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-- Name   : LLAChapter1.txt
The characters from the Ranma 1/2 by Rumiko Takahashi are used without 
license.  This story is not for commercial use.  It's just for the 
enjoyment of those who like to read the alternatives.

Notes: * - signifies thoughts



                             LIVING LIFE ANEW



                                 CHAPTER I

                                 THE PROM



    It was a bright spring day and the wind picked its way through the 
leaves.  The wind frolicked with the leaves, enjoying the dry rustle.  
The trees whispered with the wind, telling their story.  It was a happy 
one and the wind continued on.  The birds flew with the wind, catching 
it under their wings and they sang to it, too.  In response to their 
kindness, the wind lifted them ever higher.  Their joy was carried with 
the wind to the school and, thus, by the gymnasium where the sound of 
rambunctious youths worked on their projects.  Pausing a moment, the 
wind swirled in front of the door to listen.  Taking the laughter with 
it, the wind continued on its journey.

    Inside the gym, a group of boys were starting to argue about whose 
banner was to be put up on the wall.  The discussion had started ten 
minutes prior and had escalated ever since.  Two of the boys were about 
to come to blows when they were suddenly quieted by a lone figure having 
walked up to them.  All arguments ceased and they just stared at the 
goddess that stood before them.

    "Why don't you put all of them up," she asked in her soft voice.  
Slowly the logic sank into the their teenage heads.  It bounced around 
for a moment and finally settled, allowing them to finally make a 
response.  Dumbly, they nodded.

    Only one boy was able to pull himself out of his stupor and say, 
"Hai."  Continuing her walk by the boys, Akane went about her business.  
They watched her walk away, wishing for her presence once more, but knew 
that such was not their luck.  Soon, however, they were bickering again.  
Whose would go on top?  Akane, hearing this, could only sigh at their 
antics.  The one who had been able to answer jogged up to her.  "Thanks 
for the advice, but could you help us out again?  What I mean is, which 
one should we put up first?"

    "Well, why don't you guys try to hang up the largest on top and then 
the smaller ones below it in order of size?  That way everybody has 
theirs on the wall and it's ordered, instead of in disarray."  The young 
man bowed his thanks and went back to his companions.  She saw him 
gesticulating wildly at the banners and in her general direction as he 
talked to them.  When he ended his speech, all of the boys looked over 
at her and waved in thanks.  This done, they set about their task with 
abandon.
    
    Akane turned around again and continued on her way to where she had 
been working earlier.  Her friend, Sofi, was working with a small air 
tank.  Using the tank, she would blow a balloon up and then tie it to 
a string.  The balloons that were being amassed were to be strung from 
the corners 
of the ceiling to the center, where they would meet with the disco ball.  
She looked up from her task as Akane approached.  Smiling, she finished 
the balloon she was working on and brushed her hands off.

    "Finally!" she exclaimed.  "Did you get enough balloons to finish 
all of this?"  Akane pulled out a bag of balloons from her skirt pocket.  
Eyeing the bag, Sofi said, "That might not be enough, but I guess we'll 
just have to make do."  

    "That's all I could find in the box from last year.  We were more 
prepared for this than the juniors this year.  How many banners did we 
need last year?  They should have organized everything before they 
decided to just come in and start decorating."  Akane looked behind her 
at the bustling gym.

    A majority of the junior class was there, trying vainly to ready the 
gym for the prom night, which was only in three days.  The past two days 
had met with disasters on a regular basis.  That was, of course, until 
the seniors had heard of the problems and a detachment had been sent in 
to help with the preparations and give direction to the lost souls.  
Akane and Sofi had been the first to join in the endeavor, as they had 
experience from the prior year.

    Students milled around the gym, trying vainly to be of assistance, 
but failing utterly.  Some of the seniors gathered them up and set them 
to tasks and went in search of more of the junior class that was having 
a hard time.

    Akane turned back around, smiling.  "You'd have thought that, with 
all of the trouble our class has, we'd be the last to be helping out 
this year's junior class, ne?  I'm glad that it's the last thing we have 
to do for this school, besides taking the final exams."

    Sofi nodded, agreeing heartily.  "That means that you can have Ranma 
to yourself now," she japed.  The desired effect was accomplished, as 
Akane blushed.

    "You really think I want to have that hentai?  You're almost as bad 
as he is.  Hentai," she accused.  Akane started to work on the balloons 
again, trying to steer the conversation away from Ranma.  "I wonder how 
the prom would have turned out if we hadn't decided to help."

    Sofi, however, would not be deterred from the subject.  "Have the 
two of you set up another date for the wedding yet?  After the last one, 
you two have made some pretty good progress with each other, haven't you?"  
Her observation was far from the mark, as she saw from Akane's expression.

    "Iie.  Lately he's been keeping to himself.  It seems like he's 
been avoiding me for the past several of weeks.  I don't know why, though.  
He'll go for a walk at night and not return for a few hours.  Sometimes 
he comes back in his female form and his feet are muddy.  Other times, 
he just goes up to his room and sits there, meditating."  She didn't 
know what to make of it.  

    "What, is he seeing someone else on the sly?  I thought you guys 
took care of that problem quite some time ago."  With a worried frown, 
she watched as Akane was remembering one of the incidents. 

    He'd suddenly stood up from the dinner table.  Surprisingly, there 
were a few bits of food left on the plate.  That didn't last long, as 
Saotome Genma swiped them and ate with abandon, savoring the taste.  
Not even a retort came to Ranma's lips for his father as he left the 
house, taking another one of his walks.  She followed him to the gate, 
hoping to find out what the problem was with her fiancee.

    "R-ranma?  Is there something the matter?"  He turned, a few steps 
away from leaving the Tendo's gate.  "If there's a problem, you can 
always tell me."

    "Nah, I've just got a few things on my mind."  He never met her eyes 
as he shook his head and walked away into the night.  Her anger flared, 
caused by his lack of response to her offer.  How could he ignore her 
when she was going out on a limb and offering her help?  Stalking out 
the gate, she turned the corner to see Ranma walking away, shoulders 
slumped and him kicking pebbles down the street, lost in thought.  They 
bounced off of the light poles, causing them to make a tinkling 
sound as they bounced from the poles to the ground and settled once 
more.  Her anger cooled, to be replaced by worry.  She'd never seen 
Ranma like this.

    Curiosity grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and she decided to 
follow.  He eventually came to a nearby park.  The streetlamps 
illuminated the grassy area that he stood in.  Akane watched him begin 
the most complex kata she'd ever seen him do in slow motion, but it was 
one she didn't recognize.  She held her breath, hiding in the shadow of  
a tree.  It was a bit of a shock to see Ranma perform all of his moves 
in a slow, exaggerated manner. 

    Granted, she had watched him perform katas, but not this way.  He 
was always moving at the speed of light, it seemed.  To see him perform 
with such...control was astonishing. 

    After perhaps an hour, Ranma ended his kata.  He'd repeated it 
several times, until finally he felt he'd gotten it down to perfection 
for the night.

    Realizing what she was doing, she ran back home before Ranma could 
get back.  Her father didn't seem to have noticed her absence, since he 
was playing shogi with Uncle Genma.

    Coming back to herself, Akane looked a Sofi.  "There's nothing like 
that going on.  I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but it's got 
me worried."  Trying to get the conversation on a lighter note to avoid 
the worry that was threatening to creep up on her, she said, "Well, 
Ranma is Ranma.  You never know what to expect.  Say, how about going 
to get an ice cream after school.  It's only a half hour away."  

    Sofi's eyes lit at the mention of ice cream.  Nodding vigorously, 
she said, "I'd love to.  Your treat?  You did offer, didn't you?"  Akane 
only grunted, having been suckered into paying for Sofi's ice cream.

    They finished the string that Sofi had been working on just as the 
bell rang, releasing all of the students for the day.  Grabbing their 
bags, the two girls started off to the ice cream shop, dreaming about 
mounds of ice cream stacked on top of their cones.  Soon their walk 
became a trot, then the trot became a full sprint.  Giggling 
uncontrollably between breaths, they entered and ordered their favorites.

    Sitting on a bench outside of the store, they enjoyed the sunny day 
as the wind played with their hair.  The ice cream was consumed rapidly, 
but they slowed as they neared the cones, finally appreciating the taste 
more fully than the past few minutes.

    Sofi looked up from her cone to Akane.  "So, how did Ranma ask you 
to the prom?  Did he get down on his knee?"  Sofi heard a sharp intake 
of breath from her friend.

