Sliding Doors
By: Lotusmoon
"Ouch! Hey let go of my hair." Ranma yelled. Ranma eventually gave up when Akane finally pulled him halfway to the P.E. equipment room.
"Okay Akane, what the hell is your problem?" Ranma asked.
Akane was furious, obviously. She checked if anyone has seen them go inside before closing the door.
"Ranma settle down will you!" Akane asked him.
"Yah whatever tomboy, what do you want?"
Ranma asked while tugging his hair. It hurt like hell for him, mostly with Akane's strong grip.
"Hey, hey, just say what you got to say okay."
"I don't like what you did yesterday!" Akane exclaimed.
"Akane, I don't know what you're talking about." Ranma replied.
"Ranma, you did something to me." Akane said with a flush.
She looked away seeming like she regretted what she just said.
"Huh? What did I do?" Ranma asked.
Akane, was blushing, she was blushing madly.
He started to turn red and he started to feel his self-faint little by little.
"I…ugh…what?" Ranma stuttered.
"You..You…" Akane blabbered.
"Get on with it will ya!"
"Ranma, shut up!" With Akane's tremendous voice, he did so.
"Oh okay."
"You ever wondered why your cheek hurt."
"Uh-huh. Yes?" Ranma was eyeing her.
"Well, I kind of slapped you yesterday morning." Akane said like a little girl who just committed a child like crime.
"And may I ask why you did so?" Ranma said who was getting more curious by the minute.
"Well it's because you…"
"Yes." Ranma replied while watching Akane twiddle her thumbs.
"You…" Akane was blushing.
"WHAT!" Ranma yelled.
"You grabbed me Ranma when I was trying to wake you up." Akane's face was flustered with embarrassment.
"You grabbed me in the chest, Ranma"
Ranma's gaze was steady. Akane had no idea if he was just shocked or died out of embarrassment.
"Ranma eventually snapped out of it when Akane gave him a blow on his head. Ranma gulped. A small mice sound like voice came out of his mouth. "Oh…I did."
Silence. Impertinating silence. Overcoming silence.
"Uhm, I'm sorry Akane. I didn't mean to." Ranma apologized while twiddling his thumbs and blushing at the same time.
"You were asleep Ranma, I should've known. So it's okay, you're forgiven." Akane gave Ranma an assuring smile. What the? She's forgiven me? Ranma thought surprisingly.
"Oh…" was all he could say.
"Ranma, you called out my name." Akane said.
"I what?" Ranma asked.
"You called out my name when you were sleeping that's why it took me five minutes to wake you up because I thought you were already awake. I was waiting for you to get up."
"Then, when you didn't wake up I knew you were sleeping. Then you just grabbed me out of nowhere, In my chest even. So I slapped you out of surprise or shock." Akane said flustered.
"Okay I can understand why you slapped me."
Ranma said while looking at Akane who was blushing where he found himself blushing at the same time.
" But you didn't have to slap me that hard you know! " Ranma said while he touched his cheek.
"I'm very sorry." Akane said.
"That's okay Akane, you're forgiven." Ranma smiled.
"Ugh you mean it?" Akane asked.
"Sure why not." Ranma said.
"Yah why not Ranma?" Akane asked curiously. Ranma was quiet the whole time and so was Akane.
She didn't know what to say not until Ranma slowly got up and opened the door.
"Ranma?" Akane called out.
"Yah?" Ranma looked back.
"Thank you." Akane said.
"No sweat." Ranma winked at her. It gave Akane butterflies in her stomach. She was smiling.
They went back to class afterwards. It was awkward for both Akane and Ranma. It was almost unusual that they acted that way; their friends were suspecting that something was up.
Akane was quietly eating her lunch with her friends outside while Ranma stayed with Hiroshi and Daisuke in the classroom.
"Ranma what's up with you today? You're usually not this quiet you know."
Hiroshi asked while he munched on his lunch. He was waiting for his answer but nothing came out as Ranma's reply.
"Ugh, Ranma?" Daisuke called him out. Ranma was still wondering off in the imaginative horizon.
"What?" Ranma finally replied.
"Are you going to eat your bread?" asked Daisuke and started gulping down his milk yogurt.
"Sure, here you can have it." Ranma tossed the bread to Daisuke, which landed on his lap.
Both Hiroshi and Daisuke got up quickly from where they were sitting and gasped.
"It can't be!" "No it can't!" Ranma caught their attention and shrugged it off.
"What are you two babbling about? Sit down and be quiet."
Hiroshi and Daisuke was still on their 'state of shock' but did what Ranma told them to do.
