The Tendo House

Akane quietly snuck downstairs and into the kitchen, with grace and swiftness that would surprise those who knew her. She opened the pantry and took out some food and put it in a bag then stuffed into her small pack. She then hefted it onto her shoulder and left the house. When she was about to close the door, she went back into the house and up the stairs. Quietly sneaking into her room, she took out a piece of paper and a blue ink pen. She scribbled a quick note to her family and left. *I wish that there was some way for me to stay. But I can�t! I will do this!! * Before her determination left her she jumped out of the window and ran off into the night. A single tear slid down her face for the life she was going to leave behind.

* * * * * *

The Next Day at the Tendo house

Kasumi was in the kitchen preparing lunch when she decided that it was about time Akane woke up. *I hope nothing is wrong. Usually Akane should be up by now! No matter what! I wonder what could be wrong? * She remembered what happened last night and winced. Last night Ranma and Akane had a pretty big fight. *Even if it was the fight Akane is upset about, she should be down. It just isn�t good to be cooped up all day. * She set the knife she was holding down with practiced grace, then made her way up to her little sister�s room. She knocked on the door but no one answered. Getting slightly worried she knocked harder. There still was no answer. She opened the door and peaked in, she couldn�t see Akane anywhere in the room so she went in. The bed was empty and looked hastily made. Then a folded piece of paper caught her attention. Gently picking it up, She read what was inside. When she was done a stifled gasp left her lips. She made her way out of the room Quickly going downstairs. *Why would Akane do this? She shouldn�t be doing this! I have to tell the others what happened. * Walking down the stairs with the grace of a swan.

* * * * * *

Meanwhile out in the Tendo yard, Ranma and Genma were sparring. Ranma had been feeling strange all morning as if something was to happen, like� *No! I won�t think like this!!!! If I think like this then it would probably happen. * His body reacted on instinct, as he was lost in thought. He saw his father make a mistake and kicked him into the pond. His father grabbed hold of him and pulled him along on the trip into the pond. Ranma surfaced as a girl and shouted, �What cha do that for?!� Then she (he) punted his father into the horizon and stormed upstairs to change out of her (his) wet clothes. Stopping in the bathroom to change into his original form. Along the way he bumped into Kasumi and held onto Kasumi, keeping her from falling. �Sorry Kasumi. Are you Okay???� He asked in embarrassment. �Yes I�m Okay. Ranma could you come with me to the dinning room for a while? It is very important. Our dads are there so is Nabiki.� Kasumi asked him. He agreed and followed her into the kitchen and sat down. Kasumi handed the piece of paper she found in her youngest sister�s room to Ranma. The others had a questioned look on their faces. Ranma silently read the note to himself.

Dear Everyone, I�m sorry but I had to leave. Please forget me. I won�t ever return unless very necessary. I want to tell you that I broke the engagement and now Ranma is free to marry anyone that he wants. Daddy, don�t try to push him onto Kasumi or Nabiki. They wouldn�t like it neither would Ranma. It is his choice to decide who his loves and should marry and not honor bound to marry. Oh Kasumi, please propose to Dr. Tofu, if you don�t then you won�t ever be happy and you know you deserve to be after everything you�ve done for us. Nabiki do not try to find me. If anyone tries to find me, I won�t ever return. Not then nor ever again. I�m sorry everyone to disappoint you but I had to leave. I can�t and won�t ever hurt any of you again. Good-bye, Akane

Ranma was frozen stiff as he read the letter. He couldn�t believe that she would run away. *I can�t believe that she would do this. I have to go find her. But she said that if any of us try to find her she won�t ever return. What will I do? *

Lost in his thoughts Ranma didn�t notice Nabiki snatching the letter out of his hands. Nabiki read the letter out loud so everyone could hear. When she was done everyone had stupefied looks on their faces with the exception of Kasumi and Ranma.

Then Soun started to cry a river mumbling about how the schools will never be joined. Genma just sat expressionless. Nodoka just sat there. All of a sudden Soun did his demon head attack on Ranma.

�Ranma!!! You are going to find my daughter!!!! If you can�t find her then don�t ever come back!!!!!� Soun was about to go on but Kasumi tapped her father�s shoulder sending him into a deep sleep. [You don�t really think that after reading all the books she borrowed from Tofu, she won�t learn a little pressure points???? Well she did!!!!!]

