Hello all!
It's been a while since I wrote anything, and since this is the furthest I've
gotten with any of my efforts, I'd thought I'd send it out for C&C before
going any further.. 
The 'Place/City name goes here' near the end is of course, only temporary. I
had several places in mind, but if anyone would like to give their
input/logic/2 cents, I'll consider it.

IMAFREEK@aol.com
(Paul)

UNTITLED
by Paul Meaney


     Ranma sat on the Tendo dojo roof and watched the sun set. He ignored the
cool air of the incoming night and the dull throb of his injuries. He looked
back on the day's events.. nothing out of the ordinary, actually. Ryoga
wanting to kill him. Kunou trying to fondle him. Shampoo and Ukyou fighting
for attention, and Akane whacking him in the head with her softball bat.
Unfortuatley, his house was nearly leveled in the process, so Ranma, Nodoka
and Genma had returned to the Tendos� until the damage could be fixed.
     Ranma thought back at what had happened at Jusenkyo almost six months
ago, things between Ranma and Akane had slowly but surely improved. Everyone
else, however, pretty much remained the same.
     Ranma let out a deep sigh. "I would have rather drowned at Jusenkyo if I
knew I would be living this crazy life."
     "Do you mean that, Ranma?"
      He had realized he had been thinking out loud, and , to his surprise,
Akane had come on the roof to check on him. "Hey, Akane..."
     She sat next to him and presented a thermos full of tea. "Here. Kasumi
thought you might want to keep warm."
     "Thank you." He muttered, shyly, taking the container.
     "So what's wrong? I�m sorry for hitting you before.. you know how it is
sometimes.."
     "No.. it�s not that..."
     "Then why are you brooding?"
     "Who says I�m brooding?"
     "Now you�re defensive."
     Ranma held back his anger, but quickly decided to let it go. He would
eventually lose out and tell her, anyway. Akane knew this, and waited for his
reply. She took his hand. "Ranma, if you can�t tell me who can you tell?
Especially after all we�ve been through."
     Ranma took a deep breath. "I guess I�m just tired, Akane."
     "I'm not sure I follow.."
     "What I mean is the fighting, the fiancees, the half-baked ploys and
this stupid rotten curse. All I ever wanted was to become a martial artist.
To carry on a great tradition, and to help spread that tradition and the
meaning of honor to another generation."
     "Oh." Akane said. "And what do you intend to do about it?"
     For that, Ranma did not have an answer.
     "Really, Ranma. I thought you would find other ways to expend your
energies other than brooding on the roof."
     "Akane, don't you see? It never ends. I never asked for this curse. I
didn't want to ruin Ryoga's life or have him want to kill me half the time. I
definitely do not want Kunou feeling me up. And I didn't ask for harem of
fiancees. The wedding was a disaster because of it."
     "I see." Akane looked a little depressed, and got up. "I think I better
go.." 
     "No.. I didn�t mean it like that.... I mean.. just one fiancee would
have been fine.. Akane.."
     Akane wasn�t sure how to take that. Before she could figure it out,
Ranma spoke.
     "Akane.. stay with me.. please.."
     Akane settled back down. Somewhat pleased that Ranma asked her to stay,
but concerned.. It was very rare that Ranma used the word 'please'. This must
have been very serious, indeed.
     "Ranma.."
     "Let's not talk right now Akane. Let's just watch the sun set." Ranma
said.
      Ranma smiled to himself. It was very comforting having Akane next to
him. Perhaps his father and Mr. Tendo knew what they were doing when they set
up him with Akane after all. Ranma pondered for a moment, Akane was right. If
anything was to be changed he would have to make the first step. Ranma
thought over the decisions he would have to make.
     Akane moved closer to Ranma, and he put his arm around her, drawing her
in closer. Akane smiled to herself. Deep down she knew they really cared for
each other, and moments like this made her forget all the differences they
had over the past year. She looked up at him. The light from the sunset made
him look so handsome..
     Ranma looked down at her. She really can be cute.. He smiled at her. Now
would be the time to start changing things, Ranma thought.. He took a deep
breath, and moved towards Akane.
     Akane smiled back. She could smell the sweetend tea on Ranma�s breath.
He�s finally going to do it! This had to be some weird dream. She lifted her
head up to meet his.
     The first contact was hesitant. A few light touches on the corners of
each other�s lips. It was not long before they were fully engulfed in
passionate kiss. Akane reached around Ranma�s neck, Ranma cradling and
supporting her back. Suddenly, without warning, Ranma pulled away and looked
around. 
     "What is it? What are you looking for?" Akane asked, a mix of anger and
concern. Why did he stop?
     Ranma looked down at her. "This is usually the part where someone shows
up to try and pound me."
     Akane giggled to herself. It was true. Everytime she was alone with
Akane, they came so close.. and something interfered. To think.. they really
loved each other after all. Then Akane got a strange idea.
     "Ranma, let�s keep this a secret from everyone for now."
     "Why?"
     "It�ll be more fun that way.. we can lead everyone on for weeks.."
     "I think it�s a good idea." Ranma said. "Not for tricking anyone,
though.. But we don�t know how certain people might react."
     Akane thought that over. "You�re probably right. I don�t want anyone
after my fiancee."
     Ranma blinked. "Does this make it official, then?"
     "Let�s just take it slow, baka." 
     Ranma was instantly infuriated, but before he could say anything, Akane
kissed him, and his anger melted away.
      "But you�re -my- baka. Don�t you forget it.."
       Ranma smiled. "You better go in, then, before anyone gets suspicious."
       "Okay.. And no more brooding?
      "You�re right, Akane. If I want things to change, I�ll have to be the
first to do it." He gave her a wink. "Things are changing already."
      "That�s good." She said. Akane gave Ranma one quick kiss and went
downstairs.
      Ranma stayed on the roof. The sun was finally gone. No traces of bright
light were left. Stars started to appear in the sky.  Ranma made his own
decisions. 

