[Ranma][Fanfic] Turning Back Time 1
gje...@triton.net
By: Angela Jewell
NOTES:
This story takes place after the final manga episode, and after the
failed wedding between Ranma and Akane. The story begins with Ranma holding
Akane in his arms, when she is dying. (This is not the part when Akane is
dying
in Jusendou.) It turns out that Ranma lost his memory, (You'll find out how
that
happened as the story progresses.) and he only gets it back when Akane is
dying in his arms once again. He starts to remember important events in his
life, starting with when Akane is dying in Jusendou, then it skips to the
day after the
failed wedding, when Ranma and Akane admit that they love each other.
Eventually he will remember what led up to him losing his memories, and how
Akane came to be dying in his arms.
If you have any questions, just e-mail me.
* * *
TURNING BACK TIME
By: Angela Jewell
Ranma 1/2 is property and creation of Rumiko Takahashi, and whoever else
owns it... I have NO money, so PLEASE don't sue me! Now, on with the story.
* * what a character is thinking
* * *
Chapter 1:
Confessions
* * *
(The Present)
Ranma held Akane protectively in his arms, afraid to let her go. He wasn't
use to supporting Akane. She'd always been as tough as an ox, as strong as
a bull, and extremely independent. It was one of the things he loved about
her. One of the
things he would always love.
"Come on ya stupid tomboy." Ranma yelled angrily. "Wake up already!"
Ranma held her tighter with every passing word, choking back a sob, as
bits and pieces of his memory came rushing back to him.
Eventually, he would remember.
Ranma Saotome would remember it all.
* * *
(In Jusendou.)
*Akane she's not breathing!*
Ranma grabbed a tea pot and dumped the hot water over his head, turning
back into a boy instantly. Once he was finished he threw the pot behind him
and took off his shirt, putting it on Akane's naked body. He never realized
how great it felt to hold her in his arms, he only wished it could have
been under different circumstances.
Ranma remembered how Akane had sacrificed herself to save him, and felt
the anger build up inside, until it finally boiled over.
"This is all because... you pulled that crazy stunt trying to save me.
Akane...
you're so stupid."
Ranma paused, realization sinking in at what he just said. Ranma did the
only thing he could think of. He punched himself. Hard.
"That's wrong... I'm sorry... I really... want to say thank-you. I'm sorry
Akane... because I'm so awkward."
Ranma leaned his head against Akane's, wishing she'd wake up. He
couldn't help but feel guilty. He always said the first thing that came to
mind, not bothering to think of the consequences his words would have.
"I can never tell you what I really feel... So, I keep making you mad and
hurting you."
Ranma observed Akane's face, memorizing every line. *I can't believe I
ever called her uncute. She's so beautiful.*
"Wake up Akane... I... want to tell you something."
Ranma lifted Akane's head up, bringing her body closer to his. He
was about to say something he'd been trying to say for a long time now.
"Akane... you can hear me... can't you?"
Ranma felt tears coming to his eyes. He couldn't stand seeing Akane so
helpless.
Ranma tried picturing his life without her and couldn't.
He finally realized something. Everything he'd ever done, he'd done for
her. He had risked his life countless times, to save her. She was his life.
Nothing
else mattered. If she didn't live, he didn't want to live.
What's the point of living, if part of your heart and soul is gone? A
single
tear fell from his eye, hitting Akane's cheek.
Ranma pulled Akane closer to him, finally realizing that she could die,
that she *might* die. Finally all the anguish and denial that had built up
over the years exploded. Ranma couldn't hide his feelings anymore. Closing
his eyes tightly, Ranma shouted the few words he could never say to Akane,
let alone admit
to himself. *Let me tell you I love you Akane!*
"Akane!"
At that moment Akane had woken up.
* * *
(The day after the failed wedding)
"This is all your fault! If you had just told me about the Nanniichuan in
the
first place..."
"Well, did it ever occur to you that I might want to get married?" Akane
asked softly.
"What? BUT WHY?" Ranma asked confused. "Do you WANT to ruin
our lives?"
"Just forget I said anything." Akane replied angrily, as she avoided
Ranma's
eyes.
Ranma paused, considering Akane's words, not sure if he had heard her
correctly. "Akane... are-are you sayin you WANT to marry me?"
Akane refused to look straight into Ranma's eyes, afraid of what she'd see
there. If she saw rejection, disbelief or pity. She wouldn't be able to
handle it.
"Well... I-I guess so..." she replied meekly, looking down at her feet.
"You-you do?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma... I love you. But... I can't wait around forever." Akane said as
she took a deep breath. "I- I won't."
Ranma stared intently into Akane's eyes. Recognizing the mixed emotions
in them. The two most obvious, were hope and fear. He knew he should be
thrilled that Akane had just said she loved him, but for some reason... it
just
made him hurt more.
"Akane. It's... it's just that there's... there's things I can't
explain... I mean,
I have a thousand different voices screaming in my head... each one telling
me something different... it- it gets so confusing, and I just can't handle
it. I can't
be sure these feelings are really mine... or something I'm being made to
feel."
Ranma took a deep breath staring intently at Akane's serious expression.
