Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The Nightmare Saga: Warrior of Shadows ❯ Feelings Unleashed ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: Feelings Unleashed.

Ranma sprawled down on his futon and stared hard at the ceiling, allowing his anger to slowly seep away. His body hurt all over and even small movement made his limbs scream out in pain. He cursed Ryoga in his mind over and over again. His rival was far stronger then before and at least twice as fast. Obviously his training had greatly improved his martial arts skill, which was a first. Every other training trip Ryoga had undertook alone had failed to yield serious results.

Ranma took slight comfort in the fact he had won the fight, but now he had to take Ryoga seriously and not treat him like just another pushover. He wasn't a Kuno or Mousse, that was for sure. There had been something resembling malice shining in Ryoga's eyes earlier, though Ranma was nearly positive that Ryoga wouldn't have resorted to murder, despite his boasts claiming otherwise. It just wasn't in his character. Still, that didn't mean accidents couldn't occur. Accidents killed people just as easily and when Ryoga let go of his sense of reason, he couldn't control or avoid any potential mishaps.

{He's almost my equal!} Ranma realized the hard fact suddenly. Somehow, this frightened him. True, Ryoga had always been his strongest foe and the two had fought regularly over Akane, but the situations had always been the same, had always ended the same. Ranma had always won by an incredible margin and usually took the time to gloat over his victory. He knew he could no longer do that.

{Ryoga's dangerous now, and his anger makes him even deadlier.} He touched a small bruise on his cheek. {Ow!! Ok, Ranma, new lesson number one: never call Ryoga P-chan during a fight again!}

His mind gradually drew back to the events that had occurred at breakfast before the climatic encounter. The newspaper article suddenly reentered his mind, burning red as if on fire, demanding his attention. Proud as he was, he actually felt sorry for Kirin but found it difficult to forgive someone who had put him through a massive amount of hell… and that is exactly what the prince had done! Still, the Nekonronian lord had apologized so everything had been settled. Ranma figured he owed his old enemy at least some amount of concern. Kirin was tough, no doubt about it, and to take a beating as bad as the paper had described would mean his opponent must have been a highly skilled warrior indeed.

Ranma wondered who this 'Mysterious Intruder' was, pondering the possibilities and drawing on a list of suspects. No good, none of his really strong opponents even knew Kirin, and none of those that lived in Nerima had the strength to tackle the prince alone, as their misadventure in Nekonron had proven. The answer eluded him, but he was sure of one thing: the whole mess was going to involve him in one way or another. It always did!

He sighed and closed his eyes, fighting off a headache. {Things never stop in Nerima.}

His thoughts fell to those of Akane and he realized he had bigger, and more immediate concerns to focus on. {I really hate fighting with her all the time! I know I shoot off my big mouth, but she could be a little bit more understanding and less violent! Damn, I bet she's still mad. Wait a minute, why should I care if she's mad or not?! We fight all the time and nothing ever changes. I'm tired of everything repeating itself all the time!}

A question he had been dodging for over a year chose that inconvenient time to pop up again in his mind again. {Do I actually love her? Man, I don't know if I do or not! I don't think I even know what love is!! And with a tomboy like her…!?} Ranma gritted his teeth in frustration, gripping his pillow hard enough to strain it's stitches. Some emotions eluded his confused mind. If only relationships were more liking combat, he wouldn't have any problems but it was all the… sensitive stuff that drove him crazy. How could he apologize to her and tackle this relationship problem at the same time?

{Something simple. Something casual. Something that isn't a big deal… Hmmm…}

His mood suddenly lifted as a great idea entered his mind. {I got it! I'll take her to the movies! That should get her to forgive me and maybe, just maybe, I'll even find out if I like her and find out if....if she really likes me too. Its time to fight! I've gotta' be a man and sort all this out once and for all.}

He jumped to his feet and shook his fist at the heavens. {That's the ticket!}

He rushed from his room as fast as lightening. As he neared Akane's room however, his confidence level sunk like the Titanic and he was suddenly filled with doubt. {What if she rejects me and I look like an idiot? What if she's still mad? What if she attacks me?}

He stood in front of her door, unable to knock as a cold sweat matted his brow.

***

Far away, amidst an explosion of awareness, a consciousness awoke again at last from the bonds of its now infantile body. Though its tiny form had just experienced the exhausting process of reincarnation a short time before, it was already aware of much, comprehending events that, in all actuality, it shouldn't have been able to understand for many years to come. But though this creature was only a baby, it was far more than such, and already expressed a flicker of its former power from time to time.

