Subject: [fanfic] Tonight's April Fool's
From: Don Wang
Date: 6/28/1996, 5:24 AM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com

I'm taking a break from Chrono Trigger 1/2 for a while, so I figure why not post this?  
I've written this a long time ago and I figure this is a good time to post it.  I'm sure 
some of you have seem it already, but I've made lots of changes from its first post.  
I'll gone to vacation from now to Sunday, so I will be a little late on the C & C for 
fanfics.  Sorry about that.  Please read this and C & C, okay?  

Tonight's April Fool's by Don Wang <dwang@sprynet.com>

Author's Note:	This is story that was inspired by the song from 1991 calendar, 
"Tonight's April Fools". The event I referenced back to was an imginary event created 
when I heard the song and imagined a scene of April Fool's Day between Ranma and Akane. 
 Hope you enjoy it!  By the way, things in <> are character's thoughts.  Things in () 
are stage directions and settings.  Ranma 1/2 and its related characters are all 
copyrighted by their respective owners (R. Takahashi, Kitty, etc.).  Any C & C will be 
greatly appreciated.  I know I may have portrayed the character a little bit too 
stubborn, but I felt that I must do so to make the story plausible.  Anyway, here it 
goes...

(Sunday morning, April 1st.)

	"Ahhh," stretched Ranma sleepily as he looked at the calendar.  Realizing it is 
April 1st, Ranma immediately decided that today would be the perfect day to make fun of 
Akane.  <That tomboy is so dumb, she'll be fool by anything.  I remember how embarrassed 
she was last year when I told her that I loved her.  Oh... such sweet memories...>

(Scene switch back to one year ago)

	"Akane," asked Ranma, "There's something I would like to tell you."

	"What is it this time?" sighed Akane, "I can't cook?  Can't swim?  Anything 
else?"

	<She doesn't know it is April Fool's Day,> thought Ranma, <She is so dumb!>  
"Actually," answered Ranma timidly, for that even if it was April Fool's Day it was hard 
for him to say this, "I just want to tell you that you're really cute today."

	"Hai?  Um... ah..." replied Akane, obviously shocked.

	"It's true, Akane," continued Ranma, seeing Akane's obviously felling for it, "I 
want to tell you this too while I still have my courage.  I love you."

	"Ranma..." begin Akane, "Is... is it true?"

	"Of course, Akane," answered Ranma.

	Akane burst into tears, "Oh, I'm so happy.  SO happy!  Ranma... thank you.  I 
feel so happy now.  I... I don't know what to say...  I'm so happy..."

	"Doesn't matter," smiled Ranma, "And just one final thing.  Happy April Fool's 
Day!"

	It took a moment for understanding to come, then Akane got it.  "Ranma no baka!" 
she screamed as she threw a vicious uppercut smack in Ranma's face.

(Back to present)

	<Yes, it hurt a lot,> thought Ranma, <Heck, I stayed in the hospital for a week 
for that, but it was worth it.  I've never seem that kawaikunee tomboy so red.  
Hahahaha!  It is going to be another fun year!>

(Meanwhile, in Akane's room)

	"Ahh, nice day today," yawned Akane as she woke up, <Oh yeah, today's April 
Fool's Day.  That Ranma, last year he made a total fool out of me.  I thought he finally 
changed when he said he loved me.  I was about to confess my love also but then who 
would have thought it was just his twisted idea for an April Fool's joke!  This year, 
however, I'm not going to make the same mistake again.  Ranma, just you wait!  I'll 
never forgive him...>

(This time it's Akane's version of what happened last year)

	"Akane," asked Ranma, "There's something I would like to tell you."

	"What is it this time?" sighed Akane.  She knew that it was going to be just 
another insult.  She doesn't think it would be possible, but Akane wished that Ranma 
would say something nice for a change.  "I can't cook?  Can't swim?  Anything else?" 
finished Akane.

	"Actually," answered Ranma a bit uneasily, "I just want to tell you that you're 
really cute today."

	"Hai?  Um... ah..." replied Akane.  She didn't believe what she was hearing.  
Ranma said that she was cute.  Could she be dreaming this?

	"It's true, Akane," continued Ranma, "I want to tell you this too while I still 
have my courage.  I love you."

