This fic contains lime scenes. I know I have so many readers who are minors so I decided to put this up as well. If you have read my previous chapters that had some lime content in them, the mildness of the "scenes" are pretty much the same...Bing.

A smile.

That's how all my visions start off. Visions of her. My love. My Akane.

My thoughts of her always filled me happiness. However, I have to say that thinking of Akane was pretty ironic. Outside my dream world, I happen to be committed to another woman.

Still, I daydreamed about Akane. Often I reminisced about my past with her. The times we shared together, good or bad. I was able to conjure up an image of her. An image that almost seemed so real that it was like she was right there before me.

Then I stopped. Completely.

It happened during my second year of marriage. I was twenty-one years old, living in San Francisco, California with Michiko. We had just graduated from college when we received a letter from my father and Mr. Tendo. They wanted Michiko and me to come and see the very first branch of the Tendo-Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts.

I was confused with the feelings I felt. So I did what I did ever since I came to America and felt confused. I went to Silicon Valley and saw a friend of mine. One of the smartest, and one of the WEIRDEST people I ever met. Drake Newman. Card-carrying British Anarchist. Genius programmer/engineer/mechanic. Bald by choice. Plays with artificial lightning. He has at least twenty pet pigeons and only eats MREs.

Good old Drake. When I got to his garage, he was fiddling with one of his lightning generators. After seeing the letter in my hand, he smiled at me and said, "I do believe that a love affair is better than a love less marriage. After all, I myself would rather be a real nobody than a fake somebody."

After hearing that, I didn't hesitate to take the invitation. I wanted to go home to Japan. To Akane.

"We could stay at Osaka," offered Michiko. "My father is there at his house."

My wife. I felt sorry for her. Here she was married to man who was pining for another woman, but she did her best to preserve our marriage.

I met Michiko Tanaka while we were in our freshman year. I was an exchange student. I felt lucky to be in America, and thankful that I was able to get away from my crazy life in Nerima, and not to mention to escape that awkwardness between Akane and me after our disastrous wedding.

Michiko was in my business administration class where I happen to be struggling with at the time. She not only gave me a hand to pass the class, but she also helped me adjust to the way of life here in the States. We were able to relate, somehow, even if we came from two different worlds. I suppose with her being Japanese changed that.

I was also awestruck by her beauty, intelligence and her independence. She had a cool yet charming and sophisticated attitude. I remember when I came home from Japan, after she had known my month long affair with Akane, she was her old usual self. She proceeded with the wedding plans as if nothing had happened.

I liked my wife. I just didn't love her. It's surprising how our marriage lasted for two years, but I suppose our hectic schedules at the university helped. Our conversations were cordial and we were polite to each other. To everyone around us, our marriage was perfect. Yet, inside, I was screaming. I couldn't stand it. I wanted a divorce. I figured two years of marriage was enough to pay for the "debt" my father, my friends and I supposedly owed the Tanakas.

Then that fateful letter from Japan arrived and three weeks later, we flew to Japan. I was finally going home. Home to see Akane.

I stayed at Osaka the night we arrived at Japan. However, on the next day, I took a train to Nerima without Michiko.

I arrived before noon. My mother was surprised, but she was pleased to see me. We proceeded going into the house where she served me some snack.

She smiled fondly at me as I ate. She missed me, she said. She wished I lived closer.

"Where's Pop?" I asked.

""He's at Ichikawa with Mr. Tendo. They're making last minute preparations for the opening at Ichikawa."

"Good. I'm glad he's not here. I didn't want my homecoming to be ruined."

My mom looked at me for along moment. Then she said, "I wasn't expecting you to come here today. I thought you said that you were arriving with Michiko and her father."

"I did."

"Then-"

"I changed my mind."

"How's married life?"

"I was forced to marry a woman I didn't love, Mom. How do you think it is?"

"Ranma..."

"As soon as we get back to America, I'm filing for a divorce."

Mom nodded. "We've never had a divorce in the family before, but if that's what you want..."

