Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Rumiko
Takahashi and other respective companies and I am
in no way making any profit from this story. This
is just for my personal enjoyment and for the
enjoyment of those who may read this.
Email me with C&C: simplyshy@hotmail.com
*************************************************
The Truth: Part 3
by SM
*************************************************
"Are you all right, Akane?"
I closed my eyes for a second before nodding a halfhearted reply. My head felt as if I had received the pounding of my life. I finally understood why Ranma feared my mallets so much.
I opened them once more and almost smiled at Ranma's expression. Really, you would have thought that I'd almost di--- My breath caught in my throat and it was a moment before I could get words out of my mouth.
"I think so...how long was I out?"
Nabiki was the one to answer.
"Oh, about four long hours, sis. Dr. Tofu thought you might've gotten a concussion, but I told him it was unlikely given the fact that you're pretty hardheaded."
She winked at me and I smiled, thanking the kami that Nabiki was there to lighten the mood. Honestly, I'd had about enough of my own morbid thoughts.
Besides, I really didn't want Ranma to worry so much.
"You know me sis, I'm the only one in the family who can break cinder blocks with my head."
I didn't know laughing could be so painful until I tried it and the pounding in my head grew unbearable. I winced, and noticed that Nabiki wasn't as nonchalant about the situation as I'd thought. Her smile wavered and she turned; not before I could see the beginning of tears forming in her eyes.
Ranma, meanwhile, chewed nervously on his lower lip and I almost thought he'd tear it off the way he was going at it.
He finally stopped and just looked at me, his eyes traveling down to my slightly open gi top. I hastily pulled it close to me and covered myself with my blanket.
"Well, I, um, I mean, your family was really worried about you Akane. What'd you go and faint for? Poor Ryoga was white as a sheet when he took you to Mr. Tendo and _he_ almost fainted too."
I stopped myself from chuckling at the image of my father turning on the waterworks. He had probably found a way to accuse Ranma of neglecting his duties as a protective fiancée and scared him half to death with his "Daddy Demon-Head" impression.
"I'm okay now guys, really. It's just...I guess I shouldn't skip breakfast so much, ne?"
I attempted a smile but couldn't help wincing...damn the pain.
Ranma and Nabiki gave each other knowing looks before turning back to me.
"Well, sis, seeing how you're 'okay' I guess I'd better go check on Daddy."
I motioned to my sister before she left, alarmed at her statement.
"What do you mean 'check on Daddy'? Is he okay?"
Nabiki gave me a wry grin.
"Let's just say he cried a river and we had to sedate him for awhile. Kasumi should be up in a few minutes to check up on you."
She turned and was at the door when she suddenly stopped and ran back to me.
I was caught off guard as Nabiki hugged me to her fiercely and gave me a forehead kiss.
"We'll talk later, okay little sis? Whatever it is that's been bothering you, we'll talk about it," she whispered, before making her hasty exit.
Ranma stood there, awkwardly, before walking, a bit hesitantly, toward me.
"Well..." He put his hands behind his head in that boyish way that always made my heart skip a beat.
He stopped beside my bed and began to swing his arms back and forth.
"So what happened Akane? You've been actin' strange for a whole month now, ever since...."
His voice trailed off and I saw his eyes glaze over with something akin to pain and I wondered what he was remembering. Whatever it was left him completely disconcerted but he managed to snap back to reality and looked at me, his face still perplexed.
"Nothing much Ranma." I toyed with the small gold chain that hung around my neck, not wanting to go into the conversation I knew Ranma and I were about to have.
Ranma took a seat strategically placed next to my bed...Kasumi had probably put it there which meant that Ranma had spent most of the afternoon looking upon me as I was unconscious.
For some reason, that thought made me feel warm inside. Then again, I knew Ranma cared that much.
"Akane...I'm not really good at having serious conversations and stuff and don't exactly know how to start one but..."
He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Something must have happened between you and Ryoga. He refused to stay around when Kasumi asked him to and he really hightailed it outta here."
Ranma gave a snort before continuing.
"Said something about how he had to go find Akari which is bullshit because that pig-b...er, I mean that idiot can't even find his way out of a closet."
I looked away towards the window and was surprised to see that it had grown so late. How long had I been out? Obviously longer than I had thought.
I wondered how I should broach the topic of what Ryoga had revealed to me. Well, the best way was to just jump right in; at least that was what I figured at the time.
"Ryoga told me the truth, Ranma."
Ranma's expression was blank and he honestly seemed to have no idea of the truth I was referring to.
That wasn't surprising, considering that we all held truths we kept from others.
"I know he's in love with me, or _thinks_ he's in love with me."
It was interesting to watch the expression on Ranma's face progress from clueless to surprise to weary.
"He told me that much, among other things."
I laced my fingers together and look down into my palms. I couldn't bear to look at Ranma considering what I was about to tell him next.
"He also told me about his curse, Ranma."
