-It's finally here - the last chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
-Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi created Ranma 1/2. I didn't. But this storyline is all my own.
Better Left Unspoken - Letters to Akane
Akane sighed as she looked at the package that Kasumi had given her. After weeks of waiting and hoping, it had come. Unwrapping the brown paper, she pulled out a small stack of envelopes and rifled through them, opening them as she went along. Ranma's letters that he had written to her during the six months he had been away were soon piled in a little heap in front of her.
"Well, I guess they couldn't track down all of them, but even this is better than nothing. Okay, first things first. Let's put these in order." She sorted them quickly by date. Then, taking a shuddering deep breath, she picked up the first in the stack and began to read. By some amazing piece of luck (A/N - or just because this would have been too hard to write otherwise...), the first letter seemed to be the first one Ranma had written to her.
Akane,
So, yeah, I figure by now you either hate my guts, or you get why I left. If it's the second, then you're better off than me. Cause I got no clue why I left. No wait, not true. Cause I'm an idiot. Yep, Akane, you were right. I'm an idiot, I'm a jerk. Because the best thing in my life tells me what I want to hear, and I turn and walk away with some cheesy line out of a B-movie plot.
Your Dad's probably really pissed at me, huh? Aww, I know you won't be able to send me a reply to this letter, so don't know why I even bother asking questions. But like that kinda reasoning is going to stop me.
Okay, here goes the explaining. I'm not gonna get tear marks all over this letter or nothing, or do something stupid like beg for your forgiveness, cause that's not me and you know it. Besides, you and I both know that we both made mistakes in how we did this whole thing. Yeah, you got the mallet out now, don't ya? Hehe - so, before you tear up this letter, take a deep breath, and hear me out, k?
I got scared. I don't know why, and I probably won't ever know why. It was just - I don't know - things were going good after that whole mess of a wedding day, and we were getting along, and the horde wasn't bothering us. And the first thing that popped into my head was "Why ruin a good thing?". So then, I open my mouth and put my foot into it. I'm good at that, you've probably never noticed. Does sarcasm come across on paper?
Anyway, that's all I'm going to say for right now. I need some time away from everything just to get things clear in my head. I know how I feel, but I just can't seem to say it. But it's a lot easier knowing you feel the same. I'll come back - I'm not sure when - but I will come back - to you. And then, maybe, I'll be able to say, or at least show, how I feel.
Tell Pops and your family that I'm okay, and that I'll even try to write to them sometimes.
Ranma
Akane frowned slightly after reading the letter. Well, it didn't really explain much, but there were still other letters. She picked up the next one. It was written a month or so later.
Akane,
Hey, it's me again. Did some more training yesterday. Found a little dojo up in some really quiet hills. They've got some real interesting techniques. The guy that runs the dojo knows his stuff. He's going to show me a few things from his school - it's the school of Martial Arts meditation. Yesterday I actually managed to sit in one place and think of nothing for 3 minutes. And right now you're saying "But isn't that the usual, Ranma? Thinking of nothing?". Hee.
But actually, it seems like I've been doing nothing other than thinking lately. Thinking of us, and our relationship - if you can even call it one. We both sort of jump the gun a lot. Saying things that we don't mean, hurting each other without really wanting to - that kind of thing. Sometimes I wonder if we would have been totally different if Pops and I had come to your house without the whole engaged bit. But then, maybe nothing would have changed. Who knows.
So, here's the deal. I learn to work on keeping my mouth shut when I can't think of something nice to say, and you learn to control your temper. Sounds harsh I know, but yeah, Akane. You have a temper. Am I just saying that cause I know I'm out of your reach at the moment? Probably, but it's true. It's also true that I'm an outspoken jerk who says the worst possible things at the worst possible times. So we've each got our faults.
I wish you could reply to these, so I know that you agree with me. But somehow, I think you do. From what happened before I left, I think you want to make this work out as much as I do.
Been thinking of you lots - hope you've been thinking of me.
Ranma
Akane glared at a few points in the last letter - namely the part about her having a temper. Really! She so did not have a temper! Then, laughing at herself, she calmed down. After all, she had admitted to herself not that long ago that yes, she did have a temper. She read a few more of the letters. A lot of them were just short notes, letting her know what he had done that week, but others were longer.
