Broken
Shadow Knight
Chapter 7: Shatter Thy Binds
Disclaimer: Don't own
~
----Notes at the bottom----
*Thoughts*
#Sounds#
(Flash Back)
~
"What. . . What's going on?"
Ukyo simply shook her head as she heard her companion's soft voice, confusion obvious. When they arrived, they saw a huge crowd surrounding the Neko Haten, blustering and buzzing around the restaurant like vultures feasting upon a rotting corpse.
#BAM#
Akane shot sharp eyes toward Ukyo, a wordless knowledge passing between them. They both began pushing through the throng of people, bodies knit closely together. Taking a glance back, Akane could see Ukyo was right behind her, getting a little angry at the people who refused to move.
"Come on people! Move it!"
Slowly, the door's glass sheen began to become more apparent, closer. Reaching out, Akane latched her hand on the handle and pulled herself from the crowd. Ukyo was close behind her. Seeing her, she pulled back to door and stepped inside, Ukyo forcing her way toward the door.
Stepping inside the restaurant, both suddenly stopped cold. Around them laid the shattered remains of several tables. Devastation laid waste to everything in sight. When their eyes fell upon the still form of Shampoo, they stepped closer. Akane noticed that Shampoo seemed to be watching something they couldn't quite see. She shifted her eyes upward; trying to see whatever there was to be seen.
Ukyo saw an occasional blur of red and white, but she couldn't make out any distinct features. Turning next to her, she could see that Akane was having similar problems. Suddenly, she heard a loud crack issue from before her. Screwing her eyes sharply from her companion, she gaped as she saw the sprawled body of Mousse laying on the ground, blood slipping down his forehead. Her stomach churned when she heard the sickening crunch of Mousse's arm being raised by Shampoo. What happened next left her stomach fine, but began twisting and cutting her heart up.
Ranma slipped his hands around Shampoo's waist.
Obligingly.
With an expression of disbelief, she continued to watch as Ranma held her, enjoying her presence. Ukyo felt her blood freeze before it began to boil, heat rising up her back and burning her throat with indignation. * Ran-chan would never do this! Not to me! That stupid Amazon slut must have done something to Ran-chan's mind. There is no way he would ever do something like this. . .Not to me. That bitch is going to pay! *
Her blood scorching inside of her, Ukyo didn't feel Akane's presence beside her any longer. She didn't see the girl's expression crack, slowly crumbling away into a numb indifference. Her eyes stared at the couple, never wavering in their pain or sorrow. Her aura swam around her like a frigid wind, threatening to swallow her in its chilling maw.
She continued to stare.
Akane didn't watch as Ukyo's battle spark continued to ignite, licking along the frame of her body. She didn't notice that the girl's fists were clenched tightly, nails digging into the tender flesh of her palm. Her thoughts were only on the pair in front of her, something inside of her slowly growing numb. She didn't hear Ukyo's teeth grinding in fury at the sight before.
She only heard her heart cracking, falling apart.
Feeling only the tears that burned behind her eyelids.
Then, he turned, facing them.
Ranma's boyish grin gripped Ukyo's battle spark and turned it into a sputtering flame. Her neck was hot as he gazed at her with friendliness. Something about him gave her the sudden impulse to run, to get away as Ranma's arms dropped from Shampoo's sides. Yet, even as he began walking his was gingerly toward her, a welcoming grin on his face, she restrained herself and silently chastised herself, knowing there was nothing to fear from her Ran-chan.
But, as she turned her eyes upon Ranma's face once again, the unnerving feeling brewed stronger inside of her. However, by then, it was too late. His shoes clicking to a stop, he smiled at Ukyo, and much to her surprise, gave her a friendly hug. She stood there, frozen for a moment. Then, Ranma took a few steps back, waiting for some return of a response. Seeing none, his gentle smile slowly dipped. He patted her shoulder comfortably and looked at her with concern.
"What's wrong Ukyo," he asked, searching her face, "Can't talk? Cat got your tongue?"
Ukyo's eyes immediately stared into his as she heard his last phrase. Swallowing the thick lump in her throat, she tried to sort through her thoughts. * How can he say "cat" so calmly? *
There was something very strange going on with him.
Suddenly forgetting how to speak, Ukyo simply shook her head fervently. What else could she do? She was stupefied by his actions. At one moment it seemed like he was with Shampoo and the next, he's giving her hugs and acting like chums out for a good time. Even as he continued to smile like a happy idiot, she felt something inside tell her something was not right. Sure, the Shampoo bit threw that out at her, but no. . .it was something much deeper than just that.
Then, Ukyo suddenly remembered what she had come to ask the young martial artist in the first place. What _they_ had come to ask him. A frown wrinkled her delicate features, a shiver running inside of her. Even though she could feel the warmth of Ranma's hand on her shoulder. . . it didn't seem to comfort her, warm her, in the same way it always had. No. . . there was something that chilled her from his touch, made her want to shrivel into a fetal ball inside. She felt herself almost looking up at him fearfully.
His stormy clay eyes stared back at her, something sinister flickering inside them before they changed to an artificial warmth once again.
"Ukyo? Is there something wrong," he asked calmly, his voice smooth and slick with oil.
As he spoke to her, she felt a lump grow in her throat, cutting off her breathing for a moment. "I. . . I. . ," she stuttered, her lips opening and shutting, swallowing only air.
Trying to speak, she suddenly froze. Her senses tingled, causing a chilling sensation to travel up from her toes and numb her head. It seemed to swirl around her in a cloud of freezing crystals, piercing her sides and digging inside her skin. Flinching, she turned stiffly, sensing something near her.
When her eyes fell upon the quivering form of her friend, they widened. Her blue hued black hair curtained her face from view as she stared at the ground. Her outline shook like a leaf in a storm as she seemed to be dealing with some inner turmoil.
"Ak. . .Akane?"
Hearing Ukyo's voice, Ranma's eyes turned sharply, following the direction of her vision. "Ukyo. . .who are you talking t-. . . Oh, it's _her_ again."
