"Jeez, look how pathetic you are!!"
Genma smirks at Ukyo as he refills his glass with the costly liquor that he made her to purchase for him. She became so stunned when she heard that he has returned to Nerima after so long, then suddenly he came to her store and ordered her that she close her shop right away. She obliged him because he said he had a very important discussion with her which is related to marrying Ranma. She didn't think twice as she quickly closed the shop in her busy hours. He even asked her to buy him a costly liquor, which she has to bring for him with the help of Konatsu. It's been an hour since he came to her house, but still he hadn't discussed anything with her at all. Instead, he kept himself busy drinking his third bottle. She grumbles in annoyance as she punched the table furiously with her fists and snapped at him saying,
"Look! You have already wasted my lots of time! If you just came here to only drink then.."
"My son has returned home.." he started saying with a drunk voice, which made Ukyo stop her complaining as she looked at Genma with expectation.
"Really? Did you tell him about me?"
Genma smirked again as he said,
"Heh! You think it's that easy, huh? Don't forget, he still has a soft side for that youngest Tendo.."
Ukyo narrowed her eyes at him and said,
"That's not what I was expecting to hear from you..."
"Huh! So what ya wanted ta hear from me? That I talked to him and he easily agreed to what I said..That's not possible, girl! He is extremely stubborn; I need time.."
"TIME!!? I can't give you much time! He already spent lots of time with those Tendos! You promised me that you will look at the matter on Kasumi's wedding! But I heard that you didn't even attend the wedding!! Only Kami knows what that pervert Akane had managed to do with Ranma there!"
Genma finished his drink in one go and said while shaking his head a bit,
"Why are you worrying about what they did or not; I promised ya that my son will marry ya and that's final. Just don't forget the deal that we made.."
Ukyo stood up feeling disturbed, she again slapped her hand hard over the table and desperately said to him,
"I have already given you my words and you already took a lot of money from me to attend Kasumi's wedding. Then you came here and asked me to buy you these expensive drinks as well! I am listening to everything you are telling me to do! What else do you want me to do more, huh? I just give you a simple task to separate them and this is how you are doing this job?"
Genma filled his glass again and looked at her with bored eyes,
"Don't use that tone with me!! You are asking me to do a very crucial task, Ukyo. I think you forget how my son is obsessed with Akane. If you think it's that easy then why don't you do the pleasure to separate them! Why would I even be bothered?."
Ukyo gulped nervously as she calmly sat down on her chair. Then she said to him more politely,
"Look, I am sorry; but please try to understand, I can't wait any longer. It's been so long since I last talked with Ranma and I am missing him so badly. I can't take this distance any more. And I know that if Akane is still around him he will never come to me. I am so desperate right now to get him that I can do anything for him, father. I will give you as much money you want.. just please please make Ranma marry me and leave that kitchen destroyer.."
Genma smirks at her and said,
"This desperate, huh? Then I have a good news for you.."
"What is it? Please tell me.."
Genma opens his hand on the table and smiled at her. Ukyo sighs and without thinking anything she quickly went to her cash drawer and took out a huge amount of cash for him. She hastily puts all the cash over his open hand and instantly sees him start counting the money like a hungry wickedness. She growled in annoyance and said with her greeted teeth,
"The good news, please.."
"Oh". Still counting his money, he slowly looked up at her and said in a grumbling tone, "Suki, Akane's spoiled aunt, will soon take her away from Nerima."
"Take her away? But where!?" she asked him, surprised.
He shrugs his shoulder and plainly said to her,
"Why should we care about that..? Anyway, it's not like I haven't done anything at all! For yar kind information, I already had a serious conversation with Soun. He told me that he and Suki somehow heard the conversation between us at the restaurant. And he has no intention to give his daughter's hand to a thug like us. That's when I found out that she will be leaving soon with Akane and Nabiki after Kasumi's wedding."
Ukyo's face lights up with happiness after hearing that.
"Oh God!! That's a wonderful news!! If she leaves then..then my all costs will be clear..!!"
"Yap.. And then I will force my son to marry you in no time.." Genma said laughing slightly.
"Really, father!! That's so kind of you! I can't wait untill she leaves!"
"Now don't be too excited, young lady! Don't forget, she is still here and that means anything can happen anytime! So we have to be very careful!"
Ukyo's hope was demolished in a second. She growled at him in frustration as she snapped at him angrily,
"Then what are you doing here?!! Go and tell Ranma that he have to marry me and he can not stop that husy from leaving Nerima!"
"AND WHO IS HE TO DECIDE ABOUT WHAT I WOULD DO OR NOT!?"
