Chapter 1: Twisted World of Glass Part 1
* * * *~I felt something stirring
As our love began
But we refused to accept it,
And settled for friends…~
* * * *
Day 1: Friday Morning
Akane danced around in a circle enjoying the feeling of the sun on her face. "It's such a beautiful day!" she exclaimed. "Don't you think so Ranma?"
"Yeah I guess so," he responded indifferently from where he walked next to her on the ground instead of the fence. Despite his feigned disinterest he had to agree that it did seem to be a rather pleasant day. "You know, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it does seem like something's different."
"That's funny, I was just thinking the same thing. Well, you know, now that you mention it, it has been pretty quiet lately."
"Hey, I think you're right. There's been a big let up in activity ever since the weddin- uh yeah well you know what I mean."
"Yeah," Akane and Ranma both looked away and dropped the subject. Neither one of them cared to discuss their failed wedding that had taken place a little more than a week ago.
Akane finally broke the awkward silence. She smiled and skipped along enjoying the serenity of the day while glancing over at Ranma. "Okay, so who would win, Ryoga, or Mousse?" She asked playfully.
Ranma was relieved by the distraction and smiled taking only a few seconds to consider the question. "Well that's easy enough. Ryoga."
"Okay, but why?"
"Well think about it. If they were to get in a fight it would probably be because Mousse mistook Ryoga for me."
"Well, alright, but who's the better fighter?"
"Still Ryoga. He's a lot stronger for one thing and his techniques are almost as good as mine."
Akane rolled her eyes at Ranma's arrogance but decided to let it pass. "Okay then, what about Mousse and Kuno?"
Ranma laughed. "Well that's sure one fight I don't want to miss. Gee, I don't know. Probably Mousse. Kuno depends too much on that sword of his. And if Mousse could get it away from him, he'd be pretty much useless without it."
Akane giggled. "And of course Mousse is helpless without his silly weapons."
"Hey, don't make fun of his training potty," he said in mock seriousness.
They both started to laugh as they continued on their way to school. After their laughter had faded Akane glanced over at Ranma timidly. She figured there was no time like the present to ask. She bit her lip and took a deep breath. "Hey Ranma?"
"Hmm?"
"Well, I was uh sort of wondering…"
"Yeah?"
She looked straight ahead trying to hide the blush spreading on her face. "Well, you know that new movie that's playing? I was thinking you'd want to go with me. I've heard it was really good and that it has a lot of good fighting scenes and all and I sort of thought it'd be fun." She stole a nervous glance at him. He remained silent with a distant look on his face. Akane started to get even more nervous.
"I mean it's no big deal or anything if you don't want to go. I'll just ask Yuka and Sayuri or something. It's just I don't think they'd enjoy it that much really. They're more into the romance and all…"
Ranma cut her off as she rambled on. "I can't. Dad and I are supposed to practice today."
"Oh. Okay well we don't have to go today or anything. Maybe some other time?"
"Yeah, sure. Maybe."
Akane knew all too well what 'maybe' meant. She tried to pretend she wasn't disappointed but knew she was failing. She quickened her pace slightly moving ahead of Ranma so that he wouldn't notice. Ranma watched her and sighed.
"She'll never understand," he thought to himself.
They continued to school without talking the rest of the way no longer enjoying what a wonderful day it had started out to be.
* * * *
~…I remember those times,
Long ago,
When it was enough
Just for our friendship to grow…~
* * * *
As Ranma and Akane continued on their way to school they were oblivious to the figures that watched them from the shadows.
"We finally found him," said the younger of the two.
"So it seems," spoke a much older man. The younger of the two began to take slow and calculated steps after Ranma and Akane but a hand fell on his shoulder holding him back. "Wait. Don't be a fool! Do you honestly think that you're a stronger fighter than he is?"
The boy shook his shoulder free from the arm that restrained it. "You doubt my skills old man?"
The man sighed and looked at the boy. "You have much to learn still, my son. I do not doubt that you have progressed greatly, but you have not come far enough to best him in combat…"
"Then what have we come here for?" the boy asked in an icy tone, a tone that would have been one of anger and irritation, if it had contained any emotion at all. "Why are you just now telling me this?"