Suddenly, Ranma's grip on her shoulder grew a little tighter, twisting a bit of her shirt into fine threads. Ukyo winced as a prick of pain blossomed in her shoulder. Looking up slowly, she stared with fear as she saw his face. Her breathing seemed to be caught in her throat.
His eye. . .was so cold. She felt a deep rooted fear spread through her heart like a kudzu, her face growing apprehensive. It was the same terror that had seeded in her heart ever since she saw his face since their ruined wedding. She. . she hadn't meant to cause that much damage. . .She just. . . just. . wanted to protect her Ran-chan from making a bad decision. Yet, as she saw his face now, the fear grew larger then it ever had before. His eyes were steely and still as they glared past her shoulder. For a moment, as she looked in his eyes, she thought that he was staring at her with that vehemence, that cold fury.
Surprise littered on her face in a sallow flush of color. His hand gently shoved her aside, causing her to stumble slightly. Walking past her, he suddenly stopped and glared down at the shaking girl before him, his eyes burning with malice.
"I thought I told you to leave me be, slut."
Ukyo's throat let out a gasp as she heard Ranma. Why was he doing this? He never talked _this_ bad to Akane. Suddenly Ukyo remembered her speech with Akane.
("I. . .I asked him if he. . . if he love. . .loved me. But. . . .he said no.")
Looking back to Akane and Ranma, she felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine as Ranma towered over Akane, a menacing gleam in his eyes.
#WHAM#
She jumped slightly when Ranma's arm snaked up from his side and slammed Akane against the wall. The girl fluttered to the ground, crumpling like a broken doll. Yet, as soon as she hit the floor, Ranma was above her. Reaching down, he seized a mass of her white shirt and jerked her to her feet, pinning her to the wall. Without even a flicker of his eye, Ranma slowly brought her face up to level with his and grinned wickedly. Ukyo gawked as Akane's feet dangled uselessly, swinging as if she was a puppet with no strings. Suddenly, Ranma's face turned sour.
"What? What is it that makes you unbearably irritating? Is it the fact that I told you to leave me alone not registering in that thick skull of yours? For Pete's sake woman! Get a freaking clue!"
Ranma suddenly sneered, twisting his fingers in his shirt in tight knots. "I can't stand people who never listen. I think you need to be taught a lesson in respect. . . . the hard way."
Akane's head was bowed as she continued to hang motionlessly, save the slight swaying of her legs. Ranma's lips curled like the Cheshire cat as he stared down at her. Then, with a sudden jerk, he grabbed her chin roughly and forced her head up so that his eyes were in contact with hers. Ukyo was appalled with the different emotions raging between the two.
Golden brown eyes were narrowed softly as sorrow streaked across in her eyes. Yet, she didn't let a single tear fall as she kept her face stern. But her sadness was apparent. Ukyo knew that Akane's heart was being torn to shreds by Ranma's sharp clawed words, yet she hid it. She couldn't hide it all the pain though. The girl's lips were pressed firmly together, forcing back any sobs that would tear from her throat.
If opposite emotions could be people, Ranma would have been one for Akane. His eyes were bouncing merrily with a psychotic, demented gleam in them, enjoying the sight of her pain and suffering. His mouth was curved in a horrid grin.
His eyes suddenly growing more intense, Ranma's free hand twitched at his side. Then, raising his hand, he let it rush by him speedily.
#SMACK#
Ukyo cringed when she heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Opening her eyes, she stared and gawked at the red hand mark that stained Akane's face. The girl's eyes were wide open in shock, barely recognizing the sting of the hard knuckled slap.
Ranma seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her results and a disapproving frown grew on his face. He suddenly let go of the girl's shirt from his clutched fingers. She slid, slowly down the side of the wall as if having no support what so ever. Her legs arched up along the floor as she reached the bottom and sat there, still dazed from the blow she had received.
Eyes swirling with chaotic madness, a smile etched itself on his face, growing with sick pleasure. Slowly, he squat to his knees and observed her silently. Reaching out, he let his calloused finger trace the outline of her face. Akane flinched from his touch, as if it burned. With an interested grin, he grabbed her chin once again and jerked her head
His eyes swirled with chaotic madness, a smile etched in his face that grew with sick pleasure. He squatted down in front of her and looked at her silently. Reaching down, he let his finger trace her face. She flinched under his finger, as if his touch were burning to the skin. With an interested grin, he grabbed her chin once again and jerked her head upward to reveal her face. Two thin rivulets ran down in her cheeks in salty trails.
Ranma appeared unfazed as he saw her tears flow freely down her face. Ukyo felt something wrench inside of her as she saw the look in Akane's eyes. The look of pain and betrayal eating away at her heart was something all to familiar.
It was slowly killing Akane.
A sneer from Ranma was the only response she received.
"You think that crying is going to save your pathetic life now? You have some nerve," he exclaimed as he glared down at her, "Trying to use tears against me. . . .feh. . . that's low even for a bitch like you. You don't deserve to cry tears. . . you deserve to bleed."
Without a second word, Ranma snapped his leg upward and planted his foot into her chest, thrusting her backward several feet. Flying through the air, Akane's form suddenly connected with one of the wooden tables in the room, food forgotten by previous customers in their escape from the earlier fight. As her back made contact with the table, she cried out, a scream ripping from her throat. The table cracked and buckled from the force suddenly applied and gave away. Splitting into two pieces, Akane's body toppled down to the ground in a broken mass. As silence settled over the room, Ranma and the rest stared toward the landing spot where Akane lie.
She didn't get up.
Seeing this, Ranma seemed satisfied and was about to walk back toward Shampoo and Ukyo when suddenly he heard a clutter behind him. Turning sharply on his heal, Ranma, along with Ukyo and Shampoo, looked on toward the noise.
Rising shakily to her feet, a thin line of blood spilled down Akane, painting her face to look her names worth. She reached a hand toward her face and slowly wiped at the crimson streak. Looking down, she seemed dazed as she rolled the blood between her fingers. Then, letting her hand drop to her side, she fought a spasm that threatened to throw her on the ground, her body shaking. Yet, she stood firm and took the pain.
