Crystal Inferences

by Badiyannu

a/n: I've been wanting to write an Akane/Ranma for a while now, but I never got to it! Well, obviously, I have started on it and some of the events actually happened between my friend and a guy she likes. Being an author, I though: wonderful story line! Okay, now it's your turn- read and review!

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

I hate him.

I absolutely hate him.

No- I loathe him.

What was he thinking?! I mean, he just broke up with her, then her and now he's going out with her!

... I'm confusing myself... I need to go over this calmly... GRRR!!! I am gonna beat his--

"Akane! Wait for me!"

There he is.

He caught up to me easily and started to walk my pace beside me. I held my book bag in front of me, tightly, looking at the ground.

"How come you didn't walk with me out of the school?" He asked, almost sadly.

I cocked my head to stare at him. "Umm, I dunno- Maybe I though you'd be walking with your new girlfriend!"

"She had to go home early." As I said, '*almost* sadly'. But I sure as hell was angry.

"So," I stopped abruptly and looked at him, "what am I, Ranma? Just a backup when your girlfriend's not there?!"

He looked taken aback at my sudden outburst but he chuckled lowly. "Akane don't be silly; you're my friend."

Friend? I was his friend? That touched me deep. In two ways. He actually said I was his friend- something he'd never said before. But... he described me as 'just' his friend. That scratched at my heart, like someone was using a knife and etching the words "Ranma doesn't love you" into it.

I pursed my lips and finally smiled. "I know. And you're my friend... right?"

Ranma grinned and put an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. "Yeah!"

He always did this- I never thought of it as much. But, as we walked along, it felt different than other times. And for that moment, I was glad I was his friend. Only for that moment.

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

"Dad! I'm home!"

I threw my shoes off and dashed to the kitchen- I was starving. I found my sister there, cooking something, as usual, which smelled amazing.

"Mmm... Kasumi, that smells great!"

"Thank you, Akane! But you'll have to wait 'till dinner to try it!"

I rolled my eyes and grabbed some M&Ms from the pantry, stuffing them in my shirt pocket. Hastily, I ran to my room, shutting the door and plopping down on the bed. This was the part of the day I looked forward to; privacy in my room to recap the day. And, everyday, the first thing on my mind was...

Ranma. Ever since him and Mr. Satome-san moved out, to a nice apartment across town, I caught myself thinking about him more often. We weren't engaged anymore. At the time, it seemed like a big relief to me. And Ranma. No more having Shampoo come over to goggle over him, or Ukyou bringing over giant meals for him- only to have him deny me access to any of that food getting in my mouth. Although... I sometimes miss the occasional "hitting him on the head with the mallet" thing. Ah, good times.

But, it wasn't like times weren't good now! Oh, they're running smoothly along... Actually, it seems like I talked to Ranma more at school then I had ever before when he lived here. Well, considering, it was next semester and the schedules were changed. I now had three classes with him- opposed to the one I had before. This class-changing has done me good; I've made another friend, besides Ranma. Her name is Maredsaki- everyone calls her Red. She is one of the few who was not afraid of me. Her spunky attitude may get her in trouble sometimes, but she's a really sweet and sensitive girl who's a great swimmer. She's got long maroon-colored hair and light green eyes- Ranma obviously thinks she's cute... It seems as if I finally have a best friend who is actually a girl.

Then, one day, I found out she had finally got a boyfriend. Which isn't surprising, since she is really pretty and all the guys seem to like her. When I asked her who it was...

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

"Wow! You got a guy! That's great!"

"Yeah! I'm so happy! He's really cute and dreamy and sweet... Did I mention he has a great smile?!"

Maredsaki shut her locker hastily then clasped her hands to her chest, sighing. She looked really happy and she seemed to pass it on to me because I was swelling with happiness for her.

I leaned against the locker, smirking.

"So... who is he?!"

"Well," she chirped, leaning in close to me, "don't let anyone know, but..."

I grinned with anticipation.

"...it's Ranma!"

