Ranma ½ doesn't belong to me, it belongs to the great Rumiko Takahashi, if I did own do you think I'd be here right now?
-/-
Akane blinked open her eyes to see the canopy of trees above her and slivers of moonlight shined through the leaves, casting shadows on ground. She shifted uncomfortably as twigs and pebbles bit into her back. To her right was the lining of a forest and you could see the peaks of Heavens Mountains. To her left was a sparkling stream with different colored stones lit by the moon at the bottom of the water. She lay on her back on a carefully placed dirt path.
Well, it used to be a beautiful stone path but after years of travel and storms it had been reduced to dirt. Of course some of the stones remained and patches of grass pushed through the path.
Akane got up to sit on her knees. It was sick that Kimiko led her here of all places. It would be fine if she had taken her to the clearing. Technically that clearing is the center of their world where all the elements coincide peacefully to make a small paradise.
She got to her feet and looked around. Which way was the Wind Clan again? Force of habit Akane's hand went to her shoulder to readjust her bag but it wasn't there. Oh yeah, Ranma and the rest of them showed up, Kimiko took over and now . . . this.
Well, she might as well make herself comfortable. She couldn't step one foot in the Wind Clan without that treasure. Just like all the other Clans. She was just a flame that could drown by the water, stamped down by dirt, or blown out by a puff of wind. The treasures were like a protective shield around her.
But if she was without the certain treasure she weakened. For example, she was in the Ice Clan longer than she expected so obviously she became weaker. Until her survival instincts kicked in and her mother took over since she was stronger than Akane was. She hated resorting to that action but she had no choice. She had no control over it.
She truly was Princess Haine.
Earth Clan
"We have to go." Ranma said, making his way to the door. Ryouga and Ukyou had fallen asleep long ago. He had been arguing with the stubborn woman ever since you could hear a light drone of snoring from the two sleeping companions who, subconsciously, had cuddled up to each other.
"What's your hurry Ranma?" Ayumu asked calmly. She walked past him, she held herself like a true Lord. "You want tea?" she asked over her shoulder. Without waiting for an answer she called for Akari to prepare tea and peach buns.
"What's my hurry?" Ranma asked disbelieving, following Ayumu to the sitting room. Ranma had to increase his pace slightly; the woman truly was fast.
"Nothing is rushing you Ranma, didn't I tell you that Akane can't go anywhere without the Wind Clan's treasure?" Ayumu slid open the shoji door and sat down at the end of the finely polished table. It was a simple room that had a friendly at atmosphere. It had a wonderful view of the garden and in the corner sat a long bronze pot with sunflowers arranged in it. Butterflies came in from the open porch door and found any available cool place they could find. It was harvest season in the Earth Clan, then again, that was every other month. It was always a humid clan with warm days, cool nights, and it never snowed.
"No, I don't think I caught that." Ranma ground out.
"Oh," Akari came in with the tea and treats and set them down in front of her lady. She bowed before leaving. Ayumu picked up a peach bun and nibbled on it daintily. "Well now you know." Ayumu laughed and chomped down on the peach bun, losing that delicate flower quality.
Ranma snatched one of the treats and ate it in two bites. "Still think we should leave." He said between bites.
Ayumu slammed down the tea she had been sipping, startling Ranma. "Try to put yourself in my shoes Ranma. I have no family any more! Akari is a dear but we have no history. My husband died, my son is always gone, and my best friend has died! And I have to protect a grown girl like she is just babe! I have to protect Akane from this world and from herself!" Ayumu huffed to regain her breath and studied Ranma's astonished face. "She holds too many burdens that no one knows and understands . . . except for me."
Ranma straightened his back and stared at the woman deadpanned. "Try to put yourself in my shoes, Lady Ayumu. I've known Akane for years yet have never known her. I'm so close to finding out who she is and people keep snatching that away. Please, you're the closest thing I've come to figuring out the truth. You know the most from what I've heard from you just now. So . . ." Ranma took in a deep breath. "Please."
Ayumu had to suppress the look of pure surprise and care. Never had she ever met someone like this that wanted to know so much about Akane, or Kimiko. Of course for Kimiko there was her, and Soun cared slightly. But she hadn't heard of anyone so interested in Akane. Kimiko and Ayumu became best friends but what could this lead to for Ranma and Akane. Was it going to turn out good or bad?
"Lets start with this," Ayumu cleared her throat. "Have you ever heard the folklore of the Princess Haine?"
This was an unexpected turn of events. Ranma blinked and shook his head. He actually wasn't told any sort of tales when he was younger. His father thought it was a waste of time and trained him instead, saying he would benefit more from fighting than some silly girly stories. That was also when his father drilled into his brain that females couldn't fight. All they were good for was cooking the husband's meals, cleaning after them and producing strong, healthy male heirs.
Obviously that was a lie.
"Obviously," Ayumu sighed. Ranma jerked, was he really that predictable? "It's a story Kimiko made up to soothe the children of her small village. It was a difficult time for the Fire Clan and suicide rates were higher than they ever were. Everyone was convinced that they were worthless firebreathers. Firebreathers is the worst name a Fire Clan member can be called. Killings and gangs, thieves and brothels. Hell broke loose and no one was strong enough to stop it.
