Prologue

It was another boring day at school. It all seemed average, except for one thing. Akane had not seen Ranma for most of the day. Sure, they had another argument that day, but it was standard. Akane arrived home and took off her shoes.

Why didn't I see him all day? she thought, well, usually when we have a argument, he just ignores me. Then again, I do the same thing. But he wasn't in class today after lunch. That is new. She looked around the house on the first floor to find her sister Kasumi in the kitchen.

"Good afternoon Akane," she greeted her happily.

"Hey there Kasumi," Akane replied, "is Ranma here?"

"Ready to make up from your argument?"

"It has to be done sooner or later," Akane said with a sigh, "besides, he wasn't in class after lunch."

"I was wondering why he came home early," Kasumi said while rubbing her chin, "and it was around lunch time. Actually, Mr. Saotome and Father went to check on him about ten minutes ago."

"What have they been doing up there for ten minutes?" Akane asked curiously.

"I have no idea," Kasumi replied, "the only way you are going to know is to go up there."

"Right," Akane agreed. She made her way to the stairs and walked up. Soon, she arrived at the door to Ranma's room. She opened the door with her eyes closed.

Let's get this over with, she thought.

"Listen Ranma," she said as she opened her eyes. However, she didn't see him. She saw Genma and Soun sitting on the floor staring at a piece of paper. It was then that they looked up at her.

"Akane," Soun said sadly.

"What's got you upset Dad?" she asked curiously. Genma stood up and left the room. Akane looked concerned now.

"You. . . .are not going to like the news," Soun explained sadly.

"Dad what's wrong?" Akane asked curiously. He stood up and had the piece of paper in his hand.

"I'm very sorry Akane," he apologized, "but he is gone."

"What are you talking about?" He handed her the piece of paper. Soon after she opened it and began to read it, her eyes started to water up. Her eyes couldn't contain the tears and started to pour down her face. She dropped the letter and fell to her knees. Soun knelt down next to his daughter and hugged her gently.

"Don't worry Akane."

"I can't *sob* can't believe it." She cried heavily in her father's arm. Meanwhile downstairs, Genma and Kasumi could hear Akane crying.

"What happened?" she asked curiously. Genma put on a traveling back pack and stood in silence.

". . . . .something that must be corrected," he explained, "I know that doesn't really explain it. However, I'll let Soun explain it to you. Right now, I have to try and get on my son's trail."

"Trail?" Kasumi asked curiously. However, Genma didn't respond to her. He ran out the door of the house, and sprinted onto the streets. He ran past Ryoga without stopping.

That was weird, Ryoga thought. In fact, he couldn't help himself. He sprinted after him and caught up to him.

"What's wrong with you?" Ryoga asked curiously, "usually you say a nice hello."

"I'm sorry Ryoga," Genma said while still sprinting, "however, I need to check all of the bus stops and train stations as soon as possible. I need to get on Ranma's trail."

"His trail?"

"Yes," Genma replied seriously, "Ranma has ran away."

Tragic New Year

A year has past since that day, and a new school year was about to begin. Standing at the front gate to Furinkan High School was a young woman about fourteen years of age. She was wearing the school uniform, had green eyes, carrying a brown leather bag, and had light brown hair tied back into a long pony tail.

Okay Ina, she thought while taking a deep breath, don't be nervous. This is your first year of high school. You are going to make something of yourself. You are going to walk into those doors with your head held high and- her thoughts were cut off by someone bumping into her. They both fell to the ground.

"Ouch," the other one said. Ina looked to see a young woman that was around eighteen years old, had dark brown hair that went down to her shoulders, blue eyes, wearing a school uniform, and also carrying a brown leather bag.

"That did hurt," Ina said with a sigh.

"I am so sorry," the other young woman said as she stood up. She extended a hand towards Ina. She took and the other young woman helped her to her feet.

"It's okay," Ina said while brushing off some dust.

"I was in such a rush that I forgot to look where I was going," the young woman explained, "I am so sorry."

"I told you it's fine," Ina said with a smile, "don't worry about it."

"I'm glad to hear it," the young woman said with a sigh of relief, "by the way, I'm Mia Tome."

"Nice to meet you," Ina replied, "I'm Ina."

"You as well Ina," Mia said with a nervous smile, "I'm really sorry again. I can be such a klutz sometimes."

