Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Perfect Chaos ❯ Cursing the Cure ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.

"Curse you, Saotome!" Ryoga shouted as he thrust his umbrella at the young martial artist. "Why don't you just take it like a man and die!"

"It was just a joke, Ryoga," Ranma laughed as he leapt over the attacking umbrella.

"A JOKE!!" Ryoga screamed as he slammed his fist into wall next to Ranma's face. "How could do such a thing?"

"Even Akane thought it was cute," Ranma smirked. "Dressing little P-chan like a geisha, you were the hit of the festival."

"Damn you," Ryoga screamed as his umbrella slashed at Ranma's unprotected chest. Effortlessly, Ranma leaned back and kicked Ryoga's neck as he fell to the ground. Rolling over, Ranma swept the stunned Ryoga off his feet.

Placing his foot on Ryoga's neck, Ranma signaled his triumph by smirking down at the defeated rival. Ryoga growled at Ranma but was too sore to move. Having fought across most of the Nerima ward, his spirit was willing, but the body was weak and bruised.

"Listen if it upset you that much," Ranma said as he dug his right hand into his pocket. Pulling out some picture and negatives, he tossed them on his chest. "Akane kept one for her scrapbook, but I didn't think you would mind."

"Go to he..." Ryoga tried to speak as he drifted into the black of unconsciousness.

The world of dreams was often Ryoga's only refuge. Here, the demon Saotome was subservient and begged for Ryoga's forgiveness. Once, he enjoyed the company of his beloved Akane, but now Akari has taken her place at his side.

Today, it was different. Instead of paradise, he descended into the depths of hell.

"Look at the little piggy," the giant Ranma jeered. "Hey Akane, check this out."

"Damn you, Ranma," Ryoga shouted. "What about honor?"

"What honor can a pig have?" Ranma laughed.

"I'm not a pig!"

"Have you looked in a mirror?" Ranma said as a mirror appeared before him.

Ryoga stared in horror as his human head was on the body of a little black piglet.

"Here's your slop, pig," Ranma in overalls laughed. A trough full of a brown mixture laid to Ryoga's side. "Akane made it especially for you."

"Shut up!" Ryoga begged.

"Perhaps you would like to fight this fate," Ranma said as his clothes resembled that of a Buddhist monk.

"What?"

"I know the purpose of Jusenkyo," the figure said as his face changed. "I made it."

"Who are you?"

The monk now had light blue hair, but it was the glowing red eyes that froze Ryoga's soul. "The question should really be 'what am I,' but you probably already guessed it."

"Demon..." Ryoga whispered.

"Not quite," the monk evilly grinned, "but I have been called one on several occasions."

"This is just a dream," Ryoga shouted back. "This is not real."

"Only a dream, am I?" the monk laughed. "Perhaps this real, and your life is a dream."

"Stop it," Ryoga cried. "Baku, aid me now."

"They can't not help you," the monk laughed. "They fear me, like all spirits."

"Who are you?" Ryoga once again cried as tears ran down his checks.

"Your master," the monk said as a blinding light filled Ryoga's eyes.

"No!" Ryoga shouted as he sat up.

"Finally up," Ranma said as he leaned against the wall.

Ryoga noticed a wet cloth lying in his lap. Having risen suddenly, it fell from his forehead. He was lying on the floor of the Tendo dojo, but his nurse was neither the gentle Akane or Kasumi but the fiend Saotome.

"Better go tell Akane," Ranma sighed. "If you don't wander off, Kasumi invited you to dinner."

"Are you really Ranma?" Ryoga asked.

"You're losing it, Ryoga," Ranma said as he left the dojo. "Normally, you're only out for a few minutes."

"How long?"

"Half a day," Ranma replied as he disappeared out the door.

Ryoga stared down at his feet as he thought about his disturbing dream. His occasion demon Saotome nightmare had never been as terrifying, but it also seemed real. Even more real than the cold wet cloth in his lap.

Outside, he heard voices talking. Recognizing two as Ranma and Akane, the other was unfamiliar. The three did not appear to be arguing. Ryoga laid back down and place the cloth back on his forehead.

"It was only a dream," he told himself. "Just a dream."

"Thanks, Furugawa," Ranma told the unknown visitor. "This assignment was really tough."

"That's okay," the visitor said. "You really helped getting that kendo nut off my case."