With her left hand hanging beside her, useless, she reached out with her right, stretching to the figure before her. A small, desperate smile lit her face with the utmost effort.
"R. . Ranma," she sputtered, her body throbbing with each syllable, "I'm. . I'm sorry I caused. . .caused you so much pain. I was a f. . .fool and didn't . . . . understand. I'm sorry I didn't stop hurting you earlier. It was just. . .my defensive side of not. . . wanting to get close to you."
Ranma seemed to hesitate for a moment, really listening to her.
Akane reached out further, her fingers splayed wide. "I promise I'll never try to hurt you again. I'm. . .so. . .so sorry. Please don't leave me. I. . .I don't want it to end like this. Let's just. . .go back. . .back to the way we were. . . please. . ."
Hearing her words, Ukyo felt tears sting at her eyes, almost matching the same tears that coursed down Akane's cheeks. Her emotions were taking control of her now, not caring who heard her speak. Waves of despair radiated off the girl in heavy waves, each stunted and broken down before Ranma's still form like a wave upon the rocks. His face was neutral as he stared at the girl, a silent bitter coldness surrounding him in a dark cloud.
Then, in a sudden blur of red, he was disappeared from her vision.
Eyes searching frantically around the room, Ukyo searched for any signs of the boy. Suddenly, she heard a slight rasping toward her left. Whipping her head toward the sound, she felt her hands reach to cover her gaping mouth.
Akane rasped out some ineligible words as she clawed frenziedly at the steel grip that enclosed around her neck. Her feet kicked slightly, jerking in erratic movements as she dangled above the ground. Ranma's face was basked in a cold glow, a small dark smile tainting his face. With a grin, he squeezed tighter, clenching his fist tighter around her delicate neck. Akane scratched more desperately at his hand, her nails making small cuts.
Soon, a few seconds passed and Akane's frantic hands began moving sluggishly, as if her hands were running through mud. Her jerking feet came to a slow stop, swaying lightly. Akane's hands dropped to her sides, swaying with the rest of her body. Then, with as might as she could muster, she looked the boy straight in the eyes. Her eyes grew glazed as tears began to swell.
With a slow movement, she lifted her hand and rested it on the boy's cheek. Cradling it carefully, she gazed into his eyes, even as he held her neck. Ranma didn't make any movement to flick her hand away, he only continued to hold and stare coldly at her. Akane smiled a small, quiet smile as she held onto his cheek. With softened eyes, she opened her mouth and rasped out with all the energy she could muster.
"Ranma. . . .I. . I know that I've done so much to you, but I . . . I just wanted to say. . to say. . I. . . I. .. love you. I'm sorry,. . . .Ranma. . ."
With his name breathed off her lips, Akane's eyes slowly closed, a peaceful look on her face. Her heart slowed to a stop, the beat dull and shallow under his fingertips. As her vision darkened, Akane's last sight before blacking out was Ranma's face, a growing smile on his face, increasing with satisfaction.
Akane's heart stopped.
~
*The violent kitchen destroyer. . . .loves him?*
Shampoo couldn't believe it.
(I. .. love you. . . .)
Yet, even as the violet haired Amazon shook her head, the caring words echoed through her mind, taunting her. How. . . How could she love him? Whenever she saw Ranma with her, they were either bickering or fighting, constantly getting on one another's nerves. So. . .how could she love him?
How could she love the boy that was strangling her now?
Although she was utterly perplexed about their actions, she knew that in the back of her mind what the answer was. Shampoo had always known since the first time she saw Ranma looking at Akane. But, she tried to deny it. She tried to lock it away in her heart, only releasing it in the night when no one could see the fierce warrior cry.
She knew what it was. . . and it was eating away at her.
It hurt every time she made ramen for Ranma, his eyes looking for Akane. It hurt every time he went to save _her_. It hurt when he tried to get away from her, in fear that Akane would mallet him.
But most of all, it hurt when she saw him smiling at Akane.
He never smiled like that for her.
She saw the answer in his smile. She saw that he wanted a girl who didn't latch onto him. He wanted a girl who was independent and didn't want him. He didn't want a girl who drooled over him in adoration.
He wanted a challenge.
Shampoo tried to ignore him, but it seemed futile. Her heart would ache the more she tried to stay away. It hurt every time she went back to her village in China, facing the questioning elders who asked about her marriage. Their disapproving glares.
But what could she do? He was in love with another girl.
Yet. . . she didn't want it to be so and deployed another plan to split them apart. And like always. . . it turned out wrong.
Her plans always failed.
Suddenly, she was distracted from her thoughts as she felt a sudden dip in an aura. Her head jerked up and she gasped. Akane was slowly dying. Her mind suddenly swirled in turmoil. She had to stop Ranma. This. . . this plan wasn't right. She never wanted to actually hurt Akane. She only wanted to push her out of the way. So what was making him act this way? It couldn't have been the drug from the previous night.
Suddenly, it clicked. The ramen.
Her great-grandmother must have slipped something into the ramen, making him act like this. Shampoo knew that Cologne was desperate to get her a husband to take home, but she never wanted Cologne to resort to something like this.
No, she wouldn't let it end this way.
Amazon or no Amazon, she wouldn't stop from helping a person in need.
Straightening her form, she suddenly rushed over to the two. Shampoo reached out and latched onto Ranma's arm, tugging with all her strength. As Ranma felt the strain on his upraised arm, he turned wordlessly and stared at Shampoo with his eyes vacant of emotions. He tried to shrug her off gently, but she clung tightly to his arm, refusing to let go.
"Shampoo, my dear," he whispered, his voice riddled with confusion, "what are you doing?"
"Ranma, you must stop," Shampoo cried out as she mustered all her energy, her violet eyes staring at him for a moment, "You killing her! Stop now Ranma!"
With silent eyes, he gazed at her for a moment, almost evaluating whether or not to listen. Then, he consented to her wishes and let his finger splay from their clutched position around Akane's neck.
