Until the End
Chapter 27
You say you want a Revolution
"But how can we be sure that this will work?" Akane asked the assembled group. "By taking such a risk we could end up allowing ourselves to be completely wiped out."
Akari, Ishii, Kimura, Fujita, and a few other policemen looked around at each other in uneasiness.
"Akane," Ishii started. "We've been doing too little too often, and now, we have a chance to actually end this war. If it means Ranma gets back before something happens to him aren't you willing to do anything?"
"That's a cheap shot Ishii!" Akane protested as she looked heatedly at the man across from her. Tears stung her eyes as images of her husband flooded her mind.
"I'm sorry," Ishii apologized. "But I meant what I said. If we can pull this off, than it could end the war, at least from the American and Japanese end, and then it'll simply be a matter of time before China is beaten into submission."
The assembled group nodded their heads at that, even Akane.
"I know, it's just been a little stressful alright?" Akane said as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. Akari moved across the table and sat down next to Akane and gave her a hug.
"Come now Akane, I know you want to do everything you can to get Ranma home, and protect your child," Akari said soothingly as she stroked the other woman's hair. Akane quickly got control of herself and gave Akari a gentle hug in thanks.
"Okay, I'm in, but we need to decide who's going to be the one going as the reporter," Akane mentioned cautiously. She didn't want the others to think that she was looking for ways to stall their plan.
"You will be," Kimura answered. "Akari will be the camera operator. It may not be widely known, but most female reporters will have their hair cut short, and Akari's is much too long. That leaves only you Akane."
"Alright," Akane said. "But how are we going to take care of the guards that Shizuko is bound to have with him?"
Fujita handled that question. "I have instructed several of my precinct officers that I know are loyal to our cause to cause a disturbance outside of the home of Prime Minister Shizuko, and once that begins, I will barge in and request that the bodyguards come and assist us. The interview will continue, upon which time you begin to hit him with the real questions."
Kimura continued. "He's bound to become agitated once you begin to ask about the nuclear weapons and the Emperor's assassination, but you need to keep him there. Akari will then set the camera down on the stand and restrain Shizuko if he so desires to try and leave."
"But he probably won't answer any of the questions," Akari protested. "If we can't get a correct answer out of him than the people watching will write off the questions as meaningless."
"That's where your wrong," Ishii answered. "Just the simple mentioning of nuclear weapons is bound to get a response from him, and it will most definitely get a response out of the people watching. Unlike in most Western nations, the cold reality of what the A-Bomb did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki is fresh in a lot of this nation's minds. But the main thing will be in your presentation Akane, you need to be absolutely professional about this, and not let your emotions get the better of you."
Akane bristled at that. "I can keep my emotions under control Ishii; my only problem will be not killing the motherfucker once were done with the interview."
A smirk lit up Kimura's face. "Don't worry about that Akane, once the people hear what Shizuko has been up to, they're going to want him hanged."
The assembled group chuckled lightly at that.
"So how are we going to get Shizuko to agree to do an interview? Won't he be a little busy with losing the war and all?" Akari asked.
"Aside from my role on Shizuko's staff, I am also head of the public relations department, so I'll just mention to him that the people are getting rather restless and they need to hear some reassurance before they can calm down and throw their support behind him once again," Kimura explained. "With whatever intelligence resides in that man's mind he should be able to deduce that he needs to first calm the people before he can get onto the much larger problems facing him. The recession hitting Japan and most other Asian nations is almost as bad as it was before World War II."
The assembled group nodded at that. Almost all of them had been taking economic cuts in their lives, though some not as much as the others. Akane and Akari owned two multimillion companies that stretched across three countries. Ishii was a part owner as well, and Kimura was a well-paid government official. Together they had more than enough capital to see them through the hard times that the country was experiencing.
"So this is all going to happen when?" Akane asked.
Kimura responded. "I'm going to see Shizuko the day after tomorrow, as that was the earliest time I could get an appointment for. I'll convince him to meet with a reporter, and we'll set that up as soon as he has some free time, most likely next week or so."
"But don't push the issue too hard, if he suspects anything, he'll likely call it off and we'll lose our chance, and have to wait an indefinite amount of time before we get another opportunity," Ishii added.