"That voice," Ryoga said as he shot up. Tripping over his own feet, he slid open the door of the dojo. Standing with Akane and Ranma was another boy. Instead of blue hair and red eyes, his hair was black while his eyes were a dull brown. He was gangly and shorter than Ranma. His appearance was nothing like the demon of his dream, but it had his voice.

"I better check on Ryoga," Akane said as she turned to see Ryoga staring at them. "You should not be on your feet yet."

"I'm okay, Miss Akane," Ryoga said as he continued to stare at the unknown boy by his rival.

"Oh, you haven't met Kenji," Akane smiled. "He's in our class at school. He was helping Ranma with his math assignment while I was taking care of your bruises."

"Hello Mr. Ryoga," Kenji greeted. "I hope you're feeling better. I'll see you tomorrow in class, Akane."

"Okay," she said as Ranma led him to gate. "Now Ryoga, you should be resting."

"I think I'll head home," Ryoga sighed. "Maybe I'll reach it by morning."

"You're such a kidder, Ryoga," Akane laughed as Ryoga grabbed his pack and walked out the gate.

Genma stared at the photo in his hand. Taken a day after Ranma's birth, he glared at the smiling man holding the little baby. Grabbing the bottle of an unknown liquor, he drank several draughts of the liquid.

"Trying to purge your soul, Saotome," a voice from behind said. "I doubt you'll find it in that bottle."

"He was my best hope," Genma replied. "He was not going to mar his honor like I had."

"Your honor was not stained," the voice said. "You had to survive."

"But my son did not need that life," Genma shouted as he turned to punch the man.

Soun caught Genma's fist. Being drunk, Genma did not have his usual strength in his attack.

"While I do not fully understand," Soun comforted his friend, "I know you did not have a choice but to train Ranma."

"It was the demon," Genma said as he collapsed to the floor. "Those blood eyes would scare Kami-sama Himself."

"I will take him," Nodoka said as she helped Soun pick up her husband. "He has been worse since he was cured."

Soun shook his head. Since the Saotomes first appeared in his home, Genma would occasionally be found in such a state. Only he and Nodoka knew about his condition, but he often suspected Kasumi knew as well.

"Tendo, what did he mean about his honor?" Nodoka asked as they carried him back to the Tendo residence. "He has often mentioned it, but usually avoids the topic when he awakens."

"I think it is time you know more about your husband's past," Soun sighed, "but I am not the one to tell you."

Nodoka nodded as the two carried Genma to the Tendo home. Ranma would spend the night in the family room, but the boy had grown accustomed to doing so since she moved into the Tendo residence.

Walking into the night, the two did not realize that they were being watched. From the rooftops, a shadowy figure stared as the two carried the unconscious martial artist. Leaping down the side of the building, he walked in the opposite direction.

Ryoga dropped his bag to the ground as he leaned against a wall panting. His journey through the night ended at the Tendo's gateway. Having walked passed it three times during the night, he cursed his misfortune. During his pursuit of Akane, he thought it lucky to find Nerima once a week.

"Curse you, Ranma," Ryoga panted. "I know you have something to do with this."

"Must you blame everything on my pupil?" a voice laughed.

The sound of the demonic laugh froze his immortal soul. With a nervous twitch, he slowly turned to face the stranger. His eyes grew wide as the smiling demon of his dreams stared back.

"As a child of Jusenkyo, you are my little puppet," the demon laughed. "You will serve my purposes nicely."

"You're just a nightmare," Ryoga stammered.

The demon's smile grew at Ryoga's disbelief. His red eyes began to softly glow as he stepped within an inch of the distraught boy's face.

"Oh, I am very real," the demon replied. "Perhaps the only reality that can exist in these chaotic times."

Petrified, Ryoga watched as the demon pulled a piece of paper out of his sleeve. The demon placed it upon his chest and began to chant. The sutra was unfamiliar to Ryoga but sounded Hindu.

"You may not have been a planned disciple," the demon said as he walked away, "but you may have your uses."

A thick fog rolled into the streets as the demon faded away. Ryoga stared down at his chest. An unknown symbol was blazed upon his chest. As the light faded, a wave of drowsiness overtook him.

"What did he do to me?" Ryoga said prior to his collapse on the ground.

Awakening the next morning, Ryoga stretched his arms. Glancing at his surroundings, he gave a depressing sigh. He had hoped to find himself in his own bed rather than front gate of the Tendo residence.

"Good morning, Ryoga," Kasumi greeted as she swept the sidewalk. "I would have wakened you, but you seemed too peaceful to disturb."

