Ranma ½ is the property and invention of Rumiko Takahashi. The following story is not produced for any monetary or personal gain. Its sole purpose is to entertain using the characters and plots developed by Takahashi. ALL rights reserved

Shadows of the Land   Volume I :   The Journey to Aina

Chapter 5: Rings, Royalty and Destiny.

Ranma and Akane opened their eyes to find themselves facing a circle of huts When they looked behind, all they saw was a cliff similar to the one they had passed through. They looked at each other, sharing bewildered glances.

The old man looked at them and laughed. "Magic can do many things," he said smilingly.

A man and a woman who both looked in their thirties came out of one of the huts to greet the old man. From another hut, a boy about the Juja’s age appeared. He ran up and pounced the old man while greeting a hesitant Juja. Juja at first was afraid of the boy but then jumped down from Akane’s hands as she and the boy pursued a playful white rabbit that was intent on not being caught by its noisy pursuers. The old man spoke something unrecognisable to the man and woman, who disappeared into one of the huts.

"Come my friend," motioned the old man, "Let us have a seat, I’m not as young as I used to be and this infernal arthritis wreaks havoc on my old bones."

The three took their seats.

"Ahh… now, let me introduce myself. My name is Prince Hiyako, the son of Prince Hoya and this is my home," stated the old man proudly

Ranma and Akane stared at him with wild eyes, after all, its not every day you meet royalty.

"Oh don’t worry about the name, just call me Hiyako."

"How did you do that with the mountain?" stammered Ranma still a bit apprehensive.

"Oh that, my father used to know some magic and put up that barrier when I was very young. He showed me how to maintain it and some of the magic too...but enough about me, where do you come from, and how can you do all those moves." Asked Hiyako while trying to imitate what he saw Ranma do. He failed miserably but he managed to draw smiles from both Ranma and Akane.

Despite being so old, Hiyako had the curiosity of a child. Ranma told him their story from the castle to the time when they met him. Hiyako eyed him curiously, "So you are not from here! Then you must be my guests for awhile, it is the least I can do for someone who has saved my life."

"We would be honoured Prince Hiyako," answered Ranma, showing respect for Hiyako and some more of Cologne’s tutelage.

Hiyako laughed this off. "I am not a Prince, I have renounced that title, but my grandson. He is another matter. He has the markings of a good leader, yes, a good leader... Unfortunately, I do not have the power or ability to battle my cousin to give Hiro what is rightfully his. But that is another story."

Hiyako’s daughter then served a sumptuous lunch to the famished trio of Ranma, Akane and Juja. The days of Akane leering at Ranma while he ate were gone. Ranma ate at least presentably now. Constant rebuff by Akane had at least taught him some table manners.

After dinner, Ranma took Akane a little way from the huts and they began their sparring, if you could call it that, again. The object of the sparring session was for Akane to at least touch Ranma. Of course that rarely if ever occurred. Ranma was just too quick. Juja had gone off playing with Hiro, Hiyako’s grandson.

Akane faced off against Ranma again. That cocky, arrogant smile plastered across his face. She had started to employ the tactics Ranma had taught her. He had encouraged her to use her superhuman strength, as he put it, to attack face on. And that’s exactly what she did.

Akane rushed Ranma releasing a flurry of punches and kicks wherever she saw his figure darting around her. He dodged every one of them, then she had managed to almost get him, she felt the fabric of his clothes touch one of her fingers. That was all it was, but it was enough to get her to celebrate. Unfortunately, she lowered her guard. One second later, Akane found herself once again kissing the dirt.

"Aw c’mon Ranma, you’ve gotta concentrate," cautioned Ranma.

Akane got up and prepared herself to attack. This time she could feel Ranma blocking her blows instead of dodging them. To her, it was exhilarating sparring with Ranma. She knew that she could not really hurt him and he would never strike her. This just served to encourage her to try anything she could think of against him.

Hiyako watched the two in awe. He could hardly see Akane’s attacks, but even greater surprise waited with Ranma. He only saw his movements as blurs. Hiyako could barely make out which way the sparring session was going. He had had no training in the martial arts and to him the two seemed to be duking it out. However, neither showed any signs of blows connecting. To Hiyako this all seemed like an elaborate acrobatic show. He marvelled at how these two young people could develop this sort of skill.

Although Hiyako had no training in martial arts, his father had taught him some magic including ki reading. His father always told him that you could tell how powerful a person was by the strength of their auras. Hiyako noticed the auras forming around Ranma and Akane. He had seen auras before, everyone had an aura, some greater than others but something was different to theirs. Usually auras repel each other allowing the bearers to attack the other person with it but the effect of Ranma and Akane’s battle auras was completely different. Instead of repelling each other, the auras were condensing into each other creating one huge aura around Ranma and Akane.

"STOP!" shouted Hiyako.

Ranma and Akane were startled at the request. However, Akane recovered quickly and managed to tag Ranma whose guard was down.

"Hey, no fair!"

"How do you do that!" exclaimed Hiyako.

"Do what?" asked Ranma.

"Your auras, they were merging!"

"Nani?"

"How can that be?" stammered Ranma.

Hiyako looked at them and smiled. "I can’t tell you that, you will have to find that out on your own."

Hiyako knew that there is only one way that ki transfer could happen. His father had told him that in olden days, when ki masters became married, they transferred some of their ki into their spouses. That allowed them to use their spouses’ ki to boost theirs, but more importantly it allowed them to keep an intimate bond with their spouses. This bond could warn the ki master if his spouse was in danger. To become a master of one’s ki took incredible self-control, discipline and skill, but to perform a ki exchange, that was near impossible. His father had known someone who had tried it once and ended up in a coma for a year.

He was not sure if Ranma and Akane were married, they looked a bit young, but if they were bonded by that ancient technique. Something was very unique about them. Were they the ones he had been waiting for? He was tempted to say something to them but he knew it was not his place to tell them.

Akane and Ranma were puzzled for a minute but then started training again as Hiyako left them.

Hiyako had also noticed the magical aura of the Jusenkyou springs around Ranma, but he would have some fun with that later.

