DISCLAIMER:

Author: I don't own Ranma 1/2 or any of the songs mentioned in this story. I do however own Jon, Mike, Sam, Tony, Sasha and Ryuu.

Ryuu: I thought you said you owned Ra-(ZAP)

Author: (Malicious grin) I like tasers...

Ryuu: (Hair is smoking)(Twitch) o.o

Author: You shouldn't smoke, Ryuu, tis bad for your health.

Ryuu: So is (cough) saying things you were (cough) told not to.

Author: (Nods) You bet your ass.

Ryuu: Why would I bet my ass? O.o

Author: It's a saying, Ryuu, like "that's interesting" or "I love you"

Ryuu: Oh...okay...

Author: Surrounded by idiots... -.-

Ryuu: I resent that.

A/N:

First thing's first, reviewers: ranma hibiki, imortis, Darkpyon, Batanga, Wonderbee31 (Oh, you have no idea the pain that people will experience, and I doubt even half of it will happen to Ryuu.:Evil smirk:), DoomGazeHell, Ormik (Yeah, went over my 3-song-per-chapter limit last time. Won't happen again, promise. And don't worry about Ryuu, he'll make up for the lack of romantics this chapter.), Smiles (It's true, he probably could've worn out more women. But, c'mon, how many fics have you seen where Ranma is hording anymore than two? I like to keep my men on a short leash. Whatever that means for Ryuu.), EVILSONOFA...(Heheh...revenge is sweet...and I'm not just saying that. When you see the chapter title is 'Revenge Is Sweet', one of two things has happened. Ryuu has made it to Nerima, or Ryuu is ready to exact his revenge.), Ryo's Destiny (I love you!), fanfic maniac (Hmm...now that I think about it...it is a purpelish color isn't it? xD), Aquarius Star, Starjacker (Heh...fire...), neko (Keep an eye out and look for signs, you should catch a glimpse of someone from Nerima in the crowd this chapter.), Sonic 1 (Actually, I seriously had a plan to add one. But, eventually, as the story progressed, I just kinda shot the idea to hell. I don't know how I'm going to add one no more... -.-;;), Taiki, um...(Don't worry, I have no intention of abandoning this story until it's complete), chaumiester (The next chapters will be out...the next time the story's updated. I can't help it that you're a speed reader, but I'll try my best to make the chapters longer. But remember, longer chapters mean more time between updates. Just pointing that out..), wild storm...THANK YOU ALL! I really appreciate it that you guys take the time to review, makes me feel that much more obligated to get the next chapter out. Now, since there really isn't much to say...on to the chapter! Enjoy!

Osaka Prepare! Ryuu Has Arrived!

Osaka, our first stop. One of at least 6 spots. Our trip is planned as follows: Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Juuban, Sendai, and Nerima. Oh, how I'm going to enjoy this tour. Kami only knows how Robert convinced Flip to let us tour outside America, only he knows really.

And to add to my fun, I'm the only one who can operate in Japan without a translater present. (Smile) Life is grand ain't it? Actually...life is a journey. Go on without me. I have buildings to destroy, people to torture, and things to burn...oh, yeah! And people to date. (grin)

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

We got to our hotel and figured out the arrangements. We pulled names out of a hat and guess what? Sasha ended up my roommate, imagine that. Nope, hat wasn't rigged and I didn't cheat either... (smile)

I walked into the hotel room and placed my stuff on the bed near the balcony window. I began to empty the contents of my bag around 'my' half of the room, declaring that half as mine during our stay. Magazines, Cds, Cd player, all placed upon the small dresser that sat beside my bed. My suitcase sat on a chair next to the small dresser. And I placed some of my essentials in a drawer in the bathroom. I marked the drawer as mine with a post-it that read "Ryuu's Drawer of Random Essential Shit Do Not Open Without Proper Consent" Big words for someone of my caliber, yes, but effective enough.

"Ryuu?"

I looked up from my suitcase and saw Sasha standing near her bed and fidgeting nervously, why she was nervous was beyond me...kind of.

Seeing she had my attention she spoke, "What goes on in that mind of your? You flirt with me, if you can call it that. You kiss me. Then you walk away as if nothing ever happened. Why?"

I blinked. That wasn't exactly the question I was expecting. At all. But I tried to answer the best I could none-the-less.

"Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know what goes on in my head. I think about a lot of things. Pyro thoughts, the creating of lyrics, the torture of a few select people, hentai thoughts on occasion. But trust me when I say this, when I flirt, when I kiss you. None of my feelings are false. I may walk away as if nothing happened. But masks can be deceiving," I had always loved being cryptic, Sailor Pluto being my second favorite senshi...Saturn being my first favorite, but SHHH! If any of the guys knew I'd never live it down...but then again, I don't think they'd live at all. (smile) Though my answer wasn't all that cryptic...but hey, you can't say I didn't try.

I smiled, "Listen, if you want more of your questions answered...I think I can work something out."

