Please take the time to read this. It won't take too long. Of course, detailed
C & C would be greatly appreciated, but a simple "I (don't) like it" would do. This is
a real rough version and is likely to go through many changes before the final version.
Thanks in advance!
The sequel of "Tonight's April Fools", currently untitled
Brief summary: It was April Fool's Day and Ranma make fun of Akane just a bit too much
this time. This time, Ranma REALLY hurt Akane's feelings. Stuff in <> are character
thoughts.
(Morning of April 2nd, Tendo rooftop)
<Maybe I went too far this time,> thought Ranma, <She... she was really hurt
last night. Even I know that. Well, one good thing about that tomboy is that she
really doesn't hold grudges too long. Sure she can be violent, but she'll get over this
in no time, I hope.>
While Ranma was lost in thoughts, a familiar face was trotting down along the
road. <Oh, she is here,> thought Ranma, <She never breaks her habits, doesn't she?
Rain or sun, Akane always jogs in the morning... Might as well get this over with. I
better apologize to her.>
Ranma hopped down from the rooftop and quickly caught up to Akane. "Akane," he
called, "Um... I was just going to say that..."
"Yes, Ranma?" she asked, her tone indifferent.
<That's weird,> thought Ranma, <Could she have forgotten about it this fast?
No... Ranma, don't kid yourself. You know Akane's got some surprise planned for you.
She can't simply ignore this. Well, what the heck. Here I go.>
"I... I... look, Akane." finally summoning up his courage, Ranma said, "I'm
sorry."
"What, about yesterday?" questioned Akane, her tone still indifferent.
"Yeah, I didn't know it would hurt you that bad..." confessed Ranma, "I... I'm
sorry."
"Well, don't worry about it," she told him, "As far as I'm concerned, our
relationship is over anyway."
<Okay, she is still angry.> thought Ranma, <No big deal. She must have told me
that our engagement is over at least 100 times by now. Well, I should have know that I
couldn't have gotten away this easily.>
"Akane, you are..." questioned Ranma timidly, "still angry at me, isn't it?"
"No," she quickly responded as she continued her morning jogging.
"Look, Akane. I have been through this before. You can't forgive me this fast.
Aren't going to hit me or something?"
"No," the same answer, "Ranma, I told you our relationship is over. Therefore,
why should I be mad about what you did last night?"
<That's odd.> thought Ranma, <Usually, when Akane said that our relationship in
anger. This time, though, she said it so matter-of-factly. Can she really mean it
this time? Nah... no way, Akane still likes me despite what she says. She's just...
stubborn. Oh well, I can play along also.>
"Thanks, Akane. I wanted to get rid of this engagement as much as you do!
After all, you're just a jealous tomboy, aren't you?" Ranma countered.
Akane flinched visibly but, to Ranma's surprise, didn't react like her normal
self. "It's that all you have to say, Ranma?" she asked.
"Uhh... I guess so." replied Ranma.
"Good, just leave me along, okay?" answer Akane.
<That's weird.> thought Ranma, <She didn't fight back!? She must be taking this
more seriously than I thought. Oh well, she'll get over it soon, I'm sure about that.
She never holds a grudge for long as far as I can remember.>
(At breakfast)
"Ranma, breakfast is ready!" called Kasumi.
"Coming," responded Ranma.
Ranma sat down and begin to eat his breakfast. Akane, as usual, sits next to
him, but she was unusually silent.
"Akane, so have you change your mind yet?" asked Ranma, "Don't be a stubborn
tomboy. You know I was just kidding, right? Let's just forget about this. Why are you
so quiet today?"
"Ranma," she replied, "I thought I told you our engagement is over. Please,
just leave me along."
"Oh, look at them," mocked Nabiki, "The honeymoon's over all ready?"
"Hey!" shouted Ranma, "Look, it is not like I wanted to marry her in the first
place. She is uncute, violent, always angry, dumb as a brick, etc, etc. Why on earth
would I want to... oops!"
<Shouldn't have said that,> thought Ranma, <Yeah, it is the routine. I'm kind
of getting tire of this. Akane's now going to probably dump some cold water on me and
punt me out...>
It took a moment for Ranma to notice that Akane was not responding. Taking a
quick glance at her, Ranma was surprised. Usually, Akane would fume with anger by now.