My voice broke a bit but I forced myself to keep going. It was time that everything was out in the open.
"I know," my voice died to a soft whisper, "he's really P-Chan."
The silence in the room was deafening and curiosity got the best of me as I raised my head to look at Ranma.
What I saw made the shame I'd felt earlier resurface.
Ranma looked utterly terrified. I'm pretty sure he would have crawled under the bed if he'd been able to move at all. As it was, he was frozen as he stared into my eyes like a deer caught in headlights.
He opened and closed his mouth but no sound came out.
For the umpteenth time, Ranma Saotome was left speechless.
"I know what you expect of me Ranma and under normal circumstances I wouldn't disappoint you."
I smoothed the sheets on my bed out and wondered how it was that I still had the same ones I'd had as a baby. It was seriously time to grow up.
"I wouldn't have hesitated to pound you to the ground and I probably wouldn't have spoken to you ever again except..."
There was no turning back and as much as I hated to admit it...
"You had no obligation to tell me something that was so obvious. I understand _why_ you didn't tell me and..."
I looked up and gave him a small smile.
"I'm proud of you for _not_ telling me. I know it must've been hard for you to, well, risk getting the crap beat out of you."
He looked at me, surprise on his face, and opened his mouth to reply.
I silenced him by raising my hand.
"You...Ranma, you're so...your mother's lucky to have a son like you."
I saw the flicker of pain wash over Ranma's face but it was gone as quickly as it had come, replaced by a grateful one. I honestly think that Ranma would have cried right then and there if it hadn't been for his macho nature.
His mother's approval meant so much to him.
As I sat there, I wondered if maybe it was time to have _the_ talk. The conversation was going so well that maybe it was time to really talk about us and the situation we were in.
But the thought of what having that conversation would mean frightened me to no end and so I lost my nerve.
"We've got to find Ryoga, Ranma. There's no telling what he could do...thinking that I hate him and..."
My pride was just as stubborn as Ranma's and so I covered my face with my hands as the tears began. Dammit I hated losing control.
I don't think I'd ever cried so much and I was really going to have to get it together before I turned into a sniveling idiot.
I felt Ranma's hand on my shoulder but I turned away, angrily wiping away the tears. No more crying. If growing up meant that I would have to maintain a brave front, then so be it.
After all, I'd faced worse before.
"Can you," I paused to take a deep breath before continuing, "think of anyplace he could've gone to?"
Ranma stood and turned towards the window, his back to me.
"With that guy's sense of direction, he could be anywhere. But then again, that same sense of direction usually takes him to safety, so I'm sure he's okay."
Knowing how manic depressive Ryoga could get, I doubted that very much.
"He thinks he's let down the person he loves and he's depressed and probably angry at himself. Where do you think his sense of direction would take him now?"
Ranma turned around and looked at me a moment, deep in thought.
"Well, he naturally gravitates towards places where he can find comfort and it's usually with people he knows."
That basically narrowed it down to all our close friends plus the nice girl with the pigs, Akari I think her name was.
"Places with good food are a plus."
Well, I guess he wouldn't be showing up on any nights when I cooked.
Ranma's eyes widened and I could almost see a lightbulb light up in his head.
"What place has good food, great company, and a sympathetic person waiting for you?"
It dawned on me even before he was done.
"Ukyo's."
Ranma nodded his head in excitement.
"Of course."
I tried to ignore the spark of jealousy that rose in me. Now was definitely not the time for petty behavior.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go." I pulled the covers aside and made an attempt to rise out of bed.
My attempt was a feeble one as my legs refused to cooperate with me. I felt a wave of dizziness coming and I let myself fall to a sitting position at the edge of the bed.
"Akane, are you sure that you're well enough to.."
I waved him aside.
"C'mon Ranma, I'm not an invalid or anything. I just..." I gulped in as much air as I could "need to clear my mind a bit."
A few moments passed and, although my head was still aching a bit, I found myself able to stand.
"There, see? I'm fine now."
I took a few tentative steps forward until I was sure the dizziness had subsided.
Ranma caught me off guard as he slipped his arm around my waist.
"You can't be too careful, ne?"
I almost protested but...there were so few moments like this that it would have been stupid of me to ruin it.
As Ranma and I walked towards our destination, I promised myself that I'd find the time to settle things with him once and for all.
***************************************
I don't know exactly what I was expecting to find when we got to Ucchan's. Maybe a depressed Ryoga about to commit a horrible suicide that would endanger innocent bystanders. Heck, I would have even expected to find him with his head hung in shame.
Of course, that would have made my task a bit too easy and, since we were in Nerima and the word "easy" was not in this population's dictionary (well, not unless it was me referring to all of Ranma's extra fiancées) what Ranma and I found at Ucchan's didn't exactly knock us over.
Oh, we did a double take when we got there and it took all the courage I could muster not to turn around and run for the hills.
After all, it wasn't every day that you'd find Ukyo, bottles of sake at her feet, sitting on Ryoga's lap with her arms swung around his neck.
