Beach

Despite it was October, it was a hot day. So, the gang decided to go to the beach. Akane, Kasumi, Dr. Tofu, Nabiki, Ukyo, Mousse, Shampoo, Soun, Genma, Ryoga, Ina, Sho, and Mia went to the beach. It was unusually hot for today. All were wearing swim suits and smiling.

"Can't believe that it's this hot in October," Mia said in surprised.

"I know," Tofu agreed, "after all, winter should be starting soon."

"It's like some one is making this up so that we can go to the beach," Ina suggested.

"Come on," Sho laughed, "who has the power to control the weather?" Everyone was silent.

"How come I get this feeling that we broke down some kind of unseen wall?" Ryoga asked.

"It must be your imagination," Akane said with a smile.

"Alright then," Soun said happily, "let's go have some beach fun!" Everyone shouted along with him. They ran towards the beach and started having fun. Eating watermelons, playing volley ball, swimming in the ocean, all kinds of fun. Hours flew by and the sun was starting to set. Akane went off onto a small cliff to watch the sun set alone. Ina saw her walk away and followed her. Akane stared into the sun set with sad eyes.

"What's wrong?" Ina asked. Akane continued to stare into the sun set.

"I dream about it," she finally replied.

"The sun set?" Ina asked in confusion.

"No," Akane said sadly, "his return. I dream that we run along the beach laughing with each other, having a picnic while watching the sun set. I dream about those things every night." Ina sighed.

"Then," she stated, "we need to make sure that happens."

"How?" Akane asked.

"One day," Ina replied, "he'll return. He may already be here, but is scared to show his face." Akane still stared at the sun set. "Come on, let's go back to the others."

"You go ahead," Akane stated, "I'm going to stay here for a while longer." Ina nodded her head and left Akane alone. She went and rejoined the others.

"How is she?" Mia asked.

"Depressed," Ina replied, "she really misses him."

"We can understand that," Ukyo said with a depressed look on her face, "it is sort of all our faults that he left."

"What do you mean?" Sho asked curiously.

"We no ask for his opinion," Shampoo replied.

"But," Ina stated, "the letter said that. And that Akane said that she said that she didn't care. She seems to care a lot about him."

"Yes," Soun said with a frown, "however, at the time, they had gotten into a fight like they have done so much. I guess when she said that she didn't care about him at all, she had a tone in her voice that made him believe it."

"But what happened?" Ina asked curiously. Nabiki walked forward and took a deep breath.

*Flashback*

Akane was eating lunch with some other girls and Nabiki.

"So," one of Akane's friends said to start up a conversation, "how are you and Ranma doing Akane?" Akane pouted.

"They got into another fight," Nabiki replied for Akane, "they will get over it soon enough. They always do."

"Not this time," Akane said angrily, "I'm tired of dealing with his immaturity."

"You said that the last time," Nabiki replied.

"Well I mean it this time!" Akane shouted, "I don't care about him anymore! He can run off with Shampoo, Ukyo, or even with Kodachi! And then he can crawl into a hole and stay there forever! I don't care!" She then went back to eating, leaving her sister and friends in shock at her seriousness.

*Present*

"Wow," Ina said in shock, "anyone would run away from her after that."

"Yeah," Nabiki stated, "but it's something that she regrets." Ina looked into the sunset.

"Do you think everything will be fine?" Ina asked with a sad tone. Mia walked over to the group.

"As much fun as this has been," she said with a smile, "I think it's time to get going." Everyone turned to Mia.

"Yeah," Ryoga agreed.

"It is getting late," Tofu said as he began to pack up some of the equipment. Then, black arrows landed near them. Everyone turned to see Goro Suzuki with a unconscious Akane next to his feet.

"Akane!" Mia shouted.

"You bastard!" Soun said angrily. Goro smiled evilly.

"Call me what you want," he replied, "now then, where is he?"

"Who?" Kasumi asked.

