Since it's not too terribly big, I hope no-one's upset that I'm including
all the chapters. If you just want what's new, do a search for "chapter four".
There are a large number of small changes, additions and corrections, though.
If this is your first reading, I'd like to point out that this was (sort of)
written in response to a "continue this" challenge by Megane 6.7, and that
text (which could be considered a prologue), can be found as
"http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-10956/creative/fanfic/coth00.txt", or you could
mail me.
------------------------
| CHALLENGE OF THE HEART |
------------------------
***
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. Oh, true, he already had, but as the fool he was,
he had of course denied it instantly afterwards.
_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 up from the book she was reading and faced 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."
At that, 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. He
even said it._ That memory made her smile, as always. _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 of 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, P-chan finally managed to find his way back here,_ he mused.
***
A few drops of sweat slowly trickled down Ryouga's 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, peeking 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. 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 thought to
himself.
He looked up, and found himself standing outside a video rental shop.
_Hmm,_ he thought, _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."
***
When Ranma returned, the house was dark, and judging by the loud snoring
that could be heard, everybody was already asleep.
He took the tape out of its box and held it hesitatingly in his hand, no
longer sure it was a good idea. In his mind, he could already hear Akane
shouting "Pervert!". _If anybody wakes up,_ he thought, _I'm dead._
_That girl..._ He took a final look at the cover. There was something
special about her, something he couldn't really put his finger on. _Well, I
borrowed it, so I might as well watch it._
***
Despite the "ecchi" on the label, the movie started out innocent enough.
The girl, Yuko, sat on the edge of a bed, dressed in a normal school-
uniform, and introduced herself. Her monologue was so life-like ... almost
as if she really did hold a dialogue with him. Like she was real.
It was late, he was tired, and the talking couldn't hold Ranma's
attention for very long. _She's so nice,_ he thought to himself as he yawned,
drifting off to sleep. _I wish she could be here for real. Everybody else
seems to hate me._
***
When Ranma woke up, he still felt rather tired. He wanted to lie still and
fall asleep again, but the rising sun shone directly on his face, and his
position was not very comfortable. He opened his eyes slowly.
He was still in the couch by the TV, leaning his head to one side. A
large puddle of drool had formed by his mouth. The TV itself was still
running, static coming out of the speakers as black and white fought for
control of the screen, and in front of it lay a girl.
... in front of it lay a girl.
Ranma woke up with a start, bouncing to his feet. His eyes had not been
decieving him. There, in front of the TV, still dressed in her school
uniform, was the Video Girl. Ikegami Yuko. Now that he saw her in person, her
resemblance of Akane really was surprising. Their hair was almost identical,
both in color and shape, and their faces were very similar. There were subtle
differences, though - the kind that's hard to put your finger on, but still
easily recognizable. _Yuko's chest is bigger,_ Ranma thought, inwardly
embarrassed that he had noticed the difference.
Apparently, his movement had disturbed her sleep. She stretched her
arms tiredly, slowly opening her eyes, and looked straight at him.
He stared at her, into her eyes, for a moment, opening and closing his
mouth a few times, before he came to his senses. He realised he didn't
have time to ask how she'd appeared.
"Yuko?" he asked her uncertainly.
"Yes?" she confirmed.
"We've gotta go." He looked worriedly towards the stairs. "If anybody
sees you here, we're both dead."
"OK." With a helping hand from Ranma, Yuko rose to her feet, and
straightened out her clothing.
He wrinkled his brow. _Where to?_ he thought, and the answer soon came
to him. "We'll go to my mother." It wasn't a good solution, but at least
it was *a* solution.
***
Kasumi looked worriedly at the empty seat at the breakfast table. "I
wonder where Ranma is? His food is getting cold, too."
"He can take care of himself." Panda-Genma held the sign confidently.
"And I can take care of his food."
Akane was not convinced. It wasn't like him to be gone for the entire
night. What if something had happened?
***
A sleepy Nodoka opened her door. "Ranma?" she asked, surprised.
"Hi, mom. There's some problems at the dojo," he said hesitatingly, "do
you think we could stay here for a while?"
"We?" she asked, looking at him confusedly. A few moments passed before
she noticed the girl.
