Misunderstanding Scars Chapter Title Should Go Here, a ranma fanfic

Chapter Title Should Go...Here

Me, Mike, Jon, and Sam spent the next week practicing together, getting to know each other better, and trying to figure out a name for the band.

(-)

We were sitting around Sam's garage talking about our pasts, when Sam turned to me.

"So what got you started on writing lyrics?"

I thought about my answer carefully. I couldn't just come out say, "Oh yeah, the voice in my head, his name's Tony, he said it would help me with my problems if I wrote them down somehow."

Yeah, that's a one-way ticket to the insane asylum. I figured I'd tell the partial truth.

"I don't know really. Just figured it would be a great way to relieve my stress and shit like that," I shrugged.

"Oh, so how'd you end up in Jersey again?" Mike asked.

"(Sigh) Do I really gotta go through this again?" I asked. I seriously didn't want to talk about what happened more than once.

"Yes, please? Just do a quick summary."

I sighed again, "Fine. I came home after school from extra help and found my fiancée in bed with another man. Happy now?"

Sam slapped Mike upside the head, "Now look what you've done! You've made him sad!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Mike cowered with his hands over his head. I couldn't help but laugh at them.

I had told them the more normal parts of my life. Leaving out the insanely strong martial arts, my practicing the martial arts, and the fact that I swam to half my destinations. I also left out the Neko-ken. Didn't need to scare away newfound friends if I didn't need to.

Still laughing a bit I said, "Alright, now that I'm back in the mood, let's play a bit," I handed them some music I put together, "This is one of my first pieces. I call it 'Forget it'."

They took the papers and started playing the music.

(The song Forget It, belongs to Breaking Benjamin, not me.)

It's a crime you let it happen to me
Nevermind, I'll let it happen to you
Out of mind, forget it there's nothing to lose
But my mind and all the things I wanted

Everytime I get it I throw it away
It's a sign, I get it, I want it to stay
By the time I lose it I'm not afraid
I'm alive but I can surely fake it

How can I believe when this cloud hangs over me
You're the part of me that I don't want to see

Forget it

There's a place I see you follow me
Just a taste of all that might come to be
I'm alone but holding breath you can breathe
To question every answer found

Just fade away
Please let me stay
Caught in your way

Forget it

Just fade away
Please let me stay
Caught in your way

It's a crime you let it happen to me
Out of mind, I love it, easy to please
Nevermind, forget it, just memories
On a page inside a spiral notebook

Just fade away
Please let me stay
Caught in your way
I can live forever here

Forget it

How can I believe when this could hangs over me
You're a part of me that I don't want to see

I can live forever here

As the music fades away, I opened my eyes and looked at the door. It's open and I can see Sasha standing there, clapping. Blushing I rubbed the back of my neck, and smiled.

"So you like it?" I asked.

The whole band gave a collective round of "yeah" and "You bet".

I smiled, "Well, I gotta get going. I have some errands to run," I turned to Sasha, "You want me to cook today?" When she nodded I nodded back, "I'll be home by 5:30 to start cooking. If you can grab some steak on your way home if we don't have any at home."

I'd been craving meat for the longest while now. I had become more of a meat eater the past year and a half because of the Neko-ken. And I can't exactly complain either.

As I walked out the door I heard Sasha yell something to me as the door slowly closed, "You guys have a concert coming up tomorrow! More details tonight, Ryuu!"

I nodded and headed out. I walked back to the house and changed into a pair of black slacks and a black tank top.

I went out back and looked around. The backyard was a decent size, but it wasn't big enough to work out in. For me at least.

I hopped onto the roof and scanned the area. After a minute or two I managed to catch a glimpse of a clear, grassy area.

I was in a mischievous mood and decided to try and bug out Tony. So I roof hopped there.

When I jumped off the last roof, I cleared the 5 yards and landed a good 4 feet into the clearing, and I barely disturbed the grass when I landed too. I smirked as Tony yelled at me, and I blocked him out.

I walked to the center of the field and started a kata. It was a warm up kata, slow and graceful.

When that kata ended I flowed right into the next kata. I continued this for an hour or so. Moving from defense katas to offensive katas, to air combat, to hand to hand combat, then back to air combat katas.

When I was done I had a thin layer of sweat covering my body. And by the position of the sun, I had another 2 and a half hours before I needed to head back to the house.

I meditated for a half hour before scanning the area. Finding no one in the general vicinity, I went tiger and messed around a bit.

I hunted a few field mice for fun, never killing them mind you, because stalking the prey had become a new and fun hobby for me.

I still had an hour or so before I needed to head out, so I went to lie down and told Tony to wake me up in an hour.

