…
"Just do it already."
"I can't! She will hit me!"
"Hit you? Ramna she doesn't hit people…"
"She's done it before." I snapped, instantly regretting my loss of control the moment after, "Kasumi I-"
"She's coming!" Nabiki gasped pushing me to the middle of the hallway and pulling Kasumi behind a pillar.
Completely surprised by Nabiki's assault, I fell into Akane and knocked her to the floor. She fell with an irritated scream that I failed to notice due to my enragement at Nabiki.
"Nabiki what the hell ar-"
"Ramna…" Akane interrupted voice calm but with an edge that let you know she was indeed not happy. I twisted my body around to face her so fast everything went black for a moment.
"A-Akane! Funny seeing you here aha, um, I actually have a q-question!" I stammered blue eyes glued to my fingers as they poked together nervously. I could actually feel the sweat drip down my face as I attempted to ask Akane if she would accompany me to my old home. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't my idea. It was King Tendo's.
You see, the other day I had accidentally mentioned in the presence of King Tendo that I needed to return to my cottage in the forest. I had left something very important there. So important that I'm surprised I wasn't in a panic at this moment in time…
I braced myself for a hit that surprisingly never came, "A question?" She asked pulling herself up off the ground.
I stood for a moment, arms placed above my head for protection against her unnatural strength and when her words finally registered in my head I gawked; by now I would have been counting pretty gold stars.
She smiled at my reaction and continued, "Well out with it Ramna. I can't be standing here all day; Things to do, people to meet…"
She trailed off as I placed both hands on the back of my head, nervously playing with my black pig tail, "I, uh, your father has recommended that I ask you to accompany me on my two day trip. Well, a trip to my old home situated in the North Gate Forest that is."
Her arms crossed and a curious smile formed upon her lips, "Forty-eight hours away from this place? Sounds sublime, however…"
"However?" I questioned her, bothered by the strange glint in her dark eyes.
"I will only go if Master Hibiki joins us." She stated with a mischievous attitude.
"What? No! He will not be joining us on this trip!" I fumed, "Absolutely not."
"Oh, goodness Ramna. You aren't still jealous are you? It was one comment, he meant no harm." Akane teased, provoking me further.
I had only met the worthless swine a few nights ago at King Tendos one of many spontaneous parties and I already hate him to the core. Not because he acts so familiar with Akane, heavens no, but because he desperately needs an attitude check. The moment he was told of Akane's and my engagement he spent the rest of the night insulting me behind my back, flirting with Akane, and drinking every drop of vintage wine he could find.
But he couldn't just leave it at foul comments directed at me, rude innuendos toward my future bride, and wine stains all throughout the ball room and hallway, no. He had to get drunk of his ass and half way through the night challenge me to a pointless fight that I could have won with ease. Only I couldn't do anything to teach him a lesson because the moment he threw an unexpected punch in my direction and I positioned myself to block Akane had to be the heroine and come to his rescue. So the dramatic scene infamous Ryoga Hibiki created turned against me the moment Princess Akane pointed her accusing finger at me and told me not to pick fights with, and I quote, 'Poor, defenseless Ryoga'. Can you believe it? She actually had the nerve to blame ME for his ignorant actions…Unbelievable.
"Ha! That's gold, like I would be the least bit jealous of that fool." I scoffed.
"Well, none the less I will not accompany you on this trip without Master Hibiki." She is so insistent.
"Akane, when will you finally pull your head out of the clouds and see how awful of a person he is? He is the one responsible for starting that unnecessary scene the other night, not me!"
"Ramna just stop. You are not only embarrassing yourself, but now me in this childish conversation." Confused at that statement she countered with it was then that I finally noticed the few servants that had stopped what they had been doing and were watching our rather loud exchange. "My requirements stand. I will not join you until you agree to Master Hibiki coming along as well."
And with that, she walked away.
"Well genius that could have gone way better." Nabiki laughed as she and Kasumi came out from behind the pillar.
"What is it in that guy that's enough for her to even think of wanting to spend two days in such tight quarters with him?" I wondered out loud, "He has no charm, no good looks, and no intelligence… He is a walking disgrace to mankind!"
"Now Ramna I am quite sure that is not true. Master Hibiki is a fine man and I don't think it is very wise to speak so ill of him." Kasumi said in nearly a whisper. She is justifying him? Wow, she really is to kind for her own good.
"You're so jealous." Nabiki grinned, poking my cheek with her index finger.
"Stop that." I said icily, glaring at her. "And please, I'm really not the jealous type."
"Hm. We will see about that Ramna." And with that, Nabiki smiled and both she and Kasumi had left me in silence.
What's she up to now?
"Ramna! Move your ass; we don't have time to waste!"
Ryoga obnoxiously announced to me from across the court yard. I was fully prepared to go on this trip without Akane and her jerk for a friend but unfortunately, word got around from those few servants that had overheard our conversation and some baboon told King Tendo, who then proceeded to allow Akane her extra one. So here I go on this two day trip with my fiancé and the bastard whom I hate.
If my father could see me now…
"Ryoga do us all a grand favor a shut your mouth for once." I growled while mounting my steed, not in any mood whatsoever for his petty comments.
"Whoa, Ranma. I'm seriously beginning to question whether you actually like me or not." He claimed feigning hurt.
"End it you guys. I refuse to sit here and listen to you two bicker like toddlers for two days." Akane chimed in, clearly hiding a smile behind her fan.
I groaned in frustration. Kill me now.
"Are you four ready to go?" King Tendo asked with a smile. He simply loves the idea of Akane and I taking a trip together, however Akanes request for Ryoga put a massive damper on his wonderful plan. So in his attempt to make things work again he is sending Akane's childhood friend Moose along with us to 'Distract Ryoga'.
"All set, Master." Moose answered with a wide smile. He doesn't normally take trips away from the castle due to his unnatural eyes that cause him to be partially blind. But King Tendo insisted he go and who in their right mind would stand in front of a Kinglet and refuse his request! Besides, he had happily shared with me that it will be nice to get out of those large walls and explore new places, see new things, meet new people. This will be good for him, I think.
"That's exquisite. Be safe my children, Talos be with you all." He called to us as we departed from the castle.
"What are we leaving for anyway Master Ranma?" Moose had asked me.
"Something I need. Something I can't live without." I sighed, feeling ridiculous for leaving it behind.
"Sounds important." Ryoga said, looking at the horizon as if he couldn't care in the least bit.
"It is…" I admitted sheepishly.
"Did a girl give it to you?" Akane asked quietly. I looked to her and frowned. Her eyes were covered by her hair, hands clenching the horses' reins so tightly her knuckles were white, and her face was pale.
Turning away I replied, "No, a man I knew many years ago gave it to me."
"Your daddy?" Ryoga asked, making baby faces in the process.
"No, not my Daddy." I barked at him, "Look, it doesn't matter. I just need to find it… and never let it out of my sight again."
"What is it?" Akane asked, looking at me this time.
I hesitated. "A bracelet."
Ryoga rode up beside me and spat, "We are going on a two day journey for a bracelet? You're such a woman!"
"I am no such thing you damn cur! I am a man! A man!" I roared in furry as I punched him off his horse and he hit the ground with a loud noise.
"Ranma!" Akane howled, punching me and creating more pain than I'd ever felt.
Pretty stars…