"Oh, you and your fia..." she begun, but it wasn't. The resemblance was
stunning, but the girl wasn't Akane. "Who's this?" she said, pointing at
Yuko.
"Oh, er," Ranma scratched the back of his head worriedly, "this is
Ikegami Yuko. She's a friend of mine."
His mother looked irritatedly at him. "Ranma, running away from your
fianc‚e with some other girl is not honorable. I'm not going to help you
do that."
"It's nothing like that! She's just a friend!" he stated hastily. "You
do have two guest rooms, don't you?"
She cast a suspicious glance at him, but gave in. "Yes. Come on in,
I'll soon have breakfast ready." Even if she was unsure about the girl,
having her son come for a visit was a pleasant surprise.
***
"How I appeared?" Yuko smiled. "Through the TV, from the videotape, of
course. That's what keeps me alive and healthy, too."
Ranma looked at her confusedly. Sure, he'd seen a lot of strange things,
but somehow, magic coming from a piece of technology like a TV-set sounded
strange.
"Hey, don't look so glum! I'm here to cheer you up - that's all my
purpose in life!"
Ranma sighed. Why did everything that happened always just mean more
trouble for him?
"So," she asked, as her good mood obviously wasn't contagious, "what's
bothering you?"
***
"I'm not sure..."
Ranma fidgeted as they entered the dining-hall.
"You like her, don't you?" Yuko smiled. "After all, that's why you
choose me."
"Yeah, but ... she said she hated me..."
"I didn't think you were the type to get scared, Ranma."
"I'm not scared!" he stated firmly. "I'm just not sure it's the right
time..."
"If you want her to like you, you'll have to take every opportunity to
talk to her. Come on." She pointed towards the table where Akane sat,
alone.
***
It was midday, and he still hadn't showed up. Now Akane was *really*
worried. She prodded the soggy vegetables with her fork, sighed, and looked
up ...
... and there he was - on his way towards her table.
But not alone.
_He was away all night,_ she thought, _and shows up at lunchtime ...
with some *girl*!_ As Ranma and the girl sat down, she stabbed a tomatoe
angrily. _How could I be so stupid? He's even getting *new* girls..._
***
Yuko sighed. He should be talking to her, but no, they both just sat
there, eating silently. How could she help him if he didn't follow her
advice?
"Excuse me, I have to visit the men's room." Ranma got up and walked
away.
She had to do something. "Nice guy, ain't he?" Yuko whispered when he
had gotten out of earshot. She looked at him, and winked
conspiratorically at Akane. "Cute, too."
Akane, of course, misunderstood.
_She stole my fianc‚ - isn't that enough? No, she has to *gloat* about
it, too!_
She reached for her mallet, furiously pulling it out of nowhere. Yuko
never knew what hit her.
***
Ranma pulled up his zipper, sighing heavily. It was hopeless. He'd seen
how mad Akane got as soon as she saw him. What was the point? She hated
him anyway.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from the hall outside, the sound of wood
hitting flesh - a sound he'd heard far too many times, though usually at less
distance.
Concerned, he rushed out. A crowd of students had already had time to
form around Yuko, who lay unconcious on the floor.
Akane slowly backed away, anger dissipating. That was not supposed to
happen. She shouldn't ... get hurt.
Ranma picked up the body and walked off, heading for Dr. Tofu's.
***
Dr. Tofu finished applying the bandage to Yuko's head. "She'll be OK
now, she just needs some rest. Better be careful, though. She hasn't got
your physique, so one more hit like that might hurt her pretty bad."
"OK, Doc."
Yuko turned her head to smile at him.
Ranma smiled back. "So, you're awake now."
She nodded. "Ranma, you shouldn't worry about me."
"But ... it's my fault you got hurt."
"Ranma, it doesn't matter. I'm a video girl. I'm just here to cheer you
up - I don't want you to feel bad because something happened to me. Besides,
thanks to the video, I would have healed pretty quickly anyway."
Inwardly, she sighed. _He's so nice,_ she thought. _So unselfish..._ Many
would have disagreed - but they weren't there to tell her so. _There must be
something I can do to cheer him up. Maybe..._ She brightened a bit. _Yes,
he is a boy, after all. He'll appreciate it._
***
"Well," Nabiki said to the family, as they were assembled at the dinner
table, "I've found out where Ranma is."
