This is the new version of Just the Two of Us Tonight. I fixed up a
lot of things, so Akane is no longer afraid of the storm... at least it
wasn't an important part of why she acted that way that night. Please
read this. All C & C will be welcomed.
PS And just how do you post a message to FFML and can still reply to
the original sender when you click reply to? The default reply is back
to FFML. How do you change it to your address? Anyone know what I'm
trying to say? ^_^
Just the Two of Us Tonight by Don Wang
<> are thoughts
Note: The song is the lyrics from Akaneís Lullaby. If you havenít
listen to it, you should!
"A lightning storm and a typhoon is scheduled to hit Nerima tonight,"
Akane watched intently on the television news while munching on some
snacks. How can a typhoon and a lightning storm hit Nerima at the same
time? Akane silently sighed. Her life had been getting weirder and
weirder ever since Ranma arrived. This must have been one of those
aftereffects of Ranmaís arrival. The reason for the abnormal weather,
decided Akane, would probably be something that she just didnít want to
know about. She mentally went over her inventory for the night.
Mallet, check. Bucket of cold water, check. Sword, check. Bows and
arrows, check.
Akane heard the door open, and knew it was Ranma. Well, this time, she
was prepared.
"Akane, arenít you all little bit, umÖ overdoing it?" that was Ranmaís
first remark as he glanced at Akane nervously.
"Iím not taking any chances! EspeciallyÖ" she paused momentarily as a
faint trace of red flushed her cheeks, "Especially after what you did
last time!"
"How many times do I have to tell you! It is Shampooís magical
mushrooms!" explained Ranma, "You saw it with your own eyes. It is not
my fault!"
"Still," protested Akane, "Youíre such a pervert! And now that
everyoneís gone for tonight, who knows what youíll be trying this time!"
"There is no way Iíll even think about an uncute tomboy like you!"
replied Ranma, and he immediately regretted saying this. Akane was
quite well-prepared. This was not one of his most brilliant ideas.
"Ranma!" came the usual response as Akane obliged Ranmaís challenge.
This time, she chose the sword. Of course, it wasnít a real sword, just
the wooden one that Akane loved to use to bash him with. Ranma sighed.
It was all a futile exercise. He could never truly run away from her.
Eventually, she would catch him and give him a good beating. Might as
well get this over with.
A lightning bolt crackled through the night sky just as Akane was about
to give chase, and the booming laugh of thunder tore the air apart
immediately after. Akane shrieked and leapt into Ranma's arms, face
pressed tightly into his shoulder, arms tightly wrapped around his
neck. The lightning came off more as a surprise, just as Ranma might
sneak behind her and scare her. Her reaction, however, caught her and
Ranma off-guard.
"Itís okay, itís okay," soothed Ranma, rather surprised by Akaneís
actions. Akane always acted so independent and strong in front of him.
This was simply a side of her that Ranma rarely saw.
Akane was quite surprised too. She wasnít really scared, not really.
Just surprised. And immediately after she recover from the surprise of
the lightning, Akane was sure she would have sent Ranma on a one way
trip across Nerima for holding her like that. But then she realized
that she was the one who jumped into his arms. It couldnít have been
more than a few seconds, but Akane could clearly feel that her
determination to hit Ranma tonight at the slightest provocation slowly
begin to waver, and eventually her determination faltered. Akane tried
to push her thoughts away, but it was futile. She was enjoying this.
She wanted to be like this. <What is wrong with me tonight?> Akane
questioned herself, <I donít like Ranma! I donít like the jerk! And I
certainly donít need his protection! Iím not even scared! Just
surprised! Why?>
Akane hated to come to this conclusion, but she knew that it must have
been true, that she enjoyed being with Ranma. Despite all her protest
against that jerk, she still wanted to be with him. Akane only jumped
into Ranmaís arms for a few moment, but it was long enough to change
her. Akane recalled such a similar incident, when she and Ranma was
alone and she jumped into his arms as well. <I wouldÖ wouldÖ> she
thought back, not wanting to admit the truth, <I would have kissed him.
But maybe tonight will be different. Maybe for just tonight, we can get
alone.>
Akane disengaged herself. However, she failed miserably to hide her
embarrassment. Ranma saw clearly that Akane was blushing. "So I guess
thatís the lightning storm they talked about on the news!" she
immediately changed the subject, "And they say there is supposed to be a
typhoon as well!"
"I donít see a typhoon yet." questioned Ranma. Then, as if on cue,
heavy rain and wind began to rock the house.
"Any question now, Ranma?" challenged Akane.
