Part 3: Exchange
Later, that day both Ryoga and Akane sat in the dojo. They didn't speak for a while. Just before Akane could say something, Kasumi entered the dojo.
"Akane, I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she said apologetically. Akane shook her head. "Well, dinner is ready. Maybe your friend would want to join us."
"I'd be honored," Ryoga said a bit sheepishly. This was great being in the dojo alone with Akane was a dream come true already. Now even being invited to eat in her home was just so amazing. But he knew there was nothing more but friendship between him and Akane. It hurt, but he knew. There was defenetly something going on between her and Ranma. Ryoga knew that for a fact. He had seen the fighting, he wished he knew about what, but he had noticed Akane looking very hurt by what he was saying. She looked as if she would cry. He began to think that maybe she had confessed her love to him and he had treated her badly in return.
It had only made Ryoga want to kill Ranma if that was the case, but somehow he knew that wasn't it. Or could it have been. Now he was just going back and forth with the theory.
"Ryoga?" Akane asked, pulling Ryoga away from his thoughts. He slowly turned to her and then she asked, "Will you join us for dinner. Kasumi makes great food and there's always enough for an extra person. My family wouldn't mind. Kasumi is probably setting a place at the table for you as we speak."
"I'd really love that," Ryoga replied as he smiled. His smile was a little empty and he hoped Akane hadn't noticed. If his theory or part of it was true that ment that his love for her would never be returned no matter how much he prayed for it. It just wouldn't be returned. He already had a feeling that Akane loved Ranma and he no longer wanted to be in between them if she did.
"Great!"
Ryoga nodded as she stood. She held out her hand and Ryoga hesitated. He looked up at her and she smiled sweetly. He returned her smile and took her hand and stood before her.
Ryoga walked along side Akane to the house. Kasumi had set the table and everyone was sitting around.
"You can sit beside Akane if you'd like Ryoga," Kasumi offered.
"Thank you," he replied just as sweetly.
"Hey, boy!" Genma greeted. Ryoga bowed his head slightly at the huge man. "Did you and my son get in another fight? Is that why he isn't here?"
"Or maybe Ranma ran off with another girl," Nabiki suggested. Soun looked at Akane questionably with puppy dog eyes. He looked as if he were going to cry. Ryoga turned to look at Akane. She looked away.
"Ranma isn't with another girl. He's just . . . " Akane began.
"Out," Ryoga finished for her. He knew she had nothing else to say and he sensed that Akane didn't want to worry the family. Ryoga didn't think they'd worry for Ranma, but then again, Akane did, so why wouldn't everyone else worry? He knew all hell would break loose when Ranma's other fiances found out about what happened to him.
"Sit. Please, sit, Ryoga," Kasumi said. So, Ryoga sat and Akane sat beside him. Everyone seemed to treat each other nicely at the table and friendly conversations were made with Ryoga. But he didn't feel like he truly belonged there even with everyone treating him like just another member of the family.
When dinner was over Ryoga and Akane had left the house. Akane had told her father that they were only going for a walk. As they walked neither of them spoke. Finally Akane broke the silence, "Ryoga?"
"Yes, Akane?" Ryoga asked.
"Do you think we'll get Ranma back safely?" Akane questioned.
"I'm sure we will," he replied. Again came the silence. It was weird. Not having Ranma around. There wasn't much to do. There was no one to fight with. Ryoga finally broke the silence with a question. "You really love him, don't you, Akane?"
She seemed a bit startled by his question and then blurted out, "No! He's a jerk who can't think about anyone else but himself!" Ryoga was a bit scared. She looked almost as if she would pounce on him at any given second.
"Okay. Calm down, it was just a question."
They had been walking around for what seemed hours. They had come by the school for the fourth time. Akane had a feeling there had been something on Ryoga's mind. He hadn't talked much. He seemed to be thinking of something and she wondered what it could be.
Ryoga had suddenly stopped and before Akane could ask what was wrong, she felt it. The reason why Ryoga had stopped. It was a presence. No, it was more than one. It was three. She turned around and noticed three figures in front of her. They walked toward her and then Ryoga protectively jumped in front of her.
"Show yourselves!" Ryoga demanded and soon after the three slowly appeared before them. It had been Shampoo and beside her was a man who looked almost like Moose except his hair was a bit shorter and it was brown. His glasses were squared and then there was Ranma. Akane had the urge to just run and she almost did, but she stopped herself and she felt Ryoga's hand on her's. He had stretched his arm back enough to touch her hand.
