What is an adult?

A young individual turning to a fixed age given by the government, the older generation and the parents? Is that how adults are defined?

Or maybe it is the maturity and the state of the mind of the person that makes him or her an adult?

This chapter is about a young man, whose mind has yet to be tested with sharpness like a katana, and his heart to be tested with fires of passion. It is time for him... to experience one particular feeling.

Sakura Seasons: True Love

Chapter 03a: Accidents

Buds sighed again as the professor of Economics explained the theory of the Demand and Supply. Most of the students with him, especially Ryouga couldn't seem to quite understand the Demand and the Supply curve, and how the changes in prices affect either one.

Buds understood it after the professor's second explanation. If Demand increases, prices tend to increase unless the Supply moves with it. If Supply decreases, prices tend to increase. There are also things, like high prices decreases demand, or lowering price decreases supply.

Buds yawned again, and took his book to cover his face so the professor wouldn't be insulted. He really likes the professor, being patient, and understanding. It also helped that 'she' was easy on the eyes. Yes, the prof was a 'she'.

Her long hair was tied in a bun behind her, and her long bangs seem to go in her cheeks very well. She also had ample breasts, long dreamy white legs, and beautiful eyes.

But even though his professor was a beautiful woman indeed, Buds knew it was hopeless. She was married, and even has three kids, but then, a young man can still dream, right?

No, what confused him more was his best friend, Ranma. Looking sideways, Buds found himself wondering once again. Why was Ranma looking all lost in thought, again?!

It started three days ago, where a gang beat up Ranma. His face was filled with bruises, some cuts, but other than that, he was still okay, if not a bit quiet. Buds had asked Ranma what was going on, but Ranma refused to answer him. It really got the boy riled up.

RRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!

"Okay class, tomorrow, we shall review factors which can increase demand on a particular goods," the prof had said, closing her books and retracting a long metallic stick which she used to point out things in the blackboard. After packing her stuff, she left the room.

"Sheesh!" Ryouga yawned, and stretched his body when he stood up. "I never got what the prof said!"

"You'll get it, Ryouga," Buds replied to him kindly. "Hopefully some day."

"Yeah!" Ranma said, walking towards the two boys. "Like next week during the Preliminaries!" and he laughed at his own joke. Buds, understanding it [Ryouga is dense and a bit dumber, so him knowing Economics exactly the week of the prelims would be a miracle] also laughed. Ryouga scratched his head.

Suddenly, the Economics prof came back to the classroom. "Oh, I forgot. There is one student who is exempted in the Prelim exams, and that student is..." she opened her record book and peered inside. "... Ryouga."

All students suddenly glared at the boy with fangs. Ryouga just blinked, and scratched his head more. "What?" he asked, confused.

+++++++++

It was break time for Buds after Economics. His next class won't take place until after 1 hour and a half, so he had some time to kill. During those 90 minutes of break, he usually proceeded to one place; the gym.

Tokyo U had three gyms [I don't really know]. One for swimming, one for gymnastics, and the other one for basketball; Buds went towards the third gym.

Basketball was a sport he loved. Being Filipino and all, he had been fascinated by the way the game is played. He tried to get all the resources he needed to study the game and try to play it. He was very knowledgeable in the basics, and the rules, but he wanted to play to test his skills.

Tokyo U was quite lenient in clothes, and Buds usually wears very loose pants and white shirt. Beneath his pants were his shorts to give him some fluidity during the game, and if he sweated too much, he had a towel and an extra shirt on his backpack.

Buds sighed again as walked towards the gym. His thoughts went to Ranma, and was genuinely confused by the way he was acting. Something happened during his beating, Buds knew it. He didn't mind if Ranma didn't tell him, but he just hoped he did. After all, Buds couldn't help but worry; what if Ranma was being blackmailed, like if he didn't pay, the gang would come and beat him up again? After all, Ranma was rich, being an ex-actor of an action flick, and all. It was that money that he was able to take the tests, and get to study with a tutor to get accepted in Tokyo U.

Buds shook his head, it was not the time to think. He was about to make a sprint towards the gym when a few female voices stopped him.

"HEY YOU!" shouted a female behind him. Buds, who was ready to run, stopped himself, and went off balance, and he tried to readjust his posture. It took him a while, but when he finally did, he sighed again as he thought how close he came to kissing the concrete. He turned around.

