***
Marriage is a mistake every man should make.
--George Jessel
***
"Hey! It's my turn to use the reins," someone briskly scolded in the middle of the night. The carriage this voice trailed out of was black and could hold four people, but he was talking to the person outside the cart, the one steering their pinto, two black horses that trotted patiently. The man at the reins laughed and didn't flinch.
"Ryoga, c'mon, we're gonna be halfway out the courtyard by morning at this rate. Either let me have a try or go faster," he yelled over the howling wind. Ryoga pretended not to hear, but at the same time increased his pace little by little.
"So, where exactly are we going?" Ryoga inquired over his shoulder. Ranma shrugged and started staring outside the window again, pushing himself against the door and presses his forehead against the glass. Thinking Ranma didn't hear Ryoga began again, "Hey! Where are we going? Ever think of spending your royal funds on ear cleaners? They're rather good," Ryoga noted with satisfaction.
"No. Just, no. I can't believe you hire people to clean your ears! It's so . . . so . . . like me," Ranma noted, smirking, "Y'know, I think I like the sound of that now!"
"You sir, are an idiot," Ryoga muttered.
"I can hear you and I ain't an idiot. And by the way, I don't know where we're gonna go, just away," Ranma shot up to the reins man. Ryoga rolled his eyes and slowed the pace, smiling mischievously, until Ranma started to scream again.
"You are such a woman," Ryoga noted jauntily. Trying his best not to, Ranma began to laugh, then Ryoga laughed harder and Ranma did too and soon they were over their minor fight. Well, that was until they hit a road bump, except, road bumps didn't exist yet, and they knew that.
"What was that?" Ranma asked, alert. Ryoga hopped off his seat and calmed the horses as Ranma jumped out of the carriage on the other side. They both slowly crept to the front, Ranma held a baguette in his hand, ready to strike. Ryoga looked over and pointed to the bread stick. Ranma stuck up his nose and motioned to the front of the cart. Ryoga shrugged and walked to the front of the carriage, Ryoga at the exact same place opposite him. As they stepped in front of the cart, peering every which way for signs of beasts.
"We could have hit a wild animal," Ranma whispered hoarsely to Ryoga. He rolled his eyes and they both stared down.
They stared down to the horses feet but nothing was there. They began to look around, into the ditches at the sides of the dirt road and noticed something. Ranma held his arm out and poked the large clump of mass with his baguette. It moaned loudly and Ranma jumped back, into fighting stance. Ryoga came over slowly, confused as to what was going on. As Ranma bent down to take a closer look he pushed the thing over onto its back. At that exact moment something grabbed at him, pulled at him and in a second he was down in the ditch, with the lump of mass at his side.
"What are you doing," the thing murmured painfully. That was when Ranma figured it out; he figured they had hit someone, not something. He picked it up in his hands and carried it into the carriage. Ryoga just stared on in silence, not being able to comprehend what he had done. He stared at his hands and blubbered softly.
"Well, are ya gonna help me or what? Open the damn door," Ranma instructed Ryoga as he rushed over. He opened it and looked on worriedly.
"He isn't dead, is he?" Ryoga asked, nervously.
Ranma chuckled, "Not unless he's got some new way of talkin' in his sleep," Ranma turned to look at Ryoga, "his eternal sleep. He winked and laughed again, "Don't worry, we only clipped him, maybe startled 'im and he fell into the ditch."
There were more groans and the man tried to get up, his dark cloak hiding his features.. Ranma held the stranger's head up and the man became defensive, shielding its hood and keeping it up.
"Are you all right man?" Ranma asked, concern obviously in his voice.
The stranger coughed and his voice sounded odd, "Uhh, yeah, just great. I'll just be going," the man tried to get up but winced in pain as trying to stand and fell back into the carriage..
Ryoga looked horribly grieve-stricken and took a step closer, "You should really stay with us, we owe you that much!"
Ranma looked over angrily, shooting daggers in Ryoga's direction, "We're not taking stowaways. He says he's fine," Ranma nodded to the grimacing figure in front of him, "so he's . . . uh," the figure started to whimper and then his shoulders started to shake and he began crying, "umm, aw damn, fine," Ranma said in defeat, looking suspiciously over to the passenger, "no offence but ya really shouldn't cry," Ranma said uncomfortably, "I mean, it's kinda girly."
Ryoga snickered and Ranma punched him in the shoulder. He hopped into the reins position and started the horses. The figure sniffled and sighed loudly, his voice cracking, sounding a tad feminine, "Well, it's none of your business if I cry or not! I could be eating horse hooves and carriage wheels and it would be none of your business," he scolded.
