"Try to breathe slower and deeper. You need air, and you ain't gettin' it like you're breathin' now," Her personal torturer instructed as he hovered over her.
She struggled to control her breathing as instructed, and was surprised when it did help her recover her breath faster.
Ranma looked around and noticed they were just outside the grocery store. "Why don't you wait here while I get the shoppin' done? Then we can walk back."
Hotaru nodded absently, not really paying attention, but focusing more on her breathing.
When she recovered enough to look around herself, she noticed with some surprise that she had actually made it to the market. She hadn't expected to with the brisk pace Ranma had set. And worse, he'd been casually walking along fences as he did it!
It would be nice to be more like other people and not be winded after a walk like that. It would be wonderful to be able to walk on fences as casually as her new instructor did. But it would be hellish until then; she had no illusions about somehow just learning all of this overnight.
Hotaru sat and waited, resting up for the return trip home. Hopefully, Ranma would have to slow down with the groceries he carried, but she didn't really expect that. He seemed far too unconcerned about the walk to think he'd really be bothered by being weighed down with food stuffs, and his backpack would probably hold most of the load anyway, distributing the weight better.
"Well, look what we have here boys!"
Hotaru paled and looked up noticing the gang of boys surrounding her. She recognized them. They were all freshmen in high school now, but had attended the same junior high as her last year.
"Why, if it isn't the little freak," another of the boys commented.
Another boy pushed her from behind, causing her to fall off the bench. "What brings you out here all alone?"
"She isn't alone." That voice was as cold as ice, but Hotaru nevertheless recognized her instructor. "So why don't you boys leave before you do something foolish."
"Oh, look at the pretty boy, come to rescue the freak," one of the bullies taunted.
"Why don't we show him what happens to freaks around here?" another suggested.
One of them charged Ranma. Ranma, his arms still crossed in front of him, simply dodged the clumsy punch by leaning to the side. He dodged the follow up as well, leaning backward, and then caught the third punch, pivoting as he did so, using his opponent's momentum to throw the boy to the ground.
Another boy rushed him while his back was turned, but Ranma just jumped, flipping backward over bully to land before Hotaru, now between her and then majority of the gang. With the bench behind her, she was effectively protected.
With an audible sigh, he spread his arms to his sigh, and then he did the oddest thing.
He lit up.
It looked like he somehow had wrapped himself in a golden fire, but he obviously wasn't burning. Hotaru couldn't see it too well, since she was behind him and on the ground, but from the looks on the faces of the gang members, it must have been a very frightening sight. They had all taken a step back, and she could see some wet spots starting to form on some of their pants.
"I'll say it again," his voice was harder than when he'd commanded her, and colder than she'd ever heard anyone use. "Leave now, before I get annoyed."
That was all it took; the gang broke, running as though their lives depended on it.
The golden fire winked out of existence, and Hotaru could tell he was relaxing. He then turned around and helped her to her feet. "You okay, Hotaru?"
She nodded, still a bit awed by the display.
"Think you're up for shoppin' with me? I don't think it'd be a good idea to try restin' out here any more."
Hotaru tentatively nodded. She didn't feel like being left alone at the moment either.
Ranma frowned as he noticed Hotaru yawn once more. The shopping was all done, but it was obvious Hotaru was bone tired. He led her back to the park bench and let her sit, while he packed all his groceries into the backpack. It was a good thing Setsuna had given him cash for this trip before he'd left.
Once all the food stuffs were packed away, he pulled the backpack back on, and turned toward Hotaru, only to notice she'd fallen asleep already.
With a sigh, he picked her up in his arms, and started carrying her back to her home.
See other episodes by Brian Drozd
(Posted Wed, 13 Aug 2003 02:42)
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