"I didnt think it would end like this," she said softly putting the flowers down on the grave.

Ranma said nothing but nodded in agreement.

The Kuonji family grave was a rather unimpresive piece of gray marble in the corner of the cemitary. The morning fog obscured the smoke from the dwindling incense sticks.

"I wish we could have come earlier," she said, "I would have liked to have met Ukyou's family."

"Nah, that wouldnt have been right," Ranma mumbled. "Too many memories."

"You're right, of course. Still, I can't help feeling guilty. We were rivals and we fought terribly but we were good friends too. If only I could swim, I could have saved her! They were'nt even able to find the body! I wish we hadnt gone on that boating trip!" She fell to her knees sobbing.

"There, there, Akane. It could have happened to anyone. It's in the past," Ranma said kneeling down beside her and holding her by the shoulders. "C'mon, buck up. Uchan wouldnt want to see you hurting that way."

"Oh Ranma!" she cried embracing her fiancee, hugging him. Ranma held on to her untill she stopped crying. Unable to contain herself she reached up and kissed him.

After what felt like an eternity they paused for air. Ranma studied his fiancee's face as he passed his fingers through her hair.

"Say, Akane."

"Yes, Ranma?"

"Have you lost weight or something? I can't put my finger on it but you look. . .  different."

"Are you calling me fat?" she said slowly.

"No, no, ah jeesh your taking this the wrong way, maybe it's your makeup. It's, ah . . ."

"Oh, so now you're saying I'm ugly. That I had to doll myself up to meet your standards."

"Ah, c'mon Akane. YOu know I don't mean it that way. You're misunderstanding everything."

"So now I'm stupid?"

"No! It's"

"RANMA NO BAKA!!!!"

She watched as he sailed across the horizen. The trajectory was still a bit off. No matter how long she just couldnt get the hang of the mallet's heft. It was so heavy and cumbersome not gracefull like say. . . a spatula.

Ukyou passed her fingers through her freshly cut hair. "I hate to do that to you Ranchan, but you're mine at last, and we'll be together forever.

"Even if you are a baka," she said, catching herself.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com