They all looked up at her.
"It seems he's staying at his mother's house."
Genma shuddered. "His life."
"There's some new girl with him, too."
Except for Akane, they stared at her in shock. Soun clutched his old
friend in his arms. "Saotome!" he cried, "We should never have broken the
engagement!" Tears ran down his cheeks.
***
"Nabiki?"
"Yes, Akane?" she answered, without looking up from her homework.
"How many have you told about the breaking of the engagement?"
"Oh, so far, just Ryouga." Inwardly, she smiled. After making Ryouga
promise he wouldn't tell anyone else, she'd told him the news at a
reduced charge. Now he'd probably dare ask Akane out, and when people
saw that, they'd pay really well to find out what was going on...
"Do you think you could ... like, not tell anyone else? Please?" Akane
looked pleadingly at her sister.
"Hmm?" Nabiki looked amusedly at her. "Why not?
"Er ..." Akane fidgeted. "Maybe, if the boys find out we're not engaged
any more, I'll have to fight them every morning again."
She raised her eyebrows. "I thought you liked the fights? Besides, I
hadn't even thought of that - I could earn some big money on betting
there." In her mind, Nabiki was already calculating the profits. "I'm
sorry, sis, but I don't think you can pay me enough to outweigh that."
"I'll do you a service. Anything!" Akane was starting to look rather
desperate.
"OK, OK." Nabiki sighed. "But I'm just doing it 'cause you're family."
"Thanks." Akane left the room. _I'm not going to give up on him, even
if he hates me._ She was not the type to give up - otherwise, she'd have
stopped cooking long ago.
***
Ranma sat beside the bed, worriedly watching over Yuko sleeping body.
When he noticed Akane entering the room, she already stood next to him.
"You?" He looked at her, irritation obvious in her eyes. "What're YOU
doing here?"
"Ranma ..." she said, uncertainly, "I'm sorry..."
"Sorry? SORRY?" His temper was falling quickly. "You stupid tomboy!
It's a miracle she even SURVIVED!"
"But..." The apologetic look in Akane's eyes was starting to fade away.
"Why are you so damned violent? Some nerve, showing up here after what
you did!"
"RANMA NO BAKA!" With a crash, the mallet sent Ranma to the floor, and
she stormed out of the room, furious.
***
Akane sighed, staring emptily at the roof. He was right, of course.
_But still ... he didn't have to be so blunt about it._
***
Ranma clutched his head in his hands. _So stupid,_ he thought. _Why?
Why did I *have* to start insulting her again?_ He sighed. _I could've
said that a lot better.
***
Akane looked tiredly at the concrete. Without Ranma on the fence beside
her, the road to school somehow seemed so ... empty.
From the distance, a blue spot was quickly approaching.
"Ni..." Shampoo shouted, but let it die out when she noticed something
was amiss. She looked suspiciously at Akane. "Violent girl? Where you
hide Ranma?"
Akane smiled inwardly. "Oh, he and his father left on a new training
trip."
"Training trip?" Shampoo eyed her uncertainly. "When they come back?"
Akane shrugged. Keeping the smile from her lips was a struggle. "For all
I know, they might be gone for another ten years."
The chinese girl stormed off hurriedly, muttering something about
following...
***
Ranma looked at Akane, sitting at the desk in front of his. His eyes
were fixed on her short, black hair, and his mind pondered what lay beyond.
He wondered what she was thinking of, what was going on in her mind, what
she really thought of him.
Would he ever be able to understand? Did he want to?
***
Feeling observed, Akane turned around, immediately staring straight into
Ranma's eyes. At first, she was about to get irritated, shout at him, ask why
he was staring at her, but she stopped herself, bending her lips into a soft
smile, and turned back to face the front of the class again.
***
When she turned around, Ranma's heart flew into his mouth, and he started
moving his hands towards his face, already feeling the pain he was about to
recieve.
It never came, and he just kept staring, his jaw hanging dangerously low.
She ... smiled?
No, he'd never be able to understand.
***
As they exited the classroom, Akane approached him, smiling uncertainly.