Akane,
Hey. How's things going at home? Weird that I think of your house as home, but I do. I guess after having lived anywhere and everywhere for 10 years, settling down in one place was bound to make that happen. But I don't think that's quite it. It's home because... well, because of the people in it. Kasumi and Nabiki are like sisters to me, and your dad is cool too. Then there's you. And that I think is the big reason it's home to me. Because you're there, and where you are is where I want to be.
Been thinking about heading back soon - I can't wait to see everyone again. How is the old gang anyway? Funny that I even kind of miss them. Hey, I said KIND OF! Hehe. Hope they haven't been bothering you too much while I've been gone. Or that no one's come to kidnap you or nothing. After all, I'm not there to rescue you. Just kidding!
I've just been doing some aimless wandering - starting to feel a bit like Ryoga. Just stopping for the night under a tree, or a dojo if I'm lucky enough to find one in the area. I use the mediation techniques I learned a while ago every night. They really help to make the day's problems disappear.
Hey, Akane? Am I immature? Cause at the last place I stayed for a while, the master there read my aura and said that I lacked the grace and wisdom for one of my years - whatever that means. His wife said it meant that I was immature, but I think she must have been mistaken. Oh, who am I kidding? I know I lack in certain areas. Especially dealing with other people my own age. All I know how to do is fight the guys, and not know how to act around the girls. Anyway, like I said, this guy told me that I needed to learn how to act my age. But he didn't train me. His wife did. Everyday for two weeks, we'd have a conversation. She'd pretend to be a teenage girl, and I'd be my normal self. Then, each time I did something stupid, we'd stop and discuss it. First day, I think I got about an average of 5 words out before getting stopped each time for a discussion.
I think it helped though. Being told what I did wrong worked a lot better than other methods I can think of. I won't mention any, but I think you know what I'm talking about. Right, Little Miss Mallet? Hey, I hope you don't mind me teasing you like this - Mrs. Yokohami - that's the lady I trained with - said that my teasing is just my way of expressing my like for someone. Stupid way of expressing it, were her exact words, I think.
I wish you could write back! I want to know what you're doing - what you're thinking - whether you think of me as much as I think of you. Or if you're taking this time apart to try to learn something about yourself too. Funny how I can write this stuff to you - but I'm red as a beet, trust me. Yeah, I've grown up a bit, but I think I'm still a lot of the same old Ranma you know.
Miss you,
Ranma
Akane was smiling now. It was so funny that Ranma wrote exactly as he spoke - with poor grammar and all. She could almost see him writing the letters, trying to think of what words to use, maybe even looking over his shoulder for an impending thwack on the head when he wrote something she could take wrongly. Eagerly she reached for the next one in the rapidly diminishing stack.
Akane,
I miss you. I miss our fights, I miss walking to school with you and sneaking peeks at you when I knew you weren't looking. I miss how you nibble on your bottom lip when you're concentrating in class. I miss seeing how cute you are when you smile.
This letter is probably going to be a weird one, so bear with me, okay? I'm just in a funky mood. I want to go home, but I know I'm not quite ready to come back to you, and face you, and say the things I want to say to you. So, I'm just going to try to get some of it across now on paper. I'll probably tear this up after writing it and you'll never get to see it, but who knows - maybe I'll throw it in an envelope and slam it into the nearest mailbox before I can think twice.
I think about us a lot. About what I hope we can have when I get back. How we'll get the school back on its feet, with new students for you and I to train together. I want to be a part of your life, your family's life, to help make it better.
I remember how upset you were after I kissed you while I was thinking I was a cat. I wish it hadn't happened like that - I'd like to at least remember it - kissing the girl who I think about kissing all the time. I do, you know. Every time you'd smile at me, I would want to reach out and kiss you. But I didn't, did I? But when I get back, you'd better have those lips ready, Akane. Just wanted to let you know that. I'm going to kiss you until my knees buckle. Which probably won't take long. And yes, I know that I wrote "my". Cause you make me tremble just thinking about it.
I've been putting a lot of thought into our future. I want a little girl who looks just like you - tomboy and all. I like you as a tomboy - ready to try anything and everything, not afraid to stand up to a fight. No - I want a lot of little girls, who all take after their mom. I'd probably spoil them rotten though. I know you'd be a good parent - I've seen the way you've been around people younger than you - you're so much more patient with them then I am. But you'd help me be a good dad, I know.
