Slumber
by Amaterasu
Part Four: The Promise of Respite
Akane stared at the form, torn between fear and fascination. The deity was tall, around seven feet or so. Long, gleaming silver hair that hung up to the waist. Slitted tawny eyes, much like a fox. Akane took in the lily-white skin, the even whiter garment that he wore loosely. His legs were long and feet were encased in white slippers. Furry ears jutted from the silver mane and five tails ran down from his back. His face was neither grim nor cheerful yet it held a very palpable shrewd intelligence that shone through his eyes.
He stopped a few feet from her, neither moving nor speaking. He just looked at her with those eyes that seem to see right through. The deity seemed content to just stand there and watch her squirm.
" You seem troubled, Tendo Akane. Does this mean that you want to wake after all?" The voice, low and even, was soothing and threatening all at once. One silver brow lifted and a mocking look was in place.
Blue eyes were wary as her feet took a cautious step backward. " Well, not really. You just took me by surprise, that's all."
" Is that so? " Was the reply. Inari took a few steps closer. " We'll does that mean you're ready to be mine then?"
" What do you mean yours?"
--
" No. " Cologne's voice rang loud and clear in the otherwise silent room. There was a stubborn set to her jaw, as well as mutinous look in her eyes. Happosai frowned at this, Shampoo just looked on with fear.
" I will not help you convince Ranma and Akane to wed. My grandson-in-law is for my granddaughter."
The short old man sighed, feeling as if the numerous years of his otherwise sordid life suddenly weighed upon him. " We're not asking you to do that. Whatever it was you did to Akane, undo it."
Pencil thin brows furrowed and a confused voice asked, " What do you mean undo? It's just a simple sleeping powder that we used on her. "
Soun Tendo shot the blue-haired girl a glance " Akane won't wake up. That's why we're here."
Cologne opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. Something about their grave faces and voices told her that something was very wrong. " Expect us by your house in no more than an hour." the three men bowed respectfully and scant moments later, were gone.
Blue eyes switched from looking at the door to the old woman by the stove. " What have we done, great grandma?"
A sigh. " I don't know child."
--
Ranma floated in and out of consciousness, torn between wanting to save Akane and sinking himself into sleep, just like she had. He was tired after all. Tired of pretending something he's not, tired of being chased, tired of being told what to do, tired of being forced who to love. At that last thought, he faltered as he conjured an image of Akane " What's with you? " he whispered softly, bitterly. " Are you going to give up on me like this?"
Out of the corner of his mind's eye, he saw a flash of familiar blue. Small and indistinct, one might disregard it entirely if he wasn't caught in a strange situation like Ranma. He tried to bring that image into sharp focus using all his mental strength. But all he confirmed was that it was a pair of blue eyes with a somewhat dull look.
He woke up with a start. Big blue eyes fringed by black lashes looked up the ceiling, wondering for a moment where he was. His blue gaze shifted to his right and saw his fiancée's still motionless body. It doesn't even look like she's breathing. He thought as his gaze roved over her sleeping form. Ranma looked at her for endless moments, envisioning a life without her. At the thought, an invisible fist seized his heart and slowly squeezed it, the pain real enough to prick his eyes with tears.
He recalled crying yesterday, after pleading and coaxing Akane to wake. The frustration that she won't wake up, the pain of the thought of losing her and the sadness of seeing the next few years without her. They humbled him as nothing ever had and he is starting to deeply regret his harsh words, his unwitting statements, and his callous treatment of her. Why is it that regrets always come at the end? He laughed shortly. Now they won't be regrets if they weren't realized at the end, were they?
He rose at the din of voices coming from downstairs. Slowly, painfully he lifted himself up, his blue gaze never leaving the still form on the futon beside his. He took one last, long look then pivoted sharply and pulled the door open. Ranma took the steps, two at a time, curious as to why there was an unholy commotion. Stopping at the foot of the stairs, he encountered the very last people that he wanted to meet.