"That's not Ranma, Akane," Ryoga said, but Akane's mind wanted to believe otherwise. She didn't want to believe that Ranma was no longer with them. Sure it was Ranma, physically, but not mentally.
"Ranma, are you in there?" she questioned as she stepped forward. "Give me some sign if you're still in there.
Suddenly, Rahzar had fallen to his knees. He grabbed his head and screamed. He sounded as though he were in true pain and Ryoga (Akane had noticed) was taken aback by this. She was a bit scared herself. She stepped forward, cautiously. She spoke some reassuring words to him to try and calm him. She couldn't quit figure out what was truly going on. It confused the hell out of her when he did this. It scared her beyond words too. Akane then watched as Ranma rose his head. The look on his face suggested that he was struggling. His eyes held nothing but fear and insecurity.
"Akane, please, help me. Please, Akane," he said. He then grabbed his head once more and screamed again. He let his head fall and he stayed silent and unmoving for some time until Akane was sure she heard laughing. It was faint at first, but slowly it became louder. Ranma picked his head up and laughed. Shampoo joined him as he stood.
"What a sap," Shampoo said as she continued to laugh.
"If only you could see the look on your face," Ranma laughed.
"That was unbelievably funny," Shampoo added. She moved closer to him and smiled devilishly. Ranma returned the smile with one of his own. He placed his arms around Shampoo's hips and pulled her closer. He kissed her lightly on her neck. Then he slowly left a trail of butterfly kisses across her collar bone and up the other side of her neck to her chin then to her lips. Akane watched the scene unfold before her and was utterly hurt, but desperately tried to hide it. It's not him, it's not him, it's not him, she repeated over and over again in her mind. She could see their tongues wrestle with one another. It disgusted her.
"Uh, brother," came a voice from behind Shampoo. "Brother."
"What is it now, Tokka?" Ranma demanded in between kisses.
"Your plan, Rahzar," Toka answered. Ranma who now went by the name of Rahzar broke the kiss.
"Sasami, dearest, will you do the honors?" Rahzar asked.
"My pleasure," she replied. With that she quickly advanced on Akane. Akane went down on the ground. Ryoga had quickly jumped to Shampoo to pull her off, but was pulled away by Tokka. They soon began to fight and Rahzar stood by to watch. "That was easy," Sasami said. She sat on Akane pinning her down. She smiled. That had pissed Akane off. She waited for the right moment. Sasami had turned her head toward Rahzar and let her guard down. She was about to speak when Akane had tossed her. She stood and quickly took her fighting stance.
Sasami lifted herself up and brushed herself off. She then ran to Akane aiming a punch toward her face. Akane ducked it and took a hold of her arm and pulled her forward and punched her stomach. Akane had successfully knocked the wind out of her and sent her flying at least 3 feet. Akane gave her a fake smile. Rahzar was a bit shocked, but Akane noticed that he wasn't as surprised as she expected he would be.
"Why aren't you impressed with my skill?" Akane asked a little ticked off. Rahzar looked at her.
"Have you forgotten that I possess Ranma's body including his mind. That means I have his memories. I know about your skill. I knew from the beginning?"
"You never mentioned you possessed Ranma's memories," Akane replied.
"Oh," Rahzar said, sounding like he didn't care. "Well, I do. His mind is now mine. And his soul is locked away."
"What the hell does that mean?"
Rahzar sighed, "That is the least of your worries," he answered.
"Wha - ," Akane managed to say before Sasami rammed her down again. Sasami once again pinned Akane down. She held her arms over her head. "You recovered quickly," Akane said.
"I'm no ordinary girl," Sasami replied. Akane took a deep breath and rolled over on Sasami. She smiled as Sasami gave Akane a disgusted look and tossed her aside. Both girls quickly stood and prepared themselves for a fight, both taking their fighting stances. "Prepare yourself, Akane."
"I'm already prepared."
Then both girls charged at each other both throwing punches at one another. They were both successful. Both of their fists collided with both their faces. At the same time they took a step back. Sasami was the first to charge this time she threw a punch which Akane swiftly blocked. A kick had come from no where and Akane had flown back. She sat up and looked at Sasami who seemed to be wearing Shampoo's body as she gently rubbed her chin. She then stood and charged toward Sasami.