    Akane's stomach sank, trying not to think of how she hadn't been 
asked.  "Well,...no.  He never asked me."

    "How unromantic," Sofi interjected.  "You mean he never even 
attempted to ask you?  He's such an idiot."

    "I guess that since we're engaged, we're supposed to go together," 
Akane mused.  *He could have at least tried to be nice.*  "We get a lot 
of pressure from our parents.  Especially after the failed wedding.  I 
dunno.  It's hard to say with Ranma lately."  Sofi watched Akane 
curiously, a worried crease knotting her delicate brow.

    "You mean that your father and his parents have pretty much said 
that both of you are going anyway?"  She continued to eat her ice cream 
and looked down at the sidewalk, wondering how Akane and Ranma's parents 
could be so insensitive.

    "Yeah, Ranma's father keeps telling him that he has an obligation 
to the family.  Ranma, lately, has just been shrugging him off.  Not 
even a retort of any kind, when he'll usually fight with his father.  
And, when his mother mentions it, he just sulks.  I don't know what's 
gotten into him."  Akane remembered one incident, in particular, when 
Ranma had been bothered by his father about the engagement.  She'd seen 
him start to flare up and then had deflated almost as suddenly.  He'd 
just walked out afterwards, not even saying a word.

    "So, did any of the other guys ask you this year?  Everybody knows 
there's always half of the school that wants to take you out, even if 
you are engaged.  Hmm?"  This brought a brief smile to Akane's lips.

    "There's been a few, but I declined."

    "You didn't knock them through the wall, did you?  Or is it that 
you really want to go with Ranma anyway?"  Sofi saw Akane's smile grow 
larger, as with her blush.

    "No, but I was tempted to a few times.  Keiichi almost learned to 
fly when he was too persistent.  When he saw that I was getting mad, 
he decided it would be better to be somewhere else.  You should have 
seen his face."  Both girls giggled at this.  "But as for Ranma...I 
dunno.  Sometimes he's so nice.  Then he shoots off at the mouth and 
I get mad.  What am I going to do, Sofi-chan?  Each time our parents 
try to get us together, the harder we seem to fight it.  Is there any 
hope for us?"  She sighed, bewildered by the dilemma.  "Well, I better 
be getting back home.  I need to study some more for the finals.  
Ja mata, Sofi-chan."

    "Ja mata, Akane-chan."

    The girls parted ways and went home.


                                **********


    Ranma watched the others leave the classroom after the bell rang, 
putting his books into his bag.  Picking up his bag, he headed for the 
door.  Mr. Takaniri stepped up to Ranma as he was leaving.  "Ranma, Mr. 
Ohibari asked to see you after class.  If you would, please stop by his 
office."  Nodding, Ranma continued on his way.

    The halls were bustling with students as they prepared to leave.  
A few said their good-byes to Ranma as they passed by him and he 
acknowledged them with a smile and a wave.  Going downstairs, he 
headed to the office of Mr. Ohibari.  Ranma looked up to see the sign, 

                               Mr. Ohibari Jiro
                              Student Counselor

    Knocking on the door, Ranma waited for a response before entering.  
Mr. Ohibari was sitting behind his desk, reading a memorandum.  Not 
looking up from the letter, he motioned for Ranma to take a seat.  Ranma 
took the proffered seat and waited, tapping his fingers on the arm and 
shifting his feet, impatient.  Finished with his reading, Mr. Ohibari 
finally looked up.

    "I've just received a letter from the college you applied to.  Now, 
I know a little of your situation with the Tendo girl.  Are you sure 
that you want to attend a different school?  I don't mean to pry into 
the private lives of students, but I just want to make sure you know 
what you're doing."

    Ranma took a moment to think how he was going to answer.  He realized 
that he'd doing that a lot lately.  Thinking before he spoke.  Oh, how 
things change.  "Yes.  Our parents are set on us being married.  But I 
think that with all of the stuff that's happened to us in the past two 
years, it is better for us to go to school away from each other for a 
while.  We've fought a lot in the past.  It's not like we're going to be 
on the other side of Japan, though.  She's going to Meiko University, 
which is right next to mine.

    "If we go to a different school, we might actually get along better.  
I haven't talked to anybody about it yet, but I think it's for the best.  
It doesn't mean that we can't see each other on a regular basis."

    "I think Akane actually thinks very highly of you.  In the past, 
you two have looked out for each other on more than one occasion.  I've 
seen it myself."

    "I just feel that it's better for us to be apart for a time, even 
if we are going to be so close to each other.  She's going to be in the 
dorms and I plan to get an apartment off campus.  Can I have the letter, 
please?  I'd like to get home and do some studying.  I've got to get 
good grades."  He'd only recently caught up with his school work since 
having gone to China.

    Mr. Ohibari shuffled some papers around on his desk, finally 
revealing the letter that was addressed to Ranma.  Standing, he handed 
it over to Ranma.  "I do hope you find what you're looking for.  I just 
hope you're not running away from your problems.  Someday, though, you 
will find what you want from life.  But, until that day, take life one 
day at a time.  I wish you the best of luck, Ranma."  Ranma bowed, 
taking the letter and left Mr. Ohibari's office.

Once outside of the school grounds, Ranma finally opened the letter as 
he walked on the fence.  It said,



                Dear Saotome Ranma,

        We congratulate you for your hard work in school.  It is our 
	wish to help further your education.  The facilities for the 
	students are numerous, as well as the activities supplied by our 
	faculty.  We hope that the surrounding area will be to your liking, 
	as the community has reserved special trust in the welfare of the 
	students.  You need not fear of finding a job, as there are 
	numerous requests to have students work in the surrounding area.

        We have reviewed your records and find them to be satisfactory.  
	We have enclosed some forms for you to fill out to help facilitate 
	your quick entry into our college.  A list of housing in the local 
	area is also enclosed, as you requested.

        We would also like to congratulate you on the scholarship you 
	are to receive.  As an applicant, your paperwork was submitted 
	and you are to receive fees for a year's term in the form of a 
	scholarship.  This is to help you along in with your finances and 
	your decision to attend our college.  All you need worry about is 
	the cost of the books for your classes.  We hope that you will 
	attend our college to further your education.


                                                 Mrs. Yamato Oyuki                                
                                            Admissions, Seko University                    



    Ranma could only stare at the paper.  Accepted?  He'd feared that 
with the past problems of school he'd have trouble entering college.  
But such was not the case.  Goose bumps rushed across his body as he 
thought of his good luck.  Taking out the remainder of the papers from 
the envelope, he reviewed them.  Several of the locations for housing 
were just about right.  Not too far, and not too close.  That way he'd 
have some privacy.

    He continued home, reading all of the forms by the time he arrived.  
Taking off his shoes, he went upstairs and began filling out some of them.
Tired of all of the paperwork, he went out into the dojo.  Just as he 
was getting his stance for his kata, he heard Akane arrive at home her 
usual "Tadaima" ringing throughout the house.  Dismissing this, he 
continued.  As he went through his katas, he relaxed, mulling over how 
he was going to tell everybody about having been accepted to college.

    Eventually he decided to hold off on the telling part.  They'd 
just give him a hard time about going to a different school than Akane 
or not staying at the dojo to teach like they always did.  *Ah, well 
that's family for ya.*

    Just as he was finished with a kata, he heard Kasumi call everybody 
in for dinner.  Bowing to the shrine, he exited to go eat.  Ranma entered 
the house and saw his father at the table, waiting for the food to arrive.  
Grabbing his chopsticks, he sat down and waited.  Eventually everybody 
was seated at the table and Kasumi brought out dinner.  Then the battle 
for food ensued between him and his father, as usual.  Near the end of 
the ritual, he lost his interest and stood to leave.  Genma didn't take 
note of it except to steal the last morsels off of his plate, but Akane 
did.  

    Looking up at him, she frowned in worry.  She finished her dinner 
and followed him upstairs.  Knocking on his door, she heard him say for 
her to enter.

    "Ranma, is there something wrong?"  His back was turned to her as 
he studied.  He had a book in hand and was sitting on the window sill, 
feet dangling outside.  The sun was just going down, casting his shadow 
across the room, looking larger than life.

    Without turning, he replied.  "Nah, I'm just tired of messin' around 
with Pop.  It gets old after awhile, ya know?  Besides, I wasn't too 
hungry anyway."  Akane took another step in.

    "Well, if you want to talk, I'm here."

