Sacrifices

Most of the time the idea of loyalty would change among the residents living in Nerima. The ability to chase: teenage boys, destroy public property, and even defy the natural laws of physics was as normal as going to school, but not everyone had the same goals.

Some would still chase and fight for what they believed was their rightful place as a fiancée, lovers, pride, or sense of belonging. But one from that group was forced to change. All thanks to a cursed sense of direction.

He had to change, and did in many ways although still clinging to a passed unfinished fight, and the misplaced love he felt for a girl who belonged to someone else. He decided that enough was enough.

Times were changing, and he had to change as well leaving him with a limited set of options.

"Is lying to oneself worth all this hell?" Ryoga meditated, while camping on that same spot 20 meters away from his house. "I've tried to honor a love that doesn't exist. All because the underhanded tricks, and teases "he" played on me. Am I that pathetic that I would fall for "her" in the end?" Depression raising as he contemplated the path this train of thought was leading him to. "Why is her real form that jerk who is ruining my life?"

One last thought crosses his mind. One that was slowly taking away his will to live. "I run in circles only to get to the same place, and what do I do.? I dump my affection and care on Akane, while hoping to forget the missing girl who haunts my existence."

Funny thing about Hibiki Ryoga. He was becoming a man. A martial artist like no other, and yet the shyness and somewhat innocence on his behavior (thanks to a lonely life no doubt.) would take him to ignore time and space, while moving unconsciously from his routine kata to preparing breakfast to walk all the way to that house. Always stuck in his mind.

As a rehearsed action. Ryoga was about to knock when the gate opened and a pretty figure with brown hair, and a long well pressed dress spoke. "Hello Ryoga-kun. It has been 2 months before your last visit. We missed you." Ryoga always loved the warm welcome the girl had for him. "Thanks Kasumi-san. It has been a long time. For some reason I get lost a lot more often than not." Was the typical reply with his hand rubbing the back of his neck and the nervous laugh showing his fang.

"You can find Ranma-kun practicing in the Dojo." Kasumi directed him through the entrance by the pond. He bowed as thanks and prepared to walk in a different way. She knew that even with instructions the lost boy would make merit to his title, and as predicted Ryoga began to walk towards the house's entrance. With tender care the directionally challenged young man was taken by the arm into the Dojo.

Upon arriving. He met another young man looking away from him, and focusing all his attention to a dummy set in the middle of the room. "Hey P-chan. It's 'bout time for you to show. I missed ya."

Definitely not the response the lost boy was expecting. "R-Really?" Feelings tried to betray him, but he knew better. "Yes , better than a dummy and any other moron in this place. Your just the one to beat."

Control was one of the more vital skills he had to learn to master. No way he would show "weakness" that way. Focusing on long past desires of depression he dropped the backpack, and sprang at him. "You don't know when to shut up do you?" The much-needed fight between them started.

Ryoga decided to go into a more defensive, yet subtle set of moves. They were not flashy or messy as he used to act, but more of a well thought strategy. Giving the pigtailed boy a chance to counter every one, but something was different this time.

"I don't get it. He fights with conviction this time. I'm even forced to watch myself as he keeps pushin' me back." There was a defying attitude on the lost boy. Ranma was able to see how strong he was becoming. Not only on the past months and challenges, but in the way he was showing discipline.

The more he pushed back. The harder he was being pushed like if Ryoga was hiding his true potential. This enraged Ranma and made him push even harder. "What's this Pigboy. ya think ya gettin' better than me? I don't think so." He forced himself to use the Kachuu Tenshin Amariguken technique without calling it. Just to raise his speed and power.

Without letting Ranma notice. Ryoga let his guard down, and sent him flying against the opposite wall. Getting up he raised his hands in surrender. "Fine you jerk. You win for now." It would've been so easy for Ranma to call the cheat, but ego and pride took him once more. "I win again P-chan."

Ranma began to walk towards Ryoga. Up to a point where they almost touch each other making the lost boy react out of fear moving back a step or two. "Seriously Ryouga. What's a matter with you? We haven't seen you that often, and the less ya show, the more weird ya get. Is everything all right?"

looking away, and blushing at how close he was. Ryoga lowered his fists besides him and tried to answer in a serious way. "Things change. Either for good, or for bad. Soon you will see that getting chased by fiances, or trying to avoid incoming mallets your way are not everything in life."

When they entered the house Nabiki and Akane were at the table talking about school interests. The ice queen always kept an eye for profit, even when no one else could find one, and Hibiki Ryoga was the main attraction when Ranma's display in the arts was in the line.

" Ryoga-kun. Just the man I was looking for. Come. We have important Issues to discus." Ryoga knew that Nabiki was a very dangerous person to argue with so he opted on a nicer approach than on regular occasions. "Sure Nabiki-san. let me just greet the rest of the family."

Closing at the table. Ryoga bowed to Akane, and gave her that little knickknack bought in Hokkaido. The atmosphere had changed. Akane noticed that Ryoga was less nervous around her, and he became more of a confidant and a friend than before.