Akane - I want to marry you. I want to hold you at night, in our room, knowing that my heart is beating next to yours. I want to look at you while you're sleeping. I want to fall asleep next to you, and wake up next to you everyday. Sometimes at night, I dream about you. Most of the time. I dream about coming home, and having you open the door and reaching out to touch you to make sure that I'm really there, and that you're really you. But right now it's just a dream.
I wonder if you still feel the same. Maybe I'm writing this, and you're reading it and laughing. But I can't think like that. I know how you feel, and I hope you now know how I feel. Wouldn't it be nice if we both were on the same track at the same time for once?
I'm going to mail this. As soon as I write my name, I'm throwing it into this envelope sitting beside me and running to the post office. I hope.
I will come home soon. To you.
Ranma
Akane hugged this letter to her with a happy sigh. All kinds of emotions had run through her head while reading it. But above all was joy. Ranma maybe couldn't say or even write those three little words, but she could read between the lines. She was pretty sure he still felt the same. Looking at the letters left to read, she realized, somewhat disappointed, that there was only two left.
Akane,
Had an interesting day today. Got splashed with cold water by accident for the first time in quite a while. And of course, it had to be while I was staying at a monastery. Figures. Ever ran out of a monastery topless, while a bunch of monks are trying to cover their eyes, yet not at the same time? Didn't think so. It's not fun.
I think I've finally come to terms with my curse. I don't know if I'll ever get my hands on another batch of "Spring of drowned man" water again. If I do, I know I'll use it, but if I don't, my life won't be over. Even though I look like a girl, I know I'm not, and I'm not worried anymore that if I change too many times I'll start being one for real.
Do you mind that I have this curse? I know you've said you don't like it, but then there were times that it really didn't seem to bother you all that much. Maybe you were being like me and just trying to find things wrong with our situation? Deep thoughts, I know.
I don't think this letter is going to be long - it's raining out, and pretty cold. I'm in a cave at the moment, but I've got to go collect some wood for a fire in a bit. I'm eating okay, I know pretty much what to look for when I'm on my own, plus there's not a lack of people where I've been. I sometimes do odd jobs for a meal. Little of this, little of that.
I'm getting tired of wandering and thinking about my life. I've been gone over 5 months now. I want to get back to Nerima and get on with my life.
The wind's picking up - I'm gonna go get that wood now. I'll write again soon.
Yours,
Ranma
Her heart beating fast, and her palms suddenly sweaty, Akane slowly reached down and picked up the last letter. It wasn't very long, more of a note, but it was the last one, and she hated to see them come to an end.
Akane,
I'm on my way home! By the time you get this, I should only be a day or so behind it. Will you be there when I get to the door? I hope so. I hope your face is the first thing I see when I walk in.
I want to ask you to do something for me. If you still feel the same as you did 6 months ago, wear a flower in your hair every day from the time you get this letter. That way, I'll know when I get there. So that if you don't, I don't embarrass you. Will you do that? Will you be wearing a blossom the next time I see you? I'm dreaming that you do.
I hope my letters have helped cover the distance that there is between us while I've been gone. It's helped me - when I'm writing to you, I look up in the sky, and I see your face, and it's like you're there, and I'm not writing it, I'm saying it - to you. And you're smiling, and all is right with the world.
I'm coming home - to you, I hope. Akane - I don't ever want to be away from you for so long again.
I love you.
Ranma
Akane burst into tears. Huge, gasping sobs threw themselves past her lips. She couldn't understand it - she was so happy reading that last sentence, why was she crying? But she couldn't stop either. Reaching down, she held on to the letters almost frantically, as if she was trying to absorb the words within them into her skin.
She heard a knock on the door, but couldn't manage to get any words out over her tears. A muffled voice came through, but she couldn't make it out. Trying to collect herself, she swiped madly at her face, still not able to stop the tears of happiness. She saw her door opening slowly, and then there he was, peeking carefully around it.
She managed to choke out a coherent sentence, seeing the look of worry on his face.
"Oh, Ranma..." she smiled through her sobs.
Ranma's eyes darted to the papers. They opened wide as he recognized the handwriting. "My letters..."