You also wouldn't usually find the two fast asleep.
Not that I had any problem with that. I was, in fact, relieved and was about to turn around to tell Ranma. I figured that there was no need for us to interrupt this peaceful moment between the two.
Unfortunately, Ranma is not good at discerning what is convenient and what isn't and he promptly proceeded to ask what I would call a stupid question.
"Ryoga! Are you okay?"
I turned, intending to chew Ranma out but soon found myself on the floor with Ranma's body curled protectively behind me.
"Ranma, you had better explain to me why I am where I am and it'd better be a damned _good_ one..."
"Don't be stupid Akane. Ranma's always protectin' you an' he'd better keep doing what he's doing 'cause if it was up to me I'd slice you up wif these spatchalas of mine."
I looked up to see a very drunk and very pissed Ukyo, spatula in hand.
Now, I may be a jealous, neurotic, and hostile fiancée at times but I'm not above admitting that Ukyo is one of the best martial artists in Nerima.
As one of the best martial artists in Nerima I didn't doubt that she could've sliced my head off with that spatula because I had found that a drunk martial artist does not in any way alter his or her good aim.
It was then and there that I decided that I would have to thank Ranma properly. Come to think of it, I owed him many apologies and thanks for previous times he had saved me.
As it was, Ukyo was advancing and, although my pride would never let me admit it, I was scared senseless. This was not the sweet Ukyo who would listen to your problems in earnest and who never hesitated to see the good in everyone.
This Ukyo was acting as if she were a protective mother cub who had just had her cave invaded by trespassers. In fact, the she was standing in front of Ryoga in much the same way.
I saw Ranma advance on her out of the corner of my eye but he froze as Ukyo raised her spatula and aimed it at him.
No, this was definitely not the Ukyo we knew.
"Don't come closer sugar 'cuz, as much as I care about you and kami knows I do, you aren't czactly on my good side either."
If I hadn't been watching Ukyo with such scrutiny I might have missed the wetness in her eyes but there it was and I realized that Ukyo was...hurt and I saw the accusation of betrayel in her eyes.
"Ukyo." She turned to glare at me.
"Ukyo, I don't know what it is that's happened but I've come here to talk to Ryoga and..."
Ukyo turned to look at Ryoga, still in a blissful slumber, and her face softened for a moment but hardened just as quickly.
She turned back to me, hatred in her eyes.
"Don't you dare say anything to him. You wanna know how he came to me, huh? He was depressed as hell, crying his eyes out, saying something 'bout how he'd betrayed you and stuff and..."
Ukyo wiped her eyes before continuing.
"He, he told me what happened between you two and he...he's not too bright. But whatcha 'spect of someone who turns into a pig?"
I saw Ranma tense as if he were about to advance but I knew he would never hurt Ukyo and had not doubt that he could disarm her in the blink of an eye. I shook my head, no, my eyes begging him to trust me on this one.
"Ukyo, I don't...I'm not here to hurt him, really I'm not."
"Oh, I know, you _never_ mean to hurt anyone, neither of you do and yet...and yet you _do_."
Ukyo turned to Ranma and forgot about me, too absorbed in Ranma's presence.
"Why didn't you _tell_ me? I spent ten years of my life 'magining that you and I could...but you couldn't even let me know that I was just grasping at straws?"
She let out a wail that tore at me as I heard it and fell to the ground.
"Am I that undeserving? No, I'm _stupid_, stupid for loving you when you don't deserve it."
Ranma knelt beside Ukyo and made a move to place a hand on her shoulder but she slapped it away.
"Don't you _dare_ touch me. You...it _hurts_, Ranma, kami it hurts. Not so much that you've chosen her but that you two don't even acknowledge it. That's what..."
She sobbed into her hands and I walked to her, feeling guilty because she was right. Ranma and I had been too selfish in not admitting what others could see so clearly. We were cruel in not admitting to each other that we...
I wrapped my arms around Ukyo and she struggled at first but suddenly went limp in my arms.
I saw Ranma walk to where Ryoga was and he signaled to me that he was out cold.
He picked Ryoga up and headed towards the stairs and I guessed that the talk with Ryoga would have to wait.
For now, I had my hands full with Ukyo and the pain we had caused her.
It's funny, I never knew that I could care so deeply about one of my rivals and if I had been told that her pain would cut me so I would have dismissed the idea.
But I _did_ care because, although this was one of my rivals for Ranma's affections she was a human being with feelings that were real and whose pain I had caused.
I stroked Ukyo's hair and hugged her to me.
"Why couldn't he choose me, Akane? I...all I've done is love him unconditionally. Was that wrong of me? I..."
Her voice broke and she wept in my arms and, it was odd that I would be the one to comfort her.
And yet, it would have been worse if Ranma had been the one to do it. I knew that it was bad enough for her that I was there to witness her suffering but it would have been ten times worse if Ranma's arms had been around her because...it would have been nothing more than him comforting her and that would have hurt more.
