Broken
Shadow Knight
Chapter 9: Letting Go
Disclaimer: Never did, Don't now, and Never will.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Thoughts*
#Sounds#
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Are you serious?"
Nod.
"But. . . Akane. . . ."
Shaking her short locks, she put up her hand, stopping Ukyo's stuttering lips. Closing her eyes, Akane took in a deep breath, trying to cool her jumpy nerves. Opening them, she looked up to the darkening sky above, the fingers of midnight reaching across the sky, curling around the shining stars.
*Can I really do this?*
Facing toward Ukyo once again, Akane watched as her friend's eyes widened, realizing what she truly was going to do. Suddenly, she reached out, grabbing Akane's sleeve with a sudden jerk. "Akane. . .," she murmured, "you. . . you can't. .. . ."
A slow smile dimly lit Akane's face as she saw Ukyo's face scrunch up in worry wrinkles. "It's okay, Ukyo. I'll be fine. I just. . .," Akane felt the lump getting so big in her throat that she could barely breath, "I just have to. . . go away for a while. . . .Just. . a little while. . ."
"But Akane," Ukyo started, "you can't do this on your own! It isn't. . . right. . . . .it just . . . supposed to end this way. . ."
"What do you mean?"
Ukyo felt her frustration mounting, "Dammit Akane! This isn't. . . ," she was close to crying in annoyance, "This isn't the way it's supposed to be! We're all supposed to stick together and beat all the bad guys. We're supposed to be competing with one another. . We're not all supposed to separate. . . not like this. . . ."
Ukyo clenched her eyes shut tightly. She forced out the pain that she felt in her heart and tried to keep a reign on her wild emotions. This wasn't right. The gang wasn't supposed to split. No matter what the tricks, anger, and hate, nothing ever broke them up and sent them different ways. They always just brushed it off and continued to fight with one another. Whether it be for simple survival or chasing after the affections of Ranma. . . .
Was it really his fault?
Suddenly, Ukyo was startled when a hand patted her shoulder lightly. Opening her eyes, she stared somewhat confused as Akane smiled at her softly. As she stared in the amber pools, she could see that although her face was smiling, trying to reassure her, she could see in Akane's eyes that she was struggling to keep a calm composure up.
If she didn't act quickly it was going to crumble. Ukyo could see it clear as day.
"Everything will be fine," Akane mumbled, "Just. . . just imagine I'm going away for just a little while. I'll be back. For now. . . I have to leave. If I don't. . . I don't know how I'll fair. . ."
Everything was not going to be fine.
"Where are you going to go," Ukyo asked quietly.
Akane reached up and rubbed the area between her eyes, trying to stop the tears that seared in her eyelids. "I don't know. . .wherever I can go. I have to get. . get away from here. . . get away from him. . . just for now. . ."
Without waiting to hear or see Ukyo's reaction, Akane flicked her view down at the ground. For a moment, there was a pregnant pause. Both knew what changes were ahead. Neither was ready to face them.
"Ukyo," Akane whispered slightly, "I. . . I want you to marry Ranma. I don't think that Shampoo really loves him, it's more from lust and her rules. And I don't think he even _likes_ Kodachi. . . . . I know he loves you. He truly cares for you. And honestly, I think that you'd make the best bride for him."
Ukyo's eyes were soft. "Akane. . but-"
"Promise me Ukyo," Akane pleaded, "Promise me you wont let those other two girls do anything to him. Please?"
"But Akane-"
"Dammit Ukyo! Promise me!"
With a small sigh, Ukyo relented. "I promise."
Akane's fake smile grew wider. "Thank you."
Finished, Akane started walking down the street toward the dojo. Ukyo sped to catch up with her. "Where are you going now," she asked.
Without glancing at her companion, Akane muttered, "To the dojo. I have to pick up a few thing before I go. I also. . . . ," her eyes grew hard, "have to make a deal with Nabiki."
As they walked further along, the silence pressed down all around Ukyo like a depressing cloud. She glanced at Akane. Steely eyes gazed forward, no emotion or pain in them. They were just. . . empty. She knew that as she stared at her former competition, that the once fiery soul that lit her eyes. . . was gone. Replaced with it was a sad, mourning, deadness.
She was a walking shell of the girl she once was.
*What have you done Ranma? . . . .What have you done?*
~
In the town of Nermia, a couple blocks down the street from the Neko Haten, a modern dojo sat, age creeping in the sagging figure of a house. Inside one room in particular of the house were two people arguing. One, a girl with dark locks stared at this girl before her. As the chestnut bangs swung against her head, the girl could only mutter a few words in anger.
