Chapter 6 – Shed Illusions.
The exams ended the school year.
Tears, long sighs and promises never to forget each other made up the last day. The girls babbled on about the on-coming prom night while the guys tried to make it seem like they were not interested while trying to sharpen their hearing sense and nearly dropping over their feet when doing so.
Ukyo watched Ranma and Akane walking towards her as she half-leaned into the school gate. Somehow, sometimes she still felt jealous of Akane. Somehow, sometimes she knew Akane still had a very special place in Ranma's life. And somehow, sometimes Ranma had that strange look in his eyes when she caught him staring at an unaware Akane. But now he no longer proceeded to deny everything. Now, he just stared back until Ukyo would look away. They never talked about these looks, they never talked about the hidden meanings, the nuances but Ukyo continued calling Ranma Ranchan and Ranma never told her that she was not his fiancée. Instead, the words and the gestures remained the same while what was underneath changed.
"Hi Ukyo," the greeting came with a huge smile from Akane and Ukyo smiled back at her friend.
"Hi Akane, Ranchan. Can I talk to you please?" the last one was for Ranma as Ukyo slipped her hand around his arm and Akane grinned openly at him before saying with a casual wave,
"I'm going home. And don't do anything that I wouldn't do guys," her grin turned mischievous as she left.
"Hi Ucchan, what's up?" Ranma smiled for his friend.
"Ranchan," Ukyo squeezed his arm and looked timidly away and then suddenly blurted out, "Whom are you going to the prom with?"
Ranma suddenly knew what was coming but again instead of the usual vague answer followed by a huge leap on the wall and a bout of running away, he looked down at Ukyo and answered, "No-one. I'm going alone." He softened the blow with a smile.
"Oh, oh, would you like to accompany me Ranchan?" the question was soft and Ranma sighed inwardly.
"Sorry Ukyo but I would really prefer to go alone. It would prevent a lot of problems, don't you think?" he asked of her.
She was silent for awhile before she seemed to pick up her spirits and answered, "Yeah, you're right, come on, let's go to my place and I'll make you an okonomiyaki." And Ranma went to Ucchan joking around with Ukyo trying to make her feel better about his refusal and even though Ukyo smiled and giggled at his jokes, deep down, it hurt so much, so much.
He found Akane alone and watching the setting sun when he got home. He dropped his bag and sat down beside her.
"Beautiful isn't it?" she smiled gently. He lifted his head and acquiesced.
"'Kane?"
"Mmm.." was her answer.
"I refused Ukyo's invitation to the prom."
She waited for him to continue.
"I don't want to go with anyone" he finished and she smiled and said gently, "Then don't." He smiled back and they stayed silently enjoying the late afternoon for a while before Ranma asked, with a tightening heart, "And you Akane, who are you going with?"
"No one, I don't want to go with anyone, either" she grinned infectiously as Ranma started to smile back.
"No one special, huh?" he asked and hope lightened his heart.
"No, no one," she whispered and the hope died abruptly but then his heart went awry again as she suddenly giggled and asked,
"Ranma would you come shopping with me tomorrow?"
"Uh yeah, sure. Why are you going shopping?" his expression was puzzled.
"For the prom Baka," her tone was teasing.
"The prom's special for you, isn't it?" he wanted to understand.
"Yeah, it is. It is the celebration of years gone by, a way to celebrate what life has already given us, a time for thank-you"s", good-byes and good-luck."
Her eyes saddened and then she added, "It's also a time to let go and start forward. To walk blindly and fight new fights, find new challenges and find ourselves again," she was breathless and excitement danced in her eyes and Ranma couldn't look away. He couldn't say thank-you, good-bye and good-luck. He couldn't walk blindly, he couldn't look forward to new fights and new challenges. For the first time in his life Ranma knew that he couldn't leave a place, he couldn't let go. All his life he had left things behind and moved on. Now he found he couldn't. He couldn't let her go and she was going to go. He could see it in her eyes, in the shining excitement, in the dancing joy. And those were the same things that were killing him, slowly tearing him apart. But he believed he still had time. Always time.
