Digimon Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A NEW DESTINY - Book 0: Final Decisions ❯ To the Ones I Leave Behind ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

To the Ones I Leave Behind
By Robster80


These are a collection of letters written by Ranma on the last day of his life in "A New Destiny." This was his way of saying goodbye to everyone before committing suicide, though he died a hero instead. After each letter is the reaction of the reader.


"Kasumi,

"You've been so kind to me during my stay at your home, and have treated me as part of your family no matter what I have done. If I was your age, or if Dr. Tofu didn't love you... or if I didn't love Akane, I may have tried to pursue a relationship with you. However, it was not meant to be.

"I love you like the older sister I never had, but would have loved to have. That is why I now say to you this: Don't hide your feelings from Dr. Tofu. You may end up making the same mistakes I made with your youngest sister.

"I will always be thankful for knowing you. Take care of yourself, my sister.

"Ranma."

Kasumi absentmindedly dropped the letter to the floor, staring into space. "Oh, my," she cried ever so softly to the silence. A single tear escaped her eye, the first since the death of her mother so long ago. <If I hadn't freaked at his curse,> she thought. <Or cared about his age, he might still be alive.> She soon found herself sinking to the floor, more tears flowing freely.

"Goodbye... brother..."


************************************************* *******************************


"Nabiki,

"I want to apologize to you for all the insults and names I laid upon you. It was wrong for me to do so, because you were the one who made sure there was food on the table for your family, my father, and I. You were providing for your family, and I cannot blame you for that.

"You and I have never seen eye-to-eye that much, but I still considered you as part of my family and friends. I regret that with my passing, I will be unable to pay back all my debts to you. Do not make my parents pay, I beg of you. They will need money more than you do, should they decide to leave the Dojo, as I believe they will.

"In closing, I take back calling you a mercenary. Compared to Akane, and myself, you are a saint. Take care of yourself and your family, my sister.

"Ranma"

Nabiki crushed the letter in her fist before lying on her bed, crying. "You were the saint, Ranma," she said. "You were... not me..."


****************************************************** **************************


"Mom & Dad,

"Do not blame yourselves for what happened between me and Akane, or for my death. It was I who am to blame. Had I been a better son, a true 'man among men,' I would never have done the terrible things that I am guilty for. You both did your best in raising me like you did. I could not have asked for better parents.

"Pop, you and I have not been the best father and son, but I still love you. And I always will. I'm sorry I ruined your dream of uniting the two schools of "Anything-Goes" Martial Arts. I guess some things are just not meant to be. Please look after mom for me. She needs her husband now more than ever.

"Mom, I'm sorry you could not have been there to see me grow up. But, I am grateful that you could be with me in the last two years of my life, and that through you I met TK and Matt again. Please go easy on Pop. You two will need each other now that I am gone.

"Lastly, do not be afraid to have more children. I always wanted to have brothers and/or sisters. Know that I will not be jealous, because if they live a life better than mine was, I will rest easy. I'll always love you both. Goodbye.

"Your son, Ranma"

Genma did not know how many times he had read the letter for the past two days at the Mega Mansion, but each time he did the pain grew worse. He kept thinking of what might have been if he had been a better father, or if he had taken Nodoka with him and Ranma on their training trip. Finally, looking at the last paragraph once more in the letter, he made a decision.

Nodoka watched as her husband removed his gi and discard it with haste. Her eyes never left him as he put on, for the first time since her wedding, ordinary clothing. "Genma?"

Genma turned to look at the fallen gi, eyeing it with disgust. "I swear to you, Nodoka," he said. "I shall never put anyone through what I made our son go through during his training." He then took the gi and folded it gently, thinking of the very few good times he had with Ranma over the last 18 years.

Nodoka slowly drew her katana, which bore the Saotome family crest just above the hilt. Her mother-in-law had given it to her when she died. Nodoka said nothing, but bent the sword until it snapped in two, splitting the crest. "Our son," she gently cried. "Our only child is gone." She soon felt her husband's arms around her, and they wept together.