As her neck was freed, a gush of air entered her throat as her lungs inhaled the deprived oxygen greedily. She fell to the ground with a heavy thud, her body collapsing ungracefully. Shampoo quickly slid her arms from Ranma's and fell into sitting position beside Akane. Reaching down shakily, she let two fingers prod carefully at the tender muscles near the platysma of Akane's neck. She tried her best to ignore the angry blue and black blotches that littered her neck where a relentless hand had held her.
Ranma's hand.
Feeling a slow, trembling heartbeat, she shifted onto her legs and pressed skillful fingers gently around the skin surrounding the girl's collarbone. Standing up, she could see with her trained eyes, the steady flow of the girl's ki, rapidly enveloping Akane's body in a warm cocoon of energy. Before she could reach down to press some more ki points to allow the ki to stream more fluidly, she felt a hand enclose around her and lightly jerk her back. Shampoo found herself facing the questioning face of Ranma, his dark eyes brewing with confusion.
"Shampoo," he questioned lightly, his gaze unwavering, "why are you helping her? Why did you make me stop? Do you want her to destroy the love between us? She's trying to manipulate our emotions. Why do you allow her to live?"
"Ranma, Shampoo want you but no want to kill tomboy," Shampoo answered, her voice trembling slightly.
"But Shampoo, obstacles are for killing, remember?"
Shampoo's eyes darkened slightly as she heard his steadfast reply. * That's right. . . .Obstacles are for killing. . . .But is it really worth it? *
Turning back to him, she tried her best to answer him, knowing that whatever she said would be no help to the boy. How could he understand? She made him act like this after all.
"Don't kill her. She not obstacle," Shampoo tried to explain, "She. . . .only jealous. Leave her. You no hurt her any more."
Ranma slowly nodded, trying to understand the twisted logic. Turning toward the crumpled heap below him, he frowned. Disgust in his eyes, he spat next to her prone form.
"I know you heard her you, bitch," Ranma said evenly, his eyes burning holes at her, "I personally would have ended your pathetic life, but because of Shampoo's wish, you're still here. Oh, and you loving me? That's a load of shit to me as far as I'm concerned. I would never love a worthless piece of trash like you."
Ranma's face tightened as he spoke. "I may have spared you this time, but if you ever get in our way again, I won't make the same mistake twice. You can be sure of it."
Turning, he smiled pleasantly at Shampoo, sliding his arm around her waist. "Let's go Shampoo."
As they left the restaurant, Shampoo tried to turn in his embrace, glancing back worriedly at Akane's fallen form. Ukyo was frozen as they passed by her. She didn't know what to say or do. Ranma simply led Shampoo out the door.
No one saw the silent tear that rolled from Akane's battered eye.
~
*Ranma. . . How could you do this to me?*
Ukyo had watched the whole scene silently, her legs rooted to the spot where she stood. She had never seen Ranma act so violently. . .so cruel. Especially to someone like Akane. The part that hurt the most was the last. . . when he left her.
Clenching her eyes together tightly for a moment, she fought the tears that threatened to leak out. She couldn't describe what it felt like. She was terrified, angry, saddened, and stunned all at the same time. . . by him.
How could he do this to her? He had left her behind like a rejected toy. Was that all she was to him? A simple toy to be played with? Something to hold his fascination before being forgotten in an instant? She had felt this pain before, the same excruciating pain that spread through her blackened heart like poison. Yet, this pain left her numbed, frozen to all her senses. Her mind was beginning to crash in to a breakdown. She felt her sanity slowly drip from her, falling deeper into the hole known as paranoia.
Even as she cried inside, she wanted to hate him. She wanted to loathe him with all the hatred possible in her heart. To completely forget about him. . . . But she couldn't. How could she hate the boy she had loved for so long?
It was impossible.
Suddenly, she heard a shuffle of clothing behind her. Turning sharply, she found herself staring at Akane's hunched form, her arms barely holding her up as she pushed herself up. Ukyo quickly rushed over to the shaking girl, resting a hand on her shoulder as if to supply some unavailable comfort.
She could only squeeze the girl's shoulder lightly as she was struck for words to say. Akane's face remained downwards, refusing to look at her. Slowly, the girl reached up with trembling fingers and pushed Ukyo's hand away. Before Ukyo could utter another word, Akane stumbled to her feet, the sight of her battered body making the chef wince.
As she stood on her feet, shaking roughly, she moved sluggishly to the door. Then, with a sudden spur of energy, she watched the girl's back straighten stiffly as if building up her dignity and bolt out the door, disappearing from her sight.
Ukyo rose to her feet, mystified as she glanced at the empty doorframe. Then, her mind clicked and she knew what she had to do. Reaching down, she buckled her spatula belt securely around waist and ran. She ignored the pain in her heart and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
She was running after her friend, Akane.
~
YYYYYYYYEEEEAHHHHHH! I'm done! Oh what joy it is when you finish a long chapter like this. Okay, so this wasn't exactly the longest chapter in the world, but it certainly did take a while. Anywho, I hoped you people enjoyed this. I worked hard on it just for you! Okay. . .maybe not just for the readers. . . .^_^
----Kura-kun----:I hope you aren't as confused anymore. If you still don't get it, then the fact is this: Ranma was under the power of Shampoo, but he wasn't exactly. . .let's say himself. Basically he was almost like a mindless zombie only obeying orders given from Shampoo. When Cologne gives him the ramen, it has that "special flower" in it and makes him change. The change I was trying to accomplish was that Ranma would almost be "willed" to do what Shampoo said, rather than just obey. Don't get me wrong though, he's still under her control and can't stop it. Now, he just seems to be protecting her and be her Romeo. Understand now? ^_^ I hope so.
----Final Fan----: I think what you said comes into place yes, but I do believe there are other underlying plots to the Ranma 1/2 story rather than all "schemes coming undone." I believe there is many emotions in the story that we are faced to deal with, whether it be brought on by curses and what not. Basically I think the way that you twist and turn these emotions can bring something new the plot. But thank you very much for your comment. ^_^
-----Bloodreaver Alpha-----:YES! IT IS A RANMA/AKANE STORY!!! I just . . .have to get to that while creating the suspense.
