No changes in this one, not until I finish the side story "The Trial"

Hello all!

Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction
"The High Cost of Loving - Chapter Four"
"Visits"
by Suds-kun (suds1964@tir.com)

============================================
Ranma 1/2 characters are created by and copyright Rumiko Takahashi.
Published by Shogakukan Inc. and VIZ Comm.
Used without permission.
Intended for the sole non-profit use of fans.
============================================

You and me, we used to be together.
Every day, together. Always.

I really feel I'm losing my best friend.
I can't believe this could be the end.

It seems as though you're letting go.
And if it's real, well, I don't want to know.

"Don't Speak" - No Doubt

===

Kasumi set the tray on the table and began setting out the bowls for 
breakfast. It was hard to believe that it had been six months since Ranma 
proposed to Akane. That day changed all of their lives, and not for the 
better. Akane lost so much because of that day. Ranma, honor, trust and 
some of her friends. Kasumi stared at the empty bowls as her thoughts 
continued to drift. Even through all of this, Akane still had been concerned 
for her. How long had Akane and Nabiki known that Tofu-sensei was 
infatuated with her? He always seemed so funny whenever she saw him, 
but in reality he had a crush on her. How could we all be so blind when it 
comes to love? Akane and Ranma, Nabiki and Tatewaki and now Tofu-
sensei and herself. Would Nabiki and her have better success than their 
sister? Kasumi frowned at the thought of her finding happiness while 
Akane faced the future alone. Akane would not be alone. Her family 
would be their for her. Even auntie and uncle would help her. It may be 
hard for a single mother, but Akane's family would always be there for her.

A smile automatically appeared on her lips as she heard her sister coming 
down the stairs. "Ohayoo, Akane-chan." Kasumi cheerfully greeted her 
sister. "Breakfast is ready and on the table."

"Ohayoo, oneechan!" Akane returned her sister's smile and carefully 
kneeled at the table. "Where is Nabiki? I heard her get up earlier."

Kasumi poured the miso soup into Akane's bowl. "Nabiki left early to 
study with Tatewaki-kun. They're preparing for juken and Nabiki wanted 
to make sure her 'Kuno-chan' was studying correctly.

Akane smiled as she took the bowl. "Nabiki and Kuno-sempai have gotten 
close since he renounced Ranma and myself as his 'only' loves." Her smile 
turned into a frown. "Did, did she say anything about going with us 
today?"

Kasumi reached over and placed a hand on her sister's hand. "She said that 
she's made sure that all of the arrangements for today are still 'on target.' 
Don't worry, Akane-chan, father and I will be going with you. So will 
auntie and uncle Saotome."

Akane sighed and nodded her head. "I'll be coming home at lunch and then 
we'll go make the visits."

"You better start eating your breakfast before it gets cold."

Akane blushed and picked up her bowl. "Hai."

"Ohayoo, Kasumi. Ohayoo, Akane-chan." Soun walked up to the table and 
kneeled, ready for breakfast. He took the bowl of miso soup that Kasumi 
offered. "Arigatoo, Kasumi."

"Have you heard from auntie or uncle, father?" Kasumi asked.

"Hai. I talked with Genma last night. They have decided to rent out their 
house. Nodoka wants to move back here and help Akane." Soun turned to 
his youngest daughter. "She is concerned that you maybe feeling lonely 
and overburdened with worry. I told Genma that we would greatly 
appreciate their company and help. Would you like this, Akane-chan?"

Akane stared at her father. Her face was blank with shock and suddenly 
she started crying.

Kasumi quickly moved to comfort her sister. "It's O.K., Akane-chan."

"I, I thought that they didn't want to see me anymore." She sobbed.

"Hush, Akane-chan. They care for you just as much as we do. Auntie will 
be such a help, especially in the coming months. You don't need to worry 
about being alone, Akane."

Akane wiped away her tears and raised her head. Then she clenched her 
fist and pounded on the table. "I hate this! I hate getting so emotional over 
the littlest thing!"

