Well, here's Part Three of the next episode!! This is, as
with the previous Series, based heavily on events and
situations from the preceeding stories, which are
available on my Web Site:
http://www.oocities.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.
**Note: This story was actually written a while ago, but then
rewritten just recently, which has left some of the event
references dated.**
Please Enjoy.
Coutuva.
As Long as You Love Me - Part Three
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Shampoo awoke with a start, disturbed by the sounds of
loud voices from the livingroom. Rubbing the sleep from her
large eyes, she swung her legs out of the futon and felt around
her for the top she usually left laying nearby.
Finding it finally, she threw it over her shoulders and
quickly buttoned it together, at least enough that it would stay
closed. She was in too much of a hurry to worry about finding
anything else, so she didn't bother with pants.
Stepping out into the hall, she was shocked by the sight
before her. At the far end, well into the livingroom, she could
see Hitomi staring angrily at something out of sight, hands on
her hips and hair frazzled. She could also hear Kikyo saying
something, but couldn't quite make it out.
Curiosity getting the better of her, she walked up the
hall just in time for Hitomi to explode.
"You LIED to me! That's all that matters! You LIED!"
she shrieked, tears starting down her face. "I trusted you... I
believed in you with everything I am! And you played me for a
fool! You took advantage of me, and others had to suffer for it!
There's NO excuse for that!" she added, her voice cracking with
emotion. Shampoo gasped quietly as she swore she spotted a faint
aura building around Hitomi.
"Hitomi... I deliberately kept it from you, yes. But I
did it because... Because I love you. And if I had told you what
I knew, you would have left -- and probably never come back,"
Kikyo countered pitifully, a waver in her voice.
Hitomi wiped her eyes and looked back at Kikyo angrily.
Just as she was about to speak, she caught a movement out of the
corner of her eye, and turned to see Shampoo standing in the
hallway, face dropped. With an angry growl, she turned and
stormed toward the door.
"Hitomi... No... Don't go!" Kikyo implored, her voice
panicked.
Hitomi stopped momentarily, then abruptly turned and
leveled a stare at Kikyo that could burn holes in steel. The
anger in her eyes sent a chill down even Shampoo's spine.
"I don't have anything else to say, Kikyo," she commented
bitterly, then turned toward the door again.
"Hitomi-chan," Kikyo cried, rising from the couch and
heading after her girlfriend, her face a mask of fear.
Again, Hitomi stopped in her tracks and turned. This
time, her face was expressionless.
"Don't call me that," she stated, and walked out the door.
Kikyo, stunned by the coldness and finality of the remark, collapsed
to the floor and burst out crying.
Ranma shook his head again to try to clear his thoughts.
For no reason that he could see, he felt angry, betrayed, and now
heartsick. The feelings were as strong as if they were his own, but
he knew they weren't.
And during the emotional roller coaster, he noticed something
else occuring, which made him more concerned than all the other
incidents combined. His Ki energy drained for a moment, similar to
the event a few weeks earlier. What concerned him was that it
happened while he was feeling the bout of anger, and that likely
meant big trouble.
Behind him, Akane walked toward where he sat on the walking
deck, her face bearing her usual content smile. Ranma heard her
soft footfalls, and turned to greet her with a smile, the sight of
her making him forget his troubles for a moment.
Proffering the cup of tea she had prepared, she smiled and
sat beside him, then leaned her head gently on his shoulder. Ranma
had to remember to firm up his shoulder, or else she would pass
right through it and end up laying flat on her side. That had
only happened once, and Ranma didn't feel like letting it happen
again.
"Ano... It's so pretty out here tonight. The stars are
beautiful," Akane noted, sipping her tea gently. "I love
watching them with you, Ranma. Always have," she added, quietly.
"Hai. They still can't hold a candle to you, Akane-chan.
In fact, I think they may be jealous," Ranma commented, smiling
gently.
"Baka," she responded, despite the flush on her cheeks.
"Well, what have you been thinking about out here? Still worried
about that class?" she asked, concerned about his long silence
over the evening.
"I don't think it's going to be too much trouble.
After all, it's beginner level, and I know you can handle a bunch
of ten year olds. I'll take the advanced class, since they're
expecting me anyway, and that should cover it."
