Thanks to my pre readers David Johnston, TonyLoco, Octavian

Ranma 1/2 / BBSM : Eye's of a Stranger Chapter Two
Created by Long Ngo
Co-Authored Lord Talon
Started????
Finished June 9, 1998

      Akane's funeral had been attended by most of Nerima. Even Kirin, Toma, and Shinnosuke came from their respected abodes upon the news of Akane's death. They all mourned the passing of a girl who had taken a little piece of their heart with her. While both Toma and Shinosuke wanted a piece of Ranma, it was Kirin who stopped them.

      Raising his hands to stop the two enraged young men. "What more can be done to this man? He has lost the one who mattered most to him. Anything that we might do, would pale in comparison to the pain he feels now!"

      Studying Ranma's face for the first time both Toma and Shinnosuke had to agree.

      Soon, the funeral came to a close as everyone said their farewells to Akane. Kasumi had wept throughout the procession. Nabiki's expression was one of ice and everyone would have said she was heartless except for the few tears that could be seen falling down her face. Soun, for once, did not cry. Afterwards, Nabiki approached Ranma and told him to come to the Dojo. The whole family wanted to know what had happened over in China from Ranma himself.

-----

      Ranma looked at the entrance to the Tendou Training Hall. A feeling of dread passed through him for he did not relish the thought of what he was about to face. That being his meeting with the father of the deceased Tendou Akane, Tendou Soun.

      All of his guilt swarmed through his head as he started to knock on the door. A couple of minutes passed until a tear stained Kasumi appeared. Seeing Ranma, she managed a weak smile and invited him in. After leading Ranma inside, she excused herself to make some tea.

      Ranma smiled sadly as his gazed followed the departing Tendou. *Even after everything that had happened, Kasumi was still trying to be the polite host.* he thought with some amazement.

      Kasumi soon appeared with some tea and then escorted Ranma into the dojo. In the middle of the dojo, sat Tendou Soun, patriarch of the Tendou Clan. To his left was Nabiki and to the right was Kasumi.

      Soun cleared his throat. "Tell us what happened in China, Ranma."

      Trying to keep his emotions in check, Ranma started to describe the events leading up to Akane's death. "... and when I got there, it was too late. She had died. I did everything in my powers and it still wasn't good enough!" When he had finished, his voice was filled with emotion.

      "Is that all?" asked Soun.

      Looking up, Ranma was confused. *What else can I say?*

      Picking up the katana, which Ranma had missed, Soun pointed the steel blade at Ranma. "You are a disgrace!" he accused Ranma in a low menacing tone. Soun then began to berate Ranma for his inabilities to save Akane, his playboyish ways, in short calling him a dishonorable excuse for a martial artist. After finishing, Soun slashed the air in front of Ranma and banished him from his home, never to set foot near their doorsteps again.

      After Soun had finished, Ranma stood up and left without a word. He could not blame Soun for his behavior. As he exited the Dojo, he noticed the sad look on Kasumi's face and Nabiki's cold expression. Nearing the gate, a hand stopped him. Looking over his shoulders, he saw Nabiki standing there. "What do you want, Nabiki?" asked Ranma in a voice filled with sorrow.

      "I just wanted to say that I know you did your best Ranma. I know you loved Akane and that she loved you as well.

      "You don't blame me?" Ranma asked in a disbelieving tone.

      "No. I don't blame you, you did very thing you could to try and save Akane. From what I could tell, you did your best. Mousse told me part of what happened and you just filled in the gaps. I'm sorry, Ranma. " She weakly smiled, and wiped a way a few tears.

      "Thanks, Nabiki."

      "That'll be 1300 yen please. My usual fee for cheering you up."

      For the first time since Akane's death, Ranma laughed. "I'll have to give you an IOU."

      Nabiki smiled *He's going to be okay!* "By the way Ranma, where is your Oyaji?"

      "Oyaji is home trying to explain the last 10 years to Okaasan."

      "Wish I could see his face."

      "Me too."

-----

One week later

-----

      "Ranma! Are you ready yet? You'll be late for school." Nodoka shouted. She couldn't be any happier. Finally her husband and son have returned to her. They were a family again.

      "Coming!" shouted Ranma as he sprinted down the stairs.

