To Fly Away
By: Abby Kitty
Disclaimer: All characters of Ranma one half are Rumiko Takahashi's only.
Hay-o minna-san!!!! Welcome to the fourth chapter of TO FLY AWAY. I hope that you have enjoyed the story so far and I hope you will enjoy this next chapter!!!! So read on and have fun while you're at it!
On with the story!!!!!
Chapter 4
Escape from hate
After a day of few hardships and many welcomes the sun began to sink in an iridescent ruby glow. The calm autumn winds threatened to bring a fierce storm of rain and fire but few noticed the change in the foreboding weather as golden leaves fell softly to the ground in an autumn imitation of snow. The leaves were a stark contrast in color to the ebon castle they resided by. It was almost as if they were making a fashion statement in the form of nature, a statement, which, in this world, inspired artists, and retailers to match to season's changes. The human and Cantos people celebrated the time of harvest and wind with vast celebrations in the street and singing to whatever god they worshiped.
In the black castle however, celebrations ceased and a lone figure stood watching the events with passive silver-blue eyes. He couldn't be older then 18, but he was a well-built young man with a look of intelligence beyond his apparent age. Dark bangs covered much of his face and a long raven-black pigtail was tied to his lower back. He wore a black tunic with silver trim and his pants and boots were the same color. A ring of silver rested on his head and he held the hilt of his blue-silver sword uneasily. He wore no cape even if it was a symbol of his rank, and his eyes were haunted as if he had seen things that no one should ever see. They seemed to long for something that he couldn't reach, a goal that he may never be able to touch because of a loss of innocence long past.
"Ran-chan?" A female voice spoke uneasily and the young man turned.
A girl not much younger then him was standing in the black leather armor of an assassin. Her long brown hair was tied up in high ponytail and her silver eyes looked at him with worry. She was not to short, yet not very tall either. She was curvy and well built for a warrior of her rank. She wore a silver pin in the shape if a dagger with a dragon twirled around it signifying that she was a Callimarri assassin, giving her a frightening edge to her already dark look.
"Must you go?" She tried again.
"Uk-chan," Ranma sighed he knew that she'd never understand, "She's my fiancé, I have to go. It's my duty."
Ukyo looked indignantly into his face, "But she's CALLIMARRI! You can't marry the sworn enemy of your race!"
Ranma turned back to the window in silence, "She comes here every two years and you didn't use to mind that she was half Callimarri." A shot her reflection in the window a reprimanding look and Ukyo lapsed into silence remembering when the three of them had played in the garden in peace.
"But we haven't seen her in three years!" She began again, "She could have changed..."
"And that," Ranma again sighed, "Is why I'm going to the capital. It's not only a matter of honor, but a matter of seeing an old friend again as well."
Ukyo's eyes hardened and she bowed her head, "Ill tell you're mother." she said quietly, Ranma whirled around eyes narrowing, "You know I will. She'll find out what you're precious princess is! I'll tell her, you just watch!"
Ranma grabbed her arm in a blur and Ukyo looked at her best friend defiantly, "You wont." He whispered.
"And why won't I?" She asked angry.
"Because," Ranma leaned closer to her and whispered harshly, "I'd never forgive you if it were your fault for her death."
He let go of her arm abruptly and Ukyo stared at him in shock as he walked past her to his door, "I'll see you in a month.... Ukyo."
With that he walked out the door to begin his journey to the Capital, Rica.
*~^~*
Rica is a beautiful city of white marble walls and streets, vines and trees everywhere, lining every walkway and every wall. It was an ancient city of the Great War, and it still held the council of the High Order, a council that since after the Great War still held the alliance together. The golden domed castle held a statue of a great leader of every race in a circle holding hands and facing the city. Around the walls the statue symbols of each race lined the outward walls as if to ward of the evils of hate and deceit. Each symbol told of the spirit forms of all the races, The Callimarri were The ancient Phoenix, the Cantos; the brave and wise Dragon and Humans; The playful and most holy unicorn: the protector of the earth and all it's elements, and above all things peace. The flag held a unicorn in the middle, a dragon on the left side and a phoenix on the right. These too held symbols of there own, the unicorn; the symbol of the sunrise and sunset, (the beginning and the end), the dragon; the mystical night, and the phoenix; the symbol of the day and all of its truths. Each building held the flag waving in the wind to show their opinion of cooperation and peace.