He returned the smile. "Akane, the other day, I'm sorry I shouted at
ya." It was obvious in his eyes and voice that he really meant it. "You
were apologizing, and I..."
"It ... it's OK. I deserved it." Her softly spoken response startled him.
"Look, Ranma," she fidgeted, "Would you like to come over for dinner today?
I mean ... the others, they haven't seen you in a while, and ..."
_Just as long as you're not cooking._ Luckily, that was just a thought, and
he nodded. "Sure."
***
Everybody was silent as Kasumi put the food on the table. The air was
tense, and no-one was quite sure what to say, if anything.
Throughout the meal, the fathers kept looking expectantly at the pair, but
not even they dared speak, afraid to ruin everything.
Genma's hand crept slowly towards his son's plate. If the boy noticed, he
didn't reveal it. Closer... Closer... Then, the hand grabbed some of the
food, bringing it to its master's mouth, almost too fast for the eye to
follow.
Ranma still didn't acknowledge having noticed it. He just kept looking
at his food, eating in a normal - for him, snail-like - pace. _Mustn't..._ he
thought, hands itching to retaliate. _Mustn't make a mess, or start a brawl._
They stared at him, stunned and surprised, like was he an alien. In fact,
something as ordinary as an alien probably wouldn't be considered too big a
deal, but Ranma letting someone steal his food?
Only Akane kept her mask, a slight smile creeping almost unnoticeably to
her lips. A slight smile, but one that, to Ranma, made up for the loss more
than well.
***
"Akane ..." Ranma's voice trembled as they stood outside the house.
"Tomorrow ... would you like to go to the movies? With me?"
"I'd love to!" Akane smiled. "But what about ..."
"What about what?" He gave her an uncertain look.
"That girl..." Her smile faltered.
"Yuko? Ano..." Not wanting to reveal the truth, Ranma's brain worked
feverishly. "She's just ... a cousin. Yeah! Mom wanted me to keep her
company, so she wouldn't get bored!"
She could tell he was lying but decided not to push it, at least not yet.
"Oh." She threw her arms around him. Just a short, soft hug, but it was more
than enough.
"Well..." Ranma scratched the back of his head nervously, blushing slightly
as he walked off. "See ya tomorrow, then!"
Silently, a pair of old men cheered.
***
As darkness descended, Ranma lay on his futon, smiling at the ceiling.
That was ... unexpected, to say the least. Normally she wouldn't have spoken
to him for a week, perhaps more, after he lectured her like that. _Not gonna
complain,_ he thought.
Someone approached, soft footsteps traversing the dark room. A figure.
_Akane,_ was the first thought that came to Ranma's confused mind, but of
course, it wasn't.
Yuko, dressed only in her nightgown, knelt down beside the futon. As she
leaned towards him wordlessly, Ranma backed away, soon touching the wall
behind him. When her fingertips touched his chest lightly, he tried to shrink
further, tried to avoid her touch.
"Please," he whimpered, "please don't." He shivered, his voice sounding
somehow very pathetic. "Please stop. Please."
Still not speaking, still with an expressionless face, Yuko rose again,
leaving the room as silently at the came.
Ranma remained sitting with his back against the wall for a long time.
_Why?_ he asked. _Why her too?_
***
Reaching to turn the TV on, Nabiki felt something was amiss.
The video. Still running.
Sighing, she turned it off, muttering something about sloppy family and
electricity bills.
***
As Yuko returned to her room, suddenly, something felt ... wrong.
She felt weak.
_Someone must've turned of the video,_ she thought. Her power was draining.
She wouldn't last for long without the renewal of power. A day. Perhaps
somewhat more.
She could go to the Tendos and turn it back on, or, perhaps better, ask
Ranma to do it, but ... was it really worth the bother?
***
Atop the fence, Ranma outwardly seemed as carefree as ever, but Yuko,
looking up at him from below, doubted that such was the case. He had been
avoiding her all morning, not speaking of what had happened the evening
before.
She was supposed to be perfect. Young, beautiful, innocent yet charming.
But ... he had seemed almost scared of her.
She appeared because he was in desperate need of some cheering up. Had
she suceeded? All her attempts had just made things worse, made his life more
miserable.
Was she a total failure?
