For this and any of my other works, visit my little home on the Bay: http://www.geocities.com/coutuva As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated. All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission. Please Enjoy! Coutuva. A Wish Made - Part One ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Ailen!" the familiar voice exclaimed, sending a cold chill down his back. He had been moments away from the Tendou home and sanctuary, only to end up smothered in exuberant Amazon. "Arrgh! NO! Sham-pooo!" he protested vigorously, attempting to extricate himself from her iron-like grip -- before his protests were heard by a certain someone. His efforts were in vain. "RAAANNNMMMAAAA!!!" the cry of the vengeful Akane echoed across the street, followed by stars, pain, and the distinctly unsettling and annoyingly familiar sensation of being airborne. As he began his VFR approach to the empty field several blocks away, he regained enough composure to keep the wheels-up landing from breaking something other than his pride, although he did end up creating a significant crater. When he finally did sit up, he looked about himself and sighed. The ground within sight was pocked with his previous impact craters, and suddenly, the letters from the city fathers group made sense; he was contributing to the aeration of the soil, and the new growth actually was quite attractive. That, however, did little to relieve his frustration. It had happened again, and he was getting more than a little tired of being launched into LEO for things that weren't even his fault. And it never mattered how eloquently or how loudly he tried to state his case, it always fell on deaf ears. Fuming, he wished it would all just stop. The entire situation was beginning to give him a complex, and worse yet was beginning to rub off -- these days, even Uuchan would blame him first and ask questions over his mangled remains. He already knew what awaited him back at the Tendou home. Akane would glower at him all night, perhaps being civil enough by bedtime to say a quick goodnight. His father would likely lecture him on the inadvisability of upsetting his fiancee, and Soun would either be crying or on the verge of it. Kasumi, of course, wouldn't seem to notice, and Nabiki would be arranging side bets and laughing at the show. Huffing at his lot and deciding that self-pity was exactly that, he picked himself up, tenderly checked his aching skull for signs of fracture, then stepped up the three-foot bank carefully. The ground always tended to be a bit unstable after an impact like his. He spent the entire trip home looking over his shoulder for various and sundry fiancees, challengers or Amazons, only relaxing when he finally passed through the gates of the Tendou home. Walking in the door and slipping off his shoes, he trudged into the family room, wondering how long it would take for 'the eyes' to find him. To his dismay, it didn't take long. No sooner had he entered the hall to make his way to the bath, he came face to face with the withering glare of Akane. Groaning, he rolled his own eyes and stepped past her, not wanting to engage in the argument that simmered in her condemning gaze. After washing up joining the family for supper, he made sure he kept his gaze down and concentrated on his meal. Unfortunately for his hopes, the ploy didn't work. Akane waited exactly 26 seconds before firing the first volley. "So you have nothing to say for yourself?" "Is there any point, Akane? You won't listen anyway," he groaned, tiredly. "I don't care! I turn my back on you for a second, and you're getting all smoochy-faced with that Amazon! And right in front of the house, no less!!" she bellowed, leaning into his face. "Is that... True, son?" Soun blinked, his face already starting to quiver. Ranma's shoulders dropped. "Why won't you ever give me a damned break, huh?" he responded, glaring back at her. "I'm outta here," he growled, then simply rose and walked out the side door. Akane was speechless. Soun was blubbering, and Genma was in the process of picking up his jaw. Nabiki shook her head, and Kasumi only smiled and offered everyone dessert. Ranma, meantime, had stormed into the Dojo and ripped away his shirt, immediately taking out his mounting frustrations on one of the practice dummies. Within moments, he had it reduced to splinters, and moved on to the next without breaking stride. He was beyond angry. To him, it seemed nobody cared about his side; in fact, as per all too usual, nobody had even bothered to see if there was one. Even after all this time, he still couldn't believe that his input -- his *feelings* mattered so little to the people that professed to be his family. Making it worse was the fact that it was the woman that he was supposed to marry that was at the core of the problem. He was *not* a bad person; his input was *worth* something. