Okay, for all those that cares, I've finally finished what I hope to be
the final copy of A Fool's Farewell.  It is supposed to be the sequel of
'Tonight's April Fool's', but somehow the story really doesn't tie in to
'Tonight's April Fool's' any more.  The purpose of the prequel is to set
up an incident serious enough to split Akane and Ranma, and I don't
think 'Tonight's April Fool's' succeeded too well.  Anyway, on with the
story.  Please, I would really appreciate any C & C for this.  Oh, and
one more thing, I have had formatting problem with this story in that
the margins tend to have some problem.  I think I fixed it this time,
but... let me know if you've formatting problem with this.



A Fool's Farewell, Sequel to "Tonight's April Fool's", by Don Wang

Brief summary:  It was April Fool's Day and Ranma make fun of Akane just
a bit too much this time.  All you really need to know is that Ranma
REALLY hurt Akane's feelings. For ease of reading (and writing) Shampoo
talks in fluent Japanese.  Things in <> are character thoughts and
things in () are stage directions.

(Morning of April 2nd, Tendo rooftop)

	The rooftop wasn't the usual place for someone to think.  Then again,
Ranma was not your average person, either.  Usually, it would be Akane
punting Ranma up here for him to think about his faults.  Today, though,
Ranma came here willing to look for a solution.  <Maybe I went too far
this time,> thought Ranma, <Akane... 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 thought, a familiar face was trotting down
along the road.  <Oh, she is here,> thought Ranma, <She never breaks her
habits, does she?  Rain or shine, 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 easily 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 as he noted Akane's tone, <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?" asked 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.  He almost sighed when he
heard that.  <No big deal.  She must have told me that our engagement is
over at least 100 times by now.  Well, I should have known that I
couldn't have gotten away this easily.>

	"Akane, you are..." asked Ranma timidly, "still angry at me, aren't
you?"

	"No," she responded quickly as she continued her morning jogging.

	"Look, Akane.  I have been through this before.  You can't forgive me
this fast.  Aren't you going to hit me or something?"

	"No."  She paused.  "Ranma, I told you our relationship was over. 
Therefore, why should I be mad about what you did last night?"

	<That's odd.> thought Ranma, <Usually, when Akane says that our
relationship is over, she is angry.  This time, though, she said it so
matter-of-factly.   Can she really mean it this time?  Nah... no way,
Akane still... she still loves 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
did!  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.  "Is that all you have to say, Ranma?" she asked.

	"Uhh... I guess so," replied Ranma.

	"Good.  Just leave me alone, okay?" answered Akane.

	Ranma simply watched in awe as Akane left.  This was too weird.  <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.  She can't hide
her tomboyish self much longer,> thought Ranma.

(At breakfast)

	"Ranma, breakfast is ready!" called Kasumi.

	"Coming!" responded Ranma.

	Ranma sat down and began to eat his breakfast.  Akane, as usual, sat
next to him, but she was unusually silent.

	"Akane, so have you changed 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 that our engagement was
over.  Please, just leave me alone."

	"Oh, look at them," mocked Nabiki, "The honeymoon's over already?"

	"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 tired 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.>

	"I'm late for school," said Akane, "Bye, Kasumi!"

	It was as if Akane hadn't heard 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's wrong, but you can stop trying to
hide your tomboyish self.  I'm sorry for whatever I did to make your
tomboyish self 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 told you twice already.  Our engagement is over.  I don't really care
about what you do anymore.  Now, excuse me, I'm late for school."

