This is essentially a three part 'fanfic' told through VERY SIMPLE
verse, nothing at all like Shakespeare or Edgar Allen Poe.  

Those who like Ranma & Akane together....read.

                        Through Uncolored Glasses
                             -By WebDragon
                    
A Gift for Akane  
------------------------- 
 
The snow falls and piles on the ground 
Upon which I tread, my umbrella over my head 
Keeping the icy whiteness from touching me 
 
The backpack weighs heavily on my shoulders 
It feels like a ton of lead!  How I wish for a bed 
Upon which to fall and rest a bit. 
 
My ice-cold hand clutches a bag full of gifts 
That had put my checkbook in the red, and bled 
Me dry of nearly all my money. 
 
I turn a corner, and another, and yet another 
I consider backtracking a bit, then I grit 
My teeth and again wander the streets of Nerima. 
 
Finally, after many hours, a familiar sign appears 
And I step through the gate.  It is already late 
But it didn't stop me from going up to the door. 
 
I knock once, and wait a bit.  The door 
slid open and Kasumi greets me, and I see 
That they were about to have dinner. 
 
My face red, my ears aflame, I ask for Akane. 
Kasumi goes inside, while bidding me to abide 
A little while in the living room. 
 
What a peaceful sight I see in the living room. 
Ranma stretched out like the dead, but with a bandage on his head. 
He must have opened his mouth too many times again. 
 
This gave me hope to see Ranma treated as such 
I hope against all, that their engagement would stall 
And Akane would then be mine. 
 
The door slides open and Akane steps in. 
Such a sight!  It makes my mood all a-bright 
And fills me with unending joy. 
 
She's wearing a different outfit, I see. 
A knee-length sweater, it clings to her better 
Than anything else I've ever seen her wear.  
 
"Oh, Ryoga!  Hello!", she says 
And my heart leaps, and my hand creeps 
To the back of my head, and I laugh. 
 
With a smattering of stammered words 
I give her the bag of gifts, but she shifts 
>From foot to foot, as if uncomfortable. 
 
"Ryoga, didn't this cost you a lot of money?", she asks 
And I furiously deny it, "It cost me a little bit" 
I say with little hesitation. 
 
She smiles then and takes the bag 
And exclaims in wonder, the sound like thunder 
In my eagerly listening ears. 
 
"A....backscratcher!  How nice!" 
"And this...picture of a poodle, and this soba noodle 
packet!  How thoughtful, Ryoga!" 
 
To the right of us, Ranma begins to stir. 
On a whim, I tip the tub of water on him, 
And he turns into a she. 
 
She wakes up and proceeds to berate me 
But I laugh at her, and she feels herself over 
And moves to grab me by the shirt front. 
 
A mallet materializes in Akane's hand 
and Ranma-chan backs off.  She begins to doff 
Her shirt, to wring it dry. 
 
"Thank you, as always, Ryoga." 
Said Akane as she stood up, and asked me to sup 
With them awhile. 
 
What an opportunity!  What a chance! 
I agree!  Wholeheartedly! 
My heart pounding as I shot to my feet. 
 
Ranma-chan looks at me with hooded eyes 
And she puts her shirt back on, then gets up anon 
And goes to the dining room. 
 
I take my place next to Akane, but Ranma-chan 
Squeezes in between us.  Furious, 
I reminded myself that I was a dinner guest. 
 
We eat and talk of matters trivial. 
About their school, and how the weather was cool, 
And all the little things meant as filler. 
 
All the while Ranma-chan did her best to separate 
me and Akane apart.  My heart 
beat furiously and I ached to send her into orbit. 
 
Then dinner ended and the three of us go to the living room. 
Ranma-chan flicks on the TV set, and Akane goes to get 
her present for me. 
 
A present for me!  From Akane to me! 
With a motion, I clutch my head in celebration 
and it set Ranma-chan to fuming. 
 