Sasha raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"

"A date. We go out to a nice restaurant, go out dancing and the such. And I'll answer whatever questions may be floating about your head to best of my capabilities," I answered, turning my attention back to my previous search within my suitcase.

"And what would you get out of it? There has to be more to this than you're letting on..." Sasha said.

I only briefly looked up to meet Sasha's eyes before looking back inside my suitcase, "I get to spend a night out with a beautiful young woman, who, by the way, I've had a crush on for quite some time now..." My eyes brightened as I found what I was looking for, "Aha! Found it! I knew I hadn't left it in my closet..." I lifted my favorite lighter from my bag. It was a stainless steel, but black in color with descriptive flames that covered the lower half of the lighter.

Sasha raised an eyebrow at my little discovery, was silent for a moment as I lit a random candle. She was obviously mulling over my words before a, much delayed, sudden realization hit her, "You have a crush on me " She asked incredulously.

I rolled my eyes and, diverting my gaze from the flame before me, looked at her, "And you said I was slow..."

Sasha blinked and a blush crept up to her cheeks. I raised an eyebrow wondering why a blush had arisen for, seemingly, no apparent reason.

She was about to say something when a knock on the door sounded and a loud voice was heard, "Yo, Ryuu! I have the urge to see things burn! Come with me downtown?"

I smiled and blew out the candle's flame, "Alright, I'll just leave you here to your thoughts and to ponder my offer. Meanwhile, I have people to see, things to burn..."

I quickly made my way to the door and opened it. Only to get pounded on the chest by Mike's fist as he seemingly went to pound on the door again. I looked down at the shorter man, "Hey, you mind?"

Mike looked up at me and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, dude."

"No problem, can we go burn things now?"

Mike flashed a smirk almost identical to mine and we silently made our way to the elevator. Having rooms on the 7th floor made for a good view of the sunset and stuff like that, but not everyone can jump out a window that high and land without killing themself...

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

I'm not going to go into much detail about what me and Mike burnt down that night. But let's just say that it involved kerosine, large metal barrels, a few cop cars, and maniacal shouting that sounded something like:

"MWAHAHAHA! FIRE! MWAHAHAHA!" and also like, "BURN BABY! BURN! AHAHAHA!"

Scary, yes, but fun as hell. Let's just say we escaped the cops with seconds to spare. Oh, and no one was harmed in the burning of the cop cars. A few unconscious cops maybe...but nothing serious.

Though Sasha wasn't the best of choices to come back to the hotel to after a night of pyro antics. The scolding I recieved was not one I want to experience again...unless I'm allowed to beg for forgiveness and I can kiss and "make up". (smirk) Oh, yes, wouldn't that be fun...

'Stop letting your mind wander, hentai, it's too small to be out alone.'

...Shut up, Tony...

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

I awoke the next morning with a certain resolve in my eyes. I had people to see, places to visit, and memories to reminisce about.

I got up and took a nice hot shower. I walked out of the bethroom in only a towel just in time for Sasha to get up out of bed and take her turn in the bethroom, not without a profuse blush of course. Kami, how I love my timing.

I threw on a pair of black baggy cargos and a black t-shirt that said, clear as day, that I had more than just the voice of my little devil and tied up angel in my head, "You're just jealous 'cause the voices are talking to me"

I love me t-shirts, I truly do. When people ask me why I wear t-shirts almost everyday, I tell them, "I believe in the right to bare arms." Of course only a few understand the sarcasm within that sentence.

I left a short notice on my dresser sayting that I was out running a few errands. Then I left the hotel and made my way towards the Koshou Shinto Shrine.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

I stood before the entrance to the shrine and sighed. It had been years since I was last here. I wonder if they'd remember me? Damn, I sure remember them. They were like my surragate parents, it was wierd, I had only known them for little less than a week, but they acted like I was the son they never had. Not that I'm complaining...hey, every one needs someone to care sometime. And I definately needed someone to care, we all know Genma didn't give a rat's ass.

I walked up the shrine steps and approached the house that was built off to the side, about 20 yards from the shrine, and went to the door.

I took a deep breath, another breath...and then another...and then knocked, thinking all the while, 'Kami, I hope they remember.'

The door opened and a woman with long brown hair pulled into a loose ponytail opened the door. She looked at me with those expressive green eyes and, for a moment, I wondered if Sakura had somehow come back, but then I remembered something that had shocked me way back when.

Sakura looked almost identical to her mother.

I smiled gently, "It's been a long time, Saori-san."

She blinked and seemed to be deep in thought, she looked at my eyes, seemingly searching for something, then recognition flashed in her eyes, "Ran-chan!"

I think I had a sweatdrop form on the side of my head at the old nick-name she had given me so long ago. I nodded, "May I come in?"

Saori nodded, "Of course! Come in, come in!" She led me inside and I relived the many times I had spent in the house. I smiled and sat down at the low table as Saori went to make some tea.

She spoke from within the kitchen, "So, what brings you here? And what have you been up to since you left?"

