Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma and Co.
4am
By: Chrissy H.
The day before (cont.)…
If I was an astronaut
Could I get back to you
I'm out of my head
I'm out of excuses so I'm staring at
The bed, and it's you, it's you
I hold on I hold on
I can't let go
And you don't know how I feel
Hold on I hold on
I'd sell my soul
Sell My Soul – Our Lady Peace
Cologne sighed. "Yes, battle. Let me explain. In Amazon lore, there is a demon that knows only hatred and hurt, suffering and pain. It is said that he will arrive from the east and the sky will see no light. I always thought it was just a story that the elders told the kids…until today."
"Great-grandmother, Shampoo no understand. Why he come now?" Shampoo inquired.
"You see child, the legend says that the demon will show up when there is enough hatred and suffering in the world to empower him. Apparently, there is enough." Cologne said solemnly.
Ranma looked around and everyone seemed to be deep in thought. "But Old Ghoul, why is he coming here?"
Cologne thought for a minute trying to remember the last part of the legend. Just then, her eyes went wide with realization. "Well, according to the story, only the 'Children of the Future' can stop him and he will go to them first. I believe that the story is referring to all of you."
"The Children of the Future?" Akane looked confused at this statement. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"That's just how the story goes, Akane. Now, it seems we have a lot of preparing to do. You six have to save the world, it seems." Cologne looked at each one of the teenagers. And it seems they have a lot to learn in a day.
"Feh. No problem. No one can beat me!" Ranma said cockily.
"Not this time, son-in-law." Cologne said as she smacked him upside the head with her cane. "This time, you all need to work together. And, as much as it pains me to say it, you might not all survive."
Everyone's eyes went wide with this statement. Unconsciously, Akane took Ranma's hand and he stepped closer to her. I won't let anything happen to him/her. They both thought at the same time.
Mousse stepped closer to Shampoo. I'll protect you, Shampoo! No demon in the world will take you away from me.
Shampoo just stared at her great grandmother in shock. This can't be happening… she thought to herself.
Ryouga noticed Akane take Ranma's hand and slouched a bit. Ranma, I always knew you would be the death of me.
Ukyo also saw Akane take Ranma's hand and straightened up to go over there. Why that hussy! That's my Ran-chan! And then she saw Ranma take a step towards Akane in that protective pose he took so often. Ukyo deflated at that and saw that Ryouga watched the same thing. She walked over to him and patted him on the arm. He looked up surprised and then just nodded.
"Well, what do we have to do now?" Ryouga asked to break the silence.
"There isn't much you can do. It looks like the demon will be here tomorrow. No amount of training will help you in less than a day. I suggest getting rested and letting your families know what is happening." Cologne said looking at the group sadly. Her eyes seemed to fill in what she wasn't willing to say. Because tonight might be the last night you have.
"Aiyaa! Airen and I will go on date, yes?" Shampoo said as she latched on Ranma effectively pushing Akane out of the way.
"No, my love! Spend tonight with me!" Mousse said as he grabbed onto Akane.
"Get off of me!" Akane said as she pried Mousse off of her.
"I don't think so, you hussy! Ran-chan is going to be with me tonight! Right, Ranma honey?" Ukyo said as she grabbed onto Ranma's other arm.
"Ranma, you womanizer! How dare you play with so many hearts!" Ryouga screamed as he started to stalk towards the group.
Akane then noticed what was happening. Ranma was standing there turning bright red from the lack of oxygen. He was trying to squirm out of everyone's death grips but to no success. It might be our last day and he's letting them all hang on him that PERVERT! "Ranma," she ground out between her teeth.
"Stop it! All of you!" Cologne yelled. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. "Don't you understand? You're going to be fighting for your lives tomorrow and you're trying to kill each other today! Go home, all of you. Spend time with those who care about you. I said to REST."
Everyone looked around guiltily. "Heh, I guess we should head back, huh Akane? We have to explain this to our families." Ranma said with his hand behind his head.
"Yea, I guess we should." She said looking at the ground. "Let's go Ranma." The two departed the Café while everyone looked at each other.
"Well, I guess I'll go close the shop. Come on Ryouga. You don't have anywhere to go and I don't want you getting lost." Ukyo said making her way to the door with Ryouga in tow.
"But, great-grandmother, tonight might be the last night with Ranma!" Shampoo whined.
"Shampoo, let him spend time with his family." And the one he really loves. Cologne thought to herself.
"Okay, great- grandmother." Shampoo walked up to her room and closed the door.