(-)

Shampoo had trailed Ranma all the way to Argentina. She had lost him in midst of the deep forests between Argentina and Brazil.

After getting lost for almost three months she had finally gotten out of the forest and found a port to the North of the continent.

In the midst of her travels she had learned Japanese and English and could finally make full comprehensible sentences.

The reason it had taken her so long to get out of the forest was because it was a rain forest. Therefore it, inevitably, rained every few hours. And she had yet to rid herself of her curse. Otherwise it would have been a matter of days to get out, but unfortunately, cats aren't the best animals to be when lost in a forest.

Her entire search had been cursed, sad, and...rainy. But today was different. This past week the rain had stopped and it had only been cloudy. And today was the sunniest day she'd seen since she began her hun-err...search.

She was currently on a boat to a New Jersey port and would reach the port within the hour.

(-)

Ryuu was sound asleep, still in the middle of the field, and still in his tiger form.

He still had 40 minutes before Tony had to wake him up. And Ryuu was sleeping a dreamless sleep.

Which is boring. So we'll check up on Shampoo once more.

(-)

Shampoo stood at the edge of the city the ship had docked in. She was spreading her senses to see if she could find a sign of Ranma's aura.

(She doesn't know about Ranma's change in name. Cologne had failed to mention this in her letter when she told Shampoo the annulment of the marriage.)

She couldn't find a trace of his aura...until she looked towards Vineland. The town seemed to scream, "Ranma is here!" The fact that an entire quarter of the town was cloaked in his aura helped as well.

And that's where Shampoo headed. Toward Vineland, where she was positive she'd find him.

(-)

Ryuu! Tony yelled in my head.

I growled and turned over, exposing my fur-covered stomach to the sun.

What do you want, Tony? Is it time to wake up yet? I asked. The sun was so comfortable and warm...I had the sudden urge to fall asleep and stay that way until the sun went below the horizon.

Well...no, you have 20 minutes left, I was about to yell when he interrupted my interruption, Listen! If you spread your senses you'd know that someone with a strong ki was heading our way.

I did what Tony said and spread my senses. I jumped onto my feet, all four of them, when I sensed Shampoo heading our way.

I growled, one part of me wanted to suppress my ki and run while I still could. While another part of me anticipated the fight that was sure to come with Shampoo's arrival. Then the part of me, the one that sat and formulated a plan, wanted to stay still, turn human, wait, and find out what the possessive bitch wanted.

That small formulating plots part of me was the one I took after the most. You could call him my conscious, but, in my opinion, he took up both roles of "devil and angel" and mixed them quite nicely. I mean, what kind of angel tells you to kill anything that moves in a rainforest where possible villages could be near by? ...Right, didn't think so.

I had lost all qualms about hitting girls in a fight. And I was looking forward to showing Akane how a real fight felt. Bruises, blood, broken bones, the whole nine yards. Hey, I never said I'd forgive her at all. Don't know what you've been smoking if you thought I did.

I transformed back to my original form and stretched the kinks out of my body.

I got into a meditation stance and spiked my ki once before hiding it completely. I wanted to see how quickly she'd arrive and how well her memory worked.

Afterwards I moved to go sit on a boulder off to the side. I was waiting and watching the clouds.

I sat up as I realized I'd not only be late to make dinner, I could come up with an excuse for that, but if I had to fight Shampoo...how would I explain the unconscious body? And the cuts and bruises?

"Shit, it's going to be a long day," I sighed and lowered my head.

Shampoo jumped down from a nearby rooftop, just as I had done a while ago.

My bangs hid my eyes as I mumbled to myself, "And here comes the cause this long day," a glint crossed my eyes as I thought about something, "Maybe I'll have some fun after all..." I smirked.

(-)

Shampoo slowly made her way towards the young man standing in the middle of the field. She didn't know who he was. He had Ranma's aura...but he didn't look like Ranma.

He had short black hair that came up in natural spikes, with blue tiger-like streaks in them. He was wearing a black tank top and a pair of black slacks and he had a tattoo on his left arm.

To Shampoo, he looked nothing like the Ranma she knew. But, he was hiding his eyes from her, and his aura was so like Ranma's.

He had mumbled something while she was trying to read him and she had missed what he said. Obviously he figured this out when she failed to reply.

"Can I help you?" He asked, raising his head and smiling politely. He had his eyes squinted closed so she still couldn't see his eyes.

"Yes, do you know a man named Ranma Saotome?" Shampoo asked.

The young man looked up at the sky in thought, How am I going to do this? Hmm...I think Sasha said something about our first concert tomorrow...

