Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Insanity's End? ❯ Zettai? ( Chapter 1 )

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

Legal Disclaimer:
The Ranma ½ cast are property of Takahashi Rumiko-sensei, Kitty, Shogakukan, Viz, and some other companies, and are used for entertainment purposes only. I’ll return them… Wonder if they’ll be upset if I keep Akane.

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“Itte kima-su!”

Ranma and Akane took off toward school, leaving their fathers brooding at what to make of their weak excuse for a fight just a minute ago.


On their way to school, Ranma and Akane kept silent. This wasn’t so unusual, but they didn’t seem to be angry. That is, not counting the occasional flicker of dark blue around Ranma. Additionally, Ranma didn’t run on the fence, but instead next to Akane. And he had his reasons for that…

I am such an idiot! Why didn’t I tell her that I love her? She had even prepared the ground for me, told me that she didn’t mind, because I love her! I can admit that much, now.

...But, maybe she just agreed to the marriage because of the Nan-nî-chuan! For I could be cured!

...Yeah, sure! Akane would marry me just to help me! HA! I believe she’d do a hell of a lotta stupid things, but she ain’t THAT dumb. Oh, Akane… What should I do? I’m messin’ up chance after chance ta tell ya how much I like you. Hell, even at Jusendô, and back there I thought you were dead! Just how could you love ME?

No, I mustn’t even think that! I love her! And I will protect her, whatever may happen! I don’t wanna see anything like Jusenkyô or Jusendô ever again. I really thought I'd lost her… I don’t know what I'd do without her…

I will protect you, Akane! I won’t let anything happen to ya again! Nobody will EVER hurt you! That fence may be great training, but if I ever fall into the canal, I won’t be able to reach you in time when there’s danger. I WILL protect your life, even if I hafta give mine!

But Ranma wasn’t the only one thinking about the last days’ events:

Yes!! That’s a good sign! He’s running by my side. Oh, I hope I didn’t upset him too much with what I said yesterday… ‘You love me’! What a great way to answer him! Oh, Akane no baka! Why wouldn’t I admit it even to myself for so long?

When did I realize it for the first time? Was it at the Martial Arts skating competition…?


“Ranma!” Tears came to Akane’s eyes. “BAKA!!!!” She collapsed weeping over Ranma’s unmoving body. He chose exactly that moment to wake up!

“Cut it out! Can’t ya at least say ‘Thank you’!?”


Akane smiled wistfully. Or was it much earlier? Maybe… Maybe it was at our first real meeting…?


Only a towel in her hands, and her long hair falling straight down her bare back, Akane opened the door to the bathroom. And there was ... a man in the furo! She looked him once up, then down. It was then she realized something seemed off. She closed the door, redressed herself and left the changing room. She then took a deep breath and...

“IIIYYAAAAAAAAA!!!!”


Akane grinned wryly. If I EVER tell him that …

She sobered. Never again! I must profess my feelings for him. But… How? If Nabiki gets the wind of it, then… Oohhh, I don’t wanna even imagine! And our fathers… they would’ve got us hitched within 24 hours. Akane sighed. The more as they’d only have to trick Ranma. And as much as I’d like it, he --

Ranma’s rising aura interrupted her thoughts. He snarled something sounding like “Kunô!“, and then he was ten meters ahead of her.

What the…?

As always, Tatewaki Kunô had taken up his post at the gates and was waiting for the two, his bokutô at the ready. “Saotome, prepare to die!” With those words he attacked Ranma.

Usually, Ranma had sent him to dreamland with just a kick.

Usually. But not today!

“Kunô!” Ranma’s anger shot forth, a dark blue fire bursting into flames and blazing around him.

The Samurai only struck once. Then he felt a stinging sensation in his hands, and the bokutô clattered to the floor.

“Saotome!” cried a terrified, yet scandalized Kunô as he saw his bokutô burst into flames. His hands were working at his sides.

Ranma stepped close up to Kunô and hissed with an icy voice, so much different than his aura: “Kunô-sempai. Stop by our house with a katana again, and your weapon is the least of your worries. You could have hurt Akan- somebody there!” Kunô shuddered at the chill running up his spine.

Akane, who had come closer, couldn’t help but smile at hearing those words.

“But I must save fair maiden Tendô Akane and my osage no onna from your spell. That’s what I, Kunô Tatewa--”

“Kunô-sempai!” Kunô and Ranma both started. “I am under no spell. What--”

“Oh, how his spell afflicts you so! I mus--”

“STAY OUT OF OUR LIFE, JACKASS!!” Whamm!!

“What do you think?” asked Hiroshi, who stood off to the side.

“This time he reached higher earth orbit.” commented Daisuke, shading his eyes and trying to calculate the ending point of Kunô’s trajectory. “Crap! I should've placed a bet. He’s really going down in central .”

“Hey, willya listen!? I meant what she said!”

“...Oh! Oh well, ‘bout time one of them started. But, still…”

Akane stood in the courtyard, her fist hovering where moments before there had been Kunô’s face.

“Mô! When does that jerk finally get it? Am I not being clear enough, or--“ Just then the bell rang. “Damn, we’re gonna be late! C’mon, Ranma!”

As he ran into the building right after Akane, Ranma began to realize what had just happened. Eventually, however…

Damn! That wasn’t helpful at all! …What should I do? This is killing me! …I must tell her, even if she laughs at me. But, how am I supposed to do that, with Nabiki around?

“Hi, Ran-chan.” greeted Ukyô cautiously. “How ya do... -in’?” Ranma had turned away from her in mid-sentence, and walked off, a sour expression stuck on his face.

“Ak...” Ukyô stopped. Akane had turned away, too, and stalked after Ranma.

Ukyô seemed to be on the verge of tears, but suddenly her expression grew grim.

English with chibi Hinako-sensei.

Everything went as usual. Miss Hinako dropped off in her own class, the students chattered away and Ranma threw Akane a message. But this time…

Ranma

I don’t understand. What’s does he want? Ranma, wh--

“Nê, Akane-chan, what’s up?” It was Yuka and Sayuri, who had noticed that Ranma a) was still conscious, and b) didn’t sport a single lump by now.

