Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters so don't sue me.
What! Ranma left the Tendo Dojo? He's not a Saotome anymore? What will happen to their lives now? Can their love still be saved? Read on and find out.
R&R... R/A pairings
The Right One For Me
by: numbskull
Part 17: The Date and the Sudden Confessions
Akane went upstairs and stopped in front of Ranma's room. She composed herself and smiled her best smile that make guys fall for her. She was about to knock on the door when it opened. Akane was shocked and Ranma smiled at her.
"I knew someone was in front of my door so I opened it to check who it was." Ranma said.
Akane blushed when she saw Ranma smile at her like that.
"So what are you going to talk to me about?" Ranma asked. "I…uhh..uhmm…I w-wanted to ask y-you if y-you're free on c-christmas eve?" Akane asked nervously, forcing herself to smile.
"Oh…Naru-chan asked me out already so I can't go. I'm sorry." Ranma said frowning. Akane frowned at what she heard. "T-That's okay, Ranma. Have fun!" Akane smiled fakely and went to her room.
"I'm so sorry, Akane." Ranma whispered and closed the door of his room.
Akane closed the door of her room and started to cry. 'I guess we're not meant to be together.' Akane thought. She thought that everything will turn out okay and Christmas will be fun but she was wrong. Ranma doesn't love her anymore and she knew he loves Naru now. He had let go of her and moved on. Akane laid down on her futon and hugged her pillow and she cried some more. "Ranma…" Akane muttered. After a few minutes, we see Akane finally falling asleep.
Ranma closed his door and sighed. He laid down on his futon and started to think. "Why did Akane asked me out? She never did this before." Ranma thought. Then a picture of Akane smiling when he opened the door appeared on his mind. Ranma blushed and smiled. "She's so kawaii…no…beautiful." Ranma said. Then he thought about his date with Naru. 'I guess she asked me a little too late. And beside I should get over her already. That's why I'm here, right?' Ranma thought. He closed his eyes and fell asleep with Akane's smile on his mind.
Christmas Eve…Ranma bought everybody a present and gave it to them later that day. Naru received a nice scarf from Ranma and he received a red jacket from her. Akane took a deep breath and approached Ranma.
"Ranma?" Akane called Ranma. He turned and saw Akane giving him a gift. "Merry Christmas, Ranma!" Akane said and gave Ranme her best smile. Ranma blushed and took the gift. "Arigatou, Akane. Here, I've got something for you too." Ranma handed her his gift and smiled. "I hope you like it." Ranma said and walked away. Akane opened the gift and saw that it was a beautiful yellow coat.
"Ari…" Akane saw that Ranma's not there anymore. She hugged the coat and smiled.
"Akane-chan! Open my gift! Open my gift!" Suu said excitedly as she handed Akane her gift. "Arigatou, Suu-chan!" Akane said and opened her gift.
After opening their presents, everybody carried their presents back to their rooms. Akane went upstairs to her room and before she went inside, Ranma's door opened. Akane's mouth gaped open as she saw how handsome Ranma was with his clothes. Ranma was wearing a black shirt with an unbuttoned while polo shirt over it. He's wearing black pants and a pair of black leather shoes. Ranma saw Akane and smiled as if she was the one he's going out with.
"How do I look?" Ranma asked her. Akane closed her mouth and said, "You look good…no…great! It looks good on you."
"Thanks!" Ranma said.
"So you're going on a date now?" Akane said hiding her sadness from Ranma.
"Hai. I better go to Naru-chan's room and pick her up. I don't wanna be late for our date." Ranma said and knocked on Naru's room.
Naru opened the door and Ranma's jaw dropped. Akane noticed it and she frowned.
Akane admitted that Naru is stunningly beautiful. "Beautiful." Akane heard Ranma say to Naru. "You look so beautiful." Ranma said as if he was hypnotized by Naru's beauty.
"Arigatou, Ranma-kun!" Naru blushed. "So, are you ready to go?" Ranma said scratching his head. "Hai." Naru said and held on to Ranma's arm. Ranma blushed and he didn't notice Akane was frowning.