He looked up at Shampoo and smiled again, this time she could see his eyes, "Why yes, I believe I have."

Shampoo smiled, Finally, I've found him...

"Do you know where he is?"

He shook his head, "Not at the moment. But if you meet me here tomorrow morning I'm sure I could have the information you need."

Shampoo nodded, "Thank you, sir."

The young man turned to leave but was stopped by Shampoo's question, "Can I ask your name, please?"

He didn't turn around fully, he just turned his head so she had a side view of his face, "My name is...Ryuu."

With that the young man left.

At least I found Ranma, Shampoo sighed, I knew you couldn't hide forever Ranma, no one can.

And Shampoo followed Ryuu's steps also leaving the field. She found a hotel nearby several minutes later.

(-)

"Made it..." I mumbled as I walked in the door, I made it 3 minutes before I said I'd be home.

I smiled as I took a quick shower and changed into some fresh clothes. I was lazy so all I managed was another pair of black slacks.

I was in the kitchen putting together the needed ingredients when Sasha walked in the door.

"Hey, Sasha. You got the steak?" I walked into the hallway.

She nodded and handed me the paper brown bag, "Fresh from the market," She said smiling.

"Good, dinner should be ready in an hour," I walked back to the kitchen, and I smirked when I caught a blush on her face in my peripheral vision.

She walked into the kitchen and sat at the island while I cooked.

"So, what's this about our first show tomorrow?" I asked while cutting up the meat.

"I set it up with Sam's uncle. The guy's cool, and a bit weird. But that's beside the point. He agreed to let you guys play at his bar."

I nodded, not entirely facing her, "So, you got any tickets? I met someone I knew a while back, and I figured I'd invite her."

"We don't have tickets," She said, I heard her get up and shuffle through her coat, "But we got advertisements."

I put everything together in a pan and started to actually cook the meat, "Can you throw one of those advertisements on my dresser when you get the chance?"

"Sure, why not," I heard her get up again and walk down the hall.

She returned a minute later a started to set table, "When'll the food be ready?"

"In a half hour relax."

"Well, I'm hungry."

"What do you want me to do? Serve the meat rare?"

"Would it kill you?"

"It's not me I'm worried about."

"So what? You're saying if you ate the meat rare it wouldn't affect you either way, but if I ate it, I'd probably get sick?"

"Perceptive aren't you?"

"Wise ass."

"Why, thank you."

"Do you enjoy torturing me?"

"If I said yes would you be mad?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Are you lying to me?"

"Yes."

"Augh! You are the most infuriating man I have ever met!"

"Thank you. I take pride in my work."

"I don't like you right now."

"Never said you had to like me."

"You know I can throw you out of this house anytime I want?"

"Yes."

"So why do you torture me?"

"Because if you threw me out of the house you would need to find another housemate."

"Good point."

"Plus, I doubt you'd find another housemate as good looking as me."

"(Sigh) Just when you think he wouldn't say anything..."

"Do you disagree with my comment?"

"No."

"Then what in seven hells is your problem?"

"The fact that you're usually always right."

"You act like I should care."

"You should."

"I don't."

"Fuck you."

"Maybe later."

"...There are seven hells?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"One level for each type of torture."

"Which are...?"

"Fire, Greatest fears, Food-"

"Food?"

"For the vegetarians."

"Oh."

"Yeah...Phobias, Water, Castration& porn, and Bondage."

"Castration and porn?"

"If you don't got a thing to jerk off with porn is annoying...So says an old pervert I once knew."

"And bondage?"

"Not everyone likes being tied to the bed during sex, I'm sure."

"Oh..."

"Too much info?"

"Yes."

"Sucks for you."

"Are you done torturing me yet?"

"Yes, the food's ready."

"About time."

"Shut up and eat."

With that, we sat down and ate our dinner. Talking as if our little chat before had never happened...well, I did. She was still a bit peeved. It's amazing how uncaring I've become of others opinions. (Smile)

(-)

That night I sat on my bed and wrote the lyrics I would dedicate to a certain someone. I wrote the music that would accompany my lyrics. And I wrote the poem that would set the course for our band's name.

The future isn't written in stone, but then again, even if it was, I doubt I'd do what I was supposed to. I always was one to bend the rules to their breaking point.

(-)

I woke up early that morning. Throwing on a pair of black sweats and a white t-shirt I walked out the door.

Arriving at my destination, the field I had trained in earlier, I took out the flier Sasha had given me the previous night.

I folded it and tucked it back into my pocket, waiting for Shampoo to arrive. I didn't have to wait long, because she arrived 10 minutes later.

