it?" Ryoga asked, with a slight bit of conceit on his face, still showing from before.
"What?!" both Ranma and Akane nearly yelled at once. Ryoga noted that after the initial shock both Ranma and Akane had blushed profusely after his question. It is too ironic the best answers come in silence.
"Ryoga you are making less sense than usual. That's pops idea, not mine. Who would want to marry an un..." Ranma started, but stopped dead in his tracks after glancing at Akane, hyper space mallet summoned in her hand.
"Ranma you dummy! I wouldn't want to marry a pervert anyway." Akane exclaimed. She turned to Ryoga, "Why am I here at all?" Akane asked with frustration filling her voice, though she managed to restrain herself from actually using her mallet.
"Then Ranma, you'd agree, your primary goal is not to carry on the school."
"Yes, you blockhead."
"Then the art perhaps?"
"I've studied the art my entire life...."
"But is that what matters most to you? If it is why not go out and find the martial artist that gave me the Mark of the Gods? Then you'd be invincible." Ryoga said smugly. It is also ironic I have you right where I want you, after the war's over...my life is one sad joke to the world, he darkly mused.
"Well that's not me just the mark..."
"Then it's not you're truest goal then correct? After all your school is anything goes..." Ryoga said almost mocking Ranma. I take no joy in doing this Ranma, I wish I could explain that to you. But it must be done in this manner, or you'd both think I was crazy. Well even crazier than you do now.
"What if he wouldn't give me the mark..." Ranma began...
"Have you even tried, Ranma..." not waiting for an answer Ryoga continued waving a his hand in a gesture of dismissal, "No, I think not. Thus it is not your primary goal either."
"Ryoga, what is the point of this?" Akane asked angrily.
"All I ask is for you two to hear me through. After that I won't bother you anymore." Ryoga replied curtly. Maybe the war's not over yet, in fact I am sure of it. It only gets more bloodily from here. He silently prayed, Forgive me..
Ryoga took a deep breath and said at length, "Then where were we...ah, yes you're curse."
The lost boy reached into his backpack and pulled out a simple canteen. He uncorked it and displayed to his friends. I guess I hope they are my friends at least...not after today though. Funny how for by the time I learn I have friends, I am about to lose them. But if I set things right, I am willing to sacrifice everything.
"This is Nanniichuan water." Ryoga said simply, lying through his teeth. He watched a sense of wonder enter Ranma's eyes. Ryoga sadly noted the light in Ranma's eyes was reflected in Akane's as well. She's just told me more than all her protests ever could...another answer in silence.
"Is that for me..." Ranma began his voice barely above a whisper.
"Sure, I'll let you have it...but only if you'll let me hit Akane with it too." Ryoga stated with cold rage. He then twisted the canteen to spray the water at his sitting friends. As fast as Ryoga could try to hit the unsuspecting couple with the water, Ranma was faster, moving himself and Akane unceremoniously well out of the range of Ryoga's stream of water and into the dirt.
"What did you do that for?!!" Ranma demanded.
"Have you gone insane?" Akane shouted.
"I am more sane than I've ever been before. That water was absolutely normal water. Sorry for the deception, but I needed to be sure." Just like when he destroyed the spring on Togenkyo Island. Actions do speak louder than words. All your protests were nothing more than a mask. And now, my rival, you are unmasked.
"What are you doing, Ryoga? Sure of what?" Ranma nearly shouted, at his wit's end.
"Thank you Ranma," Ryoga said simply. He muttered almost to himself, "I know your primary goal now...in fact the only goal that matters to you at all, most likely."
"Oh, I give up..." Ranma said, moving to leave.
"Ranma, you're word." Ryoga stated coldly, "after today I won't be welcome here anymore anyway. I doubt you'll ever see me again, but let me say my peace."
A dangerous flash of insight blazed brightly in Ranma's eyes and in an instant he was within a few inches of Ryoga, his hands planted firmly on Ryoga's shoulders, shaking the lost boy. "You aren't are you? Not to her about it..." he stuttered.
"Yes, in good time, but there's something I need to tell you both first." Ryoga said, trying as much as he could to detach all emotion from his voice. He stepped aside of Ranma's grasp and announced, "Happousai won't bother you for quite awhile, maybe never again."