Ranma and Akane continued training well into the day, their thoughts focused on Gora and the boy who had attacked them. Who was he and what did he want? More importantly, how did he know them? These were the questions circling in their minds as Ranma continued to train Akane.

Hiyako called the two as supper was ready. They both ate heartily as the training had magnified their appetites. Ranma showed some measure of manners at the table. Akane was proud that she had at least taught him that.

Hoya and Juja had fallen asleep and Sharum, Hiyako’s daughter had carried them off to bed.

After supper Hiyako called Ranma and Akane to him. If they were ki linked, then this was the ideal present for them. He delicately took out a small wooden hand-carved box from his vestments. The box was delicately carved from soft camphor wood, giving it a gentle brown glow. A tender sweet fragrance came from the box that had a slight resemblance to the fragrance of newly opened cherry blossoms.

Hiyako opened the box and exhibited its contents to Ranma and Akane.

In the box, lay two golden identical rings. On the left side, a dragon emerged from behind the ring, on the right a phoenix. The faces of the mystical beasts and the front claws merged leaving a small space in the middle of the ring. The eyes of the beasts contained a ruby. A single, shining diamond occupied the space between the claws and the breasts of the beasts. The craftsmanship of the rings was exquisite. They seemingly glowed in the soft sunlight, capturing the full attention of their admirers. They were truly an exquisite work of art.

Hiyako handed one to Ranma.

"I…I cannot accept this," said Ranma.

"It is not yours to accept but to receive," replied Hiyako, "think of it as gift for saving my life."

"But…"

"No buts young man, I have a feeling that these rings will benefit you more, than it ever will me. Take them please."

Ranma took both rings out of the box, holding each one delicately. He tenderly held them in his right hand as he reached over for Akane’s left hand. She hesitantly allowed him to take her hand. Ranma looked at her then slowly, delicately slipped one ring on her finger. It seemed to fit her perfectly. Then he slipped the other onto his finger. It also fit him snugly.

"Now I had better tell you two about those rings."

Hiyako continued…

"Those rings are enchanted. They will fit any form you are in Akane. Also, because they are only made for those to whom they are given, if anyone else wears them without your permission, the ring will tighten and crush their finger. A bit harsh I know, but then again, I've always found thieves a nuisance. The rings will also disappear from the view of others. There is no need to take them off, but if you do misplace one, the other will lead you to it."

"Now I am a bit tired so I will retire," stated Hiyako a wry smile adorning his face.

Ranma and Akane thanked him profusely for the gifts.

"Oh before I forget, we don’t have a lot of huts, and since you said you were married, the hut on the end there is yours."

This drew deep blushes from Ranma and Akane. Neither had thought about the sleeping arrangements but both were very tired from the day of training that had passed. Ranma and Akane lay away from each other on the sleeping mat but like the previous nights before, as soon as they hit the bed they were asleep.

Hiyako did not go to sleep that night. He was at that age where sleep came when it wanted to, but it did not want to tonight. He was too deep in thought. He remembered the stories his father had told him when he was younger, about some powerful traveller who was to help the people of Aina defeat the Shadow. Could Ranma be the person they had been waiting for?

Ranma woke up the next morning with Akane sleeping at his side. He gently woke her and the two came out for breakfast. Ranma had decided that they should go back to look for Gora, Akane had agreed. They ate quickly and told their plans to Hiyako.

Hiyako nodded reservedly and then a smile crept to his face. He threw a cup of water into the air so that some of its contents would land on Ranma. Soon a slightly damp and agitated Ranma was glaring at Hiyako.

"Whatd’ya do that for!" demanded Ranma

"Don’t be mad Akane, I just wanted to see what your cursed form was!" stated Hiyako. He had known that magic could do these things, but this transformation was most interesting. If he still had the pizzazz of his younger self, he would have probably enthralled himself in fully investigating the magic surrounding the curse. He was a bit too old for that though. Somehow he knew however that this would not be the last he would see of this pair. His old age was not all drawbacks. He had a sense of things to come and that sense told him that this boy would have a place in his future.

"Oh…alright," replied Ranma a defeated pouting expression on his face. How could he mad at Hiyako, especially after what he had given them?

Ranma-chan and Akane thanked him profusely for hosting them.

"Could you take care of Juja for us until we return?" asked Ranma.

"Of course! M’boy," replied Hiyako.

Ranma-chan and Akane thanked him again and left by walking through the cliff.

Ranma-chan and Akane walked hand in hand, recovering their tracks from the day before. They passed the place where they met Hiyako and backtracked to the clearing. They stopped when they heard voices coming from Gora’s hut. Expecting the worst, they readied themselves for a fight. Ranma blew open the door.

**********

After meeting with Gora, Ukyou, Shampoo, Mousse and Kuno went looking for Ranma and Akane. Cologne had forced Ryouga to stay back, stating that he would only get lost again. A miserable Ryouga wandered around the house, finally getting himself lost in the closet somewhere.

The other four fanned out in the direction Ranma and Akane had left. Soon all of them came across the battle scene. They realised that a battle had just recently ended. At least four of five men had been fighting judging from the marks on the forest floor. Four people had scurried away while three others walked away along a path.

Since Ranma was usually the victor, mostly likely, the three people left standing and able to walk would be Ranma, Akane and another person. One set of footprints seemed to imprint more on the instep indicating a fairly slumped over position. Probably that of a older person or someone with a load hunched over his back.

They followed the footsteps to a cliff and there, the trail abruptly stopped.

"What do we do now?" Ukyou asked the rest.

"Me thinks it best we return to the humble domain of our fair hostess," stated Kuno with his usual pomp. Shampoo shrugged. Having no other suggestions, they went back.

Cologne was watching Gora and Jensu as they traded stories. She wanted to know why they had called Ranma the ONE, but she would be patient and wait for her opportunity. The others had returned sometime later and Shampoo gave her a report of their findings. She had suspected that they would not find Ranma. If Ranma did not want to be found there would be no way short of a miracle, or a certain lost boy, of finding them. Ryouga was still wandering around the hut. Thankfully, Gora had closed the door, so Ryouga could not accidentally go outside. The only thing they could do now was wait. She knew that Ranma would come back to the hut to check on the old woman. His honour would force him to. She knew that even through his temporary amnesia, his honour would remain true. It was simply a matter to time. She relayed her thoughts to the others.