Ranma waited and waited and finally Akane put down her food. <Good,> he sighed, <She
is normal again.>
"Oops, I'm late for school," said Akane, "Bye, Kasumi!"
It was as if Akane didn't hear a word of what Ranma was saying.
Ranma sprinted off and caught up to Akane right away. "Akane," he called,
"Look, I don't know what is wrong, but you can stop trying to hide your tomboyish self.
I'm sorry for whatever I did to make your tomboyish self to ignore me. Why don't you
just tell me what's wrong!?"
"Ranma," Akane replied as she continued her trot to school, "I thought I already
told you twice already. Our engagement is over. I don't really care about what you do
anymore."
<What!> thought Ranma, <Did she... did she really mean it this time?>
(At school)
Ranma was late again. The teacher told him to stand outside in the hall and he
did what he was told. <Something's wrong with Akane,> pondered Ranma, <She's never this
cold before... so... distant. Akane, she's violent, yes. Tomboyish, yes. Cute, maybe.
But distant? Never. I remember all the time when she said that our engagement was
over. She was always so jealous and always spying on me even after she claimed she
doesn't like me anymore. It's like Akane has forgotten about me, like that time when
Shampoo used that formula 1-something-something on her.>
Ranma shuddered at the thought. Despite how much he protested for Akane being a
violent tomboy, he still loved her. To say the least, he doesn't want to be forgotten.
Ranma remembered how terrible it was for Akane to treat him like a complete stranger.
There was nothing Akane could have done to hurt him more than by ignoring him.
Abruptly, it clicked, <Of course, she is still mad!> thought Ranma, <So this is her way
of revenge. Well, well, Akane, I would like to see how long you can pretend to be like
that! Akane, there is no way I'll let you forget me like that!>
Akane didn't return to her "normal" self by the end of the day. Not the second
day, not the third day, not even after a week. After 2 weeks, Ranma was beginning to
worry about her. <She's never been able to pretend for this long,> thought Ranma,
<Could it be... NO! She can't, she can't, she just can't do that! Akane, I'll make
you get remember me again. You can't pretend that you don't know me anymore! Just you
wait!>
For the next week, Ranma constantly insulted Akane to hope that she will be back
to herself again. It took another week for Ranma to notice that she was not even
listening. Every time, it would be the same, icy response, "Ranma, our engagement is
over. I don't care about more. Why should I care if you think I'm kawaikunai or that
I'm a violent tomboy?"
(One month after April 1st)
<Okay, so she is ignoring me,> thought Ranma, <Akane, I won't give up this
easily. Okay, so maybe she doesn't care about my insults. Let's see how she reacts if
she sees me on a date with Shampoo! Yeah, I'll do just that!>
(Next morning)
<She'll be here soon... Oh, there she is.> thought Ranma as Akane returns from
her morning jog. "Akane," he called.
"Ranma," she sighed, "I'm really getting tired of this. What is it this time?
You thought of some new insults?"
"No, no insults this time," smiled Ranma, "Since you don't mind about me
anymore, I'm planning to go on a date with Shampoo next Sunday. Won't you come along
too? After all, you don't care, right?"
"Ranma, when will you give up?" sighed Akane, "Well, if it will make you stop
bothering me, why not? I'll be there and watch your date with Shampoo. Now excuse me,
I don't want to be late for school again."
Ranma watch Akane went inside her house. <She is just pretending,> he thought
triumphantly, <Knowing Shampoo, she is probably going to ask for a kiss this date.
Akane's going to go berserk when she sees this!>
(Next Sunday)
"You here, Ranma!" shouted Shampoo, "Shampoo so happy to see you. Wait, why
Akane here?"
"Oh, she is just going to watch, Shampoo. Don't mind her." replied Ranma, "Our
relationship is over, right Akane?"
"Yeah," sighed Akane, "Why don't you two hurry up. I don't have all day."
"Aiya! Tomboy Akane finally give up husband? Shampoo so happy!" added Shampoo.
As the date continues, Ranma became more and more disappointed. <She is hiding
it well,> he thought, <Usually she goes berserk to see any girl this close to me!>
Finally the date was over. Just as Ranma expected, Shampoo asked, "Ranma, won't
you kiss Shampoo good-bye?"
