Set after the end of the manga. I'm don't think Ranma and Akane are a good fit long term but that doesn't mean I hate Akane. I think she and Ranma could be good friends and I want to capture that here.
Personally I think Ranma would be happiest living in the Amazon village. That is a different tale.
It had been several days since the failed wedding and Ranma Saotome had not spoken to nobody. Not his parents, not any of his fiances,not the Tendos and not even Akane. Oh yes he ate,went to school,and trained but he didn't say more two words to anyone. Ukyo and Shampoo were wisely staying clear of him. Even the old pervert was staying clear of him.
When he was not training or eating. Ranma was lying on the roof of the Tendo house. Staring at the sky, day or night. Clearly he was thinking,but what about was anyone's guess. Akane had her suspicions but she knew her father and the Saotome's would not like what she was thought he was doing. After a week of quiet reflection. Ranma asked to speak to Akane in her room. Alone.
''Akane can we talk?'' His voice sounded weary.''Sure Ranma.'' Before either old man could celebrate, Ranma shot them both an intimidating stare that shut them both up. IT was a quiet, subdued walk to her room. Almost like a funeral march but for what? It didn't get any lively in her room. Akane sat on her bed and Ranma stared outside of the window.
For a few minutes neither spoke. Ranma broke the silence. ''Akane, I don't think we can be happy together." That surprised her. ''Ranma,what are you talking about?'' He paused. He knew what he was going to say next would change everything.'' I'm talking about ending our engagement. Don't worry I'll take all of the heat so you won't get into any trouble. I''ll tell pops and your old man that I'm ending the engagement and leaving your house.''
To say Akane was shocked was a massive understand. She was gasping like a fish. ''Why?'' Her eyes were full of hurt. Ranma hating seeing women cry in general and he did really care about Akane. That's why he needed to do this. For both of them.
"Akane,what you want to do with your life?'' ''What do you mean?'' She asked. ''Just what I said.'' The Saotome heir said, his voice was firm but gentle.''Well I think that after high school, I will go to the best college that accepts my grades and'' Ranma held his hand up to her. Did she say something wrong?'' And that right there,is what I'm talking about.'' She didn't understand. ''What do you mean?''
''Akane you and I."he breathed deeply. ''We don't have the same goals for our lives. Hell we don't even have the same life. I'm a martial artist. It's not a job,It's not a hobby, it's what I am. College?'' he snorted. ''That's not even in my radar even IF I wanted it. You Akane, you want to go to college, become a professional and to other things. Normal things.''
I'm different. Pops made sure of that.I'm not a normal kid and I sure as hell won't be a normal adult.'' Ranma spoke with a strong tone.''My pop forged me from the moment he could into being the greatest martial artist if not the world than in Japan.'' HE chuckled ''I guess that was the one thing he did right.'' Akane would normally snort as his arrogance but he did defeat Safforn which no normal man could do. She DID get upset with his implication that she wasn't a martial artist.
'' I'm a martial artists too.'' she interjected. ''No'' he said. ''No, you are not and that's fine most people aren't.'' He looked her right in the eye.'' Think carefully Akane. Think about the life that our fathers want for us. IS that what you want? Do you simply want to be a housewife and to quote my dear ol pop.'Have a baby in her every two years?'' She wanted to gasp. Ranma Continued.''He thinks you are nothing more than breeding mare.''She knew Ranma's father had a low opinion of women but would her own father be okay with that mind set?''Of course he would.'' she thought. ''That's why he supports this hair brain scheme of marrying us to unite the schools.
As if he could read her mind Ranma said ''And what schools are there to unite? I've only seen your old man teach one student and I'm the only student my pop has ever taught. Hell that old freak has done more for me as a martial artist than your old man.'' Which was partial true. Ranma never learned anything from him, directly, but by having to come up with ways to thwart him. He had become a more powerful martial artist.
''So Akane, I'll ask again. What schools are there to unite and why do they have to unite? Beyond our fathers getting fat and rich off of us?'' ''None'' she admitted to could understand what she was saying but emotionally she was not ready to deal with this massive change. And if she wasn't there was no waytheir fathers would accept this.
