"Ranma!" Genma shouted at her that evening as they sat in their bedroom meditating, "Have you lost your senses boy?"
"Pop" Ranma sighed angrily with her eyes closed, "You're interrupting my concentration."
"Don't give me that" Genma said shaking her back and forth, "What is this I hear about you giving up the idea of you ever being a boy again. Are you completely serious?"
"Yes pop, I am" Ranma nodded standing up and stretching, "I have no intention of ever being a boy ever again" she replied walking over to the closet.
"But boy" Genma whined, "What about the fact that you are the heir to the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts? What about your engagement to Akane? She is your fiancée after all."
"She's not my fiancée!" Ranma shouted even angrier, "She wasn't before and she is not now. You and Mr. Tendo are the ones who decided on this stupid engagement to begin with remember? It shouldn't surprise you then" she turned to walk out the door but Genma wrapped himself around her knees.
"Please Ranma!" he begged, "I'll do anything" he replied as Ranma walked out of the room, dragging him in the process with much difficulty since he was clutching onto her leg so tightly, "Just please reconsider."
"No" Ranma argued, "I've made up my mind. I am going to remain a girl and there is nothing you can say to make me change my mind. Ranma Saotome no longer exists. From now on I am your daughter Ranko Saotome. Now let go of me."
"And what should I tell your mother?" Genma asked worried, "She always wanted you to be a man among men Ranma. If you decide to do this, we'll both have to commit Seppuku for sure."
"Pop" Ranma sighed, "You were the one who made that deal with mom anyway remember? If you want to go through with it, be my guest. I want nothing to do with it after all."
"That's cruel Ranma" Genma whined even more, "You would make your poor father go through all that by myself?"
"Poor father my ass" Ranma scoffed as she dragged the old man down the steps going so slow it was ridiculous, "Now get off. You will survive one way or another, you always do" Ranma said as they came to the bottom of the steps and Kasumi and Nabiki who had heard the commotion came out of the sitting room as Ranma walked towards the front door, her father still attached to her leg.
"All right. Well think about this then" Genma continued as Ranma frowned even more, growing more irritated from her father's behavior, "If you refuse to be a boy what will become of Akane? You are supposed to marry her boy. If you don't we'll be kicked out into the streets. Is that what you want?"
Ranma stopped and looked down at him directly. "I'm not really concerned about it" she replied.
"What?"
"Pop" Ranma sighed for the third time that night, "Along with the decision of being a girl. High school is almost over. As soon as I graduate I am leaving the Tendo dojo for good. I'm going away. On my own."
"You can't be serious?" Genma said for the second time that evening looking at his son with stunned eyes.
"I am" Ranma nodded fervently with her eyes closed, "I've also come to another decision. And that is" she paused before opening her eyes and shouting, "AND THAT IS TO REMOVE YOU FROM MY LEG!" she screamed removing the old man from her quickly and throwing him into the pond.
The large panda emerged from the pond, spit out some water and held up a sign that read:
"Is that anyway to treat your father?"
"You were acting more like a whiny kid then my father!" Ranma shouted, "You are supposed to be the grownup. I've had enough" she huffed, "I'm going into the dojo to cool off."
"What about Akane?" the second sign read.
Without looking at her father Ranma shook her head sadly.
"It's because of Akane" she said simply and then trudged away as the sopping wet animal shook off the water and walked over to Soun Tendo who was shaking his head angrily.
"You always come on too strongly Saotome" he replied, "Perhaps I should talk to the boy."
"You would do that?"
"Of course" Soun nodded trying to concetrate on their next game of Shogi, "I'll talk to him tonight."
Genma looked at him imploringly so Soun nodded his head a bit irritated himself.
"All right Saotome" he threw down his game piece, "I'll talk to him now. And don't you dare change my pieces on the board" he added before walking over, not noticing that the panda was doing the exact opposite of what he was saying and grinning away, holding up a sign innocently that read:
"Cheaters never prosper after all."
(Next Scene)
Unfortunately Soun had no luck convincing Ranma to change her mind either. At dinner everyone was silent as they ate, Genma kept glancing at his son hoping for a glimmer of sense but Ranma was the most silent of all as he ate his rice slowly. P-Chan sat next to Akane who had not mentioned her feelings about Ranma's decision even if her father had begged her to change Ranma's mind.
"It is Ranma's decision after all," Akane had said.
Nabiki and Kasumi were silent as well about their opinions although Nabiki wondered if she could somehow make money off of Ranma again. The only person who was full of any spirit that evening was in fact Happosai who was quite thrilled with Ranma'schoice that he rubbed his perverted self in herchest all night in pure joy. But Ranma didn't even seem to notice. P-Chan was now as thoroughly concerned as everyone else in the room. So when Ranma said she was going out for an evening walk, the small pig ran quickly to the bath and transformed back. Then Ryoga quietly slipped out of the house as Akane walked upstairs, contemplating on what Ranma was really up to and a bit concerned that so far, he hadn't budged from his choice.