"Hai. Except for Miyabi... There won't be anyone to greet
her when she comes home," Akane fretted, not wanting to disturb
a long-standing tradition of welcoming her child home from school.
"No problem. Just time your break for it. The only thing
I'd do is make sure you either send her to me, or give her
something to do. The last thing you want is her coming into your
class and showing up your students," Ranma advised, smirking.
"Kids that age don't think much of being outclassed by a seven
year old."
"Ano -- I knew it. As many times as you've said she has
to choose her own path, you still want her to practice the Art,
ne?" she smirked, shooting him a knowing look.
"Hai. There's no denying her talent. I don't call her
my 'little tsunami' for nothing."
"I still don't know if I want her living that kind of
life. After all, look what its done to you," Akane replied,
swishing her hand through her husband's leg.
Ranma ginned wryly. As he did, Akane gasped out loud as
she felt a tickle where no one should have been able to
reach -- especially since her legs were crossed.
"It does have it's advantages, though," he smirked,
looking down at his wife's flushed face.
"Hentai," she finally spat, shaking her head.
Ranma only smiled broadly in response, then wrapped his
arm over her shoulders.
"And it's all your fault," he stated, leaning down into
a loving smooch.
Hitomi stood outside her door quietly, uncertain of what
to do next. Her face was calm, her mind blank -- and her heart
shattered. Slowly, she felt her feet begin to move, carrying her
off the steps and up the path around the house. It was cold
outside, and she wasn't dressed for it, but she was also too numb
to notice.
In her mind, thoughts of what had transpired replayed over
and over, all resulting in the same conclusion. The woman she
loved had just proven that she could be totally heartless, selfish
and cold, even to innocent children. And the fact still remained
that Kikyo had lied. And not just some little white fib, either.
Hitomi couldn't get past the idea that Kikyo had led her
on for so long, especially since the truth could have saved so
much suffering. Not only for the family abroad, but for Hitomi
herself.
Hitomi huffed to herself at that thought. No matter how
she tried, she simply could not understand why Kikyo had done
what she had. It ran against everything Hitomi thought of her
lover, and had rocked her to the core of her being. Making matters
worse, the incident of a few weeks earlier came back to haunt her,
as she began to wonder how much of that story was actually true.
She continued to walk aimlessly, her depression and
sadness deepening more with each slow, measured step. She almost
didn't notice the snow start to fall gently around her, and in
fact it was the sound of a car tire spinning in the slush that
brought it to her attention. It was then that she also realized
she was approaching the ferry dock, which was several miles from
her house.
Standing before the entry to the boarding area, she forced
herself to think about what to do. The ferry was in, and its
gates were still open. Sighing, she opted to board it.
Shampoo, still shaken by the scene she had witnessed,
tried her best to comfort Kikyo. Unfortunatley for the now
panicked and remorseful Amazon, Kikyo was beyond any reach, her
deepest, darkest fear having been realized. She continued to
cry pitifully, convinced she had just lost the love of her life.
All throughout the time they had lived to gether, and
even during the time that Mu Lin had occupied her body, Kikyo had
known, deep inside, that she and Hitomi were as one. The kind of
love that they shared was beyond simple affection, approaching
a comingling of souls.
Never in her life had she been so deeply touched by
another human being, and having watched that person walk away
with no love in her last words tore at Kikyo's heart.
By having not been totally honest, she had committed the
one act that she knew Hitomi would not easily forgive, and the
possible consequences scared her more than death itself.
Shampoo meantime, totally unprepared for the vicious turn
her plan had taken, stood worriedly by Kikyo, hoping that at
some point that the woman would accept her attempts to comfort.
The Amazon was also scared, knowing that Kikyo had already
attempted suicide once over Hitomi, and this situation was exactly
the kind that might promote a second try. Sitting carefully
beside Kikyo's head, she began to gently stroke the distraught
woman's hair, attempting to break through her anguish.
Kikyo meantime continued to cry, barely noticing the
contact, much less the Amazon's presence.
Standing at the windows of the Observation Lounge aboard
the ferry, Hitomi stared off into space, not even noticing the
colorful lights punctuating the Metro skyline. Her depression
was now almost complete, and nothing that represented happiness
could even dent the grey pall.