"As your sister, you _at least_ owe this to me."
Nabiki flicked flippantly at the strand that brushed in her eyes. With a smirk, she raised her hands as if there was nothing else she could do. "I'm sorry, dear little sister. A fee is a fee, no matter what suit you put them in. And my dear Akane, you do know how that would affect my reputation if I did a favor for you _free_. . . . ."
As the known ice queen said such, she felt as if she suddenly made a disastrous mistake. Something slowly snapped inside her. She didn't know why, but there seemed to be a chilling air surrounding her, crackling as if cold flames flooded around her.
For just a moment, she felt scared.
"Well Nabiki-san. ," Akane snapped lowly with a bitter touch, her eyes glowing dully, "I see what terms we stand on. I hope that you are happy with your decision. May I implore what your fees are for not tracking me down or telling anybody where I go?"
Nabiki gulped. This was not like her fiery sister at all. There was something wrong. . . something different about her. "10,000 yen."
Akane closed her eyes and nodded in agreement. Reaching into a pocket, she withdrew the amount and silently placed it in her sister's open hand. The whole process was mechanic to Nabiki now. She curled her fingers around the money, and watched silently as Akane began walking out the door.
As the door clicked quietly behind her, Nabiki took in a breath of relief. How long had she'd been holding her breath? Running a hand through her hair nervously, she stared back at the door.
Something happened. . . something bad.
And she wouldn't stop until she found out.
~
Staring dimly at the floorboards beneath her feet, Ukyo could feel the tension in the air, so thick, she felt she was drowning in it. Taking a slow breath, she could feel the eyes in the room staring at her back as she waited for Akane. She didn't care if they stared at her or not.
After all, having Akane working on a project and spending the night at Ukyo's was a very unbelievable story.
Ukyo looked slightly past the first stair. *Come on, Akane,* she looked back at the Tendo's and Ranma's father and smiled, then turned back to the stairs, *I can't take much more of this. . . . . *
Although no one said anything, Ukyo knew that everyone in this house didn't like her too well. But then. . . she wouldn't like herself too well if she destroyed her wedding. Still, it didn't soothe the burning stares at her back. Pulling one of her smaller spatulas from her belt, she twirled it back and forth, a nervous habit of hers.
Just when she thought she would be consumed with the heat of the glares pressing upon her, Ukyo suddenly heard a door click. Flicking her eyes upward, she saw Akane making her way down the stairs, a small pack resting on her back. Staring back at Ukyo, Akane saw the nervous twitching of Ukyo's form and descended quickly down the stairs.
She knew that she shouldn't have made the girl wait so long, but she didn't think Nabiki would be so. . . unwilling to comply to her requests. Ukyo said good-bye to the Soun, Kasumi and Genma and tried her best not to dart out the door. She nervously slipped on her shoes and stepped out the door. Akane sighed and looked back to her family.
She didn't look at their sad faces, seeing something beyond just a night away. They could tell something was happening. Everyone could. But what could they do? Akane's eyes slid to Soun. She could see that he was holding back a sadness he couldn't understand. Yet, she saw him smile, betraying the emotions he just couldn't comprehend. His eyes softened as he watched her.
Akane smiled briefly at him, holding in the feelings of torment that plagued her. She was so close to breaking down, telling him that she was a fool for ever planning to do something like this. Yet, she kept up her barrier, biting her lip.
The next person sent a dent in her wall.
Kasumi's eyes smiled gently at her, sending her sister love and concern. Akane could barely stand it. Her tongue swam dangerously near her lips, threatening to spill her every emotion. She latched onto her tongue and stopped it. No, she wouldn't let Kasumi bear such a burden. She didn't deserve it.
She had to get out of here soon or she would crack.
"B. . . Bye Dad," Akane started, her tongue tumbling, trying not to cry, "Bye Kasumi. . . I'll see you guys. . . tomorrow."
Her voice was beginning to crack.
They waved back to her and watched her until she slipped on her shoes and left out the door. As Akane passed through the gates of the dojo, she felt something warm slip down her cheek. She held her head high as she heard the gate slam shut behind her, echoing in her soul.
Seeing Ukyo, Akane reached up a hand and brushed away at the tear deftly. The salty streak on her cheek was forgotten. Smiling sadly at Ukyo, she started walking away.
Away from her family. . .
From her friends. . . .
From her life. . .
~
"Good-night my dear."
". . . . . Good-night, Ranma."
". . . . ."
"Ranma. .. Shampoo think it's time to g-!"
"Mmm. . ."