Kasumi gave her sister a quick hug. "You better hurry or you will be late 
for school."

Akane returned her sister's smile and stood. "Hai, oneechan. I'll see both of 
you at lunch." With a wave she headed for door where her school bag was 
waiting and quietly left.

===

Akane smiled as she walked out of the school and waved goodbye to her 
friends. At least Kaori and Atsukou were still her friends. They really have 
helped out at school the past six months. As she headed towards the gate, 
she noticed Ukyou setting up her grill to make her lunch. Akane smiled 
and walked toward her.

"Konnichiwa, Ukyou!"

"Konnichiwa, Akane! Are you ready for today?" Ukyou smiled as she 
completed her okonomiyaki with a blur of spatulas.

"Hai. Are you sure you don't want to go with us? Nabiki is studying with 
Kuno-sempai and won't be coming with us."

Ukyou finished her lunch and collapsed her portable grill. "Are you sure I 
won't be in the way?"

"No you won't, Ukyou. You've been one of my few friends these past few 
months. I want you to be there with us."

Ukyou rubbed her chin in thought. "Well, I guess I can give Tsubasa the 
day off and close the Ucchan."

"It's settled! Why don't we meet you at the cemetery?"

"That sounds fine with me." Ukyou smiled and then noticed the three guys 
staring at them. "Hey, Akane. It looks like Hiroshi, Daisuke and the new 
kid are checking us out."

Akane sighed. "I wonder what those two are telling him? Probably that 
you killed my fiancee so you could be my boyfriend."

Ukyou laughed. "You might be right! Knowing them, they're telling him 
about Ranma and all of his fiancees."

Akane frowned and bowed her head. "Uh, I'll see you later."

Ukyou looked at Akane thoughtfully and gave her a hug. "Cheer up, 
Akane. Don't let them spoil today. O.K.?"

Akane nodded and smiled weakly. "Hai. Can you walk with me a little 
ways? I need the company."

Ukyou smiled. "What are friends for? Come on, let's go!" The two walked 
out the gate together.

Akane returned the smile. She was thankful that Ukyou and her had 
become such good friends. Not only had they both lost Ranma, but Ukyou 
had also lost Konatsu. When Ukyou was sad, she was always able to get 
her smiling. The opposite was true for her. When she was down, Ukyou 
would cheer her up. She may not have many friends, but they were true 
friends. Friends who were there to help when she needed them.

===

The procession slowly made its way through the cemetery. Akane was first 
with her sister and father on each side of her. Genma and Nodoka followed 
behind them. They all came to a stop as they approached one of the 
monuments. Akane walked forward and knelt before the marker. She 
carefully adjusted her white dress and then clapped her hands twice.

"Gomen nasai, Ryouga. I should have visited you earlier, but I have been a 
little busy with 'other' things. What are they? Well, it has to do with 
Ranma. I still think that the fight you two had was stupid. Ranma was 
upset with you for hurting his mother, but why where you so mad at 
Ranma? You seemed to be angry with him about something new, but no 
one has figured it out. I guess the answer died with you."

Akane sighed. "Gomen, Ryouga. I didn't mean to carry on like that. I've 
been doing fine. Kasumi and Nabiki have been a real help. Ukyou has also 
been a good friend. Because of the three of them, I've been able to get over 
you and Ranma. I do forgive you for sneaking into my bed as P-chan. 
Ukyou and Kasumi both think that you didn't mean to take advantage of 
me, but that you just wanted be near me and protect me. Gomen, Ryouga, 
I've always loved Ranma and I still do. I still don't think that the two of 
you should have tried to kill each other over me. I'm not a prize, you 
know."

Akane looked up and traced Ryouga's name on the monument with her 
fingers. "I need to go now, Ryouga. I've got to visit Ranma next. I'll be 
back next month." Akane stood and walked away from the grave. Kasumi 
moved beside her sister and placed an arm around her. Akane returned the 
hug.