    "Nah, what would a kawaiikune tomboy like you know, anyway?"  Ranma 
said, slipping back to his abrasive manner.  He didn't know why he did 
it, but regretted it immediately after.   Akane bristled at the insult.

    "Che.  I was only trying to be nice.  You don't have to be mean."  
She picked up the nearest heavy object and threw it at him, which 
happened to be his book bag.  It bounced off his back and landed on the 
floor.  She slammed the door on her way out.  Ranma just looked behind 
him and sighed, rubbing his back and going back to his studying.  His 
thoughts were muddled as he tried to decipher the ways of the female 
side of the species.  Eventually, however, he was finally able to purge 
his thoughts and continue with his studies.

    Meanwhile, Akane went to her room to fume.  Taking one of her stuffed 
animals in hand, she sat on her bed.  "What did I ever do to get treated 
this way?  All I wanted to do was help and all he can do is insult me.  
That's what I get for trying, I guess."  She thought of ways of getting 
Ranma back, but dismissed them all.  It would only get her more insults 
and more injured pride.  No need of that.

    She eventually remembered that there was studying to be done and 
went about doing it.  She could only study half-heartedly, still worried 
about Ranma.  The day finally came to an end and she went to bed.  
Snuggling up with her stuffed animal, she went to sleep.  She never 
heard the door open as Ranma entered.  

    He stood there, watching her as she slept.  He was sorry for having 
said what he had.  But he couldn't really tell her what had been 
bothering him.  She'd have just laughed at him and called him a baka, or 
worse.

    His heart ached to reach out and tell her how much he cared about 
her, but he dared not.  It would only get him a mallet and another 
lecture from Kasumi about the proprieties of unmarried couples.  Besides, 
she didn't care about him.  She just felt sorry for him and his curse.  
Sighing, he 
went back to his room.

    Genma slept soundly, emitting loud snores with each breath.  Ranma 
kicked him over onto his side, trying vainly to alleviate the noise.  It 
only gained him louder snores.  Shooting a glare at his father, he laid 
down and eventually drifted off to sleep.

                                **********

        The Tendos and their perpetual guests sat at the breakfast table.  
The only sounds from Ranma and Genma were the occasional clash of 
chopsticks as they fought over a morsel of food and the continuous 
munching they made as they ate.  Soun was reading his morning newspaper 
as usual.  Looking up from it, he said, "Ranma, my boy, have you gotten 
your suit for the prom this Friday?"  At mention of this, Ranma looked 
up in startlement.  It was obvious by his expression that he had 
forgotten.

        "Uh, ahem, I couldn't find one that I liked," he said lamely.  
Akane just glared at him.  Noting her expression, he just gulped loudly.  
"I'll pick one up after school sometime."  At this, Kasumi perked up.

    Standing, she said, "Hold on a moment, Ranma.  Your mother sent a 
package over yesterday.  I'd forgotten it until now."  Walking into the 
kitchen, she returned with a box.  Handing it over to Ranma with a smile, 
she sat back down and continued to eat.  Ranma could only smile weakly 
in thanks as he opened it.

    Inside was a dark blue tuxedo.  It didn't have the tails as his 
wedding tux had, but it was of a similar cut.  Taking it out, he saw 
that it would fit him to perfection.  

    "You'll have to thank your mother for her foresight, Ranma," Soun 
said.  Akane was still giving Ranma the evil eye as he put the suit back 
into the box.  Sitting back down, he saw that all of the food that had 
been on his plate was gone.  Looking over at his father, he saw the old 
man smiling at him and wiping his mouth with a napkin in an exaggerated 
manner.  Disgusted, he got up and put the box in his room.

    As he was coming down the stairs, he realized that if he didn't hurry 
he'd be late.  Grabbing his book bag, he rushed outside to catch up with 
Akane.  He caught up with her quickly, jumping onto the fence.  She 
ignored him when he arrived, still  mad about him having forgotten to 
get a suit for the prom.  He took note of her expression and wisely 
decided to hold his tongue, for once.  They continued walking to school 
in an uncomfortable silence.  

    Later, during the lunch hour, Akane was talking to some of her 
friends about Ranma.   "This morning I found out that Ranma had even 
forgotten about getting a suit for the prom.  If he was supposed to go 
with me, what would he have gone in?  His Chinese suit?  Ha!"  Her 
friends saw how distraught she was and tried to comfort her, with little 
success.

    "Well, Akane, he is a guy.  Stuff like that isn't important to them."  
Miyu only received a glare for her efforts.  Lapsing back into silence, 
she tried to fade into the background.

    "I don't see all of the other guys forgetting, do you?"  

    Sofi came to Miyu's defense.  "No, but everybody knows that Ranma's 
not one the most socially-minded individuals around, ne?"  The other 
girls nodded, agreeing with her.  "As we all know, he was with his 
father on a training mission for most of his life.  So the subtleties 
of having a girlfriend, much less a fianc�e, is beyond Ranma.  I'm sure 
he didn't mean to forget."

    "Yeah, right.  Like he won't conveniently forget something else."  

    "Try to give him a little credit, Akane," Miyu piped in again.  

    The warning bell for the students to return to class rang.  Grabbing 
their trays, they put them up and headed back to class.  Thinking of 
Akane's last remark, Sofi realized that Ranma may have forgotten 
something else.

    When the school bell rang its last note for the day, Sofi caught up 
with Ranma before he left the school.  He looked at her curiously as she 
grabbed his arm and pulled him off to the side.

    "Um, Ranma, you're taking Akane to the prom, ne?"  He nodded, 
wondering where this was leading to.  "You really upset her by having 
forgotten to get a suit for the prom, you know.  And by not asking her 
to the prom."

    Instantly on the defense, he said, "Nani?  It's not like I want to 
take her."  He regretted saying this, however, when he saw Sofi's eyes 
flash dangerously. 

    "Well, it seems to me you don't seem to care.  Maybe I'll just let 
you hang yourself again.  See if I care."  She started to walk away, 
hoping he would see she was only trying to help him.

    Rising to the bait, Ranma caught her sleeve as she started to leave, 
saying, "Sorry.  It's my fault that I didn't ask her.  With all of our 
parents telling us that we're going together, I just didn't think that 
Akane would be worried about it.  Eeto, what did you wanna tell me, by 
the way?"  She smiled quickly and dropping it from of her face before 
turning around.

    "Well, since you forgot to get yourself a tuxedo, is there anything 
else you may have forgotten?  I mean, for Akane-chan, that is."  He could 
only scratch his head and give her a blank stare.  Seeing this, Sofi 
ground her teeth together and tapped her foot.  Ranma still couldn't 
think of anything.  "You forgot to get a corsage, I'm sure.  You know, a 
flower arrangement for the dress.  It's traditionally bought by the guy 
that's taking a girl out."

    "Oh.  Is that all?"  He smiled brightly at her pronouncement.  Seeing 
his smile directed at her, her knees started to become jelly.  She caught 
herself before she could make a fool herself in front of Ranma.  Calling 
herself all manner of idiot, she gave herself a mental slap.  Here she 
was getting all 
worked up over her best friend's fianc�e.

    She said,  "Just don't forget about it again before the prom, okay?"  
Ranma nodded to her, his mind somewhere else already.  She walked away, 
cursing the gods that were and Akane that she couldn't have had Ranma.  
The thought struck her that this is probably what most of the other girls 
did every day.  Giggling to herself, she went home.  

    Ranma dimly heard Sofi's laughter as he thought about what she had 
told him.  Sparing a moment for a remark, he said "Girls" in an 
all-suffering manner.  Walking out of the building, he caught up with 
Akane.  She didn't even glance at him as he began walking above her.  
Halfway home, he decided that now would be the time to go and get the 
corsage.  

    "I have to go get something, so I'll be home a little late," he said 
to Akane.  She looked up at him curiously, about to ask what he was 
talking about.  Not waiting for the question, he leaped to a nearby roof 
and out of sight.  Dropping to the ground, he began running.  He turned a 
corner, heading for a flower shop that was nearby.  

    "Irasshai mase," the lady said to him as he entered.  She was a 
petite girl, blue-black hair and soft brown eyes.  "How may I help you 
today, sir?  Would you like a rose arrangement, or perhaps one of our 
specials?"

    Shaking his head, he said, "Iie.  I'd like to get a corsage for my 
fianc�e."

    With a knowing smile, the clerk stepped out from behind the counter 
and went to a glass cabinet.  She pulled out a red rose corsage, holding 
it up for him to inspect.  He looked at the corsage and shook his head.  
"Iie.  I'd like a yellow one, please."  At this, the clerk gave him an 
incredulous stare.