Shampoo's eyes were wide and surprised as Ranma's lips landed on hers, choking off her speech. As she tasted his lips and took in the scent of his clothes, she closed her eyes, wanting to melt into this sensation forever. . . .
But with a jerk, she pulled back, pushing him away.
Looking up at his confused face, she saw it quickly change into a challenged grin. She felt her strings of longing jerk inside her. Why. . . why couldn't it just end happily? Why couldn't. . .
Why couldn't he just love her?
With all her heart she wanted to accept his warm embrace, feel the kisses on her lips. Yet, as she watched him, she knew that no matter how many times she told herself it was alright, it could never be. She may gain his kisses and passion. . . but there was no true love in his eyes, embraces. . . he was simply being controlled.
Closing her eyes and forcing back the tears of pain, she pushed him away and slid behind the door to the restaurant, separating them. She didn't look back at Ranma, she ran up the stairs and into her room, throwing herself onto the bed.
Grabbing a pillow, she clenched her eyes shut and clutched the pillow close to her, throbbing tears coursing down her cheeks. They burned. Why did the pain hurt so much? It plagued her mind as she cried into her pillow.
But in her heart she knew the answer.
No matter what she did. . . Ranma would never love her.
He would never return her love.
With a shocked sigh, she felt something inside of her snap. A dark, demented part of her soul was freed and spread through her like a kudzu. She clutched her nails into her hand until blood spilled onto her pillow.
She couldn't breathe as the thought ran through her mind.
For once in her life. . . she was truly. . .
Alone.
~
Well. . Another chapter done. . . Cool. . right? Ah well. This was going to be longer, but I'm being lazy since I had a horrible experience with some testing. Not pleasant at all. -_-
Anywho, I hope you all enjoyed that, those of you actually bothering to read this message (appreciate it. ^_^). . . Well, I can tell you now that the next chapter probably wont be out this coming week because I'm off and have to see all the relatives. Maybe I'll get some in there (idea wise. . . ).
Probably not, but ah well. :P
Until next time,
Ciao. ^_~
P.S. Next Chapter: Akane confronts Ranma to tell him she's off. . . for good. . .(or so she thinks). . . How will he react?
With sorrow. . .
or. . . .
With violence?
P.P.S: Sorry if I didn't get the yen amount totally accurate, but I really don't know about it, so if anyone would care to inform me of their "yen knowledge," just drop a line. . .as in a review. ^_^
Shadow Knight
Chapter 9: Letting Go
Disclaimer: Never did, Don't now, and Never will.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Thoughts*
#Sounds#
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Are you serious?"
Nod.
"But. . . Akane. . . ."
Shaking her short locks, she put up her hand, stopping Ukyo's stuttering lips. Closing her eyes, Akane took in a deep breath, trying to cool her jumpy nerves. Opening them, she looked up to the darkening sky above, the fingers of midnight reaching across the sky, curling around the shining stars.
*Can I really do this?*
Facing toward Ukyo once again, Akane watched as her friend's eyes widened, realizing what she truly was going to do. Suddenly, she reached out, grabbing Akane's sleeve with a sudden jerk. "Akane. . .," she murmured, "you. . . you can't. .. . ."
A slow smile dimly lit Akane's face as she saw Ukyo's face scrunch up in worry wrinkles. "It's okay, Ukyo. I'll be fine. I just. . .," Akane felt the lump getting so big in her throat that she could barely breath, "I just have to. . . go away for a while. . . .Just. . a little while. . ."
"But Akane," Ukyo started, "you can't do this on your own! It isn't. . . right. . . . .it just . . . supposed to end this way. . ."
"What do you mean?"
Ukyo felt her frustration mounting, "Dammit Akane! This isn't. . . ," she was close to crying in annoyance, "This isn't the way it's supposed to be! We're all supposed to stick together and beat all the bad guys. We're supposed to be competing with one another. . We're not all supposed to separate. . . not like this. . . ."
Ukyo clenched her eyes shut tightly. She forced out the pain that she felt in her heart and tried to keep a reign on her wild emotions. This wasn't right. The gang wasn't supposed to split. No matter what the tricks, anger, and hate, nothing ever broke them up and sent them different ways. They always just brushed it off and continued to fight with one another. Whether it be for simple survival or chasing after the affections of Ranma. . . .
Was it really his fault?
Suddenly, Ukyo was startled when a hand patted her shoulder lightly. Opening her eyes, she stared somewhat confused as Akane smiled at her softly. As she stared in the amber pools, she could see that although her face was smiling, trying to reassure her, she could see in Akane's eyes that she was struggling to keep a calm composure up.
If she didn't act quickly it was going to crumble. Ukyo could see it clear as day.