"I am certain that Ranma will come back here for Gora. So we must stay here and wait for him." The others nodded and went outside, squabbling and practising among themselves. Predictably, the girls were trying to decide who had the better claim on Ranma.

Jensu had told her that the only was to rid Ranma of the amnesia was to make him touch the mirror. Cologne now held the mirror within her vestments. Slowly the night came and one by one, they fell asleep, leaving only Cologne, Jensu and Gora.

Gora turned to Cologne.

"So who are all these children?"

"My great granddaughter and the other girl are Ranma’s fiancées, the boy over there with the yellow shirt is Ranma’s friend/foe, Mousse is Shampoo’s self proclaimed love, and Kuno is Ranma-chan and Akane’s self proclaimed love." Stated Cologne with no emotion in her voice.

That drew a stare from Gora.

"So Ranma’s some sort of a pervert," said Gora out loud. How could she have let that boy sleep with Akane? She should have been more careful!

"No, no, no. Nothing like that. Ranma’s father has conveniently sold Ranma as food and as a future husband many times. I believe the only fiancée Ranma truly wants is Akane, but he is afraid of hurting the others."

"So why doesn’t he just tell them?" asked Gora.

"Well, he has been training all his life. The only contact he has had with a girl is the chef and his father managed to get him engaged to her, then left her. I doubt the boy has any confidence about dealing with girls."

"So he just leads them on…"

"That and the girls are so stubborn that they don’t want to give up on him."

Cologne then gave Gora the epic story of what was Ranma’s life.

After the story, Gora had only one question.

"So do Ranma and Akane have a chance?"

"Probably but not until Akane is a good enough fighter. The girls will definitely challenge her for his hand. Akane may have been training under Ranma for the last few days, but I doubt she could beat Shampoo. Plus, I don’t think Ranma wants anyone to get hurt," replied Cologne.

"Oh," said Gora.

The time passed as Jensu and Gora talked about the past and about Ranma.

"So why is Ranma that important?" asked Cologne amusedly.

"It had been foretold that a traveller who could conquer the Phoenix king would be able to defeat the shadow which has settled on the land," answered Jensu. "The first night when we camped on the mount, I talked to some friends of mine. They will offer us any help. He does not believe in any of the scrolls. It is up to Ranma now."

Cologne joined in the discussion, which lasted until dawn.

When morning came, Kuno started bellowing poetry about the commoners surrounding him and the sacrifices he had to make, causing him to be bashed to unconsciousness to the amusement of Gora and the delight of everyone else. Ukyou and Shampoo were quarrelling about who was Ranma’s rightful fiancée when the door caved in revealing a slightly dishevelled Ranma-chan and Akane.

Ranma’s hair was in a ponytail to the amazement of everyone inside who knew him. Before Ranma could act, Cologne threw the mirror at him. Ranma seeing the mirror caught it and staggered. Akane seeing Ranma stagger tried to help him to his feet. Her feet turned to jelly. Both Ranma and Akane slumped into unconsciousness.

Cologne had thought as much. If Ranma or Akane touched the mirror, the magic of the mirror should bring back their memories. The effect of the mirror was instantaneous. To retrieve their memories, the mirror sent them into a deep sleep.

Mousse carried a sleeping Akane to a bed while Ryouga was given the task of putting Ranma-chan on the bed. Ranma-chan’s hair gently brushed Ryouga’s face and arms causing Ryouga to blush. 'This is Ranma' was the phrase Ryouga repeated to himself over and over in his mind as he carried the beautiful pouting girl in his arms to the bed. Luckily for everyone, Kuno was still out cold.

Both Gora and Cologne realised that the girls were drooling over Ranma and Ryouga was drooling over Akane. Cologne and Gora ordered everyone out of the room. Shampoo obeyed her great grandmother without dissent, even though her reluctance showed in her movement. Ryouga and Ukyou opened their mouths to complain, but a stern stare from both old women told them that leaving was the advisable thing to do, especially with the amazon Matriarch around. They left the room and closed the door muttering under their breath.

Ranma and Akane stirred in their sleep and soon woke up. They stared at each other for a while and then the memories of the previous week came back. They blushed and looked at their hands noting the rings.

"So you are awake!" noted Cologne. "It is good to see you again Ranma. Care to explain to me what you did for the last few days?"

"Nothing, nothing at all!" replied Ranma defensively.

Akane thought Ranma was trying to deny all that had happened for the last couple of days. Instantly her temper flared.

"How could you say nothing happened!" shouted Akane.

"It’s not like I’d wanna do anything with a kawaiikune tomboy like you." Whoops, how did that come out! Damn, Ranma berated himself. How could he put his foot in his mouth again! How could he be so stupid? How could he...his mind was numbed by the pain searing through his skull?

"RANMA NO BAKA!" shouted Akane as she malleted Ranma out of the hut.

Unknown to them, the people who had been listening behind the door all smiled, everything was the same again. Ryouga was quietly plotting his revenge against Ranma for getting Akane kidnapped and for whatever else Ranma did over the last couple of days to Akane that he didn’t know about.

Gora and Cologne left the room soon after Ranma departed to allow Akane some rest. Akane was furious, how could Ranma deny everything that happened the last couple of nights? Damn the Baka!

Ranma was now travelling by air again. He could not believe that he had insulted Akane again. Soon he landed on the forest floor. Better go apologise he thought. He ran back to the hut at full speed.

Akane by this time was out of bed and around the hut practising her katas. No one had seen Ryouga for a while (he was lost again). Ranma came back to the clearing and watched Akane do the katas he had shown her. No one was around but her (of course everyone knew how violent Akane was when she was angry and endeavoured to stay away from her). He watched her for a little while, trying to summon the courage to tell her how he felt. Memories of the past couple of days had given him the strength and the bravery to do what he was going to do.

A couple of days ago he would have died if he even thought about what he was going to do now. But what had happened over the last couple of days had given him hope. Perhaps she did…no, she had to…she had to…how could she not.

