A Trail a Mile Wide

Chapter Two: Depression Blast…

"Aw, man – Not now, Uc-chan!" Ranma jumped up on a fence and started running. In mid-stride, he suddenly sensed a dark form hurtling towards him and he heard Ryoga's normal greeting, "Prepare to die, Ranma!!!!!!!"

Ranma jumped up and out of the way as Ryoga smashed the fence where Ranma had been standing. "Ryoga! Just what I needed!" Ranma grinned as his eyes lit up happily. Landing on the sidewalk below the fence, he wiped the expression off his face as he quickly dodged a few violent blows.

"What's that suppose to mean?! Ranma, you deserter!" Ryoga spun around to find Ranma back up on the fence, squatting as he looked down at Ryoga.

"Deserter?" Ranma blinked, glancing quickly over to one side before returning his baffled expression on Ryoga, "That's a new one…"

"You let Akane go off on her own! You asshole!" Ryoga punched the fence down.

Ranma took off running, remarking over his shoulder, "I thought that was it! Come on, and let's find a better place to fight."

"Get back here, Ranma!" Ryoga followed him angrily.

Left behind, Ukyo put her hands on her hips and glared after the two distant figures. Then she sighed and went back into her restaurant.

"Ranma, get back here!"

With a grin, Ranma detoured into the park. It was usually empty at this time, and there was enough open area that he and Ryoga could fight. Standing calmly on the hill, he waited for Ryoga to catch up with him.

Ryoga slowed and stopped, watching Ranma warily. There was something about the Martial Artist that was 'off' today and he couldn't put a finger on it. With a shrug, Ryoga decided that it didn't really matter and started the round with a mild Lion's Roar.

Ranma dodged it, "Geez, Ryoga – that was weak! Are you sure you're unhappy about Akane's leaving?"

There was a dark 'poof' from around Ryoga and a dark aura became visible for a moment, "Ranma…" Ryoga advanced with a straight punch. He didn't have to say that! But there seemed to be a bit more to it than Ranma's usual 'prod to get Ryoga to fight all-out'. Ryoga watched Ranma flip himself over Ryoga's blow and he twisted quickly around to get a block up before Ranma could connect with his punch. Even with the block, Ryoga was driven back a few feet. He retaliated with a side-kick. They sparred a bit more with more insults. Ryoga used another Lion's Roar.

"Aww, geez, man – that can't be good for you!" Ranma barely dodged the third one and he thought quickly. Ryoga almost never uses the Lion's Roar Bullet in battle, not unless he's serious. That first time, when Akane gave him the 'just friends' line… that was too much pain for him. So we don't spar with it any more, but he's using a lot of little ones now. Is he trying to get rid of some of the despair this way? But it doesn't work that way, the lion falling over the cliff…

Akane, I loved you so much… Ryoga glared at Ranma, "Damn you, Ranma!" She loved you, you idiot! And you just let her go? The ground where Ranma had been standing was abruptly reconfigured with a Breaking Point.

Ranma leapt out of the way and dodged between the flying rocks to pound Ryoga with a Chestnut Fists. Ryoga staggered briefly then retaliated with a corkscrew punch up. Ranma lightly flipped up with it and studied his opponent. He could use the Dragon's Wave, but Ryoga already knew that technique and could counter it. But the mood he's in right now, he'd never even see it coming, I bet. Ranma started the first spiral, hauling his emotions deep inside himself so to only project coolness.

"Stop dodging!" Ryoga roared, throwing another kick/punch combination in Ranma's direction. The sneaky little air-sprite was dodging and bouncing around… He needed to actually hit something! As Ryoga looked angrily down, the ground glimmered with little spots of light, each and every one of them breaking points. Ryoga threw a punch out that went past Ranma and into one of those points and he channeled his anger into the rock that was shattering under them. And still the despair was left, pulling him further down.

