Twilights End

I was dreaming. I always know I am dreaming when I see my former family. I sat at the Tendo
dining table like the old days, with my back to the sliding door. The room was exactly like I
remembered it. The pristine kitchen that was Kasumi's domain to the Shogi board and the small
couch I used to lounge in until Air Akane struck and it's sad that I hardly have any happy
memories of living there. But as I sit there I am as I am now, not as I was then, so I am out of
place with the memory. It was all very surreal. They went on with there everyday lives as I sat
there watching. Everything was peaceful silence until Akane came barreling into the room.

"Where is Ranma, Akane?" Kasumi asked in her normal sweat tone, as she wiped her hands off
on the white apron she had on over her simple yellow sun dress, then reached up and retied her
soft brown hair.

"How should I know." Akane spewed angrily. "After what that jerk did to me at school today I
could care less if that pervert disappeared and never came back." I then saw my counterpart walk
to the door. He looked roughed up and tired in the same old red chinese top and black pants even
his usual pigtail looked tired and flat. The blue haired girl calmed down but her body tension still
spoke volumes to her anger.

"Kasumi, I truly wish I'd never met hin. All of our lives would be so much better if he'd never
been here."

"Oh my." Kasumi said softly as she watched my shocked counterpart bound out the door and
disappear. I stood up from the table and walked out to my favorite place by the koi pond and sat.

Why did I have to remember this?

"What pains you Mon Amour?" I looked up to see an astral form of Asher floating above the koi
pond. He obviously invaded my dream again.

"Nothing." I lied. "Just a painful memory." I wiped the tears from my eyes. Asher floated down
to sit next to me.

"Ranma." He said softly. I looked at him quizzically.

"You never call me Ranma."

"Ranma." This time it wasn't him speaking. I heard it again as I woke up. The intercom. The
clock read ten thirty as I looked at it, at least I got five hours of sleep. Then the intercom woke
me from my thoughts and I got up and answered it.

"Yeah?"

"Are you ready?" It was Sheng-Da. Shit! I forgot we were supposed to work out this morning.
"Not really I just got up. Go ahead and warm up and I will be there in a few minutes."

"Okay." the intercom went dead. I got dressed. Black sweat pants, black Rebock wrestling shoes
and a grey tank top were the outfit of the morning. Please thank whomever it was that made it so
that Asian hair does not tangle easily because I quickly pleated my hair without brushing it and
went upstairs to spar with Sheng-Da.

When I got up to the dance floor which I use as a sparing room I saw Sheng-Da doing a warm up
kata so I decided to stretch and wait for him to finish. It is always enjoyable for me to watch
anyone I teach work out, because I get to see all of their improvement. Not to mention it is nice
to see the uptight Chinese bodyguard loosen up and wearing something other than dress slacks
and dress shoes. Today he was in sneakers and sweats and was totally unkept and looked very
cute in a scruffy sort of way. Richard has even commented about the change and likes it. Richard
is the man that Sheng-Da is a body guard for. He finished his form and sat down on his knees
beside me.

"You look exhausted." He said looking straight at me.

"Thanks," I said. "I am aware of that." I added sarcastically.

"What happened last night?"

"Not much, just a long night and a consultation with the police."

"Normally police business does not wear you out this much."

"It wasn't the police job that did it, it was my former family at the station that wore me out."

"Excuse me?" He inquired with his eyebrows raised.

"You heard me."

"After all this time?"

"Yeah but none of them recognized me except for Cologne and the old ghoul promised not to say
anything. She only promised not to say anything because I invited them all here tonight to tell
them how I feel on my own terms."

"That is definitely going to be an interesting conversation."

"Oh yeah." I agree with a hint of mischief. "I'm planning on having a bit of fun."

"Now that would be something to see."He responded with a bit of humor.

"Well I'm glad there is someone looking forward to it." I stood up. "Come on lets get some work
done." Sheng-Da stood up and we faced off.

* * * * *

Two hours, two broken chairs, one broken table later we finished. We both lay sprawled out on
the floor panting for breath. I felt wide awake now, but after a fight like that who wouldn't.
Nothing wakes me up better than a good spar. It's invigorating. At least there is no pond. I hated
that thing in the morning. Once we both regained our breath we sat up.

"Am I ever going to be able to beat you?"

"When you do you will have earned it on your own." But that is still a far way off I have to hold
too much back still. He nodded and looked down at his watch.

"I've got to go." He then quickly packed his bag. "Richard is going to kill me."

"I don't think he will give you too much hassle he knew you were with me."

"Yeah, well, I'll se you next week Ranma." He then left.

I got up and got a glass of water from the bar. It was one in the afternoon now, the club opened at
eight. That gave me seven hours to get cleaned up and plan the fun for my former family.