    "Yellow?  Do you know what you're talking about?"

    Ranma nodded, saying, "Hai.  It's her favorite color."

    "Iie, I mean, do you know what yellow stands for?"  Shaking his head 
again, he gave her a blank stare.  "The colors of certain flowers mean 
different things.  For the rose, yellow means friendship, red means love, 
and the other colors signify other emotions and attributes.  But you've 
got a fianc�e, ne?  Normally you get a red rose or something just as 
significant for the one you care about."

    "Hai, I understand that, but it's arranged.  You see, we don't get 
along so well.  So, if what you're saying is true, if I gave her a red 
rose, she'd probably hit me again.  She doesn't really like me too much."  

    Bewilderment clouded the clerk's face at this pronouncement.  "You 
mean that the two of you are engaged, but you don't care for each other?  
How odd."

    Ranma sighed, getting ready to tell his spiel about the situation.  
"Our fathers decided to engage the two of us before we were born.  That 
way we could unite the two dojos as one.  Well, when we met, we started 
off on the wrong foot.  Ever since then, we've fought with each other.  
We even had a wedding set up for us, but it was interrupted.  And, ever 
since, we've hardly spoken to each other, at least politely.  I know her 
favorite color is yellow, so I thought that it would help to give her a 
yellow corsage, since she's mad at me for having forgotten about the prom 
and getting a tuxedo."

    With the short explanation, the look slowly faded from the clerk's 
face as understanding grew.  "Ah.  I see.  So you need to become friends 
first before you two can actually make amends with each other?"  *They 
still do arranged marriages these days?*

    "Eeto, sort of, I guess.  It's a little more complicated than that.  
But I already messed up with the suit, so I need to appease her somehow.  
A red corsage would be taken the wrong way by our parents and we'd be 
married before the dust settled.  I don't want that, and I'm sure she 
doesn't.  So, if you would, I'd like to get a yellow corsage."

    The clerk nodded and turned back to the cabinet.  Putting the corsage 
back in, she pulled out a yellow rose corsage for Ranma.  He looked at 
it, satisfied.  She rang up the price and he paid, grimacing at how 
little he had after this.  "Hold on a moment, sir, while I wrap it up."  
Ranma waited as she put the corsage in a box and wrapped it with some 
paper and tied it shut with a bow.  Finished, she handed it over to Ranma.  
"I wish you the best of luck, sir.  Sayonara."

    "Arigato goziamaisu."  Ranma left the shop and headed home, glad that 
he was done with that.  When he arrived home, he put the corsage in the 
fridge, trying to keep it fresh.  He'd seen Soun and Kasumi put flowers 
in it before, so he just followed their example.  

    Kasumi came out of the washroom with a basket.  Seeing him in the 
fridge, she said, "Dinner will be ready soon, Ranma.  I think you can 
wait until then, can't you," she said in a condescending tone.

    Ranma closed the fridge and looked over at Kasumi.  "I was just 
putting something in here.  Could you make sure nobody messes with it, 
please?  It's the box with the bow.  It's for, ah, um, Akane, so I don't 
want anybody to take it."  

    Kasumi smiled at him and continued with her work, saying, "Sure thing, 
Ranma.  That's sweet of you to get Akane something.  Now, out of the 
kitchen while I make dinner."  Ranma left the kitchen and went upstairs.  
Passing by Akane's room, he saw her studying.  He stopped to look at her.  

    She was leaning on her hand, reading from one of her textbooks.  
With her other hand she pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, revealing 
more of her delicate jaw.  Ranma felt his heart skip a beat as he watched 
her.  Yet so close, yet so far away, he thought to himself.  

    Gathering up his courage, he knocked on her door.  She looked up at 
him and a frown entered her features.  Seeing this, he took a step back.

    "What is it, Ranma?  If you can't see, I'm trying to study."

    "I just wanted to, um, say sorry for not having asked you to go to 
the prom with me earlier.  I guess I kinda forgot.  I just thought that, 
since we're supposed be engaged, we'd naturally be going to the prom 
together."

    As he continued his speech, her ire began to rise.  He'd assumed too 
much this time.  Her voice rising an octave or two, she said, "That's it, 
you don't think enough.  Now, if you're finished, I'd like to get back to 
studying.  Unlike some others that I know, I care about what my grades 
are."  Standing up, she pushed him out of her room and slammed her room. 

    "Kawaiikune tomboy.  I was only trying to be nice."  Flustered, he 
headed to his room.

    When he entered his room, he sat down and rummaged through his book 
bag to find the subject he needed to study the most.  He had trouble 
studying for a while, as he was fuming from what Akane had said to him.  
Eventually, he put it behind him and got down to some serious studying.

    The night ended as usual.  The fighting over food with his father 
and then practicing a few katas before going to bed.  Ranma avoided 
Akane, not wishing to be visited by her wrath.  He knew that if he went 
near her he'd say something stupid to make her mad and then get hit for 
it.  Thus, he went to sleep without any new bruises.
    
                                **********

    At midday for the prom night, the students of the senior class were 
released.  This was so they could rest up and get ready for the upcoming 
festivities.  The rest of the student body envied them, only muttering a 
few deprecations.

    Akane and a few of her friends had decided earlier that they would 
meet at the park for a picnic and enjoy the day before they went to 
change and go to the prom.  As they sat, they talked about what their 
dates had done for them until then.  Akane was silent during this part 
of the conversation.  After a while, she went over to the pond and 
started skipping rocks over the surface.  Not many skipped more than 
five times, as she was distracted with her thoughts and wasn't trying 
too hard.  Sofi and Miyu noticed her standing over at the pond and 
detached themselves to walk over to her.

    "What's the matter, Akane?" Miyu asked.  

    "Gomen nasai.  I didn't want to upset your party.  It's just that I 
had nothing to put into the conversation, so I sorta felt left out."  
Akane stopped skipping rocks and turned to her friends.

    "You're still mad about Ranma forgetting to ask you to the prom and 
about his tuxedo?"  Sofi asked.

    "Hai.  He's so insensitive sometimes.  Why do I even bother?"  Sofi 
and Miyu looked at each other, wishing they could do something to help 
Akane.

    Sighing, Sofi motioned for the three of them to sit down and said, 
"Guys aren't like us.  Most of them don't know what is meaningful to us.  
It's hard for us to understand this, but it does happen.  You have to 
remember that Ranma didn't have a mother to teach him some of the things 
that most others get.  You've said so yourself on many occasions that 
he didn't know a lick about the girls.  Even if he is one at times, he 
still doesn't understand us.  How can you blame him?"

    "That's the thing, though."  Akane looked up from the grass to her 
friends.  "When he's a girl and wants something, he's very good at 
getting it.  You know, batting his eyes and all that.  He's done it to 
Ryoga so many times and he still falls for it."

    "Yeah, but that's to the guys," Miyu piped up.  "He's a guy and he 
knows what they like.  It's to the girls that he has a hard time 
understanding.  You see?  All that flirtatious stuff can come easily if 
you know what would melt your heart, you know?  So you have to understand 
that he still comes from a different viewpoint."

    "I guess you're right.  It still irks me, though.  Arigato for the 
pep talk."  Akane finally smiled and got up from the grass.  The other 
two followed suit.  They walked back to the group and joined them in 
the latest discussion of what they were all going to do after the school 
year ended.

    Soon the tinkling of laughter could be heard throughout the park as 
the girls told each other their dreams.  The time passed and they had to 
go get themselves ready for the night.  Parting ways, they all went home.


                                **********

    While Akane had been at the park with her friends, Ranma had gone 
to Ukyo's.  Entering Ucchan's with her, he sat down at the counter where 
Ukyo put her apron on and began to cook.  In just a few moments, Ranma 
was eating some okonomiyaki.  It took a shorter amount of time for him 
to eat it than Ukyo to cook the pancakes.  Settling herself beside Ranma, 
Ukyo began to eat her okonomiyaki.

    "Do you ever have the feeling that you're about to do something 
really stupid?"  asked Ranma.  Ukyo looked up from her plate.  Her 
eyebrows knitted together, showing her concern.

    "Yeah.   Kinda like before I started to mess up your wedding.  I 
suppressed it, though."

    "Mmm.  I have one of those feelings right now.  It's just that I 
can't place what I need to do to stop it.  It kinda scares me."  

