13. WORRY FOR THE SICK , FEAR THE SILENT …
Peaceful.
That's the word that came to mind when one watched the garden for a moment.
It was quiet, almost void of sounds, the exception being the birds' chirps.
The feeling someone got, when admiring that garden, was : serenity.
And that's exactly the way the long-haired female felt as she gazed at that calm landscape. She felt serene, at peace, and wished that life were more often that way, instead of hectic, stressful, demanding in various manners.
She was herself a peaceful woman and therefore somehow felt in unison with her surroundings, all the more since the house itself was very quiet.
Her loneliness came to an end when the sort-haired female showed up and sat by the other's side.
"It's beautiful, isn't it ? Those yellow and red leaves ? And that deep quietness, isn't it mesmerizing ?" said the first one.
"Yes, as you say. 'Mesmerizing' is a good word to describe it, since there's something… hypnotic about that deep tranquillity. It's unusual to have nothing going on here…"
Then they went silent, taking the time to appreciate that peacefulness, with only the birds chirps and some distant motor sounds. They absorbed the harmony that sprang from the calm garden and helped revitalize themselves.
Others would have found that quietness boring, since it was by nature uneventful, but both girls didn't. They enjoyed it greatly, on the contrary, all the more since their lives had been hectic lately... well, not that recently, but still not that long ago either.
Then the long-haired one thought about something, and that destabilized the inner balance she was feeling while relishing the current tranquillity.
Concern had stealthily sneaked into her heart and mind.
"Do you think… do you think they have arrived yet ?" she asked.
"I'm not sure. It depends on several parameters, notably traffic conditions – whatever the mean of transportation chosen – , weather, schedules… and imponderables, of course !"
"Imponderables ?"
"Unexpected events, twists of fate… anything we hadn't planned, anticipated, thought about. Basically, the incidents of life. Coz in a journey, anything can possibly happen…"
"Ah, I see. You always come up with such words… but I find it very interesting. You're more learned than us all."
The short-haired girl shrugged.
"Thanks, yet it's no big deal, really. But yeah, I also wonder if they have arrived over there, and I dearly hope they're in good condition : neither sick nor hurt or depressed… or anything else. I hope the best for them."
"So do I…"
They remained silent for another moment, until footsteps became audible and got closer.
The two men entered the room and went to sit by the women, all now facing the garden.
"Hello Dad, Uncle Genma !" greeted the long-haired female.
"Hello Kasumi, Nabiki !" replied Saotome Senior. "How are you doing today ?"
"Pretty good, actually ! What about you two ?" replied Nabiki.
"Yes, pretty good as well. We've been sparring, for a change. Enough shogi games lately ! And we'll become all rusty if we don't train every now and then, right Saotome ?" said Soun.
"As you say, Tendo !" replied the panda-man.
"As a matter of fact, right before your arrival, we were wondering whether our friends had reached China…" explained the second daughter. "What do you think ?"
There wasn't an immediate response, Soun caressing his chin, Genma observing the pond with his arms crossed.
"Father ?" gently asked Kasumi.
"Yes, I was… thinking about their trip, and of course I do hope it went well and that they have arrived or will arrive soon in China. In good health and condition, and with a positive mood. I wonder how their journey through Japan went. We have never made a long journey, it's the first time our children live for a lasting trip and will be absent for many days, so… I do wish their quest to turn our well and end up successful ! May Kami keep them safe !"
Having finished, Soun turned to his long-time friend, expecting him to add something.
The "four-eyed"* man noticed this and, uncrossing his arms, he cleared his throat.
*I once found out that "four-eyes" / "four-eyed person" refers to someone wearing glasses, which is funny, right ? …. Uh, no ? …. Really not ? …..XD
"I'm sure they'll manage. They're all skilled fighters, they'll defeat whoever annoys them and overcome all difficulties. I trust them. I only hope that my kids will get along better and not bicker all along the way, like they did here…"
"Your… kids ?" repeated the eldest sister.
"So you now consider Soraya as your daughter and one of your children ?" wanted to know the middle sister, clearly interested by the answer.
Genma sighed.
"I have to, I guess. I always had one child, but that child then acquired a new… let's say a new appearance. A new form. So that he's both male and female, the two genders cohabiting in the same body. It's as if I had a son and a daughter… at the same time. And now, the daughter is out and lives with a body of her own, making it really TWO kids, two distinct kids ! Since Soraya is technically part of Ranma, she's like one of my children too."
"Yes, that makes sense, Saotome, that makes sense…" admitted the Tendo patriarch, still caressing his chin thoughtfully.
Nabiki smiled.
"I'm glad you changed your mind and now accept Soraya as your daughter. And yes, I also… I mean, WE also hope, all of us, that those stubborn and cheeky siblings will learn to get along over time and get closer to each other… like real siblings are supposed to."
There was a lull in the conversation as the "reduced family" looked outside, some watching a leaf occasionally fall from its tree, some admiring the koi carps in the pond, some simply daydreaming, all enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of that autumn morning.
"I really hope they'll all be fine…" said Kasumi.
Nobody answered, but they all tacitly agreed, as all hoped the same…
(…)
Soraya was staring at the ceiling.
