Note: I don't own Ranma. Unfortunately, Rumiko Takahashi owns it. Hey but she is a great writer and artist so who cares.
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Chapter Eight: Memories
She had watched his battle with Ryoga. She had seen his blast destroy Ranma's box. Then she watched as Ranma unleashed the perfect Shi Shi Hokodan. He needed her now. That's what she believed. She walked toward him as he remained on the ground.
Ranma: You destroyed my box P-Chan. You stole it and destroyed it. There is no honor in that Ryoga! Huh? A-Akane…
He just noticed her hand now. It rested on his shoulder. She didn't look mad at him anymore. Had she seen his battle? Had she heard everything?
Akane: Are you okay Ranma?
Ranma: Did you see all of the battle?
Akane: Yes. I had followed you. I'm sorry about that. I just wanted talk with you.
Ranma: Pheh.
Talk? He had tried to do the same other times, but she wouldn't listen. Having her hand on his shoulder was nice. So nice it was annoying. He hit it off of him moving to pick up anything left of his.
Akane: What was all this stuff Ranma? I saw it Ranma. My hair.
Ranma: It wasn't about you. Everything in that box was a memory. My memories. All were important to me. Your hair was there because you're important to me.
Akane: I am?
He had never said anything like that to her before. He liked keeping secrets from her until it was too late. He had kept Ukyo a secret, then the Dragon's Whisker thing, Ryoga being P-Chan, and so many other things. This time he was opening up.
Ranma: I mean, you're my friend, and I wouldn't want anyone to harm you. It's the same for anyone else.
Akane: Uh-huh.
What was that? Was he trying to make sure he didn't say what she had thought he would? That he had loved her.
Ranma: Your hair was a memory. I had challenges in there too. A bandana of Ryoga's I picked up. Some other crap I picked up during my life.
Akane: I see.
Ranma: Well, there ain't really anything left but some photos.
Akane: By the way, what's this about buying them from Nabiki?
Ranma: Er. Well, She told you that? I, uh, bought them, um, before Kuno could. There was some of me so I didn't want him having 'em.
Akane: I get it. Wouldn't those photos make a good memory though?
Ranma was a bad liar. She knew that he bought those photos just because. She just wanted him to squirm and sputter out excuses. It was sometimes fun to see him do this.
Ranma: I don't need a photo to remember you.
Akane: I see, you keep their stuff.
Ranma: N-no! I remember names. Why am I talking to you?
Akane: What's wrong with me?
Uh-oh. He felt another argument coming. Another mallet strike to his head. He had to stop it before he even got her mad. This time they wouldn't hate each other.
Ranma: Listen. Before I say anything, I want to say I don't mean it.
Akane: What?
He was acting weird today. First he opened up to her, now he's trying to be nice. He wasn't being forced or nothing. He wanted her not to hate him.
Ranma: Well, you know I ain't too smart, and I don't think nothin' through. So I'm warning you that I may say something I don't mean.
Akane: You're just trying to cover your butt. What do we do about this mess Ranma? Ranma? Ranma!
She turned to see him trying to run away. How dare he try to run away! She grabbed the unconscious Ryoga and threw him into Ranma's head. He wasn't getting away today. They hadn't finished talking.
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I'm tired. It's like three AM. What does it matter? It's not like writing this is getting anywhere. Next chapter we learn why Ranma can't commit. Does he have a small… or maybe he's gay. Maybe he's just a major jackass. He may be possessed by a small child. Where do I come up with this crap when I know what happens next. In fact I know this will end with chapter 14. I know for a fact they won't be together. Not exactly anyway.
Okay, okay. They both die. Death! Death! Then Happosai makes out with their dead bodies.
Go read Norse over at my fiction press page. Akazu's good too.
Can you believe Ranma movie one is out of print? That sucks cause I really wanted it too.
