pg 4
(blushes slightly)
                           Why, Ranma...
                             Ranma:
                           (ruefully)
  It's funny, isn't it?  All this time I could never bring myself to
tell you that, and now that it really isn't important anymore, it
seems like it's so easy to say.
    I'm sorry about what I said earlier, I only meant to say that you
wouldn't be forced into a marriage against your will.  Believe me, I
wasn't trying to hurt your feelings.
                              Akane:
    That was all I could think of when you said it.  I'm sorry, Ranma,
I should have known better.
   (Akane reaches out and gently touches the bruise on Ranma's cheek
and Ranma winces again).
   It looks like I hurt more than your feelings.  (pause)  Can you
forgive me?
                              Ranma:
    Of course. (pause) Look, Akane, I know boys haven't made a very
good impression on you, what with me, Kunou, and all that nonsense you
had to put up with at school.  Boys aren't all bad.  I hope eventually
you'll find one you can really care about.
                              Akane:
                             (softly)
         I've already found someone I really care about.
                              Ranma:
          You have?  Have you known him for very long?
                              Akane:
                       For some time, now.
                              Ranma:
              I had no idea!  Is it someone I know?
                              Akane:
                     You know him quite well.
                              Ranma:
         I know...?  It's not that idiot Kunou, is it?!
                              Akane:
                               No.
                              Ranma:
                      Not that swine, Ryogou?
                              Akane:
                                No.
 (blushing as she remembers all the nights she spent cuddling the cute
little black transforming pig).
                             Ranma:
                       (honestly puzzled)
                           Then who...?
    (Akane hesitates, then leans over and gives Ranma a quick kiss on
the cheek).
                             Ranma:
                               !
                             Akane:
      It's you, you idiot.  It has been for a long time, now.
                             Ranma:
                          (sputtering)
              Akane, you... you can't be serious.
                           (louder)
                   Have you lost your mind?
                              Akane:
                              Ranma...
                              Ranma:
                           (continuing)
    You said it yourself, it was bad enough when I was a guy only part
of the time.  And you were right.  But things are impossible now.  How
could you possibly...?
                             Akane:
   I know the kind of person you are inside.  THAT'S the person I care
about.
                              Ranma:
                   (this is too much for her)
                         No... no, damnit!
    (Ranma jumps to her feet and runs a short distance, then turns to
face Akane, who has risen to her feet.  Ranma's chest is heaving, not
>from the short run, but from the conflicting emotions coursing through
her).
                              Akane:
                              Ranma!!
                              Ranma:
    It's just no good, Akane.  As much as I love you, it's impossible!
You've just got to find someone else!!
                              Akane:
                           But Ranma...