Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ This or The Other ❯ This or the Other ( One-Shot )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

This or the OtherTendoAkane

Mmm, she sighed as he kissed her neck. She cherished this moment, as it was rare that they got to spend time alone together. She loved him with all her heart and never wanted anything to come between then. Then why, why when he was with her she saw his face, tasted his lips, felt his hands on her body, and heard his voice whispering her name?
She was so confused. The man before loved her, even when she wasn't faithful to him.
It only happened once, she reminded herself, frowning. And it was only a kiss...
She had moved past that, and she knew he had as well. Besides, it had only been Kuno, he didn't really count for anything. After the incident she swore it would never happen again. She felt guilty and hadn't want to hurt him. After hearing the pain in his voice and seeing the hurt on his face, she couldn't bear to do that to him again.
Yet here she was, in the midst of becoming one, thinking about another man. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, but the more she tried to push away the feelings, the more they rose to the surface, becoming more prominent in her mind. She tried again to get rid of him by focusing on her lover, watching him kiss her and love her with all he had - with all he was.
But still his face swam to the surface. His shaggy dark hair, his deep brown eyes, his tall strong body, his comforting hands, the arms that held her so gently, the quiet voice that whispered against her hair that everything would be all right, telling her he loved her and would always take care of her.
She lay there in the dark, trying not to cry, trying to understand her thoughts and her heart. He stopped kissing her and looked into her eyes. As her fianceé, he knew her well. And at this moment he could tell that something was wrong.
"Akane, are you all right?" he asked with concern and love in his voice.
She stared at him, not blinking, not moving, not saying a word. After a moment she shook her head. "I'm fine..."she trailed off unconvincingly.
He frowned and asked again, "Are you sure? You look upset."
"I'm fine, Ranma." she replied, a slight growl to her voice. He knew at that point to drop it, because she wouldn't tell him anyway. Yet still the worry lingered in his mind. She hadn't wanted to talk as much lately. She had been on a training trip the past week so he knew she was still recovering from that, but still, it was odd for them not to talk right up to the moment they both went to bed, and the past few nights that hadn't happened. Their conversations had been short, much shorter than usual because she had been too tired. He hadn't thought much of it, but now he wondered if there wasn't something going on that he should know about.
Akane looked at her watch, and noted that it was time for her to get home. She straightened her clothes, got up, and started to walk towards the dojo. Ranma grabbed her hand before she could go, and pulled her around. Akane looked at the ground, but he forced her eyes up to his.
"I love you, Akane. Don't forget that." he then kissed her lightly and whispered again, "I love you."
Akane nodded and replied that she also loved him. He smiled at her and watched her walk home. He followed a few moments later and went into his own room after briefly glancing at her door.
She lay on her bed, curled up into an almost fetal position, her headache growing from her confusion. The hardest part about this situation was that he was one of her very dear friends. She loved him very much as a close friend, and had never imagined that she would ever feel this way. Even worse, he was someone she knew she could never have. Not only because they were such good friends, but he was also like a brother to her fianceé. She could not leave Ranma for him , neither could she continue to be with Ranma if she didn't know what she wanted.
Akane bit her lip to keep from screaming. She hated being in this position. She knew what would happen if she let herself fall for Ryoga. As much as he wanted her, needed her, and loved her, she knew they were not meant to be together and both of them would end up hurt in the end. Yet every time she was with him she wanted him to hold her, to touch her, to be with her.
She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, thinking first of her lover and then her friend, then both faces were next to each other, seemingly forcing her to chose between them. She didn't focus on either one, just let them argue over her dreams.
Ryoga's face lingered a moment longer and then she drifted to sleep. Hopefully she would know what to do in the morning.