Kimura nodded. "I will make sure to come across neither too eager nor too dismissive my friends. I have had a lot of experience trying to get politicians to bend to public will."
"Care to elaborate?" Akane said.
A sly grin spread across Kimura's face. "In good time my friends, in good time."
===============
Pain.
That was all Ryoga could feel in his body when he first became aware that he was awake. It wasn't centered either, all over his body the intense ache of pain echoed down his legs, across his abdomen and chest, and through his head. He wanted to cry out in pain but his jaw wasn't working, as it seemed to be stuck closed.
It was a moment before he remembered to open his eyes, and when he did, he was somewhat relieved to see that he was inside. The problem was that very bright lights were on in wherever he was and he could barely focus his eyes without pain skirting through his head.
There was a feeling that he was forgetting something important, something that he should be doing, but it escaped him. Although he didn't realize, he had been given very heavy medication; of course, it did little to take away the massive pain that was echoing throughout his body.
"Mr. Hibiki?" a soft voice asked from somewhere beside Ryoga.
Casting a glance to the right, Ryoga was startled to discover that he couldn't move his head. And with his jaw locked in place, he couldn't say anything. Luckily for him, whoever was beside him had seen that he was trying to communicate.
"Don't bother trying to talk Mr. Hibiki; you took a rather nasty fall back there. Your jaw has been broken, as well as most of the other bones in your body. From the medical exam you were given when you came in the other night, we've been able to diagnose you with prolonged malnutrition, one of the worst cases I've ever seen. Not to worry though, with a little rest, and some food to pump into you, you could be as good as new by the next month or so."
The voice seemed distant, and it was hard for Ryoga to distinguish if the person was a male or female. In the back of his mind, something told him that the person was speaking English, which was odd, because he was in China. Wasn't he?
===============
President Winnfield leaned back in his chair and let out a low groan as he rubbed his eyes from underneath his glasses. For the past twelve hours he'd been waiting for word on the rescue operation in China, but communications problems had stricken the teams on the ground and they were unable to call in for evacuation to the Navy ships sitting beside Taiwan. In the end, President Winnfield had ordered the planes to depart and go to the rendezvous and see if the teams were there, if not, then they would go again the next day.
A second attempt would increase the risks incredibly, but Winnfield had to order it. Getting the American POW's out, as well as the Japanese, would be an incredible boost in moral for the coalition, not to mention make the Chinese understand that they weren't invulnerable at home. Every day that this war continued, more and more soldiers were being sent home in body bags, something the American people despised more than the fact that they were fighting two wars at the same time.
Sadly, even though victory would occur both in Siberia and in Afghanistan, the American military would be put to war once again in Iraq, that is, if the leaders of that country weren't willing to run.
The President was stopped from his brooding when his aide burst through the doors of the Oval Office and was trailed by a few Secret Service.
"Mr. President, we've got them," the aide announced happily, if a little out of breath. "General Parker called in and says that everybody got out."
"Casualties," Winnfield asked automatically.
The proud look on the aide's face melted to one of sadness. "Fourteen dead, 7 Americans, 6 Russians, one Japanese, and 3 wounded. Only three bodies were recovered, and that includes the Japanese soldier sir."
Winnfield's face took on a look of horror. "How did so many of them die?"
"The intelligence wasn't completely correct sir," the aide said shamefully. "The soldier barracks had two communications outposts, as well as mortars. If it weren't for a few brave soldiers that sacrificed their lives, then the whole team would have been wiped out. The attack on the prison camp itself went better than we could imagine."
"How so?" Winnfield asked.
"When the soldiers arrived, aside from having to take out a few guards that remained on the top level, the prisoners were already free. It seems some of the Japanese soldiers were attempting to break out. Parker said that even if they hadn't arrived, the escape would've gone through."
"Amazing," Winnfield breathed. "And after that everyone got away?"