Suddenly hearing Ranma's rage-filled voice, both of them stood up from their chairs as they both horrifyingly looked at him.
Ranma stood at the entrance, panting hard, his eyes red and filled with utter bitterness for both of them. He had been listening to them for long enough to understand what they were talking about. Their conversation made him so devastated that at first he couldn't even believe that his own father and his childhood friend could ever think this low about Akane and his relationship. As he kept listening to them, suddenly his sorrow turned into unconditional rage for them as he couldn't control himself anymore and revealed himself from his hiding place.
Ukyo took a sharp breath of surprise as she whispers slowly,
"Ranchan..!!! How.. How long have you been here?"
"Long enough.." Ranma replied with a feverish tone.
Genma was intoxicated enough to shirk off his fear of Ranma. He looked at him while grumbling noisily and command him in a harsh tone,
"It's good that you are here, boy! Now listen to your father and come on in here. Ukyo is waiting for Ya for so long."
"So aunt Suki was right! You DID insult Akane and her family! HOW DARE YOU!"
"Huh! SO WHAT that I insulted them!? Those free loaders deserve every single words that I have said to them!! HOW DARE THEY dream to keep this engagement going? Bunch of homeless people.!!"
"KEEP YAR MOUTH SHUT, DAMN IT OLD MAN!! Don't forget that they gave shelter to us for the last four years! And they just stayed with us for few months and you DARE to insult them ? YA HAVE NO RIGHT TO INSULT THEM LIKE THAT, YA HEAR ME!?"
"OF COURSE I HAVE THE RIGHT TO INSULT THEM!! They have been eating all my savings!!"
"Your savings?" Ranma smirks humorlessly as he said in a bitter tone, "It's mom and I who helped them, not you!"
Ukyo growled hearing that and said bitterly,
"And why would YOU guys spend any money on them? It's my right not theirs!"
"DON'T START AGAIN, UCCHAN!!"
"WHY WONT I? ITS MY RIGHT! ONLY MINE! YOUR TIME, YOUR MONEY, YOUR FAMILY; EVERY SINGLE THING BELONGS TO ME! NOT TO THAT KITCHEN WRECKER!!!"
"DON'T YA DARE INSULT MY AKANE LIKE THAT!" Ranma roared, getting more angry as time passed.
"Your Akane?" Genma laughed as he said in a drunk state, "SHE IS A DAMN TENDO! AND WE SAOTOME'S HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THEM ANYMORE, YOU UNDERSTAND BOY!!"
Ranma growled and lashes out hetedly,
"NO CONNECTIONS WITH THEM?! HAVE YA GONE COMPLETELY INSANE, POP!!"
"I AM PERFECTLY FINE! ITS YOU WHO NEED TO UNDERSTAND HERE BOY! I WAS THE ONE WHO ARRANGED THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND AKANE! AND THAT'S WHY NOW I AM ANNOUNCING THE ENDING OF THIS RELATIONSHIP ONCE AND FOR ALL ! NO DOJO NO PROMISE…."
"HUH! As if I AM GOING TA LISTEN TA YOU!!"
"OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO ME!! AND YA HAFTA LIATEN TA ME!! UKYO IS THE ONLY VALID OPTION FOR YOU NOW AND YOU WILL ONLY MARRY HER, NO ONE ELSE! YOU UNDERSTAND ?"
"IT'S MY DECISION TO MAKE, NOT YOURS, OLD MAN!"
"Ranchan! Please calm down and listen to what father is saying. It's for your own good!"
"For my own good?! WHEN DID HE DID ANYTHING FOR MY OWN GOOD! THIS GEDDY OLD MAN NEVER DID ANYTHING FOR ME; HE ALWAYS USED ME TO FULFILL HIS OWN WISHES! BUT NOT ANYMORE! YA HEAR ME? I WON'T LET HIM PLAY WITH MY LIFE ANYMORE!"
"WHAT DID YA JUST SAID?! HOW DARE YA SAY THAT TO YAR OWN FATHER!"
"Father! Please calm down. Ranma is not thinking straight now and it's all because of Akane he is behaving badly with you. I am apologizing to you on behave of him. Please forgive.."
"JUST SHUT THE HELL UP, UKYO!!! DAMN IT!!" Ranma balled his fists tightly as he roared at her.
"DON'T YA DARE USE THAT TONE WITH HER!! SHE WILL SOON GONNA BE YAR WIFE, SON!"
"NO!!!! I WILL NEVER MARRY HER!! AND FROM NOW ONE, I WILL NEVER LISTEN TO YOU, YA HEAR ME POPS!!"
