Figured I'd try this again :P  hope you like it!  C&C'S Welcome!


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Based on the works by Rumiko Takahashi.  We present to you........

Ranma 1/2 -  Watakshi no Tomodachi

Prologue

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A small girl, around the age of 9, sat on the edge of her bed.  Tears
made there way down her flushed cheeks and her eyes seem to drown out
everything around her.  Her short blue-black hair remained untouched for
the day, and her clothes were un-orderly and no care put into them.  She
sniffed again and gripped the hem of her knee-high skirt with her little
hands.

Beside her, a woman sat and was trying to no avail comfort the girl in
short hair, "Shhh... It's okay Akane-chan..."

The younger swatted at the tears on her face, "But it's not fair,
Ouka-san!  Where is he going?"

The woman tightened the hug on her younger sister, "We told you before,
Akane-chan.  Ranma-chan is going away for a little while with his
Otou-san."

"But I don't want him to go!"  Akane sniffed.

"I'm sorry, Akane-chan.  I can't stop Saotome-san."

"Can't to-san?  To-san is Saotome Oji-san's best friend!  Ranma's my
best-friend!"  She buried herself deeper into her mothers stomach.

Mai Tendou tried in vain to calm her daughter.  She'd get over it
eventually, but losing a best friend hurts.  Ever since the two were
born, Ranma and Akane were inseparable.  Both enjoyed martial arts and
would always be fighting it seemed.  Akane was always more like a boy
anyway, which suited Ranma fine.  Now he had to go away with his father
on a training journey, for a year at least.  Poor Akane.  She took it so
bad when she heard the news of Ranma's leaving.  At first, she tried to
act as if nothing happened, but slowly she began to cry more often and
lock herself in her room, refusing to see Ranma whenever the Saotome's
came over for a visit.

Today was the day Genma and Ranma were to leave.  Surely Akane would
want to see Ranma at least once more before he left.  So, they arranged
for the two to stop of at the Tendou's house just before.

Mai perked her head up as she heard a small tapping on Akane's door.
She smiled and stood up, after wiping Akane's tears off her face, and
straightening out her hair.  Mai opened the door a bit and smiled down
to the visitor.  She motioned for him to come in and exited, shutting
the door behind herself with a smile playing on her lips.

Just in front of the closed door stood a 9 year old Ranma.  He fidgeted
with his small ponytail that hung down on his back, and with his other
free hand he played with something in the pocket of his coat, "Hey,
Akane."

"Go away."  She scolded, "I don't wanna talk to you."  She said while
crossing her arms over her chest.

Ranma pouted.  For a whole week now she wouldn't talk to him, and now he
was leaving for a long time.  At least he wanted to say bye,
"Kawaiikunee..."

Akane whipped her head around and glare daggers at him, "NANI?"

Ranma grinned lopsidedly, "I knew it would make you turn around."

Akane pouted, "That's not fair."

Ranma hopped up onto the edge of her bed beside Akane, "You still made
at me?"

Akane slumped her little shoulders, "I guess not.  I'm mad at your
Otou-san!  Why is he making you go away?"

Ranma shrugged, "Cuz he said I could be a good martial artist.  I trust
him, I think I'll be really good when I come back!"

"But you're not commin back for a long time....."  She said sadly.

Ranma fidgeted again, "Yeah......"

Akane swatted at her eyes again with the back of her hand, she didn't
want to be a girl and cry in front of Ranma.

"Oh yeah.. I almost fergot..."  Ranma said while reaching into his
pocket and taking out something, "Ka-san gave this to me and said I
could give it to you cuz I'm going away."  He said while handing a
locket on a gold chain to Akane.
Akane stared wide eyed at it and opened it.  There were no pictures in
the middle, "It's pretty...."  She said in awe.

Ranma grinned, "Ka-san said that you'd like it."

Akane nodded in agreement, "I do..."

Ranma slid over the edge of the bed until he touched down on the floor,
"I gotta go now.  To-san is waiting for me downstairs."

Akane pouted, "You'll be back real soon though right?"

Ranma shrugged, "I dunno...... I know.. here.. hold out your hand like
this."  He said while holding out his left hand with his pinky finger
sticking in the air.

Akane mimicked him, "Like this?"

Ranma nodded and then linked his finger in with hers, "Now, even when
I'm gone, we can be best friends.  It's a promise."

Akane smiled, "Kay.  Me too, I promise."