"No sir," the aide answered. "Back at the barracks, the second communications room sent out a dispatch for help, and then received one from the prison when the prisoners started to escape. They sent a truckload of soldiers over and they arrived just as the second team was loading the POW's onto trucks to cart them away. The trucks got away, but General Parker and three Japanese soldiers who were trying to escape in a jeep, got hit by a rocket-propelled grenade of some kind. Before any more damage could be done, the first team arrived and killed the soldiers in the truck and found Parker and the others. Aside from some slight spinal bruising, General Parker is alright, but one of the Japanese soldiers died before they were picked up. The two other soldiers are alright, though one of them looks like he's been there for as long as the other American POW's."
Something clicked in Winnfield's mind. "You mean that CIA report last year, the one detailing how the American POW's were still alive, and recent reports said that an Asian man was among them."
"Yes sir, it would seem that the report was true," the aide said.
"Well I'll be damned," Winnfield said. "But he's okay now right?"
The aide nodded. "With some care and proper nutrition, he'll be back to normal, at least physically, in a few months."
The President raised his eyebrows, obviously waiting for the aide to continue.
"The POW's experienced some very horrible conditions Mr. President, and they endured it for four years. It's unrealistic to believe that they wouldn't be affected mentally."
"True," Winnfield nodded, "I've seen some of the things that POW's suffer from in their latter years. I suppose most of those POW's are going to need psychiatric help."
"Yes sir," the aide agreed. "We've lined up a few Japanese speaking one's that we hope will be able to talk to the Japanese soldiers."
"Good idea, were not returning those soldiers to Japan until Shizuko backs down and opens up to where he has his nuclear weapons."
The aide nodded but said nothing. It wasn't his place to administer advice to the President, that was the NSA's job, or maybe a member of the Joint Chief's of Staff. "Thank you," the President said, both sincerely and as a dismissal. The aide took the hint and left the President, bringing the Secret Service agents out with him, and closing the doors.
Winnfield placed his glasses back on his head and sighed; a gentle smile crossed his face. 'At least something's going right'.
===============
As Ryoga awoke once more, he quickly realized that he no longer was strapped down in whatever he had been before. He realized this because, when he awoke, he was falling out of his bed and onto the floor. Instinct saved him from a rather nasty fall, and Ryoga allowed himself to protect himself by letting his hands take the brunt of the fall. Pain was transferred though his body and blackness swam in his eyes as he fought to stay conscious. Slowly, afraid that any sudden movements might cause further pain, Ryoga maneuvered himself back into his bed and lay there, gasping for breath. Taking the time to collect his bearings, Ryoga spared a glance at the room he was in, realizing that he was inside what appeared to be a hospital room. Of course, the drab gray color, and the fact that there were no windows confused him, but the room gave off the feeling that he was inside a hospital.
Before he could examine his physical condition, someone appeared in the doorway. Recognition did not immediately set in, so Ryoga decided to study the man's features. Powerful, was the first thought that came to Ryoga's mind as he looked over the man's physique. As his eyes continued along his body Ryoga noticed that he was wearing a rather torn field jacket, something you expected to see on a soldier.
It was at that moment that the memories of the past few days came flooding into Ryoga's mind. Ranma arriving in his cell, the breakout, Phil and the other soldiers rescuing them, the scramble to the jeep, and finally, the impact that tossed them all from the jeep and into the heavy brush. Everything after that was hazy, and Ryoga could not recall a single thing after that moment.
"Ryoga?" a quiet voice asked, and Ryoga remembered the man that was standing in the doorway. Taking a closer look at his face, Ryoga realized who the person was.
"Ranma," Ryoga said quietly. "You're alright."
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, apparently a jeep rolled over me," he said with some humor. "But the docs don't know me that well, they thought I'd be dead by now."
A smile crossed his lips. "It's good to see you Ranma," Ryoga said. "I can't tell you just how much it means to me that you saved me. A lot of the other guys in there, they went crazy because they gave up hope, but I didn't I wouldn't allow myself to give up, somewhere deep inside I knew that someone would come rescue me. I guess I did always presume it would be you."
"Best friends don't give up on each other," Ranma said with tears appearing in his eyes. "Your one stubborn sonofabitch Ryoga, even when the whole world expects you to be dead, you show them up by walking out of the valley of the dead."