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. What annoyed him most however, was the sad fact that he was the only one who ever did. His face darkened as he realized that, and in turn, he increased the ferocity of his attacks on the hapless dummies. As he reduced the last one to sawdust, he heard someone approaching him from behind. They were trying to be quiet, but they were not quiet enough. "Don't bother, Pop. I know you're there," he announced, turning to face his surprised father. Genma, apparently realizing that he was lethargic from overeating, immediately smiled disarmingly. "Ranma, m'boy... I got the idea you want to talk," he blustered, broadening his smile. "No. You talk first. Then I'll decide if I want to," he responded, starting a kata to burn off the adrenaline still coursing through him. Genma's face fell, then sobered. "Ranma; that wasn't a very smart thing to do. Soun is so upset he's hyperventilating, and Akane destroyed the table -- before I finished eating! Making your fiancee mad is *not* the way to inherit a School, boy. And the sooner you learn that, the sooner you two can get married!" he growled, light rolling off the lenses of his oversized glasses. Ranma hit his breaking point. Faster than Genma had ever seen him move, his hand shot out and grabbed the old man's gi, then snatched him from his feet and slammed his back into a nearby wall. "Is *that* all you care about? What about *me*, Pop? Does *anyone* in this god-damned house care what I think?" he screamed into Genma's horrified face, the blood vessels in his forehead bulging. "NO!! Not even my own damned father!!" he added, tightening his grip. A long heartbeat of angry silence passed, then Ranma simply dropped him to the floor. "I knew it," he glowered, then turned and walked toward the door. "Anybody ever tell you you're a selfish *bastard*?" he snarled, then walked out without looking back. Half an hour later, he found himself sitting on the slanted concrete of the aqueduct, watching the shadows grow long as the sun gradually sank in the sky. His mind was basically in neutral, refusing to entertain the thoughts he found so painful. Sighing, he picked up a small rock and tossed it into the gently rippling water, then watched with great interest as the ring-like waves expanded into nothingness. He had no idea how much time had passed, but when he finally allowed his mind to form a coherent thought again, he noticed it was getting fairly dark. His next thought was that he had better get home and showered, since he had school in the morning. However, just as he went to rise, he suddenly puffed a laugh and shook his head. "That's just what they'd expect me to do. Go mope for a while, then come home and take whatever abuse they feel like handing out," he thought to himself, bitterly. "And then it'll start all over again tomorrow. Kuso, this'll never end if I go back there now," he noted, his face darkening. As he pondered his next move, he was unaware of the activity behind him, and didn't hear the soft footfalls approaching from the roadside. In fact, he didn't hear them until they were almost right up beside him. "Okay, stop screwin' around..." he blurted, snapping his head around to see who was coming, then felt his words catch in his throat as he saw a familiar face. "Ano... Kagome?!?" "Hai!" the girl replied, bowing as he scrambled to his feet. "I just had to come back -- I missed you too much!" she blurted, stepping forward and snaking her arms around him, then nestling her face into his bare chest. Ranma, in a gesture born as much in reflex as in need, returned the hug and held the small woman to him tightly. Within moments, he could feel hot liquid dripping on his skin, and soon running down the deep channel between his ab muscles. "Uhm -- Kagome? Are you... Crying?" Kagome lifted her gaze as high as she could from within his embrace and sniffed delicately. "Hai -- I am crying... Because I am finally back in your arms -- as I have longed to be for the past two years," she smiled, closing her eyes and nestling her face again. "Ranma -- please forgive me. I thought I was strong enough -- to be able to say good-bye," she sniffed again, voice wavering. "But I am not. I'm weak. I was unable to stand another minute of being