	The world seemed to black out momentarily for Akane.  She simply couldn't 
believe what she was hearing.  Ranma loved her.  Somehow, it may all the struggle and 
troubles she went through seemed worthwhile.  Akane eventually recovered and tried to 
confirm this.  "Ranma..." she muttered, "Is... is it true?"

	"Of course, Akane," answered Ranma.

	Akane was ecstatic.  She couldn't believe this.  After all this time, Ranma 
finally admitted his love for her.  She burst into tears of joy and wept.  "Oh, I'm so 
happy.  SO happy!  Ranma... thank you.  I feel so happy now.  I... I don't know what to 
say... I'm so happy..."  Akane tried to say something intelligent, but obviously 
failing.  The shock and the happiness of this news made her lose all her normal 
judgments.  She simply couldn't think of anything else to say other than saying how 
happy she was.

	"Doesn't matter," smiled Ranma, "And just one final thing.  Happy April Fool's 
Day!"

	Akane froze in utter horror.  That was all a lie?  No, it can't be!  After what 
seemed like eternity, Akane accepted the fact that it was only a lie.  She was 
heartbroken.  Then, seeing Ranma's laughing triumphantly at her, Akane decided that she 
had enough.  "Ranma no baka!" she screamed as she viciously threw an uppercut in Ranma's 
face.

(Back to present)

	<That baka, he deserved it,> thought Akane, <He should be glad that I didn't 
kill him.  This year, it is time for revenge!  I'm much smarter than that baka.  There 
is no way he will be able to humiliate me again!>
	
(Later, at breakfast)

	"Hey, Akane," smiled Ranma, "There's something I would like to tell you.  You're 
really cute today."

	"Oh, really," replied Akane indifferently, "Thanks."

	Ranma and Akane quickly noticed the difference in each other's behavior.  <So, 
the tomboy learned, didn't she?> thought Ranma, <She is actually smart enough to figure 
today's April Fools!  Oh well, she'll fell for my plots soon enough.  I'm Ranma Saotome! 
 There is no way that tomboy will outsmart me!>

	<Ranma, you think I'm that stupid?  The same trick won't work again!> thought 
Akane, <This year, you'll be the one who is humiliated, not me!>

Author's note:  I know my logic is kind of confusing here.  Ranma wanted Akane to 
believe that he has changed and then so that he would be able to laugh at her at the end 
of the day for believing that he has changed (and Akane vice versa).  So therefore they 
are reacting the exact opposite of their usual behavior.  And you know how stubborn 
Ranma and Akane are.  Once they decided on one thing, they'll not change their ways even 
if it kills them.  So I hope this would make the story make more sense.

	"My, " remarked Nabiki sarcastically, "You two sure are getting along well.  
Today must be a real SPECIAL day!"

	"I'm so glad you two are finally getting along together," smiled Kasumi.

	"Akane, I'm proud of you," sobbed Soun, "You make daddy proud!  Why didn't you 
two go on a date today."

	Even though it is April Fool's Day, Akane and Ranma still could not easily 
overcome their shyness.  They simultaneous answered, "You want me to go on a date with 
him (her)?  No way!"

	<No,> thought Ranma, <I got to act differently.  After all, I'm just pretending. 
 I got to convince that tomboy that I've changed!>  Summoning his courage, he apologized 
to Akane and asked, "Sorry, Akane.  I didn't mean that.  Do you want to go on a date 
with me?"

	Akane, not to be outdone by Ranma, quickly agreed, "Sure, Ranma.  Let's go!  
Okay, dad.  We are leaving now.  See you later!"

	Akane and Ranma decided to go to do some shopping first.  Akane remembered all 
the times she was snooping on Ranma's various dates with other girls.  <Ranma's always 
so nice to his other fiancees.  Never me, though.  Well, this time,> she thought, <I'm 
going to take advantage of this opportunity.  Ranma's going to pay for what he did last 
year!>

	Meanwhile, poor Ranma had no idea what Akane was thinking and was just about to 
try to say something nice when Akane asked, "Ranma, that dress is so pretty!  Won't you 
buy it for me?"

	"Ah..." startled Ranma, "Sure, of course, anything you ask."

	"Really!" chuckled Akane, "Well, in that case, I want some of this, some of 
that, and maybe some more of these, and then..."

