Disclaimer: If Ranma belonged to me, I wouldn't be writing a fanfic, now would I?
Chapter Three: A Bright Sun for a Not-So-Bright Day
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Another sunrise brought the Tendo family to the breakfast table. Kasumi served the meal, and chopsticks began to fly as favorites were being picked. Jason, however, waited until after the initial barrage to pick out a serving of rice and some toast for himself. He ate slowly, in silence, like he always did. It was strange for him to see such liveliness so early in the morning. Ranma and Akane had their usual round of bickering when the last fish cake went up for grabs. Jason smiled at their antics. They claim not to like each other, but.....
When the food was done, Jason was the first to stand up and speak. "I'm sorry. I have some errands to run, so I'll be gone most of the day."
Soun looked at him. "What is it you have to do, my boy?"
"Today, a landlord was supposed to show up at one of my apartment hopefuls, so that's my first order of business. I also have a gig today, so I need to get prepared for that as well. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll be off." He turned and wandered away, throwing a wave over his shoulder. The family waved back at him, then began to leave the table themselves.
Ranma looked over at Akane. "Well, then. What are we gonna do today?"
"Why? Did you have something in mind?" A mischevious look appeared on her face.
"Pfft. Yeah, you wish."
"Hmph. You're mean. Well, I'm off. I'm gonna meet up with my friends today, maybe do a little shopping."
Ranma fluttered his hand. "Go away, then. I am not going with you."
Akane glared at him. "I never asked you, and I never wanted you to come, so don't even try." She stomped off to her room to change out of her morning robes.
"Well, fine! Wouldn't of gone if you made me." Ranma didn't even bother getting up from the table. He just lay down under it. Boy, today's gonna be a lazy day. Maybe later I'll do some work in the dojo. Genma and Soun had already pulled out a shogi board. Yeah, of course they're not gonna do anything. Kasumi's just gonna clean. I'm not gonna even try to guess what Nabiki's does on these days. Jason's already gone.... Man, this sucks! Akane came down the stairs, and slipped on her shoes. And I do not want to hang out with the tomboy today. She's already pissed at me.
"Father, I'm off!"
"Have fun, Akane."
Only minutes after Akane left, Kasumi peeked around a corner. "Oh dear. Has Akane already left?"
"Yeah Kasumi, she already left."
"Oh good, Ranma, you're here. I need you to fetch some things from the market. I would have asked Akane, but..."
"Sure, Kasumi, I'll go." Anything to get me movin.
"Why, thank you, Ranma. Here's a list of things I need." She handed him a small slip of paper.
"All right. No problem." And with that, he put on his own shoes, and left for the market.
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Hmm. Rice, check. Soy sauce, check. Fish cakes, check. What else? Ranma glanced at his list. Nope. Looks like thats everything. Good. Now I can head home....
"Yo, Ranma!" Ranma looked up and spyed his buddies from school, waving frantically to him.
He waved back. "Hey, guys, what's up?"
They hurried over to him. "Oh, nothing. We were just wandering around, looking for a place to grab some lunch. Say, you wanna hang out?"
"Naw, I can't. Gotta take these," he jiggled the groceries, "to Kasumi. She's makin lunch for the new guy, so..."
"New guy?"
"Oh, yeah, there's this musician that we found knocked out in front of the dojo. We're takin' him in for a while, until he gets settled in an apartment."
"A musician, huh? You wouldn't mean that guy that was playin' at the festival, would you?"
"Yeah, the same." Ranma cocked his eyebrow. "Hey, how do you know 'bout me at the festival?"
The two friends snickered. "Aww, c'mon. You think you and Akane were the only ones there? Practically half the school saw you two, runnin' around holding hands."
Ranma's eyes bulged. "Y-You mean, people saw us..... together?"
"Yeah, you guys are the item, now, man. Everybody's talking about you two. Man, finally, you grow some backbone and ask her out...."
"N-No, you've got it wrong. She asked ME out, and it wasn't a date, OK?"
"Yeah, right. Listen, you fox, you're real slick, goin' steady with Akane and all. You don't gotta be so modest."
"Modest!? You've got to be kiddin' me! I would never go steady with her!"
