Hunters

Ryouga Yagami

Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi

The forest, afternoon

Ryoga was speechless. He could not believe that the girl he loved all his life was in front of him. But more unbelievable was the fact that she was challenging him. She did not say the word 'challenge', but she was holding her spatula in fight stance waiting Ryoga to do the same.

"Ukyo... what... what happened?", he asked, although he had a feeling that this was not the best thing to ask at that moment. The way she called him 'Ryoga' and not 'Ryo-chan' as in the past, the way she looked at him, the hatred he never knew she could feel or express and even the way she was dressed, different from the feminine Ukyo he knew.

"Don't talk, Ryoga. Fight!", she ran and attacked Ryoga.

A BROKEN HEART

If Ryoga weren't fast enough, he would be cut in half the same way Ukyo did to the tree behind him. Ryoga watched, perplex, Ukyo coming on his way again. Her eyes were pure fury. She tried to attack him three times in a row, but Ryoga avoided each blow trying to put his thoughts in order.

"Ukyo, stop! What is wrong!", he got his umbrella to defend her attacks.

"What is wrong, jackass! You are still breathing!", she yelled hysterical. Ukyo jumped and threw mini spatulas and Ryoga got his belt and used it like a whip defending himself from the kitchen utensils. Then he looked at Ukyo.

"Don't underestimate me, Ryoga Hibiki! I'm not the same Ukyo Kuonji of before!", she threw a small bag that exploded in the air. It was full of flour that covered his vision.

'If I don't do nothing she'll kill me', Ryoga got his umbrella, opened and span it, creating a small hurricane that pushed the flour away. He saw Ukyo coming from above and jumped away. She thrust her spatula on the floor.

"Ryoga! Fight for real!"

---

Radatos, afternoon, at the same time

"Stupid box", Ranma mumbled. He decided to keep the box with him and didn't tell anything to Akane. He would wait that girl and give it back to her, but sometimes he had the will to open and find out what was inside. He shook the box and didn't hear a noise. When he heard Akane coming, he hid it and pretended he wasn't worried about anything.

"Ranma, let's go!", she said from outside.

"I'm going!"

Ranma and Akane were preparing things for dinnertime. They still had two hours before "Ramen and Pasta" got crowded.

Ranma tried to keep the box out of his mind. He thought of Ryoga and their talks. 'He never said nothing about girls, except for...', he stopped what he was doing, "Now I remember!", he said.

"Huh? What did you remember?", Akane asked.

Ranma turned to look at his friend, "Oh, I remember where I heard the name Ukyo. I think it was Ryoga's girlfriend name or something like that"

Akane's eyes widened, "What? Are you saying that... Ryoga is Ukyo's ex-boyfriend?"

"Yeah, he...", then he noted the 'ex', "Ex-boyfriend? Well, he never told me he had a girlfriend, I just suspected. One day he said that he left this Ukyo, but never told me the whole story", Ranma explained.

Akane frowned. When she traveled with Ukyo, both talked a lot to pass the time. Both girls were looking for someone, but for different reasons. While Akane looked for Ranma to stay by his side and Ukyo wanted to kill her ex-boyfriend. She never said the guy's name so Akane couldn't know this guy was Ryoga.

"Akane, is there anything wrong?"

"Ranma, sit down. I don't know if I'm the best person to explain this for you, but...", Ranma sat down and waited, "The thing is..."

---

Back to the fight

Ryoga was having a bad time defending Ukyo's attacks. She sure was a tough adversary.

"Will you just defend? Attack me, jackass!"

Ukyo was getting better after each blow and Ryoga even got some bruises. He was suffering a dilemma inside his mind. In front of him there was a weapon fighter. He could not lose, even if the enemy was a woman. But the enemy was not just a woman, it was the girl he loved all his life, the girl he thought everyday since he left Liaris. And that he had little hope to see again. Now she was attacking him for some unknown reason.

"Ukyo, stop!", Ryoga yelled. Ukyo just stayed quiet waiting what he was going to say. Ryoga looked at the ground, he had no choice, he lifted his head to look at Ukyo, "I'll fight you since you want it so badly. But I want to know, why are you angry with me? What happened?"

Ukyo didn't believe he still had courage to look at her. She couldn't understand why she stopped to attack him and why she was even thinking of telling him what happened.

