The changes aren't too major, with one exception - the video store scene at
the end, which has been rewritten totally. It's still cheesy, but that feels
somehow unavoidable.
As usual, all C&C welcomed, and a Happy Hi to those who commented on the
first version.
------------------------
| CHALLENGE OF THE HEART |
------ chapter one -----
***
Ranma's hands traced a complex pattern in the air, his feet performing a
series of steps, almost like a dance. Slowly at first, then faster and
faster as he picked up the pace.
While he practiced the kata, his thoughts were focused on the situation
at hand.
It wasn't long ago that he had managed to admit to himself that he
really *did* like Akane. Now this had come along. He wasn't sure he was
ready to admit it to *her* just yet.
_It can wait a little while longer, I suppose,_ he thought. His stomach
rumbled in agreement as he slowed his actions down again. _It's still a
while 'til dinner's ready. Might as well go to Ucchan's._
***
As Ranma entered the otherwise empty restaurant, Ukyou's face lit up.
Her costumers hadn't started arriving yet, so she'd have time for a quick
chat with him. "Hiya, Ranchan! The usual?"
He nodded.
***
"Akane?"
She looked from the book she was reading and looked at her sister.
"Yeah?"
"There's some groceries I need," Kasumi said, holding up a long list.
"Do you think you could go buy them for me? I have to make dinner."
Akane thought about it for a while. She didn't really have anything
better to do. "Sure, why not."
***
"So," Ukyou said, sitting down at Ranma's table, "How're things?"
He stuffed the okinomiyaki hungrily into his mouth. "Fine, I guess," he
answered absent-mindedly, and without stopping to think, blurted out,
"Pops and Tendo finally decided to drop the stupid engagement thing."
Suddenly, he stopped, cursing himself mentally. He shouldn't really
have told her that - at least not yet.
"They did?" Ukyou asked, excited.
"Yeah." He nodded. No point in trying to deny it now.
Ukyou held her head in disbelief, a happy, almost dreaming, expression
on her face. "Now, we can finally..."
The thought hit home, and she threw herself at him, hugging tight.
"Oh, Ranchan, did you come here right away to tell me that we can get
married?"
"Er ..." Ranma hesitated. This was not something he had planned for.
"I ... er ... just came to eat," he finally managed to say, weakly.
Ukyou released her grip. "Oh," she said, this time in a low, dejected
voice. _He just came to eat?_
***
On her way to the store, Akane whistled a happy tune, thinking about
her fianc‚ - now ex-fianc‚. Admitting to herself that she really did like
the baka hadn't been easy. _Does he like me, too?_ she wondered. _He
must. But still ... he seemed so hesitant._ She sighed. She didn't dare
ask him, too afraid that the answer might not be the one she wanted.
It was when she had come that far in her thoughts that she happened
to pass by Ucchan's. She stopped dead in her tracks. Through the window,
she could see it clearly.
Ranma and Ukyou, in a tight embrace.
At first, she just stood there, staring in shock at the couple. Then,
she stormed off, all thoughts about shopping gone.
_That *BAKA!*_ she thought. _As soon as he finds out we're not engaged
anymore, he goes to Ukyou._ A tear appeared in the corner of her eye.
_Doesn't he care about me at all?_
***
Akane hadn't spoken to him that morning. _Well, nothing unusual with
that, I suppose,_ Ranma thought. _I wonder what she's blaming me for this
time?_
He walked across the schoolyard, heading for home, ignoring the people
around him. In the distance, he spotted Akane talking to ... Ryouga?
_So, he finally managed to find his way back here,_ he mused.
***
A few drops of sweat slowly trickled down Ryougas brow. He'd found out
that Akane and Ranma were no longer engaged. This was his chance. He'd
even managed to find Furinkan High. He had to ask her now, before it was
too late.
"Akane..." he said weakly.
She turned to smile at him. "Ryouga? It's been a while."
That smile. Angelic. "Er ..."
His hesitation made Akane impatient. "Yes?" she asked, a slight edge
to her voice.
"Would you ... go out ... with ..." He sweated. This was hard. He took
a deep breath, and pushed it all out at once. "Wouldyougoonadatewithme?"
She looked at him, surprised. _Ryouga wants to take me on a date?_ She
wasn't really sure. He was a nice guy, but... Ranma...
She snorted inwardly. _Hmph. If that baka can, then so can I._ "Sure,
Ryouga," she answered, putting on a smile. "I'd be happy to."
"Today ... at ... err ...six o'clock? Meet in the park?"
"Fine by me."
As Akane walked off, Ryouga felt like jelly. He'd done it! He'd asked
her out, and she'd accepted. She even seemed happy. _Maybe she really
does like me?_ Now he just had to find his way to the park in time.