The sun wasn't out yet, it was early morning and there was that "grey" atmosphere of the dawn, when the light was only halfway through its increase, waiting for Helios to make everything shine to its fullest.
It wasn't very warm in the bedroom of the inn… and yet she felt warm.
A nice, pleasant, sweet warmth that radiated from her centre – her heart, she assumed, given her thoughts – and filling her body.
And in her stomach, she felt the same butterflies as the previous evening, even if they were no longer frenetic now… yet not calm either.
She licked her lips and tried to control her breath, which had got deeper and faster.
Her beautiful eyes closed… and she remembered…..
(flashback)
Soraya was overwhelmed : she found herself in the same situation as the previous evening, massaging all of Ryoga's back… sweating and blushing profusely… and of course fantasizing about a pectoral massage.
He moaned every now and then under her delicate touch, enjoying her ministrations, wanting more of them. And those moans made the red hue of her cheeks even deeper, close to crimson.
"Is it… is it ok ? Tell me if I… if I go too fast or too hard, and that I end up hurting you, alright ?" she asked, cursing her stutter, without interrupting her work.
He was slightly surprised, as she hadn't asked the same thing the last time.
"No, it's… just fine… mmmmh… Please go on… just the same… mmmmmh… I love it… mmmmh…"
"Thanks… and so do I !" she replied, feeling even hotter than before, notably because of his moans which resembled… an other type of moans...
But this time, after a while, he turned around and lay on his back.
"Ryoga ? What are you doing ?"
"Well, I think that I would need a chest massage as well, because, you know… those sore muscles in my back also go through the chest, on the other side, and that's why you should also massage me on the front of my body… if that's okay, with you, that is !"
Her fantasy was becoming real ! She couldn't believe it !
"Of…of course… with p-pleasure…" the redhead replied, licking her lips twice.
And there she was massaging his chest, his strong pecs… and feeling her temperature about to make her melt. She knew she was all flushed yet she didn't care : she was in love with him, and lovers do blush when they're doing something particularly exciting. It's but normal.
"Do you like it ?" Soraya asked, making an effort to keep her eyes attached to his as she continuously ran her delicate hands on his impressive chest, over and over and over…
"I love it. You're so good with your hands. Uh… for the massage, I mean. I'll never get tired of your caresses… I-I mean, massage !"
She gulped and licked her lips again.
"Actually… it's like a caress, in a way… I'm massaging the man I love, so… so it's both a massage AND a caress !"
She continued fondling his pecs in the most delicate and tender way, feeling the incredible warmth radiating from her body, and reaching down to her abdomen… or around that area…
Then Ryoga's arms reached for her and wrapped her back.
"Come down, my Love…" he whispered.
She hesitated but then he smiled sweetly at her and gently nodded, as if to say : 'you have nothing to fear, just trust me… you know you can, because I love and respect you'.
Encouraged by these tender signs, she moved from his legs, where she had been sitting, to his main body part, lowered herself on him and they soon got face to face.
With their faces extremely close.
They stared at each other for a long moment, their eyes locked in a passionate gaze.
His right hand rose and, landing on her cheek, began to gently caress it.
She soon did the same, caressing his and smiling lovingly at her boyfriend.
"And here's another proof you're good with your hands…" he told her with a wink.
She couldn't help giggling, but soon returned to her focused state.
Her lips parted…
…and…
"I LOVE YOU, Ryoga Hibiki !"
The three words ! She had said the three magical words !
The once Lost Boy felt no longer lost, but actually knew that he had on the contrary FOUND something, and something vital :
L O V E
And if he were to get lost again, it would be in her gorgeous blue eyes, in her lovely smile, in her warm heart.
"I LOVE YOU, Soraya… uh… Saotome ?"
Both couldn't help laughing.
"Yeah, I'm a Saotome indeed, since I'm Ranma's sister, or rather his female part. So yes, I'm Soraya Saotome ! And I love you so much, Ryoga !"
"I love you even more, Soraya !"
"Sorry, but that's not possible !" she claimed, snorting gently.
And both laughed again.
"How come we're joking so much now ?" he wondered.
"That's because we're happy and comfortable around each other. You don't joke when you're uneasy with others. Humor is a sign of happiness, of ease… a sign that you do appreciate the others around you."
He nodded with a serious look, then regained a tender expression.
"I badly wanna kiss you, my Red-Haired Queen…"
"Please do, my Black-Haired King…"
Her face lowered… and their lips met.
They kissed for long, long seconds, not wanting to stop, feeling their hearts overflowing with the purest bliss. They needed more, much more, and their lips were insatiable, willing to taste the other on and on and on.
It was only with reluctance that they finally parted.
"Waow, you're a natural* !" she panted, her eyes shining intensely.
*This is a line borrowed from "BROKEN CHAINS" (chapter 1), which Ranma-Chan tells Ryoga after they've kissed for the first time. Original credit goes to Hoyo476, whom I wholeheartedly thank for his story… and friendship ! :D
"So are you !" he replied, breathing just as fast.
"I love you and want to spend my life with you, Ryoga !"
"And I love you too, and want to stay with you forever, Soraya !"
But then his expression changed : he appeared suddenly uneasy.
