Just Another Lonely Night
(unless someone thinks of a better title)

by Miss MMQC

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, not me. Simple as
that. 

Note: Any comments would be very much appreciated! (like telling me how to
write better descriptions...)


*~*~*~*

The silver moon hung low in the sky, its light softly resting on the land
beneath it. Deep shadows intermingled with the gentle glow, creating a
contrasting beauty of darks and lights that went unappreciated by people
sleeping quietly in their beds inside. 

One figure, however, was not asleep. Instead, he was slowly, almost
painfully, moving along the streets as if it was a great effort to move
forward. He also missed the shining moon, for his head hung low with his
eyes fixed on the ground before him. Even if he did see the moon, he
would't have cared.

He shifted the heavy backpack on his back. He was tired. Tired of walking.
Tired of listening to the dark, depressing thoughts that raced through his
head. Tired of himself. Tired of life. He felt the familiar sense of
depression begin to well up inside him. 

Yet he continued on, hoping to come across something that would shine light
into his pathetic existence. Although at this hour, that seemed very
unlikely. However, he would not let himself rest until he found an answer,
a reason, something worth living for. If nothing came...

He gave a wry smile. He would find out soon enough what would happen. He
was already planning on it.

As he continued on his walk, he passed a familiar house that caught his eye.
He inhaled sharply, tears threatening to erupt. He had figured he was miles
away from this place, the place he never wanted to see again. And yet, here
it was, standing right in front of his eyes. His depression threatened to
erupt, but he refused to let it out. He'd rather leave without a trace,
before anyone caught him.

"Hey, Ryouga!"

Completely thrown off, Ryouga jerked his head up. "Ranma! Why are you-
It's almost...What are you doing?" His surprised expression quickly turned
into a scowl as he glared up at the figure on the roof.

"I couldn't sleep," Ranma explained. Then he gave a short laugh. "I never
expected to see you around here again, P-Chan. Better make sure Akane
doesn't see you. Her mallet has doubled in size." He smirked.

Ryouga ducked his head, his eyes burning. He felt the strong emotions
coursing through his veins, anger being among the primary ones. "Ranma!
Get down here so I can send you to hell!"

"Well, can't refuse that offer, can I?" Ranma replied wryly. He hopped off
the roof, landing in front of Ryouga. "But let's find a better place to
fight, okay? I don't want to wake up anybody."

Ryouga wanted to argue with whatever came out of Ranma's mouth, but he had
to agree with him this time. He gave a short nod and began leading Ranma
away from the Tendo dojo. 

A few minutes later, they arrived upon a satisfactory spot for their fight.
Ranma shook his head. "Well, we won't be waking anyone up in this place.
How we get here anyway?" He had no idea how Ryouga had led him from town
into deep in a thick forest within a matter of a few minutes. 

Ryouga's battle aura flared up. "Shut up, Ranma! Prepare to die!" he
screamed, letting all his frustrations out. And the battle began...

-

The moonlight filtered through the trees, slightly wavering with the sound
of a gentle breeze. On the forest floor stood a lone person, Ryouga,
peering down at the fallen figure before him. His gaze was filled with
burning anger as the realization slowly crept up to him. 

Ryouga had beaten Ranma. 

A triumphant smile came to Ryouga's lips. He could end it all now. Rid his
life of Ranma for ever. Get revenge for all the pain he had suffered. 

But as he raised his hand for the finishing blow, he found himself
hesitating. Questions ran through his head. Did he really want to become a
killer? Ryouga stared at his hands, wondering if he wanted to taint them
with Ranma's life. What good would it do if Ranma was dead? It wouldn't
change anything. Ryouga would still be cursed. He would still be alone.
Memories of his last conversation with Akane popped into his mind. 

-"You know, P-Chan, I think I...I love him. Even if he is a jerk..."-

Ryouga's expression became pained at the memory. Still, he knew he would be
unable to live with himself if he hurt Akane further, yet by killing Ranma,
he would be inflicting the ultimate injury to her. 

Ryouga stared at Ranma's body below him. Did he even want Ranma dead? 

