When Past Was Present 5

by Kiwi Noriega

CHAPTER 5 - MEMORIES OF THE PAST

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ALL RIGHTS ARE OF RUMIKO TAKAHASHI AND VIZ VIDEO

Notes:

I'm really sorry this took quite a long time, I'm a slow writer and I've been busy with school and sports and I've been writing some short WAFF fics on the side, hope you don't mind!!

-Kiwi ^_^

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CHAPTER 5 - MEMORIES OF THE PAST

The bright moon glittered as two lone figures walked to the Tendo dojo. The night wind picked up and Ryouga brushed back his hair from his face. Since they met, Ryouga knew more and more about his companion, Kentaro. He just found out a while ago that Kentaro's eighteen, a year older than he was. He was still baffled at Kentaro's stories about his mom. It just seemed so weird to have his mom play matchmaker for him all the time. He and Kentaro were idly chatting about martial arts and all the fighting techniques, and then Kentaro changed the subject.

"So, are we close to the dojo?" Kentaro asked, looking sideways as the moon reflected on his red hair.

"It's right over there." Ryouga pointed to the Tendo dojo's huge doors.

"It must really be great to have your own dojo near the house huh?"

Ryouga smiled at him and said, "Well, I've only been here for a few days since my trip."

"What trip?" Kentaro asked.

The lost boy just shrugged and said, "Uh, it's nothing."

Kentaro just kept quiet when Ryouga made no indication to continue. When they were in front of the door, the black-clad man read the sign, "The Tendo Dojo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts."

Ryouga weakly smiled and said, "Well, let's go in, they'd probably be worried about me."

Kentaro nodded as they entered without knocking.

As the two figures disappeared into the dojo, a shadow appeared out of the dark and viscously smiled. It's blue eyes never blinking as it recorded the place and its surroundings. The shadow moved and faded into the dark night as a wolf howled from nearby.

* * *

Kasumi stood up when she heard someone enter the house. She was halfway to the door when Ryouga and a red-haired man greeted her with wide smiles.

"Uh, hi Kasumi, hope you don't mind me bringing Kentaro here for dinner." Ryouga said, putting his hand to his head.

Kasumi just smiled and said, "I don't mind at all. Ranma and the others are out to buy more groceries for the guests. Here, let me bring the both of you some hot cocoa.

"Um, wait!" Ryouga said, then shyly continued, "Can I use your bathroom please? I'd like to take a bath first if it's ok."

"Sure, it's up the stairs, second door to the left. C'mon Kentaro, I'll give you some hot chocolate."

He waved goodbye to Ryouga and followed Kasumi into the kitchen.

Kentaro looked around his surroundings, it really felt like home. He still wondered why he felt that Kasumi looked like someone he knew. After she had given him hot chocolate and smiled, for a moment there he thought he knew her. *Oh well... Now where's that washroom...* Kentaro stopped at the bathroom door and frowned. *Guess Ryouga's still taking his bath.* Kentaro went in, took off his clothes and failed to notice very feminine clothes on the hamper. He sighed and touched the bathroom door...

* * *

Ryouga went down the stairs and stretched. He gave up hope of finding the bathroom when he kept on finding himself in the same place. He stopped and smiled, he was in front of the kitchen. *Wow! I actually made it to the kitchen without getting lost!* He went in and Kasumi was there, cooking dinner,

"Hey Kasumi, where's Kentaro?"

Kasumi had a puzzled look and then answered, "He went to join you in the bath. Why?"

Ryouga held his breath and said in a very high voice, "Uh, oh..."

"What do you mean uh oh, Ryouga?" Kasumi asked.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Just then, loud crashes and footsteps echoed throughout the household. Kentaro ran into the kitchen and hid behind Ryouga, nervously looking at the kitchen door.

"Ryouga, I-saw-I-her!!! She-I-mean-I, help me!!!!" the last came out as a squeal.

Nabiki crashed into the kitchen, wearing only a towel, looking for her unlucky prey. She glared at the person behind Ryouga and said, "You!!!!"

"I-I didn't mean to! I thought Ryouga was there and--well you saw me to!" Kentaro answered.

"It's not the same thing!!!" Nabiki shouted pointing her fist at him.