"Oh? And just why not? Man, you don't know what you've got with her..."
Ranma clasped both their heads in his hands, and bared his teeth. "No, I don't think you understand what kind of girl she really is. Underneath all the smiles, is a big-mouthed, insulting, violent, obnoxious, and overly vicious Venus Fly Trap! She'll bite you're head off first chance she gets, and wouldn't think twice about attacking you with a mallet. Her cooking would take out all of Europe, if it ever hit the streets. I mean, what do you two knuckle-heads see in her!?"
"Well, she's probably the cutest girl in all of Furinkan..."
"Ohh, no, you got it all wrong, buddy. That bug-eyed, big-hipped, flat-chested, hawk-nosed lunatic is probably the most un-cute person in all of Nerima! Don't you try and tell me otherwise." Ranma looked them each in the eye, letting his words settle in. He noticed that they weren't paying much attention. In fact, something behind him was scaring the wits out of them. Ranma turned around, to find with horror, Akane Tendo, standing there, flanked by her frowning friends. She was holding a large shopping bag with her hands. Her head was hung low enough to cover her eyes, but she was visibly trembling. Ranma backed away slowly. "Uhhh, Akane.... Hi."
With a voice that contrasted with her shaking body, Akane spoke in consice tones. "If that's how you feel, Ranma.................... then so be it. I don't care." And with that, she turned tail, and bolted home. Her two friends called after her, but to no avail. They angrily approached Ranma, who was trying to ease away silently.
"You insensitive jerk! I hope you're happy, making her cry like that! You go and apologize, right away!"
Ranma tried to wave them off, but they kept pressing him, and pestering him. Finally, he threw up his hands, and yelled. "For God's sake, just leave me alone!" And he took a huge leap up to the top of a store, and ran off.
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Jason was walking home after a long day's work. The landowner turned out to be a local rich man, who owned almost all of the complexes in the area. He wanted to charge Jason an outrageous price for the shabbiest little room. Jason tried to bargain, but the owner wouldn't budge on price. Jason had given up, and left to visit the club where he was going to perform. The owner had come out to greet him, and told him that the gig was cancelled. Another band had taken Jason's spot for the night, much to his dismay. However, after some initial frustration, the owner paid him in full, for failing to inform him of the little mishap. Jason was pleased, although he had wanted a chance to play. Oh well. Beggars and choosers, after all. He was able to set another date with the owner, and left in a pretty good mood.
When he arrived at the house, he found the family lounging around as usual. However, he failed to spot Ranma or Akane. After checking the dojo, he went up to the fathers, and inquired about their absence.
Soun looked a bit downtrodden. "Oh, Akane came in here not too long ago, bawling her eyes out. She wouldn't even mention anything when Nabiki and Kasumi went up to comfort her. I hope nothing serious has happened."
Genma nodded his head. "Yes, let's hope not. As for Ranma, well, he hasn't shown up since he left this morning. Its incredible, the nerve of that boy. His own fianceé, crying her heart out, and he's off playing with his friends somewhere, probably. Why, I outta..."
Jason frowned. I wonder..... Maybe it has something to do with Ranma. I'll talk to him when he gets back. He thanked the fathers, who grunted in acknowledgement, and then made his way up the stairs. Before entering his and Ranma's room, he concentrated on Akane's room. He could hear the loud sobbing clearly. Something must have really happened. I wonder..... Before his thoughts could concieve any possible reasons for Akane's sadness, he heard her say something. A name.
"Ranma..... Ranma, you jerk...... Why?"
If Jason could have frowned more, he would have. As it was, his face remained the same, but his attitude darkened. He didn't get angry, but he definitly got sour. So, it WAS Ranma's fault. I'll have to talk to him. This foolishness between him and Akane has to stop. It's tearing them apart. He slid into his room, and waited for his roommate to return.
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The sun had gone down, and a slight chill had arisen. Still, Ranma didn't move. He sat on the jungle gym, knees up to his chest, hands wrapped around them. He buried his head into his knees. Akane..... I'm sorry...... I didn't mean any of it....... It's just....... I can't stand it when people spread rumors like that. That's what happens when we go out together like that. Jeez, we're not really an item...... are we? Does one little date do that? No, no way we're a couple. We're just friends....