"Have fun, you two." Akane said forcing a smile. Ranma looked at Akane. 'I know that look! She's forcing herself to smile! But why? Is she upset that I turned her down?' Ranma thought sensing something's wrong with Akane.
"Hai! We will!" Naru said smiling at Akane. Ranma forced himself to smile and walked away with Naru. Akane's forced smile was replaced by a frown. She sighed and went inside her room.
Ranma led Naru in a nice restaurant. Naru realized it was the same restaurant where she accidentally bumped him. She gave Ranma a kiss on the cheek and Ranma blushed.
'Man! Why can't I stop blushing!' Ranma asked himself. Then, a waiter went to their table and asked for their orders. "I will have a chicken yakitori and shrimp tempura. What will you have, Naru-chan?" Ranma asked. "I will have the same." Naru said to the waiter. "Drinks?" The waiter asked. "I will just have some iced tea." Ranma said and he looked at Naru. "Make that two and that's all our orders." The waiter nodded, bowed and left.
Ranma and Naru chatted while waiting for their food. Finally, their food came and they ate quietly. As usual, Ranma finished his food first. Then a smooth music started to play. It was a love song. Ranma looked at Naru who was listening to the music. It was a good song and he can't help but to think about dancing with Akane with that tune.
Ranma was looking at her. "What is it, Ranma?" Naru asked him. Ranma snapped out of his daydream. "Oh, it's just that the song is beautiful." Ranma said. Naru smiled and got up from her seat. She moved towards Ranma and offered her hand. Ranma looked at her confusingly.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Naru asked blushing furiously. Ranma blushed and nodded.
'I was supposed to be the one to ask her. Well, don't be such an egoistic fool and take her hand! I can't decline her offer!" Ranma scolded himself and took Naru's hand. He led her to the dance floor and placed his hand on Naru's waist and the other on Naru's hand.
"Uhmm…I don't know how to dance. How do we start?" Ranma asked Naru nervously. Naru smiled at Ranma. "Just follow my steps. I think you'll manage to keep up with me since you're a martial artist." Naru said and Ranma nodded. Naru danced at the tune and Ranma tried to keep up with her.
"Ouch!" Naru shrieked because Ranma accidentally stepped on her foot. "Gomenasai, Naru-chan. I told you I'm not good at this." Ranma said blushing. "It's okay. You'll get it next time." Naru said and they continued to dance.
After a few steps, Ranma got the rhythm of the dance. "Very good, Ranma-kun! You're a quick learner!" Naru praised Ranma. "Arigatou, Naru-chan!"
Then, Ranma danced into the rhythm of the song as he looked at Naru in the eyes.
Suddenly, he saw Akane! He saw himself dancing with her! Ranma blinked at what he saw. 'Could this be my imagination!' Ranma thought. He looked at the girl again and it's still Akane. 'I guess it's not.' Ranma thought and placed both his arms on Akane's waist. Akane placed both of her arms on Ranma's neck and leaned closer to him. They both looked at each other's eyes and danced as if nobody's there but them.
Ranma stared at the hazel nut eyes of the girl he's dancing with. He leaned down slowly to kiss her. Akane stared at his aqua blue eyes and noticed that he's leaning on her for a kiss. She closed her eyes and closed the gap between them. Their lips met and it was a wonderful kiss. It only lasted for a moment when Ranma reluctantly broke the kiss.
Ranma opened his eyes but the girl with hazel nut eyes was gone. He saw it was Naru and her eyes are still closed. Ranma stopped dancing and stared at Naru. 'What the heck is going on here! My eyes are playing tricks on me! Masaka…am I still…' Ranma's thoughts were cut off when Naru spoke. "What's wrong, Ranma-kun?" Ranma looked at her and shook his head. "Nandemonai. Let's just go back to the inn." Ranma said leaving the dance floor.