"Everything will be fine," Akane mumbled, "Just. . . just imagine I'm going away for just a little while. I'll be back. For now. . . I have to leave. If I don't. . . I don't know how I'll fair. . ."
Everything was not going to be fine.
"Where are you going to go," Ukyo asked quietly.
Akane reached up and rubbed the area between her eyes, trying to stop the tears that seared in her eyelids. "I don't know. . .wherever I can go. I have to get. . get away from here. . . get away from him. . . just for now. . ."
Without waiting to hear or see Ukyo's reaction, Akane flicked her view down at the ground. For a moment, there was a pregnant pause. Both knew what changes were ahead. Neither was ready to face them.
"Ukyo," Akane whispered slightly, "I. . . I want you to marry Ranma. I don't think that Shampoo really loves him, it's more from lust and her rules. And I don't think he even _likes_ Kodachi. . . . . I know he loves you. He truly cares for you. And honestly, I think that you'd make the best bride for him."
Ukyo's eyes were soft. "Akane. . but-"
"Promise me Ukyo," Akane pleaded, "Promise me you wont let those other two girls do anything to him. Please?"
"But Akane-"
"Dammit Ukyo! Promise me!"
With a small sigh, Ukyo relented. "I promise."
Akane's fake smile grew wider. "Thank you."
Finished, Akane started walking down the street toward the dojo. Ukyo sped to catch up with her. "Where are you going now," she asked.
Without glancing at her companion, Akane muttered, "To the dojo. I have to pick up a few thing before I go. I also. . . . ," her eyes grew hard, "have to make a deal with Nabiki."
As they walked further along, the silence pressed down all around Ukyo like a depressing cloud. She glanced at Akane. Steely eyes gazed forward, no emotion or pain in them. They were just. . . empty. She knew that as she stared at her former competition, that the once fiery soul that lit her eyes. . . was gone. Replaced with it was a sad, mourning, deadness.
She was a walking shell of the girl she once was.
*What have you done Ranma? . . . .What have you done?*
~
In the town of Nermia, a couple blocks down the street from the Neko Haten, a modern dojo sat, age creeping in the sagging figure of a house. Inside one room in particular of the house were two people arguing. One, a girl with dark locks stared at this girl before her. As the chestnut bangs swung against her head, the girl could only mutter a few words in anger.
"As your sister, you _at least_ owe this to me."
Nabiki flicked flippantly at the strand that brushed in her eyes. With a smirk, she raised her hands as if there was nothing else she could do. "I'm sorry, dear little sister. A fee is a fee, no matter what suit you put them in. And my dear Akane, you do know how that would affect my reputation if I did a favor for you _free_. . . . ."
As the known ice queen said such, she felt as if she suddenly made a disastrous mistake. Something slowly snapped inside her. She didn't know why, but there seemed to be a chilling air surrounding her, crackling as if cold flames flooded around her.
For just a moment, she felt scared.
"Well Nabiki-san. ," Akane snapped lowly with a bitter touch, her eyes glowing dully, "I see what terms we stand on. I hope that you are happy with your decision. May I implore what your fees are for not tracking me down or telling anybody where I go?"
Nabiki gulped. This was not like her fiery sister at all. There was something wrong. . . something different about her. "10,000 yen."
Akane closed her eyes and nodded in agreement. Reaching into a pocket, she withdrew the amount and silently placed it in her sister's open hand. The whole process was mechanic to Nabiki now. She curled her fingers around the money, and watched silently as Akane began walking out the door.
As the door clicked quietly behind her, Nabiki took in a breath of relief. How long had she'd been holding her breath? Running a hand through her hair nervously, she stared back at the door.
Something happened. . . something bad.
And she wouldn't stop until she found out.
~
Staring dimly at the floorboards beneath her feet, Ukyo could feel the tension in the air, so thick, she felt she was drowning in it. Taking a slow breath, she could feel the eyes in the room staring at her back as she waited for Akane. She didn't care if they stared at her or not.
After all, having Akane working on a project and spending the night at Ukyo's was a very unbelievable story.
Ukyo looked slightly past the first stair. *Come on, Akane,* she looked back at the Tendo's and Ranma's father and smiled, then turned back to the stairs, *I can't take much more of this. . . . . *
Although no one said anything, Ukyo knew that everyone in this house didn't like her too well. But then. . . she wouldn't like herself too well if she destroyed her wedding. Still, it didn't soothe the burning stares at her back. Pulling one of her smaller spatulas from her belt, she twirled it back and forth, a nervous habit of hers.
