Chapter 13 – Journey

"…Upon hearing the news of Genma Saotome’s death, my condolences would have to go to Auntie Saotome, but I can’t say the same for their son. Forgive, Kasumi, but I refuse to express my sympathies to Ranma Saotome. Why should I when he failed to show me any kindness? I gave this man my heart. And what did he do? He stepped all over it.

…Hikaru is twelve now, and as he matures, I see more and more of Ranma in him everyday, yet I love my son. I only hope that he would never turn out like his father. Kouhei told me that I must come to terms with Hikaru’s father one day, but I doubt that I ever will for I feel absolutely nothing for the man…"

- An excerpt from the letter of Akane Tendo-Sato addressed to Kasumi Tendo-Tofu.

The sound of feet splashing against the water could be heard as Ranma and Hikaru made their way to the Tendo home. The evening rain beat down on them unmercifully while they ran through the streets that were illuminated by the tall lamp posts.

When they reached the gate, Ranma turned to the younger man. "Well, Hikaru, I guess we separate here. It’s been a pleasure."

Hikaru reached out to shake the hand that he offered. "I think I should be the one saying that. Thank you, Saotome-sensei."

"Hey, no problem. I look forward to our next trip."

"Same here."

"See ya."

As Ranma started to leave, Hikaru watched him. Then he called out, "Saotome-sensei?"

Ranma turned his head. "Yeah?"

"Why don’t you come in for a moment?" Hikaru suggested as he inclined his head towards his mother’s house. "I mean it’s been a long trip."

Ranma looked at his house which he could barely see because of the dark. His eyes wandered to the other house where he could see the lights glowing inside.

He nodded. "Sure. Okay. I hope your mom won’t mind the company."

Hikaru led the way towards the house. He let themselves in.

"Mom?" He called out as he stepped into the doorway.

As Hikaru went further into the hall, Ranma put down his backpack. He then noticed a long black umbrella resting against the wall. As the same moment, he heard footsteps going towards them.

"Oh, you’re here!" A sweet voice greeted them.

Hikaru’s tone of voice was the same as Ranma’s reaction. "Aunt Kasumi!"

"Hello, Hikaru. Why, Ranma, what a surprise."

"Hi, Kasumi." Ranma made a small wave.

"Where’s my mom?" asked Hikaru.

"Oh, she’s in her room resting."

Before Hikaru could speak, they heard another voice calling out, "Who is that Kasumi?"

When Nabiki came into view, she saw Hikaru. "Oh, Hikaru and – " She gazed at Ranma – "Saotome, well, well, well."

"I invited him over for dinner," explained Hikaru.

"Funny you should say that. We were about to have dinner with the whole family, but things came up."

Hikaru’s eyebrows knitted together. "Huh? What do you mean? What’s going on?"

"Your mother is just feeling a bit under the weather," explained Kasumi.

"What happened?"

"Well, it just so happens your silly mother went off to the market without an umbrella and got herself sick. You know how your mother could be. She thinks she’s Miss Invincible."

They were interrupted by the arrival of Dr. Tofu who was called to the Tendo home upon the request of Kasumi. He smiled as he approached the group.

"Oh, hello, Hikaru. Ranma."

"Dr. Tofu." Ranma nodded towards him.

"Is my mom okay?" Hikaru’s face was full of concern.

The doctor replied in a friendly manner, "Yes, Hikaru. She’s doing fine."

"I better go see her."

As Hikaru sprinted upstairs, Ranma said, "Geez. We’ve only been gone since yesterday, and Akane gets herself sick."

"You’d be surprised at just what could happen in a day," quipped Nabiki.

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

Ranma sighed. "Well, I guess with Akane being sick, we can’t go to Utsunomiya tomorrow like we planned."

Dr. Tofu seemed to agree. "She needs some rest, Ranma. Just give her a few days, and she’ll come around eventually."

"Yeah, you’re right. Maybe I’ll go upstairs and find out when she’d like to go to Utsunomiya."

As Ranma took a step, Tofu blocked his way. "Uh…like I said, Ranma, she needs to get some rest."

Ranma looked at him and then at the others who didn’t protest. He suddenly got a feeling that they were protecting her. Protecting him from what? From who? From him? He didn’t understand it.

However, he said, "Well, tell her that I said hello and take it easy. I’ll be going home now."