''What about our parents. They won't be happy if you just end things between us.'' Ranma frowned.''''That's just it Akane. I don't care anymore.I'm not going to let anyone or anything, dictate how I live my life. I'm done with that. I'm not gonna let those two old men grow fat and rich on MY back and off MY work.'' That was shocking statement to Akane or any other Japanese person. Ranma was sounding like a Yankee not any son of Japan. Then again, given the kind of man Genma is she could not blame him. That man made a mockery of the ideals of honor.
''I understand not wanting to listen to your father,Ranma. I do but what about your mother? You don't want to upset her.'' Akane could never image wanting to upsetting her own mother. ''My mom is crazy!'' Ranma nearly shouted.''What kind of mother threatens to kill her son for a stupid contract!That he signed when he was just a baby?'' Ranma grimly chuckled.''You know, I liked the idea of having a mother more than having one. Turns out, she is worst that my ol man. At least Pops never threatened my life if I ever failed.''
''I've my up my mind on this Akane. I won't kill myself for her or anyone else and if she doesn't like then then.'' HE breathed deeply. ''She is no mother.'' He had a point there what kind of women would force her son to kill himself for a contract that he signed as an infant? She could never do such a thing to her own child. What kind of mother would? Ranma's mother that's who. All of his positive traits were in spite of his parents not because of them. Maybe he saw what Genma was like and in a form of rebellion did the opposite of what the fat panda would do. Maybe Ranma could deal with their folks but he still had 3 other fiancees.
''What about your Other fiancees?''She asked I only have two others and Kodachi isn't an option. Ukyo is my oldest friend and I hope that We can still be friends but I won't beg for it. She needs to accept that I'm not marrying anyone anytime soon.'' What about Shampoo?'' Akane asked. She always considered the Chinese amazon to be her biggest rival.
Ranma knew the Amazon issue was trickier. His father wasn't to blame for him getting a bride from that tribe. That was his own doing and really the one he alone was responsible for.''I think I know how I can settle my debt with the amazons.'' That really wasn't something he wanted to talk about with Akane. He had a good idea on what they wanted from laso had the very justifiable fear of Akane calling him a pervert and using her mallet to send him flying.
That would not only damage her room but hurt their relationship. Since Ranma was NOT going to tolerate that anymore. It was one of the reasons why this engagement had to end.''Akane do you even what to get married?'' Right now no and she was actually glad the wedding was ruined because kami only knew what her and Ranma's married life would be like right now. Even he father recognized that it had been a mistake to get them married after the emotional return home from China.
''NO not right now. I want to explore and grow before that. I need to know myself before I can take care of anyone else.'' Ranma nodded his head.' And that is why I'm ending this engagement. We are ready to be married and I don't want us to be trapped in a miserable ,loveless marriage like my mom and pops.'' yes,that's what would happen in ime IF they went along with this farce any longer. For their own sakes the engagement had to end. Akane understood that.
''Still,Ranma aren't you worried about what will happen after you break the endangerment?'' Even if they were ending their engagement right now. She still cared about him. Ranma flashing her his charismatic smile. ''Don't worry, Akane. I'm already all packed up and your sister gave me enough food to last me for a couple of weeks.''
''You already told her this?'' Akane asked. Ranma shooked his head.'' NO but I think she suspected. She's a lot smarter and perceptive than your dad will admit.'' That was something everyone in the house could agree. And when that runs out I can hunt and fish for my own food.'' He sighted and could so the mixed feelings on Akane's face. The young man went to give he a gentle,friendly hug.
When he let go he said.''I think it will be better for both us. Just because we won't be fiances any more doesn't mean we can't be friends. I think being friends will be even better than being engaged.'' HE kept that winning smile on his face. ''You can date who you want without your father getting in the way or just ignore romance all together. Between you and me.'' he whispered ''I think it's overrated.'' That made her laugh. She agreed with him there. ''So let's start right over. No engagement ,no stupid fathers, and no drama.''
''Let me start first.'' Ranma shock out his hand to her.'' Hi,My name is Ranma Saotome and you look like a nice girl. Wanna be friends?'' The last part of what he said echoed in Akane's mind. ''Wanna be friends? Wanna be friends?'' She never knew how much she wanted to hear him say these words. With a cute,happy smile she said' My name is Akane Tendo.'' She started shaking his hands. ''You seem like a nice guy,yes I would like to be friends.''
As they shock hands in celebrating of their newly formed friendship. Something told her being Ranma's friend was gong to be so much better than being his fiancee.