**Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.**
Ranma stood in darkness. It's so cold. He shivered. What was that? He heard the screams of a female in distress in the distance. It's so dark. Where did that come from? He saw a miniscule light in the distance, seemingly toward the screaming. He cautiously advanced his position, squinting his eyes tight to see anything at all through the small amount of light. It wasn't evident where the light was coming from, and he couldn't see a darn thing through it.
Then, a flash. Saffron. I killed him. How is he alive in adult form? "Hey! How are you alive? I've been tormenting myself over taking your life and you've been alive the whole time?! I thought you were being reborn!" Ranma looked around. There was no response. He couldn't see Saffron anymore.
The light seemed to shift ever so slightly to the floor. What's that? Ranma kneeled down to see the small object on the floor. Akane! Akane laid in her dehydrated doll form. "It's okay Akane! I will save you!"
Ranma looked around frantically. Where's water when you need it?
Suddenly, Akane's doll form shifted into a fully hydrated body. "Akane!" No response. "Oh no!" He held her. "Don't be dead, Akane! Stay with me!" Akane opened her eyes and looked at Ranma. "Akane!"
Akane smiled at him. "Ranma. You won't be able to save me every time. Are you willing to kill for me more than once?"
"To keep you safe, I will do whatever it takes!" Ranma let a tear drop out from his eye and hugged Akane close.
"You can't, Ranma. One of these times, it's going to happen. As long as I'm around you, I'm in danger. Whether it be a crazy fiance or whatever monster your chaos magnet attracts next. There will always be danger and one day…"
"No!" Ranma cut her off. Tears now starting to pour.
"Yes, Ranma. It's time to let me go."
Ranma shot up into a sitting position in bed, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. He wiped his face. It was just a dream. I was crying in my sleep? I hope my old man didn't see. I'd never hear the end of it. Ranma's labored breathing began began slow. I can't keep her safe.
Ranma winced as the consequences of the night before caught up with him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut. Ugh, my head!
Akane lightly knocked on the door. Ranma looked up at her. "What, Akane?"
"I brought you some water and an aspirin. Thought you might need it." Akane said softly.
Ranma looked at her. "Why would you think that?"
"Common Ranma. You know you were drunk last night." Akane defended.
"I was fine, Akane. Stop worrying so much about me. It's suffocating." Ranma winced as he heard the words come out of his mouth. I hate this. I don't mean it. I'm so sorry. I hope she doesn't end up hating me.
"Fine. Whatever. I'm sick of this." Akane put the cup of water and the aspirin on the table inside Ranma's room. "Take it or don't. It's here if you want it." Akane closed Ranma's door behind her. Why is he being like this? No problem laughing with that girl last night but can't even be civil when I'm just trying to help him. She sighed. Guess I'll go get ready for school now.
Kasumi approached Akane after breakfast, of which Ranma was again noticeably absent. "Akane, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Yes, Kasumi?"
"I'm a little worried about Ranma. Unless he is eating somewhere else, then he isn't eating at all. He hasn't come down for breakfast in days. He hasn't taken his lunch to school. He isn't coming in for left overs after missing dinners.." Kasumi trailed off, sounding worried.
"I don't know, Kasumi. I can try to talk with him, but he really doesn't seem interested in having any kind of conversation with me." Akane sighed. "There is definitely something wrong, but he won't tell me what it is."
Kasumi nodded. "Perhaps I should tell Auntie Saotome. I didn't want to worry her, but maybe she could get through to him."
"That might be the only option at this point. I'm getting really worried about him." Akane looked sad.
"I'm sure he will figure it out and be back to his old self soon enough, Akane. Just give him some time." Kasumi smiled.
Akane smiled back. "Thanks, big sister."
Ukyo leaned on the counter with her elbow in her restaurant, her chin in her hand. She sighed. Ran-chan has refused to speak to me for two weeks now. I thought he didn't want that wedding. They were being forced. I know I went too far, but he won't even let me explain. Common, Ranma. Hmm? Ukyo looked out her front window, bringing herself into an upright position. Ran-chan?! Is he coming to talk to me finally? Ukyo fixed her hair quickly, putting on a friendly smile.