He had wanted to tell her after the battle with Saffron, but the words would not come to his mouth. He had to swallow his pride and all his fears. Oh how he feared! No one knew how much he hid from the world. To everyone, he had tried to look invincible, to look untouchable. Akane had proven that to be wrong.

After Ukyou, Ranma had gone through a lot with his father. He loved his father but the cat-fist training and the stealing had got to Ranma. He had lost most of his respect for his old man. Ranma didn’t want anyone to get to him but his altruistic nature caused him to try and help anyone he met. It was a constant battle. He had lost that battle when he met Akane. He tried to distance himself from her by calling her names but he knew the first day he met her, he had fallen for her badly. He had tried to deny it, even to himself, but he knew that he could never live without her.

He had tried once, but he could never force himself in the end to go through with it. He was afraid, yes, he, the fearless Ranma Saotome was afraid and ghastly afraid at that, of the one thing that could possibly face...rejection.

But he had to try; he had to find out once and for all. If she did…then he would be happy; if she didn’t, he would find a way to survive. He had always found a way to survive. All he knew was that he had to say it and he had to hear her say it.

"Um… Akane..."

"Yes Ranma," replied Akane looking visibly angry as she turned to face him.

Ranma pushed down his pride and ego. He had always had a huge ego. Even Cologne had failed to erase most of it when she trained him. He thanked the gods for Cologne’s training over the last few months. He had hated her for wanting to rule his life in the beginning by trying to force him to marry Shampoo but after she had relayed to him what she really wanted from him, he was glad to have her a friend. She had taught him to meditate, to reflect. Through her, he had learned to accept himself and who he was and to some degree, his curse. The last thing now loomed before him.

It was a raging river in front of him, and he had to cross it. Across the river he would find his path, his future. It lay before him ominously, but would it be his deliverance or his angel of doom. There was only one way to find out.

"I uh… I’m sorry for insulting you…"

Akane couldn’t believe it. Ranma had actually apologised. He was looking at his feet, trying to summon his courage. This just made both of them even more uncomfortable. Akane was listening to Ranma waiting for him to say something. He was really making her uncomfortable. He had that look of determination in his eyes, the one she only saw when he fought for her.

Ranma closed his eyes. He concentrated his whole mind, his whole being trying to form that one sentence.

"Um…Akane I want to tell you something I…I...lllo…"

***********

Ryouga was glad that Akane had smashed Ranma out of the hut, but when he disbanded from the others by the door, he found himself in the kitchen. The next thing he felt was some cold liquid hitting him at the side of the face. Ryouga-piglet was even more depressed than usual. Right now, he had no means of changing back without someone seeing him. Wandering around the room, Ryouga suddenly found himself outside. Maybe now he could change back. He rounded the corner and saw Ranma and Akane close together looking at each other. Hundreds of scenarios played through its mind. Jeez, what was Ranma doing to her now. No, Ryouga could not leave Akane and Ranma alone for a minute. He flew towards Akane.

Akane was surprised when she saw P-chan flying directly towards her out of her corner of her eye. She broke her concentration just enough to catch the pig.

"lllove you…" Ranma finished and tried to look into Akane’s face, but she was no longer looking at him.

Akane caught P-chan, but she was off-balance and fell to the floor. Her excitement at finding her pet temporarily clouded her mind to what was happening a minute before.

"Oh P-chan where did you come from?" cooed Akane. "Ooooo doesn’t Akane love her widdle P-chan. You know, you do look a lot like Ryouga Look Ranma its P…"

Ranma was gone. (He had taken off right after the love the pig comment) Now what was Ranma trying to say. Oh my god, he told me that he loved me and I…I…went after P-chan. Oh Ranma…

Ranma had finally drawn enough courage to tell Akane how he felt, but in the end it did not matter did it. No, Akane was more concerned about P-chan than what he had to say. She did not even acknowledge that he had told her that he loved her. She had only thought of P-chan and Ryouga. All Ryouga did was give him his piggish snicker when he saw Akane choose him. If anyone had a stethoscope, they would have certainly heard Ranma’s heart tear and fall apart. He had heard enough from Akane to know it was true. She did not love him. She loved Ryouga. Ranma left the clearing, his feet propelling him into the forest, with no particular direction in mind.

Ranma let his feet carry him. Tears came freely to his eyes for the first time in his life, he tried to block them, and then he let them come. He had thought that after years of travelling and wandering, that he had somehow found a home, a place where he was needed, a place here he was wanted, a purpose, someone to love, someone to live with for the rest of his life. Now that, like everything else for Ranma, was dashed against the rocks.

Ranma thought of his childhood, of his loneliness. He had never had any real friends on the road except Ucchan. He had never had any birthdays, any toys, nothing that any normal child would have. Instead, he was trained day and night by his father, sold for food, brought to near insanity by the cat-fist, and had been cursed to become a girl anytime he was hit with water. His best friend whom he loved like a sister was not satisfied to be his best friend. He had an amazon after him who just couldn’t see that he was only interested in being a friend. He had a father who was more of a panda than a man. He had a mother who held a contract over his head. He had Ryouga after him who blamed everything in his life on him. He had Mousse after him since Mousse was chasing after Shampoo. He had Kuno after him for marriage and for revenge against his supposed sorcery. And he had Kodachi after him who he thought was just plain mad. Then there was Akane. The fiancée who cooked toxic food, who was continuously hitting him on the head with a mallet, who had a terrible temper and whom he loved more than anything else in his life. He had given up his cure and risked his life many times to save her, but it was all in vain. She did not love him. Ryouga was right, Akane loved Ryouga not him.

Ranma’s run took him to the edge of a cliff and there he sat, the tears running freely from his eyes. Ranma looked at the vast expanse below him and just felt cold. He had loved his father, even though his father had probably put him through hell with all his travelling and training. He had loved his mother, even though she had held a contract over his head. He loved Nabiki even though she continued to extort money from him all the time. When Ranma had met Akane. He thought he had met someone whom could at least return some of that which he gave. He had thought of all their fights as just an elaborate game. Now he knew Akane wasn’t playing that game, she had been playing for keeps.