Akane tossed around her futon because she can't stop thinking about Ranma and Naru. She was so worried that if Ranma confessed to Naru, they might end up together and she will lose Ranma forever. Akane was so depressed so she decided to go out for a walk. She grabbed the yellow coat that Ranma gave her and went outside Hinata Sou.
We see Ranma and Naru walking back to the inn. Both didn't speak any words to each other because Ranma was lost in his thoughts and Naru just looked at him, worrying about his sudden actions.
Finally they reached Hinata Sou. Naru was about to open the door when Ranma stopped her.
"Can we talk for a moment?" Ranma said softly. Naru didn't know what was that all about but she couldn't help but nod. Ranma sat on the stairs and gestured Naru to sit beside him. Naru sat beside him and sighed.
"So what do you want to talk about, Ranma-kun?" Naru asked.
"It's about us, Naru-chan. I wanted to clear something." Ranma said. He looked at Naru seeing that she's expecting him to say what's happening to him.
"Naru-chan, Kami-sama knows that I love you so much and that I don't wanna hurt you." Naru's heart beat became fast when Ranma told her he lover her. She was about to say something when Ranma spoke again. "Demo, there's still someone I really love and I can't erase her in my mind and in my heart. Whenever I close my eyes, her face always appears on my mind. Naru-chan, don't get me wrong. I love you and you've been so special to me. I appreciate everything you've done for me. I really do." Ranma sighed as he looked at Naru frowning and noticed that she's controlling her tears. Ranma frowned. He doesn't like seeing girls cry.
"Naru-chan, I know this is painful for you but I don't want you to regret everything. If i didn't tell you the truth, I will live a life full of lies. I don't want to lie to you, Naru-chan. You're such a nice person and you deserve someone better. I don't deserve you Naru-chan because I can't give you pure love, my heart. Gomenasai, Naru-chan. Forgive me, onegai." Ranma stood up and bowed in front of Naru.
Naru controlled her anger, her tears, and the pain. She stood up slapped Ranma hard. "Ranma no baka!" And her tears came flowing down her cheeks. Ranma looked really sad and he could no longer resist hearing a girl cry. "I'm sorry. I really am."
Naru stopped crying and composed herself. She took a deep breath and looked at Ranma. "I-It's alright, Ranma-kun. I understand you. I'm g-glad t-that you told m-me the t-truth. You're such an honest man and honorable too. I know wh-who it was you're t-talking about." Naru sobbed. "Naru-chan, I…" Naru placed her forefinger on Ranma's lips to stop him from talking.
"Let me finish, Ranma-kun." Ranma nodded and Naru continued speaking. "I wanted to tell you that I love you too. But I admit to you that it wasn't also pure love. My heart still belongs to Keitaro even though he belongs to someone else. You, in the other hand, brought life to my feelings. These past few weeks, I've been happy just being with you but I sensed that there's some hesitation in your eyes as if you're afraid to enter a new relationship because you still love her." Naru placed her hand on her chest and sighed.
"Back at the restaurant when we were dancing, I saw the look in you eyes that you are looking at me but you are seeing someone else. You stared on my eyes but actually you were imagining you were staring at someone's eyes…Akane's eyes. I couldn't forget how happy you were that time. Then, you kissed me. After the kiss, I opened my eyes and saw that your mind is far away again so I asked you what's wrong with you but you never told me. Now, I know the reason why." Naru looked down and wiped her tears. Ranma just stared at her not knowing what he's going to do to comfort her.
Naru took a deep breath and smiled. She looked up at Ranma and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Ranma was stunned for a moment but he recovered immediately.
"What was that for?" Ranma asked.
"That's for being honest and for saying goodbye to our love. I want us to start a good friendship." Naru offered her hand to Ranma. "Friends?"
Ranma looked at the extended arm and took it. "Friends." Ranma smiled at her and she smiled back at him. "So, what are you still doing here?" she asked looking at him. "Huh?" he asked dumbly. "Baka! Go to her room and confess your feelings to her!" she said and slapped Ranma playfully on his shoulder.