"It was never my intention for you to fight him. At least not right away. There are other, more efficient ways of invoking your revenge on someone."
The boy leveled a cold stare at the old man. "I've asked you not to interfere. This has nothing to do with you."
"It has everything to do with me. You are my only heir. It is necessary for you to demolish anything that would keep you from carrying on my school. It is in my best interest that you succeed, my son."
"I am not your son," he said in the same emotionless voice as before. He slowly stepped out into the light reveling himself to be a boy of average height, standing with strong posture. He had short black hair that fell loosely around a golden colored headband. His eyes were black as well with the slightest hint of golden specs that seemed to flare with hate and anger. Though his features were strange they were somehow handsome despite an unattractive aura of viciousness that caused the people passing by to cross the street in order to avoid him. His clothes were of a Chinese style similar to the ones Ranma wore, only completely black with gold lining and embroidery, and upon his arms he wore two golden wristbands. The boy stood perfectly still, merely staring after the diminishing figure of his enemy.
The old man watched from the shadows in satisfaction. Though the boy outwardly disregarded his words, the old man knew that he was the one in control. The boy would follow his wishes to the very end. Soon all would fall into place, and the future of his school would be ensured.
* * * *
~…But now I feel that we're slipping
As you push me away
And these feelings awaken
And my love for you stays…~
* * * *
Friday, Noon
Ranma sat at the back of the classroom during lunch, devouring his lunch without the normal eagerness. Despite the let up in his pace, he still finished his lunch at an astounding speed and then leaned back in his chair glancing over at Akane who was seated at the other side of the room. He was annoyed to find that she was doing her best to ignore him.
"Ah great. Now she's mad at me again." He watched as she ate lunch with her friends and laughed along with them. "Maybe I should've said yes." He pondered on that thought for a moment finally shaking his head. "No. Besides, it's just Akane. It's not like I like her or anything."
"But you do," said the little voice in the back of his head.
"Ah shuddap. What do you know about it anyway?"
"But it's true and you know it. Why are you always so stubborn? Stop denying your feelings for the girl. Just tell her how you feel!"
"Ha. You mean like I did that other time?"
"Oh. Her. You think about her a lot don't you? Ranma, you need to forget about that already. It was a long time ago. Don't tell me you're still expecting…"
"NO! Of course not!"
"That's what it is it isn't it? That's why you're avoiding Akane now."
"SHUT UP!" he shouted only to notice he had spoken the last statement out loud and people were staring at him curiously. He laughed nervously and slouched down in his chair trying to make himself invisible.
The voice seemed to snicker inside of his head. "You know, you probably shouldn't shout things like that out loud."
"Oh shut up," he growled inwardly.
"Yo Ranma!" Ranma looked over to see Hiroshi and Daisuke coming over to him.
"Ah just what I needed," he mumbled before they approached him.
"Hey Ranma," Hiroshi said, sitting down in a chair. "What's going on with you and Akane?"
"Yeah, cause rumor has it that you two split up," Daisuke added.
"I told you already. We're not together. We're only engaged because of our parents…"
"Yeah, yeah, but have your broken up?" Hiroshi interrupted.
Ranma sighed again in exasperation. "I told you guys a thousand times, it's not like that." They stared at him still waiting for a response. He sighed again and rolled his eyes. "No."
Hiroshi and Daisuke looked at each other and shrugged. "Well then, I guess the rumors aren't true after all," Daisuke said.
"Yeah, too bad. I was thinking of asking Akane out after Tori."
That got Ranma's attention. "Tori? Who the hell is Tori?"
"He's that new guy in homeroom," Hiroshi responded.
"Yeah, he asked Akane out this morning and she said she'd think about it," Daisuke added.
"WHAT!?!?" Ranma shouted. He quickly looked over to where Akane was eating with her friends. Sure enough some guy that Ranma didn't quite recognize was talking to the three girls. He said something and they all laughed. Hiroshi and Daisuke watched Ranma as he growled and started glowing with a red battle aura. They slowly started moving away from him.
"Yeah, okay Ranma we'll see you later then," Hiroshi said as he snuck away.
"Yeah, later Ranma," Daisuke said as he followed his friends hasty retreat.
Akane stood up from where she was sitting and said goodbye to her friends, walking out of the room with Tori.
