Part Two:

1: The hidden picture

Steph came back in the room. "Now, where did I put that thing…" Then she saw her friend, and rushed over. "Akane," she whispered, "what's wrong?" Akane's eyes opened, startled at the sight of Stephanie. Akane swallowed audibly.

"I… think… I… need… a… nap." She said as she got up and ran out of the room to her bedroom, dropping something as she got up.

"That was weird… what's this?" Steph picked up the frame. "Oh, its one of the pictures Akane got…huh? We didn't see this one. It's nice though. Hmmm. This could be a lead…" She studied the picture. It was a picture of a younger Ranma sitting on the floor of a room, with a younger Akane sitting on his lap, her arms around his neck, smiling. It was obviously a picture taken without permission, because it wasn't posed at all, it was capturing a moment between the two. But why had Akane been sobbing? Of course this picture was from when the two had been dating, no doubt. But, then they never said why they had broken up. "And now she's here… Hmmm." Making a decision, Steph got up and marched to Akane's door.

Knock knock "Akane? Can I come in?" there was no answer, so Steph tried the door. It was unlocked, and she pushed the door open. "Akane?" The said girl was face down on her bed, but not making a sound. Then she turned over and showed her tear stained face to her friend. "Akane, what's the matter?" She sat down on the bed next to her. "Does it have something to do with this?" She laid the picture down next to her. Akane stared at it and then slowly nodded. "Akane, what happened with you two?" Akane sighed and prepared herself for her speech. "Well, you see, everything was going on as usual, with no one very happy. But, we finished school and it was the summer before collage, when there was a huge fight over everyone going away and everything when…

Tendo Dojo, Nerima, Tokyo, Japan 1990

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" the yell rang out around the city. "JUST STOP IT!!! ALL OF YOU! I'M GOING INSANE AROUND HERE!" Chaos surrounded him and he sprinted up the stairs to his room, leaving a shocked group of people. They were shocked because he seemed like he meant it. He never really did, in their minds, before. Now he seemed to really have had enough.

"He'll cool down and be alright tomorrow." One of them said, with confirmation.

"I guess we should probably leave him alone for the rest of the night, huh?"

As she was going to bed, Akane passed by Ranma's room. The door was partially open.

"Akane. Come in here a minute." So, she went.

The next morning, Kasumi sent Akane in to wake up Ranma. Kasumi was right behind her when she didn't hear anything. She was shocked. Ranma's futon was neatly folded and his pillow placed on top. All of his things were gone as well. "Don't worry; I'm sure he'll be back. He probably just went on a training trip." Kasumi assured her sister.

"I don't think so." His parting words hadn't left much hope for his return. Come visit me. Goodbye, Akane. "Nope. Not sure at all."

Steph looked incredulous. "You have got to be kidding me." Akane shook her head slowly.

"I don't blame him for doing that at all. In fact, I'm kinda surprised that he didn't do it before. They were sure all crazy."

"So, all those people in those pictures…"

"Were his 'fiancées'"

"Uhgg"

"Yeah"

"So, why were you crying?"

"That picture was taken just before it happened. They all came that evening. That's all."

"I think that you two should get back together, I mean, after all, ya both still like each other a lot."

Akane blushed "What in the world would make you think that?!?"

"Oh, you know…everything"

"..."

"So, do you want to hang this one too?"

"Sure. "

"Great. Are you all better now?"

"I think so."

"Great! Let's go out to lunch or something."

Akane smiled and nodded. "Okay. Let me grab my purse."

AN From now on the story gets really very episodic. Things will remain consistent, but the next few will not necessarily be in chronological order. I know it sounds confusing, but you'll see! The next episode is almost finished, just a few little things to tie up. Coming up soon…surprises!