"Oh, right! Arigatou, Naru-chan!" he said and started running inside Hinata Sou.
"Gambatte, Ranma-kun!" Naru yelled so that Ranma will hear her. She smiled and looked at the falling snow. "This is gonna be a great Christmas for the both of them and it looks like it's gonna be a white Christmas after all." Naru said and went to the patio.
End.
Now this is the longest time I've been gone! Anyway, so much has happened in a year. Oh my God! It's already been a year since I've last updated this story! Gomenasai to all the readers (bows repeatedly). I've been busy with school and stuff. And I wasn't lucky with love after all. Hahahaha! Anyway, it's not the end of the world!
numbskull: I've been gone for one year and it looks like my story got cobwebs all over it!
"It's because you were busy with your girlfriend and now she left broken hearted!"
numbskull: Who said that?
"It's me, your conscience!"
numbskull: Okay, Nabiki! Stop with that conscience thingy and get in here!
Nabiki: Thought I could fool you! (laughs)
numbskull: (sweat drops) You can't fool me coz you're the only one who gets all the news.
Nabiki: Of course! I have a lot of ears and eyes around here. Hahahaha!
numbskull: Yeah right. Anyway, how's business?
Nabiki: The question is "How are you?"
numbskull: I'm fine. I've already moved on. It's been 7 months since we broke up and it's a long time for me now.
Nabiki: Hmm…so do you still love her?
numbskull: I'm not up to talking about her. Thank you very much.
Nabiki: Okay, but I'll still find out about it! I've got contacts!
numbskull: Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure. So how's business? Is Akane and Ranma getting along with each other now? I haven't heard from them for a year!
Nabiki: Business is business, Akane is Akane, and Ranma is Ranma. Nothing new. They still fight over small things. 200 yen for the information!
numbskull: Aww, c'mon! When will it be free?
Nabiki: When? Oh! It will be like…hmm…let's see…forever! (laughs an evil laugh)
numbskull: Let's bargain! I'll tell you everything what happened last year. Every detail of it and you'll tell me what I wanna know. Deal?
Nabiki: You got yourself a deal there! (shakes hands with numbskull)
numbskull: Alright! Now that's a deal!
Nabiki: You're getting better at this sort of thing, ne? Maybe one day, you'll be my assistant! Hahahaha!
numbskull: (sweat drops) Well..uhmm..I'll think about that.
Nabiki: You should coz it's not a lifetime offer! Anyway, it's time for me to go. I've got this juicy scoop and it will make me lots of money! Ja ne!
numbskull: Ja ne! Anyway, the next chapter is the last one! Whee! And I'm gonna post it now! Hahahaha! Here's the preview of the next chapter:
Ranma went to Akane's room but she's not there! He's got to tell her his feelings before it's too late! Will he ever tell her on time? Will he ever find her? Find out on the last chapter of "The Right One for Me"
About the reviews:
Lexi: Hey! It's been a long time! Sorry for the very long update. Maybe you have already forgotten me. Anyway, I like "You're so last summer" too! I also like "A decade under the influence."
I hope you're doing okay with your stories. Keep it up! Don't let your imagination drain out!
JerryUnipeg: Well, I do hope you still read my story. Hey! It's the last chapter! I hope the very long cliffhanger makes you long for the ending of this story.
Expired Doughnuts: Hey batanga! Nice for you to be reincarnated! I'm also reincarnated now! I'm fully alive at this moment! Hahahaha!
DanyChic: Find out on the last chapter. But the clue is already on this chapter on who's gonna end up with who.
DCWestby: Thanks for the review and for the tip. I could sure use that advice on the next story I'll make. Thanks!
Ormik: Maybe I'll make a Ranma/Naru for you next time since you liked their pairings so much. Seriously, I also liked the idea of them ending up together but I have stick with the Ranma/Akane theme. Hahahaha! And it's not bad to criticize people's work. That's the life of a writer! You need to accept every criticism that people make about your work. I can't always receive praises and all. Thanks for the review! And I've got no hard feelings on you. It's cool, man!