	<What!> thought Ranma, <Does she... did she really mean it this time? 
Akane...>

(At school)

	Ranma was late again.  The teacher told him to stand outside in the
hall and he did what he was told.  Ranma felt lonely.  Usually, if he
was late Akane would be late too, but not today.  Akane made it to
school on time, while Ranma was late to school.  As far as Ranma could
remember, Akane had always been straightforward with her feelings,
except for when she tried to show that she loved Ranma.  Fiery Akane
never really hides her emotions.  Now, though, it was as if that flame
in her had been distinguished.  <Something's wrong with Akane,> pondered
Ranma, <She's never been this cold before... so... distant.  Akane...
She's violent, yes.  Tomboyish, yes.  Cute, maybe.  But distant? 
Never.  I remember all the times when she said that our engagement was
over.  She was always so jealous and always spying on me even after she
claimed she didn't love 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 that
Akane was a violent tomboy and such, he still loved her.  To say the
least, he didn't want to be forgotten.  Ranma remembered how terrible it
had been for Akane to treat him like a complete stranger.  She was
hurting him without even trying.  There was nothing Akane could have
done that could hurt him more than ignoring him.  Ranma would wish that
Akane could just love him, but being hated was good enough.  After all,
they both knew that they couldn't really hate each other as much as they
claimed.  Abruptly, it clicked.  <Of course, she is still mad!> decided
Ranma, <So this is her way of getting 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 hadn't returned to her "normal" self by the end of the day, nor
by the end of the second day, or 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, <What if she isn't
pretending?  What if she... NO!  She can't, she can't, she just can't do
that!  Akane, you can't just pretend to forget me.  I'll make you get
remember me again, like the time when Shampoo erased your memory!  You
can't pretend that you don't care about me anymore!  Just you wait!>

	For the next week, Ranma constantly insulted Akane, hoping that she
would come back to herself 'tomboyish self' 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 it anymore.  Why should I care if you think I'm uncute
or that I'm a violent tomboy or whatever else you say?  You have your
opinions, and I respect them."

(One month after April 1st, Ranma's room)

	<Okay, so she is ignoring me.  Nothing seems to affect her now.  It is
as if I'm talking to some kind of dummy or something.  I used to say
that Akane was a dummy without feelings.  Yes... that would be the best
way to describe her now... no feelings...> thought Ranma, <It is as if
she simply does not care about my existence anymore.  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
returned from her morning jog.  "Good morning, Akane," he called.

	"Ranma," she sighed, "I'm really getting tired of this.  What is it
this time?  You thought of some new insults?  How many times do I have
to tell you to leave me alone?"

	"No, no insults this time," smiled Ranma, "Since you don't care 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.  You
know... it is important to be on time... later."

	Ranma watched as 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 are finally here, Ranma!" shouted Shampoo, "I�m so happy to see
you.  Wait, why is 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!  Akane finally give up?  I've heard rumors, but now I know for
sure!  I'm so happy!" added Shampoo.  

	As the date continued, Ranma became more and more disappointed.  <She
is hiding it well,> he thought, <Usually she goes berserk just to see
any girl near me.  Now, Akane doesn't seem to even care about that I'm
on a date with Shampoo! >

	Finally the date was over.  Just as Ranma expected, Shampoo asked,
"Ranma, won't you kiss me good-bye?"

	Normally Ranma would have refused, but now he was determined to get
Akane to be close to him again.  "Sure, Shampoo.  Just close your eyes,
okay?" he replied.  Shampoo was more than willing to obey.  Turning to
Akane, he asked, "Akane, if any of this is bothering you just let me..."

	"No, Ranma," she interrupted, "I don't care.  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. 
It was as if... 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.  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, like when Ukyou moved
in.  Tonight, though, Ranma waited outside Akane's room just to see
her.  <Why are you so distant now, you uncute 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...pervert...stubborn boy..." muttered Akane unconsciously.

	<She hasn't forgotten me yet!> thought Ranma.  Akane had almost
convinced him otherwise, but now Ranma knew he wasn't forgotten. 
<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 might be his only chance to see what Akane was
really feeling.  If Akane ever found that Ranma was spying on her like
this she might never forgive him.  Ranma didn't care, though.  He was
already suffering too much.  He needed to know why.  Akane was obviously
thinking about him unconsciously, of that he was sure.  Perhaps she'll
explain why?  Ranma still didn't know why Akane chose to ignore him.  He
had hurt her, he knew that.  However, there were a lot of ways Akane
could have got her revenge.  She could have chose the simple slap and
hit to the more elaborate long term plans or even force Ranma to eat her
cooking.  Why did she chose to 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 promised
yourself that you'd never think about him again.  It is a promise."