Shadow Knight
Chapter 7: Shatter Thy Binds
Disclaimer: Don't own
~
----Notes at the bottom----
*Thoughts*
#Sounds#
(Flash Back)
~
"What. . . What's going on?"
Ukyo simply shook her head as she heard her companion's soft voice, confusion obvious. When they arrived, they saw a huge crowd surrounding the Neko Haten, blustering and buzzing around the restaurant like vultures feasting upon a rotting corpse.
#BAM#
Akane shot sharp eyes toward Ukyo, a wordless knowledge passing between them. They both began pushing through the throng of people, bodies knit closely together. Taking a glance back, Akane could see Ukyo was right behind her, getting a little angry at the people who refused to move.
"Come on people! Move it!"
Slowly, the door's glass sheen began to become more apparent, closer. Reaching out, Akane latched her hand on the handle and pulled herself from the crowd. Ukyo was close behind her. Seeing her, she pulled back to door and stepped inside, Ukyo forcing her way toward the door.
Stepping inside the restaurant, both suddenly stopped cold. Around them laid the shattered remains of several tables. Devastation laid waste to everything in sight. When their eyes fell upon the still form of Shampoo, they stepped closer. Akane noticed that Shampoo seemed to be watching something they couldn't quite see. She shifted her eyes upward; trying to see whatever there was to be seen.
Ukyo saw an occasional blur of red and white, but she couldn't make out any distinct features. Turning next to her, she could see that Akane was having similar problems. Suddenly, she heard a loud crack issue from before her. Screwing her eyes sharply from her companion, she gaped as she saw the sprawled body of Mousse laying on the ground, blood slipping down his forehead. Her stomach churned when she heard the sickening crunch of Mousse's arm being raised by Shampoo. What happened next left her stomach fine, but began twisting and cutting her heart up.
Ranma slipped his hands around Shampoo's waist.
Obligingly.
With an expression of disbelief, she continued to watch as Ranma held her, enjoying her presence. Ukyo felt her blood freeze before it began to boil, heat rising up her back and burning her throat with indignation. * Ran-chan would never do this! Not to me! That stupid Amazon slut must have done something to Ran-chan's mind. There is no way he would ever do something like this. . .Not to me. That bitch is going to pay! *
Her blood scorching inside of her, Ukyo didn't feel Akane's presence beside her any longer. She didn't see the girl's expression crack, slowly crumbling away into a numb indifference. Her eyes stared at the couple, never wavering in their pain or sorrow. Her aura swam around her like a frigid wind, threatening to swallow her in its chilling maw.
She continued to stare.
Akane didn't watch as Ukyo's battle spark continued to ignite, licking along the frame of her body. She didn't notice that the girl's fists were clenched tightly, nails digging into the tender flesh of her palm. Her thoughts were only on the pair in front of her, something inside of her slowly growing numb. She didn't hear Ukyo's teeth grinding in fury at the sight before.
She only heard her heart cracking, falling apart.
Feeling only the tears that burned behind her eyelids.
Then, he turned, facing them.
Ranma's boyish grin gripped Ukyo's battle spark and turned it into a sputtering flame. Her neck was hot as he gazed at her with friendliness. Something about him gave her the sudden impulse to run, to get away as Ranma's arms dropped from Shampoo's sides. Yet, even as he began walking his was gingerly toward her, a welcoming grin on his face, she restrained herself and silently chastised herself, knowing there was nothing to fear from her Ran-chan.
But, as she turned her eyes upon Ranma's face once again, the unnerving feeling brewed stronger inside of her. However, by then, it was too late. His shoes clicking to a stop, he smiled at Ukyo, and much to her surprise, gave her a friendly hug. She stood there, frozen for a moment. Then, Ranma took a few steps back, waiting for some return of a response. Seeing none, his gentle smile slowly dipped. He patted her shoulder comfortably and looked at her with concern.
"What's wrong Ukyo," he asked, searching her face, "Can't talk? Cat got your tongue?"
Ukyo's eyes immediately stared into his as she heard his last phrase. Swallowing the thick lump in her throat, she tried to sort through her thoughts. * How can he say "cat" so calmly? *
There was something very strange going on with him.
Suddenly forgetting how to speak, Ukyo simply shook her head fervently. What else could she do? She was stupefied by his actions. At one moment it seemed like he was with Shampoo and the next, he's giving her hugs and acting like chums out for a good time. Even as he continued to smile like a happy idiot, she felt something inside tell her something was not right. Sure, the Shampoo bit threw that out at her, but no. . .it was something much deeper than just that.
Then, Ukyo suddenly remembered what she had come to ask the young martial artist in the first place. What _they_ had come to ask him. A frown wrinkled her delicate features, a shiver running inside of her. Even though she could feel the warmth of Ranma's hand on her shoulder. . . it didn't seem to comfort her, warm her, in the same way it always had. No. . . there was something that chilled her from his touch, made her want to shrivel into a fetal ball inside. She felt herself almost looking up at him fearfully.
His stormy clay eyes stared back at her, something sinister flickering inside them before they changed to an artificial warmth once again.
"Ukyo? Is there something wrong," he asked calmly, his voice smooth and slick with oil.
As he spoke to her, she felt a lump grow in her throat, cutting off her breathing for a moment. "I. . . I. . ," she stuttered, her lips opening and shutting, swallowing only air.
Trying to speak, she suddenly froze. Her senses tingled, causing a chilling sensation to travel up from her toes and numb her head. It seemed to swirl around her in a cloud of freezing crystals, piercing her sides and digging inside her skin. Flinching, she turned stiffly, sensing something near her.
When her eyes fell upon the quivering form of her friend, they widened. Her blue hued black hair curtained her face from view as she stared at the ground. Her outline shook like a leaf in a storm as she seemed to be dealing with some inner turmoil.
"Ak. . .Akane?"
Hearing Ukyo's voice, Ranma's eyes turned sharply, following the direction of her vision. "Ukyo. . .who are you talking t-. . . Oh, it's _her_ again."