Knowing that the person you loved cared for you as a friend and nothing more.
"Shhh, Ukyo. It's...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you weren't Ranma's choice but..."
I gently turned her so she was facing me and cupped her face in my hands.
"Ukyo, he...it had to have been a difficult choice, I know that much. I mean, you're so beautiful inside and out and you can cook and...you're so much better at things than I am but...I can't explain why it is that he's chosen me. I, I don't understand what he sees in me just as I couldn't see what Ryoga liked about me but..."
My hands slipped to Ukyo's shoulders and I gripped them tightly.
"If he hadn't chosen me, I want you to know that..."
I brought Ukyo's face close to mine and kissed her on the forehead before whispering into her ear.
"You would have been my choice for him, out of all the girls you would have been the best choice."
I suddenly felt Ukyo's arms around me and she hugged me.
My words had comforted her and, even if she couldn't be completely satisfied with her loss, at least she knew that she _hadn't_ been trying in vain.
Ukyo Kuonji had fought a hard battle, certainly one worth fighting, and had left a worthy opponent.
We both heard someone clear his throat and turned to see Ranma standing awkwardly just a few feet away from us.
"Well, Pig-boy'll be out for the rest of the night. What'd you give him, Ucchan? Don't tell me he drank all the sake?"
"No, 'course not. I'm greedy when it comes to my sake..._I_ drank most of it and, well, he just happened to join in and here we are."
She hiccupped before falling unconscious in my arms.
I sighed, and handed her over to Ranma, who looked down on her face. He smiled wistfully before taking her upstairs.
I waited for him just outside the entrance, content to feel the cool breeze on my face. I definitely was not looking forward to Shampoo and Kodachi's reactions. If sweet Ukyo's had been so negative, I shuddered to think how the rest of Ranma's fiancées would react.
'And just think, Ranma and I haven't even talked about what everyone else knows we feel,' I thought, before closing my eyes.
"Well, I wouldn't have ever thought I'd see Ukyo drunk as a sailor but there you are."
I opened my eyes again to see Ranma standing before me, a sheepish look on his face.
Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to be in my bed fast asleep so that I could escape the inevitable just awhile longer.
"What's wrong Akane?" Ranma's blue eyes bore a hole in me and his worried expression always made me feel so confused. I didn't deserve to have him worry about me so.
"Just take me home, Ranma. Please," I whispered.
Ranma said nothing as he scooped me up in his arms and jumped onto a rooftop.
I let the frustration and weariness of the day overtake me as I fell into a deep sleep, but not before wondering how much longer Ranma and I would be able to avoid the feelings that refused to disappear.
****************************************************
Author's Notes: I proofread as much as I can but I do so hastily so you I can get the chapters out to you without delay. In other words, please excuse any grammatical/typographical errors. What exactly happened to get Ukyo so riled up? Well, I've decided that I'm going to cover that in an upcoming side story. What's next for our favorite couple? Well, Akane must finally have a talk with Ranma and the results are not going to be what you expect (I steadfastedly refuse to give them the "on the rooftops watching the stars" scenario). I need to give Ryoga and Ukyo some sort of comfort and so I'll try to follow up the side story with a Ryoga+Ukyo story. I have so much on my plate and so little time. I was intending for this to be another Ryoga and Akane moment but Ukyo just wouldn't leave and you guys know how persuasive she can be with those sharp spatulas in her hand. I'm having fun planning out the Shampoo and Kodachi encounters so stay tuned. As always, e-mail me smijaresc@my-deja.com or leave feedback in the fanfiction.net reviews forum.
Until next time,
Sonia M.
P.S. Does anyone happen to remember if Ranma's eyes are blue or gray? I've heard them referred to as blue in some fanfics while others give him gray.
******************************************************
Author's Notes:
Whoa, so much going on ne? I know everything seems sort of confusing and unclear but I sort of wanted to go with Akane's stream of consciousness. She's thinking so many things and feeling even more that I thought it'd be cool to stick with that and make it a bit natural. Now that I'm done with this chapter, what exactly can you guys look forward to? Well, next up, Akane must deal with Ryoga and everyone else, including Ranma. How will I handle the Akane/Ranma confrontation? Well, let's just say that it won't be your typical "girl gazes into guy's eyes and they live happily ever after" type thing, but it'll be sure to give you a WAFF (Warms and Fuzzy Feeling). Give me C&C about this chapter because, after all, there's this great thing on fanfiction.net called "editing" and I can do lots of it at your request guys. Well, I'll be sure and try to post Part 3 sometime next week and you can be sure that you'll see more of the "Three Little Schoolgirls" story posted. As for the Nabiki/Kunou storyline request, I'm seriously thinking of doing another...maybe a "the day after" follow-up? Right now, there's a lot on my plate so I'll just take it easy for now.
C&C: Review or drop a line--simplyshy@hotmail.com
Until later,
Sonia M.