"Though I walk through the valley of the dead, I fear no evil, for you are with me," Ryoga quoted as he smiled at Ranma. "It's my memories that keep me alive. Thinking of everything that was back in Japan, I couldn't let myself succumb to defeat."
Ranma walked up to the bed and sat down in a nearby chair; he leaned over and rubbed the large mass of hair on Ryoga's head.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't you jerk, as soon as your all better, and this war's taken care of, we'll go back home and you'll get to see everyone again."
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Ryoga's mouth as he thought of Akari.
Ranma fidgeted in his seat and Ryoga's gaze shifted towards him. It was then that he noticed Ranma had a cast over his right arm, and that he seemed to be in some kind of pain.
"Are you alright Ranma?" Ryoga asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.
Ranma waved it off, as he wiped at the sweat that was collecting on his forehead. "I'm fine buddy, just a little uncomfortable that's all."
Before Ryoga had a moment to respond to Ranma, the pig-tailed man suddenly convulsed and fell forward, his body spilling out of the chair and onto the floor. Ryoga quickly shifted so he could see and saw that Ranma's eyes were open, but his pupils had rolled to the back of his head.
"Doctor!" Ryoga called as loud as he could. It took only a moment before a man in dress greens came running into the room. He took one look at Ranma and stepped back outside the room and called for assistance. Finished with that, he came slowly back in the room and checked Ranma's pulse.
"He's alright," the doctor said in English. "We had him under twenty- four hour watch because he wanted to come check up on you, but he's been far too weak to do that. He must have snuck away somehow."
Ryoga, shocked that Ranma was actually hurt, failed to respond when the doctor asked him how he was feeling. Medical orderlies and nurses piled into the room with a trolley and placed Ranma on it. As they were carting him out Ryoga saw the lines of worry and concern etched over Ranma's face. He had been fighting a war for almost half a year, seeing death and destruction on a scale Ryoga could barely imagine, but instead of getting the rest and recovery that he needed he had come to check on Ryoga.
'Ranma' Ryoga thought softly.
===============
Author's Notes: Late again. I just can't seem to let this story end can I? Oh well, the longer I take to finish it, the more my reader's have to read.
Chapter 27
You say you want a Revolution
"But how can we be sure that this will work?" Akane asked the assembled group. "By taking such a risk we could end up allowing ourselves to be completely wiped out."
Akari, Ishii, Kimura, Fujita, and a few other policemen looked around at each other in uneasiness.
"Akane," Ishii started. "We've been doing too little too often, and now, we have a chance to actually end this war. If it means Ranma gets back before something happens to him aren't you willing to do anything?"
"That's a cheap shot Ishii!" Akane protested as she looked heatedly at the man across from her. Tears stung her eyes as images of her husband flooded her mind.
"I'm sorry," Ishii apologized. "But I meant what I said. If we can pull this off, than it could end the war, at least from the American and Japanese end, and then it'll simply be a matter of time before China is beaten into submission."
The assembled group nodded their heads at that, even Akane.
"I know, it's just been a little stressful alright?" Akane said as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. Akari moved across the table and sat down next to Akane and gave her a hug.
"Come now Akane, I know you want to do everything you can to get Ranma home, and protect your child," Akari said soothingly as she stroked the other woman's hair. Akane quickly got control of herself and gave Akari a gentle hug in thanks.
"Okay, I'm in, but we need to decide who's going to be the one going as the reporter," Akane mentioned cautiously. She didn't want the others to think that she was looking for ways to stall their plan.
"You will be," Kimura answered. "Akari will be the camera operator. It may not be widely known, but most female reporters will have their hair cut short, and Akari's is much too long. That leaves only you Akane."
"Alright," Akane said. "But how are we going to take care of the guards that Shizuko is bound to have with him?"
Fujita handled that question. "I have instructed several of my precinct officers that I know are loyal to our cause to cause a disturbance outside of the home of Prime Minister Shizuko, and once that begins, I will barge in and request that the bodyguards come and assist us. The interview will continue, upon which time you begin to hit him with the real questions."
Kimura continued. "He's bound to become agitated once you begin to ask about the nuclear weapons and the Emperor's assassination, but you need to keep him there. Akari will then set the camera down on the stand and restrain Shizuko if he so desires to try and leave."