"I must be honest with you, So : you know, what I told you about the muscles also going through the chest ? Well… I made it up ! Sorry, but I was craving for you to massage my chest, yet didn't dare to ask you straightforward, so I invented that to have you do it. I'm sorry, but I really wanted it and really felt too… uh, too shy to ask."
He watched her for a few seconds, feeling clearly sheepish.
But she quickly dispelled his unease with a loving grin.
"You don't have to feel bad about it. I'm not mad at you… and in fact, I'm rather happy : first, because you're being honest with me and telling me your real motivation, and second because you…"
Hesitation.
"Because you…?" he gently encouraged her.
"Because you wanted the same thing as me. Yes, I wanted to massage your chest…"
She had never been so red in her whole life.
"Well, I'm delighted you did, and thank you for letting me know. I appreciate. And I absolutely loved your massage… To me, they were more caresses than massage, to be honest."
"I'm glad you saw them that way… because they were caresses, actually…"
They looked at each other for long seconds, and then…
…they couldn't help it and resumed kissing feverishly, their tongues remaining in their mouths for this first time.
Their lips were continuously touching and touching, half-tenderly half-excitedly, and they felt they had never been happier.
After a while, the braided female slightly changed position… and noticed his stiffness ! She felt altogether surprised (although this was to be expected), happy, flattered and of course excited. Because that was one of the best proofs that he loved her… and desired her.
Yet they both knew it was too early to go that far : after all, they had just shared their first kisses…
At long last, they parted – still reluctantly –and the redhead said, in a sultry voice she didn't know she had… and that Ryoga had naturally never heard :
"Next time, we'll French-kiss ! We'll use our tongues ! But not now : we must leave some fun for the next session, okay ?"
And she winked sensually.
"Yeah, you're right ! Let's not go all out, or else we won't have any surprises left for the other times…" he admitted.
"Exactly."
She got back in sitting position, still straddling him… in fact, as if they were making love in the Amazon position, with her on top.
"So, Honey, how did you like that massage session, mmmh ?"
"Best massage ever ! In fact, YOU are the best, Darling ! And you kiss extremely well !"
"So do you, Lover Boy !"
He snorted at that and managed to get back in sitting position, keeping her in his lap.
His arms wrapped around her and hers around him.
"I'll do everything to make you happy, So !"
"Same here, Ryo !"
"I love you, my redhead…"
"I love you, my blackhead…"
After snorting again, he smiled affectionately at her and brought his face closer.
Her smile vanished and she did the same.
And very naturally, their lips found each other again, for renewed oral caresses…
(back to reality)
Revisiting all this in her memory, as if she was watching again some loving movie, was extremely pleasant and exciting, and Soraya knew that she was blushing in her bed.
That last evening had boosted her happiness, and she felt like going out, doing things, being energetic and all… and part of her would actually have shouted her love to the face of the world if it had been able to !
She felt that good, yes !
(…)
She was still happily humming when she returned from the shower…
…and then she froze and stopped humming, her eyes widening !
Ukyo was leaning over Akane, her hand on the Tendo's forehead, and the chef's expression was one of utter worry.
Soraya rushed to her friends, her happiness instantly gone.
"What's the matter, Ucchan ? What's wrong ?" she asked in a rushed voice.
"Akane is having fever. Even a raging fever, as her forehead is extremely hot. And she's not waking up. I tried gently, but she isn't reacting. I hope… I hope it's only a deep sleep."
The cook bit her lower lip, which was a worry gesture that she had rarely ever displayed… only when she was badly concerned about someone.
"What else could it be ?" innocently asked the redhead.
Ukyo hesitated to voice it, but her friend deserved the truth.
"A coma, Soraya. If she's not waking up, it could be either a deep sleep, which I hope, or a coma, which I dread."
After the fatal word was pronounced, both girls remained silent for a while, before the pigtailed female ventured another question.
"Do you think… do you think that it's related to the wound she got from that creature, on the boat ?"
"It certainly is, since Akane felt fine before and appeared somewhat tired afterwards. Perhaps that creature had on its beak some bacteria or some unknown substance - liquid or other – and that's what infected Akane. I hope there aren't any other symptoms, but right now, we must inform the boys and urgently look for a doctor."
Soraya nodded at the chef… and all of a sudden remembered her own happiness of the morning.
"And me who felt so blissful earlier… I hummed while showering and felt happier than I had ever been. And all this time, my poor Akane wasn't waking up and got a bad fever… Damn, when I think of it ! She was in a pretty poor condition and I was careless… while she suffered, I was… I was smiling and daydreaming… My God, I feel so bad… so ashamed of myself…"
Ukyo caught her by the shoulders and looked at her in a comforting way.
"No ! Don't blame yourself !You didn't know, Soraya ! You didn't know ! You don't have to feel bad, guilty, selfish or God knows what ! You had no way of guessing about her condition ! So please, don't put the blame on you ! You were happy because you had a pleasant moment with the man you love, yesterday evening, and it's natural to feel very good about that ! I didn't know either until I asked Akane if she felt alright, after seeing a frown on her face, and found out she was unresponsive. We didn't know, both of us, so we aren't to blame. Now we must keep our heads cool and focus on helping our dear friend, okay ?"