Ranma growled. "Look at him. He thinks he's so great. Just another Mikado type. Jerks like that, they think they're sooo cool." It was then that he realized that here was no one there for him to be talking to. "Ah well," he continued. "Guess there's only one thing to do," he said cracking his knuckles and laughing to himself in a not so friendly matter.
* * * *
"So I'll see you around then, okay?" Akane smiled sweetly.
"Yeah sure Akane, later!" Tori waved goodbye and smiled after her. "Ah well," he thought. "She'll come around," he smirked. He rounded the corner in the hall, almost smashing into Ranma who was leaning against the wall. "Oh, hey sorry man," he said as he continued on his way. "Didn't know you were there."
"I suggest you leave Akane alone," Ranma said as Tori walked past him.
Tori stopped and turned back around to face Ranma and raised his eyebrow at him. Tori was no normal High School student. Had he lived in any other place in the world he would be the type of boy that students would cross the halls to avoid. However, in Nerima the most fearsome characters by normal standards looked like pussycats in comparison to Ranma and his friends. Unfortunately, Tori had just moved to Nerima and wasn't aware of the potential danger he was getting himself into. "Oh really? And why is that?"
Ranma turned his head and glared at the boy. "Because I said so."
Tori smirked and started pacing in front of Ranma with calculating steps while Ranma followed him with his eyes still making no movement. "Ah, I get it. You're Ranma Saotome, aren't you?" Ranma didn't respond. "That's right, I've heard about you. Apparently you're some really great, undefeated martial artist," he said with bored acknowledgment. "Not to mention Akane Tendo's fiancé." Ranma merely shrugged. Tori got up close and looked him straight in the eye. "Well, Ranma, maybe you've finally met your match."
Ranma's gaze never wavered. He pushed himself off the wall and walked past Tori pausing behind him, speaking without looking back. "I normally don't fight with amateurs, but suave jerks like you just get on my nerves. So I'll give you one chance. Stay away from Akane, or you'll regret it." He shoved his hands in his pockets and started to walk off.
"Hey, don't underestimate me, Saotome!"
Ranma continued walking and rounded the corner. As soon as he was out of sight he started to laugh. "Yeah, I still got it."
"Ahem." Came a voice at his side. He looked over in horror to see a very angry Akane.
"A-Akane!" he mumbled nervously. "How long have you been there?"
"I heard the whole thing," she said as she placed her hands on her hips.
Ranma began to sweat. It was true that he was good at being intimidating, but no one had mastered the technique like Akane. "Hey, look!" he said backing away cautiously. "I was just doing you a favor, really!"
"Oh? By scaring off some guy that I happen to like?"
Ranma's fear was forgotten for a moment and he blinked in surprise. "You-you like him?"
Akane began to calm down slightly. "Not like that," she sighed. "Just as a friend."
"Uh huh," Ranma said starting to grow angry himself. "Right, well then I'm so sorry for interfering. I thought I was doing you a favor by getting the jerk off your back but if you like him then by all means, go for it!" He started to rush past her.
"Ranma, wait."
"No, really," he continued still angry. "I mean it's none of my business who you date anyway. Go out with him for all I care."
"I said no. And hey! What do you care what I do anyway?"
"I don't care. Do whatever you want." He shouted registering the second half of her statement before the first. He paused after the first part registered. "You said no? Why? I mean you obviously like him," he said trying not to sound relieved.
"I do not! You're totally twisting my words. Yeah, I think he's a nice guy and all but I only like him as a friend. He's not really my type."
"Oh." Ranma responded before growing quiet. They stood there for a while before Ranma smirked. "So then I guess I am your type huh?"
"What?!?!" Akane shouted.
"Well I mean come on, you did ask me out this morning didn't you?"
"Wha- I did not!"
"Oh really? Then what was that all about huh, huh?"
Akane's eyes narrowed. "I did not ask you out. I asked you as a friend."
Ranma stopped teasing her. "You consider me your friend?"
Akane scoffed for a moment. "Well, I don't know. I guess, yeah sort of."
Ranma smiled. "Yeah, well, I think of you as a friend too."
Akane smiled back at him shyly for a moment until the bell rang. "Well, I guess we should get back to class now." She turned away and started walking towards the classroom.