*************************************************** *****************************


"Rob & Amy,

"I was so glad when you two announced your wedding plans. The two of you make such a great couple, and I'm so glad you worked out your differences. Sadly, I will be unable to attend, now that I am gone by the time this is placed in your hands. I die envying you both for your newfound happiness, but I also die wishing nothing but the best for you both.

"Rob, I really am glad you and Amy got back together. I wish I could be there when you place that ring on her finger and make her your wife. Don't feel sorry that you couldn't help me. The truth is people really die when they don't want to live anymore. I can't live without Akane, and there's no point in trying. I'm just not as strong as you are. Hold onto your love, buddy, or you may end up just like me.

"Amy, Rob's a good man. Better than even me. You take good care of him, and never think he'd betray you. Love is based on trust. I know that now.

"May you both live long, happy lives. And know that I take your secrets with me to the grave.

"Ranma"

Rob kept those words to heart, even after a year had past since Ranma's death. He and Amy recalled them as they made their vows, becoming man and wife.


******************************************************* *************************


"Mr. Tendo,

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you and your family during my stay in your home. I also apologize that I crushed your dream of uniting you family's school with mine. Sometimes things go according to plan, and we have to except our fate. I have accepted the loss of Akane's love, and will not force her to reconsider.

"You and your family have been so patient with my father and I, and I wish I could repay you for it. May you find it in your heart to forgive a young fool.

"Ranma"

Soun Tendo folded the letter and placed it in his pocket. He did not cry, but his face was etched in bitter sadness. <You were not the only fool, son,> he thought. <I failed to raise my little girls as best I could on my own. It was my folly that made Akane who she is today... and that cost you your life. But now... now she can't hurt you anymore. No one can... and I thank god that you finally found some peace.>


************************************************** ******************************


"Ucchan,

"My best friend, I'm sorry for the pain my father caused you and your family. And I'm sorry that I can't marry you as you wish I had done. I love you as a sister, nothing more, and I cannot go further than that. The truth is I loved Akane since I first met her, and I ruined everything between her and me.

"Please do not blame her for my death. If you should blame anyone, blame me for stringing you and the other girls along. I was wrong to do so. Forget about me and move on with your life. I want you to be happy.

"Ranchan"

Ukyo tore up the letter in sadness and anger. "You jackass," she said as tears fell. "How can I be happy without you?"


******************************************************* *************************


"Shampoo,

"What can I say? You finally get to go home now, see your family and tribe. I only wish it wasn't at the cost of my life. You're probably wondering why I died over Akane after all she and I have done to each other.

"Let's face it: I love her. I always had, but I really screwed everything up for myself. I'm sorry I strung you along all this time. I'm also sorry that I can't marry you. It wouldn't have worked out. I've always liked living life the way I wanted to, and being part of a female-dominant society doesn't feel right to me.

"Don't try to kill Akane because I died. She's not to blame, I am. You'll be better off without me, anyway, and you'll never see Akane again when you go home. Take care of yourself, and please tell Mousse and Cologne I said I'll miss them, too. Someday you'll find the one you love when you least expect it.

"Ranma"

Shampoo tearfully placed the letter in the last of her boxes and sealed it. She then looked to see Mousse calmly standing in the doorway. "Shampoo ready, Mousse," she said. The male Amazon just nodded and helped her with the boxes.

"Mousse, you want to talk-?"

"I told you, Shampoo, I will not tell anyone that I defeated you. You will marry whom you chose to."

Shampoo sighed. Mousse had finally given up on her, even after he defeated her. It was what she always wanted, or thought she wanted. But, now she felt alone, and empty.


****************************************************** **************************


"Rusty,

"We sure had some good times at the Dojo, didn't we? You were always looking for the right time for a joke, and tried to help me deal with the usual fiancée business from my dad and Mr. Tendo. Even though Rob told you not to get involved, you did your best to help me out.

"Don't go pointing fingers at who's to blame. It was all my fault, anyway. I'll never forget you, or the other guys. Thanks for trying to help me, old friend."

"Ranma"

Rusty held the letter in one of his new robotic hands. He was still in the hospital, and though the doctors tried to keep Ranma's death from him, he found out by interfacing with the computer nearby. Finally, he laid the letter aside and leaned back sadly.

"You were a good kid, Ranma. Rest in peace."


