Summary: 'Staring at the clouds, I wondered how long it took me to realize I had died and gone to heaven, where Akane Tendo's smile was the only thing leading me on my path to happiness'. Series of oneshots staring Ranma and Akane, from Ranma's POV. Ratings may vary.
Chapter Ten: Behind the Clouds
Rating: K+
"I'm sorry."
For something like this, I wasn't surprised to find the words coming from my own mouth. We were both staring at the large stone that bore her mother's name. Akane was kneeling on the ground before it, placing a bouquet of flowers below the stone. Slowly, she caressed the stone somberly and stood back up, not taking her eyes from it.
"Don't be," she said softly, her voice shaking. I could feel the adrenaline beginning to pump through my system, but forced it back down. Despite the fact that I normally go crazy whenever she starts crying, I know that this time I can't go into one of my phases; Akane needs me right now. I'm the only person her for her to lean on, especially on such a cloudy, depressing day. It was as if the weather was reflecting the mood.
I couldn't say anything else, so I wrapped one arm around her shoulder and squeezed her tightly. Akane gasped softly and sniffled, hastily wiping her tears away from her eyes. I felt myself swallow before pulling her to my body and wrapping my arms fully around her.
"It's okay to cry," I whispered. She collapsed in my arms as the dam broke, and I found that it was no struggle for me to hold her weight. I patted and rubbed her back while nuzzling her head and whispering sweet nothings in her ear, hoping that her pain would end quickly.
"Eleven years…" she said softly; so softly that I almost couldn't hear her. I hugged her tighter, still not able to find the right words. "I always thought that I'd get to grow old with her before she died…"
"You—you have me to grow old with now," I choked, blushing slightly and feeling a bit ashamed. She pulled back and stared at me, her eyes wide and teary. There was a stab in my heart when I noticed that she wasn't smiling. I don't know why I expected her to be.
"You promise?"
It was my turn to stare at her in shock. I must've taken too long to answer though, because her eyes welled with tears and she turned away from me.
I silently thanked God for my quick reflexes and pulled her back to me, using my hand to force her to look at me in the eye before I spoke.
"I wouldn't leave you for the world."
Above us, the clouds cleared and the ray of sunlight shined brightly down on her smiling face.
Is this sweet, or what?
Well, I just uploaded some new RanmaxAkane pictures to my deviantART account. Take a look, if you want. There's also a funny Ranma and Ryoga pic and one of just Ryoga, which is my favorite!
Review please!