Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Ranma ½. Many references are from various mythologies, as well as some random Xena: Warrior Princess Easter eggs.
AN: This is a complete rewrite to Amazons. Ranma POV. After the manga series.
From Somewhere Within
Chapter 2
As we walked through the neighborhood every other block was some memory. Uchimizu-San, as I called her privately, caught me with her water and my body shifted down, almost losing my center I was so caught up in my thoughts.
The river where I had fallen in more times than I could count. And where I first saw Mom again.
The school where nothing good ever seemed to come from. Between the Kuno family, Hinako Ninomiya, and every battle held there, I'd just assume never come back. After this trip, there'd only be one more year of school anyways. And then Akane and I could take over the Anything Goes School and Dojo.
But that school was also where I first fell in love with Akane. I couldn't pin down the exact moment, but strangely I think it was after her hair got cut and Ryoga and I offered to let her hit us, and she did. Damn, did that sting. But she showed so much fire since her hair meant so much to her. Since Tofu meant so much to her.
Remembering how she looked at him in the clinic, I glanced to her and she caught my eyes, and nodded me over.
I stepped in line with her while Alona sped ahead of us.
"So…" I started.
"Yes…?" She prompted.
"When Tofu was looking at your ankle, you, uh, had this look on your face."
"What kind of look?" Akane raised an eyebrow and I couldn't tell if she was bemused or pissed.
I looked down and fiddled with my pack straps. Damn it, Ranma. Get yourself together, I chided myself.
"Well, walking through town has made me think how you used to have uh, a crush on him and everything…" I muttered.
Akane turned her head and it shook slightly.
"Akane, are you…?"
She turned to me laughing.
I fumed. I was trying to have a conversation with her and she laughed at me? Not cute.
"Oh, Ranma." She giggled, noticing the hurt on my face. "I'm sorry. It's just that, that hasn't been the case in so long. I just really admire and respect him. And I saw a ring box. Now it could be like that pill box your mom gave me, but I think it was a ring for Kasumi and I hope when we return he will have proposed." She laughed again and my anger died.
That darn pillbox.
"I wish it had been a ring." I mumbled quickly and then picked up my pace to avoid further probing.
Akane's laughter died and her footsteps quickened. Catching back up with me, she paused with her mouth open and snapped it shut.
She didn't say anything else, but I could see a slight blush and smile creep across her face. Very cute.
We left Nermia and Alona's pace slowed down, letting us catch up as we continued on.
We talked briefly about the countryside, how humanity was slowly leaching into more and more of untouched lands.
We stopped in an abandoned farm field for a quick break. I think this was more for Akane's sake than anyone's. We had only been walking a few hours.
While Alona pulled cured meats and bread from a pack, I downed water not caring that I was soaking myself. Today was going to be a hot one.
Akane ran her hands over the tall grasses. "I guess no matter what people do, nature will always win."
Alona smiled, but I could see a sadness in her eyes. But maybe I just imagined it.
Akane sat in the trampled grass by Alona and ate her sandwich. I joined my companions and we talked about high school. Akane talked about the Hentai Hoard, how we met, some of our more light hearted adventures.
After a meal, Akane asked if she could look around a bit. Alona nodded and said we would call when it was time to go.
Akane wandered off, while I helped Alona pack back up. I kept glancing at her, but didn't know what to say, so said nothing.
She must have caught on because she asked what was on my mind.
"You seemed sad when Akane talked about people and nature. I mean, not that it's any of my business."
Alona chuckled. "Never be afraid to ask questions. It's the only way to get answers." She paused. "I've been around a very long time. I remember when farms this size were the center of a village and not the outskirts. I remember when areas the size of Nermia were few and far between. And it isn't even a city by itself. Reminds me how old I am."
I opened my mouth to ask her age but quickly decided against it.
"Wise move, Ranma. Not all answers are ready to be given." She winked and tightened the straps on her back, standing up.
"Hey, look what I found!" Akane came running back towards us, and stopped slightly out of breath, with two sticks with curved blades at the ends, in her hands.
"Kama. They were used as farming equipment, until weapons were outlawed and then used as weapons. A solid tool with many uses."
"I like the way they feel in my hands." Akane spun the bladed weapons in a circle around each other.