The next day they went shopping. They stopped by to rent Ranma a tux first because it was the easiest thing to do. Then started the long day finding a dress for Akane. Ranma started the day out feeling like a freak as he stood in the crowds of women swarming around him in the shops but by the end of the day, he was at ease, not completely but well at ease and he had had a wonderful day. It was the first time he went out for such an outing with Akane. They had spent the day laughing. Ranma was wiped out when they reached home but Akane disappeared into her room followed by Nabiki and Kasumi.
And prom night arrived. Ranma waited downstairs, hopping from one foot to the other in impatience. Kasumi finally appeared followed by Nabiki and when the two sisters stepped aside, there stood a princess. The pale lilac folds slipped from behind her neck to gently cup her breasts and caress her waist before sliding down her thighs and legs and ending in a pool at her feet. It was Akane the woman-child who stood before them. The beauty she was becoming and the adolescent she was leaving behind. It was a heady combination. Ranma stopped breathing. Soun's eyes widened and Genma's jaw hit the floor. They stared and stared until Kasumi's soft laughter and Nabiki's unlady-like snorts brought them out of it.
"Daughter, you are so beautiful," Soun uttered the words reverently as he hugged his youngest daughter. His eyes were full of tears as the family bade Ranma and Akane good-bye. Kuno was dropping them to the prom since he was the only one who had a car. He had stuttered twice on seeing Akane and then had picked up his tattered dignity and told Akane that none could possibly be fairer than her but for his Nabiki and had muttered under his breath, "What is it with these Tendo women!" He dropped them off and went back to the Tendos with a sudden urge to see Nabiki. The hall was packed with the students as they chattered loudly trying to cover up the loud music that blared. Laughter and excitement emanated from it all. Akane glanced at Ranma. He still had a glazed look and he hadn't said a word since they left home. She gently shook his arms and he seemed to shake himself out of his stupor to smile at her.
"Akane you are so beautiful," he whispered the same words as Soun had and their expressions were almost comically alike.
Akane smiled and then leaned close and whispered back, "You are beautiful too Ranma," and Ranma choked and became finally awake. She winked at him and her words floated over her shoulder as she stepped through the door held open by him, "You are a beautiful man, Ranma". Her scent of lilacs went to his head with the compliment and he stared at her as she swept into he hall. His blue-grey eyes said "thank-you" and hers said "You're always welcome" and as they stood at the entrance, smiling at each other, the hall grew silent but for the music. All eyes turned to the two beautiful people who stood proud and fiery looking at each other with so much tenderness, looking like they belonged together, like they were made for each other. Ukyo gasped from her corner as her eyes found them. "Ranchan!" her heart cried out. And then she found Akane. Beautiful, passionate, so different from Ranchan and yet so complementary. She stared at them and somewhere along the way, her heart finally broke as she understood. Understood and accepted. And yet, jealousy reared its ugly head and she found her feet running to Ranma, breaking the so beautiful tableau that had held everyone breathless. She grabbed his hand as she reached them and he started.
"Ranchan! Let's go dance!" and pulled him to the dance floor. He looked over his shoulder to Akane even as his feet left her and she lifted a hand to wave and was soon surrounded by a crowd. A part of Ukyo was glad, very glad of breaking their spell as she gyrated on the dance floor anger at Akane eating up at her and yet another part knew that it was none of Akane's fault if Ranma... She stopped the words in her mind and yet her heart said them, "It was not Akane's fault if Ranma loved her." Ukyo closed her heart, killed her thoughts and set out for Ranma. Her hips swung and she placed a hand on Ranma's shoulder, sliding it down his chest. His eyes left their search for Akane in the crowds, smiled down at her and resumed their search. The next number was a slow one and Ukyo pulled Ranma close, linked her arms around his neck and pushed her body into his. This brought Ranma back immediately. Hic confused eyes came to her and then slowly, he placed his hands on her waist and very gently lifted her off her feet and placed her back. Ukyo blush grew to one of embarrassment and Ranma could only say one thing, "I'm sorry" It was low, just for her and his eyes apologized too. She stood alone and hurting as she stared as his large shoulders that slowly pushed their way through the crowd. Ranma forced his feet to the buffet instead of where they wanted to go: Akane. Yes, his whole body wanted to go to her. He sipped his drink and his heart cried for Ukyo's pain but the time had come. He knew it. He had looked at Akane as she had come down the stairs and he had known that he had grown up. That the prom tonight was his good-bye to the life he had and the hello to another one, a strong beautiful grown-up one and he had felt no fear, only a deep strong joy. He slowly smiled as his eyes found Akane, laughing at Sayuri as the latter made a face. He set down his glass and purposefully made his way to her side, his long legs eating the distance. His back straight and head held high, eyes never leaving her, he parted the crowd. In that moment, as he went to claim her, people glanced at the man that he would one day become, they watched the quiet determination, the proud strength not of a young growing boy but instead for an instant they caught a glimpse of the future and of the man that he would be.