Her face dropped as he walked past without so much as looking in the window. Where is he going? "Konatsu! Watch the front for me for a while, will you? I need to run out quick!" She faintly heard an agreement from the back as she headed out the front door.
Now where did he go? She spotted him up ahead, still walking along the street. Ukyo started to follow. She stopped stunned as she watched a young, beautiful blonde girl run up to Ranma and give him a big hug. Who the actual hell is that?! Ukyo felt the heat of her anger boil inside her as she watched the blonde girl take Ranma's hand and walk away. No way. There's gotta be an explanation. She continued following them.
Ranma and Miyuki sat down at a small table in a little cafe down the street from Ucchan's. Miyuki kept smiling at Ranma, which Ranma found contagious.
"How are you feeling today, handsome?" Miyuki smirked at him.
"I'm fine. A bit of a headache, but I'll live." Ranma admitted.
"Last night, you told me some wild stories. I can't believe what you went through. No wonder you're having such a hard time right now." Miyuki said sympathetically.
"Everyone just expects so much from me. I need to be a man among men, the best martial artist, save everyone from everything, get married to join the schools.. what happens if I fail in these tasks? I'd let so many people down and people I care about can get hurt or worse." Ranma looked down.
Miyuki put her hand on his. "I understand, Ranma. That's a lot to deal with. I'm happy you can open up to me. You need to be able to talk to someone."
"I can't talk to anyone. You're different. You don't have a bias, expectations or judgments. You don't know anyone else in my life. I really appreciate you right now. You came into my life at just the right time." Ranma smiled at her. "There's more I haven't told you. Something else keeping me up at night."
"More? How much more could you possibly handle?" Miyuki looked at Ranma with concern.
"In order to save Akane, I had to actually fight the guy.. more like a God.. threatening our lives to the death. I had to take a life in order to save her. I know it was necessary and justified. He was actually reborn, so it's not like he's completely gone.. but that doesn't change the way I feel about it. I feel like a monster." Ranma looked down and closed his eyes.
Miyuki smiled up at him. "Ranma, you, sir, are no monster. You are a hero. I'm sorry others expect you to be a hero, but you are one just the same."
Ranma looked up and smiled at Miyuki. "Thank you. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I need to keep the people I care about safe. That might mean I can't marry Akane. I care about her very much, but once enemies catch wind of that it makes her target number one."
Ukyo watched from a distance. What is going on? Who is this girl? Ukyo crept in closer.
"Are you ready to head over to Circus to numb these dreadful feelings for a little while?" Ukyo heard Miyuki ask Ranma.
Ranma smiled and nodded. "Stamp is still fresh from yesterday."
Ukyo turned and headed toward the Tendo dojo.
Ukyo knocked at the door of the Tendo household.
Akane answered opened the door and stood stunned when she saw who was on the other side. "Ukyo?!"
Ukyo raised her hands in defense. "Sorry, I know you don't want to see me after everything. I'm so sorry about it all."
Akane glared at Ukyo. "Ok. Thanks." She started to shut the door.
"Wait!" Ukyo exclaimed.
"What?" Akane looked annoyed.
"I don't know what's going on or what's been happening the last couple of weeks since.. well, you know.. but I just saw Ranma with some girl. She was holding his hand. I didn't hear much, but they mentioned going to Circus. I just had a feeling you really needed to know." Ukyo watched Akane for signs of reaction.
Akane was shocked. "Was this girl blonde and beautiful?" She asked Ukyo.
"Definitely blonde. Beautiful?.. Yeah, she's gorgeous actually." Ukyo responded.
Akane sighed. "I don't know what's going on, either, Ukyo. He hasn't spoken much to me either. He was with this girl last night at the club. I've never seen her before then. It was the only time I've seen him smile or laugh in weeks. I don't know who she is other than Miyuki Takagi."
Ukyo looked at Akane's sad expression. "I'm sorry, Akane. Do you want to come to the club with me to check things out? I know you probably don't want to be around me right now, but I'll always care about Ran-chan. He's my best friend."
Akane half smiled. "I know that, Ukyo. I'm sorry he hasn't spoken to you. I mean, I understand why he's mad at you- I am, too."
"I know. I'll never be able to apologize enough." Ukyo lowered her head.
