alhuang@hcs.harvard.edu http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~alhuang January 6, 1997 Well, here's another shortfic that came to me as I lay sleepless in bed. I'll admit, it's a little odd.... It also appears that this story is remarkably similar to Stephanie Gonzales's "A Part of Him" fic. My apologies to her again, if this causes any confusion. I swear on my honor that I had never seen it before I wrote this.... The characters of Saotome Ranma and Tendou Akane are the property of Takahashi Rumiko-san and whoever translates her wonderful works. And now, Oddzilla Productions present.... "I Am a Part...." by Andrew Huang --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a part of Saotome Ranma. I'm the part who loves Tendou Akane, without reservation. Surprised? Don't be. I've always been here. Granted, you don't get to see very much of me. Usually, you see the abrasive idiot who insults Akane and annoys the hell out of her. But you _have_ seen me. You know, every time you hear Ranma shout how Akane is _his_ fiancee, and if whoever he's facing touches her he'll kill that person. Every time Ranma goes out to rescue Akane from some kidnapper. Every time he nearly gets himself killed trying to save Akane. Okay, okay, I'll admit, that's not just me. That would be me in conjunction with his ego. You know, the strange thing is, it's also his ego that pushes me down so much.... It really gets annoying, you know. But on occasion, we work together. There are times that you see me, and only me. Remember Ryugenzawa? I popped up there a lot. When Ranma ran like crazy after hearing Akane almost say that she could love Shinnosuke? That was me. When, after it was all over, Ranma took Akane's hand in his own? That was me also. Outside of Ryugenzawa.... Whenever Ranma eats Akane's cooking, I am trying to please her. Whenever Ranma allows Akane to clobber him, I am choosing not to fight back. During the martial arts ice-skating match, it was I who refused to let Akane go, it was I who swung her around so that Ranma's body would take the blow. Then...after that battle with Saffron...when Ranma held Akane in his arms, thinking she was dead...when he screamed to the skies that he never had the chance to tell her that he loved her--you never saw more of me than in that one moment. That nearly tore me--and Ranma--to pieces. And then, he pushed me down. Again, and again, and again. I really hate this. So often, when I want to tell Akane...I just can't. When I want to stop Ranma from continuing his fights with Akane--I just can't! Even as I speak, Ranma and Akane are fighting. Every insult traded hits me like a physical blow, whether it's Ranma saying it or Akane. Either way, it hurts. But what can I do!? I am only a part of Ran.... No. No, dammit, no! It's gone on too long. I can't let this happen anymore. I...am Ranma. _I_ _am_ _Ranma_! ------------------------------------------------ Akane stared at Ranma. There...there were tears in his eyes! Just ten seconds ago, maybe not even that long, she and Ranma had been arguing (as usual), when suddenly, he staggered and put his hands to his head, silent for a few moments. Now, he was looking straight at her.... He spoke. "Akane...I can't do this anymore. I don't want to fight with you anymore...." Akane detected an odd note in his voice, unlike anything she had heard from him before. She had no idea what to make of this Ranma paused, breathing deeply, then continued. "I...it hurts me when we do this.... Akane. Listen to me, please, believe me. I.... I love you. I always have, for so long...." He took her hands in his. Akane gasped at hearing that. Tears now came to _her_ eyes, ones of unimaginable happiness, and something buried deep within her, long suppressed, sprang free joyously. ------------------------------------------------ Hello. Allow me to introduce myself. Until a few moments ago, I was only a part of Tendou Akane.... --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't know where this one came from...it just popped into my head. Hey, I told you that it frustrates me when Ranma and Akane hide their feelings from each other so much. I like to write these. Any comments? -- >From the desktop of the Taiwanese-American-German-Scot, Wakko "Andrew" Huang Brought to you by his computer, Oddzilla Oddzilla says, "Ryouga and Ukyou! Ukyou and Ryouga!" http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~alhuang