Lighting the Way: Chapter Three

Written by: Liz Donovan



Ranma ½ Homepage
Lighting the Way: Chapter Four


Hiroshi looked up from his seat at his table, to where Akari knelt, daintily sipping tea from her glass. "Is…it alright? I’m not too good at cooking or anything…" he asked, cautiously.
Akari nodded, solemnly and set the glass down. "It’s good." She said, and put her hands in her lap, lightly glancing about the room. Hiroshi followed her gaze as she took in his apartment room. Then she looked at a frame on the wall, sporting his mother, father, himself and a pet dog. His eyes lingered on the photo a moment longer, and she looked to him.
"Why do you live alone, Sato-san?" she questioned. Hiroshi swallowed a bit, and looked away from the photo. He’d expected the question, but not directly.
"My…dad died in a construction accident…" he swallowed, in remembrance. "…and my mother didn’t have a job to support me. So, she moved to America where she got a decent paying job, and she mails me a little money each month. When I get out of high school, I’ll probably join her over there…It’s really hard living alone." He muttered.
Akari nodded a bit. "I’m sorry. You are both welcome to stay at my fathers farm." She said softly, and lifted her tea, drinking it a bit.
"You’re from the country?" he questioned, interestedly.
She nodded. "Hai. I raise…sumo-wrestling pigs." She bowed her head.
Hiroshi paused, lifting the glass to his mouth and blinked. "Sumo-wrestling pigs?" he repeated, and set the glass down.
Akari seemed greatly upset by this fact. "Hai…" she whispered a little sadly. He could only think that she despised this occupation, and was depressed over it. "That is why I came for Ryouga-sama…"
Hiroshi paused his thinking. "’Ryouga-san’? You’re fiancée?" he questioned. She nodded an affirmative. "I see."
"He would help me…" Akari softly said.
"Help you? What’s wrong?" Hiroshi asked concerned.
Akari whispered. "It’s Katsunishiki…he’s dying."
Hiroshi just blinked. Akari held her hands to her mouth, and shook her head, willing the tears away.
"Ka-Katsunishiki?" he breathed in question. She nodded painfully. Hiroshi blinked once more. "Who…who is Katsunishiki?" Akari raised her head to look at him.
"My prize 14th Champion Sumo-pig…my guardian…Katsunishiki…" she trailed off.
He blinked again. "He’s dying?" he questioned. She nodded gravely, not looking back up. "From what?" she shook her head, no.
"I…I don’t know for certain…he just won’t eat. He won’t move…he’s wasting away…Oh! Sato-san, help him!" she pleaded, desperately.
Hiroshi shook his head. He couldn’t stand to see Akari crying, even if it was over a pig, and he nodded. "I’ll do everything within my power to help save Katsunishiki."
"Really?!" she gasped, her eyes widening, hands clasping together at her chest. "Oh, thank you!" she cried, tears brimming in her eyes, unshed.
He nodded. "Really. In the morning we’ll go find you’re fiancée and see if he can help us find-" he stopped, seeing her shake her head negatively.
"No, no…Katsunishiki needs quick help! Ryouga-sama won’t be found!" she muttered aloud, then looked down at her tea glass.
"Oh…" Hiroshi said, looking down as well, defeated-like. Her eyes widened.
"A doctor!" she cried gleefully. "We will take the doctor!" she exclaimed, getting to her feet.
"D-doctor?" Hiroshi stuttered, setting down the tea glass he’d just picked up.
"Yes! The doctor!" she looked about, and picked up his jacket from where she’d put it, draped over a chair.
"Now?!" he cried, looking at the wall clock. "It’s the middle of the night!"
Akari stopped her pomp and looked hurt, turning, looking at him, one arm halfway though the jacket sleeve. Her eyes were large and pained. "Katsunishiki…" she softly said. "He won’t…he won’t last long…" she turned and looked up at the ceiling. "I tried Katsunishiki…I will save you…I’ll do anything…please only hold on…"
Hiroshi’s heart melted at that. She cared for this pig so very much, he was her life. "Alright, alright, but this isn’t my idea…"
Akari let out a little ‘yee!’ softly, and slipping into the jacket completely. "Lets go….faster is better for Katsunishiki!" she said, and turned opening his door.
Hiroshi stood, took a sweater from the closet, and shut the lights off, following her quickly out the door and down to the sidewalk below his apartment.

To Be Continued…