"Looks like I am going to have to be more convincing" she thought out loud as she smiled evilly to herself, running upstairs and walking to her room, "It's time he took me more seriously. I'm running out of time" she thought as she closed the door, "Before too long, the spell will lose it's first enchantment and she'll find someway to get word to him. I'd better work fast."
(Next Scene)
Ryoga found Ranma sitting glumly on a bench in the park staring at his feet. As he approached Ranma didn't even glance up.
"Ranma."
"Hey Ryoga. What brings you here?"
"I came to make sure that you really are serious?" Ryoga said.
"Huh?" Ranma looked up.
"Ranma I have been watching you all day. Believe it or not it was one of those times I managed to make it to your school. I saw you tell Ukyo, and Shampoo, and Akane about your decision. After lunch I turned into the pig again" Ryoga replied sitting down, "Snuck into Akane's bag and came home with her. I heard what you said to her by the pond. I thought you weren't really serious this morning. I thought that maybe that you were trying something."
"I was" Ranma sighed standing up, "And I failed. I failed miserably. I'm at my wits end Ryoga. I can't take anymore."
"What about that stuff you said to your father? Are you really going to forgo being a guy ever again? Are you really going to give up the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts?"
"Yep" Ranma nodded.
"But Ranma" Ryoga replied a bit sympathetic eyes, "You love Martial arts more than anything. It's the most important thing to you in the whole world."
"Was" Ranma replied, "Something's are more important."
"Ranma" Ryoga said slowly, "I see. I understand now" he nodded slowly.
"What? What do you get?"
"Why you are so determined to make Akane be the way she used to be according to you. It's so obvious. And as much as it pains me to admit it. You're in love with her aren't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous" Ranma said turning bright red and putting her back to the boy, "I'm just concerned that's all."
"Right" Ryoga replied not believing a word, "If that were true, then why would you be wasting your time."
"Because she is not the same Akane, I told you why."
"Yes you explained that, but why? What is your reason?" Ryoga said standing up and crossing his arms, "Back before you hated the way she was. Now that she isexactly what you wanted you don't like her either?"
"I never hated her" Ranma protested, "I never said that. In fact sometimes she was quite pleasant to be around. But I like the old Akane so much more. I can't explain why."
"That's because you are not admitting it to yourself" Ryoga replied bitterly, "And you know what she loves you too."
"No she doesn't" Ranma shook her head, "She hates me. At least the old Akane hated me. And that's what I wanted. I haven't been bending over backwards to get her to notice me, in a positive way" she added, "But in a negative one. I flirted with all the girls in school" she began to list, "I gave Shampoo a bridal book right in front of her. I have been rude and obnoxious and downright ignorant of her feelings and nothing" she shrugged her shoulders, "And now I try one last thing to bring her back. And she doesn't care. I give up."
"But the question is. Why did you do all those things?"
"I told you Ryoga, I" but Ryoga interrupted her.
"No. No Ranma. Why don't you be honest about your feelings?"
"What?"
"You love her. That's why you are doing all this, even if you might be wrong. You love her and she loves you."
"How do you know that?" Ranma replied exasperated.
"Oh wake up and smell the Jusenkyo water Ranma!" Ryoga shouted, "It has been obvious since the very beginning to me. Even though it hurt I knew. I knew how she felt. If not why would she go out of her way to satisfy you?"
"Huh?" Ranma turned around stunned.
"In her cooking. In everything. Ranma all Akane wanted was your approval. Yours above everyone else. Haven't you noticed that yet? Maybe she wasn't the best cook before, but she tried. And why did she try? Who did she do it for? For you, you dummy. It always wasfor you. Every time she tried to tackle a problem on her own, she would be thinking about you and your reaction to it. I may have no sense of direction but I know about the girl I love. I know she loves you."
"Why do you care then?" Ranma asked, "This should be just what you want Ryoga. I'll be out of the picture. Then you can marry Akane. Go ahead I don't care. I'll hope you'll both be very happy" she turned back around facing the sunset as Ryoga contemplated her words.
"I could marry Akane?" he thought, "And Ranma's okay with it. Get a hold of yourself Hibiki" he shook his head at himself angrily, "Ranma you're talking nonsense. Like you would ever let anyone marry Akane. What if it were Kuno?"
Ranma cringed. "That's too awful to imagine," she thought, "I'd be okay with it," she squeaked out.
"Yea right. Your face says it all. You wouldn't let anyone marry her. Because you love her. I think it's time you admit it."
"Why? I mean why do you think I would ever be interested in a tomboy like her. Even if she was herself. I would never marry Akane."
"You almost did. Remember. But Ukyo and Shampoo messed that up."
"Yea" Ranma nodded, "And to tell you the truth. I was going to go through with it."
"Because you love her," Ryoga reiterated.
"No" Ranma shook her head protesting, "I didn't want anything more bad to happen to Akane like it did at Jusenkyo."