"I've always thought a weapon chooses its warrior. I can show you what they are capable of, should you choose."
Akane's eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically.
Carrying her kama in one hand, she grabbed her pack, and began to play with her new toys again. Moving slowly with them in her hands, she spun and twirled the blades, as we walked on.
After four more hours with little said between us we stopped. A river flowed quietly next to us, the noon sun catching on the clear water.
"I want to change back if someone could get a fire started." I said, dropping my pack and filling up my canteen in the river.
"I'd rather you didn't, if you don't mind. We'll stop here for another small meal and a quick sparring session, and I would like to see how well your female form moves."
I nodded, downing more water and filling up again.
Alona and Akane had already left their bags and had moved further from the water, Alona correcting Akane's stance.
I joined them hearing what Alona was saying.
"See, you stand for speed. You've got a lot of strength though, so stand for balance, like a boxer."
I thought about a quick, 'because she's built like a brick', but quickly caught myself. I exhaled loudly, getting the attention of the two woman but shook my head as a quick "it's nothing" and they went back to what they were doing.
"If you stand like this, you'll be able to move quick, short bursts to dodge blows instead of running all over the place. Much better to conserve energy and clip your opponent in tight quarters"
"What if there's a lot of space? Are you saying I should completely ground myself?"
Alona smiled, "No dear. I actually want to teach you something else, but it'd be better when we get to our destination. We shall continue this later. But I would like to see you two spar with staffs."
Akane and I nodded and moved into position.
Alona, pulled two long staffs from her pack which was much too small for the 2 meter poles.
"How…?" I baffled.
"Amazon secret. I'll teach you later." She said with a wink.
She tossed us each a staff and Akane caught it with much more confidence than the last time in the dojo.
We both reset our feet and Alona stood between us, her hand held high.
"Body blows only. First to three, wins." Alona, dropped her hand, signaling to go, and stepped back.
Akane immediately went to the offensive and thrust forward with her staff. I quickly leapt over it and swung my stick over her head.
She swung hers wildly trying to land a hit. Whether it was trying to get smacked by her or not wanting to hurt her, I leaped around trying to avoid her vicious path of attack.
She thrust the staff forward and caught my chin, throwing me off balance.
I flipped and caught myself in a squat, Akane's staff coming towards my midsection when Alona caught it in her hand.
"Stop." She murmured, dropping the staff and walking away shaking her head.
Akane looked befuddled and bow slightly to me before moving towards our teacher.
"Alona, did I do something wrong?" Akane looked worried. "I just want to be better and…" Akane fumbled for a word.
"Win. You want to win. And not just be better, it seems like you just want to best Ranma in combat. This journey we're going on is more than that. Being an Amazon is more than that. We need a warrior not a little girl playing pretend."
"Hey!" Akane and I shouted.
"She isn't a little girl playing pretend. Her fighting may be unrefined but you'll never find anyone with more heart that her!" I exclaimed.
I turned to Akane, hoping for a smile or a nod, but she was broiling with anger instead.
"I don't need you speaking for me!" Akane shouted and ran off into the trees.
My heart sank. I thought I was defending her. Girls liked that, I thought.
Alona nodded appreciatively and walked to the river, splashing water on her face.
"Shouldn't we go after her?"
Alona shook her head and settled on the bright grass. She motioned for me and I joined her, the warmth of the sun, wrapping me like a hug. For the first time in probably ever, I really missed Mom.
"Why did you yell at me?"
"I…I just wanted to protect Akane."
"Does she need your protection?"
"Yeah!" I exclaimed. "Well, no. She's protected me so many times in the past few months, we fought a phoenix lord and she saved my life multiple times. I just feel like I owe her."
"Tell me about this fight."
I explained our fight with Saffron, how Akane got shrunk, and still threw herself into the path of danger many times. How I didn't think she lived through it all. I left out my not quite confession and the mess that the 'wedding' was after we got home.
"So you're in love with her?"
I blushed deep red, ready to deny it, but I let my head fall forward instead. Alona took it as the "yes" it was.
"She will never grow if you don't let her. That's why the next time you spar, you have to actually fight back and not just run around."
"But I don't want to hurt her." I whispered.
"From what you've told me, what I've seen, and the little of time I have known Akane, that probably won't happen. She's strong, and she's getting faster and more agile already. Your next foe will make Saffron look like nothing and she will have massive home field advantage. I cannot have anyone hold back anything."
