Were you slapping yourself over the ending of the last chapter? I know exactly. Well good thing I don't pick up there, right? MEEHEE. Enjoy!

"Any luck?" Soun Tendo pleads to his eldest daughter, Kasumi, on his knees for the relief that she found them. She closes her eyes and shakes her head from side to side.

"I'm sorry, father. They're no where to be found." Kasumi rubs her father's shoulder. He puts his arms on the table and starts sobbing into them. Rivers of salty rain pour down and smash onto the table, following the engraved line that traces the perimeter.

"I'm sure we'll find them soon." Nabiki hugs her knees and rests her jaw on the caps. A slightly dull expression rests on her face. Happosai sits on the edge of the porch, gazing out at the snow. He kicks his chubby legs back and forth, back and forth. In his fingers, he fidgets with a small wind up monkey. He looks down on it with a bawly-eyed expression.

"Who's going to play with me now?" He mourns to himself, hugging his chimp. The moon is full, tonight. The white beams light up the room with a fuzzy glow. The snow reflects the light in the forms of different pigments and arrays of colors, inviting everyone to come and gaze at it for eternity.

"Ranma would have liked to have this much snow." Happosai sniffs and rubs his upper lip with his index finger. "Ranma also would have liked to wear the braziers I laid out for him." He bawls back and forth in a little ball.

"Hush, now. Crying doesn't solve anything." Soun pounds his fist on the table. He crosses his fingers together and closes his eyes. Every so often, he opens them a wink to look back at the closet in the kitchen. Recently, it was opened in a rush, and the shogi board game was tossed inside along with all of the pieces. The corners have chipped and most of the pieces have been lost by now. It is too painful a reminder to him of what once was, but is no longer. Kasumi gathers up the four fancy china plates that they bring out every so often on special occasions, and hurriedly walks into the kitchen. Her steps have no character anymore, no emotion. The muddy clothes that were tossed in the washer after Ranma and Genma finished their daily workout remain sopping wet and untouched, as no one can bear to go and get them.

"I guess…" Nabiki says eventually. "We'll move on." She gazes up at the stars. Stormy grey clouds travel across the sky and subdue them. "Eventually."

"Ahhh! That's hot!" Ryoga yelps and rolls around on the blankets, wetting everything in his wake.

"Oh, Ryoga! I'm so sorry!" I cover my mouth with my fists. "Let me get you a towel." I trot downstairs and open a cabinet. "Kasumi! Can you heat up some tea for me?"

"Sure, Akane! Do you have a preference on which type?" She smiles and comes into the kitchen holding some plates.

"Yes. Here." I fish into my pocket and bring out the packet. She places the dishes in the sink, walks over, and fumbles with the pink pack in her hand.

"I've never heard of this type of tea. I hope it's tasty." She gently places a hand on my arm and goes over to the boiler to heat some water. She's not singing like she usually does…

"Thanks. I'll be in my room!" I reach for a red towel at the top of the cupboard, sling it over my shoulder, and I'm sprinting up the steps.

"That was way too close, Ryoga." Ryoga says. He's talking to himself? How silly. … Close to what? "If you didn't have a fever,... and if she had seen you like that… it would have all been over. M-maybe I can write to Ranma and tell him to send me some water." Seen you like what?! Ryoga's being very secretive, isn't he? I wonder what he's talking about.
"Here you go!" I enter the room as if I heard nothing. Ryoga smiles and accepts the towel. Squeezing the water from his soggy shirt onto the towel, his muscles flex, displaying a two pack of very toned biceps. "Was the water really that hot for you?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty messed up right now." He flops onto his back and stares at the ceiling. "Hey, Akane. The paint is peeling on your ceiling."

"I'm know that," I say sarcastically. A little mouse taps on the door.

"Hello, Akane! I've prepared your tea!" Kasumi carries a green cylinder on a faded blue saucer.

"Thank you!" I smile, she places the tea on the desk. A water droplet that was attached to the brim gets thrown off and onto a piece of paper. I pay no mind to it.

"Oh, Ryoga! I didn't know you were over! It's always so nice to have company," She exclaims, smiles, and knits her fingers next to her face. "Would you like anything from the kitchen?"

