~Breaking Free from Her Demons~
The air grew cold and dense around her bare arms as she walked through the ally way catching sly glances from cats and small hidden mice as she hugged her self, trying to warm the air around her. Her soft brown eyes looking in every direction as her short bluish-black hair fell playfully into them. Looking up into the night sky she caught a glimpse of the silvery moon before it disappeared behind a wispy gray cloud.
Stopping for a second she gazed to her right and saw a tall green chain- link fence towering next to her. Sighing she wondered where on earth he was, ::disappearing like that just isn't like him at all.:: Cupping her hands together she drew them to her soft small lips and blew gently into them, trying to warm them from the cold night air.
Walking on wild thoughts drove themselves into her mind, ::what if he was with 'her'? Could she take that? Every once and a while she would find him at 'her' place eating 'her' food, what a jerk he was sometimes.:: Turning in the direction of 'her' house she began to walk a little faster her heels clicking dryly on the muggy concrete.
Then right in front of her was a tall building, standing like an empty carcass before her, the sign hanging above the doorway read "Uchan's Okonomiaki." Taking in a deep breath she slowly brought her hand to rest on the sliding door handle. Testing it to see if it was unlocked she nervously slid open the door. Sticking only her head through she gazed around the eerie room; there was no sign of life in the whole place. ::Why did she even come here?::
"Hello?" Her voice came out in a pathetic squeak, then clearing her throat she said a little louder, "Hello? Is anyone here?" Her sound resonated through out the empty hallways, her echo answering her question. Suddenly for no reason she became very nervous and uneasy, backing away she slid the door closed behind her. A sigh of relief escaping her lips as she turned around smacking into something hard, warm, and breathing. Instinctively she crouched down into fighting stance, partially thrusting her weight forward she brought her foot around to the side of its head.
"Oouf!" The thing cried out grasping its head in both hands, it was then that she saw the striped bandanna. Surprise and shame swept through her.
"Oh, Ryoga. I'm so sorry, are you okay?" She tried to explain herself but nothing seemed to be coming out. "I was looking for Ranma and well I didn't know who you were."
Looking at her he put his hands down and shrugged his broad shoulders, "It's okay Akane, I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that." Adjusting the strap on his pack he looked up at Uchan's, " You said you were looking for Ranma? Where's that fool run off to this time?"
Looking down he saw that Akane's eyes were teary and she was gazing down at her white tennis shoes, "He ran off because of me," she finally confessed, "It was my turn to cook tonight and well, as soon as dinner was called he just took off running. I really have been trying hard, but I just can't get the hang of it." Her shoulders slumping a little more, "I'm just a failure."
Placing a reassuring hand on Akane's shoulder Ryoga's face turned into a hard scowl, ::sure Akane's cooking could render a man unconscious but just the same Ranma had no right hurting Akane's feelings like that.::
"Don't worry Akane, I'll help you find Ranma." ::And when I do I'll kill him::, Ryoga added to himself. This was just what he needed to make Akane like him and choose him over that oaf Ranma. He'd stick up for her, like he always did, but this time things would be different, this time she'd notice and would run into his arms.
Akane smiled; glad she had a friend like Ryoga, "Thank you Ryoga." With that they headed off together side by side, Ryoga casting side-glances at the woman he loved.
* * *
Ranma sat crouched in the dirty, damp, corner of an ally way. He'd escaped again! Feeling victorious his stomach started to growl, ::how long have I been gone?:: His day had gone perfect; Shampoo was training with her grandmother at some unknown location for a whole month. Likewise Ukyo was off at a cooking competition for two weeks, and besides the lack of free food Ranma wasn't missing them at all.
Also he and Akane hadn't gotten into one serious fight, they actually seemed to be getting along pretty well. ::It was amazing how great she was to hang out with:: he'd never really encountered her nice friendly side, plus other than her outrageous temper she was all together a good listener. ::Jeez, why can't we be like this all the time?:: Ranma instinctively stopped the thought and concentrated on a far worse one.