"You're ruining my peace of mind. Eat up and shut up!"
Ranma's face was slightly irritated. He was amidst in his imagination, floating somewhere in the land of dreams.
I can't believe this. I'm living the image that has been created for me. A PERVERT! Did I really do what she said? Man, if Nabiki hears about this, it's the end.
"Ranma!" Akane came up behind him.
"You want to go for a walk?" Akane asked hesitantly.
"Ugh, walk?" Ranma stuttered. It was surprising for him. He was never asked to go walk in the park before by Akane.
"Yes, at the park after school." Akane looked at Ranma who looked back at her.
"Uhm, okay." Ranma replied. Akane smiled. "Thank you Ranma!"
He watched her walk out of the classroom and waited until she was out of sight. He clenched his fist and turned around to face Daisuke and Hiroshi.
"Okay you two! Why didn't you tell she was behind me?" Both Hiroshi and Daisuke were dumbfounded.
"Ugh Ranma, she's your fiancée. I don't think we need to tell you whether she comes by or not. You two are engaged. Why are you acting like it's something new to you?" Daisuke remarked.
"You could've warned me or something." Ranma replied while trying to calm down.
What is wrong with me? Is it because of what happened? I kissed her before without my knowledge and how I now I did the same thing. This time I grabbed her in my sleep, enough to be pounded to the prehistoric era.
Hiroshi and Daisuke were both looking at each other like they just witnessed something unusual.
Well, it was unusual for them because Ranma is usually quiet but sociable.
This time though, it seems that he's occupied by something important due to the fact that he hasn't even answered his question twenty minutes ago.
"Ranma's weird today!" Daisuke remarked.
"You don' say!" Hiroshi added.
How come I feel this way? I mean, he did grab my chest but I'm not as mad as I thought I would normally be.
It was after school already and Akane was ready to go to the park. It wasn't anything special; she just wanted to relax.
Akane kept walking towards the gates of the school until she reached the outside of Furinkan High School property.
It feels unusual not to be mad. It feels…good, like a heavy load was lifted off my shoulder.
Akane was cut off her thoughts when she noticed that Ranma was nowhere to be seen.
"I wonder where Ranma is?" Akane looked around a little bit more and then decided to leave by herself.
She continued to walk away from the school but she was constantly looking back.
Hoping that Ranma would see her and catch up to her.
Her thoughts wandered off again.
A few minutes later she reached the park. She stood by the artificial pond and let herself drift away with dreams, a revelation.
It feels so nice to have someone by my side. It feels so safe.
It was an astounding revelation that she never expected.
She was now sitting by the artificial pond and watched a couple of ducks wade their way to the other end.
"If things are different, I wonder how Ranma and I could've been.
"I wonder what could've come out of us?" Akane was thinking too loud for her thoughts.
It was getting late so she decided to head home.
Ranma never came. I wonder why? I don't blame him. I'm such a dolt, sometimes…
Akane stopped and looked at the sunset. It seems like everything was set perfectly for her.
No one was there and it was peaceful. It seemed to her like everything harmonized that day.
There was just one person missing.
Change that to all the time!
Akane started walking away from the sunset and the harmony.
It was getting late and she thought that something or someone might have sidetracked Ranma.
It was who rather than what that would've most likely to have sidetracked Ranma.
I'm tired. I better go home.
She walked on and drifted to her thoughts.
Ever thought about suicide? No, why would I do that? I don't know! Then why did you bring it up? You brought it up! Who did? You did! How? You feel blue I'm here, so you brought it up! Oh hush!
Ranma's thoughts were conflicting with each other. "Stupid thoughts! Blaming me!"
Ranma walked out of his classroom and went straight to Akane's last class.
He didn't see her so he decided that maybe she's with her friends.
I'm going to have to look for her then.
He was outside the building and was eyeing the place when he saw Sayuka.
"Hey! Sayuka!" Ranma caught up with her who was talking to a couple of her friends.
"Hey Ranma." Sayuka greeted.
"Uhm, have you seen Akane?" Ranma asked.
" I thought she was wit you?" Sayuka replied.
"No actually I'm looking for her." Ranma answered.
"You know Ranma, Akane has been acting rather strange lately."
"How?" Ranma was all ears.
"She's just quiet and all to herself. When we asked if anything was wrong, she just got up and left us at lunch."
Sayuka was sure that to whatever conclusion she was leading, Ranma was a part of it.
Ranma looked clueless for he didn't know what Sayuka was talking about.
"What?" Ranma asked.
"I think she went to the park today after school." Sayuka replied.
"You don't suppose she's there already?" Ranma asked.