Genma roared dangerously loudly as he hastily grabbed one empty glass bottle in his hand. Without thinking about his action, he forcefully threw one bottle at Ranma, which Ranma avoided pretty easily, but the action of his aggressive father left him completely speechless.
"Ranma, are you ok!! Why'd you do that, father!?" Ukyo said in a panicked tone.
"THIS DAMN BOY IS MY SON! AND HE HAVE TO LISTEN TA ME!!"
Ukyo tried to calm him down as she said,
"Oh father, don't worry. Ranma will surely listen to you. I am sure he will marry me."
Ranma laughed humorlessly as he replied with a harsh whisper tone,
"Huh!! If ya left the last woman in this world, I wouldn't even turn to look at ya!! I won't marry ya ever, Ukyo..."
"But why, Ranchan!?" Ukyo snapped at him and said angrily, "Is it.. IS IT BECAUSE OF THAT AKANE?"
Ranma growled and snapped loudly,
"YES!! IT'S FOR HER!! IF I EVER GET MARRY ; IT WILL BE ONLY WITH HER, NO ONE ELSE!!"
"IT'S ME WHO IS GOING TO DECIDE WHO YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY, RANMA!!" Genma said in a deadly tone, standing into a fighting stance, he fiercely looked at Ranma and said, "DON'T FORGET WHO IS THE FATHER HERE.."
Ranma smirks and warned him,
"Don't ask for any trouble , pop! I am not in the mood to play around anymore. Remember, ya have pushed me to my last limit now and if you want to settle this with a fight then come with your own risk; because I won't get easy on you!! And don't forget, it's MY LIFE AND THE DECISION WILL BE MINE AS WELL!!"
Genma growled and snapped loudly,
"UKYO IS RIGHT!! IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF THAT AKANE YOU ARE BEHAVING LIKE THIS WITH YOUR OWN FATHER!! I WON'T FORGIVE THAT GIRL!! IF YA WONT LISTEN TA YAR FATHER; THEN ITS BETTER I WILL DESTROY THE CAUSE FIRST.."
Ranma's blood boiled with extreme anger as he heard his father's warning to harm Akane. His eyes went wide with anger as he harshly whisper to him,
"Don't ya dare think of laying one finger on her! I am warning ya, or else.."
Genma took another bottle in his hand and smacked it on the side of his table. With one side of the broken bottle in his one hand, he pointed the end to Ranma and warned him loudly,
"DON'T FORGET THAT I AM YOUR FATHER! IF I CAN MAKE YOU, I CAN SHATTER YA AS WELL.!!! AND IF I CANT FULFILL MY WISHES, I WILL KILL ALL THOSE WHO WILL DARE TO COME IN BETWEEN MY WISH!!"
Ranma got blinded by his anger, he roared furiously and yelled at him,
"I WARNED YA!!! BUT NOT ANYMORE!!!"
Battle yell roared from both the sides as Ranma and Genma furiously attacked each other. Ukyo was not expecting that to happen at her store as she saw both of them fighting inside her restaurant without any resistance. In a fraction of second, her well-arranged restaurant turned into a battle filled, her chairs were thrown everywhere, tables smashed into pieces! At one point she finally came out from her dazed stance and when she saw them charging at each other with blind force again, she didn't think once as she yelled at them to stop and intervene in between their fight. That only made matters worse for her, because they were out of control and Genma, in his haste to reach Ranma, pushed Ukyo hard on her chest. That punch blew her away from them as she slumped onto the wall hard and within seconds, she completely lost her consciousness…..*
Akane got tired of crying. Her headache was killing her, but her stubborn tears were not giving her any break. She sat over her bed, her head resting over her bent knees as she kept listening to Nabiki scolding their aunt Suki in the other room. Her life is fully messed up now. The way Ranma said those harsh words to her, every word was still pinching on her heart so badly. But can she blame him this time? The answer is no... She did hurt his feelings! But.. Only her heart knows how she had struggled throughout this journey. But now, its looking as if all her hard work is going on vain..
At first the plan seemed simple! Getting engaged with Ranma who had multiple fiances. It helped the matter more when she noticed that Ranma never showed any interest in her; in fact he always used to praise his other fiancees in front of her. It did used to hurt her, but she stayed with the plan and at that time she only wished for him to choose from his other finances. But he never made up his mind and soon she found herself getting involved in his chaotic life.
With him, she has lived a life which she never ever would have dared to dream of! Ranma has shown her a life which is full of adventure, fun and because of him she had meet amazing people as well! She got way too comfortable with his presence in her life that eventually he had become her bestest friend. And then before she knew it, her friendship had turned into something which she can never call a simple friendship anymore.
