Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and anything pertaining to the series does not belong to me in any shape, form, or fashion. It actually belongs to Rumiko Takahashi! Crazy isn't it? It surprised me too...

The Gods and Goddesses in this story belong to um... Ancient Greek poets?...yeah...

^^; Anyways, this is based loosely on the Greek Myth: Hades and Persephone. It contains suggestive themes, but not actual....'contact'. ^^;

Demeter's daughter, Part One: Lonely

Lonely.

The Lord of the Dead was lonely.

But this wasn't surprising considering the kingdom he ruled.

With shadows moaning about their great misfortunes...

and with pallid asphodels shinning strangely in the gloom,

his kingdom seemed like a miserable dream.

A miserable dream....

No maiden would want such a kingdom.

No maiden would want it's king.

And so he was lonely.

So very lonely.

They, both mortals and immortals, called him cruel and evil....

And that just wasn't true.

He was not cruel at all, just unpitying.

He did not treat anyone with hatred, he treated all with coldness.

He cared for no-one.....no-one but her.

Dark haired,

soft-browned eyed,

crimson lipped,

daughter of Demeter.

She was the only one who held his heart,

the only one he cared for.

But he dared not to come near her.

He feared her rejection.

For why would she want him?

Why would any maiden want him?

She could not possibly want the cold caress of the Lord of the Dead....

or the loving gaze of the so-called dark hearted one.

So all he could do was watch her....

Watch her and tremble with longing.....

" You're at it again, eh? " a silver haired youth laughed as he appeared beside the Lord of the Dead's throne. The Lord of the Dead scowled as he turned to the youth. " What is it, Himeros? " he asked icily. " What are you doing here? "

Himeros, Lord of Longing, grinned at the dark haired god. " Oh....nothing." he said as he leaned against the Lower World King's throne. " Just admiring the scenery. I love your theme. I heard Goth look is in these days. "

The Underworld Lord gave him a cold stare. " I have no time to play, Himeros. Tell me why you're here or leave now. "

Himeros rolled his eyes. " You're way too serious, Ranma. You should really lighten up. Anyway, Lady Aphrodite asked me to speak to you. "

Ranma frowned. What would the Goddess of Love want from him? " What is it? " he asked impatiently trying to appear unconcerned.

The Lord of Longing grinned as noticed this. " Well..." he started. " It has come to her attention that you're longing for someone. "

Ranma stiffened at the god's words and narrowed his eyes dangerously at him. " What did you just say? "

Undaunted, the Lord of Longing grinned. " I said that the Goddess of Love knows you long for someone. " he said as he waved a hand in the air, creating a an image of a young, extremely beautiful looking girl. " Hmmm....I think she was fifteen....no, sixteen. Blue-black hair, beautiful brown eyes, crimson lips, spirited personality....Ah....I do believe that's the daughter of Demeter! "he cried creating the image of the fairest of the fair.

" What do you want from me? " Ranma whispered, never taking his eyes from the image.

A sudden serious expression came to Himeros' face. " The question is, what do *you* want? Is it her body, Ranma? Do you want to take her? Or is it her company? Are you really lonely? Or is it love? Have you fallen in love with her? "

The Lord of the Dead trembled. " All three, damn it! IT'S ALL THREE! I crave her body, I want her company, I need her love! Are you satisfied now? I want her! I need her! I crave her! I *LOVE* her! "

The wicked grin made it's way back to Himeros' face. " Yes.....I'm quite satisfied. " he said as he scattered the image. " I'm so satisfied....that I think I will help you. "

Ranma stared at the god in disbelief. " Would you really help me get her? "

The God of Longing nodded. " I swear by the Styx that I will help you get the fairest of the fair...Demeter's daughter, Akane. "