Around Rica held the woods of the Enintall, the birthplace of the whole human race and the home of any creature who wishes refuge. The fairies, the ancients related distantly to humans, take care of the forest as if nurturing its children with song and deep enchantments. Taller then humans, they could be a race to be reckoned with for each races blood can be tied to theirs distantly. They are called the creators and they weep for all who are slain and all who have sad endings for they can see into the minds of their children, the three races of the world Rica. As they worked on this day excitement seemed to stir amongst all the fairy people and the very trees sang at their excitement and joy. All of the fairy people gathered to the sacred place of the mushroom, a ring of mushrooms that stood at least ten feet tall and flittered their butterfly and dragonfly wings to sit on top of each toadstool. In the middle of the clearing a rainbow colored glow began to form itself into the tallest, oldest and most beautiful Fairy of all. The Queen and mother of the Fairy race.
Her cloths were spun of yards and yards of spider silk and as she moved the sun would cast dancing shadows of color on the long robe-like gown and her hair seemed to be made of the almost transparent rainbow, swaying in a hidden wind all it's own. Her eyes held the very universe in them and they were soft and kind to all she looked at. She was sitting like a mermaid would and she looked at each individual seated around her before standing up and raising her hands in a welcoming gesture.
"Welcome my children, alahoray and camacoti to all who sit here." There was a call of greeting and good fortune before they quieted down again and their queen spoke once more, "At last it has come time to bind all children of distant sons and daughters to one another in peace and hopefully love."
A loud cheer was heard as the fairy folk started to dance and sing in complete and utter joy but the mother held up her hand for silence and all sound stopped in sudden fear, "Yes the plan of the elfin children was cleaver but there is till the doubt between the night and the day and there fore the dragon and the phoenix as well."
Silence engulfed the small clearing of mushrooms as though a wave of doom had swept over their hearts and the mothers eyes were sad, "You al know of what I speak." She paused and looked at the towering trees, addressing them, "Do you believe you are ready to defend and upkeep you're home without me and mine?"
The trees swayed in sorrow but soon sung a happy tune telling the mother that they would do their best. The mother closed her eyes and smiled, "we will not be long away, for on every fifth night we will return to help you with what we can. We have to help the elfin and their brothers for I since a dark shadow coming swiftly and silently like the owl to disrupt the last hope of joining." She looked around the rings of mushrooms and sighed, "It has been far to long since I have seen the strays of our kin, the elfin, the phion, and the drack, seated with their brothers and sisters on the ancient toadstools around me. It's time we bring them home."
Many were silent while others whispered afraid of leaving the protection of the forest. The mother sensed their fear and smiled reassuringly, "It will be alright my children, the demons of old had long since left Liricara, they cannot hurt us any longer. We will begin our journey to the elfin city of Rica and there we will meet with the alliance of our children to discuss the high stakes of what could happen if the Elf plan fails. We will help unite our children at last."
Cheers rose from the fairy folk again in dance and song and the mothers eyes were filled with worry as she watched a small black dragon take flight to find the blue phoenix to tell him of the Mothers news.
"May the stars guide you young drack and may your wind hold you true to your course, camacoti, my child, camacoti." She whispered to its fading form.
