Ranma's POV

And I look at her. She's packing her last things up. I'm standing on the doorstep of her room but I can't go any further. I notice a tear is running on my cheek and I wipe it off quickly with my hand. Fortunately, Akane can't see me from where she is standing - in front of her desk.

I don't want her to go.

I don't want her to leave.

I feel like my heart's about to burst out of my chest as I see her take the picture - the picture I bought a frame for, last Christmas - down the wall and look at it for a second before taking the photo out and putting it in her handbag.

She turns around slowly and I decide not to run away before she can see me.

"Looks like you're all packed up, huh ?" I say, with a stupidly shaky voice.

She nods, and smiles her beautiful but sad smile.

"Yeah. It's so exciting" she responds.

I almost snort at that. Exciting, huh ? She looks all but excited.

"So, what time you leavin' tomorrow ?"

"6:30. Gonna have to wake up early if you wanna say goodbye" she says with a small laugh.

I smile back. A tiny, pathetic smile cuz' I don't know what to say. I haven't made up my mind yet. Will I be able to watch her leave ? To say the words I've repeated in front of the mirror a million times ?

Be careful Akane...

I'll miss you, tomboy

I'm not sure about the "tomboy" part yet. I'll add it if I really feel too embarrassed - which is most likely to happen. I don't want her leaving mad at me, though.

Geez, I just don't want her to leave at all ! Why did she have to accept the stupid scolarship in the US anyway ? As if we didn't have any good universities here in Japan ! Sometimes I get this weird idea that maybe she just wants to leave because she wants to get away from me... I wouldn't resent her for that. Man, all the trouble I've brought into her life... I wish I could apologize for that.

I've got so many stuff to apologize for. I'd apologize for not telling her about "P-chan" - even though I already have, a million times. Guess she'll never completely forgive me for this... and I know I will never forgive myself.

But the words just won't come out. Everytime, I'm afraid she'll laugh at me and say something like "Too late to apologize"... And she would be right. What would be the point now ? She's leaving, and I won't be seeing her for at least a year before she comes back to Japan.

Last week she was going to Todai and yesterday she gets that letter from her English teacher and tomorrow she's off to the US... It's all so sudden, so hurried. I didn't even have time to prepare for it, nobody was expecting it anyway.

"Look, you don't have to wake up ok? We can just say goodbye right now" she mutters, looking away.

"Akane I... I'm..."

You're at loss for words, you idiot, I say to myself.

"I'll... miss you, Ranma" she says, still looking away.

My heart beats wildly in my chest now. I enter her room, hands in my pockets, trying to look casual.

"I'll miss you too..."

Don't say it, a voice in my mind warns me, don't say it !

"...tomboy"

Akane glares at me, fuming, but then - shockingly - smiles and lifts one eyebrow.

"Shut up, pervert"

"Hey I'm not... !"

I stop there, smiling myself. We've always been like that, me and her. Fighting and insulting each other, but not really meaning it. Well, at least I never really meant any of the crap I've said to her. "Uncute" hmph... How could I ever have called her uncute ? Truth is, I never quite accepted the effect she has on me. Her sparkly brown eyes and messy, tomboyish blue-black hair... Her perfect figure, with all the gorgeous curves... How could I ever have said she was fat ? She's beautiful, just the way she is.

"Be careful Akane" I continue "don't put yourself in any trouble, ok?"

"Or what ?" she teases.

"Or I'll be in the next plane for the US, coming to kick your butt" I say, half-jokingly.

She frowns, seeming mad again, but relaxes right then.

"I won't. You don't need to worry about me..."

I will, I said to myself. Everyday, and every night I'll worry about you.

"Ranma, Akane ! Diner's ready !" Kasumi's voice calls.

"Coming !" Akane and I call back at the same time.

We smile at each other and then, I watch Akane walk up to me and I feel her warm lips kiss me softly on the cheek.

A second later, she's out of the room. As for me, I'm still standing there, in a state of shock.

Did she just...?

I put my hand on my cheek, disbelieving.

The spot on my cheek - just where she kissed me - is burning hot. But it's a pleasant feeling.

I'm burning hot all of a sudden. I feel like I'm about to melt right there.

"Ranma ! I'll eat your ramen if you don't get your butt over here right now!" cries Pop's voice.

"Touch it and you'll die !" I shout back.

I smile as I think about what I've just decided to do, tonight. Don't know if it's gonna work, and how it's gonna turn out... but I know one sure thing :

I won't let Akane go.

Short for a first chapter but I've been on the computer all day and my eyes hurt. I had this idea just a few minutes ago and that's what came out of my imagination, I hope you like it.

It won't be a long story, I think, well, I don't really know actually. I never know how my stories are gonna turn out... that's what makes them interesting to write I guess.

Stay tuned !