Author's notes in advance (heh): Well its been a while but I figured this
story should be finished. I don't usually like to leave this incomplete but
these things happen I suppose. Now the major point I want to get out of the
way for this chapter is that the funeral Akane and Ranma will be attending
is going to be a Christian based one. This is only because I am more
familiar with said funerals and I'm not really familiar with traditional
Japanese funerals. Gomen if anyone wanted to see that. Now on with our
story...
Akane's Grief/ Chapter 3: The Funeral:
Nerima, Japan: Outside Furinkan High School gates: 8:20AM
Ranma Saotome was walking casually under a somewhat cloudy sky the next morning. He had no idea that Akane was in such distress. He looked down at the concrete below him as he remembered her tearful eyes. As much as he was willing to deny it, Ranma, for some reason, never felt worse for Akane. Her crushed spirit brought something up in Ranma that he rarely had felt before.
He dismissed the thoughts for now and looked up at the gray plane that now covered Furinkan. It looked as though rain would hit at any second. Concerned for his onna complex appearing without warning once again, Ranma rushed across the field to reach the doors.
"Ranma Saotome, I challenge thee!"
"Oh perfect, two days in a row...." Ranma sighed. "Turn to face your opponent vile Ranma!" shouted Tatewaki Kuno as the pigtailed martial artist stopped dead. "Today you shall fall to the mighty Crimson Tiger of Furinkan..."
SMACK!
A side kick to the face ended Kuno's usual overly-dramatic drawl. "Gomen Kuno but I don't want to be bothered with this today." Ranma said dully. He turned and headed toward the door. As Ranma began to open the door he got another glimpse at the so-called mighty Crimson Tiger's body on the ground. 'Hmm' he thought, 'that blundering idiot may actually be of some help....'
9:17AM: Ranma sat in class thinking hard. 'Akane mentioned the family lived up north in the country. Neither of us have much money for train tickets and the funeral is next week. It's time for some feminine persuasion.' Ranma then began to stare at the window next to him. Drops of rain began to fall...
3:04PM: After what seemed like an eternity, school finally let out. It was still raining and Ranma, for what may have been the first time in his life, was actually carrying a plain umbrella. All the students eagerly dispersed at the exit while Ranma noticed Kuno running ahead of everyone else with great speed. Ranma followed suit. As the two trekked through downpour Kuno took a sudden turn toward his mansion of a home. He ran into his private training hall and shut the door without looking back. "What's up with him?" Ranma wondered aloud. Carefully balancing his umbrella, he leaped over the wall and crept nearby the side of the hall listening carefully. "Oh my beloveds! I have fallen once again to the vile Saotome! Why, oh why does this putrid dog stand between us?!" "What?" Ranma stated as he leaned closer to the wall. "My dearest Akane, your delicate heart is heavy with pain these past few moons. No doubt it is from this wretch! And my precious pig-tailed girl, you are nowhere to be found! What have become of you my darlings?" Kuno stated epically as he began to sob. "Whoa, this is too perfect!" said Ranma silently with much happiness. He closed the umbrella and willingly walked out into the rain. His black hair tinted red and his body shrank. Onna-Ranma now walked around to the door, took a deep breath and burst through the door with a gigantic "OH KUNO-SAMA!!!!" "Ahh! The very answer to my prayers!" Said the elated Kuno with now tears of joy. "Oh, Kuno-sama how I have wanted to see you this day!" onna-Ranma said with passion. "My pig-tailed goddess! Your presence gives me such happy feeling!" said Kuno. "Kuno-sama I must implore you..." the red-haired girl said desperately. "My beloved I will do anything that helps you in you time of need!" the idiot stated. "Well, I wanted this super-cute outfit I saw the other day but I was terribly upset to find I was short of money. I was hoping I could wear it on a date with you!" She said with her cutest voice. "Say no more my sweet! Here is 15,000 yen. Go and fulfill your every desire!" "Oh, Kuno- sama you are too kind! I will always treasure your generosity! Ja ne!" She said as she bid him goodbye.