Akane's cooking; a hazardous substance that had no moral right existing in the first place haunted Ranma's dreams.
He had come downstairs in a happy glow. Running into Kasumi halfway down the stairs had changed his world from sunny to grim with six small words.
~ ~ ~ Five Hours Ago ~ ~ ~
"Hey Kasumi!" Ranma smiled one of his award winning smiles that made most girls go weak at the knees, but then again most girls weren't Kasumi. She just looked at him and smiled sweetly back.
"Hello Ranma, my you look like you're in a good mood." With her matter of fact voice she sounded like a kindergarten teacher.
"I'm in a great mood, so what are we having for dinner?"
"Oh, Akane's going to cook tonight." Kasumi exclaimed. She was the only one who ever thought Akane and cooking were good ideas.
Ranma's smile never wavered, but his eyes died. Remembering what her so called tofu, which really looked like a puss pocket, had done to him last time. After excusing himself to go to the bathroom he ran like there was no tomorrow. If he had eaten her toxic goo there very well may not be.
~ ~ ~ Present ~ ~ ~
Now crouched in this ally way he felt a stab of contempt. She was after all his fiancée and the best one he had right now. Sure she hit him once and a while when she could catch him off guard, a rarity, but all around she really wasn't that bad.
Then from somewhere near by he could hear light laughing, looking around Ranma leapt gracefully onto the roof of the building he was hiding beside.
"Really Ryoga?" Ranma recognized the voice immediately it was Akane. "What a dope!" More laughter floated up into Ranma's ears. ::What were they talking about?:: Ranma thought to himself.
"Honestly Akane!" Ryoga's firm voice drifted toward Ranma. "I wouldn't lie to you about a thing like that." Ranma stretched his neck over the side of the building straining to hear what they were talking about. "It's not like Ranma hasn't pulled that stuff before." ::They were talking about him.:: Ranma blinked a couple times in disbelief. ::And they were laughing?::
"You know Ryoga I never did understand what's between you and Ranma." She paused as the two stopped directly beneath Ranma. "You two could be such good friends."
"Do you think so? To tell you the truth…" Ryoga now paused, "I probably could have beaten him years ago, but well I like Nerima and I like b-b- being a-rou-round-you."
Ranma's breath stopped in his chest, ::what was Ryoga saying? Could he really be telling her how he felt?:: Ranma couldn't move, his eyes peeled to the two figures below him. Hearing but totally ignoring the remark Ryoga made, Ranma inched closer to the edge of the building.
"That's sweet Ryoga, I like you too." Ranma could hear the friendly smile in her voice. ::Sucker, she'll never think of you that way…give it up Ryoga!:: "Could you really have beaten Ranma?" Her voice held a tint of disbelief but the sincerity in the question covered it up.
"Maybe, just between you and me," Ryoga paused and looked around, "I do know a few techniques that would have given him a confidence check." Ranma saw them start walking again and followed them jumping silently from rooftop to rooftop. He had to hear the rest of this.
"Ryoga can I tell you something?" Akane turned her delicate head toward Ryoga, her hair falling in spider-web like strands around her eyes.
"Um…sure." Ranma could hear the nervousness in Ryoga's voice. ::Probably thinking she's gonna confess her love for him or something like that, stupid pea-brain.:: Ranma thought.
"Well, you're the only person I can talk to about this, and you are one of my closest friends. I can't tell my sisters or my father. I hope you don't mind, but I have to tell someone." Ryoga looked into her longing eyes and saw how deeply she needed him right now.
"Of course Akane you can tell me anything." Even if the "closest friend" statement had exploded a part of his heart, he would be here for her.
"Well I was thinking, Ryoga would you do me a favor?" Dropping her voice she finished her question and saying no more than that she started walking again leaving a stunned confused Ryoga behind. Ranma, leaning closer and closer to the edge lost his footing on the smooth surface his feet were clinging to.
* * *
Ryoga contemplating what just happened didn't notice the slight cry Ranma gave as his body came tumbling toward earth. ::Was she just telling me…?:: Ranma's body came hurling on top of Ryoga stopping his thought in mid sentence. "Ogh!" Was all Ryoga managed to get out.
