Why does this have to happen now? Ryoga asked himself. It's too soon. It's just... I can't... I'm not ready...
Ryoga scanned the field, taking in the destruction. Several trees had large gashes in them, probably caused by the scythe-shaped blade laying on the ground, its wielder's disembodied hand still grasping it. Several other weapons were scattered on the ground or imbedded in various surfaces. Swords, arrows, spears, barbed whips, various blades, a crossbow, lengths of chain, even a mace. But not a single firearm.
I can't do this...
Blood was everywhere. Smeared on stones and trees, pooling on the ground beneath body parts, drying on blades. The air itself seemed tainted.
Ryoga heard Ukyo's voice, but couldn't make out what she was saying. His attention was focused on what lay beneath the shade of a large oak. A man in a traveling cloak and a woman in a pink kimono.
I have to do this...
Steeling himself, Ryoga walked towards the tree and knelt in its shade.
"Mom... dad... I'm here now..."
ooOoo
Oh my God oh my God oh my God... Ukyo repeated to herself. Ryoga's PARENTS? She watched as he reached down and took his mother's hand, calling out to her softly as if he expected her to answer.
Now society is a remarkable thing. It ingrains in us the proper way to behave to such a degree that very little thought is required when dealing with various situations. When to be polite and respectful, when to be yourself and have fun, when to swallow your pride and apologize.
When to offer condolences.
Which is exactly what Ukyo intended to do. Eyes downcast she made her way over to Ryoga, taking great care not to step on, in, or near anything that wasn't normally found on the forest floor.
Stopping a few feet behind Ryoga, she tried to decide what to say. I'm sorry didn't seem like enough, I know how you feel was an outright lie, and It'll get better was, well, sappy. In fact, everything she could think of was either incredibly inadequate or just lame.
Lifting her eyes, she got her first clear look at his parents. His mother was beautiful. A delicate china-doll face complete with porcelain-smooth skin, perfect ruby lips and thick lashes. Delicately boned, she was dressed in a light pink formal kimono with cherry blossoms adorning the sleeves. It was as if she was some Japanese princess who had stepped out of a fairy tale.
Ryoga's father seemed the exact opposite. He was heavily muscled, much more so than his son, and looked almost burly in his well-worn travel cloak. Even so, he had such a kind face, topped with a shoulder-length version of Ryoga's unruly haircut held back by a simple black bandanna. His hands, large and callused, showed a life used to hard labor. Ukyo could almost see him working as a lumberjack or a miner…
If it wasn't for the deep slash parting his abdomen.
Ukyo quickly averted her eyes, not even wanting to think about what type of blade was used to do that sort of damage, or even worse, the cruelty of the person who wielded it.
Her gaze returned to Ryoga. The lost boy was still calling out to his mother, now asking, now begging her to wake up. Heart full of pity, Ukyo moved closer and gasped.
Ryoga's mother was breathing.
ooOoo
"Mom, please... please wake up." Ryoga repeated for the hundredth time, feverently hoping she would. He gripped her hand harder, concentrating on the flutter of a pulse beneath his fingers, the barely perceptible rise and fall of her chest.
She had to wake up, even if only for a moment...
Ryoga didn't know how hard he was squeezing her hand until he felt something dislocate. He felt a stab of guilt at doing such a thing, even unintentionally, but suddenly it didn't matter anymore.
His mother was awake.
ooOoo
Ukyo watched in amazement as her lashes parted, only to find herself confronted with the brightest green eyes she had ever seen. In fact, the only other time she had seen eyes quite like that before was, well, on Ryoga.
The china-doll mouth moved a few times, as if remembering how to speak. When words finally came, they were the last ones Ukyo expected to hear.
"Good morning... Ryoga dear... I'm so glad you could make it..."
"Good afternoon." Ryoga corrected gently, swallowing audibly. "What... was it... them?"
"Yes..." came the whispered reply. "They attacked without warning... it was fortunate we were... so near..."
FORTUNATE?
"How bad is it?"
Sugar, you can see how bad it-
"They woke her."
Excuse me? Ukyo blinked, taken back by the odd response.
"But... how could they find her..." Ryoga looked completely horrified. "How could they know how to..."
Ryoga... what's going on...
"They made... errors... but don't worry. We hid her."
As Ryoga's mom lifted her hand to caress his cheek, Ukyo noticed a dark patch beneath her arm that wasn't a shadow. It was blood. She was bleeding to death from a wound on her back.
Ukyo gasped, the small sound drawing his mother's attention. Warm, emerald eyes caught hers.
"Ryoga dear... why don't you introduce me to your friend?"
Ryoga glanced back as if he had forgotten she was there. Turning back to his mom he stated "Mom, this is Ukyo Kuonji, an okonomiyaki chef who owns her own restaurant in Nerima. Ukyo, this is my mother. And that's my father."
"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hibiki." Ukyo bowed. Introductions seemed so out of place.