Akane gulped down another sob and nodded. She was a mess! Reaching for a box of tissues, she stumbled off her bed. Ranma was there in an instant to keep her from falling. Silently he passed her the box, and knelt in front of her as she sat back down on the bed, slowly collecting herself.
"How... I mean, when... but I thought the letters were lost!?" Ranma sputtered out.
Akane finally was calm enough to speak. "You had mentioned a few of the areas that you had been to, so I called the postal offices and talked to the lost letters department. They said they'd do what they could, but it had been a while, and I had given up on them finding anything..."
Ranma suddenly clued in. "That's who you were waiting for! The mailman!" He was happy this last bit of mystery had been cleared up for him. Looking at the letters now strewn across the bed, he glanced back at Akane. "They couldn't find them all, I take it?"
Akane shook her head.
"And you've read them?" Ranma asked nervously.
Akane nodded her head.
Ranma cleared his throat. "Akane... There's just so much I should say, I don't know where to begin - all those things you read, I wanted to tell you about, but..."
Akane suddenly interrupted. "Ranma... some things are better left unspoken" She whispered with a glint of humor in her eyes at using the same words he had so long before.
He looked at her puzzled.
She reached over to her bedside table and grabbed a flower out of a little bouquet vase that was sitting there. Quickly, she thrust it into her hair. Ranma's eyes widened as he realized what she had done.
"In other words, shut up and kiss me." She murmured as she closed her eyes and leaned towards him, reaching her arms around his neck, and entwining her fingers in his hair.
He was more than happy to oblige.
The End.
-It's done! Wow - writing this took a lot of work to make it right. And you know how it got started in the first place? One of my friends bet me that I couldn't write something other than comedy. But truthfully, I have to say, I like writing humor better. Not that I didn't enjoy doing this story - after all, I've had so many supporters of this fic, that there's no way I wouldn't enjoy it. So, what's next from me? You'll have to wait and see! I hope you've all enjoyed Better Left Unspoken - Thank you to everyone who reviewed - both the good and the bad, and special thanks to all that reviewed more than once. Your comments and suggestions helped create this story just as much as me typing it. Read and review!
-Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi created Ranma 1/2. I didn't. But this storyline is all my own.
Better Left Unspoken - Letters to Akane
Akane sighed as she looked at the package that Kasumi had given her. After weeks of waiting and hoping, it had come. Unwrapping the brown paper, she pulled out a small stack of envelopes and rifled through them, opening them as she went along. Ranma's letters that he had written to her during the six months he had been away were soon piled in a little heap in front of her.
"Well, I guess they couldn't track down all of them, but even this is better than nothing. Okay, first things first. Let's put these in order." She sorted them quickly by date. Then, taking a shuddering deep breath, she picked up the first in the stack and began to read. By some amazing piece of luck (A/N - or just because this would have been too hard to write otherwise...), the first letter seemed to be the first one Ranma had written to her.
Akane,
So, yeah, I figure by now you either hate my guts, or you get why I left. If it's the second, then you're better off than me. Cause I got no clue why I left. No wait, not true. Cause I'm an idiot. Yep, Akane, you were right. I'm an idiot, I'm a jerk. Because the best thing in my life tells me what I want to hear, and I turn and walk away with some cheesy line out of a B-movie plot.
Your Dad's probably really pissed at me, huh? Aww, I know you won't be able to send me a reply to this letter, so don't know why I even bother asking questions. But like that kinda reasoning is going to stop me.
Okay, here goes the explaining. I'm not gonna get tear marks all over this letter or nothing, or do something stupid like beg for your forgiveness, cause that's not me and you know it. Besides, you and I both know that we both made mistakes in how we did this whole thing. Yeah, you got the mallet out now, don't ya? Hehe - so, before you tear up this letter, take a deep breath, and hear me out, k?
I got scared. I don't know why, and I probably won't ever know why. It was just - I don't know - things were going good after that whole mess of a wedding day, and we were getting along, and the horde wasn't bothering us. And the first thing that popped into my head was "Why ruin a good thing?". So then, I open my mouth and put my foot into it. I'm good at that, you've probably never noticed. Does sarcasm come across on paper?