"It IS what I want. I can't pretend that everything has just been fine for the past two years. If it weren't for Pop or my so called friends, things wouldn't be this way."

She put her hand on my shoulder. "Ranma, you had no choice. You had to do the right thing."

"I know. I remember..."

***

I had no choice.

***

Mom had to go to the market to buy some vegetables for dinner that night. She told me to rest, but of course I didn't do that. I left our house and eventually found myself where I always felt belonged.

The Tendo-Saotome dojo.

As I stood in front of the dojo, I felt reborn. I loved the dojo. I suppose that sounds strange since it's just a building, but this place really meant so much to me.

I went inside and looked around as if I was seeing it for the first time. I walked towards the wall just under the sign that said WARRIOR. I put my hand against it, remembering a hole there made by Akane when we first sparred. I smiled at the memory of it.

The noise behind me shook me out of my reverie. I whirled around and saw a woman with long brown hair and a very gentle face. My eyes widened as I broke into a smile.

"Kasumi!" I exclaimed.

She stared at me for a moment and smiled back. "Why, Ranma!"

We exchanged a brief hug. Good ol' Kasumi. I couldn't stop smiling as I looked at her. She still looked the same as the last time as I had seen her, and I was glad that she hadn't changed.

"You look well, Ranma."

"Thanks. You look pretty terrific yourself."

"I was just closing the dojo. Father must have forgotten to lock it before he and your father left for Ichikawa this morning." Kasumi looked at me. "Why don't you come in at the house? I just made a fresh pot of tea."

As we headed for the house, she made amiable talk. "I heard that you were coming back here to Nerima to see the opening of the school. Isn't it exciting? You will actually witness the debut of the first branch."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Where's your wife? I imagined that you would bring her with you."

"Oh, she's at Osaka with her father."

"I can't wait to meet her."

I settled myself in the tearoom while Kasumi prepared the tea. I looked outside, gazing at the pond where Pop and I would spar every morning. I remembered whoever it was who lost would take a dip into the pond and eventually turn into his cursed form. I smiled sadly, somehow, knowing that it will never happen. I've been cured for the past two years now. Of course, it was a blessing now that I didn't have to worry about being splashed with cold water and not changing into my female form. Sometimes, though, I missed that part of me. I know it's weird since I always felt that my curse was such a nuisance, and I never had a moment's peace since I fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl at Jusenkyo. Now that I was a full man again, things had been quiet in my life. Things were...normal. I suppose I still had to get used to the change.

Kasumi arrived with the tea. As she served me my drink, I noticed something sparkling on one of her fingers.

I nodded towards her. "Nice ring."

Kasumi blushed. "Oh, thank you. Dr. Tofu proposed to me last month. We are getting married in three months or so."

"Well, what do you know? He finally did it."

"I suppose you can say that. Next year, Nabiki is getting married to Kuno."

"Tatewaki Kuno?" I took a sip of my tea and shook my head. "Man. What is this world coming to?"

"He's not so bad once you get to know him, Ranma. Nabiki was nice enough to put off her own wedding for awhile. She said that she wanted me to get married before she did. She said I needed to get a life of my own."

"Yep. That sounds like Nabiki alright."

We sat in silence. I stared down at my teacup. Something had been bugging me at the back of my mind, and I knew that it would never rest until I knew the answer.

I cleared my throat and spoke up in a low voice. "Kasumi, I know that I'm probably a real ass for asking this, but I have to know. How's...how's Akane?"

Kasumi gave me a wide-eyed look. "Akane? Why, she's fine, Ranma."

"Uh...is she coming to the opening at Ichikawa?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm afraid that won't happen."

"Why not?"

"It's a long story."

"I have all day." My voice was firm. There was no way that I crossed the Pacific to find out about Akane, only to be brushed off like this.

She hesitated. "Well, alright. You see, Ranma, Father no longer accepts Akane as his heir."

I was shocked. "What? Why?"

"Because she eloped with someone two years ago. Someone whom Father never even met."