	Akane picked out a zillion things she had always wanted, knowing that the poor 
Ranma would have to pay for the bill.  "I'll go first, Ranma.  I'll wait for you 
outside." said Akane as she left Ranma behind to pay the bill.

	"Sir, your total is 100,000 yen." stated the clerk.

	"WHAT!" shouted Ranma, "There's... got to be a mistake.  I... I don't know her! 
 You got to be mistaken!"

	"I don't think so, sir," smirked the clerk, "She already took all the stuff, so 
you must pay for it.  Don't try to pretend that you don't know her."

	<Akane!> thought Ranma, <You'll pay for this!>

	Ranma managed to convince the store owner that he would work in the store for 
one year in exchange for what Akane had bought.  He went outside and found Akane.  
"Well, Ranma," she smiled, "I hope that wasn't too much trouble."

	"Not at all, Akane," Ranma replied bitterly, "Money doesn't matter, Akane."

	"I'm sure it doesn't," smiled Akane mischievously, "It's love that counts, 
right?"

	Ranma decided to ignore Akane.  <Taking advantage of me like that,> he thought, 
<Who would have ever thought that Akane can be evil?  I didn't think she could even 
think of plots to get me, but I was wrong.  A minor mistake, that's all.  I will still 
win this little competition today.>

	As Akane and Ranma continued their date, Ranma noticed two familiar friends 
coming to them at high speed...

	CRASH!  Shampoo, as always, landed on top of Ranma with her bike.  "Nihao 
Ranma," she said, "Today beautiful, why not take Shampoo to date?"

	"Hold on," interrupted Ukyou, "Ran-chan is going to date with me, won't you, 
Ran-chan!" 

	"Uhh... girls," mumbled Ranma, "I hate to tell you this, but I'm already on a 
date with Akane."

	"WHAT!" screamed Ukyou and Shampoo simultaneously, "Does this mean you like 
Akane more than either of us!?"

	<I can't believe they don't know I'm doing this only for April Fool's Day.  
Guess Akane is not the only one without a brain around here.  Still, I'm going to fool 
that tomboy into thinking that tomboy I've changed, even if it kills me!>  Ranma knew 
that if he didn't say he loved Akane right now the contest would very well be over here 
and right now.  Akane would win because she would find the perfect excuse to say that 
Ranma never changed and was only pretending to be nice.  Ranma, being adamant in his 
ways, could not see that happen.  He had no choice but to reply, "Sorry, I love Akane 
more than either of you."

	"RANMA!  How dare you play around with our feelings like that!" shouted Shampoo 
and Ukyou.

	"Wait, I can explain this!" Ranma desperately tried to calm the girls down.

	But it was too late.  Shampoo and Ukyou ruthlessly beat up Ranma, convinced that 
Ranma had betrayed them for Akane.  Ranma, being the one who never fight back against a 
girl, had no choice but to try to avoid getting hit.  To make matters worse, Akane tried 
to show her support by helping Ranma.  That was just about the worst thing she could 
have done.  Akane forgot that Ukyou and Shampoo were both better than she was and tried 
to keep Ukyou and Shampoo away from Ranma.  Shampoo gladly took this chance to attack 
Akane while Ukyou continued to attack Ranma.  In order to be consistent with his 
actions, Ranma had no choice but to take the blows that were meant for Akane.  Finally, 
Ukyou and Shampoo had enough for today and left Ranma badly beaten and bruised.

	"Ranma!  I didn't know this would happen!  Are you all right?" asked Akane in a 
somewhat sincere manner, "I'm so sorry."  

	"Don't worry about it, Akane," replied Ranma before he lost his conscious, "It 
is really no trouble... no trouble whatsoever."

	"Really, Ranma?  Thanks.  I'm so happy!" smiled Akane.  <Yes, I couldn't be 
happier,> thought Akane, <Ranma got what he deserved.>

(Two hours later)

	"Ranma, you are awake!" rejoiced Akane, "You have been unconscious ever since 
Ukyou and Shampoo beat you up.  You are all right, aren't you?"

	"Uhh..., it is nothing, Akane.  Really, nothing," replied Ranma.

	"Oh, but it is all my fault," continued Akane, "I know if I didn't get in the 
way you wouldn't have got hurt.  I'm really sorry.  I really am!"

	"Oh..." Ranma was about to say something when he saw Ryuoga coming.  <Great, 
just what I need.> he thought.