Meanwhile, Ryoga had no problem with his opponent. He was able to duck, dodge, or block every one of Tokka's moves. After quit some time Ryoga raised his leg a kicked the side of Tokka's head, sending him flying off the tree. Tokka was out cold. Rahzar had quickly appeared in the tree in front of Ryoga. He wasn't looking very happy. He then smiled as his fist collided with Ryoga's face. The force had slammed Ryoga into the trunk of the tree, which had made the whole tree shack. Rahzar moved toward Ryoga.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean 'what am I doing?'" Ryoga asked.
"Why are you helping Akane get Ranma back?"
Ryoga stopped. "She needs help even if she admits it or not. She can't do everything on her own."
"Ryoga, Ryoga, Ryoga. This is your chance to have Akane to yourself." Ryoga froze. He began to think about it. It truly was his chance. He could take it. Sure, Akane wasn't in love with him, but in time she could forget about Ranma and move on. Move on . . . to him. It was possible. Wasn't it? "That is what you want, isn't it?" Was it? It was. That was all he wanted. That was the only sure thing that would make him truly happy.
"Yes. Yes, it is."
"But," Rahzar continued as he shook his head.
"But what?"
"But if you continue to help Akane you'll never get her. You're only pushing her further and further from your reach. Anyway, there isn't a way to bring him back. It's hopeless. Your help is hopeless."
So, now what? What was he supposed to do? He wanted Akane and more than anything he wanted her to return his love with her own. He wanted to grow old with her. He wanted a life with her. To be able to wake up next to her as himself and not the small pig, P-chan.
"What do you choose to do, P-chan?" Rahzar asked. Ryoga looked up at him. He hated being called that when he wasn't the small black pig and he especially hated being called that when it was Ranma who was using the name. Rahzar smiled and now Ryoga made his decision. He stood and got in his fighting stance. "Is that what you choose?" Rahzar threw his head back and laughed. He folded his arms over his chest. "You choose to loose the woman you love to the man you hate most! How pathetic of you! Alright, then. Shall we begin?" Rahzar prepared himself as well and pretty soon fists were flying.
They had stopped to take a breather and Ryoga tried thinking of a clever plan as Rahzar talked about his own plans. The crimes he'll be committing to get the things he wants.
"Sasmi and I are to be married. We'll buy our wedding rings and she'll get the wedding she's always wanted. And no one will stop us. No one. Not you. Not that girl. No one!"
Out of the corner of his eyes, Ryoga spotted a small pond over to his right. Water. That would be nice. He needed a drink. No, you can't! You're fighting! Stay focus - Ryoga paused. Water. Yeah, water! He'd lead Rahzar there and somehow trip him or push him out of the tree into the pond. He's in Ranma's body so he'd have the curse! It would distract him for a while, giving me and Akane enough time to run off and think of a plan.
A smile spread on Ryoga's face.
"What the hell are you smiling at, P-chan?"
"Nothing."
Rahzar then advanced on Ryoga and all the while Ryoga jumped from tree to tree escaping or blocking Rahzar's punches every once in a while. When they had finally gotten to the tree just above the pond, Rahzar had kicked Ryoga's rib-cage. Ryoga had lost his balance and slipped. He clung to the tree branch above him. Rahzar had only begun to laugh. He moved forward and stepped on Ryoga's hand.
"So, Ryoga did you actually believe that you could get me in the water? What would you accomplish by doing that? Turn me into a girl. I know about Ranma's curse, but it's his male body alone that I need so I am immune to his curse."
Then it wasn't going to work. Ryoga's plan was useless. Unless...
Ryoga smiled up at Rahzar. With his other hand he grabbed Rahzar's leg and pulled him toward the water.
"Shit!" Rahzar shouted as he lost his balance and slipped. It seemed like everything was going in slow motion for Ryoga. Rahzar was falling closer and closer to the water. Water splashed everywhere as Rahzar hit the water and Ryoga could hear Akane and Sasami running and yelling toward him. It seemed like it was taking forever for Rahzar to resurface.
"Ryoga, what happened?" Akane asked as time sped up again.
"Where's my baby? What did you do to my Rahzar?" Sasami asked, getting defensive.
Ryoga looked over at both the girls. Akane looked at him questionably. He smiled at them both, but Sasami wasn't too happy. She looked pissed. Pretty soon, there was a girl screaming. Everyone turned in the direction of the scream. A red head sat up in the water. By the looks of it she was naked and then Ranma's male half surfaced beside the red head.
"I'll get you, P-chan!" the red headed girl cried.
