Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Chill Embrace ❯ Chill Embrace ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Cold.

Like an icy grip that never relented, chasing away the memories of times happy and content. How long had she been wandering alone, lost within the place between heaven and hell?


Her thin arms wrapped around her midsection as she slowly stepped through the city. A city that had grown around her, oblivious to the existence of the young woman and her morose countenance.


‘Why do I stay?’ she questioned, pausing in her walk to regard her surroundings before turning her beautiful face to the skies above, as if seeking guidance...or solace.


Her eyes hardened as no response was forthcoming, her feelings going to stone. For centuries she’d been banished, punished for crimes beyond her control, to walk amongst the living while having no contact with them.


Never to know comfort, love, warmth or companionship. Damned for eternity, exempt from the notice of both angel and demon, gods and devils alike.


Her mouth set into a fine thin line as she began her passage once more, walking along the narrow walkways out of habit more than necessity. Her body, or what passed for her body, was incorporeal and could bypass the supposedly solid walls and structures that surrounded her.


She did this out of a desperate need to find an equilibrium, to be a part of the larger world, to belong in some small measure.


The fact that the mortals around her could pass through her now without even a shudder sent her further down her road of inescapable madness. Her hatred for all things living growing within her, with each step, with each person that was able to pass through her without notice.


For too many years to count she’d tried to occupy herself by taking notice of the lives of the mundane around her. She found that this only heightened her sense of loss and isolation as they lived, interacted and eventually died, all while doing the simple things that she so wished to be able to do.


The growth of new love, the exploration of feelings, the physical sensations of pleasure that carried over into both emotional and psychological psyche. The fights and tiffs, the guilt, the sorrow and no small amount of the time, the eventual bridging of differences that would restart the cycle over again.


Her depression grew to apathy, to disgust then finally it was turning to hatred. How was it that these things, these mortal coils were so worthy of emotions and comfort while she was condemned?

Her eyes narrowed as she reveled in her hatred, the only emotion she’d known for many many years. The people she passed by and through on the walk shivered slightly, sensing the sudden unexplainable malice that seemed to come from everywhere, yet seeing nothing that could cause it.


An explosion pulled her attentions from the rage, a billowing cloud of smoke and debris rising in through the air nearby. A small shadowy figure arced away from the destruction, gracefully cruising through the air.


Her face showed curiosity as her head cocked to the side, eyes tracing the path of the unknown object. For over a year this city had more than it’s far share of oddities and strange events, to the point that it was almost interesting. A wave of emotions crashed into her, stunning her immobile as for the first time in centuries, she felt something beyond her own emotions.


Hatred, suffering, anger, embarrassment, pity, sorrow, love, anxiety and friendship. Her jaw went slack as she relished the feelings, all emanating from the now rapidly vanishing figure in the sky.


A new sensation awoke within her, desire. Desire to feel more, to have more...to know more about this new revelation. She moved through buildings and structures with ease, never pausing in her pursuit of the object in the sky.


She arrived near a canal, the emotions rolling from the rushing water. A small red headed figure pulled herself slowly from the water, a look of disgust and pain on her face. Resting on the banks of the canal, the girl looked forlornly into the waters below, lost in the moments of her thoughts.


The spirit crossed to the girl, feeling and enjoying the sensations of emotional torment from the girl, while feeling her sense of guilt at enjoying them. Hovering before her, she drank in the appearance of the girl’s face. Her clear blue eyes, petite nose and full lips. High cheekbones and finely arched eyebrows. She was beautiful, yet her look of sorrow and loss echoed within the spirits own eyes.


The girl blinked slowly, her eyes focusing before her, as if she could see the spirit as it hung motionless before her. “Huh?” she said quietly, her blue eyes darting about as if trying to discover the person nearby.


The spirit’s eyes widened, could it be? Could someone finally sense her? Were her centuries of loneliness at an end?


Hope fostered within the madness of the spirit, a gentle and weak flame in the dark turmoil of her soul. She followed the girl as she rose to her feet and meandered her way to a home attached to a large dojo.


The girl entered into the home and was immediately accosted by two men, a short haired girl and a boy that wore strange bandanna’s. She was accused of vile perversions, honorless combat and tactics and no regard for family. Within moments, the girl was once more sent flying, this time via a rather large chi formed mallet from the short haired girl.


The almost overwhelming sense of betrayal and loss filled her once more as the girl was sent rocketing through the roof of the house and into the early night sky.


The spirit moved through the house, sensing each persons motivations while observing their actions. A tall willowy woman hummed happily in the kitchen, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around her, until the spirit floated through the wall behind her.


