Thanks JD for making my day!  I like getting resposes, especially
positive ones.  ^_^

Well...here is the first installment of Alone no Longer.

Standard copywrite message goes here to Takahashi and to X of Japan.
The song that inspired this fic is writin in it's entiriry (sp?) in this
fic...you'll understand when you read it....*grin*

warning...this is not a happy fic, no happosai nor good feelings
abound.  But this is a story that realates not only to the carachters in
the Ranma universe but to some of my recent past.  Though, I will not be
a cruel or twisted to Ranma and Akane as fate was to me...

Enjoy and send me C&C...all responses welcomed!

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 Alone no longer

Prologue........

 After many headaches and delays, Ranma finally decided to leave.  Too
much had happened to him to justify why he should marry Akane and carry
on the Anything Goes Martial Arts school.  Here is where our story
begins....

 "Akane...Akane, I need to talk to you."  In the darkness of night,
Ranma creeps softly to Akane's bedside.

 "Baka...what are you doing here.  It's late at night and we aren't
married yet."  Grinning at her inference to her fiancee, Akane rolls
over and faces Ranma, who is carrying his backpack and a small
suitcase.  Setting them down, Ranma sits on the edge of the bed.

 "Akane, I wanted you to hear this before..."

 "Before what Ranma?  Where are you going?  Tell me you aren't leaving
me."  Sitting up, Akane tries not to let a tear roll down her cheek.

 "I can't marry you right now Akane.  I can't support you plus I can't
stand having to fight off everyone when I finally admit to loving you."
Reaching out, Ranma brushes away a tear from Akane's cheek.  "I love you
too much not to be able to support you.  I want us to have a happy
marriage and I can't do that here.  There are too many complications.  I
am leaving for a while to set up a simpler life for us.  I will get in
contact with you as soon as I can."

 Not caring if anyone walked in, Akane jumped up and threw her arms
around Ranma.  Crying, she looks up into Ranma's eyes, "Please don't go
without me...I can't bear losing you.  I...I...love you too much to let
you go."

 "We'll still get married, I just need some time...you understand?"

 "No...I don't!  Just promise me to come back as soon as you can."

 "I promise."  Leaning closer, Ranma kisses Akane's lips gently.  "Wait
for me."  Standing up, Ranma let's Akane's arms fall and turns towards
the open window.  Jumping through the window, Ranma heads off into the
night.


Chapter 1



One year later....

 At the Tendou home, a sullen Akane sits down and stares at the floor.

 "Akane-chan, he'll be back...he promised you, didn't he," asks a very
worried Nabiki.  Walking over to her younger sister, she lays a hand on
Akane's shoulder and tries her best to comfort her and failing
miserably.  "I'm sure he'll write or call or something soon."

 Sniffling, Akane looks at her sister.  "How could he be gone without
even contacting me for a year?!  He said he would contact me as soon as
he could!  What's taking so long?  Is he hurt?  Dead?  What?!!"  Working
herself up in hysterics, she breaks down and cries.

 "I'm sure he's fine, sis.  In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if you
heard from him soon.  Please stop crying and come to the table.  Kasumi
just finished making your favorite meal."

 Akane nods and stands up and slowly walks to the table.  Nabiki, to
herself, mutters, "That baka is going to need my help once again.  Good
thing I have kept tabs on him.  Guess those foreign investment of mine
will pay off, again."  Following Akane, she sits down at the table and
starts eating, still fuming at Ranma's insensitivity and worried for her
sister's sanity.

 Elsewhere, on the east coast of the United States, Onna- Ranma sits
typing away at a desk at a blindingly fast speed.  Looking at a piece of
paper next to her, Ranma copies down notes from the meeting of her
boss.  Thinking, "I was lucky to land this job.  Sometimes this curse is
pretty damn helpful.  In a couple of months I will have enough money to
start a dojo and then I will be able to call Akane and tell her the good
news.  Now what is...oh...that's what that word is.  I am SO glad they
help people learn english so you can get jobs over here.  America does
have it's perks, like no fiancees fighting over me, no stupid Oyaji.  I
still miss Ukyo's cooking though, and Akane."  Sighing, Ranma finishes
up her work and turns off the computer. "I'll never get used to these
things."  Standing up, she walks over to her boss' office.  "I'm going
home for the evening.  Anything you need before I leave?"

 "Nope.  Thanks Ranma."  Ranma's boss, consequently the CEO of the
company, looks around uncomfortably.  "Um...I just have a few calls to
do before I leave myself."

 "Do I need to make any notations?"

 Shaking his head, "No, no, no.  These are ... personal ... calls.  I
think I can handle them."

 "Sure thing!  Goodnight," Walking out of the office, Ranma muses,
"Sometimes he just seems so strange.  Ah well...time to go home."  Ranma
rides the elevator down and gets into her little car and drives home,
fighting traffic all the way.

 Putting a tape in the car radio, Ranma listens as a Japanese hardrock
band, X of Japan, plays a slow sad song.

  Oh! I'm looking for you
  Can't control myself
  Nothing but pain for me

  Wipe your tears from your eyes
  Just leave and forget me
  No need to be hurt anyore

  Go away from me now
  I don't know "What is love?"
  No need to be hurt anymore

  You said, "I miss you so much"
  "Everynight thinking of you
  and facing loneliness"

  But when you fell sadness
  never can I stay with you

  I'm not the one you need
  Close your eyes and forget me
  There's nothing I can do anymore

  I lost my way

  I've been walking in the night of tears
  There I found someone was holding you
  As the night was all falling down
  With my love also vanished my vision of you

  My heart is cold now

  Wipe your tears from your eyes
  Just leave and forget me
  No need to be hurt anymore

  You said, "I need you always."
  "Everyday thinking of you
  and living loneliness."

  But when you feel sadness
  never can I stay with you

  Go away from me now
  I don't know What is love?
  No need to be hurt anymore

  Can't find my way

 As the song ends, Akane sighs and wishes that Ranma would contact her
soon.  "I really hope he's okay.  I miss him so much."  Pulling her legs
up to her chest, Akane weeps for a far away love.


Chapter 2

on the way.....


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Hope you enjoyed this...I will keep being mellow so I can finish this
up....
*grin*

Xeth
the otaku dragon