TRUE LOVE
Chapter 2:Coming back to Japan
written by: Chette-chan

Akaran tapped his hands on his Voodoo Envy H:171 laptop as he waited for his friend to come online. He looked at his watch and it said 12 o'clock and it's their school lunch break, so he can go online. After a few more minutes of waiting, he was about to close his eyes when a window pop-out on his screen.

[Juliet is online]

He smiled and typed, "You're late Juliet."

[Juliet says: Sorry ... my dad and I raced for three hours straight.]

He sighed and typed, "I envy you ... you have the coolest dad ever." Since Juliet cannot stop talking about her dad, so he knew all about their father-daughter activities. At some point he does envy her because he has or had a pathetic-loser dad who broke his mother's heart for not coming back after twelve years.

[Juliet says: I raced him up and persuade him to go back to Japan.]

He chuckled and typed, "... And was it successful?"

[Juliet says: No.]

He frowned and typed, "Ahh too bad. Japan is a lovely place to visit." he paused and thought for a second, then he resume typing, "Maybe he can't leave his business?"

[Juliet says: Well if that was the only reason ... we have a lot of handful teachers who can manage our business while we go to Japan you know?]

Honestly speaking, he wanted her to come. He wanted to see her in person. That is why he was so happy when he found out that his friend was planning to visit Japan, but now that she cannot persuade her father, he felt a little bit lonely.

Rane stretched her hands and looked up into the wall-clock, it reads 4:00 in the morning. She was so glad that Romeo waited for her.

[Romeo says: Ahh too bad. Japan is a lovely place to visit. Maybe he can't leave his business?]

She rolled her eyes and typed, "Well if that was the only reason ... we have a lot of handful teachers who can manage our business while we go to Japan you know?"

[Romeo says: I was looking forward to seeing you, my friend.]

Rane smiled, "Me too buddy." she said, but she typed a smiley emoticon instead.

[Romeo says: So may I know the reason why he doesn't want to go back to Japan?]

Rane frowned and leaned back on her chair while muttering the words, "Because he doesn't want to see mom with that guy in person?" she shook her head and typed something else, "He doesn't want to come back ... painful memory stuff like that..."

[Romeo says: Something tells me that I should not pry on his reason anymore.]

Rane smiled and typed, "Thanks." then she remembered how her friend hates his father. "So how about you? Any words about your 'D' word?"

[Romeo says: I'd rather call it the 'F' word.]

She frowned and typed, "Careful, I love my father very much."

[Romeo says: Sorry. I am not mad to all the fathers you know? I was hoping that my mom would marry someone and stop living in the past. I want a new father.]

She smiled, she knew that her friend's mother is a very charming woman, the way Romeo describes his mother makes her want to meet her someday. In fact, for her ... that woman is admirable because she stayed in love with her husband for twelve years. "Honestly, I really admire how your mom stayed loyal and only loving your father." she typed.

[Romeo says: Loyal my butt. I want her to move forward. Good thing I was able to convince her to take off that wedding picture of her and that stupid man inside her office]

She gasped, and typed "Oh no you didn't!"

[Romeo says: Oh yes I did. Anyway, I gotta go. The bell has rung, I'll just email you later. It was your fault for coming online late.]

She nodded, and typed. "Sorry ... I'll try to sleep and I'll just wait for your email later."

[Romeo says: Okay see you Juliet.]

She closed her VIOS red laptop and lay on her bed. If people would know that she trusted an online friend for five years, they will probably tell her that she is nuts. Romeo and her met in an online community where all the people have single parents. From then on, they became closer because they felt as if they can understand each other even though they do not expose themselves. They agreed to be friends even though they do not know each other's real names, address and without exchanging pictures. Then there were those times they had to share their problems to each other and tried to give comfort to one another.

Is it love? She doesn't feel any attraction. What she feels is purely platonic though, or more like a brotherly love from across the globe. Her dad once told her to be careful because she might end up falling in love with him.

After a few more minutes, she felt her eyes closed and realized that she was too tired and she needed that sleep now.

