This was inspired by Andrew Huang's 'I am a Part...' shortfic. I was
reading his over, and a counter-monologue popped into my head.
It's a little more emotional than what I expected, but it works for me.
I'd recommend reading Andrew's work first.
*******************
"Also a Part..."
-------------
Hey, how's it goin'? I see you've talked to that wimp that calls himself a
part of Ranma Saotome. Well, I'm also a part of Ranma Saotome. The better
part. The part that everyone loves and hates. The part you see the most.
That other jerk calls me an abrasive idiot. HA. Well this abrasive
idiot's the guy with four chicks in love with him. Top that, Mr.
Sensitive. Sure, I annoy Akane, but lets get real, she gives as good as I
do, and I can't help but like her for that.
Oh? You're suprised that I admit it? Don't be. I c..ca..care for Akane,
just as much as that other wimp does. He likes to think that he's the one
who makes us fight for her. Yeah, right. He's the wuss who gave up when
it looked like Akane loved Shinnosuke. I'm the one who won't let her go.
I'm the one who puts our pride down the drain to carry out some scheme or
another.
Now, everyone probably thinks that I'm mean to Akane because I'm just a
jerk. Well lets get one thing straight: SHE STARTED IT. Whenever I insult
her cooking, I'm trying to tell her something that I can't say on my own.
Sure, I eat like a vacuum and are quick to compliment Ukyo and Shampoo's
cooking, but lets be real, they can cook, Akane can't. And I like her that
way.
Sure, they're better fighters to, in some ways, but I doubt Shampoo or Ukyo
can take on fifty guys at once, even those saps we have at my school. Be
honest, do you think I'd let myself get my butt kicked by Akane on a
regular basis if I didn't care for her in some way? She likes hitting me,
so I let her. Plain and simple. Besides, once wimpy finally gets around
to telling her how I feel, I'm going to train her to kick Shampoo's,
Ukyo's, Kodachi's and anybody else's butts. She's got more potential than
those three put together.
There are times wimpy and I agree. Saffron, for example. That was
probably the only time we've ever completely worked together. When we saw
her body like that after the fight, it was me, more than him who screamed.
Me, damning myself for for fighting that other part far too long, far too
much.
And then, everything was back to normal. Wimpy never understood how glad I
was to have everything back to the way it was. While he was crying, I was
cheering. But even then, I knew, something had to change. I had to let go
of the old times. I had to let wimpy take control.
As I speak, wimpy...no, I shouldn't call him that. He has as much strength
as me. He's telling Akane how we...HOW I truly feel. As I listen to what
he says, I quietly take control. He's said his part, now there's something
I have to say.
***
"Akane...there's more I have to tell you." Akane didn't hear him, she was
lost in the joy of what she had just heard before. Ranma said it. He said
he LOVES her. "AKANE! Please, listen!" She turned, and saw the earnest
need in his eyes.
"I know I always call you a kawaikune tomboy, and I insult your cooking,
and I say all those other things," Ranma said. Akane growled, but stopped
when she once again saw the tears Ranma was now fighting. "You have to
remember, Akane, no matter what I say, it doesn't matter. I don't care if
you can cook. I don't care if you're a tomboy, and I never really thought
you were kawaikune. I love you, Akane, even when I'm being a jerk." He
paused for a long moment. "Please, whatever I do, whatever I say, remember
that."
***
We are Ranma Saotome. Apart no longer, we are unified in one thing.
We...I love Akane Tendo.
--
Christopher Angel
cja124@mail.usask.ca http://www.engr.usask.ca/~cja124
-The road to hell is paved with good intentions. -Old proverb.
-People forget that the same road leads to heaven. -Response