"Well, since I've left, I've traveled to China with Genma. Settled down in Nerima for 2 years. Found out I had 3 fiancees. Killed a demi-god. Got tired of all the sh-err, stuff."

"Good catch," I saw Saori smirk from over the half wall seperating the kitchen from the dining room. Saori was always the only one who could make me watch what I say...I scratched the back of my head before continuing.

"Got tired of all the stuff I was being put through," I mumbled something to myself about a backstabbing bitch of a fiancee before continuing, "Went to visit my Mom, had her disown me, changed my name, and traveled around alone until I came to terms with everything and settled down again in New Jersey on the east coast of America."

Saori came out of the kitchen with a tray of tea, tea cups, and cookies. Out of everyone I've met in my life, Saori's cooking had to have been the best cooking I've ever eaten. Only Kasumi's cooking had ever come close, close I said, not better or on par, close.

"Seems you've been busy," Saori said pouring the tea, "What'd you change your name to?"

"Mouko Ryuu."

"Fierce Tiger Dragon...sounds like a horrible contradiction if you ask me."

"No one was asking you," I said as I reached for a cookie.

(Slap)

"Ow!" I cradled my abused hand, "What'd ya do that for?"

Saori only shook her, "You never change do you?"

"Why change? I like me the way I am," I said, quickly grabbing a cookie before she could slap it again.

"So what'd you do in New Jersey?" She asked.

"Eh, found a place to stay, found a job, joined a band, got a record deal, and somehow our director dude convinced the company to let us tour outside America," I said munching on the cookie, "So, what've you been doing while I was gone?"

Saori shrugged, "We've kept the shrine afloat pretty much."

"How's Akashi-kun? I remember he took Sakura-chan's death pretty hard." I asked.

"Akashi...he's doing okay. He's gotten over it, but it's still a sensitive subject. Which reminds me, I was suprised when you didn't visit the grave at all after everything. What happened?"

I bowed my head, "Genma happened. Bas-...the old fart wouldn't let me leave Nerima, I guess he thought I was going to skip out on the engagement or something..."

"Seems like a good excuse..."

"It's not an excuse, Saori! You know that! If I had the power to have visited Sakura...I'd probably be living here and visiting her grave every other day."

Saori put her hands up in a defensive gesture, "Relax, Ra-err, Ryuu. I know that. Heck, everyone who knows you knew that. I was only wondering," Saori was silent for a moment, "Ryuu, you want to go visit her grave?"

I lifted my head, "Really? Yeah! I've been meaning to talk to her..." I smiled lightly.

Saori nodded and we left for the cemetary.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

I kneeled before the grave and relived the burial. I again watched as they lowered the casket into the grave and watched as those around me shed tears for her.

I remember, after the burial, one of Sakura's friends had approached me. And asked why I didn't mourn for her, why I didn't shed any tears.

I had simply smiled and said, "Between the time of her death, and now, I'm all cried out."

Shaking my head of memories I stared at the gravestone. I looked up at Saori, then back down at the grave.

"It's been awhile, Sakura-chan..."

Me and Saori sat down on a blanket in front of Sakura's grave and I told them both a detailed story of the past 4-5 years.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

We spent a few hours in the cemetary, just relaying what we've done the past few years to each other, then headed back to the shrine for lunch. Akashi was at the house and we talked some more. Just reliving past memories without the pain.

It was around 1 in the afternoon by the time I left the shrine. I headed to the hotel to speak with Sasha.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

"Hey, Sasha!" Ryuu yelled walking in the door.

Sasha, who had been laying on her stomach watching the Tv, looked up and smiled at Ryuu, "Hey, Ryuu. Get your errands done?"

"Almost," Ryuu replied. Sasha sat up from her original position and swung her legs over the edge of her bed. Ryuu removed his shoes and sat down behind her. He wound his arms around her waist and spoke close to her ear, "So, did you think over my offer?"

She shuddered as she felt his hot breath on her neck. She closed her eyes and leaned back in his embrace, "Yeah, I wanna go on this date with you..."

Sasha had her eyes closed but she could practically hear the smirk on his face, "Good. Because on my way here I found a great dance club..."

Sasha inwardly groaned, she suddenly had a bad feeling about tonight.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

I was searching my bag for something nice to wear, all the while thinking, 'Damn it! I knew I packed something half decent for a date!'

'What about that black sleeveless Chinese tunic you packed?' Tony offered.

'And what else? I need pants to wear with them, and I can't wear my cargos...'

'You're right, they clash with "fanciness" of the shirt. What about those black jeans I made you buy the other day?'

'...Maybe...what about black slacks and a red sash?' I mused.

'Sounds good, try it,' And I tried it on. I liked the sleeveless shirt, though my tattoo kind of ruined the "fancy factor"...though I was always a rogue.

I stood and smoothed the material out and looked at myself through the vanity mirror. The black sleeveless shirt Tony had picked had silver tigers embroidered on it. All in all, I looked pretty damn cool.