Despite the warmth of the sun, I couldn't help but feel a chill run up my arms and down my back.
"I'll go get Akane, you can change back if you want. We'll leave shortly."
Alona, stood and rested her hand on my shoulder for a brief moment before heading into the forest.
Alona and Akane weren't back even after I made a fire and changed back, so I went to go look for them.
The sun was weakening and within a few meters, the trees had blocked the sun completely. The air was cooler and smelled of earth and moss.
I thought about calling out, but the air begged for silence. Within a few minutes I heard voices and moved towards them.
"And you love him?" I peeked around a tree and saw Akane and Alona sitting on boulders near the water.
Akane sighed a heavy "Yes."
"But he won't admit or commit, right?"
Akane nodded and it looked like she might be crying.
"Akane, men are stupid in the ways of love. And a young man like Ranma seems even less in touch with his feelings. It's hard to admit something you don't quite understand. I know he loves you too, but I think you should forget about him."
A hard knot formed in my stomach from hearing this and I had to keep myself from bursting forward and revealing myself.
"Why?" Akane looked up, and wiped a tear streak from her cheek.
"You don't need him. I want you to stay with me and the Amazons after this quest. I would train you in everything I know, we would travel the world, and you could honor your family's legacy."
My breath quickened and a thin sheen of cold sweat formed on my face and hands. She wouldn't say yes would she?
Akane sat in silence too long for my comfort. A "no way" would make me feel better. Say it Akane, please. I prayed to myself. Say you want to be with me.
"I'll think about it." Akane answered.
Alona smiled and pulled Akane into a hug.
"That's all I can ask for. Now let's get back we still have quite a ways to go."
Before they stood, I took off back to where we'd stopped. Despite a short run, my heart pounded in my chest and I felt weak. She didn't say no to Alona's offer. She said she'd think about it. Could this be our last adventure together? Why had I let it get this far away from us?
Alona and Akane returned, neither said anything, just gathered their packs and started walking. I quickly grabbed my pack, ensured the fire was out and joined them for the next leg of our travels.
As we walked in silence, Alona ended up in front again while Akane and I held back.
I kept stealing glances at her face, trying to see what she was thinking.
"So," I started. I didn't want to let up that I was eavesdropping but I also wanted to make it clear I didn't want Akane to stay with the amazons. "Excited for our last year of high school?"
I mentally kicked myself. High school? Seriously?
Akane's face looked puzzled. "Um, I guess I haven't thought about it. Just want to get through this first I guess."
"So, will you go to college or…?" Take over the dojo. Say it Ranma, you baka. Ask her to stay with you.
"I don't know yet. Haven't thought about it too much."
The tension between was growing and I felt too stupid to ask what I really wanted to know so I shut down.
The next few hours were painful. Akane sped up slightly and we traveled in silence. The countryside had long turned into a winding path through trees and fields. When the sun started setting we all gathered back together and I asked how much longer.
"We're here." Alona said stopping suddenly.
We all stopped and I felt an aura in front of us but saw nothing but a small clearing and trees.
"This is hallow ground. Tread carefully." Alona told us and stepped forward. The air shimmered from her movement and despite only being a few feet away she seemed much further.
Akane stepped forward next and I couldn't help but feel she was out of reach now.
I joined my companions and gasped at the area.
Flush jade grass ran as far as the eye could see. A path of redish dirt lead to a massive white barked tree, its branches completely devoid of leaves. At the base of the trunk, a pitch black void beckoned me to enter.
We walked further in, settling by a grass-free spot. Probably where fires had been built before.
Alona dropped her pack and set out her bedroll. Akane and I followed suit. Alona shed her shoes and walked back to the border, disappeared from view and returned with a stack of logs. Quickly a fire was going, with Kasumi's curry simmering in a pot.
We ate without speaking and only after the sky was scattered with stars and the fire died down did Alona speak.
"They were the twins of prophecies. One spoke to the moon and was trusted by the council. The other was the Sun Talker, and was seen more of a witch than a prophet. The Sun Talker's prophecies were more often accurate but this lead people to do foolish things to try to change their fates. She was banished to live outside the village while The Trusted, was treated lavishly by the people.