Normally Ranma would have refused, but now he was also determined to get Akane
to be close to him again. "Sure, Shampoo. Just your eyes, okay?" he replied, turning
to Akane, he asked, "Akane, if any of this is bothering you just let me..."
"No, Ranma," she interrupted, "Go ahead."
<Well, here's goes nothing,> thought Ranma. He drew closer and closer to
Shampoo. Just before he kissed Shampoo, he took a last glance at Akane. He couldn't
believe what he saw. Akane was just looking at them. There was no jealousy, no anger,
and no frustration in her eyes. Her eyes, it was as if she was looking at a stranger.
"NO!" screamed Ranma as he shoved Shampoo aside and ran home.
(Later that night, at around midnight. Ranma is seen outside the balcony of Akane's
room)
Ranma has been near or even in Akane's room for a number of different reasons
before. Sometimes he was out to get P-chan. Sometimes it was because he needed to do
so to fool his fiancees. Tonight, though, Ranma waited outside Akane's room to see her.
<Why are you so distant now, you kawaikunai tomboy?> thought Ranma, <You can't just
forget me, Akane. I know you'll probably think I'm a hentai for hiding outside your
balcony, but I just want to be close to you. Can you forgive me, Akane? Oh well, at
least I can watch her from here. She may never be back, but at least I can watch
her...>
Ranma carefully worked his way and hid himself by the windows. Inside, Akane
was sleeping and she was apparently very disturbed. Ranma thought it was strange. For
all he knew, Akane was a sound sleeper. Why would she be tossing around like that?
Carefully opening the window to Akane's room, Ranma made out some words, "Ranma...
baka... stupid... hate you...hentai...stubborn boy..." muttered Akane unconsciously.
<She hasn't forgotten me yet!> thought Ranma, <Akane, you're sure doing a great
job pretending, though. Why? If you hate me let me know and hit me all you want, but
don't ignore me! Why can't you say that to me? I don't mind if you hate me, just don't
ignore me.>
Akane continued to toss and turn some more. Without a warning, Akane woke up.
"Still can't sleep," she told herself, "So hard to sleep these days."
Ranma realized that this may be his only chance to see what Akane was really
feeling. Akane was obviously thinking about him during her sleep, that he was sure.
Perhaps she'll explain why? Ranma still doesn't know why Akane chose to ignore him. He
hurt her, he knew that. However, there was a lot of ways Akane could have got her
revenge. Why ignore him? That he needed to know.
"Don't think about Ranma, Akane," Akane told herself, obviously not noticing
Ranma who was hiding outside her balcony, "You promise yourself that you'll never think
about him again. Don't give up now."
<She promised herself what?> thought Ranma. Now everything was beginning to
make sense. Akane, one of the world's most stubborn girl, must have vowed this and that
was probably why she was acting this way now.
Akane opened her drawer and began to look for something. After a few moment,
she evidently found it. She took a sharp needle and hold it in her hands and spoke,
"This will only hurt a little bit, Akane."
<What is she going to do with that?!> thought Ranma, <Stab herself with it?
Why?>
Abruptly, with a determination and hatred Ranma never seemed in Akane before,
Akane thrust the needle down her arms. "ARRRRGH!" she screamed, and again, and again,
and again. Ranma almost couldn't stand it. <Why, Akane? Why?> he thought, <Don't hurt
yourself!> Ranma was on the verge of jumping in and stopping Akane, but then Ranma
realized that he still didn't know why. He wouldn't be able to help Akane unless he
knew why.
After a moment that seemed like eternity, Akane stopped screaming. Blood
trickled down her arms, but she didn't feel it. "That really helped," she sighed,
"Ranma... it is always you. No... it is not your fault. It is mine. I hate myself! I
hate myself for falling in love with you. Why? I thought I can ignore you, but I
can't. Pain... that helps me to forget you, and I'm glad."
Ranma simply couldn't take this anymore. To watch Akane hurt herself for him
was too much. He knew that showing up at this kind of situation could very well earn
him a slap and a trip to the pond, but he didn't care anymore. He needed to help Akane.
Flinging the windows open, he called, "AKANE! What are you doing! Stop!"
"Ranma?" Akane tried to act calm, but her voice evidently betrayed her, "You...
you heard all that?"