They walked toward the next grave to visit. Akane frowned and felt a 
twinge of guilt as she saw Ukyou kneeling before the grave. She watched 
as Ukyou picked up the blue bough from the stone marker and replaced it 
with a ten yen coin. Ukyou stood and tied the bough in her hair. It was 
then that Ukyou noticed her and walked toward the waiting group.

Ukyou wiped at her eyes and greeted Akane. "Konnichiwa, Akane. Did 
you visit Ryouga?"

"Hai. I see that you gave Konatsu his pay."

"Heh, that was Tsubasa's idea. He said that I could give part of his pay for 
this week to Konatsu." Ukyou paused and looked at Akane. "You know, it 
won't be long before we'll be visiting a third grave."

Akane flinched at the remark and nodded her head. Tears started to roll 
down her cheeks. "I hate this, crying for little or no reason. I've been so 
emotional lately."

Ukyou laughed. " You know, it's all Ranma's fault."

"Heh, you're right, Ukyou. It's all that baka's fault."

Kasumi quietly pulled on Akane's arm and motioned to her that it was time 
for them to leave.

Akane nodded and followed her father, Genma and Nodoka as they left the 
cemetery.

===

The room had an antiseptic feel to it. No colors or pictures, just a few 
chairs and a table in the center. Everyone was sitting close to each other 
and occasionally glancing at Akane. She was quietly reading a book. 
Nodoka smiled. It was one of the books that Kasumi had borrowed from 
Tofu-sensei. "Eating for Three."

Nodoka turned her gaze to Kasumi. She had been so supportive of her 
sister during the past six months. In addition to that she had the time to 
start a relationship with Tofu-sensei. Of course, she's a Tendo. Her love 
life is just as bizarre as her two younger sisters' relationships. With dear 
and herself moving back to the Tendo home, she should have the free time 
to focus on her own happiness.

She then looked at Soun. He had been as much help as could be expected. 
He at least was here to support his daughter. That was one of his better 
qualities. He may be emotional, but his family is very important to him. 
With Akane expecting, he has been supportive while proud at the same 
time.

Dear is quite proud, also. The two of them have said that at least the Tendo 
and Saotome families will continue. But at what cost? Akane will now be 
alone to raise her children. What hope does she have of getting married 
when she is a mother before the age of eighteen? At least she has good 
friends like Ukyou Kuonji.

The young chef has arguably lost more than Akane. Dear's promise for her 
to marry Ranma in return for food changed her life. She lost the chance for 
a normal childhood. She lost the chance for love with Ranma and then that 
nice young man, Konatsu Kenzan, died in her arms while they were on a 
date. It is good that Akane and her have been able to become friends 
through all of this tragedy.

"Saotome Ranma."

Nodoka jumped to her feet at the announcement. She moved to Akane and 
joined in the hug that Kasumi had started. She felt Ukyou join the group 
hug and could not keep from crying. This was Akane's last chance for a 
visit and all they could do is just wish her strength. They released each 
other from the hug and wiped their eyes. Akane walked toward the guard.

"You have only fifteen minutes."

Akane nodded and followed him through the door.

Nodoka watched the door close. At the sound of the click she turned 
toward the chair where she had been sitting. Dear stood beside the chair 
with a look of concern. She walked up to him and stared at him. He was 
responsible for so much. He took her son away from her. His 
irresponsibility cursed her son. Not just her son, but himself and others. He 
was responsible for the Hibiki boy to start a seeming blood feud with her 
son. A feud that cost them their lives and ruined so many others. The trial 
saw to that. And yet, why was he here? She should hate him for all of 
these things, but he was here to support Akane. Has he learned honor from 
this?

Genma gently touched her arm. "Nodoka? Are you all right?"

Nodoka looked at her husband and started to shake. Why was she shaking? 
She was here for Akane, wasn't she? Slowly her defenses crumbled and 
her true feelings began to come to the surface. She wasn't here for Akane.

"Dear. He's my son. Why can't I see him? He was gone from my life for 
ten years, only to return for a couple months. And now I can't even see 
him."

