Chapter 5: Feelings Unleashed

Ranma sprawled out on his futon and stared hard at the ceiling, allowing his anger to slowly seep away. His body hurt all over and even small movement made his limbs scream out in pain. He cursed Ryoga in his mind over and over again. His rival was far stronger than before and at least twice as fast. Obviously his training had greatly improved his martial arts skill, which was a first if there ever was one. Every other training trip Ryoga had undertaken alone had failed to yield serious results.

Ranma took slight comfort in the fact he had won the fight but now he had to take Ryoga seriously and not treat him like just another pushover. He wasn't a Kuno or a Mousse. There had been something resembling malice shining in Ryoga's eyes earlier. Ranma was nearly positive that Ryoga wouldn't have resorted to murder despite his boasts claiming otherwise, but in the heat of the moment anything could have happened.

"He's almost my equal! No way…" Ranma realized the hard fact suddenly, bolting up into a sitting position. Somehow, this frightened him. True, Ryoga had always been one of his strongest foes and the two had fought regularly over Akane, but the situations and end results had always been the same. Ranma had always won by an incredible margin in the past. He knew he could no longer do that.

Ryoga's actually dangerous now. His anger makes him even deadlier. Ranma touched a small bruise on his cheek. Ow! Ok, Ranma, new lesson number one: never call Ryoga P-chan during a fight again! It could be hazardous to your health.

His mind gradually drew back to the events that had occurred at breakfast before the climatic encounter. The newspaper article suddenly reentered his mind. He actually felt sorry for Kirin but he found it difficult to forgive someone who had put him through such an excessive amount of hell, and that is exactly what Kirin had done. Still, the prince had apologized so everything had been settled. Ranma figured he owed his old enemy at least some concern. Kirin was tough and to take a beating as bad as the paper had described clearly meant that his opponent had been a highly skilled warrior indeed.

Ranma wondered who this 'Mysterious Intruder' was, pondering the possibilities and drawing on a list of suspects. He thought for a moment. No good, none of his really strong opponents even knew Kirin, and none of those that lived in Nerima had the strength to tackle the prince alone, as their misadventure in Nekonron had proven. The answer eluded him, but he was sure of one thing: the whole mess was going to involve him in one way or another. It always did.

He sighed and closed his eyes, fighting off a headache. Things never stop in Nerima. Oh well, if anything does come of all this and this guy does come after me I'm sure he can't be any more of a hassle than Ryoga was. There's that at least…

His thoughts turned to those of Akane and he frowned, rolling over onto his side. I really hate fighting with her all the time! I know I shoot off my big mouth, but she could be a little bit more understanding and less violent too! Damn! I bet she's still mad. Wait a minute, why should I care if she's mad or not?! We fight all the time and nothing ever changes.

He lay there a moment, just staring at his hand, a look of exhaustion crossing his face. I guess that I'm just really tired of everything repeating itself all the time.

A question he had been dodging for over a year chose that inconvenient time to pop up again in his mind again. Sitting up straight, he blushed crimson, raking his fingers through his hair in exasperation. Do I actually like her? I mean… I told her I did but… do I really? Man, I don't know if I do or not…and with a tomboy like her…!?

Like a twisting and turning rollercoaster, Ranma's feelings for Akane could change at any moment. When he thought that he was going to lose her forever as a result of one of Saffron's tricks, he'd felt such a strong dose of love and fear that his heart had practically torn itself in half. But things had quickly returned to normal and while he'd gone along with the wedding and even admired how wonderful Akane had looked on the day of the ceremony, he genuinely felt glad the wedding had ended in disaster. He still needed time to figure out how he really felt. Unfortunately, with her violent temper, Akane was not making this task easy.

Ranma gritted his teeth in frustration, taking his pillow and smacking himself in the face with it. Some emotions eluded his confused mind. If only relationships were more liking combat, he wouldn't have any problems. It was all the sensitive stuff that drove him crazy. How could he apologize to her and tackle this constant relationship problem at the same time?

His mood suddenly lifted as a great idea entered his mind. I got it! I'll take her to the movies! Chicks dig that kind of stuff, right? That should get her to forgive me and maybe, just maybe, I'll even find out if I really, really like her and find out if...if she really likes me too. It's time to fight! I've gotta' be a man and sort all this out once and for all!

He jumped to his feet and shook his fist at the heavens. That's the ticket! I'm a genius!

He rushed from his room as fast as lightening. As he neared Akane's room however, his confidence level sunk like the Titanic and he was suddenly filled with self-doubt. He stood in front of her door, unable to knock as a cold sweat matted his brow.

Far away, amidst an explosion of sudden awareness, a consciousness awoke again at last from the bonds of its new, diminished body. Though his tiny form had just experienced the exhausting process of reincarnation a short time before, the entity was already aware of much, comprehending events that, in all actuality, he shouldn't have been able to understand for many more years to come. But though this creature was tiny in image, he was far more than appearances beheld. Already he expressed a flicker of his former power from time to time. However it was never in the presence of others.

The entity was ancient in both mind and spirit, having seen the world change over and over again for many thousands of years. Under his endless reign he had witnessed species of animals fall to extinction. Over time he'd noted with interest as nations once thought invincible crumbled and faded into the pages of history. That was always most amusing of all. He had laughed at mankind's continual follies over the ages. How the insignificant creatures managed to continue thriving in such extensive numbers was a mystery, and an annoying one at that.

But in the end it was of no consequence. He was stronger than the sum of humanity, smarter and every bit as patient. His race was majestic and clean, so unlike the primitive apes that called itself humanity. The fact that he had been tricked and defeated by one of these creatures infuriated him to no end. It was this fact alone that spurned his consciousness to quickly develop back to self-awareness. Without his past memories and feelings he wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

Thinking of humans made his diminutive fist clench tightly. He would make sure others would feel his wrath. No race it seemed, no matter how benevolent or majestic, was beyond enjoying the simple pleasures of a well-planned revenge.