A little voice peeped into his thoughts. I'm just denying the truth. God, she's so incredible. Why did I say those things? I really do like her....
No. That's foolish. We are not a couple, and she does not like me. And I don't like her!
What am I thinking? I'm crazy for her. But does she feel the same way? She acts like it, sometimes, but...
No, she doesn't! She hits me all the time, and calls me stupid, calls me a jerk!
But that's only when I act like a jerk. I guess I should go and apologize.... I mean, what I said, back there..... it was pretty harsh....
His heart won out over his mind, and Ranma leapt down from his perch, and made his way home.
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When he arrived at the house, he saw everyone waiting for him. When they saw him, the comotion started. Soun and Genma were the first to speak.
"Oh, Ranma, thank goodness you're here! Please, do something! I fear Akane will only listen to you, now!"
"Son, where have you been!? You're fianceé is up there crying a river, and you have the nerve to let her alone, in this time of need...."
Even Kasumi and Nabiki got into it.
"Please, Ranma. Akane is not feeling well. Maybe you can cheer her up."
"Hmph. I hope you didn't do anything to my kid sister, bub. You'd better go and see what's up."
Ranma pushed his way through. "OK, OK! Jeez, would you people just leave me alone!?" He ascended the stairs, and marched straight to Akane's room. The familiar duck sign greeted him silently. Ok, here goes..... His hand flew up to the wood, but stopped centimeters from contact. Oh, man, listen to her bawl! I know she ain't in any mood to see me. Gosh, what am I thinking? I can't do this...
But if I don't do it now, things will never get better. I have to apologize...
Have to? No I don't! Not if I'm gonna get whacked for it, I'm not! Forget it. I'll wait 'till she's calmed down a bit. Maybe even 'till tomorrow. Yeah, that's a plan.
He lowered his hand from the door, and padded away to his own room. He slid open the door, and shuffled in quietly. He sighed. Man, what a day. I'm glad it's over...
"What are you doing?"
Ranma looked up to see Jason, sitting there, looking at his saxaphone. He had been working on it, but he stopped when Ranma had entered.
"Huh?"
Jason didn't look at him. He spoke while staring at his sax. "I said, what are you doing?"
Ranma plopped himself on his futon. "What's it look like I'm doing? I'm gettin ready for bed."
"I'm sorry. What I meant is, what are you NOT doing?"
"Allrighty, now you've got me confused."
Jason swiveled in place to look at Ranma. Ranma was startled when he saw the ice in Jason's eyes. "You were supposed to apologize to Akane. Have you done so?"
"No, but..."
"Then go do it."
Ranma glared at him. "Huh. No way, man. She's ready to kill something. I can't go in there."
"No, she's not. She's waiting for you, Ranma."
"For me?"
"Didn't you hear? She's calling you're name. She wants to see you, Ranma."
"Ha. You've got to be kidding me."
Jason stood up, and approached Ranma. He got down on one knee, and looked Ranma straight in the eye. Oh, crap. He's pissed now, Ranma thought. He saw the fire there, behind the ice. There was anger there, not just an cold stare. "You asshole."
"Wha?"
"You hurt her. You hurt her bad. And yet, here you are, letting her cry, letting her feel the pain. What an ass you are. I thought you cared for her. I thought you loved her, Ranma Saotome."
"Where'd you get that crazy idea?"
"It's in your eyes. The way you look at her. The way you act around her. You are desperatly in love with her, but you deny it so vehemently. It's disgusting."
"Hey, watch what you call me."
"I'm only stating the truth. Why do you refuse it, Ranma? Why do you deny it? Don't you want to embrace it? Your feelings for her? Your passion? Your love?"
Ranma almost laughed in his face, for saying such things, until he took another look into Jason's eyes. Man, this guy's serious! But why? I don't like her. She'd just as soon kill me as kiss me.
That's not true. You like her. What's wrong with that?
"It wasn't our choice! Our parents forced us into it!"
"So? The engagement was planned. The love wasn't."
Ranma realized he had screamed those last few words. He quickly dropped his head.