*~^~*
Ranma stood outside the gates of the Capitol in awe looking at the statues of each race as though it were the first thing he'd ever laid eyes on. He shook his head at his inability to keep his eyes to himself and urged his eager black stallion through the gate. Upon entering he was bombarded with welcoming cheers form each race that resided inside the walls of the white city and looked around him in amazement and excitement. Here was the legendary city of Rica, it was proof of the alliance of the High Order and Ranma could see the effects of the alliance in the people around him. There were humans, Callimarri and Cantos people congregating together as though they were old friends. It was an amazing sight to a young man who had watched his country war with itself because of race or religion. It was almost enough to bring Ranma to tears, ALMOST. He looked at the excited and hopeful faces of the people around him as they pointed at him whispering to each other excitedly and wondered if they knew something he didn't.
"Ah, Ranma my boy.." Ranma looked up to see a smiling King Soun ride up to him on the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on, a golden unicorn, "We have been expecting you, but alas, my daughter had fled to her refuge, Burning Lake." He grinned at Ranma, "After we get you settled in we will have to show you the way there."
Ranma smiled at the king of Rica, "Thank you but, if you don't mind me asking," Ranma paused.
"Go on." Soun urged.
"Um, how did you get all of these races to interact peacefully or should I say um." He couldn't seem to describe the awesome emotions of awe that resided in his heart.
Soun sensed his emotions and laughed, "It's a bit different then Terra is it not?" Ranma looked at his horse and Soun went on, "All I did was encourage the rules and laws that have ruled here for centuries, my wife was the one who in by marrying me, made others believe that we all have a part of each race inside of us and they decided that we should not fight our own kind because of deceit and lies. What would be the point in that? It helped that the Callimarri people whom resided in these mountains helped encourage peace. All I did was keep faith in the power of the ancients and prayed to them for strength."
Ranma listened with interest as they entered the palace gates and couldn't help the gasp in awe at the beautiful castle causing Soun to chuckle, "Welcome to Rica young prince, welcome to the Capitol."
Well, that's it for this chapter!!!! Hope you enjoyed it! And for Ukyo fans, no she's not evil, just worried that she's going to lose the man she thinks she loves. I know the end seemed a bit rushed but you wouldn't believe how tired I am. Please review!!!!!
-Ja Ne!
-Abby Kitty
By: Abby Kitty
Disclaimer: All characters of Ranma one half are Rumiko Takahashi's only.
Hay-o minna-san!!!! Welcome to the fourth chapter of TO FLY AWAY. I hope that you have enjoyed the story so far and I hope you will enjoy this next chapter!!!! So read on and have fun while you're at it!
On with the story!!!!!
Chapter 4
Escape from hate
After a day of few hardships and many welcomes the sun began to sink in an iridescent ruby glow. The calm autumn winds threatened to bring a fierce storm of rain and fire but few noticed the change in the foreboding weather as golden leaves fell softly to the ground in an autumn imitation of snow. The leaves were a stark contrast in color to the ebon castle they resided by. It was almost as if they were making a fashion statement in the form of nature, a statement, which, in this world, inspired artists, and retailers to match to season's changes. The human and Cantos people celebrated the time of harvest and wind with vast celebrations in the street and singing to whatever god they worshiped.
In the black castle however, celebrations ceased and a lone figure stood watching the events with passive silver-blue eyes. He couldn't be older then 18, but he was a well-built young man with a look of intelligence beyond his apparent age. Dark bangs covered much of his face and a long raven-black pigtail was tied to his lower back. He wore a black tunic with silver trim and his pants and boots were the same color. A ring of silver rested on his head and he held the hilt of his blue-silver sword uneasily. He wore no cape even if it was a symbol of his rank, and his eyes were haunted as if he had seen things that no one should ever see. They seemed to long for something that he couldn't reach, a goal that he may never be able to touch because of a loss of innocence long past.
"Ran-chan?" A female voice spoke uneasily and the young man turned.
A girl not much younger then him was standing in the black leather armor of an assassin. Her long brown hair was tied up in high ponytail and her silver eyes looked at him with worry. She was not to short, yet not very tall either. She was curvy and well built for a warrior of her rank. She wore a silver pin in the shape if a dagger with a dragon twirled around it signifying that she was a Callimarri assassin, giving her a frightening edge to her already dark look.