"Hey," Ranma asked cautiously, "what do you think about gettin' married?"
"Well, I think when the right person comes along, so will love," the person muttered, almost whispering the words.
"Aha!" Ranma yelled as he pulled down the man's hood only to reveal a female figure beneath it.
She tried to move away quickly but fell to her side, holding onto it, biting tears back.
Ranma stared down and reluctantly helped her up, scooping her up off the floor. Her face stayed in a scowl as he settled her down into the seat across from his.
He watched her scowl and finally got fed up, "What is it?"
She scowled on and stared straight into his eyes, "How did you know I was a girl?"
He rolled his eyes and explained, "No man would have given the answer you gave. About love," he said the word with spite, "and finding your "one". You're such a girl."
"Well," Akane spat like it was obvious, "yeah."
"Whatever, just wait there. Ryoga wont let you go, he's a sissy, but I'm gonna get rid of ya after your side gets better," Ranma muttered to himself, "if it's even hurt."
Akane swiveled her head to face his again and screamed, "You know, I can hear you right? And I don't need your help!" Akane tried getting up but hesitated, sitting down again, never taking her eyes off Ranma, "but I guess I don't want to offend your friend."
Ranma smirked and stared out the window, watching her every move out of the corner of his eye. Akane stayed to her side for a bit and then started to fall into a troubled sleep. Akane dreamt of wild beasts, the tallest trees she'd ever seen, and an amazing necklace, deep fuchsia and glowing.
She woke up with a start, Ranma was talking to her and she had to ask him to repeat what he'd said before.
"I said," Ranma paused. Something crossed his face for a second, something Akane couldn't put her finger on, it seemed almost worry like. She smiled and he stared back confused, "are you okay?"
"Umm," Akane rubbed her temples and yawned, "yes, I think I'm okay. Why?"
Ranma looked confused, "What d'ya mean "why"? I just wanted to make sure Ryoga wouldn't get upset!"
"Y'know, I've never even met Ryoga, and yet, I am quite sure I like him positively more than you," Akane commented, staring out the window, trying to look as formal as she could.
"Well," he laughed, "he thinks you're quite the man, and y'know what, I agree." He grinned widely and kicked his feet up next to her.
She snorted in disgust and pushed his feet off the seat knocking him off his balance and causing him to trip over himself and fall to the ground. He shot a glance at her from the floor and noticed her laugh, a gleeful, free little giggle. He looked at her, into her eyes and smirked slyly, "Y'know, you aren't like anyone else I've ever met."
She guiltily held her hand out to try and help, still holding onto her side with the other, "Thank you, I guess you're not as bad as I thought."
"Oh," Ranma said, in a questioning tone, "I'll prove you wrong some day." He smirked again and latched onto her hand, pulling her down with him. She shrieked and fell to his side.
She tried to get up but her side stung worse with every move she made, "What was that you lunatic?"
Ranma shrugged, "I kinda thought I'd get ya back. I didn't know yer side hurt that much . . . ," he trailed off, "I'm sor-"
Akane cut in, falling even further towards him, now only inches from his face. She sighed heavily, "Listen, I've had a really bad day."
"That makes two of us," Ranma cut in, grinning coolly. He rested himself on one elbow and watched her go on.
"I've just made a decision that I'm starting to think was stupid, I've been run over today for the first time in my life, and I just found out today that I am to be married to a prince! A bloody prince, can you believe it," Akane admitted, dumbfounded at his emotionless face.
"Yeah, I bet yer real happy you get to meet a prince," he said, starting to get up, turning away from something he thought was there.
Akane laughed, "Oh no way! I'd rather die then marry a prince!"
Ranma slunk down again and just listened.
"I mean, who needs a stuck up man who not only thinks he's the best man in the world, but has a following of girls? Am I right?" She asked eagerly, pleadingly staring into his eyes again. That made him uncomfortable, like he wasn't in the driver's seat.
"I suppose you're talking about a certain prince? I mean, how many have fan clubs, right?" Ranma joked. Akane rolled her eyes.
"Every single one! Y'know, I don't even know his name! Oh," Akane noticed, "I forgot, I don't even know your name." Akane waited for him to answer and wriggled closer to get a good look at him.
"Well, I'm Ranma," he said nervously.
Akane smiled, the carriage had warmed up by now and she was content, almost forgetting her problems, "Well Ranma, thank you for saving me tonight."
He smirked again, "And after you were so cruel," he taunted.
