Chapter Five: Hearts on Fire, The start of new love. (Part A.)
It was Saturday afternoon, just an half hour ago Ranma and the rest left school. Ranma was out helping Kasumi with more of the groceries. Xian Pu and her great Grandmother were starting a restaurant that day, which left only Ryoga and Akane.
Ryoga was in his curse form on the back pouch of the Tendo dojo. His brownish fur blowing in the soft wind. If you asked him if Ryoga like his curse he would say no, when in fact the truth was he did. He loved the speed the straight but most of all his senses. If was true Ryoga had the worst sense of direction. It was small but it was still enough to get lost form point A to point B.
Laying down Ryoga thought back to the last few months.
How Ranma became a brother to Ryoga, shortly after the fight that they both had in the lot in the back of his yard. Ryoga going on a trip to China as Ranma's training partner and also learning the Soatome school of martial arts.
On that day three months ago Ryoga life changed, if not for the better. Falling in that sprig was a gift. It helped him get around so much. He was still mad at Genma but none the less it has helped him get around better.
A Sudden nose was heard behind him and he turned to look at Akane. "Oh Hello Ryoga. Didn't see you there." She said. Akane was holding a cup of hot tea, as she sat next to Ryoga. "Umm could you change back?" Akane asked. "I like to know more about your training trip and it's hard, because wolves don't talk." Ryoga nodded his head and went inside.
After a few minutes and a hot bath Ryoga came out also with a cup of tea. He sat next to Akane ad took a sip of his tea. "So what would you like to know?" He asked. Akane took a deep breath.
"Like how did you two meet? Then go from there." Ryoga looked thoughtful for a few seconds.
"Two years before we became friends…."
Flashback: Two Years ago.
He was lost again. Four time in a week. Not only that but he was mad. Three times in a roll another boy have been taking his food. Sure add to the fact that at lunch time the school was pretty much a war zone. Still he made up his mine, if that boy was going to take more he would challenge him to a duel.
Then it happens just as he expects it. The boy jumped out of no where and took his favorite curry bread. "Okay, stop right there." Ryoga said. "I'm sick of you taking my bread."
The boy looked at Ryoga. "Sorry. Would you like some?" The boy asked. Ryoga looked in his eyes.
"No, what I want is a challenge." Ryoga said.
"Okay, I'm Ranma Soatome." Ranma said.
"I'm Ryoga."
With that said the two went their separate ways. The challenge was to take place that afternoon behind Ryoga's house. Sadly Ryoga got lost and just as he got there, he saw Ranma fight his father.
"NO! We can wait Longer I will not leave yet, I repeat I will NOT leave until Ryoga gets here."
Ryoga was stunned. 'Maybe Ranma does have some honor after all.' Ryoga thought.
"Forgive me for my tardiness." Ryoga said. Ranma looked at Ryoga. "You're late." Genma said.
"You have no honor and have no right to challenge my son." Ranma looked at his father. "Stuff it old man, Ryoga you ready?" Ranma asked. Ryoga got into a stance. "Ready when you are." Then he yelled. "RANMA SOATOME PREPEAR TO DIE!" Throwing a punch Ranma ducked under it and foot swept Ryoga's feet out from under him. Ryoga fell to the grown only to get back up with a kick to Ranma's head.
Ranma got up pretty fast and ran at Ryoga. Ryoga counted this with a heavy spin kick at Ranma who jumped over the kick and elbowed Ryoga's head. Rubbing the back of his head Ryoga punched at Ranma who block and landed an open fist punch to Ryoga's chest, followed by a crane kick that knocked Ryoga down. Ryoga got up and starts a left right combination of punches.
Ranma blocked but was thrown off his feet, jumping back up Ranma flipped over Ryoga and put him in a head lock. "You're not bad Ryoga, would you like to go to China with us?" Ranma asked.
"After this I would like to." Ryoga said throwing a front kick that knocked Ranma off guard.
Ranma was enjoying this it's been along time since he had a fighter that could match him.
Ryoga was also enjoying this. Ranma was good, better then himself. Ryoga did three air spin kicks at Ranma surprising the young martial artist. Ranma smiled oh yes this would be a lot of fun. With a yell Ranma once again ran at Ryoga this time doing an air bicycle kick, on the last kick Ranma used he movement and Spin kick Ryoga's head ending the fight.
"You win Ranma." Ryoga said. "Your better then I thought." Ranma Smiled. "So is everything you're taking in that pack?" Ranma asked. "Yes, as you know I end up getting lost." Ryoga told him.
Ranma nodded. "That's why I asked you to come, we my fine a why to help you with that."
Ranma said.
Present
Akane looked at Ryoga, why is it that after a guy bet up another one they become friends?
"So what happened after words?" Akane asked. Ryoga looked at her. "Well for the Next to years we trained and trained and trained some more. Well there is this one night…."
Flashback. A year later.
