When Past Was Present 6

by Kiwi Noriega

ALL RIGHTS ARE OF RUMIKO TAKAHASHI AND VIZ VIDEO

Thanks to my pre reader, Kahlil Noriega [my older brother] whose help is always welcome.

{ } - flashbacks

* * - Thoughts

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CHAPTER 6 - The Past and the Present

The light of the sun brightly shone as the city of Nerima went around its business. The air was cool to the touch, swiftly passing through the streets, gently caressing each and every person it met.

Ryouga looked around him, he was right in front of Kentaro's house and he was glad Kasumi helped him find the right house.

"Thanks, Kasumi, I wouldn't be able to find my way if it weren't for you." Ryouga said, slightly bowing to the older woman.

"Oh it's nothing Ryouga, the place I'm going to today goes down this road so there's no problem about it," Kasumi looked at her watch and said, "Oh my, I'm going to be late now, I'll see you at home." With that, Kasumi went on her way and left Ryouga staring at the doorbell.

Ryouga pressed the button and frowned when he heard crashing noises inside the house. The door slammed open and Kentaro greeted him with a quick smile, he started to walk away, but a voice from inside stopped him.

A middle-aged woman stepped out from the door, and looked at Kentaro. The woman had red hair pretty much the same as Kentaro's, but brighter, "What about the nurse I met yesterday? She was really nice, and single too! Oh Taro, why must you always wear those bandages? Your bruise is all gone now and--" the woman stopped, as if only realizing that Ryouga was standing right beside Kentaro, "So!! You must be Ryouga! Oh I've heard so much about you! I'm Kentaro's mommy!"

Kentaro visibly flinched and took his friend's hand saying, "Um, we'd better go mom--"

"Nonsense!" she said with a gentle smile. She then suddenly grinned and whispered into Ryouga's ear, her voice sounding like more of a shout, "Say, do you have a girlfriend, sonny?"

Ryouga was taken aback by the question as Kentaro suddenly face faulted into the ground. Ryouga's face shone a bright red and he stuttered, "Uh, I--, um..." Ryouga looked at Kentaro for help, but his friend was suddenly tiptoeing away. Ryouga grabbed him and fearing some nasty consequences, answered, "Actually, I do..."

Kentaro's mom smiled widely and faced her son, "See! Now you should go and ask your friend here for some tips!!"

"Mom..." Kentaro said, his voice pleading.

The woman sighed and said, whispering into Ryouga's ear again, sounding as if she wanted Kentaro to hear too,

"Show him the ropes, he's really shy with the girls..." the woman chuckled and elbowed Ryouga on his shoulder.

"Mom!!!!!"

Ryouga then grinned and answered, "Yeah, I know what you mean..." they both laughed and ignored the flustered Kentaro.

The middle-aged woman then tapped Ryouga on the shoulder, "Hey, so how far have you gone with your girl?" the woman asked, her smile growing.

"You mean..." Ryouga answered, twiddling his thumbs, his face a mask of pink.

The woman grinned and said, "Yes, that," twiddling her thumbs.

"Huh?" Ryouga answered, his grin sliding down his face.

"I mean, If you're still interested, I know tons of girls who would go for you..." she whispered in his ear, loud enough to be heard a block away.

Before the woman could once again speak, Kentaro grabbed Ryouga's arm and dragged him away, still hearing the cheerful shouts of his mother,

"Be careful now honey!! Be sure to listen to your friend! Have fun!! Mommy's here if you're looking for a girlfriend!!! Oh, and Taro!!!"

Both guys turned back.

The woman smiled as she swung her fist up high saying, "Be aggressive!! Take the initiative, son!!"

Kentaro looked close to tears as he dragged his friend off.

Ryouga grinned, turning sideways at Kentaro.

"Ah wipe that smirk off your face, it ain't funny!" Kentaro said, glaring at his friend.