Yuko sighed. "Ranma?"
"Y ... yes?" His voice was still trembling.
She quickened her pace and walked a few steps ahead of him, turning around
so she could look into his eyes. "Ranma, can we go out together this
evening?"
He stopped. "I ... I dunno..."
She looked at him, eyes large and pleading, watering slightly.
"Er ..."
"Please?" Her voice was low, almost unhearable.
Even Ranma had some weaknesses, among them girls on the verge of crying.
"Y-yes, sure, of course."
"Thanks." She wiped her eyes and they continued towards school.
***
Ukyou forced herself to look at the photo. A handsome mid-teen boy, his
black hair tied into a pig-tail, smiled charmingly at her.
When he said he just came for the food, she had finally seen the truth,
seen through the lie she had been living for too long.
In a swift motion, she violently tore the photo apart, to match her broken
heart.
***
That day, after school, Ranma hesitated again.
He'd asked Akane out, and she had accepted. As he walked home that evening,
he had already been looking forward to it. He had to go. Akane ... she would
hate him - really - and she would have all reason to do so.
And yet ... Yuko ... she had seemed so desperate, almost like her life
depended on it.
He hated no-win-scenarios.
***
Yuko stood at the top of the hill, leaning against a tree, looking at the
stars, and at the city. She looked so ... pale. Like she really was dying.
"So ... you came." It was just a whisper. She sank to her knees, no longer
able to support herself.
Ranma increased the pace of his steps, catching her before she fell to the
ground. "Yuko," he said, concerned, "what's wrong?"
"I'm ... so sorry..." Deep regret was in her voice. "So sorry I failed,
messed everything up."
She slowly faded away, leaving Ranma sitting alone, holding thin air.
"No..." he whispered. "NOOOOO!" A helpless cry.
Everything so wrong.
***
Akane sat outside the house, cold and lonely, sobbing quietly into her
arms.
Sad and angry.
He asked her out ... raising her hopes, making her so happy ... and then,
he just didn't come.
Why?
Why?
***
------------------------
| CHALLENGE OF THE HEART |
----- chapter four -----
***
Nabiki looked at the tape cover, and corresponding tape, that she'd found
by the video. Only Ranma could be responsible, and forgetting to turn the
equipment off was just like him. He was lucky she was the first to find it,
not Akane.
It was surprising, though. Sure, Ranma was a boy alright, but she'd never
thought he was interested in idol videos, and she had no idea how he'd
actually managed to find the girl - yet.
At any rate, it was an opportunity she couldn't afford to miss.
***
The reason for his move now gone, Ranma returned to the Tendo house the
next morning, surprising Akane as he entered the living room.
She turned to look at him, staring intensely. "Ranma," she said accusingly,
"yesterday ... you never came."
All he could do was to nod.
"Why?"
"I..." He had no excuse, and telling the truth would only make things
worse. "I..." He didn't get any further with the second attempt, just kept
stammering insecurely.
Not even an apology...
"I *hate* you, Ranma!" She ran to her room, trying to hide her tears.
He sunk into the nearest armchair, cursing his stupidity.
"RANMA!" Shocked, he jumped, as Soun's enourmous head, face twisted with
fury, peeked into the room. "YOU BROKE MY DAUGHTER'S HEART! HOW DARE YOU COME
BACK HERE?"
"Muh ... mister Tendo!" He fought desperately to take control of himself.
"I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?" Soun deflated slightly, but was still angry.
"I'm sorry..." Ranma repeated. "I'll do anything to make it up," he said
sincerely. "Anything."
"Oh." The Tendo father returned to his normal state, crying over his poor
daughter.
***
Ranma startled as Nabiki entered his room without knocked, wordlessly
holding up the tape cover.
He sweated, swallowing heavily.
"Ranma..."
He nodded, scratching the back of his head worriedly. Nabiki was clever -
there was no way she could *not* make the connection.
"I hear those idol girls earn pretty well. I won't tell anyway, but you
better introduce me to your ... 'cousin'."
Ranma responded the only way he could - his face hit the floor with a heavy
"thud".
***
To his surprise, he somehow managed to find the video store again, despite
having no idea how he got there in the first place.