"Did something happen to Grandfather Happousai? He has been gone for quite some time..." Akane asked, a slight bit of concern showing on her face even for him.
"What happened to the old freak?" Ranma said insolently.
"I was wandering in the mountains and ran into Cologne...." Ryoga started.
"What was the old ghoul doing there?" Ranma interrupted.
"I don't know honestly, but she and I had a talk, and I fled from what she said. I ran into Happousai, near the cave where you're fathers sealed him in...I don't know why he was there. We fought..." Ryoga said, a strange bleakness showing in his eyes.
"And?" Ranma questioned.
"He thoroughly beat me at every turn. Not even my Ki blasts could truly hurt him..." Ryoga stuttered, turning away from Ranma and Akane. His eyes stared out at the horizon, not fixing on any one point.
"I don't understand..." Akane began.
"He knocked me down and didn't think I'd manage to recover...I almost didn't. But I so how found a reserve of strength and I sought every breaking point I could. I started a cave in. He's trapped in there now."
"Alright!" Ranma exclaimed.
"Poor Happousai..." Akane muttered.
"But it will take more than that to kill him or keep him down. The old freak is nearly invincible." Ranma said, reconsidering the events.
"Cologne used some sort of wards to keep him in place. Like you're father's used but much better because she isn't incompetent." Ryoga explained his voice completely empty of emotion.
"Yeah, pop, is pretty stupid at times...The old ghoul could do that I bet..." Ranma started, then he added, "So you really think Happousai is trapped now?"
"If Cologne is right. I just thought you should know that."
"That's the best news I've heard in ages." Ranma said smiling, his voice ringing with confidence. "No more freak causing trouble for me."
"All you can think of is yourself, Ranma...honestly can't you even imagine what it's like in there again for him?" Akane complained.
"That shows what you know, you uncute tomboy."
"You pervert."
Ranma started to continue the fight, but Ryoga spoke too quickly and interrupted him.
"He had it coming. Regardless, I have just one more thing to say before I leave for good." Ryoga stated, mustering as much courage as he could. There was a slight pause as he felt himself hesitate. This is it Ryoga, are you a man or a pig? This is the hardest battle of the longest war of my life. The turning or the breaking point. This is the point of no return, where I purge my honor or lose it. This is it...
"Ryoga, please go on?" Akane said, noticing his pause.
"Akane...I need to beg for your forgiveness...though I am unworthy to even dream of it." Ryoga pleaded, doing everything in his power to choke the tears about to form in his eyes.
"I don't understand..." she started, her voice lined with sympathy and confusion.
"Ryoga, I won't let you tell her..." Ranma shouted angrily, the faint glow of a red battle aura surrounding him. He made a step forward and moved to strike Ryoga. To Ranma's surprise, Ryoga's body fell limp, making no move to defend himself, and he collapsed to his knees before Akane. At the last moment, Ranma used his incredible speed to withdraw the threatened strike.
"Akane...I have a curse...like Ranma...I am...Pchan." Ryoga stuttered, mustering ever bit of courage he had ever possessed. Ryoga felt like everything he had ever eaten was trying to crawl its way out of his stomach step by gut wrenching step.
"Oh, Ryoga...how could you...why did you..." Akane said, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. Tears had begun to form unheralded in her eyes.
He started talking as quickly as he could so she wouldn't have a chance to interrupt him, "I know...you'll never forgive me...but I had to tell you...I've been so afraid...so long...I know you hate me...I betrayed your trust...I'd do anything to make it up to you...but I know I can't...I am so sorry...farewell."
Ryoga made no move to leave. If she physically hit me, that would be the easy way out. He remembered how his fight with Ranma had inadvertently sliced her hair, so long ago. To be let off that easy would be a crime. I'll stay and take something much worse from her. Her words. They'll haunt me until the day I drop dead, but I need to hear them. Perhaps they'll even torment me longer than life itself. I'll never cleanse myself of the taint of my actions, of the betrayal of her trust, but if I am to have any form of redemption I must purge myself in the one way that I can.