Soraya nodded twice and wiped her eyes, her heart still aching for the unconscious daughter of Soun, and she felt relieved that her father or sisters weren't there with them : they'd have got worried sick about Akane's sudden worsening state.
Gosh, they might even be wondering right now how we are doing… and hoping we're all fine…
Little did she know that it's exactly what the family had been wondering about and hoping, that same morning, kilometres away…
(…)
"WHAT ?! NONONO ! IT CAN'T BE TRUE !"
Ranma was quickly dressing.
"I must see her !" he exclaimed. "I must help her ! I can't let her suffer ! I can't let her DIE !"
As he was about to pass by his childhood friend, the latter put one of her hands on his chest and the other on his shoulder.
"Ran-Chan, nobody said she would die, ok ? She's only unconscious for the moment, so let's not assume or dread the worst, alright ? She could wake up any time."
The martial artist observed her for a few seconds, then sighed deeply.
"I have to see her !" he hurriedly said.
"Of course, Ran-Chan…" she replied, stepping aside to let him rush away.
When they arrived in the girls' room, the usually tough teenager was sitting on Akane's bed and holding his fiancée's hot hand, his other hand resting on the cold wet towel that had been put on her forehead.
"Akane ? Akane ? It's me, it's Ranma ! Can you hear me ? Akane, please wake up…"
But he was careful enough not to scream, and not even speak that loud. His tone, although worried, was calmer than expected, after his initial shout : it was the tone of a loving person, of someone who deeply cared for the one he was infatuated with.
Soraya observed her "brother" and felt unsettled by his behaviour.
It's… strange to see Ranma act that calmly, that kindly, that caring. Especially knowing how rough, mocking and cheeky he could easily get in the past. He has really matured, both physically and psychologically. I never thought he could become this caring over time…
"She's not waking up !" the poor boy said to his former fiancée.
"I know, Ran-Chan. We'll go to the hotel reception and ask them to call a doctor."
Ryoga kneeled by Ranma and put his hand on the pigtailed boy's back.
"I'm worried just as you, Ranma, but you have to be confident : Akane will make it through. She always has and hopefully always will. She'll be okay, you'll see !"
The young Saotome gave his former rival – and current friend - a cold look.
"You don't know if she will. You'd just say anything to comfort me, that's it. While YOUR girlfriend is fine and you both –"
"HEY ! Don't attack Ryo ! He was only trying to comfort you, okay ! And that's how you show him your gratitude !" Soraya vehemently cried out.
"Yeah right, but in the mean time, while my poor Akane is unconscious, you two had some nice time yesterday evening and that's not fair that WE don't get to be as happy as YOU TWO !" retorted Ranma.
"I felt very bad this morning, when I saw Akane !" protested the pigtailed girl. "I was happy a few minutes ago, and when I saw her unresponsive, with a strong fever, I immediately felt bad, I felt GUILTY, Ranma ! Ukyo told me I had no reason to feel that way, as it wasn't my fault and I couldn't know, but still, I felt pretty bad… and I still do ! So do you think I don't care ? Do you think I wouldn't want you and Akane to be happy as well ?"
Ryoga gently took her by the shoulders.
"Please, So, let me handle this, okay ? You mustn't get upset about this. I know you do, but you don't deserve feeling so bad. You haven't done anything wrong. Please, just sit on the bed and let me take care of it."
His look was clearly a pleading one, and that's what convinced her to let him do as he wanted to. So she somewhat reluctantly obeyed and sat on the bed.
The Ryoga took a deep breath and turned to the upset boy.
"Ranma, I didn't say it just to comfort you by any way. I said it because I thought it, sincerely. I do think that she'll be okay, because I know her by heart : she is a very strong nature, and I'm confident her organism will get the upper hand on that sickness or infection. Trust me, Ranma. I'm not saying it only to make you better, but because I'm sure of it. And you should be as well. And you will be happy together afterwards, believe me. That's what I want for you."
The anger was now deserting Ranma, deflating from his mind, replaced by… what was it exactly… gratitude ? Yes, a form of gratitude indeed.
"Okay, Ryoga. I believe you. And thanks for wishing us well. I…"
He briefly glanced at Soraya, who was still frowning at him, then back at his long-time rival… and now friend.
"We'll talk about this later, alri-"
But a contact on his right hand made him turn around to his beloved…
…because that contact was another hand !
Her hand.
"AKANE !" he screamed, staring intensely at her, squeezing her hand in his.
"Ran…ma…" she weakly whispered, her eyes only half open.
They all gathered around the bed of the poor girl.
"Akane, how are you feeling exactly ? Any pain ?" immediately asked their leader, taking things back in hand.
"Yes… on my…arm… the wound… and also… very hot… fever… can I get… water… please ?"
Soraya instantly brought her some and watched her drink with measured worry.
"Th… Thanks… better now… but so tired… so tired…"
"You need as much rest as possible. In the mean time, we'll call a doctor. I wanted to go earlier, but…" She quickly glanced at Ranma and Ryoga. "…we had a little… uh, conversation, and I'll go right now."
As she left, both boys felt thankful for their friend not to have used the word 'argument'… and they also felt ashamed of themselves.
(…)
A doctor had come to the hotel, examined the wounded female, diagnosed her, prescribed her some medicine and finally called an ambulance.