She smiled at me, "Good morning, Ryuu."

I smiled back, "Good morning, Shampoo. I gathered whatever information I could for you."

She bowed, "Thank you, Ryuu. I appreciate your help greatly."

I shook my head, This is too easy. It's almost sad...almost, "No worries, Shampoo. Now here is the flier that I was given to give to you."

She took the paper and stared at it strangely, "A concert?"

I nodded, "Yes, It's seems your friend is the lead singer for the new group performing today."

She nodded slowly, still slightly confused.

I turned to leave; "I do hope to see you there, Shampoo. Bye!" I waved to her over my shoulder as I left.

(-)

Shampoo looked at the flier again as Ryuu left.

"I do hope to see you there, Shampoo. Bye!" She heard him say.

Something clicked just then. She had never told Ryuu her name. Yet somehow, he knew her name.

There was something more to this Ryuu character than he let on. And after she went to this concert she would confront him about it.

(-)

I walked in the door and ran into my room. Throwing my shirt onto the floor I grabbed a clean pair of boxers and ignored Sasha's protests as I cut in front of her and ran into the bathroom.

I took a nice hot shower too. The anticipation of today's show starting to get to me. Just to spite Sasha I took a while in the shower...and walked out with only a towel around my waist. I couldn't help but smirk as she had a bright blush on her face.

Walking back into my room I decided what to wear. I threw on a pair of black cargo pants, a black t-shirt, and a dark red button-up shirt, unbuttoned.

(-)

Me, Sam, Mike, and Jon all sat in the back. We were discussing how to introduce our group name and ourselves. It was 5 minutes till we had to get up on stage before we had everything figured out.

I looked around as quickly set up the last of our equipment and looked for Shampoo. I saw Sasha at the bar and I waved to her.

She gave me a thumb up and I returned it. I spotted Shampoo enter just as I sat down on a stool I had grabbed from the bar. It was time to start.

(-)

"Hey guys!" Mike spoke into his microphone, "How are all of you today?"

The crowd cheered before quieting down.

"We have a good show today, only 3 songs, but they're good songs...in our opinion, and we hope you enjoy them as well," Jon said.

"But first we have to introduce ourselves. My name's Samantha, but everyone calls me Sam!" Obviously, Sam said.

"My name's Mike and I'll be your drummer for today!"

"My name's Jon, and I play the guitar for our band."

"My name's Ryuu, and I'll be your lead singer for today as well."

After a minute Ryuu spoke again, "Our hope gone, our faith ripped apart...in the shadows of the dead, we are uninspired. We are...Misunderstanding Scars."

At this point the music began playing and Ryuu began singing his parts. ("Don't Be Afraid" by Steromud)

You don't like them stepping on you
You don't like they make fun of your name
You don't like they tell you what to do
When you try to fit in
And they're all laughing
You're left there standing
Don't know what to do

When you feel hurt and afraid
Don't show it bothers you
Don't give yourself away
Eyes keep closing
And your mind's exploding
And your anger's growing

Can you stand up for yourself
Don't be afraid
Watch out for yourself
Don't be afraid
Close up your fist
You are not afraid

Don't know how it began
Don't know who said it
Don't know who you can trust
Are they lying?
It's hard when you pretend
That they're not pointing
Their fingers feel like someone's pushing you

When you feel better afraid

When you feel hurt and afraid
Don't show it bothers you
Don't give yourself away
Eyes keep closing
And your mind's exploding
And your anger's growing

Can you stand up for yourself
Don't be afraid
Watch out for yourself
Don't be afraid
Close up your fist
You are not afraid

Don't be afraid
Don't be afraid
Don't run, run, run
Feel your eyes keep closing

When you feel hurt and afraid
Don't show it bothers you
Don't give yourself away
Eyes keep closing
And your mind's exploding
And your anger's growing

Can you stand up for yourself
Don't be afraid
Watch out for yourself
Don't be afraid
Close up your fist
You are not afraid

Don't be afraid

The music came to an end and Ryuu took a drink from the glass of water beside him while Sam spoke to the crowd.

"That song we call Don't Be Afraid. The next we're going to play is called I'm A Fake."

"One my favorites, personally," Ryuu said.

"I wonder why..." Mike rolled his eyes.

Ryuu turned to Mike, "Shut up and let's start." ("I'm a Fake" by The Used)

(Spoken)
Small, simple, safe price
Rise the wake and carry me with all of my regrets
This is not a small cut that scabs, and dries, and flakes, and heals
And I am not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to bleed, and fuck, and fight
I want the pain of payment
What's left, but a section of pigmy sized cuts
Much like a slew of a thousand unwanted fucks
Would you be my little cut?
Would be my thousand fucks?
And make mark leaving space for the guilt to be a liquid
To fill, and spill over, and under my thoughts
My sad, sorry, selfish cry out to the cutter
I'm cutting trying to picture your black broken heart
Love is not like anything
Especially a fucking knife

Ryuu drank some of his water as Mike and Sam began playing the music. Jon joined a minute later.

