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Based on the Manga by Rumiko Takahashi

We're proud to present....

"Another Year"
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Wind whispered, ever so faintly, through the tall trees that surrounded
the court yard.  The leaves turned under, a sign of rain.  If that
wasn't enough the sky had become a dingy grey and the sun had taken
shelter from the upcoming storm.  The mood was somewhat fitting to the
day.

Akane took another reluctant step towards her destination.  It was
getting harder ever year.  She sat down on the dojou floor and tucked
her skirt neatly under her legs.  She drew her head nervously up towards
the woman's face, "It's been a whole other year hasn't it?  I should
visit more often but, sometimes it's hard to get a hold of you."
The woman's face just stayed blank and motionless.

"It seems like a whole life time since I talked to you last."  Akane
forced a smile, "I hope you don't mind my lateness."  The woman's seemed
to shake it's head.

Akane nodded, "I'm glad.  The last thing I would want to do is upset you
or make you mad at me, considering we don't get to talk much anymore."
The woman's smile seemed to ease Akane's fears.

"Well, maybe I should update you on some things in my life.  Maybe about
my sisters and my father.  Kasumi is doing great.  She's always getting
better at cooking.  She tries to teach me but sometimes I think I'm
hopeless.  Well, Ranma does anyway."  She laughed half heartedly,  "I
think that Dr. Toufu might get up the nerve to ask her out now any day.
I think she deserves someone as nice as him.  Don't worry though, I
still don't feel the way I
used to around him.  He's just a friend."  Akane smiled.

"Oh Nabiki, let's see.  She's good too.  Her business is growing
steadily and always getting in new customers,
much to Ranma's disapproval, since she mostly sells pictures of him."
Akane giggled.  The woman still wore her smile.

"Father is, well, father.  He always cries still and you should have
seen the stunt he and Mr. Saotome tried to pull to get me and Ranma
together!  The wedding was a complete disaster, of course.  Nabiki even
tried to sell tickets
to it!  Quite the scene.  Well, you were watching part of it weren't
you?"  Akane's smile saddened.

"Sometimes, I wonder what really would have happened if the wedding went
through without all those people destroying it."  Akane said
thoughtfully, "I wonder what it would have been like to be married to
Ranma sometimes.  It's funny to think about it.  I mean, we fight so
much and always say we never wanted the engagement.  But then, he'll do
something for me or he'll protect me, and it makes my stomach do flips.
I wish I knew what he thought of me, really.  But you've seen him before
though, haven't you?"  Akane looked away wistfully.  "Kasumi onee-chan
or Nabiki onee-chan might come to see you later on.  I just thought I
wanted to come to talk to you first."  Akane's eyes welled up, "I just
don't know what to do anymore.  I think I like Ranma.  Maybe
even...even... l-love him.  It's so confusing.  I just need someone to
talk to.  Sometimes, I get so lonely, like right now."  Akane took up
her sleeve and wiped her tear stained face.

"A-Akane?"  Ranma called softly for her from the door of the dojou.
Akane quickly regained herself and turned
to face him.

"Yes, Ranma?"  Akane tried to act cheerful.

Ranma looked to her with sympathetic eyes.  It was quite visible that
she had been crying, "You okay?"

Akane laughed nervously, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Ranma approached and put a hand on her shoulder to offer comfort.  Akane
managed a weak smile.  "Kasumi told me to get you for dinner."  He said
gently.

Akane nodded, "Okay, I just wanted to say good-bye.  You can go eat if
you want.  I'll only be a minute."

Ranma shook his head, "It's okay, I can wait."

Akane nodded gratefully and turned her gaze back to the woman, "Well
anyway, it looks like my time is up for now.  Until next year, right?"
She stood up and smiled sadly to Ranma who smiled back to her
uncomfortably.  The two started back to the house when Akane turned
around and whispered something to the woman, "Before I
forget, I just wanted to say... Happy Birthday, Mom...."  And with that
the couple left the dojou.

As almost in response, the light from a single candle flickered beside
the picture on the family alter of Tendou Mai.