"No, ma'am. Thank you." He bows his head slightly.

"Oh, okay. You're welcome to stay for dinner, if you like." Her sunshine fades and she walks for the door. She looks at Ryoga with concern, probably understanding the tea cure was meant for him, and that Ranma isn't around to fight with him, making two things off balance in his life.

"She seems awfully glum today…" Ryoga says after about what feels like an hour of silence.

"Yeah, I guess so," I whisper. "Will you drink your tea now?"

"Oh, right. Thanks!" He blurts out and rubs his headbandless forehead. There's a light tan every place on his face except for his forehead. He picks up the glass and chugs as fast as he can. "Mmm! This is so good! It's cold, too."

"Good!" I giggle in delight. "So when you're better you'll help me with my new techniques, won't you?"

"Uhh…" He stops drinking for a moment and freezes in place, eyes locked on mine in some sort of fearful expression.

"You will, won't you?" I say nicely, but agitation fuels my voice and it's evident on my face that that's the case.

"S-s-sure, Akane! But why do you want to learn them?" He sips his half full glass and sets it down on the counter.

"I guess… to enhance my martial arts?" I tap my chin with my stubby nail. I've started biting my nails recently, when I'm bored or frustrated or lonely. "It's always good to know moves like that."

"I'd love to help you out with your martial arts, Akane." He looks deep into my eyes, searching for some emotion or response. The first thing I notice is the blue colored puff bags underneath dark circles.

"Great!" I smile and lean back on the chair. "Oh! I have to get you new blankets, right."

"Don't you worry, Akane. I can get them myself!" He says courageously, but two seconds after he gets up, he falls back down.

"Yeah… I'm going to go get them." I pat his shoulder awkwardly and make for the door. A fresh basket of laundry has been set out and I grab the heaviest blanket I can find, plus two more.
"Here, Ryog…" I sing, notice he's snoozing, and quiet down. I swallow my pride, reach under his hip to grab the drenched towel and blanket and quickly slip them out from beneath his body. He makes a few noises and rotates to his right shoulder, facing me. I heave out a heavy sigh of relief that I didn't wake him, and cover him with goose feather blankets. His fever must have broken, judging by the relatively paleness of his face. He almost looks at ease, peaceful. I'll change into something more comfortable and less wet, now that I have the chance. I scan through my dresser and find a sweater and boy shorts to wear to bed. I can sleep in the empty room. My mind wanders while I'm shivering between taking off my damp outside clothes, and putting on my pajamas. I hope they're okay, wherever they are now. I can never seem to think about anything else. I walk slowly into the bathroom, half asleep, and poke around for a hairbrush. After brushing through my matted hair, I look in the mirror. Purple bags droop down from my eyes, lower than my nose, my lips chapped beyond compare, and a few violent cuts that seemed to have gotten infected by leaving them out. How did that happen? Ohhhh, the ice shards that were blowing in the wind. I remember now. I pop open the mirror and look on the many shelves in the hidden compartment for a box of band aids. I find a small packet of decorative unicorn strips and I bring them into my room. Ryoga's awake, and his face is flustered with embarrassment, looks like. His eyes are frozen, staring at something on the wall. They look almost like glass, beady.

"Oh, hey Ryoga. I see you're up. You should go back to sleep, it's still late." I talk casually and walk over to my desk, sit down, and go through a messy drawer to try and find a mirror. As I do so, Ryoga's eyes fixate on me and watch my every movement. He's mesmerized.

"You all right, Ryoga? How long have you been up?" I tilt the mirror away from my head and give a concerned glance to Ryoga. His face beats a deep raspberry shade and he buries his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry, Akane… I can't keep this from you." He pounds his forehead with his fists; light enough to not cause much serious damage. "When you thought I was asleep, and you decided to…"

"I decided to… what, Ryoga?" I stare at him in puzzlement.

"Well, I wasn't asleep… when you decided to," He stops, breathes, fidgets every part of his entire body. "discard… your clothing."

"WHAAT?!" I scream, stand up fast. "YOU MEAN YOU WATCHED ME UNCLOTHE?!"

"No-no-no, Akane! I'm s-sorry, p-please Akane! It won't happen again!" He bows his head and presses his hands flat together. I'm panting with rage. …. I guess it wasn't entirely his fault.