Ryouga grinned even more and let his friend lead him along the streets of Nerima. The streets were full of the lively bustle he always remembered, the sky was blue, the sun was high, everything was almost the same, *Hmmm... It seems like nothing's changed since I left. Everything looks the same...* his thoughts turned, *More than two years in China, and yet I almost don't remember anything...* He closed his eyes and suddenly, green eyes flashed in his mind. He held his head and stopped, confused at the sudden appearance.

"Hey, somebody in there?"

Ryouga opened his eyes and stared right into a pair of green eyes. He stumbled back and regained his senses as he realized it was only his friend, Kentaro.

"Why, what's the matter?" Kentaro asked, fingering the white bandages on his forearms.

Ryouga looked around and noticed that there weren't many people in sight, "Those eyes..." he drifted off, unaware of Kentaro's concerned look.

"..."

Ryouga shook his head and looked around him, "Th-those eyes�I-in China..."

Silence passed and their surroundings seemed to stop as Kentaro asked, "I-I don't want to pry, Ryouga, but what exactly happened in China..." Kentaro let his question hang, waiting patiently for Ryouga to gather his senses.

Ryouga looked closely into Kentaro's eyes, not sure if he should trust him. An internal battle waged within him. He finally sighed and made up his mind and felt like he had to get it off his chest. So he calmly stared at Kentaro, betraying the terrified look in his eyes, "You have to promise me, by your honor, that you won't tell anybody of what I tell you...nobody..."

Ryouga waited for his friend's solemn nod and hesitated for a brief second, then continued, "Ranma and I went to this Chinese temple the guide in Jusenkyou told us about...at the moment we set foot near the temple, we felt like we were being watched. The air was still, and the darkness hovered above us."

Ryouga's eyes wandered off, as if remembering a dream, "Then suddenly, I hear this voice...so sweet, so full of love...it called me...and I followed...I wasn't aware of the things around me, there was only this beautiful voice, nothing else mattered..." "I wasn't even aware of my surroundings�it was like I was being pulled to the source of that voice�I stumbled, once or twice, yet I never swayed from my path�" he paused, "I went inside and there I saw someone sitting on a red satin pillow, singing..." Ryouga closed his eyes and continued, "I saw the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen...the sweetest look I could ever imagine--"

Ryouga froze as a crow's shrill shriek pierced through the quiet calm of the empty street, "I-I'm sorry Taro, I...I..."

"Don't worry...tell me when you're ready, I understand..." Kentaro said, his eyes full of concern yet a hint of curiosity could not be hidden.

Ryouga gave his thanks and started to walk, a far away look in his eyes. He suddenly stopped when a hand caught his arm.

"Uh, wrong direction, Ryouga..." Taro said, as he smiled and pointed Ryouga to the right path.

"Hmmm... I'd better do something about my direction problems, huh?" Ryouga said, regaining some of the mirth he felt a while ago. For once, he felt the burden on his back become lighter and the tightness of his chest feel looser.

Kentaro just nodded and continued on, never mentioning a word about China. Silence passed between them and they walked on towards the heart of the forest to practice. Although a little bit shaken at Ryouga's words, Kentaro felt certain that he should do his best to help his new friend.

* * * * * * * * *
*

(The past...)

{ The sun spread it's blanket of warmth around the dojo as the cool air complimented its rays. Leaves rolled past and the chiming of the bell rang through the whole of the Tendo home.

There she was, in her yellow gi, trying her best to break the stack of concrete before her. Heishiro smiled as he went in the dojo, nodding at Akane. Her long hair glistening with fresh sweat and her eyes were shining, happy to see him. It was a week after he had given her the bouquet of roses and their picture was taken in the park. Since that day, they acted really different towards each other; they were more quiet and reserved; trying to act matured for their young ages of fourteen and fifteen.

Akane raised her attention from the bricks to Heishiro, her young face smiling brightly at the samurai, "Where've you been? You promised me that you would teach me that trick you did with your sword..."

Heishiro grinned and answered, "I'm Sorry, Akane, I got carried away when I practiced near the stream...guess I forgot the time..."

