Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The Road to Freedom ❯ 3 ( Chapter 3 )

The Road to Freedom

By The Senshi of Valis

Chapter 3

rankosenshi@hotmail.com

 

 

Will squeezed Ranma's hand tightly, nervous as the two looked appehensively at the glowing portal in front of them. For Ranma it didn't mean as much as it did to Will since it led to Heatherfield where most portals were centered on. Ranma came from Japan and Will was happy that the schools there required English classes because things could have gone a lot differently when they ended up here all those months ago. No, this portal was nowhere near Japan it was to America where Will came from and where Will never wanted to go again after retrieving her dormouse.

 

Will sighed as she looked up at Ranma, she had to admit that he was worried about returning and it made her feel good that he cared enough for her to be this worried for her.

 

“Relax Will, everything will turn out okay, trust me.” Ranma said, “And don't worry, Altair will take good care of your dormouse.”

 

“I'm not worried about that, I know he will. It's whats through there that has me worried.” Will said.

 

“We can turn back or I can go myself.” Ranma suggested.

 

“No one knows where to find the others and I don't like the idea of sending one of the others through to earth. Too much could happen to them and it'd be my fault.” Will said drawing her cloak tightly around her and pulling the hood up so the shadows hid her face. “I guess its now or never.”

 

“Yeah, lets go.” Ranma said as he pulled his own cloak tight. Will knew that they would stand out some but it was better than waltzing around town in plain view for everyone to see. Quickly she stepped through the portal followed closely by Ranma. She left the portal unsealed for once until they returned then Will intended to close it.

 

“We're close to Irma's.” Will sighed as she looked around and got her bearings. A warm, comforting hand on her shoulder gave her the strength she needed not to turn back. “I'm okay, Ranma, thank you.”

 

“Lets get this over with love and get back home.” Ranma whispered.

 

“The sooner the better.” Will said as she nodded. “This way, lets check to see if they are at the Silver Dragon.”

 

Will silently led the way through the alleys and backstreets as she ignored the strange looks Ranma and her was getting from the several people that they did pass.

 

“Excuse me, but may I ask where you two are heading?” a hauntingly familiar voice asked from behind the two just before they got to the restaurant. Turning around Will saw one of the people that could cause them a lot of trouble, Irma's father decked out completely in uniform and looking like he meant business.

 

“Well…we…we are heading to a costume party at our friends.” Ranma says pulling back his hood and Will saw Mr. Lair visibly relax.

 

“I'm sorry, its just that I'm a little jumpy lately. Theres been several missing people and its been hard on a lot of people.” Mr. Lair sighed, “My daughter…she's been so upset lately because one of her friends is one of them. At first it was just a simple case of a runaway but there hasn't been any sightings of her at all for six months…we suspect something more…”

 

Will watched in shock as the man rubbed his eyes, could Irma really miss her?

 

“I'm sorry.” Mr. Lair said, “I didn't mean to ramble on like that…its just been so rough you know. Please have fun at your party but be careful and if you see anything suspicious please call the police.”

 

“Sure thing officer.” Ranma said shaking his head as Will dragged him off. After they was out of earshot of Mr. Lair Ranma asked, “Are you okay, Will?”

 

“I'll be fine.” Will said, “That was Irma's dad…I think he was talking about me.”

 

“Sounds like she must really miss you.” Ranma said softly, “Maybe you should at least talk to them.”

 

“No. I can't Ranma, I can't…I just want to get this over with and back home.” Will said.

 

“I won't force you to do amything you don't want to Will but at least think about it.” Ranma said, pulling his hood back into place.

 

“I will. For now though lets just go inside and get this over with.” Will said, “Caleb used to help out by waiting tables here sometimes. I'm hoping he's here now and the others aren't.”

 

Will led the way into the restaurant and waited until Joan Lin seated them at a table. She sighed to herself when the woman gave them strange looks after refusing to remove their cloaks. She wanted to start crying though when she saw four girls come in and sit down at a table close to them. It was Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin, four of the people that Will wanted to see the least at the moment and yet four of the people shes been wanting to see for months. It was tearing her up inside being so close to them and yet so far away.

 

“Talk to them.” Ranma urged.

 

“N-No…I'm okay.” Will whispered, “Here he comes, lets get this over with.”

 

“Welcome to the Silver Dragon, would you like to see a menu?” Caleb asked wearily, it was easy to see how bored he was.

 

“That won't be necessary, Caleb.” Ranma said. “I have news from the rebels.”

 

“This way.” Caleb said, walking briskly towards the back. Will hurried after him with Ranma in tow. Will sighed yet again as she noticed the girls also following. She so didn't want to deal with them…did she?