"Akane," his deep voice made her turn and for the second time that night his eyes beckoned her.
"Will you dance with me, Akane?" his voice called to her and she went, nodding to her friends and slipping into his arms as if she had been made for them. He pulled her close, his arms around her and she gave herself to him, letting him guide her. She would have let him guide her anywhere that night. It was one of the most beautiful nights of their lives. At least until Ukyo tapped Akane on her shoulder and said tersely,
"Can I have this dance with my fiancée," the fiancée-part came out bitingly and Akane came back to reality with a thud. She smiled at Ukyo and started to step back but Ranma's arms tightened.
"I am dancing with Akane Ukyo, the next one's yours," he forced a smile and Ukyo opened her mouth to retaliate but Ranma had already whisked Akane away.
"Ranma, what is going on?" Akane had a worried frown and even though the magic was still here for him, for her, things seemed to have changed. She had gone back to being a friend and something in Ranma screamed at the change.
"Nothing," he smiled down at her and she slowly understood and smiled back.
The next dance with Ukyo was a silent one as she pressed closer and Ranma stepped back.
The night just slipped by and after teary good-byes, they finally met up with Kuno and surprisingly, Nabiki was with him and a blushing Nabiki. She quickly gave a hug of support to Akane. It was never easy to say good-byes. Kuno and Ranma smiled at the girls and they were getting into the car when a running Ukyo called out, "Ranchan". She came to a stop before them and asked if they could drop her home. Kuno immediately accepted but there was none of his usual charm as he said, "Of course Ukyo". His brief reply made Ukyo scramble next to Ranma in the car and Nabiki intercepted his frowning look. I feel just as he does – she thought. The ride home was quick and a good-night kiss from Kuno and they were all home.
"I'm sooo tired, good-night everyone," Akane smiled at them and went to her room and both Nabiki and Ranma followed her.
"When will it end, Ranma?" Nabiki's voice was soft.
"Soon enough," Ranma voice was grim and when Nabiki glanced at him in surprise, he smiled.
"Good-luck," she smiled back and he grinned as he said "Thanks Biki-Chan" and was off as she swatted playfully at him.
She watched him as his eyes rested on Akane's door as thought to herself – I hope you succeed, I really hope you do.
The days slipped by after that. Ranma did not have time to see Ukyo or Shampoo. Ucchan was full of the holiday season as well as the Nekohanten. Ranma spent most of his time with Akane but neither brought up the night of the prom. Instead they concentrated on having fun and went out with Kuno, Nabiki, Kasumi and doctor Tofu. Sometimes, they even managed to drag Soun and Genma with them. And before they knew it, Christmas was here.
Christmas
Akane woke up, threw off her bedclothes and ran to her window. The landscape was completely white. "Snow!" she shrieked before grabbing her clothes and running to the bathroom. She ran smack into a freshly bathed Ranma. His arms clamped down on her as he steadied her and she lifted a radiant face to him. Bright brown eyes pulled him and his pulse suddenly started to run amok. He hitched in a sudden breath and she lunged forward and hugged him.
"Hey what's up, Tomboy," his voice came out hoarse as he attempted to tease her.
