KOI GA KISANAI
By Ki-Chan, the Mystikal Mystik


(Once again, the charming Kireiga is about to butcher someone else's characters: Rumiko Takahashi is a wonderful lady and I'm sure has worked long and hard on her stories and their delightful characters...I'm about to commit a sin and "borrow" a few of these characters for my own sick devices...Gomen nasai...Also this was the first yaoi fic I ever wrote, so be gentle...and if you're offended by hot steamy men getting' it on, get the hell outta here! Also, I'm a violent nut, so this story contains some scenes, which may offend the elderly and very young, in other words, if ya don't like ready about rape and whatnot, go away NOW. However, if you're like me and LOVE to read this stuff, then please, by all mean read on...AND KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM HENTAI!)
(You have been warned, so you can't sue me, even if you did I have no money and live in a cardboard box, and it's soggy so you don't want it)

(NOTES: Read these, or don't... I don't give a damn, but if you don't and you're confused later don't bitch to me:
#1 the title translates to something like "I don't expect love"
#2 since this piece o' poop txt. thingie doesn't like me using italics, all thoughts are placed in * thought* those star thingies
#3 text that appears like "<this>" is to be considered spoken in Chinese
#4 I'm a terrible person, but I like nice reviews...hell I like any reviews, flame me if you want, I find it amusing...now go read!)


(Finally the damn story)
*Brief Intro to Nerima*

Nerima was a peaceful little district in Tokyo...well that is until a not-so-peaceful young "man" and his not-so- peaceful friends moved in. Nerima and its residents have never been the same. At one time a person could walk down the street and the only noises would be the merry sounds of children playing, and young ladies could hang their panties and other undergarments out to dry without fear...ah yes, those are the things one takes for granted...Nerima hasn't changed so much physically, oh sure o few walls have been destroyed, a few roofs torn off, but not all these unexpected changes were for the worst. In fact, two new restaurants opened since then: an okonomiyaki shop, and a cozy little spot called the Nekohanten.

*Chinese Style Steamed Duck*

The interior of the Nekohanten was empty safe for three people; the regular costumers had fled earlier, having learned that it's never safe to be in the same rooms as these three. A giggling young Amazon was swooning and caressing a rather miffed looking young male, who was trying -unsuccessfully-, to pry the girl off his waist.
"Shampoo! Let me go!"
It was unlikely that she hadn't heard her frantic captives plea, rather she merely ignore it, "Oh Ranma! Shampoo so happy! You come see Shampoo!" As though to emphasize her rapture, she gave the boy a hug and nuzzled against his side, drawing forth another pathetic cry for help.
Silently fuming, and listening to the half-hearted orders for Shampoo to let go, Mousse stood near the counter, feeling the rage burn inside him. Ranma was trying to gently push Shampoo away, "Come on, leggo!"
"You come to take Shampoo to date, yes?" The violet-headed girl purred.
"NO! I don't want to date you!"
She gave a confused blink then asked, "Airen want we should get married now?"
"NANI? Marry you!? I n-" Sadly, the young man's sentence was painfully cut short, as the Chinese boy could no long be a passive bystander to this wanton display, and a steal ball connected to a heavy length of chain, shot from the large sleeves of his robe and implanted itself in Ranma's skull. The Amazon dropped her unconscious "husband" and fixed her cold red eyes on her would-be beau. "Aiyaa! Mousse, what you doing!?"
"You expect me to just stand here and let some other -man- steal you away from me???"
Ranma, having removed the ball from his head, sat up, "Hey, I'm not trying to steal her from you..."
Shampoo nodded, "Is right, Mousse never have me, so Ranma no can steal me!"
The pig-tailed boy shook his head and again had Shampoo clinging to his side, "I didn't mea-"
"QUIET!" The Chinese boys hands once again disappears into the sleeves of his white robe, his brows knitted in anger over his glasses, "This time Saotome Ranma, I -will- win back Shampoo!"
"This again?" Ranma sighed, and smacked Shampoo's hand for wandering a bit to far, "MUST YOU DO THAT!?"
With a mischievous smile she replied with a glance to Mousse, "Ranma no seem to mind when we alone if Shampoo touch." ^.^
O.o.....
"Saotome Ranma prepare to DIE!!" From the hidden depths of his robe came a hail of knives and daggers. Ranma, picking Shampoo up with him, leapt backwards and with his free hand tipped over a table, so that the knives which other wise would have created several hundred new holes in his face, instead thwacked harmless into the wooden surface.
When the last knife made its mark on the defenseless table, Ranma stood, arms now held out, and stood ready to fight. "I don't know how many times I have to explain this to you and everyone else, but I... Ain't... Marrying... Nobody!" He gestured towards Shampoo, "She's the one groping me! And I-" A swan training potty came out of seemingly nowhere and hit him in the gut, knocking him backwards.
"Bad Mousse! You stop now!" Shampoo walked up behind Mousse and smacked the back of his head, Mousse turned looking hurt.
"Shampoo, why..." He reached a hand out to her, trying to the right words to make her understand. His hand caught her sleeve, gently trying to keep her from turning away from him, so she could see the pain in his eyes; she only frowned at him and slapped him -hard-.
"Mousse have no right touch Shampoo! Mousse lost. Shampoo marry Ranma, not stupid weak Mousse who no deserve her!"
"Lucky me..." Ranma muttered sarcastically from the floor.
Mousse closed his eyes, unable to look at Shampoo who glared at him with such loathing and contempt; it pained him to be near her. "How can you love him, when it's so obvious he doesn't- Q-QUACK!?" A moist and confused white duck now sat in a pile of Mousse clothes.
"Shampoo no want to hear it Mousse." She tossed the empty bucket aside and smirked down and her feathered friend "Maybe Mousse try pond and find nice duck girlfriend yes?" She laughed, then seeing Ranma sneaking towards the door, tackled the boy. "WO AI NI!"
"SHAMPOOOO!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
Mu Mu Chan the duck sadly flapped his way upstairs to the bath, trying to block out the sounds of his beloved Shampoo, giggling over her "airen."