"But Kimiko had her own strength, she didn't fall under the influence of the cruel names and twisted world. She had the strength to change the future generation: the children. She made up a story to calm their fears and make them believe they can do anything. She called it – The Story of Princess Haine."
Once upon a time,
There lived a king and a queen. They longed for a daughter so she could someday rule the kingdom but they had no such luck. They tried many times but all times were unsuccessful. On the kings 30th birthday a witch came to him. She said that for his present she would give them a beautiful baby girl that will be strong and kind and warm. This all sounded wonderful to the king and queen so they agreed.
When the day of the child's arrival the king and queen found that the baby girl was made of flames. The witch appeared in a puff of smoke and laughed evilly. The king said that she tricked them and she responded that she did no such thing. A flame was beautiful and strong. A flame is also kind and warm. Then she disappeared again.
The king and queen looked at each other and decided to love this child with all their hearts despite what she is. She would be called Princess Haine.
The king and queen loved the child and helped her grow up despite her being made of flames. Everyone wanted to be her friend but she always burned them. To protect his daughter the king ordered his magician to seal away the princess and only when she is called upon should she come.
So every time you light a candle or start a campfire Princess Haine is always there. She is laughing and crying and dancing and playing because she is so happy that someone isn't afraid of her. She is happy that someone finally called her because that shows that they care.
"That is the story of Princess Haine." Ayumu said.
Ranma sighed and ran his fingers through his mussed bangs. Ever since he started this journey he has been sighing a lot. Who knew growing up could be so hard. "That sure is deep."
"Of course, I forgot a few things that are important to the story. It has been so long since I've told it to anyone." Ayumu took another sip of her cold tea.
"That still doesn't answer my questions. Who is Kimiko really? How did Soun kill her? What is the secret behind the long hair? What is going on here?"
Ayumu looked at him sympathetically. "I would love to tell you Ranma but I took an oath that I would not give away their secrets." Ranma's face fell. "But all I can tell you is that Kimiko was a thief for good reasons, nothing more. A kind woman who always put other before herself. Soun killed Kimiko, plain and simple, I'm not going to sugar coat it for anyone. And let me just say that if you don't want to burn you must stay clear of the fire before it burns you." Ayumu downed the last of the contents of her tea and checked the water clock. "It's a new day, why not get some rest?"
She walked to the door and over her shoulder said, "Oh yes, if you could catch a star what would you do with it? Send it back to the sky or put it in a jar?" Ayumu smiled and walked out.
Ranma stared at the place she once sat for a while, hoping if he looked long enough it would give him the answers. He folded his arms over the table and used them as a pillow. "I hate riddles," he said under his breath before drifting off to sleep.
Dark Place
He walked down the cold stone steps that led to the dungeon. It smelt of rotting wood, a musky smell, and rat droppings. The only sound was the squeaking of rats, the steady drop of water from several leaks hat had yet to be fixed, and the rattling of chains from his two prisoners. His footsteps echoed, alerting them of his presence.
He stopped in front of Konatsu's cell. The male kunoichi was presently asleep on the uncomfortable straw bed that was provided. Unsure of how to wake him without opening the cell door, he could be plotting his escape for all he knew, he took a slab of rock and hit the attractive boy with it.
The rock hit him at the base of his spine and he woke with a frightened yell. He burst up from the makeshift bed and looked around to see where the attacked had come from. His eyes landed on the man who was half concealed by the shadows standing on the other side of the bars.
"Oh, its just you. What do you want?" he asked, combing back his hair with his fingers.
"I have another task for you Konatsu."
Earth Clan
Ranma stood in front of a great pair of silver doors that had the pattern of a phoenix providing shelter for a great red dragon with its wings. He heard muffled voices coming from the other side and pressed his left ear against the door but it was too thick. He pushed against the great door and it opened with ease.
Inside was a plain room. It had two hallways facing each other on either side of the room and a fireplace was on the opposite side of the room from Ranma. He walked over to the fireplace and knelt down. He watched the fire flick and crackle. Its embers danced and the flames resembled a girl. It looked as if the flames were reaching out its hand to him.
The image became clearer and it was indeed a girl. A girl made of fire. She danced and played, kicking up the embers as she did so. She laughed and sang to him.
"Which way do I go?" he asked the girl.
She ceased her play and looked at him thoughtfully. She looked at both hallways then pointed to the one on the right. "He went that way."
He gave her a salute and left her so she could continue her merriment.
He ran down the hall she pointed in a great burst of speed that no human could match. He didn't know why he was so frantic; he just had to get there. He has to stop this madness once and for all.
He turned the final corner and saw him standing with his back to Ranma. In the center of the room was a prone Akane. Only her long hair provided cover for her naked body.
"Akane!" Ranma ran to her and cradled the limp girl in his arms. For the first time ever Akane's body was cold. "What have you done to her?" Ranma asked the man in outrage.
