Commitment part Two:
Confrontation

A fanfic by Suika Roberts, based on the Takahashi Rumiko Manga _Ranma 1/2_.
Of course, this is unauthorized and not-for-profit. Anyone who sells this for more than the cost of media should be flogged.

Note:
All gendered pronouns in the dialog are just to make this easier to write, as English has a paucity of genderless ones.
One should not assume that anyone is thinking of Ranma as being any particular gender because of the pronoun used; I just use the first one to pop up.

``Akane!'' the short haired girl turns to look at her iinazuke.

``What?''

``We can't go on like this. You can not cook.'' She blocks her iinazuke's blow, holding Akane's wrists, ``And if you go on like this you never will!'' She releases Akane's wrists to block the taller girl's kick.

``Your control over your temper sucks, which leaves you at a disadvantage.''

``I can too control my temper!'' blocked punch.

``Then why are you angry?'' dodge.

``Because you piss me off!'' strike

``So I do something, and you become angry.'' duck

``Yes!'' punch

``Like a TV with a remote?''

``Arghh!!!'' Ranma grabs both of Akane's wrists, crossing them over Akane's belly, pressing against her back before pulling up her feet. Ranma drops onto her back, pulling Akane with her.

``You control your own temper! You need to realize that!''

``Why?''

``Kodachi tells you the truth, that your cooking is bad, and makes a joke about a poisoning contest. You make it a matter of honor, so she tries to limit it, anyone's death disqualifies the person responcible. How many people did Kodachi get?'' Ranma's voice is tight, angry.

``354,'' Akane's voice shows growing comprehension, shadowed by lurking fear.

``You?'' Ranma's voice is softer.

``Two million.''

``Who won?'' Ranma's voice trembles slightly.

``Kodachi.'' Suddenly Akane is struggling again, and breaks away, slamming her elbow into Ranma's ribs, ``That's different!''

``Really?'' Suddenly one can tell Ranma is fighting her tears.

``Yes!''

``So you are going to keep hitting me whenever I `piss you off'?'' Ranma is yelling, tears glittering in her eyes.

``Of course!'' Akane yells back.

``Think about that.'' Ranma spins in place, the sun glittering on something in the air for an instant, then runs off.

``Ranma's crying?'' Akane speaks, voice soft, contemplative, brittle, ``She never lets anything get to her, so why?''

``Kasumi? I'm leaving, tell Akane that I'm sorry, and I tried to keep from blowing up like that,'' the black-haired girl wipes at her face with her hand.

``What happened, Ranma?'' Kasumi's voice is concerned.

``I just couldn't deal with it anymore, it just came out. I hope she won't hate me when I get back.''

``She won't. Have fun looking at schools.''

``I'll try.''

``Ranma-kun?'' Nabiki's voice is shocked, ``What happened?''

``I . . . blew up at Akane today, told her off about her cooking and her temper,'' Nabiki suddenly wraps Ranma in her arms, who doesn't struggle as she continues, ``Why did it have to come to this point today? If I was a little stronger I coulda coped, coulda held it in until after I got back.''

``Maybe this is for the best. She'll have time to cool off this way, and decide what to do when she's calm.''

``Maybe,'' Ranma pulls out of Nabiki's arms and gather's her pack, ``Thanks for those addresses, Nabiki.''

``You're welcome. Have fun.''

``I'll try. Tell Akane I'm sorry, I could have held my temper better.''

``I will.''

``Ja!'' ``Ja ne!'' ``Dewa Mata ne!''

``Brought you a sandwich for the train.''

``Thanks, Ko-chan.''

``Ran-chan, what happened? You don't look too good.''

``I blew up at Akane.''

``Good. She's needed something like that to happen for quite a while.''

``I'd thought that since I'd held it this long, I could hold it a little longer, just until I got back from college-hunting in Kansai.''

``Akane doesn't hold her anger whenever what she's angry at is out of sight, so this is probably for the best.'' Kodachi touches Ranma's shoulder as she finishes speaking.

``I guess so, but . . .'' Ranma breaks off, blinking rapidly. Kodachi squeezes Ranma's shoulder, and Ukyou hugs the smaller girl. Ranma composes herself and continues, ``If she asks, tell her that I love her, OK?''

``Of course.'' Ukyou promises.

``Have fun in Oosaka.''

``I will.'' The three friends sit quietly for a little bit, waiting for Ranma's train. Ranma boards, waving to the two on the platform through the window as the train pulls out.

As the train leaves the city Ranma pulls out a spiral-bound notebook and begins to write.

Ranma stares at the page for a moment, then continues in angry movements of her hand,

She closes the notebook and stuffs it into her pack before closing her eyes.

The next week passes in several quick flashes; Ranma at the Oosaka Shinkansen siding; Ranma sightseeing in Oosaka; Ranma talking to teachers; Ranma tossing and turning in her sleep, calling out `Akane,' in a disstressed voice; Ranma back on the Shinkansen; Ranma at the gate of Tendouke.

``Well, I guess it is time to see what can be seen.'' Ranma pulls open the gate and enters the yard, the gate closing behind her.