"Hey Akane, wait. I've been thinking about it, and well, how about we go to that movie tomorrow?"
Akane smiled while her back was to him. However, when she turned around she frowned at him and looked at him haughtily. "You waited too long Ranma, I'm already going to the movies with Yuka and Sayuri tomorrow. Sorry, should have agreed when you had the chance!"
She whirled around and started walking back to class. Ranma groaned and started following her. "Ah man, why you always have to be like that! You are so un-cute, you know that!" he shouted after her.
"Oh yeah, well at least I'm not a pervert like you," she called back spinning around to stick her tongue out at him. They both playfully exchanged insults on the way back to class. Nearby Hiroshi and Daisuke sighed.
"I told you they didn't break up," Hiroshi said.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. They sure have a weird way of expressing their feelings though, don't they? Oh well, they got to break up eventually, right?" Daisuke asked.
"Definitely!" Hiroshi responded as they made their way towards the classroom.
* * * *
Friday Afternoon
Ranma, Akane and Nabiki were all watching T.V. when the phone rang.
"I'll get it!" Akane shouted as she made her way over to the phone. Ranma continued to watch T.V. without paying any attention to the phone conversation. "Hello, Tendo Residence." Akane paused as she waited for the response on the other end of the line. "Oh hey Tori!" Ranma perked up suddenly and looked over in Akane's direction.
"Why that sneaky little…" he mumbled under his breath.
Akane giggled on the phone and Ranma giggled under his breath mimicking her. Nabiki cocked her eyebrow and looked at him out of the corner of her eye and then went back to watching T.V., pretending not to notice.
"Right, well I think that would be great!" Ranma rolled his eyes and made gagging gestures. He then noticed Nabiki looking at him and went back to watching the television trying to pretend like he didn't care.
"Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow! Bye Tori." Akane hung up the phone and came back into the room sitting in her place between Ranma and Nabiki. Ranma glanced at her expectantly but she didn't say anything and just went back to watching the television. Ranma waited for a while trying to think of the best way to present his question without sounding like he cared.
"Who was on the phone?" he asked trying to sound like he was more interested in the show on TV.
"Oh, that was Yuka," Akane responded without taking her eyes off the television.
Ranma jumped up and shouted at her. "You liar! That was Tori!"
Akane looked up at him with a smirk on her face. "Well, if you knew who it was, why did you ask?" She turned back to the television.
Nabiki laughed and leaned over to her little sister. "Good one sis."
Ranma stood dumbfounded for a moment before sitting down with his arms and legs crossed fuming. After a few moments he tried again to pose a nonchalant question. "So what did he want anyway?"
"Oh not much."
Ranma waited for her to continue but she didn't. After a little while he groaned. "Ah come on Akane!"
Akane giggled and turned to look at him. "If you must know, he wanted to know if Sayuri had a boyfriend. He wants to ask her out. I really think they'd hit it off, don't you?"
"Oh. Um, yeah sure I guess so." Ranma said as his interest in the subject disappeared. He sat and watched the movie in peace trying to figure out why he felt so relieved.
* * * *
~…In this twisted world of glass
We have found some true romance
Open up and give me just one chance
Cause what we have could really last…~
* * * *
Friday, Night
"Finished!" Akane put down her pencil and looked over her homework one last time. She stretched and got out of the chair glancing at the clock. "Oh wow, I didn't realize how late it was." She quickly slipped her pajamas on and pulled down her covers getting ready to get into bed. Just then there was a knock on her door. "Come in," she called. The door opened and she turned around bouncing back slightly in surprise. "Oh, Ranma! I didn't think it was you."
"Oh, sorry. You said to come in."
"Oh no, that's fine, I'm just surprised is all. Um, what's up?"
"Well, I was talking to Hiroshi and Daisuke today about that movie and you're right it does sound pretty good."
"Yeah I know." Akane looked at him expectantly.
Ranma slouched his shoulders. "So, do you still want to go?"
Akane smiled. "Yeah. Sure. If you want to go that is."
"Yeah I guess, if you want to you know."
Akane laughed. "Okay, but only if you want to."
Ranma rolled his eyes. "Yeah whatever. So tomorrow then?"