without you!" she sobbed, her tears becoming a full-fledged cry. Attracted by the green flash they had seen from a distance, the eyes that now peered through the bushes narrowed as their owner counted her lucky stars. Here was the perfect opportunity to have Ranma for herself -- and he was handing it to her on the proverbial platter. And making it even better was that he was with the *same* girl. Giggling to herself, the girl carefully stepped back in order not to alert Ranma or his 'friend', and then broke into a run for the nearest phone. Ranma looked down at Kagome, now nestled against his side as they sat on the concrete slope, her head resting against his shoulder as she wiped the last of her tears. He couldn't help but notice that having her there felt good -- too good, actually. "I am sorry, Ranma. I did not intend to cry like this. But seeing you again... Simply overwhelmed me," she smiled sheepishly, tightening her grip on his arm. "It's okay, Kagome-chan," he dismissed, diplomatically. "I'm really glad to see you again, but I'm kinda surprised. I thought you had to go back to your planet for good or something. They send you back?" he redirected, trying to avoid a 'stickier' conversation. "No. I am here... For you, Ranma," she replied earnestly, rising from his side and scooting over to face him. Upon arranging her knees under her, she reached out and took his hands in hers, and looked into his blinking sapphire blues. "I came to your planet with my parents when I was but a child, to prepare for my eventual role in my System's political structure. My father's intent was to give me a broader base of experience to take back to my position," she began, all the while watching Ranma's eyes. "However, with their... Untimely passing, my exposure was... Limited. I wandered this island for the rest of my time here, waiting until my grandparents came to retrieve me, as had been prearranged. I also fervently hoped I would find you again, which I did -- but sadly, it was just at the time that I was to return home," she continued, her voice carefully steady. Ranma smirked. "So you came back to finish your homework?" he remarked, flashing a wry grin. Kagome smiled brightly, surprising him a bit. "In a manner of speaking, yes," she responded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "My 'role' is to assume the governorship of a minor planet in our sector. I was to arrive there in a few of your days, but I left slightly early, that I would be able to come here... To see you again," she stated, her eyes shimmering once more. Ranma couldn't help but smile. He had missed her in the days after her departure, and had often thought of her over the slow passage of time. She was an attractive girl, and he could sense within her an almost earthy genuineness that seemed to be absent from most of the people he knew. In fact, it was that same genuineness that led him to notice that she had another shoe waiting. "And..." he prodded, half-seriously. Kagome instantly flushed, then gradually, her face took on the look that he remembered so well from their last meeting -- the one that seemed suspended between smiling and bursting out in tears. "Ranma... I came... Because I still love you," she began, quietly. "In the time after I left, I came to realize that I loved you so much... That I could no longer be without you. You gave me my strength -- my direction -- and even my love of life; as long as you were in it," she explained quietly, the emotion in her eyes actually bringing a lump to his throat. But not the kind he would have expected. "I found I was... Incomplete without you. And I knew... I could not do those who were about to become my responsibility any justice... As long as we were apart," she continued, lowering her eyes slowly. Ranma felt his stomach tighten. Somehow, he knew what was coming next. Kagome, meantime, kept her gaze lowered, appearing to be gathering herself. Taking a long breath, she then raised her eyes to meet his once more, and he could tell she was blinking back tears. "I have come to ask you to come with me... To help me guide my people, and to share with me the strength and wisdom I know you to possess," she stated, choosing her words carefully. Ranma, however, saw right through her 'diplomacy'. Looking back into her eyes, he frowned slightly. "What are you *really* asking me, Kagome-chan?" he countered firmly, despite the butterflies in his stomach. Kagome sighed, then closed her eyes. "I want to be your wife, Ranma... I want to spend the rest of my life with you; if you will have me," she finally