Jason realized what had just been said. "So that's why. It's the engagement. You don't want to admit that you like her, because it would validate an engagement that you never agreed to. Your hanging on to the fact that you never wanted to become engaged."
Ranma nodded. "I had another life. Before all this. Why did I have to get stuck here? I want the old life back. It was good back then."
"We play with the cards that life deals us Ranma. You can't change what happened. It was wrong, true. But that doesn't mean you need to take it out on Akane. It's not her fault you two are engaged."
Ranma nodded again. "I know, I know. But, why her? Why did I have to fall in love with her? It's not like I wanted to be engaged to her..."
"That has nothing to do with it. The engagement didn't create your relationship. It only brought you two together. It was you two that began to like each other. You fell in love with each other. The engagement didn't force you into it. You could have hated each other, but instead, you went the other way."
Ranma stayed silent. He's right. I know he's right. But.... Why her? If we weren't engaged...
Jason seemed to read his thoughts. "Do you think it would have been different, had you not been engaged?"
Ranma stayed quiet for a while. Then, "Yes. I wouldn't be arguing with anybody over the engagement. It would be just the two of us as friends. It would be different."
"Nope. That's where you're wrong. You still love each other. That wouldn't change. What would change are the obstacles between you and her. Namely, the engagement. But you know..... It's only an obstacle if you choose to let it sit there. You need to overcome your fear of the engagement. Forget about it. Its invalid, and you know it. The only engagement that works is the one that comes out of your lips."
Ranam looked up. He's right. Its our parents problem, not ours. "But now what? I can't right that wrong now."
"That's not your concern anymore, Ranma. Akane is. And from what I hear, she deserves an apology. And maybe more." He turned back to his case. "That's not to say that you need to do it alone." He pulled out a small, silver harmonica from his case. "Just go. Don't worry. I'll be right behind you. You'll hear me."
Ranma looked at Jason. Man. This guy is so... wise. He just knows so much. He's really a great friend. Ranma stood up, and clenched his fist. "All right, then. I'm going. Don't worry. I'll fix this mess." He proudly stepped out of his room, and quickly strode over to Akane's room. He was about to open the door, when a loud sob stopped him. There, the great Ranma Saotome stood. The invincible martial artist, defeater of many hordes of enemies. And here he stood, not able to cross a few inches of space.
Oh man. This isn't right. It's not right. I don't love her!
Yes, I do. She's incredible. I don't wanna let her go.
This is not my place! This is not my fight!
Then who's?
The battel raged on. Heart versus mind. His consious, logical processes were conflicting with his sub-consious longing. He couldn't budge. A heat grew in his stomach as the flames inside of him were stoked.
What do I do?
Go in.
I can't!
Just then, music flowed into his ear. Jason had struck up a light, snappy tune. It wasn't complicated. It wasn't romantic. It was.... calming. Ranma heard Akane begin to settle down. The harmonica was soothing her nerves. It's now or never. I gotta go in. The song settled into a pattern of longer, drawn out notes. Ranma almost wanted to turn away, and just listen, but he knew why Jason was playing. It was for him. Thank you, Jason. I can do this now. And on a nice, high-pitched note, he entered Akane's room.
Her head was buried in a pillow, but no loud crying could be heard. The occasional sob racked her body, but she was calm. Oh man. I did this to her? The realization of it pained him tremendously, but he took steps, one by one, until he reached Akane's bedside. The music continued to go on.
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The song reminded Akane of a porch. A house, in the middle of a grassy plain. A man, sitting on a bench, playing his tune. He was watching his kids play out front. They loved to hear their father play his songs. A lovely woman was standing in the doorway. She was calm, at peace. Oh my. What a sight. I wish.... I could be her. I want to be that woman.
A hand reached out to touch her shoulder. Now who is it? Kasumi again? Nabiki? No, the hand is rough. Father, then. Mr. Saotome even. I don't want them. I want..... I want to see Ranma. Damn, him, where is he?
"Hey.... Akane?"
Akana flinched. Ranma? That was Ranma.... He's here....
Akane lifter her head. The tears had created streaks of red that exended down her cheeks. She tried to brush it off, but to no avail. She sniffed a bit, then turned to Ranma. "Yes?"