"I told you already, I'm going to a movie with Yuka and Sayuri."
"Really?" he asked scratching his head. "I thought you were just making that up."
"Stupid. What would I do that for?"
"I dunno."
"By the way, whatever happened to you training with your dad today?"
"Oh, um, pop wasn't feeling all that well so he changed his mind."
"Uh huh, sure Ranma. Admit it, you didn't want to go with me but then you got jealous because Tori asked me out and so you changed your mind. Am I right?"
"No!" Ranma shouted although a part of him knew that she was partially right. "I was just a little worried because I figured if we went to a movie together our parents would think it was a date or something and start pressuring us to get married again."
"Oh. Yeah, you're right. I guess I didn't really think of that."
"But I've been thinking about it and I think I have a plan." Akane raised her eyebrows but kept the comment that arose in her mind to herself. Ranma continued. "Okay, so we'll go to the movie the day after tomorrow. I'll tell everyone that I'm going to hang out with Hiroshi and Daisuke and you can tell them that you're going to go shopping with Yuka and Sayuri or something."
"Gee, how long did it take you to come up with that plan?"
"Hey!"
Akane laughed. "No, it's fine. That should work."
"Okay then. Night I guess. See you in the morning."
"Night Ranma."
He opened the door and paused just before going out. "Oh yeah, and my treat, by the way." He smiled and exited her room before she had a chance to respond.
Akane went to bed with a smile on her face.
* * * *
Day 2: Saturday Afternoon
Akane played with the cherry in her ice cream while Yuka and Sayuri talked about the movie.
Yuka sighed. "I wish I had a guy like that."
Sayuri sighed in the same manner. "Same with me. You're so lucky Akane."
Akane looked up at the mention of her name. "Hmm?"
"Yeah Akane. You're so lucky. You're only 16 and you're already engaged to a hunk like Ranma. I wish I had a boyfriend like that."
"Me too." The two girls pouted.
"Cheer up you guys, you're still young, I'm sure you'll both meet someone really soon. Like Tori maybe," she said looking at Sayuri who blushed.
"Yeah, I sure hope so," Yuka said, feeling a little jealous about the fact that Tori had been showing more interest in both Akane and Sayuri than he had been showing in her.
"Besides," Akane continued. "You're forgetting, Ranma never asked me to marry him, it was our parent's idea."
"Yeah, that's true," said Sayuri. "I bet you two haven't even kissed yet have you?"
Akane almost chocked on her ice cream. She started blushing furiously. "Well, no…"
Yuka shook her head. "Akane! You really need to do something about Ranma. If you don't make your move he's going to end up with one of his other fiancé's."
"Yeah, Akane. A guy like Ranma, he's not going to wait around forever, you know."
Akane blushed feeling rather uncomfortable. "Yeah well…" She looked around for some kind of distraction. Finally her eyes fell on a flier on the window. "Hey look!" she said pointing at the advertisement. "There's a new Karaoke place that just opened!"
Yuka and Sayuri succeeded in being distracted. Akane was very relieved. "Oh wow cool! Hey, let's go check it out tomorrow!"
"Oh yeah! That's a great idea! What about you Akane, you want to go?"
Akane almost choked on her ice cream again. "So close," she thought. "I uh can't. I have plans."
Yuka and Sayuri blinked as they tried to remember the last time Akane had plans. Sure things popped up out of the clear blue for their friend, but it was very rare for Akane to have something planned in advance. They were her closest friends after all, and Akane didn't usually do things with other people.
"You have plans?" Yuka asked.
"What kind of plans?" Sayuri added.
Akane had kind of been hoping they would've just dropped it, but no such luck. "It's no big deal. Ranma and I are just going to a movie after school," she said as casually as she could.
Yuka and Sayuri stared at her in shock for a few seconds and then broke into excited chatter about the 'date' that Ranma and Akane would be going on.
"Oh great," Akane thought. "No flier's going to get me out of this now. Guess I'll have to resort to plan b."
"Right," she interrupted. "But hey, what did you think about the way that they looked at each other from across the room at that party?" she said in the most girly, dreamy tone she could stomach.
Yuka and Sayuri stopped chattering and stared at her blankly.