"I'm not sure exactly what did happen. I mean Mousse and I were with you for some of the time, the next thing I knew you had her and she was back to normal."
"That was the single most scariest day of my life" Ranma replied, "I thought I was gonna lose Akane. I even said" she realized.
"Said what?"
"She was so lifeless. No heartbeat. Nothing."
"Said what Ranma?"
"Completely devoid of any life."
"What did you say?" Ryoga demanded turning her around by the shoulders.
Ranma looked toward the ground as he let go. Then she sighed and turned back around once more.
"I said that I loved her. She couldn't hear me or at least I thought she couldn't."
"And did you mean it?" Ryoga's heart sank, "Did you mean it Ranma?"
"I was panicked. I thought I was going to lose her remember. I would have said anything in a panic."
"No" Ryoga shook his head sadly, "You said it because you meant it. Yes it was because you were going to lose her, but more than anything because you thought she would never hear you saying it."
"Maybe you're right Ryoga" Ranma thought, "But I could never admit that. Not to you. Ryoga" Ranma said aloud, "It doesn't matter anymore. If I did have those types of feelings, they were for a completely different person. A person who doesn't exist anymore. So Ranma Saotome doesn't exist anymore either" she lowered her head and thought, "Along with his feelings, Ranma is going to completely disappear."
"Well" Ryoga replied picking up his bag that he had placed in a hiding place near the park, "I can see you have made your decision. So I guess this is where I say goodbye. I'm going on another journey" he moved past her.
"Thanks Ryoga" Ranma said with a smile making her rival look back surprised, "And good luck. If I don't see you again I hope you find the happiness you deserve. You know you've been more than a rival. I can admit that. Now that our fighting is done."
"Who says our fighting is done" Ryoga smirked, "I will never forgive you for what you did Ranma Saotome. Boy or girl we will settle this, someday."
"Okay" Ranma had to grin, "You got it."
Ryoga shook his head and grimaced as he walked away, Ranma certain that she would probably see him sooner than later, considering that every time they parted, he somehow ended back in their small town. Ranma watched him depart in the wrong direction, heading towards town, shook her own head and headed back in the direction of the Tendo dojo.
(Next Scene)
Ranma's observation of course was right again. Within moments Ryoga found himself completely lost and in the middle of town, close to Ukyo's restaurant.
"That's funny" he thought, "The main road should have been around here somewhere."
He spotted Ukyo's restaurant and sighed.
"Well might as well get something to eat while I am here" he said walking into the place.
Ukyo was at the counter working on an order, and feeling quite distracted. As she heard him come in she smiled slightly as he sat down.
"Ryoga? What brings you here?" she said cheerfully.
"I'm on my way out of town," he muttered as she prepared his okinomiyaki.
"And let me guess, you got lost again?"
"Uh sort of."
"Well since you are on your way out, I guess this one can be on me sugar" she replied flipping the Japanese style pizza.
"Thanks" he nodded gratefully, "You seem in an awful cheerful mood considering Ranma's decision.
"You know about that?" she asked curiously.
"Huh?" he looked at her as she set his plate in front of him.
"I mean what do you know about Ranma? Why did he make this decision?" she probed, "I'm still a bit confused about the whole thing. It's not like Ranma honey to make such a choice."
"Uh" Ryoga said a bit nervous, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything" he took a bite of his food.
"Uh huh" she nodded not believing him and rushing over to her other customers, "Excuse me I am going to close up a little early tonight, so if you could take this to go" she chuckled wrapping up the meal of Ranma's two friends, Daisuke and Hiroshi, "And I'll send you the bill" she replied practically shoving them out the door, "Goodnight and come again!" she shouted as the two boys stunned watched as she closed the door and locked it.
She turned to Ryoga and looked at him seriously as the sweat dropped from his brow.
"All right Hibiki" she replied, "You are going to tell me everything about what's going on with Ranma before you leave this place tonight" she insisted with a cross of her arms, "Or else" she indicated to the spatula on her back.
"Oh great" Ryoga thought, "What another fine mess Ranma has gotten me into. I will kill him! Damn it!" he shouted in his head.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys. Here's the first for the week. There should be three more after this. But we'll see. Getting on my computer has been very difficult lately. Sometimes the only time I think I can write is on the weekends and even that can be difficult. Anyway I will try by this weekend to finish the next three chapters! Oh about this chapter. I really love this one, because Ryoga is one of my favorite Ranma 1/2 characters, not my very favorite as if you couldn't tell, Ranma is, but I feel so sorry for him and I don't truly believe that he completely oblivious to Akane's feelings for Ranma, and in this chapter I think he starts to realize that maybe that is not such a bad thing. I have always like the Ukyo and Ryoga pairing anyway ever since the Haunted cave episode on the OVA'S. So I hope you enjoyed it and I will see you all later in the week!
Next Chapter: Sudden Switch
Akane decides to take Ranma's decision into her own hands after all. But what Ranma may discover may be more than convincing about his theory on Akane. See what happens next time!