"I believe you. Come in. Looks like we have to get ready to go to a club." Akane reached for Ukyo's arm and pulled her inside with a smile.
Ukyo smiled brightly back. "You bet!"
Akane and Ukyo entered the club a while later. Nabiki had let them raid her closet, for a price of course. Akane was in a knee length blue dress with slits in the midriff, short sleeves and a v neck neckline. Ukyo wore black leggings complemented with a red tube top and large hoop earrings.
Ukyo smiled at Akane. "This place is great! I never thought I'd be at a place like this with you, Akane! This is wild!"
Akane giggled. "It's amazing what can happen when two friends forgive each other. Now, where is that idiot?" Akane looked around and didn't see Ranma anywhere.
Ukyo looked around, too. No luck. "Let's go dance, Akane. If he's still here, he will turn up. The dance floor is in the center, so we can watch from all angles there."
Akane nodded. Ukyo grabbed Akane's hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor. The two girls had a blast dancing, both remembering why they were there in the back of their minds.
Ukyo stopped moving completely and starred ahead stunned.
Akane looked at Ukyo. "Ukyo, what is it?"
Ukyo just pointed ahead of her without a word. Akane followed where Ukyo was pointing. There he was. He actually dressed nice for the club this time., in one of his dark blue chinese silk shirts on the other side of the dance floor, completely oblivious of the two fiancés. Miyuki was with him, in a very short black and gold skirt, and very small gold halter top- leaving very little to the imagination. Miyuki had her back turned to Ranma, up against him with her arms around his neck, lowering her body while swaying her hips. Ranma had his hands on her hips, dancing with her.
Akane's face turned red. She turned and looked at Ukyo. "That is not how someone dances with a friend!"
Miyuki turned her body to face Ranma. Her hand came up to touch his chest and glided down to the top of his pants as she looked up at him hungrily. Ranma was smiling.
"I'm gonna kill him." Akane started toward him, Ukyo close behind. "Ranma!"
Ranma looked over at the two fiancés. "Oh, hey Akane. Ukyo."
"What are you doing?!" Akane barked.
"Dancing? It's a dance club. Just blowing off some steam." Ranma shrugged like it was no big deal.
Miyuki felt the tension. "Ranma, I'm going to go get another couple drinks." Ranma nodded to Miyuki. She looked at the other two girls before she walked away.
Ranma turned to the two fiancés. "Lets get off the dance floor, if we aren't going to dance." Ranma walked away. Akane and Ukyo followed.
"Ranma, I asked you last night and I'm asking you again now. Who is that girl?" Akane demanded.
"Listen, Akane. She's just some girl I met. We are just having a good time. There's nothing major going on." Ranma explained. He could tell that explanation was not going to suffice.
"Nothing major?! Ok, then what minor things are happening?" Akane fumed.
Ukyo stood back, silent.
"Akane. Stop. We aren't married." Ranma immediately tensed up when he heard the words come out of his mouth.
Akane's eyes grew wide. She leaned over. "Ranma. How much have you had to drink?"
"None of your business!" Ranma defended.
"I can smell it all over you. Have you eaten anything?" Akane asked.
"Yes, mom." Ranma rolled his eyes.
"What did you eat?" Akane asked.
"Can you stop berating me? Who cares if I ate?" Ranma glared.
"Your family. Our family. Me. You're not eating, you're barley sleeping, you aren't talking to any-"
"I'm talking to Miyuki." Ranma interrupted.
Akane felt her heart break into two. "What?"
Ranma looked sheepish. "Well.. you know.. she's an outsider. She's unbiased. I feel normal when I talk to her."
Akane fought back a tear. "I see."
Ukyo put her hand on Akane's shoulder. Akane looked at her. "It's okay, Ukyo. I'm fine." Akane turned back to Ranma. "Ranma. Are you dating Miyuki?"
Ranma looked past Akane. "Yes." He lied, not completely sure why.
Akane didn't say a word and turned to walk away. Ukyo followed her, looking back at Ranma and shaking her head at him.
Miyuki returned with two drinks and found Ranma off to the side. "Are you okay? That seemed intense."
Ranma smiled at her. "No, but I will be now that you're back."
Akane stormed into the Tendo house, Ukyo right behind her filled with concern.