"What the he... oh, sorry," Buds demeanor changed a bit when he saw the two girls behind him were from Ranko's martial arts faction. He didn't want trouble, but he was also a bit teed off. What the hell did they want? "Excuse me, but, um, I am kinda in a hurry."

The two girls looked at him with a light glare. "You are coming with us," one of them ordered.

Buds was taken aback. "Huh...? Why?"

The other girl just approached him, and was about to grab him when another female voice called behind the two girls. "Don't worry about him."

Buds, and even the two girls recognized the voice. It was Ranko's. The two girls turned around, and they bowed deeply to their sensei. Ranko bowed back towards them, and looked at Buds with a small neutral stare. Buds gave her the same thing.

"Hello Buds," Ranko greeted with a small smile. "Sorry if they were a bit hostile on you, but they are a bit teed off." Ranko talked about the two girls who demanded Buds to go with them. Buds just nodded, and frowned.

"May I ask why?" Buds asked.

"Two boys made a few peeping holes in the girls' locker rooms, and were spying on us dressing up," Ranko gave an evil smile. "If we catch them, who knows where the authorities can find their body parts unless..."

"Unless they pay you money," Buds finished for Ranko, sighing. It was always the same thing.

Ranko took it the wrong way though, and she glared at Buds. "What was that sigh all about?" she demanded. Buds began to think fast.

"The sigh was... it was a sigh of... oh f*** it," Buds cursed as he turned around and ran away. "I'm wasting my time, so sorry for not explaining!" Buds shouted and waved his arms at them, still running.

Ranko and the two girls just looked at the running boy with a neutral expression. "Stupid idiot," one of the girls said.

+++++++++

Buds had two reasons why he ran. One, he was late. If he was late, the gym would have already by that time lent all its balls to the other people.

Second, Ranko sounded a bit pissed at his not so innocent sigh, and before she could extort his money, or maybe break a few of his precious bones, he had to run away.

One might say that Buds is a coward, not really facing danger in the face. He usually want to take the easy way out in a fight, hence paying Ranko money to avoid a beating. Actually, he just doesn't want any trouble. He never really picked the course he wanted, nor is he studying a course he finds even remotely interested.

He just wants to play, practice and master his basketball skills. He wanted to join the Tokyo U Basketball Team, planning to try out in a few more months. He just wants to be in top condition. He knew what Ranko was capable off. The girl could break 20 stacked bricks in one strike [yes, she is very strong], and could easily brake his bones if she wanted. To be safe, he wanted her at least on her neutral side.

Something caught his eye, and Buds turned his head slightly towards the left as he ran towards the gym. He stared at the most unbelieving vision he had ever seen. Ranma. And Yuka. Together, holding hands under a tree, talking. Both of them were smiling, and seem to be enjoying each other's company.

"What the hell..." Buds muttered, and...

SLAM!

Buds fell down hard, not noticing that he had just bumped into a pole.

=Ucchan's and Kachan's; A few hours later=

"Thank you, sirs, please come again!" a girl with long flowing brown hair bowed towards the exiting customers. The customer nodded, and left the establishment. The girl sighed. "BUDS!" she shouted.

There were no more people in the restaurant, save some of the waiters, who had big sweat drops as the girl began to stomp towards the counter.

Buds was there, in a male apron, watching the television, not really paying attention to anything around him. The television was playing a drama series, and Buds found himself watching it unexplainably. That is, until a girl's face came in his line of sight. If he was surprised, he didn't show it, maybe except giving a small sound. "Eh?"

The girl took her hands, and grabbed Buds' neck and began to strangle him! "YOU STUPID... IDIOT!" she screamed.

"AHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH!" Buds could only mutter as his head was being shaken, and his neck being strangled.

"WE WOULD HAVE LOST AN OLD CUSTOMER IF I WASN'T THERE TO TAKE CARE OF IT!" the girl continued to shake him. "You are very lucky that your parents are my parent's friends, or so HELP ME GOD!" and she finally let go of Buds, who was turning purple already.

"Ouch! Ukyou, you are mean!" Buds complained, rubbing his neck slightly.

"Mean? Mean?! MEAN?!!" Ukyou grabbed Buds' collar, and began to shake again. "You have just enough gall to say that after ignoring one of our old customers so rudely!"

"Geez, okay Ukyou, sorry!" Buds replied.