"Snow Ranma, it has snowed during the night!" she exclaimed and pushed him out of the way. The next thing he knew was that his nose was squashed against the bathroom door. But his racing heart did not stop even when he took several deep breaths. He grinned wryly and went downstairs. He was watching television waiting for breakfast when a sudden whirlwind named Akane appeared before him.
"Come on Ranma," she grabbed his arm and started pulling him to the door. He barely had time to grab his coat and scarf before that were outside. He stood pulling on his coat on the front step as she ran ahead in the snow, her laughter tinkling and making him smile. He stood there immobile watching her as she skidded to a halt and slowly let herself fall back in the snow. She started to wave her arms and legs and giggled when she found Ranma's head staring down at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"A snow angel," she giggled some more.
"Are there any guys snow angels?" he grinned back and she nodded vigorously and Ranma stared down at the daughter Akane would have one day. Yes, she'll be just like the girl who was giggling up at him. Pretty as an angel, her nose red, her hair pillowed in the snow and giggling mischievously. He let himself fall back into snow beside her and she laughed and he moved his arms and legs to make his guy snow angel. He lay there beside her for how long, he did not know but the silence was companionable and peaceful. At least until Akane decided she had enough of peace angels and went for a snow fight. They bombarded each other with snowballs until Ranma finally managed to sneak in on Akane and pounced. She fell back with Ranma on top of her and he stated to tickle her as she lay writhing in the snow their laughter echoing and making Kasumi stop by the window and smile.
Kuno and doctor Tofu were both invited to dinner on Christmas Eve. Both showed up and needed help to take the presents inside as they stood before the door, juggling gifts for the whole family and they stayed the night sleeping with Genma and Ranma in the guest room. Morning was a free for all jumble towards the tree. Akane plopped down breathless beside Ranma still in her yellow pajamas. She looked up at him, bright eyes and mussed hair and he smiled back. The gifts were perfect. Akane had bought him a brand new chinese shirt. This one was deep blue and a silver dragon was embroidered on it. He loved it. His gift for Akane was a small silver bracelet with a tiny pendant of an ice-blue lilac. Akane adored it and Ranma could have sworn he had seen tears in her eyes but she pulled him in a bone-breaking hug and he forgot everything. The usual Christmas party was given and everyone showed up.
And as usual, the usual things happened.
Ryoga showed up with Akari, his fiancée. Everyone was wonderfully surprised and both Ryoga and Akari were soon swallowed up in hugs and congratulations.
Ranma was fought over by Ukyo, Shampoo and Kodachi and they tried every ruse they knew on him. Ranma watched them and smiled sadly.The dinner was a success. And Christmas was over.
And a few days later, the decisions were made. Ranma went to see his fiancées. He had talked of it with his father and Soun. Genma had been sorry for his mistakes and the three of them had tried to find solutions. Ukyo's dowry would be paid back and Genma had given Ranma his savings, astonishing his son to the core and finally earning his son's respect. Kuno agreed to help Ranma talk to Kodachi. And Ranma knew that he could only talk to Shampoo.
He went to see Ukyo first. Her shout of glee made him feel so guilty.
"Ukyo, I apologize," his head bowed before her as he faced her alone.
"What for Ranchan?" she stared puzzled behind her grill and her heart accelerated its tempo.
"I cannot marry you, Ukyo" he lifted his head to see the news hit her.
"Why?" the question came out in a croak, "It's that bitch of Akane! She must be the one making you do this! I'm going to kill her" the venom in her words clenched Ranma's heart but pity rose for the girl staring at him with tears in her eyes.
"Ukyo," his voice was gentle, "I thought you were Akane's friend." He stared at her as she stared back at him, her eyes full of hate, his full of pity and guilt.
"Ukyo, Akane does not even know I'm here," he told her.
"Then why Ranchan?" her voice came out pleading.
"It's time to stop all this Ukyo. We've always been friends but never anything more. And this has been going on for too long Ukyo," his voice asked her to come back to reason but all she could hear was that she was losing him.
"NO! You're mine! MINE!" she screamed at Ranma and he seized her arms and shook her, shook her hard. Ukyo clammed up.