	"Ranma, what do you think you're doing with Akane-san?" questioned Ryouga.

	"Uhh..," Ranma was trying to think of some good explanation when Akane 
interrupted, "Oh, Ranma and I are just on a date together.  We're just having fun!  
Right, Ranma?"

	<Oh no, don't tell me Ryouga will buy Akane's story!> thought Ranma.  Ranma 
tried to clam Ryouga, "Look, I can explain this..." 

	"Is it true, Akane-san?" Ryouga asked Akane, "Do you really love Ranma?"

	"Yes!  I love Ranma more than anyone in the world!" nodded Akane.

	Ryouga froze at those words.  Even though it was April Fool's Day, Akane still 
couldn't bear to see Ryouga being this depressed.  She tried to cheer Ryouga up, 
"Ryouga... um... you know, we're still always friends.  Just because I love Ranma 
doesn't mean..."

	Meanwhile, Ranma panicked after hearing Akane said those words to Ryouga.  <It 
was like the last time I fought Ryouga.  He completely went berserk when Akane said 
those exact same words.> he thought, <I don't know why Ryouga reacted so violently, but 
this can only mean that... he will use the complete Shishi Hokodan!>

	Ranma shuddered at the thought.  He remembered that fight too well.  If he 
didn't use Ryouga's affection for Akane, he would not be able to defeat Ryouga.  Ranma 
was able to use Akane to narrowly pull off a victory against Ryouga.  If Akane hadn't 
been there, then Ranma would have lost for sure.  When Ryouga's depressed enough to use 
the complete Shishi Hokodan, the only way Ranma knew to defeat him was using Akane to 
make Ryouga concentrate so that he will knock himself out.  <Thanks to this April Fool's 
Day,> thought Ranma, <I can't even pull the same trick again!  I can't tell Ryouga that 
same thing!  That not Ryouga wouldn't fall for it again, but then Akane would be able to 
say that I never cared about her and used her as a tool to get victory!  Then all the 
suffering I went through today would be in vain!  I can't give up now!  I've already 
suffered too much in order to try to fool Akane.  I refuse to give up!  What can I do!>

	Meanwhile, Ryouga was becoming more and more depressed by the moment.  <We're 
still always friend, she says,> thought Ryouga, <I always knew that Akane could never 
really love me.  Still, I have my hopes because she never said that she loved Ranma.  
Now, though, to hear Akane confessing her love to Ranma and saying that I will always be 
her friend... it is too much!  I can't bear to hear those words!>

	Akane had no idea what Ryouga was thinking.  "Ryouga..." she hesitated, "Are you 
all right?"

	"It is all clear now," said Ryouga as he gently picked up Akane and hurled her 
about 30 meter away, "Sorry about this, Akane, but I don't want you to get hurt.  Please 
forgive me."

	Turning to Ranma, Ryouga continued, "Ranma, there is no point of living for me 
anymore.  I'll take you to hell with me.  Prepare to die.  SHISHI HOKODAN!"

	The force of the complete Shishi Hokodan slammed Ranma face first into the 
ground.  <Just great,> Ranma thought, <Now Ryouga's really lost it.  I can't even use 
Akane if I want to now because she is not here anymore!  Why is this happening to me?>

	Even as Ranma tried to get up, he was smashed by yet more blasts from the 
complete Shishi Hokodan.  "Shishi Hokodan!  Shishi Hokodan!  Shishi Hokodan!" attacked 
Ryouga relentlessly.  Before long, Ranma was unconscious again.  Just as Ryouga was 
going to the final kill Akane returned and shouted, "Wait, Ryouga-kun, please don't kill 
Ranma!  I'm begging you!"  Even though Ranma was a pervert and such a jerk, even though 
Ranma was always hurting her feelings and was always rude, even though Ranma always 
denied that he loved Akane, Akane couldn't see her fiancee getting killed.

	Ryouga could never refuse a request from Akane.  He stopped his attacks and 
asked sadly, "All right, Akane.  You know I can never refuse you."

	Akane felt sad.  She didn't want her good friend Ryouga to feel sad just because 
of her little contest with Ranma.  She took a long look a Ranma, and decided that he 
must be unconscious.  "Ryouga-kun, this isn't really what it seems to be." she began.