Until today, the thought of Kikyo lying to her about
anything would have been incomprehensible. Equally so was the
thought that Kikyo would ever be capable of doing something that
would harm a child, even indirectly. Hitomi had an especially
hard time dealing with that aspect, as harm coming to a child
usually invoked only one reaction from her.
She was starting to feel the seperation from her lover,
and it only served to remind her of the pain she felt. As well,
her mind seemed determined to make her suffer even more, as it
brought up the memory of her concern over the scar on her stomach,
and how easily Kikyo had dismissed it. Now, she had a pretty
good idea why.
Again, Hitomi found herself huffing at her thoughts.
Given the current situation, she realized that she had been
awfully naive and trusting, and would have continued to be had the
conversation between Shampoo and Kikyo taken place after she had
made it to the bathroom.
Hitomi shook her head sadly, silently cursing her trusting
nature. Sighing again, she wiped her tears and turned toward the
cabin door, hoping that a quick walk around the deck might help
liven her up.
A few minutes later, she stood leaning on the railing at
the very bow of the vessel, the wind tossing her unrestrained red
locks about her head. Just as she was about to resume her walk,
she was startled by a voice from above and behind her.
"Konbanwa, Seirei Hitomi-san!" the familiar voice greeted
happily, sending a chill down Hitomi's back.
"Eto... It can't be..." she stammered, as the voice slowly
came together with a name in her anguished mind.
"Hai! It's me!" the cheerful voice announced, as Hitomi
turned around to face it's owner.
"Joy-chan!" Hitomi shouted, leaping from the deck up to
the top of the pilot house where the little girl stood smiling.
The two met in a happy embrace, Hitomi spinning the child about
two or three times before finally setting her down again.
"Sugoi! What a greeting! I guess you're happy to see me,
ne?" the child stated with a laugh, straightening her mini.
"Hai! I knew I was right! You're an angel now! I'm so
happy for you!" Hitomi gushed, clasping her hands together and
bowing.
"Hai Hai! I can move, walk, even breathe without wheezing.
And the best part is that I get to take care of my Mom. She'll
never have to suffer again," the girl indicated happily, winking
at the last statement.
"Your Mom didn't suffer, Joy-sama. She loved you,
and taking care of you was her way of showing it. She never ever
thought she was suffering," Hitomi corrected, shaking her head
for emphasis.
"I know... but she did anyway, and her place in the Light
is already waiting. I'm just making sure she gets there happy,"
Joy countered, smiling again.
"Well, I'm glad. So, why did you come to see me? I'm
certainly not worthy of such an honor."
"Baka. I'm here because you *are*! Hitomi-chan, you'd
better sit down -- we have a lot to talk about," Joy advised,
her smiling face taking on a serious set.
"I dunno, Joy-sama. I'm not in the mood to talk much
right now," Hitomi replied, her face saddening. "Kikyo, my
girlfriend, and I... " she added, but couldn't finish the
sentence.
"I know, Hitomi-chan," Joy smiled softly, floating up
and placing her hands on Hitomi's shoulders. "That's part of
what we have to talk about. The Light has plans for you, and
as a result, it's time you were brought up to speed on a few
things," she added, smiling knowingly.
"Ano... Plans?" Hitomi blinked, regarding her ethereal
friend questioningly.
"Hai. But first, there's this issue of your love life.
We have to get that dealt with before you can look to your
future."
"How? I don't know what to think anymore. It's
like... She's become a stranger," Hitomi responded sadly,
lowering her eyes.
Joy only smiled reprovingly and shook her head
slowly. "Hitomi-chan, the situation with you and Kikyo goes
way beyond just a relationship. You two need each other to
exist. Haven't you noticed that as you get further away from
her, both physically and emotionally, you've started to feel
strange?" she asked, gently lifting Hitomi's chin.
"H-Hai. But I thought it was just..." she stammered,
actually noticing for the first time that she felt 'different'.
"Well, it is, but the reality of it is that she
'grounds' you, Hitomi-chan. She gives you a place to channel
all of your energies to. You need her influence in your life
like she needs yours in hers," Joy indicated, looking Hitomi
hard in the eyes. "You get your strength from those who truly
love you, Hitomi. Without them, you couldn't exist," she
added, regarding Hitomi seriously. Noticing that the redhead
seemed a bit taken aback, she tried another approach.
"Think about it this way, Hitomi-chan. Where do you
feel your absolute best?"