    Ukyo looked back up quickly from her food.  Something was really 
bothering Ranma for him to admit that.  Swallowing her food, she said, 
"Something like that usually can't be avoided.  It's kinda like Oedipus 
Rex from one of Homer's stories.   The more you try to avoid it, the 
worse it gets."

    "I suppose you're right.  It's just that I wish it wasn't so...It's 
kinda hard to describe."

    "Let me try for you.  You have a hollow feeling in your stomach and 
your head is kinda fuzzy?"  Ranma nodded.  "And, when you try to figure 
it out, you start feeling a sense of dread.  Believe me, I've felt it 
before.  Sorry, though.  How to get rid of it is almost impossible."

    Ranma put his face in his hands, letting out an explosive breath.  
"It's just so irritating that I can't do anything to make it go away."  
His frustration about the subject showed itself as his voice warbled.  

    Ukyo's concern grew at seeing her...friend like this.  That was still 
hard for her to adjust to.  After the failed wedding attempt he'd made it 
clear that she was only a friend.  And most emphatically not a fianc�e.  
Brushing aside her uneasiness, she watched Ranma as he struggled with 
himself.  Putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, she said, "I know 
it won't help much, but you can't let it get to you.  Something like that 
can't be dealt with until the situation presents itself.  That's the time 
that you will know what to do.  In the meantime, you need to relax.  
There's a dance coming up and you need to get ready for it."

    "You're right.  I'm just going to run myself ragged trying to worry 
about it.  So, did you ever convince Konatsu to wear guy's clothing for 
once?"

    A peal of laughter came from Ukyo when he said this.  "You wouldn't 
believe what I had to do to get him to do that.  But, eventually, he gave 
in.  He's rather striking in his suit, I might add."

    "You don't look half bad in a dress, you know."  Both laughed, 
enjoying themselves at her expense.  "If you teach him to be a guy, he 
might even be able to show you how to be a girl."  By this time they were 
fully in the throes of laughter.  Eventually their laughter died.

    "You might even want to try to learn how to be a girl, too.  
Especially since you're half girl yourself."  She missed the fraction 
of a second where Ranma's brow darkened into a scowl.  He forced a laugh 
for her, however, not wishing to spoil her mood.

    They heard a noise from the stairs.  Looking, they saw Konatsu 
standing in the entryway of the stairwell.  Ranma was taken aback to see 
him in male clothes, for once.  The poor boy didn't look too comfortable, 
by Ranma's estimation.  He was constantly fidgeting with the jacket he 
wore, as well as adjusting his pants every so often.  Konatsu walked 
into the room and sat down beside Ukyo, across from Ranma.  He didn't 
look half bad, by Ranma's reckoning.

    Ranma smiled encouragement for the boy, privately glad that he wasn't 
in Konatsu's shoes.

    "Well, Uk-chan, I think I need to be going.  There's a few things I 
want to do before I have to change.  Ja mata."

    "Ja mata," both Ukyo and Konatsu said to Ranma.

    Ranma heard Ukyo complimenting Konatsu as he walked out of the shop.  
Jumping up on a fence, he walked home.  When he arrived, he found his 
father sitting by the pond and reading a newspaper.  Unable to resist, 
Ranma launched a kick attack and knocked him into the pond.  

    A fight ensued between the boy and the panda.  He was hit a few times 
as he tried practicing one of the new moves he'd fashioned himself.  Near 
the end of the fight, he was hit and fell into the water.  Using this 
chance, Ranma-onna began another attack that she'd almost perfected in 
her female form.  Her speed of attacks increased, causing the panda to 
fall back.  Ki attacks were thrown in at seemingly random intervals, but 
appeared to have devastating effects when they hit.

    The battle was over in moments with a smoking panda cooling off in 
the koi pond.  Brushing her hands off, she went inside to find some hot 
water.  Going into the kitchen, she ran the water until it was warm 
enough and filled a glass.  Pouring it over her head, she heard a gasp 
behind her.  Turning, she saw Kasumi with a mortified expression on her 
face.

    Looking down, he saw the reason for her distress.  Water was all over 
her clean floor.  Sheepishly, Ranma grabbed a mop and began cleaning up 
his mess.  This done, he went back outside and to the dojo.  Taking a 
stance, he began to work through a kata.  At the end of his kata, 
he was attacked from behind by an angry panda.  Picking himself up, he 
faced his father.  "Che!  You want another beating?  Prepare yourself!"  
With a maniacal laugh, he launched himself at his father.  Beginning 
again on his previous kata, he started to push his father back.  Genma, 
however, saw an opening and smashed Ranma against the wall.

    Picking himself up, he faced the smirking panda.  Genma held up one 
of his signs, which said, "Gotta try better than that, boy!"  Continuing 
where he left off, Ranma began to lose ground.  As the panda sat on top 
of him, he managed to free a hand.  Using his hand, he pushed his father 
off and 
flipped to his feet.  Genma held up another sign.  "You dropped your 
stance too low the first time."  Having said this, he walked out of the 
dojo.  

    Taking the advice, Ranma began the kata and worked through it, 
analyzing all aspects of it before he finally found the chink in his 
stance.  Sighing grumpily, he finished the kata with a higher stance.  
He hated it when his father was right.  Satisfied with the modification, 
he went inside to eat, clean up and get changed.

    He passed Akane on her way out of the changing room.  With a weak 
smile, he slid past her and into the changing room to take a bath, with 
her pointedly ignoring him.  He blushed at how much of her chest had been 
exposed by the robe she was wearing.  His nose threatened to bleed and he 
tried to head off any further thoughts.  Slipping into the warm water 
after washing himself off, he relaxed.  After a time, his thoughts 
intruded into the soft warmth that surrounded him and told him to get 
ready for the dance.  Regretfully, he got out and toweled himself off.  
Dressing in his tuxedo, he checked himself out in a mirror.  Satisfied 
with the look, he went downstairs.

    Ranma went into the kitchen to retrieve the corsage he'd stashed in 
the fridge.  The box felt a little damp, but that couldn't be helped.  
Walking into the living room, he saw that his mother had arrived.  She 
fussed over him, turning him around to see how the suit fit.  Turning 
him back around, she kissed him on the forehead.  "Oh, you are a handsome 
boy.  The two of you are lucky to have each other."  Ranma could only 
give her a sickly smile.  She missed this, however, because Genma and 
Soun had entered the room and she had turned to them.

    "Akane should be down any moment now," Soun said, on the edge of 
tears.  At this pronouncement, they all heard the stairs creak as a 
weight descended upon them.  When Akane and Kasumi came down from 
upstairs, Ranma could only stare at the sight.  Akane was wearing a 
canary yellow dress that revealed her shoulders for the whole world to 
see.  Soft white lace framed the upper portion of the dress, falling down 
over her breasts.  The skirt had a similar fringe of lace, yet larger 
and just a tad more frilly.  Akane missed his expression, even as she was 
staring at him also. 

    His suit was cut very fashionably.  It sat on his frame as if it had 
been cut specifically for him.  The blue did not detract but seemed to 
accentuate Ranma's eyes.  As she looked into his eyes, she realized what 
she was doing and blushed prettily, feeling it go all the way down to her 
shoulders.  Dropping her gaze to the floor, she stepped forward.  Ranma 
saw the blush and wondered about it.

    Akane's eyes traveled back up and she noticed something in Ranma's 
hands.  He was clutching it, nearly crushing the box.  "What's that," 
she asked, pointing.  With a start, Ranma came back to himself.  Holding 
it out to her, she took it from him.  She pulled the ribbon off of the 
box.  Opening it, she emitted a startled gasp.

    Inside, to her disbelief, was one of the most beautiful sights she'd 
seen.  Three yellow roses were surrounded by a swarm of baby's breath.  
The baby's breath looked like tiny sprites trying to get kisses from the 
larger petals of the roses.  Underneath it all was a bed of lace to hold 
them together.  Each rose stem had been slipped through a pocket of lace 
to hold them in place.  Small petals made by the lace surrounded the base 
of the whole arrangement.

    "I-it's beautiful."  Akane could only stare at it.  

    Nodoka came to rescue and said, "Ranma, dear, why don't you put it 
on her?  That way the two of you can get to the dance sometime tonight."  
This spurred Ranma into action.  Picking the corsage up out of the box, 
he held it out, ready to pin it onto Akane's bodice.  He stopped, however, 
trying to formulate a plan.  Seeing his hesitation, Akane looked down and 
blushed.  The only place for him to place it on her dress would have him 
touching her breast.  Thinking of a solution, she pulled the top of the 
dress away from her body and held it so Ranma could put the pin through 
without embarrassing them both.  With a smile of thanks, he pinned it 
onto her dress.  