It was ancient, having seen the world change over and over again, species of animals go extinct, and nations crumble. That was always most amusing of all and it had laughed at man's continual follies over the ages. How the insignificant creatures managed to continue to thrive was a mystery, and an annoying one at that. They arrogantly thought themselves the masters of the Earth, the rules of the air, land, and sky.

One day, he would show them, in great detail, the error of their pride swollen ideals.

But, at present, it was of no consequence. He was stronger then humanity, smarter as well. His race was majestic and clean, so unlike the primitive apes that called it's self mankind. The fact that he had been tricked and defeated by one of these creatures infuriated him to no end. He hating them, and when he got angry, he made sure others would feel his wrath. No race it seemed, no matter how benevolent, was beyond enjoying the simple pleasures of a well-planned revenge.

Yes, he was aware, and he had been planning and scheming since his rebirth, biting back his anger and rage temporarily. He took a great deal of interest in Ranma and his so-called allies and studied them even now inside his mind. His will was taking shape and his well-thought plans were coming together, and had been since even before he had fully regained the memories of his past.

He would wait patiently, observing them from a distance. He had much time to wait, he was only a child after all, at least for now. It would be quite some time before he was ready to ascend once more and claim his former mantle of power.

He had found a new and interesting thing to watch within the confines of his mind's eye in the meantime. This Shadow Warrior who had appeared on the scene from nowhere was proving to be a truly fascinating person indeed. His ferocity was surprisingly refreshing and if his target truly was Ranma, as the being hoped it was, it would make his plans go by that much smoother. It hadn't been his idea to summon forth this man, but his plans were flexible. He could allow such a random variable into the equation. If the Warrior indeed failed to kill Ranma, it wouldn't hurt him or his overall plan in the slightest. Quite the contrary, in fact. It would give him invaluable information regarding his greatest enemy's latest skills.

Smiling evilly, it temporarily destroyed the mask of innocence it's baby face normally displayed. One way or another, Ranma would die! That, he realized, was more than enough to wait for.

______________________________

When Akane awoke several hours later from a much needed nap she noticed P-chan was nowhere to be found. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up on her bed and yawned, stretching gently. A good sleep after a good cry always made her better and she was relieved to find that her spirits were up slightly. "P-chan, come here baby."

There was no answer. Her head fell glumly and she sighed softly. {He must have wondered off again...} Brushing the hair away from in front of her eyes, she got up and opened the door. Suddenly, she cried out and stepped backwards, losing her balance and nearly found herself landing on the floor. "Wha-"

There stood Ranma, looking nervous and twiddling his thumbs like he had done something wrong.

"Ranma, don't scare me like that!!!" He just stood there staring down at the ground. He wouldn't even make eye contact.

"What's the matter, Ranma?" Akane's face relaxed some and concern appeared. Whenever he didn't react to her yelling she knew something had to be up.

"I, um....y'know, I'm sorry for yelling and arguing with you today, Akane..." He blushed. The ability to properly apologize was not one of his greatest virtues. It served to remind him that he had a long way to go in maturity. He bowed his head, unable to make eye contact with her.

Akane stared at him in shock. He had actually said he was sorry and meant it, so perhaps she should take the time to do the same before someone said the wrong thing again. "I'm sorry too, Ranma... for calling you a pervert and all…" She bowed her head slightly.

"So… uh, I was wondering if you would, you know, uh... go to the movies with me tonight..." His face actually turned redder. "Um, nothing weird… just to.. hang out. Sound cool?"

Akane nearly collapsed. She brought her hand to her chest and found her heart beating rapidly like a drum. {A date! Ranma's asking me out! It's about time!}

"Ranma," she whispered, smiling cutely, "I'd love to! 'Hang out', I mean."

Ranma forced himself to make eye contact with her as his face burned. {She's cute.} At last he was able to admit it to himself without a second thought. Perhaps it was because he had had such an unusual day, or perhaps it was just nature's time. Regardless, he felt something touch his heart with a warm motion, like fingertips brushing across piano keys. In a way, he had always felt strongly about her, he had just been too ignorant to notice it before. Now seemed as good a time as any!

"Great! I was thinking of going to a late show but I thought I'd let you decide what move we went to see," he said.

"How about that new Dragon Ball Z movie? I heard it's best one yet!"

Ranma sighed in relief. He was glad she had chosen a good movie instead of some sappy romance flick. He was very picky about Anime' and Dragonball Z just so happened to be one of his favorites. "Sounds good," he said, smiling. "I think it's playing around ten, but I'll check the paper's again to make sure."

"I'll be ready around nine." Akane winked at him then shut her door. She fell on her bed, overcome with shock and excitement. Tears streaked down the side of her face and she rolled onto her side, smiling softly.

{He does care…I knew it… I knew it!}