Her red bugatti veyron car swerved on the parking-lot of the A&A building. Knowing Akane Tendo, she would choose a powerful car to drive once she begun to get used to it. Knowing Akane Tendo, she won't even ask someone to drive for her. Knowing Akane Tendo, she won't need any bodyguard. But suddenly while she turn off the engine, she bit back a curse. Knowing Akane Tendo... she didn't want someone to wait for her. Most especially if it's every day. She was about to open her car when he already beat her to it. She let a heavy sigh, "Arigatou ... Akiko" she said, while getting her bag.

Akiko smiled and closed the door after Akane stepped out. "No worries Akane, you know that I will always be here for you-"

She interrupted him by saying, "which makes me irritated," she said, sarcastically.

"You're welcome Akane" he said, smiling.

Akane just shrugged. "You should be in the office, instead of waiting for me."

"I want to wait for you." He reached out, touching her cheek.

She pulled away quickly before he could do something stupid, "I'll be happy if you are more concern of the business … rather than focusing all your life-energy towards me" she replied, ignoring the glint in his eyes.

"What's wrong with focusing my life-energy towards you?"

Akane rolled her eyes and glanced at her watch. "I just came back from Toshina and the merging was successful."

"How about late lunch?"

"How about business?" she asked, giving the manila paper to him and the folder.

"Relax honey, the business is doing great. We bosses sometimes need relaxing ... like a time to play?" he asked, his teasing smile was somehow making an effect on her.

Akane faced him fully, "Okay ... what did my son told you to do this time?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

He fixed her with a probing stare, a potent stare. "Actually, he just told me to be more persistent and be more aggressive ... since you like that."

Akane gave him a charming smile, "Oh I do, especially if its business we're talking about." she paused and her smile fading, "Now go to work." she said, shoving the remaining folder on his chest and passed by him.

"Aye. Aye. Captain." he growled at her and smirked.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Rane asked, frowning. The ironic question though is only meant for the blonde lady whose arms were all around her father's. She just received a text message from her father to come to his office.

"Oh Rane, you're here.. sorry about that." Ranma said, smiling at his daughter. "Your Aunt Gina was just trying to-"

"Kiss you?" she asked, making Gina and Ranma looked flushed and embarrassed for a moment.

"She wants to tell us something." Ranma said. "Have a seat." he said.

Rane arched a questioning brow at her clearly embarrassed father and smiled. Actually, she wanted to throttle him. "So what's up?" she asked, taking her seat.

"I have a news for the both of you," she smiled. "This may shock you ... but I thought about this for a long time." she said, she gave a glass of soda to Rane and then poured a champagne to both of hers and Ranma. "Since we are expanding more and more in our business, I was wondering if you guys would love to have a website!" she said giggling.

Ranma paused, "Well okay.. let's hire someone to make a website for us... but don't you think its a bit shallow for a champagne toss?" he asked, looking at the champagne.

Gina's careful smile slipped, her eyes were hard as she corrected sharply. "No, the champagne toss is for your freedom."

"Freedom?" Rane and Ranma chorused.

Gina picked the folder that was lying on the sofa a few moments ago. "This freedom," she said.

Ranma blinked and opened the folder. Suddenly, while reading it his face lost its color. "Gina-"

"Don't you think it's about time to go to Japan and ask for a divorce?" she asked, Rane frowned. "How can we get married if you won't divorce your wife? It has been twelve years, Ranma!" she said, sighing.

Rane fought hard to control her temper. She knew she could trust her father. But if not ... she shook her head and just studied the two of them exchanging words.

"Gina ... I-" Ranma paused and cleared his throat, "I am still not sure if I am ready to see my wife again ..." he said, resisting the strong impulse to yell. "B-Besides ... we still have to worry about making a very beautiful website right?" he asked,

"Well ... how about I quote, 'Two birds in one stone?' darling?" she asked,

"What do you mean?"