	"Akane, just tell me one thing," interrupted Ryouga, "Do you love Ranma or not?"

	Taking one final glance at Ranma, Akane confirmed her earlier thoughts.  Ranma 
was unconscious, all right.  Now it would be okay to tell the truth.  "Ryouga-kun, don't 
you know what day today is?  Today's April Fool's Day.  I'm only pretending all these 
things.  I'm pretending to be nice and sweet so that I can get back at Ranma for what he 
done to me last year."

	"Really?" asked Ryouga in disbelief.

	Akane replied, "Of course, Ryouga-kun.  You don't think I would actually love a 
baka like him, right?  By the way, Ryouga-kun, thank you for beating up Ranma like that! 
 It's about time someone teaches that jerk a lesson."

	Ryouga instantly changed from being depressed to ecstasy.  He ran in no 
particular direction, smashing walls along in the way.  In a few moments he was gone.

	<I wonder what's with Ryouga these days?> Akane thought, <He's always... so odd. 
 Oh well, right now I better check on Ranma.>

	Akane examined Ranma carefully to see just how hurt Ranma was.  Even though she 
was no doctor, she quickly determined that Ranma would need a lot rest.  <Well, there's 
no way to continue the date now that Ranma's in this shape,> she sighed, <Oh well, it 
was fun while it lasted.  Even though I know we are both just pretending this.  How 
convenient for you to just faint, Ranma.  There is no way you could have keep your 
masquerade for much longer.>

	<I guess we have no choice but to go home.  Since Ranma's in no shape to walk... 
that means I'll have to...> she blushed at the thought.  For a moment, Akane considered 
splashing cold water on Ranma to avoid embarrassment.  However, she quickly decided 
otherwise.  Even when Ranma's unconscious, Akane felt that she must continue her 
sweet-and-nice girl act.  <No, Akane.  You can do it.> she told herself, <After all, 
you're only pretending.  So who cares if you have to carry Ranma home?  You can do it!>
	
(Back at the Tendo's residence)
	
	"Well, if it isn't Akane and Ranma," remarked Nabiki, "Oh my, what happened to 
Ranma, Akane?  Did you do this to him?"

	"No!" she countered, "Yeah, I know it is hard to believe, but I didn't do this. 
 I love Ranma, remember?"

	"Sure, whatever." answered Nabiki sarcastically.

	"Well, at any rate," continued Akane, "Ranma needs a lot of rest.  So please 
leave us alone for now."

(Six hours later)
	
	Ranma slowly regained his conscious after six hours of rest.  Opening his eyes, 
he saw Akane sitting next to him.  "Where am I..." he asked.

	"Ranma, you're awake!" exclaimed Akane, "I was beginning to get worried.  You 
were out cold for six hours!  Ryouga must have hurt you worse than I thought!"

	<Yeah, thanks to you, Akane,> thought Ranma.  "Oh well," he said, "It is too 
late to talk about this.  By the way, what time is it?"

	Akane took a glance at the clock and replied, "It is around 11:00 p.m., why?"

	<Oh no, I have lost so much time thanks to Akane,> thought Ranma, <Only 1 hour 
left.  Better hurry with my plan.>

	Meanwhile, Akane continued, "Ranma, I'm getting sleepy.  I'm going to sleep.  
Good-night."

	<No,> thought Ranma, <You can't just back away like this, Akane.  Not after what 
you done to me today!>  He decided that he must do something drastic in order to win 
this match, "Akane," he began, "We're fiancees, right?"

	"Yeah?" replied Akane.

	"I think... that... maybe we should spend more time together tonight."

	<Ranma, Ranma, you don't know when to give up, don't you?> thought Akane, <For a 
moment I was going to just leave you alone for the rest of the day.  I'm actually 
feeling kind of sorry for you by now.  Even though I know you're pretending to be nice 
and you know I'm pretending too, it is still a nice feeling.  You could have just call 
it a day and leave me with such fond memories...  Well, Ranma, two can play this game!>

	"Okay," decided Akane, "But still I want to sleep.  Why don't you come to my 
room and we can sleep together."

	"Ahhh..." muttered Ranma, <She is more stubborn than I thought!  She can't be 
seriously about this, can she?  Sleeping with that kawaikunee tomboy?  Well, Akane, 
there is no way I'm going to back out.  Akane, I won't lose this easily!>

	"Well, Ranma, are you coming or not?" asked Akane.