Anyway, that's all I'm going to say for right now. I need some time away from everything just to get things clear in my head. I know how I feel, but I just can't seem to say it. But it's a lot easier knowing you feel the same. I'll come back - I'm not sure when - but I will come back - to you. And then, maybe, I'll be able to say, or at least show, how I feel.
Tell Pops and your family that I'm okay, and that I'll even try to write to them sometimes.
Ranma
Akane frowned slightly after reading the letter. Well, it didn't really explain much, but there were still other letters. She picked up the next one. It was written a month or so later.
Akane,
Hey, it's me again. Did some more training yesterday. Found a little dojo up in some really quiet hills. They've got some real interesting techniques. The guy that runs the dojo knows his stuff. He's going to show me a few things from his school - it's the school of Martial Arts meditation. Yesterday I actually managed to sit in one place and think of nothing for 3 minutes. And right now you're saying "But isn't that the usual, Ranma? Thinking of nothing?". Hee.
But actually, it seems like I've been doing nothing other than thinking lately. Thinking of us, and our relationship - if you can even call it one. We both sort of jump the gun a lot. Saying things that we don't mean, hurting each other without really wanting to - that kind of thing. Sometimes I wonder if we would have been totally different if Pops and I had come to your house without the whole engaged bit. But then, maybe nothing would have changed. Who knows.
So, here's the deal. I learn to work on keeping my mouth shut when I can't think of something nice to say, and you learn to control your temper. Sounds harsh I know, but yeah, Akane. You have a temper. Am I just saying that cause I know I'm out of your reach at the moment? Probably, but it's true. It's also true that I'm an outspoken jerk who says the worst possible things at the worst possible times. So we've each got our faults.
I wish you could reply to these, so I know that you agree with me. But somehow, I think you do. From what happened before I left, I think you want to make this work out as much as I do.
Been thinking of you lots - hope you've been thinking of me.
Ranma
Akane glared at a few points in the last letter - namely the part about her having a temper. Really! She so did not have a temper! Then, laughing at herself, she calmed down. After all, she had admitted to herself not that long ago that yes, she did have a temper. She read a few more of the letters. A lot of them were just short notes, letting her know what he had done that week, but others were longer.
Akane,
Hey. How's things going at home? Weird that I think of your house as home, but I do. I guess after having lived anywhere and everywhere for 10 years, settling down in one place was bound to make that happen. But I don't think that's quite it. It's home because... well, because of the people in it. Kasumi and Nabiki are like sisters to me, and your dad is cool too. Then there's you. And that I think is the big reason it's home to me. Because you're there, and where you are is where I want to be.
Been thinking about heading back soon - I can't wait to see everyone again. How is the old gang anyway? Funny that I even kind of miss them. Hey, I said KIND OF! Hehe. Hope they haven't been bothering you too much while I've been gone. Or that no one's come to kidnap you or nothing. After all, I'm not there to rescue you. Just kidding!
I've just been doing some aimless wandering - starting to feel a bit like Ryoga. Just stopping for the night under a tree, or a dojo if I'm lucky enough to find one in the area. I use the mediation techniques I learned a while ago every night. They really help to make the day's problems disappear.
Hey, Akane? Am I immature? Cause at the last place I stayed for a while, the master there read my aura and said that I lacked the grace and wisdom for one of my years - whatever that means. His wife said it meant that I was immature, but I think she must have been mistaken. Oh, who am I kidding? I know I lack in certain areas. Especially dealing with other people my own age. All I know how to do is fight the guys, and not know how to act around the girls. Anyway, like I said, this guy told me that I needed to learn how to act my age. But he didn't train me. His wife did. Everyday for two weeks, we'd have a conversation. She'd pretend to be a teenage girl, and I'd be my normal self. Then, each time I did something stupid, we'd stop and discuss it. First day, I think I got about an average of 5 words out before getting stopped each time for a discussion.
I think it helped though. Being told what I did wrong worked a lot better than other methods I can think of. I won't mention any, but I think you know what I'm talking about. Right, Little Miss Mallet? Hey, I hope you don't mind me teasing you like this - Mrs. Yokohami - that's the lady I trained with - said that my teasing is just my way of expressing my like for someone. Stupid way of expressing it, were her exact words, I think.