"Guess not."
"Wait! The house wonít stand this storm! It is going to leak
everywhere, because youíre always making all these holes!" accused
Akane.
"Well, if a certain uncute tomboy wasnít kicking me out of the house
all the time, maybe there will be less damage!" replied Ranma.
"YouÖ IÖ why youÖ" Akane futilely attempted to hide her humiliation as
her cheeks now flashed burning red, "Ranma no baka!"
Ranma knew that after the ëRanma no bakaí, he would be in big trouble.
Usually, this meant a slap in the face. <Akane can be SO unreasonable,>
he thought, <It is not even my fault! And I still get blamed for this!>
Another lightning bolt soared through the sky, and took out power lines
with it.
The sudden stop of electricity surprised Ranma, but he stilled prepared
to be struck. Surely a small thing like a power shortage wouldnít stop
Akane.
But the blow never came.
Ranma puzzled over this as he slowly searched for Akane. "Akane, are
you over there?" he called.
"Yes, Iím here," her voice seemed a little bit rushed, as if she was
trying to control her anger. After a deep breath, she answered, "Never
mind, Ranma. Come on, weíve got to fix the leaks before the house is
flooded!"
Ranma wondered in amazement. Akane didnít hit him? Just what is going
on tonight!?
Akane was rather surprised that she managed to stay calm, but she was
glad for that decision. The lost of target due to the darkness gave her
some more time to think, and she decided that Ranma didnít deserve her
bashing, not this time, anyway. Maybe another day.
Eventually Ranma and Akaneís eyes adjusted to the faint moonlight, and
went on to repair the house. Akane had to admit that she was a little
scared. After all, the house did went through a lot of damage, and she
wasnít at all confident whether it would hold against the storm. So
maybe it was a good thing Ranma was here. At least Ranma always
protected her when she needed his help.
Ranma did most of the work repairing the house. After all, he couldnít
trust these delicate repairs in Akaneís hands, could he? Ranma thought
Akane had been unusually kind tonight. As he proceeded to fix the leaks
in the house, he stole a few glance at Akane. Sometimes, she was
smiling. Sometimes, she seemed a little bit afraid. Sometimes, she
seemed angry. Ranma decided that he would never really understand
Akane. Not that he wanted to, right? ButÖ Ranma had to admit that he
did like Akane. When she smiled, she could be so cute. And tonight,
she didnít seem so tomboyish anymore. She was gentle enough, especially
considering she was supposed to beat him up on the slightest
provocation. After all, she didnít tote all that weaponry for no
reason! Akane seemed to be afraid, even if only momentarily. And she
did seemed to want him around. <Akane,> sighed Ranma, <Weíve been
fiancee for who knows how long, but do I understand you? What do you
really feel about me? Why are you staying so close to me tonight? Are
you afraid?>
At last, the repairs were done, and the house would stand the typhoon
tonight. Power was still down, but it didnít really trouble Akane and
Ranma anymore. Ranma glanced at the clock. Eleven oíclock. Time to go
to sleep.
As Akane prepared to go to her room, she hesitated for a moment. The
storm still continued with a howling ferocity. <Why am I scared?> she
wondered, <I canít be scared by that storm! Ranma will make fun of me
that way!>
Akane continued to think. Yes, she was feeling fear, or was it? She
wanted Ranma to be around him. Is thisÖ loneliness? <But why am I
feeling this way?> she wondered, <Never felt this way before!>
Then she got it. For the most of the night, she had been acting rather
gentle and soft to Ranma. So that must be it. The more Ranma practiced
to act like a girl the better he was at it. So this must be her
problem. By being so docile to Ranma tonight, she allowed her softer
side to take over her. She should never have allowed this! She
shouldíve beat up Ranma the moment he walked in the door, and then none
of this would have happened! She couldnít be afraid of a typhoon!
"You okay, Akane?" Ranmaís words snapped her attention back to reality,
"You look kind of distant."
Akane gazed at Ranma. Maybe it would be best if she just beat up Ranma
right now. That would get her in a bad mood, and when she was angry,
she wouldnít feel so alone and hopeless that she needed Ranmaís
company. But as Akane looked at Ranma again, her determination
faltered. Ranma hadnít done anything wrong tonight. Why must she hit
him? Was this the only way she could get along with him? By fighting?
"AkaneÖ are you afraid of the storm?" asked Ranma timidly, "BecauseÖ"
So that was it. Ranma saw through that. It was all his fault! She
wasnít even really scared of this until she began to act nice to him.