One day the Sun Talker came into the village which was a breach of trust, but according to The Trusted the Sun Talker was carrying the Chosen One: a child of pure light. The Trusted said The Chosen One would save the village when a dark day came and so the Sun Talker was hesitantly allowed back.
When the baby was born a plague fell on the town. The crops died, the livestock was covered in sores and boils, and every other child born than day died by nightfall.
But The Trusted promised that this child was of pure goodness and not wicked despite the horrors the village saw that day."
Her voice wavered and her hands shook as she clenched them together.
Akane had unknowingly moved closer to me or maybe she had forgiven me. Alona's eyes felt cold but Akane's body heat kept me warm.
"Then The Sun Talker was found. She was ripped apart. Her stomach slashed open, head ripped off; one of her arms was never found. The Trusted took in the baby as her own, despite already having a young daughter."
Alona inhaled sharply and her eyes glazed over as she watched the flames.
"One day The Trusted left the village with the baby and never returned. Her own daughter was taken in by another family and eventually left the village to try a life outside of the amazon world."
"Why do we need to know this?" I prodded.
"The Chosen One returned a few years ago, claiming to be child of the Sun and Moon and was our salvation. She killed three people before being killed herself, but her spirit is angry and hungry. We are going back to the village to stop her for good this time."
We sat in silence taking in the information.
I wasn't sure what to make of it. Between Herb and Saffron, we'd seen our share of magical foes. We'd faced demons before, so I was sure we could handle it.
I looked back over the fire pit at Alona. Despite being in her younger form she looked decades older. Her hair looked grey around the edges and her face looked pale and ancient.
She nodded briefly to me and Akane and turned and climbed into her bedroll. Her breathe was erratic for a moment before it slowed to an even pace and I knew she was asleep.
I turned back to Akane and saw that she had moved away from me again.
"Akane," I started, wanting to bring up the conversation I overheard.
She looked at me, her eyes tired and worn.
"Nevermind. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Ranma" she replied. She wrapped herself in her bedroll and soon her breathing was even with Alona's.
I watched Akane sleep for a bit. She rolled over in her sleep and was now facing me. I couldn't help but stare at her delicate features. The soft curve of her nose. The way her lashes framed her eyes. There was a scuff of dirt on her right cheek and it took everything I had not to go over to wipe it off. I could only see that going badly.
I sighed and whispered, "I love you," to the winds and wrapped myself up hoping sleep would take me soon.
I was in the void again. But the light here wasn't from a goddess it was from a giant tree. Much like the white one in the clearing, but this one's bark was gold with ruby leaves lush on its branches.
I stepped forward and two women appeared in my view.
Both looked so familiar.
A redish haired woman faced aggressively at a slightly shorter blue haired woman who was turned away protecting something in her arms.
"Sukami! How can you let her live? After all the pain she has caused." The red haired woman stepped forward and grabbed Sukami's arm, trying to pry the bundle away.
"You will not, Haruko! I don't care what people say she did. She is a child of light. She will be raised right by me." Sukami, yanked her arm back and held the bundle higher.
The blanket fell away and I saw a baby. Her face was pale and her hair almost non-existent. At the movement her face scrunched up and she let out a wail.
Sukami pulled further away from Haruko and comforted the baby.
"And what of Kariko? What of Nodoka? I will not allow that, THING, to be near my daughter. Would you risk your own?"
"Kariko will be fine. Everything will be fine. A child should not be punished for the sins of their parents."
"Not even a demon child?" Haruko hissed.
"Those are just rumors. See how beautiful this child is? She is a child of good. I just know it. I will talk of it no more." Sukami pulled the baby closer.
"If you will not be moved, then I will. I will not be around when that child does more harm. Nodoka and I will leave at the end of the week. Goodbye old friend, you were my sister." Haruko looked one more time sadly at the woman before turning away.
Haruko faded from the scene, leaving Sukami cradling the baby and shushing before she too faded.
I snapped awake with a layer of sweat coating me. That was my grandmother. And Akane's grandmother. How long had our families know each other?
I sat up and glanced around camp. Alona's bed was rolled and a fire was starting, but she wasn't around. Akane slept soundly, her chest rising and falling in even breaths.
I stood and gathered my things, heading to the river to ready for the day.