Ranma for the first time in his life felt broken and depressed. He had always acted with arrogance and showed off so that people could praise him and so that he could at least get some praise from his father, some sort of affection. He had lived off those few solitary moments of affection like a moth to a flame. He had craved that affection. He had learned to protect himself a long time ago from his feelings for others. His father had indirectly taught him that. That was probably why he had always insulted Akane. He hadn’t wanted to get hurt again. Ranma had opened his heart to Akane and she had rejected. He felt alone. Again he felt alone.

He remembered all those times on the road when his father had left him to go in search of food. He remembered how he counted the seconds he was alone. For all Ranma was, he hated being alone. When he was tossed in with the cats, he had been alone. He knew he had given up something when he had finally succumbed to the Neko-ken.

Ranma cried and the tears collected in his shirt. He felt like a huge hole had just been gouged out of his chest. He felt as if someone had plucked out his heart. He had, for the first time, let someone come too close. He had allowed himself to love someone. He had hoped more than anything else that Akane would at least feel something for him, but she didn’t feel the way he did. She had rejected him. He pulled his legs into his chest and shivered. The sun was beating heavily on him, razing him with its fierce rays, but he still felt cold. He felt cold, alone and depressed and for some unknown reason, relieved.

Akane stood where she was shocked. What had she done? Ranma had finally admitted that he loved her and what did she do, ignore him completely and pick up P-chan. She had to find Ranma. She had to explain, but how could she find him. He was much faster than she was and she had no idea where he went. Then she remembered the ring. Yes, the ring would point her to where he went. She hurriedly left P-chan and ran in Ranma’s direction. She looked at the ring and silently hoped it would lead her to Ranma. The ring began to glow as she headed west, she hoped it was the right direction. Akane ran, faster and with more purpose than she had ever had before.

She had dreamed many times of Ranma telling her that he loved her and he had actually done it. The baka had actually told her he loved her. The only problem was that P-chan had interrupted them, causing her to lose focus and to lose Ranma. She had to get to him to explain, to tell him she loved him too before....

She ran for what seemed to her ages until the forest seemed to disperse and a clearing appeared. She saw Ranma huddled up next to the edge of a cliff. What was Ranma doing next to a cliff?

"Ranma don’t jump!" shouted Akane at the top of her lungs as she ran towards him.

Ranma turned around.

"Leave me Akane," shouted back Ranma without turning around, "Go back to your pig and Ryouga."

"But Ranma…" pleaded Akane.

"No Akane, go home, leave me alone," continued Ranma, "Save your pity for someone else. I have survived for this long without anyone, I can do it again. Go home Akane. You don’t need me, you have Ryouga!" finished Ranma emphatically.

"But Ranma I need you, I…I…" Akane tried to say it, but the words refused to come. She realised how much it took for Ranma to just say those words for her and she had dismissed him, rejected him. She had always wanted him to tell her just what he had said, now it was her turn and she just couldn’t say it. If she lost him now, it would be all her fault.

"I should have realised that no one could like a freak like me a long time ago. Go home Akane! Just leave me alone."

By now Akane had reached Ranma and hugged him from behind. Tears now flowed freely from Akane’s face. She embraced Ranma from behind.

"Oh Ranma, I’m so sorry...so sorry. You’re not a freak, not to me. I want you Ranma. I want you to be mine, not Ukyou’s, not Shampoo’s, MINE."

"Why Akane?" asked Ranma. "Is it because you saw a boy who deserved to be pitied and needed help or is it because you see me like everyone else? Like a little toy to be possessed? Why Akane?"

By now Akane could see Ranma watching into her face intently. She could see the tracks his tears had taken down his face. His eyes looked at her, pleaded with her for an answer. Then, he disengaged himself from her and walked a little bit closer to the cliff.

Akane watched him in horror.

"Ranma no… please don’t?" pleaded Akane.

Ranma looked at her and chuckled. "Do you think I would kill myself Akane. I have lived through losing my sanity, through a father who abandoned his son when he needed him the most. No Akane I will survive. I have survived so far and by kami, I will still survive."

Ranma spared a last glance at the girl he loved. "Good-bye Akane." Then he turned and slowly began walking away. He knew that this was it, it was time to move on...time to leave.

Akane watched him walk away. No! She couldn’t let him go. She had already let one person go a long time ago, she couldn’t afford to lose another. She knew if she let him go now, she would never see him again and she would never forgive herself for it.

She flung herself at him, tackling him to the ground.

"No Ranma, don’t go! I love you Ranma! I want you Ranma! Please…please…don’t leave me again…don’t leave me like mother did…please I don’t want lose someone again…"

Akane sobbed into Ranma’s already soaked shirt, her tears mixing with the remains of his. She clutched his shirt fiercely, not wanting to ever let him go.

"Are you sure Akane, do you really love me, can you really love me?"

"Oh Ranma please believe me. I just never wanted to tell you...I don’t want to lose you like I lost mother…please don’t leave…" pleaded Akane between sobs.

"Akane-chan, I don’t think I could ever leave you, even if I wanted to," spoke Ranma softly into Akane’s ear.

He caressed her perfect face tenderly with his hand brushing away the few strands of hair that would intrude on that perfect face. He stared into that face, a face he cherished so dearly, a face he would gladly die for. No he could never leave her, he would move earth and sky for her, for so great was his love for the girl in his arms.

Akane responded to Ranma’s warm touch. It felt so comforting, so secure. She did not ever want to leave those arms surrounding her. She felt at home in them, incomplete without them

Ranma and Akane stared into each other’s eyes and their faces drew closer and closer. Their lips gingerly touched their tongues touched and soon they were lost in the kiss. All that pain, all that suffering simply melted away. All they wanted was each other, to be with each other forever. Ranma and Akane held each other in a tight embrace, not wanting to let go.

Reluctantly they parted, each needing some air. Akane rest her head against Ranma’s chest. Both of them sighed as all the stress of the previous months simply disappeared with one kiss. As they finally held each other in their arms. Akane looked up to Ranma.

"Ranma, promise me you will never leave me."

"Akane, how could I ever leave you, you’re the only thing I ever wanted."

