Wow, I've written 20 chapters. I'm SOOOOOO proud of myself. (Sarcasm
here, ladies and gentlemen) Actaully, I am pleased with myself for
going on so long. I don't exect it to go on for more than five
chapters, but including all the spacing I have to do to make this
readeble, it's over 84 pages long. *cheer*
	Now normally I try to do better here in editing, but I've
stayed over an hour my usual bedtime (How many ppl would belive
me if I said I make myself go to bed at 10?), and as likely as
we're going to have a snowday, I want my sleep just in case. At
least the spelling is right. Please, like always, put up with
my slopiness.


 
Chapter 20
 
[Tendo Hallway, Afternoon]
 
Nodoka: Nabiki! What do you think you're doing?!
 
Nabiki: Don't worry, Auntie. Those two are at their best when
 fighting.
 
Nodoka: But...
 
Nabiki: Trust me. Before you know it, they'll be fighting again just
 like before!
 
Nodoka: (Sweat drop going down the side of her face) Just... like...
 before...?
 
Nabiki: Oh, yeah. Ranma and Akane fight all the time.
 
Nodoka: They do?... (The two go on talking)
 
 
(Cut to Upstairs Hallway)
 
 
Kasumi: (Knocking on Akane's door, holding a tray with a
 snack) Akane, may I come in?
 
Akane: (Muffled) Please don't.
 
Kasumi: You can tell me to leave at anytime, just please
 let me in.
 
Akane: .... All right. (Kasumi enters. The room has bokkens,
 weights and the like thrown all over the floor. Akane's eyes
 are puffy)
 
Kasumi: (Holding the tray out) Would you like a snack?
 
Akane: ... Sure. 
 
Kasumi: (Take a seat on the bed, putting the tray on it) Akane,
 I've been watching you and Ranma for a while now, and I thought
 it might be better if I just let you sort things out on your own. But
 lately, things have been getting worse and worse between you two. 
 
Akane: (Hanging her head) And...
 
Kasumi: And so I thought I should ask you this: Akane, do you
 love Ranma?
 
Akane: (Her head snaps up) Do I what?!
 
Kasumi: You don't have to tell me Akane, but until you find out you'll
 never go anywhere. If you do, Akane, tell him, but if you don't let him
 go. It'd be better for the both of you in the long run.
 
Akane: (Playing with her fingers) Well....
 
Kasumi: (Putting her hand on Akane's shoulder, getting up) Don't tell me.
 Tell Ranma. 
 
Akane: (Grabbing Kasumi's hand) Please, wait!
 
Kasumi: Yes?
 
Akane: How do I do this? (Blushes) I mean, I've been trying for
 the past seven months to find out, and I still don't know...
 
Kasumi: (Sighs) Well, maybe love is too strong a word. But see
 if you care about him enough to remain engaged.
 
Akane: (Thinking) ....
 
Kasumi: Take your time, Akane. It's an important decision, not
 one to be made in two seconds and when you're angry; think
 it over, and sleep on it. 
 
Akane: (Still thinking) ... (Kasumi is opening the door) Sis?
 
Kasumi: Hm?
 
Akane: (Weak smile) Arigato.
 
Kasumi: (Smiling back) Anytime.
 
 
 
[Ucchan's, Late afternoon]
 
 
(Ukyou is cleaning up her restaurant; at the counter is Ranma, who's
 resting his whole upper body on the counter. Ukyou pokes him to
 see if he'll move; when he doesn't, she lifts up an arm, wipes the
 spot underneath it, then drops his arm carelessly)
 
Ranma: (Holding his arm to his chest) Hey, watch it! That hurt!
 
Ukyou: That was the point! Ever since that phone call you had
 with Akane three days ago, you've done nothing but mope even more.
 You haven't even moved for the past 12 hours.
 
Ranma: (Turning around) Aw, shuddap.
 
Ukyou: (Annoyed) Would you quit with the hell-with-it attitude?
 It's really getting to me; I can't take care of this restaurant, go to
 school AND look after a blob.
 
Ranma: Who are you calling a blob?
 
Ukyou: You. (Begins to push Ranma off the stool he's sitting on)
 
Ranma: Uh, whatcha doin'?
 
Ukyou: Trying to get you off this depression.
 (Pushes him to the door, opens it) Have a fight with Ryoga. Jump
 into Kuno's arms. Just do something to get out of this blue funk. 
 
Ranma: Fine, fine!
 (Is about to walk out when the phone rings. He runs to it and picks it up)
 Ucchan's. Whaddya want.
 