"I’ll walk out with you," volunteered Nabiki.

Ranma said nothing as Nabiki joined him.

When he was out of the earshot, Kasumi asked her husband, "Why didn’t you let him see her?"

Dr. Tofu shrugged. "I was only following what my patient wanted."

***

Upstairs in her room, Akane was sitting up on her bed a she was wiping her nose with a tissue. Some get-together this turned out to be! She was suppose to enjoy tonight’s dinner with her family instead she got ill from spending all that time in the rain.

Akane looked out the window as she watched the falling rain that reminded her of needles. She sighed. She hated getting sick.

There was a knock on the door and Hikaru stuck his head in. "Mom?"

Akane smiled as she saw her son come in. "Hikaru," she called out in a hoarse voice.

Hikaru, who had changed into some dry clothes, hugged his mother. His cool, dry skin was a contrast compared to Akane’s. When he drew back, he saw her right hand bandaged. He looked at her, surprised. "What happened to your hand?"

Akane gazed down at her injury. "Oh, nothing. Just a scratch. No big deal."

Hikaru gave her a suspicious look. As he sat down on the bed across from her, he asked, "So how are you feeling?"

"Horrible."

"Maybe I should stay here until you get better."

"And miss school?" She shook her head. "No way."

"But who’s going to take over for the classes? Who’s going to take care of you?"

Akane let out a weak smile. "I’m sure that the school won’t fall while I’m gone. As for me, I’ll be fine."

"I’m just worried about you."

Akane touched her son’s cheek as she gazed into his blue eyes that reminded her so much of Ranma.

Hikaru gave her a puzzled look. He sensed that she was thinking of something. "What?"

"Nothing. I’m just thinking how lucky I am to have you."

She never did see him as an "accident". She just saw him as her son. Hikaru.

Akane asked, "How was your trip?"

"Great! I’m beat though. I nearly mastered Tenshin amagakuren. Saotome-sensei said that it’ll take time. I just need to work on it a little more."

"You’ll master it. Don’t worry."

"Saotome-sensei said that I am making pretty good progress though."

"That’s nice."

"He’s a good teacher." Hikaru’s voice was filled with admiration.

"I’m sure he is."

"He’s downstairs. Should I call him up here?"

"Uh…" Hesitation came to Akane’s voice.

Akane swallowed thickly. She was still shocked from the day’s events. Who wouldn’t be? For the past several years, she hated Ranma Saotome for a reason. A reason that wasn’t suppose to be there to begin with. How can I face him after today? Damn it. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

Hikaru called out, "Mom?"

She looked at her son again. "I’m sorry. I’m really tired."

"Oh…" Hikaru stood up. "Okay then. Can I get you anything?"

"No, it’s alright."

Hikaru left Akane alone with the sound of rain pitter-pattering behind her. She leaned back against the pillows and let out a long sigh. Oh, Ranma…

***

Ranma felt a cool breeze as he and Nabiki stepped out of the house. He noticed Nabiki peering towards the gate.

"Is someone picking you up?" He asked.

Nabiki nodded. "The limo. I told Tacchi to send it here.’ She checked her watch. "I hope that dinner will be ready by the time I get there."

"I’ll keep you company for awhile then."

"I knew you would. I wanted to talk to you."

Ranma raised an eyebrow and gave her a suspicious look. "What now, Nabiki?"

"Don’t worry. It’s worth your time."

"Oh, great."

"I didn’t mean it that way, Saotome. You would want to know what I’m about to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"Tell you that I know the truth…the truth about how you got your cure."

Ranma looked at her with wide-eyes. "Wha-at?"

She leaned towards him. "Akane knows, too."

"How…"

"I believe your so-called friends told her."

Ranma was about to open his mouth to say something, but he decided to keep quiet.

Nabiki went on, looking at him from the corner of her eye. "Who would have thought that you were bribed to marry Michiko just so you can get you and your friends cured?" When Ranma didn’t say anything, she went on. "It’s ironic really. We Tendos always thought you were such a bastard for leaving Akane."

"I never wanted to hurt Akane, Nabiki."

"I know that now, Saotome, but I do believe that you and Akane still have a lot of unfinished business to take care of."

"What?" Ranma gave her a puzzled look.

"It’s up to her to tell you, not me." She looked towards the gate and saw a limo pulling up. "Oh, my ride’s here. See you later!"