Takahashi and other respective companies and I am
in no way making any profit from this story. This
is just for my personal enjoyment and for the
enjoyment of those who may read this.
Email me with C&C: simplyshy@hotmail.com
*************************************************
The Truth: Part 3
by SM
*************************************************
"Are you all right, Akane?"
I closed my eyes for a second before nodding a halfhearted reply. My head felt as if I had received the pounding of my life. I finally understood why Ranma feared my mallets so much.
I opened them once more and almost smiled at Ranma's expression. Really, you would have thought that I'd almost di--- My breath caught in my throat and it was a moment before I could get words out of my mouth.
"I think so...how long was I out?"
Nabiki was the one to answer.
"Oh, about four long hours, sis. Dr. Tofu thought you might've gotten a concussion, but I told him it was unlikely given the fact that you're pretty hardheaded."
She winked at me and I smiled, thanking the kami that Nabiki was there to lighten the mood. Honestly, I'd had about enough of my own morbid thoughts.
Besides, I really didn't want Ranma to worry so much.
"You know me sis, I'm the only one in the family who can break cinder blocks with my head."
I didn't know laughing could be so painful until I tried it and the pounding in my head grew unbearable. I winced, and noticed that Nabiki wasn't as nonchalant about the situation as I'd thought. Her smile wavered and she turned; not before I could see the beginning of tears forming in her eyes.
Ranma, meanwhile, chewed nervously on his lower lip and I almost thought he'd tear it off the way he was going at it.
He finally stopped and just looked at me, his eyes traveling down to my slightly open gi top. I hastily pulled it close to me and covered myself with my blanket.
"Well, I, um, I mean, your family was really worried about you Akane. What'd you go and faint for? Poor Ryoga was white as a sheet when he took you to Mr. Tendo and _he_ almost fainted too."
I stopped myself from chuckling at the image of my father turning on the waterworks. He had probably found a way to accuse Ranma of neglecting his duties as a protective fiancée and scared him half to death with his "Daddy Demon-Head" impression.
"I'm okay now guys, really. It's just...I guess I shouldn't skip breakfast so much, ne?"
I attempted a smile but couldn't help wincing...damn the pain.
Ranma and Nabiki gave each other knowing looks before turning back to me.
"Well, sis, seeing how you're 'okay' I guess I'd better go check on Daddy."
I motioned to my sister before she left, alarmed at her statement.
"What do you mean 'check on Daddy'? Is he okay?"
Nabiki gave me a wry grin.
"Let's just say he cried a river and we had to sedate him for awhile. Kasumi should be up in a few minutes to check up on you."
She turned and was at the door when she suddenly stopped and ran back to me.
I was caught off guard as Nabiki hugged me to her fiercely and gave me a forehead kiss.
"We'll talk later, okay little sis? Whatever it is that's been bothering you, we'll talk about it," she whispered, before making her hasty exit.
Ranma stood there, awkwardly, before walking, a bit hesitantly, toward me.
"Well..." He put his hands behind his head in that boyish way that always made my heart skip a beat.
He stopped beside my bed and began to swing his arms back and forth.
"So what happened Akane? You've been actin' strange for a whole month now, ever since...."
His voice trailed off and I saw his eyes glaze over with something akin to pain and I wondered what he was remembering. Whatever it was left him completely disconcerted but he managed to snap back to reality and looked at me, his face still perplexed.
"Nothing much Ranma." I toyed with the small gold chain that hung around my neck, not wanting to go into the conversation I knew Ranma and I were about to have.
Ranma took a seat strategically placed next to my bed...Kasumi had probably put it there which meant that Ranma had spent most of the afternoon looking upon me as I was unconscious.
For some reason, that thought made me feel warm inside. Then again, I knew Ranma cared that much.
"Akane...I'm not really good at having serious conversations and stuff and don't exactly know how to start one but..."
He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Something must have happened between you and Ryoga. He refused to stay around when Kasumi asked him to and he really hightailed it outta here."
Ranma gave a snort before continuing.
"Said something about how he had to go find Akari which is bullshit because that pig-b...er, I mean that idiot can't even find his way out of a closet."
I looked away towards the window and was surprised to see that it had grown so late. How long had I been out? Obviously longer than I had thought.
I wondered how I should broach the topic of what Ryoga had revealed to me. Well, the best way was to just jump right in; at least that was what I figured at the time.
"Ryoga told me the truth, Ranma."
Ranma's expression was blank and he honestly seemed to have no idea of the truth I was referring to.
That wasn't surprising, considering that we all held truths we kept from others.
"I know he's in love with me, or _thinks_ he's in love with me."
It was interesting to watch the expression on Ranma's face progress from clueless to surprise to weary.
"He told me that much, among other things."
I laced my fingers together and look down into my palms. I couldn't bear to look at Ranma considering what I was about to tell him next.
"He also told me about his curse, Ranma."
My voice broke a bit but I forced myself to keep going. It was time that everything was out in the open.