She should have just slapped him when he insulted her. It was all
Ranmaís fault. It was always Ranmaís fault.
But no, it wasnít Ranmaís fault. And Akane finally understood what she
was feelings. It was not fear, it was loneliness. She enjoyed Ranmaís
company tonight, and she regretted to see him go. Being nice to Ranma
did make her vulnerable. It made her realize how much she liked Ranma
and that she wanted to be with him.
So what should she do? Answer no? Answer yes? Neither of them seemed
to be a proper response. What should she do? What would she normally
do?
<Forget what I would normally do,> Akane told herself. Yes, tonight
she could be nice to him. This didnít have to end with a fight. "What
do you think?" she challenged him.
"I think youíre afraid of the storm," answered Ranma.
Akane sighed. That idiot! He was always bluntly open about those
things, wasnít he? "So what are you going to do? Make fun of me? Go
ahead, see if I care!" she answered defiantly. Stupid Ranma just had to
ruin anything. Oh well, she would just have to go to the bed angry.
She didnít like going to bed angry, but she learned to live with it
since Ranma was always so good at making her angry. At least she
wouldnít feel lonely.
Ranma felt a little bit disappointed. Was this what Akane always
thought of him? Someone who always laughed at her when she needed
help? Ranma then realized that he was never really nice to Akane,
especially when she needed help. Yes, he had been too proud to be
gentle to her, always making fun of her tomboyish nature. He really
never meant all the things he said. It was justÖ wellÖ he didnít know
any other way to get along with Akane. It was certainly rare that Akane
was nice, if ever at all. Well, tonight would be different. He could
be gentle, for once. Besides, no one else would find out.
"Akane, it is all right," he answered, "I wonít make fun of you or
anything. It is just thatÖ never thought you will be afraid of the
storm. But it is okay. SoÖ everything will be all right, Akane. Iím
here."
Ranma had to admit that this wasnít not the most effective speech he
could have said, but it worked.
Akane smiled to herself. Not bad for that stupid jerk! It certainly
made her feel a lot happier. Well, Ranma could think that she was
afraid of the storm, but she knew she wasnít. "You really would be here
for me? No matter what happens?" she asked.
Ranma hesitated a little bit before finally answering. This was
certainly a hard thing for him to say. But then he remembered the time
Nabiki and everyone else was making fun of him when they realized he was
afraid of cats. But not Akane. She looked after him, telling him that
it was all right to have a weakness, and that she wouldnít like someone
who was not afraid of anything. "Yes, it is all right Akane. Didnít
you tell me once that you donít like someone who does not fear
anything? Well, Iím afraid of cats, just as youíre afraid of the
storm. It is all right. Besides," added Ranma, "Youíre just a girlÖ"
"Youíre such a jerk!" Akane cut him short, "You really are!"
"I mean," Ranma hurried for an explanation, "Youíre a girl, even though
you can be so tomboyish! See, IÖ Iíll protect you! It is okay.
Really!"
Akaneís anger slowly dissipated away, returning to her face to a
beautiful scarlet color. Ranma was actually being considerate today.
Even though he still could be such a jerk, at least he was improving.
Maybe tonight would turn out all right. Akane gave Ranma a shy smile
and asked, "WellÖ if you want to protect me. WellÖ Iím going to sleep
now, but IímÖ IímÖ"
What Akane had intended to say was ëlonelyí, but Ranma evidently
mistaken it to ëafraidí. "Um, donít worry! I canÖ watch you!"
suggested Ranma, somewhat surprised on what he just offered.
"Watch me?" Akane looked at him suspiciously. That would be great!
She could get along with him just fine if he was watching her. ButÖ
could she trust Ranma not to mess up?
Akane thought about this for a while as Ranma was getting impatient.
Just when Ranma thought Akane would surely refuse, she finally decided.
"UmÖ Ranma?" she asked timidly, "You can come alongÖ ifÖ you knowÖ can
you?"
Ranma never thought Akane would be this afraid of storm, not to mention
she simply looked so cute! "Sure," he replied, "Iíll just watch you.
Besides, I wonít even think aboutÖ"
Akane put her hand over Ranmaís mouth, preventing him from continuing.
"Touching a tomboy like me? Yes, I know that," she smiled, "Itís okay."
Ranma followed Akane to her room. "Ranma, can we talk a little bit,
just before I go to sleep?" asked Akane, "Please?"
Ranma didnít see why not, so he agreed. "Sure. I guess those weapons
of your didnít do any good tonight, right?" he began nervously.