Nodoka felt the strong arms of her husband wrap around her. His voice 
quietly assured her that everything was going to be all right. But she knew 
that it wasn't going to be 'all right'."

===

Akane followed the guard into the room. It was similar to the room where 
she had been waiting, but smaller. Again there was a table in the center 
with a few chairs.

"I have been instructed to give you only fifteen minutes with him. If the 
two of you do anything that I don't like, I will stop the visit. Is this clear?"

Akane nodded her head in confirmation. "Hai, I understand."

The guard then walked over to a phone on the wall and made a call. "Bring 
Saotome to the consultation room." He hung up the phone and turned 
toward her. "I was transferred here when Saotome was first arrested. I will 
be able to handle either of you if you try to use any of your martial arts 
knowledge. Understood?"

"Hai."

The door opened just as she nodded her head. She turned and caught her 
breath. It was Ranma. He was dressed in drab prison clothes, but it was 
him. Nabiki had done it. She was able to actually see Ranma.

A guard lead him into the room. It seemed to take him forever to walk 
from the door to the table and sit down. Akane walked over to the table 
and sat across from him. Nabiki had told her that he would be in handcuffs 
and manacles, but it still hurt to see him like this.

"Ranma, I.."

"Akane, I love you." Ranma interrupted. "I thought I would never be able 
to tell you that. I promised myself that if I saw you again, I would tell you 
that."

Akane looked in Ranma's eyes and smiled. She had made the same 
promise to herself. "Ranma, I love you too. It's good to see you again. Did 
you get my letter?"

"Hai, it was given to me this morning. I didn't know about this visit until 
then. How did you arrange this? Convicted killers aren't allowed visitors."

He looked older somehow. They had not cut his hair, thanks to Nabiki, but 
he seemed to be carrying a great weight. "Nabiki made the arrangements. 
She was able to set up this visit. She's also the one responsible for you 
not getting a haircut."

Ranma smiled. Not a large smile, but more than a smirk. "You must tell 
her 'thank you' for me. Is she also the one who has delayed the carrying out 
of my sentence?"

Akane nodded. "The, the execution will take place in two months. That's 
the best that she could do. Ranma, we have only fifteen minutes and I want 
to talk about something else. Do you have any questions that the letter 
didn't cover?"

Ranma sighed and bowed his head. "Not really. The date on the letter is 
over a month ago, has anything happened since then?"

A smile crossed Akane's face. "Oh, yes! I had written that Ukyou had 
become quite bitter, but things have changed. Like I said in the letter, 
Ukyou and I had become close, even though she's back to dressing like a 
guy. But I was the only one she would talk to. She wouldn't talk to anyone 
at school. Well, one day while I visited her at Ucchan's, Tsubasa Kurenai 
came in."

"Isn't he the guy who was good with disguises and had a crush on Uc-
chan?"

"That's him. He even had a crush on you, once. Remember?"  She giggled 
at Ranma's grimace. "Anyway, he stopped in to ask Ukyou if she could 
help him. It seems that his parents got divorced and his mother and little 
sister had moved to Nerima. He was wondering if he could get a job 
working for her so he could help his mother. Ukyou said no at first, but I 
talked her into letting him try it for a week. He's been there ever since. 
Unfortunately, she's making him wear a kimono as he waits on tables. I 
think she still hasn't gotten over Konatsu."

Ranma looked surprised. "You mean, she's trying to turn him into another 
Konatsu?"

Akane shook her head. "No, I think she just wants things to return to the 
way they used to be. Unfortunately, they won't. He hasn't made a pass at 
her once. Not even a longing look, I think he was searching for a friend to 
help him and his family. It also has changed her outlook. She's more 
friendly, but not as trusting. I don't think she wants to get close to anyone 
like she was with you and Konatsu."

"I'm glad she's feeling better, I wish the best for her. She's been such a 
good friend and I'm glad she's your friend, too."

"Something else has happened. Mousse and Shampoo have left. Mousse 
wouldn't say where they were going, but he said that he was on a 'mission.' 
He thinks that he can get you out of prison."