"Must you go?" She tried again.
"Uk-chan," Ranma sighed he knew that she'd never understand, "She's my fiancé, I have to go. It's my duty."
Ukyo looked indignantly into his face, "But she's CALLIMARRI! You can't marry the sworn enemy of your race!"
Ranma turned back to the window in silence, "She comes here every two years and you didn't use to mind that she was half Callimarri." A shot her reflection in the window a reprimanding look and Ukyo lapsed into silence remembering when the three of them had played in the garden in peace.
"But we haven't seen her in three years!" She began again, "She could have changed..."
"And that," Ranma again sighed, "Is why I'm going to the capital. It's not only a matter of honor, but a matter of seeing an old friend again as well."
Ukyo's eyes hardened and she bowed her head, "Ill tell you're mother." she said quietly, Ranma whirled around eyes narrowing, "You know I will. She'll find out what you're precious princess is! I'll tell her, you just watch!"
Ranma grabbed her arm in a blur and Ukyo looked at her best friend defiantly, "You wont." He whispered.
"And why won't I?" She asked angry.
"Because," Ranma leaned closer to her and whispered harshly, "I'd never forgive you if it were your fault for her death."
He let go of her arm abruptly and Ukyo stared at him in shock as he walked past her to his door, "I'll see you in a month.... Ukyo."
With that he walked out the door to begin his journey to the Capital, Rica.
*~^~*
Rica is a beautiful city of white marble walls and streets, vines and trees everywhere, lining every walkway and every wall. It was an ancient city of the Great War, and it still held the council of the High Order, a council that since after the Great War still held the alliance together. The golden domed castle held a statue of a great leader of every race in a circle holding hands and facing the city. Around the walls the statue symbols of each race lined the outward walls as if to ward of the evils of hate and deceit. Each symbol told of the spirit forms of all the races, The Callimarri were The ancient Phoenix, the Cantos; the brave and wise Dragon and Humans; The playful and most holy unicorn: the protector of the earth and all it's elements, and above all things peace. The flag held a unicorn in the middle, a dragon on the left side and a phoenix on the right. These too held symbols of there own, the unicorn; the symbol of the sunrise and sunset, (the beginning and the end), the dragon; the mystical night, and the phoenix; the symbol of the day and all of its truths. Each building held the flag waving in the wind to show their opinion of cooperation and peace.
Around Rica held the woods of the Enintall, the birthplace of the whole human race and the home of any creature who wishes refuge. The fairies, the ancients related distantly to humans, take care of the forest as if nurturing its children with song and deep enchantments. Taller then humans, they could be a race to be reckoned with for each races blood can be tied to theirs distantly. They are called the creators and they weep for all who are slain and all who have sad endings for they can see into the minds of their children, the three races of the world Rica. As they worked on this day excitement seemed to stir amongst all the fairy people and the very trees sang at their excitement and joy. All of the fairy people gathered to the sacred place of the mushroom, a ring of mushrooms that stood at least ten feet tall and flittered their butterfly and dragonfly wings to sit on top of each toadstool. In the middle of the clearing a rainbow colored glow began to form itself into the tallest, oldest and most beautiful Fairy of all. The Queen and mother of the Fairy race.
Her cloths were spun of yards and yards of spider silk and as she moved the sun would cast dancing shadows of color on the long robe-like gown and her hair seemed to be made of the almost transparent rainbow, swaying in a hidden wind all it's own. Her eyes held the very universe in them and they were soft and kind to all she looked at. She was sitting like a mermaid would and she looked at each individual seated around her before standing up and raising her hands in a welcoming gesture.
"Welcome my children, alahoray and camacoti to all who sit here." There was a call of greeting and good fortune before they quieted down again and their queen spoke once more, "At last it has come time to bind all children of distant sons and daughters to one another in peace and hopefully love."