"Maybe." Sayuka replied. Ranma ran towards the gate and yelled out thank you to Sayuka.
"Argh! How can I forget the park? She wanted to go there."
I have to catch up to Akane, she's probably mad at me.
Ranma started roof hopping. The park wasn't that far from his school.
He ran even faster for he wanted to make sure he gets there and spends the time he had agreed upon with Akane.
Finally he reached the park, but no one was there.
It was already late when he decided to give up on looking for her.
"She's probably home by now. I better get going before I miss dinner. I'll make to her later."
Ranma reached home in no less than 10 minutes.
The house was quiet and the entire running made him tired and sleepy.
He went on ahead and slept.
"Ranma wake up!" Akane called out. She was shaking Ranma.
"Huh?" Ranma responded with two quick winks and a yawn.
"You must've fallen asleep here when you got home." Akane said while she started fixing the table.
"Ugh, what are you doing?" Ranma asked.
"I'm setting the table Ranma. Dad and Kasumi went out on an appointment. Nabiki won't be home until later tonight. There was cooked food in the kitchen, Kasumi left it for us and get your own food."
Akane replied while she put rice on her bowl and poured tea.
"Whew! Good thing you didn't cook!" Ranma said under his breath.
*Drops of water* Ranma's hair was wet. "Now I smell like green tea."
"I heard that Ranma. Your lucky it's hot water!"
Akane went to kitchen to get a towel and returned to see Ranma still not eating.
"Why aren't you eating? Don't worry you're not going to die, its not toxic."
Akane remarked coldly.
"I didn't cook it remember?" Akane quickly added.
"Uhm, right." Ranma replied.
By all rights Ranma should've been malleted to next Wednesday night dinner but Akane's probably not in the mood tonight.
They remained quiet the whole dinnertime. Ranma was too busy eating; Akane was too busy trying not to notice Ranma eat. She'd rather do it that way.
"So ugh, Akane?" Ranma said. "I…ugh…sorry" Ranma croaked.
"For what?" Akane asked.
"For not showing up at the park. It slipped my mind."
Ranma answered while watching Akane eat and trying to sense if she was mad at all.
Akane was quiet for a while which made Ranma uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry Akane." Ranma said. Akane was still quiet.
"Uhm, Akane?" Ranma stopped eating and his set his bowl down on the table.
I don't know what's wrong with her. Why won't she talk to me?
Ranma tried again but to no avail, Akane remained quiet.
For Ranma, it's so annoying not to be talked to. He would've just left it alone but he just couldn't take it.
He can't avoid another argument.
"Akane, I know it's my fault for forgetting but you don't need to shut me out!"
Ranma was trying to make Akane talk to him again but it seems like Akane doesn't want to speak a word.
Akane was finished eating her dinner. She was about to go to the kitchen when Ranma pounded his fist on the table.
Akane stopped abruptly but didn't show any expression of surprise. She stayed quiet.
"Akane talk to me. Damn it!" Ranma was slightly irritated. Why can't they just get over this?
"Akane, I know you're mad because I didn't get to go with you. I'm sorry. Please just tell me your mad, or pound me instead of not saying anything and being mute."
Ranma was a little surprised at what he said.
He doesn't usually apologize on little misunderstandings like these.
Heck, he even suggested he get pounded just so Akane will respond to him.
Oh did he get his wish.
Akane turned around and stared at Ranma coldly.
There wasn't anything he said that seemed to trigger Akane's anger.
Something flickered in her that made her move up to Ranma and stare at him closely.
"Ranma…" Akane said.
"Yeah…" Ranma answered hesitantly. Uh oh!
"Clean up your own mess. I'm going to bed after this."
Ranma was surprised.
What the?
Ranma was staring at Akane's eyes which showed no emotions whatsoever.
"Ugh, Akane?" Akane started to stand up and walk to the kitchen.
She didn't bother replying back to Ranma.
"Akane you okay there?" Ranma questioned.
"Ranma, I know there could have been many things that might have stopped you from coming with me. It's okay. I'm not mad." Ranma was just speechless.
"Whatever it is, don't worry about it." Akane said.
When the heck did she get so logical?
Akane went past Ranma and straight upstairs to her room.
Akane…
Ranma heard the door shut.
This is wrong. This is all wrong!
Ranma kept wondering what could've happened to her that made her so…different today.
Ranma was going nuts trying to figure out what was going on with her.
"Something is going on here and I will find out what!"
I'm not in the mood to argue today. It feels so strange to actually be logical. It feels like I'm someone else and not the normal Akane that Ranma knows. What difference does it make its not like I've been this logical since---today? AAA! This is so strange.
