Ryoga Hibiki (Love Note)

## Plot

Ryoga finally made his way back to Japan when he was splashed by a passing delivery van. As he was considered the best method to find some hot water and get back to his clothes he heard Akane’s voice and rushed towards it. It was as she picked him up that he noticed she was with Mousse. The Amazon boy eyed the piglet curiously. P-chan returned the look. Misinterpreting Mousse’s look, Akane chuckled and explained, who P-chan was.

Mousse told her that he had seen her pet before, and then turn back to the conversation they were having before Ryoga’s arrival. Akane wanted to take Mousse to get a new prescription for his glasses. He asked her if she had seen Ranma and Akane answered no. P-chan caught an odd, almost nervous look from her that Mousse missed as she led him to the glasses store. Still in Akane’s arms, P-chan looked between Akane and Mousse in confusion.

As Akane looked through the display for a frame that might be good for Mousse, Mousse discreetly told Mousse that this was all Cupid’s fault. As Akane had Mousse try on various glasses his only thought was where was Ranma not knowing that Akane hadn’t told him. Behind them, P-chan continued to sit, puzzled by the whole situation. However, one thing was sure; he did not like how familiar the two were being. As he continued to watch them talk with the clerk, he grew ever more concerned as Akane continued to smile happily in Mousse’s direction.

Changing back as quickly as he could Ryoga rushed to the dojo and tackled Ranma the moment he saw him demanding to know how he could let that happen to Akane. It took a second, but exactly what Ryoga was referring to became obvious, and with that realization Ranma slugged Ryoga, sending him to the floor a few feet away. Ranma told Ryoga that he was in no mood to deal with him and seeing the emotion on his face Ryoga backed down.

Subdued Ryoga asked Ranma if it was true while annoyed that Ryoga would accuse him of something he wasn’t even sure of that quickly went away when Ryoga told him about Akane being out with Mousse. Ranma explained Cupid and what had been happening to Ryoga, although he omitted his own issues with Kasumi. Ryoga demanded that they go and convince Shampoo to take Mousse back. While Ranma knew that Ryoga really met for him to do it he admitted that it wasn’t a bad idea. As they neared the Nekohanten, Ryoga could not help but think of Ranma’s reaction.

He had known Ranma was in love with Akane, however much he denied it, but it had made it startlingly clear just how much this situation was playing on him. Earlier, Ryoga had hoped that he was simply overreacting, and that the situation between Akane and Mousse was less serious, but Ranma’s reaction proved otherwise. There was also a small part of his mind cursing his bad luck, certain that had he been around at the time Cupid would have chosen him instead of Mousse. Of course, he would vehemently deny any such base thoughts.

The two stepped into the Nekohanten to find Shampoo and Maho waiting tables. Almost instantly, Shampoo gleefully rushed over and hugged Ranma. Ranma naturally did his usual protest at the attention, while Ryoga took it as a little comfort that not all had changed in his absence. Shampoo withdrew when Ranma told him that he was there to talk and told him that she wanted to talk as well. The two headed off to the back for privacy, leaving Ryoga behind.

Ryoga rushed over to Cologne to ask her to confirm what Ranma told him which she did. Given how long Ryoga was gone she had actually believed that he was a victim and was glad that wasn’t the case. Ryoga asked her if there was anything they could do, but Ryoga told him that nothing could clean this away. She also informed him about Ranma’s infatuation with Kasumi. He started thinking about how he could use this new information when Cologne asked him if he believed he or anyone he was connected to was affected.

Ryoga pondered this a moment longer before noticing Ranma return. Unexpectedly, Ranma looked to be in a bit of shock. A second behind Ranma, Shampoo appeared. Her appearance too was different, seeming almost depressed. As they entered the dinning area, Shampoo asked Ranma what he wanted to talk about but he told her to for get it. Leaving everyone a bit confused, Ranma rushed off without a further word. Ryoga was himself briefly stunned, realizing Ranma, for unknown reasons, had abandoned their objective here. While he was curious why, he dismissed such for the moment and instead turned to Shampoo himself. Seeing her expression, her head hung in thought, delayed him a moment, but finally he stepped forward.

