~Lady Akitsu~ Alright, the first thing I'd like to say is… THANK YOU!! Well, to all the people who bothered to review my story, let alone read it. For the people out there wondering what took me so long to update, I had a problem with a mixture of writer's block (God, I hate those) and procrastination. So… yeah.
PERSONAL THANK YOU'S
Kim Ai-chan: Thanks for reviewing my fic, my loyal subject… Oops! I mean loyal reviewer. Heh heh…. *sweatdrop* I'm glad you stuck around. BUT YOU NEED TO UPDATE!!! I'm dying to see what's next.
Brian, Dark Emotionless Shadow: Appreciate the comment, sir. I will work hard to keep it "intriguing." *smirks* STAR WARS RULES! WHOO! ^_^ *laughs*
SailorKagome: Be in suspense no more, my dear. But please update your fic. It should be done by now, according to what you've told me before we were cut off. *sobs* I MISS YOU, TI-CHAN!! EMAIL ME, DAMN IT!! *ahem* ^^;;
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Anyways, time for the usual disclaimer. I DO NOT OWN RANMA ½!! I never have, and I never will. In fact, I never said I did, so HA! *sticks out tongue at evil lawyer people* I do, however, own Sabriel. She is my creation, so hands off. Got it?! *whips out Akane-style mallet and growls* Also, here's my usual key. You know, the one you've been seeing through out the fic. Just bear with me, alright? Okay, then. Italics for thoughts, foreign words, or book titles, ALL CAPS for shouting or sounds, bold for emphasis in speech. Blah, blah, blah. Whatever. On with the damn fic. Enjoy.
The Sabriel Series, Part I: Enter SabrielChapter Four
Ryouga and the mysterious girl glanced at each other. Ryouga gave yet another awkward grin and chuckled softly as result of his nervousness. The girl cracked a small smile and joined in. The sweet unison of their laughter grew louder until it seemed to be surrounding them, then died down. Ryouga set his gaze at his feet and rubbed the back of his head and the bruise he had gotten earlier.
"Um… yeah… right…" He trailed off as he slowly looked back up at her expectantly. He smiled to himself as he saw that she was still smiling at him, as far as he could tell. He also saw what he thought was a slight tinge of pink. He blinked.
She's still blushing? It must of affected her more than I thought…
"Heh… um… well, anyway…" As she cast her eyes downward, she caught a glimpse of her swallow, which was now turned into a staff.
"Oh! That's right, we were talking about this."
She bent down and grasped the staff, only to find that Ryouga as had done the same thing. She gasped quietly as she felt his hand on hers. Ryouga blushed and hastily withdrew his hand, staring only at the ground and apologizing in his usual nervous, jittery manner, complete with stuttering.
"I… I… um… heh… uh… I, uh…S-sorry about that… I, um…I-I didn't mean to… uh…*ahem*… I mean… um… Sorry…" Ryouga blushed even more and stared intensely at the ground, a small bead of sweat slowly sliding down his left temple.
Oh, my God… I can't believe that I just did that…Why did I do that?! I'm such a baka! I try being a gentleman, and I end up embarrassing myself. Ugh…WHY?! Oh God, I hope she's not mad or offended or anything…
He nervously glanced back up at her, only to see her giving a small, gentle smile to him. He could only blink in surprise as she actually giggled in a rather cute fashion.
"Hey, no problem. Don't worry about it." She drawled as she smirked at him and moved her hand as if she was shooing away the problem.
"Heh… Alright, then…" He smiled back as he stood back up straight, watching her rise up along side of him. She nodded reassuringly to him.
"You know, we should get going. I'll show you what else my weapon can do later."
Ryouga sighed and shrugged, giving her a fangy grin.
"Whatever you say. You sure this is the right way to Nermia?"
"Trust me, Ryouga. Just keep close to me, and we'll have no trouble with your… um, navigation problem. I suggest we get moving again." And with that, she started to walk. Ryouga raised an eyebrow as he stared after her. Then, it dawned on him.
"HEY!! WHAT WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?! WAIT UP!!" he yelled as he ran down the path after her.
*~*~*
Akane sighed as she kneeled down at the table and began to eat her breakfast of rice and oden, wondering when Ranma would be coming back.
He'd better not make me late. I hope he's okay…
Nabiki noticed her sister's mood and arched an eyebrow.
What's this? Is Akane actually worried about Ranma…? A small smirk came across Nabiki's face. Well, she should be worried about him. After all, she was the one who gave him a first-class trip courtesy of Akane Airlines. I wonder where he got sent to this time… Well, it doesn't really matter, I guess. Just more blackmail material for me. *sigh* I almost feel sorry for poor Ranma. No matter where he goes, bad luck seems to follow that boy everywhere. Plus, he makes it worse with that attitude of his. And, you can't forget who he has as a father.
Nabiki sighed quietly as she stares into her rice, and glanced quickly at Genma, who was sitting diagonally from her and was in panda-form. Nabiki narrowed her eyes slightly and glared at him, then quickly went back to her breakfast. As she ate, her mind went back to her sister.
Akane's mood still hasn't changed yet. Maybe she really is worried about Ranma. She's probably feeling guilty about sending him off like that, knowing her. Poor Akane. Why doesn't she just tell him that she likes him? I know for a fact that he likes her back, despite the way they treat each other. All that name-calling, the fights… Oh, why am I worried about all this? I better hurry up and get to school before those two. I want to be inside before Kunou gets to them. And with that thought in mind, Nabiki gathered up her things from the table and stood up. As she did so, she noticed that she had caught Akane's eye and smiled down to her.
"Hey, don't worry about Ranma, Akane-chan. I'm sure he's fine."
Akane looked up at Nabiki with a surprised expression on her face.
"Nani…?"
"Oh, yes, I'm sure he's doing just fine, Akane." chimed in Kasumi, who had just walked into the room with another large bucket of rice. As she set it down onto the table, she gave one of her serene trademark smiles, which made Akane almost instantly feel slightly better, and she couldn't help but to smile in return.
"Arigatou, both of you guys."
Just then, the front door swung open with a loud BAM! In came Ranma-chan, still soaking wet from falling in the river earlier.
"Ranma!" gasped Akane as she jumped up and ran over to the other girl. "Are you alright? …Why are you soaked?"
Ranma-chan sighed and took a deep breath.
"Look, Akane… Can we talk after I get dressed? I'll explain everything afterwards, but I really need to get some real clothes on. Okay?"
"Alright, fine. But you better explain everything."
Ranma nodded and walked past Akane and up the stairs to the guest room to change.
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~ Lady Akitsu~ Sorry about the short chapter, but I promise you, there's more coming soon! ^_^ And remember… REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!! Please? ^^;; Luv yas! Ja ne! ^_^