She pouted and turned back to the TV set. 
Watching a wrestling show, her motions slow 
and deliberate - as if biding her time. 
 
Akane returns and gives me my gift. 
It is a scarf, getting a laugh 
out of Ranma-chan. 
 
For it was pockmarked with holes 
And haphazardly knitted, and it fitted 
none too nicely around my neck, like a noose. 
 
"That's not a scarf, it's a net!", Ranma-chan 
says while laughing hard.  She must be a dullard 
indeed to invoke Akane's wrath twice in a day. 
 
The mallet squashes her to the floor with a sound like thunder. 
Akane turns to me and grins.  Clearly she wins 
every altercation with Ranma. 
 
She apologizes but I wave it away, 
if only glad for her company, of which she gave freely 
and burns away the loneliness in my heart. 
 
At length I get up and say my goodbyes 
Seeing that it was night.  I hope that Akane might 
ask me to come over again. 
 
Instead she asks if I could stay, for it was late. 
Ranma-chan pops up awake.  Akane's words make 
my heart go wild with happiness. 
 
She is asking me to stay!  At her house! 
Oh joy indeed!  There is no need 
to ask me twice! 
 
A change from the wandering life, 
a warm bed for once.  I would be a dunce 
not to accept this offer. 
 
This is different than being P-Chan. 
She is asking ME, see? 
Not the pig. 
 
My heart full of hope, my head in the stars 
I join Akane and Ranma in a game, the same 
as always we play - poker. 
 
Midway through the game, however, 
Ranma suddenly collapsed, perhaps 
due to his injuries from the mallet. 
 
Akane lets out a cry of horror, 
and flies to his side.  I abide 
for a while, then I move to leave. 
 
"Where are you going, Ryoga?", Akane asks. 
"To get a doctor, I will be back...later." 
With those words I make for Doctor Tofu's clinic. 
 
In minutes I reach the good doctor's clinic 
And I send him on his way, offering to pay 
him in advance. 
 
He refused, with a twinkle in his eye, 
then he bid me good night, and he turned out the light. 
I said the same and he was gone. 
 
With a heavy heart, and a heavier hand, 
I raise the umbrella over my head.  Then I tread 
down the streets and away from the Dojo. 
 
With sobering thoughts in my head, 
my feet crunch the icy snow, and I pass under the glow 
of streetside lamps - to wander again until I return. 

Not now, Akane.  Not yet. 
Perhaps one day, if the gods may 
and are willing to grant me my fondest wish.  

When next I come back, 
perhaps one day, Akane, 
I will bring you the only gift worth giving. 
 
The gift of my love. 
 
 
Unspoken Words 
---------------- 
 
The alarm rings and I snap awake. 
Curse that bell!  I wanted to yell 
At the clock but I stop myself. 
 
School will start in a short while 
And I hurriedly shower, mindful of the hour 
And dress up in my school clothes. 
 
I run down the stairs and have my breakfast 
Hurriedly and wolfed down, a frown 
On my face as I waited.  For someone. 
 
As if on cue, Ranma tears down the stairs and eats 
He is wearing that red shirt, I almost blurt 
Out that he had already worn twice in a row. 
 
Then there is no time to think as we burn 
Out of the house at full speed, the need 
To be early overriding all our concerns. 
 
Thankfully we reach the classroom just in time 
To hear the school bell, just as we ran pell-mell 
Into the room. 
 
The teacher puts her coin back in her pocket 
And begins the day's class, starting from the last 
Lesson she had been teaching. 
 
Then, after an interminably boring day, classes end 
And we walk back home.  Ranma begins to roam 
About on the rooftops of houses. 
 
"Get down from there!", I yell at him 
"People are watching!".  Then, snatching 
Up a mallet, I threw it at Ranma. 
 
With a smirk he dodges the weapon and lands on the fence 
And then an air-borne bicycle lands on him.  Grim 
Was my face when I saw who it was.  Shampoo. 
 