Akane closed her eyes and relaxed her body. It was a tiring day, so she decided it would be best if she went to sleep.
"Do you want to see?"
It was a voice. It came from somewhere, but where? Akane was getting the feeling that something was going on.
"Who's there?" Akane called out. "Where are you?" she asked.
"Closer than you think." The voice replied.
I'm dreaming. This must be a dream.
"Oh but my dear, you are not!"
Once again the voice called out.
"Do you want to see?"
"See what?" Akane began to tremble. The voice wasn't anything peaceful. It was frightening because of its depth.
It was as if the voice can make a person's body shiver of fright.
"Whoever you are come out and fight me." Akane announced.
She positioned herself to a fighting stance and tried to sense her surroundings.
"Come out!"
"I will come back for you."
With that, a fog came in and a strong gust of wind breezed through her.
"AAA…" Akane covered her face and when she felt that the wind was gone she looked around if anyone was there.
Suddenly, a bright light shone and to the extent that Akane couldn't keep her eyes open.
"Aaaaaah!" Akane woke up sweating.
"What a strange dream!" Akane huffed.
It was morning and it was chilly.
"Are you sure about your plan?" Jinko asked.
"Sure I am."
"Do you think that she's ready for the revelation."
Jinko walked up beside Suyoshi who was tending his rose garden.
"She has to be ready."
Suyoshi answered while he trimmed his rose bush.
"What if she's not?" Jinko asked while he watched him.
Suyoshi was silent for a while.
Not because he didn't know how to answer his question but he was hesitant to say what could happen.
Then he spoke.
"She will be the one to chose. I only give what she desires."
"She's one of a kind."
"I am aware of that."
Suyoshi picked a rose bud of extraordinary color and softness.
"Like this rose you are, Akane Tendo. Your time will come."
Jinko could only watch the rose gleam and bloom in the sunlight.
30…29…28…27…Ranma was waiting patiently.
"Man this is taking too long!"
"I'm already starving!" Ranma pushed the clear button.
He took the instant pork bun out of the microwave and threw it in the garbage.
"This instant pork bun is no good. I'll have to wait till later."
Ranma went to the living room. He sat there for a moment then lay down.
"Akane, time will come where I will tell you how…"
Ranma stopped abruptly. He sat up. Why is it so hard for him to admit things?
It should be easy because he's a guy. Well not exactly, trying to tell the woman what he feels for her but can't say it.
I'm a dolt! Ranma thought.
Ranma tried to stand up but his body told him to stay put.
He lay down once more. He called out Akane's name from his mind. He couldn't say her name.
For some reason, it was at the tip of his tongue but it wouldn't escape his lips.
Akane started writing in her about all the things she's been holding back.
Even though she trains and a lot of her stress is relieved, it's only her physical body that gets rid off that stress.
She needs and emotional hole to dump in all her worries about, certain things.
I just wish you could stop and look deep inside of me Ranma. Akane thought.
A knock on the door was heard. Akane called out the go for the person to come in.
"Hey there, Akane!" Nabiki greeted.
"Hey Nabiki." Akane said. Akane was just laying down in her bed thinking.
"You busy?" Nabiki asked as she looked around Akane's room.
"Not at the moment." Akane replied. She was still lying in her bed not noticing Nabiki observing her.
Nabiki knew it was mission impossible for her to try and have Akane open up to her.
Since she's here she might as well try.
If it was bugging Ranma that there was something that Akane wants to tell someone, she might as well sardonically try.
"So how are you Akane?" Nabiki asked.
"Fine." Akane replied.
Nabiki turned around to face Akane's desk.
There were a couple of books lying around, mostly school books. Nabiki was eyeing Akane's bulletin board.
In it she saw a couple of reminders for a school play and messages from her friends.
She then noticed the picture they took from Prince Toma's island.
That was a ride. I wish I could do it again. Nabiki thought.
She sat down at Akane's chair just and just stared at her window.
"Akane?" Nabiki called. Akane shot up from her recent position of lying down to sitting up.
"Yes?" Akane replied.
"Are you having problems?"
"Why do you ask?"
Akane was trying to formulate another conversation idea to diverge the current sister talk.
"Just answer me Akane." Nabiki said.
"No problems with anything." Akane looked at Nabiki who slightly turned her head to meet her sister's gaze.
"Akane you may be good at martial arts but you're still a woman. You can't hide." Nabiki said.
Akane frowned. What now, another grueling investigation from Nabiki.
"Why are you asking oneechan?"
"Akane when I ask it's for a purpose." Nabiki stood up and took a book from Akane's desk. It caught her attention.