She felt herself coming closer to him, his hand reaching across her face and behind her neck, her head falling next to his as he pulled himself up to her. She could feel his breath, only an inch or two away. She forgot all she had been thinking of and the same went for him. He pulled himself closer, slower than anything and just as their lips were about to grasp onto each other the door to the carriage swung open and a brimming Ryoga looked on in a confused, half-expectant stare.
Ryoga looked to Akane and she smiled, "I fell, and Ranma was helping me up. I hear you helped me even more than him, I'm Akane."
Ranma began to protest but Ryoga cut him off, "It was nothing, but I thought you were, I mean, you evidently are not," he trailed off.
Akane laughed, "a man? Yes, I am a woman and I'm sorry I might have led you to believe I was something I am not," Akane apologized sweetly.
"Hey," Ranma yelped, "how come I didn't get an apology like that?"
Akane looked to him angrily, "because you don't deserve it! You tripped me!"
Ryoga looked to Ranma in an uproar, "You tripped A-a-Akane? That's it Ranma, prepare to die!"
Ranma blocked Ryoga's attack and stared on in confusion, "what are you talking about Ryoga?"
Ryoga looked to Ranma bitterly, "That's it Ranma, if I have to fight for her honor I will!"
Ranma taunted, "Like you could beat me, pig-boy!"
Ryoga looked over to Akane apologetically but noticed he was about to speak to air. He stared wildly about until he noticed a huge bird flying over them, with Akane in it's talons, "Oh no, we have to go get her!"
"OH! So now you want to talk to yer good buddy Ranma, after the she-demon is gone," Ranma compiled.
"Ranma, we have to help, we are princes," Ryoga explained as if it were common knowledge.
Ranma didn't understand, "Soooo . . . ?"
"So," Ryoga scoured his brain for a reason but found none, "it's just what we do. And if you don't," Ryoga added, a hint of warning in his voice, "I won't show you the map."
Ranma rolled his eyes and turned to stare up at the sky, "Fine," he said, walking back to the carriage, "but I don't like stowaways," and muttered to himself, "especially not female ones."
A/N: So how is the second chapter? If any one is OOC tell me. Akane is being some what nice to Ranma because she is being polite and doesn't know him yet. Review or I might forget to write the next chapter. Next chapter hopefully up soon!
Marriage is a mistake every man should make.
--George Jessel
***
"Hey! It's my turn to use the reins," someone briskly scolded in the middle of the night. The carriage this voice trailed out of was black and could hold four people, but he was talking to the person outside the cart, the one steering their pinto, two black horses that trotted patiently. The man at the reins laughed and didn't flinch.
"Ryoga, c'mon, we're gonna be halfway out the courtyard by morning at this rate. Either let me have a try or go faster," he yelled over the howling wind. Ryoga pretended not to hear, but at the same time increased his pace little by little.
"So, where exactly are we going?" Ryoga inquired over his shoulder. Ranma shrugged and started staring outside the window again, pushing himself against the door and presses his forehead against the glass. Thinking Ranma didn't hear Ryoga began again, "Hey! Where are we going? Ever think of spending your royal funds on ear cleaners? They're rather good," Ryoga noted with satisfaction.
"No. Just, no. I can't believe you hire people to clean your ears! It's so . . . so . . . like me," Ranma noted, smirking, "Y'know, I think I like the sound of that now!"
"You sir, are an idiot," Ryoga muttered.
"I can hear you and I ain't an idiot. And by the way, I don't know where we're gonna go, just away," Ranma shot up to the reins man. Ryoga rolled his eyes and slowed the pace, smiling mischievously, until Ranma started to scream again.
"You are such a woman," Ryoga noted jauntily. Trying his best not to, Ranma began to laugh, then Ryoga laughed harder and Ranma did too and soon they were over their minor fight. Well, that was until they hit a road bump, except, road bumps didn't exist yet, and they knew that.
"What was that?" Ranma asked, alert. Ryoga hopped off his seat and calmed the horses as Ranma jumped out of the carriage on the other side. They both slowly crept to the front, Ranma held a baguette in his hand, ready to strike. Ryoga looked over and pointed to the bread stick. Ranma stuck up his nose and motioned to the front of the cart. Ryoga shrugged and walked to the front of the carriage, Ryoga at the exact same place opposite him. As they stepped in front of the cart, peering every which way for signs of beasts.
"We could have hit a wild animal," Ranma whispered hoarsely to Ryoga. He rolled his eyes and they both stared down.