"You know, in the movie?" Akane said prompting them.
The two girls sighed and clasped their hands in front of them with stars in their eyes. "Oh I know! Wasn't it just so romantic? Oh and what about that time when they…"
"And their off," Akane thought tuning out the drone of her friends chattering. She slouched back in her seat. "I thought I'd never get them to stop talking about Ranma and me. The way they say it almost sounds like a date or something." She pondered that thought for a moment. "Well, maybe it is. I mean yeah, he did ask me, and he did offer to pay. It does sound an awfully lot like a date…" She continued contemplating whether or not she and Ranma were going on a date while Sayuri and Yuka continued to chatter about the movie.
* * * *
Saturday Evening
The Tendos and the Saotomes all sat around the table eating dinner that night.
"So Akane, how was the movie?" Kasumi asked.
"It was good," Akane responded without much enthusiasm.
Ranma paused from inhaling his food to glance at her but didn't say anything. He then returned to his dinner.
"Oh, yeah," Akane said. "I'm going to hang out with them again tomorrow too."
"But Akane, you just saw them today."
"Yeah, but this new Karaoke place just opened up and we want to go check it out."
"Well, I guess that would be okay. Just make sure you spend some time on your school work tonight since you won't have as much time tomorrow."
"Alright." She went back to her dinner.
"Oh yeah," Ranma said between bites. "That's reminds me. I'm going to hang out with Hiroshi and Daisuke tomorrow."
"Idiot," Akane thought. "Could he be any more obvious?" She looked around the table. Nabiki looked a little suspicious but no one else really took much notice to the fact. Still, Nabiki was the one she needed to worry about the most. She was knocked out of her thoughts as Genma spoke.
"No."
Ranma was a little surprised as well. "Huh?"
"I said no. You're not going out until you finish that math homework of yours."
"Ah, but pops! That'll take me forever! I hate math! Besides I don't see what it has to do with martial arts anyway!"
"Quit whining Ranma, you sound like a girl!"
"But pops! I really want to go!"
"I'll help him," Akane said trying to cut off the promised argument. However, now everyone, not just Nabiki were looking at her suspiciously. "I mean I have the same homework. I can help you with it if you want. That way you can get it done tonight and you can go hang out with your friends tomorrow." Everyone still looked suspicious. Ranma finally caught on to the fact and tried to make the situation seem more normal.
"Great," he mumbled under his breath. "Not only do I have to do math but now I have to spend the evening with Akane."
"Ranma!!!" Akane shouted smashing him with her mallet. The hit looked pretty hard but she pulled it considerably. Fortunately she had caught on to what Ranma was doing. "Hmph!" she said as she stood up from the table. "Fine then, do it by yourself." As she walked out of the room she noticed that no one seemed very suspicious anymore, except for Nabiki who watched her younger sister as she made her way out of the room.
* * * *
Saturday Night
Akane sat at her desk doing her homework when there was a knock at her door. "Come in," she said as she continued writing.
Ranma entered her room and walked over to her desk. "Sorry about dinner. I didn't really mean it, I just didn't want them to be suspicious or nothing."
Akane smiled and turned around. "Yeah I know. I kind of figured. How's your head by the way?"
"It's okay," he smiled. "You pulled it didn't you?"
She smiled and nodded.
"So then we're still on for tomorrow right?"
"Uh huh."
"Okay then. I'm going to go to bed. See you in the morning." He quickly made his way for the door.
"Hold it." He stopped.
"Yeah?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"No, I don't think so," he lied.
"You're math homework," Akane prompted.
"Oh," Ranma slouched, defeated. "Yeah, that."
"Come on, have a seat."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes you do, now sit. Come on, it's not really all that hard. If you concentrate it shouldn't take us too long."
Ranma did as he was told and they went about working on their homework.
In the room next to Akane's, Nabiki stood with her ear to the wall and a smirk on her face.
* * * *
~…I don't want to play games no more,
Let's be honest with ourselves,
Please don't push me away again,
I just want to be myself…~
* * * *
Day 3: Sunday Afternoon
The following afternoon had actually gone surprisingly well. The movie had been good and Ranma and Akane hadn't fought once. Afterwards they took a detour and went through the park on their way home. As they walked they made small talk and commented on the weather, Ranma for one being happy it hadn't been raining lately. Everything was going nicely, but Akane couldn't help but notice that Ranma had seemed rather distant. She was curious but had been too afraid to ask. She glanced ahead. They were almost out of the park. They'd be home soon and then she'd never get a chance to ask him.