"Yes, Akane," answered Ranma, "Why? Why?"
"I..." by now Akane's icy demeanor returned, "None of your business, Ranma.
We're no longer engaged."
Even Ranma knew that it was only a reflexive lie. "Come on, Akane," urged
Ranma, "Tell me. I want to help... as a friend."
"All right..." consented Akane, "Um... meet me down by the dojo, okay? I need
to change my clothes, you hentai. I promise I'll come... just give me some time."
Ranma agreed. At least Akane was no longer ignoring him. Even being called a
hentai felt good. Now he just need to know what has been troubling Akane.
(30 minutes later, at the Tendo Dojo)
<Why hasn't she come yet?> paced Ranma back and forth, <She promised!>
A soft sigh, more felt than heard, answered Ranma's question. Turning around,
he saw Akane dressed in one of her beautiful dresses. She looked positively beautiful
in the moonlight.
"Hai..." began Akane, "You want to help me, Ranma?"
"Yes," answered Ranma, "Akane, why are you doing that to yourself? Doesn't it
hurt?"
"No," answered Akane flatly.
"What!" exclaimed Ranma, "I'm not stupid. That must have hurt."
"It doesn't feel like anything," replied Akane, "Compared to how much you hurt
me that day."
"I..." Ranma was at a lost for words. He knew he hurt her, but he didn't know
that he hurt Akane that much. "Why?" he asked weakly.
"Because... because I hate myself," replied Akane.
"What? Are you all right, Akane?" questioned Ranma, "The only person you should
be hating is me! Why yourself?"
"Because," paused Akane, "I hate myself for being so stupid. So foolish. So
gullible that I believed in you. So gullible that I would break my heart on your lies."
"But..." interrupted Ranma, "Never mind. Maybe you better start from the
beginning, Akane. Tell me everything that happened between that night and now."
"Hai... okay." nodded Akane.
(Scene switch back to the morning of April 2nd, right after Ranma was tossed out of
Akane's room)
Akane burst into tears. How could he dare to that, that Ranma! He lied to her,
he lied! She gave him her love and everything else, yet Ranma didn't love her. It took
an incredible amount of courage for Akane to admit that she loved Ranma, and Ranma
simply didn't care. He was more concerned with making a fool of Akane during April
Fool's Day than anything. "I hate you!" she screamed, "Ranma! Liar!"
(Scene switch back to reality)
"So you still hate me that time, didn't you?" asked Ranma, "What caused you to
change?"
"Shhh. Let me continue,"
(Scene switch back to April 2nd)
Another hour has passed. Akane had calmed down a little bit, but she was still
hurt. <Why am I so stupid?> she asked herself, <Why do I love Ranma? All he ever do is
hurting me. It is all his fault! No... no... it is not his fault. It is mine! If I
never fall in love with him, he wouldn't be able to hurt me this much. It is all my
fault! Why did I love him? All right, then. I'll never forgive myself for making the
mistake of loving Ranma. I will never even think about Ranma again. No matter what he
does or says to me I will not care! That will be my punishment.>
(Scene switch back to reality)
"It is not your fault, Akane!" shouted Ranma, "It is mine! I've been a stupid
baka all along. Blame it on me, not yourself!"
"It is mine," replied Akane icily, "If I don't love you in the first place, I
wouldn't have broke my heart like that. It is my fault."
Ranma tried to argue, but he knew he would not be able to convince Akane that it
was not her fault. Once Akane made her mind up, she would not change it. Ranma felt as
if he was torn apart. Akane blaming Ranma's fault on herself and torturing herself to
forget it. That hurt Ranma more than anything else. "Why, though?" he asked, "Why did
you do that to yourself?"
"Because I can't forget you!" Akane's voice seemed to falter momentarily, but it
regained its iciness, "I can't. I'm stupid. I'm stubborn. I'm just a tomboy who can't
forget you, Ranma. What you see moment ago... that was the only way I can avoid
thinking about you..."
"You... you're not serious, Akane," said Ranma.
"Of course I'm," answered Akane, "Look at what I'm wearing even now! Remember
this? I wore this to our first date. I try and try to forget you, but it never works.
Always has to come down to that so that I can sleep and not lose my sanity." Akane
showed Ranma her arm, and Ranma was stricken with grief to see so many tiny scars dotted
her arms.