The humming stopped immediately and she spun to face the spirit with a stern, almost angry expression, holding a sharp paring knife in her delicate hands.


The spirit froze, meeting the dark eyes of the woman, waiting to see if she truly could see her. The woman’s eyes drifted from the spirit, to the doorway, then back into the depths of the kitchen, her expression turning thoughtful as she did. With a slight sigh the woman turned her back on the spirit and began the preparations on the meal once more.


‘She is more than she seems. She will have to be watched.’ decided the spirit, cautiously moving from the room.


It had been many years since any had been actively able to sense her presence and today she’d found not one but two. One that was losing her grip on life, the other helping others to hold firm to the grip.


Her curiosity peaked, she traveled the distance to wear the girl had landed, only to find no one within the small crater.


Extending her reach out, she sought out the girl, not wanting to lose the precious feelings she gave off. The feelings were close, though different from before, in a way that the spirit was unable to discern immediately.


She found a boy sitting within an abandoned public bath, sitting with a morose expression along the edge of a broken and filthy tub. The spirit drifted closer, her eyes seeking the boys, finding the same blue eyes of the girl before her.


‘What is this?’ she asked, reaching a ghostly hand up to touch the boys face, wondering if perhaps her own madness had finally taken what little shreds of sanity she had left.


The boy jerked his head back from the chill touch, his eyes wide as leapt to his feet in a combat stance. His chi flared within him, dazzling the spirit with it’s radiance and power as he showed his skill. He sought the dark corners of the room with his eyes, calling out a challenge to someone named Cologne, then waiting in tense silence for the answering challenge.


When none came, the boy slowly dropped his guard and begin a hesitant investigation of the room, turning up nothing though the fine hairs on his neck stood on end as he did.


The spirit’s hopes soared as he moved, obviously aware of her presence, yet unable to locate her. ‘I will have him...he will be mine.’ she thought, her fingers running down the boys back giving him chills that went beyond the physical.


She laughed, laughed with more than a faint trace of madness as he fled. She had found one that could be with her, alleviate her loneliness and damnation, though he had yet to realize it. She followed him back to the home and sat with him as he rested upon the roof, waiting for everyone to sleep within.


She listened to him talk, his speak rough and uncultured though his emotions strong within the words as he voiced to himself his hopes and dreams for the future. She heard his sense of loss from the short haired girl, the futility of his life and the constant battles he found himself in that never seemed to end. Though his words never spoke of it, she could sense his honor, his nobility that was so obvious that everyone missed it behind the coarse exterior he portrayed.


With subtle manipulations, she set into motion his thoughts, playing on his sense of abandonment and betrayal, deepening them. The look of sadness and loss in his eyes pulled at her, adding to her desire to obtain this boy, to claim him as her own. He rose shakily to his feet, fighting back tears, looking up to the night skies and asking for guidance. He too only found silence as the reply, adding to his isolation. With a grace and skill that caused the spirit to gasp, he leapt from the roof and was able to enter the open window below, as if given the ability to fly.


She stayed with him that night, and many more of the next nights, observing his actions as well as his dreams. Her powers seemed to reach him on a subconscious level, pushing him in the direction that would lead him to her arms, lead him to end her loneliness and banishment.


The boys troubles were impressive. He’d found himself being actively pursued by more than 4 girls, all of whom used different methods to try and trap his emotions. They used his honor, his pride, his sense of family and prowess as a martial artist against him, all in the pursuit of his love.


Her hatred grew exponentially as she watched them destroy his sense of worth, jealousy now flaring into existence within her. They knew nothing of his desires, didn’t deserve him nor his attentions and nebulous affections.


The spirit moved within each girl, expounding on the self doubt and fears they held so close. Her laughter caused all but one to have horrific nightmares, the one being too muddled of the mind to truly appreciate the manipulations occurring to her. ‘Kodachi is a better candidate for banishment than I.’ thought the spirit with a huff, giving up the manipulations on the girl as she realized that she was probably helping the girl’s claims rather then hindering.


Weeks passed, each growing progressively worse then the last for Ranma. The fiancee brigade acting more and more chaotic and aggressive towards not only him but each other as well.


He walked slowly into the kitchen, his face drawn with exhaustion and depression, falling into a seat at the low table while Kasumi cooked. “Hey Kasumi.” he said without looking up.


“Oh. Why hello Ranma!” she replied turning to smile beatifically at him. “Is everything alright Ranma?” she asked, crossing over to the boy and kneeling next to him.


