I don't own Ranma 1/2 at all.
It was a Saturday morning. Actually the first day in a long time, that Kayley had felt well. Knowing the desturbing events that have recently plagued her friend, Akane suggested that they and Ranma go to the park.
Kayley came down in a T-shirt and shorts, still refusing to to show that hated mark on her shoulder, and got herself a bowl of cereal. Ranma was wearing his normal clothes, and praying that he didn't run into his insane brother. Akane was wearing a light-blue dress.
About an hour later, in the park, they noticed that a ring was set up and a woman kickboxer was challenging opponent after opponent and winning. After her recent victory, the woman announced boisterously, "Is there anyone else who will challenge Inoue Kotori?"
Kayley, who felt like she needed to know what she was made of, spoke up, "I'll take that challenge!"
She stepped into the ring and only a moment later, Inoue attacked. Kayley's defenses were real good, but knowing nothing about kickboxing, she decided to study her moves a little. One conclusion she came to was that Inoue was very aggressive. Although her techniques, themselves, were dangerous, she left herself open alot. Inoue's reach was better that Kayley's, however, so she couldn't attack without getting kicked first.
Kayley was the one who had something to prove, to herself, and she couldn't worry about being hit or not with this fight. She cleared her mind of everything and just ran at Inoue. Inoue waited till the right time and kicked. The attack made a small slice, not much bigger than a paper cut, accross Kayley's forehead. Blood seeped down, but she didn't notice and it didn't slow her down. When the moment came, Kayley did a backwards chop against Inoue's neck, knocking her unconscious immediately.
As soon as the fight was over, and Kayley was thinking clearly, the pain in her head hit her. She held her forehead and made her way out of the ring. Ranma was really impressed, "Wow! Where did that come from?"
She answer, "Nowhere. I just realized that I have to fight my own battles. I can't think about the consequences. Ryoga will be back and I must be stronger emotionally, for his sake, as well as my own."
Akane started to become a little worried, "That's great Kayley, but that cut's looking pretty nasty. I think we should go see Dr. Tofu about it."
Kayley had to wipe the blood that was trying to get in her eyes and commented, "You've got a point." It was at that point that Ranma started seeing Kayley, not as a helpless girl, but deternimed woman. He was beginning to understand why Saffron was using her energy.
It wasn't long before they reached Dr. Tofu's residence. As it turned out, it was a very small cut indeed. Dr. Tofu explained that on some parts of the body, the forehead being a perfect example, cuts tend to look worse than they really are. Even so, he wiped it clean and put a bandaid on it and sent them on their way.
Ranma still wasn't sure he knew what the deal with Kayley's sudden mood change was and, even though she gave an explaination, he felt it wasn't the real reason. Never being one for tact, he asked, "Why are you suddenly so happy today? Really."
She walked a little further before answering, "I know it's wierd, but, I can still remember my mother. Her pale skin, that tired expression on her face. I think... she gave up toward the end. Saffron not only sapped her energy, but her will to live as well. I realized that I was acting the same and I'd meet the same fate as Mother. I can't allow such a thing to happen, Ranma! Even if my heart grows cold, I won't allow myself to just lie down and die!"
This statement shocked both Ranma and Akane. Akane asked, "Are you sure you know what you're saying? Are you expecting something horrible to happen?"
Kayly shook her head, "No, but I never expected my life to be as good as it is and... I don't want to let it go." With that statement, they felt it would be best just to drop the entire conversation.
In another part of town, Kyote was making some kind of plans. Mousse was there, but was confused. He inquired, "What are you talking about, dating Akane?"
She laughed, "Of course it's not a real date. This is going to help the both of us, Mousse. If I go on a date with Akane, it will provoke Ranma. If he remains provoked until the fight, he won't be able to concentrate. Plus if Shampoo sees Ranma jealous, she might give up on him."
Mousse seemed a little saddened, "Is this right for us to do this Kyo?"
"Ranma's the reason you're miserable, isn't he?"
"Well," Mousse started.
Kyote continued, "He exploits people's weakness' just to win a fight! I'm going to take him off that high-horse of his and let him have it."
He questioned, "Exploits?"
Kyote, in her anger, began digging her nails into her hand, "I found out from Nabiki that Ranma often uses dirty tricks to confuse and hurt some poor boy to win. That boy probably feels like crap enough just losing, without my blasted brother messing with his emotions!"
Mousse was beginning to realize that this was getting out of control. He began to try reasoning with her, "Ryoga shouldn't have to have anything to do with this. Let him worry about his own problems. Besides, he's got his own girlfriend now and they don't fight like that anymore. Anyway, aren't you doing the same thing, messing with his mind I mean?"
She shook her head, "Mousse, I'm going to make him feel what it's like to have his confidence broken." Kyote was silent a moment. Mousse saw her close her eyes. He thought she might start crying as she said, "It hurts... being alone.
Mousse didn't understand that her revenge wasn't just because of Ranma. She was, as she felt, abandoned and given very few paths to take. The one path she did take had left her a very bitter person.