Suddenly, Ranma's grip on her shoulder grew a little tighter, twisting a bit of her shirt into fine threads. Ukyo winced as a prick of pain blossomed in her shoulder. Looking up slowly, she stared with fear as she saw his face. Her breathing seemed to be caught in her throat.
His eye. . .was so cold. She felt a deep rooted fear spread through her heart like a kudzu, her face growing apprehensive. It was the same terror that had seeded in her heart ever since she saw his face since their ruined wedding. She. . she hadn't meant to cause that much damage. . .She just. . . just. . wanted to protect her Ran-chan from making a bad decision. Yet, as she saw his face now, the fear grew larger then it ever had before. His eyes were steely and still as they glared past her shoulder. For a moment, as she looked in his eyes, she thought that he was staring at her with that vehemence, that cold fury.
Surprise littered on her face in a sallow flush of color. His hand gently shoved her aside, causing her to stumble slightly. Walking past her, he suddenly stopped and glared down at the shaking girl before him, his eyes burning with malice.
"I thought I told you to leave me be, slut."
Ukyo's throat let out a gasp as she heard Ranma. Why was he doing this? He never talked _this_ bad to Akane. Suddenly Ukyo remembered her speech with Akane.
("I. . .I asked him if he. . . if he love. . .loved me. But. . . .he said no.")
Looking back to Akane and Ranma, she felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine as Ranma towered over Akane, a menacing gleam in his eyes.
#WHAM#
She jumped slightly when Ranma's arm snaked up from his side and slammed Akane against the wall. The girl fluttered to the ground, crumpling like a broken doll. Yet, as soon as she hit the floor, Ranma was above her. Reaching down, he seized a mass of her white shirt and jerked her to her feet, pinning her to the wall. Without even a flicker of his eye, Ranma slowly brought her face up to level with his and grinned wickedly. Ukyo gawked as Akane's feet dangled uselessly, swinging as if she was a puppet with no strings. Suddenly, Ranma's face turned sour.
"What? What is it that makes you unbearably irritating? Is it the fact that I told you to leave me alone not registering in that thick skull of yours? For Pete's sake woman! Get a freaking clue!"
Ranma suddenly sneered, twisting his fingers in his shirt in tight knots. "I can't stand people who never listen. I think you need to be taught a lesson in respect. . . . the hard way."
Akane's head was bowed as she continued to hang motionlessly, save the slight swaying of her legs. Ranma's lips curled like the Cheshire cat as he stared down at her. Then, with a sudden jerk, he grabbed her chin roughly and forced her head up so that his eyes were in contact with hers. Ukyo was appalled with the different emotions raging between the two.
Golden brown eyes were narrowed softly as sorrow streaked across in her eyes. Yet, she didn't let a single tear fall as she kept her face stern. But her sadness was apparent. Ukyo knew that Akane's heart was being torn to shreds by Ranma's sharp clawed words, yet she hid it. She couldn't hide it all the pain though. The girl's lips were pressed firmly together, forcing back any sobs that would tear from her throat.
If opposite emotions could be people, Ranma would have been one for Akane. His eyes were bouncing merrily with a psychotic, demented gleam in them, enjoying the sight of her pain and suffering. His mouth was curved in a horrid grin.
His eyes suddenly growing more intense, Ranma's free hand twitched at his side. Then, raising his hand, he let it rush by him speedily.
#SMACK#
Ukyo cringed when she heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Opening her eyes, she stared and gawked at the red hand mark that stained Akane's face. The girl's eyes were wide open in shock, barely recognizing the sting of the hard knuckled slap.
Ranma seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her results and a disapproving frown grew on his face. He suddenly let go of the girl's shirt from his clutched fingers. She slid, slowly down the side of the wall as if having no support what so ever. Her legs arched up along the floor as she reached the bottom and sat there, still dazed from the blow she had received.
Eyes swirling with chaotic madness, a smile etched itself on his face, growing with sick pleasure. Slowly, he squat to his knees and observed her silently. Reaching out, he let his calloused finger trace the outline of her face. Akane flinched from his touch, as if it burned. With an interested grin, he grabbed her chin once again and jerked her head
His eyes swirled with chaotic madness, a smile etched in his face that grew with sick pleasure. He squatted down in front of her and looked at her silently. Reaching down, he let his finger trace her face. She flinched under his finger, as if his touch were burning to the skin. With an interested grin, he grabbed her chin once again and jerked her head upward to reveal her face. Two thin rivulets ran down in her cheeks in salty trails.
Ranma appeared unfazed as he saw her tears flow freely down her face. Ukyo felt something wrench inside of her as she saw the look in Akane's eyes. The look of pain and betrayal eating away at her heart was something all to familiar.
It was slowly killing Akane.
A sneer from Ranma was the only response she received.
"You think that crying is going to save your pathetic life now? You have some nerve," he exclaimed as he glared down at her, "Trying to use tears against me. . . .feh. . . that's low even for a bitch like you. You don't deserve to cry tears. . . you deserve to bleed."
Without a second word, Ranma snapped his leg upward and planted his foot into her chest, thrusting her backward several feet. Flying through the air, Akane's form suddenly connected with one of the wooden tables in the room, food forgotten by previous customers in their escape from the earlier fight. As her back made contact with the table, she cried out, a scream ripping from her throat. The table cracked and buckled from the force suddenly applied and gave away. Splitting into two pieces, Akane's body toppled down to the ground in a broken mass. As silence settled over the room, Ranma and the rest stared toward the landing spot where Akane lie.
She didn't get up.
Seeing this, Ranma seemed satisfied and was about to walk back toward Shampoo and Ukyo when suddenly he heard a clutter behind him. Turning sharply on his heal, Ranma, along with Ukyo and Shampoo, looked on toward the noise.
Rising shakily to her feet, a thin line of blood spilled down Akane, painting her face to look her names worth. She reached a hand toward her face and slowly wiped at the crimson streak. Looking down, she seemed dazed as she rolled the blood between her fingers. Then, letting her hand drop to her side, she fought a spasm that threatened to throw her on the ground, her body shaking. Yet, she stood firm and took the pain.