*Duck Under Glass*

Normally a hot bath left Mousse calmed and refreshed, but today he just felt useless and depressed, as he normally felt after a rejection from Shampoo. Tugging on his black pants, he opened the bathroom door, letting a cold breath of wind reach in and chill him. Before leaving the bathroom, he caught site of his face in the bathroom mirror, and sighed at himself. The spot on his cheek where Shampoo has slapped him, though' faded, still burned at his heart. Sighing once again, he left the bathroom, and trudged up to his attic room.
It wasn't fair. It simply was not fair. He lived just above Shampoo, yet he knew his was further away from her then anyone. He might as well be in China...and yet...he stayed. Despite the ridicule and humiliation he suffered, he stayed for her. Even if she rejected him now, and even is she continued to reject him in the future, he knew in his heart he'd never leave. He'd stay, like the lovesick puppy dog he was, just for those rare moments when, they'd be cleaning tables at the end of a long day, and he'd offer to finish cleaning for her, and she'd smile and thank him. Rare as they were, those were the moments his desperate heart lived on. He'd loved her since they were three years old, but his submissive and gentle manner never was able to win the heart of his spirited warrior. She even went so far as to use his love to hurt him, or too bring herself closer to Ranma. *That damned Saotome, it his fault....* The cause of his loneliness and misery. That cretin had no right being engaged to -his- Shampoo. *She deserves so much better.*
With a shove, Mousse managed to force open the door to his cramped and over crowded room, and surveyed the mess before him. Multiple types and lengths of chains and ropes cluttered the floor. Hundreds of assorted knives, clubs, spiked balls, swords, katanas, bow staves, blades, steal trap, claw, canon balls, and various other implements of pain were scattered across the rope. Everything balance and resting in boxes of clothes or random items he'd collected on his journey to Japan. Among the collection of yo-yo's, and stuffed animals were numerous other strange items, including but not limited to: brass knuckles, a potted plant, a waffle iron, jacks, fake flowers, an alarm clock, geta sandals, an egg timer, a jump rope, a paper fan, a unicycle, spare tire, bike pump, roller skates, an egg plant, several magazines (mostly those with topics like "how to win the girl of your dreams") fish hooks, masks, bombs, a bag of water balloons, a broken VCR, a vase, a grill, and yes ladies and gentlemen, event the kitchen sink.
Shuffling through tons of miscellaneous whatnots, the long hair boy sat on what he could only assume was his futon. With yet another longing sigh, he rested his chin upon a hand and allowed his gaze to drift around the room. Teetering precariously along the far wall was a stack of boxes, which held a collection of items from his homeland. He studied them from were he sat, trying to remember what exactly were the contents of those boxes. It had been so long since he had given much thought to his native land. It had been even longer still since the last time he'd gone thro' any of his old possessions, most of them held painful memories he longed to vanquish from his mind. Making a quick mental note to get rid of those boxes someday, Mousse forced his thoughts back onto his lovely Shampoo. But soon found that he couldn't think about Shampoo with out thinking about Ranma. That grinning arrogant pig-tailed face lingered in his minds eye, taunting him with that damn self-assured smirk. Without thinking, Mousse angrily swung his arm out to punch the closest thing to him... which just happened to be a steel ball.
Yelping in pain, and clutching his hand, which throb red, Mousse didn't notice the ball he'd hit roll over into a pile of swords that had been leaning along the wall. They clattered to the floor, and the chain and ropes that had been tangled in the handles, fell with them, creating a veritable domino effect in the room. Everything in the room crashed and banged to the floor, pinning Mousse beneath a pile of pointy-painful objects. He no longer really minded the pain in his hand, since the aforementioned VCR cushioned its fall on his head.
"What a day." He groaned and wearily pulled himself free of the rumble." Why can't anything go right for me? Is my life just one torture after another." He stood and took a step to the door, immediately tripping over a box, which like everything else had tumbled to the ground where Mouse was once again located. Rolling over, Mousse looked down at the box. His foot had caught onto a small hole and ripped off a side, causing the contents to join the rest of the mess. He nearly ignored the cluttered mess, as most of it merely blended into one giant trash heap, but one thing in particular caught his eye. Curiously, Mousse pulled his glasses down onto his nose and picked up the object, examining it closely.
It was a rectangular wooden box, stained black, on its lid was a strange looking symbol, craved into the wooden surface and tinted with gold paint. Odd, he couldn't remember this box, yet the symbol was vaguely familiar. Perhaps something inside the box would help to spark his memory. Settling back into a more comfortable sitting position in the rumble, Mousse flipped the tiny gold latch and opened the box.
Inside were two pieces of rolled up paper. Each tied with a tasseled yellow rope. He opened the larger of the two first, noting how brittle the paper felt has he unrolled it over his lap. More strange hand written characters covered the paper. The script mildly resembled kanji, but had too many loops and curves, and blended together reminding him slightly like Arabic. Confused he turned the paper over and back, looking at it at different angles, as though the other side might have a legible version, but the other side remained blank and unhelpful. :It...it's like a code..."He mutter absently, then a burst of recognition struck him. He remembered where he'd seen this, where he'd gotten it from. Back when he'd still been living in China with his father. This writing had been used among the men, so the Amazons couldn't understand any of their secret scrolls should they be found. But Mousse wasn't even sure if he could remember the tricky language, it had been so long ago. Perhaps if he could just remember the symbol on the top...it would be a start. Staring at the symbol on the lid of the box, Mousse leaned back and struggled to recall the day he'd be given this mysterious object.

*FLASHBACK*

It had seemed that all week the village of the amazons had been raided daily by a short (very short) man with a bad habit of stealing not only the village's valuables but also the Amazons undergarments. This, needless to say, did not bode well with the Amazons; they had vowed to kill the short little letch if they caught him. Somehow the pint-sized hentai always managed to slip away. Now it seemed the freak had dragged along two accomplices as a distraction while he pillaged the village of its "lacy things." The day Mousse thought back to had been a cool summer day, the women were out patrolling the grounds, and some practicing combat. The men meanwhile sat in a small hut just outside of the village, in the middle of a conversation.
<"That foreign is going to cause more problems for us them for them,>" explained one man, <"If he should find the scrolls, and the women find out, we'll all be punished...-severely-."> Several men nervously crossed their legs, understanding the meaning of that threat. <"So,"> the man continued, <"I've decided to entrust the scroll to my son.>" There was an audible mummer of dispute among the crowd, but the man silence them with a raised hand and speaking further, "I understand your trepidation, but it's our best choice. Muu Tzu has already proven himself as a successful student of the hidden-weapons; soon he'll have mastered it. And the women wouldn't suspect a child of having such a valuable scroll, and even a thief wouldn't steal from a child, even if he could find it on the boy...but he wouldn't be looking for it anyway, no one's know about this scroll for hundred of here, save for us.>"
They mulled over the idea for a bit, before finally nodding in agreement. Muu Tzu's father picked up the black box and tucked it into his sleeve before exiting the hut in search of his son.
Casually walking across the village, he could see little Xian Pu skipping in his direction with a smug look on her face. It didn't take him long to see why she'd looked so proud. Muu Tzu was lying in a bruised heap on the ground. His glasses were broken and he had tears pouring down his cheeks. His father looked down at him sternly, <"Get up boy, crying is for the weak. I didn't raise you to be weak.>" The young boy sniffled, and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, <"Xian Pu hates me...>"
<"Of course she hates you, you're a weakling. Weak people don't deserve love.>"
The child hung his head in shame becoming used to the fact that pity was not a high priority in his village. His father turned and walked away, calling over his shoulder, <"Hurry up boy, there's something important I need to talk to you about."> Muu Tzu pulled himself to his feet; wincing from the sharp kicks he's received moments before from Xian Pu, and obediently followed his father. *Xian Pu will never be unloved*, he thought sadly as he hurried to keep up with his father, until the two reached their hut. Once his father had closed the door, Muu Tzu bit his lower lip expecting a beating for something he's done...or forgotten to do...or his father thought he was going to do. But instead of reaching for the leather strap used to reinforce education, the older man reached inside his sleeve and held the box close to his child face, so the myopic boy could see it clearly. <"I want you to keep this safe."> He knelt and grabbed Muu Tzu's hand, the boy winced a bit but made no sound, the box was placed in his hand and he looked down at it questioningly, <"What's in it father?>"
His father's face frowned, as always serious, now with a more frightening and malevolent edge to its sharp features, <"You don't open that box. You don't tell any one about it. Especially the women. Do you understand me?>"
<"But I don't understand->"
A rough hand grabbed the child collar drawing the two face to face Muu Tzu trembled, but made no move to back away, instead was forced to look his father in the eye as the man spoke in a cold whisper, <"You understand the words I'm sayin' boy? Can you speak Chinese? Do I sound like I'm speaking French??>"
Muu Tzu again bit his lip, fought back tears, to cry in front of his father when he was mad was not a good idea, <"I speak Chinese sir....>"
<"Do NOT open this box...do NOT tell anyone about this box...now what did I just say?>"
His throat was dry from fear and he struggled to repeat his fathers word, <"....">
<"I can't hear you boy.>" The grip on his collar tightened and Muu Tzu felt his feet leave the ground, being pulled up by his neck, <"I'm not to open the box, or tell anyone about it!>" He managed to choke out and was released. He stumbled back out the floor, and again had to fight back the urge to cry. He tucked the box into his sleeve where it disappeared into the void understood only by masters of the hidden weapon attack.
Satisfied now that the box and the scrolls were safe, his father turned and spoke as he walked across the room, <"Someday when you're older and can understand, and -deserve- love, I'll tell you about the Suicide Love Strike, but right now..."> Muu Tzu saw the blur that was his father walk calmly to the shelf and pick up the leather strap. His father turned and looked at him, tapping the strap against his leg, <"...Don't think you're not going to be punished for crying earlier.>" Muu Tzu couldn't help it and another tear ran down his cheek, he knew crying more now would only get him more lashes, but after the first twenty he couldn't feel much anyway. The raw numbness overpowered him, and he forced himself to remember that it was all part of the training.