"Huh?" Ryoga said as he noticed that sidewalk surrounding him was swept clean while underneath him it was still dusty.

"See you after school, Kasumi," Nabiki said as she walked outside. "I have my entrance exam class this afternoon, so don't wait up for me."

"Okay," Kasumi nodded.

"Oh, Ryoga," Nabiki said as she turned to the stunned boy, "we live in a reputable community. We would appreciate you not just sleeping in our doorway."

"Oh, Nabiki," Kasumi chided. "I am sure Ryoga merely did not wish to wake us at such a late hour."

"Yeah, right," Ryoga nervously laughed.

Nabiki glared down at the lost boy. Ryoga nervously tried to scratch an escape route through the stone wall.

"Next time, try camping in the park," Nabiki blankly replied. Walking toward Furinkan High, she left the distressed boy twitching on the ground.

'She's scary,' Ryoga thought as he tried to calm himself. Rising to his feet, he picked up his bag.

"Ryoga, I think there might be some breakfast left," Kasumi said as she finished her sweeping.

"Thank you," Ryoga bowed. Entering the garden, he saw Ranma and Akane sparring by the koi pond. Ranma was mostly dodging her attacks, which angered Akane into attacking more carelessly.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Akane shouted.

"Hey, you're the one that wanted to spar," Ranma replied.

Ryoga watched haplessly as his former beloved fruitlessly attached his greatest rival. It pained him to see Akane so distressed, but he recognized the training Ranma was giving. He was passing on his ultimate attack.

"Come on, Akane," Ranma sighed. "This is getting really boring."

"Fine," Akane growled. Pulling her arm back, she gracelessly launched an attack at Ranma's unguarded face.

Ryoga turned his back on the two. This was a private affair, and he did not think he could stand to see Akane hurt by Ranma's counter.

Finding his way to the family room, he found a single bowl of rice sitting on the table. Pulling out the chopsticks from his bag, he sat down to eat the rice.

"I see you're finally up," Ranma said as he joined him. "Kasumi said to leave something for you."

"I guess I should thank her for her kindness," Ryoga impassively replied. "It is obvious you don't concern yourself with anyone else."

"Sorry, P-chan," Ranma laughed. "I figured you would be happy with some nice slop."

Ranma prepared himself for an attack, but Ryoga simply continued to finish his meal. Surprised, Ranma stared at his rival.

"I think I'll go to the public baths," Ryoga said as he rose from the table. "Enjoy your day at school."

Ranma blinked as Ryoga walked back out into the garden. He heard Akane greet him, but Ryoga only gave her a passing remark.

"You didn't insult him again, did you?" Akane asked.

"Not really," Ranma answered.

Akane shook her head and laughed. Ranma and Ryoga were always fighting, but they had a civilized encounter without fighting. Perhaps the two were finally maturing.

Ryoga groaned as he slid down into the warm water. It had been almost a week since his last heated bath, and he did not know when he would be able to find another. Arriving late in the morning, he found the baths emptied aside from a few housewives.

His solitude was broken with the sound of a splash of water. Ryoga glanced over and started to edge out of the pool.

"Nothing like a nice soak," the red-eyed demon sighed. "You don't have to leave on my account."

Ryoga relaxed slightly as he sat down in the warm water. The demon merely smiled at the young martial artist.

"What do you want with me?" Ryoga demanded as he attempted to hide the trimmer in his voice.

"Merely to correct an error," the demon replied. "You were never meant to receive my mark. I thought if I cured one curse, the other might be more tolerable."

"What curse?'

"Your madness," the demon answered.

"I am not mad," Ryoga huffed.

"Insanity has its own degrees," the demon laughed. "Have you never wondered why you were condemned to wander the earth aimlessly? Why you confuse good intentions with evil plots?"

Ryoga thought back on the morning. He had found the public bath with out trying and recognized Ranma's training. Realization flooded his eyes as he stared the demon sipping on a cup of tea.

"Are you now going to demand my soul for payment?" Ryoga asked.

"Your soul, what use would I have for that?' the demon asked as he took another sip of his tea. "I merely was correcting a mistake."

"Then why not remove my JUSENKYO curse!!" Ryoga shouted. "I would rather lose my way than remain as a pig."

"But you have benefited so much from that gift," the demon replied. Ryoga noticed the hint of shock on the demon's face. It had been the first genuine emotion Ryoga had seen him display. "Why would you reject it? I doubt that farmer's daughter would mind if..."