"I know," my voice died to a soft whisper, "he's really P-Chan."
The silence in the room was deafening and curiosity got the best of me as I raised my head to look at Ranma.
What I saw made the shame I'd felt earlier resurface.
Ranma looked utterly terrified. I'm pretty sure he would have crawled under the bed if he'd been able to move at all. As it was, he was frozen as he stared into my eyes like a deer caught in headlights.
He opened and closed his mouth but no sound came out.
For the umpteenth time, Ranma Saotome was left speechless.
"I know what you expect of me Ranma and under normal circumstances I wouldn't disappoint you."
I smoothed the sheets on my bed out and wondered how it was that I still had the same ones I'd had as a baby. It was seriously time to grow up.
"I wouldn't have hesitated to pound you to the ground and I probably wouldn't have spoken to you ever again except..."
There was no turning back and as much as I hated to admit it...
"You had no obligation to tell me something that was so obvious. I understand _why_ you didn't tell me and..."
I looked up and gave him a small smile.
"I'm proud of you for _not_ telling me. I know it must've been hard for you to, well, risk getting the crap beat out of you."
He looked at me, surprise on his face, and opened his mouth to reply.
I silenced him by raising my hand.
"You...Ranma, you're so...your mother's lucky to have a son like you."
I saw the flicker of pain wash over Ranma's face but it was gone as quickly as it had come, replaced by a grateful one. I honestly think that Ranma would have cried right then and there if it hadn't been for his macho nature.
His mother's approval meant so much to him.
As I sat there, I wondered if maybe it was time to have _the_ talk. The conversation was going so well that maybe it was time to really talk about us and the situation we were in.
But the thought of what having that conversation would mean frightened me to no end and so I lost my nerve.
"We've got to find Ryoga, Ranma. There's no telling what he could do...thinking that I hate him and..."
My pride was just as stubborn as Ranma's and so I covered my face with my hands as the tears began. Dammit I hated losing control.
I don't think I'd ever cried so much and I was really going to have to get it together before I turned into a sniveling idiot.
I felt Ranma's hand on my shoulder but I turned away, angrily wiping away the tears. No more crying. If growing up meant that I would have to maintain a brave front, then so be it.
After all, I'd faced worse before.
"Can you," I paused to take a deep breath before continuing, "think of anyplace he could've gone to?"
Ranma stood and turned towards the window, his back to me.
"With that guy's sense of direction, he could be anywhere. But then again, that same sense of direction usually takes him to safety, so I'm sure he's okay."
Knowing how manic depressive Ryoga could get, I doubted that very much.
"He thinks he's let down the person he loves and he's depressed and probably angry at himself. Where do you think his sense of direction would take him now?"
Ranma turned around and looked at me a moment, deep in thought.
"Well, he naturally gravitates towards places where he can find comfort and it's usually with people he knows."
That basically narrowed it down to all our close friends plus the nice girl with the pigs, Akari I think her name was.
"Places with good food are a plus."
Well, I guess he wouldn't be showing up on any nights when I cooked.
Ranma's eyes widened and I could almost see a lightbulb light up in his head.
"What place has good food, great company, and a sympathetic person waiting for you?"
It dawned on me even before he was done.
"Ukyo's."
Ranma nodded his head in excitement.
"Of course."
I tried to ignore the spark of jealousy that rose in me. Now was definitely not the time for petty behavior.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go." I pulled the covers aside and made an attempt to rise out of bed.
My attempt was a feeble one as my legs refused to cooperate with me. I felt a wave of dizziness coming and I let myself fall to a sitting position at the edge of the bed.
"Akane, are you sure that you're well enough to.."
I waved him aside.
"C'mon Ranma, I'm not an invalid or anything. I just..." I gulped in as much air as I could "need to clear my mind a bit."
A few moments passed and, although my head was still aching a bit, I found myself able to stand.
"There, see? I'm fine now."
I took a few tentative steps forward until I was sure the dizziness had subsided.
Ranma caught me off guard as he slipped his arm around my waist.
"You can't be too careful, ne?"
I almost protested but...there were so few moments like this that it would have been stupid of me to ruin it.
As Ranma and I walked towards our destination, I promised myself that I'd find the time to settle things with him once and for all.
***************************************
I don't know exactly what I was expecting to find when we got to Ucchan's. Maybe a depressed Ryoga about to commit a horrible suicide that would endanger innocent bystanders. Heck, I would have even expected to find him with his head hung in shame.
Of course, that would have made my task a bit too easy and, since we were in Nerima and the word "easy" was not in this population's dictionary (well, not unless it was me referring to all of Ranma's extra fiancées) what Ranma and I found at Ucchan's didn't exactly knock us over.
Oh, we did a double take when we got there and it took all the courage I could muster not to turn around and run for the hills.
After all, it wasn't every day that you'd find Ukyo, bottles of sake at her feet, sitting on Ryoga's lap with her arms swung around his neck.