Once lying in a hospital bed, she had received the visit of a second doctor who, after another medical examination, had confirmed what had been diagnosed in the first place.
"You indeed have a bacterial infection, which triggered fever. I assume your friends already bought the medicine my colleague prescribed you, and that you took them. Yes ? Very good, you'll have to continue until the beginning of next week. I'm confident the infection should be fully eliminated by then. And of course, you need all the rest you can get. It will take a few days for you to be back in good condition, and a few more to feel definitely fine…"
"Thank you… Doctor…" she answered with a weak smile, before closing her eyes again.
"Just doing my job, you know…" he kindly answered.
After the doctor had left, Ranma squeezed his fiancée's hand in the sweetest manner, him who hadn't showed any tenderness signs for months, back in the days… He definitely had matured, also emotionally and psychologically.
"Hold on, Akane ! We'll get you out of this, okay ? I'll be by your side !"
"Yes, we'll all wait for you to feel better. That's the most important things right now !" confirmed Soraya with a confident smile.
Akane nodded slowly and sighed.
"Thanks, my friends… I'm sorry… I'm slowing down… our mission…"
"Don't say that, Akane !" instantly exclaimed Ukyo. "You don't have to apologize ! None of this is your fault ! You got hurt by accident and there's nothing you can do about an infection !"
"I know… but I can't help… feeling bad…"
"You mustn't, really !" Ryoga chimed in. "You mustn't blame yourself. The creature that attacked you is sole responsible. The mission is delayed because of that evil scum !"
"I wondered where they came from… and also why they attacked only us and not the other passengers…" confessed Soraya.
"So did I. Any idea, Ucchan ?" asked Ranma.
"I've also been giving it a thought, Ran-Chan, and I can see only one explanation : these creatures were sent to attack us… and possibly kill us ! And only us !"
"But who would…" started Ryoga, puzzled.
"Well, who are our enemies in this adventure ?" Ukyo asked, her sharp look turning at each in turn.
"Kay and Os !" exclaimed the red-haired female.
The brunette nodded.
"Those bastards !" spat the pigtailed boy as he balled his right fist. "They sent those… those things to kill us, and they almost got Akane ! They'll pay for that !" His fist opened and he gently took his beloved hand back into his. "I'll avenge you, Akane ! They'll regret hurting the woman I love !"
She slowly nictated at him, smiling with what little energy she had left in her.
"Thanks… Ranma…"
Then she remembered something.
"This morning… you were… arguing, right ?... Ukyo said… it was a… discussion… but it was… a quarrel… I know it… I could see it… in Ukyo's… expression… so please… don't get mad… at each other… you must… you must remain… united… solidary… and avoid… tensions… please…"
Ucchan walked to Ranma and whispered something in his ear.
He fixed his gaze on her, hesitant, even reluctant, it was obvious.
All she did was nod and look at him expectantly.
Then he muttered "right" in a low voice, sighed and turned to "SoRyo", the new couple of their team.
"Look, I… I shouldn't have talked like I did this morning, okay ? I was distraught and you only tried to comfort me the best you could, Ryoga. It was unfair from me, I don't know why the hell I reacted that way to you…"
The Boy with the Red Umbrella kindly smiled at his childhood rival-friend.
"Hey, no biggie, Man ! Can happen to anyone ! I got why you were so anxious and tense. I would get just as worried and maybe lose it if So was to get badly hurt or sick."
"Thanks, Darling !" the redhead told him, catching his arm and tenderly resting her head on his shoulder.
"And when I said you two had a nice time together yesterday evening…" continued Ranma "…I remember I said it on an ironic tone, probably because I found it unfair, knowing that Akane was getting worse during that time… and perhaps that I also felt jealous that you could things that Akane and me can't… but you totally have the right to do whatever you want when you're –"
"Okay okay okay, fine ! We all got it ! Now how about we talk about something else, eh ?" hurriedly said a reddening redhead.
Her "brother" couldn't resist and decided to tease her… but casually, "innocently".
"Oh, don't feel embarrassed, Sister ! There's no reason ! If you two want to -"
"DUDE, COME ON !" the deeply-red-faced female shouted, before remembering that Akane was supposed to get some rest…and also, that they were in a hospital, so she continued in a lower voice : "I-I mean… forget that topic, okay ? It's private after all ! And we didn't… do anything, so let's leave it at that !"
He innocently shrugged, smirking at her mad stare… and at her deep blush, of course !
Ukyo couldn't repress a chuckle.
"Come on, Ucchan ! I-It's not funny !" complained the braided girl.
"Sorry, Soraya…" apologized the chef, curling her lips to the inside to repress another chuckle.
(…)
The week passed by slowly.
Each day, they came to visit Akane, once in the morning, once in the evening.
The rest of the time, they visited Qingdao's neighbourhoods and discussed, with both "siblings" now getting along much better and rarely arguing.
Soraya kept recharging Ranma, but they all noticed that the time frame between two "recharges" had gotten somewhat shorter now…
"SoRyo" kept enjoying tender moments at night, and even though his back no longer hurt now, she kept massaging it… yet without the ointment. But she preferred to massage his chest and abdomen, of course… and the lovers were kissing with more intensity now, using their tongues, feverishly planting kisses all over the other's neck and face, tenderly biting the other's lower lip, gently sucking each other's earlobe. They didn't want to go too far for the moment, but it was already pretty intense.