*END FLASHBACK*

Mousse felt his back go numb from the memory of that day, but at least he know knew what the symbol meant. "The Suicide Love Strike..."He said softly, running his fingers over the gold symbol...."But what exactly -is- it?" His father never did tell him about it...and so the box went on forgotten in Mousse's possession, and since he and his father never spoke after....* No...no I'm not going to think about -that-...* He fought so hard to push those memories out of his mind, he certainly was not going to let them drift back so easily. His eyes drifted back to the scroll and it's cryptic writing. He had been taught this writing when he was seven, but staring at it now, he could only recognized a few characters here and there. Sounding out a few of the symbols, the code slowly began to become more familiar. "This could take awhile."
Approximately an hour later, Mouse had written down what he'd translated on a clean sheet of paper. He looked back over his work; trying to fill in the missing words he'd been unable to deceiver. It took him nearly three hours to get the scroll translated in its entirety. Lifting his glasses off his nose, to rub his eyes, he looked back down at the paper, readjusted his glasses and started to read.
<The Suicidal Love Strike has been a secret technique of the Joketsuzoku for generation upon generation. The scroll containing the explanation of this maneuver has also been written in code and hidden. This technique must not fall into the wrong hands, and must only be only as a last resort only. Few have preformed this technique and survived. A man is judged by how strong he is, a man will never earn respect or the women he loves if he's weak and easily defeated. The suicidal love strike is to be used only by those willing to die for the one they love. Those able to master this technique will find themselves invincible, however aside from the difficulty in performing the technique there are other hindrances making this move dangerous and impossible to perform: First, this technique requires two men, and second, both must be sure of themselves as well as their calculations, for one false step may result in unconceivable agony and death. Be sure of what you want before daring to attempt such a thing. The willingness top lay down one's own life for the woman of one's adoration is the ultimate sign of devotion and love.>
It took Mouse all of five seconds to gather up the scrolls put them back in his robe and take off running out of the Nekohanten in search of the only man who could help him...

*PIG ROAST*

Elsewhere in the not-so-quiet area of Nerima, a black haired boy with a yellow bandana stopped in the dead end of an alleyway with a confused look on his face. "That's funny..." He puzzled, scratching the back of his head, "I was sure this was the way..." He shrugged, hoisting his earth tone backpack onto his shoulder, and turned. As Ryouga exited the alley he was toppled over by a blur of a boy on a bike.
"MOUSSE!!! LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING!"
Instead of apologizing, or confusing him for Shampoo, as Ryouga assumed the Chinese boy would do, Mousse slid his glasses down his nose, looked at Ryouga and proudly explained, "Ryouga I'm so glad I found you!"

A few minutes later the two were seated in the Furinkan High P.E. room. Ryouga sat on a pile of gym mats and Mousse was location by his feet, the box lay open on the floor before him. Mousse has just finished reading his translation to Ryouga, both boys sat in silence now, not sure what to say. Ryouga broke the silence, "With that scroll...we could both beat Ranma..."
Mousse nodded, "It say's it dangerous thou'..."
The Japanese boy smirked, "Haven't we lived through a lot though'? We live through things that would kill a normal guy."
"True."
"So where is this scroll hidden anyway?"
Mousse adjusted his glassed and opened the map, "Well, I'm not sure but I think this is Japan, this is Mt. Fuji, and this over here in part of China..."
"How can you not be sure?"
"Well it -is- an old code, but don't worry I'm almost positive now. So we start in Nagoya, then go to Osaka...um then from there..."
Ryouga stopped him, hearing the directions really wouldn't help him anyway, "Okay let's just take this one step at a time ne? How are we going to get to Nagoya?"
"Walking of course. We both managed to walk all the way from China right?"
They stood, Mousse put the scroll back in his robe, and Ryouga cracked his knuckles, "Well, why waste time? Let's just go now. Nagoya here we- Ooof!" Soccer balls scattered across the small P.E. room, and Mousse looked down at the boy sprawled on top of the ball bin he'd walked into, "Ryouga, no offense or anything, but I think I'll lead us...somehow I just don't trust your sense of direction."

*STEAMED PORK*

The woods of Japan were beautiful that time of year, but Ryouga took no notice of them, they all were starting to look the same as far as he was concerned. He wasn't even sure how long they had been walking anymore. Mousse was still leading the way, taking bold stride far ahead, Ryouga could only see the boys back. They hadn't spoken much since they'd started walking. Even when they had stopped away ago to have a quick lunch, the two had been far too preoccupied with their own day dreams of a world without Ranma to really have a conversation with each other. Again Ryouga began to wonder how long they'd been walking, it was nearly dark, and they should have been out of these woods by now. *Maybe not*, he thought, not sure of himself, *It's true I get lost easily, maybe I'm wrong*...A strange smell caught his attention. *Smoke?...*.
"Mousse.... do you smell smoke?"
The other boy stopped, and after a pause said, "It could just be our camp fire from a few miles back, might be caught in the breeze."
Ryouga wasn't so sure, "We stopped long ago, and this smells really close...." Nevertheless he walked on after Mousse.
Several minutes later, the smell was only getting stronger and Ryouga's suspicious temperament was soon proved right, as he caught sight of something all too familiar.
"MOUSE YOU BAKA!" The Japanese boy pointed angrily to a smoldering campfire littered with empty instant ramen (author's commentary: I really don't think they'd litter or forget to put out a campfire properly, but ya know I needed to get them lost). "What the hell is this???"
Mousse leaned close, "It kinda looks like our camp from a few miles back."
"It kinda IS our camp from a few miles back...Well I'm sure it won't take us long to find our way..."he blinked as he looked over at Mousse. "WHY AREN'T YOU WEARING YOUR GLASSES???"
The long hair boy laughed uneasily, "Eh heh. I took them off for a sec, guess I forgot to put them back on, heh heh." ^_^`
Ryouga face faulted, "Figures I get lost in the woods with a myopic who's also forgetful."
"Don't worry, let's just camp here for the night and in the morning I'll figure out where we are."
Giving in to the thought of rest, Ryouga nodded, "Fine, I'm getting tired anyway." I few minutes later the two has set up camp again. Ryouga only had one tent, and Mousse had been in such a hurry he hadn't packed much of anything. Thankfully the tent was big enough to house the two boys. Mousse reignited the fire so Ryouga could see, and to keep away any wild animals.
"This fire will last us the night, but if we want breakfast in the morning, I'll have to get more wood." Mousse said, sitting back against a tree.
"So worry about it in the morning. For now all I want to do is relax and think about beating the crap out of Ranma." Ryouga sat on the other side of the fire, and stretched. He heard Mousse sigh, and looked past the crackling flames, saw Mousse hang his head, "Sorry I got us lost."
Ryouga shrugged, "Don't worry about it. Happens to me all the time, and I always manage to find my way back. No big deal. We'll figure it out tomorrow." He stood and cracked his back, "I'm going to bed. You coming?"
"Uh, yeah I'll be there in a minute." Mousse watched Ryouga slip into the tent, and heard the quiet rustle of clothing. Looking at the fire, he realized how warm the air was. Wherever here as it certainly was humid, and the fire wasn't helping the humidity, but he figured it had to stay on to keep away the animals.
Mousse stood, pulled off his robe and looked down at himself. He wasn't built like Ryouga, but he was far from being out of shape. Almost against his will his fingers touched the tiny imperfection on his hip. A small scar that was even noticeable to anyone save for himself. To him the scar stood out like a buxom female in a men's bathhouse. He shuddered, pulling his hand away from the scar, and simultaneously pushing the memory of the scar to the back of his mind. Folding his robe over his arm, Mousse joined Ryouga, who was already sleeping on his side, in the tent. He was sleeping in a black undershirt and black boxers, Mousse watched him sleep for a few minutes, watching the way he breathed, the way the shirt moved over the chest as the air went in and out. Mousse shook his head, and decided it would be too hot to sleep in his own heavy black pants, and stripped down to his underwear, before drifting off to sleep.