I took my shirt off and splashed my face with the cold water, feeling the familiar instant shift from male to female. I pulled my hair out of the braid and shook my hair free. Having it tied up all the time made my scalp itch and feel tight. I splashed more water over myself, feeling the cold droplets run down my body. After almost a year, you'd think I'd be used to this, but I wasn't. Yet at the same time I couldn't imagine myself any other way.
I stretched and re-braided my hair, bringing water to the flames to warm up. The sun was just breaking over the tree line and a beam landed on Akane. Her face scrunched and she pulled a hand over her eyes.
She broke into a yawn and stretched her arms above her head, starting to wake up. I glared at the flames, wishing the water to warm faster. While I was used to the "Ranko" form, I preferred to be myself when I saw Akane. To remind her, or maybe myself who I really was.
I wish I knew how warm was warm enough to change me back.
Alona strolled back into camp, nodded to me and starting pulling things from her pack for breakfast.
I glanced anxiously at Akane and at the water.
Alona wordlessly came over and dipped a finger in the water. She pulled the pot off the fire and dumped it on me, my true form revealed.
I dried myself quickly with a towel and slipped a shirt back on, just as Akane rose from her bedroll, arching her back.
"I don't know if I will ever get used to sleeping on the ground." She announced.
Alona, started cracking little spotted eggs on a skillet, and placed it on the fire.
"This was our only night here. By tonight we will be at the village. The beds aren't as modern as you might be used to, but they do just fine."
"Cool." Akane replied. "I didn't realize we were so close to the village."
"We are and we aren't. For now let's eat."
The tiny eggs had cooked quickly on the pan and Alona gave us each a plate with some eggs while Akane passed a loaf of bread around.
We continued to regale stories of Nermia. Like when the little girl lost her toy bunny, and the time Pop pretend to be a pet panda to get free food off the rich kid. I felt almost embarrassed by some of these moments.
It was like once outside of Nermia I could see back on what a fool I'd been. How mean and defensive I'd been for so long and for seemingly no reason. Show no weakness. Thanks Pop.
While Alona and Akane laughed, flashes of the dream the night before slammed through my head, making me wince.
"Ranma?" Akane asked worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"It's nothing." I winced, seeing the baby in my head. Its image flashed again and again.
"If you're having visions. It's best to listen to them. The gods don't give insight without reason."
"Visions?" Akane asked.
"It's just dreams." I said.
"Dreams and visions are two sides of the same coin. But spirits can also play tricks, so be aware."
I snorted and finished my breakfast. Trust them. Don't trust them. It's just a dream after the story she told. It could mean nothing.
"So what's on the agenda today?" Akane asked after we'd cleaned up breakfast.
We walked more into the field barefoot and the soft grass calmed the pounding in my skull.
"Today I want to see how you two work with battle auras. Akane, I think you'd do well to work on controlling yours.
You quickly give your feelings away, which you can use to your advantage. You can use it to intimidate, give yourself a burst of power, and even use it to make yourself invisible."
"Like this?" I focused quietly and felt my ki vanish.
I moved quickly and quietly behind Alona, who immediately turned and bopped me on the head.
"Similar." She said laughing.
I felt mocked and brought myself back to the task.
"Ranma, I want you to provoke Akane."
I swallowed nervously.
"Uh, how?"
Alona raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm sure you can find a way. Now, Akane, I want you to dig into yourself. Find an anchor. No matter what Ranma says I want you to not get riled up. Try to keep it inside and harness the power."
Akane took a deep breath and I felt the air around her shift.
"You can do it, Akane. No one is as tough as you. I mean you're built like a brick and your thighs are too thick, and compared to me, your bust is nothing to look at neither."
I flinched internally and wondered if that was too much.
Akane's eyes had closed during my insults, but now they flashed open. She narrowed her eyes at me and fell into the stance Alona had shown her earlier.
She beckoned me with a finger and I smirked charging at her.
Her movements felt fluid, her punches were light and I dodged them easily. Her speed picked up and the strength behind her kicks and punches got stronger. I continued to dodge them and felt her anger pick up.
She started sweating profusely and her composure started to fall.
She swung her arm around and Alona stepped between us and caught it.
"You were doing well. What changed?"
Akane lowered her head and muttered something.