Akane didn't seem to notice that Nabiki had been reading a page that she bookmark and pages she highlighted on the book she bought the other day.
"I'm not complaining with how my life is. I just wish it could be different." Akane said sighing.
"Why is that?" Nabiki asked as she kept reading.
"If things were different maybe some things would be a lot more easier." Akane replied as she lied back down still not aware.
"Such as?"
"I don't know." Akane said, but right afterwards "Ranma maybe."
She trailed off. Nabiki stopped reading, closed the book and returned it in the study desk.
"Akane" Akane looked up at Nabiki who had a masked face.
Metaphorically speaking since Nabiki is not used to being open and hearty. She's more of the swindler type.
"A lot of people ask for a second chance. Our life is a roller coaster; it goes on without stopping. If you're lucky you get to slow down but you can't do over you know. Wishing won't help either, that's why you have to be ready all the time."
They were quiet for a while.
Nobody said anything because both the Tendo sisters were surprised at the sudden honesty that unfolded before them.
"Nabiki." Akane called out.
"Yeah?" Nabiki replied as she looked back at Akane.
"I wish someone… I wish I can change some things." She stopped.
"Like mother." Akane smiled very weakly. Nabiki stayed emotionless.
Nabiki smiled at Akane who in return smiled back. Nabiki closed the door and a sigh was muffled out.
"You're not the only one."
That day Ranma and Akane ended up fighting again.
The same reasons and the same arguments with the same name-calling and the endless insults, that lead to another ticked off Akane and a beat up Ranma.
"Ugh! When is he going to stop? All I want for him to do was try my new recipe. I didn't know I had put salt instead of sugar and vinegar instead of water."
Akane was still mad and this time, it was too much for her to handle.
"Not to mention he had to call me names and make fun of me."
Ranma on the other side…
"Man, that stupid tomboy. How can she make me eat the same toxic foods she makes all the time." Ranma complained.
"Boy, nobody told you to eat her cooking!" Genma stated.
Ranma was clenching his fist.
"Grr, old man, you don't know anything."
"What do you think you would've done if you were in the same position as me Pops? Turn into a panda!" Ranma yelled.
Right as soon as he said those words, he turned around to see his pops in his panda form and playing with a tire.
"Aaaaaaah! You old fool! Is that all you resort to you big stuffed animal!" Ranma stood up and started to walk out of the room.
"Is there anyone here sensible enough to talk to?"
"I can't believe this! It ends up that I'm the one who's insensitive and uncaring and unthoughtful.
When she's the one who mallets me around just because I made a joke that I don' t mean."
*Kick* He kicked a rock towards the canal.
"She makes me eat horrible food." *Shivers*
"And they call me insensitive and unthoughtful!"
*Kick* kicked another stone.
"I don't want to lie in my early grave."
"Is that too much to ask?" Ranma asked himself.
*Zooooooom…* *Splash*
Water boat in a canal?
"Argh!" *Drip* *drip*
"Why me?" *Drip* drip*
It seems like his answer came to a form of cold water.
Look at a person and he only becomes what you see, look deeper and he becomes even more.
She closed the book. Akane had been trying to refigure herself.
From all the taunting and mockery, a person can't always stay protected.
She tried to prevent herself from crying every time she reminds herself that she's more than an uncute tomboy and a macho-chick.
"Look deeper and I become even more…"
Akane started reciting the phrases over and over. With every word a tear drops.
A sign that out of her emotional exterior, she still is a woman and she feels how it can hurt. Akane cried.
She dropped her book and kept crying.
"I wish things were different…I want him to see me even more."
She let herself cry. No one was there to listen to her cries. She didn't want anyone to know anyway.
"What am I to you Ranma?"
Finally she caught herself and stopped.
"If I was like Ukyou or Shampoo who can cook really good or be skilled, I guess it would be a lot easier for you to put up with me." Akane sighed.
"I wish things were different." She added.
The night was chilly but it didn't stop Akane to leave her windows open. She kept calling out his name in her sleep, maybe a couple of times.
From where Akane laid asleep, Ranma sat on a branch of a tree, close by Akane's room.
"Akane…" He decided it's better to leave her window and go to his own room.
He went through the window and closed it silently.
"I didn't know you call out my name too."
"Just in case you were wondering…" he trailed off.
"You are even more…"
To my readers,
I will put my stories on hold for Ranma 1/2 because I have to go to Japan for a very important reason.
No I won't be in vacation but I promise you that I will continue writing my Sliding Doors fanfiction story.
Until then, I'll see you soon.
Lotusmoon