Nabiki ran into the dark, rainy night, leaving a very perplexed Ranma.

***

Since they had planned to go to Utsunomiya after the training with Hikaru, Ranma and Akane had decided to cancel the class earlier last week. But with Akane ill and the trip postponed, Ranma stayed home recuperating from the weekend’s trip. On the following day, however, he resumed the classes. He wasn’t expecting to see Akane there yet so he tried to handle the classes as best as he could by dividing his time and attention to them.

"Where is Sato-sensei?" asked one of his students Rina.

"She’s sick right now," explained Ranma. "She can’t teach you."

"I miss her."

So do I. He hadn’t seen her since Saturday morning in the garden. She was so lively as she was humming to the flowers. He remembered how he felt then.

The atmosphere felt different in the dojo. Will it be like this when we end our contract? Desolate? He looked outside and saw the dark, gloomy and rainy sky. Maybe it’s just the weather.

Or was it something else?

***

San Francisco, California

The plane trip should have left her a bit jet-lagged but Michiko Saotome has traveled so many times from Japan to the US and vice-versa that it nearly had no affect on her. She immediately went to her father’s large home where Tanaka was expecting her.

He was sitting at the patio with his hand resting on his cane, looking grim.

Michiko kissed her father’s cheek. "Hello, Papa."

"You’re early," he remarked.

She suggested that they go for a walk around the garden. With one arm linked with his, Michiko assisted him. Tanaka kept quiet. His daughter was troubled by something. He was surprised that she had called him from the airport in Japan. Usually, her visits were announced.

Finally, she broke the spell. "The boy is his."

Tanaka nodded. "I see. You have proof?"

"The blood type confirms it all. I confronted Tendo already about it. She denies nothing of it." Her voice became harsh. "As a matter of fact, she’s proud of it."

"Does Ranma know?"

Michiko shook her head. "I don’t think she said something."

"Oh, she’ll say something alright. You confronted her."

"Well, what the hell was I suppose to do, Papa? I just couldn’t take this sitting down. I should’ve known better than just let him go home seventeen years ago."

"Why did you?"

"Because I trusted him, Papa! He told me that he was just going to say goodbye. Some goodbye! He screwed her!" She let out a sigh. "Oh, Papa, what should I do?"

"If you want to save this marriage, you must keep him away from her. Fast."

"How? Their contract isn’t finished yet. I had no idea what Soun Tendo had in his mind when he made up that stupid one year contract."

"How many months do they have left?"

"Three."

"That’s not too long. But, you should start planning now. Tendo will most likely tell him about the boy, and he might not want to break the partnership, considering he would want to get to know his son, and stay there at Nerima."

"What should I do?"

"Make him an offer that he can’t refuse. Your husband is an honorable man. It’s one of his strengths, but it is also his weakness."

"And Tendo?"

"I wouldn’t worry about her. Not yet, anyway. If she does continue to be a problem, then you must do what it takes to get her out of Ranma’s life."

***

"Boy, what a mess!"

Ranma was standing before the dummy that Akane had destroyed with her bare hands. The rain had stopped falling that afternoon, much to his relief. Now he had to pick up the remains of the dummy scattered all over the pathway.

As he bent down to start cleaning up, he saw a shadow standing next to his figure. He turned around slowly and saw her.

"Akane."

"Hello, Ranma."

His spirits soared. Seeing her after a few days gave him an incredible feeling.

"How are you?" She asked.

"I’m good." He watched her approach him. She stood in front of him, avoiding his eyes, as she looked down at the mess. "What about you? I heard that you were sick. Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, much better. Thank you."

She was still avoiding his eyes. "I was gonna come by and visit, but Dr. Tofu told me that all you really needed was rest."

"Yes." Akane nodded. "How was class?"

"Not bad really. The kids missed you." Heck, even I missed you.

There was a moment of silence that passed between them. Akane glanced at him at the corner of her eye. He acts so normal. All this time. It’s funny how the two of us wear these masks everyday to work.

Ranma cleared his throat. "Well, let me clean up."

"Oh, no," protested Akane. "Don’t do that. I was…I was the one who made the mess."

"That’s okay, " insisted Ranma. "I don’t mind."

As Akane grabbed a piece of wood, she was unaware that Ranma picked up the same piece. When they realized that they were holding the thing, their eyes met.