"Ranma?" she asked cautiously as she stopped walking.
He stopped as well and turned back towards her. "What?"
"Is something wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's just you seem so… I don't know, distant I guess. And I can tell you're thinking about something." He didn't say anything but just looked down for a moment. "Good," she thought. "At least he's not denying it."
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked awkwardly.
He looked at her, trying to decide and finally just sighed and started walking again. "You wouldn't understand."
Akane glared after him as she started to feel rather insulted. "Hey!" she shouted quickening her pace to catch up with him. "I was just trying to help! You don't have to be rude or anything."
"No, I mean… I don't mean to be rude. I just don't feel like it's something I want to talk about, that's all." Ranma started to get a little apprehensive. He hadn't completely enjoyed himself because he was feeling uncomfortable for some reason, but all in all it had been a good evening and they were getting along well. He didn't want to ruin it now. He hoped she'd understand.
She didn't. "Oh." She didn't sound angry but rather deeply hurt. "Fine, be that way then," she said more angrily as she started to rush past him.
"Akane! Wait!" He shouted catching up to her and falling into step with her pace.
"Leave me alone."
"Come on, at least let me explain!?"
"Just forget it Ranma."
"Why do you always have to be like that?" he shouted. "You never listen to me!"
She sighed and turned around to face him crossing her arms in front of her with a stern look. "Okay, fine. Explain."
"Well, I uh," Ranma stumbled at first; shocked by the fact she was actually listening to him. He could see her growing impatient so he resolved to answer. "It's just that… Well, you're right. I'm not quite myself right now, and there has been something on my mind. It just sort of something that happened a while ago, before me and Pops came to stay here." He looked at her only to see her expression hadn't changed much. "Look, I know you're trying to help me and I'm just being a total jerk. It's just that…" he trailed off trying to think of the right words to finish his sentence. Akane could see the inner struggle within him and began to cool her temper. "I guess I just don't feel comfortable talking about it just yet. Maybe some day."
Akane's expression lightened and she smiled. "It's okay Ranma. I understand."
They stood motionless for a moment until Ranma caught sight of a bench. "Hey, you want to sit down for a little while? I don't really feel like going home yet and dinner probably won't be ready for a while."
"Okay sure." They both sat on the bench. There was an awkward silence for a moment before Akane finally spoke. "So, who would win, Taro or Herb?"
Ranma smiled. "Hmmm, well, they're both pretty weak if you ask me…"
Akane smiled at Ranma's typical ego trip. "I guess he's back to his normal self again," she thought. "I wish he could open up a bit more with me though."
"Alright, now I have a question for you Akane."
"Okay, what is it?"
"Why do you go to those stupid romance movies with your friends?"
Akane sighed. "Typical guy. You know, a movie doesn't have to be all about blood and guts to be good!"
"I realize that. I'm just saying, I know you don't enjoy those movies. I mean you never watch shows like that at home, and I've seen you with your friends. They're always talking about how romantic it is and all but you just kind of don't say anything. And I could tell you enjoyed this movie, but it just doesn't seem like you do enjoy those movies. I'm just wondering why you go if you don't like them."
Akane blinked a little surprised Ranma had made such a sharp observation. She thought for a moment about how to answer. "Well, I guess I just go because I like to be with Yuka and Sayuri. You know, I've known them for so long, and they were really there for me when my mother died." Her voice caught a little at the mention of her mother and Ranma was worried for a moment that she might start to cry. However, after a second Akane continued. "Besides, as long as they have one of those movies to go on about they stay out of my own love li…" She trailed off and blushed. "Well, I mean as long as they're talking about the movie they're not talking about us…" She trailed off again and sighed. There just was no simpler way to put it. "You know what I mean. I'm sure Hiroshi and Daisuke are the same way."
Ranma laughed. "Yeah, but they only ask because they're constantly hoping we'll break up so that you'll be free again."
Akane shivered. "Ugh."
