(Warning: ^_^ I just LOVE Ryouga to pieces. Can you see where I am getting at? Length-wise, people, length! Heh.)

Break... Break me... It would break me...

I grabbed my head and started to scream. "Oh, what IS wrong with me?!"

Then, I calmed down and sat on the rock while overlooking the rushing river before me. The fire crackled with no mercy. Once more, I was alone.

By myself...

There was no place called home. Just finding myself stuck with my backpack and parasol in some unknown place. Day or night, it all became the same to me. It just meant that I was lost. Again.

And then when I got into these moments of self-pity, I would think of the only person who loved me: Akane. Even if only I was a pig to her, it didn't bother me at all. It was kind of bad, but she was, in a large sense, my security blanket.

I threw more wood into the fire. For a second, it was larger than usual, than it ceased to its original size. I was also like fire: I rose for a moment, then was flattened by the next.

Just like all my dreams...

It became a bit colder and I began to shiver a little. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I set out to go back to the Tendo Dojo. It wasn't home, but it would be the closest I could ever know.

I had no idea how to get there but only with my twisted luck. By the power of my love for Akane, I would always find her home...

I treaded upon the forest in the dark of night. It wasn't an unusual thing. For a wandering loner like me, the forest and mountains had become very inviting. Need a breather? Need time to think? Go here, I could never go wrong.

Oh Akane, I wish I could just come out and say it, but no, I can't. In that sense, I was a coward. Poking holes into the nearest wall or major property damage would happen before I could even say a complete sentence without stuttering like an idiot. Talking alone had been tough. Let alone writing that letter...

But, just like the first time I wanted to say goodbye, I couldn't. I just couldn't let go. Though I knew it would be better that way, I can't anymore. I can't let her go.

I'm true to my feelings. And as much as I tried to lie or hide them, they will always show. And when it came to Akane, the thought always ended in, "As long as she's happy...I don't really care whom she's with, but the guy will have to answer to me if he makes her unhappy in ANY way."

And after time, it was hard to admit Ranma was worthy of her after all. I'll never let that jerk know about that though...

The more time passed, it got harder to come back to the Tendou's house. It was too hard to see Ranma and Akane together, though fighting. They're both stubborn, but anyone can see what's going on. It's obvious. Even for me.

"But why do I still keep on going back?" I stopped for a moment and overlooked a city, then continued towards it.

"P-chan!" I could hear Akane calling me and I jump into her arms. That's why. Just for a single hug. "Akane..."

Tears began to fall from my eyes. And with all my pride, I got frustrated and violently wiped them away before they could run down my cheek.

Pathetic. I am really pathetic...

My transparent heart...I would look beyond everything and deceive myself. I'd pretend that she really loved me, even for a brief moment. As P-chan...I could...I could pretend Akane was in love with me...

"Ranma..." I whispered.

I wanted to kill Ranma and I wanted to thank him. That's when I began laughing aloud.

"Our warped rivalry."

You jerk. I hated you with every centimeter of my being for bringing me such humiliation from bread to this damned curse. I would challenge you to redeem my lost manhood.

Sometimes, I'd even bring all the hidden hurt I've felt and made you responsible for it...

"I'm sorry," I whispered to myself with my head down.

I hate you, I put my frustrations on you, I try to kill you...

...and yet, you are my best friend.

The only real friend I've ever really had...

We've helped each other in many things; and we've also brought each other down.

"Twisted. Very twisted friendship." I chuckled again to myself.

But...but when it came right down to it, when I needed your help the most, you would do it. I would do the same...

I'd thank you, but I guess you already know that as much as I do. For everything, Ranma. For being the person to listen to me and even for this curse.

"Yes, even the curse..." If it weren't for the curse, I wouldn't have found any kind of happiness on Earth.

That's why I hate you and like you like a brother. For the price of happiness, I've suffered much pain. Watching you guys isn't just a walk in the park, Ranma.

I barely find my own house... I already don't have a sense of direction...

What kind of life am I living now?

How will I survive all my life?

Just what kind of dreams AM I supposed to have?!

 

I smiled as I looked up and around in the doorway. "Heh. Made it here in less than three days."

But as I jumped over the gate, I silently jumped onto the roof and sat down with my arms folded. A look of sentimentality came over it.

I am a very sensitive person...

I can't have any dreams. And all the dreams I used to have are gone. Why do I let myself come back?

My heart is like glass. You can always see through it. But the image gets harder and harder to make out when you break it in so many different directions...

...When you break it over and over...

It reassembles, but not that way it previously was. It loses bits and pieces every time it's been smashed, thrown, or abused in any way.

I jumped off the roof, set my stuff somewhere, and changed into P- chan. Miraculously, I found Akane and jumped into her warm, loving arms.

...Here was my home...

As she hugged me with all her heart, I looked up into her eyes.

But how long will I last? I know there will come a day when-

It was only a matter of time before my glass heart wouldn't reassemble itself.

It was only a matter of time...

...but just for now, as she looks down at me with that cute, smiling face, I will...

...only think of this moment...

--

Author's note: Important: This is a turning point in the story. I don't know how you guys like this so far...So how is it? ^_^

I've only written for the main characters and the ones I really, really love. I know I could do anything with all the minor characters, but I wish not to do that...Hmm.

But one thing I've learned from doing all this is that the people paired or supposed to be paired together, complement each other. I think it was most visible with Kunou and Nabiki. ^_^

* sniff, sniff * But anyways...Ryouga...Wah!!!!!! ;_; For me, Ryouga will always be the most tragic of all the Ranma 1/2 cast of characters...