*FLASHBACK*

Little Muu Tzu ran through the woods crying. Branches ripped at his ten year old arms and legs. He was so sick of everything. Xian Pu had beaten him up again, and she'd been training lately so it really hurt this time, and then his father started in on him for being a failure. His entire backside was sore, and he was sick of being called weak and a failure, all he wanted right now was to get away. He wanted someone, anyone, to be kind to him, to treat him with just a bit of affection. Mostly he wanted somebody to love him. A rock, half hidden by dried leaves, caught his foot. The child fell, landing on his already sore arm. He sat up and felt around for his glasses.
"<Looking for these little boy?>" A voice asked. Muu Tzu squinted but couldn't see anybody, then his glasses were placed on his face and he could see again. Blinking away the tears he saw a withered old man kneeling in front of him. Muu Tzu almost screamed at the man's scary face, but he fought it down, because it wouldn't be polite to scream in a poor old man's face after he'd helped him.
"<Thank you sir.>" He said meekly, trying not to stare at the old man's eye patch.
The old man got up and hobbled to a near by tree stump, <What are you doing out here all by yourself?>"
Muu Tzu sniffled, the old man seemed friendly enough," <I'm running away.>" He said simply. "<Eh? What for?>"
Fighting back sobs, Muu Tzu answered, "<My father says I'm weak and he wishes I'd been born a girl, and Xian Pu will never marry me because I'm weak.>"
The old man shook his head, "<Tsk- tsk, that's a pity.>"
"<You really think so?>" Muu Tzu blinked unable to believe his ears, somebody actually pitied him!
"<Rejected by the first girl you ever loved, huh?>" Muu Tzu nodded, "<Happened to me too, back when I was younger, but I found ways to make myself feel better.>"
" <How?>"
"<What's your name little boy?>"
"<Muu Tzu.>"
The old guy smiled, "<Well Muu Tzu, It makes you forget all about the girl who's caused you sadness, by making you not need her to... fulfill yourself.>"
Muu Tzu didn't understand the old man entirely, but he did seem to be able to relate to him, which was more then anyone had ever done before. "<How does it do that?>"
"<Would you like me to train you?>-
"<You would train me? Really?>" He couldn't believe his good fortune, someone was actually willing to help him.
-<Oh yes. I'll train you, but there are a few conditions.>"
"<What?> "
-<First, you can't go back home until your training is over.>"
"<I don't wanna go back there, everybody's mean to me.>'
Another smile crossed the old man's wrinkled face, -<Don't worry, 1 won't be mean to you.>- Something about the old man's smile chilled Muu Tzu, but his words calmed him, finally someone to kind to him.
"<Second, you must never tell anyone I trained you. And third, you have to do everything I say. Do you understand?>"
Muu Tzu nodded, the old man patted his head, '<Good, your training will start now. I'll teach you a method then you will practice it. Are you prepared?>"
-<Yes sir.>-
"<Now Muu Tzu, take off your robe.>"
Muu Tzu blinked, "<Why do I...>"
The old man raised his voice slightly, "<Don't question your teacher's methods.>-
Bowing his head apologetically, he saw that the old man didn't seem entirely mad at him. Muu Tzu obediently removed his robe, he didn't want the old man mad at him like everyone else was. "<Good, now the pants too.>" Looking at the old man questioningly, Muu Tzu remembered his plan not to have his new teacher upset with his lack of discipline. It felt strange being naked in front of a stranger, but the old man -was- his new teacher, and this -was- just part of the training.
*END FLASHBACK*
Mousse tossed in his sleep, remembering the feeling of the old man's toothless mouth over him, engulfing his young manhood. Back then he'd been too young to understand what was happening to him, now he wished it had never happened.
Ryouga woke up, his forehead laced in sweat; the humidity out here was really something. He saw Mousse roll over in his sleep; his breathing was quick as though he was having a nightmare. For a moment Ryouga contemplated waking him up, but he wondered if that would be like waking up a sleepwalker, and decided against it. *Sorry Mousse old buddy, but I'm going to leave you in your little dream.* Ryouga sighed and wished he could fall asleep, but it was just to ungodly hot to sleep. Mousse was finally starting to lie still, but his breaths were still short and quick. The longhaired boy was lying on his back, one arm over his chest, the other at his side. Ryouga saw that Mousse also was covered in sweat, though he imagined Mousse was sweating more from whatever dream he was having.
Eyes still watching Mousse's sleeping form, his mind wandered off into more content thoughts, like being free of his curse and beating Ranma. Often, when he couldn't sleep, he'd think of things like that to help calm himself, now that at least one of his dreams were even closer to becoming a reality, he felt even better. Suddenly he realized something was very strange. He came back to his conscious self, and realized he was -excited-. *What the hell?!* Feeling the tightness in his boxer shorts, he saw he was -still- watching Mousse's chest. Ryouga panicked, and clamped both hands over his mouth to keep from screaming. *NO NO NO!! This is NOT happening!!!!* Scrambling backwards, he unzipped the tent flap and dodged outside, tripping over his own feet and landing on his hands and knees in the dirt.
Filling his lungs with the night air, he tried to rationalize what had just occurred. - That- had certainly never happened when he thought about beating Ranma before, but he didn't want to think it was induced from seeing Mousse near naked and breathing heavy. -THAT-could NOT be. *Okay, just calm down There has to be a logical explanation for this.* He sat back on his heels, trying to rationalize what had happened. *It's caused by hormones or something like that right?* So, it was probably just a chemical imbalance or something like that. Perfectly normal Yes, that's it. I did not just get stimulated by Mousse.* He sat a while longer reassuring himself that it was just a post-pubescent thing that happened and meant nothing...or so he hoped.
*FLASHBACK*
His knees felt weak, in fact his entire lower half felt like one big bowl of cooked noodles. The old man had sat back down at the tree stump, "<Muu Tzu, are you ready to practice what you've learned?>"
"<I - I think so.>" The child's stomach felt funny to him, but he wasn't getting hit so he tried to ignore the queasy feeling and work on his training. The old man gesture to him, and Muu Tzu saw that his pants were dropped down to his ankles. Muu Tzu wanted to cringe at the sight of the old man bony and wrinkled legs, but held It back. He could not, however, hold back a shudder from the seemingly lifeless mass of flesh between the old man's legs.
The old man chuckled, and little Muu Tzu took this as a good thing. His father had never laughed, except when it was at him. A strange feeling welled up in the pit of his stomach, Muu Tzu shook nervously, but wasn't quite sure what he was nervous about.
"<Don't be afraid Muu Tzu, now come over here.>"
It took some effort, but Muu Tzu finally was able to make his legs take him over to the old man. Placing a weltered old hand on the boy's shoulders, the old man pushed Muu Tzu to his knees. Muu Tzu stared at the old man festering crotch, but was unsure what to do next. In truth, he hadn't been paying much attention when he was being taught. His mind had been lost on the many different thoughts and feelings racing through his young mind and body at the time.
The old man's hands drifted up into Muu Tzu's silky black hair, and twisted around a lock of it, pushing the young child's face closer. Muu Tzu squirmed a little, the grip on his head wasn't painful like the many times Xian Pu had dragged him around by his hair, but it still made him uncomfortable.
"<Your mouth..."> The old man directed, not loosening his grip around the boy's
hair. Muu Tzu blinked, at first not sure what he meant, then remembered the training, and obediently did as the old man instructed.
It wasn't just unpleasant, it was down-right disgusting to tell the truth. Muu Tzu wanted to vomit, as the pulsing old thing stiffened slightly in his mouth. He tried pulling his head back...just enough to free his mouth of the palpitating nightmare, but the old man held him tight. The little boy twisted, he didn't like this, didn't like being held against this -thing- that made him so sick. Pinching his eyes closed to hold back tears, he wriggled back and forth trying to somehow free himself. The old man misinterpreted the child's wordless protest, and chortled happily. Muu Tzu didn't notice the old man's body convulse, but suddenly his mouth was filled with a bitter, salty liquid.
Eyes wide in fear. Muu Tzu struggle became more furious. The strange bile in his mouth choked him and he felt some of if slide down his throat, burning him and making him gag violently. The old man's gripped loosened just as Muu Tzu was unable to control it any longer. He fell back wards into the grass, coughing and spitting out the putrid fluid. His stomach churned, and repelled the venomous juice. When it was all over, Muu- Tzu was lying on the grass, crying and shaking uncontrollably. Some of the bile still lingered on his chin, he wanted to wipe it off but his body wouldn't work right. The old man was looking down at him. Closeing his eyes, Muu Tzu waited for the sharp kick in the ribs that was sure to follow his disobeidiance. But the kick never came, instead the old man's laughter filled his ears, "<Well now Muu Tzu, that wasn't too bad for a beginner. All you need is practice.>"
The child blinked away tears. He didn't get hit, and the old man was giving him a second chance, something that no one ever did before. Could this be what he'd be looking for? Someone who didn't beat him, or yell at him for being weak? Yes, this is what he'd asked for, but then... why did he feel so scared and confused? The old man reached a hand down to help Muu Tzu back to his knees, "<Now, let's try it again.>"
*END FLASHBACK*
Mousse's eyes opened in fright. His heart was pounding in his chest. Darkness surrounded him.
Unable to distinguish dream from reality, he felt moisture on his neck and face. Near the point of whimpering in fear, and still lost in the nightmare, he reached a trembling hand up to his face. No, the wetness was real, not just port of his dream. Pulling back his hand in disgust, he wondered if perhaps he was still 1 0 years old and in the forests of China, and he wondered if the old man was sleeping next to him...
His hands searched the ground next to him for his glasses, as long as he lived he always slept with his glasses near by. Fear mixed with dread, *Please oh please, don't let it be the old man,* he mentally prayed as his finger clasped the smooth frames. Fearing that he might open his eyes to see the old man lying next to him, Mousse uneasily put on his glasses.
The darkness took shape. He was in a tent. Looking down at himself, he was relieved to see that he was not ten. The moistness he'd felt on his chin. was not what his dream had made him think it was, only sweat, which he now realized had covered his entire body. Slowly he became aware of where he was. He and Ryouga had teamed up against Ranma, and now they were lost. But the space next to him was empty, and the tent flap was open. Curious as to Ryouga's whereabouts, and in dire need of some fresh air anyway, Mousse leaned out of the tent. The humid night air swallowed him, and he could feel the heat from the lazily dying fire. In the fragile light of the fire Mousse could see Ryouga. his black undershirt clinging to his back, Ryouga was on all fours, sucking in the air as though he'd nearly drowned. Mousse remained quiet, not sure what to say to his peer who seemed to be recovering from a nightmare of his own. His breathing slowed, and he took deeper breaths trying to calm himself. Eyes closed and black bangs dripping with sweat, he appeared to be thinking heavily on something. Eventually he sat back on his heels, still breathing slowly and deeply.
From the open tent flap Mousse watched as Ryouga relaxed to a comfortable sitting positions and seemed to ease himself from whatever had riled him. A strange desire stirred, one that Mousse hadn't had for 7 years. As he gazed at Ryouga, still in silent meditation, the desire worked its way up to his brain. Tugging at him, urging him. Mousse punched it back, refusing to let such things resurface. He had sworn to himself that he would never do such a thing again, never again. *It was the dream* he thought, *The dream, the remembering that's making me think like this. I won't think about it. I wont to forget that ever happened to me. I wish it hadn't happened to me.* Stifling the unintended craving, he crawled back inside the tent. Determined not to let such thoughts arise again, he took off his glasses, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