With her left hand hanging beside her, useless, she reached out with her right, stretching to the figure before her. A small, desperate smile lit her face with the utmost effort.
"R. . Ranma," she sputtered, her body throbbing with each syllable, "I'm. . I'm sorry I caused. . .caused you so much pain. I was a f. . .fool and didn't . . . . understand. I'm sorry I didn't stop hurting you earlier. It was just. . .my defensive side of not. . . wanting to get close to you."
Ranma seemed to hesitate for a moment, really listening to her.
Akane reached out further, her fingers splayed wide. "I promise I'll never try to hurt you again. I'm. . .so. . .so sorry. Please don't leave me. I. . .I don't want it to end like this. Let's just. . .go back. . .back to the way we were. . . please. . ."
Hearing her words, Ukyo felt tears sting at her eyes, almost matching the same tears that coursed down Akane's cheeks. Her emotions were taking control of her now, not caring who heard her speak. Waves of despair radiated off the girl in heavy waves, each stunted and broken down before Ranma's still form like a wave upon the rocks. His face was neutral as he stared at the girl, a silent bitter coldness surrounding him in a dark cloud.
Then, in a sudden blur of red, he was disappeared from her vision.
Eyes searching frantically around the room, Ukyo searched for any signs of the boy. Suddenly, she heard a slight rasping toward her left. Whipping her head toward the sound, she felt her hands reach to cover her gaping mouth.
Akane rasped out some ineligible words as she clawed frenziedly at the steel grip that enclosed around her neck. Her feet kicked slightly, jerking in erratic movements as she dangled above the ground. Ranma's face was basked in a cold glow, a small dark smile tainting his face. With a grin, he squeezed tighter, clenching his fist tighter around her delicate neck. Akane scratched more desperately at his hand, her nails making small cuts.
Soon, a few seconds passed and Akane's frantic hands began moving sluggishly, as if her hands were running through mud. Her jerking feet came to a slow stop, swaying lightly. Akane's hands dropped to her sides, swaying with the rest of her body. Then, with as might as she could muster, she looked the boy straight in the eyes. Her eyes grew glazed as tears began to swell.
With a slow movement, she lifted her hand and rested it on the boy's cheek. Cradling it carefully, she gazed into his eyes, even as he held her neck. Ranma didn't make any movement to flick her hand away, he only continued to hold and stare coldly at her. Akane smiled a small, quiet smile as she held onto his cheek. With softened eyes, she opened her mouth and rasped out with all the energy she could muster.
"Ranma. . . .I. . I know that I've done so much to you, but I . . . I just wanted to say. . to say. . I. . . I. .. love you. I'm sorry,. . . .Ranma. . ."
With his name breathed off her lips, Akane's eyes slowly closed, a peaceful look on her face. Her heart slowed to a stop, the beat dull and shallow under his fingertips. As her vision darkened, Akane's last sight before blacking out was Ranma's face, a growing smile on his face, increasing with satisfaction.
Akane's heart stopped.
~
*The violent kitchen destroyer. . . .loves him?*
Shampoo couldn't believe it.
(I. .. love you. . . .)
Yet, even as the violet haired Amazon shook her head, the caring words echoed through her mind, taunting her. How. . . How could she love him? Whenever she saw Ranma with her, they were either bickering or fighting, constantly getting on one another's nerves. So. . .how could she love him?
How could she love the boy that was strangling her now?
Although she was utterly perplexed about their actions, she knew that in the back of her mind what the answer was. Shampoo had always known since the first time she saw Ranma looking at Akane. But, she tried to deny it. She tried to lock it away in her heart, only releasing it in the night when no one could see the fierce warrior cry.
She knew what it was. . . and it was eating away at her.
It hurt every time she made ramen for Ranma, his eyes looking for Akane. It hurt every time he went to save _her_. It hurt when he tried to get away from her, in fear that Akane would mallet him.
But most of all, it hurt when she saw him smiling at Akane.
He never smiled like that for her.
She saw the answer in his smile. She saw that he wanted a girl who didn't latch onto him. He wanted a girl who was independent and didn't want him. He didn't want a girl who drooled over him in adoration.
He wanted a challenge.
Shampoo tried to ignore him, but it seemed futile. Her heart would ache the more she tried to stay away. It hurt every time she went back to her village in China, facing the questioning elders who asked about her marriage. Their disapproving glares.
But what could she do? He was in love with another girl.
Yet. . . she didn't want it to be so and deployed another plan to split them apart. And like always. . . it turned out wrong.
Her plans always failed.
Suddenly, she was distracted from her thoughts as she felt a sudden dip in an aura. Her head jerked up and she gasped. Akane was slowly dying. Her mind suddenly swirled in turmoil. She had to stop Ranma. This. . . this plan wasn't right. She never wanted to actually hurt Akane. She only wanted to push her out of the way. So what was making him act this way? It couldn't have been the drug from the previous night.
Suddenly, it clicked. The ramen.
Her great-grandmother must have slipped something into the ramen, making him act like this. Shampoo knew that Cologne was desperate to get her a husband to take home, but she never wanted Cologne to resort to something like this.
No, she wouldn't let it end this way.
Amazon or no Amazon, she wouldn't stop from helping a person in need.
Straightening her form, she suddenly rushed over to the two. Shampoo reached out and latched onto Ranma's arm, tugging with all her strength. As Ranma felt the strain on his upraised arm, he turned wordlessly and stared at Shampoo with his eyes vacant of emotions. He tried to shrug her off gently, but she clung tightly to his arm, refusing to let go.
"Shampoo, my dear," he whispered, his voice riddled with confusion, "what are you doing?"
"Ranma, you must stop," Shampoo cried out as she mustered all her energy, her violet eyes staring at him for a moment, "You killing her! Stop now Ranma!"
With silent eyes, he gazed at her for a moment, almost evaluating whether or not to listen. Then, he consented to her wishes and let his finger splay from their clutched position around Akane's neck.