"Eto... Easy. The Centre. When I'm surrounded by my
kids, I feel wonderful," she responded, smiling despite herself.
"Hai! And who else is always there?" Joy prodded,
shooting the redhead a knowing look.
"Kiko-chan," Hitomi noted, quietly.
"Hai. Kikyo has had a rough life, Hitomi-chan. Loving
you, and being loved by you are the only things that have ever
allowed her to truly enjoy living. They're as necessary to her
as breathing."
"Ano... I don't get it. If that's true, why did she lie
to me? Joy-sama, I trusted her when I was vulnerable, and she
lied to me almost from the start. I don't know if I can ever
trust her again," Hitomi stated, sadly. "I hate to say that,
but it's what's in my heart. And because of that, I'm not even
sure what the real truth is anymore," she added, sniffing back
new tears.
Joy only smiled gently. "Hitomi-chan... This whole
situation isn't really Kikyo's fault. Truth be known, the Fates
left way too much to chance with you. You should have been
better prepared," she sighed, still smiling. "On that note, I
think it's time you met someone. Feel like taking a little trip?"
Hitomi didn't answer at first, her mind preoccupied with
the previous statement. When the question did finally sink in,
she looked back at Joy wide-eyed. "Ano... I'm not dressed -- and
my hair's totalled!" she gasped, reaching up and trying to
gather the mass of windblown locks together.
"Daijoubu desu. I'll take care of that," Joy smirked,
and casually waved her arm.
In a blur, the scene around them changed to a yard
surrounded by a high wall, and decorated with some small trees,
plants and a koi pond. To the side of where they stood, a large
wood building occupied the center of the lot, and Hitomi could
hear the sounds of children playing -- Japanese children.
"Ay... We're in Japan!" she exclaimed, her hand
rising to cover her gaping mouth.
"Hai! We've come to visit the one person that can settle
everything for you, and put your mind at ease," Joy smiled,
indicating the house.
"Kuso... you don't mean..." Hitomi gasped, realizing who
Joy was referring to.
"You bet, Hitomi-chan. Let's go introduce ourselves,"
Joy winked, taking the redhead's arm and starting to lead her
toward the house.
"Ano... I feel strange, Joy-sama... Like I know this
place," Hitomi noted quietly, looking about the yard and house.
Joy giggled in response, then winked at Hitomi knowingly.
"You should. The body you have spent a lot of time here.
Okay, go up and knock on the door, I'll wait here," Joy urged,
floating up onto the walking deck.
Hitomi shot her companion a worried look, breathed in a
long, slow breath, then walked up to and rapped on the thin door
sharply. She could hear someone moving, then soft footfalls
approaching the door. A second later, the door slid quickly aside.
Hitomi's face instantly flushed as she came face to face
with the most gorgeous woman she had ever seen. Despite knowing
she was staring, she couldn't move her eyes away.
Akane, meanwhile, was struck speechless. Mere seconds
before, she had been at the low table with Ranma and Miyabi,
playing a quiet game of cards. She didn't quite know what to
make of the person at the door, and also simply stared. Strangely,
she could feel her pulse quicken as she looked into the Chinese
woman's deep blue eyes.
Finally, Akane snapped out of her trance and composed
herself.
"Ano... Ranma?" she stammered, basing her guess on her
heart rate.
"Iya... Gomen nasai," Hitomi bowed quickly, Akane's words
bringing her back to earth. "Hajimemashite. Seirei Hitomi desu.
Doozo Yoroshiku," she responded, sheepishly.
Akane was again struck speechless. Out of good form, she
stepped back and gestured Hitomi in, then closed the door behind
her. Hitomi bowed quickly again and accepted, all the while
fighting an incredible urge to hug the woman before her.
Akane caught herself staring into Hitomi's eyes repeatedly,
and finally shook her head once again before finding the
concentration to speak.
"Gomen... I don't mean to be rude. I am Saotome Akane,
and I'm pleased to meet you as well," she smiled pleasantly,
bowing quickly to her guest.
"Ano... I have to apologise for showing up without warning,
but I didn't have much choice," Hitomi began, ripping her eyes
away from Akane's.