"Ranma Saotome!" Goro shouted, "this is his fiance, isn't it?"

"How did you find that out?" Mousse asked angrily.

"I've done my research," Goro replied.

"But not enough of it," Genma said angrily, "for you see he isn't here. We don't know where he is."

"What if I don't believe you?" Goro asked curiously.

"Shampoo don't care if you not believe," Shampoo stated, "give Akane back!" Goro put his bow in front of Akane.

"Don't try anything," he demanded, "or I'll be force to hurt her." Everyone didn't move. However, Mia took a step forward.

"If you are settle scores," she stated, "then you have one to settle with me. I knocked you out with one kick. Why not settle your score with me first?" Goro stared at her and then smiled.

"True," he said as he took a step forward, "while it took Ranma a few punches and kicks to get me down, with you it was only one kick. I will settle the score with you first." Goro rushed at Mia, but Mia simply rushed past him and went to Akane.

"Are you okay?" she asked the unconscious Akane.

"FIGHT ME!" Goro shouted and fired a arrow at Mia.

"MIA!" Ina shouted, "LOOK OUT!" She turned around in time to see a little figure rush by and snatch the arrow.

"What the hell?" Goro asked in disbelieve. There stood a short old man with little white hair, and wearing a purple outfit.

"MASTER!" Genma and Soun shouted together.

"Master?" Ina and Sho asked together.

"You are a fool to use a hostage like that," the old man said angrily, "now you suffer. Happo Fire Burst!" The old man threw a bomb at Goro and the explosion set him flying.

"MASTER HAPPOSAI!" Genma and Soun shouted happily, "IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" They bowed in respect to their master. The old man known as Happosai smiled.

"It's good to see you all again," he stated. He then looked over at Ina and his eyes widened.

"What is it?" Ina asked with a scared tone.

"OH SWEET BABY!" Happosai shouted as he jumped towards Ina's chest. However, as if by reflex, Ina slammed him into the ground.

"What are you some kind of pervert?!" she shouted.

"It's good to see that you haven't changed at all Master," Genma said with tears in his eyes.

"Of course not," Happosai replied, "but I have returned with some news. Let's go back to the dojo." Everyone nodded their heads. Once there, Mia agreed to look after Akane while the others went to the living room.

"What kind of news do you bring Master?" Soun asked.

"Some good news," Happosai replied, "Ranma intends to return here." Everyone stood up with joy.

"Really?" Ryoga asked.

"Ranma come back?" Shampoo asked happily.

"That's great," Ukyo said with a wide smile.

"How did you come by this news?" Tofu asked curiously.

"I over heard him talking to himself about three months ago," Happosai stated, "unfortunately, he also mentioned that he wasn't going to tell us."

"Why didn't you knock him out and bring him back?" Kasumi asked politely.

"I tried," Happosai replied, "and we started fighting. But then, he pulled a dirty trick."

"He changed into a girl and showed you her breasts didn't he?" Nabiki asked. Happosai looked sad.

"That's a dirty trick to pull on a weak old man!" he shouted.

"Is he always like this?" Ina asked nervously. Everyone but Sho nodded their heads.

******

Mia was watching Akane sleep in her room, waiting for her to wake up.

This is twice that I have put her in danger, she thought, maybe it was a mistake to come back. She looked at her and how peaceful she was sleeping.

"Ranma," Akane said as she started tossing in her sleep. Mia looked at her with soft eyes.

Akane, she thought, how I want to hold you in my arms. I'm so close to her, yet I'm really far. Mia leaned closer towards her face. Akane's face went from joy to pain.

"Ranma," she said again. Mia looked at her and coughed a little.

"Akane," she said in her old girl voice.

"Ranma," Akane said again only she seemed to be in less pain.

"I'm closer than you think," Mia whispered. Akane then jumped at Mia and hugged her. For a moment, neither of them moved.

Got to do something, Mia thought. She coughed again.