I wish you could write back! I want to know what you're doing - what you're thinking - whether you think of me as much as I think of you. Or if you're taking this time apart to try to learn something about yourself too. Funny how I can write this stuff to you - but I'm red as a beet, trust me. Yeah, I've grown up a bit, but I think I'm still a lot of the same old Ranma you know.
Miss you,
Ranma
Akane was smiling now. It was so funny that Ranma wrote exactly as he spoke - with poor grammar and all. She could almost see him writing the letters, trying to think of what words to use, maybe even looking over his shoulder for an impending thwack on the head when he wrote something she could take wrongly. Eagerly she reached for the next one in the rapidly diminishing stack.
Akane,
I miss you. I miss our fights, I miss walking to school with you and sneaking peeks at you when I knew you weren't looking. I miss how you nibble on your bottom lip when you're concentrating in class. I miss seeing how cute you are when you smile.
This letter is probably going to be a weird one, so bear with me, okay? I'm just in a funky mood. I want to go home, but I know I'm not quite ready to come back to you, and face you, and say the things I want to say to you. So, I'm just going to try to get some of it across now on paper. I'll probably tear this up after writing it and you'll never get to see it, but who knows - maybe I'll throw it in an envelope and slam it into the nearest mailbox before I can think twice.
I think about us a lot. About what I hope we can have when I get back. How we'll get the school back on its feet, with new students for you and I to train together. I want to be a part of your life, your family's life, to help make it better.
I remember how upset you were after I kissed you while I was thinking I was a cat. I wish it hadn't happened like that - I'd like to at least remember it - kissing the girl who I think about kissing all the time. I do, you know. Every time you'd smile at me, I would want to reach out and kiss you. But I didn't, did I? But when I get back, you'd better have those lips ready, Akane. Just wanted to let you know that. I'm going to kiss you until my knees buckle. Which probably won't take long. And yes, I know that I wrote "my". Cause you make me tremble just thinking about it.
I've been putting a lot of thought into our future. I want a little girl who looks just like you - tomboy and all. I like you as a tomboy - ready to try anything and everything, not afraid to stand up to a fight. No - I want a lot of little girls, who all take after their mom. I'd probably spoil them rotten though. I know you'd be a good parent - I've seen the way you've been around people younger than you - you're so much more patient with them then I am. But you'd help me be a good dad, I know.
Akane - I want to marry you. I want to hold you at night, in our room, knowing that my heart is beating next to yours. I want to look at you while you're sleeping. I want to fall asleep next to you, and wake up next to you everyday. Sometimes at night, I dream about you. Most of the time. I dream about coming home, and having you open the door and reaching out to touch you to make sure that I'm really there, and that you're really you. But right now it's just a dream.
I wonder if you still feel the same. Maybe I'm writing this, and you're reading it and laughing. But I can't think like that. I know how you feel, and I hope you now know how I feel. Wouldn't it be nice if we both were on the same track at the same time for once?
I'm going to mail this. As soon as I write my name, I'm throwing it into this envelope sitting beside me and running to the post office. I hope.
I will come home soon. To you.
Ranma
Akane hugged this letter to her with a happy sigh. All kinds of emotions had run through her head while reading it. But above all was joy. Ranma maybe couldn't say or even write those three little words, but she could read between the lines. She was pretty sure he still felt the same. Looking at the letters left to read, she realized, somewhat disappointed, that there was only two left.
Akane,
Had an interesting day today. Got splashed with cold water by accident for the first time in quite a while. And of course, it had to be while I was staying at a monastery. Figures. Ever ran out of a monastery topless, while a bunch of monks are trying to cover their eyes, yet not at the same time? Didn't think so. It's not fun.
I think I've finally come to terms with my curse. I don't know if I'll ever get my hands on another batch of "Spring of drowned man" water again. If I do, I know I'll use it, but if I don't, my life won't be over. Even though I look like a girl, I know I'm not, and I'm not worried anymore that if I change too many times I'll start being one for real.
Do you mind that I have this curse? I know you've said you don't like it, but then there were times that it really didn't seem to bother you all that much. Maybe you were being like me and just trying to find things wrong with our situation? Deep thoughts, I know.
I don't think this letter is going to be long - it's raining out, and pretty cold. I'm in a cave at the moment, but I've got to go collect some wood for a fire in a bit. I'm eating okay, I know pretty much what to look for when I'm on my own, plus there's not a lack of people where I've been. I sometimes do odd jobs for a meal. Little of this, little of that.