Past fights with her fiancee became quieter, as if they "synchronized" them. She felt some kind of friendship bred from the two, and accepted the changes as they came.

"Why thanks Ryoga-kun. I always knew a paperweight would come handy in my bedroom." After the proper greeting to the fathers he was asked to join them for dinner. Nothing could excite him more than a home cooked meal. Specially one from Kasumi's.

Passed pleasantries. He followed suit going out of the house and into the backyard. Curiosity was one of the most annoying talents Ranma had, and decided to follow them as well. Until Nabiki stopped him on his tracks. "And where do you think your going Mr.? I asked for Hibiki. when I need you. I'll bring my camera ok?" Shoving him back to the house the girl followed her trajectory while making sure he would not keep going her way. Ranma simply shrug his shoulders, and walked towards the furo to get a very needed bath.

"I know she is very smart, but I hope she hasn't realized anything so far." Ryoga knew the girl was brighter than the average ones, and hoped she wouldn't force him to talk about his recent behavior. Immediately his stance changed, while looking sweaty and nervous at her undivided attention. When they believed the coast was clear Nabiki turned and faced the lost boy with a quizzed look. "Ryoga-kun. Sis might be blind most of the time, and Ranma is clueless about romantic stuff, but I know the way you look at him, and I know what you have done to keep him safe from outside dangers."

Ryoga blinked several times trying to hide the statement, and make it look like a crazy thought in the queen's mind. "Nabiki-san I'm not sure I foll. . . . ." But was as far as he could say; If one thing was certain, the lost boy was digging his own grave. Nabiki simply interrupted. "Can it Hibiki. I have kept tabs on you since you left months ago I have no idea where to, but you have been in the hospital 6 times. 5 of those in critical conditions, and one living for a month in a coma." While talking she threw 6 stacks of yellow paper showing gruesome details on the boy's health state.

Having no way out. Ryoga looked down to the floor, and began his tragic outcome. "Nabiki. You know how he has treated me, and I am not talking about the fights. I'm referring to the teasing and the intimate encounters he has pulled as my sister or fiancée, or . . . . .girlfriend. At the start I hated him, but I became attached to the idea of a girl whose always there for me. Whose treat me just right, and makes me feel great." Nabiki was able to see the sincerity in his words. "Than something happened to me about a year ago, and has messed my way of thinking in ways I never thought of, and I. . . .I think . .I love him?"

At some point she believed that as a practical response. A boy whose never had a relationship. Alone, and traveling all over the place with no family or close friends. Suddenly a pretty girl talks to him, and show him a good time not intended as such, but giving him that much-needed human contact. "Ryoga-kun. I get it, but. . . . .him?"

"I know. I'm stupidly in love with his female side, but there is a point where a begin to see those qualities on his male as well. It has become my new hell." The Ice queen's feelings soften at this. yet, other truths needed its answers. "Ryoga-kun. I know about the Elites, and the big deal other Nations are making about what happened in Jusenkyo three years ago. Tell me what's going. I know there's more to it.

"When Plum told us about the Phoenix king trying to dry all the pools. We had to stop him, but she never said, or knew that as soon as that happens, the pools revert to their original form after a while. So we all went "guns blazing" to defend the place, and after Akane-san got herself trapped. We went for the kill."

"After everything was said and done. The Phoenix people labeled Ranma as his King's killer and looked for a way to avenge him, thus recreating the long extinct Elite class. They are the strongest warriors set on each Nation, and they are the only ones capable to unleash any secret technique their people might posses making them the most dangerous of fighters, and apparently Saffron wasn't even an Elite just a simple un-developed ruler."

Nabiki soon understood the implication in everything. "No. I don't think Ranma is ready for such challenge." Resolute in proving his loyalty Ryoga close his distance to the middle Tendo. "He will. I am training him as fast as I can. He is very talented, and a great learner. Soon he'll be ready I promise you that."

"Ryoga. Why don't you talk to him. I know he might understand, and if you ask me I think he feel the same for you. He has never teased anyone as much as you, and you are the one he's always counting on. He knows that and I am sure he will accept you."

"He just might Nabiki-san, but what about Akane-san or his pledge to unite your schools, or that promise he did to his mom when he was a child." Nabiki's reaction to the last declaration clearly showed the boy had more information about Ranma's personal life than he let on. "Yes I know about it. Ranma sometimes gets sad, and we end up sharing more than punches."

The middle Tendo recognized a softer side on the boy. She knew he had one, but this was a more protective one, like the one a lover would share for his partner.

"No. I love him, but I know there is not a chance in earth for that, and I'm ok with it. He is happy, and that's all it matters to me. I will help him anyway I can and then. I'll leave for good."

"Fine Hibiki you got me now. I will help you, and I won't say a thing. Better yet I won't charge you a yen for it, but only until you decide otherwise."