Ukyou was also one of owners of the restaurant Uuchan's and Kachan's. With the money earned from the show [yes, Ukyou also played in the Ranma ½ show as... take a good guess!], and with some advice from business veterans, Ukyou, even at the young age of 25, was able to open up a successful business. Of course, her younger sister, Kasumi, also helped.

"Oh ignore him, onee-chan!" Kasumi's sweet voice called from behind Ukyou. Buds looked over Ukyou's shoulder, while the latter turned around and stared at Kasumi, still in an apron, smiling at them. Yes, Kasumi is younger than Ukyou, yet by contrast, it seems former is older than latter. And yes, Kasumi was also in the show, not acting that much, and anyone who had watched Ranma ½ will know what it means.

"I can't just ignore him, imotou-chan!" Ukyou replied, looking annoyed. "We will lose customers, then soon we will lose business then we will lose..."

"Ano, Buds-kun," Kasumi called towards Buds, cutting out Ukyou. "I need some more vegetables. Would you be a dear and accompany me to buy some?"

Buds looked annoyed. "Stop calling me –kun! Heck, you're as old as I am!"

"Hai, but your mind is younger than mines. Scoot!" Kasumi said as she dragged him outside the restaurant. Ukyou looked mad.

"Hey! I was not done with him yet!" Ukyou called towards Kasumi and Buds' retreating backs.

"Don't worry, onee-chan! Buds still has enough stamina to continue with your sessions!" Kasumi replied, and suddenly began to increase her speed, and soft-giggling sound was heard.

It took a while, but when Ukyou finally got what Kasumi meant, the whole restaurant seems to have gotten ridden of its rat problems as a 'banshee' scream ran through the air.

+++++++++

"Oh, your sister is so pissed," Buds said towards Kasumi as he carried 3 moderately shopping bags.

Its been already 30 minutes, and yet the scream of Ukyou would never seem to go away in Buds' head. It usually meant trouble for him, and he had no one to blame except 'sweet, innocent' Kasumi. "Oh, it was just a harmless joke," Kasumi replied. "Onee-chan should learn to control her temper more."

"Oh, I really don't mind you playing harmless jokes on Ukyou, but when you drag me into this," Buds made some clicking sound of disapproval, shaking his head. "Especially when you joke about sexual stuff. You know Ukyou would hunt me to the ends of the earth if she knew our 'relationship'," Buds joked smirking a bit. Kasumi growled, understanding what the boy meant and lashed out her bag of grocery towards Buds' head, and hit him dead on. "OUCH!" Buds bent down as the pain registered, and fell down, dropping all the groceries.

"You idiot!" Kasumi almost screamed as the tomatoes all popped out and began to roll away.

"Hey! Who's fault is it anyway?!" Buds demanded back, bending down and picking up the vegetables. Picking up some tomatoes, Buds ignored the people around them for a while, until Kasumi said something that had to make him look.

"Mrs. Nodoka!" Kasumi's voice greeted. Buds creased his eyebrows, and stood up, and indeed saw Mrs. Nodoka.

Mrs. Nodoka was another sample of great Japanese beauty. Elegance, stature, kimono, beautiful red hair, and honorable woman. Next to his mom, Buds agreed that Nodoka was another great woman. Too bad her daughter, Ranko wasn't the same. Yes, Mrs. Nodoka is the mother of Ranko.

But beside Mrs. Nodoka was another young woman, somewhere between 16 to 17 years in age. She too looked like Ranko, except that her hair was just shoulder length. Buds tried to scan his mind to remember who the girl was. She wore a high school uniform.

"Kasumi-chan, Buds-chan," Mrs. Nodoka greeted us pleasantly. Buds twitched at the suffix the woman had used on her name, but didn't bother correcting her. The girl looked at Buds, then giggled.

That giggle suddenly sparked a few memories inside Buds, as he finally got the name of th young girl. "Rana?" Buds asked.

"Yup! That's me!" the girl replied, giving a somewhat cute pose. Buds blushed as he looked at her from head to toe. Boy, did Ranko's sister grow up to be such a looker. The last time Buds had seen her was...

"Whoa... 3 years," Buds said. "3 years since I saw you, Rana-chan. You grew up!"

Nodoka laughed. "Oh yes, my daughter is growing to be such a woman. I have a feeling she won't have any trouble finding some great boyfriend. How about you, Buds? Are you still single?"