"Yes?" Alona quizzed.
"I'm not good enough! I'll never be good enough! It's unfair. Ranma was taught his whole life and I've been self-taught for so long. Daddy doesn't take me seriously. The hentai horde didn't take me seriously! Ranma doesn't take me seriously!" She screamed.
Alona sneered and threw Akane's arm out of her grasp.
"And so what?!" Alona shouted. Her eyes glowed with rage and the air picked up around her.
"Who cares what other people think? You think I got to where I am worrying about others? Others hold you back, you can only depend on yourself. You think Genma Saotome cared about his son's safety when he was training him? You think your father cared about you anymore after his wife died? You think Ranma has time to care about you? You are alone in this world, so pick yourself and make yourself better for you. No. One. Cares." Alona punctuated each of her last words.
Akane's mouth fell open and snapped shut.
I was flabbergasted. What made Alona so bitter?
"Go find yourself Akane. You're a waste of my time right now." Alona turned her back to us and inhaled sharply.
I wasn't sure how to react. The last time I stood up for Akane, she was pissed at me. But I couldn't do nothing right?
The air shifted dramatically.
I looked to Akane and her presence had grown. Her aura surrounded her, and she looked like she was on fire.
She sprinted towards Alona, who showed no sign of recognizing what was behind her.
"Alone? I have my father." She grunted, throwing a punch which Alona dodge, "Who loves me every much. And two sisters, who," she kicked at Alona's head. Alona had now turned to Akane and looked at her with mild surprise ",take care of me always." Akane's aura continued to build, the ground turning ashen under her steps.
Alona was now blocking the throws and kicks instead of just dodging them. "And Ranma does care about me in his own stupid way!" Her hand flew faster than I had ever seen it, maybe as fast as when I was learning the Chestnut fist, and clipped Alona along her left cheekbone.
Alona raised a hand to her face and blood smeared her fingertips.
Akane saw the blood and her aura died.
"Oh my kami, Alona… I… I didn't mean…"
"So it looks like you do have something worth fighting for. And it looks like it's you." She said locking her gaze with me.
Akane and Alona both looked at me. Did they want a response? I froze, looking back and forth at the two women.
Alona wiped her blood on her tunic and nodded.
"Okay. I'm going to go clean up. You two, do you." She rolled her eyes and walked back to the camp fire.
Akane's gaze dropped to her feet kicking the dirt up around her.
"I…" I started. I exhaled loudly and shook my head.
I gave her one last look and walked over to the camp where Alona was mashing some plants for her cut.
"Did you just say all that stuff to rile her up?"
Alona didn't look up, adding water and other things to the salve.
"Nope. I let my emotions get the better of me. This younger body doesn't have as much self-control sometimes. I really believe you are born alone, you die alone, so why bother?" She shrugged a shoulder at me and applied her ointment to her cheek.
She looked up and smiled an empty smile at me. Her eyes were so cold despite the smiles she slapped on her face.
"But I guess you're worth fighting for, so don't bring her down." She stood up, clapped me on my back and walked over to the still frozen Akane.
I watched the two talk and soon Akane was nodding determinedly.
Alona beckoned me back and for the rest of the morning we worked on ki-katas.
Alona helped us learn how to make ourselves look huge like Pop and Happosai did that one time. She also taught up to look small.
Almost a variation of the Shishi Hōkōdan. It was all about using our own emotions and projecting them out to others. Akane almost immediately got the hang of it, but I found the yang emotions harder to harness.
I watched carefully for the 5th time as Akane appeared to make herself tiny. She got as small as her dehydrated form after Saffron and then even smaller still.
I couldn't help but wonder if I had some role into making her feel that small. Was that why it was easy for her?
In her tiny form she ran behind me and appeared back to normal size then inflated to twice my size within moments. It really looked like she was changing form. If I focused really carefully on her eyes I could see that she was standing still and not changing at all, but her projections looked almost solid enough to touch.
I was so caught up in my own head, I didn't notice when she shrunk back down and started whispering in my ear, giving me a scare and causing her and Alona to literally fall on the ground laughing.
I walked back to the fire grumbling and feeling my face turn red.
I would have snapped back with something hurtful, but my head started pounding again to the point where I had to sit down.
The girls joined me as we ate lunch.