"But he probably won't answer any of the questions," Akari protested. "If we can't get a correct answer out of him than the people watching will write off the questions as meaningless."
"That's where your wrong," Ishii answered. "Just the simple mentioning of nuclear weapons is bound to get a response from him, and it will most definitely get a response out of the people watching. Unlike in most Western nations, the cold reality of what the A-Bomb did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki is fresh in a lot of this nation's minds. But the main thing will be in your presentation Akane, you need to be absolutely professional about this, and not let your emotions get the better of you."
Akane bristled at that. "I can keep my emotions under control Ishii; my only problem will be not killing the motherfucker once were done with the interview."
A smirk lit up Kimura's face. "Don't worry about that Akane, once the people hear what Shizuko has been up to, they're going to want him hanged."
The assembled group chuckled lightly at that.
"So how are we going to get Shizuko to agree to do an interview? Won't he be a little busy with losing the war and all?" Akari asked.
"Aside from my role on Shizuko's staff, I am also head of the public relations department, so I'll just mention to him that the people are getting rather restless and they need to hear some reassurance before they can calm down and throw their support behind him once again," Kimura explained. "With whatever intelligence resides in that man's mind he should be able to deduce that he needs to first calm the people before he can get onto the much larger problems facing him. The recession hitting Japan and most other Asian nations is almost as bad as it was before World War II."
The assembled group nodded at that. Almost all of them had been taking economic cuts in their lives, though some not as much as the others. Akane and Akari owned two multimillion companies that stretched across three countries. Ishii was a part owner as well, and Kimura was a well-paid government official. Together they had more than enough capital to see them through the hard times that the country was experiencing.
"So this is all going to happen when?" Akane asked.
Kimura responded. "I'm going to see Shizuko the day after tomorrow, as that was the earliest time I could get an appointment for. I'll convince him to meet with a reporter, and we'll set that up as soon as he has some free time, most likely next week or so."
"But don't push the issue too hard, if he suspects anything, he'll likely call it off and we'll lose our chance, and have to wait an indefinite amount of time before we get another opportunity," Ishii added.
Kimura nodded. "I will make sure to come across neither too eager nor too dismissive my friends. I have had a lot of experience trying to get politicians to bend to public will."
"Care to elaborate?" Akane said.
A sly grin spread across Kimura's face. "In good time my friends, in good time."
===============
Pain.
That was all Ryoga could feel in his body when he first became aware that he was awake. It wasn't centered either, all over his body the intense ache of pain echoed down his legs, across his abdomen and chest, and through his head. He wanted to cry out in pain but his jaw wasn't working, as it seemed to be stuck closed.
It was a moment before he remembered to open his eyes, and when he did, he was somewhat relieved to see that he was inside. The problem was that very bright lights were on in wherever he was and he could barely focus his eyes without pain skirting through his head.
There was a feeling that he was forgetting something important, something that he should be doing, but it escaped him. Although he didn't realize, he had been given very heavy medication; of course, it did little to take away the massive pain that was echoing throughout his body.
"Mr. Hibiki?" a soft voice asked from somewhere beside Ryoga.
Casting a glance to the right, Ryoga was startled to discover that he couldn't move his head. And with his jaw locked in place, he couldn't say anything. Luckily for him, whoever was beside him had seen that he was trying to communicate.
"Don't bother trying to talk Mr. Hibiki; you took a rather nasty fall back there. Your jaw has been broken, as well as most of the other bones in your body. From the medical exam you were given when you came in the other night, we've been able to diagnose you with prolonged malnutrition, one of the worst cases I've ever seen. Not to worry though, with a little rest, and some food to pump into you, you could be as good as new by the next month or so."
The voice seemed distant, and it was hard for Ryoga to distinguish if the person was a male or female. In the back of his mind, something told him that the person was speaking English, which was odd, because he was in China. Wasn't he?
===============
President Winnfield leaned back in his chair and let out a low groan as he rubbed his eyes from underneath his glasses. For the past twelve hours he'd been waiting for word on the rescue operation in China, but communications problems had stricken the teams on the ground and they were unable to call in for evacuation to the Navy ships sitting beside Taiwan. In the end, President Winnfield had ordered the planes to depart and go to the rendezvous and see if the teams were there, if not, then they would go again the next day.