I was laying on my bed, my hands behind my head, and zoning out when the bathroom door opened.

I sat up and was stunned. Before me stood...a goddess. Actually, it was only Sasha in a stunning outfit, but to me she resembled a goddess.

She wore a black handkerchief skirt and a red tank top that hugged her form just right.Anda black see through shirt over that with a wide neck that hung off her shoulders. They looked like with only a little pull...they'd fall right off. Pretty much, she was showing just enough skin to make it feel like the temperature of the room had just shot up 20 degrees at least. And she had a silver necklace on, the one I had given her for her birthday last year, that had a silver kanji charm that stood for trust. (Me and Tony idly noted that the charm hung just above the crease of her breasts...)

I got up and stared for a few more seconds before I got my thoughts together and, looking her in the eyes, spoke my mind, "You...look absolutely...stunning."

Sasha blushed but didn't break eye contact, "Thanks, you don't look so bad either."

I smirked, "You won't be saying that later...anyway, ready to go?"

Sasha nodded and, linking arms, we headed out.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

We approached the restaurant and waited to be seated. It was a quaint restaurant. Some place where we'd feel comfortable, not too over-dressed, not too under-dressed.We were seated at a booth off to the side of the restaurant near a large glass aquatic tank. (Oh, look at me now, "aquatic" that's a new 'smart' word. xD)

The waitress gave us our menus and left us to browse. In the mean time we talked. We did something similar to "20 questions". Sasha asked me a question. I would answer truthfully and in turn I would ask her a question that would make her flustered. Or at least, I hoped it would. (smile) I'm terrible.

"So, you have a crush on me?" Sasha asked.

"Yup," I didn't even look up from the menu, "We playing 20 questions?"

"Yeah, sure, so long as you answer my questions."

"No problem. Alright, shoot your next question."

"Why are you a pyromaniac?"

I lowered my menu just enough so she could see I was raising an eyebrow at her, "So I like to watch things burn, sue me. It keeps me occupied and only one or two people have ever gotten hurt because of it."

"Only one or two people?" Now it was Sasha raising an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged, "Matt just so happened to be near the car when I threw the molotav cocktail...And I still say it wasn't my fault I dropped Ryoga when I went to untie him that time!"

Sasha nodded, "Uh-huh, sure...and you didn't turn Mike into a pyro either."

"At least he isn't a pyromaniac."

"Good point. We only need one of you around," Sasha continued to browse her menu, "The sushi looks good..." (If you're wondering why Sasha knows what's on the menu, it's because they have pics of each dish listed.)

"Ick, never really liked Sushi much...so, you still a virgin?" I asked off-handedly.

Sasha sweatdropped...heavily, "Wha-what'd you ask?"

"I asked if you were still a virgin," Sasha blushed bright red, "Come now, I answered your question truthfully. Now you gotta answer mine truthfully."

Sasha sighed, "Damn you...fine...(mumble)"

I raised an eyebrow, "What was that? I couldn't hear you?"

"Yes...I'm still a virgin..." She answered in a voice so low I almost didn't catch it.

I smiled, "See now? That wasn't so hard, was it?" Sasha shook her head and I leaned in a bit, "If it makes you feel any better, I'm still a virgin too."

Sasha blushed but nodded, "Nice to know."

I smiled widely, "I know, isn't it just?"

Sasha looked at her menu once more and nodded, obviously finding something she wanted. I browsed the menu as well searching through it.

'What should I get...what should I get...?'

'Dunno really,' Tony answered, 'But that miso soup with a side of pork buns looks good.'

I shook my head, "Wierd ass tiger, man, wierd ass tiger..." I mumbled to myself.

"What'd you say?" sasha asked.

"Nothing, talking to myself."

Sasha nodded, "Now, my next question. How many girlfriends have you had in the past?"

I placed my menu down, giving in to Tony's demands of miso soup and pork buns, and looked Sasha in the eye, "Real girlfriends, right? Ones that I've had willingly?"

Sasha nodded. I turned my vision to watch the aquarium and thought back on my life.

"One."

"That's it? A handsom guy like you has only had one girlfriend?"

I smiled briefly and looked her way before staring at the tank again, "I wasn't always the psycotic, pyromaniac, skateboarding, martial artist, flirt you know now. I used to be shy. Never liked to talk until spoken to, violent..."

"Still are, you know."

"I know, now hush," Sasha got quiet, "It wasn't until I had met Sakura that I forced myself to learn manners..."

"And Sakura was your first girlfriend?" Sasha asked.

I nodded, a dark blue fish with black strips on it caught my attention and I followed it with my eyes, "Yeah, she was my first love too. It...it was a tragedy that seperated us..."

Sasha nodded and was about to ask more when the waitress approached. I ordered our food for us, since, as I mentioned before, I was the only one who could speak fluent Japanese. I nodded to her and asked my next question, "Ever have a wet dream?"

Sasha, while I was ordering our food, had been drinking from the glass of water in front of her. The question I had asked obviously was unexpected...becuase she spit her water out at me. I moved my head a few inches to the side, just narrowly avoiding getting wet.