"MOM!" Rana blushed. Buds nervously smiled. Nodoka is always like this, trying to embarrass the young ones.

"Oh, I'll find one, Mrs. Nodoka," Buds replied. "I'm sure one day I can find someone other than your daughters..."

Nodoka and Rana suddenly gave him the well renowned 'Battousai Death Glare'. Buds shivered.

"Not that Rana is by any sense ugly!" Buds replied suddenly. "She is actually the prettiest girl I have ever seen!" and with that, Nodoka laughed and nodded with agreement, while Rana blushed like mad. Buds frowned. He didn't just say that out loud in public? Looking around, he sighed. He did.

Nodoka, seemingly had enough embarrassing the young boy, bowed towards them. "I shall be on my way now. Come Rana. See you soon, Kasumi-chan, Buds-chan." Buds twitched again at the –chan usage, and watched as she watched the two females walked away from them, crossing the street.

"EEK! THIEF!" a voice shouted from behind Buds and Kasumi, and before either could turn around, a fast moving object moved. It was a snatcher with a handbag, and ran straight towards Rana and Nodoka, moving in between them.

The force of the way the snatcher bumped into Rana and Nodoka forced them to stumble and fall. Nodoka landed on the sidewalk, Rana landed on...

"Oh s***! GET THE F*** OUT OF THE WAY!" Buds shouted as he ran towards Rana, who was trying to stand up. A car going at fast speeds was going towards her. The driver saw her, but he was going to fast, and did everything he could to slow the car down. He shifted down one gear, and used the engine-brake to help the car slow down. The tires were squealing, as it tried to grip the road, but the car would not stop.

Buds jumped, his left hand and knee facing the racing car, as he used his left hand to push the girl away. The last thing he saw was the car's front before everything went black...

+++++++++

"He is gaining consciousness," a voice called from the black surroundings. "Add some more painkillers, stat!"

"Oh my god! Look... look at his arm and leg!" another voice called.

"He took a hit from a speeding car, what would you expect?!" another voice said.

"Hurry! Get him in the operating room!"

"Buds..."

"If we catch them, who knows where the authorities can find their body parts…"

"Get the f*** out of the way!"

"Buds... Buds... Buds..."

Buds finally opened his eyes, looking up in an unfamiliar ceiling.

+++++++++

The boy winced as the bright light invaded his senses. It was like looking at the rainbow, not really knowing what it was. Blender of memories as conversations went over his head.

"Buddy?" a voice called. Buds weakly turned his head towards his right, and saw a woman staring at him, her eyes all red and puffed. It seems she was crying.

"Mama?" Buds asked weakly.

"Okay ka lang, anak [Are you okay, son]?" she asked in Tagalog.

"Oo, okay lang ako [Yes, I'm fine]..." Buds replied in the same language. "Ano ang nangyari [What happened]?"

She broke down, and sobbed, and bent down and gave her son a fierce hug. "I'm so sorry, anak [son]. So sorry..."

"Bakit [Why]?" Buds asked weakly.

The door leading to the outside was open, and there stood a beautiful nurse, with long flowing purple hair. She watched with sadness as the mother and son had a talk in a foreign language, undoubtedly about his injuries.

+++++++++

It hit him like a sonic boom. He stared at her mother, frozen. "Hindi [No]..." Buds could only mutter, his eyes now producing tears. "It can't be..."

"I'm sorry..." Buds' mother muttered.

Buds was at loss. The accident chattered his right elbow and forearm bones, and also his left knee. They were shattered beyond repair.

His mother said he could still use his limbs. The surgeons pieced back together some of his bones, and fused it with metal alloys so he could still use his left arm and knee, but a price. He could not bend his knee fully. His arms would also not bend fully and would not also straight.

The doctor also told them that he can't use his arm or knee to the extreme, lest they want the supporters to bend and brake the bones, causing more damage. That means he could not play physical sports, or do weights anymore.

His basketball days were over. Something Buds never wanted to see end. He avoided being hurt by powerful martial artist, he had avoided any serious physical injuries, and this is what he had gotten.

He wanted to die, right there and now.

To Be Continued...

Next: Shared sorrow is half sorrow, and shared joy is double joy, as one person tries to convince Buds that life still had meaning, and that person would be the first to truly hold his heart. Next; Gift of Misato.