"I guess not!" smiled Akane. By now, Ranma and Akane were quite
accustomed to the darkness, and aided with the faint moonlight Ranma
could see her radiant smile. <Akane is so beautiful when she smiles,>
thought Ranma. If it was storms and lightning bolts that will make her
like this, Ranma wished that they could be like this everyday.
Ranma and Akane talked, and talked, and talked. How long has it been?
Fifteen minutes? Half an hour? An hour? Ranma didnít know, nor did it
mattered. He finally had to admit, he enjoyed being with Akane.
Akane was happy too. For once, everything was working out all right.
She wished she could talk like this forever, but she knew she was
getting sleepy. Too bad it couldnít last forever.
"Akane, why do you always so jealous of Shampoo?" asked Ranma.
Akane tried to organize her thoughts. What were they talking about
earlier? How did it led to this question? Did it matter? No, Akane
decided. "Because when she jumps into you, you can never shake her
off! Youíre such a pervert!" replied Akane as her eyelids grew heavy.
"Well, how can I just throw a cute girl like Shampoo away?" teased
Ranma, "If it is you, it will be no problem!"
"You want to bet?" challenged Akane even as fatigue was about to
overtake her.
"Sure!" nodded Ranma, who was not in the least bit tired.
"Okay, here I go!" smiled Akane and she plunged into Ranma, holding him
in a tight embrace.
Ranma was nearly paralyzed by this. He never thought Akane would
actually do something like that. <Well, I lost the bet,> he thought.
But it didnít matter. He finally was able to admit. He was quite happy
for Akane to be like this.
Akane was actually hoping Ranma would say something stupid. She was
tired. Her body told her that she needed to sleep, but she didnít
want. If Ranma did something stupid, that would certainly be enough to
keep her awake longer. Akane expected Ranma let go of her, but he
didnít, and soon her fatigue caught up to her again. She mentally
sighed, regretting that she had to end this night. But she wouldnít let
go, not until Ranma wanted to, anyway. Inside her mind, a tiny alarm
bell warned her what her family and friends might think of us. But she
nudged it aside. No one else was hearing tonight. Besides, it wasnít
what the others thought that was important. As long as Ranma and she
knew better, that was all it mattered.
How long did Akane held Ranma like this? Ranma lost track of time, not
that he wanted it to end. But at last, he realize that Akane was hadnít
let go even after a ridiculously long time. Ranma decided to steal a
quick glance.
Akane had fallen asleep.
Akane used Ranmaís shoulders and comfortably slept there. Yes, of
course. She was so tired before. Of course she fell asleep. Akane was
sleeping happily with a silly grin on her radiant face. Ranma was
amazed at the radiant beauty he just saw. Just how much, he wondered,
did Akane hide beneath that tomboyish exterior? Is this what he had
been missing all along? Was Akane really this cute?
Ranma thought to put Akane back to her bed, but decided against it.
Akane probably wanted this, even if she would never admit this. So,
Ranma rested her gently on his laps. Ranma stole another glance at
her. Yes, there was a lot he didnít know beneath Akaneís tomboyish
exterior. But perhaps, someday, he would be able to see the true Akane.
Ranma tried to sleep as well, but he knew it was a futile exercise.
Being in such an awkward position, the best he could do was try to
relax. Didnít matter. He could watch Akane. He could watch her
forever.
Ranma soon lost track of time as he lost himself gazing at Akaneís
happy and shimmering smile. The storm never did stop, but it simply
didnít matter anymore. In fact, Ranma thanked the storm, that it made
him realize how cute and sweet Akane could be. Then, an overwhelming
flash of light surged into the room, leaving Ranma temporarily dazed.
Evidently, Akane left all the lights in her room on, and the power lines
must have been fixed. Akane felt the light too and slowly woke up as
well. "Ranma, youíre still here?" she slowly opened her eyes as she
glanced around the room. Akane was ecstatic. Not only Ranma was with
her all this time, but he let her rest on him. So everything did work
out okay! "Thanks for everything. I guess now everything will be
okay."
"Yes, looks like the lights are fixed," sighed Ranma, "I guessÖ Iíll be
going back to my room now."
"Wait!" she called, "Stay here."
"What?" Ranma gasped.
"You must be tired now, soÖ Iíll let you sleep in my bed! And you know
my bed it more comfortable than yours!" suggested Akane.
"Akane, donít you thinkÖ this isÖ umÖ" Ranma panicked as tiny droplets
of sweat trickled down his forehead, "Too sudden?"
