Legacy

Part IV

By Kalio

~*~

Ryoga scanned the landscape. He shook his head; it was all too familiar, as if he could tell anyone the layout, but at the same time, he had no idea where he was. He saw the mountains in the distance, and the forest at its feet. They were miles away; days, perhaps weeks of walking would find him at the forest, and perhaps longer to find the base of the rock protruding from the earth. He was unable to shake the feeling that he was close. He didn't know what he was close to, but it hounded him all the same.

Turning, he saw nothing but dry, cracked land running into the blurred horizon. What was this place? Where on the Earth could he be? Though the land was arid, the clouds above were ominously close to breaking, crackling with lightning that promised destruction. Wherever he was, Ryoga knew he couldn't stay much longer.

Turning back to the mountains, he hoisted his pack and set off. It would do him no good to stay where he was, for there wasn't water for miles. Shaking his head again, and wondering how in God's name he could know something so irrational, he started to walk. Slowly at first, but then picking up speed as he found new purpose. Something about those mountains drew him closer. Some incredible force called to him, beckoning him to explore.

***

Of all the things Akane wished, being a hero was not one of them. Sure, she had the desire to make a difference in the world. Hopes to help little, frightened children find their parents, but nothing ever made her want to save the entire human populace through the possible sacrifice of her life. Furthermore, she really didn't like having the fate of the world on her shoulders when only she knew about it. She frowned staring at her undone homework with disgust as she tried to concentrate. She had always thought it would be Ranma's calling to 'save the world,' not her. After all, it really was his thing, wasn't it? Using his great skill to taunt something that was probably more powerful than he, then defeat it by rising to the challenge.

Akane threw her pencil across the room in frustration. It wasn't his fault that a heavy burden was placed on her shoulders and not his, but it didn't stop her from feeling resentful all the same. Of course, if it was up to her, she probably would have chosen to take the challenge, anyway, thinking that she had been left out of so many other things, it would be a good change of pace to have an adventure of her own. But it wasn't really an adventure, was it? More like a battle, which was totally over-romanticized, if truth be told. It was not her cup of tea... or maybe it was. She was picked, wasn't she? She was the only one who had the power to do this, right? Ah well, she thought, maybe a life and death struggle for the human race will be a nice change to break the cycle of chaos in Nerima.

Her mind drifted to something that had been troubling her earlier. That voice. She knew it from somewhere. A far distant memory of a long forgotten encounter, perhaps? Akane knew the voice from somewhere, but where? She felt, somehow that she would kick herself when she found out who it was.

She was just about to go and pick up her pencil when she heard a knock on her window. Looking over, she sighed, seeing Ranma's face plastered against the glass. 'What do you want now?' she asked, without much force.

Ranma, who seemed to have lost some of his nerve having arrived at the appointed place, answered. 'Uh, um... Oh, just let me in!'

Akane crossed the room, scooting her chair back toward her desk, and opened the window. She wearily watched as Ranma climbed in, and stared at her, uncomfortably.

'Well, uh...'

'Yeah?' At the sight of her almost-smirk, Ranma closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and steeled himself. Opening his eyes again, he spoke, or rather, half-yelled. 'I'm sorry that I made you uncomfortable because I was watching you sleep, but I'm not sorry I did it!'

Akane stared at him. 'What do you mean you're not sorry you did it?! Does this mean I have to start keeping my window locked at night to keep you out?'

'Yes! I mean no, I mean... Arg! It will do you no good to keep it locked, I can pick it anyway!'

She glared at him. 'So what are you saying? I can't get rid of you when I want some privacy?'

Ranma frowned. 'No, I just-'

'Are you saying that just because of one weird incident I can't fall asleep without you in the room?'

'No, but-'

'Ranma, I don't need you to protect me from sleep!'

'Yes you do! Look at your self in the mirror, will you? That doesn't happen for no reason!'

Akane scowled. 'You're right, but that doesn't mean that I need you STARING at me WHILE I SLEEP!'

Ranma snarled. 'Dammit, Akane, what do I need to do to make you see that I care?'

Akane gaped at him. 'Wha-'

Ranma's expression softened. 'Look, I didn't do it to make you feel spied on, and I didn't do it because I think you can't handle yourself. I did it... I did it for the same reason I always save you. I-'

Ranma and Akane both turned toward the door. Someone was knocking.

'C-come in!' Akane said, trying to return her face normal colors, as Ranma deflated.

Nabiki opened the door. 'Hey guys, Kasumi says dinner is ready, and you two need to stop fighting and come eat.' She smirked seeing Ranma lightly banging his head on Akane's desk in aggravation. 'What? Did I interrupt something important?'

Akane shook her head, the spell was broken, anyhow. 'No... we'll be right down.' Nabiki left the room with a wink.