Shocked to death, Akane hid the note in her desk. “Wh-wha-what… do you mean?”

“Stop pretending! You just looked totally thunderstruck when you read Ranma’s note.”

“Well… you know…” Akane tried to look angry, “… the baka just found another name to call me.”

“Sô da ne, Akane-kun? And why is he still in one piece, then?”

“Yeah, Akane. Why isn’t he all dented, already?”

“Well, um…” A frightful look shortly crossed Akane’s expression. Oh damn, they’ve got me! “For this he must suffer?”

Yuka nodded slowly, her closed eyes and crossed arms saying ‘Better…’.

“Hitting him only works until he wakes up, you know. But at lunch-time… Then I’ve got plenty of time to take care of him.”

“Whatever you say, Akane-kun.” Sayuri winked at her, “Let him have it.” With that, the two returned to their desks.

Akane, her face beet-red and her hands still under the desk holding the note, let out a breath. Damn! Damn, damn, damn, damn! I should’ve been more prepared for this; they just know me too well… She shook her head. Oh well, at least I can rely on them being discreet.

“Hey, Ranma! Boy, what didya do?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, what didya write that she han’t knocked ya out, already?”

“Why, this and that, Hiroshi. And to why I’m still alive: I don’t know. To be honest, I had already finished with life.” Ranma shrugged. “But I probably won’t have to wait too long to find out, why.”

“You betcha, Ranma.” commented Daisuke.

“Huh?” Ranma did a double-take at Hiroshi’s grin. …Just great! I hope those two can keep their mouths shut. It’s bad enough with Nabiki listening in. I sure don’t need Kunô or some other idiots butting in!

As the morning went by, nothing too abnormal happened: Ranma dropped off and Miss Hinako drained him; Happôsai paid a visit to the girl’s volleyball team (and their panties); and Kunô-kôchô got pounded into the ground. Just normal conditions (at Fûrinkan kôkô).

And then, lunch-time came…

“Well, Ranma: What do you want?”

“Uh, well… Akane, I wanted…” Ranma was so nervous he could only stutter.

“Now spit it out! Or do you have good cause for being so nervous!?” There was a definite note of anger in Akane’s voice now. “If it’s another fiancée, I’ll kill you!”

The Tendô girl flinched almost imperceptibly. Kami-sama, was that out loud?

WHAT did she say?!

Nabiki was thinking the exact same thing on her end of the line.

“Uh… No, Akane. It’s just… Akane, I gotta tell you somethin’! But…”

“Let me guess: Not here?” Oh, and why would THAT be? I know at the very least one of all those eavesdroppers!

“Y-yes. Listen: Meet me at seven o’clock, this evening, where I did IT back then.”

“It?” What does he mean?

“Y’know, IT.” I just hope Nabiki doesn’t have any cameras up here. Ranma made a gesture and moved his lips.

Meanwhile, Nabiki cursed her own cheapness.

“Oh, IT.” Akane turned a little pink. What does he…? “I will be there…” After a short, embarrassed silence, she spoke again: “Can we leave now? I’m really hungry.”

“Uh, sure.” This being settled, Akane and Ranma left the roof. Just as they were settling down under the tree in the courtyard…

“Hey, Dais-chan, you die there or what?” Sayuri had her arms crossed while irritably tapping her foot.

“Yeah, yeah. Comin’.” Finally having squeezed out of the dark corner he had been hiding in, Daisuke wandered up to his friends. “Say, why do I always get the crappy places?

“Ohhh, poor Dais-chan. Come here.” Sayuri patted him on the head. As he growled, the other three of them laughed out loud and started for the cafeteria.

Afternoon. Tendô-ke.

Ranma was doing some kata near the koi pond. Not, that the dôjô wouldn’t have been free, it was just… Well, should anything happen to Akane, was he the fastest with her from in front of her window.

What to do? I absolutely have to train Akane seriously, but then… I’m probably gonna hurt her. On the other hand: if I don’t do it, there’s a good chance that I'll lose her next time, and that … I couldn’t live with. And surely not when I know that I could've done sumthin' about it! …Hell, it hurts her even more when I don’t spar with her, too! And… back in Jusendô I swore not to hurt you again!

Aaarrghh! But I am so much better than her! I’d just injure her as long as she isn’t-- Ranma sighed sadly. I’m doin’ it again… She may not be as fast as I am, but she’s incredibly strong, and I am sure that she can take much more than it seems… But, still… Ranma sighed again. Eventually, he started thinking about possible training methods.

How to do that? Her anger proved to be too hard to control. Shampoo will be in real danger if I keep this up, and as unnerving as she can be, she’s a friend… Ryôga? Yeah, sure! A lovelorn slave-driver is such a good trainer! He’d just try to pinch her again - that is, IF he should manage to stay coherent for this long. Ranma began to grin a little, but almost immediately became thoughtful again. But then… there is only one possibility left… Ranma sighed sadly, again. He didn’t like the decision he was about to make.

“What’s this with you sighing so sadly, Ranma-kun?” Soûn wanted to know. Ranma would have jumped to the ceiling, had there been one. Oh, right. They’re here, too.

[Yes, Boy. What’s up?]

“Well, ah… Uhm, no… Nothin’, pop. Was just… thinkin’.”

[Whatever.] Genma and Soûn resumed their game of shôgi, which Soûn won. Then they left the house taking a ‘walk’, which means they went on a binge.

Phew, that was close! I shoulda really paid more attention. Hope I didn’t think out loud… So, where was I…? Ranma thought for a while, more pacing through the yard than actually training. When Kasumi walked by and said something, he just nodded, not really hearing her words of “Please be so kind and take care of everything while I’m shopping, would you, Ranma-kun?” Before she was even gone, he had started pacing again.

Hm, that’s the best thing I can think of. But still, how to tell her? The last time I did sumthin' similar, she looked at me as if I was an alien. Okay, I called her cute for the first time, but this one’s not goin’ ta be different. ‘cept…

Ranma’s face lit up. 'cept if I tell her--

“Ranma! Prepare to DIE!” Ryôga had just jumped the wall (to everyone’s surprise not losing his way in mid-flight), and attacked.