They have been together for the last four years and honestly, she forgot the count when she actually fell for him. For her, it's like she never felt anything else but love for him. Her unconditional love for him had wiped all her fears and doubts for her future with him and she didn't even hesitate to show him by her action that how much she loves him and trusts him. She thought that maybe after what they did at the hotel room he would understand her and she won't have to face difficulties while explaining the truth to him. But it's like, after that night her messy life has become even more messier! And after what her mom has done…
Akane sighs as she slowly stands up and began to think to herself,
'Enough is enough! My life became messy because I was not the one who was leading it before. Now, it's only me who is going to decide for myself. If I want to stay back in Nerima or to leave with my mom, it's me who's going to decide it! I love both my mom and Ranma; but that doesn't mean I would let them behave with me as they wish to. I won't leave Nerima; I won't leave until I talk to Ranma and I make matters clear with him. And if he still acts stubbornly; may Kami save him from my mallet..'.
Making up her mind, with newfound determination, she walked to the living room of their hotel where her mom and Nabiki are talking. When they heard her door opening, they both looked up at her in shock. Akane could easily tell that her mom has been crying and Nabiki looked extremely disturbed. Nabiki gave a big sigh and said,
"Akane, you okay?"
Akane clears her tone and said in a trembling tone,
"I am fine, Nabiki.." She turned to look at her mom as she asked her, "Mom, are you alright? Why are you crying?"
Suki sniffes as she bits her lower lips, then she said,
"Akane, my baby, I am so sorry. I messed up big time today. I shouldn't have gone there and comforted Ranma without telling you.."
"Mom, if you really dislike us being together, you should have told me about that; why did you go there and hurt Ranma like this?"
Suki broke down in tears as she tried to defend herself saying,
"I don't want to hurt anyone. It's just happened. I am so stupid, oh Kami!! Akane, please don't worry honey, I will go back to him and apologize to him.."
"And then mom?"
Suki paused for a moment as she helplessly looked at Akane. She slowly sits down on the near sofa and pinched her nose with her finger. Akane went to her and knees down on the ground as she looked at her mom with determination, then she said in a soft tone,
"I can't leave, mom! I love him. I can't leave without him, please understand that.. And..and that's the only reason why I won't return with you.."
Suki took a sharp breath of surprise as she desperately clasped Akane's hands,
"But honey, what about your education? You just can't.."
"I will wait, mom!! If I can't start studying this year then, maybe next year.. But still, I am not leaving him at all. I can't leave him..."
"Akane… But.."
"No mom, please don't stop me. I am mature enough now and I know I can take care of myself."
"But where would you stay, honey? Our Tendo house is.."
"Until I find myself a proper place to stay, I will stay with Tofu and Kasumi. I know they might shift soon but they still have time.."
"I don't understand why you are saying this, Akane.. Do you have any idea how my heart is beating right now? Nabiki and I won't be here, Ranma is upset with you and you can't go back to the Saotome's too!! How am I going to rest knowing that you will be all alone in here?"
Akane gives her a small tired smile as she said,
"Ranma will take care of me.."
"But.."
"Even if he is angry with me, I know he will come back to me and when he does come back to me…. we both will decide what we are going to do with our future.. Mom, you have always worked hard so that we could be free and independent. Now, I am asking you to trust me and allow me to live my freedom. Won't you give it to me, please?"
Akane finished saying as she pleadingly looked at Suki. Suki was still looking at her with uncertainty as she was hesitating to answer her questions. Then suddenly, Nabiki sat beside her and handed her cell phone to her. Suki looked up at her with surprise, but Nabiki just pointed the cell phone to her by her eyes as she said,
"You know what you have to do, aunt Suki.."
"But Nabiki, how my Akane will manage it all alone?"
Nabikj smirked and said,
"You are forgetting something, she is a Tendo and we don't fear anything, remember?"
Suki gave a big sigh and helplessly nodded her head. After some moment of pause, she started dialling a number and patiently waited for the person to answer her call.
"Hello?"
"Hi Aoi, I am sorry to disturb you..."
"Suki! Hi! Oh don't worry, I am at my office anyway, duh!"
"Aoi, umm.. I need your help. I want to cancel one ticket.."
"Really? But your flight is in two days! I am not sure if you'll get the refund!"
"Don't worry about that.."
"Okay, so which one you want to cancel?"
Suki hold her phone tightly and replied in a shaky tone,
"It's Tendo Akane.."
"Okay, so it's Tendo Akane; got it love! I will cancel it right away and I will try my best to see if I could get the refund for Ya.."
"Thanks Aio.. I will see you soon then."
