A/N: I live! Here's chapter 3. Boy, I sure hope you guys aren't getting bored of my story. The pace is picking up a little bit and a lot of things are going to happen so please bear with me. Thank you so much for your reviews. They really mean a lot to me.

Standard disclaimers apply.

Somehow the dimness seemed strange

Even as that one single star

Switched off its own dismal flame.

Shadows upon shadows.

Hope against hope.

CHAPTER 3: Once Upon a Dream

Ryoga had been wandering around for days, trying to find the Tendo dojo. Actually, he'd given up on the second day and had decided to try and find Ranma but Irony was indeed very fond of him and he found himself back in Nerima.

He had lost count of how many times he'd passed the same alley hours ago and he slumped onto the ground in despair. He wished someone would find him. Never mind his pride; the past few days had been emotionally draining and he just wanted to get something done. He looked behind him, at the junk-filled alleyway. He stood up and was about to resume wandering when something caught his eye.

It was a yellow book, sitting on two lumpy garbage bags. He stepped over a few pieces of rotting wood and cat poo and picked up the familiar-looking book.

Could it be?

He studied the object, turning it this way and that. He was positive it was what he thought it was. Akane's journal. He'd seen it too many times before, as P-chan. It was covered with dust but was nonetheless unmistakably yellow.

Handling it like some sacred thing from another world, he opened it and turned to the first page. It was definitely Akane's handwriting neatly scrawled on the white paper. The moment he laid eyes on the entry, his mind had searched for a certain name and there it was, written in much the same way as other words but managing to stare prominently out from the muddled sentences. Ranma. Ranma. Ranma.

The wind blew and Ryoga quickly shut the book, instantly feeling guilty at the mere thought of intruding in Akane's deepest, most secret thoughts and emotions.

"Wow, Ayabito sure knows torture," Akane said exasperatedly, kicking a small rock on the sidewalk. It had been a long day. College life was tiring, but at least there wasn't a horde of boys waiting for her every morning. She was definitely grateful there were many others who rivaled her in the physical department. She had gotten asked out more than twice but refused any offers. She felt she wasn't quite ready to start a relationship with anyone yet.

"Yeah, I've heard. Glad I'm not taking his class," Takumi replied, his voice thick with emotion. Absently, he put his hands inside his pockets and let his eyes wander through the several stores they were passing.

"I still can't believe how cold-blooded the old bat is. Intelligent, but definitely heartless."

"Well, Philosophy isn't supposed to be a walk in the park. At least he gets his points across, ne?"

"Yeah, but still, he didn't have to keep ratting on poor Chieko-san like that. She was in tears when class ended. I heard she was dropping Philosophy."

"Really?" Takumi's voice sounded disappointed. "I was hoping you'd befriend her so you could hook her up with me," he added as a joke.

Akane slapped his shoulder good-naturedly, a chuckle rising from her chest. "Stop already. You've dated half of the girls in the university and haven't decided on one yet," she said mischievously. "And it's only been two weeks."

"Hey, hey, it's not my fault I'm such a babe magnet," he replied in mock arrogance, running his fingers through his brown hair.

Akane laughed and slapped his shoulder again. "Sure, how can anyone resist?"

As they rounded the corner that would take them to their apartment building, a large brown cat stepped in front of Akane, meowing loudly. Startled, she dropped her things on the pavement and Takumi bent down to help her pick them up. Pens and pieces of paper were strewn about the cement and Akane fumbled tremulously for her things. She couldn't succeed in picking up anything; her hands were shaking so wildly.

"What's wrong, Akane-chan?" Takumi said, gathering the last of her things and handing them to her.

She stared at him with wild eyes, leaning back on a post and taking deep breaths. The cat had long departed and Akane clutched at her chest, relieved. She hadn't taken her things from Takumi; she hadn't quite steadied her hands enough to do so.

"It was just a cat, Akane-chan… It's ok," he cooed, helping her up.

"S-sorry… I w-was…"

"I didn't know you were afraid of cats."

Akane didn't explain, taking her things from him.

Ranma hates cats.

"Akane-chan?" Takumi asked worriedly. "Daijoubu?"

"I'm fine," she replied, snapping herself back to reality. "Hey, you got a lot of work to do?"

"No, why?"

"I kinda want to make a detour." She desperately needed to drive her mind elsewhere.

She kept talking about nonsense, hot, steaming, beautiful chocolate in front of them. She wouldn't let the conversation lapse. The sounds of ownerless voices would fill the silence, and the smell of brewing coffee would invade her senses if she paused to breathe.

"How was your day?" Fake smile.

"You have a favorite teacher yet?" Tapping fingers.

"I know someone who likes you." Shaky laugh.

"Take her out on a date." Nervous giggle.

"Can you help me with this paper I'm working on?"

Takumi shifted in his seat. Akane was acting strangely. For the past thirty minutes, she'd been bordering on hysteria. She couldn't stop fidgeting and her eyes seemed swollen, like she was trying not to cry.

"Chocolate is good for every-"

"AKANE!" he stopped her finally.

Silence.

"No! I hate cats. I prefer dogs. What about y-"

"Akane, stop!" he said, putting his arms around her. "It's all right. Cry. It's okay to cry. No one will know," he added, like a promise. He was surprised at himself, at how well he could read her. Akane was the kind of person who thought crying was a sign of weakness and the kind that wouldn't want to show weakness. She was talkative when she didn't want to think about something… or someone. It happened sometimes, when suddenly she would start talking about little things he knew she didn't really care about. At first he thought it was a bit odd but as they grew steadily closer, he had come to the conclusion that it was the way she kept herself intact, the way she tried to forget. It was brave, but sad.