"Don't you dare talk about Akari!" Ryoga sneered as he stood up in water. "Even her name is not fit for the mouth of a demon."

"Very well," the demon replied. "If you wish, I will give you both cures. In one week, you can decide which to keep."

"I don't need a week," Ryoga snapped back.

"Oh, I think the next week will change your mind," the demon said as he rose from the water. Standing on the water's surface, his eyes began to glow blood red.

Ryoga gulped as he felt the air grow cold. His battle aura began to flare as the demon drew closer. It was stronger than ever before, and it continued to grow without his control.

"Don't worry," the demon hissed. "This shouldn't hurt too much."

The attendant rushed inside when he heard the blood-curdling scream from the men's bath. He found Ryoga floating face down in the water. Rushing into the pool, he pulled the boy to the edge before running to call a doctor.

Ryoga slowly opened his eyes to the searing light above his face. Glancing to his side, he recognized the skeleton by the door. Sitting up, he looked for either Dr. Tofu or Genma but saw neither. Trying to stand on his own feet, a wave of nausea swept over him. He collapsed unto the floor with a groan.

"I see you're finally awake," Tofu greeted as he walked into the room. "You might want to take it easy for a few days."

"What happened?" Ryoga asked.

"Well, apparently you had an encounter with the same demon as Mr. Saotome," Tofu answered. "You've had your Jusenkyo cursed removed."

"It wasn't a dream," Ryoga whispered.

"Your chi was burned out generating battle aura," Tofu explained. "I would recommend staying in bed for a few days."

Ryoga stared at the ceiling. The demon's warning still worried him, but how could his cure be anything but beneficial?

"You have a visitor in the waiting room," Tofu continued. "I'll send her in with you think you can stand some company."

"Yeah," Ryoga absently replied.

Tofu left the dazed martial artist on the bed. Ryoga figured it would be Akari since Tofu did not seem to know her. He guess proved correct when Akari entered the room.

"Hello, Ryoga," Akari shyly greeted.

"Hi, Akari," Ryoga smiled back. "How did you hear already?"

"Ranma told me," Akari replied. "He came to the farm this last night."

"Yesterday?" Ryoga puzzled.

"He said you would need me here," Akari continued, "but he didn't tell me..."

Akari's eyes began to tear. Turning away from Ryoga, she began to sob slightly.

"You finally found the cure you've always wanted," Akari cried. "I guess you you're free to find someone new."

"Akari," Ryoga whispered softly. "I love you and only you."

"You say that now," Akari said beneath her tears.

"Akari."

"I better go find us some supper," Akari said as she wiped her cheeks. "I think I saw a Chinese restaurant down the road."

"The Neko Hanten," Ryoga replied. "They have some good beef chow mien."

"Okay," Akari said. She was more composed, but Ryoga could still hear a bit of sorrow in her voice. "I'll be right back."

Ryoga sighed as the door closed. He hated that Akari thought he only loved her because only she would accept his curse.

"I told you there would be trouble," a voice from the corner smirked. "If you think that's the worst of it, you are sadly mistaken."

"Go away," Ryoga groaned. "I still have six days."

"I was merely making an observation," the demon said. Ryoga glanced over at him. The demon was only misty image of the figure he knew.

"Just leave me alone," Ryoga said as rolled unto his side.

"As you wish," the demon said as he faded away, "but this is not over yet."

"Take care," Tofu called as Ryoga and Akari left the clinic. "If you need anything, just call."

Ryoga waved goodbye as he and Akari walked to the street. Two great burdens had been lifted from his shoulders, but now he only had five days until he would decide which to keep. His mind had already settled upon the cure to his Jusenkyo curse, but the demon always hinted he would regret that decision.

"Are you going to see the Tendos now?" Akari asked.

"No, I think I rather spend some time with you," Ryoga replied. "Would you like to go ice skating?"

Akari gave Ryoga a small smile. "I would love to."

At the skating rink, Akari laughed once Ryoga revealed his ability at the sport. Taking his hand, she slowly led him around the rink like a beginner. Ryoga's embarrassment was heightened by the laughs of smaller children.

"Ok, just come to me, Ryoga," Akari said as Ryoga clung to the side. "There, there, it's not so scary. Just stand up."

"Akari!" Ryoga pleaded as the children stared at him. "Children are watching!"

Akari tried to hold back her laughter as Ryoga flailed his arms. For all his martial arts skills, he could not maintain his balance on the ice. Taking his hand, Akari helped him to his feet.