Startled by the crash behind her Akane stopped walking and spun around to the tangle of body parts before her.
"R…Ranma is that…you?" Her eyes were wide with shock, ::how much had he heard?:: Akane felt a blush settle itself on her cheeks, raising a hand to her face Akane looked at the two men before her now regaining their composure.
Ranma stood up a little unsure of his footing, then realizing Akane was staring at him said, "Yo Akane!" Faster than fast he looked her up and down, taking in her tightly fitted blue jeans, a sweater tied around her hips in a small double knot, and a small light-blue T-shirt that was plane except for a dark blue star at its center. ::Wonder why she isn't wearing a dress?:: Mentally laughing at himself, ::what a weird thought…so Akane's not wearing a dress, big deal she's a tomboy.:: "What's goin' on Akane?"
Ignoring his question Akane folded her arm across her chest. "Ranma, where have you been? The whole families worried about you!" Akane scolded giving Ranma a narrowed look.
"Um…well…" ::Think Ranma think quickly.:: "I decided to…um…" His mind finally clicked! "Go for a walk!" Nearly yelling this last part at Akane.
"That's no excuse for missing dinner!"
"No? Than how's about this excuse…I was trying to save my life!" Nearly dodging Akane's huge mallet Ranma landed softly behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Getting a little slow aren't we?"
Grunting Akane swung out her leg in an attempt to connect with Ranma's side. "Ranma, why do you have to be such a," She paused to emphasize the last remark. "Jerk!"
Laughing at Akane, Ranma stuck both fingers at the sides of his eyes pulled down and stuck his tongue out, "Thbbbbbb!"
"How dare you do that to Akane! Prepare to die Ranma!" Ryoga suddenly yelled out from behind Ranma. Avoiding Ryoga's thrashing, angry kicks and punches easily a thought crept back into Ranma's mind; ::"I probably could have beaten him years ago…."::
Smiling a little Ranma yelled, "Come on Ryoga, I know you're holding back! Show me what you really got! I'm ready for a challenge!" Ranma could see Ryoga's eye's narrow.
Running at him full force, Ryoga bull-charged Ranma, his face growing red. ::How dare he listen in on their conversation! Had he no sense of privacy?:: Angry thoughts spilled through Ryoga's mind, flooding his brain.
Taking his own initiative, Ranma began to run at the same speed in Ryoga's direction. ::Bring it on P-Chan; let's see what you got!::
"Ranma! Were you ease dropping in on our conversation?" The seriousness in Akane's voice stopped them both dead in their tracks. They stared dumbfounded at her in her angry-teacher stance.
Scratching the back of his head and gazing at the ground Ranma started, "Well…I wouldn't exactly say ease dropping…just accidental hearing. Hehe!"
Her face twisted into annoyance, "Accidental hearing hu? Well since you've heard it all anyway maybe it'll be nice for you not to have me around for a while!"
Ranma's eyes opened in surprise. "Not have you around? Akane what are you talking about? You goin' somewhere Akane?"
"Oh don't give me that Ranma, you know very well what's going on!" She turned around stomping away a small red aura glowing around her.
"Wait Akane, I seriously have no idea what you're talking about." His blue eyes filled with concern and confusion. The serious tone to his voice stopped her and she turned around regarding him for a few moments. A wind blew through the two of them sending their hair flying in stray wisps around their heads.
::I guess he really doesn't know.:: Taking a few steps toward her fiancée Akane shoved both hands in her pockets and stared down at the cracks in the sidewalk. "Ryoga's going to take me on a training journey. We've been talking about it and I've realized that I have no place in my family, I don't even have my martial arts to be proud of. I need to find my place again, not just as your fiancée but as something more."
She paused, "I can't cook and I can't truly defend myself against your other fiancée's." Glaring a little at this her hand began to move around in her pocket, then pulling out a crumpled piece of paper she looked up at Ranma. "Give this to my dad and tell him I'm sorry but I need to find my honor."