4:35PM: half a mile east of the Tendo residence "I have to hand it to him," Ranma said out loud as he poured hot water from a teakettle over his head, "his ineptness is beyond profitable." He laughed and began to head home. 'At least I got what I needed and Akane will be happy.' His thoughts once again turned to Akane. What is this feeling that stirred within him? Why did go out of his way for her? Could this mean.......no, it couldn't be. 'It isn't anything like that at all.' He assured himself. 'She's just....depressing.....yea, depressing to be around is all. And I...should make sure she's her violent self again.' He laughed a little but stopped quickly. He then realized he had stopped fully and was staring at the ground again. A small wind blew as he stayed as frozen as a statue. He suddenly shook his head left and right and broke into a run.
8:11PM: the Tendo residence A few hours later Ranma was slowly moving to Akane's room after dinner. She was quiet during the whole meal and Ranma thought he should tell her about the tickets before bed. His actions were stopped short by a giant furry arm in front of Akane's doorway. "What do you want Oyagi?" The giant panda held up a sign that read 'What are you doing?' "I'm just asking Akane a question, so do you mind?" Ranma stated with a tone of annoyance. Another sign came up from nowhere: 'Is it...intimate?' with a smirk from the panda. Ranma proceeded to whack his father over the head with his fist. "Cut it out Oyagi!" he yelled at the panda who wandered away with a large lump. "What's going on out here?" said a voice to Ranma's left. He turned to see Akane standing with her door open slightly in her nightgown. "A- Akane...um...can I come in?" Ranma said softly. "Yea ok." Replied Akane. He walked in and the two sat on her bed. "Well Akane...I just wanted to tell you that...." Ranma trailed off. 'How do I say this to her...' he wondered in his mind almost expecting some unseen force to answer. "Um...Akane....I just wanted you to know....," he took a deep breath, "that I have some money and...I wondered if you wanted to go up north to Yuki's funeral next week." He looked up and saw Akane in silent tears. "You would do that for....me, Ranma?" "Um...well sure. I mean seeing you like this is..." Her eyes began to well up. "...depressing and I just wanted to make you happy so you're not such a drag." 'Oh great, now she'll hate me.' He thought immediately. "Oh...I see." She said looking down all of a sudden. "Yea well, just so you know I guess." He stood up and headed toward the door. "Wait..." Akane said. Ranma turned slowly. She looked up and said "Arrigato..." He stalled for a second and then hastily said "No problem...goodnight." He then ran off to his room and quickly shut the door.
Nerima train station, one week later: 7:34AM It was a difficult week for the two of them after the previous night. Akane explained to Soun the situation and he permitted the trip. Every one else also understood and bid them goodbye. "Two please." Ranma said as they approached the booth. Akane held Ranma's hand tightly as he thanked the booth man and turned to the train. "You ready?" Ranma asked. "Yes...yes I'm ready." The two continued onboard and sat in their seats. "Ranma, don't let go ok?" Akane said. "Don't worry...I won't." He reassured her. She slowly leaned on Ranma's shoulder and fell asleep.
Akita, Japan 9:57AM A solemn feeling was weighted in the air as Akane and Ranma walked up to the gravestone upon a cliff overlooking the sea. It was a difficult service for Akane to muster but Ranma held her hand and reassured her as much as he could. Akane was incredibly close to tears the entire time and Ranma worried that she may lose control at any second but Akane held firm. As the minister bade final ceremony and the coffin was lowered into the ground Akane buried herself in Ranma's chest with silent tears.
The two reached the stone after the ceremony had ended and Akane seated herself on the ground. "We...we use to play on this hill. I loved this place so much then...it was like I would never know fear or pain as long as Yuki was here with me..." She said in a whisper. Ranma just stayed silent. He didn't know what to say...and it bothered him that he couldn't. "Ranma..." Akane turned. "Ranma I...I don't know what to do..." Ranma walked over to her and sat down as her eyes began to mist. "Akane...don't cry..." He said as he wiped a tear. "I'm here for you...and I always will be. Where ever you go, I will stand by you. Don't be afraid...I hate to see you cry..." Akane lifted her head up, looked at Ranma and suddenly wrapped her arms around his torso. "Ranma..." she paused...
"...I love you."