You also wouldn't usually find the two fast asleep.
Not that I had any problem with that. I was, in fact, relieved and was about to turn around to tell Ranma. I figured that there was no need for us to interrupt this peaceful moment between the two.
Unfortunately, Ranma is not good at discerning what is convenient and what isn't and he promptly proceeded to ask what I would call a stupid question.
"Ryoga! Are you okay?"
I turned, intending to chew Ranma out but soon found myself on the floor with Ranma's body curled protectively behind me.
"Ranma, you had better explain to me why I am where I am and it'd better be a damned _good_ one..."
"Don't be stupid Akane. Ranma's always protectin' you an' he'd better keep doing what he's doing 'cause if it was up to me I'd slice you up wif these spatchalas of mine."
I looked up to see a very drunk and very pissed Ukyo, spatula in hand.
Now, I may be a jealous, neurotic, and hostile fiancée at times but I'm not above admitting that Ukyo is one of the best martial artists in Nerima.
As one of the best martial artists in Nerima I didn't doubt that she could've sliced my head off with that spatula because I had found that a drunk martial artist does not in any way alter his or her good aim.
It was then and there that I decided that I would have to thank Ranma properly. Come to think of it, I owed him many apologies and thanks for previous times he had saved me.
As it was, Ukyo was advancing and, although my pride would never let me admit it, I was scared senseless. This was not the sweet Ukyo who would listen to your problems in earnest and who never hesitated to see the good in everyone.
This Ukyo was acting as if she were a protective mother cub who had just had her cave invaded by trespassers. In fact, the she was standing in front of Ryoga in much the same way.
I saw Ranma advance on her out of the corner of my eye but he froze as Ukyo raised her spatula and aimed it at him.
No, this was definitely not the Ukyo we knew.
"Don't come closer sugar 'cuz, as much as I care about you and kami knows I do, you aren't czactly on my good side either."
If I hadn't been watching Ukyo with such scrutiny I might have missed the wetness in her eyes but there it was and I realized that Ukyo was...hurt and I saw the accusation of betrayel in her eyes.
"Ukyo." She turned to glare at me.
"Ukyo, I don't know what it is that's happened but I've come here to talk to Ryoga and..."
Ukyo turned to look at Ryoga, still in a blissful slumber, and her face softened for a moment but hardened just as quickly.
She turned back to me, hatred in her eyes.
"Don't you dare say anything to him. You wanna know how he came to me, huh? He was depressed as hell, crying his eyes out, saying something 'bout how he'd betrayed you and stuff and..."
Ukyo wiped her eyes before continuing.
"He, he told me what happened between you two and he...he's not too bright. But whatcha 'spect of someone who turns into a pig?"
I saw Ranma tense as if he were about to advance but I knew he would never hurt Ukyo and had not doubt that he could disarm her in the blink of an eye. I shook my head, no, my eyes begging him to trust me on this one.
"Ukyo, I don't...I'm not here to hurt him, really I'm not."
"Oh, I know, you _never_ mean to hurt anyone, neither of you do and yet...and yet you _do_."
Ukyo turned to Ranma and forgot about me, too absorbed in Ranma's presence.
"Why didn't you _tell_ me? I spent ten years of my life 'magining that you and I could...but you couldn't even let me know that I was just grasping at straws?"
She let out a wail that tore at me as I heard it and fell to the ground.
"Am I that undeserving? No, I'm _stupid_, stupid for loving you when you don't deserve it."
Ranma knelt beside Ukyo and made a move to place a hand on her shoulder but she slapped it away.
"Don't you _dare_ touch me. You...it _hurts_, Ranma, kami it hurts. Not so much that you've chosen her but that you two don't even acknowledge it. That's what..."
She sobbed into her hands and I walked to her, feeling guilty because she was right. Ranma and I had been too selfish in not admitting what others could see so clearly. We were cruel in not admitting to each other that we...
I wrapped my arms around Ukyo and she struggled at first but suddenly went limp in my arms.
I saw Ranma walk to where Ryoga was and he signaled to me that he was out cold.
He picked Ryoga up and headed towards the stairs and I guessed that the talk with Ryoga would have to wait.
For now, I had my hands full with Ukyo and the pain we had caused her.
It's funny, I never knew that I could care so deeply about one of my rivals and if I had been told that her pain would cut me so I would have dismissed the idea.
But I _did_ care because, although this was one of my rivals for Ranma's affections she was a human being with feelings that were real and whose pain I had caused.
I stroked Ukyo's hair and hugged her to me.
"Why couldn't he choose me, Akane? I...all I've done is love him unconditionally. Was that wrong of me? I..."
Her voice broke and she wept in my arms and, it was odd that I would be the one to comfort her.
And yet, it would have been worse if Ranma had been the one to do it. I knew that it was bad enough for her that I was there to witness her suffering but it would have been ten times worse if Ranma's arms had been around her because...it would have been nothing more than him comforting her and that would have hurt more.