Akane's eyes got very distant despite the tears rushing out of them and she quietly and unexpectedly muttered, "Ranma knew didn't he? That's why he tried to stop you from telling me."
Ranma muttered incoherently, not even attempting to say anything to explain. Of all the things...why did she say that? Hit me, Akane! Why did she ask that question!? It doesn't make sense...unless my understanding is flawed.
"But he didn't stop you...so Ranma can't lo..." she said, her voice quavering so much she was unable to go on as she buried her face in her hands.
At one time in his life, Ryoga wouldn't have seen the significance of what she had just uttered because he would have been consumed by rage at seeing her in tears. Now he saw the significance with surprising clarity. "Can't love me". It's all so obvious now. She is insecure about Ranma. Ryoga thought back to the day of the Christmas party when Ranma had refused to eat Akane's cooking. Her words haunted him, she only wanted to make him happy. She's too shy...too insecure to express her affection in words... He thought back to just a few moments ago when he had mentioned the lie of the Nanniichuan water and the look in her eyes. Ryoga remembered what had caused him to flee the Christmas party, the smile that could bring back the dead--brought into existence by Ranma, his rival. And he knew what it meant, he knew her one true goal at least...or maybe he only saw it unfettered by his own perspective for the first time
Their words at the party... the ones I eavesdropped on. They were so close to the truth...but we stopped them. Damn you Shampoo, Damn you Ukyo, Damn the entire house of Kuno. Damn my black soul the most of all! We call ourselves in love, but it's all greed. True love ennobles not debases, and oh how we have debased... The truth is a bitter pill...but it is not too late. Not unless I let it. Ryoga mustered the shattered remains of his courage with this new resolve.
"First, I made Ranma promise not to reveal my curse. He had some part in the folly that lead to it and as much as we fight, Ranma keeps his word." Ryoga said trying to recreate the portrait of Ranma that Akane had. He remembered her words, so clearly now, like a dream real and unreal, "Oh, it's Ranma's fault. It's always his fault." Not this time, I'll set this right. Catching himself, he wandered Folly? Where did I come up with that word from! I've been reading too many books.
"Then he could..." Akane whispered before catching herself.
"It all is so simple now...I understand." Ryoga said more calmly than he looked. Both a musing Akane and confused Ranma saw him anew for the first time.
Ryoga started talking slowly and almost whispering, but as he spoke he sped up and his voice growing louder with every word. "For so long, I've believed the subterfuge. It's all smoke and mirrors, more an illusion than anything else. No, it is not an illusion but a mode of operation. When either of you insults the other, you get attention from the other one for doing so...and that attention in turn engenders more insults and more attention...a cycle but why would you want the other's attention? Truly a riddle for the ages isn't it?." Engenders? Where did that come fro...No, just focus on the words, Ryoga.
"It's not like that..." Ranma started, though his voice lacked the sincerity of true protest.
"Isn't it? It has let Ukyo and Shampoo both kindle a hopeless spark and at the same time her jealousy shows to you how much Akane loves you." Akane blushed profusely at this, but Ryoga continued undaunted, unwavering for once in his life. "Why else would you let it continue? If she truly didn't care, then why would she become jealous at all? Or why would you become jealous of...my weakness." Ryoga stated in almost ordinary tones, which made his entire disparage all the more unnerving.
Ryoga waited an instant for a conditioned reflex from either Ranma or Akane, one of denial, but none came. Maybe it was the shock of Ryoga's words or maybe even the ring of truth in his voice, but neither Ranma nor Akane managed to say anything. Rollercoaster of a day indeed.
"It's been show to me over and over again. There's no doubt left to cling to in my mind now, you two love each other." Ryoga watched, as both his friends stood before him stunned, cheeks beginning to burn with a blush again.
"I don't..." Ranma stuttered.
"Don't love me, Ranma?" Akane asked quietly, the soul of her entire being focused on his eyes. She was like a lit candle in the face of a storm, a single breath from Ranma would put out her light forever.
"It's not that I don't...it's just..oh I am no good with...this type of thing..." he said, continuing to stutter, unable to deny those crystalline eyes.
"Then you do?" she said, her eyes glimmering with hope, but every other part of her being frozen..