"I am not yours! I am mine! I am for myself first!" the words were bitten out between clench teeth. Ukyo stared at him and the words that Akane had uttered one day came back to her, the same words that Ranma had just thrown in her face. He let go of her, taking a deep breath before continuing,
"I thought time would take care of this Ukyo but it has only made things worse. It was my mistake, I apologize Ukyo."
"And that's it? You come by and just say sorry and you're no longer my fiancée, that's just it."
"No Ukyo, I came to resolve a situation that is hurting all of us. My father wants to pay you back for the dowry that he unjustly took years ago. I was a child Ukyo, I did not understand what was happening then but now I have made a mistake and I would like to apologize and try to set things right." he finished.
She stared at him for a long time and then started sobbing. Ranma could only stare at the sobbing girl and he silently put the money from his father on the counter and pressed it down with a plate. He looked at the girl crying on the floor and went on his haunches beside her.
"I am so sorry Ukyo. You are my friend. I never meant to hurt you. Never." He could only touch her shoulder and then he left. Deep pity welled up for Ukyo and guilt ate at him.
Then he went to see Cologne. Shampoo took the news badly. Cologne could only shake his head at Ranma.
"You have finally grown up, Ranma," were her words and there was no "Son-in-law".
"Is there a way to solve this problem, Cologne?" there was no "Old Ghoul" either.
"Not really, but then we cannot force you to marry Shampoo, can we?" her smile were sad as she regarded the boy.
"Thank you, Cologne," and then he left. He had not thought that convincing Cologne would have been that easy but then for Cologne, Ranma's actions had long spoke of the boy's thoughts and now they were speaking of the man's. It was time to move on and let go of unattainable goals. Hurting was never the right answer and it was not the one for the boy. And Cologne thought as she regarded her grand daughter kicking at the tables, Shampoo was only angry. She would get over it all.
Ranma's head was pounding when he went to see Kodachi.
She screamed and kicked and scratched and Sasuke had to physically restrain her.
"I'm sorry Kuno," Ranma's could find nothing else to say to Kuno.
"It's not your fault Ranma, she'll get over it," Ranma looked up surprised at Kuno and the older man smiled and as Ranma shook his hand, he said something he had never thought he would.
"Thank you Kuno."
They smiled at each other and both knew that a bond had formed.
Ranma walked slowly home. He had never felt so despondent in his life. And yet, it was as if a huge weigh had been lifted off his shoulders. It was as if he was finally free after a long long time as a prisoner. But guilt still ate at him as he thought of Ukyo. She had been his friend. But you had no choice, damn it! Another voice overrode the first one and Ranma acknowledged it. He had no dinner but walked to his room and closed the door. Akane found him on the roof.
"What is wrong Ranma? Do you want to talk about it?" her voice was low and gentle as she slowly sat down beside him.
He turned to her with tears in his eyes.
"I told Ukyo, Shampoo and Kodachi that I could not marry them, Akane."
She reached for his hand and squeezed and he continued,
"Shampoo yelled and fought as well as Kodachi but it was Ukyo who was worse Akane. Shampoo and Kodachi were angry but Ukyo hated me. There was so much hate in her eyes Akane, so much hate," his shoulders shook and Akane took hi in her arms. She pulled him close and wrapped him in a hug as he cried. And for a long time she held him close. His tears slowly stopped and Akane pulled his head in her lap and caressed his hair and he fell asleep. A panda joined her and picked up the sleeping young man, nodded his smiling thanks at her and jumped through the window. Akane stared at the stars long into the night. Ranma had grown up. Soon he would be a man. She no longer worried about their engagement now. She knew that their fathers would no longer protest. The engagement was no longer mentioned now, it had been over a long time ago. She smiled sadly as she thought about those days. Sometimes, the magic caught up with her but reality always brought her back. Yes, she had loved him. He smiled down at her from the stars as she pictured him in her mind. And she smiled back. He would always be special to her. She would be here whenever he needed her. But now when she thought about the future, she saw so many things, she wanted to do so many things. And there was too little magic to hold her. It was not enough. Once it had been. Now it was not and her heart saddened at the thought.
My Notes :
Thanks for all the reviews everyone and the suggestions too ^_^