Ranma pulled Akane up to her face and kissed her. "I love you Akane, always."

"So do I Ranma...always"

They lay there, holding each other tightly. There and then, they both knew that they could never live without each other.

"We ought to go back now," sighed Ranma.

"Why?" asked Akane.

"Because I don’t want my other fiancées finding us together."

That got Akane angry again.

"And just why shouldn’t they find us!" demanded Akane

Ranma looked at Akane.

"Akane will you stop and listen to me for a while?" pleaded Ranma

Akane looked at him and saw that he wanted to tell her something important.

"Sorry Ranma," replied Akane shamefully as she lowered her head.

Ranma just placed his finger on the base on her chin and lifted her face to eye level smilingly.

"It’s okay. Anyway, I’ve been training with Cologne for awhile. I talked to Cologne and she says the only way I can get Shampoo off me is if I get married to another Amazon. Now if I can train you well enough, you could easily become an Amazon. But, there is something I have to do before I can train you."

While Ranma had gazed into the sky with Akane on his shoulder, he had made up his mind about something. He had taken something from his father in remembrance of a past event. Now he was determined to use it. He would have used it sooner but he had to be sure. Not only that, but he wasn’t entirely that brave, plus he still had to overcome his pride. But this was the time; it was either now or never. All that he had gone through led up to this moment. If he did not do this now, he may never be afforded the chance again.

Ranma knelt down next to Akane who knelt down facing him, a quizzical confused expression on her face. Ranma thought that it made her look so kawaii. He reached into his space and pulled out a small box he had snitched from his father from the first wedding attempt. He opened the box and took out a small finely carved ring that once belonged to Akane’s mother.

He looked at Akane with pleading eyes.

"Tendo Akane, will you marry me?"

Akane stared at Ranma shocked. Ranma telling her he loved her, she could take that, but Ranma asking her to marry him. That was too good to be true. She tried to command her lips to speak, but they had turned dry and would not open. She settled for the one thing she could do; she kissed him.

It was a long heartfelt kiss that certified the answer.

"I take that as a yes" quipped Ranma when they finally released each other.

Akane playfully punched him and laughed, tears of joy coming down her face. When Akane finished relieving her stress, she realised that Ranma had one more fiancée.

"So what are you going to do about Ukyou?" asked Akane.

Ranma had thought about that a lot. He loved Ukyou, but he just did not love her the way he loved Akane. He did not want to see her get hurt. There was only one way he saw that he could have both Akane and Ucchan.

"I...I really don’t know," replied Ranma, the hopelessness of the situation showed on his face.

"Don’t worry Ranma," cheered Akane, "We’ll think of something."

Ranma smiled, now he had the most important thing he had ever wanted. He had his Akane. However, there was something he had to tell Akane, something he had to ask her to do, for her sake. Instinctively he knew she wouldn’t like what he had to say any more than he did. But it had to be done.

Ranma looked at Akane square in the eyes and prepared for the next, inevitable thing he had to say.

"We can’t tell the others anything about our engagement," said Ranma.

"What!" shouted Akane.

"Well if they found out, could you take both Shampoo and Ukyou on in a fight?" asked Ranma emphatically.

"No, I guess not," replied Akane sullenly, why did he have to bring up her inadequacy as a fighter?

"Don’t worry, I’ll train you so well that you’ll be able to take on both of them, plus," said Ranma with a wide grin on his face, "It would be fun acting as if we hate each other around the others." Ranma pulled Akane closer to him. "I think this is a good way of getting back at our parents, don’t you? And how do you think Nabiki would feel being left out in the dark?"

Akane smiled. Not telling anyone would exact revenge against their parents and the girls plus she could finally get the better of Nabiki. Although she had forgiven her sister, seeing Nabiki face when she found out would be priceless. She would have to remember to bring along a camera. Ranma was now hers forever. Her smile widened.

Ranma got up and held Akane’s hand. He touched the curve of her face. Together, they headed towards the hut thinking of the future.

"Let’s go you kawaiikune tomboy," taunted Ranma smilingly.

"Okay you hentai baka," replied Akane with the same cheerfulness.

Akane had slipped the ring into her brassiere as a reminder of her engagement and to hide it from everyone else.

**************

Ukyou did not want to leave the room Ranma and Akane were placed in, but the stern faces of the older women had told her that leaving would be the most advantageous thing to do. She did not want to leave Ranma’s side. Five minutes later, they heard shouting coming from the room and then heard someone being booted out through the roof. Ukyou smiled, at the comforting sound of Ranma being sent into orbit by Akane; everything was back to normal.

After Akane had seemingly cooled down. She had come out of the room and went outside to practice some of her katas. Ukyou and the others were wise enough to leave her alone. Unfortunately, she had taken her eye off Ryouga for one minute and he was gone, lost again. If he got lost so easily, she wondered why he bothered to move around at all!

Ukyou had had the luck of seeing Akane rush into the forest but realising that Ryouga wasn’t around, she hoped that Akane was going out with Ryouga.

Ukyou looked for Ranma but could not find him. She sighed in disappointment. Ran-chan was never one to be found if he didn’t want anyone to find him except perhaps with the exception of Nabiki.

After a few hours had passed, Ranma entered the house muttering complaints about a certain tomboy while Akane seemed to be pleased with herself. Jensu realised that everyone was present and began to speak.

"Remember when I brought you here, you promised that if we found your friends, you would help me?" stated Jensu.

The six other travellers nodded.

"Now I must hold you to that promise. We have to try and rescue my friends from the Governor’s castle."

Ranma looked at Gora. "Is that where Juja’s parents are?"

Gora nodded.

"Then I will help you too."

"So will I," joined in Akane a bit more loudly than she had intended to.

When everyone had turned their heads back to Jensu, Ranma winked to Akane across the room. She gave him a smile and they turned their attention back to Jensu. This was not lost to the two older women in the room who smiled inwardly at the implications of what that exchange meant.

"Then it is settled. It is a good days hike to the palace, so I suggest we get some rest," announced Jensu. Everyone agreed especially the girls who wanted to spend some time with Ranma. However, Ranma had quickly picked a fight with Akane, through some well-selected insults right after the meeting and both of them ran out of the hut with Akane swinging. Ukyou had wanted to know what Ran-chan and Akane had been doing for the last couple of days, but she knew from experience that it was futile to follow the pair when they were fighting. The others realised this also and just let them be.

