Legal Note: N/A *************************************************************************************

Chapter Twelve: Ranma

Where was she?! I was out getting some sparklers to spell out her name for a big makeup thing I had planned, and I set 'em up and everything. Then I found out she wasn't even there. I noticed some footprints on the beach and followed them to nothing. They had just stopped. She went swimming, and I don't see her out there. She drowned, and somehow I'm to blame. I had no time to think and just ran into the water to find her. I said I had hated her, and I failed to teach her to swim. I've messed up so much this summer and it's only been three days into it!

I found her not too far out and dragged her in. I lied her down on the sand and checked for breathing. She was alive, but barely. This time I just did mouth to mouth and didn't even stop to think. She came to saying my name too.

"I'm here Akane." I couldn't help but smile as she sat up. She was alive. I didn't realize how much I needed her until now.

"Ranma? Y-you saved me once more." She said turning from me. She hated me, but so would I if someone said they hated me. I didn't hate her though. I placed my hand on her shoulder and she tensed up.

"Do you mind?" She brushed my hand off. She was so cold toward me.

"Akane, I'm sorry. I even had sparklers to say that, but I used them." I went to the side her face was pointed, but she just turned away again. I think she was crying.

"Ranma, a "I'm sorry" isn't enough this time."

"You're right Akane. It isn't." I lost my smile and looked to the sand.

"You hurt me Ranma."

"I know I did. Akane, I want to teach you the Clear Body technique." I spun her around to look her in the eyes. I have the perfect plan now. She stopped crying, but mainly because she looked confused as hell.

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There you go. Anyway next chapter is the last. There will be Akane's view, Ranma's, then one in third person that I call Chapter 13 and a half. I will follow those three up with two chapters that close this arc. A sequel will follow and as I said I've begun writing it. I'll say more when I finish this one.

Thanks to:

Mary: Finally someone says unrequited love. I love that term, especially I can say it and some people don't know what it means. Anyway read and you'll see the truth.

Maria

Butterfly: I love teasing. MASH is the greatest live show I've ever seen.