	<She promised herself what?> thought Ranma.  Now everything was
beginning to make more sense.  Akane, one of the world's most stubborn
girls, must have vowed this and that was probably why she was acting
this way now.  Still, her behavior was unusual, even for Akane.

	Akane opened her drawer and began to look for something.  After a few
moments, she evidently found it.  She took a sharp needle and held 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.  Her face evidently
reflected the pain it caused, and again, and again.  Ranma almost
couldn't stand it.  He felt faint and heartbroken to see Akane shriek in
pain.  <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 Akane was doing all this.  He wouldn't be
able to help Akane unless he knew why.

	After a moment that seemed like eternity, Akane stopped.  Blood
trickled down her arms, but she didn't seem to 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 could ignore you, but I can't.  Pain...
that helps me to forget you, and I'm glad.  Maybe this still isn't
enough..."

	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.  You don't have to care what I'm doing
to myself."

	Even Ranma knew that it was only a reflexive lie.  "Come on, Akane,"
urged Ranma, "Tell me.  I want to help... as a friend, then."

	"All right..." consented Akane as her voice noticeably softened, "Um...
meet me down by the dojo, okay?  I need to change my clothes, you
pervert.  I promise I'll come... just give me some time."

	Ranma agreed.  At least Akane was no longer ignoring him.  There was
warmth in her voice again.  Even being called a pervert felt good.  Now
he just needed to know what had been troubling Akane.

(30 minutes later, at the Tendo Dojo)

	<Why isn't she here yet?> Ranma paced 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 nervously, "Akane, why were you doing that to
yourself?  Isn�t it hurting you?"

	"No," answered Akane flatly.

	"What!" exclaimed Ranma, "I'm not THAT 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 had 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?" asked 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."

	"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 Ranma dare to do 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.  Ranma just wanted to win, regardless of what the cost
was.  Everything was going well for once, and he had to ruin it.  That
jerk!  "I hate you!" she screamed, "Ranma!  Liar!  Idiot!"

(Scene switch back to present)

	"So you still hated 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 had 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 does is hurt me.  It is all his fault!  No... no...
it is not his fault.  It is mine!  If I had 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?  What did I see in that jerk?  Of all people, why Ranma? 
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 present)

	"It is not your fault, Akane!" shouted Ranma, "It is mine!  I've been a
stupid idiot all along.  Blame it on me, not yourself!"

	"It is mine," Akane was adamant, "If I hadn't loved you in the first
place, I wouldn't have broken my heart like that.  It is my fault.  So,
please� let me alone for once.  And please don�t tell anyone else,
okay?"

	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 were being torn apart.  Akane was
blaming Ranma's faults 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 saw
moment ago... that was the only way I can avoid thinking about you..."

	"You... you're not serious, Akane," said Ranma.

	"Of course I am," 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.  It always comes down to this.  I do this so
that I can sleep and not lose my sanity.  Even now... even now I still
don't know what to do!"  Akane showed Ranma her arm, and Ranma was
stricken with grief to see so many tiny scars dotting 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 to what you did to my heart."

	Ranma never realized that his simple joke hurt Akane this much. 
"Sorry..." Ranma stumbled for an apology, but couldn't find any, "I..."

	"It's all right, Ranma," sighed Akane evenly, "You never loved the
uncute tomboy anyway, right?"

	"Don't say that, Akane!" interrupted Ranma, "Why?  Why must you hurt
yourself?  Don't you know... don't you know 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... as remembering you as my fiancee, of course.  I don�t think I
can live without you, but I also think I cannot live with you like
this.  You�ll always be my best friend, but, I�m afraid our
relationship� well�"

	"I..." Ranma again was at a loss for words.  The fact that Akane stated
that she didn't want to remember him so plainly shocked him.  The fact
that Akane would still be his best friend didn't help any of it,
either.  "Anything... anything I can do to make it up to you, Akane?"
asked Ranma.

	Akane thought about this for a long time, and finally answered, "Yes...
and no."

	"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.

	"Why?  I..."

