Floating on Water
 A WAFF fic by Kiwi Noriega

                 Small waves brushed the sand-speckled shore; rising over small rocks as its passage went up and down in a swift, calm motion. The setting sun lay mirrored on the dark blue waters as the wind softly blew past onto the horizon, carrying the sweet smell of the ocean waters. Clouds dotted the orange tinted sky, barely hiding the soft radiance of the sun. 

                 Alone on the floating barge on the dock, Akane sighed as she looked at the sight before her, silently wishing that this moment could be shared with someone else. She hugged her shoulders to her as a gentle gust of wind blew past; ruffling her short blue skirt as the barge slowly rocked from side to side being carried by the gentle waves. Today was a good day, she thought. She got into a fight twice and Ranma only got glomped onto once, which was as small a number they could ever hope to get in a normal day. A smile touched her lips as she once again gazed out into the open sea; she found amusement in the fact that their family picnic had turned to be family only. It worked out pretty well; actually, she realized that she and Ranma barely had an argument throughout the trip. At that new thought, she silently murmured, "Oh Ranma." She suddenly felt the barge slightly tilt, mild surprise on her face, knowing that only one person could sneak up on her so deftly. 

                 "Uh, Akane.?" Ranma asked, softly smiling as he looked at her. Just then, another gust of wind followed, gently flowing like water through Akane's hair, causing each strand to dance sweetly with the crisp air. A blush rose to his cheeks as he gazed upon her beautiful face, the beating of his heart, hard as ever at the very sight of her.And then she smiled.It never came to his understanding how her smile warmed his heart like no one ever could, her touch easing any depth of pain he faced.it was as if her sole presence gave him the will to go through.anything. 

                 "Yes, Ranma?" Akane asked, barely able to hide the excitement that coursed through her veins at his appearance. As the days passed by, she found herself getting closer and closer to Ranma, opening up to him once in awhile and earning the same from him at most times. Sometimes, she couldn't understand what she had with Ranma, whenever she was around him, there's this feeling in her she could never fathom. Yet.this feeling that resided in her heart felt good.it was a feeling she knew she could not live without.

                 For once, Ranma didn't want to give an excuse, so he answered, "I, uh, was sorta worried about you, and." he trailed off, not knowing what to say or do.

                 Akane looked at him silently, then she raised her right hand slowly and offered it to him, "Here, let me show you something."

                 Nervousness racking his mind, he reached for her hand, gently squeezing it to make sure this wasn't a dream. He followed quietly as she lead him to the end of the rocking barge, motioning him to stand at the very edge. His fear of getting splashed took precedence and he back-stepped away from the edge, earning a small giggle from his companion.

                 Pulling him back to the edge, Akane moved behind her fianc�, apprehensively wrapping her hands around his waist.

                 "Wh-what are you, uh, doing Akane?" Ranma asked, his skin on fire as the warmth of her hands caught his breath, the worry of getting splashed near to being forgotten.

                 Getting even closer to him, she whispered, "Trust me on this, Ranma.please."

                 With a final sigh, he answered just as softly, "I trust you, Akane."

                 "Close your eyes."she whispered once again as her hold on his waist tightened comfortably. 

                 Barely able to contain his feelings, Ranma calmly closed his eyes, waiting for her voice as his mind concentrated on her soft touch.

                 Raising her chin near his ear, she softly said, "Open your eyes and look straight, think o nothing but what's in front of you."

                 Her warm voice by his neck sent shivers through his whole body as he slowly breathed in. Ranma opened his eyes and his breath caught. It felt as if-

                 "You're floating on water." Akane whispered, her breath a soft caress on his neck.

                 A warm smile touched his face, different sensations assailing him as the barge swayed ever so softly, the presence of his fianc�e holding onto him from behind, settling his raging heart. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around hers; grasping each hand tightly in each of his as their words died down and only their beating hearts accompanying the constant movement of the waves remained. 

                 "It's always been you, Akane.always."

                 Closing her eyes, Akane leaned her head on his shoulder, letting his words settle in her heart. Without saying a word, she squeezed his hand; reveling in the comfort his presence gave her. 

                 Returning her touch, Ranma gently turned around to face Akane, hands still locked as he stared down at her beautiful brown eyes, losing all the words he wished to say. 

                 Akane gazed up into his blue-gray eyes, the intensity of his look, causing her to catch what little breath she had. 

                 And as the sun sat upon the horizon, two individuals now bonded together lay silhouetted by the setting sun, their lips together, feeling as if they were floating on water.

 -end



Author's notes:

                 Whoa! Finally got that out of my system! When I finished the last letter of the fic, I sighed. It's been a long time since I last wrote a WAFF fic; I just realized how much I missed doing so. Well, I hope everyone liked this. I urge everyone to try doing this. Go to a lake with a loved one and stand upon a swaying barge, it will really feel as if you're floating on water. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this. C&Cs are very much welcome at becknkal@addax.bc.ca. For more of my works, please visit the Anything Goes Ranma � Fanfic Page at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/9371, which I might add, has just been updated and will have Beyond Forms Chapter 3 up in a day. Once again, I hope everyone appreciated this little moment I've shared, hope you guys write me! ^_^ ^_^ And for my bro, Kahlil, he's working on his fics, which he says will be out soon, so we hope you guys check back once in a while! ^_^ ^_^ Ja ne!!

 - Kiwi Noriega