He gained the Amazon’s attention by telling her that Mousse wasn’t cupid. When she reluctantly acknowledged this he asked her to let him back in. Shampoo asked him if that was why Ranma came there, which he affirmed. Shampoo continued her frown, looking to Cologne. The elder said nothing, merely watching. With a sigh, Shampoo turned back to Ryoga and told him she’d do it. Ryoga grew happy at this, but Shampoo cut him off before he could thank her to remind him that she still didn’t like Mousse.

Since they all expressed a desire to aid in his investigation L invited Kuno, Kodachi, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Soun, Genma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, and Tofu to a high rise building. He met with Cologne first figuring it was best to meet with her before the others.

Those first meeting the man paused in some wonderment, particularly noting his odd sitting posture. However, this lasted only a moment before they all began to take seats. Though he still had doubts Ranma confirmed to Nabiki the only one aware that Trista was there that he was the man he met. L introduced himself as Ryuzaki and Kuno was the first to express gis doubt that L was who he claimed he was. L confirmed who he was, but also eased there doubts stated that even if he wasn’t he was at least speaking on behalf of L.

L agreed to allow them to help him, but he didn’t sugar coat the fact that fact that they were all still suspects, though he didn’t reveal his exact suspects. Nabiki kept her face neutral at this revelation. With that he laid down what he had deduced so far noting. L eyed each member of the group in turn, pausing particularly on Kasumi who was all smiles and seemed absolutely riveted on the conversation.

The first was that there were Two Cupids. Many repeated in surprise. Nabiki in particular could not help but frown at this revelation. Much to Nabiki’s annoyance he explained how Kasumi clued him in on how Cupid needs a name and face to affect you. As he was talking the second Cupid revealed themselves on Cupid’s arrow. The others wanted to rush to put a stop to it, but L protested that it was to dangerous to intervene the others rushed. The second Cupid introduced themselves as the real Cupid telling L that they would offer him a gift of their benevolence.

When the people gathered at the station started trying to batter there way in L called to have all broadcasts cut realizing that Cupid was still affecting them. With nothing else to to Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse, Akane, Shampoo Ukyo, Kodachi and Tatewaki went to the building to do what they could. Even Soun elbowed Genma and the pair joined in as well. Before they left L told them to everything that Cupid provided. Kasumi called out to them to be careful while beside her, Nabiki simply crossed her arms, a frown firmly locked on her face.

When L received a letter from Cupid he once more gathered with the various residents of Nerima to tell them what had happened. He also informed them of his theory that the Cupid they knew from before was in fact two people. There were various degrees of surprise at hearing this. Later he played them an audio of not only him denying Cupid’s request, but a recording of the second Cupid denying the new ones legitimacy. After hearing it several were shifting into various disquieted positions and expressions. He asked them to stay at the building. They had come and gone numerous times and might be in danger as they could have been seen. The various Nerima residents looked at each other in consideration before Cologne took the initiative on behalf of herself, Shampoo and Mousse. This got the others to agree as well. He had Watari prepare them rooms as they waited for the official broadcast.

As expected it didn’t long for the worshipers of the third Cupid to find L’s building, with the more bold individuals shoving or otherwise attacking the other shutters in futility. When the protesters began using bombs and molotov cocktails to break into the building they activated the sprinklers. The group had split off to deal with them and since Ryoga was with Akane at the time his curse activated in front of her. Seeing Ryoga transform into a piglet Akane let out a blood curdling yell of shear outrage upon realizing that he was p-chan that echoed through the building.

It was many hours later, deep into the night, when L finally gave the occupants of the building the go ahead to exit feeling it was safe to let them go back home. Ryoga opted to stay behind along with Ranma who realizing that Akane had figured out he knew chose not to risk it, but the Tendo family and Genma did return home.

After Ryoga tried to jump off of the roof Ranma took him to Ucchan hoping she could help. The two overlooked him singing sadly to himself, spaced out of the goings on around him, sitting on the floor and rocking slowly back and forth while Ranma tried to ignore Kodachi periodically dousing him in cold and hot water by the second. Eventually he got tired of it causing Kodachi to go and get a mop to clean the mess up.

The news was covering the the attack on L’s building. When one of the crowd members interviewed stated that they had come because they saw Joe on the tv Ranma and Kodachi were surprised when Ryoga unexpectedly repeated what she said. Ryoga stared at the screen for a little before loosing interest believing it couldn’t be her. Ranma asked Ryoga who her was with Ryoga telling him Anna before going back to moping. Not knowing who Anna was Ranma decided to go check things out.