	"Because that�s how you hurt me," replied Akane, "If you want to be
forgiven, you� please show me that you do care!"

	"But�"
	
"Ranma, you won't do it, not even for me?" Akane asked, almost begging
Ranma.  The icy barrier she had surrounded herself lately was completely
obliterated.  She had been waiting for this.  "Please...." she asked as
tears silently trickled down.

	"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 a 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.  I know this all along, and so do you. 
Why?  Why can't we just admit that we love each other?  Why do you have
to hurt me so much?  You want it that way, that's fine with me.  I'll be
the one that says it.  I love you, Ranma."

	"What?" questioned Ranma in disbelief.  That sure sounded like Akane
had forgiven him.  Could it be possible?

	Without a warning, Akane grabbed Ranma fiercely and kissed him.  Ranma
naturally tried to struggle but to no avail.  He quickly gave up, and
kissed back.  After what seemed like an eternity, Akane parted her
lips.  "What... what was that for?" Ranma couldn't help but to question,
"I thought you wanted to forget me...".

	"Now I've no regrets," answered Akane, "I wanted to do that before I
left you... forever."

	"What?" exclaimed Ranma.  Akane wouldn't be thinking of suicide, would
she?

	"Ranma, Akane Tendo no longer exists.  The uncute tomboy that loved
you, envied you, hated you.  The one foolish enough to believe your
lies.  The one foolish enough to break her heart for someone like you. 
She," Akane paused, "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 as your fiancee,
and I intend to keep it that way.  Our engagement is over.  Good-bye...
forever."

	"But... you know that... that I..." panicked Ranma, still unable to say
the words.

	"Of course I know," sighed Akane, "But... I need to hear it."

	"You... stubborn tomboy..." Ranma said reflexively.

	"See... there you go again." pointed Akane.

	"I... I didn't..." answered Ranma weakly.

	"Of course you didn't," sighed Akane, "Ranma, the problem is this.  I
always love you.  I always forgive you.  But, I can't trust you.  I know
you don't mean the things you said, but you have no idea how much they
hurt me.  I... I just don't think I can afford to get hurt again.  My
heart can only take so much.  I'm afraid, Ranma.  Afraid to get hurt
again.  Afraid what I'll do if and when that happens.  It is not that I
can't forgive you, but I'm afraid of how you will hurt me again in the
future.  I think this is the best way.  Sorry, Ranma, but... goodbye...
forever.  You'll never see me again... as your fiancee.  Our
engagement... it is over."

	Ranma simply stood there in utter horror as he realized Akane was
right.  Akane, the girl he loved, had lost her trust in him.  She might
still love him, but she couldn't trust him anymore.  He failed her. 
"You're right, Akane," answered Ranma, "I... I'm sorry for all this. 
I... I must leave you now.  I will leave Nerima right away.  Goodbye...
and I hope some day you can trust me again."

	"Ranma, I don't want you to go!" exclaimed Akane, "Have you been
listening?  I said I wanted to end our engagement, and that was all.  I
want to say goodbye to you forever as your fiancee.  All I want is that
you stop hurting me, Ranma.  You... you don't have to leave, Ranma.  All
I wanted was that we cancel our engagement so that I won't... I won't
get hurt anymore.  Ranma, I don't trust you as my fiancee, but you don't
have to leave!  I still trust you as a friend!  Please.  I don't you
want you to leave.  I'm... I'm afraid!  Afraid of what I'll do when you
leave and how much that would hurt me!  Don't you dare!  Don't you dare
hurt me again!  I cannot live without you!"

	"Sorry, Akane, but that is one thing I cannot grant you," sighed Ranma
as he prepared to leave, "I failed you.  My presence will only hurt
you.  Maybe you'll be hurt for this, too.  But, in the long run, it is
better this way.  I... I can't stay here anymore, not after what I've
done to you.  I don't want to hurt you again.  I must go.  Goodbye,
Akane."

	"Ranma!" Akane tried to stop him, but she was too late.  Ranma had
already leapt the wall and disappeared into the darkness of the night.




Don
"Time flows like a river, and History repeats..." Secret of Mana