Bouncing out of the way of the Breaking Point, Ranma came down only paces away from where he'd left the spiral, ready to continue it. Then he froze for a moment, his eyes on the rich brown ones that were in front of him. His mind's eye saw Ryoga's body lying still and battered, his clothes in shreds and his skin not much better. And Ranma knew that he would never be able to use the Dragon's Wave on Ryoga ever again. Ryoga. He is my friend…

Finally! Ryoga connected with a punch that sent Ranma flying. But even as he advanced to continue the fight, Ryoga wondered. The fights he and Ranma had… Ranma was always in control, and that's why Ryoga usually lost. There were times when Ranma didn't consider their fights serious, and at those times Ryoga could win. But today was so different than their normal… Ranma barely dodged the next punch Ryoga threw out and Ryoga blinked. What the hell is Ranma looking for?

As Ranma rolled and then sprang up again to block and retrench, he couldn't help it. His gaze scanned the area around them, looking for the steady figure that always was there for him. His support, his strength. Every fight I've ever had, she's been on my side. She helps me, she trusts me. And she's not here now. Ranma hadn't realized how much he'd come to expect her to always be there.

Ryoga's anger flared up as he realized who it was Ranma was looking for, "Akane is your fiancee! And you just let her go!"

Enough was enough. Ranma's blue eyes blazed as he hissed, "She wanted to go!" Ranma was beyond anger at this point and he only wanted to throw the pain back, "And she didn't even bother to try and find her precious P-chan before she left, either!"

That did it. Ryoga stopped dead in his tracks as the pull of the black hole crumbled the shaky foundations he'd been standing on. It dragged him down inextricably over the edge falling down the never-ending cliff. There was no way to be free. He could only follow it through to the depths of the pain and despair and then send it back out again as his ultimate weapon. And he would welcome the moment when he let it out for at that time nothing could hurt him. Nothing at all. For there would be nothing left that could be hurt.

Ah shit… Ranma hadn't meant it. He could barely see Ryoga under the heavy dark mantle of despair as the air pulled in and around him. Ryoga, you ass. He hated seeing the emptiness in Ryoga's eyes as the Martial Artist pushed not only his chi but also his very existence, any reason he had for living, into the blast. Since the time I defeated the Lion's Roar Bullet, Ryoga has only used the full blast once, when he was dying. Damnit Ryoga, this isn't a good enough reason to use it again! Ranma had to stop him. He didn't know why, but he knew that this, here and now, was a 'bad idea.'

Vaguely, Ryoga realized and was disturbed that Ranma wasn't running. A full Lion's Roar Bullet was a devastating thing and those caught in the center of the blast took the entire weight of all the despair he was converting to solid energy. "Go now, Ranma." Ryoga could barely speak through the darkness around him. And still, he gathered more. Akane. I have lost you, forever. Akane, with the dark hair and beautiful spirit. Akane, free. Akane, alone… She didn't want him. She'd never wanted him. 'No matter what happens, we'll always be the best of friends.' She had said that to him, not realizing that what his soul craved wasn't friendship but love. He loved her too much, too much for him to be friends with her. And the one person she had loved… the single individual that she'd given her heart to… Ranma had let her go. Ranma, the only person Ryoga had ever trusted with Akane, the only person worthy of her. He'd let Akane go.

'Go now.' Ranma blinked as he heard the words – and the thought. Ryoga cares about what happens to me? But then what is all this? And a sudden fear clenched Ranma's heart, and he remembered all of Cologne's warnings about this technique that she'd passed on to Akane who had told them to an unworried Ranma. Ryoga is gathering energy for a Lion's Roar… but isn't planning on using it as a bullet! Where then, is the energy going to go? "I won't let you!" Ranma cried, "Ryoga! Akane did care about P-chan!"

Ryoga snorted softly, like that really matters? He could barely hear Ranma. It was Akane's name that had reached him… and he added that pain into the rest.

Shit! Ranma was desperate now, and Ryoga was beyond caring. So Ranma drew upon his father's endless bag of dirty tricks to use on an opponent. As Ryoga's Lion's Roar reached the edge of its perfection, Ranma reached out and began to tickle him mercilessly.

"Bwwwaaaaaaaaa!!!"

All the dark energy evaporated soundlessly as Ryoga collapsed, tears falling from his eyes, his body rolling to get away from the long skillful fingers that were exploring his sides and under his arms and across his belly. "Ranma, stop it! Ah! Ranma! Haaa! Ah! Damnit, Ranma!"