A second attempt would increase the risks incredibly, but Winnfield had to order it. Getting the American POW's out, as well as the Japanese, would be an incredible boost in moral for the coalition, not to mention make the Chinese understand that they weren't invulnerable at home. Every day that this war continued, more and more soldiers were being sent home in body bags, something the American people despised more than the fact that they were fighting two wars at the same time.
Sadly, even though victory would occur both in Siberia and in Afghanistan, the American military would be put to war once again in Iraq, that is, if the leaders of that country weren't willing to run.
The President was stopped from his brooding when his aide burst through the doors of the Oval Office and was trailed by a few Secret Service.
"Mr. President, we've got them," the aide announced happily, if a little out of breath. "General Parker called in and says that everybody got out."
"Casualties," Winnfield asked automatically.
The proud look on the aide's face melted to one of sadness. "Fourteen dead, 7 Americans, 6 Russians, one Japanese, and 3 wounded. Only three bodies were recovered, and that includes the Japanese soldier sir."
Winnfield's face took on a look of horror. "How did so many of them die?"
"The intelligence wasn't completely correct sir," the aide said shamefully. "The soldier barracks had two communications outposts, as well as mortars. If it weren't for a few brave soldiers that sacrificed their lives, then the whole team would have been wiped out. The attack on the prison camp itself went better than we could imagine."
"How so?" Winnfield asked.
"When the soldiers arrived, aside from having to take out a few guards that remained on the top level, the prisoners were already free. It seems some of the Japanese soldiers were attempting to break out. Parker said that even if they hadn't arrived, the escape would've gone through."
"Amazing," Winnfield breathed. "And after that everyone got away?"
"No sir," the aide answered. "Back at the barracks, the second communications room sent out a dispatch for help, and then received one from the prison when the prisoners started to escape. They sent a truckload of soldiers over and they arrived just as the second team was loading the POW's onto trucks to cart them away. The trucks got away, but General Parker and three Japanese soldiers who were trying to escape in a jeep, got hit by a rocket-propelled grenade of some kind. Before any more damage could be done, the first team arrived and killed the soldiers in the truck and found Parker and the others. Aside from some slight spinal bruising, General Parker is alright, but one of the Japanese soldiers died before they were picked up. The two other soldiers are alright, though one of them looks like he's been there for as long as the other American POW's."
Something clicked in Winnfield's mind. "You mean that CIA report last year, the one detailing how the American POW's were still alive, and recent reports said that an Asian man was among them."
"Yes sir, it would seem that the report was true," the aide said.
"Well I'll be damned," Winnfield said. "But he's okay now right?"
The aide nodded. "With some care and proper nutrition, he'll be back to normal, at least physically, in a few months."
The President raised his eyebrows, obviously waiting for the aide to continue.
"The POW's experienced some very horrible conditions Mr. President, and they endured it for four years. It's unrealistic to believe that they wouldn't be affected mentally."
"True," Winnfield nodded, "I've seen some of the things that POW's suffer from in their latter years. I suppose most of those POW's are going to need psychiatric help."
"Yes sir," the aide agreed. "We've lined up a few Japanese speaking one's that we hope will be able to talk to the Japanese soldiers."
"Good idea, were not returning those soldiers to Japan until Shizuko backs down and opens up to where he has his nuclear weapons."
The aide nodded but said nothing. It wasn't his place to administer advice to the President, that was the NSA's job, or maybe a member of the Joint Chief's of Staff. "Thank you," the President said, both sincerely and as a dismissal. The aide took the hint and left the President, bringing the Secret Service agents out with him, and closing the doors.
Winnfield placed his glasses back on his head and sighed; a gentle smile crossed his face. 'At least something's going right'.