"I-I...d-do...I do." Ranma admitted weakly at length, unable to deny those shimmering eyes of the truth. Even if he didn't say those last two words, Ryoga thought his fate is sealed.
"I love you too." Akane said, throwing her arms around him and embracing him in a hug, a flood of emotions released in an instant.
At one time in his life, Ryoga would have either felt a murderous rage or been in the depths of depression after witnessing this. Yet, he felt a new emotion, one he couldn't quite put his finger on. It felt good which was very foreign to him...but he wasn't upset with the change. He took a step to leave and give them privacy.
"You know, you two love birds might want to do this in a more private place," Nabiki taunted as she appeared before the trio, "before Ukyo, Shampoo, or either Kuno finds out..." Why can't people just butt out? The rage that had forged him in the past suddenly took hold again, but with new purpose, a new target.
"I'll deal with all of them," Ryoga growled grimly, raising is umbrella like a sword. "One way or another." He declared to the world. I won't allow anyone to undo this..I will not fail..a path of redemption has arisen before me.
"Glad to hear that...Ryoga. I have a plan, and it's already been paid for too." Nabiki informed the group as she pulled out some official looking papers. "And it might just work now too."
*
*
"And that is the first stage of my plan." Nabiki said with pride creeping in the corners of her voice.
Ryoga felt his weight shift uneasily. Nabiki was crafty for certain, but this was unexpected even for her. She's obviously been hatching this plot for quite some time. It is too complicated for anyone to have come up with on the spur of the moment. But why would she have spent so much time thinking up this elaborate plan? It might work but it's so devious.
"But for the time being, we need to get Ranma and my little sister out of Nerima." Nabiki continued.
"Why do we need to leave Nabiki?" Akane asked.
"Ranma has the worst poker face on the planet. He would never manage to keep this secret." Nabiki pointed out
"Hey, I won when it mattered didn't I?" Ranma challenged.
Ignoring him, Nabiki continued "Besides, I don't think you'd do much better Akane. You are really an open book when it comes to emotions. It also serves other purposes."
"What do you mean open book?" Akane asked slightly miffed. Nabiki only gave her a smug grin.
"What's the other purposes?" Ryoga questioned the light of a zealot burning in his eyes. We don't have time for a trip, we need resolution for the myriad of obstacles—I'll keep my word if it's the only thing I ever succeed in. He caught himself, "Myriad of obstacles? When did I get so poetic?
"The trip serves three other purposes besides the one I've mentioned actually." Nabiki replied, ignoring glares from both Ranma and Akane.
"First these papers need time to process." Nabiki said, holding tightly the forms that Ranma and Akane had signed. "I am not sure how much red tape I'll need to cut through, but I'll have it pushed through within a month for sure."
"A month!" Ranma exclaimed.
"You've obviously never dealt with the government before." Nabiki remarked again smirking. "Besides that's the least important of my reasons."
"Please continue." Ryoga stated impatiently.
"The second reason.." Nabiki said, point a finger at Akane, "is you."
"Me?" Akane said, incredulously.
"Akane..." Nabiki began, "How many times have you been kidnapped since Ranma came to the dojo. Mousse, Tarso, Toma, Kirin, ... need I go on? Or been in danger..."
"Well, it's hardly my fault that it happens..." Akane stammered. "If it is anyone's fault, it is Ranma's they are usually his enemies."
"Hey, that's not fair, it's not like I asked them to kidnap you or anything." Ranma challenged. "Besides, who would want to kidnap an uncute, tomboy like y..."
"You dummy! I can't believe you...after you admi..." Akane nearly shouted, yet there was a hint of hurt in her eyes, that Ryoga could see so visibly now.
Ryoga felt that murderous rage well up in him. He kept his fists clenched until they went white. Damn you Ranma. Can't you take the blame for anything in your life. Ryoga hesitated calming down considerably. I didn't take the blame for my curse...it was my own fault not yours. And I didn't take the blame for my actions. Who am I to judge you? A cold wave of depression overcame him. I've failed so many times...so many false hopes. No, this is where things change! He thought resolutely. This is where I achieve my one and only ambition in life. This is where I make my stand.