"Ryoga, if you could not skate," Akari said as they left rink, "why did you want to come here?"

"I thought couples did things like this," Ryoga sheepishly replied. "Akane took Ranma skating once, I think."

Akari shook her head. If Ryoga's only idea of a couple was Ranma and Akane, she would have to help correct that notion.

"Why not we go to movie?" Akari suggested.

"Ok," Ryoga agreed. "I don't really know of one near here."

"Why don't we go to your house, then?" Akari replied. "Maybe you know one around it?"

"Not really," Ryoga said as he dropped his head. "I would always get lost and miss the show time."

Akari covered he mouth to mask her giggle. She had been aware of Ryoga's lack of direction, but sometimes it still amazed her.

During the next week, Ryoga spent most of his time with Akari. While attempted to act as a normal boyfriend, he often failed at his endeavors.

As the week drew to an end, Ryoga thought about the demon. He would have to decide which cure he would keep.

Akari however was growing a bit suspicious of Ryoga's newfound vigor. She missed the times they would lose their way and find themselves someplace new and exciting. Now, everything was predictable.

She missed the chaos he had brought into her ordinary life.

The day of his decision arrived with a foggy morning. Ryoga stepped into the fog and prepared himself for the demon's arrival.

"You have made your choice?" the voice in the fog said.

"I have," Ryoga replied. "I wish to keep the cure to the Jusenkyo curse."

Ryoga stared at the demon before him. The week had passed, and the decision was made. He was keeping the Jusenkyo cure.

"Ryoga, this will change everything," the demon told him.

"Only for the better," Ryoga replied. "You can take back the cure for lack of direction."

The demon sadly nodded. Raising his right hand, a blue energy bolt struck Ryoga's chest. The strange emblem that had once been blazed into his chest reappeared and faded away.

"Now you must live with your choice," the demon said.

"And I saw live well," Ryoga replied. Running toward the Tendo residence, he would announce his cure to Ranma just to see the pain of jealousy in his eyes.

"I'm a full man for you Akari," he said as he ran down the street.

Akari cried as she approached the Tendo residence. She did not know what brought her here, but the only person who could understand was here.

She quietly approached the dojo. Sliding open the door, she saw Ranma performing a complicated katra. His movements were quick and precise. His eyes glanced at Akari, but she did not interrupt his form. Once he returned to the starting position, he relaxed and grabbed a towel beside him. Wiping off the sweet on his arms, he greeted Akari.

"Ranma, I have something to ask you?" Akari said as she looked around the dojo uneasily. "It's about Ryoga."

"Sure," Ranma said as he hung the towel around his neck.

"If he lost his curse, would he find someone new?"

Ranma stumbled in his step and stared at Akari. Ryoga had always said that once he found a cure, he would proclaim his love for Akane. But now that he had Akari, he thought it was an empty promise.

"I doubt it," Ranma replied. "Ryoga was always pigheaded, but that just made him even more loyal."

Ranma was a bit puzzled by Akari's question. If Ryoga had found cure, he was going to have to beat it out of him.

"I'm just afraid I'm losing him," Akari said as tears formed in her eyes. "He's not the same person anymore."

Ranma was being to feel nervous now. He had a hard time dealing with crying women, but Akari was one of the few people that did not have a grudge against him. While that may not make a close friend, it was the closest he sometimes had.

"I'm sure Ryoga just adjusting," Ranma replied. "The idiot hardly had a home before he met you."

Akari stared up at Ranma with teary eye which added to Ranma's discomfort. When the door to the dojo opened, he jumped away from Akari.

"Akane it's not what you think..." he started until he realized it was someone else. "Ryoga!"

Standing at the door, the stunned boy stared at the two. He fist began to ball as he marched into the dojo.

"Was four not enough?" Ryoga snapped. "Who knows how many more women you have hanging off your arms, but you had to have Akari as well?"

"No, Ryoga, Ranma was just helping me," Akari said as she tried to defend him.

"And you've clouded her mind against me, too?" Ryoga shouted. "This is unforgivable!"

"No, Ryoga please!" Akari pleaded.

"DIE, SAOTOME!!" Ryoga shouted as he launched an attack at Ranma. Akari pleaded for him to stop, but Ryoga ignored her as he continued his assault on Ranma.

"It's no use trying to reason with him," Ranma huffed as he managed to leap away from the enraged martial artist. "You should get out here."

"But..."