“Hi, P-chan!” Ranma dodged out of his groove, and landed close to the koi pond. “Howdya do that? Just one day, this time…” He tiredly crossed his arms. “What’s it today?”

“THAT, you know exactly!” snarled Ryôga, ripping off several of his bandannas and hurling them at Ranma. “You didn--“

“RYÔGA-KUN!!!” shouted Akane, who had come out to investigate the noise. Ducking two of his bandannas, she yelled at him again: “Why are you attacking Ranma!!?”

Ryôga, going into shock, started backtracking. “I, ah, well, so…” What’s going on here?! She always blamed him. But now she blames me, after all he has done to her! Oh, why is life so unfair? Where I just wanted to punish him fo-- Just then, Ryôga stumbled over one of the stones around the koi carp pond.

Oh no, the pond! Akane will see how I transform, and then she'll… At that point, Ryôga’s imagination sprang in:


“YOU!!!” Akane is standing over Ryôga, mallet in hand, looking like an angel of vengeance and screaming like a banshee. “You slept in my bed! You GROPED me!! You saw me NAKED!!! YOU WILL DIE!!!!” Swings her mallet and hits Ryôga squarely from above. He is embedded two feet into the ground, arms and legs akimbo.


“Ryôga-kun! Watch out!”

With a loud splash, Ryôga joined the carp in the pond.

Akane’s cry mobilized Ranma, who too had gone into shock at hearing her yelling at Ryôga. Hastily, he said: “Akane, I think Kasumi is calling you!”

“But--“

“Don’ worry! I’ll take care of Ryôga! And now hurry!”

“...O-… kay.” Akane reluctantly returned into the house. What is he up to? Kasumi can’t possibly have called me. She left half an hour ago. Didn’t he get that? And why doesn’t he want me to stay? Why shouldn’t I go and help Ryôga out of the wa-… -ter? Akane stopped, examining one of Ryôga’s bandannas, which she had ducked earlier, hanging in the wall. She pulled it out, held it in her hand and began brooding, continuing on into the living room.

Ryôga and… water? Almost every time I saw him, he was wet, but only once I saw him GET wet…! Akane pulled a face. Well, with cold water, that is… But this one time… Ranma attacked him for… Akane stopped, taking her chin in one hand and staring intently at the bandanna in her other. What was it, again…?

Her head snapped up in sudden realization. A waterproof soap! But, that would mean… Her eyes spoke of betrayal, and she closed her hand tightly around the bandanna. That he… Akane wanted to scream at the idea. She fired the bandanna to the floor and stomped on it.

Ranma always calling him-- NO, that cannot be! It MUST NOT be! Akane was on the brink of just going back and maiming everybody in range. No! I need to know first! She vanished into the shadows, the light slowly returning to the spot she had just been in.

In the meantime, Ranma had pulled Ryôga and his clothes out of the pond. Carrying them to the bathroom, he continuously muttered something about “Pathetic pig-boys” and “Lucky P-brains”.

As he went into the inner bathroom, he missed a shadow slipping into the outer.

No, this must be some joke on Ranma’s behalf! Yes, that’s it! Ranma knows that I am following him - Akane opened the shôji a crack wide - and that’s why he-- What she saw, let her face fall…

“Well, Ryôga…” Ranma let P-chan fall into the warm waters of the furo, and the transformation started immediately. “Whatcha attack me for this time?”

P-chan… is… Ryôga? Ryôga!? RYÔGA!!!? I’ll kill him!! I’ll kill Ra-- NO! Akane stopped herself, just now getting that she was again summoning her rage. For once in my life, I will listen! Ranma always complains that I jump to conclusions; that I never listen him out before I hit him… Not this time! This time I WILL listen! Besides… A slight, but very evil, smile crossed Akane’s lips. I can still beat him to a pulp, afterwards.

“You know that exactly, Ranma! You didn’t marry Akane yesterday!” Akane boggled at hearing those words. “You hurt her feelings, you--“

“Oi! Hold it right there! I can’t deny I didn’t act right, especially when I heard about the Nan-nî-chuan, but it wasn’t all my fault!” Ryôga looked him over flat-eyed, arms crossed, and didn’t say a word. Ranma sighed.

“Yeah, okay, most of it was. But Kunô wanted to literally have a piece of me, Ukyô…” Ranma’s face darkened at the mention of her name, “let me test her new gunpowder okonomiyaki, and Shampoo had some… special... niko-man with her…! And you - just to remind you! - were the one calling ‘Nan-nî-chuan’, and YOU also did participate in the fight! So--“ Suddenly, Ranma’s eyes crossed in mid-sentence.

“WHAT did you just say?!!” Ranma felt his rival’s forehead. “Ryôga, are you okay? I thought you wanted to win Akane for yourself?!”

He wanted to-- Goodness! All those times Ranma… And P-chan always…

“Well, you know…” Ryôga, still sitting in the furo, started poking his fingertips together. “I came to realize that I don’t stand a chance with Akane… You remember our fight when I had learned the full power Shi Shi Hôkôdan?”

Akane’s attention was now fully riveted to Ryôga. Meanwhile, she was trying to remember what could have changed Ryôga's mind.

“Yeah. But what does that have to do with it?” Ranma looked at him blankly.

Oops! Akane suddenly remembered. I told him without even knowing. She winced a little embarrassedly.

“Oh man, how dumb can you be?” muttered Ryôga. Ranma glared at him indignantly.

You wouldn’t believe it, anyway. Akane managed not to say that one out loud.

“Calm down, I’ll tell you.” Ryôga waved him off. “Remember when she said she didn’t hate me?” Ranma nodded gravely, his expression darkening again. “She said: ‘Let’s be friends forever.’ You know what that means, right?”

Ranma still hadn’t got it. Ryôga sighed deeply. “Come here.” Ranma leaned down, and Ryôga whispered something into his ear. “Get it now?” He looked up and almost saw the lightbulb starting to glow.

“And… After that, I could only hope for something to happen, so Akane would fall in love with me. But then, when I fell in love with Akari, I guess that goal somehow lost its worth.” Ryôga looked down into the waters of the furo. “Besides, there is something that binds you to Akane; that would kill you, internally, should she be killed.”