"He hates cats. I never want to see a cat again!"

But oh, Takumi knew cats weren't the only things that reminded her of Ranma.

Shampoo sighed wearily. "Where airen go?" she whispered, perched on a high tree branch. The sun was setting and the wind was getting too chilly for comfort. She was tired and she wanted to go back to the Nekohanten. She knew she was not much farther from her Amazon village now but she couldn't go there. The elders would banish her if they found out she'd lost Ranma; it was disgraceful.

She sighed again. She could go back to Nerima, of course, but then Cologne would likely be infuriated with her. She hadn't informed the old lady of her plans. When she found out that Ranma had gone, her pride had pushed her to look for him alone. She was sure Cologne would have tried to stop her from further pursuing Ranma.

But Shampoo loved Ranma, and she wasn't going to just give him up. She had always managed to find him before and had never failed to once more regain her role as his fiancée. She didn't care why Ranma had left, or if he wanted to be found.

Eyes skillfully scanning the horizon and the vast forestry around her, Shampoo suddenly became well aware of her isolation. She was desperate to see smoke from a possible campfire or a torn strip of cloth from her fiancé's shirt, but all she saw was the softly rustling greenery, all she could hear was the sounds of nature.

"Where airen go!" she repeated to herself, racking her brain for anywhere else he might be.

What time was it? She'd been looking for days and still found no trace of the martial artist. She'd lost count of how many days she'd been away from home, hardly even cared. All she knew was that Ranma meant her honor and she had to find him. All she knew was that Ranma couldn't leave her hanging just like that.

Strengthened by her thirst for vengeance, Shampoo left her perch and proceeded to set up camp. Tomorrow, she would search another part of the forest.

Takumi and Akane stepped out of the coffeehouse. Sunlight streaked faintly along the darkening horizon and stores were closing up for the day.

Akane remained silent, eyes downcast. When she got like this, Takumi knew better than to bother her and leave her to her musings. Akane was the type who didn't like to be bothered when she was thinking about something important; she had made this clear from the very first day they had met.

Takumi suddenly stopped walking, eyes pausing dangerously on something.

Akane swerved towards her friend. "What is it?" she asked, curious. She turned again, following his eyes. It was a group of seemingly ordinary people huddled in a street corner farther up the street. Akane recognized some of them as students from their university. One girl she recognized from her English class. She always sat at the back of the room and chewed gum.

"What is it?" she repeated, turning back towards Takumi.

"Stay away from him," he said firmly.

"From who?"

"Akimoto Ekiken," he replied, crossing the street and walking towards their apartment building.

"Why?" Akane followed him inside.

Takumi sighed and turned to her. "He's trouble."

He stared at the journal in his hands. He licked his lips and swiped at the sweat forming on his forehead.

Should I?

Even as P-chan, he'd held on to his honor and refused to even glimpse at what Akane was always writing down. But now, with no one in sight, Akane especially, the temptation seemed sweet as honey. It called out to him: Read! Read! Indulge, Ryoga… Indulge just this once.

Nobody could fault him for wanting to know what lay in the deepest recesses of Akane's mind and heart. He loved her and not knowing if she loved him back was gnawing at his conscience. For so long, he'd wondered about what she really felt about Ranma. While she was kind and affable to both Ryoga and P-chan, she was snappy and arrogant to Ranma. That was the little slither of hope Ryoga clung to. Even as he cuddled to her chest at night and listened to her in her sleep, whispering a name that was not his, he enumerated the reasons Akane would choose him over Ranma.

I'm your friend, Akane, he wanted to tell her. I can be so much more.

It was true. He was her friend. It was P-chan she ran to when she was upset. It was P-chan's fur that welcomed her tears when she was alone in her room.

Me. P-chan.

But then, she thought her little pet was nothing more. He knew it was wrong to deceive her, to make her believe her secrets fell upon innocent ears, but somehow, he reveled in having some sort of port key to her mind. It was something he could hold over Ranma's head. You don't know her like I do!

He sat under a tree and leaned back against its trunk. The yellow of the book's cover teased his eyes. Open me!

How would he resist the opportunity so carelessly presented before him? To delve into his beloved's thoughts, finally know what she truly felt? Bring an end to his emotional dilemma?

Sighing, he opened the journal.

A/N: I had no idea about Japanese schooling and such so I just made do with what my resources told me.

The school year begins in April after a ten-day spring vacation. There are three terms: April to July, September to December, and January to March. The children have six weeks of summer holidays and ten days off in the winter. In the past, classes were held six days a week, but Saturday classes are now being phased out. Classes are large, with up to 40 students in both primary and secondary school. The language of instruction is Japanese, but English is a compulsory subject after junior high school. From: http:www.between.ne.jp/sij/en/ryugaku/gakunenreki.html and

Anyway, Akimoto Ekiken is another one of my own characters. Again, I don't know if his name means anything and if it does, please let me know.

I hope you guys are enjoying reading my story as much as I enjoy writing it. Thank you so much to those who reviewed, especially to jan-I-am, who is a wonderful author and one of my favorites. Plug: Check out jan-I-am's "Sight". It's one of the most moving stories I've ever read.

Thanks again! Your reviews mean a lot to me!