*HOT DOG*
Ryouga felt better. He'd convinced himself that it had all been mere hormones, and had put the incident behind him. Still sweating but otherwise comfortable, he stood and went bock in the tent. Mousse appeared to have gotten over his nightmare and was sleeping soundly. Seeing how peacefully Mousse was sleeping, made Ryouga even more tired. He yawned and went back to dreaming about a happier life, without Ranma.
The following morning seemed cooler, but not by much. Ryouga woke up with an audible yawn and scratched the back of his head. Tightening the knot of his bandana, he looked over at Mousse's sleeping spot. The Chinese boy wasn't there, Ryouga puzzled for a moment and remembered Mousse had said he was going for firewood in the morning. That worry taken care of, he shuffled out of the tent and squinted at the beams of golden sunshine drifting through the tree tops. Cracking his knuckles behind his back, he decided there was probably time for some quick stretches before Mousse returned. Nothing too strenuous, something smooth and flowing, that would fit his mood right now. The beauty of nature and the shimmering future, filled Ryouga with a feeling he was very unaccustomed to, happiness.
Exhaling deeply, he started in the basic Wu Chi position and slowly moved into some elementary small circle forms. Eyes closed and breathing in the worm morning air, his movements maintained a steady rhythm of relaxation.
There wasn't much good fire making wood around, most of the trees when young and green, but Mousse had managed to find some dry branches along the ground. He tried to fill his mind with anything -but- his dreams from lost night. Shuddering in the humid air he could feel his skin crawl remembering the horror he had endured.
Arms loaded with burnable timber he retraced his steps back to camp hoping Ryouga had the common sense to stay put. Entering the clearing he paused, seeing Ryouga bent down on one knee, the other leg stretching out along the ground, with his arm reaching above him. Still clad in his block undershirt and shorts, muscle tensing and relaxing as they flexed. Pulling back up to standing then easing down to his other knee, almost like a tribal dance. - That- feeling crept into Mousse's mind again, as he watched the sweat from Ryouga's body glint in the rays of light. *No,* he thought, *please
no, I can't...he wouldn't understand if I said I wanted to...* A loud clatter and a sharp pain in his foot broke his thoughts. The branches he'd been carrying had slipped from his hands, landing painfully on his toot. Ryouga opened his eyes and turned to see the source of the interruption. "Mousse?"
Mousse felt his face grow red and he recalled the thoughts in his mind not too long ago, "Uh...sorry Ryouga, I...didn't wont to interrupt you Guess I tripped over something... Sorry." Ryouga nodded and brushed back his bangs, "No harm done. Let's get this fire started do we can eat, and figure out where we are." Mousse was still standing like a statue with the pile of wood lying at his feet, his eyes following Ryouga. The other took no notice and strode over to Mousse bending down in front of him to pick up a few branches. Mousse closed his eyes, trying to stop himself from looking at Ryouga, *Please oh please... I have to stop thinking like this. Ryouga and I are not going to...*
"You going to help me start this thing or what?" Ryouga asked from the ground, he stood and started arranging the branches by size, breaking off small twigs to use as kindling. Forcing himself to concentrate, at least for the time being, on making breakfast and figuring out their location Mousse ignored the annoying evil thoughts in his mind.
*SUCKLING PIG*
Breakfast was small yet efficient, Ryouga and Mousse poured over the many maps Ryouga carried in his pack. Ryouga soon realized that he wasn't much help, and left the map studying to Mousse. Glad that his mind was being kept busy, Mousse soon went scouting around to find landmarks, but returned several hours later without much success.
"I didn't find anything," Mousse reported, dumping a handful of reject maps on Ryouga's lap,
"Well, we'd better stop for now, it's getting dark.. Ryouga set a kettle of boiling water over the fire and got out two instant ramen. Mousse sat on the ground next to Ryouga and stared into the fire, expression solemn. Ryouga blinked, "Hey Mousse, down let it get you down, we'll figure out where we are soon. I get lost all the time, and -eventually- , get to where I want to be."
Sighing, Mousse shook his head, "Oh, I'm not worry about that, it just..." He looked at Ryouga, then back into the fire, "...never mind..."
Ryouga didn't push him to say anything, he understood that there were times when you had a problem and you didn't want to tell someone, but he hated seeing Mousse depressed at a time when they both should be happy. The water began to boil, while pouring, Ryouga tried to ease Mousse into saying what was bothering him. During his many nights of being a pet pig to Akane, Ryouga had acquired a knack of being able to listen to peoples problems. It wasn't a very important skill as for as a martial artist was concerned, but it did have its useful purposes. "lf you're worried about that Suicidal Love Strike back fireing on us, don't. We'll perfect it and beat Ranma once and for all." Mousse didn't say anything, just quietly ate his noodles, still staring into the flames. "Ranma's caused both of us a lot of grief. If it hadn't been for him, we both would have had normal lives."
"Would we?" Mousse said laconically, and sat the little styrofoam cup of noodles on the ground in front of him. Ryouga remained silent, waiting for Mousse to explain. Mousse was staring down at the ground, the flames casting eerie shadows along his face, "Ryouga...?" He turned his head to face Ryouga, "Can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
Mouse was quiet for a minute, debating if he really wanted to tell him, "You have to swear you won't tell anyone,"
"I swear on my honor as a man."
"...I really feel like I have to tell someone this, it's been haunting me for years, and just now I can't stop thinking about it. I figure, maybe if I tell someone, it'll help, And you're the only person' can trust Ryouga. You're the only person I can even consider to be my friend."
He didn't wait for Ryouga to comment, but began his story in a trembling voice, before he ran out of courage to tell it, "Ranma wasn't the only person who ruined my life. My problems started back when I was only a child growing up in China. My parents had wanted a girl, because girls were respected more then boys, but instead of an Amazon they got me. They tried again, but my mother died during child birth and my new baby sister died with her. (BTW Mousse's mom is alive and well, go watch "Pinky Promised" she's living in China and loves her son very much, however For my sick purposes I had to take some liberties.) My father was convinced that I had been sent as a punishment from the gods, I'm not sure for what. But that's not important right now; I'm just giving you a back ground so you can understand why I did what I did. Though you might not understand anyway."
Mousse related the story of his abusive childhood, Ryouga listened in quiet shock, and unable to believe what kind of torture a parent would put their child through. "One day when' was ten, I just got sick of it all. I was tired of being hit, and unloved. So I ran away, into the forest. And I met this old man..." He paused, debating if he wanted to continue, "God, Ryouga when I tell you the things I let him do to me, you'll think I'm the most horrible person...but I have to tell someone, I can't live with this anymore."