"Is any
of this making any sense to you?"
Akane shook her head no, a confused expression on her face. "What
voices are you talking about? You- you don't have split personalities or
anything, do you?"
"No, I don't have split personalities." Ranma sighed in frustration,
tugging
his pigtail nervously. *This is gonna to be harder than I thought.*
"OK... Let me try explaining this better. I have all these conflicting
emotions, that are telling me something different. It's kinda like when
my mom didn't know about mine and pop's curses. One moment I would
want to crawl and hide somewhere whenever she came over, ashamed of her
seeing me as some kinda cursed freak. Other times I would want to scream,
"Here, I am! This is the real me!", and just pray that she would
understand, and
still consider me manly... and yet other times I wished... she would make
us
commit suicide, so all my problems could be solved."
"But, Ranma... having mixed feeling about something is normal. Almost
everybody goes through a certain period of their life, where they have
doubts.
Its an important time in our lives... we make decisions that will last a
life time... choices we may never have a chance to take back. Its what life
all about. Making
decisions and living with them."
"Akane... my decision won't only affect me! It'll effect practically
everyone I know. People I care for and people who care for me."
"Ranma, I know that. But, some things are necessary! Some decisions are
worth making... no matter what effects it has on the people involved. It
gives a
sense of closure, and forces people to make the best of a bad situation and
move
on."
"Akane..."
"Ranma, who are you in love with?" Akane asked, taking his hand in hers
and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Ranma... please. I need to know."
"Akane... I can't."
"YES YOU CAN! You said it at Jusendou..." Akane screamed.
"Look... I panicked ok?! I saw you laying there, and-and I did the only
thing I could think of..."
"You cried and told me you loved me..." Akane finished for him.
"I NEVER said I loved you!!!!" Ranma yelled defensively.
"Fine. You didn't tell me." Akane replied sadly.
"Akane..."
"Look, I'm really tired. Could you please leave?" Akane asked as she
turned away from Ranma and climbed into bed.
"Akane... don't you think we should talk bout this some more?"
"Why bother? You've made your decision now, live with it. If you don't
mind, I'd like to get some sleep... after all, an uncute girl like me needs
my beauty sleep... how else am I going to catch a husband?"
Akane turned away from Ranma, ending the conversation. Her blanket
wrapped tightly around her body.
Ranma stared at her longingly, unsure of what to do. Part of him wanted
to leave and forget the whole conversation ever took place... but, another
part
of him wanted to take Akane in his arms and repeat over and over how much
he loves her. The hard part was deciding which voice to listen to.
Suddenly, Ranma heard Akane's voice echoing in his head, repeating the
same sentence over and over again. *Some decisions are worth making...*
Ranma
looked down at Akane's still form, her blanket wrapped smugly against her
body.
Ranma smiled to himself, finally realizing what he had to do... what he
should have done a long time ago. He almost lost her once. There was no way
in hell he was going to lose her again.
Ranma took a deep breath, and moved towards Akane's bed, a
determined expression on his face.
He knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted Akane.
Ranma sat down on Akane's bed and grabbed her shoulders, so that
she lay facing him. Her face was smeared with tears, and her hair was
clinging
to her wet face.
Ranma lifted Akane's chin, forcing her to look him straight in the eyes.
She did so, unwillingly, and chewed her lip nervously, as she tried to stop
the tears from flowing.
"Akane I...I know I can be a jerk sometimes, and that I always open my
big fat mouth, and say something I shouldn't, but... the truth is... I love
you." he whispered. "I've loved you for as long as I can remember."
"Do you really mean it, Ranma?" Akane asked hopefully as she abruptly sat
up in her bed, practically knocking Ranma off in the process.
"Come on, Akane! Would I lie about something like this?"
"Yes." Akane replied. A serious expression on her face. "Remember when
Shampoo had that cursed brooch?"
Ranma laughed nervously running his hands through his hair. "Oh, you
still remember that, huh?"
Akane crossed her arms over her chest, an angry scowl, quickly
covering her face. "Of course! Did you really think I'd ever forget?"
"Oh, come on Akane. Shampoo means nothin to me. I LOVE YOU! not
her!"
Akane's face softened at Ranma's declaration. "I-I love you too."
Ranma pulled Akane to him, his eyes never leaving hers. "Ya know... you're
really cute when you smile." Ranma whispered into Akane's ear.
Akane blushed as Ranma closed his eyes and leaned towards her. Their
hearts, beating as one, pounding in their chests. Finally, Akane closed her
eyes, and their lips met.
When they kissed there were no fireworks, and the song, Aleluja didn't
echo in their heads. But, it was still beautiful none the less. It was
something
that both of them would never forget. Or so they thought.
* * *
(The Present)
Ranma was in shock.
The first waves of memories had hit him like a brick wall. But, he didn't
care. He was finally remembering, that was the important thing. In the
end...
no matter what happened... he was the winner.
Shampoo had no control over him anymore.
* * *
End of Chapter 1
* * *
TO BE CONTINUED
*******************************************************************
My e-mail:
gje...@triton.net
My homepage:
http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/ranma/index.html
*******************************************************************
-Angela Jewell