Ranma's face brightened at the news. "He does? What is it? Did he tell 
you?"

With a sigh, Akane bowed her head. "He thinks that the remains in the 
burned restaurant are not those of Ryouga. He thinks that they were some 
other animal's skeleton. Maybe a cat or a small dog. If he can find Ryouga, 
then you would be free and he could marry Shampoo."

"How would my freedom let him marry Shampoo?"

"Mousse says that Cologne would only let him marry Shampoo if he first 
defeats you and then Shampoo. So he's on this crazy quest to find Ryouga. 
If Ryouga was lost and not dead, then he would have wandered into the 
dojo by now. I tried to talk Mousse out of it, but he was positive that he 
knew where he could find Ryouga."

"What about Shampoo? Did she say anything."

She shook her head once. "No. She doesn't talk to me. Whenever I'm near 
her she stops talking and stares at me. Her eyes are full of hatred. I've 
asked Mousse why she is acting this way and he refuses to answer me. I 
think she holds me responsible for you being in jail and will not do 
anything to me since I'm pregnant. It's the same reaction I get from 
everybody else. Outside of family, I have only three friends now, Ukyou, 
Kaori and Atsukou. Hinako-sensei is the only teacher who treats me nice 
and with respect."

"Gomen nasai, Akane. I'm truly sorry for what I've done. To you, your 
family, to my parents and to Uc-chan." Ranma bowed low and touched his 
head on the table.

"Oh, Ranma. Don't be sorry. It's fate. Besides, your parents are moving 
back in with us and your mom has said that she will help me when the 
babies arrive."

Ranma looked up at her and smiled. "I remember when you told me that 
you were pregnant. It was right before the sentence was announced. For 
the past five months I've tried to picture what you would look like. I never 
imagined you would look so beautiful, Akane."

Akane looked into his eyes and saw that he meant what he said. He really 
thinks that I'm beautiful. A tear rolled down her cheek as she told herself 
not to become emotional. "Arigatoo, Ranma."

"Your letter said that you were expecting twins. Do you like the sensei 
you were referred to by Tofu-sensei?"

"Hai, she is very knowledgeable and nice." Akane paused. "Ranma, what's 
it like in prison?"

Ranma looked around at the two guards and then back to Akane. "It's 
horrible. I'm in this cell that's about two by four meters. I have to sit in the 
center of the cell when I'm not using the toilet or sleeping. Because I'm a 
martial artist, I'm not allowed out of my cell. The only people I see are the 
guards and they don't hesitate to say that they hate me. They make remarks 
about how I'm getting away with murder, since the execution has been 
pushed back so many times."

"Times up. You have to return to your cell now, Saotome." The guard 
walked over to Ranma and motioned for him to stand.

Akane also stood and watched Ranma slowly make his way to the door. 
"Ranma."

Ranma turned to Akane. 

"Sayonara, Ranma."

"Sayonara, Akane."

She watched Ranma as he walked out of the room. When the door closed 
her legs gave way and she collapsed to the floor. Ranma was gone and she 
would never see him again.

============================================

Well, what do you think? Was it too depressing? Not depressing enough?

Send me C&C! Especially if you spot any spelling/grammar errors.

^_^ Thanks to Hitomi Ichinohei and her answers to my questions. ^_^

Explanations!
Ranma was convicted of the murder of Ryouga Hibiki. It seems that a few 
people had heard him threaten Ryouga's life (see Chap 2 prt5 and Chap 3). 
Hitomi graciously answered my questions concerning the Japanese legal 
system and jail. From her answers I re-wrote this chapter. Ranma's 
sentence and Nabiki's arrangement for the visit were a direct result of those 
answers. 

O.K Enough about this Ranma and Akane business. It's time for me to 
introduce a character of my own creation. The next chapter introduces 
Eiga Otokou. BTW, his name is a pun on an infamous fanfic.


--
suds-kun (Shaun Schillinger)
suds1964@tir.com
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/8222/
"THIS time, we didn't forget the graaavy!" Cat & Mouse to Dog