Ryouga tensed, not liking the sound of this, Mousse shivered and told Ryouga what happened after he met the old man in the woods.
*FLASHBACK*
Lesson one was over, the old man had been pleased with Muu Tzu's ability to learn so quickly. The child knew he should be happy that he had a teacher that was kind to him, but there was something about the lessons and the training that mode him uneasy.
Muu Tzu cringed at the old man's touch, though he knew he should be used to it by now, the feeling of the dried-up old flesh still made his flesh crawl. The thick gray beard tickled his bare back, but he didn't laugh, only shuddered a second time. Biting his lip to keep it from trembling, he felt the old man hot rank breath gracing his ear,
"<The first lesson was a simple exercise, in -this- you must be able to withstand pain. Are you ready for your second lesson?>"
The young boy nodded, pain was something he was very use to, this lesson ought to be easy enough, Gravel cut into his hands and knees, but he ignored it, wondering what sort of exercise this was going to be. Sweat ran into his eyes, the old man's hands gripped his shoulders, steadying the child.
"<You're very young... very small boy, but you make a fine student,>" The old man chuckled, stepping behind Muu Tzu's bent over figure. Muu Tzu remained silent, knowing the old man didn't like him talking during the lessons. The cold wrinkled fingers left his shoulders, Muu Tzu swayed a little, he hadn't slept well since he had gotten here, The sound of the old man rasping breathing kept him up all night, The old man's unkempt nails scratched Muu Tzu, as they pulled back the protective mounds of flesh away from his rectum, He heard the old man spit, and second later felt the warm stream of the man saliva. Repulsed by the feeling, the child tried to move away. A gnarled old hand caught him by his hair, holding him firmly in place. The other hand grip the boy by the waist, one particularly sharp nail cut into his side, drawing blood, this would leave a tiny scar so that memories off this lingered in Muu Tzu's mind through-out his life,
Tears poured down Muu Tzu cheeks as the old man entered him, This pain hurt worse then any of the beatings his father had given him. This pain was inside him and deep. It felt like his insides were being forced forward, making him sick and weak, His arms trembled and gave out beneath him. The child slumped to the ground, too tired and weak to move, the old man took no notice, only repositioned himself slightly, *<I don't like this.>* The child cried silently, *<I wanna go home, I don't like this. Why won't he stop?>* Muu- Tzu tried to tell the man that he was in pain, but he was too fatigued to speak. All he could do was lay there and wait for the old man to finish,
*END FLASHBACK*
As he told Ryouga the truth about his past, Mousse stared blankly into the fire, eyes moist with tears, not seeing anything but flashbacks of his molestation. Ryouga listened, also near the point of tears after hearing the horror Mousse endured. Mousse paused to wipe away a tear, Ryouga put an arm around his friend, "Mousse you don't have to tell me anymore if it hurts you too much,"
"No I have to finish. Please Ryouga just let me get this off my chest," Ryouga nodded,
Mousse took a deep breath to collect himself and continued, "It wasn't long after that when my father finally came looking for me, Needless to say, he was not pleased to find out where I was and what I had been doing. He dragged me by my hair back to the village, screaming and yelling just about every Chinese curse there was. I never saw him so angry. We didn't go all the way to the village though, instead he stopped half way there. I remembered looking up at him, and seeing him glare at me with the coldest stare I'd ever seen. Pure hate, Ryouga. I never saw anyone look like that.
"He nearly killed me that day, I almost wish he had, but he didn't. A few broken bones, two black eyes, I lost a lot of blood. I never thought held stop, when he did, I heard him say in the most unfeeling and bitter voice I've ever heard, 'You're not my son.' He carried me back to the village and the doctors took care of me. He told everyone I'd fallen down a cliff side while being careless, I think they all knew he had done it, but never questioned it, Nobody knew about the old man, When I was better and able to see and walk again, I went to our home, but he had dumped all my stuff outside...So I had to survive by myself. The other villagers felt sorry for me, but my father intimidated them so much they were afraid to help me. I grew up on my own, trying to forget what had happened to me, trying to live life as best I could,"
Mousse's voice cracked, Ryouga saw he was crying heavily now. "I was only a kid. I didn't understand what was going on." He sobbed, " All I wanted was someone to care about me, I thought the old man cared because he didn't hit me, I didn't know that I was being used. I let myself be raped, all because I wanted somebody to love me..." He couldn't continue anymore, tears choked him.
Ryouga felt tears slide down his own face. *No kid should have that happen to them.* Arm still around Mousse, he let the sobbing Chinese boy cry against him.
Mousse wrapped his arms around Ryouga and continued crying softly. Ryouga pulled back a little, but remembered the many times Akane had hugged him like this, just an embrace of protection and fear. Nervous about the concept of having another male hugging him, but not wanting to hurt Mousse, he tentively hugged him back, *I -guess- this isn't so bad. It's not much different from when Akane hugged me in the Tunnel of Lost Love."
Mousse's crying slowed until he finally seemed calmer. Then realizing he'd been hugging Ryouga, released him and looked down at the ground again, 'Thank you Ryouga, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable","
Ryouga turned red a little, "No, it's okay. I understand."
"And ...thank you for being my friend..."
They sat in silence, neither knowing what to say. The gentle chirps of crickets echoed in the night. After a few moments of awkward silence, Ryouga stood. "It's late. I'm going to try and get some sleep... Are you okay?"
Mousse nodded, and stood as well, "Yeah, I think talking about It helped. I haven't told anybody that. I feel...relieved."
Ryouga headed for the tent, Mousse paused and looked and the fire, "Should I keep this thing burning?" He called softly.
"No, last night was too hot. Just put it out."
There was a dying hiss as a bucket of water was dumped over the campfire, reducing it to wet ashes.
Shrugging out of his robe. Mousse paused to touch and tiny fingernail shaped scar on his left hip. How could something so small hold so many painful memories? Folding up the robe, which surprisingly didn't show any signs of being crammed with chains and weapons, not to mention a small black box, Mousse also crawled into the tent. Ryouga was already lying on his side of the tent, eyes close. Putting the fire out really did make it seem cooler. Mousse took of his glasses and laid down.
"Mousse?" Ryouga asked softy, "Are you awake?"
"Yeah."
"I don't mean to make you think about it any more but I was just wondering, um... What was it like? I mean with the old man? Was it like you'd expect it be with a girl? I mean...um..." Ryouga fumbled trying to express his curiosity without upsetting Mousse anymore then he already was.
Mousse tilted his head to the side and thought. "Under the circumstances, I didn't enjoy it because I wasn't thinking about it as a pleasurable thing. It was 'training' to me then... I was only ten and scared and confused." He paused for a moment. brushing his hair back behind an ear. " Although I think if I had been older and able to understand pleasure, and if it -had- been with someone that cared about me, I think' would have enjoyed it."