Look at me, you can tell
By the way I move and do my hair
Do you think that it's me or it's not me?
I don't even care
I'm alive
I don't smell
I'm the cleanest I have ever been
I feel big, I feel tall, I feel dry (dry)

Just look at me, look at me now
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
Just look at me, look at me now
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake

Do I drink? Do I date?
I've got perfect placement all my ink
Satisfied, in your eyes
I'm the biggest fan I've got right now
I made sure, that I look how I wanted to look
The people around me, the people surround me
I feel big, I feel tall, I feel dry (dry)

Just look at me, look at me now
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
Just look at me, look at me now
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake

My stomach hurts now, and all tied off in lace
I pray, I beg for anything, to hit me in the face
and this sickness isn't me, I pray to fall from grace
The last thing I see is feeling
And I'm telling you I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
And I'm telling you I'm...

Just look at me, look at me now
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
Just look at me, look at me now
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake
I'm a fake

Ryuu sat and waited for the music and cheering to fade. When it was quiet and everyone seemed to be waiting for him to speak he looked up and caught Shampoo's eyes with his.

"This next song was written just previously and is one of our newest songs yet. I've dedicated it to someone I personally invited today...I call this song, Stop Looking."

The music started and the lights on the stage faded until there was only enough light to show the band's silhouettes. ("Stop Looking" by Papa Roach)

Hit or miss, fuck a fight
It's time to live your life
Go ahead, I know I'm right
I'm gonna lay it on the line
Put yourself in my shoes
Would you stand up for your rights
Line em up and knock em down
I'm not running scared tonight

I have found these walls before
And I'm not scared anymore
Theres a time to lead and to follow
Because I won't take this anymore (these walls)
I found these walls before (these walls)
There's a time to lead and to follow (these walls)

I see the walls closing in
And I feel like I'm in danger
My enemy is not alone
In the mirror, theres a stranger
As I tried to break out
My panic led to fear
Hopeless, I am alone
I'm afraid the end is near

The truth doesn't always have to hurt

Stop looking
Stop seeing NOW
Right now
Right now

The truth doesn't always have to hurt

I have found these walla before
And I'm not scared anymore
Theres a time to lead and to follow
Because I won't take this anymore (these walls)
I found these walls before (these walls)
There's a time to lead and to follow (these walls)

Ryuu flared his aura as he sung the last few sets of lyrics. He flared his bright blue aura that was faintly tainted with a sickly green. The green of depression. And he hoped that Shampoo would recognize it.

Looking through the crowd again. He observed them all. The way they listened to the music, the emotions that crossed their faces as he sung the lyrics. He observed it all.

He caught Shampoo's eyes with his again and watched the emotions cross her face.

At first confusion and then slow realization and she understood what he meant by the lyrics.

He nodded to Shampoo and stood up to face the crowd.

"Well, that's all we have for today, but if we can make another show schedule with our host and bartender, we will be back!" Jon said.

"And we'll have plenty of new songs for you guys too!" Mike shouted.

"So leave your opinions on a little piece of paper in the 'opinion' jar at the bar," Ryuu said as if addressing a college class. All sophisticated like.

"And for you preppy bitches out there!" Sam yelled, "I would die to have a body like yours...in my trunk!"

And the entire band laughed as they walked off stage and headed into the back of the buildings lot to skateboard.

(-)

Sasha got up and walked over to the purple haired young woman by the door.

"Are you Shampoo?" Sasha asked.

Shampoo turned to her and nodded.

"I was asked, by Ryuu, to bring you in back so he could speak with you."

Shampoo nodded again. And she followed Sasha into the back.

Once they were outside she could see that all 4 of them, Jon, Mike, Sam, Ryuu, they were all doing tricks on railings and half pipes and mini ramps.

Ryuu was in the middle of a "McTwist" when he spotted Shampoo and Sasha. Finishing his trick he rolled up the other side of the half pipe, and then jumped over the edge, catching his skateboard in his hand and landing on his feet.

He walked over to Shampoo and waited.

Shampoo stared at Ryuu for a moment, "We need to talk."

Nodding Ryuu led Shampoo off to the side, away from Sasha and the band.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Reviews welcome, flames shall be used to burn the asses of lawyers.