===============
As Ryoga awoke once more, he quickly realized that he no longer was strapped down in whatever he had been before. He realized this because, when he awoke, he was falling out of his bed and onto the floor. Instinct saved him from a rather nasty fall, and Ryoga allowed himself to protect himself by letting his hands take the brunt of the fall. Pain was transferred though his body and blackness swam in his eyes as he fought to stay conscious. Slowly, afraid that any sudden movements might cause further pain, Ryoga maneuvered himself back into his bed and lay there, gasping for breath. Taking the time to collect his bearings, Ryoga spared a glance at the room he was in, realizing that he was inside what appeared to be a hospital room. Of course, the drab gray color, and the fact that there were no windows confused him, but the room gave off the feeling that he was inside a hospital.
Before he could examine his physical condition, someone appeared in the doorway. Recognition did not immediately set in, so Ryoga decided to study the man's features. Powerful, was the first thought that came to Ryoga's mind as he looked over the man's physique. As his eyes continued along his body Ryoga noticed that he was wearing a rather torn field jacket, something you expected to see on a soldier.
It was at that moment that the memories of the past few days came flooding into Ryoga's mind. Ranma arriving in his cell, the breakout, Phil and the other soldiers rescuing them, the scramble to the jeep, and finally, the impact that tossed them all from the jeep and into the heavy brush. Everything after that was hazy, and Ryoga could not recall a single thing after that moment.
"Ryoga?" a quiet voice asked, and Ryoga remembered the man that was standing in the doorway. Taking a closer look at his face, Ryoga realized who the person was.
"Ranma," Ryoga said quietly. "You're alright."
Ranma nodded. "Yeah, apparently a jeep rolled over me," he said with some humor. "But the docs don't know me that well, they thought I'd be dead by now."
A smile crossed his lips. "It's good to see you Ranma," Ryoga said. "I can't tell you just how much it means to me that you saved me. A lot of the other guys in there, they went crazy because they gave up hope, but I didn't I wouldn't allow myself to give up, somewhere deep inside I knew that someone would come rescue me. I guess I did always presume it would be you."
"Best friends don't give up on each other," Ranma said with tears appearing in his eyes. "Your one stubborn sonofabitch Ryoga, even when the whole world expects you to be dead, you show them up by walking out of the valley of the dead."
"Though I walk through the valley of the dead, I fear no evil, for you are with me," Ryoga quoted as he smiled at Ranma. "It's my memories that keep me alive. Thinking of everything that was back in Japan, I couldn't let myself succumb to defeat."
Ranma walked up to the bed and sat down in a nearby chair; he leaned over and rubbed the large mass of hair on Ryoga's head.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't you jerk, as soon as your all better, and this war's taken care of, we'll go back home and you'll get to see everyone again."
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Ryoga's mouth as he thought of Akari.
Ranma fidgeted in his seat and Ryoga's gaze shifted towards him. It was then that he noticed Ranma had a cast over his right arm, and that he seemed to be in some kind of pain.
"Are you alright Ranma?" Ryoga asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.
Ranma waved it off, as he wiped at the sweat that was collecting on his forehead. "I'm fine buddy, just a little uncomfortable that's all."
Before Ryoga had a moment to respond to Ranma, the pig-tailed man suddenly convulsed and fell forward, his body spilling out of the chair and onto the floor. Ryoga quickly shifted so he could see and saw that Ranma's eyes were open, but his pupils had rolled to the back of his head.
"Doctor!" Ryoga called as loud as he could. It took only a moment before a man in dress greens came running into the room. He took one look at Ranma and stepped back outside the room and called for assistance. Finished with that, he came slowly back in the room and checked Ranma's pulse.
"He's alright," the doctor said in English. "We had him under twenty- four hour watch because he wanted to come check up on you, but he's been far too weak to do that. He must have snuck away somehow."
Ryoga, shocked that Ranma was actually hurt, failed to respond when the doctor asked him how he was feeling. Medical orderlies and nurses piled into the room with a trolley and placed Ranma on it. As they were carting him out Ryoga saw the lines of worry and concern etched over Ranma's face. He had been fighting a war for almost half a year, seeing death and destruction on a scale Ryoga could barely imagine, but instead of getting the rest and recovery that he needed he had come to check on Ryoga.
'Ranma' Ryoga thought softly.
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Author's Notes: Late again. I just can't seem to let this story end can I? Oh well, the longer I take to finish it, the more my reader's have to read.