Ranma suddenly found it hard to breathe. Their faces were so close to each other. She’s so beautiful…

Akane felt a blush creeping to her cheeks, trying to ignore the feelings she had inside. She quickly let go of the wood and looked away from him.

She stood straight up and said, "Maybe I better get some rest instead."

"Uh…yeah." Ranma blinked at the emotional moment he just went through. As he watched Akane leave, he called out, "Hey."

She whirled around. "Yes?"

"I was thinking maybe we should go to Utsunomiya tomorrow. I mean we’ve put this trip off so many times."

Utsunomiya? With Ranma? Alone?

"Akane?"

"What?"

Concerned, Ranma stared at her. "Are you okay? Maybe we shouldn’t go…"

"No." Akane shook her head. "I’m fine. We’ll leave tomorrow in the morning."

***

A limousine stopped in front of Akane’s house later that evening. Nabiki Kuno emerged, holding a notebook, as her chauffeur opened the door for her.

"Wait here, " she ordered before quickly going to the house.

Nabiki knocked on the door. A few minutes later, Akane answered it.

"Oh, hi, Nabiki. Come on in."

As Nabiki stepped inside, she said, "I can’t stay very long. The limo is waiting for me. Here you go."

Akane took the notebook she offered. "Thanks."

"I wrote the expenses from last month. Then I deducted it from the savings. The I included the budget for the school."

"Okay. Thanks, Nabiki." Akane started to leaf through the notebook.

"Oh, by the way, Kasumi wants to resume that dinner we were suppose to have last Sunday. She’s asking if it’s okay to have it at her house this Saturday."

"Sure," she replied without looking up.

Nabiki continued to watch her sister. "So! You and Ranma are going to Utsunomiya."

"That’s right."

"Alone, I might add."

Akane slammed the book "Yes."

"I spoke to him last Monday. I told him that you knew about the reason for his cure. I assume that he didn’t tell you."

"No, and I didn’t bring it up either." Then she admitted, "I’m still getting over my shock, I guess. I was so angry at him, and that’s one of the reasons why I kept Hikaru a secret. Now…now…" Akane shook her head. "I suppose I’m still confused about what to feel."

Nabiki shrugged with indifference. "I’d be more suspicious."

Akane raised an eyebrow at her, a little hurt that her sister didn’t care what she was feeling. "I’m not surprised that you feel that way, Nabiki-oneechan."

"Your emotions are in the way. I’ve been looking at this very critically."

"Nothing ever does escape you."

"I’m serious, Akane. Ryoga told you that the reason Ranma kept this as a secret was that he didn’t want you to know that he was P-chan."

"Yeah, so?"

"I don’t buy it. There has to be a much better reason why he never told you, and I don’t think Ryoga being P-chan is a sound one."

***

Akane and Ranma took the six a.m. train to Utsunomiya. The ride was long, and they traveled first class, sharing the same cabin. It seemed like a good opportunity for them to talk, but Akane did no such thing. She spoke mostly about her ideas for the school and the budget Nabiki had proposed. Ranma sensed that she was avoiding the topic, but went along. He had no idea how to bring it up. He felt awkward about it.

They arrived at the school just before noon. The construction was finished. All they really needed was to move in. Ranma took charge. While he dictated to Akane how the set up of the school should be, Akane scribbled notes. Then they went into town and bought the equipment that they needed. Afterwards, they moved the equipment inside and organized everything.

By five o’clock that afternoon, their work was done. While Ranma was locking up the school, Akane had already stepped outside. At the same moment, they were leaving, someone called out in an uncertain voice from behind them.

"Akane?"

Both Ranma and Akane turned around. They saw a petite young woman in her twenties with short dark hair. She smiled immediately when she saw Akane.

"Akane!"

Akane gasped. "Haruka!"

The two women embraced and laughed. When Akane pulled away, she asked, "How are you?"

"I’m fine," replied the Haruka. "What about you?"

"Okay. What are you doing here?"

"I work here. I’m an accountant at the local insurance company just down the street. I was on my way home when I saw you. I couldn’t believe it at first, but here you are." Haruka paused suddenly when she saw Ranma looking at her curiously. "Hello!"

"Oh! Gomen! Where are my manners?" Akane looked at Haruka and then at Ranma. "Haruka, this is Ranma Saotome. Ranma, this is Haruka Sato."