Ranma was looking at Akane, but he turned his head. Akane was shattered. What? What was he going to say? Oh never mind. He won't say it. He can't. Cause it's not true. I was a fool. Such a childish, little fool....
"I'm.... sorry, Akane."
Akane whipped her head to him. Sorry? Did he.... just say he's sorry? "Oh, Ranma, i-its' all right. Don't be so nice. It's not you, it's just.... Oh, I'm glad that you came. but you see, its just that..... well.....
A hand came up, and touched her lips, ever so gently. She looked over and saw Ranma's eyes. They were focused, intent, yet oh so soft. Wow. He's so handsome. What do I say? Oh, what do I do?
Ranma leaned his head close to hers. She was startled, and almost backed away. He's gonna kiss me. Ohgodohgodohgodohgod..... He spoke softly, sweetly. "It's okay, Akane. Relax. It's all my fault. I was being a jerk. I was being stupid. But not anymore. Akane, I......." He stopped mid-sentence. "I like you. A lot. I... care for you. You don't need to say anything. Just..... please, don't cry. It hurts when you cry."
Akane couldn't help it. The tears began to well up again, but this time, they were happy tears. Tears of joy. "Oh, Ranma!" She leaped up, and embraced him strongly. He was caught off-balance, and they tumbled to the floor. Ranma almost landed on Akane, but he stopped the fall with his forearms. However, this little manuver brought his lips level with hers. Their noses were touching.
Now what? He couldn't think of what to do.
I'm such a wimp. Just kiss her. His heart, however, had an idea.
He took a small breath, and as Jason's ballad came to a close, their lips touched. Ranma relaxed his arms, and let gravity press them together. His hands stroked her hair, as their kiss became more intense. Akane squeezed him around the waist, and her mouth opened up. They explored the depths of their mouths, letting their tounges flick and stroke each other. Ranma carressed her cheed with the back of his hand, and ran a finger down her neck, then brought it back up her chin. Her hands had started to move around his back, rubbing him gently, tracing his backbone. Their eyes stayed open, and they stared into the other's pupils. Ranma's dark blue eyes searched Akane's brown ones.
This.... this is a taste of heaven. It has to be. Jason.... thank you.
When a lack of oxygen forced them to part, two smiling faces faced each other. Ranma was the first to speak. "Man, I'm such a wimp. Why didn't I think of this sooner."
Akane giggled. "It's because you're stupid."
Ranma tried to frown and glare. "Tomboy." But he couldn't keep a straight face, and laughed along with her. Then, they kissed again, this time unaided by Jason's tune. Instead, the young musician was standing in the doorway, watching the two lovers. He had the urge to smile, but kept that to himself. Finally. That's one problem solved. I guess Ranma wasn't so dense after all. But I think I'll leave them alone for now. He quietly shut the door, as Ranma and Akane finally revealed their true feelings through actions.
I love you, Akane.
I love you, Ranma.
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AN: No, no, they didn't have sex, not this time. But yes, Ranma and Akane finally did it. Man, that was a difficult bit to write, seeing as how Takahashi never lets them reveal their feelings for each other. But hey, I'm not Takahashi, so I'm not gonna torture you like this. Now, I know that some fics tend to leave a story like this. Nope, not me. I'm going to try and tie up every loose end up I can find. Even Jason's gonna get a girl. (Ooops, was that saying too much?) Well, I'll let you guess on who it could be. (Hint, hint: It ain't Cologne)
The deal with the bold italics (Like this) and the regular italics(Like this) is that this is Ranma's heart and mind, respectively. His heart wants to say what it feels, while his mind wants to hold it back. However, after the kiss, his mind and heart will agree with each other, so there will be no more heart-thought. Anything that Ranma is thinking from now on will be in regular italics.
Oh, and Jason does play the harmonica. Actually, I'm probably gonna have him play any number of instruments. Piano, maybe, acoustic guitar, 12-string, you know, whatever. And the song this time will be a bit harder to find. Using Kazaa, search for 'Harmonica', or 'Cowboy Bebop', or both together. This song is the one from the episode of Cowboy Bebop where the weird immortal kid plays the harmonica all the time. It ain't that hard to find, but I don't know the actual name.