    She smoothed the dress back onto her bodice and looked down at the 
flowers.  Satisfied, she looked around at their parents and smiled at 
them.  Genma gently shoved Ranma forward.  Taking his cue, he held his 
arm out to Akane.  Taking his arm, the two of them left for the prom.  
Their parents watched them until they were out of sight.  With a 
collective sigh, they closed the door and went about their business.  
Soun and Genma sat down at the shogi board, whereas Nodoka and Kasumi 
chatted about the workings of the household.

    Ranma was tempted to jump up onto the fence, but took the feeling and 
stomped on it.  He felt comfortable with Akane at his side.  He had 
decided earlier that he would keep his mouth shut.  That had calmed the 
sense of dread, but not dispelled it.  Still worried about that, he tried 
to put on a pleasant face.  Akane felt some of his discomfort, but 
misinterpreted it as him feeling uncomfortable with her at his side.  
A bit miffed at this, she pulled away slightly.

    When she did this, Ranma looked down at her, wondering why she'd 
pulled away from him.  Shrugging mentally, he continued without comment.

    As they neared the campus, they could see other couples streaming 
into the gymnasium.  Joining the crowd, they entered to the overpowering 
sound of a techno beat.  

    When they entered, there was a section set off to the side for 
pictures.  They stood in line until they finally got theirs taken.  Ranma 
handed the man the cash and received a receipt for the exchange.  They 
could pick the pictures up in a few days.

    Looking around, Ranma caught a glimpse of Ukyo with Konatsu.  Getting 
Akane's attention, he pointed in their direction.  Nodding to him, they 
walked over to the other couple.

    Konatsu looked uncomfortable in his tuxedo.  He was still fidgeting 
with the suit.  Ukyo was pointedly ignoring this, trying to enjoy the 
music.  As Ranma and Akane approached, she smiled brightly.  Hailing a 
greeting to the other couple, Ukyo grabbed Konatsu's arm and dragged him 
forward.

    Ranma and Akane took in Ukyo's dress.  It was a pink silk affair with 
thin straps barely holding it on her.  The rest of it seemed to cling to 
her body, revealing her figure in a most suggestive manner.  Akane could 
only envy the other girl's endowments.  Ranma shook his head, trying to 
clear it.  Akane noted his expression and elbowed him in the ribs.  He 
grunted, trying to sidle away from her, but his arm was still entangled 
with hers.

    "My, what a lovely dress, Akane," Konatsu said in a soft, lilting 
voice.  Ukyo frowned and elbowed him in the ribs.  Trying again, but in 
a deeper voice, he said, "It suits you well, and the corsage you have is 
remarkable."

    "Arigato.  Ranma got it for me."  Both Ukyo's and Konatsu's eyebrows 
shot up at this.  They looked at Ranma in disbelief.  Seeing their looks, 
Ranma tried vainly to blend into the background.

    When the techno song ended and a slow song came on, Ukyo took the 
opportunity to ask, "Ranma, would you like to dance?"  Taken aback by the 
request, Ranma nodded.  Akane reluctantly released her hold on Ranma.  
Walking out onto the dance floor, they noticed that Akane had grabbed 
Konatsu and dragged him onto the floor, also.

    Ukyo smiled to herself.  Ranma saw this and asked, "So, how's it 
going with you and Konatsu?"

    Intentionally stepping on Ranma's foot, she said, "He still thinks 
that now that you and I aren't engaged that he has a chance.  It's just 
that I don't feel anything romantic towards him.  I can sympathize for 
him, but that's something that doesn't hold a relationship together."  
Ranma let out a wistful sigh, understanding completely.  "And why so 
great a sigh, Ranma?"  Curiosity sparkled in her eyes as they met with 
his.

    Looking away, he said, "Things aren't what they always seem to appear.  
I feel like I'm one of those lost puppies that some little girl finds and 
takes home, felling sorry for them.  It just bugs me.  That's how I think 
Akane feels about me.  You know, one of those lost puppies."

    "Mmm," was the only response that Ukyo could utter to Ranma's 
pronouncement.  This was the first Ranma had told her this.  An 
uncomfortable silence ensued, lasting the remainder of the dance.  
Parting, they walked off of the dance floor.  As another techno song 
came on, Ukyo got a mischievous glint in her eye.  Grabbing Akane's arm, 
she dragged her out onto the dance floor and joined a group of other 
girls.  They started gyrating to the music, letting off steam from the 
past few weeks.  

    Ranma watched, glad he'd been left alone this time.  Moving fast with 
his martial arts was one thing, but making a fool of himself to music was 
another.  He and Konatsu stood at the edge of the dance floor, admiring 
the young women on it.  Akane and Ukyo danced until the fast-paced songs 
were cut off and the slow songs back on.  Giggling uncontrollably, the 
two girls came off and fell into their respective date's arms, exhausted, 
only to drag them onto the dance floor.  The next few hours went on like 
that.  The couples would switch between partners for the slow songs and 
the girls would go out onto the dance floor and enjoy themselves with the 
fast-paced music.  Occasionally would another ask to have a dance with 
them.  Akane and Ukyo were asked multiple times, having to deny some of 
their erstwhile suitors the chance to dance with them.  Ranma was asked 
by various friends of Akane's, and he went along reluctantly.  With great 
trepidation, he danced with the girls, trying to keep them from getting 
too close to him, knowing that some of them were jealous of Akane and him 
being engaged because of the conversations he'd overheard before.

    Konatsu almost had heart failure when he was asked by one of the 
girls to dance.  The girl had seen his shocked face and started to walk 
away when he finally gathered his wits and caught her, accepting the 
invitation.  After that, he seemed to enjoy himself more, not fidgeting 
absently with his clothes.

    As the night ended, and everybody exhausted, the music was stopped 
for a short interlude for the class president to make his speech.  When 
he finished, the last remaining song was played.  Ranma and Akane went 
onto the dance floor, keeping themselves separated as they had all night 
when they danced together.  This was by unspoken mutual consent.  It was 
natural, almost.  Akane wished that she could trust Ranma not to do 
anything to embarrass her if they got close, but she'd decided to go 
along with him on that account.  His feet still got stepped on 
occasionally, however.  

    "Would you like to go for a walk before we go home, Akane?"  Ranma 
had finally gathered the courage to ask her.  She was a bit startled at 
the question, but only nodded.  "I thought the park would be nice, 
wouldn't you agree?"

    Akane smiled, liking the idea.  When the song ended, the couple said 
their good-byes to their friends, exiting the gymnasium and beginning 
their walk to the park.  As they walked, they enjoyed the night, not 
wanting to spoil the moment.  The stars were out in full force.  Not a 
sign of a cloud shown, to Ranma's relief.

    A few moments after leaving the school, they found a path that went 
through the park.  Wending their way through it, they eventually found 
themselves at the pond.  They stopped and enjoyed the soft shushing sound 
of the wind through the reeds.  Ranma felt the hairs on his neck stand on 
end.  He dismissed the feeling away as nerves.

    In a nearby tree, a presence added more power to its misdirection 
spell.  It wouldn't do to be detected.

    Ranma turned to Akane, breaking the silence.  "There's something I 
want to tell you, Akane."  Akane looked up into Ranma eyes, her heart 
catching in her throat.  She'd been wondering why he wanted to come to 
the park.  When her eyes met his, his thoughts scattered like the clouds 
before the wind .  She waited silently as he gathered his thoughts once 
more.  "I haven't told anybody about it yet, as you might have guessed, 
but I'm going to go to college."  With a startled gasp, Akane took a step 
back.  "I came to my decision a couple of months ago and I had Mr. Ohbari 
help me.  I-I've been accepted."  Ranma took a deep breath.  He'd wanted 
to tell her for so long now, but knew that their parents would have 
deemed it necessary that he marry Akane before they went to college.  

    Continuing, he said, "I'm going to Seko University.  They've given 
me a scholarship for the first year, just like you at Meiko University.  
I'll be going there this fall.  It's not too far from where you're going."  
He didn't notice the light in Akane's eyes fade in consternation.  

    The presence pounced.  Now was the time to play its hand.  With great 
trepidation and a tremble of its lower lip, the presence used its mental 
powers to send images into the young woman's mind.  The hairs on Ranma's 
nape stood on end.

