Lavender

Author: Angelic Warrior

Notice! Ranma 1/2 isn't mine to own.

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Pardon me for not updating.

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"I'm sorry I came late."

Akane turned her head around and saw Ranma in his old childhood carefree smile. His black hair waved gently in the breeze and behind it was a small pigtail.

"Yo........ nice seeing you....again." Ranma said taking three breaths.

Akane felt like she was being hinted that Ranma really didn't want to see her but she pushed that thought out of her head. From her squatted position facing the lavender flowers, she stood up and walked towards him to check if Ranma was really there. She lifts her index finger and poked him gently and the result was confirmed. He's there.

"You remembered!"

She jumped to him with arms open and hugged him. Ranma stepped back slightly from the sudden course of action. He relaxed and hugged her back a little.

"After all these years.....you came back....." Akane gripped on his shirt and her eyes flooded with tears of joy. "Thank you for keeping your promise." she said in bliss.

They stood there for about a minute or so until some students spotted them and started giggling.

"Look! Isn't that Ranma!"

"Ooh......where! I've been dying to get an autograph!"

"Look! They are making out!

"Hey! Over here! Get them!"

A crowd of students suddenly surged towards them. Akane and Ranma look at each other and backed away immediately. Both of their faces blushed from embarrassment. Ranma grabbed Akane's hand and pulled her towards the opposite direction from the upcoming stampede and ran.

/Running again......since that race.......but this time I'm not alone........Ranma has my hand in his./

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"Ryoga! Smile!" Akari posed towards the screen.

The photos came out with every one of them having Ryoga in a grim expression. Akari's eyes turned into dots while Ryoga sighed once more.

"Ryoga....." Akari looked up from the pictures. Ryoga sighed and turned around.

"Okay....I give up.....nothing but Akane will make you happy.......but can't you consider my feelings as well?" Akari flipped Ryoga around. "Look at me. I know that you are depressed that Akane left but.....I am too....but to be depressed is bad also today's such a good day.....wouldn't it be a waste to not have fun and enjoy it...? Right?"

"I guess you are right....but can go home......anyway?" Ryoga said.

"Nope! You are going to treat me to a fast food restaurant next!" Akari dragged Ryoga along the streets. "Come on! My stomach's growling."

"But you had six slices of cake a little while ago."

"That was ancient history."

"........" sigh.....

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"Will you go out with me?"

"Of course! Do you have any idea how long I was waiting for you to say that....."

"Let's go then!"

"And they happily rode off in the evening sunset on his motorcycle.....sigh.....so romantic...."

"Hey you two...what are you talking about?" Kasumi turned off the vacuum cleaner and put her hands to her hips and stares at them. Cashier # 1& # 2 froze.

"Ulp!......we're caught." they stood up and held out a sheet a paper with words on it.

Kasumi took it and scan it. Her eyebrows twitched every so often. She put it down on the ground and turned on the vacuum cleaner and sucked it in. The cashiers' jaws fell.

"We worked so hard making the speeches for you to say to the cute customer and this is what happens!"

The cashiers bit their lips and looked at Kasumi in an identical annoyed, teasing face. Kasumi turned off the vacuum again and brushed a lock of hair in front of her face. She looked at them and said sweetly.

"We are not in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.... so quit teasing me okay. He well..... just treated me out to lunch...that's all." Kasumi felt her cheeks slightly going crimson. She prayed that they didn't notice it. Too bad for her, they did.

"You are blushing.........no use denying it....."the two cashiers laughed, "admit it.....you like him......say it."

"No I don't!" Kasumi said flushed. Steam rose from her cheeks." I-I......"

"You what?"

"Eek!" Kasumi shrieked and dropped the vacuum cleaner.

All the customers in the bookshop dropped the books they were holding and looked at her. Embarrassed, Kasumi bowed to them quickly. Then she fixes her gaze on Tofu who was smiling slightly. Picking up the vacuum cleaner, she dusts her dress and cleared her throat.

"Anything you need help with?"

Tofu scratched his head slightly looking upwards.

"Uh...yes...there is a certain something I want to get up. It's quite out of my reach but yet it isn't. Every time I seem to get close to touch it, it goes further away." Tofu grabbed Kasumi's hands and the vacuum cleaner fell back on the floor. "Do tell me how to get it because I can't stop thinking about it."