Staring in disbelief at the girl before him Ranma didn't know what to say. Was she telling the truth, was she really going away? "Akane…" was all he could manage to get out. "Akane, let me go with you. I can teach you a heck of a lot more than this pig-headed fool!" Avoiding the hatred that oozed from Ryoga's eyes, Ranma focused his attention on Akane.
"No Ranma. I know you can teach me but you won't spar with me. I can't learn any other way." She slowly closed the gape between them and gently placed her hands on his strong shoulders.
"But you can't go away! Akane, not now! I mean Shampoo and Ukyo are gone and we've never been this way together. We've never been…just friends before! And plus there's school, I mean I'm not going to do all your homework for you, you know!" He was reaching and he knew it, but he had to make her stay. He had to make her stay with him.
"I know, I never really got to know what it feels like not to have them around. Ranma, I'll be back, I don't know when but I can promise you I will come back." She dropped her gaze for a second then added, "Ranma, I don't want you to follow me, I know you'll try but do me a favor and don't. You said we were friends right?" Ranma nodded silently, "Then promise me, that as a friend you won't come after me or try to find me."
Ranma just stood frozen to the spot, what was happening? He was loosing his fiancée to her honor? "I promise." Ranma whispered. A piece of him slowly gave way and his will broke in half. If this was what she wanted he wouldn't stand in her way.
"Thank you Ranma." She could see his eyes were glazed as if he was in a dark cloud and just witnessing what was happening instead of actually living it.
Ranma's cloud was Akane and he floated in her like a feather, forced to flow where the wind went. In a way she was also like the wind to him, he always went after her, always. ::Oh Akane if you had just given me more time I would have…:: The soft pressure of her body against his stopped his thoughts immediately. He looked down at her delicate head resting on his chest; her eyes shut tightly almost willing the world away for a heartbeat. Slowly he slipped his arms around her and hugged her back, not wanting to let go. Behind them tears flowed freely as Ryoga turned away, unable to watch them.
* * *
The air grew cold and dense around her bare arms as she walked through the ally way catching sly glances from cats and small hidden mice as she hugged her self, trying to warm the air around her. Her soft brown eyes looking in every direction as her short bluish-black hair fell playfully into them. Looking up into the night sky she caught a glimpse of the silvery moon before it disappeared behind a wispy gray cloud.
Stopping for a second she gazed to her right and saw a tall green chain- link fence towering next to her. Sighing she wondered where on earth he was, ::disappearing like that just isn't like him at all.:: Cupping her hands together she drew them to her soft small lips and blew gently into them, trying to warm them from the cold night air.
Walking on wild thoughts drove themselves into her mind, ::what if he was with 'her'? Could she take that? Every once and a while she would find him at 'her' place eating 'her' food, what a jerk he was sometimes.:: Turning in the direction of 'her' house she began to walk a little faster her heels clicking dryly on the muggy concrete.
Then right in front of her was a tall building, standing like an empty carcass before her, the sign hanging above the doorway read "Uchan's Okonomiaki." Taking in a deep breath she slowly brought her hand to rest on the sliding door handle. Testing it to see if it was unlocked she nervously slid open the door. Sticking only her head through she gazed around the eerie room; there was no sign of life in the whole place. ::Why did she even come here?::
"Hello?" Her voice came out in a pathetic squeak, then clearing her throat she said a little louder, "Hello? Is anyone here?" Her sound resonated through out the empty hallways, her echo answering her question. Suddenly for no reason she became very nervous and uneasy, backing away she slid the door closed behind her. A sigh of relief escaping her lips as she turned around smacking into something hard, warm, and breathing. Instinctively she crouched down into fighting stance, partially thrusting her weight forward she brought her foot around to the side of its head.
"Oouf!" The thing cried out grasping its head in both hands, it was then that she saw the striped bandanna. Surprise and shame swept through her.
"Oh, Ryoga. I'm so sorry, are you okay?" She tried to explain herself but nothing seemed to be coming out. "I was looking for Ranma and well I didn't know who you were."