Haruka bowed just as Ranma asked, "Sato?"

"She’s Kouhei’s sister."

"Oh!" Ranma bowed down as well.

Haruka asked, "So what are you two doing here?"

"We’re opening a school here," explained Ranma as he gestured to the building.

She glanced at the name: Tendo-Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. Awed, she looked back at them. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks."

"Will you two be town long?"

Akane shook her head. "No. We were just leaving for Nerima."

"Well, in that case, I ought to invite you two for some snack while I have the chance."

They all thought it was a good idea and headed for the nearest café. While Ranma sat down together, Haruka took a seat before them.

"So, Ranma, you work with Akane?" asked Haruka.

Ranma nodded. "We teach together at Nerima.’

"And you’re opening another school here? You must be successful."

"Yes." He nodded. "This is our fifth branch."

"That’s impressive."

Akane asked, "So, Haruka, what have you been up to lately?"

She smiled. "Well, I have a job that I love. I can’t complain."

"I remember that you were still in school the last time we saw each other."

"Yes. I just graduated a few months ago. I never thought I would. It’s a miracle really. I was going to invite you to my graduation ceremony, but when I went to your house, you were no longer living there."

"I moved back to Nerima."

Haruka nodded. "Hikaru wrote to me awhile back. He told me that you were running your father’s dojo."

"That’s right."

She looked wistful. "I’m sorry for not keeping in touch. It’s been tough since Kouhei’s sudden death."

Ranma spoke up, "I’m sorry for your loss."

Haruka smiled sadly. "Thank you. You’re very thoughtful." She paused. " My brother was a kind man. He had everything. A good wife. A loving child. A family who was proud of him. Often I asked myself why he did it, but I guess his own demons finally caught up to him."

Why he did it? Ranma measured her words carefully. Demons? His eyes turned towards Akane who was looking down at her cup. He suddenly recalled Hikaru’s words about his mother on Sato’s death.

"Mom was pretty messed up after Dad died."

He continued to watch her. Look at her. She’s always trying to act tough. Like nothing ever touches her, when deep down inside her emotions are in tangle.

Haruka spoke up again. "I think, though, that if Kouhei saw how we are now, he would have been proud of us, Akane…given that we were able to go on with our lives."

Several moments later, the three of them were standing outside the café. While Ranma was trying to hail a taxi, Haruka set Akane aside to speak with her privately.

"He seems like a nice man," said Haruka as she nodded towards Ranma. "Not to mention, very handsome."

Akane was startled. "Well…er…he’s…"

Haruka suddenly smiled and interrupted her. "I saw at the café that you still wear your wedding ring."

"We were happy, Haruka. He took good care of us. I owe him."

She nodded, understanding her. "I know, but I think he would want you to be happy."

Akane’s eyes watered. The she heard Ranma call out her name. "Akane!"

Turning, she saw Ranma who had managed to call a taxi.

As Haruka hugged her, she said, "Take care of yourself, Akane. Keep in touch."

"You too, okay?"

"Yes, I promise." She looked towards Ranma and yelled out, "Goodbye, Ranma. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Same here, Haruka! Thanks for the drinks!" Ranma answered loudly as he waved at her. "Take care. Good luck in that job of yours."

"Thanks! I’ll need it!"

Akane smiled at her. "Goodbye, Haruka."

"Bye, Akane."

Akane boarded the taxi with Ranma. As the taxi drove off, she waved goodbye to a part of her past.

***

Except for the sound of the train moving against the tracks, Ranma and Akane’s train cabin was quiet. It was as if no one was present, although Akane was seated on her side of the cabin as she was watching the sunset from the window. She was well-aware that Ranma was on his side of the cabin, reading Nabiki’s ledger.

Akane welcomed the silence. Seeing Haruka was a surprise and bought back so many memories. So many bittersweet memories.

"Kouhei Sato didn’t die from an accident, did he, Akane?"

Akane looked towards the source of the voice. She saw Ranma staring at her with the notebook now on his lap. Slowly, she shook her head.

Ranma put his head down. "You lied to me. Why?"

"Sometimes when you tell yourself a lie constantly, you convince yourself that it’s true."

Kouhei Sato. The one who Ranma knew as the man who gave Akane his name and his son. The memory of seeing him fifteen years ago with Akane and Hikaru came back to him. He envied the man.