The two cashiers behind Kasumi swooned.

Kasumi kept a straight face but her cheeks show a slight touch of pink. She lets go of his hands and pick up the vacuum cleaner again.

"Please be more specific on which 'book' you would like to get."

"Of course, I'm sorry. It's this way." Tofu let Kasumi to an aisle. "See that book up there," Tofu pointed to the highest book, "that pink one. That's the book I want you to help me get."

Kasumi noted how high it was and how strangely unfamiliar it was, nevertheless she grabbed a nearby ladder and climbed on it. When she got up there and pulled the book out, she stared at the cover and her foot slipped from the ladder. She was falling fast.

'Oh no!'

She scrunched her eyes expecting impact of the ground. The ladder fell with a thump but she didn't. A pair of warm sturdy arms caught her. She peek open her eyes and Tofu was looking at her with worried orbs. She realized that he was carrying her and jumped to the ground all flustered.

"Ah-um-err-I-I'm sorry...Here's your book and uh-" Kasumi trailed. She tripped on the ladder on the ground and was falling again.

'I'm a klutz! This is going to hurt!' she thought.

Fortunately, Tofu's reflexes were fast and caught her. Again, Kasumi found herself staring at his eyes and found them not worried but unfamiliar. Without warning, Tofu brought his lips upon Kasumi. Kasumi widen her eyes but return the warm kiss.

"Don't you know how I feel towards you?" Tofu softly said. Kasumi blushed looking away. "I love you...do you feel the same towards me?"

"I-I...."Kasumi closed her eyes.

'I can't tell him...my secret...My horrible secret...Yet...do I love him.......I Do!'

"I-I do..."Kasumi replied. Tofu's eyes lit up with joy.

"What I want was your heart...and now I've reached it..." Tofu brought his lips again and this time Kasumi returned it.

"Ah...excuse me, where can I find Kasumi? I need her to help me pick up some stuff for dinner..." Soun came in and asked the two cashiers.

"That...aisle...in...love..." The two cashiers said dreamily.

"Err..okay..thank you..." Soun said with a sweatdrop and sweated more when the two cashiers replied with a slowly dazed 'you're welcome'.

He walked towards the aisle and turned around smiling but stop abruptly when he saw Kasumi in a leaning, falling position and Tofu supporting her in a deep kiss. Tofu and Kasumi broke off and were blushing furiously.

"Sorry...I got caught up in the moment..."Tofu said smiling. Kasumi didn't reply but she smiled amicably.

"Kasumi......how could you...break your promise to me."

Kasumi froze. She turned around and saw Soun, her father, looking at her shocked. She could only mutter out a single word.

"Father."

Without warning, he yanked Kasumi's arm and led her out the store dragging her home. Tofu had to run to keep up with Soun's speed that was enhanced by his anger and betrayal. Kasumi pled her father to stop. Her tears kept bubbling up but Soun paid no attention. When they reached the front of their house, Kasumi jerked her arm from her father's iron grip.

"STOP! PLEASE!" Kasumi cried.

Soun finally faced her. Tofu finally caught up and stopped. Kasumi stood in the middle crying.

"I know I've done you wrong Father, I know I broke my promise. I'm sorry." Kasumi wiped her tears but more replaced them. "But I have come to love someone. I know I shouldn't have but I did. I love To-" Kasumi stopped.

Kasumi clutched her heart. Words couldn't seem to come out. She started to cough.

"Kasumi!" Tofu and Soun shouted in unison. Kasumi kneeled on the ground coughing, clutching her heart, wincing in pain, and crying. Soun and Tofu ran to her but Soun pushed him away causing him to fall ripping out the pocket of her uniform. A small white zip-lock bag fell on the grass. Tofu stared at it.

"Akane! Help your sister! Hurry!" Soun shouted. Akane burst open the door and help pick Kasumi up who's coughing hasn't minimized.

"Kasumi! Are you okay?" Akane asked and went inside. Soun turned around to Tofu who picked up the pouch and was about to hand it to him when he shouted. "Leave!" And slammed the door.

Quietly and slowly after the door was slammed in front of him, he walked off with the white bag in his hand address to 'Patient' Kasumi.

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For those of you who are wondering how was Akane in the house at that time when Kasumi was dragged home will be explained in the next chapter. Hopefully you'll all understand it. Thanks for reading and please review!

~Angelic Warrior