With a sad, resigned sigh, Ryouga bent down and hefted the deadweight of
Ranma's body onto his back. He slowly stood, trying to ignore the pains
left over from the intense fight earlier. "I'll take you home, Ranma...to
Akane..." Ryouga whispered to the unconscious form resting against his
shoulder. "...If I can find the way."

He trudge through the forest, feeling the earlier depression slowly creep
back up. The fight had helped him to release some of his anger, but it did
nothing to relieve his ever-increasing feeling of loneliness. He tried to
force the feeling deep down, hoping to suppress it until a later time, when
he didn't have a task to deal with. Right now, he needed to concentrate on
finding the Tendo dojo.

-"How? How could you, Ryouga? You *pig*! How could you lie to me? I
thought you were my friend..."-

As he made his way through the tall, dark shadows that were trees, he hoped
he could return Ranma before anyone would awaken, before any damage was
done. He knew he didn't want to create more trouble than he already had.

-"I never want to see you again!"-

Even though he had already realized it wasn't love he felt for her - at
least, not the kind of love he thought it was - he still cared for her, like
any close friend. That's why it still hurt knowing Akane wanted nothing to
do with him. 
Ryouga shoved the persisting memories even further down. He instead
concentrated on the sounds of the forest. Trees rustled as the wind
fluttered through the leaves. He faintly heard an owl's cry in the
distance. A stick cracked harshly beneath him.

And the air softly tickled his neck with a small *pouff* every time Ranma
exhaled against his shoulder. Ryouga closed his eyes briefly, feeling
Ranma's warm breath against his neck. Something stirred inside him. 

Ryouga suddenly felt very tired, both physically and emotionally. The
stirring inside him was something akin to yearning, a feeling he was
painfully familiar with. He refused to listen to that need inside him.
Instead, he focused on his physical pains.

He found a small clearing, a good place as any to start a small fire and get
some sleep. He gently placed Ranma so that he was leaning against a log
before he went searching for some firewood. He had a small fire blazing in
no time, for he kept matches in his backpack. 

Ryouga knelt down beside Ranma, checking to make sure he was still alive.
He was, very much so. Besides a concussion that that knocked him out, Ranma
only suffered from a few minor injuries. He looked to be sleeping soundly
now, his face very peaceful. His facial features were soft in the glow from
the firelight.

Ryouga slowly reached out a hand, not able to resist from brushing Ranma's
bangs from his forehead. His hair was feathery to his touch. Ryouga
lightly stroked his hair and then slowly ran his hand down Ranma's cheek.
He couldn't stop himself from brushing Ranma's lips with a fingertip before
rubbing the back of his hand against Ranma's cheek again.

Ranma sighed softly and shifted in his sleep. Ryouga reluctantly pulled his
hand away and stood up, shaking his head. He gazed down at Ranma for a
moment before turning to the fire.

Ryouga sank to the ground with his knees bent in front of him, pulled to his
chest. He wrapped his arms around his legs and stared into the fire. Even
though he was tired, he didn't sleep just yet. He only watched the flames
of the fire jump and crackle. 

-

Ranma groaned under his breath as he slowly opened his eyes. He immediately
squeezed them shut again at the pain that burst through his head. The fire
was awfully bright. 

<Fire?>

Ranma concentrated, slowly opening his eyes again, letting them get used to
the glow. He waited until the brightness was manageable and then slowly
pulled himself into a sitting position.

He rubbed his head as he gazed at his surroundings. He saw a figure hunched
over a few feet away from him, facing the fire.

"Ryouga?" Ranma managed to croak out. Then the memories of the earlier
fight rushed back. "Oh, man."

Ryouga sharply turned to look at him. "Well...uh," he stammered. "Hello,
Ranma. Um, you can try to find your way home now, since you're up, if you
want...I was going to take you back, but I - I got lost." He gave Ranma a
small, sheepish smile before quietly turning back to the fire.

Ranma stared at him, confused. <Why is Ryouga being nice to me?> It seemed
like Ryouga was hiding something. Ranma briefly wondered if Ryouga had some
clever scheme planned. He immediately dismissed the thought, coming up with
a more reasonable explanation. <Oh, no!! Am I trapped in some alternate
dimension where Ryouga's my best friend and I'm married to Akane with three
kids, a parrot named Rover, and cat named Ukyou?!?> After thinking for a
moment, Ranma shook his head. 