He shook his head and found himself fighting tears at the simple kindness the woman always brought with her. Fighting for emotional control by telling himself that men do not cry, he forced a deep breath. “No...I feel...” he began, only to have the depression well up inside him, stronger than ever as he tried to express what he felt.


The spirit sat opposite Ranma, a smile of almost pleasure on her face as she easily pulled his depression and feelings of futility to the forefront. It had become easier and easier for her to do so, to the point where she could do so without having to make contact with the boy. The only hindrance she’d had is when this woman Kasumi was near him. She seemed to be able to counteract the negative emotions simply by speaking with the boy, erasing hours of work with but a few words or a gentle touch.


She glared at the saintly woman as she reassured the vulnerable young man, telling him to believe in himself and those that truly loved him. She sneered with derision at the comment, ‘As if any of those girls truly love him. You’d be better to hand him a knife and be done with it all.’ she thought, pulling back her hands from Ranma.


Kasumi rested a hand on his shoulder, “Ranma, it’s okay. You can always talk to me.” she said softly to the hurting young man. The last weeks had shown an increase in the amount of violence that centered directly around him, usually with him on the receiving end of it all.


With a shuddering breath, Ranma nodded to her, raising up his eyes to look at her. As their eyes met he could feel the weight lifted from him, lightening his emotional turmoil, if only for a moment. “It’s just that Akane’s always blamin’ me for stuff that ain’t my fault. Hit’n me and everything before I can even explain.” he said, his shoulders slumping.


“Then you’ve got the other fiancee’s all fighting like I’m some kinda prize or something, or they’re trying to kill each other...even Ucchan is gettin’ in on it. Today I had to stop her and Shampoo from takin’ each other out.” he sighed, remembering with a grimace of pain the amount of trouble he’d gone through to stop the fight between the two girls.


Kasumi nodded and smiled sadly at the sensitive young man, her heart going out to him. “Maybe you should take a training trip Ranma, you know...to get away for a little bit. That way you can clear your head and try to find a fresh perspective.” she offered helpfully, wondering herself at the intensity of violence shown by the girls.


Ranma looked at her for a moment, unsure of the best course of action, the feelings of futility and desperation filling him once more. “I dunno Kasumi, I don’t like running away from my problems. Plus I’d also be afraid they’d kill each other while I was gone too...I just can’t win....” he trailed off, a look uncommon to one Ranma Saotome’s face, a look of defeat.


Kasumi’s smile faltered at the sight, unused to seeing the overly confident young man so lost. The feeling of oppression and darkness ate at the edge of her consciousness, causing her to look about the kitchen. The feeling had been around for some time, though it was stronger than usual at times, she couldn’t place it. “Ranma, after all you’ve done for Akane, I’m sure she knows how much you care for her. Just give her some space and some time, she’ll come around.” she said, speaking the words with more confidence than she felt.


Ranma just nodded miserably, lowering his eyes, “I dunno Kasumi...sometimes I wonder...” he said quietly, releasing a sigh.


Before Kasumi could respond, an ominous stomping began from upstairs, approaching the kitchen. Both people glanced upwards at the sound, both knowing who was coming and what her current state of mind was.


Kasumi looked over to where Ranma had been sitting, only to find him gone and the curtains in the kitchen window fluttering frantically to mark his passage. Sighing, the older sister placed the smile back upon her face and turned to greet her thundercloud sister, in a vain attempt to sooth the savage beast.


Ranma landed lightly on the roof of the dojo, not breathing hard at his sudden exertion, but feeling exhausted both mentally and emotionally from the suffering he’d been through in the last weeks. He rested on his back, his arms behind his head as he gazed to the heavens, wondering if anyone up there was actually watching over him or if they also had it in for him.


The spirit settled next to him, soothing his emotions while increasing the feelings of discord with his fiancees, showing him glimpses of a life without strife and pain. A life of acceptance and peace with one that wanted only him, not what he represented. Her arms wrapped around him protectively, filling him with an unknown desire.


She smiled softly as the tears formed in the boys eyes, knowing that the last of his defenses were being breached. ‘Soon...soon we’ll be together, and we’ll never be lonely or hurting again.’ she promised, leaving the now crying young man to his thoughts as she left to plant the last seeds of doubt and jealousy within the remaining girls.


Ranma awoke to the feeling of being flung through the air, the koi pond rushing up to greet him. The depressed young man didn’t even bother to maneuver into a position to lessen the blow, rather allowed himself to land flat and painful into the cold water.


She surfaced with a minor sputtering, to glare at her father. “Whatever old man.” she said weakly, pulling herself from the water as the older man pleaded with the skies above.