“Huh?” Could he know? Ranma was speechless.

“Everything you did in Jusendô, was for Akane. When you wanted to save her life, you even…”


Ahad somehow managed to heat up her ice-covered body, and - after leaving Ranma’s shirt - ripped a passage through Saffron’s Tenka Shunmetsu Kôkyûdan, that prevented Ranma from seeing his enemy.

“I CAN SEE HIM!!” shouted Ranma.

“FOOLISH WOMAN!! How many times do you want to die!? My blast shall incinerate you!” Saffron was pissed. This... This... pig-tailed devil had caused his metamorphosis to be incomplete! Therefore he would kill him. But, first this obstacle… the woman who just wouldn’t die, would finally be destroyed.

Not in this lifetime, bastard! Ranma took a big swing: “Hiryû Shôten Ha revised!” He punched down into the passage Akane had ripped open. The ice surrounding his arm shattered. Go, ice dragon! “HIRYÛ HYÔTOPPA!!!!”

“NOOO…!!!!” A small tornado, about one meter in diameter, hit Saffron directly. He fell toward earth, his body partly covered in ice.

Bu… But I’m… I am… immortal…


Yes, he killed Saffron. He gave up his… innocence… Just to save me! Oh, Ranma… A single tear rolled down Akane’s cheek.

“...And before that, when Akane had just disappeared in a flash of light… You just stood there, staring at her clothes in your arms, so I…” Ryôga clenched his fist and looked up at Ranma, tears in his eyes. “I did what I thought was Akane’s last wish: I got you to safety…” Ryôga looked down into the furo again, shaking slightly.

When he had calmed down again, he continued, softly: “Ranma. In Jusendô I came to realize that I don’t even know what love means! Yes, I felt a deep sadness, but... The only one being hurt this much by Akane’s seeming death… was you, Ranma.”

Ranma… Akane had to fight hard for her not to start sobbing. What she had just overheard brought back too many memories that she had wanted to bury.

“Ryôga, I…” Ranma trailed of, unable to think of something to say.

“And after that I just wanted Akane to be happy.” The one being referred to perked up a little. “Really, I know that it was Nabiki who invited all those people…”

Akane nodded gravely, anger shortly flickering through her sadness.

“...but then I would have had to admit I made mistakes, too. After all, I was one of those blasting your wedding ceremony before it even started - even though I just accidentally broke down your wall. But, I wasn’t ready for such a confession; not even to myself.” Ryôga remained silent for a moment. “Ranma, I… I am sorry, Ranma. I shouldn’t have blamed you for it…”

“I know that you could have exposed my secret a thousand times and more; and even though you tried it some of those many times, you helped me just about as often, when I almost blew my cover myself.”

He tried…? But then… Back then, in my room… Akane blushed deep red. Not because of what she had thought then what Ranma’s intentions were, but because of what she had done to him as a result of those thoughts: She had broken some things over his head, from her shinai up to her swivel-chair.

“But there’s one thing I want to know: Why didn’t you ever tell Akane? You know just as well as I do - well, at least, since I can admit it to myself - that there was no way in hell anyone could’ve blamed you for telling Akane. Especially seeing as I let myself be taken to Akane’s bedroom. So, why?”

Blamed? Suddenly it dawned on Akane. Damn those warriors’ codes, and damn Ranma! He should have told me! She was getting really mad now.

“You mean, besides Akane pounding me into the earth for talking bad about Ryôga, or P-chan?” Ryôga nodded at that.

Akane bit her lower lip.

“Well, you know…” Now it was Ranma's turn poking his index fingers together. “When Akane was sad, she would hold P-chan; she then seemed to feel better. He seemed to be an anchor in all this insanity - and you know exactly who attracts that like a magnet…”

Anchor!? Sad!!? ME!!!? Akane relaxed her jaw and sighed softly. He’s right. I was really clutching at a straw when I cuddled P-chan. Akane’s eyes became wet again. Oh, Ranma…

“Besides: You seemed to be happy, as well. Even if you knew that Akane would never see anything but a pet in you: You needed the affection. Yo--“

“What are you babbling about!?” Ryôga asked irritably. I don’t need no aff-...“

Akane didn’t hear any more. She had left the bathroom, and slowly made her way upstairs. Her cheeks were damp. She was badly in need of some time alone, to digest some of the things she had just found out about.

Akane quietly closed the door to her room. Then, leaning against it, she slowly slid down it to the floor. Already having lost her fight against the tears, she just sat there, weeping softly.

All this time all Ranma did was try to protect me. And what did I do? I picked on him all the time! I even called him a pervert for it! Who’s the real pervert? I even slept with a guy other than my own fiancé! Oh, how could he love ME? I am jealous, brutal, don’t listen him out-- Gods, he must HATE me! The girl’s breath caught, and her weeping turned to sobbing.

No! Akane tried to will the tears away, having moderate success. I MUST NOT think that! Considering what happened, he MUST have some feelings for me…! She frowned sadly. At least I hope…

...Okay! From now on, I’ll always listen him out; I will trust him; and I WILL NOT hit him again!!

This (rather dubious) vow pledged, Akane rubbed at her damp cheeks with one hand, and spared a glance at the clock on the shelf above her bed. Seeing as she only saw a blur, she rubbed at her eyes too, and looked again.

Oh God! She jumped up. This late already?! Oh no, oh no, oh no! Only one hour left! I need to take a bath, find some clothes, and…! Akane bounced about her room, hastily rummaging through her stuff.

Seven o’clock. The labyrinth’s entrance.

“So, why did you want to meet me here, today?” asked Akane a little shyly. She wore the same fine costume she had worn back then.

Ranma, who too wore the same clothes (which is not saying much), was suffering a mental shutdown at the moment. The only thing circuiting, was: Kawaiiiii!! Unfortunately, he had missed a shadow following him all the way from the Tendô compound to the hedge-maze.

“Ranma? So, what is it?”

“Huh? Um, yeah, ah… Why don’t we go in a little further, first?” Ranma shuffled a little, his hands playing with something behind his back. “Uhm, ah… You look great, Akane.”