Looking at her he put his hands down and shrugged his broad shoulders, "It's okay Akane, I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that." Adjusting the strap on his pack he looked up at Uchan's, " You said you were looking for Ranma? Where's that fool run off to this time?"
Looking down he saw that Akane's eyes were teary and she was gazing down at her white tennis shoes, "He ran off because of me," she finally confessed, "It was my turn to cook tonight and well, as soon as dinner was called he just took off running. I really have been trying hard, but I just can't get the hang of it." Her shoulders slumping a little more, "I'm just a failure."
Placing a reassuring hand on Akane's shoulder Ryoga's face turned into a hard scowl, ::sure Akane's cooking could render a man unconscious but just the same Ranma had no right hurting Akane's feelings like that.::
"Don't worry Akane, I'll help you find Ranma." ::And when I do I'll kill him::, Ryoga added to himself. This was just what he needed to make Akane like him and choose him over that oaf Ranma. He'd stick up for her, like he always did, but this time things would be different, this time she'd notice and would run into his arms.
Akane smiled; glad she had a friend like Ryoga, "Thank you Ryoga." With that they headed off together side by side, Ryoga casting side-glances at the woman he loved.
* * *
Ranma sat crouched in the dirty, damp, corner of an ally way. He'd escaped again! Feeling victorious his stomach started to growl, ::how long have I been gone?:: His day had gone perfect; Shampoo was training with her grandmother at some unknown location for a whole month. Likewise Ukyo was off at a cooking competition for two weeks, and besides the lack of free food Ranma wasn't missing them at all.
Also he and Akane hadn't gotten into one serious fight, they actually seemed to be getting along pretty well. ::It was amazing how great she was to hang out with:: he'd never really encountered her nice friendly side, plus other than her outrageous temper she was all together a good listener. ::Jeez, why can't we be like this all the time?:: Ranma instinctively stopped the thought and concentrated on a far worse one.
Akane's cooking; a hazardous substance that had no moral right existing in the first place haunted Ranma's dreams.
He had come downstairs in a happy glow. Running into Kasumi halfway down the stairs had changed his world from sunny to grim with six small words.
~ ~ ~ Five Hours Ago ~ ~ ~
"Hey Kasumi!" Ranma smiled one of his award winning smiles that made most girls go weak at the knees, but then again most girls weren't Kasumi. She just looked at him and smiled sweetly back.
"Hello Ranma, my you look like you're in a good mood." With her matter of fact voice she sounded like a kindergarten teacher.
"I'm in a great mood, so what are we having for dinner?"
"Oh, Akane's going to cook tonight." Kasumi exclaimed. She was the only one who ever thought Akane and cooking were good ideas.
Ranma's smile never wavered, but his eyes died. Remembering what her so called tofu, which really looked like a puss pocket, had done to him last time. After excusing himself to go to the bathroom he ran like there was no tomorrow. If he had eaten her toxic goo there very well may not be.
~ ~ ~ Present ~ ~ ~
Now crouched in this ally way he felt a stab of contempt. She was after all his fiancée and the best one he had right now. Sure she hit him once and a while when she could catch him off guard, a rarity, but all around she really wasn't that bad.
Then from somewhere near by he could hear light laughing, looking around Ranma leapt gracefully onto the roof of the building he was hiding beside.
"Really Ryoga?" Ranma recognized the voice immediately it was Akane. "What a dope!" More laughter floated up into Ranma's ears. ::What were they talking about?:: Ranma thought to himself.
"Honestly Akane!" Ryoga's firm voice drifted toward Ranma. "I wouldn't lie to you about a thing like that." Ranma stretched his neck over the side of the building straining to hear what they were talking about. "It's not like Ranma hasn't pulled that stuff before." ::They were talking about him.:: Ranma blinked a couple times in disbelief. ::And they were laughing?::
"You know Ryoga I never did understand what's between you and Ranma." She paused as the two stopped directly beneath Ranma. "You two could be such good friends."