"Oh yeah! I can't wait to see ya! It's been so long already!!"
"Okay… Bye …"
Suki tiredly puts down her cell phone by her side and instantly, she was warped in a bone-crushing hug by Akane. She hugged her tightly and began to sob with happy tears. Suki sighs as her eyes tear up with fear and insecurity for her younger child. But she controlled herself very quickly and began to soothe Akane's back in comfort. Akane slowly broke their hug as she whispers to her mom,
"Oh Mom, thank you for trusting me.."
Suki sighs miserably and said in a shaky tone,
"You guys left me with no other choice, anyway.."
"Aunt Su.."
"Keep quiet, Nabiki!" Suki sternly looked at her and said, "You young people can never understand the fear a mother has to go through! That's why you guys have explanations for every situation. But I admit that I did make a mistake by telling Ranma without informing Akane about it. And honestly, I don't want to break Akane and Ranma's heart just because of my mistake. That's the only reason why I have agreed with Akane now. Akane…"
Akane nodded her head as Suki gives her a serous look and said,
"If you get yourself in any trouble then.. then.. trust me I will..." Suki sighs defeated and says in a softer tone, "Who am I kidding with! Just… just take care if yourself and be careful, my dear. Kasumi will soon return with Tofu, please when they come back, you have to go and stay with them. And if Tofu transfers, I will think of another plan for you. But until then you can't stay with Ranma, because Genma is still there. So promise me, you will try to maintain your distance from the Saotome house."
Nabiki intervenes while smirking,
"Anyway Akane, you don't have to stay with Ranma to calm his anger. I am sure the moment he would hear the news that you are staying at Tofu's with Akio's presence as well, he will also invite himself to live with them.."
Akane blushed hearing that as she couldn't control the small smile that formed on her face. But before she could say anything to her, suddenly their hotel room's phone started ringing.
"Why would anyone want to call us at this late hour? It's almost midnight, strange!"
Nabiki said as she stood up to pick up the call,
"Hello?"
"Hello mam, sorry to call you at this late hour, but one visitor has come to meet you and he said it's urgent."
"Visitor?! Now?! Who is he?"
"His name is Akio.."
"Akio?!! Okay please allow him in.. He is a family.."
Nabiki ended the call and looked at Akane and Suki. She told them about Akio and all of them eagerly waited for him to arrive. They all were wondering why he is coming at this late hour, but thankfully, they didn't have to wait long as their doorbell rang twice. Nabiki hastily opened the door and was surprised to see him standing there while panting hard. When he heard the door opening , he frantically started looking inside the house for the person he came here at this hour. And when his eyes fell over Akane, he couldn't suppress his excitement anymore as he hastily ran towards her. Before Akane could react to his sudden excitement, he came towards her and lifted her off the ground and started twirling her in excitement as he began to laugh maniacally.
"Akio!!! What happened to you! Put me down!! Ahh!!"
Akio slowly puts her down on the ground and before she could ask him anything, he instantly gave her a bone-crushing hug as he whisper to her breathlessly,
"You did it, Akane!! You did it!! You did it!"
Akane was still shocked by his sudden action, she could only put her hand over his back as she asked him in a confused tone,
"Akio? Are you okay?"
Akio broke their hug and said to her with a big grin on his face,
"I don't know when was the last time I felt THIS AMAZING!!! Akane.. Akane you have made it!! I still can't believe it, you have done it, Oh God!!"
"Akio, please tell me what happend.."
" I wish I had checked my mails before meeting Ranma, then this misunderstanding wouldn't even happen, Akane!!"
"I don't understand, what are you talking about?" Akane asked him somewhat impatiently.
Akio fondly smiled at her and showed her one letter on his hand.
"The dream you have been working to fulfill day and night for, that result is in my hand, Akane!!!"
Akane suddenly realized what he must mean by the letter. Her eyes went wide with actuality as she asked him in a panicked tone,
"Akio.. What's the result? Please tell me.."
Akio smiled at her and laid both his hand on her cheeks as he said in an excited tone,
"You have got the full free scholarship for the institute here!! Akane, now you don't have to leave Nerima anymore!! You hear me!! YOU ARE NOT LEAVING RANMA!!"
A/N: :) :) :) :)!!! So near to the ending guys.. I want to inform you guys about something, some of my readers has informed me that and I also noticed that they are not getting any published notification :(. I don't know why it's happening though! I always give a publish alert on my page "Mrs Impatience" and "Mundo fanfics inuyasha y Ranma" also gives alert as well!
I have already published one new one-shot named "Endearing lie"; for my holiday special :).. I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter and the one-shot as well .. Take care!!!!