"If you'll allow me to continue...Focus on what is important" Nabiki stated coldly and firmly. "It happens, no one disputes that. The question of whose fault it is, does not matter. Only what we can do about it."
"Some extra training would help Akane improve her skills and help her to defend herself better." Ryoga concluded, catching Nabiki's line of thought.
"Exactly, and this will prove important especially considering how violent some of Ranma's "acquaintances" can be. I doubt Shampoo or Ukyo will take this well when they find out." Nabiki said.
"And the Kunos have always been less than stable."
"You'd have to a find a really good martial artist to train a klutz like her to stand up to one of them." Ranma said carelessly.
"What do you mean by that Ranma!" Akane said hotly. Ranma winced and quickly clamped his mouth shut before he could get himself into more trouble.
"So it would be quite a challenge wouldn't it, Ranma?" Nabiki asked with mock sweetness in her voice, moving close to Ranma.
"Well, yes.." Ranma stuttered turning away from Akane to retreat from Nabiki's renewed assault.
"Ranma," Akane growled, "don't ignore me."
"I don't think Ranma can handle it." Ryoga replied, catching unto Nabiki's plan. Make him defend his pride and exert control over him. She really is cunning.
"Of course I can. I am the best at anything martial artists." Ranma said defensively.
"I don't know Ranma, I mean we all know you are a great martial artist, but when have you ever taught anyone anything?" Ryoga said calmly, trying to suppress the grin on his face.
"Ryoga does have a point Ranma." Nabiki said, carrying Ryoga's momentum. "You may be an excellent student, but you have no practice with teaching. We don't know how good you really are, my final reason is if you plan on taking over the dojo someday, you need to learn to teach."
"Fine, I'll show you both. I'll train Akane." Ranma nearly shouted.
"You really mean that? You'll train me for real!" Akane said half amazed, awestruck that Ranma was going to take her seriously at last. She scanned his eyes for some nonverbal confirmation
"Well...umm.." Ranma began, at a loss for how to continue, beginning to realize what he had just committed himself to.
"Great, you two start packing." Nabiki deftly said ending Ranma's argument, dismissing the railroaded couple. An eager Akane had taken Ranma's hand, practically dragging him into the house to began their packing.
Ryoga paused and reflected for a moment. Nabiki is playing them both like a violin. Neither even realizes they've agreed to the first part of her plan because she has them focusing on details of the second. She's won even if she loses at this point.
"Nabiki," Ryoga started trailing off for a moment, "Why are you doing this?"
"Do I need a reason to help my little sister out?" Nabiki said with mock hurt showing on her face.
"Well..umm..no..." Ryoga said though not convincingly. "It just seems out of character for you...usually everything is about money in the end to you. Sometimes I think you'd sell your own soul for enough." Ryoga continued laughing weakly at the end, and placing his hand behind his head.
"You are more clever than I gave you credit for, Ryoga." She said venomously pointing a figure at him. "Of course I am getting paid for doing this." Nabiki nonchalantly continued.
"Who?!" Ryoga blurted out.
"Genma and Daddy worked out a deal with me some time ago. But I wanted to wait until I was sure."
"Sure of what?" Ryoga asked.
Nabiki's features darkened and she slowly moved closer to Ryoga invading his comfort zone. I won't let her intimidate me, Ryoga thought as he retreated from her advance. She can't hurt me, I am the martial artist, she is just a normal girl. In spite of himself, he mused, Or is she?
"I suppose I owe you an explanation, but only because of your actions today. Without you it wouldn't have worked...so neatly. You are not to mention this to anyone. Understood?" Nabiki said slowly, watching the effect of every word on Ryoga's face.
"Yes." Ryoga said, swallowing hard. What have I gotten myself into?
"I need to know if it's the truth that Ranma makes Akane happy." She said her voice as cold as death. "You are going to find that out for me." Her statement was so sharp, there was no element of a question in it. "Come along and get your things ready and don't wander off." She said as if instructing a young dog. After Ryoga had walked out of sight, to the front of the house, Nabiki said under her breath, "It will be a long journey, with a conclusion that remains to be written."