Aqua Maidens
By Artemis
Chapter 1: Goodbye Akane
Disclaimer: I don't own some of these characters. Rumiko Takahashi does. Yadee, yadee Yah Da. Geez I'm gonna start sounding like a broken record.
Author's Note: Okay, the first chapter might not make any sense, but once you read the second chapter, it will fit the title, hopefully.
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"…And Akane Tendo, do you take Ranma Saotome, to be your lawfully wedded husband through sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do."
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister announced. And as they were told, Ranma and Akane, kissed.
After the party, they got into a limousine. Gazing at her wedding ring, Akane sighed. The limo turned a sharp corner. It rolled and was in flames.
Akane sprung up from her bed. She had been having this same dream over every night. She looked at her alarm clock. 2:19am. 'Geez! I'm going back to sleep' she thought.
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In the morning, after every one else had left to do airens, Akane helped Kasumi with the breakfast dishes.
"I had that dream again."
"That's the fourth time this week." Kasumi sighed.
"It's just so strange."
"Don't worry about it, it won't happen."
"I know," Akane said.
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Meanwhile
"I'm here to pick up a ring." Ranma said to the salesclerk at the jewelers.
"Name, please."
"Ranma Saotome."
"Yes, it's ready," the clerk went into a back room. Ranma stood there nervously. Flipping the checkbook he brought to pay for the ring.
'I can't believe I'm doing this. Good thing she didn't decide to tag along.'
"Here it is." The clerk said showing Ranma the ring. "The engraving is right. 'Forever Love'?" The letters were big and loopy, with lots of coils.
"Yes, it's right." Ranma said as he scribbled a check. Ripped the check out and handed it to the clerk. Ranma snapped the ring box shut, and put it into his pocket.
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The next day…
"Okay, everything's ready. Ring, the boat's booked. Um. Kasumi made a lunch." Ranma said softly to himself as he packed his bag. He closed the door as quietly as he could. "Damn, I need my own transportation."
He walked over to the Cat Café. It was early in the morning, but Shampoo was up. "I need to borrow your bike for the day."
"Okay, Ranma." She kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll bring it back tonight. I promise." He called back as he rode off into the rising sun.
~~~~
An hour later, Kasumi woke Akane up. They walked out to the Ranma had rented for the day. Kasumi started driving at the maximum speed limit. Then stopped by Starbucks drive-thru for a coffee. Kasumi looked at the passenger seat, where Akane slept. Then she focused on the road and sipped her coffee.
Finally, they got to the ocean. Ranma was there waiting for them. He had just gotten out of the boat rental shop, with a Styrofoam cup of coffee. "Sixth cup." He yawned, as he walked out to the rental car. "The guy's gonna start charging me."
"Do you want to wake her?" Kasumi said opening Akane's door.
"No, you."
Kasumi ducked into the car and gently shook Akane. Ranma walked out to the boat.
"Hmmm? Where are we?" Akane said sleepily.
"Uh, on a trip."
"okay," she said, not really caring. Kasumi walked her over to the boat that was tied up at the dock. "Hi Ranma. What are you doing here?" She rubbed her eyes.
"I'll tell you later. Just get in the boat."
Kasumi helped the sleepy Akane into the rowboat then headed back to the car. "Bye! Pick you up, say around 4:00?"
Ranma pushed the row boat off the land then hopped in. Akane, now fully awake, looked around. "Why are we here?"
"Uh, well, I wanted to tell you something." He said as he dug into his bag, looking for the ring. A bigger, self-powered boat came along. The boat accidentally tipped Ranma's little rowboat. Akane and Ranma fell out. Akane was breathless. She hit her head on the boat and was knocked unconscious. She fell to the depths of the ocean.
Ranma franticly looked for her. But he couldn't find her. Half an hour had passed, and he knew she was dead.