The bimbo clings to Ranma like a cheap suit 
And he stutters a greeting, as if meeting 
Her for the first time. 

My hands crush the school bag I'm holding 
And with a growl, I scowl 
And yell, "Ranma, what do you think you're doing!?" 
 
A maniacal laugh cuts through the cold air like a knife 
And black rose petals swirl, and whirl 
In the area about Ranma. 
 
Kodachi!  Ooh, now Ranma's REALLY in for it! 
She appears and grabs Ranma with a `glomp'.  I stomp 
Up to the fence and kick it out from under them. 
 
All as one, the trio fall into the river. 
Ranma-chan gets up first, then Kodachi surfaces 
And finally.....the cat. 
 
With a shriek of terror worthy of a REAL girl 
Ranma-chan leaps, as the cat creeps 
Around her shoulders. 
 
Her eyes widen and her pupils dilate 
Her hair stands up straight, it feels great 
To see her punished so. 
 
Kodachi leaves the scene, disappointed 
While Ranma-chan zips away, the cat to stay 
Wrapped LOVINGLY around her neck. 
 
In a short while I reach home and call out 
To Kasumi.  I could see 
That she has food prepared for us. 
 
Sullenly, a steaming Ranma descends the stairs 
And takes his place beside me.  I see  
Many bumps and bruises on his head. 
 
"It's all your fault that I keep running into walls", 
he says as he begins to eat, his face beet 
red from the hot shower.  Or is it? 
 
"If you didn't keep your beloved FIANCEES hanging..." 
I left the words in the air.  Dare you challenge a tigress in her lair, 
Ranma?  Come on.  Say something stupid, like you always do.... 
 
He opens his mouth to speak but closes it shut. 
My hands tremble slightly as I gulp down food, my mood 
Darkening with each passing minute. 
 
Finally, seeing my growing anger, he speaks. 
"Is it my fault?  I can't put a halt 
To *their* attentions." 
 
Wrong answer, Ranma.  In a second 
I smash, with an almighty crash, 
A mallet on his fool head. 
 
The hours pass and still he hasn't woken. 
The snow outside grows thicker, and the air becomes whiter 
Even as the sun hid its face behind the horizon. 
 
Kasumi bandages Ranma's head, 
And laid him out in the living room, not a hint of gloom 
On her face, as if it were a daily occurance. 
 
Then the clock struck eight and dinner is served. 
The seat beside me is empty, and I silently 
Begin to eat, missing the usual banter about the table. 
 
A knock on the door breaks the silence and 
It brings Kasumi to see who it could be. 
I hear her converse with the stranger, whoever it is. 
 
Then she comes back and tells me, 
"You're wanted at the door, Akane,  What a day 
for him to come visiting, don't you think?" 
 
Him?  I get up, food forgotten, and go 
To the living room, to see whom 
It could possibly be. 
 
"Oh, Ryoga!  Hello!", I say as I slide back the door. 
He laughs hands me a bag, but I lag 
In my usual acceptance of the gifts. 
 
"Ryoga, didn't this cost you a lot of money?", I ask 
"It cost me a little bit" says he, furiously 
waving his hands in denial. 
 
I smile.  He's always such a kidder. 
And I accept the gifts.  My hand lifts  
The first item into sight, and I exclaimed.... 
 
"A....backscratcher!  How nice!"  I pick up the next. 
"And this...picture of a poodle, and this soba noodle 
packet!  How thoughtful, Ryoga!" 
 
Ryoga blushes and hides his face behind hands. 
He must be modest, and honest, 
unlike SOME people I know. 
 
And speaking of which, Ranma begins to stir. 
Ryoga tips a tub of water, then Mr. Saotome suddenly has a daughter 
The moment Ranma got wet. 
 
She wakes up, sputtering and coughing. 
Cursing Ryoga for all she's worth, no mirth 
Evident in her tone. 
 