'Damn, that was close. I hate water...' Tony said.

'For a spirit who had drowned in his original body, that's to be expected, Tony.'

'Shut up, Ryuu, just shut up.'

"...Yeah...usually when I go to sleepjust after a session of video games and flirting..."

I nodded and waited patiently for her next question.

"When...when you were answering my question from before, you said a tragedy had had seperated you two...what happened?" Sasha asked.

I sighed and looked back out towards the blue fish I had been tracking earlier, "She...was killed, in an accident. About 5 years ago when she was walking home from school."

"Oh...I'm sorry, Ryuu..."

I shook my head, "No, it's okay. I don't need pity over something that happened a long time ago. I'm over it, I still remember her, and I try to keep in touch with her parents, but we've gotten over her death..." I looked at her and smiled, "Besides, how can you grieve over someone for more than a month when they died with a smile on their face?"

"My turn now," I said, "Why did you live alone before I came around? I don't think I've heard you speak to your parents once since I moved in."

It was Sasha's turn to sigh and stare at the tank, for some reason it was relaxing, as if all our tension and stress could be released by staring into it's seemingly vast depths.

"I never knew my parents. I've been an orphan since as long as I could remember...Jon was an orphan too. He was my first friend and acted like an older brother."

I nodded, "Understandable. It explains why you seem so close to him."

"Yeah," Sasha nodded, "He used to live with me, back home, in that house. But he moved out saying something about premonitions and gut instincts."

I smiled, "I guess he was right then, huh?"

Sasha smiled and nodded. She was about to ask more when the Waitress came with our food.

'Oh! Miso soup! Pork buns! And it all smells so damned good!' Tony shouted with glee.

'The only solace I take in this is that this restaurant has always served good food and that they don't serve cereal.' I thought.

'Cereal! Where! Damn it, Ryuu! Don't mess with me like that!'

I chuckled and raised my chop sticks, which currently held a pork bun, "To an already excellent night of old memories relived and new ones to be made."

Sasha smiled and raised her chop sticks as well, currently holding a piece of duck from her meal, "Here, here!"

We smiled, we ate, we drank, we talked, we laughed, we had an awesome time. We left the restaurant in high spirits and headed out to the dance club I had selected for us to go to.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

"The Underworld?" Sasha asked as we approached the dance club. There was a long line waiting to get in and Sasha as about to move to stand on the line when I grabbed her hand and we kept walking.

"Yeah, Sakura's uncle Ryo owns the place. He's really cool, used to sneak us in every once and a while," I waved to thebouncer dudeand kept walking past him and around the side of the club.

"Hey, where're we going? The entrance is that way," Sasha said pointing back to the front of the club.

"I know. But I have a V.I.P. pass and my entrance is this way," I continued to drag her towards the side door and knocked several times in a specific pattern. A small piece of metal slid open to reveal a set of familiar blue eyes. I held up my pass and waited for the door to open.

"Password," The man on the other side of the door said.

"Ryo, if you don't let me in this instant I'm kicking it down."

"Ranma? Izzat you?" The voice asked.

"Who else would threaten the owner of Underworld and actually make true his threat?"

"The one and only Ranma Saotome!" The voice exclaimed before shutting the metal slide slid closed. The door opened to reveal a tall man with short spikey hair and sky blue eyes. He smiled widely at me.

"I thought Saori-san called you and told you that I changed my name?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"She did. Told me the whole story, too. But who can blame me? I'm afraid of change," Ryo said.

I laughed and pulled him into a brief (manly) hug, "Bullshit, Ryo! Your club changes themes once a week. And it's never the same more than once a year."

He laughed back and, I guess, finally noticed Sasha, "Yeah, yeah...so who's the girl, Ryuu?"

I stepped back and gestured to her, "This is my date, Sasha. Sasha, this Ryo Tsukino, owner of The Underworld dance club."

Ryo bowed, "Nice to meet you, Sasha-san."

Sasha bowed back and seemed to realize something, "Hey, why do you speak in English and not Japanese?"

Ryo shrugged, "It's easier to confuse people with English than it is with Japanese. Besides everyone who has access to this club has to know a fairly decent amount of English. At least if they want to understand the dance songs played."

"All the songs they play here you'd have to have heard of, considering all the songs played are usually from 105.3..." I added.

Sasha nodded, "So, can we go in and dance?"

I smiled and the 3 of us headed inside.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

Ryo had told us to go on ahead because he still had some business to take of. So that's how we ended up over by the bar.

"Yo, T.K.!" I shouted at the guy a few feet over.

The guy turned to look at me and smiled, "Hey, Ryuu! Dude, it's been awhile!" He shouted back at me, I laughed. I had stopped by before hand and reintroduced myself to the gang, of course Ryo had been out visiting Saori at the time...

T.K. was the bartender, and has always been the bartender for The Underworld for as long as I can remember. He had messy blonde hair and ocean blue eyes, pretty unusual hair and eye color for an asian. But it suits him.