She looked at the ground, "Ryoga... don't you think you forgot something before going in this travel of yours?", she looked at Ryoga. He had a puzzled look on his face, "Didn't you forget to tell me what was happening?", she yelled.

---

Radatos

"Just because of that?", Ranma said and earned a punch from Akane.

"What do you mean with 'just because of that'? If you don't know, you didn't tell me too", Akane said angry.

"Yeah, but you didn't look for me all around the world. You just found me by accident. After all you want to be a good cook, right? And the way you are going you will be a great one"

If Akane didn't hear it, she would not believe. Her anger disappeared and she blushed as he greeted her for her cooking, "Uh.. thanks, Ranma. I didn't know you liked my food that much". But she felt sad. Ranma had no clue that she was there just because of him.

"Well, what more did Ukyo tell you? Did she say something about Ryoga?"

"Actually, there were sometimes when she seemed not so pissed with him. She said that..."

---

Ryoga stunned. He remembered that he left Liaris without telling her a word. He knew that she would be upset, but he never thought that she would travel the entire world to fight him. He always thought that she would forget him and go for another guy that would make her happy.

"I... I did that because... I didn't want to see you cry...", he tried to say, but she interrupted him.

"So you left me crying alone!"

Ryoga didn't expect this kind of answer. He could only stay quiet.

"Why are you traveling?", she asked after sometime.

Ryoga looked away, "I had some problems... so I said to my father that I had to solve them. I explained to him and we decided that the best thing to do was to go away. I didn't have much choice", he paused and clenched his fist, earning courage. Finally he added, "Do you think I like to live like a hunter? Do you think that I wanted to live like this?", as she didn't say nothing, he continued, "No, I don't like. If wasn't for... my problems I would be with you. I... I... would never leave you without a good reason", he thought about saying to her that he still loves her, but he thought she would not believe.

"Two years and when I find you, you still hide things from me", Ukyo said, "Why couldn't you tell me about your problems? We were so close to each other... or maybe... I was close to you and you were far away..."

"Ukyo... I... I can't..."

"Stop it! I suffered a lot because of you!", her eyes were full of tears, "The girls laughed of me, people around looked at me full of pity in their eyes and I couldn't stand! I gave up my feminine side! Forgot all my dreams! I will kill you so I'll be in peace again! Prepare to die Ryoga Hibiki!", she said hysterical.

Ryoga couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this the same Ukyo he loved, "So, you want my blood right?", he had a very sad look on his face, "I'm sorry, but I promised not to lose another fight to anyone holding a weapon", he said and looked at her spatula.

"So it's because of this! Because you lost a fight! You jackass!", Ukyo said out of control and attacked. Ryoga defended with his umbrella and when he saw a chance he attacked. She fell on the ground. Ryoga was absurdly strong, she didn't remember how. She stood up and threw mini spatulas on him. Some cut Ryoga, but nothing that would stop him to attack. He got his bandannas and threw them at Ukyo. She jumped to a tree and when she looked for Ryoga again, but he disappeared.

---

Radatos

"She said that he was very sweet to her before. Of course every time she said it, she shook her head and said that this was past. They were boy and girlfriend for a while and things were going in a way they would marry one day", Akane told to a very concentrated Ranma.

"Ryoga? Marry? I never imagined something like this", he said, "I think he is a good guy. He saved a little girl in Yusan sometime ago"

"She said that he was always playing with kids. He was always kind of depressive, since his mother died when he was a kid. But inside he had a good heart"

Ranma had his elbows on the counter and was thinking of Ryoga. They already finished everything for that night. The other employees were dressing theirselves and some passed and greeted them.

"Why did you separate from her?", Ranma asked after sometime.

Akane looked at some customers coming, "We got ambushed nearby a river and she fell in it, but I'm sure she survived. Her will to find Ryoga made her survive"

"Well, I think we better tell him that his former girlfriend now is his enemy", Ranma said.

Akane frowned, "Do you think we should involve in this?"

"I don't really know. But I wonder his shock if he discover that his once beloved one now wants to kill him", he said and walked to get the orders.

---

It was getting dark. Ukyo wasn't seeing much.

'I can't believe he ran away, the jackass', she thought and looked for any sign of Ryoga. She jumped to a branch of a tree.