A clipped " Get out. " was delivered in a cold, freezing voice that was so unlike the martial artist. Fury started to rise in him swiftly, burning hotter by the second. The longer Shampoo and her great grandmother stared at him, the more he wanted to lash out, to violently toss them out of the house. His battle aura flared wildly around him, giving off incomparable heat. He took a step towards them, having every intention of kicking them out.
The younger Amazon took a step back, fear evident in her face. She noticed that while her grandmother hadn't moved, her gnarled hands were white from gripping her stick too hard. She looked back at the angry, seething young man in front of her. She'd never seen him like this. Fierce and intense, fury was blazing out from his blue eyes. She could read from every rigid line in his body that he was deep into controlling himself from doing bodily harm. Fear coursed through her body as well as a flash of excitement. His rage was palpable as the bite of the winter wind and the more she stared at him, the more he excited her. But all that was wrapped firmly in a fearful gaze she wore, which was none less real.
" I said, get out. Haven't you done enough? " He asked in a cold, unemotional voice. There was no warmth in there, even a hint of heat stemming from anger.
Soun knew he needed to step in. " We brought them here, Ranma-kun. They are the only ones who could help Akane."
"Help her?" The all-too quiet tone was as deafening as a scream. " They did this to her."
For the first time since they stepped foot in there, Cologne finally found her voice. " No, we did not mean for that to happen." Blazing hot blue eyes turned at her. " All we meant for her was to fall asleep and wake up after the ceremony is over."
Ranma let out a shot, humorless laugh. " So, you're innocent in this huh? I'm sorry if I don't buy it." He turned to his father and Soun "Don't you dare let them near Akane. Or there'll be hell to pay." He turned and started up the stairs once more.
" Ranma! " He stopped, but did not turn. " Me and great grandmother are really here to help. Whether you believe it or not, Akane-san has become a friend to me too and it wasn't really my intention for this to happen." Shampoo blinked back tears furiously, knowing that Ranma won't appreciate them.
He didn't say a word. He just continued his flight upstairs. But he neither agreed nor rejected the idea.
Happosai looked at his ascending form with a heavy heart. " Come on. Time is running out."
---
" What do you mean yours?" Akane asked again, eyes wide. She took a few steps back, wanting to put more distance between her and the deity. Blue eyes locked with gold, hers showing her uncertainty, her fear.
Inari smiled a little at her unease. He took one measured step towards her, calculated to shoot her fear sky high. It wasn't usual for a girl like her to wander far into his realm. And he was never one to let a good opportunity pass. His golden gaze roved around her form, acknowledging the beauty there as well as the beauty that will soon emerge. He had spent too much time in here alone and now was his chance for a companion of sorts.
" Mine. Meaning that you'll stay here with me. Forever."
Fear leapt in Akane's breast, mingling with the sudden thought of a blessed reprieve from it all. Dare she consider it? It would take her away from all the pain, the interference. She thought of Ranma and a life without him. Somehow, that thought wrapped itself around her heart like a vise, squeezing it painfully. But isn't this better than see him be wed to another woman? Fresh tears stung her eyes as she envisioned herself wasting away into spinsterhood as Ranma and Shampoo built their family.
(There could be no one else for me.) She thought sadly, letting a lone tear slip. (He doesn't love me anyway, so what's the point?)
Hands trembling, she stretched them towards the tall deity. " Are you sure? " He asked in that deep voice.
Akane stripped away all her hesitations and fears from her mind and heart. She looked directly into that gold pools and saw the escape that she's been looking for. With a firm yet shaky voice, she said yes.
------
--Finally! I get to finish chapter four! Yay!
--Thanks to all who have been reading up to this point. Your comments sure fired me up. If you want to add anything to the story or some crit for me, I'll really appreciate it. :D
--Whew.. a long chapter for once, ne?
Disclaimer: None of these wonderful characters belong to me. They all belong to the great Rumiko Takahashi. Long live Ranma 1/2 fandom!