I'm getting tired of wandering and thinking about my life. I've been gone over 5 months now. I want to get back to Nerima and get on with my life.
The wind's picking up - I'm gonna go get that wood now. I'll write again soon.
Yours,
Ranma
Her heart beating fast, and her palms suddenly sweaty, Akane slowly reached down and picked up the last letter. It wasn't very long, more of a note, but it was the last one, and she hated to see them come to an end.
Akane,
I'm on my way home! By the time you get this, I should only be a day or so behind it. Will you be there when I get to the door? I hope so. I hope your face is the first thing I see when I walk in.
I want to ask you to do something for me. If you still feel the same as you did 6 months ago, wear a flower in your hair every day from the time you get this letter. That way, I'll know when I get there. So that if you don't, I don't embarrass you. Will you do that? Will you be wearing a blossom the next time I see you? I'm dreaming that you do.
I hope my letters have helped cover the distance that there is between us while I've been gone. It's helped me - when I'm writing to you, I look up in the sky, and I see your face, and it's like you're there, and I'm not writing it, I'm saying it - to you. And you're smiling, and all is right with the world.
I'm coming home - to you, I hope. Akane - I don't ever want to be away from you for so long again.
I love you.
Ranma
Akane burst into tears. Huge, gasping sobs threw themselves past her lips. She couldn't understand it - she was so happy reading that last sentence, why was she crying? But she couldn't stop either. Reaching down, she held on to the letters almost frantically, as if she was trying to absorb the words within them into her skin.
She heard a knock on the door, but couldn't manage to get any words out over her tears. A muffled voice came through, but she couldn't make it out. Trying to collect herself, she swiped madly at her face, still not able to stop the tears of happiness. She saw her door opening slowly, and then there he was, peeking carefully around it.
She managed to choke out a coherent sentence, seeing the look of worry on his face.
"Oh, Ranma..." she smiled through her sobs.
Ranma's eyes darted to the papers. They opened wide as he recognized the handwriting. "My letters..."
Akane gulped down another sob and nodded. She was a mess! Reaching for a box of tissues, she stumbled off her bed. Ranma was there in an instant to keep her from falling. Silently he passed her the box, and knelt in front of her as she sat back down on the bed, slowly collecting herself.
"How... I mean, when... but I thought the letters were lost!?" Ranma sputtered out.
Akane finally was calm enough to speak. "You had mentioned a few of the areas that you had been to, so I called the postal offices and talked to the lost letters department. They said they'd do what they could, but it had been a while, and I had given up on them finding anything..."
Ranma suddenly clued in. "That's who you were waiting for! The mailman!" He was happy this last bit of mystery had been cleared up for him. Looking at the letters now strewn across the bed, he glanced back at Akane. "They couldn't find them all, I take it?"
Akane shook her head.
"And you've read them?" Ranma asked nervously.
Akane nodded her head.
Ranma cleared his throat. "Akane... There's just so much I should say, I don't know where to begin - all those things you read, I wanted to tell you about, but..."
Akane suddenly interrupted. "Ranma... some things are better left unspoken" She whispered with a glint of humor in her eyes at using the same words he had so long before.
He looked at her puzzled.
She reached over to her bedside table and grabbed a flower out of a little bouquet vase that was sitting there. Quickly, she thrust it into her hair. Ranma's eyes widened as he realized what she had done.
"In other words, shut up and kiss me." She murmured as she closed her eyes and leaned towards him, reaching her arms around his neck, and entwining her fingers in his hair.
He was more than happy to oblige.
The End.
-It's done! Wow - writing this took a lot of work to make it right. And you know how it got started in the first place? One of my friends bet me that I couldn't write something other than comedy. But truthfully, I have to say, I like writing humor better. Not that I didn't enjoy doing this story - after all, I've had so many supporters of this fic, that there's no way I wouldn't enjoy it. So, what's next from me? You'll have to wait and see! I hope you've all enjoyed Better Left Unspoken - Thank you to everyone who reviewed - both the good and the bad, and special thanks to all that reviewed more than once. Your comments and suggestions helped create this story just as much as me typing it. Read and review!