Yes, he was aware, and he had been planning and scheming since his rebirth, biting back his anger and rage, allowing it to fester within his heart as he observed with eyes unclouded. He took a great deal of interest in Ranma and his so-called allies and studied them even now inside his mind's eye. Since he regained the full power of his intelligence, the entity began putting his plans into motion. No one, not even his own people, ever suspected what the seemingly innocent creature was planning within the dark confines of his mind.

He would wait patiently and observe his chosen enemies from a distance. He had much time to wait; this gave him plenty of time to plan his revenge and engage in a bit of trial and error. It would be quite some time before he was ready to ascend once more and claim his former mantle of power. He'd gone through this process countless times before so waiting a few years meant absolutely nothing.

He had found a new and interesting thing to watch within the confines of his mind in the meantime. This Shadow Warrior who had appeared on the scene from out of nowhere was proving to be a truly fascinating person indeed. His ferocity and single-minded determination was surprisingly refreshing and if his target truly was Ranma, as the entity hoped it was, then such an individual would unwittingly serve to carry out the planned revenge.

It hadn't been the entity's idea to summon forth this man. Originally he'd sent his dark shadow to torment Kirin. His intent had been to cloud the prince's mind and drive him to a point where attacking and killing Ranma was all he could think about. This Shadow Warrior had disrupted that plan quite thoroughly and the prince was now a broken and un-usable pawn.

However, the entity's plans were flexible. He could easily allow such a random variable into the equation. If the warrior failed to kill Ranma, it wouldn't hurt him or his overall plan in the slightest. It would work quite the opposite, in fact. If the Shadow Warrior somehow won, then revenge would be had without the need for the entity to become directly involved in a matter of revenge that was almost beneath him. If this warrior lost the coming battle, the engagement would still yield more information about the true limits of Ranma's abilities. The fact that it would be a win-win situation for him either way put the being in a very good mood.

Smiling evilly, it temporarily destroyed the mask of innocence normally displayed. One way or another, Ranma would die. That, he realized, was more than enough to wait for.

When Akane awoke several hours later she noticed P-chan was nowhere to be found. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up on her bed and yawned, stretching gently. A nap after a good cry always made her better and she was relieved to find that her spirits were up slightly. Swinging her legs around to rest on the floor, she leaned over and looked under her bed. "P-chan? Come here baby."

There was no answer and she sat up to scan her room for any sign of her pet. Her head fell glumly and she sighed. He must have wondered off again...

Brushing the hair away from her eyes, she got up and opened the door. Suddenly, she cried out and stepped backwards, losing her balance and falling onto her butt. There in her doorway stood Ranma, looking nervous and twiddling his thumbs like he had done something wrong.

"Ranma, don't scare me like that! What were you doing standing outside my door, eavesdropping or something!?"

Ranma just stood there staring down at the ground. He wouldn't even make eye contact. Akane cocked her head in confusion. "What's the matter Ranma?" Her face relaxed and she pulled herself up off of the floor. Whenever he didn't react to her yelling she knew something had to be up.

"I, um...y'know, I'm sorry for yelling and arguing with you today Akane..." He blushed.

Akane stared at him in shock. He had actually said he was sorry and meant it, so perhaps she should take the time to do the same before someone said the wrong thing again. "I'm sorry too. For calling you a pervert and all…" She bowed her head slightly, partially to avoid making eye contact. "And for saying all that other stuff too. Please forgive me."

"So… uh, I was wondering if you would, you know, uh... go to the movies with me tonight..." His face actually turned redder. "Um, nothing weird or anything… just … to hang out."

Akane nearly collapsed. She brought her hand to her chest and found her heart beating rapidly like a drum. A date?! Ranma's asking me out! It's about time!

"Ranma," she whispered, smiling cutely, "I'd love to!"

Ranma forced himself to make eye contact with her as his face burned like a forest fire. She's so cute.

At last he was able to admit it to himself without a second thought. Perhaps it was because he had had such an unusual day, or perhaps it was just nature's time. Regardless, he felt something touch his heart that only brought on more confusion and indecision. In a way, he had always felt strongly about her. The truth was that he had just been too ignorant to notice it before. Now seemed as good a time as any.

"Great! I was thinking of going to a late show but I thought I'd let you decide what move we went to see."

"You want to go see that new Dragon Ball Z movie? I heard its best one yet! I think I read that they are also playing another Inuyasha movie as a double header. What was it called…?" She tapped her jaw line, thinking hard. "The Castle beyond the Looking Glass… or something?"

Ranma sighed in relief. He was glad she had chosen an Anime instead of some sappy romance flick. He was very picky about the kind of movies he would watch. "What's that Inuyasha series about? I think I've heard of it."

Oh it's a great story! I've seen some of the episodes on TV. The main character Inuyasha actually seems a lot like you!"

Ranma cocked his head, pondering that.

"Anyways, I think there's a late showing for that, if you wanted," she finished.

"Sounds good," he said, smiling. "I'll check the paper to confirm the time."

"I'll be ready in just a little bit." Akane winked at him then shut her door.

A million emotions consumed her at once and with the door shut and her privacy restored, she could finally express herself without looking foolish. Holding it together in front of Ranma had been far tougher than she'd thought. She fell on her bed, overcome with shock and excitement. The complete change in direction from the events of the day brought out a strong emotion in her. Tears streaked down the side of her face and she rolled onto her side, smiling softly, her hand hovering over her quickly beating heart.

He does care…I knew it… I knew it!