"Ukyo dear... there's no need to be... so formal. Come sit by me. I so rarely get to meet... my son's friends.." She turned to her son. "Ryoga dear... your father wishes.. to say something..."
Ryoga's eyes widened slightly at that, but he obediently went over and sat at his father's side. To Ukyo's surprise, his father's eyes cracked open and his mouth began to move slightly. Ryoga bent to catch what was being said.
"So... you own a restaurant... do you?" His mother's words were soft and broken, as she barely had the energy to say them. "So nice to know... my son's eating well."
In truth, Ryoga ate more at the Tendo Dojo than he did Ucchan's, but Ukyo had never minded. As long as he didn't frequent the Nekohanten. But now was neither the time nor the place to bring that up, so she simply nodded.
"Ukyo dear... I have a favor to ask of you..."
"Anything." Ukyo replied, kneeling by her side.
"Don't make promises so quickly... they're the hardest ones to keep..."
Ukyo nodded. "What are you asking?"
"Keep an eye on Ryoga for me. He's going to be... going through some tough times... for the next few months... help him if you can..."
"I'll... I'll do my best." Ukyo replied, not quite sure.
"Good girl..." She reached up and placed her hand behind Ukyo's head, pulling her close and placing a moist kiss on her forehead. "Such lovely hair..." she continued as Ukyo sat back up. "I have a blue kimono... that would look so nice on you... I want you to have it..."
A silver-pearl flash in the corner of Ukyo's eye caught her attention, but she saw nothing as she glanced towards the trees. Turning back, Ukyo noticed something disturbing. She bit her lip hard enough to make it bleed? Why?
"I'm sorry you didn't have a chance... to speak with my husband..."
Ukyo was taken back by this comment. She turned a questioning gaze in Ryoga's direction, only to see him reach up with a trembling hand and close his father's eyes.
Oh Ryoga I'm so sorry...
Ryoga glanced at Ukyo, his expression of grief turning to one of despair as he stared at her face. Or more specifically, her forehead. He hurried to his mother's side, taking her hand as Ukyo slid over to give him room.
"Mom...?" Ryoga's voice cracked as tears flowed freely down his cheeks.
"Shhh... it will be all right... I love you... Ryoga... dear..."
As her hand fell limp, Ryoga laid his head across his mother's chest and cried.
ooOoo
"Ranma, you get back here this instant!"
"Nyah nyah... make me you uncute tomboy!"
ooOoo
Ukyo watched as Ryoga methodically destroyed every weapon in the glade. He'd barely said a word since his parent's cremation, nor had he shed any more tears. Ukyo was beginning to worry that he was holding it in, and that wasn't a good thing. Then again, as his favorite emotional release was a Shishi Hokoudan, holding it in a bit longer wasn't a bad thing either. At least as long as she was there.
Wait a minute. Is he bottling up his feelings because I'm here? She glanced at Ryoga as he snapped an arrow into three pieces, then as he broke a sword over his knee. His eyes had a forlorn, haunted look to them, as if there was something just below the surface he was trying to cover. That's it. He's holding back because of me.
Ukyo walked over to him. "Ryoga, do you want me to leave?"
He looked up at her, startled. "I... I'm glad you came..."
"But you could use some time alone." He nodded, his face apologetic. "I understand. I'll find my own way back to Nerima." She turned as if to leave, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Wait..." He picked up a nearby pack and handed it to her. "Use this."
"Thanks sugar." She said as she hefted the pack over her shoulder. "When you get back to Nerima, could you stop by Ucchan's? Just so I can see how you're doing?" He stared at her blankly for a bit, then nodded.
"Good." She said, giving him a tight hug. "I'll see you then."
ooOoo
Ryoga watched as Ukyo disappeared into the forest. He didn't regret her coming, if only for the fact that he really needed that hug. Part of him wished she had stayed, just so he wouldn't be alone. But another part, a part he was struggling to control, craved the release only a full Shishi Hokoudan could provide.
Which was why she had to leave. She knew this, and didn't make a fuss, something Ryoga was eternally grateful for.
But she's gone now. Ryoga said to himself as he snapped a chain in half. I'll give her time to get away. I can hold out long enough to finish with the weapons. Then...
A mace snapped in his hands.
ooOoo
Ukyo walked through the forest. Being carried there in the dark, not to mention being asleep for part of the trip or the fact that the Lost Boy was the one leading, she had no clue where she was.
She glanced back in the direction of the clearing, but decided against going back to ask for directions for several reasons.
First, he needed time alone, and her popping back unexpectedly would not help. Especially since it had been her suggestion to leave in the first place.
Secondly, she had a feeling a massive ki blast wouldn't be long in coming. An event she didn't want to be anywhere near. After all, she had seen the amount of damage he had been able to do when Ranma was simply teasing him. For an event like this... well... she didn't want to be in the same zip code when it happened.
And finally, this was Ryoga we were talking about. Even if she asked for directions, she wouldn't get any. At least not good ones.
Ukyo sighed and walked on.
ooOoo
"Shi... Shi..."
ooOoo
"Where on earth am I now!"