As for Akane, she was regaining strength, day after day. It turned out that she got affected by a second weakness that same week (you'll know which one later on in this chapter, dear readers…) and she was thankful to fate for making both coincide, as it allowed her to take all the bad at the same time and not one week after the other.
Also, since Akane's food, in her backpack, was of no use, given that she was eating the hospital's menus, her friends decided to share her stuff between the four of them, so that they wouldn't lose that precious food, which otherwise would have ended up spoiled, either mouldy or rotten.
The rest of the time, they bought bread and whatever else they wanted to prepare some sandwiches, so as to avoid purchasing more expensive food from the local convenience store… and of course, the restaurant was out of the question ! But Ukyo suggested that they could make an exception on the day of Akane's discharge from the hospital, to celebrate her return in their group, and "SoRyo" as well as Ranma enthusiastically agreed to that proposal.
The day finally came – although Akane had to remain two more days longer than planned - and they indeed rejoiced at her return, Ranma being naturally the happiest of all… and hugging her tightly for the occasion. Something that surprised all of them, including the Black Pigtail himself : after all, he had almost never been tender with her, rarely ever displaying loving gestures to his official fiancée back in the days… rather spending the time bickering with her as often as could be, and pushing her buttons more often than not.
Needless insist on the fact that Akane found herself on cloud 9 when he took her into his arms…
That evening, they enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant, one that wasn't even that costly, and decided to take a stroll after dinner.
Akane was hesitant at sharing something personal about her, yet she decided that she owed them the truth, after they had been waiting for her for more than a week !
"You know, guys, I was after all relieved that this infection got me this precise week, because I would anyway have been weaker for about six days, even if I had been in good shape otherwise. I wouldn't have felt well that week of the month, and I was at least glad that I got both weaknesses on the same week, rather than one week after the other…" she confessed.
When she heard 'that week of the month', Ukyo understood.
She ventured a glance at the others and wasn't surprised to see the boys absolutely clueless.
Soraya, on the other hand, appeared thoughtful, her hand holding her chin. That made the long-haired brunette smile, as she knew the petite girl might guess.
"Sorry, I don't get it… Both weaknesses ? One is the infection, but the other…?" Ranma wondered.
"Yeah, I don't think I caught your drift either…" conceded Ryoga, scratching his head.
Ukyo's eyes left them and returned on the redhead, who noticed her glance.
"You figured out ?" asked the cook.
"Well, I think I did…" replied the Red Pigtail, and turning to Akane : "You said 'that week of the month'… You referred to our monthly burden ?"
"Yes. I got it this week, and that's why I felt weaker that week : because two things were sapping my strength. And as I said, I'm relieved I got them together rather than separately !" answered the youngest daughter of the family.
"The monthly burden…?" repeated a perplexed Ryoga.
"Hum, I think they're talking about… uh…" and Ranma leaned to whisper the end in Ryoga's ear.
The pig-boy instantly goggled and, after a silent moment, his cheeks changed colour.
"Oh… that…! ...Okay… yeah, I… I get it…" he awkwardly said, playing uneasily with his fingers.
"And you, Ukyo ?" asked her former fiancé, before putting a hand over his mouth. "Sorry, I didn't mean to…! I didn't say anything !"
But the clever girl had already guessed.
"It's ok, Ran-Chan. I don't mind, really. You meant my own monthly burden, right ? It ended on the day of the cruise…"
"But you fought pretty fiercely against those monsters ! You were full of energy, that day !" objected Soraya.
"I know…" replied Ucchan. "I guess it was already over when those creatures showed up, so that I wasn't affected during the fight and could give everything I had !"
The fiancé nodded then turned to the fiancée.
"So now… you feel much better, right ? Completely well or still a bit weak ?" asked Saotome Junior as he caught Akane's hands in his.
"Almost completely well, I would say. I'm glad that these two things are behind me… behind us ! Now we can move forward !"
They all smiled at her, Ukyo nodded knowingly.
Yes, it was definitely time to leave Qingdao and head west… in direction of the distant province of Qinghai, where Bayan Har mountain range, Jusenkyo springs, Mount Nettōhen, the Temple of Dawn were waiting… and hopefully the remedy to Ranma's curse.
(…)
The next day, Akane realized that her friends didn't just hang around during that week of waiting : they had made sure that all their dirty laundry had been washed, dried and ironed and had made sure to buy a certain amount of dry food for the journey, stuff that wouldn't turn and thus become inedible… and they had even written a letter for the Tendos and Genma !
In that letter, they explained that their trip had been pretty hectic, with various twists and turns that they would detail once back home. They also indicated that they had just arrived to China and that things were fine for their little team.
"You wrote it during my recovery… and yet you say that it was fine for us..." Akane pointed out as she lifted her eyes from the paper. "I understand why you left my issue out : to avoid worrying them. Thank you very much for being so cautious and caring. And sorry for making you all anxious."
"Don't feel sorry. Nothing is your fault. You're with us, and it's all that matters now !" gently replied the Spatula Girl, putting her hand on Akane's shoulder.