“The shame of having an ungrateful son such as you! I have sacrificed all for you...for the ART! And still you are unable to defend yourself from a simple attack. C’mon Ranma! Show some backbone boy! Beat me, marry Akane and unite the schools to fulfill your honor!” he taunted the girl, oblivious to the fact that she had already passed him and was in house.


Kasumi smiled brightly at the girl, but before she could greet her and hand her the kettle of water, she’d passed her by. For a long moment Kasumi looked after the girl, true worry now forcing the normally ever-present smile from her face. Taking a step closer to where she’d passed, a hand on her shoulder stopped her.


“Let him be, it’s time the boy faced his problems on his own.” came the gruff voice of Genma, his face stern as he watched after his son.


The spirit felt the joyous laughter bubble within her at the man’s words, knowing that Ranma had heard them as well. Her expression showed the pain she felt, a pain that now cut to the heart and soul of who she was and how she regarded herself. To hear such a thing from the man that had singlehandedly created most of her problems usually just angered her. Today however, it sent the boy turned girl into the dark depths of her depression, spiraling out of control.


His chi glowed a sickly green that would have made the eternally lost boy jealous. He exited the furo and walked to his room, pulling his pack from the shallow closet. He rifled through it half heartedly, finally coming across the small box that he’d been searching for.


He rested on his heels and held the box on his knees, his eyes glued to it. He heard the all too familiar stomping of Akane as she returned from her morning run. Sighing, he rolled to his feet, tucking the box back into his pack then heading towards her room.


He rapped lightly on the door, wincing as he heard the tone of her voice, “What is it Ranma?” she asked with a trace of venom.


“I uh...can I ummm...” he stammered suddenly unsure of his actions.


The door jerked open to reveal a slightly sweaty and throughly annoyed borderline angry Akane. “What?” she asked, glaring up at him.


“Can I talk to you for a sec?” he asked quietly, steeling himself for the conversation.


“Fine. Whatever.” she said, turning from the door and heading towards the bed to pick back up the towel. She rubbed the sides of her neck as she watched the pig tailed martial artist from the corner of her eye.


“Look, I know things have been kinda rough...” he began softly, not meeting her eyes as he tried to express his feelings.


“Humph...” she grunted at him noncommitedly, closing her eyes and turning her back to him. ‘Perverted jerk! It’s all HIS fault anyways...’ she thought, the anger rising in levels within her that were unreasonable.


Her thoughts strayed to the anger for a moment, before the sound of his voice caused a red glow to foster around her, driving more rational and caring thoughts away.


“I just gotta know somethin’...do you even care about me anymore Akane?” he asked quietly, his hands loose by his sides, eyes on the flooring beneath his feet.


Akane blushed at the question, the feeling of love she’d harbored for him floating upwards only to be quashed ruthlessly by the irrational anger that seemed to overcome her recently. “Why would I EVER care about a perverted loud mouthed egocentric arrogant jerk like you?” she shouted at him, her fists clenching as her voice rose.


Ranma’s heart died within him, cold loss filling the cracks and emptying him of all his passions and drive. As he watched her approach, his eyes filled with unshed tears at the sight of her anger and hatred for him.


Rather than allow himself to be malleted into LEO, Ranma simply hung his head and turned, exiting the room to leave a fuming Akane sputtering all alone.


“AND DON’T COME BACK EVER! I HATE YOU RANMA!” she shouted after him.


The spirit trailed after him, into his room and smiled broadly as he pulled the box from his pack. Her arms once more encircled him, offering him cold solace within the dread embrace. ‘Come to me...I will never judge you, never leave you. I will accept you for who and what you are, never asking for more...simply join me Ranma Saotome...join me.’ she placed into his mind, showing him visions of her face, her beauty and her unquestioning acceptance.


He moved slowly from the unseen embrace, pulling paper and ink from the small desk, writing quickly in the silence of the room.


The spirit could feel his soul slipping into the oblivion with hers with each word on the paper. When he’d finished, he set the pen down and leapt to the window sill, taking a final look before vanishing into the night air.


She knew where he was headed, the one place he could go to hide and seek refuge...under the bridge. With supernatural quickness she arrived there before him, kneeling in the dark shadows with an eager and hopeful expression.


He knelt down and pulled the box from his pocket, opening it gently to reveal a gleaming sharp tanto from the velvet folds. His eyes misted over as he considered the path his life had taken, the debt of honor he owed so many for things well beyond his control. He pushed aside his remorse and doubts, holding onto the one thing that had always sustained him...his honor.