But Ryoga has different ideas, and he laughs. 
Ranma-chan moves to threaten him.  A dim 
idea, because nobody hurts my friends. 
 
A mallet appears in my hand and I raise it threateningly. 
Ranma-chan backs off.  Sullenly she begins to doff 
Her shirt, to wring it dry. 
 
"Thank you, as always, Ryoga."   
I stood up and smile, and asked Ryoga to while 
Away the time by having dinner with us. 
 
He shot to his feet, and agreed enthusiastically. 
I had no idea one got this hungry on the road, with his mode 
of travel being to walk from place to place. 
 
Without looking back, for I was hungry, 
I went to my seat, and I start start to eat,
Ryoga sitting down next to me. 
 
Ranma-chan pops in and squeezes in between us. 
Ryoga looks furious.  Thus, 
We spent our dinner together this way. 
 
Then dinner ended and we three head  
Back to the living room, a certain gloom 
Emanating from Ranma-chan the longer Ryoga stayed. 
 
Ranma-chan flops on a couch and flicks on the TV. 
I told Ryoga I had a gift made, and I bade 
him to wait awhile while I went to get it. 
 
I search in my drawer and pull out a brown paper bag. 
Inside is a blue scarf.  I admit it looks like a graph 
with all its holes and lines, but it's the thought that counts, right? 
 
Originally I was going to give it to Ranma but 
Since Ryoga was so nice to me, I see 
No reason why Ranma should get it. 
 
I drape it over my arm and step downstairs. 
And I motion Ryoga over. I put the scarf on his shoulder 
and drape it around his neck.  Ranma-chan giggles. 
 
"That's not a scarf, it's a net!", says she while laughing. 
She must be an idiot, to summon the mallet 
Twice in one day.  I oblige her....request. 
 
My weapon smashes her to the floor with a dull *boom* 
And I turn to Ryoga and grin, showing him that I win 
Every fight with Ranma. 
 
I apologize to Ryoga, but he waves it away with a smile. 
He's so nice and considerate, his bearing moderate 
And his demeanour friendly.  How lucky I am to have such a friend! 
 
After a while he gets up and says he has to leave. 
I glance outside at the driving snow, and hear the low 
Moan of the wind as it sweeps across Nerima. 
 
I ask Ryoga if he could stay, for it was late. 
Ranma-chan starts awake.  My words seem to make 
Ryoga delirious with joy. 
 
Such a hard life on the road it must be, I thought. 
No food and no shelter, to brave any weather 
That might happen by one's way. 
 
I pull out a deck of cards and we play to pass the time,  
With poker being the game.  Then it came 
Quite suddenly. 
 
Ranma, who had changed back before playing, collapsed. 
Without a word, and nothing we heard, 
He fell face first and was unconscious. 
 
I let out a cry of sheer horror, and guilt, 
And I was at his side in seconds.  As time reckons 
It may already be too late to call on a doctor for Ranma. 
 
Without a word, Ryoga drops his cards and gets up. 
He shoulders his pack, and turns his back 
To go somewhere, I guessed. 
 
"Where are you going, Ryoga?", said I. 
"To get a doctor, I will be back...later." 
With nothing else to say, he disappears into the snowstorm. 
 
I get a basin of warm water and a towel. 
The towel I soak, then I cloak 
His forehead with it, smoothing his hair back. 
 
His lips open, and still unconscious, he says...
"Akane....", as I stay  
by his side and watch anxiously. 
 
I jumped and listened to him closely, awaiting the next word. 
"Kawaikunee....", and I PRAY 
That he was just delirious - for his own sake...!! 
 
But as I looked at his face, wonder struck me a blow. 
He was smiling slightly, lighting the room brightly 
With the boyishness of that grin.
 
I forgive him for that remark this once. 
Obviously he didn't mean it, not even a bit. 
And for that....I'm glad. 
 