Voice: I wanna talk to my daughter.
 
Ranma: (Blinks) Nani?
 
Voice: Ukyou! Just lemme speak to Ukyou!
 
Ranma: Oh. (Hands the phone to Ukyou) Thinks it's your pop.
 
Ukyou: Thanks. (Takes the phone, and motions to the door. Ranma
 gets the clue and walks toward it) Dad, could you hold on a sec',
 someone's on the line.
 
 (Ukyou presses a button, listens for a second and her face falls.
 She holds the phone to Ranma)
 
Ranma: (Taking the phone) Yeah? (His face lights up) Akane!
 How's ya doin- I mean, what do you want.
 
Akane: Don't get so aggressive with me, Ranma.
 
Ranma: When aren't I?
 
Akane: Just shut up and listen before we get into another fight, ok?
 I uh, need to tell you something. Can you meet me at the park fountain,
 the place we were meant to meet a few days ago?
 
Ranma: Hey, I went the-
 
Akane: Will you be there or not?!
 
Ranma: Huh? Oh, sure. (Tries to sound calm) Since I'm not doin'
 anything' and all, I guess I COULD meet you-
 
Akane: I haven't said when yet. (Ranma turns red) Does in
 an hour sound good to you?
 
Ranma: I suppose.
 
Akane: Good. (Barely audible) I'll be glad to see you. (Hangs up)
 
Ukyou: (Trying to control her disappointment) Can I have the
 phone back?
 
Ranma: (Not noticing Ukyou, and throws it to Ukyou) Catch.
 (Skips out of Ucchan's whistling)
 
Ukyou: (Watching Ranma leave) ....
 
Voice: Ukyou? You still there?
 
Ukyou: (Shutting her eyes, and slowly curling up) I somehow
 wish I wasn't.
 
 
[Nameless street, Late Afternoon]
 
 
Ranma: *Yeah, I'm the man.*
 (Starts doing some cartwheels, but then stops) *Woah, calm down!
 It's only Akane!* (He bursts into a grin) *Aw, who cares?* (Laughs)
 
Voice: I fail to see the humor. (Ranma opens his eyes and sees Kuno)
 
Ranma: (Cheerfully) Hey, haven't seen ya in a while, Kuno. How's ya
 been doin' these days?
 
Kuno: They have been most pleasing, for I have not had to see your
 hideous face.
 
Ranma: Missed you too.
 
Kuno: I do not recall ever citing that your absence has given me any
 grief.
 
Ranma: Ain't you ever heard of sarcasm?
 
Kuno: (Holding his bokken at Ranma's nose) You mock me?
 
Ranma: (Holding his hands up) Hell, not now Kuno. Don't wanna
 waste my time fighting whimps before seein' Akane.
 
Kuno: (Rushing forward, bokken raised high) You dare call I, the
 mighty Kuno a wi-
 
Ranma: (Kicking Kuno into LEO) Like I said, I don't wanna waste
 my time. (After watching Kuno soar above his head with satisfaction,
 Ranma jumps on some rooftops to get to the park)
 
 
(Cut to Park fountain)
 
 
Ranma: (Looking around) *Feh, must've arrived early again. But
 this time nothin' is gonna make me le-
 
(Ranma stops in mid-thought, the victim of a cold blast of air. The
 world around him turns into ice, snow falling around him and
 snowmen start to do their happy little jig)
 
(Ranma sees P-Ran kissing Akane. To be more specific, Akane and
 P-Ran are lying on the ground, Akane on top of P-Ran. Their lips
 are barely touching each other's, but it's close enough. Both have
 their eyes shut, faces scarlet red)
 
Ranma: (Monotone) Hey. (P-Ran and Akane turn to Ranma)
 
Akane: (Blushing even harder) Ranma, it's not-
 
Ranma: Just don't rub it in by invitin' me to the wedding. 'k?
 (Turns around, and trudges away)
 
Akane: Ranma, matte*!
 
Ranma: *Abayo** Akane.*
 
[The scene fades]
 
 

matte= (I think) Is wait. If it's wrong, or I'm not using it
corectly, please tell me. I doin't like looking like an idiot
anymore than anyone out there.

abayo= I haven't found this in any japanese-english dictionary,
but to me this is obviously a very 'final' way of saying goodbye.
Once again, if it's wrong beat me over the head and make me corect
this.

	Oh, and if you know how I feel about the relationship
between Ranma and Akane, this isn't really a cliffhanger.


	Isabel Arantes