�No.� It was a soft whisper that sounded like a loud shout said over a megaphone. Everyone turned to Ranma. He was standing in one place with a pained look in his eyes. Suddenly he shot out of the room like demons were hot on his tail. The fathers were about to chase after him but was stopped by Nodoka.

�Don�t. He needs sometime to himself. Let him think this through and decide what to do.� Nodoka said gently as she laid a hand on the two Tendo girls. Kasumi retreated to her room as did Nabiki. Both were still in shock of what had happened. *How could she leave???? How am I suppose to profit from this? Where could she go? She doesn�t know anyone outside Nermia!!! * Nabiki thought to herself.

*Where could Akane go? Why would she think that she�s hurt any of us? Oh poor Akane, why didn�t you see the most obvious? He loves you but you both are just too stubborn to even realize it. * Nodoka thought as she watched her son race up the stairs. *I wonder what�s going to happen now. I wonder what made Akane leave so suddenly. * Nodoka though as she went into her and Genma�s room. She had started to stay at the Tendo house after the wedding attempt since her house was destroyed in it. Slowly she became accustomed to her son�s crazy life. *I really wish that Ranma and Akane would get together eventually. But.. The two are just too stubborn! They argue and push the other away. Their love for each other is obvious to everyone but themselves. I hope that Akane will be back soon. * She looked up towards the heavens. *Please give my son a second chance with Akane. They love each other too much to find someone else. * Then she climbed into her bed and tried to go to sleep.

It was late at night and for once it was quiet. Everyone living in Nermia was very grateful for that. All day, every day, there was chaos, many small fights or one big fight, without at least a few fights, Nermians knew that something was up�

* * * * * *

At a train station

A girl in her late teens was sitting on the train that was leaving the Nermia ward of Tokyo. She knew exactly why she was here, after admitting to herself that she wasn�t needed at home anymore, she came up with the decision of leaving home, never to come back. Knowing that she hurt all those, that she cared for or not, around her, she knew she wouldn�t be able to stay and watch and continue to do wrong. Now that she had gathered all the emotional strength she had just to get here. She looked out the window and saw this was where she wanted to get off. She jumped out the window and ran off.

As she remembered her family and friends, her face saddens. *No! I won�t cry until I find a place where I can stay! I promised myself! *

When she remembered about Ranma she stared to cry, even though she had set a resolve to not cry until she had set up a place to stay. True, she did love her family. They had been an important part of her life since she was small, but Ranma, she had truly loved him and had given him her whole heart. He was the only one that had gotten past her wall of violent defense, was rude and insensitive but he could also be kind and generous when the time came, and wormed his way into her heart. Whenever he saved her from all the monsters and princes that wanted to either kill her or marry her, he showed the side of him that made so many other fall for him. He risked his life many times for her yet in return, she�ve never said a simple thank you but I yell at him and hit him into orbit.

*I had tried to stop hitting him but it would never work, because he would, somehow insult me. I try to ignore his insults but it only causes him to say it again and loud enough for her to hear and get mad. I would always then end up smacking him into orbit. He was my anchor and he was the reason I haven�t gone crazy with all the craziness that happens in Nermia. I know that he can never love me back.. He even said so� *

While looking for a place to set camp, she remembered what happened when she asked him about it, so did another person close to her heart recalled the memory.

>>> FLASH BACK<<<

Ranma and Akane were sparring in the dojo. Well Akane was attacking while Ranma was defending. Then all of a sudden, Akane stop trying to hit him, causing him to fall to his face in an attempt of dodging her next attack.

�Why did ya stop?� Ranma smirked. �Are you afraid that you can�t hit me?� He paused and waited for her attack, there was none so he continued the insults. �Or that you�ll break a nail?� Akane took in a deep breath reading herself for what she was about to say.

*I hope I didn�t make the wrong decision. * Akane thought to herself.

�Ranma we need to talk.� Akane said simply, which caught him in surprise. She sat down of the dojo floor and gestured for Ranma to do the same and he did so reluctantly. They were quietly sitting facing each other.

�What about?� Ranma said breaking the silence.

�Ranma what do you think of our engagement? Tell the truth. No one is home except for us.� Akane asked, True to her word, there was no one home except for them. Nabiki running errands, Kasumi and Nodoka were out shopping, Soun and Genma were taken on a training trip with Happoasi.