They stared down to the horses feet but nothing was there. They began to look around, into the ditches at the sides of the dirt road and noticed something. Ranma held his arm out and poked the large clump of mass with his baguette. It moaned loudly and Ranma jumped back, into fighting stance. Ryoga came over slowly, confused as to what was going on. As Ranma bent down to take a closer look he pushed the thing over onto its back. At that exact moment something grabbed at him, pulled at him and in a second he was down in the ditch, with the lump of mass at his side.
"What are you doing," the thing murmured painfully. That was when Ranma figured it out; he figured they had hit someone, not something. He picked it up in his hands and carried it into the carriage. Ryoga just stared on in silence, not being able to comprehend what he had done. He stared at his hands and blubbered softly.
"Well, are ya gonna help me or what? Open the damn door," Ranma instructed Ryoga as he rushed over. He opened it and looked on worriedly.
"He isn't dead, is he?" Ryoga asked, nervously.
Ranma chuckled, "Not unless he's got some new way of talkin' in his sleep," Ranma turned to look at Ryoga, "his eternal sleep. He winked and laughed again, "Don't worry, we only clipped him, maybe startled 'im and he fell into the ditch."
There were more groans and the man tried to get up, his dark cloak hiding his features.. Ranma held the stranger's head up and the man became defensive, shielding its hood and keeping it up.
"Are you all right man?" Ranma asked, concern obviously in his voice.
The stranger coughed and his voice sounded odd, "Uhh, yeah, just great. I'll just be going," the man tried to get up but winced in pain as trying to stand and fell back into the carriage..
Ryoga looked horribly grieve-stricken and took a step closer, "You should really stay with us, we owe you that much!"
Ranma looked over angrily, shooting daggers in Ryoga's direction, "We're not taking stowaways. He says he's fine," Ranma nodded to the grimacing figure in front of him, "so he's . . . uh," the figure started to whimper and then his shoulders started to shake and he began crying, "umm, aw damn, fine," Ranma said in defeat, looking suspiciously over to the passenger, "no offence but ya really shouldn't cry," Ranma said uncomfortably, "I mean, it's kinda girly."
Ryoga snickered and Ranma punched him in the shoulder. He hopped into the reins position and started the horses. The figure sniffled and sighed loudly, his voice cracking, sounding a tad feminine, "Well, it's none of your business if I cry or not! I could be eating horse hooves and carriage wheels and it would be none of your business," he scolded.
"Hey," Ranma asked cautiously, "what do you think about gettin' married?"
"Well, I think when the right person comes along, so will love," the person muttered, almost whispering the words.
"Aha!" Ranma yelled as he pulled down the man's hood only to reveal a female figure beneath it.
She tried to move away quickly but fell to her side, holding onto it, biting tears back.
Ranma stared down and reluctantly helped her up, scooping her up off the floor. Her face stayed in a scowl as he settled her down into the seat across from his.
He watched her scowl and finally got fed up, "What is it?"
She scowled on and stared straight into his eyes, "How did you know I was a girl?"
He rolled his eyes and explained, "No man would have given the answer you gave. About love," he said the word with spite, "and finding your "one". You're such a girl."
"Well," Akane spat like it was obvious, "yeah."
"Whatever, just wait there. Ryoga wont let you go, he's a sissy, but I'm gonna get rid of ya after your side gets better," Ranma muttered to himself, "if it's even hurt."
Akane swiveled her head to face his again and screamed, "You know, I can hear you right? And I don't need your help!" Akane tried getting up but hesitated, sitting down again, never taking her eyes off Ranma, "but I guess I don't want to offend your friend."
Ranma smirked and stared out the window, watching her every move out of the corner of his eye. Akane stayed to her side for a bit and then started to fall into a troubled sleep. Akane dreamt of wild beasts, the tallest trees she'd ever seen, and an amazing necklace, deep fuchsia and glowing.
She woke up with a start, Ranma was talking to her and she had to ask him to repeat what he'd said before.
"I said," Ranma paused. Something crossed his face for a second, something Akane couldn't put her finger on, it seemed almost worry like. She smiled and he stared back confused, "are you okay?"
"Umm," Akane rubbed her temples and yawned, "yes, I think I'm okay. Why?"
Ranma looked confused, "What d'ya mean "why"? I just wanted to make sure Ryoga wouldn't get upset!"
"Y'know, I've never even met Ryoga, and yet, I am quite sure I like him positively more than you," Akane commented, staring out the window, trying to look as formal as she could.
"Well," he laughed, "he thinks you're quite the man, and y'know what, I agree." He grinned widely and kicked his feet up next to her.