"Uh.. o-okay, Ryoga. I guess it could happen to anybody."

"Wow. You must be really depressed to not even kick me out." Ryoga ponders, counting up every possibility of what could possibly lead up to this with his hands.

"What does that mean?!" I boil with red agitation.

"Nothing! Nothing at all, sweet… sweet Akane!" Ryoga looks desperate; tapping his legs to make his point, which, in turn, just make him even more stupid looking. "It's just, without Ranma around, you're not at your fullest. You're not complete. Anyone as dumb as me can notice that."

"Are.. you saying I should go find Ranma and bring him back so that I can be happy again?" I line up everything that he just told me in my head. It sort of does make sense. I guess I do care about him, a little. That does sound like a good idea… Then everything would turn back to normal.

"Well wait there, Akane. I wasn't really going for that-"

"You're completely right! I should go find him! That way, everything will turn back to normal!" I clench my fist in determination. I plan my words carefully; I want to get Ryoga to come and help me. I'll be careful not to frustrate him.

"I don't want to go, but I'd never hear the end of it from Ranma if he found out I let you go alone." Ryoga starts out loud, and grows to a mutter. His eyes shoot open and he clasps his mouth shut, his eyes darting all around the room.

"What do you mean?" I wince in confusion.

"Well, it just seems to me th-that he…" His face is a tomato; red, puffy, swollen. "Didn't really want to leave, but in order for your safety, he did what he thought was right. I don't know the full story of what happened, but I think it's best if you abide by his wishes and stay here... with me." Ryoga sighs and looks up in my face.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." I nibble on my fingernail. "Okay. Go to sleep. I'll be in the next room if you need me."

"Great." Ryoga smiles and stuffs his face into the blanket. I have my hand on the knob when Ryoga says, "Wait, Akane?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you." He says quietly and timidly. Like a mouse. Like Kasumi, a little bit. I laugh and pat the door. I trot down the hall, reaching the empty room, when I hear a few voices.

"Well, Kasumi? Who is it?" Nabiki seems intrigued about something.

"Tell us, Kasumi!" Father presses on.

"Uh-h.. it's… Akane." She stutters and then finishes with a smiley tone.

"Akane?" Nabiki sounds aghast. "I thought she was upstairs. Why would she call?"

"If she's not upstairs, where could she be?"

"Uhhh.."

"Kasumi. Who's on the phone?" Father uses his serious tone. He only uses his serious tone when he really needs to figure something out. Why am I listening to this? This isn't my business… Well it sort of is, since she said Akane. I wonder who was on the phone. Eh, not my problem. I skip down the hall, enter the phantom room. I roll out a mat and quickly find some blankets of my desire. I jump in bed and my nose shrivels from the odor. …. These blankets smell like Ranma. I guess there's no avoiding it now; the answer is obvious. I have to go to Jusenkyo and bring Ranma back... How am I going to convince him? Maybe if I beat him in a battle... I can force him back! Yeah! I have that scroll now, I have more moves. This will be a piece of cake!I tuck my chin over top and close my eyes. This is going to be a long night.

"I'm so happy you said yes. For a minute there, on the phone, I thought you didn't want to, but I see you're not so scared of heights." Ranma mocks, squeezes my hand. We're walking on a drawbridge, and the cherry blossom leaves are twirling around us like pink tornados; swirling and exploring new places.

"Well I can't have you thinking I'm a chicken, now can I?" I squeeze his back. What am I doing? I don't like Ranma.. do I? No… Instantly, one of the hurricanes of pink flakes comes hurtling towards us, and sucks up Ranma! He's kicking and screaming my name, but to no prevail.
"Ranma!" I yell and reach for his hand. Grabbing mine, he holds on for dear life. The whirlwind is trying to pull him out to sea! "I'm never letting go!" He doesn't respond.

"… Ranma…?" I spell out, look into his face. …. Why does this keep happening to me?! His eyes are pitch black. Instead of remaining still, his free hand pries my hand off of him until he's free and blown off into space. "Ranma!"

"Akane!" I hear someone screaming.

"Akane, snap out of it!" My brain rattles around.

"Akane, wake up!" Something hot drips onto my face. I cringe and shrivel my nose. "Akane!"