Sasha walked up beside me and T.K. smiled, "This the girl you were talking about before?" I nodded and he continued, "Nice to meet'cha, the name's T.K." Sasha smiled and shook his hand briefly, "Ryuu seemed awful excited about bringing you here, Sasha."

"And it seems he's told you all about me as well," Sasha said still smiling. I nodded, smiling

"Well, I think you should wait out drinking anything till you've at least started dancing, don't you?" T.K. offered.

I nodded and started walking towards the dance floor, "If you don't wanna party, then you should go home!" I shouted as loud as I could, which was pretty damned loud.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

We spent the rest of the night just dancing and enjoying whatever drinks we could get, T.K. refused to give us anything alcohol.

'Might've been because of the last time he saw you drunk.'

Shut up, Tony. You know it wasn't my fault that guy left his sake out on the bar where my water was supposed to be. Anyway, as I said, we spent the night dancing, losing ourselves in the music, and just enjoying ourselves. And after an hour and a half we even grinded a bit, that was fun. (Smile) I'll never forget the feel of her body...(sigh)...

'Woah! Woah! Get a riegn on your imagination, Ryuu! I do not need to see that shit!'

(Blush) Sorry, Tony.

We headed back to the hotel at about 11, we had a show tomorrow and we needed to be up earlier than 4 in the afternoon. We made it back to the hotel and into our beds at 12. All in all, it was an awesome night.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

I woke up the next morning...confused. I was half asleep and half awake. And my mind registered several facts while I tried to open my eyes.

Fact one: It was very bright out. Fact two: There is another body laying beside me, (grope) female. Fact three: I am only wearing my boxers and the female beside me is only wearing a large t-shirt and (shift leg) panties. Fact four: The brightness hurts my eyes.

In an instant I was awake. Facts two and three forcing my consciousness awake. My eyes shot open and I looked over to my side. Next to me was Sasha lying fast asleep in a large blue t-shirt, almost 3 times too big, snuggled into my chest. My bare chest.

Fact two had my minds workings moving quite fast. I had just groped Sasha. Not good. But she was asleep, right? What she doesn't know can't hurt her, right?

"I am so dead..." I whispered as I tried to disentangle my arms from around Sasha without waking her. As I tried to silently make my way towards the bathroom a few more facts made themselves known.

I hadn't been sleeping in my bed. I had, somehow, crawled into Sasha's bed late last night. And I was only in my boxers...and I had been having some vivid dreams about us...I looked down briefly and found out that, yes, I still had some evidence of those dreams on me.

I shuddered, 'Thank the kami she's asleep...'

I silently closed the bathroom door and sighed, "Life can be a real ass kicker sometimes..." I washed my face and took a cold shower before taking a hot shower. As I did so I tried to recollect any memories from the previous night.

'I could've sworn every drink that T.K. gave us had been non-alcoholic...' I mused.

'Yup, they all were non-alcoholic. But think of it this way, at least you didn't fuck her,' Tony said.

I rolled my eyes, "How blunt a statement."

'Yes, never was good at being sly.'

"That's saying a lot considering you're a tiger," I said grabbing the shampoo.

'Oh hush, you. But, you have to admit, I have a point.'

"I don't have to admit anything, Tony."

'Whatever.'

"So, you have any idea what happened last night after me an' Sasha got back?"

'Yeah, you guys walked through the door, Sasha took a shower first, she came out in a large t-shirt and crawled into her bed, you took a shower and came out in your boxers. You stared at your bed for a few moments before finally deciding you'd rather sleep beside Sasha than in a cold bed alone.'

"Hmm...sounds like something I'd do...and the dreams?"

'Don't ask me, you hentai, I only mentioned whipped cream once...'

"I knew there was a reason almost every scene had the use of whipped cream in it for some reason."

I spent the rest of my shower talking (cougharguingcough) with Tony. I exited the bathroom, in a clean pair of boxers, to find Sasha sitting on the edge of her bed, apparently deep in thought.

"Yen for your thoughts," I said sitting down beside her.

She looked over to me, "Did we...do anything last night? Like...it?"

"Bed wet?" She shook her head, "Then we didn't do anything inappropriate."

"How...you know what, never mind, I don't want to know."

We were silent for a few minutes before I realized something.Smiling, I said, "You know, I never did give you that good-night kiss..."

She blushed and nodded, "N-no, you didn't."

I leaned in close and lightly touched my lips to hers, when she didn't pull away I pressed my lips fully onto hers. And we kissed. Deeply. It was a whole two minutes before we were forced to seperate from lack of breath.

I smiled a bit wider, "Enjoy your belated 'good-night' kiss?"

She nodded, obviously still a bit dazed.

"Well, we should get dressed, we have to go to theconcert hall thingie and practise and shit."

She smiled and nodded, getting up to go take a shower.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

We headed out to the concert hall thingie and lazed around until everyone was there. We talked, practised, and talked some more.