--- This fic is brought to you through Insane Urge Co. Where sanity is a luxury and losing it is the best medicine. ^_^
by Amaterasu
Part Four: The Promise of Respite
Akane stared at the form, torn between fear and fascination. The deity was tall, around seven feet or so. Long, gleaming silver hair that hung up to the waist. Slitted tawny eyes, much like a fox. Akane took in the lily-white skin, the even whiter garment that he wore loosely. His legs were long and feet were encased in white slippers. Furry ears jutted from the silver mane and five tails ran down from his back. His face was neither grim nor cheerful yet it held a very palpable shrewd intelligence that shone through his eyes.
He stopped a few feet from her, neither moving nor speaking. He just looked at her with those eyes that seem to see right through. The deity seemed content to just stand there and watch her squirm.
" You seem troubled, Tendo Akane. Does this mean that you want to wake after all?" The voice, low and even, was soothing and threatening all at once. One silver brow lifted and a mocking look was in place.
Blue eyes were wary as her feet took a cautious step backward. " Well, not really. You just took me by surprise, that's all."
" Is that so? " Was the reply. Inari took a few steps closer. " We'll does that mean you're ready to be mine then?"
" What do you mean yours?"
--
" No. " Cologne's voice rang loud and clear in the otherwise silent room. There was a stubborn set to her jaw, as well as mutinous look in her eyes. Happosai frowned at this, Shampoo just looked on with fear.
" I will not help you convince Ranma and Akane to wed. My grandson-in-law is for my granddaughter."
The short old man sighed, feeling as if the numerous years of his otherwise sordid life suddenly weighed upon him. " We're not asking you to do that. Whatever it was you did to Akane, undo it."
Pencil thin brows furrowed and a confused voice asked, " What do you mean undo? It's just a simple sleeping powder that we used on her. "
Soun Tendo shot the blue-haired girl a glance " Akane won't wake up. That's why we're here."
Cologne opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. Something about their grave faces and voices told her that something was very wrong. " Expect us by your house in no more than an hour." the three men bowed respectfully and scant moments later, were gone.
Blue eyes switched from looking at the door to the old woman by the stove. " What have we done, great grandma?"
A sigh. " I don't know child."
--
Ranma floated in and out of consciousness, torn between wanting to save Akane and sinking himself into sleep, just like she had. He was tired after all. Tired of pretending something he's not, tired of being chased, tired of being told what to do, tired of being forced who to love. At that last thought, he faltered as he conjured an image of Akane " What's with you? " he whispered softly, bitterly. " Are you going to give up on me like this?"
Out of the corner of his mind's eye, he saw a flash of familiar blue. Small and indistinct, one might disregard it entirely if he wasn't caught in a strange situation like Ranma. He tried to bring that image into sharp focus using all his mental strength. But all he confirmed was that it was a pair of blue eyes with a somewhat dull look.
He woke up with a start. Big blue eyes fringed by black lashes looked up the ceiling, wondering for a moment where he was. His blue gaze shifted to his right and saw his fiancée's still motionless body. It doesn't even look like she's breathing. He thought as his gaze roved over her sleeping form. Ranma looked at her for endless moments, envisioning a life without her. At the thought, an invisible fist seized his heart and slowly squeezed it, the pain real enough to prick his eyes with tears.
He recalled crying yesterday, after pleading and coaxing Akane to wake. The frustration that she won't wake up, the pain of the thought of losing her and the sadness of seeing the next few years without her. They humbled him as nothing ever had and he is starting to deeply regret his harsh words, his unwitting statements, and his callous treatment of her. Why is it that regrets always come at the end? He laughed shortly. Now they won't be regrets if they weren't realized at the end, were they?
He rose at the din of voices coming from downstairs. Slowly, painfully he lifted himself up, his blue gaze never leaving the still form on the futon beside his. He took one last, long look then pivoted sharply and pulled the door open. Ranma took the steps, two at a time, curious as to why there was an unholy commotion. Stopping at the foot of the stairs, he encountered the very last people that he wanted to meet.
