Disclaimer: These characters belong to the incomparable Takahashi and her powerful lawyers. I will try to do them justice.
Firstly, I'd like to apologize for the Fic 'Sacrifices'. It was my first attempt to load something on FF.net and I apparently blew it and lost over half of the first chapter. Please check out the renamed storey 'Broken Souls' (my prereader hated the first title, plus I can reasonably deny that I wrote it this way =). I will repost the reviews for 'Sacrifices' onto this storey as soon as I am able to.
And with that said, lets get on with the storey!
The Beginning
Day One
Akane glanced over at Ranma, who was, uncharacteristically, beside her on the way to school, instead of up on the wall, like he usually was. Was this a show of support? She knew he loved her. She heard him, dammit! So what if he hadn't said it! Or was this the over bearing, egotistical side of Ranma that she hated? The one that said she couldn't fight, couldn't cook, was a Tomboy? That she couldn't take care of herself? She was a Martial Artist too, dammit! So what if she wasn't as good as the rest of the others! If Ranma would just take her seriously and help her train instead of just dodging all the time, maybe show her something, she would get better! She knew she would!
She quickly looked away from Ranma, so he wouldn't catch her. If the others hadn't ruined the wedding yesterday, they would be going to school as man and wife. She liked that idea.
And so we get a glimpse into the mind of Akane Tendo.
As the two teens rounded the corner to the school, the sight before them was one that hadn't been seen at Furinkan since a few days after Ranma had shown up. The Hentai Horde, gathered in its full glory, with its leader, the Grand High Idiot, Kuno Tatewaki in front.
"And, having defeated that foul Sorcerer Saotome, I, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, do state that if you wish to date Tendo Akane, you must first defeat her in combat! I will allow no other terms!", Kuno howled to gathered boys.
Ranma, having by this time hoped onto the wall by the front gate, watched in silence, fixing each and every member of the Hordes gaze with his own. It was no surprise that they vanished within moments of his arrival. Well, no surprise to anyone but Kuno the Clueless.
Gazing in bewilderment at the suddenly empty courtyard, wondering where his loyal retainers (in his delusional mind) had gone? Turning, his spotted Akane at the gate. Ah! Certainly she had come to thank him for saving her from that fiend Saotome's Dark Ritual yesterday! Surely, she would be able to show her love for him now!
"Oh, fiery Tendo Akane! Come to me, my love!", he cried, as he lunged for her. Eager to take her into his loving embrace.
Only to be stopped by a foot in his face, courtesy of Ranma.
"Yo, Kuno. Was' up?", he asked.
"Fool! How dare you mock this hallowed hall of learning with your presence! And after I defeated you yesterday! Well, I shall have to do so again, and this time, make sure you cannot hound Tendo Akane and the Pig-tailed Girl any longer! I challenge you!", Kuno responded.
Akane sighed, how long would it be before Kuno figured out that Ranma and the Pig-tailed girl where one and the same? And that neither of them loved him? Or that he couldn't beat Ranma in a fight if his life depended upon it?
In her class, Nabiki Tendo grinned. How long would it be before Kuno figured out that Ranma and the Pig-tailed girl where one and the same? And that neither of them loved him? Or that he couldn't beat Ranma in a fight if his life depended upon it? Hopefully not for a while, she made a lot of money off of his delusions, after all.
As the two warriors squared off, as they had many mornings, a few people noticed some differences. Like the fact that Kuno was wielding a real sword, instead of the usual bokken. That was bad enough.
Worse, was the look in Ranma's eyes.
Where Kuno was an idiot with a dangerous weapon, Ranma WAS a dangerous weapon. Usually, when he fought, Ranma had a certain sparkle in his eyes, a certain joy. The knowledge that he doing what he enjoyed, what he loved. That look wasn't present today.
Instead, when one looked into Ranma's eyes, one saw nothing. They were empty, devoid of joy. Devoid of compassion. Devoid of life.
Kuno saw this. But, being delusional, didn't really make anything of it. Nabiki saw this, too. Not being delusional, she did the smart thing. She ran to the phone to call for help. For Kuno, that is.
With a cry of "Have at you, Cur!" Kuno lunged at Ranma, his blade held high for a diagonal strike, to cleave his opponent in two. Ranma didn't move at all.
Behind him, Akane gasped as Kuno closed on her Fiance, seemingly eager to hurt or even kill him. And there was nothing she could do for him.
Across from her, Ukyo Kuonji watched as her Fiance, Ranma-honey fought that idiot Kuno again. What was Kuno thinking, going after HER Ranma with a real sword? If Kuno hurt him, well, he'd have to deal with her!
The rest of the students in the court yard watched what they expected to be an average beating of Kuno by Ranma. The same as they had seen for almost a year before this, and expected to see for at least another year. It was a spectacle as common as the sunrise. The spectacle they where actually witness to was the begging of an end. After today, one of these warriors would not be getting back up to fight again.