       Handing Ranma a bowl of rice, "Hurry up and eat." Looking at her son, she could tell that he was pretending to be happy. Just like he used to do when she thought that he was Ranko. *Please, get well soon.*

      "Hai." Finishing his meal, Ranma grabbed his bag and started to jog to school. *I'm sorry, Akane.* As soon as he was far enough away from Obaasan, the cheerful exterior fell, leaving a depressed teen. *I'm starting to act like Ryouga.*

      Looking at the fence, he didn't feel like walking atop it anymore. It reminded him of a time when Akane was still alive, walking along besides him. Nearing the school, Ranma slowed down. *My first day at Juuban. Can't be worse than Furinkan.*

-----

      "Class, please say hello to Saotome Ranma. He just transferred here. Saotome, please introduce yourself."

      "I'd rather not." *Don't want to make any friends right now.* Looking around the room, he noticed an empty seat near the window. "Is that seat taken?" Ranma pointed to the desk. Receiving no answers, he proceeded to claim the desk for himself. Not caring about the looks he was receiving from the girls as well as the boys, Ranma just stared outside.

      Ami was considered one of the smartest if not the smartest student at Juuban. This was her last year at Juuban high before heading off to college. Her attention soon wandered to the new student at the head of the class. What caught her attention was the posture of the new student. *He reminds me of Usagi a few months ago, when she thought she had lost Mamoru.* Ami thought to herself. After hearing Ranma declining to reveal anything about himself to the class, confirmed her guess. Here was a really depressed individual and by the looks of it a very lonely one.

-----

      Lunchtime at Juuban High was the highlight of Usagi's day. Not only did she get to eat what was left of her lunch but her friend, Makoto, usually brought extra food for her as well. Today was extra special, as Mamoru had stopped by on his lunch break to see her. All in all, things couldn't be better.

      At that moment, someone seemed to be talking to her. She turned her head away from Mamoru, though very reluctantly, towards a girl with short blue hair. She saw that Ami had on her "Rei" face. Whenever any of the senshi were unhappy with her, they usually wore what Usagi called their "Rei" face, which was a mixture of disbelief and anger at whatever she may have done.

      "Uhm.. What was that, Ami?"

      "Don't you think it has been too quiet lately? Usually when it gets this quiet, something big always occurs. We need to remain alert!" she stated.

      "Well, that's no problem. We've handled everything else before, and we can do it again. Besides, I like it quiet. It gives me more time to spend with Mamo-chan" Usagi smiled warmly at her boyfriend, who smiled in return.

      "Ami's right. We need to be ready. Besides, it has been too quiet and I'm actually beginning to miss the excitement and the danger." Makoto declared.

      Usagi looked at her friend, and a mischievious gleam appeared in her eyes, as she asked "Oh, really? What about Shinnosuke?"

      Makoto's only response was a rosy-scarlet blush that rose to her cheeks.

      Usagi smiled as she struck gold and presssed her advantage. "So, how was your first date with him?" Usagi asked.

      "Well..." Makoto replied hesitantly "First, we went to the park, and he..."

      Makoto began talking in great detail about her date but Ami tuned it out. Makoto had been this enthusiastic before, and would probably be again. As Ami gazed around the courtyard, she saw the new student sitting alone under a tree near the back of the school yard.

      Figuring he could use a cheerful face, she got up, and walked over to him.

      "Excuse me but is this space taken?" she asked him.

      "No," he replied, not taking his eyes from his meal.

      "May I sit down?"

      "Go ahead."

      Ami sat down and continued eating all the while staring at this young man. He looked to be about 18 but his eyes...his eyes looked like they had many years of misery and misfortune displayed before them.

      "Pardon my saying, but you look like you could use a friend right now." Ami said

      "No" he replied, still not taking his eyes off his meal, which had been barely touched.

      "I beg your pardon?"

      "I said I don't need a friend. What I need, no one can give." *Oh Akane, I miss you so much. I just don't feel complete without you!* He thought to himself. Seeing as how he lost his appetite, he got up and prepared to walk away.

      "No man is an island. If you need someone to talk to, I'll listen!" Ami offered.

      Ranma turned around and looked at her. He studied her for what seemed like an eternity. "I'll think about it, uhhh..."

      "Ami, Mizuno Ami"

      He smiled sadly at her "Ranma, Saotome Ranma. I'll think about it, Mizuno-san" Saying that, he turned around and left .

To be continued :