Ranma looked trapped. He couldn�t think of anything to say. Either way he would be in trouble.

Not hearing a reply, Akane continued. �Ranma remember Jousenkyou? You had said that you love me. But before the wedding you said that you didn�t. Ranma please answer me. What do you think of us getting married?� Akane pleaded him. She looked him in the eyes but he stubbornly turned away. *Please Ranma. Just tell me what you really feel. If you don�t like me then why do you keep on saving me from all the princes and monster? * She took in a deep breath as one last thought ran through her mind. *Tell me you have no feelings for me then I�ll leave. Then I�ll never bother you again. *

Before he had a chance to think about it, he did his foot in the mouth act, �No! Of course not! How could you ever think that I would love an ugly, uncute, tomboy like you? I mean look at your figure! You have a flat chest, no waist,..� Starting to tick off all her bad points then he paused while he gathered his thoughts. �You could easily qualify as a boy if you cut your hair a bit shorter! You are never as affectionate as Uc-chan, graceful as Kasumi, smart as Nabiki, good as Shampoo in the arts. So why would I love someone like you?!� Ranma shouted with all his might. The last part of his speech had blown her heart to bits. *You don�t love me like I thought. You saved me all those times because our fathers made you. *

She took inhaled deeply, trying to hide the hurt and loneliness in her eyed that shone like the moon on a starless night, and turned away.

�Thank-you for your truthfulness Ranma. I�ll see you later.� Then she ran into the house.

�Wait! We haven�t finished our sparring yet!� He called to her, she heard but chose to act like she didn�t as she closed both the door physically and the one to her heart.

Ranma stood in the dojo, wanting to chase after her. But his pride and mind stood in the way. It wouldn�t let him run after her. Tell her he was sorry. He silently walked into the house after Akane and into his room.

*Did I handle that situation correctly?

/Of course you did! You just told her the truth!/ a voice in his head said, It was his mind and pride.

^- No you didn�t, you know how you really feel but you won�t tell her and so you insult her and hurted her feelings!!! You have to go and apologize to her! -^ His heart said in reply.

/No you don�t you don�t have to say anything. She should learn to take things as they really are! / His mind retorted.

^-You need to say sorry! You lo�. -^ It tried to say but Ranma shut the voice from his mind.

*No! I don�t love her! I just told her the truth and that�s right! * Ranma slowly drifted off into the world of dreams. *If I did why do I fell so bad? * That was his last conscious thought. The thought that was truest to his heart.

>>>END FLASH BACK<<<

Ranma snapped back to reality when he was squished into a woman�s chest.

�can�t.. bre..� He tried to say as Shampoo squeezed the living daylights out of him. Fortunate for him, his mother decided that moment to call him for lunch.

�Shampoo I don�t think that Ranma can breathe.� Nodoka said gently as she gestured to the blue Ranma who was trying to get a breath of air.

�Oh! Hi hi Husband, husband mother. Wife sorry hurt husband. Just wife love airen too much. Can�t help hug tight.� Shampoo said in her singsong voice. Nodoka nodded.

�I�m sorry Xain Pu but my son can�t play with you right now. He has to go eat.� Having already regained his breath, Ranma followed his mother�s suggestion and went down to the dinning room, knowing his mother can handle Shampoo.

* * * * * *

In a forest

*I knew he didn�t love me back. Why did I even ask him about it? * When she came across a peaceful river, she set her small pack down and sat by the bank. She started into the water and knew her answer before she even thought of it. *Because I wanted to know what he really felt so I don�t regret what I�m doing now. * She sighed. *I really wish I didn�t ask though. I want to go back� But I can�t! I won�t! not until I can stand Ranma being with another girl. * She had left early that day before anyone had noticed, last night she had told Kasumi that she wasn�t feeling well and might not come down for breakfast. She knows that this was about the time that her family found out that she was missing. She had written a note to them last night and left it in her room. *Now it�s time to start a new life, to not make the same mistakes again. I won�t let any one know of my past and I won�t let anyone close to me again. *

* * * * * *

Back at the Tendo house

�Shampoo, How did you get in here?� Nodoka pause. �It is bad to go into someone�s house without their permission. I�m sorry but if you would be so kind,� Nodoka politely gestured to the door. Knowing that Shampoo would figure out what she wanted. Even though she was kicking the girl out, she looked and acted like she just asked a queen to tea.