Ranma sat at the fire looking into it. Ryoga having woken up to the call of nature saw him.
"You should be resting." Ranma said. "Nature called Wait right there." Ryoga said. After a minute Ryoga came back and Sat in front of Ranma. "The nightmares again?" Ryoga asked.
"Yeah. Ryoga it's been five years, since I saw her." Ranma said. "The dreams are pretty much the same. Kasumi is standing there on her pouch she's in a wedding dress and reaching out for me, just as I'm about to reach her she seems to be getting more distant." Ranma took a deep breath.
"Then just as I'm about to reach her a sword burst through her chest." Ryoga looked at his friend.
"Ranma what does one say to that?"
"Nothing I just needed to get it off my chest, good night Ryoga"
"Night Ranma."
Present.
Akane blinked. She didn't know what to think. "So how did the friendship get stronger, you seem more like brothers." Ryoga looked at her. "He saved my live. Let's leave it at that." Ryoga said back.
Akane Nodded.
"What about Shampoo?" Ryoga looked at the pond. "It's Xian Pu not Shampoo. Like Ranma said, his father ate the first prize and I fought her. I guess I should tell you the whole deal. Okay it started…."
Flashback: Amazon Village, Joketsuzoku
We see four people entering the gates of a village, The Panda seems to be a little uneasy, and who wouldn't when in this village the women were the boss. "Ah! We in luck sirs, we see village tournament. Very rare indeed." The guild said. "Is there anyway to enter?" The boy in a hooded cloak said.
"Oh no sir you don't want to enter." The guild told the boy. "Hey Ranma Where's your father?" Ryoga asked. Ranma sweat dropped. Knowing his good for nothing father, he was going to get them in trouble again. Suddenly a loud scream is heard from the purple hair girl. Ranma and Ryoga looked at the guild. "Oh No, Very bad sir, you ate prize." The guild said. "Now she challenging
You for it."
Great just what the group needed, a delay in there journey. "Ryoga maybe you should take the challenge." Ranma said. "You're the only won in human form." Ryoga looked at his friend. "She looks tough, you think I'm ready." Ranma nodded. "Yes I think you can take her." Ranma said.
Ryoga Nodded and jumped up on the log. The young woman did too.
No Sooner then the fight started that it ended. Ryoga stood on the log looking down at the young woman. The young woman in question stood up and walked over to Ryoga, and kissed him on the cheek. The Guild saw this. "Oh no, sir you are now, engaged to this warrior she gave you kiss of marriage." The guild said.
"What!?" Ryoga yelled in surprised. "I can't marry here." An Older woman hopping on a stick comes up to them. "But you must, I am the Elder Cologne. I welcome you to the village." She looked at Ranma. The Young man Lowed his hood some more. "Boy what's wrong?" The old woman asked.
"I'm cursed." Cologne looked at him. "There is no cure as far as we know. I'm sorry for what
Spring you fell in."
Ranma looked at Cologne. "Funny I don't remember asking for one. However I most do something with this Panda first." Ranma said with a growl. The panda in question was in fact at the moment was trying to get away. Ranma jumped in front of the panda and open first punched Genma-Panda to the ground. "You ruined my life. I should kill you. But I won't." Cologne looked at the young man.
"Child, why do you have so much anger?" She asked. "One as young as you shouldn't be that angry." Ranma Started laughing. "You would be to if you was dragged off from a dieing friend. A Friend that I loved more then anything, promise made, only to have it broken by the same person who dragged me away." Ranma said not looking up. "Now I'm cursed to be a monster." The older woman looked at Ranma.
"What is your curse?" Ranma looked up and removed the cloak. Cologne fell off her stick. "By the Gods. The Spring of Drown Neko warrior." Cologne looked at the guild. "You know the dangers, once you return destroy that spring." Cologne ordered and the Guild left. "What is your name?"
Ranma took a deep breath. "Ranma Soatome. The one who beat your warrior is a student of the same school of martial arts. He's Name is Ryoga Hibiki, The Panda is my old man Genma Soatome."
Ranma said.
Present.
Akane looked at Ryoga. "So that's when you started to train with Cologne?" She asked.
"Yeah, she's a good Sensei. She taught Xian Pu and me how to take care of Ranma if he ever went out of control." Ryoga looked down. "Xian Pu and I are not really engaged anymore, she acts like it to fool this Boy who's been chasing here ever since they were little." Ryoga took a deep breath. "So that's it. Ever since that day, in the back lot Ranma and I have been really good friends."
Akane nodded, still she did like the idea of Ranma getting too close with her eldest sister. She was mad when she found out that Ranma ask Kasumi out on a date. 'If you hurt my sister I'll kill you Ranma Soatome.' Akane thought.
A/N: I'm sorry about the delay, but I hit a block. So I'm going to take a break BUT. The Next part going to be good and wroth the wait. I Promise.
Next up: The Start of New Love, Hearts on Fire. (Part B)