Ryoga was on some branches above. He looked at Ukyo and then at the stone he had on his hands. He threw the stone on the ground and the noise caught Ukyo's attention. She threw mini spatulas to the place Ryoga threw the stone. Ryoga jumped towards Ukyo and she didn't have time to notice him coming. She turned and Ryoga put a hand on her shoulder and the other one was holding the umbrella. The impact was so strong the branch where Ukyo was, broke and both fell on the ground. Ryoga was over her.

'He won', Ukyo thought and closed her eyes part in pain for the fall, part waiting Ryoga to kill her with the umbrella. She heard a sound and opened her eyes. Ryoga thrust the umbrella on the ground. She felt something on her face and looked at Ryoga. He was crying.

"Ukyo. I never imagined you would be satisfied in seeing my blood out of my veins", her eyes widened, "Still, I understand that you want to kill me. I should have said about my... curse...", he was finally opening himself to her. Her eyes were full of water, though she fought the tears, "But I... I didn't stop thinking about you since the day I left"

"Why?", she asked simply and looked away.

"Why what, Ukyo?"

"Why didn't you kill me now? And why didn't you stop thinking about me?"

They were in the same position. He over her. He could feel her body close to him and see every detail of her face. "Ukyo, look at me", after sometime she did what he asked, "I... I love you... Ukyo", she couldn't stop crying.

"Stop it, Ryoga. You are fooling me again", she said.

Ryoga sighed. He could do nothing if she didn't want to believe in him. His desire was to kiss her, but this would just put things worse. "I'm not", he said simply and looked in her eyes. He stood up and got his umbrella. He offered to help Ukyo to stand up, but she refused his help. Still she didn't have forces and couldn't even sit down. Ryoga sighed again.

"Look, I think we are near Radatos. My friends are there and we will take care of your wounds. Besides, it's getting dark, the moon is already up and we need a place to rest"

"I don't want to go with you", just as she said that Ryoga got and put her on his back, "What are you doing?", Ukyo protested.

"I'm not giving you a choice. I thought the day I got cursed was the worst of my life, but I was wrong", he said and walked.

Ukyo just sighed. She couldn't do anything as she was very tired. She pressed herself against Ryoga and remembered a time when they were near a river close to each other watching the nature and talking about the future. She forgot her anger for once, but kept an eye on Ryoga.

Ryoga looked around. 'I'll find the way, I'll find the way, I'll find the way...'

---

Radatos, night

'Ramen and Pasta' was closed. After a busy night, all Akane wanted was to lie down on a soft bed.

Ranma looked at the box once more before going to sleep. He thought about opening it, but decided it would be better forget about it. He didn't know what was impeding him to open it, but something was telling him that it was dangerous and for once he decided to follow his instincts.

In the way to the front door, where he went to see if everything was alright before sleeping, Ranma passed by the place Akane was using as a room. The door was opened and inside there was a soft light coming from the window, moon light. Ranma peeked inside to see Akane and watched her sleep silently.

She was beautiful in his eyes, even when they were children. But Ranma never had time for girls, as he was always training to become the best fighter in the world. He had a goal similar to Ryouga's. But he knew that there's always someone better than you. Being a fighter, in Ranma's conception, was to always grow, it was like walking to the horizon, you will never get there, but you keep trying.

"What are you looking at?", Akane opened an eye and Ranma startled.

"A... Akane... I... I was just looking if things were alright", he said and thanked the place was dark enough to hide the blush he felt on his cheeks.

Akane smiled, "I see...", she said and looked at an embarrassed Ranma. Suddenly, a noise caught their attention.

'Someone is trying to steal the restaurant', they thought at the same time.

"Akane, I'll see what happened. Stay here", Akane was about to complain that she could help, but Ranma was already far away.

Ranma was behind a door that led to the restaurant. He could hear footsteps coming from there and waited for a good opportunity to take a look on what was happening. When he heard a sound of something breaking, Ranma decided it was time to face the thief, "Alright, better stay quie... ah ah ah..."

"Ranma, what...", Akane stopped when she saw the look on Ranma's face. He was going berserk, "RANMA!", she shouted and ran to his side.

"ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!", Ranma shouted and put his hands on his head. Akane knew she had to do something, but Ranma can't be controlled in the beginning of his berserk.

The Black Cat Berserk.