Ryoga was in an open field totally barren of civilization, yet within it stood a very unusual, very massive object. A stone piller stood brillantly, alone. It looked as if it was the legendary Tower of Babil, trying to touch the heavens. Even so, he could swear he saw a building pearched atop this magnificint pole, plus a ladder of unknown length was attached. He felt sure that someone lived there and that they would be able to get back to Nerima, so he began to climb.
It took half a day for him to even get half-way up. Ryoga saw a room, that was built into the pillar and thought he might could rest a bit , before continuing. Tap tap tap. The sound came from his right. He whirled around and saw, with disbelieving eyes, a white cat, carrying a wooden staff, and standing on two legs.
The cats eyes seemed closed, but Ryoga was no amature, he knew that this strange cat was well aware of his presence. Although it was highly unlikely that this was the product of a Jusenkyo curse, he had to remember what Pantyhose Taro would become and asked, "I..Is this Jusenkyo?"
The cat laughed. He, indeed, sounded very human, "You've gotta be kidding me! If you're looking for Jusenkyo, you're not even on the right continent, kid."
Ryoga shook his head, "Actually no, I'm trying to get back to Nerima before something bad happens."
It was then, that the unusual cat noticed the powerful ki or aura (as the westeners put it) that surrounded the boy. He insisted, "Tell you what, kid. Climb to the top of that ladder and you'll find a group of peopleup there, that's in quite a spot, that you might can help with. Give them a hand, and I bet my whiskers they can get you to where you're going, kid."
This news made Ryoga hopeful as he scattered for the ladder. The cat called out as the boy made his way up, "Tell 'em, Korrin sent you!"
As he reached the top, Ryoga Hibiki came to a flat area of land. Actually it wasn't land, the floor was made of some sort of white tile. About 80 feet away was a strange building. It was hard to say exactly, but Ryoga thought it had a middle eastern look. As he walked forword he called out, "Hello! Is anybody there!" His answer came to him in the form of a ball of energy.
Ryoga quickly rolled out of the way. As quick as he was to get to his feet, he could not escape the punch of an angry looking man with a receding hairline. The blow knocked Ryoga completely off his feet. He was hit so hard, he thought his jaw was broken.
A female voice broke into the tense situation, "Vegeta! How dare you attack that kid!" A woman with bluish-green hair, carrying a six-month old child walked into view. Ryoga got to his feet as the woman continued to chew Vegeta out. Finally, the woman turned to Ryoga and asked, "What are you doing here anyway? This isn't exactly part of a tour."
Ryoga ingored her and turned his frustration on his attacker, "You Bastard! What did you do that for!"
Vegeta's mild annoyance turned to rage, "What did you say, you pathetic human! You're dead meat!" He then proceeded to power up. Waves of golden energy surrounded Vegeta as he transformed into a super saiyan. To the others that knew Vegeta, this was overkill. Even Ryoga knew that this man was strong enough to rip his lungs out, he was a man with a mission.
He shouted, "Just leave me alone! Some stupid cat told me to come here! All I want is to get back to my girlfriend before something bad happens! And you're not gonna stop me!"
After hearing this Goku interfered, "Wait Vegeta! This kid isn't our enemy." A man with incredibly spikey hair came into view. He continued, speaking to Ryoga this time, "Some cat? Do you mean Korrin?"
Ryoga answered, "Yeah, that's what he said his name was. He said you needed help with some problem, and if I did help, you guys would help me get home." p
A green creature that resembled a human, with the exception of having long, pointed ears, spoke this time, "He must be refering to the fight with Cell." p
Vegeta snapped, "Honestly Namek. What could a weak human do against Cell?"
Ryoga's pride just got a sucker-punch to the stomach, "Oh yeah? I show you!" He ran over to one of the surrounding palm trees and with some effort, pulled it from it's roots and held it over his head. "How's that for weak!"
Krillen, who had watched the whole thing, sputtered, "D-Did you see that! He just ripped that tree outta the ground with his bare hands! I don't think I could do that. Goku, sure. Vegeta? Hell yeah, but I'm not sure about myself."
In his mind, Vegeta was at least a little impressed. He thought, "Not too bad for a human." Still he was not the type to compliment an imputant human. He spoke, "Your girlfriend is in trouble huh? Well I guess you'll have to plan her funeral, as weak as you are?"
Even if it wasn't meant to be taken seriously, there was no joking around with Ryoga. His eyes blazed red and an ugly red aura surrounded the boy as he screamed with uncontrollable fury, "Nothing's going to happen to Kayley! DO YOU HERE ME!" He launched himself towards Vegeta, ready to fight.
Not wanting to see the boy get himself killed, Goku intercepted Ryoga and grabbed the wrist he was going to attack Vegeta with. Rage took control of Ryoga's common sense as he screamed, "Get away from me!" and he used his other fist to punch Goku in the gut.
Goku had to take a step back from the punch. Still he tried to reason with the boy, "How'd you like to use that strength to protect that girl of yours."
Those words brought Ryoga to his senses as he relaxed and spoke, "To protect Kayley, I'll do anything."
Did
you like. From this point on things should start getting interesting
and a little hectic. Please enjoy and review.
