Ranma Anecdotes
By YunCyn
Disclaimer: Ranma? No, no, not mine. Bottle of water and a nasty cough? Yeah, that's got my name written ALL over it...
A/N: When I said anecdotes, I thought most of them would be fairly amusing if not making you fall off your chair and hit the floor in a seizure.
The following anecdote just proves me wrong. Warning for non-humour, if you don't like it, please wait for the next one, thank you!
Anecdote Ten: Letting Go-AU
-
"Saotome Ranma!! CHOOSE!!"
-
Akane looked on as Ranma's face contorted into one of emotional distress and pain. What with Shampoo, Kodachi, Ukyo, Kuno, Ryoga, and Mousse surrounding him like cats around a single mouse covered in fish oil, he was in enough dire straits as it was.
-
So it had come to this. Saotome Ranma would finally make a stand and announce just who it was that he liked.
-
Akane had been angry of course. She'd pummeled him more than enough times already for making such a stupid decision as to announce in front of the public whom his girlfriend/fiancée would be. (Actually it was Nabiki and Cologne's joint plan to spread the news but in Nerima, just as naturally as rain fell and the sun shone, everything was Ranma's fault)
-
Now as she watched him bite his lower lip and his eyes dart from every face, a quiet realization that he was under a lot of pressure came over her. Despite the insensitive jerk that he was, he never wanted to hurt people's feelings if he could help it. Physical pain was all right; you could heal from it. But when it came to the emotional wounds… Ranma knew you could never erase words just like a plaster over a bruise.
-
So, with a strange kind of determination, Akane walked over to where Ranma was, pushing aside Ukyo and Mousse.
-
"Ranma."
"Wait!!" cried Ranma. "Don't HIT me! I'm thinking, I'm thinking!!"
She glared. "…Ranma no baka!"
"What?!" he barked.
Akane looked at him for a minute before placing a hand on his upper arm and smiling.
-
"Be happy. Choose the one you really love… the one who makes you happy. And congratulations in advance."
-
Everyone stared at her, Ranma especially. She just smiled at him, patted him on the shoulder and walked away, unseen tears welling up in her eyes. If Ranma was truly happy with Shampoo or Ukyo or Kodachi… then she would be happy for him.
-
That was love after all.
-
-
Five years later, in the ward of Nerima, Akane stood at the back of the crowd as Ranma and Shampoo emerged from the church to rousing cheers and wolf whistles.
-
They looked happy.
-
Her family had asked Akane many times if this was all right with her. She smiled sadly.
-
"I admit: it hurts. It hurts a lot. But if Ranma's happy… then I'll be happy."
Kasumi looked at her littlest sister for a long while before hugging her. "You've grown up, Akane-chan." She whispered. "Okaasan would be proud of you."
-
That was probably the best comfort she could receive. And Akane was the only one of Ranma's ex-fiancées or ex-rivals who came. Ryoga had gone on his travels, the Kuno siblings said they had a previous engagement, Ukyo declined politely and Mousse went back to China.
She watched as the newly weds jogged down the carpet to the waiting limousine. Ranma happened to turn around and spot her. She waved at him to get into the car. Ranma turned to his wife, said something and jogged over to her.
-
Akane frowned. "What're you doing!? Shampoo's waiting!"
"I know." He smiled at her. "…thanks, Akane."
Akane smiled as well, although it didn't reach her eyes. "This is what makes you happiest."
He nodded. "See you at the wedding dinner?"
"Wouldn't miss it."
Waving, he hurried into the limo and the car drove off, Ranma's friends trailing and shouting their goodbyes. Akane remained standing under the shade of the tree.
Closing her eyes, she didn't bother wiping away the tears that flowed.
-
If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it was meant to be. If it doesn't, it wasn't yours to begin with.
-
The Tendo scion turned and headed home, where she belonged.
-
End.
A/N: Yeah, I hear the Anti Akane fans sighing and going "If only..." at the moment... And all you other Akane fans, please, this was all for entertainment. Not that angst is ever entertaining but nevertheless, please don't kill me. And don't give me the news that "HELLO? They were meant to be together! Even the book says so!"
I KNOW, thank you very much. Happy Deepavali, guys!