She snorted in disgust and pushed his feet off the seat knocking him off his balance and causing him to trip over himself and fall to the ground. He shot a glance at her from the floor and noticed her laugh, a gleeful, free little giggle. He looked at her, into her eyes and smirked slyly, "Y'know, you aren't like anyone else I've ever met."
She guiltily held her hand out to try and help, still holding onto her side with the other, "Thank you, I guess you're not as bad as I thought."
"Oh," Ranma said, in a questioning tone, "I'll prove you wrong some day." He smirked again and latched onto her hand, pulling her down with him. She shrieked and fell to his side.
She tried to get up but her side stung worse with every move she made, "What was that you lunatic?"
Ranma shrugged, "I kinda thought I'd get ya back. I didn't know yer side hurt that much . . . ," he trailed off, "I'm sor-"
Akane cut in, falling even further towards him, now only inches from his face. She sighed heavily, "Listen, I've had a really bad day."
"That makes two of us," Ranma cut in, grinning coolly. He rested himself on one elbow and watched her go on.
"I've just made a decision that I'm starting to think was stupid, I've been run over today for the first time in my life, and I just found out today that I am to be married to a prince! A bloody prince, can you believe it," Akane admitted, dumbfounded at his emotionless face.
"Yeah, I bet yer real happy you get to meet a prince," he said, starting to get up, turning away from something he thought was there.
Akane laughed, "Oh no way! I'd rather die then marry a prince!"
Ranma slunk down again and just listened.
"I mean, who needs a stuck up man who not only thinks he's the best man in the world, but has a following of girls? Am I right?" She asked eagerly, pleadingly staring into his eyes again. That made him uncomfortable, like he wasn't in the driver's seat.
"I suppose you're talking about a certain prince? I mean, how many have fan clubs, right?" Ranma joked. Akane rolled her eyes.
"Every single one! Y'know, I don't even know his name! Oh," Akane noticed, "I forgot, I don't even know your name." Akane waited for him to answer and wriggled closer to get a good look at him.
"Well, I'm Ranma," he said nervously.
Akane smiled, the carriage had warmed up by now and she was content, almost forgetting her problems, "Well Ranma, thank you for saving me tonight."
He smirked again, "And after you were so cruel," he taunted.
She felt herself coming closer to him, his hand reaching across her face and behind her neck, her head falling next to his as he pulled himself up to her. She could feel his breath, only an inch or two away. She forgot all she had been thinking of and the same went for him. He pulled himself closer, slower than anything and just as their lips were about to grasp onto each other the door to the carriage swung open and a brimming Ryoga looked on in a confused, half-expectant stare.
Ryoga looked to Akane and she smiled, "I fell, and Ranma was helping me up. I hear you helped me even more than him, I'm Akane."
Ranma began to protest but Ryoga cut him off, "It was nothing, but I thought you were, I mean, you evidently are not," he trailed off.
Akane laughed, "a man? Yes, I am a woman and I'm sorry I might have led you to believe I was something I am not," Akane apologized sweetly.
"Hey," Ranma yelped, "how come I didn't get an apology like that?"
Akane looked to him angrily, "because you don't deserve it! You tripped me!"
Ryoga looked to Ranma in an uproar, "You tripped A-a-Akane? That's it Ranma, prepare to die!"
Ranma blocked Ryoga's attack and stared on in confusion, "what are you talking about Ryoga?"
Ryoga looked to Ranma bitterly, "That's it Ranma, if I have to fight for her honor I will!"
Ranma taunted, "Like you could beat me, pig-boy!"
Ryoga looked over to Akane apologetically but noticed he was about to speak to air. He stared wildly about until he noticed a huge bird flying over them, with Akane in it's talons, "Oh no, we have to go get her!"
"OH! So now you want to talk to yer good buddy Ranma, after the she-demon is gone," Ranma compiled.
"Ranma, we have to help, we are princes," Ryoga explained as if it were common knowledge.
Ranma didn't understand, "Soooo . . . ?"
"So," Ryoga scoured his brain for a reason but found none, "it's just what we do. And if you don't," Ryoga added, a hint of warning in his voice, "I won't show you the map."
Ranma rolled his eyes and turned to stare up at the sky, "Fine," he said, walking back to the carriage, "but I don't like stowaways," and muttered to himself, "especially not female ones."
A/N: So how is the second chapter? If any one is OOC tell me. Akane is being some what nice to Ranma because she is being polite and doesn't know him yet. Review or I might forget to write the next chapter. Next chapter hopefully up soon!