	"Sure, why not?" replied Ranma defiantly.

(At Akane's room)

	Even though it is April Fool's Day, Ranma and Akane still weren't able to 
overcome their shyness easily.  For a long time, Ranma and Akane simply stood in 
silence, unable to say anything.  <Geez, he could have just call it a day and let me go 
to sleep,> thought Akane, <But no, Ranma had to follow me into my room.  Now I'm stuck 
with him until midnight.  Well, it is all your fault. It is always your fault, Ranma!>

	<Why am I so nervous?> thought Ranma, <Come on, Ranma.  You know she is 
pretending, and you know you're only pretending.  Still, why am I so nervous around 
Akane?  You don't actually love that kawaikunee tomboy, do you?  Snap out of it!>

	Meanwhile, Akane finally found a good excuse for her to make her move, <That's 
right, it is Ranma's fault.  So I'm doing this for revenge.  If he mentions this later I 
can always use April Fool's Day as an excuse.  It is always Ranma's fault.>  Having made 
up her mind, Akane asked, "Ranma... there's a favor a would like to ask you."

	"Anything you ask, Akane," replied Ranma.  <Oh-oh,> thought Ranma, <Now what is 
she going to do now?  Well, no way around it.>

	"Okay," Akane's face shone radiantly, "Ranma, will you kiss me?"

	<Oh no!> thought Ranma, <There's is no way I'm going to kiss her.  However, if I 
say no, all the trouble I went through would be in vain!  At any rate, Akane will then 
be able to say something such as I was afraid to kiss her and thus fooled by her!  I've 
already suffered too much for today.  I can't lose now!>

	"Well, are you going to do it or not?" urged Akane.

	"I... I..." mumbled Ranma as he nervously glanced around the room.  He saw the 
clock by Akane's bed and realized it was already 11:57 p.m..  <How did time pass so 
quickly?  It seemed like it was 11:00 p.m. only a moment ago.  Why did I get my myself 
in this mess?  I should have leave her alone when she said she wanted to go to sleep.  
Well, if only I can stall some more seconds!  I can't do this!  If I'm not going to beat 
Akane, at least I can't lose.  I must not lose!>

	"Ranma, if you are scared or don't want to just say so..." said Akane.

	"No, why would I refuse, Akane?" answered Ranma, "Okay, just close your eyes." 
and now Akane's the one who was surprised.
	
	"Uhh... are you sure about this?" questioned Akane nervously as her face turned 
a little red.

	"Akane, just close your eyes.  I'm going to kiss you." continued Ranma.

	"Okay, Ranma," consented Akane.

	<He wouldn't dare,> thought Akane, <Well, there's no way around it.  I can't 
back out now.  It'll be that jerk's fault, anyway.>  In her heart, Akane knew that she 
was actually hoping Ranma would although she would never admit it.  <Why not?> she 
decided, <Either way I will win.  Either Ranma won't kiss me and then I can make fun of 
him, or Ranma do kiss me and I... I... I can finally get what I've always been waiting 
for.>  Just thinking about being actually kissed, however, made Akane blush.  She 
decided to take one quick peep to make sure.  She was instantly relieved yet a little 
bit disappointed to find Ranma was looking nervously at the clock by her bed.  Ranma 
will not kiss her.

	<I knew he wouldn't dare,> she thought, <I was actually hoping that he would... 
 Oh, Ranma, yes, watch the clock.  Yes, he's going to try to stall enough time so that 
it would be past midnight.  Well, Ranma, you got a surprise coming your way!>

	Meanwhile, Ranma was still nervously watching the clock.  <Where are dad and Mr. 
Tendo when I need them?> he thought, <Wait, I think I hear something.  Yes, it's got to 
be them, trying to spy on us!  Dad, for once you actually did something right!>  

	"Akane, wait," he whispered, "Open your eyes; something's wrong here."

	"Oh, you are scared, aren't you?" smiled Akane, "Well, you can always..."

	"No," interrupted Ranma, "My dad and your dad are spying us.  I'll go take care 
of them."