    Conflicting emotions raged through Akane.  Incredulity, confusion, 
surprise, many others she couldn't put a name to.  Eventually her 
emotions settled onto a familiar one.  Anger.  *How dare he?*  Everybody 
had known she was going to Meiko University since the beginning of the 
year.  Now Ranma wanted to go to another college...without her?  

    Ranma felt another uneasy twinge as yet another mental blast entered 
Akane's mind.

    The worm of unreason reared itself.  It wrapped itself around Akane's 
mind and started suffocating her sanity.  Sanity tried vainly to keep its 
grip on her, but she let unreason take control.  Along side it, jealousy 
reared its ugly green head.  She refused to admit that it was jealousy, 
but it still added to her rage.  Her imagination took over.  Through a 
red haze, she saw Ranma surrounded by innumerable girls who vied for his 
attention, while she stood dejectedly on the outside.  He never 
once looked her way.

    He wanted to have a chance to check out all of those college girls, 
it seemed.  Maybe even...the thought sent her mind tumbling into even 
more irrationality.  Thinking of how all the girls had clung to 
him at the dance, she reasoned that he had liked it.  He'd never refused 
a one, whereas she'd refused several of the advances directed at her.  
Sanity lost its grip with her.  With the door open, hate filled 
the empty space.

    The thought never crossed her mind that the two colleges were only 
half an hour apart.  She wasn't thinking rationally by this time.  All 
she saw was red as her emotions took control of her.

    Ranma, however, had been watching Akane for the past minute as her 
rage had built.  It surprised him.  He hadn't expected her to get mad at 
the news.  In fact, he'd thought she'd be glad that he was wanting to 
continue going to school and better himself.

    Through clenched teeth, Akane said, "You want to go to college, eh?  
Why, so you can be a Casanova there, too?"

    This turn of the conversation rocked Ranma backwards.  Where had this 
come from?  Ranma tried to defend himself by saying, "No, I just want to 
get some more schooling.  It's not like I'm going to be--"

    But he was overridden by her voice as it rose several octaves.  "Ever 
since you and I have been engaged, you've tried to find all the other 
girls and woo them."  A little voice said that this was untrue, but she 
ignored it.  "Well, now you're gonna have your chance.  I won't be around 
to interfere.  That's what you had planned all along, isn't it?"

    He tried once again to explain himself, but was stampeded over.

    "You've always complained about being engaged to me.  Well, now is 
your chance to get away from me.  Fine.  If you want our engagement to be 
over, then it is.  We're through!"  This last was shouted.  Ranma took a 
step forward, trying to get a word in edgewise but could only imitate 
being a fish.  She shoved him away violently.  His foot caught on 
something.  Tumbling backwards, he rolled on the ground, only to fall 
into the water.  Ranma-onna stood up, the tuxedo hanging limply from her 
form.

    Akane, still in the throes of her anger, looked down do see the 
corsage at her breast.  She ripped it off, opening a large hole in the 
dress.  Throwing it at Ranma-onna, she ran off, crying.  She tripped as 
she was running, dirtying the dress and skinning her knees.  Regaining 
her feet, she continued to run.

    Ranma could only stare after her retreating form.  Utter amazement 
slowly turned to anger.  He saw the corsage in front of him, lying 
crumpled at his feet.  " Shi Shi Hokudan," he yelled, using one of his 
strongest attacks on the flowers.  The ki blast disintegrated the mauled 
flowers.  The ashes settled in the small crater that had been created.  
Stepping out of the water, Ranma-onna walked home, leaving the scene 
where his world had been shattered.  A single petal floated down and 
landed in the water, its edges singed and looking forlorn.  It continued 
its journey in the water, 
becoming lost.

    A figure sighed from the branches of a nearby tree.  It wasn't happy 
at what had happened, but it had been necessary.  It found the lost 
petal, floating near the shore of the pond.  A single tear fell from its 
eye, shining like a fine crystal drop.  The tear landed on the petal, 
causing a startling transformation.  Before its eyes, the petal became a 
full rose bud, the calyx curling out slightly from the tight buds.  The 
petals turned from a pale yellow to a ruby hue.  The flower was one of 
exquisite beauty, which would elicit strong emotions of those who saw it.  
It also told of the tragedy that had befallen the young couple.   Looking 
around, it sadly shot into the sky with the newly transformed rose, 
keeping it for a time that it would serve its purpose.

    Akane was still crying uncontrollably when she got home.  Everybody 
was still awake, waiting for the couple to come back from the dance.  
When she came storming in, they saw how distraught she was.  Her face was 
streaked with tears, puffy and blood-shot eyes telling the tale of how 
hard she had been crying.  They also saw the rip in the bosom of her 
dress and the general disarray.  

    She stormed up into her room, followed closely by Kasumi.  Stunned 
silence hung like a pall over the three that had stayed downstairs.  
Tears started to leak from Soun's eyes as he wailed for his daughter, 
bemoaning life in general.  Genma's anger at what he imagined what his 
son had done finally burst out with a fist slammed into a cupped hand.  
It didn't stop there, however.  He began to wear a hole in the floor as 
he paced in anxiety.

    Soun looked over to his friend, saying, "Saotome-kun, what has 
happened?  And why does she look that way?  Why is my poor daughter 
crying on such a joyful night?"

    "I don't know, Tendo-kun.  I intend to find out, though.  That boy 
will pay for what he's done.  I'll see to it, even if it's the last thing 
I do."  He stood there, clenching his fists convulsively.  Again, he 
started pacing.

    Nodoka looked at her husband, trying to fathom what he was going to 
do next.  She was the calmest of the lot, trying to reason out what had 
happened between the couple.  Her motherly instincts told her that Ranma 
would not have done...that to Akane.  She shuddered to think that her 
son would be capable of rape.  It still bothered her, however, that the 
two of them had ended the night so badly when, earlier, they had looked 
so happy.  

    Kasumi was holding onto Akane as she wept.  Cooing to her and rocking 
her gently, trying to soothe her sister.  Akane was mumbling insensibly as 
she cried.  The only word she caught was "why".  Dread filled her heart as 
she clutched her sister to her breast.

    By the time Ranma-onna made it to the Tendo household, her emotions 
had taken her to the lowest pit they could find.  She wallowed in her 
despair.  Her world was crushed.  Akane had broken off their engagement.  
A central pillar in her life had crumbled and she didn't know what to do 
with herself.  Walking in the front door, she made her decision.  She'd 
take her things and go back to her mother's to stay.  At least for the 
remainder of the school year.

    Ranma-onna was met by her father as she entered.  His aura was 
pulsing around him as he stared down at Ranma-onna.  Fear crept into 
Nodoka as she watched her husband.  She didn't know what he was about to 
do.

    Ranma-onna stared up at him.  Something wasn't right.  Her father had 
never looked this mad before.  It disturbed her, even frightening her a 
little to see him this way.

    "How dare you treat Akane the way you have.  I'll not have a rapist 
for a son!"  She could only gape like a fish, opening her mouth and 
snapping it shut.  Before Ranma-onna could utter a word in defense, she 
was slapped.  She stumbled and fell to the ground from the blow.  Genma's 
utterance of what the three had been ruminating about stopped the other 
two's thoughts.  Nodoka just stared and Soun stopped crying, to look from 
the prone form of Ranma-onna and back to Genma.

    Confusion clouded Ranma-onna's thoughts.  Rape?  Where had that come 
from?  Trying to rise, she was kicked back down onto the floor.  "Stay 
down, before I make you regret having been born."  His voice was an iron 
whip, striking her unmercifully.  "If this is the way you treat women, 
then you have no right to be a son of mine!"

    Ranma-onna's eyes flashed, anger filling her once again.  How dared 
he think she would do something like that to Akane!  Genma was about to 
kick her down again when Nodoka pulled him back.  While Genma had been 
pulled away, Ranma-onna had stood and gotten into one of her attack 
stances.  Shrugging Nodoka off, Genma met Ranma-onna halfway. 

    "Feel better?"  The question had the effect of a bulldozer running 
over a mouse. Genma missed a step, for her voice were like the thorns of 
malice covered in acid.  As Genma advanced, she attacked her father.  Not 
holding anything back, Ranma-onna finished the fight in a matter of 
minutes.  Genma lay at her feet, unconscious.  Walking back through the 
broken doorway, she looked around for another challenger.

    Nodoka and Soun stared at the prone form of Genma and the fiercely 
glowing Ranma-onna.  