"WHAT?!"

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

Yeah, that's what happened. It was a year ago, but I still remember it. I have a good memory, did you know that?

Anyway, when I yelled at Red, she seemed a little taken aback and mad at the same time. She frowned and asked me why I had said that, in this kinda shaky voice. I gasped right after I yelled, realizing what I was doing, and a pang of guilt shot through me. Ranma didn't like me, and never would, and I didn't like him... did I?

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that, Red! I was just saying..."

The maroon-haired girl stood patiently, waiting for an answer. She was still frowning. And now I had to lie to her- I hated to do that. I hated myself so much at that moment.

"...he doesn't seem like your type! Heh, I would've never imagined the two of you going out! I just thought it was funny!"

Red's frown lightened to a small smile, "And why do you think that?"

I searched frantically for excuses.

"Umm, it's just that... you're so cool and nice and smart and stuff. And he's just a big oaf, jock-type! Not the same!"

I giggled nervously, hoping she wouldn't see through me.

Instead, she grinned brightly and slung her bag over her shoulder, linking my arm with hers. I had to kinda be dragged along because I was just stunned by her reaction. I began to act normal again as we walked, arm in arm.

"Oh, Akane! He's not like that at all! He's really nice! And when he asked me out, he asked me in person! I find that a good quality in a boy; I hate it when they write letters or get their friends to do it!"

She stuck out her tongue and I giggled. It kinda made me sad- the fact she was going out with Ranma- but, I had to be a good best friend and be supportive.

"So," I said slyly, "when's the first date?"

She shrugged lightly and replied, "Well, he said he wanted to go to the movies on Saturday, so I don't know if it's a date, or a suggestion..."

We both looked at each other and grinned.

"It's a date!"

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

Well, I was certainly jealous. How could I not be? Furthermore, she didn't know that I *was* engaged to Ranma. I told her that him and his father were living with us because my dad and his were old friends. This was just until they found a new home. In a way, I'm glad she didn't know the whole story; those little "incidents" between me and Ranma, the constant fighting with three other girls for his heart. If Red knew this, it would be so uncomfortable between us and I didn't want that to happen.

His heart... I gave up the fight. The only thing I ever gave up- I wasn't a quitter. Now I was because of him. And he wasn't even living with us now! I thought we were maybe getting along better, me and Ranma, but we both realized it could never work...

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

"Akane, my pop found a new home for us."

His hands were clasped around one of mine as he looked down at the floor.

"So... so... you're leaving? Just like that?"

I was crying. Gawd, I hated crying in front of Ranma.

"Yeah... I guess."

But just for a moment, I saw a tear in the corner of his eye.

"Umm, it's a really nice apartment across town. Not very far- you could visit me anytime you want..."

I sniffled and nodded. "I will."

"So, Akane, does this mean the engagement off? Well... since you know... I'm moving and you never wanted it anyway, right?"

I gasped inwardly. He thought I didn't want it? Maybe at the beginning when he was such a jerk but now... it wouldn't be so bad if we got married. I couldn't- too many girls in the way and... as much as I hated to admit it... he didn't like me that way.

"Yes. The engagement is off."

As soon as I said that, I threw myself in his arms and bawled. I think his red shirt would be doused in my tears my the time I stopped.

I felt him tense up at first, but he melded into my hold and put his arms around me, gingerly. I was still crying. Would I ever stop?

I finally quieted down after he continuously stroked my short hair and made comforting sounds. Then he said,

"You're the cutest tomboy I ever knew."

I smiled sadly into his chest and felt a tear drop onto my cheek. It wasn't mine.

. . . o ° o . o ° o . . .

a/n: *sniff* Wow, that was sad. I almost broke out in tears, but, unfortunately, I have no cute guy here to comfort me... :-( Anyway, please review! That was sorta boring, I think. But whatever. Don't worry, other chapters will be better! I already have ideas planned out! So, I need 5 reviews if you want the next chappie here, okay?

Thankies! :þ