He studied Ryouga's unmoving form. "Ryouga?" he asked hesitantly. 

There was a slight pause. "Yeah?"

Ranma listened to his voice carefully. He heard barely concealed emotion.
"What's the matter?"

"Nothing," was Ryouga's defensive reply. Then another pause. "Nothing you
would be concerned with." He fell silent, his face stone as he stared at
the fire. 

Ranma sighed to himself. When Ryouga was low, he was very low. Ranma
couldn't just leave, and he couldn't just sit there and watch Ryouga. He
rose unsteadily and slowly approached the Lost Boy. He stood behind Ryouga
and gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

Ranma felt Ryouga stiffen under his touch. "What do you want?" Ryouga asked
harshly. Ranma almost yanked his hand off his shoulder, but he didn't.

"Look, Ryouga, I know we're not the best of friends," Ranma began awkwardly,
ignoring the snort from the other boy. "But if you want to talk about
anything..."

Ryouga stood up suddenly, stepping away from Ranma's touch. He continued to
gaze at the fire, refusing to look at Ranma. Ranma heard him draw in a
shaky breath before speaking. "Ranma, why don't you just go back to your
family and friends that care for you. Go back to where you're
wanted...because that's not here."

Ranma stood still for a second before taking a step towards Ryouga. He
briefly touched Ryouga's arm. "Why don't you come with me? I'm sure the
gang would like to see you again, and maybe we can talk some sense into
Akane. I'm sure she's forgiven-"

Ranma stopped abruptly when he noticed Ryouga's shoulders begin shaking.
"Ryouga?" he asked hesitantly. He prayed that the Lost Boy wasn't crying.

He was totally unprepared for what followed. With his head hanging, Ryouga
swung around to grab him, wrapping Ranma in a fierce hug. The firelight shed
its soft glow on the boys as the two shadows merged into one. "Oh,
Ranma..." Ryouga sobbed, burying his face into Ranma's shoulder. Taken
aback, Ranma hesitantly patted the larger boy's back. "Ranma..." Ryouga
continued weakly. "What am I going to do? What?" Ranma wrapped his arms
around Ryouga's broad back, feeling the other boy shaking in his grasp.
"I...I'm so alone...so lonely," Ryouga choked out between sobs. "I don't
know what to do. I'm just so lost..."

"Shhhhhh," Ranma hushed, caught completely off-guard by Ryouga's outburst.
"It's okay, Ryouga. It's okay." He rubbed Ryouga's back, patting it every
now and then. He felt Ryouga clutch the material of the back of his shirt
tightly as his tears soaked Ranma's shoulder. 

Ranma slowly lowered Ryouga and himself to the ground so that he was in a
kneeling position, his backside resting on his heels. Ryouga sank to his
knees in front of him, leaning into the slightly smaller boy so that the
side of his face rested against Ranma's firm chest. He continued to weep,
his sobs slowly beginning to quiet as he struggled to get control of
himself. They sat together, one boy crying as the other comforted.

Ranma began tracing patterns lightly on his back with one hand while the
other one crept up to Ryouga's face. Ranma rubbed his cheek once before
moving his hand to stroke Ryouga's dark hair. "It's okay, Ryouga. It's
okay," Ranma repeated in a whisper to the shaking boy. He slowly ran his
fingers through the Lost Boy's hair again and again in a soothing manner.
Ryouga's hair felt so soft. On impulse, he bent his head down to lightly
kiss the top of Ryouga's head.

"I'm sorry, Ranma," Ryouga began, sniffing wetly. "I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to keep you here."

"Nah, I don't mind," Ranma assured him, smiling at the boy in his arms.
Ryouga lifted one hand to rub his eyes, his sobs winding down to a few
hiccups mixed in with his sniffling. Ranma stared at the top of Ryouga's
head, resting against his chest. He kissed it again, drawing in the scent
of Ryouga's hair as he continued rubbing his back, murmuring comforting
nothings. 