“Arigatô, Ranma.” Akane smiled and Ranma’s heart melted away. Once having regained his senses, he led her into the labyrinth. At a dead end, finally, they stopped, the shadow still unseen behind them.

“Akane, I…” Ranma didn’t know how to start. “Ya remember what happened here?”

“H- Hai.” Akane blushed deep red. How could I forget that? You denied it so hard I knew that you meant it… Akane started to hope again, for the first time since the wedding attempt, that Ranma would tell her about his feelings.

“You know, Akane…” Ranma presented her with a single red rose. “I meant what I said there. I l-l-lo-“ He took a deep breath, held it, and let it out in one quick sentence: “Iloveyouakane!” The color of his face now matched the rose's.

Akane’s eyes had gone wide at seeing the present and starry his confession. Her expression softened and settled into a fond smile that made Ranma’s heart skip a beat or two. “Baka. I love you, too.” She took a step forward and hugged her fiancé, resting her head against his chest.

The shadow’s eyes flew open, the tears finally overflowing. It then took off right through the hedge, a glint of steel reflecting the light of the streetlamps.

Slowly, very slowly, Ranma came out of it. He started hugging her back. “A-akane, you… you love me?”

“'course I love you!” Now that they had said them, those three words seemed so… natural.

For a long time, Ranma and Akane stood there hugging each other, Akane smiling like a maniac. Then, some time later, she pulled back a little, looked up and asked, still hugging him: “But… Why now?” Why not yesterday?

“Well, I…” Ranma hesitated. “I came to realize I was really bein’ an idiot yesterday. I’da just had ta tell ya how I feel, but no! I just had ta pick a fight with you. Akane, I--“

“But, why me?” Akane’s eyes welled up with tears. “I am jealous, prone on hitting you… Hell, I can’t even cook!”

“Akane.” Ranma touched his forehead to hers. “I like you just the way you are.” He grinned down into her face. “Even if your cooking can kill a hor--OOOFF!! No, really. What I mean is: I don’t know if I wanted you any other way. But…” He trailed off.

“What is it, Ranma?” Akane looked up at him again.

“How could you love me? You’re sayin’ it often enough: I am just an insensitive, sex-changin’ … hentai. I got at least five fiancées, an--“

“Ranma.” Akane cut him off, deciding she had to tell him. She closed her eyes, trusting in the security his arms provided. “I was… afraid… and angry. I… You… When I saw you in the bathroom, back on that very first day, there were some things I… felt. For one, I really… um…” Akane was suddenly beet-red, “felt, um… aroused at... at seeing you… um, emerge from the furo. And, when I realized it wasn’t a dream, I… I…” Akane let her head hang. “I’m so sorry, Ranma…”

“...Don’t be.” Ranma knew how he had reacted to her entering the bath. “I ca--”

“And when you came out of the bathroom and introduced yourself as Saotome Ranma, I… I somehow knew that you and that girl were one and the same person. And… this thought… aroused me somewhat, too. So I got angry. And also, because I didn’t expect a boy being in the furo, my sisters had seen me being afraid of someone. And, so I blamed everything on you. I… Sorry, Ranma. I am really sorry.” Akane choked back a sob.

“Especially 'bout the table?” Ranma asked, grinning, but sounding serious.

Akane’s head snapped up in alarm, but seeing as Ranma smiled fondly, a little smile of herself crept across her face. “Yes.” she whispered. “Especially about that.”

“Then why are you bein’ so sad about it?” On hearing that, Akane hugged her fiancé even tighter.

“Arigatô, Ranma.” She said, cuddling him. “That really means much to me.”

They just stood there hugging each other for some time.

Finally, Akane made a decision…

“Ranma, I need to ask you something. Will you listen?”

“Sure.” Ranma smiled reassuringly. “Shouldn’t I?”

Akane shook her head smiling, and then started: “Ranma, I…” Something - Ranma couldn't quite identify it - started to burn in her eyes. “I ask you to… to train me… sensei.”

Ranma reeled as if hit, and fell. Seeing as he was still hugging her, he took Akane with him.

“Ranma?” asked Akane concernedly, lying atop him.

“Huh?” Ranma looked up into her face, and a smile came to his lips. Not his cocky one, but a genuine, just plain happy smile. “Yeah, I was going to, anyway. I’m glad you mentioned it, though.”

“Nani?” Akane looked at him, perplexed. “You did?”

“Yes, I…” Ranma stood up, still holding Akane tenderly. He set her down to her feet once he was standing. “You see, I had to admit that trying to keep you out of my trouble won’t work…” He trailed off.

“Right.” said Akane softly. “It’s my trouble now, too. We are engaged, you know.”

“Hell, that’s not what I meant!” protested Ranma. “I--“

Akane laid a finger to his lips. “But it’s what I meant.” Seeing as he subsided, she removed her finger. “You see, letting me stay at home didn’t do any good. They came and took me to , anyway. And…” Her face darkened a bit. “…before then I was always afraid you might not be alive, anymore.”

“Akane…” I don’t like where this is headin’.

“No, Ranma.” Akane looked obstinate. “I want to be able to come with you! I don’t want to stay at home, anymore! The waiting almost killed me, wondering if you’ll come back; or if you’re dead, just because I wasn’t with you!”

“Akane…” I ABSOLUTELY don’t like where this is headin’!

“I almost died there a couple of times! I almost died there ALONE!! I don’t want that! If I d-die, I want you to be my last sight!” Akane eyes were overflowing. “Please, please promise me you’ll do me this favor! I don’t want to die apart from you, just because you wanted me to be safe!” Akane buried her face in her hands.

“Akane, I…” Ranma was at a loss of words. Hell, she’s right! His shoulders slumped. “All right, Akane. I promise. Partners, I say.” He laid a hand to her cheek. “And I will train you. I don’t want you to die, either, and that’s the only way to assure it. I think. I HOPE.”

“Oh, Ranma!” Akane, her tears still flowing, wrapped her arms around the back of Ranma’s neck, pulled him down to her face, and kissed him on the lips. Ranma stiffened up.

Akane! You… You… kissed me! This revelation sunk in, Ranma relaxed and kissed her back.


Eight-thirty. Tendô-ke.