"And you're much better now, almost back to the top !" sweetly reacted the Black Pigtail, hugging her.
"We worried for you because we love you dearly. It's normal, and you don't have to apologize !" nicely added the Red Pigtail.
"And we'll always have your back, no matter what ! We'll always have everyone's back in our little group !" concluded the Bandana Boy.
The short-black-haired girl beamed at them.
"I'm really lucky to have such amazing friends as you !" the karate fighter gratefully answered.
They sent the letter on their way to the station, and once they arrived there, Ukyo opened the map she kept in her backpack and all took a good look.
"So we must take a train for Zhengzhou, which will be the first major step in our Chinese trip. Then onward to Xi'an, then Baoji and Lanzhou. From there, we'll go to Xining… and that's where we'll leave the trunk roads, since there are no more large cities after, as you can see…"
Indeed, there no longer were large names on the map in that area, indicating that the last leg would be outside of the urban areas… in the country !
The team leader continued :
"I think we can go up to Xian de Huangyuan and then turn off to the south. We'll follow that path next to that long lake and head southeast, along that road there, until we arrive in Xian de Madoi, where we can rest and stock up on food and other items. Then we'll continue south, on that road there, up to Yixie Longwa. At this point, we'll be very close to Bayan Har mountain range, which is called Bayar Har Shan on the map, and is located northeast."
She raised her eyes on the map and looked intently at them, focusing their attention.
"There lie the Jusenkyo springs, behind which is located Mount Nettōhen… on top of which is built the Temple of Dawn. Our final destination."
A brief silence, then :
"Do you have any questions or remarks before we start travelling through China ?"
At first, no reaction… and then :
"I hope we will succeed… I dearly hope we can cure you, Brother !" said the redhead while looking at her male counterpart.
"Thanks, Sister ! Yes, may the odds be in our favour ! And for good luck…"
He stretched his arm and positioned his hand horizontally, palm down, right in the middle of their group.
They understood and started laying their hand on top of Ranma's : Akane first, then Soraya, Ryoga after and finally Ukyo, whose hand was on top. Logically, in a way, since she was the leader of their little company.
"May our mission be successful !" declared the heir of the Saotome techniques.
"May Kami protect us during our mission, and may we all come back home safe !" concluded the chef.
(…)
There were no direct trains from Qingdao to Zhengzhou, so they had to buy tickets from Qingdao to Rizhao, a coastal town of medium importance, where they would then purchase tickets to Zhengzhou.
They arrived to Rizhao in the early safternoon and had to hurry to the ticket counter, as the connecting train to Zhengzhou was leaving only 20 minutes later… and they made it just in time : no sooner had they entered one of the cars that the doors got closed and they started moving !
As the train was pretty crowded, the youth had to remain standing in the car… but since most of the people were elderly or middle-aged people, it didn't bother them that much. Respect your elders… unless they prove contemptible, of course.
That reminded them of an earlier episode of their journey, when Soraya and Ryoga had remained standing in another train… and she had to teach a lesson to a pair of pretty rude Japanese boys who, after refusing their seats to an elderly couple, had been trying to hit on the redhead in the most unsubtle way.
And since history repeats itself, as they say, a Chinese boy arrived from the neighbouring car and, seeing that he couldn't go any further, because of the Five standing in the alley of the car, he just also remained standing.
All dressed in black, he was tall and bulky, with a large dull face. His black hair fell over his forehead… but in a kinda weird fashion, as if it had been willingly combed that way. As if to conceal a scar, perhaps… or something else.
He gave an extended look at the five foreigners nearby, with their backpacks at their feet… but soon focused his eyes on Soraya.
He didn't pronounce a word, merely staring endlessly at her, and the fact that he never took his eyes off her, whenever she quickly glanced at him, began to make her feel angry at first…and then uneasy.
Because his gaze was expressionless, void of any feeling, emotion… as if humanity had deserted him and that he was indifferent to everything.
In fact, he insistently observed her as if she was… an object… or an insect…
…or even just a huge lump of meat, rather than an actual person with intelligence, feelings emotions.
Soraya wanted to shout out to him, asking him aloud what he wanted, for God's sake, but for some reason, the words were blocked in her throat.
Why can't I ? Why do I feel… paralyzed ?
Feeling powerless, her anger at first ready to burst, yet not bursting and replaced by discomfort, her free hand curled into a painful fist that wouldn't even raise, let alone hit that weirdo over there, the now anguished redhead managed to severe the bond of horrible fascination that bound her to him and turned around to Ryoga.
The latter was surprised, as he hadn't been paying much attention to that strange boy, rather focusing on the landscape outside, and partly also, from time to time, on the other passengers seated around them. And therefore, he hadn't noted his beloved's unease, so he got all the more surprised when she turned to him.
He immediately understood she didn't feel comfortable, her face giving away the anxiety that had built up inside her…
"So, what's the matter ?"
She hesitated and bit her lip so hard that she almost cut it, yet the pain somehow helped her regain her senses and a little bit of control over herself.
She ended up spitting it out :
"Ryo… I'm scared… I really am, this time…"
"But what's wrong ?!"
"That nutcase behind me… he's freaking me out !"
Ryoga looked behind her.