"Do you think so? To tell you the truth…" Ryoga now paused, "I probably could have beaten him years ago, but well I like Nerima and I like b-b- being a-rou-round-you."
Ranma's breath stopped in his chest, ::what was Ryoga saying? Could he really be telling her how he felt?:: Ranma couldn't move, his eyes peeled to the two figures below him. Hearing but totally ignoring the remark Ryoga made, Ranma inched closer to the edge of the building.
"That's sweet Ryoga, I like you too." Ranma could hear the friendly smile in her voice. ::Sucker, she'll never think of you that way…give it up Ryoga!:: "Could you really have beaten Ranma?" Her voice held a tint of disbelief but the sincerity in the question covered it up.
"Maybe, just between you and me," Ryoga paused and looked around, "I do know a few techniques that would have given him a confidence check." Ranma saw them start walking again and followed them jumping silently from rooftop to rooftop. He had to hear the rest of this.
"Ryoga can I tell you something?" Akane turned her delicate head toward Ryoga, her hair falling in spider-web like strands around her eyes.
"Um…sure." Ranma could hear the nervousness in Ryoga's voice. ::Probably thinking she's gonna confess her love for him or something like that, stupid pea-brain.:: Ranma thought.
"Well, you're the only person I can talk to about this, and you are one of my closest friends. I can't tell my sisters or my father. I hope you don't mind, but I have to tell someone." Ryoga looked into her longing eyes and saw how deeply she needed him right now.
"Of course Akane you can tell me anything." Even if the "closest friend" statement had exploded a part of his heart, he would be here for her.
"Well I was thinking, Ryoga would you do me a favor?" Dropping her voice she finished her question and saying no more than that she started walking again leaving a stunned confused Ryoga behind. Ranma, leaning closer and closer to the edge lost his footing on the smooth surface his feet were clinging to.
* * *
Ryoga contemplating what just happened didn't notice the slight cry Ranma gave as his body came tumbling toward earth. ::Was she just telling me…?:: Ranma's body came hurling on top of Ryoga stopping his thought in mid sentence. "Ogh!" Was all Ryoga managed to get out.
Startled by the crash behind her Akane stopped walking and spun around to the tangle of body parts before her.
"R…Ranma is that…you?" Her eyes were wide with shock, ::how much had he heard?:: Akane felt a blush settle itself on her cheeks, raising a hand to her face Akane looked at the two men before her now regaining their composure.
Ranma stood up a little unsure of his footing, then realizing Akane was staring at him said, "Yo Akane!" Faster than fast he looked her up and down, taking in her tightly fitted blue jeans, a sweater tied around her hips in a small double knot, and a small light-blue T-shirt that was plane except for a dark blue star at its center. ::Wonder why she isn't wearing a dress?:: Mentally laughing at himself, ::what a weird thought…so Akane's not wearing a dress, big deal she's a tomboy.:: "What's goin' on Akane?"
Ignoring his question Akane folded her arm across her chest. "Ranma, where have you been? The whole families worried about you!" Akane scolded giving Ranma a narrowed look.
"Um…well…" ::Think Ranma think quickly.:: "I decided to…um…" His mind finally clicked! "Go for a walk!" Nearly yelling this last part at Akane.
"That's no excuse for missing dinner!"
"No? Than how's about this excuse…I was trying to save my life!" Nearly dodging Akane's huge mallet Ranma landed softly behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Getting a little slow aren't we?"
Grunting Akane swung out her leg in an attempt to connect with Ranma's side. "Ranma, why do you have to be such a," She paused to emphasize the last remark. "Jerk!"
Laughing at Akane, Ranma stuck both fingers at the sides of his eyes pulled down and stuck his tongue out, "Thbbbbbb!"
"How dare you do that to Akane! Prepare to die Ranma!" Ryoga suddenly yelled out from behind Ranma. Avoiding Ryoga's thrashing, angry kicks and punches easily a thought crept back into Ranma's mind; ::"I probably could have beaten him years ago…."::
Smiling a little Ranma yelled, "Come on Ryoga, I know you're holding back! Show me what you really got! I'm ready for a challenge!" Ranma could see Ryoga's eye's narrow.