"Go, he has a tendency to hit bystanders when he's like this," Ranma shouted as he barely dodged a punch to his head. Ryoga's fist broke through the wall, but it barely slowed him down.

Akari, with tears in her eye, ran out of the dojo. She did not know where to turn. Taking a last glance at the dojo, she ran toward her home.

"Goodbye, my love," she whispered as the tears fell off her cheeks.

Ryoga growled as he dodged another of Ranma's punches. The danced around the fountain, but neither managed to more than slight strikes on the other's defenses.

"Damn you, Ranma," Ryoga howled. "First you took away Akane, but that was not enough for you. You had to have Akari."

"You will just listen to me," Ranma snapped back. "I was only talking to her."

"But you I saw you embrace her, bastard!" Ryoga shouted as his uppercut landed on Ranma's chin. The blow sent the marital arts back a few feet and caused him to lose his footing. Lying on the ground, he stared as Ryoga's battle aura began to glow brighter than the sun.

"For all my happiness that you destroyed," Ryoga snarled. "SHISHI HÖKÖDAN!!"

Ranma flinched as he prepared for the blast but opened an eye when it never came. Opening both eyes, he stared at Ryoga. His battle aura barely glimmered, and his breath was short. His hands were still in the form for the Shishi Höködan, but none of the chi energy was had struck him. Ryoga was depressed enough for an attack large enough to collapse a building, but Ranma was undamaged.

"I can't believe it," Ryoga mumbled. "I'm so weak."

Ranma rose to his feet and stared at his frozen rival. Ryoga slowly raised his head. Tears rolled down his cheeks.

"He warned me," Ryoga cried. "He said I would curse this cure."

Ranma stared blankly at Ryoga. He rarely seen him this shattered, even when he trained for the Shishi Höködan.

"Ranma, please tell Akari I'm sorry," Ryoga said as he turned his back on his rival. "I must find the demon who cured me. Perhaps, he will let me chose again."

Ryoga took off with all the strength left in his battered body. Knowing he would soon be lost in the depths of Tokyo, he cared little for his surroundings. He failed to notice the gathering mist around. Once fatigue gripped his muscles, he stopped to pant for breath. It was then he saw he was no longer in Tokyo.

"Jusenkyo," he gasped as he saw the poles rising from the pools of water.

"I knew you would come back," he heard the demon laugh. "But you have already chosen your cure. Why should I change it?"

"I have lost everything to this cure," Ryoga shouted to the mist. "Akari, my strength, and my pride. I rather live with the curse than this cure."

"So you finally realized my warnings." The mist began to part to reveal the blue haired demon. "Will take the other cure I offered?"

"No," Ryoga replied. "After seeing how this cure worked, I would rather wander the earth than be trapped by your help."

The demon smiled at Ryoga, but it was not his normal predatory grin. It was similar to the smile his father gave whenever Ryoga learned from his mistakes.

"I will return the Jusenkyo curse," the demon told Ryoga. "My only other offering will be to return you to the Unryu farm."

"I don't think if that will be such a good idea," Ryoga sighed.

"Sorry, but it's nonnegotiable," the demon laughed. The mists once again rolled around Ryoga. When they parted, he saw Akari's farmhouse before him.

Taking a deep breath, Ryoga stepped up to the front door. Taking off his shoes, he walked inside. He heard the sounds of woman crying from upstairs.

"Akari?" he called.

"Ryoga?" he heard softly from upstairs. "Is that you?"

"Yes," Ryoga replied.

He heard the shuffling of feet, and Akari walked into the entrance of the house. Her clothing was wrinkled, and her eyes were bloodshot. The trails of tears lined her cheeks, but a sad smile was on her face.

"So, have you come for your things?" Akari asked.

"No," Ryoga replied nervously. "I wanted to apologize."

"Apologize?" Akari snapped. "You are as bad as you say Ranma is. Do you think you can simply say 'You're sorry,' and I'll forgive you?"

"No," Ryoga said sadly. "If you don't want to forgive, I will have to live with it. You will never see me again."

Ryoga started to turn away, but Akari grabbed his arm. Ryoga looked back at her face and saw fresh tears running down her cheeks.

"I forgive you," Akari replied. "Just don't leave me again."

"I promise," Ryoga said as he began to form his own tears. "If I start to wander away, just tie me to a tree."

The two began to kiss. Outside, a gentle rain fell from the heavens. A man watched the house in the downpour. A smile formed on his lips as he started to walk away.

"You've grown, my son," the man said as he disappeared into the mist.