"Even if it was a guy?" Ryouga asked curiously, having never given the subject much thought before.
Mousse sighed deeply, "Ryouga, this might sound perverted, but in my life I've put up
with so much, I'm willing to accept any love I can. I'm just afraid of ending up alone again...You probably don't understand." He closed his eyes and sighed again.
Ryouga raised his head slightly "But I want to understand. It's just so strange to me... You're my friend, and I want to help you, but I don't know how and..." He paused and closed his eyes, laying back on the ground, trying to collect his thoughts and think of a way to explain to Mousse that he understood that need for affection in life, but he didn't really understand anything at all. Mousse's problems were so much more complex then his own, he didn't know what to say or do to make Mousse feel better.
When he opened his eyes, Mousse's face was inches from his own. Ryouga froze, sweat beaded his forehead when he noticed how close Mousse was to him.
"You want to help me?" The Chinese boy asked softly, looking down at Ryouga who blinked in surprise, and realizing this was not a question to go unanswered, nodded. Mousse studied his face for a, minute, noting the confused green eyes, the Japanese boys desire to help him was sincere, but Mousse wasn't sure his friend understood the kind of help he wanted... and needed. Mousse moved closer, allowing their lips to brush against each other for a brief moment, before Ryouga panicked and twisted away from him, eyes wide in fear and uneasiness.
"Wh-wh-What are you doing?'"
Mousse reached out and tenderly touched his shoulder, gently urging him to lay bock down, Ryouga resisted, trembling under his friends soft grip. "Please Ryouga, I want to know that so long as there's caring involved it can actually be -nice.-" Ryouga still resisted, not liking the scared almost helpless
feeling inside him. Mousse saw his fear, "Please Ryouga," he begged again, "You said you wanted to help me... Prove to me that it doesn't have to be bad. If you really don't like it I'll stop, but you're my friend, and I want to have at least one pleasant memory in my life. Just let me show you a little. Help me."
A moment of silence passed, Ryouga stared at the Chinese boy leaning over him who was searching his face for understanding and willingness. Slowly, timidly, Ryouga let himself be pulled back to lying on his back. *Why the hell am I doing this?* He had never felt so scared in his entire life. Not even when he was on the brink of being exposed in front of Akane, had he ever been this petrified. Mousse wasn't wearing his glasses, so Ryouga could see his turquoise eyes. The eyes of a little boy who had been hurt by everyone he tried to love. Now that boy had grown up and was trying to overcome the pain by replacing it with the feelings he had sought after as a child.
Mousse smiled at Ryouga's silent consent, and a hand reached to caressed the Japanese youth's cheek tenderly. Ryouga felt a sharp pain in his lower stomach, not entire unpleasant, as Mousse bent down to place a kiss on his lips. His entire body felt warm and tense as Mousse kissed him. A soft, tongue carelessly traced the line of his jaw, down along his neck, before stopping at the tender juncture where the neck joined the shoulder. The lips returned to his own, Ryouga felt himself shiver as Mousses spoke against his lips, the tiny vibrations of movement, making Ryouga whimper. "Relax..."Mousse purred placing soft, gentle kisses on his lips and down his neck, stopping at the top of his undershirt. Ryouga realized he'd been holding his breath. He exhaled and inhaled deeply, noting the tension in his nether regions. Hands slipped up the sides of his shirt, rolling it up over his head, carefully pulling it off. The kisses continued along his chest, soft hands were on his shoulders, rubbing away the tension there, occasionally drifting up to stroke the side of the boy's neck, delighting at the whimpers and moans his companion was trying to hide.
Ryouga's breathing quickened as Mousse dropped down to his stomach, drawing his hands over his friend's chest, pausing just above Ryouga's heart, to feel the rapid pounding undeneith. Ryouga gasped sharply, as the Chinese boy's tongue licked once at his navel, a brisk gesture, then paused to take note of Ryouga's reaction. Another kiss, just below the navel, Ryouga's mouth moved to try and say something but no words would form. It all felt so strange, never in his life had anyone ever been this -intimate- with him, it was terrifying but wonderful all at the same time.
Mousse's hands had been idlely kneading Ryouga's sides, with a light glance up at his whimpering partner, the hands left his chest and deliberately moved down towards the elastic waistband of his shorts. He paused, waiting to see if Ryouga would stop him. Ryouga, even if he -had- wanted Mousse to stop, was so completely overwhelmed by the rush of emotions and sensations, that he was unable to raise an arm. *We shouldn't be doing this.* His mind said, trying to wake himself from this nice The shorts were completely off now. Opening his eyes briefly he saw Mousse and the two made eye contact. Loving blue green eyes looked up at him, waiting calmly for Ryouga to realize the situation and either reject him, or submit. Ryouga said nothing, his lips parted slightly, eyes wide but no longer with fear. What was it in those green eyes? Mousse looked down then back up to the boys eyes, and saw it...anticpation. He smiled at his friend, and trailing down to brush his thigh. Ryouga shyly returned the smile, crying out as Mousse dipped his head down, lips apart to take him into his mouth. Ryouga jerked his head to the side and squeezed his eyes shut, the sensation making his entire body ignite. The soft interior of Mousse's mouth gingerly worked up and down, his tongue soothing and stiffening the delicate organ as it went. Ryouga moaned, turning his head from side to side, trying to make sense of all the thoughts in his mind. Everything was a blur. At first everything was brighter and louder, until all he could hear and feel was the beating of his heart and the gentle rhythmical movements of Mousse. He could no longer think clearly, his own thoughts ran together and made no sense. All he understood was the enticing feeling of Mousse's tongue, the lips on him, and the delicate hands that would gently yet deliberately keep his legs from closing.
Another groan, more audible this time. Mousse pulled back enough so he could look up at Ryouga's face, which was red and covered with sweat. Mousse released him all the way, a hand drifting up to wipe away some of the sweat, "Do you want me to stop?" He queried leniently, his voice slightly deeper then normal, gazing down at his friend with those calm, all to forgiving eyes.
Breathing heavy, and eyes still closed, Ryouga shook his head, "No..." He mumbled almost dreamily, "...please dont "
Mousse nodded, and eased himself back down onto Ryouga, taking him into his mouth once more, one hand resting on his abdomen, feeling for the moment. He knew it would be time to stop soon, hours of practice with the old man had made him familiar with the signs of release. Mousse slowed his pace, made his actions more expressed and prominent. Ryouga took notice almost immediately, groaned again and arched his back.
Mouuse sat back on his knees watching Ryouga as the boy groaned and whimpered before finally relaxing in the aftermath of release.