"You miss him?"

Akane nodded. "Yes."

Her answer stung him like a bee. "I see."

She looked out the window again. Her voice sounding very far away as she spoke, "I was the one who found him. He was in the bathroom He cut himself across the throat. There was blood all over the floor. His suicide left me in deep depression. I was his wife, damn it! I could have done something to save him! If it weren’t for Hikaru, I don’t think I would have made it."

Ranma’s voice came out low. "You…loved him that much that you were willing to die with him."

"I has a different sort of love for Kouhei, Ranma. Sort of a brotherly love."

Ranma was puzzled. "Brotherly love? I don’t understand."

Akane turned to him. "I do. You see, Ranma, Kouhei Sato was gay."

He couldn’t believe his ears. "G-gay?"

"Yes, gay. I’ve known about it since college. He had different preferences when it comes to his sexual life, but he kept that profile low. Unfortunately, that side of him will cost him his reputation and his life. Five years ago, he had an affair with one of his male clients."

Ranma quickly moved to her side and touched her arm gently. "Wait, Akane…you don’t have to tell me this if it pains you…"

She shook her head. "No, I want to tell you this, Ranma."

"But he had an affair! To think what you must have gone through…"

Akane silenced him. "I knew about it while it was going on. Like I said, I had a brotherly love for him. Perhaps you don’t understand that right now, but you will after I finish my story."

Ranma slowly nodded. Not only Sato was gay, he had an affair, and Akane knew about it…man! It was all very strange to him, but he quietly told himself to listen without being judgmental. Nabiki had mentioned that Akane was going to tell him something, and he suspected that her confession about Kouhei was somehow involved.

Akane began again. "Kouhei was having an affair with one of his male clients. His client’s wife found out and vowed revenge. Her family bought Kouhei’s advertising agency…the one Kouhei worked hard to establish and let it grow into a success for years. Kouhei was taken off the job, but the wife wasn’t finished yet. No. She made the love affair between our husbands public.

"Suddenly, my husband’s sex life was in the papers. They mad it look like he was some kind of a pervert. He’s not, Ranma." Akane shook her head to him with tears in her eyes. "Kouhei is a generous man. He may be gay, but he was human, too. They didn’t care. Suddenly, our family became a target. Reporters harassed us with questions about our married life. It was horrible. Sato sued. Although he won, his reputation was tainted. He tried to set up a new agency to start all over again, but it flopped. He was in despair. I told him that money didn't matter. We were together. He had us. We were going to get through this. I thought everything was okay…until that day I saw him in the bathroom."

Her tears were falling now like water flowing through a broken dam. Ranma slowly put his arms around her. His heart went out for her. It hurt him to see her like this. He touched her hair, inhaling her scent as tangled web of emotions ran through him.

Gently, Ranma pulled away and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Akane, I have to ask you something because I need to understand all this. If you knew that he was gay and you didn’t love him like a wife should love a husband, then why did you marry him?"

"We married each other for a reason. He needed to keep his prestige intact. I needed a father for my son."

"Y-your son…"

"Hikaru is not his son."

"Not his son…then…" Ranma trailed off. His eyes widened as the truth hit him. "Kami-sama…Hikaru is…"

"Your son," finished Akane.

Ranma could hardly breathe as he looked away from her. My son…Hikaru is my son…Mine and Akane’s…

Akane stared at him, worriedly. "Ranma? Ranma, say something?"

"I…I’m sorry." His eyes turned back to her. "It was a shock."

"I understand."

Ranma took her hands into his as his blue eyes looked deeply into her. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I was already a month pregnant with Hikaru when I found out. By then, you had gone to America and married Michiko."

"Why didn’t you write?"

"I wanted to, but I was too angry. I didn’t want you to come back because of an obligation."

"Yes, an obligation, but that wouldn’t be the only reason why I would come back. My main reason would have been you, Akane."

"Ranma…" Akane was suddenly speechless.

"It’s true. You probably have a hard time believing me, and I don’t blame you. I said some horrible things back then, but they were all lies. I had to say them in order to convince myself that I must give you up."

Akane nodded. "And I know why, Ranma. Your father and your friends wanted to be cured. To get the cure you had to marry Michiko. They told me what you had to go through, and the reason why you didn’t tell me was because of Ryoga."