stated, her hands tightening around his as she bowed forward and rested her forehead on them. Ranma was all at once euphoric -- and horrified. Not because of what Kagome had said, but because of how it made him feel. The words, instead of turning his emotions into an uncertain, paralyzing mix of panic and fear, filled his heart with a kind of happiness he had never felt before. Just as he began to enjoy the new sensation, it suddenly disappeared, replaced by a sinking feeling of hopelessness as he suddenly remembered his 'predicament'. The unexpected despair of it sobered his face, which Kagome noticed immediately. Before she could react however, Ranma made his feelings known. "Dammit!" he snarled, suddenly rising and walking a few paces up the sloped wall. Kagome looked after him blinking, then rose and went to his side. She took hold of his arm and stepped around to see his face, only to gasp at the pained expression that contorted his strong features. Ranma huffed and lowered his face. "Kagome-chan... I have... Something to tell you," he began, the tone of his voice indicating his great frustration -- and sadness. "I'm honoured... More than I can put in words... That you think I'd be a good husband. That means a *lot* coming from you. But, my parents... Kinda... Arranged for me to marry someone already," he confessed, bitterly. He then braced himself for the expected reaction -- which never came. Kagome, much to his surprise, only sighed with great relief and flashed a weak smile. "That... Does not surprise me. You are a man that any family would desire for the most precious of their daughters," she stated, earnestly. "I would have been far more surprised to learn that you were unbetrothed," she added, her smile widening. "This only tells me... That my heart has been right all along," she almost whispered, her face once again displaying her mixed emotions. Ranma was dumbstruck. No screaming, no mallets, no tears. The concept was so foreign, he didn't know how to react. All he could do was blink in disbelief. Kagome, not really sure what to make of the reaction, quickly stepped back and lowered her eyes. Clasping her hands in front of her, she cleared her throat gently and spoke. "Ranma... Please... Forgive me. It was not my intent... to hurt you. I don't... Want to force you into choosing between your fiancee and myself... " she began, but didn't get to finish. "Good!! Because he hasn't got any choice!!" an angry voice shrieked, as a figure dropped out of the darkness to land beside Ranma. "Akane?" Ranma gasped, jolting violently at her presence. "Shut up, Ranma -- I'll deal with you later! First, I want to teach 'Miss Priss' over here to keep her nose out of other people's business!" she growled back at him, taking a stance between him and Kagome. Kagome's eyes narrowed angrily. "Do *not* speak to him in such a manner -- and do *not* threaten him," she glowered, her voice cold. "You shut up, too!! He's *my* fiancee! I'll talk to him however I damned-well please! And you're in no position to be giving me orders, koneko!" Akane shot back, indignantly. Ranma immediately grabbed her shoulder, about to warn her not to anger Kagome, but only ended up buying himself an unexpected shot to the ribs. "Don't touch me, hentai!" she shrieked, as her elbow sank into his rib cage. Kagome's eyes instantly flashed. "You will *not* harm him!!" she shouted, raising her deadly fist and pointing it directly at Akane. Ranma gasped aloud as he saw it charging on the way up to firing position, and in the few milliseconds he had, reacted the only way he could. The entire scene seemed to go into slow motion. He dove toward the flabbergasted Akane, shoving her aside just as the burst erupted from Kagome's fist. As Akane crumpled to the ground, Kagome realized what was happening, and desperately tried to dissipate the blast. She was too late, as it had already left her hand. Ranma, his body still in the air, closed his eyes and braced for the impact. The burst hit him squarely in the side, knocking his body back several yards and sprawling it in a twitching heap. Kagome, eyes streaming with tears, was at his side before Akane even realized what had happened. Lifting his head gently into her lap, she cradled it worriedly as she assessed his injuries. "Ranma... I'm so sorry. Please... Forgive me," she sobbed, as she leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I couldn't stop it in time," she breathed, straightening his hair tenderly. "Ooohhh... S'okay... Kagome-chan... Didn't want... Her to get... Hurt..." he strained, his now very