Ryouga had found some hot water and had changed back without anyone seeing him. He was wondering why Akane had left him in such a hurry. He had seen Ranma trying to tell Akane something but he did not hear what it was that Ranma had told her. Whatever it was, it had certainly caused Akane some measure of pain. Why else would she run into the forest just like that? Ranma would pay!

Ranma and Akane had run quite a distance away from the hut. When he was sure no one had followed them, he stopped. By now, Akane’s mallet had disappeared and a smile reappeared on her face.

"You know, that was fun!" exclaimed Akane.

"Yeah I know what you mean," replied a grinning Ranma.

Ranma picked Akane up gently and jumped up to the second highest branch on the tallest tree nearby. Ranma sat down against the tree trunk with Akane sitting on his lap and both looked out into the forest in front of them. The sight was very serene and calm. Birds were nesting happily in the trees, glad to be away from the heat of the midday sun. Every now and again, a songbird would pass by, adding its lovely music to the already calming atmosphere.

Ranma sat there with HIS fiancée and contemplated the events that had brought him here. That was another thing he had to thank Cologne for. She had shown him the wisdom in reflection.

"Acchan, remember when you asked me what I was thinking back on the roof?" asked Ranma.

"Acchan?" replied Akane questioningly as she was brought out of her reverie. Any bets as to what she was dreaming about?

"We’ll I can’t always call you a kawaiikune tomboy," joked Ranma.

"Acchan it is then, Ran-chan," replied Akane. She knew it was not a new nickname for him but for some reason, it seemed the best choice.

"Well uh, now that we are really engaged, I think you have a right to know what I was thinking back then."

Akane turned and looked at Ranma straight in his eyes. She could see some definite pain and trouble in those blue-grey eyes of his.

"What is it Ranma?" Akane asked worriedly.

"I don’t know if I will ever find a cure," whispered Ranma, "I tried to find one, and every single time, a cure has eluded me. What’s worse, I think I am getting accustomed to being half-girl. I mean I don’t like changing into a girl, but I am not bothered being..."

Akane put a finger to his lips.

"Shh… I don’t care if you are boy or girl. I just love you Ranma. It does not matter."

"Are you sure Akane?" asked Ranma with a look of hope in his eyes.

"Of course I am," replied Akane with a stern face.

"Akane, do you think we’ll always be fighting, I mean it was kind of fun at the beginning but I…I… don’t want to hurt you…"

"Oh Ranma, I know you don’t mean it. I mean you act like a jerk sometimes…(Ranma cringed) and sometimes I like having that jerk around..." she finished with a smile.

"...and I like having my kawaiikune tomboy around too," replied Ranma

He gave Akane a nervous kiss on the forehead and they continued watching the birds and the animals play in front of them.

After a while Ranma looked at Akane resting peacefully against his chest. A couple of months ago, he never would have thought that possible. And if it did occur, most likely a head injury would accompany it. Now things were different, very different. Akane wouldn’t ever object to this kind of intimacy now, heck, she welcomed it. It sure beat fighting.

"Sorry to disturb you, but we should get back. They may get suspicious."

Akane did not want to leave. If that was a sample of what life with Ranma would be like, she wouldn’t mind it one little bit. She knew however, that Ranma was right. If they did not leave now, the others would suspect something. She would have to enjoy whatever little time she could have him to herself. She had him now, but the fish wasn’t entirely in the net. Until that time, she would be on the alert for the others. She would only rest when Ranma was truly hers, by heart and by law.

Ranma held her in his arms and jumped down the tree.

"Can you find your way back from here?" quipped Ranma.

"Of course I can silly," replied Akane punching Ranma in the arm.

"Ok then, I’ll see you back at the hut tomboy!" Ranma remarked jokingly

"Right you pervert!" replied Akane.

Then Ranma and Akane left each other.

When Akane returned, everyone was sitting down eating. She joined them, receiving a huge smile from Ryouga as she sat down next to him. Ranma came in about ten minutes later muttering under his breath. Akane just smiled as he sat down next to Mousse and Cologne to the dismay of both Ukyou and Shampoo. Ranma was a bit peeved at the looks Ryouga was giving Akane as she sat next to him, but inwardly he was smiling, if only Ryouga knew. The girls, except Akane, all noticed that Ranma was eating slowly and showing some level of table manners. They stared at him almost hysterically. Ranma felt all their eyes on him.

"What?"

They shrugged and returned to eating.

That afternoon, Ranma occupied most of his time hiding from and running from Shampoo and the occasional fight. By now, Kuno sported an array of bruises from whoever chose to send him into dreamland when he started pouting poetry or making demands. Akane watched Ranma amusedly. Sometimes Shampoo managed to glomp onto him and Akane actually got mad and malleted him. She could not help herself sometimes! Although, Akane had to keep hitting Ranma to keep up the act, she finally realised that Ranma was not actually embracing Shampoo, but was being crushed by her. She felt some sympathy for Ranma, but she felt even better bunting him away.

At supper, Ranma sat between Akane and Ukyou. Ranma had to fight off all his urges to talk to or even touch Akane. He started talking to Ukyou about the old days when they were children. Akane, not to be outdone, chatted away with Ryouga, who tried to keep a straight face but was doing a shameful job of it. Ryouga looked as if Akane’s words were just bouncing around in his mind. His glazed expression captured the interest of even Gora and Jensu.

Night crept on while everyone chatted in the hut, the occasional whap was heard when Akane hit Ranma for insulting her or Ryouga;

Ukyou hit Ryouga who attacked Ranma for insulting Akane,

Shampoo hit Mousse for attacking Ranma or professing his love for her,

Ranma hit Kuno for attacking him in boy form,

Ranma hit Kuno for trying to ask him out in girl form,

Akane hit Kuno for trying to ask her out,

Kuno being hit by any of the others for talking too much Shakespeare.

