All of the characters belong to the almighty Rumiko Takahashi: )

Ranma's Gone?
By AkaneTendo1995/Whatever

"So...Ranma really did leave..." I said to myself. I could feel the tears streaming down my face. I read the letter again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. To make sure it wasn't a joke. To make sure it wasn't just Ranma being stupid again.

Dear Akane,
I've left. I know you didn't think I'd really go, so I know how much I must have hurt you. I'm sorry. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll be back some day. Maybe I'll go back to Jusenkyo. I promise to write you.

-Ranma Saotome

Damn. He sounds serious. I toss the letter carelessly onto my desk and crawl back under the covers on my bed. I feel cold, and lonely. Finally, when Ranma and I were getting along, he had to leave. Stupid Ranma. Stupid Auntie Saotome.

----

I trudge down the stairs, glaring at Genma on the way down. He doesn't respond, even though I look him straight in the eye. I think he knows what Ranma's done.

"Oh, there you are Akane!" Auntie Saotome exclaims, spotting me as I walk into the kitchen. The sweet scent of Kasumi's cooking had made me feel a bit better, but Nodoka's presence ruined my mood.

"Akane, dear, would you fetch Ranma for me?"

"No," I reply coolly, sitting down at the table.

"Pardon me?" Nodoka seems confused.

"I said no!" I snap.

"Now now, Akane. Don't be rude to the guests," Kasumi scolds. I roll my eyes. "Akane's just in a bad mood today," Kasumi explains.

"Kasumi!" I exclaim. She pretends not to hear me and continues to wash the dishes.

"So, would you please go get Ranma for me, dear? We need to leave soon," Nodoka asks. There's a hint of anger in her voice.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"He's not here."

"What do you mean, 'not here'?" a worried looks crosses her face.

"I mean he's not here. He left last night."

"What?! Why would my darling son leave?" Nodoka is almost wailing.

"Because he didn't want to go home with you," I reply.

"My son didn't want to go home with his own mother? Why?" Nodoka weeps.

"Because you'd be taking him away from his whole life, away from the people he loves!" I yell at her.

"What? Who? Definitely not his father..." Genma glares at his wife.

"No. You'd be taking him away from Ryoga and Mousse, his best friends. His school, his dojo, his home..." I rant. "And me," I add quietly. I stand, frozen to the spot, staring at Ranma's mother. I can't believe her. How could she be so selfish? I turn around only to find Father blocking my way.

"Apologize, Akane," he says firmly.

"NO!" I scream. I push Father aside and run up the stairs and into my bedroom.

----

Author's Note: Okay, I know this is really short, but it's just kind of an introduction to the second 'book'. . .