"Back already?" The old man seemed surprised to see him, and Ranma nodded
as he placed the tape on the counter, turning to walk away.
The man took hold of his hand. "Something wrong?"
"What? Uh, no..."
"Didn't you like it? Would you like to try another one instead?"
"No thanks, it's fine."
The propreitor eyed Ranma worriedly as he left the store. Yuko had a
playing time of a month, if he remembered correctly, and the boy definitely
didn't look like he'd been cheered up - ratehr the opposite.
***
"Master?" Yuko looked surprised at him as she flickered to life again.
"Yes, Yuko. I'm worried because you're back so soon. Did something go
wrong?"
"I ... suppose so." She wasn't sure what. She'd tried her best ... hadn't
she?
"Well, you're running on my personal video now, so there shouldn't be any
interruptions. Do you want another try?"
Did she? "Master, am I faulty?" Last time, it seemed like she'd only made
things worse.
"No, no, Yuko, what makes you think that? I checked before playing you, and
I couldn't find anything wrong."
"Oh." Maybe it was just bad luck. Maybe it wasn't ... but ... "I suppose
it's worth a try."
***
"Well," Genma said, "you must be wondering why we wanted to speak to you."
Ranma and Akane both nodded.
"We changed our minds."
"Changed ... your minds?" Ranma gave the fathers a suspicious glance.
"Yes," Soun said, "from today, you two are once again engaged." The two old
friends shook each other's hands enthusiastically.
It took a while for the news to sink in.
"What?" Akane was the first to break the silence. "Are you crazy? No way! I
refuse! I'm not going to marry that stupid, perverted baka, ever! I hate
him!"
Ranma still didn't say anything.
By the time she'd finished shouting, the fathers had already left the room.
She glared at Ranma angrily.
"What about you? I suppose you like this? Maybe you want me to chase you
and glomp you like everyone else does, huh? Is that it?"
He shook his head. A short "no" was his only answer.
"So, you're saying I'm not good enough for you? *BAKA*!" Pretty worked up
by now, she sent him sailing through the roof with a fierce uppercut.
"Say, sis." Nabiki had been watching half-interestedly, eating an apple.
"What answer did you want, anyway?"
Akane lowered her head in shame as her holder sister walked out of the
room, leaving her to think about it.
***
"I'm sorry! Sorry!" Akane rushed towards Ranma as the red-headed girl
entered the house, shaking the water out of her hair and clothes.
"Ah, it's nothing really." _Her mood-swings are even worse than usual.
Better be careful._ "Peace?"
"Oh ... sure, peace!" Akane accepted the outstretched hand.
"Well ..." _Dare I remind her?_ After some pondering, he decided that he
did. "I'm sorry about yesterday, but ... maybe we could go now instead, if
you want?"
They did have school again tomorrow, but it wasn't really all that late
yet. "OK." She was still mad about that, but at least he was trying to make
up for it now.
***
Yuko spotted them leaving the cinema, both seemingly happy. Her hand slid
slowly into his as they walked off, and his smile widened slightly, a
content, lucky look on his face.
***
She looked at the running video which was keeping her alive. The master was
asleep by now.
He'd said nothing was wrong with her, but he must've been mistaken. It was
so obvious. Everything was her fault. As soon as she was gone, he was happy
again. Didn't that mean she was a total failure?
Maybe, in a way, she had succeeded now.
Fast and hard, she brought her fist down on the video, breaking both it and
the tape it was playing.
***
AUTHOR'S NOTES
--------------
Find my fics at "http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-10956/creative/fanfic/".
All forms of C&C, comments, reactions, heck, even flames, are more than
welcome, and can be mailed to "thark@swipnet.se".
This fic would probably have looked differently were it not for Megane 6.7,
A J Woo, Thomas "Job" Schmidth (sorry if I misspelled that), Gary Kleppe,
and big thanks go to all who've commented on it, if only to encourage me to
continue.
If nobody convinces me otherwise, this really *is* the final part.
As always, my heartfelt respect to Takahashi Rumiko and Mazakazu Katsura,
may I burn in hell if I misspelled either name.
---
Ronny Hedin, thark@swipnet.se, http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-10956/
"If you meet Bhudda on the net, put him in your kill file."