"Y-yes?" I rub my eyes. "What's up?"

Ryoga looks down on my face with concern. "You were screaming.. Is everything okay?"

"I… was screaming?" I wipe the sweat from my face. "Oh.. Sorry, I must have woken you." Ryoga sits down next to me and crosses his arms over his legs. "What were you dreaming about?"

"I.. I guess it was just a nightmare," I place a finger on my lip, trying to place my dream. I can't quite remember it.. "I don't really remember it."

"Oh. Okay," He puts his chin on his kneecaps. "I hope it doesn't happen again. It sounded terrifying."

"It was." I rub my pounding temples. "Do you mind staying here so that if I start screaming again, you can wake me up?"
"Ak-kane…" Ryoga turns to a blushing rose color. "Are you sure?"

"No, actually, I think you should go back to sleep. You're not well enough yet."

"You know what, no. I'll stay here and watch over you. I'd watch over you for a lifetime." Ryoga says, his eyes pillaging every corner of my soul.

"Aww, haha. That's so nice, Ryoga. If you don't mind it." I smile and yawn sleepily. "Just… stay here."

"W-what do you mean, Akane?" He sounds nervous.

"I need some comfort right now. If it bothers you, I can always sleep by myself.." I say quietly.

"No! I mean, no.. I'll be here with you whenever you need it." He speaks loudly. He shakily puts a heavy arm on my shoulder and fiddles with the hair on my forehead.

"Uhh.. Ryoga?" I open my eye a tad and roll over on my back. "What are you doing?"

"I thought.. you wanted comfort. I'm sorry, I guess it's out of turn." He removes his arm his arm and stuffs his elbows between his legs.

"I do!" Salty tears sting my corneas. I grip his pants in my fists and squeeze my eyes shut. "I just want to sleep without the nightmares."

"Maybe if you talk about it and get it out of your system, you won't dream about it anymore…" Ryoga proposes. It seems like a moderately okay idea. I sit up, wipe my nose, and sniff.

"O-okay." Cross my legs into a pretzel, face Ryoga. "I dream that I see Ranma dead, and I can't save him. And in most instances, it seems like I'm the one who killed him."

Ryoga looks at me. I can't read his expression. It looks empty; maybe a bit sad.

"His eyes turn to black and he usually has blood running down his body." I shiver at the thought and curl up into a ball. We sit in silence for a long time. I don't count how long it is.

"Are you okay, Akane?" Ryoga asks eventually.

"Definitely." I sniff and burrow my face in my knees. My skin smells like lavender and salt. I scoot over to his side and press my head on his shoulder quite hard. "I don't need you to hold me at all. Nope, nada." He raises his arm to rest over my shoulders. He's so warm… "Thanks, Ryoga." I drift off and I feel like I'm falling. Falling… falling… I hit something.. It's soft, and warm.

"Akane!" A gentle voice disrupts my slumber and pokes at my subconscious.

"Whaa..?" I grumble and open my eyes. Something's wrapped around me. A blanket? I'm suddenly aware that this warm blanket type thing is actually Ryoga. "Ryoga. What are you doing?" A hint of perversion strikes my mind and I push it away. Ryoga wouldn't be… WOULD HE?!

"Oh, sorry. You started shivering in your sleep. At least you weren't screaming, I guess," He sighs and tenderly places me on the floor. "You're better now?"
"Y-yeah. Let's get some food! I'm already starved!" I yip and instantly, I'm racing down the hall. I come down the steps and notice that everyone else is in the dining room already. They look puzzled about something.

"Should we tell her?" Kasumi wonders and gives her father a glance.

"Tell me what?" I prance into the room and pick up a full plate of rice omelet and pickles. Father looks between Nabiki and Kasumi, as if the answer is written on their faces. He sighs, and looks down at his lap. Ryoga follows me and sits down next to Nabiki.

"Akane," Nabiki starts. I shift my stare from my father to her, and she instantly stops, looks at her open hands that rest in her lap.

"Akane," Kasumi leans forward on the table. "Mr. Saotome called last night."

Ahuehuehuehue. Don't you just love cliff hangers? I'm sorry, but they're more intriguing. Stay tuned!