Gora silently watched her guests, amused by their behaviour. Cologne had warned her how interesting life in Nerima was; now she was beginning to understand.

Sleep crept up on the travellers. Of course, Kuno had been induced to sleep by both Ranma and Akane after he had tried unsuccessfully to ask both of them out. He was unceremoniously put out of commission by fist and mallet, leaving dents on both sides of his face. Everyone in the hut had breathed a sigh of relief. Ukyou, Ryouga, Akane, Shampoo, Mousse and Ranma lasted way into the night, until Ranma secretly worked some of the shiatsu points Cologne had taught him on Mousse, Ryouga, Ukyou and Shampoo. Cologne of course realised what he had done. The points he had pressed were delayed sleeping points, allowing Ranma enough time to move away from his victim so as not to be suspected, which would be hard in any case, since they were all very close together, especially the girls. Soon Ranma and Akane were the only teenagers awake.

"Ranma, how about a bath?" asked Akane with a hentai grin on her face.

"A bath, how… oh? Ok" replied Ranma as he realised what Akane meant. He sent her his own hentai grin.

The three older people just watched them as they walked out the hut to the river.

"Those were the days weren’t they," stated Jensu. Gora and Cologne nodded absentmindedly.

Akane and Ranma entered the water and had a glorious time splashing and tagging each other. Akane had seriously improved her swimming skills. Thoroughly exhausted from the days’ events, Ranma and Akane changed into their normal clothes, which were brought from Nerima for them. Of course, Ranma was much too honourable to spy a look at Akane, and faced a direction that totally blocked the tree Akane was behind from his sight.

Akane watched him from behind the tree and sighed. She had always called him a pervert but all the time she knew he was much too honourable to do anything. Now she guessed that his honour would prevent him from doing or starting anything remotely romantic that could lead somewhere, that is, until they were married, but she would have to leave those thoughts for another day.

Ranma-chan jumped into a tree overlooking the river. Akane watched Ranma as his mind wandered over the water. Silently she crept up behind Ranma-chan and embraced her from behind. Ranma made no effort to struggle.

She had learned from one of her magazines that women were more emotionally inclined than men. If that was the case, then what happened to Ranma mentally when he changed? She saw no change, but she was not Ranma. Then again, who was?

As Akane leant against the tree trunk, she pulled Ranma-chan towards her. Ranma had simply left his hair in a ponytail to dry. Akane stroked Ranma-chan’s hair gently, and for the first time, she felt Ranma relax. He was always so tense, always ready for a fight, for anything that might pop up. But now, in her arms, she had caused him to relax and forget his training. Akane heard Ranma-chan muffle a small sigh as she fell asleep in Akane’s hands.

Akane had seen Ranma sleep already. Even when sleeping, Ranma’s body was on the alert. Now, just a little touch, a little warmth, a little love was enough to render him peace. Akane continued to stroke her fiancé's hair, even as she herself slept.

Early that morning, Akane woke up and forced herself to wake up Ranma. The sun wasn’t even up yet, but if they were missing again, she could imagine the fracas that would ensue. Ranma-chan just looked so adorable sleeping, even with a bit of drool escaping from the side of her mouth. Finally she woke up and realised that they had spent the night together. Ranma immediately wanted to leave, but Akane purposefully held Ranma-chan tightly to her.

"We’ll have to do this again love," whispered Akane into Ranma-chan’s ear.

Ranma was a bit shocked but reality gave him a bite when he realised that Akane was making her way back to the hut leaving him in the tree. Ranma joined her. Reaching there, they found no one except Cologne up as yet. Akane remained outside and practised her katas while Ranma spoke with Cologne.

Ukyou woke up and looked for Ranma. At least he was not with Akane who was lying peacefully next to her. She saw Cologne.

"Where’s Ranma?" asked Ukyou.

"I believe he is outside," replied Cologne.

Ukyou walked outside and saw Ranma sitting on a tree stump facing away from her into the forest.

"Hi Ran-chan," she called. No answer.

She walked up closer to him and sat down next to him. He did not even notice her. A smile was plastered across his face and he stared out dreamily into the forest.

She put her hand on his shoulder drawing Ranma out of his daze.

"Oh, hi Ucchan."

"Ran-chan, what’s up?" asked Ukyou.

"What do you mean?" asked Ranma.

"Well I’ve never seen you this happy or this distracted before. You did not even go after Ryouga yesterday when he insulted you," stated Ukyou.

"I guess I just have better things to do," replied Ranma.

Ranma not wanting to fight, that was not Ranma. Even when he was smaller, training was always number one with Ranma. Now, he looked like he did not even want to fight with Ryouga and the others.

"Why don’t you want to fight Ryouga?" asked Ukyou.

"Cause one, I’m already better than him..." Yep thought Ukyou, that sounded like her old Ran-chan. "…and…well, ever since I killed Saffron, I’ve never really wanted to you know…go all out fighting and stuff."

Ukyou was a bit confused. "What do you mean, you’ve fought Tarou and Rouge?"

"Yeah, I know, but I did that for training…it’s just that…it doesn’t feel right anymore."

Ranma looked at Ukyou.

"Ucchan, you can’t tell anyone that, if someone finds out, they might use it against me."

She nodded. Ranma looked thoughtfully at Ukyou.

"You know Ucchan, sometimes I wish if I had a sister, she would be just like you."

With that said, Ranma left Ukyou on the log to mull in her thoughts.

Only then did the thoughts about Juja come back to Ranma. Ranma dashed into the forest and was soon talking with Hiyako. Ranma thanked Hiyako for looking after the girl and for helping them and left the compound with Juja in his arms.

"So m’boy, you will be going after the castle soon," commented the old man.

"Yeah, it’s kind of a promise we made in the beginning."

"Good luck then, my prayers will be with you."

Hiyako watched the young man disappear once again. The fate of the entire valley rested with that one boy and his fiancée.

Ranma quickly returned to the hut and gave Juja to her elated grandmother. Hiyako had visited Gora the day before by the river and informed her that Juja was staying with him. Juja gave her grandmother a big hug and started talking about all her adventures. By then, Jensu was ready to leave. Everyone said their good-byes and the group of travellers left. Now the adventure began...

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