I don't think this went through the first time...

A scene from Dragon*Con 6/20/96:
Me: How much are these CDs?  (pointing to Ranma & Gunsmith Cats)
Booth Dude: $29 a piece..
I look closer.. 
Me: $29 for _SM_ CDs??
Booth Dude: (looking at me like some sort of fool) Yeah.
Me: (walking away) Not even on a good day, bud. 

With that out of the way, here�s the latest installment (Yes, I notice each
installment is getting shorter).. I was almost tempted to go lemon here, but
I figure I�ll do a stand-alone lemon much later.. 

One day I also hope to give this *%$#ing thing a title.

Untitled
Part the Fourth
A Ranma Fanfic
by Paul Meaney
IMAFREEK@aol.com

     Ranma sat in the office with the head honchos of the boat. The Captain,
First Mate and his direct supervisor, the Maitre D. The stare at a small TV
screen. Ranma is standing over a fat American, who is writhing on the floor
in pain. The image freezes up and finally goes blank.
     "Now, Miss.. Lanko Saotome? Is that it?" The Captain started.
     "Yes, sir." 
     "It�s unfortunate what happened in the dining room. I understand you
were acting in self-defense, is that right?"
     "Yes, sir." Why was the Captain asking? The video proved it.
     "Hmmm. An interesting predicament. Personally, I think the fat slob had
it coming to him. He�s been nothing but trouble since he boarded. We must
consider how to finish your work agreement."
     The first mate spoke up. "Well, we cant have you wandering about the
ship."
     "Can we put her in the kitchen or something?" The Maitre D said.
     "Good idea." The First Mate added.
     "That isn�t the only problem. We arrive in Shanghai tomorrow morning. No
doubt our guest will be looking for Ms. Saotome at the exit on the dock."
     "I don�t think he�ll find me." Ranma said, knowing he could change back
to his male form right before exiting the boat. They all looked at her. "Even
if he could, I can take care of myself."
     "If that�s the way you want it." The captain said. "One more thing, who
was that young lady who came up to you, anyway?"
     "A... good friend of mine." Ranma started. "I didn�t expect to see her
here."
     "Do you think you can stay with her after your shift is over? It may be
safer for you to stay there than in the crew�s quarters. Our guest might look
for you there."
      "I think so."
      "Good. It�s settled, then. After your shift in the kitchen, you will
stay with you�re friend." The Captain paused. "You�re sure you can sneak off
the boat without any trouble?"
      "Positive." Ranma smiled.

     Akane lay in her bed, after the incident in the dining hall, she didn�t
have much of a appetite. She got up and started pacing around in a circle. It
had been  hours ago. What was happening to Ranma? Is he going to jail? And
for what? Giving that drunk what he deserved? Damn him!! Maybe it was time to
call Nabiki.. things were starting to get too irritating for her. 
     A knock on the door disturbed her train of thought. "Who is it?"
     "It�s me, Akane." Came a familiar voice.
     Akane jumped up and flung the door open.. "RANMA!! You IDIOT!!"  She
bunched up her fists tight. Ranma looked back at her and saw tears forming
under the anger in Akanes� eyes. 
     "Here it comes." Ranma thought. "I�m sorry, Akane!!" Ranma held up her
hands.
     Akane pulled Ranma in the cabin and slammed the door shut. The force
nearly dislocated Ranma�s shoulder. Ranma landed on the floor, looking up at
Akane. "Ranma!!" She started. Ranma was ready for a pounding, but instead
Akane flung her self at her, almost hysterical with tears. "I was so worried
about you!! What were you thinking? Why did you run away?"
     This was new to Ranma. It wasn�t physical pain, but it still hurt seeing
Akane this upset. "Akane.. don�t cry. C�mon.. It�s okay, now. We�re together
again, right?"
     Akane looked at Ranma, and caressed her cheek. She brought herself
closer to Ranma..
     "Wait, Akane.." Ranma started. "Not like this.."
    Akane blinked for a moment. Ranma got up and went to the bathroom. Akane
heard him turn on a faucet, which was followed by a splash.
     "There, that�s better." Ranma said, emerging from the bathroom in male
form. He sat down on the bed. Akane embraced him again. 
      "Why did you leave, Ranma?
     "You were right, Akane. I had to make a choice. Mine alone. I didn�t
really think about how it would effect anyone else. I wanted to change. I
didn�t see another way. It was my problem.. I wanted to solve it on my own."
     "No, Ranma." Akane looked at him. "They�re -our- problems. This is how
relationships should work. We solve these things together."
     Ranma didn�t know what to say. Akane was staring to sound like Kasumi. 
     "Ranma, we�ve lost so much time already. . I don�t want anything to come
between us anymore."
     "I needed to sort things out... I wanted a cure.. I wanted things to be
different.. For both our sakes."
     "Remember when we were on Toma�s island? When we were falling towards
the nannichuan there?"
     "You said you liked me the way I was."
     "That�s right. I still do. Curse or no curse."
      "But what about.."
      "No buts, Ranma. Whatever else is bugging you.. Kuno, the other girls,
Ryoga.. we�ll face them all... together."
     Ranma smiled. "I think I�ll like that."
     They looked into each other�s eyes. Ranma drew Akane in closer and
kissed her passionately . Akane�s hands went around Ranma�s neck, Ranma
placed his hands around her waist. Ranma broke off the kiss and looked at
Akane. "You are -so- cute."
     Akane smiled and kissed Ranma again. Then a thought occurred to her.
"Ranma, what happened to that American?"
     "Actually, after my shift, my boss told me that when he sobered up a
bit, he thought he fell down on the deck. Obviously, he was so drunk, he
can�t remember the truth."
     "What about.."
     "It�s okay, Akane." Ranma pecked her on the forehead. "Everything�s been
taken care of, Akane, trust me. The only thing to worry about now is what to
do next."
     Akane thought that over. "We�ll since we�re already on our way to
China.. We�ll get this little curse thing taken care of.." She smiled.
     Ranma smiled in agreement. "Good idea." He glanced over at the clock.
"Geez! It�s late. We�d better get some sleep. We dock in Shanghai in under
five hours." Ranma took one of the pillows of the bed and lay on the floor.
     "What are you doing?" Akane asked. 
     "Going to sleep."
     "Not on the floor... c�mere." She taunted.
     Ranma got into the bed. Akane snuggled up next to him, and pulled the
covers over them. She threw an arm over his chest. Ranma instantly became
simultaneously aroused and nervous.
     "Uh... Akane... are you sure this is okay?"
     "Of course it is. We�re engaged, aren�t we?"
     "But.. I.. we.."
     "What�s wrong?"
     "I�m thinking very hentai thoughts right now."
     "Save them for after the wedding, Ranma. I�m too tired right now." She
kissed him again, and resumed her original position.
     Ranma looked at her. She looked so nice. He smiled. This is the way it
should have been a long time ago. "I love you, Akane." He whispered. He
couldn�t believe his own words. He said it! After over a year, he finally had
the nerve to say it to her. What shocked him more is that he meant it.
      Akane didn�t react, however. She was already fast asleep. 

To be continued...