It was around 6 in the afternoon when the hall was packed with people. I snuck a look at the crowd and smiled as I scanned the crowds.

"I spy with my neko-ken enhanced vision," I whispered, "Saori-san, Akashi-kun, Ryo-kun, awesome, Xian made it..." I trailed off as I spotted a glimpse of a familiar head of brown hair, "Well, well, well! Look who's become a fan, now that was unexpected..."

I felt Jon grab my arm, "Hey, you ready to perform? We're on in a coupla minutes."

I nodded, took a deep breath, and smiled, "As ready as I'll ever be man, as ready as I'll ever be..."

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

"Hey, folks! Are you ready to listen to a band who's only just begun their tour!" The announcer shouted, after a huge applause and many screams he continued, "Well that's good to hear, because with me now, behind these giant curtains, are an excellent group of guys-"

"And girl!" Came a shout from behind the curtain.

"Yes, and girl, known as the group Misunderstanding Scars! And they're going to open up their act with a song called Vermilion Pt.2!" And the announcer ran off the stage as music began playing and the curtains started to rise.

She seemed dressed in all of me
Stretched across my shame
All the torment and the pain
Leaked through and covered me
I'd do anything to have her to myself
Just to have her for myself

Now I don't know what to do
I don't know what to do
When she makes me sad

She is everything to me
The unrequited dream
A song that no one sings
The unattainable
She's a myth that I have to believe in
All I need to make it real is one more reason

I don't know what to do
I don't know what to do
When she makes me sad

But I won't let this build up inside of me
I won't let this build up inside of me
I won't let this build up inside of me
I won't let this build up inside of me

I catch in my throat
Choke
Torn into pieces
I won't - No
I don't want to be this

But I won't let this build up inside of me
(I won't let this build up inside of me)
I won't let this build up inside of me
(I won't let this build up inside of me)
I won't let this build up inside of me
(I won't let this build up inside of me)
I won't let this build up inside of me
(I won't let this build up inside of me)

Won't let this build up (Build up) inside of me (Inside of me)
Won't let this build up (Build up) inside of me (Inside of me)

She isn't real (I won't let this build up inside of me)
I can't make her real (I won't let this build up inside of me)

She isn't real (I won't let this build up inside of me)
I can't make her real (I won't let this build up inside of me)

The song ended and Ryuu stepped up to mike, "Hey, folks! How're you all this evening?"

The crowd screamed.

Ryuu laughed and smiled his lady-killer smile, "That's great to hear. I'm sure you don't want to hear me talk, but rather, to hear me sing, because I'm good that way."

"Oh, shut up, Ryuu!" Mike said.

"Ryuu, your ego's showing," Sam said.

"What? Again? Man, I thought I tied it up before the show started..." Ryuu said.

Jon laughed, "Anyway, here's our next song, Evil."

The music started up again and Ryuu began singing.

Rosemary
Heaven restores you in life
You're coming with me
Through the aging, the fear, and the strife

It's the smiling on the package
It's the faces in the sand
It's the thought that moves you upwards
Embracing me with two hands
Right will take you places
Yeah, maybe to the beach
When your friends say you come crying
Tell them now, your pleasure's set upon slow release

They wait
They smile
Sensitive to fake nods
Right on
But, hey, who's on trial?

You took a lifespan with no cellmate
A long way back saying, "Me, why can't we look the other way?"

He speaks about travel
Yeah we think about the land
We are smart like all peoples feeling real tan
I could take you places
But you need a new man?
Wipe the pollen from the faces
Make me vision to a dream while you wait in the van

Anyway
They smile
Sensitive to fake nods
But, hey, who's on trial?

It took a lifespan with no cellmate
But a long way back saying, "Me, why can't we look the other way?"
You're weightless
You are exotic
You need something for which to care
Saying, "Me, why can't we look the other way?"

Leave some shards under the belly
Lay some grease inside my hand
It's sentimental jury
And the makings of a good plan
You've come to love me like me
Yeah you've come to hold me tight
Is this motion everlasting
Or do the shudders pass in the night?

Rosemary
Our heaven restores you in life

I've spent a lifespan with no cellmate
A long way back saying, "Me, why can't we look the other way?"
You're weightless
Semi-erotic
You need someone to take you there
Saying, "Me, why can't we look the other way?
Why can't we just play the other game?
Why can't we just look the other way?"

The music faded once more and Ryuu spoke into the mike, "Our next song is something new, something we haven't even played back home at our local bar. Now, since we've got about 2 minutes before we have to actually play our song, I'll give you a bit of background on why I wrote this song."

Sam sighed heavily, "Sit back, relax, and try not to fall asleep."

Ryuu glared at her briefly before turning back to the crowd, "Since certain people obviously don't care, I'll just give you a brief review of why it was written. Now, as I'm sure some of you know, I was originally born in Japan, Juuban to be precise. I had been living with a family friend for about 2 years and had just split up with my fiancee. I left and was disowned by my mother. I was in a state of depression that did not disappear until about a year later, maybe longer."