*SWEET AND SOUR PORK*

When it was over Ryouga's hands loosened and untwisted from the blanket, Mousse stayed where he was, allowing Ryouga time to relax, and think. His breathing began to slow, and his heart rate slowly returned to normal. Out of breath, he opened his eyes and blinked, "My god..." He said in his half dream-like voice, his eyes focused on Mouuse and he bit his lower lip nervously.
"Did you like it?" Mousse asked quietly. still kneeling between his legs. Ryouga nodded slightly and weakly brushed sweat off his forehead.
Now it was Mousse who looked nervous, he looked across the tent before shyly saying, "That was the first time I ever did that to someone I cared about." he blushed slightly, "It was different... physically and emotionally," He slid over to his side of the tent, face still flushed. Ryouga looked over at him, confused, and heard himself ask "Is that all?"
Mousse started to lay down, he stopped and looked at Ryouga when he heard his question. "Ryouga you've already done more then enough for me, I wouldn't want to force you to do anything else..."
"But I want to..." Ryouga stammered not quite sure he was really saying it, Doing a double take Mousse looked at him in surprise, "R-really?"
Sincerly, Ryouga looked his friend straight in the eye, and nodded sheepishly, not sure how to say what he was feeling. "Well...yeah. This was really nice... A lot better then I expected, I wouldn't mind more..." He blushed, and lowered his gaze.
Mousse considered, as much as he wanted to, it just didn't seem right, Ryouga was so naïve and innocent, Mousse couldn't take that innocence away from him. Not now anyway...He shook his head "...Perhaps another time, I don't want to hurt you-"
"Hurt me?"
Mousse ignored him, spoke quickly to avoid the subject, "-it's late, your tired. Don't forget we still have to find that scroll."
The other boy nodded, " Oh......Yeah, right,"
Mousse laid down and went to sleep, Ryouga remembered he was still naked and quickly pulled up his shorts, The shirt he left where it was, and he soon fell asleep,
"Ryouga, wake up,"
Ryouga grumbled in his sleep, wanting to ignore the spoken words that interrupted his dream, but the voice now had hands which gently shook his shoulder, Apologizing to his dream Akane, he opened his eyes, Mousse was sitting up, glasses on, and staring at the tent flap. "I heard something," He said trying to focus his attention on whatever it was, Ryouga yawned and sat up, straining to hear too, Soon he heard it, a low rumbling that progressively was getting louder. Both boys sot perfectly still trying to determine what was the cause of the noise, "I think it's getting closer," Mousse said, "It sounds like someone running,"
"Sounds like -many- someone's running." Ryouga corrected.
"Or one very big thing."
Ryouga listened again, somewhere he had heard this sound before, that exact running style, but he couldn't recall where, As the noise grew closer, Mousse remembered something, "Ryouga, we put out the camp fire, that thing could be headed straight for us," Ryougo foiled to comment because at that moment, a large wild boar came tearing into their camp and plowed straight into the tent.
The boars enraged head ripped through the tent's fabric, it snorted angrily, and narrowed its eyes at the two boys. Ryouga grabbed the wall of the tent which was behind him, and ripped a hole big enough for Mousse and himself to escape through. Mousse followed him out, dragging his robe along. The boar shook the now empty tent that was covering his head, trying to get it off. "That will keep him...Mousse?" Ryouga looked around the clearing for his friend who was no where to be found, The boar succeeded in pulling the tent, or what was left of it anyway, off his head.
Grunting, it focused its attention on Ryouga. *My umbrella? Where the hell is my umbrella?* The boar changed, Ryouga leaped to the side and threw off a dozen razor sharp bandanas. They hit their target, but didn't do much damaged, You couldn't really cut a boor like that, they're too thick skinned. But it did distract him long enough for Ryouga to find him umbrella leaning against a tree, *Now you're dead piggie,* Ryouga thought, dashing for the weapon, A root caught him unexpectedly and he tumbled to the ground, the boar saw this and wasted no time in charging.
Sharp cloven feet never ripped his flesh. Ryouga blinked, thinking he should have been torn to bits by now. The boar seemed more confused then he was. It grunted and tried to run forward, but it back legs were tied together by a length of steel chain, which Mousse was holding on to with all his might. Straining to keep the boar stationary, he quietly called to Ryouga, praying the pig wouldn't notice him, "I can't hold him much longer." While the pig scraped his front feet and snorted, Ryouga got his umbrella. With a technique that would make fencing experts proud, he lunged forward and jabbed the pig square in the snout. It squealed in pain, Ryouga maintained eye-contact with the boar, but spoke to Mousse 'Let go of the chains." Mousse dropped the chains, and Ryouga flung the boar into the air. It crash-landed on a rock some distance behind him.
Their campsite was trashed. The only tent they had was ripped to shreds, all that was left was scattered rags and broken items. "Where did you go?" Ryouga asked as he surveyed the mess that used to be their tent.
" I kept trying to stay behind the boar so he wouldn't see me and I could surprise him." The sound of shouting made both boys look up. A group of men came running up, apparently they had been following the boar.
"Did you see a wild boar come through here?" One man asked.
"Yeah, it's not the kind of thing you can miss." Ryouga said dryly, and pointed behind
him, "It's back there somewhere," The men walked back and gasped in surprise, "He knocked out a wild boor'" A few moments later they were dragging the knocked out boar back the way they had come, "Thanks for taking care of the pig for us. We really appreciate it. What's a couple of kids doing in the woods anyway?"
Mousse stepped forward, "Uh, we're sort of lost. Can you tell us where we are?" "Sendai." One man replied
Mousse thanked the men as they waked off, "Well," he said turning to Ryouga, 'at least we know where we are."
'Where's the starting point again?'
"Let me check." Mousse reached into his sleeve to get the box, "Hmmm...that's funny, I'm sure I had it right here." He checked the other sleeve. "K'so... I can't find it."
"What do you mean you can't find it?!"
Mousse took off his robe and shook it out, weapons and ropes and things fell out, but no small block boxes, "But that's impossible! I know it was there, I check just before I went in the tent tonight..," He fell silent, his face suddenly very white. "It must have fallen up when I was running out of the tent."
"We have to find it!" Ryouga was already on the ground rummaging through the remains of their tent, Mousse joined him.
"It's not here!"
"Uh.,,I think I found it...or part of it." Ryouga annouced sorrowfully. He headed a small scrap of paper to Mousse. Examining the paper, Mousse felt his heart shatter, 'It got destroyed." The paper slipped from his hands, "The only directs we had are gone. We'll never find it now." He hung his head, his black hair shrouding his face, Ryouga felt his hopes also drop. After all that, the directions were destroyed and they never would be able to find that scroll. Ryouga stood from the ground, his back pack, which had been leaning against the tree with his umbrella was also in tact, He picked it up and put it over his shoulder, "' guess there's no point staying here," He reached into his bag and pulled out a map, "This should tell you how to get to Tokyo from here." Mousse didn't lookup. Laying the map down at Mousse's side, Ryouga started to walk off.
"Aren't you going with me?" Mousse asked faintly. Ryouga stopped and turned, Mousse finally was looking up at him, "No," he told him, "I'll find my own way. I think we both need some time to think about... things," Mousse nodded and watched his friend disappear into the woods.

*DUCK ALA MODE*
Several days later Mousse had returned to the Nekohanten. No one really cared where he had been the past week, except for the old monkey mummy, who was mad that he had cut work. His one chance at defeating Ranma was gone, things would return to normal he supposed. Depressing as it sounded he decided fate was simply against him. Though something good had come from his escapade. Sighing, he wondered where Ryouga was and what he was thinking.
Shampoo pranced into the kitchen, "Shampoo have delivering to make." She announced, picking up a carry out box, Mousse followed her with his eyes as she skipped out the door. She was so beautiful. No matter how much she hit him, no matter how many times she rejected him, he would always think so. The old hag hopped into the room, "Mousse, you got a letter."He unfolded the letter she handed him: *Mousse, meet me at the P.E equipment room tomorrow. Ryouga,*
A week later he went to the high school athletic field, and into the equipment room, Ryouga was sitting on the mats.
'Sorry to keep you waiting a week...I kinda got lost.'
" I figured you would, so I just waited a couple days,"
"...Listen, while I was gone, I've been doing some serious thinking..ya know...about what happened that night in the tent.."
Mousse's face reddened slightly and he looked down, "Don't worry' didn't tell anyone."
Ryouga shook his head, "I know you wouldn't. I just wanted to tell you that I thought what we did was okay...I mean...I liked it and all, but... I still love Akane, and I think I always will..."
The taller boy sighed, "I understand Ryouga. I've had a lot of time to think this out too.
My heart will always belong to Shampoo, I know it sounds silly, but I keep hoping that someday she'll feel the some way about me."
Standing from the mats Ryouga smiled at his friend, "You know, we're a lot alike. We're both too damn nice for our own good...Anyway, I just came here to tell you that... and also..." He blushed, " ...If things don't really work out for me and Akane, and you ever need someone I'll be here for you."
Mousse smiled back, "Thank you Ryouga. I don't know how I'll ever thank you for all that you've done for me. You've helped me, so much. I don't think there are words to express my gratitude. "
"Just..,.just promise you'll be there for me too."
"Consider it done."
Ryouga bit his lower lip and uncertainty stepped forward and embraced Mousse.
They held each other for a few moments. Then Ryouga backed away and hoisted his pack onto his shoulders. With one last look to each other, they separate, each going his own way. Theirs lives blended back into the normal, not-so-normal pace of Nerima. They regarded each other as though that night had never happened, but in their hearts they knew that they would find those feelings of love again... one way or another.

*El Ending Muy Fantasico!!!!*

So my little gnomes, did you enjoy this story? I tried to give it a plot, even tho' I do enjoy a good PWP story, but considering this was my first yaoi I figured I'd try and blend hot passionate man sex with a crappy plot...and a healthy dose of man boy love that make NAMBLA cry!!! MWAHAHAHA! Oh I'm a terrible person...so tell me what you thought...pretty please?


I love you?


Please luv me...