As I gaze down at his handsome face, 
So peaceful and serene, the mean 
Thoughts I had harboured went away. 
 
I laid my hand tentatively on his own, 
And he grasped it with fervour, like a lover 
Does with his love. 
 
I hold the grip, for once not shying. 
For once I may whisper the words I had longed to say 
Out loud.  Those three words of my inner heart. 

I love you
 

The Path not Taken
-------------------- 
 
Akane's alarm clock rings in the next room 
And I groggily get up in bed, my head 
Full of spinning stars. 
 
And I promptly fall back to nap again 
My hands supporting my chin, oblivious to the din 
Being caused in the hallway. 
 
Finally, I stand up and look at the clock. 
Instantly galvanized, I'm surprised 
That I managed to change in one minute flat. 
 
I burst out of my room fully dressed and ready to go. 
No time for a shower, look at the hour! 
If I don't hurry right now, I'll be sorry! 
 
I rush down the stairs in my headlong flight, 
Akane staring at me.  I don't even see 
What had caught her attention as I gulp down my food. 
 
Then there is no time to think as the two of us sprint 
All out like never before, the threat of punishment and more 
Hanging over our heads and spurring us on. 
 
Then, with mere seconds to spare, 
We shot into the classroom, escaping the doom 
Miss Hinako had promised to give us next time we were late. 
 
Classes end and we start to walk back home. 
A casual leap brings me onto a roof, further proof 
Of my martial arts prowess. 
 
"Get down from there!", yells Akane at me. 
"People are watching!".  Then, snatching 
Up a mallet, she throws it at me. 
 
With a smirk, I leapt over the projectile 
And alight on the fence, and I tense 
Myself for her next attack. 
 
Strained minutes passed and Akane just stares at me. 
Then she looks up in the sky.  I was just wondering why 
When a bicycle lands on my back, knocking me flat. 
 
Without a word, I'm suddenly being embraced by  
A swirl of lavender hair, earning me a glare 
>From Akane.  It is Shampoo. 
 
I begin to stutter a greeting, fully aware of the 
Buxom beauty wrapped around me.  Yet, I could also see 
Furious Akane, with a stare that could kill. 
 
I almost apologized to her then but 
I have Shampoo, stuck like glue 
onto me.  It's not wise to anger an Amazon! 
 
"Ranma, what do you think you're doing!?", she yells 
As her hands crumple her school bag.  I lag 
In my response for far too long. 
 
A demented laugh slices the frozen air in twain 
And black rose petals swirl, and whirl 
About me and Shampoo. 
 
Then a shape in a dark leotard appears 
And latches onto me with an audible `glomp'.  I hear a stomp 
And suddenly the fence tips sideways - into the river. 
 
The sudden baptism turns me female, 
My male chest, exchanged for breast, 
Even as I decreased in weight and height. 
 
My black hair turns red 
And my male body, becomes curvy 
With my hips rounding outwards. 
 
With a small cry I break the river's surface 
As if reborn with a new life, free of strife. 
I only wish it could be so... 
 
Kodachi shoots out of the water, searching for `me'. 
And then....the cat.  Then...that 
horrible thing suddenly clings to my shoulders, like velcro!! 
 
A primal scream of terror issues from my throat 
And I shoot out of the water like a cannonball, all 
My efforts directed at running away from...the cat!! 
 
But of course I can't, for it is wrapped around me 
Like a noose!  I just can't lose 
The...the....cat!! 
 
Tearing down the streets, I scream out loud 
And wave my arms in terror, horror 
Infusing every inch of my being! 
 
I don't remember much but I felt myself 
Run into a wall, then all 
Of my world, thankfully, was darkness and pain. 
 
When I came around, I found that I was outside the Dojo. 
My first action was that, of looking around for the...cat, 
But I don't see it.  I heave a sigh of relief. 
 
In a short while I was in the bathroom 
And having a hot shower, the power 
Of the stream of water burning away my female body. 
 