    Her eyes bore into the two remaining parents.  "I never touched Akane.  
So, if there's anybody else who wants a piece of me, step forward now."  
The two shook their heads, numbly.  Going into the kitchen to get some 
water, she poured it over herself so she could change back.  Ignoring the 
puddle on the floor, Ranma went upstairs to get his things.  He packed 
all his necessities in his backpack, wasting no time.  When he finished, 
he stepped into the hall.

    Akane heard noises coming from Ranma's room.  This sparked off 
another bout of uncontrollable anger and she tore herself from Kasumi's 
embrace.  She rushed out of her room and blind-sided Ranma as he came out 
of his room.  Kasumi ran to the door, seeing Akane attack Ranma.  She 
watched in astonishment at the ferocity of her little sister.

    Ranma rolled on the floor, trying to get up.  Akane, however, was on 
top of him in a flash.  Her kicks found vital spots, causing her victim 
to wince in pain.  When Ranma finally lay still, she turned away and 
started back to her room.  Ranma made the decision to stand, which caused 
Akane to turn around.  He stood in the hall, looking at her.  His 
expression was unreadable.  Clenching her teeth, she rushed him again.

    A punch.  That's all it was.  It descended on Ranma and he just 
watched it.  It was from a fist that could break bricks easily, he knew.  
Unconcerned, he let if fall.  

    Into the hand that stopped it in its path for his face.

    Akane just stared at Ranma.  She hadn't seen him move, but her fist 
had been stopped by his hand.  She realized that he had always managed to 
get hit by her when she was angry.  This time, however, was an exception.  
He was much better than her.  She'd always known it, but had always felt 
satisfaction when she'd connected, at least outside of the dojo.  It'd 
made her feel like she was at least a decent martial artist.  But this 
proved to her again that she was a mewling kitten compared to Ranma.  He 
always seemed to prove it in the dojo, but outside he always fell under 
her wrath.

    His words cut her like a searing knife as he said, "Now that we're not 
engaged, Akane, I'm not your personal punching bag."  He turned around and 
started heading down the stairs, pausing only long enough to pick up his 
backpack.  

    "I hate you."  What she said to him was only a whisper, but it had the 
effect of one of the strongest punches he'd ever received.  It was said 
with such malice to have made one of the most venomous snakes to have 
hidden itself from her in stark terror.  Stopping in his tracks, he 
absorbed the blow, losing his breath at the same time.  She had said it 
before, but not in such a way.  Bursting into tears, she ran back into 
her room.  Kasumi, once again, tried to comfort the heart-stricken girl.  
He collected himself from the blow and continued on.

    When Ranma got downstairs, he saw that his father was sitting on the 
floor with an ice pack on his head.  Nodoka stood over him, daring her 
husband to make a move towards Ranma as he left.  All three parents 
watched Ranma leave the house.  Soun was crying again, lamenting the turn 
of events of this night.

    Ranma had intended to go back to his mother's, but after stepping out 
of the house, he'd fallen back into his despair.  His surroundings became 
a blur and his feet began to take him where they willed.  Unconcerned 
about this, he continued on.  After an hour of wandering, he finally 
looked up.  He saw that he'd wandered around in a random pattern, only to 
end up in front of Dr. Tofu's clinic.  The spark of an idea formed in 
Ranma's head as he gazed upon the structure.  Walking up to the door that 
Dr. Tofu reserved for his private entrance, he knocked.

    A muffled response came from the other side.  After a moment, the 
door finally opened to show a sleepy Dr. Tofu.  Upon seeing the 
bedraggled Ranma with his backpack, he woke instantly.  He ushered Ranma 
inside, motioning for him to drop his bag at the entrance.  

    Without saying a word, he drew a bath for Ranma and had him clean 
himself up.  Fifteen minutes later, a clean, but emotionally numb Ranma 
was sitting on the couch in Dr. Tofu's home.  He held a cup of tea in his 
hand.  Dr. Tofu watched the boy, trying to find the right words to ask 
Ranma about what had brought him to his house at this late hour.  As he 
watched, he saw Ranma's hands start to shake.  

    Ranma's mind was not still.  It kept racing through what Akane had 
said at the last.  She'd said it many times before.  But this time, she'd 
meant it.  He knew that like he knew the Art.  Reflecting on how their 
relationship had started, he realized that he hadn't helped the situation 
any.  Always calling her uncute, tomboy, and many other assorted names had 
caused her to resent him.  

    Staring into the tea in his hands, he could only see the anger 
reflected from Akane's face like the fires of hell.  It was what he'd 
brought to her.  Before he'd come, she'd had a lot less problems.  Sure, 
she fought with the guys every morning when she came to school, but she 
had  always handled that.  Then he'd come along and torn her world apart.  
It was that damned curse!  If he'd only told her before she'd walked in 
on him, then maybe...Too late for that now, he thought.  Even now she had 
trouble with him being in the same room.  In either form.

    Words were a powerful thing if you let them get to you.  That was the 
problem.  He'd let his mouth get away with him and had bombarded her with 
too many negative words.  Tomboy...Uncute...But he couldn't tell her how 
he really felt.  Every time he did there was something that went wrong.  
Either he put his foot in his mouth again or somebody would interrupt and 
spoil the moment.  But, most of the time, he'd chicken out.  The 
frustration was unbearable.

    It was hopeless.  They'd never get along.  It was all Oyaji's fault.  
If he hadn't engaged him to the Tendo girl then he'd never have had any 
reason to destroy Akane.  If only...But the harshness of her words 
attested to how he was a lame excuse for an iinazuke to her.  Her smiling 
face materialized in front of him, only to be replaced by what he'd seen 
last.  Her anger. 

    He felt something make a track down his face.  Realizing what it was, 
self-loathing took over.  Men don't cry.  Trying to suppress the other 
tears, his heart let itself fall into his stomach.  The emptiness needed 
to be filled with something.  That something crept up on him silently.  
With cold fingers, it gripped his mind and sought to take control of him.  
It whispered in his ear.  A struggle ensued...and he lost.  

     "Ranma..." Dr. Tofu started to say, but didn't finish as he saw that 
Ranma's whole body convulse.

    The words "I hate you" kept pummeling his mind.  To Ranma, the whole 
world had come tumbling down on him.  Every facet of his life seemed to 
fall and strike him down.  The night's events flashed before his eyes 
again and he was overwhelmed.  Hopeless and dejected, he started spiraling 
deeper within himself.  

    Unable to control himself, he did something he hadn't done since he 
was a small boy on his first training trip away from his mother.  He 
cried.  His soul poured itself into his eyes and let the whole world know 
that there was a broken-hearted little boy again.  He didn't care who saw 
him right now.  His life had been crushed by only a few words.  Ranma 
curled up in the fetal position, tea pouring over his hands and spilling 
to the floor.  The hot tracks of tears streaked across his face.  They 
felt like rivers of fire, trying to purge the pain from Ranma's heart.  
The fires weren't hot enough, Ranma knew.  The pain struck deeper, 
burrowing itself within his soul.  A dark hole was seared within him, 
scarring him.

    Dr. Tofu watched as Ranma curled up on the couch, trying to hide 
within himself.  He didn't know what to do.  One thought came to mind as 
he went to get a blanket.  When he set the blanket on Ranma, he tried 
vainly to comfort the young man.  Until then, Ranma had been crying 
softly, eyes tightly shut.  He was trying vainly to keep the tears from 
leaking out.  But, as Dr. Tofu offered his assistance, he broke out into 
loud sobs, losing himself within his grief.  

    Eventually, however, tears dry and the young tire.  Ranma's face 
settled and he fell into a dreamless sleep, the tear marks marring his 
face.  His hair was matted with sweat, as if he'd just run several miles.  
Tucking the blanket over Ranma's sleeping form, Dr. Tofu turned the lights 
off after cleaning up the spilled tea and went back to bed.  He was 
disturbed to have seen someone as emotionally stable as Ranma cry.  
Whoever had done this to him had a strong hold on the boy's emotions.  
That would be Akane.

    He would get answers in the morning, he knew.




*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_* 

Author's notes: 

Whatcha think, y'all?  I wouldn't have posted except for the suggestion by someone that read it.  I ruminated
over it for about two months now.  Well, here you've seen it. 

Hafta thank Paul Sampson for the editing in this one.  Also to those who gave me a few hints on parts that were just a tad obscure.  There is more written, but I'm going back to do a little more editing.  It seems that I've messed up on a few things.  Send me private comments, please.  If you want to check it out the rest of the story, though, it's at: 

http://home.att.net/~patrioticmerc/index.html 

Thanks. 

Airborne leads the way!  Huah! 
Death from above! 

Mitch