"Since we need the best webmaster for our website, I have an appointment with her on Saturday ... but you go instead." she said, fluttering her lashes. "You might as well, make her sign the divorce papers then"

"Wa-wait a minute are you saying that-"

"Yes. Your wife's company is the best webhosting company that everyone know, and she is the best webmaster for this generation."

Rane and Ranma looked at each other.

"Sooner or later, you will have to come back there Ranma" she said, "So, you will go to Japan for business and for that paper."

Akaran was about to flipped a page when suddenly he heard a sound coming from his laptop. He glanced and saw the notification that he just got an email from Juliet. He smiled and quietly read the email.

Hi Romeo, sorry I wasn't able to email you earlier. I just got back from my dad's office. Guess what? My dad is coming to Japan now. He had an appointment with a webmaster. Because we need someone to make a website for our business. That blonde woman who is supposed to be my dad's fiancee which I do not like ... just told my dad to divorce my mom! Can you believe that? I am so angry at her right now. But I trust my dad that he will not mess things up. Anyway, I think this is a good opportunity right? Maybe when they see each other again they will realize that they love each other? ohhh I really pray for that! ahh I am ranting! I am ranting! gods I just want to trample that woman. Ugh.

Akaran chuckled and he was about to reply when suddenly he heard his door open and saw his mom standing at his door. "Welcome home Mom."

"Young man ... I want you to be honest." she said, crossing her arms, "What did you told Akiko?"

"What do you mean?" Akaran asked, trying to control his smile.

"He is more of assertive today than yesterday," she said, sighing as she walked towards Akaran's bed and then sat on it. She paused, looking at her son and sighed, "Akaran... don't live by your name." she said, frowning.

Akaran blinked, "Huh?"

"You are neither an old man nor my protector." she said, frowning. "I can't believe my father gave you that name." she whispered,

Akaran cleared his throat, "So, is... he making an effect now?" Akaran asked, closing his laptop. Akane blinked, "Uncle Akiko, his assertive side ... is quite interesting huh?"

Akane sighed and hit Akaran's forehead playfully. "It's irritating!" she said, Akaran laughed. But the way Akiko treat her for the whole day made her remember how Ranma and her were before. "You know, because of you... we fought a lot this day." she said, "he was so persistent that... for the first time in my life I totally yelled at him and he was just smiling and laughing and... and..."

"and.. you're blushing." Akaran said, smirking.

"Don't start Akaran."

"But Mom! Isn't this a good news?" he asked, chuckling.

"And the way you're acting right now... reminds me of your dad." she said, smirking.

That made Akaran's smile disappear. "Don't compare me with that bastard."

"That bastard is your father and if you think that because Akiko was totally assertive today that he had a chance with me?" she asked, "I wasn't attracted to him, I was attracted on how he dealt with me today because he reminded me of Ranma."

"MOM!" Akaran growled, "Will you stop saying RANMA HERE AND RANMA THERE AND RANMA EVERYWHERE?!" he yelled, opening his arms. He wants to show to his mom how frustrated he is. "RANMA IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND! HE IS NOT HERE AND THERE AND EVERYWHERE!"

Akane frowned at him.

Saturday...

Ranma looked around at the Japan Airport. It had been twelve years and now he is back. He tried to convince Gina for the past few days to cancel their appointment. But Gina made up her mind and Ranma had to obey since Gina was the true owner of the Martial Arts Gym he handled for the past years. He clenched his fist, making his ticket crumpled. Then he remembered his conversation with Rane when he was packing up his things. Rane wasn't fond of the divorce idea, but she would want him to see her mom.

"Dad ... just see her ... and if the feelings are gone ... I can let you marry ... Gina."

He couldn't ... no ... he couldn't tell his daughter that the feelings were still there. He didn't want to see Akane with another guy. He just couldn't handle it.

"Mr. Saotome?"

Ranma blinked and saw a man bowing at him. "I ... company driver. I take you to hotel." he said, trying to speak in english.

Ranma smiled, "No worries ... I can speak Japanese." he replied in Japanese. It has been twelve years since he had spoken those words. The driver's felt relieved and bowed again. "Will you do me a favor and just drop my things to my hotel ... I need to go somewhere ... um ... alone." he said, and then an idea hit him. He could just cancel the appointment by himself. The driver nodded and left him. Ranma looked around for an empty women's restroom. He could disguise himself and go to the A&A building.