I could barely choke out the word. "Elope? As in marry?"

Kasumi nodded.

"Who did she marry?"

"Kouhei Sato."

Kouhei Sato? Why did that name sound so familiar?

Kasumi went on. "Father was angry. He said that Akane was no longer welcomed in his house. He said that Akane was a disgrace to the Tendo family. You see...she was pregnant when they eloped."

"P-pregnant?"

"She has a two year old boy now."

I was horrified. I tried to convince myself that this was a bad dream, but something told me to face the reality. I could barely breathe when I asked, "Is she...is she happy?"

"Yes. She sent me a picture awhile back. Would you...would you like to see it?"

Slowly, I nodded. Kasumi excused herself and got up to get the picture. My mind reeled with shock. Akane married! To someone else!

Kasumi returned and handed over the snapshot she was carrying. "Here."

I took it with trembling hands. In the photograph, Akane was sitting next to Kouhei. I recognized him immediately as the guy who had asked for her one afternoon while I was at her apartment. He had his arm around Akane who was holding a baby on her lap. The baby was smiling and squinting at the same time.

The picture shattered my world. I remembered the time when I thought Akane had chosen Shinnosuke over me. That same painful feeling I had then returned, but this time it was much worse.

I looked at the back of the picture where Akane had written a small message. It said: Our little family. Love, Akane.

I had no trouble giving back the picture to Kasumi. "Here you go."

Kasumi took it back. "Their son's name is Hikaru."

"Hikaru...that's...that's a nice name..."

Oh, Akane! How could you marry someone else and have his son? Because I told you that I didn't love you?

I glanced up at Kasumi. "Where do they live?"

She gave me a strange look but didn't reply.

"I'm...I'm just curious."

There was a hesitation in her voice. "Takasaki." Then she added. "It's very far from here."

"Oh."

"More tea?"

"What? Oh, yeah. Sure."

Kasumi changed the subject from there. She told me more news about what else was happening in Nerima. Ryoga and Ukyou married last year, and they were expecting a child. Shampoo, as it turned out, finally married Mousse a few months ago. I was barely listening since my mind kept drifting back and forth to the fact that Akane got married.

An hour later, I thanked Kasumi for the tea and left. I trudged back to the house with a heavy heart. I went straight to my room to lie down on my bed. I put my hands behind my head and closed my eyes. An image of Akane smiling at me entered my mind. I smiled to myself and remembered how I last saw her before I said goodbye.

***

Damn you forever.

***

As the memory faded, I jumped out of my bed and grabbed my overnight bag, which I hadn't touched since I arrived that morning. I ran outside just in time to see my mother coming inside the house.

"Ranma?" She was surprised. "Where are you going?'

"I won't be gone long, Mom. If Michiko calls, tell her that I went to visit a friend. Don't worry. I'll be back as soon as I can."

I sprinted off before she could protest another word.

Several minutes later, I was on a train heading for Takasaki.

***

Kasumi wasn't kidding when she said that Takasaki was far. It was over a five-hour train ride. I slept during the trip, but woke up every once in awhile questioning myself if I was doing the right thing. I told myself that this was wrong and that I should go back to Michiko, but I never did get off the train when I had the chance.

I arrived at Takasaki late in the afternoon. As soon as I got off the train, I went to the nearest phone booth I could find. I then looked up Kouhei Sato's name in the directory book. As soon as I got the address, I hailed a taxi and told him my destination.

The Satos lived in a quiet neighborhood. The houses were much like the ones in Nerima. I asked the driver to drop me off a few houses down across the street from Sato's. Then I walked my way down the street towards the Sato residence.

Their house was the biggest one in the neighborhood. It was white two-story home with a black roof. They had a beautiful garden filled with flowers and well manicured shrubs. It was such a perfect looking home. The thought of Akane living there gave me a sinking feeling.

As I stood across the street, I wondered if she was with her husband. If she was, did I ever cross her mind?

My heart thumped wildly. I wanted to see her. I longed for her with all my body, heart and soul.