Ranma didn't want to stop. Even as Ryoga was squirming away, twisting to escape Ranma, he was laughing with amusement and delight. The brown eyes were sparkling brightly. If Ryoga really wanted to get away, he could. Ranma was enjoying watching the unusual sight of the bright eyes and hearing the cheery laughter.

"All right, you…" Ryoga tried to get revenge. But Ranma was too quick, and Ryoga too weak from laughing so much. Finally Ryoga managed to grab Ranma's waist and drag his fingers over his stomach…

Ranma grinned up at him and then launched another attack.

"Ack!" Ryoga curled up in a tight ball, "No fair! You're not ticklish!"

With another grin, Ranma lightly ran his fingers over Ryoga's arms and the sensitive side of the neck, exposed as Ryoga had tucked his chin into his chest.

With an explosive blast, Ryoga uncurled from his position and launched himself at Ranma, ignoring for one brief moment all the tickly touches… He pinned Ranma down on the grass, holding his wrists tightly, tangling his legs with Ranma's to keep him from jumping up. Looking down into the amused blue eyes, Ryoga grinned, "That'll teach you."

"Really?" Ranma studied the strong face above him, choosing his target carefully. Then he blew a breath of air that brushed past Ryoga's cheek and tickled his ear.

"Aaaaaa!" Ryoga threw his head back and giggled, loosing his grip on Ranma and rolling to one side. Still giggling, he spoke between laughs, "I yield! Enough!" Lying on his back on the grass, Ryoga stared up at the sky and let his laughter run down. Though every time he turned to glance at Ranma and the merry blue eyes watching him, it started again.

On his side, Ranma propped his head on his hand and watched Ryoga.

Eventually, the only sound was the birds chirping. The two youths lay on the hillside and watched the clouds go by. Quietly, Ranma said, "Ryoga, don't do that again."

Ryoga glanced over to where Ranma was shredding a piece of grass. Lightly, he grinned, "I don't think I can, now. Whenever I get to that point, I'm going to remember you and your Tickle Attack."

"Good," Ranma spoke seriously, shivering with the memory of Ryoga's gathered power.

"Okay, Ranma," Ryoga sat up, pulling one knee up to hold it and give himself balance, "What gives? You never think about anything besides yourself."

Ranma winced. And he glanced to the side where there was no dear friend to laugh at him and call him names and push him into streams when he insulted her… "Akane's gone."

"And?" Ryoga refrained from tossing out a taunt. Despite his pain, he could still feel the marks of light fingers chasing the darkness away.

Ranma turned to look at Ryoga as he sat calmly there upon the hilltop, his strong form and muscular build and steady gaze… "Ryoga, I'm sorry about the P-chan crack. Actually, Akane asked me to take care of P-chan when he came back. You're back, and the first thing I do is drive you into a fight."

Blinking several times during Ranma's little speech, Ryoga's cheekbones turned pink, "Ah, I was the one who did that…"

Sitting up, Ranma leaned into Ryoga and buried his head against his chest, wrapping his arms around his friend.

"Ranma???" Stunned, at first Ryoga didn't do anything. Then he felt the shivering of the body pressed on his. Ranma's crying? Hesitantly, he put a hand on Ranma's shoulder.

"Ryoga…" Ranma gulped as he tried to stay close to his strong friend. "They didn't ask me to go with them. None of them. They left me here. My best friends. They left. They said goodbye, and left. Shampoo, Cologne, Mousse, Kodachi…" He whispered the most precious name, "Akane… We were friends. I really thought we were friends. And she didn't ask me to go with her. She said goodbye, and left." Ranma held tight to the one friend he had left.

With a sigh, Ryoga let him.

 Notes to Chapter 2:

- Boy, I had to do a lot more research on this than I thought! Yikes. Since this story is in response to the tickle challenge, I had to have the depression blast as part of the timeline, so I finally found it in manga book 20, and then I had to decide where to cut off the rest of my timeline... I finally decided to cut if off right after book 26, the story with the 8-headed orachi. I *hate* trying to deal with Akiri...

- Anyho, none of that should really effect this story much except that I'm going to be following the manga more closely than I usually do.

- And somehow this story is also being more serious than I'd intended. I'd wanted a light-hearted little romp... Couldn't quite do that when the depression blast was involved!! Oh well. ;-) As long as it all turns out okay in the end. ;-)