The reaction from Ryoga was startling when Anna entered the restaurant and called out to him as he suddenly grew aware of his surroundings once more, almost like he had been shocked. When he responded she rushed upstairs stating how she thought Ranma was sketchy and trying to get her alone. Ranma began to protest causing to joke that she found him sketchy. In a bit of a panic Ryoga asked Anna what she was doing there and she told him about how she saw him on the television. Some of Ryoga’s usual ire was renewed towards Ranma when he asked him how he could run off on such a fine lady.

Ryoga dragged Ranma into the hall and tried to get Ranma to help him convince Anna to leave.. His argument that she had no where to stay was refuted when they returned and she told them she was staying with her aunt. Much to Kodachi’s ire Ryoga just told Anna that things were complicated when she asked him why he was down, luckily she did say anything. Anna assured Ryoga that she would help him out. He tried to tell her that was not necessary, but told her that Ryoga could use all the moral support she could muster. Ryoga tried to complain but neither Ranma nor Anna seemed to care. Ranma and Kodachi let the two get reacquainted and went to the main floor with Ukyo.

Ryoga was hoping to get hopelessly lost; unfortunately two things were preventing this. The fact that Anna was following him and his sense of direction which led him to the random place he gave Anna when she asked him where they were going. Seeing that Ryoga didn’t have any money she insisted that she pay as she had plenty of travel money.

Ryoga felt even more guilty as they left not even listening to Anna as she excitedly talked about all the things you could get in the big city. She eventually noticed him muttering to himself overhearing how he had abused her trust. He denied he was talking about her before amending that he had and that he already had a girlfriend. However, only seconds after having said it, Ryoga hung his head and told her that was a lie as well. After confirming that he wasn’t dating Anna was just happy that she still had a chance.

Ryoga called her out for not taking this seriously only for here to point out that he hasn’t actually told her anything. Anna initially thought Ryoga was joking when he told her about his curse, forcing him to actually show it to her. It took awhile for Anna to process what she just saw at which point she asked how Ryoga changed back. It was a fair while later when Ryoga, thanks to a lot of creative communication managed to get the necessary hot water to return to human form.

By this point Anna had put two and two together having heard the Kodachi talking about it. So when Ryoga told her what he did with Akane she didn’t see what the big deal was as boys tried to peep on girls all the time. Ryoga didn’t see it that way however and became too shaken to form words. Seeing how depressed he was Anna told Ryoga that his only course of action was to beg Akane for forgiveness.

A defeated Ryoga asked Anna if she thought she would and while he did notice she wasn't that enthusiastic about the advice. Still, the words gave Ryoga cause to further consider. After another moment, Ryoga steeled himself and ran off boldly calling out to Akane. It was several minutes ran back around the block and stop finally realizing that he didn’t know which way to go. He didn’t even notice Anna was there until she called out to him. They decided that it would be best if she led the way.

Ryoga finally gathered the courage to go an apologize to Akane. His antics ended up just infuriating her as she saw it as him trying to make excuses for himself. After calming herself down she told Ryoga to go away seeing him as just as bad as the other boys. To say he was crushed was a gross understatement. He completely ignored Anna’s presence who had been waiting for him outside the Tendo compound, muttering to himself about how his life was over. She finally managing to get a bit of his attention as she held his shoulder. Only for him to start ranting about what a terrible person he was and how he wished Akane had killed him. His crazed rant got cut sharply off by Anna slapping him sending him flying down the street with such force that even after half a block he still nearly shattered the street wall on impact.

The slap strangely made Ryoga feel better and now that he had calmed down the two began to talk. He was generally surprised that Anna didn’t see him as a total irredeemable pervert. She asked him what he would do now. Since he had completely burnt bridges with Akane he didn’t know, so she offered him a job at her farm. After thinking about it for a while Ryoga agreed seeing it as his chance for atonement. Anna surprised Ryoga again by revealing that she knew his real name. Urging him to follow her Anna asked if she could still call him Joe. He smiled slightly and nodded and followed along for a moment before she asked if he wanted to share her bed as well. This caused Ryoga to pull back in shock feeling that he may have bitten off more then he could chew.