------------------------

     Morning came. Everyone was downstairs eating breakfast. All but Ranma
and Genma. 
      "Don't they want breakfast?" Kasumi asked noone in particular. "Akane,
why don't you see what's holding them up?"
      "Why me?" Akane replied, already knowing the answer, but asking it
anyway, for appearences� sake.
      "After all, Akane, he is..." Nabiki started.
      "I'm his fiancee. Yeah, yeah."
     Akane got up and left the room, smiling to herself. 
     Walking down the hall, she wondered about Ranma. He and Mr. Saotome were
never late for breakfast.  That�s when Genma almost ran her down coming off
the stairs.
     "Akane!! Have you seen Ranma?"
     "Mr. Saotome? Wasn't he with you? I was coming up to get you.."
     "My son!! My son!!" Genma cried. 
     "What's wrong? What's all the fuss?" Soun asked. Nabiki and Kasumi
following behind him.
      "THIS!!" Genma explained, holding up a note in Ranma's handwriting.
      Nabiki took the paper and read..

     'I'm sorry for running out such short notice. If I had told anyone about
my plans, surley someone would have talked me out of them. I�m going to
China, and when I get back everything will be the way it should be.�

      "What's that supposed to mean?" Soun cried.
      "Akane.. did he say anything to you last night when you brought him
tea?" Kasumi asked.
      All eyes were on Akane. She couldnt tell them the whole truth. "I
think... he's going back to Jusenkyo for the nannichuan... and when he comes
back.. he'll.."
      "He'll what?"
      Akane didn't know how to react. The words came out in a small soft
choke, but everyone heard  them.. "Marry me." 

-----------------------------------------------

     Akane slowly explained how Ranma had grown tired of the fights, fiancees
and how he wanted to change things to the rest of the family. She was careful
to leave out all the details of the brief and intimate moment, of course.