"Since when does Ran-chan drink?" Ukyo asked Akane.
"Literally yesterday." Akane scoffed. "Must have liked it a little too much, I guess."
Akane and Ukyo carried on into the house. Kasumi greeted them.
"Kasumi, have you spoken to Auntie Saotome about Ranma yet?" Akane asked.
"Not yet. Why do you ask?" Kasumi asked sweetly.
"I think we both need to talk to her asap." Akane said sternly.
Nodoka entered the room. "Talk to whom?"
"Auntie! Do you have a minute to talk?" Akane asked. Nodoka nodded and sat down around the table. Akane, Ukyo and Kasumi followed suit. "Auntie, something is wrong with Ranma." Akane started.
"I've noticed he's been in a perpetual bad mood lately. What else is going on that I don't know about?" Nodoka asked.
Kasumi took a breath. "Well, Auntie, I came to Akane this morning about Ranma not eating."
"Not eating? I know he hasn't eaten with us, but surely he's coming in for left overs? My son is a bottomless pit when it comes to food!" Nodoka said concerned.
Kasumi shook her head. "Nothing. Not here, anyway."
"Not at Ucchan's either," Ukyo added.
"This doesn't sound like my son at all. Is that it?" Nodoka asked.
Akane took a deep breath. "We all went to a club last night and he was drinking. I mean, others in our group were, too, but Ranma got drunk and took off with some girl."
"Some girl?" Nodoka raised an eyebrow.
Akane nodded. "Yes. Her name is Miyuki Takagi. I don't know if he knew her before, but they went back to the club together tonight. Ukyo and I found them there. He smelled of alcohol and was acting out of character. He said he was dating Miyuki." Akane lowered her head.
"Where is my son now?" Nodoka asked.
"I'm not sure. He may still be at the club where we left him. He may have left." Akane told her.
Just then, they heard the front door open and someone shuffle in. Ranma turned the corner and saw everyone sitting at the table. "Oh, common." Ranma said exasperated. "You told my mother?!"
Akane and Ukyo looked scared. Nodoka stood and approached Ranma. She took a sniff. "Son, you reek of alcohol."
"Mom, I'm fine." Ranma snapped.
"It doesn't appear that you are, son. What have you eaten today? What about yesterday?" Nodoka asked.
"I'm not hungry. It's fine!" Ranma barked.
"Son, you will watch your tone when you speak to a woman, especially your mother," Nodoka scolded.
Ranma stood silent.
"Son, what's wrong?" Nodoka asked lovingly.
"What's wrong is that I have a bunch of nosey women in my life that can't let me be." Ranma glared at Akane and Ukyo.
"They are concerned about you. I'm concerned about you. Tell me what's going on. Who's Miyuki?" Nodoka asked.
"Really Akane?" Ranma glared harder.
"Answer the question, son." Nodoka said sternly.
"She's just a girl. Just someone I've been talking to. Okay?" Ranma explained.
"You told Akane you were dating this girl." Nodoka stated, watching for his reaction.
Ranma sighed angrily. "So what if I am? I'm not married!"
Nodoka went to grab for her katana, which she forgot was not on her at the moment. She didn't want to harm her son, maybe just get him to speak with a little more respect. "Son, I think it best if you sleep this off and we will talk in the morning." Nodoka instructed.
"With pleasure," Ranma spat as he turned to walk off to his room. Ranma stopped. The world started spinning around him. He closed his eyes and saw bright lights and heard screaming inside his head. Akane's scream. Saffron. Jusendo. Ranma fell to his knees, clutching his chest and breathing very heavily.
"Son!" Nodoka ran to him and put her arm around him, frantic.
Ranma didn't hear anything. He could smell Jusendo. He could feel it. He could hear it. Ranma growled out loud.
Akane looked at the scene in horror and turned to look at Ukyo, who shared her expression.
Nodoka was rubbing Ranma's back. He slowly recovered as his breathing steadied. He felt drained. In between laboured breaths, he looked at his mother and said, "Sorry."
Nodoka shed a tear and hugged her son. "I had no idea, son. I'm the one who is sorry. How long has this been going on?"
Ranma lowered his eyes. "Since Jusendo."