She leaned forward and kissed him. Ranma wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. No power in the entire world stood against them. They would always be there...
...for each other.
The End
Well there you are. I hope you enjoyed it. Any criticisms would be greatly appreciated. *Bow*
Akane's Grief/ Chapter 3: The Funeral:
Nerima, Japan: Outside Furinkan High School gates: 8:20AM
Ranma Saotome was walking casually under a somewhat cloudy sky the next morning. He had no idea that Akane was in such distress. He looked down at the concrete below him as he remembered her tearful eyes. As much as he was willing to deny it, Ranma, for some reason, never felt worse for Akane. Her crushed spirit brought something up in Ranma that he rarely had felt before.
He dismissed the thoughts for now and looked up at the gray plane that now covered Furinkan. It looked as though rain would hit at any second. Concerned for his onna complex appearing without warning once again, Ranma rushed across the field to reach the doors.
"Ranma Saotome, I challenge thee!"
"Oh perfect, two days in a row...." Ranma sighed. "Turn to face your opponent vile Ranma!" shouted Tatewaki Kuno as the pigtailed martial artist stopped dead. "Today you shall fall to the mighty Crimson Tiger of Furinkan..."
SMACK!
A side kick to the face ended Kuno's usual overly-dramatic drawl. "Gomen Kuno but I don't want to be bothered with this today." Ranma said dully. He turned and headed toward the door. As Ranma began to open the door he got another glimpse at the so-called mighty Crimson Tiger's body on the ground. 'Hmm' he thought, 'that blundering idiot may actually be of some help....'
9:17AM: Ranma sat in class thinking hard. 'Akane mentioned the family lived up north in the country. Neither of us have much money for train tickets and the funeral is next week. It's time for some feminine persuasion.' Ranma then began to stare at the window next to him. Drops of rain began to fall...
3:04PM: After what seemed like an eternity, school finally let out. It was still raining and Ranma, for what may have been the first time in his life, was actually carrying a plain umbrella. All the students eagerly dispersed at the exit while Ranma noticed Kuno running ahead of everyone else with great speed. Ranma followed suit. As the two trekked through downpour Kuno took a sudden turn toward his mansion of a home. He ran into his private training hall and shut the door without looking back. "What's up with him?" Ranma wondered aloud. Carefully balancing his umbrella, he leaped over the wall and crept nearby the side of the hall listening carefully. "Oh my beloveds! I have fallen once again to the vile Saotome! Why, oh why does this putrid dog stand between us?!" "What?" Ranma stated as he leaned closer to the wall. "My dearest Akane, your delicate heart is heavy with pain these past few moons. No doubt it is from this wretch! And my precious pig-tailed girl, you are nowhere to be found! What have become of you my darlings?" Kuno stated epically as he began to sob. "Whoa, this is too perfect!" said Ranma silently with much happiness. He closed the umbrella and willingly walked out into the rain. His black hair tinted red and his body shrank. Onna-Ranma now walked around to the door, took a deep breath and burst through the door with a gigantic "OH KUNO-SAMA!!!!" "Ahh! The very answer to my prayers!" Said the elated Kuno with now tears of joy. "Oh, Kuno-sama how I have wanted to see you this day!" onna-Ranma said with passion. "My pig-tailed goddess! Your presence gives me such happy feeling!" said Kuno. "Kuno-sama I must implore you..." the red-haired girl said desperately. "My beloved I will do anything that helps you in you time of need!" the idiot stated. "Well, I wanted this super-cute outfit I saw the other day but I was terribly upset to find I was short of money. I was hoping I could wear it on a date with you!" She said with her cutest voice. "Say no more my sweet! Here is 15,000 yen. Go and fulfill your every desire!" "Oh, Kuno- sama you are too kind! I will always treasure your generosity! Ja ne!" She said as she bid him goodbye.