"This is my game Ranma. I make the rules, I can cheat, but you can't." He slowly turned around to face the two and . . .
Ranma was awoken from his nightmare by a smack to the head. He jumped and looked around in a rush. He sighed in relief. He wasn't in a dark room and a cold Akane wasn't in his arms. He was in the tearoom with a hot breakfast in front of him, Ayumu and Ukyou looking across the table at him strangely, and Ryouga who looked at him irritably.
"Ranma," Ryouga ground out. "You drooled all over the table dumbass!"
"What?"
"Ranma," Ukyou said, getting his attention. "You drool in your sleep."
"Yeah and it's disgusting." Ryouga said in distaste, taking his seat next to Ranma.
"At least I don't talk in my sleep." Ranma snapped at Ryouga. He cleared his throat and did his best Ryouga impression he could. "Oh, Ukyou, why do you like that stupid Ranma so much. We've been friends way longer, you should love me not that wretched Saotome! Akane, my sweet Akane, why have you changed? What happened to my fiery princess that I loved when we were just kids! I don't know which girl to love!" Ranma finished with a defeated sigh and banged his head on the table.
Ayumu giggled while Ryouga and Ukyou's faces turned redder than Ranma's patched up old Chinese shirt. "Die Ranma!" Ryouga aimed a punch at Ranma but he dodged it. Ranma sprang up and took off into the garden, Ryouga following him.
Ayumu patted Ukyou on the shoulder in a motherly manner and with a shrug said, "Boys, can't live with them, can't live without them."
The two women watched on in amusement as Ryouga and Ranma fought in the garden. "If you crush my lilacs you boys are dead, you here me?" Ayumu called from the porch.
"Lady Ayumu," Akari walked into the room, the first thing she noticed was the fight then it switched back over to Ayumu. "You have a visitor."
"Send them in please."
Akari bowed her head and set off.
"Hello?" A woman about Ayumu's age walked in carrying a woven basket and wore a straw hat. Her cotton yukata was dirty from work and her pale skin was red from the sun. A few stray pieces of curly hair could be seen and Ranma recognized the voice.
"Its you."
Akane ~
Akane retraced her steps back to Ayumu's house. She was tired of waiting and wanted to just get this whole thing over with. Akane chuckled, she thought of this situation so casually like it was simply a tedious chore. Well, it basically was but that was beside the point. While she waited she considered the idea of just going home to the Fire Clan. But, of course, she dismissed it.
It was a good thing she wasn't too far away. She couldn't sleep all night and by sunrise she was already making her way to the Earth Clan.
Akane slipped into the window she escaped from and tried to make as little noise as possible. "Where could you have gone?" she whispered aloud.
Akane was distracted momentarily by the sound of angry shouts and battle cries. She was half tempted to go and look but decided against it when she found her satchel in the closet. It was much lighter than when she first started, with only one item remaining. Not forgetting, she took the brooch she was wearing and dropped it in next to the pocket watch.
She slung the bag over her shoulder and put a foot on the windowpane, about to make her exit when she heard a familiar voice at the entrance hall. It was one of those voices you heard before but hadn't heard enough to put a face to it.
Stealthily she slipped out of the room and as close to the front door as she possibly could without being noticed.
"Ah, Kyoko-San, so nice to see you again."
That was definitely Akari's voice.
"Yes, it has been a long time hasn't it?" That voice had a rich, soothing quality to it. It was gentle but firm and for some reason it reminded Akane of silk.
"I'm guessing you're here to Lady Ayumu, am I correct?"
"That is right."
Akane closed her eyes and smiled. She inhaled deeply. She couldn't get over that voice. It was like a mist washing over you or steam from a bath.
"Let me go announce your arrival."
Next was the sound of retreating footsteps. Akari soon came back saying that her lady has sent for her. Akane followed behind them and she could have sworn that Kyoko woman looked over her shoulder multiple times and smiled.
When they got to the room Akane noticed that Ukyou was still there and Ranma and Ryouga were fighting over a pond.
"Hello?"
A look of recognition crossed Ranma's features. He landed on a rock that was around the koi pond and said, "It's you."
With his guard down Ryouga took that as an opportunity to knock Ranma off his perch and into the pond.
Akane was about to rush over to him to make sure that he was all right when a red head resurfaced from the water instead of the black haired martial artist. Akane was frozen in place. Unable to move or comprehend what just happened.
All those years ago, he had betrayed her and made her cry. Yet he had still gone against her.
Akane couldn't believe this, she didn't want to believe this, but the evidence was right there in front of her.
What will she do? Run away? Punch him? Scream at him?
With her mind made up and determined she stalked out of her hiding place and over to Ranma with murder in her eyes. Her battle aura flared and her mouth was twisted in a scowl.
She decided to do all of the above: punch him, scream at him, and then run like hell.
Akane cracked her knuckled. This was going to be fun.
-/-
A/N: Hope you like it and I'm hoping that I'll be getting to the Wind Clan next chapter. I'm going to reveal everything when the end comes which is very close. I hope I'm not boring you guys. Sorry for the lameness and shortness. Review!