The Last Straw
The Last Straw
By Gayle S.
Ranma froze, his fist held in mid air. She was looking right at him, shocked. She seemed to be weightless , rolling to a stop on the floor several feet away. Her eyes were tightly shut.
He ran to her side, skidding under her on his knees. The pain of his own flesh didn’t matter.She lay so silently on his thigh... not moving. He tapped her cheek lightly with his fingers.
“Akane...Akane!”
Nothing.
She didn’t even flinch the slightest bit. He edged over and cautiously took her thin wrist into his palm. She was so delicate.. it was like holding a china doll. He found a faint pulse. Her heart was beating softly, but not strong enough...
“KASUMIIII!!!!!!!!!!”
*hours Later*
“395...396....397...398...399...”
“400!...ugh...” Ranma painfully squealed, collapsing lifelessly to the dojo floor. His chest was beaded with drops of hot sweat. His steaming breath fogged the dojo floor. Ranma rolled onto his back and looked up at the altar. His mind replayed the scene over and over, yet he couldn’t see himself hitting her. He struck her hard, too. He knew he had, because he felt himself ball up his fist, nails grinding into his palms as he connected with the soft flesh of her abdomen.
How could he?!... If only she’d butt out...
There was nobody to blame. He felt his eyes burn with tears and brushed them away quickly, turning upright and hopping to his feet. He tightened his belt and wiped the sweat off his face with the canvas sleeve of his Gi. It didn’t matter... they weren’t...
...they weren’t...
Something felt different. It was like his heart suddenly felt... empty. Something was wrong. He walked outside of the dojo and looked around. Akane’s light was on. It was nearly 2a.m.... He didn’t want to be seen. Ranma climbed up to the second story swiftly, and slipped by the darkened windows of Kasumi and Nabiki’s rooms. He peeked over, but the curtains were closed.
“Kuso...” He thought. Carefully, he slid the window open, and peeked in the curtain. He could see P-Chan on the edge of her pillow, nudging Akane’s cheek.
“Bwee? Bwee....?!” He squealed over and over. Nothing. P-Chan ran out of the room. Ranma stepped into her room through her window, and scooted into her desk chair, next to her bed. She was so peaceful when she wasn’t beating the shit out of him. He leaned over and brushed a stray piece of hair off of her face. Her hair was... so... soft. He let it run through his fingers, trailing back onto the pillow.
“Kawaiikune...” He spoke softly, “If you didn’t get in the... in the way...” He felt tears go into his eyes. “Oh god... I’m just... I’m sorry, Akane. This is all my fault. I...” He put his hand to hers. I wish we could... you know...” he sighed, “I still can’t say it. No.. I will.. Akane... I... I love...” Then he stopped. Her wrist... it was... cold. He felt for her pulse.
Nothing.
“No...GOD NO!!!!” He cried out.
I don’t fight Girls... Not even you, Akane....
Akane...
Akane....
Akane...
“AKANEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Ranma jolted awake, sweat pouring off his heaving chest. It was dark... A nightmare.. that’s all. Just a nightmare. He looked around.
“AKANE!!!” He whispered to himself, and hopped to his feet in a blind run. He plowed through her door, and tumbled to the floor. A light turned on.
“R-Ranma?!” Akane questioned in shock, and lowered her bokken. Ranma looked up at her, tears on the verge of pouring from his eyes. He stood up and grabbed her by the shoulders, almost in disbelief.
“Akane...”
“What? What did you do now, Ranma.” She asked, but was shocked by his grasp on her. He softened his grip, and caressed her cheek with his fingertips. She was warm. He slowly brushed a piece of stray hair from her face.
“You’re even beautiful when you’re pissed.” he whispered softly to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and slowly pressed against her in embrace. “I’m so sorry...Akane...”
“....Ranma...” She whispered quietly in his ear, “You....
PERVERT!!!!!!!” She yelled out and in a fury of blows, sent him tumbling out her window into the pond. AHHHH!!! Things were back to normal!!! ^_^
The end.