Rebound

I look worriedly trough my window. Ranma is not home. He's not in his room. He's not in the Dojo. I know he is not on the roof and it makes me uneasy. Where is he? He took it well… too well actually. That hurt. Guess that even though I was waiting for that kind of reaction some part of me was waiting for him to try to stop me… well what can I say… I'm kind of a dummy when it comes about him. Where's he? I know I shouldn't be worried at all… but I am. I don't know why but I have a very bad feeling about this…

"Damn it," Ranma Saotome muttered for the fiftieth time. "Damn it, damn it, damn it."

"Ranma I think it's enough." Ray advised quietly from a safe distance.

But he didn't stop. "Argh!" He yelled and viciously punched the practice dummy in front of him… or what it was left of it.

"Ranma!"

"No, no it's not enough." He said while striking the innocent mannequin with all his might. "It never is." He finished in a quiet voice.

Ray's brow furrowed in worry.

"Damn it… damn it… damn it," the martial artist continued.

"Ranma…" the girl whispered.

It's never enough… it's never enough. Why can't things ever work out? Why is she leaving me? Why does it seem like I never can be happy! It's not fair. It's so not fair. I've always acted with honor. I've never hurt anyone intentionally. Don't I deserve a little bit of happiness? Why? Why does she want to leave? Why won't she stay? What's wrong with being here? What's wrong with staying? Why won't she stay with me. Why doesn't she want me? Damn it… damn it.

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Ray yelled, her eyes moist.

"Why!" Asked Ranma barely acknowledging her.

"Because beating the crap out of my dummy doesn't solve anything."

"I thought it was about venting."

"Yes..." answered Ray somewhat calmer at seeing him stop and turn around to see her. "Yes… it was about venting. And I think you've vent enough."

"Well I don't feel any better." He answered turning around again. "Guess I ain't done yet." And then he continued killing the remains of the inanimate object.

"This is not working Ranma! It was a bad idea."

"I like the method."

"Please stop! You're not being yourself!"

"Maybe I shouldn't be myself Ray. It's not like it has ever worked out for me or for the people around me."

Ray bit her lip. "What are you talking about?"

"One thing! One single thing!"

"What?"

"I can never get a break. It always has to be a tragedy Ray."

The girl stayed quiet waiting for him to continue.

"Curses, multiple engagements, broken hearts… every one always ends up being miserable, and I end up being miserable too. But I take it you know. I just take all that crap and live with it trying to make the best out of any situation."

Ranma took a deep breath and punched the dummy hard.

"And now this! Just when I thought things could be better. Just when I thought that I had a chance at happiness…" He stopped looking down his arms limp. Ray winced at the sight. "It slips right through my hands."

Ranma sighed.

"I'm just so tired of it."

I'm tired… I've been tired for a few months now. This constant sadness, this lose of hope… well it wears anyone out. Still no sign of Ranma. It's getting late. Maybe he's at U-chan's… thought those two have pretty much stopped talking since Ukyo and Ryoga started to go out. I guess Ukyo it's a little bit embarrassed about it… Ryoga's been a little bit scarce too now that I think about it… Mmmm… Well… I know he's not at the Neko Hanten… Shampoo and Cologne are leaving soon. They finally got tired of chasing him around. Well Cologne did… she realized Ranma wouldn't be such a good amazon husband after all… he is not someone you can easily control. Well… I guess I have no idea where he can be right now… unless… he's with that girl…

"Oh Ranma." Ray said getting closer.

"Don't pity me. No one pities Ranma Saotome." He said his voice hard.

"I'm not pitying you. I'm worried. You know, even you with all your greatness can need help some times. This is not healthy."

"I don't need help."

"Yes you do. You're broken. Look at what that girl has done to you!"

"She didn't do anything okay?"

"What are you talking about? This is all about her. It's always about her! And I'm tired of it. You can't revolve your life around someone who obviously doesn't care about you!"

She's… right… She's right… Akane doesn't… she'll never… she…

Ray saw a man broke into pieces in front of her eyes. And then she saw him falling down with the weight of the truth on his shoulders.

"You're right…" he whispered tiredly. "You're right."

"Ranma…" She said feeling pain and then kneeled down in front of him.

"She doesn't care…"

She looked at his moist eyes and regretted having said what she said.

"No one really does…" He murmured.

She put her hand on his cheek and gently moved his head so he'll look her in the eye. "I do."

Ray knew that he was confused and that maybe it wasn't real at all. But when he lean down in a kiss she let him anyway.

Why am I crying? Why am I crying? I know he's all right. He's always safe… he's him… he's all right. I shouldn't be worried. I shouldn't have this clenching feeling oin my chest. I shouldn't… I shouldn't… why am I crying?

Author's notes: Yeah yeah… I know. It seems as Ranma an Akane will never be together… it's not intentionally… it's just how it's coming out. But don't worry I want them to end up together too.