I heard a car coming, and instincts told me to hide. I jumped behind the nearest tree and hid myself. I was just in time to see the car had pulled up in front of their house.

The car door opened and a man wearing a suit came out. He was tall and had dark hair. He wore glasses. He was carrying a suitcase in one hand and a bouquet of roses in another. I could tell from the way he stood and carried himself that he came from a well-to-do family.

Someone opened the door from the house. I watched as a little boy emerge. He ran towards the bespectacled man who put down his suitcase to welcome him in open arms. The boy put his tiny arms around his neck and hugged him, letting out peals of laughter.

The next events came very slowly. A woman came out of the house. She was wearing a long dress with an apron over it. Her hair was just above her shoulders. When she saw the man and the boy, she broke out into a smile. A smile which I dreamed about for two years.

Akane.

Kouhei put the boy down and gave the flowers to Akane. She let out a girlish laugh as she accepted them. She smiled again at him and gave him a hug.

My heart screamed out. Damn it, Akane! You're mine!

I wanted to rush there, take her in my arms and tell her that I was sorry and that I still loved her. But it was as if I was separated from everything by a wall of glass. I watched Hikaru jumping up and down and hugging them at their legs. But I could not move toward them. Both Kouhei and Akane glanced down at him and laughed. The boy eventually let go of them. Then Kouhei put his arm around Akane. Together they went inside the house with their son leading the way. The sound of the door shutting behind them echoed in my mind.

I came out of my hiding place and stared at their home. I felt my eyes water with tears, but I blinked them back. Goodbye, Akane. I turned around and walked away.

I never looked back.

***

When I returned to my parent's house early in the morning, I found Michiko sitting on the steps at the front. When she saw me, she stood up and ran towards me. She gave me a hug.

"Ranma, where have you been? I was so sick and worried about you."

I could tell her the truth. I could tell her that I went to see Akane, but Akane was long gone now. She went on with her life, and that meant that I should, too.

I said, "I'm sorry. I won't do that again."

Michiko looked up at me with curiosity. "Ranma?"

I gave her a smile. "Come on. Let's go inside."

Michiko smiled back and touched my cheek. "Ok."

"Uhhh, Michiko?"

"Yes?"

"Can we get a dog?"

***

Buddhism tenet says that desire is the source of all unhappiness.

Drake once said to me, "There is a rule to life. Take control or lose control."

Well, he's American.

Well, I'm Japanese.

I desire Akane, and that makes me unhappy.

Or maybe I've lost control and I don't have the slightest idea of getting it back.

And I saw everything I ever wanted through a glass wall.

Notes:
The title Through a Glass Wall from the scene where Ranma was watching the Sato family from a distance. If you look at a situation where you're inside a house looking at the outside world through a window. You can see what's happening, but you can't be a part of that since there's a barrier. It's the same with Ranma. He sees Akane's world and finds himself that he could no longer be a part of that anymore. He could do nothing but watch since he knows that Akane is happy with her new life.

This fanfic to show how Ranma came to a point where he had to let go of Akane and how he came to love Michiko. That tears up some of you out there, but it really isn't impossible for that to happen.

In Chapter 12, no one told Akane that they threatened to kill her. Neither Shampoo or Mousse would dare admit that they wanted to kill her. Mousse would do anything for Shampoo which is also a good reason he agreed to go along with Genma and Shampoo's plan. Ryoga confessed from his point of view. Why wasn't Ryoga included in the plan? Simple. He would never agree to it. He loves Akane like Ranma loves her. Because Ranma knocked him out, Ryoga knew nothing of the plan. This is also why Ryoga and Ranma still remained friends in Do You Remember...?

The character Drake Newman belongs to Kalaong I KNOW he's cool, but I have plans for him. But, if you'll be faithful to him, I will lend him out. And if you really wanna get into him, he's not just an Anarchist. He's an Invisible. Plans, plans...

"The butcher with the sharpest knife...has the warmest heart."--No.6-The Prisoner; A Change of Mind.