	Ranma quickly got off Akane's bed and found Mr. Tendo and his dad attempting to 
spy on them just outside Akane's room.  "Would you mind leaving us some privacy!" he 
yelled as he booted his father and Mr. Tendo out of sight.  Akane was also very 
embarrassed.  "Oh, how dare they do that!" she fumed, "They won't get away with this."

	<Let's hope she forgets about the kiss.> thought Ranma as he took another glance 
at the clock, <Good, it took 2 minutes to get my dad and Mr. Tendo out of here.  Just a 
few more seconds and it'll be all over.>

	Akane, surprisingly, managed to control herself and asked Ranma in her sweetest 
voice, "Okay, Ranma.  Let's continue where we left off."

	<Darn!> he thought, <She didn't forget.  What a stubborn tomboy!  Come on, just 
a few more seconds...>

	Ranma drew closer to Akane's pretty face and he could feel his heart beat 
faster.  For possibly the first time in his life, he realized how beautiful Akane was.  
<I would have kissed her any other day, but not today.  I will not kiss her just because 
she pressured me into this.  If I want to kiss her, that'll be some other day.> he 
thought.  He held Akane's face closer but his eyes never parted from the clock.  He was 
getting increasingly nervous as he got closer to Akane.  The closer he was to Akane, the 
more he was afraid that he would lose control and kiss her.  Five seconds... four 
seconds... three seconds... two seconds... one second... and then it was all over.  It 
was midnight and April 1st was over.

	"Akane, I congratulate you for your effort," smiled Ranma, relieved that it is 
finally over, "You were close, all right, but now April Fool's Day is over!  Whew, I'm 
so glad that I didn't have to kiss a tomboy like you."

	Ranma expected Akane to explode under his insult, but she didn't.  "Ranma, so is 
this what you think it is?" questioned Akane, "You think I'm acting this way for April 
Fool's Day?"

	"Of course," replied Ranma, "I can see no other explanation for a tomboy like 
you to change.  Don't try to pretend like you didn't know that today's April Fool's 
Day."

	"Ranma, you baka!" sobbed Akane, "That's what happened last year, too.  And you 
broke my heart.  This year I thought it would be the perfect time to make it up to you, 
yet you ruined it again.  I was trying to be nice to you for once, but now you ruined 
it!  Don't you know how much I love you, Ranma?"

	<No, it couldn't be, this has to be a joke,> thought Ranma, <What have I done!  
I better apologize to her.>  "Akane, I... I..." said Ranma, "I'm sorry.  I didn't know 
you were trying to be nice.  I am sorry for treating you like that.  I... I am sorry, 
Akane.  I didn't know you love me that much."

	Akane could no longer hide her emotion anymore.  She burst into a series of 
uncontrollable laughter.  "What... what's wrong Akane," panicked Ranma, "Are you all 
right?"

	"Ranma, APRIL FOOL'S!" chuckled Akane.

	"You stupid girl!" shouted Ranma, "Didn't I tell you, it is past midnight.  
April Fool's Day is over!  The clock reads 12:01 right now!"

	"Oh, the clock," said Akane, still laughing uncontrollably, "I set it 5 minutes 
early yesterday.  I didn't think I would need to use it but I did it just in case.  I 
thought that you might try to stall sometime in case something like what just happened 
moment ago occurred.  I figure you'll try to stall time so you won't have to kiss me.  
It is still April 1st, Ranma."

	<So that's what those noises were last night,> thought Ranma, <No!  I can't be 
outsmarted by Akane!  She is as dumb as a brick!  There is no way I can be outsmarted by 
her!  Wait, according to what she said, there's might still be enough time to do 
something!>

	"Akane," addressed Ranma in his most serious/formal voice possible, "Do you 
really think that I don't know about the clock?"

	"Of course," said Akane, still laughing, "You were clueless.  There was no way 
you could have known!"

	"Akane," smiled Ranma, "I just want you to know, I saw it all last night."

	"Sure, whatever," laughed Akane, "I believe you.  You know, you're a really bad 
liar.  Even I was better at this, and I don't do it nearly as often as you do. At least 
unlike some people I don't make up lies that hurt other people."

	Ranma thought about that for a second.  Lies that hurt other people?  Yes, he 
lied to Akane a lot, and it always hurt her.  Even though Ranma was humiliated right now 
because Akane lied to him, and least she didn't hurt his feelings.  "No, listen," 
continued Ranma, "I was just talking a walk around the house yesterday when I started to 
hearing very loud noises coming from your room."