Akane smiled back and approached him, wiping the sweat off her brow with a soft towel, "Don't worry about it...teach me how you make your sword appear out of nowhere!"

The samurai complied and stood in the middle of the dojo, his eyes closed. Then suddenly, a murasame materialized in his hands, its long point raised above his head. Time seemed to stop and the sword shone a soft blue, it's presence, sending chills down Akane's spine.

Heishiro's eyes opened and he regarded Akane, her face full of awe, "There. Now let's see you try..." the sword vanished before it fell to the floor.

Akane stood beside Heishiro and closed her eyes, waiting for the samurai's instructions, "Now gather your chi and focus it on one thing...let's start on something blunt yet powerful...hmmm..." he stood there for a few seconds, then a thought came to mind, "...a hammer! Think of a hammer and picture yourself holding that hammer...concentrate, Akane...it's just you and the hammer...nothing else..." the samurai kept quiet as he felt and at the same time saw a hammer flickering in and out of existence in Akane's hand. For a moment, it stayed there, solid as the wood beneath them, and then it vanished.

Akane burst out with a cry and said, "I can't do it! It's too hard! It won't even stay solid long enough..."

Heishiro gently smiled at Akane that made her suddenly blush and forget about her failed attempt, "Don't worry about it Akane, even making it stay solid for more than a few seconds is good enough, considering this was your first time."

Akane just nodded then asked, "Why a hammer?"

Heishiro shrugged and answered, "Uh, I'm not sure, I didn't want you to handle a sword for your first time especially when you have no experience in, uh..." the samurai suddenly stopped when he realized what he had said when Akane started glowering at him. He knew it was a bad move to say anything about Akane's inexperience with weapons, "I mean, I promise I'll teach you how to materialize a sword! I--"

Akane stood there stiffly, staring daggers at the samurai. A low growl escaped her lips and then it happened. A huge hammer appeared out of nowhere and smashed the samurai directly on his face, sending him through the wall, making a samurai-shaped hole.

Akane took a deep breath, tired from the exertion. She realized what happened and shrieked at what she had done. She quickly jumped through the hole and cradled the samurai's head on her lap, "Oh Shiro, I'm so sorry, it just happened, I felt it and I let it go! I'm so sorry!!"

Heishiro regained his senses and he opened his eyes to stare right into Akane's big brown eyes, *Kawaii...*, "I, uh-Akane, it's okay...it's not your fault..." he blushed when he felt where his head was resting and attempted to stand up but felt a hand on his head.

Akane grinned and answered, "Oh so now you're saying it's my fault...guess you deserve this bump on your head then..."

Heishiro stared up at Akane's smiling face and produced a smile of his own, earning a blush from her. He reached out his hand and gently cupped Akane's cheek as she struggled not to giggle.

Akane playfully bopped him on his head and burst out laughing as Heishiro finally joined her, grinning as the sun finally started its slow descent... }

(The present...)

Akane stared out over the whole of the dojo, a tear falling down on her hand, "You never did teach me how to use a sword..."

* * * * * * * * * *

Ranma sighed as he easily jumped up on the roof. He was surprised when he saw Akane sitting there. What confused him though was when she wiped a tear that fell down on her hand. He slowly approached her and knew that she felt his presence, "Akane..."

Akane didn't turn back and said, "Look at the city...it looks like it hasn't changed at all..."

Ranma looked out and sighed, "Yeah, it feels like time never touched this place..."

Akane gazed at her surroundings and said, "It's kinda strange how everything around you could stay the same as if nothing happened...yet...I feel like my world's going around in circles and I can't do anything to stop it..."

"..."

"Time passes so quickly and you don't even notice it...things that happened in your past is just like a fond dream that you always remember..." she sighed,
"Yet when I look back, my memories feel like that event happened yesterday or the day before..." Akane turned to Ranma and caught him looking up the stars, a far away look in his blue gray eyes.