The first thing Akane did was run to the black cat and threw him outside the restaurant. After that, she could deal better with Ranma's problem. She didn't know how to approach Ranma in this situation. She had to deal with his problem in the past and knew that Ranma could be really violent during his berserk, he wouldn't stop until he killed someone. Akane knew she was in danger, but at the same time, she couldn't abandon him. Knocks on the door caught her attention.

"Hello, is there anybody?"

"Jackass, nobody will talk to you at this time. It's too late!", the voices were familiar and Akane ran to open the door.

"Ryoga!", she exclaimed and then looked at the girl on his back, "Ukyo? What...", Akane thought that questions would be better after putting Ranma on control, "Ryoga, Ranma is on Black Cat Berserk mode"

"Black Cat what?", just then, Ranma appeared, in a very strange state. Saliva was coming out of his mouth and his eyes were yellow. Even his nails grew. He tried to thrust his nails into Akane's neck, but Ryoga was fast enough to pull her out of Ranma's attack and jump away. He put Ukyo on the floor and went back to help Akane. Ukyo could only think about one thing, 'Akane... what is she doing here?'

Ryoga and Ranma were in a really hard fight. Ryoga was tired of carrying Ukyo and getting lost all the way, but he had to do something for Ranma, or Akane would do something stupid. In his mind, Ryoga had to put Ranma unconscious, maybe he would turn back to normal. Ryoga tried to punch Ranma, but he was very agile now, fast as a cat. When Akane tried to get near, Ryoga yelled to her, "Stay away, Akane!"

"But...", she tried to fight her tears away and stopped. Ryoga took a look on Ukyo to see if she was all right. She was still on the ground, her wounds not healed.

Ranma jumped over Ryoga and went to attack Ukyo. But in mid air Ranma was stopped as Ryoga's bandannas tied his feet. Ryoga got Ukyo on his arms and ran to Akane. "Can you stand?", he asked Ukyo.

"Y... Yes", she said and flinched in pain as she put her feet on the ground. Akane helped her and they went to a safer place, where they could see the fight. People were getting on their windows to see what was happening.

Ranma was already ready to attack again after he cut Ryoga's bandanna. Ryoga got his umbrella and blocked Ranma's attacks. But he wasn't doing great in his attack either as he was very tired. Then he decided it was time to end this, 'I was waiting to use this in a better time, but it's this or this guy will tear me in pieces', Ryoga opened his umbrella and began to concentrate. He span the umbrella and a green glow came from it.

"What is that?", Akane asked without taking her eyes off Ryoga.

"The... Shishi Hokodan, umbrella version... the depressive ultimate attack", Ukyo said, "Ryoga will probably kill that guy"

When the word 'kill' hit Akane's mind, she let her tears fall. She ran to Ranma, despite Ukyo's yells for her to go back. She was between Ryoga and Ranma, her arms wide open and her eyes closed.

"DON'T, RYOGA!", she yelled.

"Get out of here, Akane!", he yelled back.

"Not if you are going to kill him!", Akane was hysterical. Then she opened her eyes and the decision in them startled Ryoga for an instant.

Ryoga couldn't do anything if Akane was in front of him. He let his umbrella loose. Akane smiled and then her face was pure pain. Some blood came from her mouth and she was thrown away. Ryoga caught her before she fell.

"Akane! Are you alright? Are you listening to me!", Ryoga yelled waiting Akane to respond. There were wounds of nails on her back. Ranma was walking in their direction. Noticing he was not satisfied yet, Ryoga put Akane on the ground and walked to face Ranma again. "I don't know what happened to you, but I'll get you back to normal, no matter what it costs!", Ryoga said and Ranma looked at the ground. Ukyo managed to get near Akane in mid time. Then Ryoga heard a sob. Ranma wasn't looking at him and seemed to be coming back to normal. His nails were normal, his eyes went back to their original color and his face was not of an assassin anymore.

"A... Akane...", was all Ranma said. Ryoga looked behind him to see Akane alive, crying. Her tears falling freely and she smiled.

"Ranma... you are ok, again... thank God...", she said and fainted in Ukyo's arms.

"AKANE!", Ranma passed by Ryoga and kneeled beside Akane. He hugged her and cried. Ukyo got away from the couple and went to where Ryoga was. He still had a serious expression, his hair covering his eyes.

"Ryoga...", she said, but didn't know how to continue.

"This is all my fault", Ryoga said and walked away to help Ranma and Akane. Ukyo sighed and followed him.