Knowing that the person you loved cared for you as a friend and nothing more.
"Shhh, Ukyo. It's...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you weren't Ranma's choice but..."
I gently turned her so she was facing me and cupped her face in my hands.
"Ukyo, he...it had to have been a difficult choice, I know that much. I mean, you're so beautiful inside and out and you can cook and...you're so much better at things than I am but...I can't explain why it is that he's chosen me. I, I don't understand what he sees in me just as I couldn't see what Ryoga liked about me but..."
My hands slipped to Ukyo's shoulders and I gripped them tightly.
"If he hadn't chosen me, I want you to know that..."
I brought Ukyo's face close to mine and kissed her on the forehead before whispering into her ear.
"You would have been my choice for him, out of all the girls you would have been the best choice."
I suddenly felt Ukyo's arms around me and she hugged me.
My words had comforted her and, even if she couldn't be completely satisfied with her loss, at least she knew that she _hadn't_ been trying in vain.
Ukyo Kuonji had fought a hard battle, certainly one worth fighting, and had left a worthy opponent.
We both heard someone clear his throat and turned to see Ranma standing awkwardly just a few feet away from us.
"Well, Pig-boy'll be out for the rest of the night. What'd you give him, Ucchan? Don't tell me he drank all the sake?"
"No, 'course not. I'm greedy when it comes to my sake..._I_ drank most of it and, well, he just happened to join in and here we are."
She hiccupped before falling unconscious in my arms.
I sighed, and handed her over to Ranma, who looked down on her face. He smiled wistfully before taking her upstairs.
I waited for him just outside the entrance, content to feel the cool breeze on my face. I definitely was not looking forward to Shampoo and Kodachi's reactions. If sweet Ukyo's had been so negative, I shuddered to think how the rest of Ranma's fiancées would react.
'And just think, Ranma and I haven't even talked about what everyone else knows we feel,' I thought, before closing my eyes.
"Well, I wouldn't have ever thought I'd see Ukyo drunk as a sailor but there you are."
I opened my eyes again to see Ranma standing before me, a sheepish look on his face.
Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to be in my bed fast asleep so that I could escape the inevitable just awhile longer.
"What's wrong Akane?" Ranma's blue eyes bore a hole in me and his worried expression always made me feel so confused. I didn't deserve to have him worry about me so.
"Just take me home, Ranma. Please," I whispered.
Ranma said nothing as he scooped me up in his arms and jumped onto a rooftop.
I let the frustration and weariness of the day overtake me as I fell into a deep sleep, but not before wondering how much longer Ranma and I would be able to avoid the feelings that refused to disappear.
****************************************************
Author's Notes: I proofread as much as I can but I do so hastily so you I can get the chapters out to you without delay. In other words, please excuse any grammatical/typographical errors. What exactly happened to get Ukyo so riled up? Well, I've decided that I'm going to cover that in an upcoming side story. What's next for our favorite couple? Well, Akane must finally have a talk with Ranma and the results are not going to be what you expect (I steadfastedly refuse to give them the "on the rooftops watching the stars" scenario). I need to give Ryoga and Ukyo some sort of comfort and so I'll try to follow up the side story with a Ryoga+Ukyo story. I have so much on my plate and so little time. I was intending for this to be another Ryoga and Akane moment but Ukyo just wouldn't leave and you guys know how persuasive she can be with those sharp spatulas in her hand. I'm having fun planning out the Shampoo and Kodachi encounters so stay tuned. As always, e-mail me smijaresc@my-deja.com or leave feedback in the fanfiction.net reviews forum.
Until next time,
Sonia M.
P.S. Does anyone happen to remember if Ranma's eyes are blue or gray? I've heard them referred to as blue in some fanfics while others give him gray.
******************************************************
Author's Notes:
Whoa, so much going on ne? I know everything seems sort of confusing and unclear but I sort of wanted to go with Akane's stream of consciousness. She's thinking so many things and feeling even more that I thought it'd be cool to stick with that and make it a bit natural. Now that I'm done with this chapter, what exactly can you guys look forward to? Well, next up, Akane must deal with Ryoga and everyone else, including Ranma. How will I handle the Akane/Ranma confrontation? Well, let's just say that it won't be your typical "girl gazes into guy's eyes and they live happily ever after" type thing, but it'll be sure to give you a WAFF (Warms and Fuzzy Feeling). Give me C&C about this chapter because, after all, there's this great thing on fanfiction.net called "editing" and I can do lots of it at your request guys. Well, I'll be sure and try to post Part 3 sometime next week and you can be sure that you'll see more of the "Three Little Schoolgirls" story posted. As for the Nabiki/Kunou storyline request, I'm seriously thinking of doing another...maybe a "the day after" follow-up? Right now, there's a lot on my plate so I'll just take it easy for now.
C&C: Review or drop a line--simplyshy@hotmail.com
Until later,
Sonia M.