"Um, Akane," she said with her new girl voice, "can you let go?" Akane then came too and saw her hugging Mia. She let go quickly.

"I'm sorry about that," Akane apologized, "I don't know what came over me." She then looked around. "Why am I in my room?"

"That coward Goro Suzuki knocked you out in order to get to Ranma," Mia explained, "but don't worry. You're safe now." Akane looked sad.

"But I thought," she said sadly, "he was talking to me."

"Who?" Mia asked curiously.

"Ranma," Akane replied sadly, "I heard his girl voice. I could have sworn that I heard him." Mia sighed a sad sigh.

"You were tossing and turning in your sleep," she explained, "and you did say his name more than once. Then, you nearly jumped out of your bed to hug me." Akane stared at Mia.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"It's alright," Mia said with a smile on her face, "by the way, a strange friend of yours is here."

"Strange friend?" Akane asked.

"Yeah," Mia replied, "I think your father called him Happosai." Akane smiled and ran out of the room and down into the living room.

"Happosai!" she shouted happily.

"Ah," Happosai said with a smiled, "good to see you in good health."

"What news do you bring?" Akane asked impatiently. He then informed Akane that Ranma did intend to return, but he wouldn't tell any of them.

"But don't let this get you down," Mousse encouraged Akane, "we'll find him."

"Definitely," Shampoo agreed.

"So keep your spirits up," Ukyo stated, "you need to look your best when he returns."

"Yeah," Ryoga agreed, "we've almost found him."

"Don't worry sis," Nabiki stated, "everything will be fine."

"Yeah," Kasumi agreed. Akane smiled and nodded her head. Mia then entered the room.

"You've got great friends Akane," she said with a smile. Akane turned to Mia and nodded her head.

"I know I do," she said happily. Everyone was happy to see Akane this happy.

"Well," Mia sighed, "it's getting late and I'm getting tired. I'm going to head home." She headed for the exit when she was stopped by Akane.

"Why don't you stay here tonight?" she asked. Mia looked shocked.

"Oh," she said hesitantly, "I don't want to impose."

"You're not," Kasumi stated, "we don't mind at all." Mia smiled.

"Thank you," she thanked them.

"You can stay in my room," Akane invited Mia. She seemed to stop in her tracks, but quickly shook it off.

"Are you sure?" she asked with hesitation.

"Of course," Akane said with a smile. Mia smiled back and agreed. Everyone went to their rooms and went to sleep. Akane put some blankets and a pillow on the floor for Mia. As Akane drift off into a deep sleep, Mia was wide awake.

How long has it been since I've been in here? she thought, I'm not sure at all. She looked around the room and smiled. Is it pathetic that I'm happy just by being in here? I don't know. But I do know that it's pathetic that I can't tell Akane that I'm here. Tears flowed from her eyes freely.

"Akane," Mia whispered while crying. She then silently cried herself to sleep again.

******

Happosai was walking around the house at night to get a snack when he thought he heard something. It came from Akane's room. He went to investigate and found Mia was crying in her sleep.

Poor girl, he thought, maybe I can make her dreams more happy. Happosai then quietly snuggled himself next to Mia in her bed.

******

The morning came and Mia slowly opened her eyes to find an old geezer next to her in bed.

"Good morning," Happosai said happily, "Mia-chan!" Mia then slammed her fist into his chin and sent him flying through the roof.

"DON'T SLEEP NEXT TO ME YOU PERVERT!" Mia shouted. The shout woke up Akane.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"That creep Happosai was sleeping next to me!" Mia shouted. Akane sighed.

"I see," she replied, "that's how he usually acts. Don't let it get to you." Mia smiled and got up. Akane looked at the hole in the ceiling.

"What's wrong?" Mia asked.

"Nothing," Akane replied.

A beach party turns to a duel, then turns to a slumber party.

Will they find where Ranma is?

Will Ranma tell them where he has been this entire time?

Find out in the next chapter of. . . .

Ranma ½

Tragic Love

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