     Soun and Genma could not stop crying. "Oh, my son! Is it possible to
make your father so proud and break his heart at the same time? How could you
just run away? Oh, the shame! Where has your father gone wrong?" Akane felt
the urge to douse him with water to keep him quiet. She knew now why Ranma
did it all the time.
     "Genma, please. Not now." Nodoka said. 
     "The path of a martial artist is full of many turns and choices. Ranma
has made his.."
     "Everyone please calm down," Kasumi said. "and have some tea."
     "This is no time for tea!" Genma replied. " We have to decide on what to
do!"
     "Someone must go after him! We can�t let him go to China by himself."
Nodoka added.
     All eyes turned to Akane.
     "No Way!! Why do I have to go?" She cried, instantly, out of pure habit,
then quickly regretted it.
     "After all, Akane, he is your..." Nabiki started.
     "Oh, never mind! I�ll go!! There�s no fighting any of you, is there?"
Akane got up and made her way to her room, already trying to figure out how
to even start looking for him.
     In her heart, she couldn�t stand the thought of Ranma out there all by
himself. Especially after last night. Who knows what was going through his
fool head.  She began to sort through her dresser looking for appropriate
things to pack. When Nabiki appeared at her door. "So you are going after
all."
     "Yeah. Somebody has to go after him. Who knows what kind of trouble that
baka is getting into."
     "Don�t play games with me, sis." Nabiki said. "Just who�s room do you
think you were over last night?"
     "...."
     "Don�t worry, I�ll keep you�re secret." Akane was about ready to ask how
must the secret was worth, but Nabiki cut her off. "The entertainment value
alone is well worth it."
     "What?"
      "This is the best joke going on. Just knowing about it is enough for
me. I can�t wait until you tell Daddy and the Saotomes. The look on thier
faces will be priceless."
     Akane was dumbfounded.
     "Wait here a minute.." Nabiki rushed away, then reappeared, shutting the
door behind her. She held out a white envelope. "Here, you might need this."
     Akane took the envelope and looked inside. "Nabiki!! This is alot!"
     "I know. Every time I got some money out of Ranma I secertly put it
aside. He�s going to need it for when he�s married. He could never hold on to
any money, I�ve seen his math grades." Nabiki smiled.
     Akane couldn�t believe it. "You were saving up for.."
     "Yeah. This was this month�s take from him. Luckily for you, I haven�t
put it in the bank yet."
     "Nabiki... "
     "We all have too look out for each other, right? He�s practically family
and I refuse to see anyone from my family in trouble."
      Akane understood. Nabiki had an image to uphold. She refused to have
any ties to poverty, and heaven forbid someone in her family was in financial
trouble. Nabiki would be disgraced and embarrased  if that happened. She had
taken precautions.
     Akane�s eyes flooded with tears. "Thank you, Nabiki." She hugged her
older sister.
     "No problem. Just don�t tell anyone." Hugging her back. "Go bring that
fool home. Call _me_ if there�s a problem, understand?"
     "Hai."


     The next morning, Akane left to get Ranma. Her father could barley talk,
and Genma kept muttering in his Panda form, Nodoka next to him. Kasumi had
packed her some food for the first leg of her journey. Nabiki gave Akane a
smile and a wink. Akane smiled back at her, and went on her way.
     Her plan was simple.. Since Ranma didn�t have much money (if any at all)
he couldn�t get far on one day�s travel. She would simply attempt head him
off in CITY NAME GOES HERE. According to his Ranma�s father, that was where
they left for thier original journey to get to China. It seemed a logical
route for Ranma to take again.
     "Akane!" A voice came from behind.
     She turned around. "Ukyou?" 
     "Hi! I�m on the way to open the restaraunt. What�s going on?" Ukyou
asked, studying  Akane�s backpack. "Where are you headed?"
     Akane couldn�t tell her the truth. If word got out on the street Ranma
had left home, a dozen ploys would go in effect to retrieve and keep him for
a groom. Akane was not about to let _that_ happen. "I�m.. going on a trip
with some friends from school." She blurted. A poor excuse, but she had not
counted on running into anyone.
     "Is Ranma going too? He stopped by and I gave him some money. I was glad
to do it." Ukyou smiled a �because that�s what future wives do for thier
future hubands� smile. Akane saw it and was not pleased. She had to formulate
her lie a little more..
     "He went off training with his father for a week." Akane started. "I�m
going with some friends to Fiji for the weekend."
     "Sounds like fun. Listen, I�m running late.. Have a good time! I�ll see
you later."
     "Okay! I�ll see you when I get back!" Akane faked a smile and went on
her way. That was too close. Akane was never good at lying. Even more so when
put on the spot like that.
     And how DARE he go to Ukyou for help over her. Even after what happened
to them.. When she found him, she was going to kill him..
     Or would she?
     She had to find that idiot fast. After she found him, she�ll decide what
to do.

     Ucchan went inside her restaurant and sat down at her favorite table.
Something was up. It was not coincidence that Ranma and Akane leaving within
24 hours of each other. Akane�s backpack was way too large for a simple
weekend trip and Ranma would not have come to her for money if he had been
going on a mere training trip with his father.
     She started to piece it together. Something is wrong at the dojo.
Something was bothering Ranma and he left. Akane is off to find him. An
unusual twist of events, since it was always Ranma chasing after Akane.
     Ukyou thought some more. She tried to imagine what could have upset her
Ranma so much that he had to leave home. She pondered over why Akane, who
always denied having feelings for Ranma was the one to go after him. Finally,
she started plotting how she could use the situation to her own ends and at
last win the man she loved.

     Ranma stopped and looked around for a place to set up camp for the
night. The money Ucchan lent him could buy a bus ticket to (PLACE NAME HERE),
but he finally decided that he save as much as he can. He didn�t know what he
would run into on his way to Jusenkyo. 
     
     To be Continued..