When he found an empty restroom, he locked the door and poured water on his head. He felt the changes, and looked at the red-haired pigtailed-girl in the mirror, "Did you miss me Ranma?" she asked, smiling. "Now for some disguise..." she said as she walked outside the restroom and went to some clothing stores.

In a few minutes she is ready. She's wearing a black wig, and woman's clothes. She grabbed a taxi and went to the building of A&A.

Ranma gasped when she entered the big building. It was definitely the most Exquisite Building she'd ever seen. The walls were mirrors, the floors were marble and there were a lot of beautiful artworks about computers hanging around the big walls.

"Can I help you?"

Ranma blinked and she realized that while walking and looking around, she didn't notice she was already at the counter of the building. She looked left and right; they were probably eight or nine sitting on the counter.

"Uh..." Ranma swallowed hard. "I'm Gina..." she said, in English.

"Oh Miss Gina, Miss Akane is expecting you today" she said, smiling. Then she looked at the computer screen, "However, you are two hours early for your appointment"

Akane? Expecting me? Ranma shaking her head. "A-Actually... I was wondering if I can-" she stopped, she was trembling. Damnit say it! Cancel! Cancel the damn appointment! "If... I can..."

"Sumimasen."

Ranma blinked and saw a young guy interrupting her conversation with the woman at the counter. She was about to tell him to back off because it was her turn, but what halted her was the guy was a replica of her male-side. Though his eyes were brown like...

"Is my mom upstairs?" he asked, the lady nodded. "Can you confirm the hotel for my reservation? And can you confirm her about my date with her tonight?" he said in Japanese, the lady nodded and picked up the phone. The young guy tapped his hand and looked at the black haired lady beside him. "It's quite rude to stare at strangers, madam." he said in a perfect-English accent.

Ranma knew that, because she hated people staring at her. "Uh ... yes ... I know ... sorry ..." she said in English, but she couldn't stop looking at him.

"Sir Akaran, Miss Akane said to wait for her." the lady said,

"Sure." Akaran said, he walked towards to one of the waiting couch and opened his laptop.

"I am sorry Miss Gina, he is Miss Akane's son," she said. "So what do you want to tell me?"

Ranma blinked and looked at her, "I ... was wondering ... if you can ... re-schedule my appointment with-" The lady gasped and bowed. Ranma blinked, "Wha-" she looked around and saw people bowing while a beautiful blue haired woman wearing the simplest yet attractive dark blue office suit appeared and walked towards the counter. Her heart beat increased. She felt her hands became cold, she couldn't move. For the past twelve years... she became even more beautiful. "Akane…" she whispered. Her heart beat increases more and more as she was coming closer ... closer to her. Then suddenly, she realized she wasn't going to her. She was going to her son ... correction. Their son.

"Akaran, can we postpone our mother and son date until tomorrow?" she asked,

"Why is that mom?"

"I have three appointments today. Kumiko-chan canceled, so I thought I could accept the date however, there are some deadlines to meet." she said, frowning.

"Oh..." Akaran frowned, "Well just clear your schedule for me tomorrow, alright?" he asked,

Akane smiled and kissed her son's forehead. "Okay thanks for understanding. You go straight home, okay?" she said, Akaran nodded and exited the building. While she got some papers at one of the counters and entered the elevator.

When Akaran left the building, the lady blinked and asked Ranma again. "Do you want to be re-scheduled ma'am?"

Ranma looked down, and then she looked the big elevator where Akane disappeared and then at the entrance glass door where Akaran disappeared.

"Miss Gina?"

Ranma looked at the lady, "Yes... I want to re-schedule my appointment."

"When?" she asked, "on Monday? Miss Akane is free-"

Ranma took a deep breath, "Now." she said quickly. "I heard someone canceled her appointment today..." she clenched her fist."But I want to see Miss Akane NOW."