Ranma stared up the heavens and added, "I still remember when the past was _our_ present...it'll always be etched in my mind...I just hope that we could bring it back..." he turned to Akane and took her hands in his, emphasizing his words with his eyes...

Tears formed in Akane's brown eyes and the wind started playing with her hair, the night wind cold to the touch, "Please Ranma, please don't make me choose now..." her tears fell, "I-I want to make sure I'm making the right decision...please...please understand..."

Hurt marred Ranma's eyes and he was struck speechless, his eyes beginning to water. Before he could do anything, Akane tore her hands free and she fled into the night, her tears wet on Ranma's hands.

Ranma reached out...yet his hand felt only air...his heart feeling only sorrow...slowly; a tear landed on his hand, joining Akane's...

* * * * * * * * * *

Akane closed her eyes and leaned back on a cherry blossom tree in the park. *I'm so stupid...why did I do that? Oh what's happening to me? * She stared around her, noticing the stillness of the night. Suddenly, out of the dark, a figure came walking towards her; it's face undistinguishable through the haze of dark.

Akane stood up and assumed a fighting position, her teeth clenched in determination, yet nervousness came over her.

"Akane...it's me..." the figure came out of the darkness into the night, her arms outstretched for a hug.

"Ukyou!!" Akane screamed, launching herself at her best friend, crying out all her feelings, "Ohh...I've missed you so much!"

Ukyou smiled at Akane, her brown eyes filled with tears of her own, "You've been crying, what's the matter?"

Akane wiped her eyes and took her friends hand and led her to a near bench, "Ranma's back--"

"Oh you mean Ranchan's back! Well that's great Akane, I--"

"It's not just that..." the seriousness in Akane's eyes quieted the other girl, "It all started when my dad engaged me to this boy when I was very young..."

* * * * * * * * * * *

The sea swiftly swayed, it's waves parting as an old simple boat glided through, its sails, never seeming to move. The air blew, yet the sail of the ancient boat did not even move an inch, it's silent voyage, whispering nothing into the sea. The boat seemed empty, yet sounds of footsteps as well as soft singing could be heard throughout the vessel.

A voice so sweet, it seemed to quiet the roar of the waves echoed through the vast emptiness of the sea. All movement seemed to stop, as if freezing just to listen to the pure music that beckoned them. On the deck, a young woman dressed in white suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her long silver hair cascading down her shoulders, yet the wind didn't even seem to touch her. She stared out into the ocean, her voice pleading, as if calling someone from afar.

Her nameless song continued...the passion in her words unmistakable. The air seemed to join her flawless voice, the see swaying to the gentle rhythm.

She slowly walked to the side of the vessel as if she was gliding. Her singing ceased. Everything stood still, then slowly; the roars of the wave came back as if from a fond dream. The young woman looked down at the flowing water; a tear joining the waves as she silently closed her eyes. Then spoke in a voice so gentle, yet determination tinged it, "Soon... my love...very soon...we will be together again..." her eyes gently opened and she once again stared out into the open sea...

Her silver white hair danced in the sea breeze as her eyes tilted up to longingly gaze up at the crimson sky. The light from the setting sun cast its light on her face, making her a woman whose beauty surpassed the loveliest rose...

And as the boat sailed away, speeding out into the horizon, the sun started to set in the distance, it's warm rays, accenting the slow currents of the ocean...

Once again the soft voice echoed over the sea, fulfilling a promise of love rekindled by death...

The ancient vessel turned, heading towards Japan...

-End chapter 6

Author's Notes:

HI!! Sorry this was late, I'm currently working on two series right now and a short story so I'm a little out of time. Well this came out a little bit shorter than what I expected, but it's finished!
And yes, the plot is thickening if you haven't noticed it, the next chapter would be longer than this, I hope! But still, please be patient and wait for the next chapter, it'll be out in a few weeks, thanks!!!
C&C's are welcome!!!!

Ja ne!!

- Kiwi -