Just when she thought she would be consumed with the heat of the glares pressing upon her, Ukyo suddenly heard a door click. Flicking her eyes upward, she saw Akane making her way down the stairs, a small pack resting on her back. Staring back at Ukyo, Akane saw the nervous twitching of Ukyo's form and descended quickly down the stairs.
She knew that she shouldn't have made the girl wait so long, but she didn't think Nabiki would be so. . . unwilling to comply to her requests. Ukyo said good-bye to the Soun, Kasumi and Genma and tried her best not to dart out the door. She nervously slipped on her shoes and stepped out the door. Akane sighed and looked back to her family.
She didn't look at their sad faces, seeing something beyond just a night away. They could tell something was happening. Everyone could. But what could they do? Akane's eyes slid to Soun. She could see that he was holding back a sadness he couldn't understand. Yet, she saw him smile, betraying the emotions he just couldn't comprehend. His eyes softened as he watched her.
Akane smiled briefly at him, holding in the feelings of torment that plagued her. She was so close to breaking down, telling him that she was a fool for ever planning to do something like this. Yet, she kept up her barrier, biting her lip.
The next person sent a dent in her wall.
Kasumi's eyes smiled gently at her, sending her sister love and concern. Akane could barely stand it. Her tongue swam dangerously near her lips, threatening to spill her every emotion. She latched onto her tongue and stopped it. No, she wouldn't let Kasumi bear such a burden. She didn't deserve it.
She had to get out of here soon or she would crack.
"B. . . Bye Dad," Akane started, her tongue tumbling, trying not to cry, "Bye Kasumi. . . I'll see you guys. . . tomorrow."
Her voice was beginning to crack.
They waved back to her and watched her until she slipped on her shoes and left out the door. As Akane passed through the gates of the dojo, she felt something warm slip down her cheek. She held her head high as she heard the gate slam shut behind her, echoing in her soul.
Seeing Ukyo, Akane reached up a hand and brushed away at the tear deftly. The salty streak on her cheek was forgotten. Smiling sadly at Ukyo, she started walking away.
Away from her family. . .
From her friends. . . .
From her life. . .
~
"Good-night my dear."
". . . . . Good-night, Ranma."
". . . . ."
"Ranma. .. Shampoo think it's time to g-!"
"Mmm. . ."
Shampoo's eyes were wide and surprised as Ranma's lips landed on hers, choking off her speech. As she tasted his lips and took in the scent of his clothes, she closed her eyes, wanting to melt into this sensation forever. . . .
But with a jerk, she pulled back, pushing him away.
Looking up at his confused face, she saw it quickly change into a challenged grin. She felt her strings of longing jerk inside her. Why. . . why couldn't it just end happily? Why couldn't. . .
Why couldn't he just love her?
With all her heart she wanted to accept his warm embrace, feel the kisses on her lips. Yet, as she watched him, she knew that no matter how many times she told herself it was alright, it could never be. She may gain his kisses and passion. . . but there was no true love in his eyes, embraces. . . he was simply being controlled.
Closing her eyes and forcing back the tears of pain, she pushed him away and slid behind the door to the restaurant, separating them. She didn't look back at Ranma, she ran up the stairs and into her room, throwing herself onto the bed.
Grabbing a pillow, she clenched her eyes shut and clutched the pillow close to her, throbbing tears coursing down her cheeks. They burned. Why did the pain hurt so much? It plagued her mind as she cried into her pillow.
But in her heart she knew the answer.
No matter what she did. . . Ranma would never love her.
He would never return her love.
With a shocked sigh, she felt something inside of her snap. A dark, demented part of her soul was freed and spread through her like a kudzu. She clutched her nails into her hand until blood spilled onto her pillow.
She couldn't breathe as the thought ran through her mind.
For once in her life. . . she was truly. . .
Alone.
~
Well. . Another chapter done. . . Cool. . right? Ah well. This was going to be longer, but I'm being lazy since I had a horrible experience with some testing. Not pleasant at all. -_-
Anywho, I hope you all enjoyed that, those of you actually bothering to read this message (appreciate it. ^_^). . . Well, I can tell you now that the next chapter probably wont be out this coming week because I'm off and have to see all the relatives. Maybe I'll get some in there (idea wise. . . ).
Probably not, but ah well. :P
Until next time,
Ciao. ^_~
P.S. Next Chapter: Akane confronts Ranma to tell him she's off. . . for good. . .(or so she thinks). . . How will he react?
With sorrow. . .
or. . . .
With violence?
P.P.S: Sorry if I didn't get the yen amount totally accurate, but I really don't know about it, so if anyone would care to inform me of their "yen knowledge," just drop a line. . .as in a review. ^_^