"How the hell is this possible ?" Ranma's other half asked.
"Don't ask me, but someone's gonna die tonight!" the redhead shouted. Ryoga laughed as he jumped to the ground. Ryoga looked over to Akane. She was utterly shocked and Sasami was as well.
"Rahzar?" Sasami asked.
"Yes, Sasami, I'm here," he said as he stood. It was Ranma's male form. Rahzar was still in Ranma's body. Ryoga had figured it'd be this way, but he wasn't sure that his plan would actually work. He had thought about what Rahzar had said. 'I know about Ranma's curse, but it's his body alone that I need so I am immune to his curse.' If he was immune to Ranma's curse then putting him in water would only separate the woman in him, this would allow Ranma's soul to be set, resulting in Ranma coming out in his female form since Rahzar would be unable to.
Ryoga ran into the bushes until he found Tokka's unconscious body. He took Tokka's pants and shirt and then quickly ran back to the group without taking one look back toward Tokka. When Ryoga was beside Akane, he tossed the clothes at the female Ranma. She quickly put the clothes on and stood. She was socked. Then she walked toward them, but Rahzar came between them stopping the redhead in her tracks.
"Want a fight? I never fought myself like this before, but I can tell it'll be exciting," Ranma said as she got in her fighting stance. Rahzar smiled.
"No, but my job isn't finished here so I will return. Let's go, Sasami," Rahzar ordered.
"Right behind you."
"Tokka, let's go!." There was no answer. "Tokka!"
"I'm coming, brother!" Tokka shouted from behind the bushes. He came walking over as he wobbled from side to side, looking as if he'd fall at any given time. Ryoga smiled. Tokka was coming out in nothing but his boxers. One of his lenses was cracked a little bit. Rahzar groaned. He was annoyed by his brother. He walked toward his brother and with a swift motion he lifted Tokka up and put him on his shoulder and took off, jumping from tree to tree.
"I can do this myself, Rahzar!" Tokka could be heard whining.
"You're half naked, your lenses are broken, and you got yourself beat up! You can't do anything for yourself!" Rahzar yelled.
"But I know I can, big brother. I can, I can, I can!" Tokka shouted as he began crying.
Sasami turned to the group.
"We will all return and you can bet we'll beat you then," Sasami said.
"Sasami!"
"Coming!" she shouted. "So long." And with that she was off. She followed Rahzar and Tokka. Things among Ryoga, Ranma, and Akane grew silent. Neither one of them spoke. Ranma soon began to walk in the direction where Rahzar had gone. Ryoga only watched him. Akane walked forward.
"How exactly did this happen?" she asked Ranma, but he said nothing to her. He ignored her. "Ranma? Hey, I'm asking you a question!"
Ryoga grew angry.
"Don't ignore her like that, Ranma!"
"I don't even know how this happened so how the hell am I suppose to answer her question, Ryoga?! You did it anyway. You explain. Go on, P-chan!"
Ryoga growled and charged toward Ranma. Akane tried to stop them. Yelling at them to stop. She got in between them both and shoved them apart.
"Just stop it right now! I don't have to know how this all happened. The important thing is that you're back, Ranma. Now let's go on home before my father begins to worry."
She reached out to touch his arm, but he moved away before she could. They soon began back to the dojo. Neither one of them spoke and Ranma was up ahead, leading the way. Akane and Ryoga were behind him. They soon reached the dojo and stepped inside.
"Ah, Ranma," Genma greeted. "You've been 'out' for quit some time now."
"Yeah. So."
"So, who is she, Ranma?" Nabiki asked slyly.
"She who?" Ranma asked. Ranma was a bit confused. What did Akane and Ryoga say to them? That he was out with some other girl?
"Don't answer her question, Ranma. Nabiki has a silly little belief that you were out with another girl," Kasumi chimed in.
"Well, with all those other fiance's he has I wouldn't be surprised," Nabiki replied.
"I was just out," Ranma said as he moved toward the stair case to get to his room. He wanted to try and clear his head. Memories lingered in his mind. Rahzar's memories. Ranma had gone half way up the stairs when Kasumi stopped him.
"Are you hungry, Ranma? Would you like me to make you something? Or would you prefer me to get some hot water? To change you back?" Kasumi offered.
"No, thank you. I'll just shower." The red head didn't want to explain the current situation. There would be too many questions and Nabiki would probably come up with something to take advantage of the whole situation. So, Ranma went up the stairs to her room.