	"You're lying," countered Akane, but she didn't seem so confident anymore.

	"So I decided to check what my kawaikunee iinazuke was up to.  I saw you were 
fiddling with the clock and you tripped over a lot of the stuffs in your room.  Akane, 
you were so clumsy!  You made so much noise that anyone would have heard you!  Of course 
I saw you changed the time on your clock."

	"No," Akane whispered, "You didn't."

	<Seems like she's buying this story.> thought Ranma, <One good thing about Akane 
is that she is so predictable.  I think I will be able to fool her after all!>

	"Anyway," continued Ranma, "After you were done changing the clock, I sneaked in 
and changed the clock back to regular time.  So, Akane, you didn't fool me after all!  
Uhh... Akane, what's wrong?"

	Akane was stunned and her face was pale.  She broke into tears, "No... it can't 
be... you couldn't have known this... I'm sure no one saw me do it..."

	<It worked, she fell for that!> thought Ranma.  Ranma glanced at the clock and 
it read 12:04, or really 11:59 p.m.  "Akane, it is not the end of the world, you know.  
So you didn't win, big deal!  Why are you so stubborn?"

	"No, no, you don't understand," Akane was crying uncontrollably, "I can't 
believe I said these things to you, Ranma.  I thought it would be okay because it was 
still April Fool's Day, but it wasn't.  I... I'm so embarrassed, Ranma."

	"You don't have to be ashamed to tell your true feelings, Akane." said Ranma, 
continuing his plan.

	"You're right," answered Akane as she abruptly stopped crying, "I shouldn't be. 
 Ranma, I love you.  Never forget that.  I love you I love you I love you!  I always 
wanted to say that, and now thanks to you I finally did.  Now, answer me one question.  
Do you love me?"

	<Akane fell for it again!  I knew it!  Ranma Saotome, you've outdone yourself 
again!> thought Ranma. "Of course I love you, Akane," answered Ranma.

	"Ranma... I... I'm so happy... so happy... so happy..." Akane burst into tears 
of joy.  <So I've lost this April Fool's contest,> she thought, <No matter.  What I gain 
is much more valuable than a simple contest.  At last I confessed my love to Ranma, and 
he confessed his love to me.  That's all it matters.  Thanks, Ranma, really.  If it 
wasn't for you I would never know how much you love me.>

	If Ranma was smarter, he would have noticed how genuinely Akane said those 
words.  If he was smarter, he should know to treasure those moments and never let them 
go.  If he was smarter, he should have keep everything a secret from Akane forever.  If 
he was smarter, he could have lived with Akane in love forever.  However, Ranma Saotome, 
love klutz extraordinare, wasn't so smart.  "Akane," smiled Ranma, "One more thing I 
would like you to know, it is still April Fool's Day."

	"Ranma?" asked Akane incredulously, "What is it you say?  Would you mind 
repeating that?"

	"Sure, Akane," by now it was Ranma's turn to laugh, "I didn't know about the 
clock, you silly tomboy.  I guess that was a pretty convincing story, wasn't it.  Since 
you did change the clock, that means right now is 11:59 p.m. and therefore we are still 
in April Fool's Day.  You are so predictable, Akane.  Akane, why in the world would I 
love a kawaikunee tomboy like you?  I knew a tomboy like you couldn't do anything sneaky 
without..."

	That was too much for Akane to handle.  Again she had taken a plunge from 
paradise to hell.  Humiliated and heartbroken once again.  "It is all a lie.  That's all 
you ever tell me.  Lies." said Akane fiercely, "You lied to me.  You always hurt me with 
your lies.  You don't really love me at all, don't you?"

	"Wait a second, I can explain this," panicked Ranma.

	"Ranma no baka!" she screamed, "You're a liar, Ranma Saotome!  Liar!  Liar!  
Liar!  I don't want to see you ever again!  I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!"

End of "Tonight's April Fool's".  To be continued...

********************************************************************************
"RANMA NO BAKA!" Akane Tendo, Ranma 1/2

"Power only breeds war ... I wish I'd never been born." Celes Chere, Final Fantasy 3

Don Wang <dwang@sprynet.com>
RPG, strategy game, and Ranma 1/2 fan.