A loud cheer was heard as the fairy folk started to dance and sing in complete and utter joy but the mother held up her hand for silence and all sound stopped in sudden fear, "Yes the plan of the elfin children was cleaver but there is till the doubt between the night and the day and there fore the dragon and the phoenix as well."
Silence engulfed the small clearing of mushrooms as though a wave of doom had swept over their hearts and the mothers eyes were sad, "You al know of what I speak." She paused and looked at the towering trees, addressing them, "Do you believe you are ready to defend and upkeep you're home without me and mine?"
The trees swayed in sorrow but soon sung a happy tune telling the mother that they would do their best. The mother closed her eyes and smiled, "we will not be long away, for on every fifth night we will return to help you with what we can. We have to help the elfin and their brothers for I since a dark shadow coming swiftly and silently like the owl to disrupt the last hope of joining." She looked around the rings of mushrooms and sighed, "It has been far to long since I have seen the strays of our kin, the elfin, the phion, and the drack, seated with their brothers and sisters on the ancient toadstools around me. It's time we bring them home."
Many were silent while others whispered afraid of leaving the protection of the forest. The mother sensed their fear and smiled reassuringly, "It will be alright my children, the demons of old had long since left Liricara, they cannot hurt us any longer. We will begin our journey to the elfin city of Rica and there we will meet with the alliance of our children to discuss the high stakes of what could happen if the Elf plan fails. We will help unite our children at last."
Cheers rose from the fairy folk again in dance and song and the mothers eyes were filled with worry as she watched a small black dragon take flight to find the blue phoenix to tell him of the Mothers news.
"May the stars guide you young drack and may your wind hold you true to your course, camacoti, my child, camacoti." She whispered to its fading form.
*~^~*
Ranma stood outside the gates of the Capitol in awe looking at the statues of each race as though it were the first thing he'd ever laid eyes on. He shook his head at his inability to keep his eyes to himself and urged his eager black stallion through the gate. Upon entering he was bombarded with welcoming cheers form each race that resided inside the walls of the white city and looked around him in amazement and excitement. Here was the legendary city of Rica, it was proof of the alliance of the High Order and Ranma could see the effects of the alliance in the people around him. There were humans, Callimarri and Cantos people congregating together as though they were old friends. It was an amazing sight to a young man who had watched his country war with itself because of race or religion. It was almost enough to bring Ranma to tears, ALMOST. He looked at the excited and hopeful faces of the people around him as they pointed at him whispering to each other excitedly and wondered if they knew something he didn't.
"Ah, Ranma my boy.." Ranma looked up to see a smiling King Soun ride up to him on the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on, a golden unicorn, "We have been expecting you, but alas, my daughter had fled to her refuge, Burning Lake." He grinned at Ranma, "After we get you settled in we will have to show you the way there."
Ranma smiled at the king of Rica, "Thank you but, if you don't mind me asking," Ranma paused.
"Go on." Soun urged.
"Um, how did you get all of these races to interact peacefully or should I say um." He couldn't seem to describe the awesome emotions of awe that resided in his heart.
Soun sensed his emotions and laughed, "It's a bit different then Terra is it not?" Ranma looked at his horse and Soun went on, "All I did was encourage the rules and laws that have ruled here for centuries, my wife was the one who in by marrying me, made others believe that we all have a part of each race inside of us and they decided that we should not fight our own kind because of deceit and lies. What would be the point in that? It helped that the Callimarri people whom resided in these mountains helped encourage peace. All I did was keep faith in the power of the ancients and prayed to them for strength."
Ranma listened with interest as they entered the palace gates and couldn't help the gasp in awe at the beautiful castle causing Soun to chuckle, "Welcome to Rica young prince, welcome to the Capitol."
Well, that's it for this chapter!!!! Hope you enjoyed it! And for Ukyo fans, no she's not evil, just worried that she's going to lose the man she thinks she loves. I know the end seemed a bit rushed but you wouldn't believe how tired I am. Please review!!!!!
-Ja Ne!
-Abby Kitty