"Now, now, little sister, that's not how you treat guests in this household. I'm sure he is sorry about whatever he did, right?" Kasumi looked at Kentaro and he nodded vigorously.

Nabiki glared at Kentaro and said, "Kentaro..." with that, she spun on her heel and marched out of the kitchen, fuming.

When Nabiki was nowhere in sight, Kentaro turned on Ryouga and shouted, "Why didn't you tell me someone was already there?!!"

"I wasn't able to get to the bathroom anyway, I think I got lost..." Ryouga said, scratching his head, "How'd Nabiki know your name?" Ryouga asked, a bit confused.

"I went to school with her..." Kentaro answered, *So that's why I thought Kasumi looked like someone I knew...*

"You what??!" Ryouga exclaimed, grabbing Kentaro by the collar.

Kentaro gave up and dragged Ryouga to the dojo for some sparring. *Guess I have to think of a way to apologize to her...*

* * *

Ranma groaned as he clutched his stomach. *And I thought all the training I got from the past year could make me ready for anything...* He turned and shifted the different grocery bags he was holding to look at Heishiro past Akane's head.

They were walking home from the grocery store and Akane was walking in the middle, the two guys at her side.

Heishiro grinned as he saw Ranma touch his stomach, yet he felt like doing the same thing. He glanced at Akane and thought, *Akane, you haven't changed at all, specially your cooking, except of course physically...* he added with a smile *You're the only one who has touched my heart this deeply...*

Heishiro broke the silence by saying, "So you found the ring I gave you..."

Akane nodded, "Yeah, and the pictures too..." she said, a little bit withdrawn.

"Do you mind if I look at them when we get home? It's been so long..." Heishiro left his words hanging as he stared across the horizon.

Ranma frowned at the brief exchange but made sure Akane didn't see him. *So what if he gave her a ring...I gave her a ring too!* Ranma grimaced at the memory. *And what a surprise that gave Akane after seeing what was under the ring...*

They all sighed as they saw the entrance to the dojo. It's been a long and tiring day for everyone and they plan to have a feast tonight, providing Akane didn't help.

Heishiro opened the door and they all went in, but before they could take another step, they heard someone in the dojo, sparring.

"Take this!!!" Ryouga said, giving a vicious punch where Kentaro's head was.

"Oh yeah!?" Kentaro tried a deep sweep but only felt air as Ryouga landed feet away from his extended foot.

They grinned at each other and took on casual poses. Ryouga heard a noise from outside and looked out into the garden.

"Ranma! Heishiro! Akane! Let me introduce you to a new friend of mine!" Ryouga shouted across the yard.

Kentaro stared at Ryouga, his mouth agape. *Did I hear the last two names right? Or am I losing it?* To satisfy his doubts, he walked towards Ryouga and peered out into the night. Outside, three figures stood a few feet away but their faces were shrouded by the dark. One of the figures stepped into the light and before he could speak a word, a girl was hugging him.

"Uh...um...excuse me?" Kentaro said, nervously looking at the girl wrapped around him.

The girl let go and looked up at Kentaro, smiling. "Taro! It's been so long! You're still wearing those bandages!" Akane said, grinning at her old friend.

Heishiro walked up beside Akane and said, "So whatcha doin' here, Taro?"

Kentaro stared at the lady in front of him and things became clearer. "Akane??! It is you! When I saw Nabiki-I mean when I _met_ Nabiki, I was sure you were gonna be here, but I never thought you could change so much!"

Akane turned to Ranma and said, "Kentaro used to go to the school Shiro and I went to."

Ranma didn't know what to make of it so he just nodded and shrugged.

Kasumi came out of the house to find the five of them outside. She smiled and said, "C'mon, dinner's ready everyone!"

* * *

Dinner was quite peacefully except for the numerous glares Nabiki kept on directing at Kentaro. Everyone was happily eating Kasumi's well-cooked meal and the usual chatter over dinnertime descended over the family.

Soun wailed and said, "Waah!! I'm so happy!! Everyone's coming back!"

"There, there, father..." Kasumi said, trying to stop her father from flooding the room.

"So you actually saw her _naked_???" Ranma blurted out and was hammered by a fuming Akane.

