Trial and Tribulations VIII



Ryouga stiffened as he felt the demon’s eyes take him in appraisingly. 
His cheeks colored hotly as he felt the cold aquamarine orbs roam over 
his body. He couldn’t move though. He was frozen stiff. He silently 
cursed the tendencies of his accursed form as he hesitantly lifted his 
head to stare at the dog ears which sat atop this demon’s head. 

< Where was Ranma when you needed him? > 

“ I asked you a question, boy. What do you think you’re doing here? 
A…ningen like yourself.” 

“ I…I…” He gulped audible. Smooth Ryouga, real smooth. 

“ Are you dumb or something? Maybe I should just talk to your hot-headed 
friend over there.” 

Ryouga turned around sharply to see Ranma marching toward them with a 
look that could kill. His mouth went dry as he saw the demons behind 
Ranma close into a tight ring one by one, preventing him from moving 
any farther. Or back as the case might be. 

His eyes narrowed,” I wouldn’t touch him if…if I were you.” 

Bawdy laughter shook the mess hall as the demons surrounding them lifted 
their rugged and worn heads to gleam their sharn bony teeth at the 
unforgiving flourescent lights. 

Ryouga flushed a bright pink, prompting his attacker to smirk with glee. 
Ryouga’s fists clenched, turning a pearly white. < This has got to stop!
 What are you? A pig or a man?! > 

“ Leave us alone.” 

“ What?!” The dog-eared demon turned his back to look at the other 
occupants of the cafeteria with mirth. “ Leave us alone, he says.” 

Ryouga winced as he heard the smash of a plate somewhere in the back 
of the kitchen. Suddenly all the demons started moving restlessly and
 nervously. The leader of this group frowned at the chaos. Suddenly 
he smiled and decided to through in one good punch. 

“ What I want to know,” He said, pausing for emphasis til the crowd 
settled down. 

“What I want to know…is why they ain’t got no wards!” 

The din of the area grew louder as demons stood up to voice their 
opinions. 

“Yeah! Why he ain’t got none!” 

“Equal rights!” 

“Dirty ningens!” 

Ryouga bit his lip and tried to make himself as small as possible as 
he saw the dog-eared demon stare back at him with glee. Frozen to the 
spot, he could only stare in horror as he saw a sharp claw make it’s way 
toward his head. Suddenly, he was jerked forward, his bandanna gribbed 
tightly in a strong red hand. He closed his eyes, a little whimper 
escaping him as the demon’s hot breath raced over his cheek. < Just 
stay calm Ryoua, stay calm! > 

“ Listen, you little brat! And listen good,” The demon hissed,” You 
have two choices. Either you do whatever I say in exchange for my 
protection…” he glanced over at the excited crowd,” Or I let them 
tear you and your friend into teeny tiny bits, got it?” 

Ryouga gasped and paled as he felt the warm hand caress his cheek 
slowly. Tearing away, his eyes glistening suspiciously, he glared up 
at the demon. 

“ Over my dead body.” 

The demon laughed, causing Ryouga to wince once again.” But my dear , 
dear ningen. That’s not how we’re playing. It’s over my handsome 
friend’s dead body for this game. 

Ryouga pushed himself roughly from the demon’s hand hold and rushed 
over to where he saw Ranma last. A crowd of demons blocked his vision, 
but he could hear the gasps of pain that came from the center of the 
ring. Seeing red, he whirled on his enemy, breathing like a horse. 

“ Let him go you sick bastard!” He snarled in rage. Pulling his fist 
back, he delivered a ki powered punch which did nothing but land in 
the demon's outstretched hand. Ryouga gasped as the hand tightened 
around his. 

“ You’re the only on who can save him Ryouga. You’re choices…” 

Ryouga hesitated for just a second, the decision already being 
painfully obvious. < For Ranma… > 

“ I…accept.” 

At the sound of Ryouga’s silent acceptance , the demon’s eye’s 
darkened with passion. “Good,” He whispered softly. 

“Get off him!” 

Grumbling with disappointment, the circle of demon’s scatter to their 
respective tables, each glancing at Ryouga with pity. 

Ryouga didn’t notice ,however, for his glance was trained on the one 
thing he cared about. “Ranma…” 

Ranma lay on the ground breathing hard, his right arm at a weird angle, 
and a scared look on his face. Shaking slightly, he sat up to look at 
Ryouga, a sad look on his face. 

As Ryouga stared at Ranma, he felt a familiar claw grasp his neck and 
he stiffened in surprise, but made no move to stop him. Ranma’s eyes 
clouded darkly and then turned away altogether. 

Ryouga felt his heart shatter into a thousand pieces. 




To Be Continued….