sore ribs making even breathing painful. Akane, having shaken off her shock, was finally coherent enough to have heard his words. In spite of all that happened, they only served to make her more indignant. Picking herself up, she strode over to Kagome and snarled at her. "Get the hell off of him. Now." Kagome's response was concise. "This is *your* doing," she snapped angrily, and raised her already charging fist again. Ranma stunned them both by suddenly grabbing her wrist and bleeding off the charge. "No, Kagome," he gasped through clenched teeth, as he discovered that the charge was about twice as powerful as the first one. Kagome, stunned at Ranma's act, looked down at him in disbelief. "Ranma... Why?" she gasped, lowering her arm. "Because I'm his fiancee, koneko. Deal with it!" Akane snapped, smugly. Ranma, hearing Akane's taunting remark, instantly growled at her. "No, it's because Kagome could kill you as soon as look at you, you idiot!" he retorted, angrily. Akane was rocked back on her heels. "You mean...?" she stammered, her eyes widening. "I mean she's too powerful for you to be jerking around with, that's what I mean!!" he continued, slowly rising to a sit. The motion made his head abruptly throb, and as he raised his hands to it and grimaced, Kagome moved beside him and touched his shoulder, looking into his face worriedly. Akane, still reeling from the outburst, noticed the quick nod and smile he flashed at the girl before returning his gaze to her. Suddenly, her face contorted with rage. "You bastard! You *like* her, don't you? FINE! If you like her so damned much, then take her!! I never wanted to be engaged to a hentai baka like you in the first place!!" she screeched, her face almost purpling. "Akane, will you give it a rest, already? That's not what I..." "Right!! Sure!! I see it all, now! You two down here by yourselves, you half-naked! Ranma, you're so full of shit! If you didn't want to marry me, then why weren't you man enough to say it?" she screamed again, her fists clenching at her sides. "See? There you go again! Not even listening to me!! You just make up your mind and freak out, no matter *what* the truth is!! Why the *hell* can't you ever take the time to just *listen*?" Ranma shouted back, rising unsteadily to his feet. "Kuso, I swear you *like* getting mad -- it's all you ever damned-well do!!" "Shut up!! Don't you *dare* try and make this *my* fault!! I caught you red-handed!! The *least* you could do is be a *man* about it -- but I guess that's not possible for someone who's half-woman, is it?" Akane retorted, her eyes flashing. "*That* was unnecessary, Akane," he growled, his own fists clenching as his eyes narrowed. Akane almost smiled as she realized she had drawn blood. "But it's the truth, isn't it? Go ahead, Ranma -- take her! I'm sure you two will have a bunch of healthy hermaphrodites together!!" she snarled, unloading a mallet shot to the side of his head. Seeing it coming for once, he tried his best to avoid it. But, as he dodged it, his still unsettled condition made him lose his balance and fall into the water. "Hentai bastard!" Akane sneered, then turned and stomped back up the aqueduct. As she stormed off into the darkness, Ranma picked herself up out of the water, cursing. "Damned bitch," she snarled, shaking the water off of herself. Kagome, meantime, after lifting her dangling jaw back into place, dashed to the water's edge and gaped at the dripping redhead in disbelief. Ranma noticed her reaction and sighed heavily. "Surprise!" she attempted, weakly. "Ahhh... Ranma? Is that... You?" she gasped finally, blinking and shaking her head. "Hai. It is," she responded, sadly. "Well, I was gonna have to tell you eventually, anyway," she puffed, shaking her head. "Remember back when my old man dragged me off to China? Well, he took me to some cursed training ground, and I... Had an accident. Now, I got this curse that turns me into a woman when I get nailed with cold water," she lamented, sighing again. "And it's permanent," she added bitterly as she stepped from the water. "Ahh... Can I borrow your sweater? It's kinda cold..." she asked sheepishly, indicating her nude chest. Kagome bit her lip and looked at her pityingly as she handed over the garment. "That must be horrible," she gasped, then suddenly leaned forward and hugged the damp redhead tightly. Accepting the surprise embrace, Ranma looked back at her with a sad smile. "Huh... You're the first person that's ever felt sorry for me," she noted, huffing. As she pulled the sweater on, she smirked again. "Y'know, I've known Akane for just over three years, and I had no idea," she noted, looking up the slope. "No idea?" Kagome echoed, helping adjust the sweater. "Hai; that she's so... 