Kentaro choked on a piece of meat he was eating and his face turned red in an instant. For the first time, he actually met a girl without his mom there. Although the way they met was a pretty embarrassing moment he was sure neither of them would forget. Because of his mother constantly setting him up, Kentaro nearly avoided every girl he came close to liking. But it was bothering him that he kinda found it cute the way Nabiki kept on glaring at him. Kentaro coughed and answered, "Uh, yeah..."

"This tempura tastes good Kasumi." Akane said, changing the subject.

Kasumi smiled and was followed right ahead by a curious Ryouga saying, "So that's why she was chasing you in a bath towel, you sly dog you!!" Ryouga grinned, elbowing Kentaro on the ribs, causing him to turn red even more.

Heishiro joined in and said, "First girl you ever seen, hey Kentaro? Without your mom here! You're getting better by the minute!" the samurai said, grinning.

Nabiki ignored them, trying her best to keep her face as cold as ice, but somehow, her gaze seemed to melt whenever she glared at Kentaro. She froze as a thought came to her mind, she dismissed the thought and kept on eating, lessening her icy glares.

Dinner went by quickly except for some snide comments by Ranma, Ryouga and Heishiro that was easily suppressed by a huge hammer.

The moon shone as it reflected on the pond, no one noticing as figure shrouded in darkness waiting patiently for its time to strike. It surveyed every person in the dining room, noting each detail carefully. The figure's gaze stopped at the samurai seated across the black-haired lady. Its eyes widened in surprise, yet in an instant it was replaced by a mischievous grin. *Enjoy what you can, Master Ranma, Master Ryouga, for in a few months, your happiness will belong to someone you have left in China...and maybe you too, Master Shiro...* the figure grinned and disappeared from the darkness...

* * *

Akane and Heishiro were sitting on the floor, in Akane's room, a box of pictures and letters open before them. Ranma was leaning by the window, jealousy radiating from him, but only Heishiro could sense Ranma's discomfort.

"You remember this day don't you?" Heishiro quietly asked, handing the Polaroid picture to Akane.

"Yeah, and the flowers..." Akane answered, making sure she didn't say anything to hurt either of the two guys. Looking at the picture, Akane could almost feel she was young again. She could remember that feeling she felt whenever she was around Heishiro, her heart beating fast, her cheeks getting red, but when she met Ranma, her feelings changed so suddenly, the memory of Heishiro was almost like a fond dream. Meeting Ranma challenged her, Heishiro almost always let her have her way when she put on her cute pouting face. Akane knew she had matured since those days and now she could somehow comprehend the feelings she felt. She knew she cared for both guys, yet in a different way. Akane felt scared, for she knew there would be a time when she has to choose who she really wants to spend her entire life with.

Ranma grimaced at the sight of Akane and Heishiro together. *What am I thinking? Akane's been with this guy since she was a child! How big a chance do I have?* Ranma shook his head and stood up saying, "I'll be outside..."

Ranma failed to notice the hurt expression Akane had when he left. He walked aimlessly to the dojo and sat in the middle, thinking.

* * *

Heishiro looked at the open door Ranma left. Although he felt he should be happy that he was alone with Akane, he knew what Ranma was feeling and knew that it hurts so much that you would just give up anything to take the pain away. He reluctantly smiled at Akane as he stood up and knew that she understood. *She would ask me to leave anyway, I'm just making it easier for her by leaving.* He closed the door behind him and went down the stairs, looking for Ranma.

* * *

Ranma stared at the ceiling, composing his thoughts. It felt like hours since he first went in the dojo, yet he knew it was only minutes. In those few minutes, he came to a conclusion on his feelings about Akane, *I can't let my doubts ruin my chance with you. Akane, I really do love you, just give me a chance, and I'll prove it...* A tear streamed down his cheek, *...but if you don't love me...I...I'd try to understa--* Ranma stopped, he knew he was just fooling himself, *...I'd...die...maybe not outside, but inside...*

"I don't know what to do..." Ranma said, wiping away a tear, he felt so helpless.

"Just wish her happiness, that's the best thing either of us could do, whatever the outcome..." Heishiro said, leaning by the dojo doors, his eyes were shining as if he too felt like crying.

Ranma ignored him, though he knew Heishiro's words were somewhat correct.

Heishiro looked out at the moon and said, "We have some things in common, me and you..."