Akane looked at him with those innocent eyes. "What do you mean? Iím
going to Kasumiís room for the night, of course! What have you been
thinking, pervert?"
Ranma was ashamed. Akane had been so innocent. Even with Ranma in her
rooms, she never thought about what that might mean. Heck, even if they
sleep in the same bed, maybe it still wouldnít change her. Akane was
just so innocent. Akane was right, realized Ranma. After all, what
mattered was whether they knew what happened, not what others thought of
what might have happened.
"Oh, I see," Ranma nodded nervously, "Akane, why are you soÖ different
tonight?"
"Because I want to!" she grinned sweetly, "Iím tired of fighting all
the time. Arenít you? Canít we have some peace, not even for one
night?" Akaneís love flowed freely, unabashed. It felt good to say
these things. She didnít feel so shy anymore. Yes, she couldnít admit
that she love Ranma, not yet. But she could admit she liked him. She
liked Ranma a lot.
"OhÖ but I canít sleep too well," replied Ranma weakly.
"Iíll sing for you!" Akane answered cheerfully. Before Ranma could
even protest, she began to sing:
kimi wa nee
itsumo tsuppatteru kara
kitto nee
tsukarechaun da yo Mu--
negao wo miteru to sonna ki ga suru
dakara
gunnai GUNNAI Good night
utatte ageru
Akane no komoriuta
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Since you're
always stretching (aren't you?)
surely you're
tired out (aren't you?). Mu--
When I watch your sleepy face, I get that feeling.
So,
Good night, good night, good night,
I'll sing for you
Akane's lullaby.
Ranma was simply amazed by this. Akane, singing for him? But he had
to admit, she was doing quite a good job with her lullaby. Maybe it
wasnít so much as to how well she was singing, but rather the gentle
love that flowed with her that made the lullaby effective.
And just when Ranma was about to fell asleep, Akane did something Ranma
never expected her to do.
Akane gave him a good-night kiss.
It was only a quick kiss on his cheeks. Nevertheless, Ranma was, to
say the least, overwhelmed. Now it was his turn to blush. "AkaneÖ
youÖ"
Akane looked at him with a hurt expression, "What? Iím your fiancee,
and I canít even give you a good-night kiss?"
Ranma looked at her, and sighed, "No, I guess not."
For a while, Ranma and Akane simply gazed at each other, sharing this
delicate moment of peace and happiness and love.
"Akane?" Ranma finally found the courage to speak up.
"Yes?" she replied in a hopelessly innocent tone.
"Can youÖ continue singing?" Ranma asked shyly.
"Of course, Ranma," Akane smiled happily and continued singing:
yume ni nee
moshi mo watashi ga dete tara
unto nee
yasashiku-shitai na Mu--
tabun muri da to wakatte-iru kedo
ii no
gunnai GUNNAI Good night
utatte ageru
Akane no komoriuta
konya wa
gunnai GUNNAI Good night
utatte-ageru
gunnai GUNNAI Good night
utatte-ageru...
* * * * * * * * * * * *
If I should appear
in your dreams (you know),
I want very much
to be gentle to you (you know). Mu--
It's probably unreasonable, I know, but...
It's all right,
Good night, good night, good night,
I'll sing for you
Akane's lullaby.
Tonight,
Good night, good night, good night,
I'll sing for you
Good night, good night, good night,
I'll sing for you...
The End
Revised on 11/02/96
Notes from third revision: Iíve patched up some minor holes. Thanks
for Zen and Bengman for their support!
Notes from second revision (10/31/96): After its first publication, I
realize I didnít portray Akane quite well, so Iíve changed that and
hopefully for the better. Many thanks to WebDragon and Ben Kooseís C &
C.
Notes from initial writing (10/28/96): This story was inspired by
WebDragonís ëAkane loves P-chan!í. Made me wanted to write something
like it, but not a shockfic. Also, this is my attempt to recreate
ëKonya wa April Foolísí from the 1991 song calendar. Iím trying to
establish the cozy feelings of Konya wa April Foolís. As you can see,
this story combines those two songs. Yes, I know there is quite a lot
of mention to red. I like ëRedí by Joseph Palmer, but even before
reading it I always like the fact that Akaneís name meant scarlet (or
one of the red colors) I like ëTonightís April Foolís because of the
quote:
akane-iro no tokimeki
omae no hoho o someru tasogare
The twilight colors your cheeks
a throbbing scarlet color.
Any C & C will be welcomed. Send all comments to <dwang@sprynet.com>,
please!
Don,
"Time flows like a river, and History repeats..." Secret of Mana