As her neck was freed, a gush of air entered her throat as her lungs inhaled the deprived oxygen greedily. She fell to the ground with a heavy thud, her body collapsing ungracefully. Shampoo quickly slid her arms from Ranma's and fell into sitting position beside Akane. Reaching down shakily, she let two fingers prod carefully at the tender muscles near the platysma of Akane's neck. She tried her best to ignore the angry blue and black blotches that littered her neck where a relentless hand had held her.
Ranma's hand.
Feeling a slow, trembling heartbeat, she shifted onto her legs and pressed skillful fingers gently around the skin surrounding the girl's collarbone. Standing up, she could see with her trained eyes, the steady flow of the girl's ki, rapidly enveloping Akane's body in a warm cocoon of energy. Before she could reach down to press some more ki points to allow the ki to stream more fluidly, she felt a hand enclose around her and lightly jerk her back. Shampoo found herself facing the questioning face of Ranma, his dark eyes brewing with confusion.
"Shampoo," he questioned lightly, his gaze unwavering, "why are you helping her? Why did you make me stop? Do you want her to destroy the love between us? She's trying to manipulate our emotions. Why do you allow her to live?"
"Ranma, Shampoo want you but no want to kill tomboy," Shampoo answered, her voice trembling slightly.
"But Shampoo, obstacles are for killing, remember?"
Shampoo's eyes darkened slightly as she heard his steadfast reply. * That's right. . . .Obstacles are for killing. . . .But is it really worth it? *
Turning back to him, she tried her best to answer him, knowing that whatever she said would be no help to the boy. How could he understand? She made him act like this after all.
"Don't kill her. She not obstacle," Shampoo tried to explain, "She. . . .only jealous. Leave her. You no hurt her any more."
Ranma slowly nodded, trying to understand the twisted logic. Turning toward the crumpled heap below him, he frowned. Disgust in his eyes, he spat next to her prone form.
"I know you heard her you, bitch," Ranma said evenly, his eyes burning holes at her, "I personally would have ended your pathetic life, but because of Shampoo's wish, you're still here. Oh, and you loving me? That's a load of shit to me as far as I'm concerned. I would never love a worthless piece of trash like you."
Ranma's face tightened as he spoke. "I may have spared you this time, but if you ever get in our way again, I won't make the same mistake twice. You can be sure of it."
Turning, he smiled pleasantly at Shampoo, sliding his arm around her waist. "Let's go Shampoo."
As they left the restaurant, Shampoo tried to turn in his embrace, glancing back worriedly at Akane's fallen form. Ukyo was frozen as they passed by her. She didn't know what to say or do. Ranma simply led Shampoo out the door.
No one saw the silent tear that rolled from Akane's battered eye.
~
*Ranma. . . How could you do this to me?*
Ukyo had watched the whole scene silently, her legs rooted to the spot where she stood. She had never seen Ranma act so violently. . .so cruel. Especially to someone like Akane. The part that hurt the most was the last. . . when he left her.
Clenching her eyes together tightly for a moment, she fought the tears that threatened to leak out. She couldn't describe what it felt like. She was terrified, angry, saddened, and stunned all at the same time. . . by him.
How could he do this to her? He had left her behind like a rejected toy. Was that all she was to him? A simple toy to be played with? Something to hold his fascination before being forgotten in an instant? She had felt this pain before, the same excruciating pain that spread through her blackened heart like poison. Yet, this pain left her numbed, frozen to all her senses. Her mind was beginning to crash in to a breakdown. She felt her sanity slowly drip from her, falling deeper into the hole known as paranoia.
Even as she cried inside, she wanted to hate him. She wanted to loathe him with all the hatred possible in her heart. To completely forget about him. . . . But she couldn't. How could she hate the boy she had loved for so long?
It was impossible.
Suddenly, she heard a shuffle of clothing behind her. Turning sharply, she found herself staring at Akane's hunched form, her arms barely holding her up as she pushed herself up. Ukyo quickly rushed over to the shaking girl, resting a hand on her shoulder as if to supply some unavailable comfort.
She could only squeeze the girl's shoulder lightly as she was struck for words to say. Akane's face remained downwards, refusing to look at her. Slowly, the girl reached up with trembling fingers and pushed Ukyo's hand away. Before Ukyo could utter another word, Akane stumbled to her feet, the sight of her battered body making the chef wince.
As she stood on her feet, shaking roughly, she moved sluggishly to the door. Then, with a sudden spur of energy, she watched the girl's back straighten stiffly as if building up her dignity and bolt out the door, disappearing from her sight.
Ukyo rose to her feet, mystified as she glanced at the empty doorframe. Then, her mind clicked and she knew what she had to do. Reaching down, she buckled her spatula belt securely around waist and ran. She ignored the pain in her heart and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
She was running after her friend, Akane.
~
YYYYYYYYEEEEAHHHHHH! I'm done! Oh what joy it is when you finish a long chapter like this. Okay, so this wasn't exactly the longest chapter in the world, but it certainly did take a while. Anywho, I hoped you people enjoyed this. I worked hard on it just for you! Okay. . .maybe not just for the readers. . . .^_^
----Kura-kun----:I hope you aren't as confused anymore. If you still don't get it, then the fact is this: Ranma was under the power of Shampoo, but he wasn't exactly. . .let's say himself. Basically he was almost like a mindless zombie only obeying orders given from Shampoo. When Cologne gives him the ramen, it has that "special flower" in it and makes him change. The change I was trying to accomplish was that Ranma would almost be "willed" to do what Shampoo said, rather than just obey. Don't get me wrong though, he's still under her control and can't stop it. Now, he just seems to be protecting her and be her Romeo. Understand now? ^_^ I hope so.
----Final Fan----: I think what you said comes into place yes, but I do believe there are other underlying plots to the Ranma 1/2 story rather than all "schemes coming undone." I believe there is many emotions in the story that we are faced to deal with, whether it be brought on by curses and what not. Basically I think the way that you twist and turn these emotions can bring something new the plot. But thank you very much for your comment. ^_^
-----Bloodreaver Alpha-----:YES! IT IS A RANMA/AKANE STORY!!! I just . . .have to get to that while creating the suspense.