Two figures, each having an arm around the other, stopped before the gates. One of them removed hers and said: “I think we have to stop that now.”

“Yeah, you’re right, Akane. Just…”

“Just a little longer? That’s fine with me, Ranma.” said Akane with a smile. Five minutes later, Ranma reluctantly let go of her, and the two of them went through the gates.

On the second floor, Kasumi smiled and closed the curtains of her room.

Saturday, lunch-time. The Tendô-ke’s 2nd floor.

“Ready?” Ranma and Akane were standing at the top of the stairs.

“Not really. What if I hurt you?”

“Don’t worry. I told you, I’ll survive it. I don’t wanna hurt you, too. But else, not even our fathers’d buy in the act.”

“You’re right.” said Akane with a sigh. “I just don’t want to do that. Anymore, that is.” she added with a grin.

“I know.” Ranma grinned right back.

Same time, on the first floor. Main room.

Soûn and Genma-panda were again cheating each other at their game of shôgi, when suddenly…

“What do you mean, you won’t take me with you on your training trip!?

“Exactly what I said! A girl’d only be in the way! Especially you, you ditz!”

“And what if I was to cook!? I won’t be in your way, and you could fully concentrate on your training!”

“An’ what trainin’ would that be!? ‘How do I survive Akane’s cooking’!? No, thanks!”

“Insensitive jerk! You could at least appreciate the effort!”

“What effort, coming from such a kawaiikunai tomboy!? Forget it!”

“RANMA NO BAKA!!!” Slap!!

A little while later, Ranma came slouching into the main room, a bright red handprint on his left cheek.

“Why don’t you just take Akane with you, boy?” Soûn looked him over.

“But Tendô-san, she’d just be in my way.”

“DO YOU MEAN MY DAUGHTER IS A MILLSTONE AROUND YOUR NECK!!!?” roared Soûn’s demon head, filling the whole room.

“No! No!” Ranma, having fled into the farthest-away corner, waved his free arm frantically, while with the other searching for an open end. “I’d be honored if I had her with me. But… You have to admit that her cooking is… dubious.” He pointedly avoided saying the words It’s a Martial Art!

His head shrinking back to its usual size, Soûn said: “That I cannot deny, boy… HA, I’ve got it! Kasumi-chan will give her some extra cooking lessons. When do you two set out?”

“We?” Ranma was really playing his part well, which Soûn’s head growing again proved.

“Oh! Uh, yes… WE’ll set out tomorrow in the afternoon.”

“Hm, this isn’t much time…” Soûn stood up and walked out of the room. Genma-panda immediately used the time to move around some pieces on the board. “Oi, Kasumi!” called Soûn.

“Hai, otô-san?” Kasumi looked out of the kitchen.

“Akane will accompany Ranma on his training trip, starting tomorrow in the evening. Would you please give her some cooking lessons?”

No!! Kasumi’s smile faltered for but a moment. “Hai, otô-san.” She wouldn't...?

While Soûn returned to his seat, Genma held up a sign, giving his friend the time to move some pieces himself: [So, son: Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.]

“No fear!” Ranma shattered the sign on his father’s head. “Stupid panda.”

[Is that a way to treat your father?]

“Shaddup, oyaji!” Ranma kicked him into the pond.

[This will have consequences, boy!] Genma was pissed.

“C’mon! Try it, bedside rug!” Ranma’s eyes spoke of pain; Genma’s pain.

[Uh…] Genma flipped the sign. [Tendô-kun, how about a drink?]

“What a great idea, Saotome-kun.” A dustcloud indicated the departure of the two fathers, their shôgi board still spinning in place.

The next morning saw Ranma doing some kata in the garden. However, somehow he couldn’t concentrate…

“Akane, STOP!!”

“But, Kasumi onê-chan, it says here that it needs chili.”

“Yes. It does, Akane-chan, but-- STOP!!”

Ranma wore a wry grin that he just couldn’t get rid of; that is why he was facing the wall for quite some time now. Akane, you’re sooo cruel!

Some time later, Soûn and Genma decided that it was a good time to push off. Ranma, however, was absolutely calm about the whole thing: She promised she’ll taste it first, so I'm sure it'll be non-toxic. But, sheesh, how the hell’d she come across motor oil in the kitchen?

Shortly before Akane was done, Ranma’s mother paid a visit and - knowing of Akane’s usual ‘skill’ - offered her help.

Lunch went as usual when Akane had cooked: Soûn and Genma were still missing – they were surely eating at one of the local bars; Kasumi and Nodoka didn’t eat much - they said they weren’t hungry; Nabiki had excused herself ‘for business’ - she was sure to let Kunô take her to a restaurant, and incidentally sell him some pictures of her younger sister and Ranma’s female half; and Ranma and Akane… Well, they were fighting over the ‘food’. I somehow already missed our fights, a little.

The rest of the day was very peaceful - for a day at the Tendôs’! Even though P-chan was seen shortly walking alongside the engawa, he quickly ‘disappeared’, and Ryôga came in - soaking wet, as always. Why did I never notice that? Oh well, it sure seems he’s given up on me. Not that I wouldn’t retaliate, anyway, but I would have liked the idea of giving P-chan a hot bath… A grim smile crept across Akane’s face.

“Akane-san, why are you smiling?” Ryôga was nervous. Akane didn’t usually smile in such a fashion – at least not without having a good cause.

“Huh?”

“Ryôga wants to know why you’re grinnin’ so goofy.”

“Ranma no baka.” Akane whacked him across the back of his head with her flat hand. “Just… some thought I had.” She smiled nervously. Honestly! she accused herself, There I am, a member of the drama club, and I let my part slip!

“Uh… if you say so.” Ranma’s expression said: But WHAT thought?! He was a lot more nervous than Ryôga, because in his opinion, there were only two possibilities for her smile:
Akane had a) found out about Ryôga’s curse and - since she hadn’t beaten either of them to a pulp, yet - was plotting her revenge; OR b) - as it could also have been one of grim determination - she had her own ideas about ‘training’. Especially this second possibility filled him with dread.

“What’s going on here?”

“Huh?” “What?” Ranma and Akane had spoken simultaneously.