The spirit watched with careful eyes, rising to kneel behind the boy as he opened his shirt to reveal the taunt muscles of his abdomen. Her hands held onto his as he positioned the blade before him, steadying them as she did.


His eyes rose a chill covered his body like an embrace. His mind wondered at his course of action for a moment before the sight his mother entered his mind. The regrets he’d always have at not being able to tell her that he was her son filled him, steeling his mind for what honor demanded be done.


The spirit kissed the back of his neck gently as the blade moved, icy cold stabbing deeply into fiery muscle, a cascade of blood flowing from the lethal wound that he’d inflicted upon himself.


Kasumi’s face contorted with pain, a sudden feeling of dread washing over her as her mind screamed. “Ranma...” she whispered, dropping the knife she held and racing up the stairs to his room, only to find it empty.


“Akane! Father! Uncle Saotome!” she shouted, racing from room to room and flinging open the doors in search of the missing young man.


Those that she called came racing to her, the timbre and fear in her voice evident. “What’s going on Kasumi?” asked Akane, the first to greet her sister.


“Akane, where’s Ranma?” she asked, her voice thin and breathless.


Akane’s anger fled immediately, as if turned off at the source as she thought of the young man that meant so much to her. “I...I don’t know...” she said haltingly, remembering vaguely an odd daydream she’d had of him and her telling him she hated him.


Kasumi looked deeply into her sisters eyes and could see the confusion, “Something terrible has happened Akane...I can feel it...” she said quietly, showing an uncanny perception for the normal unflappable woman.


Soun and Genma looked at one another in confusion at her words and actions, neither liking the implications. “Come Tendo...we must find the boy!” said Genma, moving his bulky form down the stairs at a rate of speed unthought of for him.


“Quite right Saotome...” followed Soun, not even entering into fountain mode as he left. Something about the way Kasumi was acting setting him uneasy.


Kasumi looked after the men for a moment, then turned back to Akane. “You must find him...NOW Akane. Get as much help as you can.” she ordered the girl, then turned towards the phone.


Akane was only vaguely aware of Kasumi talking to Dr. Tofu before she too fled from the home in search of the pig tailed martial artist.
Ranma’s cold body lay within a pool of congealing blood, the light from his eyes fading to darkness. He stood before the body with a look of confusion, unsure of what exactly had happened. “Shouldn’t I have wings or something?” he asked himself, looking over his shoulder to make sure.


“I thought much the same Ranma.” came a melodious voice before him, causing him to jump.


“Yahhhh! Who the heck’r you?” he asked, up on one leg while his hands were held wardingly before him.


“I am the one that has watched over you, loved you Ranma. It was your wish to end the pain and I offered the solution. Now neither of us will be alone ever again.” she said, taking a small step towards him.


At the mention of the word love, the pig tail stood straight out and he wondered when his father had engaged him to this woman. He looked into her violet eyes, finding himself lost within seconds there. They showed acceptance and love beyond his imagining, the life he’d dreamt of with Akane but now come to pass with her.


She smiled as she ensnared him, binding him to her. “Come my love, I wish to walk amongst the cherry blossoms with you. Though they are dying from the moment they bloom, their beauty is unrivaled.” she whispered to him, leaning closer and rising up to her toes.


He leaned forwards with a dazed expression, unable to fight the feelings of peace and love that had come from her and now were removing all traces of his love for any other. Their lips met softly, kissing each other with a tenderness meant for more intimate moments.


He sighed into her mouth as he gave himself up to her, her love washing away his pains along with his memory of his life before. “Now, we’ll always be together my love...no one can separate us again.” she whispered softly, wrapping her arms around him, enjoying the feeling of his body pressed against her.


The two faded just as a large group of stunned people arrived, most falling to their knees. The most powerful and talented martial artist any of them had ever known, lay before them, dead by his own hand.


Kasumi’s hand crumpled the hasty note that was written in a shaky hand.


Hey,

Sorry about this everyone, but I just can’t do it anymore. This ain’t ever gonna work out with all the fiancees always fighting. I can’t marry one without dishonoring the others, no matter how I feel.

This way everyone gets to keep their honor as I keep mine. You all will be better off without me anyways with all the trouble I’ve caused. I hope you guys can find a way to get along one day, so that you can take care of each other.

Ranma Saotome


Tears filled the eyes of the angel come to earth as she too knelt by the body. “I’m so sorry Ranma.” she whispered brokenly. “I was too late.” Kasumi said, bowing her head as the tears fell into the cooling puddle of blood.


A light breeze blew through them all, carrying upon it dancing petals of the cherry blossom.











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