"And what would that be?" Ranma answered, a bit irritated but at the same time curious. He stood up and leaned by the dojo door, across the samurai.

Heishiro glanced at him and then continued, "Thoughts..." he said, his eyes a bit distant as if he was thinking of something.

Ranma also stared at the moon and said, "Thoughts?"

Heishiro smiled and said, "Just thoughts, about Akane...like what's she doing right now? Is she thinking of me? What has she been doing since I was gone? Is she asleep--"

Ranma spoke as if talking of a fond dream, "Is she looking at the moon, or the stars? If she is, whom is she thinking of? What's going on in her mind whenever she gives you that smile that just melts your heart?" Ranma grinned at Heishiro, "Guess we do have some things in common other than loving Akane..."

They both paused for a while, thinking. Their eyes occasionally fell on Akane's bedroom window, then straying up to the moon and stars. There were so many countless thoughts that kept them awake at night, especially dreams.

The silence was broken when th samurai suddenly spoke,

"Yeah...so how about a little spar?" Heishiro asked with a gleam in his eye.

Ranma returned the look and grinned, "Sure, it's been a while..."

Heishiro drew a murasame from out of nowhere as Ranma cracked his knuckles and grinned. The two squared off in the middle of the dojo and sparred as the moon slowly started its descent.

* * *

Ranma yawned as he stretched his aching muscles. *Hmmm...where am I?* he thought. Ranma looked around and groaned. *I'm in the dojo, oh yeah, we both fell asleep.* Him and Heishiro had sparred till dawn and neither one of them backed down. He stood up and saw Heishiro still asleep. Ranma looked around the dojo and winced, the whole room was a mess, and there were holes and numerous cuts in the wood.

"Whoa, I didn't realize a sword like that could do so much damage..." Ranma started for the door and looked outside, it was a nice morning and the air smelled of Kasumi's cooking. He heard Heishiro groan and stand up holding his head,

"What time is it?" the samurai asked, a little bit shaken.

Ranma stepped outside and said, "About eight in the morning..." as soon as he said those words, a wave of cold water enveloped him, and he felt the slight tingle as the change occurred and grimaced. Small hands started groping her but before they could go any further, Ranma-chan grabbed the little pervert and shouted, "What do you think you were doing old man!?"

"Oh Ranma! How I've missed you! Won't you give a poor old man some comfor--" before Happy could finish his sentence, Ranma punted him into orbit and grinned, "It's been a long time since I last did that."

Ranma-chan stared off after the disappearing Happousai and sighed, "When will he ever change?" Ranma looked back at Heishiro and noticed his surprised expression, "Oh, didn't anyone tell you, I'm cursed to turn into a girl..."

The samurai stared and said, "You!!! You were in China!! In the temple, you--" Heishiro stopped when the pig tailed girl looked at him with horror in her eyes.

Ranma was in front of Shiro in an instant, covering his mouth, she said in a hushed voice, "Don't ever mention anything about China, please, Akane mustn't know about that. So far, she hasn't asked me and Ryouga about it, but I'm sure she'll ask about it, I'm trying my best to make her forget about it. And yes, I was the one in the temple, I had good reasons, I--"

They both stopped when Kasumi's voice echoed through the house.

"Everyone!! Breakfast's ready!"

Ranma-chan took her hand off the samurai's mouth and said, "Please, you know what's there, we can't tell Akane, I know about what happened to you in the temple...it happened to me to..."

Their eyes locked and they understood each other. All of a sudden, a vague feeling if kinship washed over them, the kind of friendship that passed between people who've gone through something that seemed impossible yet they survived.

The wind blew and as the two walked to the kitchen, a silent oath of trust was sealed between them.

* * *

In another part of Nerima, a stranger walked around the town, as if seeing her home again. A smile came to her face for she was gonna see her best friend again pretty soon, she shifted a huge metal object at her back and continued along her way, humming a small tune.

-end chapter 5

Author's Notes:

Yeah, at last I finished Chapter 5!! YEY!! I don't know if I plan to make it longer, I might have it up to Chapter 10 at least. Well, please tell me if I should just finish the story right ahead without having some action in the story.

C&C's are welcome, please mail me!

-Kiwi ^_^