Running at him full force, Ryoga bull-charged Ranma, his face growing red. ::How dare he listen in on their conversation! Had he no sense of privacy?:: Angry thoughts spilled through Ryoga's mind, flooding his brain.
Taking his own initiative, Ranma began to run at the same speed in Ryoga's direction. ::Bring it on P-Chan; let's see what you got!::
"Ranma! Were you ease dropping in on our conversation?" The seriousness in Akane's voice stopped them both dead in their tracks. They stared dumbfounded at her in her angry-teacher stance.
Scratching the back of his head and gazing at the ground Ranma started, "Well…I wouldn't exactly say ease dropping…just accidental hearing. Hehe!"
Her face twisted into annoyance, "Accidental hearing hu? Well since you've heard it all anyway maybe it'll be nice for you not to have me around for a while!"
Ranma's eyes opened in surprise. "Not have you around? Akane what are you talking about? You goin' somewhere Akane?"
"Oh don't give me that Ranma, you know very well what's going on!" She turned around stomping away a small red aura glowing around her.
"Wait Akane, I seriously have no idea what you're talking about." His blue eyes filled with concern and confusion. The serious tone to his voice stopped her and she turned around regarding him for a few moments. A wind blew through the two of them sending their hair flying in stray wisps around their heads.
::I guess he really doesn't know.:: Taking a few steps toward her fiancée Akane shoved both hands in her pockets and stared down at the cracks in the sidewalk. "Ryoga's going to take me on a training journey. We've been talking about it and I've realized that I have no place in my family, I don't even have my martial arts to be proud of. I need to find my place again, not just as your fiancée but as something more."
She paused, "I can't cook and I can't truly defend myself against your other fiancée's." Glaring a little at this her hand began to move around in her pocket, then pulling out a crumpled piece of paper she looked up at Ranma. "Give this to my dad and tell him I'm sorry but I need to find my honor."
Staring in disbelief at the girl before him Ranma didn't know what to say. Was she telling the truth, was she really going away? "Akane…" was all he could manage to get out. "Akane, let me go with you. I can teach you a heck of a lot more than this pig-headed fool!" Avoiding the hatred that oozed from Ryoga's eyes, Ranma focused his attention on Akane.
"No Ranma. I know you can teach me but you won't spar with me. I can't learn any other way." She slowly closed the gape between them and gently placed her hands on his strong shoulders.
"But you can't go away! Akane, not now! I mean Shampoo and Ukyo are gone and we've never been this way together. We've never been…just friends before! And plus there's school, I mean I'm not going to do all your homework for you, you know!" He was reaching and he knew it, but he had to make her stay. He had to make her stay with him.
"I know, I never really got to know what it feels like not to have them around. Ranma, I'll be back, I don't know when but I can promise you I will come back." She dropped her gaze for a second then added, "Ranma, I don't want you to follow me, I know you'll try but do me a favor and don't. You said we were friends right?" Ranma nodded silently, "Then promise me, that as a friend you won't come after me or try to find me."
Ranma just stood frozen to the spot, what was happening? He was loosing his fiancée to her honor? "I promise." Ranma whispered. A piece of him slowly gave way and his will broke in half. If this was what she wanted he wouldn't stand in her way.
"Thank you Ranma." She could see his eyes were glazed as if he was in a dark cloud and just witnessing what was happening instead of actually living it.
Ranma's cloud was Akane and he floated in her like a feather, forced to flow where the wind went. In a way she was also like the wind to him, he always went after her, always. ::Oh Akane if you had just given me more time I would have…:: The soft pressure of her body against his stopped his thoughts immediately. He looked down at her delicate head resting on his chest; her eyes shut tightly almost willing the world away for a heartbeat. Slowly he slipped his arms around her and hugged her back, not wanting to let go. Behind them tears flowed freely as Ryoga turned away, unable to watch them.
* * *