***************************************************** ***************************


"Cell,

"This is one of the two most difficult letters I will have ever written. You say that you've done worse things than me, and maybe you have. But, have you ever hurt the girl you love in hot anger without thinking? I have, and that makes me worse than you. I really did it this time, Cell. Akane's through with me, and this time she means it.

"I can't go on without her, especially knowing that she's marrying Ryoga even though she knows he's P-Chan. She blamed me for it all, even though I tried to protect her. She never believed me, even when I said I loved her. I put up a front on the outside and accepted defeat, but inside... I'm dying, Cell. And this time I can't jump back, or seek redemption, like you are doing.

"I've decided to commit suicide and salvage what's left of my honor. This is my goodbye to you, dear Cell. You've been like a father to me, more than a friend. You've stuck by me, even when you returned to the Mega Avengers. You've been kind to me and helped me out whenever I needed it. I will miss you, and TK, most of all. Goodbye, father.

"Ranma"

The tears fell fast from Cell's eyes as he put the letter away. He had been there when Ranma died, but not the way the young man had expected his death to be. He died a hero, regaining his honor.

The Android had left the Mega Avengers 5 days after that night. He would continue to mourn for Ranma. "I know you didn't want to be saved," he said to the wind. "But I wish I could have, so you could be here for TK now, as he wanted you to be. Then again, you're now in a better place where Akane can't hurt you anymore. Rest easy, son. God knows you've earned it."


******************************************************** ************************


"Matt,

"Knowing you, you're asking why I had to die because of Akane. To put it simply, I didn't want to go on without her. I'm not sure if you're into having a girlfriend now, but one day you'll understand when love happens to you. I hear you and this girl Mimi are pretty close, by the way. Who knows, maybe she'll be your girlfriend someday?

"Matt, I want you to look after TK for me. I also want you to not blame Akane for my death. It was my fault for not treating her right, and now I'm paying for it. You behave yourself, and don't let revenge consume you. In the end, you'll lose everything. I'll miss you, little brother.

"Ranma"

Matt sat on the park bench, the letter in his hand. It was the day after Ranma had been buried, and he was still crying. He didn't care about his cool image at the moment. His cousin was dead, because of an uncaring fiancée.

"Matt?"

The boy looked to see a girl with brown, shoulder-length hair standing near him, a concerned look on her face. It was Mimi. She sat beside him. "I heard about your cousin. I... I want you to know I'm sorry... that you had to lose him."

Matt looked at her, tears falling like rain. He pulled her into a hug, letting his emotions get the better of him. Mimi returned the hug, patting his back gently. "It's okay, Matt. Let it out."

"Thanks, Mimi."

Soon Mimi was crying to. She cried for Matt, the boy she loved, and for his loss.


******************************************************* *************************


"Takeru,

"This is one of the two most difficult letters I will have ever written. This is my goodbye to you, little brother. By the time you read this, I will be dead, and will never see you again. Akane and I had a really big fight this time, too big for me to tell her I'm sorry. In the end, she left me for someone else.

"I can't live without her, TK. I know you're just ten years old, but one day you'll understand why love can make even the strongest of us all weak. How I wish I could watch you grow up. I'm leaving you my journal, so that you can learn from my mistakes, and know the truth about me. I'll miss you and Cell the most. Take care of yourself, little brother. I'll always be with you in spirit if not in body.

"Ranma"

TK put the letter on his desk, then looked at the small book in his other hand. Slowly, he opened it to the very first page and found a note written inside the cover.

"Read this, and know the truth. The bad deeds as well as the good, and judge me as you see fit. Maybe you will hate me as much as Ryoga and Akane do now or maybe not. Don't make the same mistakes I did, Takeru. I beg of you, or I fear you and those around you will suffer as I and those I knew did as well.

"Your cousin, Ranma"

TK closed the book and placed it beside the letter. It was almost time for his dinner, and though the young boy wasn't very hungry, he had to make an appearance at the table. <I'll read it after dinner.> He looked out the window one last time. <Goodbye, Ranma. I'll miss you.>


**************************************************** ****************************


There were letters to both Akane and Ryoga, but were destroyed immediately in anger. They were unopened and never read.



END


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