A clipped " Get out. " was delivered in a cold, freezing voice that was so unlike the martial artist. Fury started to rise in him swiftly, burning hotter by the second. The longer Shampoo and her great grandmother stared at him, the more he wanted to lash out, to violently toss them out of the house. His battle aura flared wildly around him, giving off incomparable heat. He took a step towards them, having every intention of kicking them out.
The younger Amazon took a step back, fear evident in her face. She noticed that while her grandmother hadn't moved, her gnarled hands were white from gripping her stick too hard. She looked back at the angry, seething young man in front of her. She'd never seen him like this. Fierce and intense, fury was blazing out from his blue eyes. She could read from every rigid line in his body that he was deep into controlling himself from doing bodily harm. Fear coursed through her body as well as a flash of excitement. His rage was palpable as the bite of the winter wind and the more she stared at him, the more he excited her. But all that was wrapped firmly in a fearful gaze she wore, which was none less real.
" I said, get out. Haven't you done enough? " He asked in a cold, unemotional voice. There was no warmth in there, even a hint of heat stemming from anger.
Soun knew he needed to step in. " We brought them here, Ranma-kun. They are the only ones who could help Akane."
"Help her?" The all-too quiet tone was as deafening as a scream. " They did this to her."
For the first time since they stepped foot in there, Cologne finally found her voice. " No, we did not mean for that to happen." Blazing hot blue eyes turned at her. " All we meant for her was to fall asleep and wake up after the ceremony is over."
Ranma let out a shot, humorless laugh. " So, you're innocent in this huh? I'm sorry if I don't buy it." He turned to his father and Soun "Don't you dare let them near Akane. Or there'll be hell to pay." He turned and started up the stairs once more.
" Ranma! " He stopped, but did not turn. " Me and great grandmother are really here to help. Whether you believe it or not, Akane-san has become a friend to me too and it wasn't really my intention for this to happen." Shampoo blinked back tears furiously, knowing that Ranma won't appreciate them.
He didn't say a word. He just continued his flight upstairs. But he neither agreed nor rejected the idea.
Happosai looked at his ascending form with a heavy heart. " Come on. Time is running out."
---
" What do you mean yours?" Akane asked again, eyes wide. She took a few steps back, wanting to put more distance between her and the deity. Blue eyes locked with gold, hers showing her uncertainty, her fear.
Inari smiled a little at her unease. He took one measured step towards her, calculated to shoot her fear sky high. It wasn't usual for a girl like her to wander far into his realm. And he was never one to let a good opportunity pass. His golden gaze roved around her form, acknowledging the beauty there as well as the beauty that will soon emerge. He had spent too much time in here alone and now was his chance for a companion of sorts.
" Mine. Meaning that you'll stay here with me. Forever."
Fear leapt in Akane's breast, mingling with the sudden thought of a blessed reprieve from it all. Dare she consider it? It would take her away from all the pain, the interference. She thought of Ranma and a life without him. Somehow, that thought wrapped itself around her heart like a vise, squeezing it painfully. But isn't this better than see him be wed to another woman? Fresh tears stung her eyes as she envisioned herself wasting away into spinsterhood as Ranma and Shampoo built their family.
(There could be no one else for me.) She thought sadly, letting a lone tear slip. (He doesn't love me anyway, so what's the point?)
Hands trembling, she stretched them towards the tall deity. " Are you sure? " He asked in that deep voice.
Akane stripped away all her hesitations and fears from her mind and heart. She looked directly into that gold pools and saw the escape that she's been looking for. With a firm yet shaky voice, she said yes.
------
--Finally! I get to finish chapter four! Yay!
--Thanks to all who have been reading up to this point. Your comments sure fired me up. If you want to add anything to the story or some crit for me, I'll really appreciate it. :D
--Whew.. a long chapter for once, ne?
Disclaimer: None of these wonderful characters belong to me. They all belong to the great Rumiko Takahashi. Long live Ranma 1/2 fandom!
--- This fic is brought to you through Insane Urge Co. Where sanity is a luxury and losing it is the best medicine. ^_^