I finish up and head downstairs, dressed in a shirt and pants. 
My face twisted in a scowl, and I almost growl 
To see Akane supping quietly at the table. 
 
That tomboy!  Does she think that I'm made of stone?! 
I wanted to yell, to tell
Her just what I thought, but the words just would not come. 
 
Akane, I wanted to shout, do you enjoy tormenting me so? 
Who is to blame?  The same 
Thing happens day in, day out. 
 
Do you see me accepting their advances? 
Have you ever seen me willingly kissing?  It is the one thing missing 
In our relationship.  Perhaps you are just jealous. 
 
That must be it.  I'm so popular with those who know me. 
Immediately I regret thinking that.  Under the mat 
I sweep those thoughts, happy I didn't say it out loud. 
 
Still the angry expression kept being plastered on my face. 
I take my place beside her, my hand a blur 
As I grabbed my chopsticks and began to eat. 
 
She looks over at me with a expression of...concern? 
With particular detail, like I'm an item of retail, 
Akane peers at my head, full of bumps and bruises. 
 
Suddenly angered again by her scrutiny, I blurt 
"It's all your fault that I keep running into walls".  It galls  
Me to hear myself speak so to Akane. 
 
"If you didn't keep your beloved FIANCEES hanging..." 
She left the words in the air.  Dare I challenge a tigress in her lair? 
She seemed to await my answer. 
 
I open my mouth slightly, to explain to her
My point of view.  I WISH she knew.... 
But I said nothing, knowing she wouldn't listen. 
 
The tension mounts with each passing minute 
As she wolfed down food, her mood 
And mine stretching to the breaking point. 
 
At last, in an attempt to defuse the situation, I say 
"Is it my fault?  I can't put a halt 
To *their* attentions."  In response, Akane pulls out a mallet.
 
A sudden pain flared on my head and I fell into darkness. 
The realm of cool pain.  Here I was with nothing to gain 
But another bump on my........ 
 
Akane and I were kissing. 
Her firm body beneath my grip, her hip 
Pressed close to my own. 
 
Her eyes were closed in rapt ecstasy, I saw. 
I savored the sensation, feeling emotion 
Well up inside of me.  
 
Then she pulled back and slapped me. 
Hard across the cheek, putting a streak 
Of red across my face. 
 
Why, I asked her.  Why did you hit me? 
Because you haven't chosen a path,  a laugh 
Issuing from her throat. 
 
I was confused and I reached out to touch her 
But she faded away, like the spray  
Of a red sea against the rocks. 
 
Choose a path, Ranma, she taunted. 
Shall it be with your fiancees?, says 
The cruel wind over the red sea. 
 
Or shall it be with me? 
Shall we see?  What will be 
Of you, pitiless, two-timing Ranma! 
 
You should take the path not taken, foolish 
Ranma Saotome.  It will be the day 
You reject me, your fiancee.  
 
No!, yelled I.  I will never leave you! 
I screamed into the darkness, lest 
It overwhelm and engulf me. 
 
The cruel wind dies down and the red sea beckons. 
Will you jump in, with a grin? 
Will you join with Akane Tendo? 
 
I hesitated no longer.   
With a leap, I prepare to dive deep 
Into the cool waters of the red sea.... 
 
And awaken, sputtering, into a world of air and light. 
I see Ryoga and I curse him for a fool, a veritable pool 
Of water around my female form. 
 
He laughs in contempt and I moved to threaten him. 
I *almost* had Akane!  I'll make him pay 
For ruining my attempt. 
 
A mallet appears in Akane's hand and she raises it threateningly. 
I back off and grumble curses.  Unconsciously my hand nurses 
The top of my head even as I begin to doff my shirt. 
 
"Thank you, as always, Ryoga", says Akane. 
My shirt is wrung as dry as a bone, her tone 
Of voice inspiring jealous voices in me. 
 