“Uh… Nothing. Really.” Ryôga waved them off. He hadn’t even realized he was thinking out loud. Guess I am too much alone.

“Well then…” Again an answer like one voice.

Those two must somehow have grown closer. One time's a coincidence, two times' a pattern.

Akane and Ranma saw Ryôga’s brooding, and shot each other glances saying: He can see through our cover. But since they didn’t want to start a fight, they tried to distract him otherwise.

They didn’t really need to. Ryôga already knew it was useless fighting for Akane’s love because she had truly given Ranma her heart; he also knew that Ranma had given his to her. Wasn’t it this way, there’d be no way Akane could still be alive after what happened at Jusendô. Oh, if only Akari… Ryôga looked down a little sadly.

Kasumi scanned her little sister and Ranma for a while. Not being able to determine what exactly was going on, she proceeded in her talk with auntie Nodoka. Their relationship surely seems to have advanced; but… I sure hope they didn't do anything… inappropriate, these past few days.

Ranma and Akane had already packed their backpacks in the morning, and were now saying their goodbyes to their families.

“Take good care of Akane, my son.” Nodoka was there not just to bid her son farewell, but to drag her husband, Genma’s, lazy ass home, as well.

“Ranma-kun. Akane-chan.” Kasumi looked worried. “Don’t do anything inappropriate!” Ranma and Akane face-faulted. Of course, Kasumi would think of such things, first!

After having picked themselves up, Ranma blushed, and Akane just rolled her eyes. So much for you trusting me, sis! Oh, well…

Nabiki looked like she always did: just plain bored. I wish I knew what to make of those two. I had a hard time making money off them this past week. Not to mention that weird... Ah, what do I care!

“So, you two: Be okay when you come back.” Soûn seemed - against all odds (the pool being held by Nabiki) - not to be in the mood for crying. Instead, he seemed rather happy.

“Akane-chan! Lemme give you a goodbye-hug!” Before Happôsai had made it even halfway to Akane’s breasts, Ranma sent him straight into the stratosphere.

Geez. That old lech just won’t learn it. Ranma lowered his fist, his expression grim.

Finally Genma - human, for a change - showed up. “As I said, boy: Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Ranma kicked his father into the koi pond. “Dontcha mean: ‘Do the opposite of ev’rythin’ I’d do’?”

[Come on. Stop making such a fuss.] Genma flipped the sign [There really isn’t anything about it.]

“Oh yes, there is, Saotome no ojî-san!” Kasumi was being harsh, a rare sight to the Saotomes. “They are just too young!”

A deep red Ranma and Akane quickly made their way to their backpacks, and then left. Soon they were almost out of sight.

Still waving them goodbye, Soûn asked: “Was your mission successful, Saotome-kun?”

[Absolutely.] Genma held up a small pack. [I’ve got his tent.]

“Otô-san! Ojî-san!” Now Kasumi was angry.

“Dear!” Nodoka’s voice was like steel.

The panda suddenly started to sweat.

“...Well done.”

Kasumi face-faulted.

Mount Terror, some hours later.

Ranma and Akane had just stopped at the clearing Ranma had frequently used for training. They dropped their backpacks.

“So. Akane, we’ll set up camp here.”

After Akane had acknowledged him, they started emptying their packs.

“Say, Akane, have you seen my tent, somewhere?” Ranma had already climbed halfway into his backpack.

“Don’t you play all innocent to me!” Akane said in mock anger. She was a bit surprised, that’s true, but she knew very well Ranma would never even consider such a pick-up. In fact, he would never even consider ANY pick-up at all. Akane sighed a little disappointedly.

“N- No, I'm not…” Ranma had bought into Akane’s act. Often enough had she assumed he was trying to pick her up, and all that bad luck hadn’t helped. “Oyaji! I knew I shoulda checked my pack! I--“

“Oh, come on…” Akane snickered a little. They just made that one easier. She quickly regained her composure, and said matter-of-factly: “Each of the tents is intended for at least two persons, so I don’t see a problem there.”

“B-but, I… I mean, we…” Ranma froze in mid-sentence. This possibility had by far exceeded his brain’s computing capacity.

“Yeeees?” asked Akane with her most innocent smile.

“Weee… H- Hai.” Ranma sounded rather hoarse.

They unpacked the rest of their luggage in nearly absolute silence. That is, sometimes Ranma would try to stammer something, to which Akane would just laugh out loud in response.

They finished just when the sun had set. After starting the fire, Ranma went searching for some more wood, and Akane got started cooking.

Akane handed Ranma his bowl and sat down beside him. Before he had even taken his chopsticks, she was already trying. Oh no! The rice is all gluggy, and the curry… Hell, what is that taste?! And I tried so hard… Akane looked sadly down at the food. Now he’ll make fun of me… again.

“Akane, this curry’s great.”

Akane perked up. “Really? I thought you wouldn’t like it.” She looked down again, “Maybe, I mean.”

“Aw, c’mon, Akane. It really ain’t that bad. You’ll get better, you’ll see.” Akane started to smile at that.

“Arigatô, Ranma. But I’d never even gotten this far, if it wasn’t for you.”

“Oh, well…” Ranma laid one hand to the back of his head. “You see, I think you really woulda been able to learn it without me.” In a few hundred years. he didn’t say. But damn, she really IS a fast learner!

Funny. When we are alone, he can be so modest. Is that the same, insensitive idiot I already know for two years? Akane thought of some of their fights, but somehow a slight smile was stuck on her face. That reminds me, we are COMPLETELY alone out here…

While Akane was imagining things, Ranma ate his dinner with lessening appetite. I’m sorry, Ryôga, but I… I can’t stand for this any longer! “Akane?”

Having missed his somewhat sad look, Akane happily stared right through him. “What’s up, Ranma?”

“I- I need to tell you something… Akane-san. Will you listen?”

This got her attention. Why is he being so serious? “Why, shouldn’t I, Ranma-kun?” Ranma flinched at that statement, and Akane winced. “Sorry, Ranma. I will listen. I promise.”

Ranma put his bowl aside, knelt down on both knees, and bowed down to the very ground. “I am sorry, Akane-san, but I kept a secret from you. A secret that directly concerns you.”