"What?" Ranma asked.
"Nothing, it's just that I'd hate things to go back to the way they used to be at school."
"Really? I always sort of figured that things had gotten worse for you since me and Pops moved here. I mean what with Shampoo and Ukyo and Kodachi. Don't you ever wish you could have your old life back? I mean have things like they were before I came?"
Akane thought for a moment. "I'd be lying if I said that things didn't bother me sometimes. I really hate it when we fight and I don't really enjoy fighting with the other girls either. But for the most part, I wouldn't say I have any regrets. I mean life is hardly boring, and I've made some new friends. Ryoga, Ukyo, and I guess Shampoo and Mousse. And then you of course. For some time now I've been used to the idea of you being a part of my life. I can't even imagine now what things would be like without you, and for the most part I don't want to. I'd say I'm happier now than I was before."
Ranma didn't say anything for a moment and stared ahead looking at nothing in particular. When he spoke he still avoided looking at her. "When we first came to live with you, I remember that we had a fight and I went to go apologize. But when I got there I heard you talking to your sister. You said you were engaged to your worst nightmare."
Akane stared at him. A sick feeling built up in her stomach. As she looked at him she could tell that it had seriously hurt him. "How long has he been thinking of this," she wondered. "And have those words that I said kept us from getting closer?"
"You heard that?" she whispered. Ranma merely nodded. "Oh Ranma, I'm so sorry. I felt like my whole life had been taken away from me. It didn't matter whom I had been engaged to, I was just upset that it wasn't my choice, and I was angry. You know how that is. We get angry and we say things we don't mean."
He looked at her. "So you didn't mean it?"
She faltered. "At the time, maybe a little. But since then I've gotten to know you better and well, I don't know if we ever will get married or not, but if we did, I can't say that I'd mind that much. There are worse people I can imagine being engaged to, but I feel like I could be happy with you, if we do end up getting married, that is."
Akane blushed and looked away from him. The two both fell silent. After a moment Ranma put his arm around Akane and pulled her closer. Akane gasped slightly. Then she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. They sat that way for a while not saying anything, but neither of them felt uncomfortable with the silence.
"Akane?" Ranma spoke softly after a few minutes.
"What?" She looked up at him and their eyes met. Akane's heartbeat quickened and she felt very nervous, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to look away. Akane's eyes went wide as Ranma began to lean in towards her slowly. "He's going to kiss me!" she thought. "Finally," said a less prominent voice in the back of her head as her eyes fluttered shut and she tilted her chin upwards.
They were just about to kiss when they were distracted by a crash of thunder above.
"Ah man!" Ranma yelled. "And we were having such nice weather until now!" His voice changed half way through the sentence as he turned into a girl. Within seconds they were completely drenched. "Come on," Ranma-chan said. "We'd better get home quick." They both jumped up and started hurrying home.
"Dammit," Akane thought to herself. "We were so close."
Ranma-chan frowned to herself as she ran along. "What the hell was I thinking?" she asked herself. "You were going to kiss her," said the voice in the back of her head.
"Well, duh, I knew that much. The question is why?"
"Because, you like her. Admit it."
Ranma-chan smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess I do."
"See, I told you so. You love Akane."
"Okay, now you're just pushing it."
"But it's true."
"Would you shut up already?"
"Sorry."
Ranma-chan sighed in frustration. "Since when did I start having arguments with myself anyway? And loosing them for that matter." She shook her head and continued running home along with Akane, the girl that he liked, but didn't love.
* * * *
~…Place your hand in mine
We're both unsure of where to go
But from now on,
I promise we'll go there together…~
* * * *
End of Chapter 1
A/N: Okay, hope you like the beginning. Things start getting more complicated from here on out. You may think that Ranma and Akane are acting a little out of character in regards to each other, but that's because I'm trying to show them as starting to mature in their relationship. They gradually get closer through the process of this story. Oh, and there should be more chapters very soon. I have chapters two and three completed, but I want to proof read them one last time before I put them up. I'm also about half way through my fourth chapter and have written bits and pieces of other chapters. It's looking like this story is going to be about nine chapters long plus an epilogue. Anyway, please give me a review and let me know what you think!
Coming soon: Chapter 2: I Knew You Once Before