"Keeping the visions inside when the want to be out isn't a good idea, Ranma." Alona noted as we ate a brief meal of found berries and roots.
I shook my head at her and tried to keep the beating in my skull to a minimum.
"What's the plan for the afternoon?" I asked trying to distract myself and them from the visions.
"I thought we'd take a look at the kama," she looked at Akane, "you found in the farm field. See how you handle them, see if I can't teach you a thing or two. Ranma do you have any weapons you'd like to practice with?"
I thought about it for a moment. Mom had the katana, but it had so much baggage, the idea of using it to harm someone made me sick to my stomach. There was nothing that seemed really appealing to me as I mentally ticked off all the different weapons I'd defended against in my life.
"I'm fine using my bare hands."
"Very well. Do you ever wrap them?"
I examined my cracked hands. Callouses along my palms, scratches from grabbing sharp fences or trees. The scar of a particularity deep scratch when Pop was forcing the neko-ken on me.
My vison flashed briefly and it looked like a wedding band was on my left ring finger. I blinked a few times but the vision didn't come back.
"I'll take that as a no…" She said and pulled two sets of fabric wraps from her bag.
She tossed me a pair and a pair to Akane, then pulled a third set out.
Akane quickly wrapped her hands, testing the resistance when she rotated her wrists.
I stared blankly at the thin feeling cloth and tried to follow what I had just seen Akane do.
The cloth became surprisingly thick against my skin and I felt restrained.
Akane smirked and sat next me, slowly unwrapping my hands and rewrapping them the right way. Her hands were surprisingly soft. I thought back and recalled that I had often seen her hands wrapped. She was still a girl after all.
Once we were all geared up, Akane grabbed her kama from where they laid on the ground and twirled them in her hands.
I almost expected her to drop them like the clubs we learned for the martial arts rhythmic gymnastics, but the kama seemed like an extension to her body. The red of her hand wraps, her gi dusty and well worn, and her blueish black hair all sang in a symphony together. She looked like a warrior; she looked like an Amazon.
Alona grabbed a staff from her bag, I still needed to learn how all 2 meters could fit in there, and moved back to where we did the aura training.
I joined them and began to do a kata for a warm up. I was starting to like the wraps as well. My hands felt more protected. I could feel the extra strength on my wrists and did a few hand stands and back flips not feeling so vulnerable in my hands.
Alona and Akane started slow, a very deliberate dance of the weapons tapping and retreating.
Akane was really getting the hang of reading an opponent's movements. Their spar was able to get faster and more fluid as Akane seemed to tap into a warrior's mind and predict where Alona would be coming from next.
I felt the aura of the area shift as both Alona and Akane started to take it more seriously. Now Alona was testing Akane and it looked like Akane was passing.
Before I could react, Alona was making a move at me. Akane flew in front of me and blocked the thrown staff knocking it to the ground with her kama. Alona took this distraction and threw Akane on the ground, pointing the staff at her throat before Akane could get on the defensive.
"He's your strength but he's also your weakness."
Alona pulled the staff from Akane's throat and helped her up.
She shook her head in disappointment and walked back to the camp fire, and started packing up her things.
Akane glared at me. How was this my fault? And ran to her teacher.
They spoke briefly, gesturing to me a few times, before Akane lowered her head in defeat.
I joined them, a heavy presence in the air.
"It's time to go. Get your stuff."
"You're not taking us back! We said we'd complete this mission and we will. Akane and I will both be stronger and better and fix whatever you need help with." I sneered at the woman.
"I never said I was taking you back. It's time to go to the village, boy." She sneered back.
I mumble an apology and Akane gave me an awkward smile.
We packed our things, made sure the fire was well put out and started walking down the dirt path towards the tree.
Alona entered the void first with Akane in the middle and me following.
Immediately I knew we weren't just in a tree.
The darkness was impossible to see through, but the path so narrow the only way to go was forward.
We walked for a few minutes when the air changed. I could smell camp fires and food. A few minutes more I could hear sounds of people moving around. The continued for maybe ten more minutes and saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
Alona squeezed through a hole into blinding white light.
Akane and I joined her, shielding our eyes from the sudden sunlight.
"Welcome to The Village."
AN:
Uchimizu: refers to the sprinkling of water in Japanese gardens and streets.