"To make a long story short, the song's dedicated to the people he once thought were friends."

"Thank you for that insight, Mike."

"No prob."

Ryuu sighed and then smiled at the crowd, "Now you know some of my background, so now you can fully enjoy the song, and meaning behind it, Stockholm Syndrome."

This is the first (Thing I remember)
Now it's the last (Thing left on my mind)
Afraid of the dark (Do you hear me whisper)
An empty heart (Replaced with paranoia)
Where do we go (Life's temporary)
After we're gone (Like new years resolutions)
Why is this hard (Do you recognize me)
I know I'm wrong (But I can't help believing)

I'm so lost
I'm barely here
I wish I could explain myself
But words escape me
It's too late
To save me
You're too late
You're too late

You're cold with disappointment
While I'm drowning in the next room
The last contagious victim of this plague between us
I'm sick with apprehension
I'm crippled from exhaustion
And I dread the moment when you finally come to kill me

This is the first (Thing I remember)
Now it's the last (Thing left on my mind)
Afraid of the dark (Do you hear me whisper)
An empty heart (Replaced with paranoia)
Where do we go (Life's temporary)
After we're gone (Like new years resolutions)
Why is this hard (Do you recognize me)
I know I'm wrong (But I can't help believing)

Ryuu smiled at the cheering they were recieving, and was amused that the brown haired familiar of his was also one of the many screaming his name. (The irony of life, ne?) He looked back at the band and they were smiling as well.

Everytime they played they seemed to get a huge adrenaline rush. To some, that'd be a good thing, for those who know Ryuu and Mike...well, let's just say many things shall go boom tonight.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

They bid the crowd farewell, with a few choice words to make them laugh before the next band went out to perform. They were later joined up by Sasha and Xian. Saori, Akashi, and Ryo couldn't get backstage passes. (Which was partially Ryuu's fault. (Ryuu: But they were sold out!) Excuses, excuses... -.-)

"Xian! Long time no see!" Ryuu said walking over and giving Xian a short hug.

"Shampoo see Ryuu and band do too too good on flashy stage," Xian had a wide smile as everyone just stared at her funny, "I said that Ryuu and you guys did great out on stage."

Everyone nodded, not so sure, but Jon couldn't help himself, he walked up and grabbed Xian in a big hug.

"Missed you, Xian," Jon mumbled.

"Missed you too, Jon," Xian mumbled right back.

"Aw, lookit the love birds!" Ryuu laughed.

Sasha mock punched him, "Like you should talk," That's about as far as she got before Ryuu's lips sealed her mouth shut for a few minutes.

Ryuu smirked as he pulled away, "I swear, everytime I kiss you it gets better and we can hold it longer, too."

Sasha simply blushed and looked down at the floor.

The rest of the night, suprisingly enough, went by pretty uneventful. They all talked and had fun hanging out with each other. By the end of the night Jon had walked Xian to her hotel, Mike was passed out on his bed, Sam was fast asleep in her bed, and Ryuu went to bed with Sasha beside him and fell asleep within minutes.

(-(-(-(-)-)-)-)

The next day we headed out to Hiroshima late in the afternoon. I got Saori's address and promised to keep in touch. And Ryo sent me away with his address as well, with another promise to keep in touch and to visit his niece when we hit Juuban.

'Anything happen between you and Sasha?'

No, Tony, we did not. Now get your damned mind out of the gutter so we can end today's chapter.

'Whatever...'

Don't hate me because I can touch things and you can't.

'That sounded so wrong...'

(Blink-blink) Wow, you're right, it did...anyway. What did we learn today? Tony?

'Well, for one, we learned that you, Ryuu, have a whipped cream fetish.'

(Twitch)

'Another fact that I'd like to point out is that we have discovered that a brown-haired young woman from Nerima is a fan of the band, that she will be following them around their tour, and her name happens to be-'

(Tackles Tony and slaps hand over mouth.) Tony! Shut up!

'(Incoherent mumbling)(Growl)'

Ow, you fucktart! You bit me! (Tackles Tony again)

(The following scene has been censored for the safety of the readers. Also because the rating is only PG-13 and the violence this one scene would hold would shoot that to a R rating. So instead of trying to imagine Ryuu and Tony in a bloody and violent brawl containing the use of ki claws and other various weapons, imagine Ryuu and Sasha..oh wait, that wouldn't be any better...uh...just imagine...a bunch of stoned squirrels moshing at a System of a Down concert. Because System of a Down is cool and...cute puppies frolicking through fields don't quitecut it for me.)

To Be Continued...

A/N:
I am soooo sorry for the long wait, you guys! I really am. It's just that school sucks and, as I pointed out last time, I'm easily distracted when I'm anywhere near a computer with internet access. So all I have to say is, please review and send in your comments. All comments are accepted and paid attention to. Only the flames are used to fend off evil and maniacal squirrels. Until next time! Bye!

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