Akane likes Ryoga better than she does you! 
What are you but half-girl?  A swirl 
Of half-man and girl mixed together in one body! 
 
Then Ryoga shot to his feet and agreed to something. 
Akane had probably asked him to delay, for one day, 
To have dinner with us. 
 
Akane leaves the room and I glare at Ryoga. 
Then I put my shirt back on, and get up anon 
To have dinner with the family. 
 
Ryoga sits next to Akane and jealousy stabs my heart. 
Without a second thought, revenge was what I sought 
I squeezed in between Ryoga and Akane. 
 
And I took a small part of my vengeance. 
Throughout the dinner, whenever 
Possible, I interfered with Ryoga's attempts to woo Akane. 
 
Tit for tat, I thought. 
You screwed me, and I screw you see? 
Anger seemed to rise in clouds of steam from Ryoga. 
 
Then dinner ended and we three head 
Back to the living room, a bit of gloom 
Settled about my shoulders and grew heavier the longer Ryoga stayed. 
 
I threw myself angrily on the couch, heedless  
Of what Ryoga thinks of me.  I flick on the TV 
And watch a wrestling program. 
 
Akane said something and Ryoga grinned. 
And smiled from ear to ear.  I fear 
The words Akane had said, but I know I should trust her more. 
 
With narrowed eyes, and soured disposition, 
I turned back to the TV set, waiting for Akane to get 
Back from wherever she had went to. 
 
She comes back and hands Ryoga a paper bag. 
Inside a scarf lies, I laugh in surprise 
And say "That's not a scarf, it's a net!" 
 
For it did indeed look like a fishing net, 
With all its holes and squares, it bares 
The wearer to the elements. 
 
My hard laughter was cut short 
When Akane's mallet whacks, and probably cracks 
My skull.... 
 
I surge back to consciousness when Akane asked 
Ryoga to dally a while.  A smile  
Worked its way on his face. 
 
Isn't it enough to hug Akane as P-chan? 
Must you take every advantage, and the centre stage 
Of this drama between a girl and two guys? 
 
I grit my teeth, in pain and  
Anger, as we play poker 
To pass the time. 
 
Midway through the game, quite 
Suddenly, the darkness swallows me 
And I felt my head thump on the.... 
 
I was standing before a red sea 
Framed by the rising sun.  I shun 
The blackness beneath me and speak to the wind. 
 
Tell me, Akane Tendo, what should I do? 
The wind is silent as it wails, and sails 
Out over the red sea, into the rising sun. 
 
Yet, the rising sun wouldn't rise 
No matter how long I waited.  A promise baited 
Before me, hanging in the shivering air. 
 
The red sea beckoned to me. 
With a leap, I dive deep 
Into the crimson waters. 
 
Then, inexplicably, I was back in Akane's arms 
Sharing a kiss of passion, no aggression 
In her face or posture. 
 
Why, I ask the cool wind.  What is the meaning? 
Then it stopped and teased, as if pleased 
With the way things turned out. 
 
Foolish Ranma, it said. 
You have chosen a path, it starts to laugh 
But the laughter was pleasant and carefree. 
 
A path not taken, yet travelled. 
One step at a time, the sublime 
Sensation of beginning the journey of a thousand, thousand miles. 
 
I break my kiss with Akane and look into her face. 
"Akane...." said I, my eye 
Searching out her own. 
 
"What?!", she retorted, 
A hint of the Akane I know, starts to show 
Beneath the facade. 
 
"Kawaikunee....", I joked. 
My hand grasping hers with fervour, like...like a lover 
Does with....his love. 
 
She holds the grip, for once not shying. 
For once I may, hear the words she had longed to say 
straight from her inner heart.  Those three special words. 
 
"I love you", she whispers.
 
I love you too, Akane. 
----------------------------- 
 
        Comments on it are more than welcome.  Kun-chan? ^_^