'Well, let's go.'

Ranma stopped banging his head on her desk. 'But I-'

'Nevermind, its dinnertime.'

'Yes'm.'

***

A fortnight passed, and Akane continued to dream of a dark, misty world with the disembodied voice that she couldn't place. Though she was still training in her dreamworld, she no longer showed bruises quite like the night of the prophecy. She did not press the voice with questions, momentarily satisfied that answers would come in time. Instead, she did as the voice told, trusting that strength would come, as well. Her concentration on the art had increased ten fold, but she lost concentration for school which had restarted from break. To make matters worse, Ranma wouldn't accept that she was fine sleeping. She hadn't yet caught him in her room again, instead, she found the window open every morning, when it had been locked the night before. She had wondered when he got sleep, but her question was answered when she was paying attention in class; he was sleeping while the teachers talked.

Meanwhile, Ukyo seemed more ambivalent towards her than ever. Not only did she give her looks that said 'You can't have him,' she also gave her odd looks that she couldn't read, as well, being some odd mix between jealous and worried. Whatever Ukyo did, she stayed distant. Akane found this strange, seeing how neither she nor Shampoo bothered to drop by with food for Ranma. It almost bothered her.

***

Akane wiped the sweat from her brow, and leaned on her knees for support, breathing heavily. She had been doing speed drills for over an hour and her endurance had failed her twenty minutes earlier. She only had a few more seconds of rest before she had to go again, and she was afraid that collapse was imminent. The muscles in her legs were twitching uncontrollably, and she wondered how many more she would have to make herself do. As if spurred by her thoughts, the voice instructed her to go again, chasing through the mist a small, floating orb of light. When the ball finally stopped, Akane's legs gave way, screaming curses at her.

'Excellent,' said the cool voice, 'You're done for the night. Congratulations, you've improved, in fact, you may have it in you after all!' It paused, briefly, as if listening to the question in Akane's mind. 'Yes, of course you'll feel the impact of your training when you're conscious. The reason your training is taking place here is so you can be properly pushed. Eventually, we'll move into a higher gravity to train in.'

Akane would have turned pale, had her face not have been so flushed from exertion. The strange voice peeled with laughter. 'Don't concern yourself with it. Go use your Saturday to have fun. Someone's waiting for you to wake them up.'

Akane sat bolt up in her bed, still breathing hard from the sprints. She felt her forehead. It wasn't soaked with perspire, but small droplets started to bead there, as though her body was only now reacting to the activity of her dreams. Then again, she thought wryly, it probably was. After rubbing her eyes briefly, she turned and threw the covers off of her legs and hopped out of bed. She smiled to her self when she saw him snoring in a bundle in a corner, bangs ruffled by the breeze from her window.

She padded silently over to him and knelt down. She crossed her arms and rested them on her knees as she watched his sleeping form, a small smile playing on her lips. It wasn't often that she observed him sleeping. As it was, anytime she did, it was in class, after she knocked him silly, or the brief moment before she (angrily, as it was her 'duty') awoke him. Ranma, who was normally wreaking havoc, was a oddly sound sleeper, discounting the snoring. Curled up much like the cats he so hated, with his back against the wall, Akane couldn't help but laugh quietly. He looked so harmless, and yet, he had basically killed an immortal. She sighed, deciding that she needed to wake him, before- well, any number of things could go wrong.

'Ranma,' she intoned, almost whispering. She reached out, and gently ran a finger from the top of his forehead to the bottom of his nose. His eyes snapped open, a deer caught in headlights. 'A-A-Akane?'

Akane grinned. 'Caught you. Come on. Kasumi is bound to have breakfast on the table in no time, and your dad is probably wondering where you are for your morning fight.'

Ranma was touching his nose, still feeling, perhaps, the ghost of Akane's buttercup touch. 'Yeah...'

Akane grabbed his hands and pulled him up, as if he needed the help. Maybe it was because she was somehow rested despite her midnight dealings, but she felt particularly warm today, and not her usually bitter self (a/n: not to interrupt, but I feel the need to clarify before I get angry reviewers- don't tell me there weren't people out there thinking it- yes, she is sort of a bitter person. not all the time, but she is, and with good reason. now back to the story- if you feel the need to complain, email me with it.). Or perhaps it was because the winds of change where coming. Whatever it was, it didn't bother her so much that Ranma was continuing to fret over her sleeping habits. Rather, she felt somehow halcyon, feeling more cared about than intruded upon. It was something that she hadn't truly felt in so long that for once... it was a good morning.

***

Akane's bright mood did not stand much of a fighting chance, however, being that the moment she descended the steps, who should be sitting at the table with a box of okonomiyaki, but Ukyo. Akane deflated like a balloon, and finished her walk to the table and sat down. 'Hey, Ukyo, he should be down in a few. I think he has to have his morning fight, before he can see you.'