Mousse just looked around and went to the back kitchen to finish cleaning up. "You know, Mousse, tonight might be a good night to talk to her." Mousse was taken by surprise and when he turned around, Cologne was gone. Did I just imagine that?
------
"We're home!" Akane yelled out as she walked through the door.
"Oh, good. We're just about to start dinner." Kasumi said smiling while bringing food out to the table.
Everyone sat down around the table when Nabiki spoke up. "So, what did Cologne have to tell you guys this time? Another crazy opponent to fight?"
"Well, umm…yea..." Akane said as she tried to think of a way to explain everything.
Ranma looked up from his dinner and blurted out, "Yea. A demon's coming that might destroy the world so we have to fight it and hope we don't die. OW!" Ranma rubbed his head as Akane glared at him.
"You idiot! I was trying NOT to worry them!" Akane yelled.
"Oh my!" Kasumi said with a look of worry on her face.
"WAAAAH! My baby girl is going to die! WAAH!" Soun erupted into tears at the dinner table.
Nabiki just stared at them for a moment before recovering. "Excuse me?"
Akane told her family everything that Cologne told them. "So, we're supposed to rest tonight and hope that tomorrow goes well."
Genma cleared his throat. "Well, my boy, you just make sure nothing happens to Akane."
Kasumi smiled her well meaning smile and said, "Well, I think we should spend some quality time together tonight."
Everyone nodded silently not wanting to breach the reason as to why she said that. Even Nabiki agreed to spend her precious time with them. After dinner, everyone went into the living room and watched television. Kasumi brought out the old family photo albums and soon there was laughter filling the room from reminiscing.
Kasumi closed the last of the photo albums and everyone sat in silence for a moment. "Well, I think everyone should get to bed tonight. It's getting late and tomorrow is going to be a big day."
Everyone nodded and got up yawning and stretching. Akane and Ranma followed everyone upstairs and paused for a moment in front of Akane's room while everyone went to their respective rooms.
"Uh, Akane, umm...well, good night." Ranma said quickly and left for his room.
Akane, somewhat disappointed at that last interaction went into her room and got changed for bed. She wore her yellow pajamas with pigs on them. I can't believe this might be my last night. She got into bed and closed her eyes.
Half an hour later, she was staring at the ceiling. How am I supposed to sleep knowing what might happen tomorrow. What happens…what if…what happens is I don't make it? Akane slowly got out of bed and looked out the window. The moon was full and bright. I'm not getting to bed any time soon. Maybe I'll sit on the roof.
She made her way out of her window and was about to try to pull herself onto the roof when a pair of hands grabbed her wrists and pulled her up. She was about to scream when she saw Ranma standing next to her.
"Thank you, Ranma." Akane said, blushing.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Ranma said sitting back down on the roof.
"Nope. Too many things going through my head." She admitted while sitting down next to him.
"Yea, I know what ya mean."
The two of them just sat there in silence staring at the stars.
Akane looked nervously at Ranma and she saw him shift under her gaze. "Do you think, well, do you think we'll make it?" She asked hesitantly.
He shifted some more and then looked right at her. "I won't let anything happen to you, Akane."
She was about to retort that she can take care of herself when she looked into his eyes. His stormy blue eyes seemed to be filled with worry and concern. Anything she was about to say died in her throat. "I know." She whispered.
The couple just sat there in silence for a few more moments, contemplating what just happened. Ranma moved a little closer to her and put his arm around her as she leaned back into him. Neither wanting to break the mood, just sat there gazing at the sky. Akane looked to the east and she could see the dark clouds coming closer. She shuddered at the thought and Ranma looked to the east as well.
"Don't worry Akane. We'll get through it." Akane looked up at him and smiled a little but noticed that the normal Ranma confidence wasn't behind his words.
"Ranma, do you, uh, well, I mean, do you mind, being, umm, engaged to me?" Akane stuttered out looking down at the ground.
Ranma just looked at her in shock for a moment before recovering. And for once, no retort with clumsy tomboys entered his mind. "No, I don't."
Akane's head snapped up with his response. He was looking right at her and she gave him a bright smile. "I don't either." She said leaning into him some more.
Akane tried to stifle her yawn but Ranma still noticed. "We should get to bed, Akane. We're going to need all of our energy." Ranma said standing up.
He helped Akane up and they looked at each other awkwardly. Quickly, Akane stood up on her tip toes and kissed Ranma on the lips the backed away before Ranma even knew what happened. Ranma watched Akane climb back through her window before he went to his room. Both of them crawled into bed with a smile on their faces and soon were fast asleep.
AN: So, how's it going so far? Let me know! Any ideas on how I should catch up to my first chapter? Thanks for all the support, everyone!