***
Ranma stared irritatedly at the text-book. _This is so hard,_ he
thought. _Maybe I can ask Akane for help. She seems to be good at it._
"AKANE!" he shouted.
No answer. _Strange. I wonder where she is?_
He went down the stairs, and peeked into the kitchen. "Hey, Kasumi, do
you know where Akane is?"
The elder sister nodded. "Yes," she smiled, "I think she went out with
Ryouga."
Ranma froze. She ... went out ... with Ryouga?
With *Ryouga*?
Acting purely on instinct, he ran towards the door. No way was that
bastard going out with his fianc‚e...
***
On his way through the city, Ranma managed to calm down. Akane wasn't
really his fianc‚e any more. He'd thought she was just joking, but if she
wanted to go out with Ryouga, that was her problem. He shouldn't try to
stop her.
No, he'd leave them alone. She'd hate him if he tried to interfere.
But why? Why? Did it mean she didn't ... that she ... He never finished
the thought.
Just as he turned to walk back home again, he stumbled into them.
***
Ryouga looked at him. _Ranma!_ he thought. _He's come to ruin my date
with Akane. Why can't he just leave me alone?_ His anger rose. _He's got
no claim on her anymore!_
"Hiya, Ryouga. Nice to see you back again."
"Err ... Hi?" Ryouga looked at him suspiciously, anger dissipating
harmlessly. _What? Is he planning something?_
"Well, I guess I'll see you later then. I'm sorry I don't have time to
speak to you right now." With that, Ranma walked away. Ryouga just stared
at him, a shocked expression on his face.
***
Ranma walked off, barely able to keep his anger and jealousy under the
surface. He had to. If Akane was having fun, he shouldn't disrupt that.
Still, it hurt to see her with Ryouga and not do something about it. He
wasn't even able to look into her face, afraid that his eyes would betray
his feelings.
***
In the dojo, Akane was punching a sandbag furiously.
_I thought he might like me ... but he doesn't care at all!_
She threw a few more punches.
_He didn't even look at me! Couldn't he at least have tried to act a
little jealous?"
"ARRRGH!" She couldn't control herself anymore. She just had to let it
all out. "RANMA! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" Releasing all her
emotions, she threw a final, mighty, blow at the sandbag, pushing it off
it's hinges and sending it flying into the dojo wall.
At once, all her anger was gone. She sank down on the floor, an empty
feeling her stomach. "Why, Ranma?" she sobbed quietly, "Why?"
***
_Has she liked Ryouga all along?_ Ranma wondered to himself. _She
hardly seemed to notice me ... does she really hate me?_ It was a thought
he didn't like, a possibility that hurt.
There was only one way to find out. It was a tough decision, but there
was no turning back now.
"Hello, Ranma."
"Hello, Kasumi. Do you know where Akane is?"
"I think she's training."
"OK, thanks."
As he approached the dojo entrance, he heard her beating the sandbag
heavily inside. _Man,_ he thought, _she sure is violent._
Suddenly, she began shouting.
"RANMA!" Akane's voice cried out furiously, "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I
HATE YOU!"
A loud crash followed, and then silence.
It was all Ranma needed to hear. He walked away, tears slowly running
down his cheeks. She'd said such things many times, but never sounded so
sincere. _How could I have been so wrong?_
***
Ranma wasn't sure how long he wandered the streets of Tokyo aimlessly,
but when he came to his senses, it was already dark, and he wasn't sure
were he was.
_I guess this is what happens to Ryouga all the time,_ he though to
himself.
He looked up, and found himself standing outside a video rental shop.
_Hmm,_ he though, _I've never seen this store before. I must've
wandered off pretty far. Well, might as well go in. Perhaps they've got
some cool Martial Arts movie. I could use some cheering up right now._
Despite the late hour, the store was open. A white-haired old man
smiled at him as he entered. Looking at the shelves, though, Ranma was
dissappointed. _All ecchi._
He was about to walk out, but something caught his eye. He walked
closer. "I'll cheer you up; Ikegame Yuko," the title proclaimed, and on
the cover was pictured the face of a young girl, her hair cut just like
Akane's.
_Well, I was looking for something to cheer me up, after all,_ he
thought, grabbing the tape.
"I think I might rent this one. How much?"
The manager smiled mysteriously. "That one? Oh, I'll yet you borrow it
for free."
"Free?" Ranma looked at the old man, not believing his ears.
"Sure. Now run along, before I change my mind."
***
TO BE CONTINUED
---------------
---
[Tharkon^SMC] [Ronny Hedin] [2:200/505.8@fido] [thark@hem2.passagen.se]
[http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-10956/]