Ukyo set down her tea. 'Actually, Akane, I came to see you. Can we,' her eyes flashed to the busy Kasumi, 'move to another room and eat.'

Akane gave her a strange look, but nodded, and stood up, motioning to follow. Akane lead her to the dojo, and shut the door. She pulled two mats out of the storage closet, as well as a small table her father used to use for quick lunches between classes. Finally, she sat across from Ukyo, and inquired. 'So, um, what did you want to ask me about?'

'Well,' Ukyo started, 'Ranma-honey, has been acting strangely all week, and apparently, it started at the end of break. He came in to see me, with concern for you. I could hardly believe it, and I hope you are feeling better. However, his peculiar behavior hasn't stopped despite the fact that you seem healed and completely fine.' Akane frowned not liking where she was going with this, but Ukyo continued with an edge to her voice, 'He's sleeping during class more than ever, and rumors are flying about it.' Akane knew what kind of rumors Ukyo was referring to. Boys, being boys, always talked when people were more tired than usual (a/n: if you don't get it, you're probably too young anyway). Crude as it was, Akane found it funny that Ukyo had the gall to imply to her that the rumors were true about her and Ranma's extra-circular activities. Therefore, Akane laughed, sparking a vicious glare from Ukyo.

'Don't mock me,' she spat, 'I know something is going on between you two, and as Ranma's fiancée, I demand to know what it is!'

A victorious feeling spread over Akane's body. Neither Ukyo nor Shampoo ever let such obvious, desperate jealousy slip over Akane. Sure, it was always there, but it was always an undertone. A smirk formed as she answered. 'Did you forget so quickly that I am Ranma's fiancée as well? I don't have to answer to you about our relations.'

Ukyo pointed an accusing finger in Akane's direction. 'They're true, aren't they, you little trollop!'

Akane's smirk widened. 'If you're asking why Ranma is so tired, then yes, it is because of me.' She paused briefly to watch Ukyo's face flush with barely controlled rage. 'But if you're implying what I think you're implying, then you are sadly mistaken. We have not shared even a chaste kiss, for your peace of mind,' she added with a twinge. 'Ranma has been out of line in his worry for me, though, choosing to stay up and watch me sleep... rather pervy of him, if you ask me. Don't you think so?' Akane flashed her a smile of sugar which did nothing to calm her fury, and dug into the breakfast okonomiyaki before her.

'I will not have you belittle my Ranchan! I think you're lying!'

'She's not.' Akane and Ukyo glanced toward the door, to see Nabiki leaning casually against the frame. 'My sources tell me her story is true, and trust me, my source is very reliable this time, as such that its me.' She gave quick smirk and turned to leave. 'You two should quiet down a tad, you'll wake up the neighborhood.'

Ukyo growled, and Akane smiled again, daring. Ukyo stood in challenge, however, as if on cue, Ranma, dripping and very female, stood, out of breath, at the double-doors of the dojo with a question on his tongue. Ukyo glared at Akane and decided that rather than cause a scene, she would leave. 'We'll finish this later,' she said tersely in a low voice before exiting past Ranma.

He looked questioningly at Akane. 'What was that all about?'

Akane, feeling empowered, giggled. 'It appears your other "intended" is actually worried that we're "involved"!'

Ranma watched her as she walked out of the dojo, leaving the remaining okonomiyaki for him to finish. 'Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!' he shouted after her, but she just shook her head and kept walking. He watched her retreating back, questions zooming through his brain when he saw her sway on her feet.

'Akane!' he called worriedly, as he watched her grab her forehead in pain. He rushed forward and caught her as she fell backward into his arms. 'Akane! Are you alright?'

Akane rubbed her temples, leaning back onto his chest and squinting. 'I've... I've just had another vision...'

***

A/n: Yay! Another chapter! Sorry for the long wait, but I've been really busy this summer, and I haven't been goofing off, I swear! Thanks to all of you who have reviewed. There weren't many last time, but since everyone responded so favorably to 'See You at the Show,' I wasn't terribly disappointed. By the way, to the Anon, you have no idea how much I needed those reviews that day, so I gotta give you a personal thanks. I have been getting really great ideas for that fic and have been compiling a list of songs for Anything Goes that are just perfect! But I digress... This fic, as you can tell, is far from over, so I look forward to writing more with the support of all you great people out there! For those of you who have questions about Ukyo's actions and words, I tried to keep her ic, but also keep her up with the winds of change that will effect every character in the story, in some way or another. In the case of Ukyo, the change was not exactly positive, but give her time! As for other cast members, most of them will receive more attention in future chapters, but the limelight was on Ranma and Akane for this one. Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more of this, See You at the Show, and a new original fic coming soon!