"How... how long have you been doing this?" asked Ranma.
"Every day, that is, after that night," answered Akane, "I'm used to it, now.
It is the only way I can forget about you. Forget our memories together..."
"It doesn't hurt?" asked Ranma again, "How can it not?"
"Ranma, anything feels like nothing compared to what I went through that night,"
explained Akane, "The physical pain... it feels like nothing compared what you did to my
heart."
Ranma never realized that his simple joke hurt Akane this much. "Gomen..."
Ranma stumbled for an apology, but couldn't found any, "I..."
"It's all right, Ranma," sighed Akane evenly, "You never love the kawaikunai
tomboy anyway, ne?"
"Don't say that, Akane!" interrupted Ranma, "Why? Why must you hurt yourself?
Don't you know... don't you how much it hurts me to see you do that? If that is your
revenge, Akane, it's enough."
"It's not," answered Akane, "It's not revenge, Ranma. I didn't do this to make
you feel guilty. I just don't care anymore. I just want to forget everything that ever
happened between you and me. If hurting myself does it, then I'll do it. I don't want
to remember you ever again."
"I..." Ranma again was at a stumble for words. The fact that Akane stated that
she doesn't want to remember him so plainly shocked him. "Anything... anything I can do
to make it up to you, Akane?" asked Ranma.
"Yes... and no." answered Akane.
"What! Tell me!" Ranma was ecstatic. Akane sounded as if she would forgive
him! Could it be possible?
"All right, Ranma..." she paused, "Tell me you love me."
"Um..." that caught Ranma completely off-guard. That was the last thing he
expected Akane to ask. "I..." muttered Ranma.
"Say it." Akane demanded fiercely.
"I..."
"Ranma, you won't do it, not even for me?" Akane asked, almost begging Ranma.
The icy barrier she surrounded herself lately completely obliterated. She had been
waiting for this. "Please...." she asked.
"I..."
"Come on, Ranma!" demanded Akane, "Tell me whither you love me or not!"
"I... I can't!" Ranma finally found an answer. He really couldn't. This was
too sudden. Even if he had an year to think about this he probably wouldn't have made a
decision, but in 5 minutes?
"Ranma..." sighed Akane sadly, not even bothering to put up her icy barrier,
"That was your last chance. I know you must love me. You must, but you wouldn't say
it. You want it that way, that's fine with me. I'll be the one that say it. I love
you, Ranma."
"What?" questioned Ranma in disbelief. That sure sounded like Akane forgive
him. Could it be possible?
Without a warning, Akane grabbed Ranma fiercely and kissed him. Ranma naturally
tried to struggle but to no avail. After what seemed like an eternity, Akane parted her
lips. "What... what was that for?" Ranma couldn't help but to question.
"Now I've no regrets," answered Akane, "I want to do that before I leave you...
forever."
"What?" exclaimed Ranma. Akane wouldn't be thinking of suicide, would she?
"Ranma, Akane Tendo no longer exists. The kawaikunai tomboy that loved you,
envied you, hated you. The one foolish enough to believe you lies. The one foolish
enough to break her heart for someone like you. She," paused Akane, "She ceases to
exist. Akane Tendo died this day, Ranma Saotome. If all these other people couldn't
take Akane away from you, then I'll do it myself. You will never see Akane again, and I
intend to keep it that way. Good-bye... forever."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So what do you think of it? Should I leave the ending at this? Add more to it?
Give Ranma another chance? I usually don't like sadfics, but I decide to give it a
shot anyway. I still don't know if I want this to end with a happy ending or not.
Please, I need your input to help me decide! Here's some questions I need help on, by
the way. I don't really know about the part where Akane hurt herself is valid. What
would be some thing Akane can do to herself that hurts herself without leaving permanent
harm? I was thinking of Akane stabbing herself with a knife, but that would be kind of
scary. Any idea for something Akane can do that will hurt herself a lot without
permanent damage? I don't really like the needle idea, just had to put something
there to fill in the parts. Do you think I wrote my characters too out of their normal
self? I know Akane is going through a lot of mood shifts in this story so I'm not
completely sure. Ranma was easy, but Akane wasn't. She seems a little bit too
cold at the beginning, and too emotional at the end, and then too cold again. Please
help!