After awhile, Ryouga's sniffles slowly died down and he became quiet and
still. "Ryouga?" Ranma questioned. No answer. Ranma gave a short chuckle.
Ryouga had fallen asleep. 

Ranma felt the tingle in his legs as they began to lose feeling. It looked
as if he would be there for a while, so he might as well get as comfortable
as he could. Gently holding Ryouga up, he shifted until he was sitting with
his legs crossed indian style. He lowered Ryouga so that his head was
resting in Ranma's lap. 

Ranma marveled at the comforting feeling of Ryouga's weight against his
legs. He listened to the sleeping boy's even breathing. Unconsciously,
Ranma reached out and began running a hand down Ryouga's upper arm. His
muscles felt hard and his flesh was warm under Ranma's fingers. Ranma felt
his heart pounding as he stole a touch at Ryouga's firm chest. He felt
Ryouga's own heart beating steadily under his hand. Ranma reluctantly drew
his hand away from his chest and moved it to his hair, reveling in the soft,
feathery feel of his dark locks. He began running his fingers through it. 

They remained that way for what seemed like hours, Ranma with his arms
wrapped around Ryouga's weight. He relishing every minute of it.
Eventually, however, Ryouga began to stir. Ranma reluctantly took his hands
off of Ryouga and rested them at his side. 

"Ranma?" Ryouga questioned sleepily. 

"Yeah?"

"...You're still here," Ryouga sounded surprised.

"Yeah."

Ryouga fell silent, still resting against Ranma's lap.

"I'll probably have to go back soon," Ranma told him, trying to hide his
disappointment. "Are you coming with me?" 

Ryouga shook his head quietly into Ranma's lap, burying his face against
Ranma's legs. Ranma took him by the shoulders to push him up so he could
look at his face. "Why not?"

His cheeks flaming, Ryouga refused to look back at Ranma. Instead, his gaze
focused on the ground. "There's no reason for me to be there."

Ranma cupped a hand under Ryouga's chin, gently forcing him to look at him.
"What do you mean?"

Tears threatened to spill over from Ryouga's eyes again. "There's no one
there to care about me."

There was a moment of stillness as Ranma and Ryouga stared at each other
silently. Ranma's concerned expression studied Ryouga's tear-streaked one.
He looked so lost. Ranma's gaze slightly lowered to see Ryouga's quivering
lower lip. 

There was a brief pause before Ranma suddenly grabbed both sides of Ryouga's
head, slightly tilting his chin as he pressed his lips softly over Ryouga's.
Ryouga's eyes widened in shock as blood rushed to his cheeks. He sucked in
air wildly as Ranma's kiss grew harder.

Then, closing his eyes, he began to kiss back. He pressed back, hesitantly
at first before he began to melt into the kiss. A soft sound escaped from
the back of his throat as desire overtook him. He found himself growing
bolder, mashing his mouth again Ranma's, devouring his lips. The kiss
between the two boys grew stronger, alternating from soft, loving kisses, to
hard, bruising lip-mashing. 

Ryouga hugged Ranma tightly, never wanting to let go. He poured his heart
and longing into the kiss. The kiss continued on, each boy feeling the heat
consume them. They continued to kiss hungrily until finally, out of breath,
they both pulled apart.

They stared at each other, trying to catch their breaths. "Thank you,
Ranma," Ryouga, his voice full with emotions, whispered between pants. 

Ranma shook his head. "No, don't thank me. It wasn't a favor," he replied
simply. Suddenly, he stood up. The forest was beginning to show signs of
the coming dawn. "Oh, no! I better get home!" Ranma exclaimed. Then he
paused, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I mean...um," he turned
serious, "Ryouga, will you come back with me now?" 

Ryouga gave him a small smile as he shook his head. "No, I don't think so."
Ranma gave him a worried look which Ryouga laughed nervously at. "But I
will come back. Soon. I promise," he assured him.

Ranma gave him a devilish smile. "I'll be waiting."

The End


Yup. You heard right. That's it. Comments, anyone? 
Reach me at: marymqc64@hotmail.com