It had been three weeks since the dragon appeared.

Ranma was nowhere to be found.

After a month, he had been declared legally deceased.

The Saotome's announced the news to everyone the day after.

Akane didn't believe a word of it. She dismissed the idea completely and went to work out in the dojo.

Ukyo and Ryoga had been thrown into a deep depression. Ukyo's couldn't work or sleep. Ryoga had gone deep into the mountains and fired off one "Shishi Hokodan" after another.

Shampoo was angry. Her airen was gone and the various tricks and schemes that she had attempted to use on him were all for nothing. Everyone made sure to stay at least 10 feet away from her during the weeks that followed. Moose tried to comfort her a little too soon and she punched him straight through three buildings.

Kasumi later found Nabiki sulking in her room. Kasumi didn't speak. She just walked over to Nabiki and put her arms around her while Nabiki muttered, "He made Akane happy. I'd give anything to get him back"

The Saotome family reluctantly held a funeral for him. Everyone was there. Akane wasn't. Akane was the only one who couldn't accept it. The day of the funeral, she stayed in her room with tears falling freely from her eyes. She clung to Ranma's red Chinese shirt. It smelled so much like him. She then rolled over and went to sleep.

Akane awoke to something rubbing her butt. She looked over and found Happosai. Akane grabbed the nearest blunt object she could find and hit him with it. The desk lamp in her hand had been shattered by the impact. "Pervert" screamed Akane as she kicked Happosai out of her room. The kick knocked Happosai into the wall causing some of his "treasures" to spill out. Akane noticed that the "treasures" belonged to her so she went to go pick them up and kick him again.

Akane gasped as something fell from the undergarments. It was a bright red circle pendant. Happosai woke up, noticed Akane holding it, and said, "You like it, you can keep it. The gold dragon that was on it mysteriously vanished so it's of no more value to me."

"What gold dragon" asked Akane.

"Oh the pendant had some golden Chinese dragon design on it when I 'acquired it'. Then about three or four weeks ago, I stored in a fish tank for safe keeping and when I went to retrieve it the dragon was gone."

It did not take long for Akane to put two and two together. She slapped Happosai as hard as she possible could. She then walked back into her room and locked the door. In her mind she kept hearing Ranma's gone because of him

Akane finally went back to school the week after. On her way, she couldn't help but notice all the things that reminded her of Ranma. Like the fence he used to walk on and the old woman who would splash him as he ran by. She started walking faster. Then she heard a voice.

"Akane, wait up" yelled Ukyo. Akane stopped and waited.

"What is it?" Akane asked.

"Did you hear that the Neko Hanten was closing down?"

"No. When did you hear?"

"Just now from Konatsu. Then I saw you walking by and I thought I'd join you on the walk to school".

"Oh, well I guess I don't mind. Anything to get my mind off Ranma".

There was a long silence after that. Ukyo kept her eyes on the ground and in a voice that you had to be listening for to hear said "Everywhere you look, you see him. You imagine face sporting a grin that would make your hear melt. When he looks at you and makes you feel like theirs know one else in the world but the two of you. His eyes…oh god his eyes….the perfect shade of blue".

Akane and Ukyo both noticed that the other had a single tear running down their face.

"I'm sorry," said Ukyo

"It's alright. I miss him too" said Akane.

As Akane and Ukyo walked up to the front gate, they saw something that Akane was hoping she would never have to see again.

Every male student in the school was up front with Kuno in the lead. At once they yelled "Akane Tendo go out with me" and then charged.

End of Chapter 2

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I figure this story will be made up of several small chapters. Moreover, if I'm not too busy this weekend, I'll update again and finally get around to explaining Ranmas' disappearance.