'Freaked' by my curse," she replied, frowning. "I change back to 'me' when I get doused with warm water, so it's not like I'm always a girl. And no matter what, I'm still a guy underneath all this crap," she went on, looking back at Kagome for a response. Kagome's eyes said it all. It was obvious she felt for his predicament, but it was also obvious that she was -- proud of him. Noticing how Ranma was looking at her, Kagome flushed slightly, then smiled. "Ranma -- you must be the strongest, most patient man in this entire System," she smiled, her eyes almost sparkling in the dim light. "What you have been enduring in the course of simply living your life would destroy most men. But instead, it has made you stronger. I sensed a great, yet quiet strength within you when we first met... And now, I see my impression was not merely infatuation. It was the truth," she stated, her voice soft with emotion. Now it was Ranma's turn to blush. "Ano... Stop it... Yer gonna give me an ego," she flustered, unused to accepting compliments. Kagome only stepped forward and hugged her once more, but this time, it was different. For some reason she couldn't explain, Ranma felt her heart melt. It seemed as if she could feel Kagome's love through the embrace, and it felt very, very good -- and very right. Slowly at first, then deliberately, her arms rose and encircled the brown-haired girl, pulling her closer and holding her tight. "Arigato, Kagome-chan -- for believing in me," she whispered, feeling her own eyes start to sting. "Ranma, I always have. From the moment you first introduced yourself," she breathed in response, tightening her hug. "All I have seen this night -- has only convinced me that you are even more the perfect choice than I at first thought," she whispered, breaking the hug hesitantly and stepping back a pace or two. "I would consider it the greatest of honours to be your wife... But I know that to *ask* such a thing of you would not be right," she continued, a weak, obviously forced smile crossing her face. "But I do not want to leave here -- without you by my side. I need your strength, Ranma. As without you... I have none," she implored, her eyes conveying her desperation. Ranma looked back at her wordlessly, her face an unreadable mask. Inwardly, her heart pounded, screaming at her to say yes, but her thoughts argued that she was honor-bound to stay and carry on the School -- no matter the personal cost. Adding to the mix was a voice repeating Akane's hateful words, the ferocity of which still shocked her. Locked in indecision, she lowered her gaze and turned toward the water, looking for an answer on the lapping wavelets below her. On the street above them, Akane strode purposefully back toward the aqueduct, fuming that Ranma hadn't come running after her. She couldn't understand what had happened to him, but had already sworn that if he was still with that girl, he was going to know the wrath of mallet-sama. There was no way she was going to let anyone make her look like the second string. Approaching the edge of the duct quietly, she took a deep breath and moved in to look over it. She stifled a snarl as she saw onna-Ranma standing alone facing the water, and that 'girl' standing behind her, demurely waiting with her hands together in front of her. Just as she was about to leap over the low guard and light into Ranma again, she saw her suddenly turn and say something to the girl. The girl stepped up to Ranma and took her hands, then seemed to say something back. Ranma lowered her head for a moment, then looked up and nodded. Deciding she'd seen enough, Akane moved up to step over the guard, but as her foot touched the concrete on the other side of it, she was startled by a bright green flash. Swinging to see what it was, she gasped out loud as she watched Ranma and the girl disappear into a growing ball of energy. The ball slowly lifted up, moved out over the river, and then shot upwards on a steep angle. By the time Akane realized what had happened, it was gone. She stared after it numbly for several seconds, then settled heavily to her butt, still straddling the guardrail. Finally, she blinked, shook her head in disbelief -- then smiled. =================================================================== END - A Wish Made - Part One A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva Comments Welcomed - Flames Extinguished! coutuva@gmail.com