�Hump! Shampoo come back later. Give Ranma too too good food.� Shampoo stormed out of the house. *I will not get mad. Great grandmother said it is no good. I have to find a way to get on Ranma�s mother�s good side, or I�ll never have a chance. * After seeing Shampoo out, Nodoka went into the dinning room. Everyone looked at her.

�It�s okay. Though she said that she�ll be back here before dinner.� Then dinner went on with out another word.

* * * * * *

In the forest

After mediating for a few hours, Akane stood up and stretched out her muscles and bones. Then she went over to her pack and took out her camping gear. Quickly setting up camp, she started a fire and heated some food. After eating she crawled into her tent. She fell asleep after crying all her tears out. *Tomorrow I will start a new day. I will not let what happened with Ranma effect me any more! I will not ever cry about it again! *

Early the next morning, Akane dragged herself from her warm sleeping place and went to the river and splashed herself with cold water to wake up. Then she did the daily thing she usually does in the morning. When she was done, she went back to the clearing where she had set camp and stretched. When she felt she was ready, she fell into a relaxed stance that Ranma had usually used and did a couple katas. *Ranma probably thinks that I just watch him fight without learning anything eh? * Her movements became as smooth as water and she seemed to float in the air. When she finished with the last move, she went to where she had put her towel and wiped her face and neck. �Grumble� her stomach announced it was empty since she didn�t eat any breakfast and it was close to one in the afternoon. *Well I guess I�ll get myself some food. Better to eat than starve. * As she ate, she thought about where she was going to go next. She had rarely left her home for longer than a week alone. She sometimes would go on a camping trip with her father and sisters even Ranma and his father. But she never went alone. Plus, the trips were all planned before they left but this one was unexpected so she didn�t have time to plan where she would go.

*I can just walk around all day or set camp and practice. I should walk it should help build up my endurance. * She paused her thoughts. *It�s a good thing there�s only a few more days of school before we have summer break. I should go find a place to stay for school, but until then, I�m free!!! Now where to go�. * Akane looked around her and looked up in awe at the tall peak in front of her. The top was covered in a blanket of white while everything else seemed to be dark blue. There�s her destination. Akane packed up her camp and left she followed the river upwards and slowly climbed the mountain when she reached the mountain�s foot.

* * * * * *

The Tendo house

It was like a daily routine for the last weeks of school, early in the morning Shampoo would drop by and give her �husband� a good morning. Then at school Ukyou would give her �Ran-chan� a hello. During lunch was worst. All three of Ranma�s suitors would be there. Shampoo would offer Ranma her ramen while Ukyou offered him here okonomiyaki and Kodochi would offer him her poisoned traditional Japanese food.

Then the three would get into a fight while Ranma silently snuck away from them. Hoping to see as little of them as possible.

Without Akane it was harder to get away from the girls. He didn�t want to hurt any of their feelings, well except for Kodochi, he couldn�t care less what happens to her. Every day would be the same and he would do anything to get away from the craziness.

* * * * * *

One week went by too quickly for everyone, except for two heart broken lovers. Akane spending her time training and hiking up the mountain, Ranma going through his actions mechanically, wishing he could have a little piece.

Is this what fate had in stored for the lovers or is it just the beginning?

TBC

* * * * * *

Silver Dragon: Hi! Sorry it took so long for me to get something new out, but don�t worry, you might not wait so long for the next chapter of this story. ^_^ Yep! I�ve been working on it all summer and got quite a bit more of it done already, it just that *choughs * it needs to be revised a bit. (And when I say a bit I mean a lot, this thing was filled with mistakes and some of them are still yet to be fixed. If you find some mistakes, please tell me, I�ll fix it a soon as I can. ^_^ And that goes for my web page too, if one of the pages don�t work or something, e me and I�ll fix it kay? ^_^

I�ll probably put another story up by the end of this month if not sooner, depending on how much homework I have.

Oh please tell me how you like this kay? I spent a lot of time on it and would love to hear any comments it gets. Either use the box down below or mail me at [email protected] Well that�s it for now� ^_~

I�ll see ya next time
Silver Dragon
PS. Please visit my page at www.geocities.com/sdragon242001/
Thank you for reading, my best regards,
Silver Dragon

[ Home ] [ Updates ] [ Fanfics ] [ Images ] [ Links ] [ E-mail ]