Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong tothe wonderful Romiko Takahashi and her licensees (VizCommunications in North America). This work is strictly forthe non-profit enjoyment of fans. No copyright infringementis intended. "To be great is to be misunderstood." -Emerson- by RJ "Testing...testing...one..two..three." "To be great is to be misunderstood. "I read that somewhere during my travels. I don’t know where I came across it, but it does explain a lot about me. Please, everyday I’m misunderstood by someone, mostly by Akane. All she does is yell at me or hit me. I’ll say something to quickly, not thinking, and BOOM! I get pounded. I‘ll try to explain what I meant, but it never works. Some don’t think I’m book smart. Well I’m not. But street smarts I got. I know I can figure something out when I’m in a fix. And I read, I read often, when I have the time. Mostly at night on the roof so nobody will bother me or make fun of me. I know I’m not great at school but you would think my whole life is martial arts? Well, my whole life isn’t just martial arts, even through my pop would say otherwise. "Would you not die for the art?" he would say. I don’t know pop? That’s asking a lot. I love it, I always have. Except the time with the cats, which I rather not discuss that period of my life now. I love working out. It’s a great way to release a lot of pressure, anger and frustration. I have been doing martial arts since I was a little kid. I often wonder what my life would be if I didn’t travel to China with pop. Well, one thing is sure I wouldn’t have a certain Amazon chasing after me. I would still be engaged to Ukyo and Akane through. Huh... Ukyo. Me and her were such good friends when we were little. Even through I thought she was a guy. So is she great because I misunderstood her. Yeah I would say so. She can fight, cook and is a looker. But I don’t think I can ever see her more then a friend. It’s hard sometimes. It’s always hard. She may of been a big tomboy when we were younger, but she definitely grew out of it. Speaking of tomboys, Akane. Akane, the boy hating, tomboy, worst cook, angry, annoying, and a huge hearted girl. I must admit it. This is the hardest thing ever. Akane and I were both thrown into a engagement. She thought I was a girl, wanted to be my friend. Until she found out. Hell she saw me nude! Sometimes I wonder if she thought it was a good size? Is that a sick thought? I don’t think so. I’m a guy damn it. At times it feels like it’s all I got. I don’t like being turned into a girl half the time, even though it has it advantages. I’m babbling. The reason I’m saying this aloud on a recorder is to go back and conform any misgivings or fears that I will have to face. We all do it I guess. Some write it down in a journal, some write poetry or songs. I’m choosing this way. I don’t think Nabiki will be happy that I "borrowed" her mini-tape recorder, but I didn’t have enough money to rent it. There I go again. Okay I’m doing this to practice. Okay here I go. Shampoo....... Shampoo I do...do what? I do love...your cooking, and your friendship, but that is all. No if I say that I’ll end up half way across town. This is hard enough to tell a girl you don’t want to marry her, but when she can fight it’s harder. I would never hit a girl you know. Unless she gave me a reason, and even then I hold back. I know, I know. Women lib and all that stuff. A women can do anything a man can do these days, but I wasn’t brought up like that. I guess pops did do something right concerning honor. I’ll just tell Shampoo the truth, that we can be nothing more then friends. Same with Ukyo and umm Kodichi. Wait no! Kodichi is a freak. What the hell! Always calling me her darling Ranma. That is one chick who should be put in a padded room. She has tempted me before to kick the crap out of her. Especially when she attacks Akane. That’s not cool. Akane, back to Akane. I think this should be done in one quick motion, like a bandage. Akane, it’s been 8 months, well give or take a month. It’s been a while since my pop and your pop told us that we were engaged to each other. I didn’t like it at first, and I know you didn’t, but in the time I have known you a lot has happened. I have come close to losing you and I don’t want to loose you ever. I love you Akane. There I said. I love Akane. I love the way she smiles at me when she thinks I’m not looking. I love her attempts of cooking, even though they taste like an old shoe. I love how big her heart is and that given the chance she would help a friend in a heart beat. I love you Akane. There I said enough on this recorder. I’m a brave guy how come I can’t say in front of you. I will try. I will do it now, that I have admitted it to myself, or maybe tomorrow. I just don’t know what her reaction will be? **CLICK** Nabiki smiled to herself. Thank you Kasumi for finding this tape in the laundry and bringing it to me first, asking if it was mine. Now what to do with it. Do I let Akane listen to it? Do I blackmail Ranma or do I give it back to Ranma, Nawww. I won’t do that. But maybe I’ll give him till the end of the month to tell Akane. Yeah that’s what I’ll do, and if he doesn't then i'll blackmail him. "Nabiki could you come here please!" Yelled Kasumi. "Coming!" Nabiki got up from her bed and opened her bed room door. Outside stood a tear stained faced of Akane. "Akane..? What’s wrong?" "Is it true?" "What?" "The tape. Is it true?" "But how could you know, I’ve just heard now!" "The vent. You were by the vent near the bed. The vent is shared on the same wall near my desk, remember. Is it true that Ranma really does love me?" "Here wait come inside so nobody hears you." Nabiki let Akane in and closed the door. A slight breeze blew in from the window, filling the room with fresh air. "You heard the whole thing?" Nabiki asked her sister. Akane nodded. "Do you feel the same?" Akane look down towards the floor. "Akane?" She lifted her head and Nabiki saw her face expression filled with love and tears. "Yeah I do." "Are you going to tell him or let him do it?" "I want him to do it, I think I deserve that after all the stuff that happens here." "Okay, but do you want me to blackmail him?" She said with a smile. "No, Nabiki, that would be the easy way out." "Okay, fine." "Nabiki!" Kasumi yelled "Okay! Okay! "Well looks like I gotta see what older sis wants" "Here, I’ll come with you. Wait for me." Both girls ran down the stairs to Kasumi in the kitchen. Upon the roof right above Nabiki’s bedroom window. "Thank you Nabiki. Predicable as always. I knew Kasumi would ask you if the tape she found in my laundry was yours. And I knew you would listen to it. And just so happens the time Kasumi does laundry is the time both you and Akane do homework. Akane at her desk and you at on your bed. Predictable. But Thank you. Now I know for sure Akane feels the same. I guess I’ll tell her." He stood up, then sat down again. "Maybe tomorrow." The end. ************************************************** Author's note: Okay, okay this is kind of cheesy but don’t shoot me for being a romantic. I definitely believe it’s Ranma and Akane all the way. As for the quote by Emerson-"To be great is to be misunderstood." Is a great quote, it’s been mine since I was 14. I believe every word of it. To truly be great, not just famous, but a great person you need to be misunderstood. At least once in your life. Also this is my second attempt at a one shot fic. Any comments send it my way. I could always use feedback. Just don’t rip me a new asshole. I’m new at this whole writing thing. I don’t know where I got this idea from. At first it was a letter Akane was reading when she was old, going through a shoe box belonging to Ranma. But I think that has been done. Hell this could of been done before too. Well I’m out of here. I have to devote some time to my Epic fan fiction. Later all. :) RJ
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