"I know, Hitomi-chan. I'm glad we've finally met. I'm
Saotome Ranma," a male voice from behind Akane announced, causing
both women to gasp aloud. As Ranma approached, he bowed quickly,
then extended a hand toward Hitomi. As moved closer, both he and
Hitomi were stunned to see auras appear over their hands, then
begin to crackle and shoot small lightning-like sparks toward each
other.
"Iyaaaa! Don't touch her!" a voice abruptly shouted,
panic evident in it's tone. "If you two touch, Hitomi will die!"
it added, causing Hitomi to quickly dodge. Ranma instantly pulled
back, his eyes wide with surprise. As soon as the distance between
them increased, the auras vanished.
Above Hitomi's head, Joy abruptly phased into sight, hands
on her hips and breathing a sigh of relief.
"Ay... That was too close. Hajimemashite, minna. I am
Joy, and I'm sorry for yelling at you, but I had to stop you. If
you two ever touch, Hitomi's essence will be absorbed back into
your Ki, Ranma, which would essentially kill her," she explained
quickly, her face leaving no doubt as to her seriousness.
"Ano -- under the circumstances, I don't know if that
would be such a bad thing," Hitomi remarked, quietly.
Ranma, Joy and Akane all gasped at Hitomi's statement,
then stared at the redhead in shocked silence. Finally, Joy
found her voice.
"l... Think it's about time we explained things, ne?
Saotome Ranma, you already know who and what Hitomi here is all
about, so that part's cool. We came here tonight because...
Well, she and Kikyo have had a big fight. Now, Hitomi doesn't
trust her anymore, and isn't sure what to believe about their
relationship or her origin. I felt that you would be someone
she would trust to explain it all, and brought her here to
settle things," Joy explained, floating down behind the very
downcast Hitomi and placing her hands on the redhead's shoulders.
Hitomi nodded her agreement, then regarded Ranma
imploringly.
He could see the mist in her eyes as he glanced back,
and felt his heart go out to her.
"I'd be honored. I've been wanting to meet you for a
long time, Hitomi-chan, and I'm very glad you're here. C'mon
in, and we can talk," he smiled, gesturing toward the family
room.
Inwardly, even he was a bit spooked by Hitomi's
presence, finding it very strange to be talking to his own
body... Again.
"Arigato, Saotome-sama," Hitomi bowed quickly, then
stepped out of her shoes and into the guest slippers.
As Hitomi preceeded Ranma and Akane into the room, Akane
moved close to Ranma and whispered quietly into his ear.
"Ano... That's her, ne? The new person you were
talking about? Gad, it's so creepy seeing her -- and the way
she looks at me..." she commented, nervously.
"Hai... That's her. And I know why she looks at you
that way. It's because of me. She loves you just like I do,
since she's made up from some of my essence. I imagine she
finds it a bit weird too, especially since she's never met
you."
"Eto... Loves me?" Akane echoed, her cheeks flushing
again. This time however, she wasn't entirely sure of the
reason.
"No doubt about it. Oh, and I think I know why I've
been having those strange feelings and stuff. I'll have to ask
Joy-sama, but I figure it's Hitomi."
"Hitomi? How, Ranma? I thought she lived in Canada
now?" Akane responded, wide-eyed.
"Hai. Let's just say that to beings like Hitomi and I,
distance really doesn't mean anything," Ranma winked, shooting
her a knowing look.
"If you say so, Ranma," she sighed, realizing that she
would probably never entirely understand. "Oh, and who is this
Joy person? You've never mentioned her before."
"Never met her. But I have the feeling that she's some
sort of Guide or Guardian to Hitomi. Only Hitomi doesn't know
that yet -- she's still pretty 'innocent'."
Akane let her head fall heavily on her husband's
shoulder in total exasperation.
"Ano... I don't understand any of this," she groaned,
rolling her eyes.
Ranma had to supress a smirk, then turned to regard
Akane knowingly.
"Okay. Wait til after, and I'll explain it all -- at
least everything I know," he suggested, looking into her eyes.
"That should be a short story," she quipped, and
reached up to poke his nose. "Okay. I'll make some tea and
get some snacks. It looks like this will be a long evening,"
she finally smiled, and headed off toward the kitchen.
Ranma shook his head bemusedly, noting that she managed
to nail him again. Sighing happily, yet resignedly, he
followed after his guests.
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END As Long As You Love Me - Part 3 A Ranma1/2 FanFic By Coutuva
Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
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