"Who ? That guy dressed in black, who's leaving the car ?"
She instantly about-faced, eyes open wide…
…and sure enough, that sick lunatic was walking right out of there, closing the door behind him.
But before continuing, he turned around and stared at her one last time, his expressionless, empty face unnerving her for the last time…
…or so she thought, at least.
And then he was gone.
Ryoga had seen his stare only once… but it made an unpleasant impression on him.
"Damn… he didn't seem right in his mind ! And what… what did he do ? Did he make an obscene gesture ?" he asked her.
"No, he just… he just kept staring at me ! But his eyes… his look… it didn't seem alive ! It seemed… empty ! Void of any emotion ! As if he wasn't human, or not completely !"
He could hardly believe her.
"That much ? Really ?"
"Yes, really !"
He pondered the issue, but in the mean time, the others had seen that something wasn't right, and Ukyo walked over to Soraya to ask her what the problem was.
After listening to her summary, the long-haired brunette got thoughtful.
"That man did creep you out, I can tell… but him being non-human ? Maybe he suffered from autism or some other disorder…"
The braided female swallowed her saliva.
"I don't know but… well, I'm not easily impressed or frightened, yet that guy really –"
The deceleration of the train distracted her and left her sentence incomplete (and anyway, Ukyo had easily got what her friend meant).
"We're already in Zheng… Zheng…?" Soraya tried to recall the exact name… yet in vain.
"Zhengzhou. And no, we can't already be there. I'd bet it's Jining, the largest city between Rizhao and Zhengzhou." replied the Map Holder, who remembered the first stations of their Chinese trip.
And as the train rapidly lost speed, a sign soon confirmed them that they were indeed stopping in Jining.
"I wish that weirdo would get off the train here…" hoped Soraya.
"Calm down, Love. I'm here to protect you if anything happens." Ryoga comforted her.
"Thanks, Deary !" she replied with a smile, feeling a bit strange that she was already using such loving nicknames…
"Look !" exclaimed Akane, stretching her arm towards the window. "Isn't it that guy there ?"
And sure as hell, said weirdo was now walking on the platform, passing by the car he previously was in.
"Yeah, it's that creep ! Gosh I'm so relieved he left the train !" the redhead said with a deep long sigh.
But the boy's walk slowed down a lot as he arrived at the window the others were watching him from… so much that it had become almost slow motion now.
He glanced inside… straight at Soraya !
The same empty stare…
Unexpectedly, breeze blew by and lifted his hair for a short moment…
…uncovering something on the boy's forehead.
But before they could try to make out that thing, his hair had fallen back down and he went past the window, his pace now increasing back to normal.
"What… what did he have on his forehead ?" asked Akane, feeling slightly uneasy.
"It was like a spot… or maybe a tattoo, I don't know…" replied Ranma.
"I'm not sure, but I think it was red… or pink… or maybe purple, I couldn't really see…" Ryoga remarked.
Soraya was watching in the direction he had disappeared and felt a wave of relief overwhelm her.
Finally he's gone…
But she wouldn't have felt so relieved if she had been able to follow that guy, and see him quickly whisper something in the ear of another all-black-clad teenager, who listened but didn't nod or utter anything, yet simply turned around, almost mechanically, like some robot, and climbed into the train…
…before starting in direction of The Five…
(…)
(…)
So this is a transitional chapter, as some of you might have understood. A lot has been happening since they left Nerima, and it was a good thing that they could rest a bit. It's a kind of breather, just like the visit to Hiroshima graveyard.
The "SoRyo" relationship is developing gradually, as the two become closer and closer, and while I don't intend to put graphic scenes, I think they will have two or three additional arousing moments in this story. I love the way this couple is cementing their love.
The part where Akane is healing in the hospital reminded me of the episode "AKANE GOES TO THE HOSPITAL" (a favourite for many fans, I found out), but I wasn't influenced by it when I imagined that part. I wrote it, and it's only afterwards that I remembered about said episode. The funny coincidence is that it's her again who is in the hospital… although Ryoga also was, not so long ago.
And that ending… with those young boys dressed in black… and that mysterious spot of colour on one's forehead… and the vacant stare of the boy, who appears barely human… pretty disturbing, right ? Perhaps you have an idea about them, mmmmh ? ;)
Oh, and regarding the itinerary described, from Qingdao to Bayan Har mountain range, it is scrupulously based on reality : I've been checking on China's map for the accurate route, and all those places do exist for good. And same goes (or went ;) ) for the Japanese part : I had indeed looked carefully on Japan's map to get the precise names of the cities they would travel through, so nothing here is invented (contrary to some character names – Hayao, Isao – and places – Mount Nettōhen). I wanted the journey to have a real basis, to be rooted in actual places.
As always, my gratitude goes to the supporters of this fiction, and if my good friend Hoyo476 is reading this, I hereby give him a shoutout.
Time to make the most of my holiday – 9 days of break, YAY ! I will try to continue writing regularly, as I have been these past weeks and months, and to update this story as often as time allows me to.
You know how it ends, right ? Take good care of you (taKare, as I say), be as happy as you can !
I hope life is good for you, dear readers !
Catch you round next corner, and till then, BE SAFE AND HAPPY !
…. Léo ….