He shook his head. "No, no, Akane. They didn’t tell you crap what I really went through. Ryoga only told you what he knew, and I doubt that Shampoo and Mousse told you anything at all."

"What are you saying?" Akane was puzzled.

His hands continued to hold hers. "Please, please listen to me carefully. After Tanaka, Michiko’s father, offered the deal, Oyagi and the others tried to convince me into taking it. I didn’t want to so I told them that you and I were going to elope.

"Ryoga became afraid. If we were going to elope, you would have to know why and I would have to tell you about the deal. He was afraid that I might have to reveal his secret that he’s P-chan." He went on. "You see, Akane, it was my fault that Ryoga became a pig. He followed me to Jusenkyo to settle our fight. I accidentally knocked him into the Spring of Drowned Pig. When I found out what happened, I felt responsible for it, and I knew that I had to keep it as a secret. He knew that you’d hate him if he ever found out. He didn’t want that to happen because that would mean losing your friendship…and you…again."

"Losing me?"

Ranma nodded. "He was in love with you."

She was surprised. "Oh…my…I suspected him having a crush on me because of how he reacted around me…but to be in love…"

"Ryoga knew that he lost you to me, but I don’t think that he would accept it if you rejected him. He tried to stop me from going to you, but I knocked him unconscious. That’s when Oyagi, Mousse, and Shampoo stepped in."

"What happened?"

"When I was leaving to go to you, Oyagi, Mousse, and Shampoo blocked my way, and they made a threat. A death threat, but it wasn’t meant for me. No. It was meant for you."

Akane’s face went white as she gasped. "No…"

Ranma looked down at their hands as he continued sadly. "They knew I was vulnerable when it came to you. They knew that you were my weakness."

She pulled at his hands and made him face her. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Ranma’s eyes went harsh. "And what, Akane? If I told you the situation, what would you have said?" When she didn’t answer, he pressed on. "Well?"

Akane’s eyes were gentle as her voice. "I would have said let all be damned. I would have eloped with you."

"And I would have agreed. If we got married back then, they would still go after you. It was me against them, Akane. I would have to be on guard at all times. I would have, of course, done my best to protect you…but what if one day I slipped? What if they had gotten to you, and it would all be too late. If something ever happened to you, I would never ever be able to forgive myself."

Akane touched his cheek and let out a small smile. "That night…when you came…I remembered you cried. You cried not because of the beautiful love-making we just had, but because you were saying goodbye."

"I wanted to spend one more night with you before letting you go, Akane."

"Oh, Ranma…you gave me up just to save me." She looked down as tears continued to fall down her cheeks. "After all this time, I…I hated you…"

Ranma shook his head and put his finger over her lips. "Shhh…none of that, Akane."

She tried to smile. "I…I…thank you…"

"No." Ranma returned her smile with his. "Thank you. You brought my son out in this world. That is the most precious gift that anyone ever gave me."

"He has your eyes, and they remind me of you."

"I see a bit of you in him, Akane. His smile and his incredible strength…"

They sat there continuing to smile at each other as they faded in silence. Perhaps they would have kissed except that their romantic moment was interrupted by a rapping sound on the door.

"Tickets please."

The spell was broken. Ranma and Akane quickly looked for their tickets and found them. Ranma opened the door and gave their tickets to the conductor waiting at the doorway.

"Dinner is being served now, Mr. Saotome," said the conductor.

"Thanks." Ranma took the tickets back after they were handed back to him.

When he left, he turned to back to Akane. There was an awkwardness between them, but he smiled at her and asked, "Well, what do you say we eat now?"

She nodded, wiped her tears, and smiled. "I’d like that."

Arm in arm, they left their cabin together.

Author’s notes:

The title Journey was meant for the last scene between Ranma and Akane since both of them were obviously going back to memory lane and visiting the past seventeen years that they lost

Like the characters Hikaru Sato, Michiko Saotome, Tanaka, and Kouhei Sato, Haruka Sato belongs to me. She symbolizes as a part of Akane’s past…a part where she must learn to let go and go on.

Gomen to those who were expecting something would happen between Ranma and Akane. I ruined it for them. Like come on, people! This is only the first chapter of Part 3. I have to give Michiko a chance to do what she does best( and not to mention what I created her for), and that is to make Akane’s life miserable. Evil me, but, hey, where's the thrill in all this if Michiko didn't exist.