4:35PM: half a mile east of the Tendo residence "I have to hand it to him," Ranma said out loud as he poured hot water from a teakettle over his head, "his ineptness is beyond profitable." He laughed and began to head home. 'At least I got what I needed and Akane will be happy.' His thoughts once again turned to Akane. What is this feeling that stirred within him? Why did go out of his way for her? Could this mean.......no, it couldn't be. 'It isn't anything like that at all.' He assured himself. 'She's just....depressing.....yea, depressing to be around is all. And I...should make sure she's her violent self again.' He laughed a little but stopped quickly. He then realized he had stopped fully and was staring at the ground again. A small wind blew as he stayed as frozen as a statue. He suddenly shook his head left and right and broke into a run.
8:11PM: the Tendo residence A few hours later Ranma was slowly moving to Akane's room after dinner. She was quiet during the whole meal and Ranma thought he should tell her about the tickets before bed. His actions were stopped short by a giant furry arm in front of Akane's doorway. "What do you want Oyagi?" The giant panda held up a sign that read 'What are you doing?' "I'm just asking Akane a question, so do you mind?" Ranma stated with a tone of annoyance. Another sign came up from nowhere: 'Is it...intimate?' with a smirk from the panda. Ranma proceeded to whack his father over the head with his fist. "Cut it out Oyagi!" he yelled at the panda who wandered away with a large lump. "What's going on out here?" said a voice to Ranma's left. He turned to see Akane standing with her door open slightly in her nightgown. "A- Akane...um...can I come in?" Ranma said softly. "Yea ok." Replied Akane. He walked in and the two sat on her bed. "Well Akane...I just wanted to tell you that...." Ranma trailed off. 'How do I say this to her...' he wondered in his mind almost expecting some unseen force to answer. "Um...Akane....I just wanted you to know....," he took a deep breath, "that I have some money and...I wondered if you wanted to go up north to Yuki's funeral next week." He looked up and saw Akane in silent tears. "You would do that for....me, Ranma?" "Um...well sure. I mean seeing you like this is..." Her eyes began to well up. "...depressing and I just wanted to make you happy so you're not such a drag." 'Oh great, now she'll hate me.' He thought immediately. "Oh...I see." She said looking down all of a sudden. "Yea well, just so you know I guess." He stood up and headed toward the door. "Wait..." Akane said. Ranma turned slowly. She looked up and said "Arrigato..." He stalled for a second and then hastily said "No problem...goodnight." He then ran off to his room and quickly shut the door.
Nerima train station, one week later: 7:34AM It was a difficult week for the two of them after the previous night. Akane explained to Soun the situation and he permitted the trip. Every one else also understood and bid them goodbye. "Two please." Ranma said as they approached the booth. Akane held Ranma's hand tightly as he thanked the booth man and turned to the train. "You ready?" Ranma asked. "Yes...yes I'm ready." The two continued onboard and sat in their seats. "Ranma, don't let go ok?" Akane said. "Don't worry...I won't." He reassured her. She slowly leaned on Ranma's shoulder and fell asleep.
Akita, Japan 9:57AM A solemn feeling was weighted in the air as Akane and Ranma walked up to the gravestone upon a cliff overlooking the sea. It was a difficult service for Akane to muster but Ranma held her hand and reassured her as much as he could. Akane was incredibly close to tears the entire time and Ranma worried that she may lose control at any second but Akane held firm. As the minister bade final ceremony and the coffin was lowered into the ground Akane buried herself in Ranma's chest with silent tears.
The two reached the stone after the ceremony had ended and Akane seated herself on the ground. "We...we use to play on this hill. I loved this place so much then...it was like I would never know fear or pain as long as Yuki was here with me..." She said in a whisper. Ranma just stayed silent. He didn't know what to say...and it bothered him that he couldn't. "Ranma..." Akane turned. "Ranma I...I don't know what to do..." Ranma walked over to her and sat down as her eyes began to mist. "Akane...don't cry..." He said as he wiped a tear. "I'm here for you...and I always will be. Where ever you go, I will stand by you. Don't be afraid...I hate to see you cry..." Akane lifted her head up, looked at Ranma and suddenly wrapped her arms around his torso. "Ranma..." she paused...
"...I love you."
She leaned forward and kissed him. Ranma wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. No power in the entire world stood against them. They would always be there...
...for each other.
The End
Well there you are. I hope you enjoyed it. Any criticisms would be greatly appreciated. *Bow*