Akane gasped, but not why he thought she was: My god, he is actually willing to break a promise for me!

“Go on.” she said in an indifferent tone, putting down her bowl, too.

Since he was unable to meet Akane’s eyes, Ranma still had his head bowed. “When… When I had just gotten cursed in I was runnin’ around crazy tryin’ ta rip my ol’ man’s head off. And while I did so, I… I knocked… somebody... off a cliff. It happened right above the cursed springs, an--“

“And that’s how Ryôga got cursed?”

“Yeah.” Ranma looked up and half-smiled. “That’s about i--“ Suddenly, his expression turned to one of pure horror. “NANI?!!!” In a matter of seconds he was clutching at a treetop.

“Ranma…” whispered Akane, her eyes shaded by her bangs. “Please forgive me.”

“Eh?” Ranma crawled down slowly, uncertain of what to do… ”Akane, I…”

“Just how can you love me?” Akane slid down the stone she was sitting on. She looked up at him, and he read pain in her eyes. “I mean, I practically spent more time with Ryôga than I did with you; more time than I ever spent with my own fiancé!” Tears welled up in her eyes that she tried to hold back. She was failing miserably. She even started sobbing a little. “Ple-… Please, Ranma! Please don’t hate me! I… I-I… Oh, Ranma!” Akane buried her face in her hands.

Ranma had gone from one shock into another: Akane was crying! And it was his fault! He hadn’t told her for so long, had let Ryôga grope her and ogle her and… God knows what else!! He took her gently in his arms. “If anybody has to apologize, Akane, then it’s me. I valued my own honor higher than yours, and--“

“You did not!” cried Akane. She then willed the tears away and smiled up at him, a tender, loving, yet unsure smile. Laying her hands on his chest, she continued softly: “Anyway, thank you for saying so.”

“Now you’re the Akane I know.”

Akane looked at him in surprise. “You said that same thing, back then.”

“...Yeah?” Ranma pondered a little. “Well, I really meant it. Then and now. I can’t stand ta see ya sad. Yer just too lively a girl ta be crying.”

“Arigatô gozaimasu, Ranma-kun.” Still holding him with one hand, Akane leaned halfway away from Ranma’s body, and smiled up at him. “That’s really kind of you.”

“Ah? And I thought I was an insensitive jerk?”

“You are…“

“Oi!”

“but only sometimes.” Akane’s smile let die the words in his throat. Her hands crept around his body and she hugged him to her.

They were just holding each other for quite some time. Then:

He’s so sweet, even willing to forget his goddamn honour for me. Akane looked up into Ranma’s face: “I’m tired, Ranma. Come on, let’s go to bed.” She reluctantly disentangled herself from him, stood up, and went over to the tent. I think that’s got to be rewarded! Luckily, Ranma didn’t see her grin.

“Good night.” Ranma hadn’t moved a bit.

Akane stopped and turned back. “What’s that supposed to mean, Ranma? Do you want to sleep out here, tonight?”

“Well… Yes.”

Argh, he’s still too damn concerned and embarrassed! Akane stomped back, took Ranma by his collar, and dragged him with her. “Mô!”

Ranma tried to come free. Needless to say it was futile. “Akane, whatcha doin’?!” You… I mean… I… I mean… We can’t just--“

“WHAT can’t we just do!? Sleep in the same tent!?” If only you knew...

Akane hauled Ranma into the tent, and then went to unzip her sweater.

“But Akane, we--” Picking himself up from the floor, Ranma's eyes fell on his fiancée's ... “Wha-… A- Akane! What are you doing?!”

“What does this look like? Did you think I’d sleep clothed?” The raven-haired girl gave him a wry look, now slowly stepping out off her trousers.

Blushing all over, Ranma whipped around to face the tent's sloping wall: “Yes… I mean, no, but… Tell me first! I-I mean, I--“

Akane stopped undressing, leaving her in her underwear, and sighed. “Ranma...” She knelt down behind him, laying a hand to his shoulder. When Ranma jumped at her touch, she winced. “I'm sorry. I... I know I used to hit you in the past, but please. Please, Ranma, look at me!” Taking his chin into her other hand, she slowly moved his head to face her.

What she saw made her want to cry. Ranma's eyes showed pure terror; terror of what she might do to him. Oh my god, what have I done?! Fighting the tears, the girl did the first thing that came to her.

Still kneeling, Akane moved her knees apart, spreading her legs a little, and leaned back on her shins.

“How do I look?” she asked shyly.

“A-... A-Akane?” Ranma swallowed hard, unable to tear his eyes from her body.

“Well?” Almost feeling his eyes on her, Akane felt a sudden warmth engulf her. She managed a seductive grin. “Not as unsexy as you claim, huh?”

The boy just shook his head dumbly.

Hm, wha-- Suddenly being hugged tightly by her fiancé, Akane's train of thought was derailed.

“R-Ranma...?” she asked tentatively.

“I love you.” Ranma exclaimed over her shoulder.

The nervousness she hadn't known she felt fading, the girl's face settled into a warm smile. “I love you too, you dummy.” She reached up with her hands and started returning the embrace.

“So, aren't you going to undress, too?”

Ranma sweatdropped.

-----------------------------
Author’ ;s notes:

Thanks to my pre-readers, LeaCarter, Mike and Myleanne. They read the first english version, which aired in beginning 2003.

There is a lemon I wrote about that night, but I abandoned any work on it as it's too OOC and perverted.

2008-05-04: Ripped all the explanations off the author's notes. Mail me, if you want any. If you don't know some japanese words, though, the internet is full of translations. Naturally, I'll write down the translations of things or techniques having never occurred in the Manga or Anime. ^^

2008-05-06: Just having read “Out in the Open: Ranma and Akane's Retreat” by Aaron, I finally decided to edit this awful ending. You know, I never even once changed it in more than ten revisions – just because of some stupid lemon side story I wrote (that's too perverted, OOC, inaccurate and just plain stupid, anyway). It now more resembles what has to be expected after Ranma has practically been trained by his fiancée. Now, finally, I feel this chapter is complete.



Coming up next issue, Akane is making Quick Progress. See you when I get there!


Ja ne,
Ranma-sensei