"We all have our embarrassing moments Mia. Don't let this one bother you." Mia rubbed her left arm.

"You are right," she said nervously.

"You seem nervous," Ina inquired, "you okay?"

"Oh yeah," Mia replied with a smile, "I just had to transfer to this school from my old one. It's hard to meet new people."

"That depends on who you meet," a voice interjected. Mia and Ina turned towards the source to see a young woman about Mia's age. She had blue hair that reached down about half way down her neck, had blue eyes, wearing a school uniform, and carrying a brown leather bag.

"You do have a point," Ina said as she walked over to her. Mia's gaze was fixed on this young woman.

It's her, she thought sadly, it's her.

"My name is Ina," Ina introduced herself, "and you are?"

"Akane Tendo," the young woman introduced herself. Mia shook her head a little and walked over to them.

You can do this, she thought, just act like your new self.

"My name is Mia," she introduced herself, "nice to meet you Akane."

"And you as well," Akane said with a warm smile, "you look like you are new here."

"Yeah," Mia said nervously, "just transferred here. New place, new people, and I feel like I'm lost."

"Well don't let it get to you," Akane said with confidence, "you met me. And Ina here. You will do fine."

"T-Thanks," Mia said with a nervous smile.

This is so hard, Mia thought, I have to be strong. She is doing fine just keep up a strong front.

"Would you two like me to show you around?" Akane asked curiously. Suddenly, the bell rang.

"Oh no!" Ina shouted, "I've got to get to class!" She then sprinted off at high speeds.

"I hope she knows where she is going," Mia said with a worried tone.

"I'm sure she does," Akane said with a smile, "now then, do you know what class you are in?"

"Ummm," Mia said as she began to rummage through her bag.

"A little unorganized?" Akane asked with a teasing voice.

"A little," Mia replied as she took out a sheet of paper, "class 1-A."

"That's my class," Akane said happily.

"R-Really?" Mia asked nervously.

"No need to be nervous Mia."

I was hoping I wouldn't get her class, Mia thought, how come this had to happen?

"Mia?" Akane asked curiously.

"Sorry about that," Mia apologized, "I get nervous easily, and then I tend to space out."

"I understand," Akane said with a smile as they began to walk to their homeroom, "but you don't need to be nervous."

"Well," Mia said nervously, "being surrounded by new people tends to make me nervous."

"Well in time you'll get comfortable around these people," Akane said with a positive attitude.

"I guess you are right," Mia agreed.

It's been a year and she seems fine, Mia thought. Then, they arrived at class 1-A.

"Here we are," Akane stated.

"You really know your way around the school don't you?" Mia asked.

"Well," Akane said while thinking, "oh it doesn't matter. Class is about to start so let's head in."

WwwwwwW

Kasumi was cleaning the house around one o'clock. Soun was reading the paper as he always did every day. It was then that the front door opened to the house.

"HELLO!" shouted a familiar voice.

"That voice," Soun said happily, "is it Genma?" Soon, Genma Saotome appeared in front of him.

"Yes Soun," he said with a sigh, "it is me." Soun could tell that he wasn't successful in his search at all.

"You didn't find him?"

"No," Genma replied as he took off his back pack, "no we didn't. Ryoga and I searched where we could, and we were on his trail a few times as well. However, we lost him."

"Hmmmm," Soun said while thinking, "with his ability to transform into a girl, he will be hard to find. Especially if he changes his look."

"We know," Genma said as he sat down sadly, "Ryoga and I were well aware of that."

"By the way," Soun stated, "where is Ryoga?"

"He went to see Ukyo," Genma explained.

WwwwwwW

Ryoga walked towards Ukyo's okonomiyaki restaurant. He walked in and saw that no one was manning the restaurant.

"Hello!" he called out to anyone. Suddenly, Ukyo rushed into the room.

"A customer?" she asked happily. It was then she saw a rugged looking Ryoga standing there.

"Some what I guess," he said with a smile.

"Ryoga?" she asked with tears in her eyes, "is that you?"

"Yup." She ran over and hugged him.

"It's so great to see you again," she said happily.

"Well. . . .thank you," he said with a faint blush. Minutes past and she still didn't let go. Finally, she slowly let go.

"Sorry about that," she said wiping away her tears, "it's just really good to see you again."

"Thanks," he said with a smile, "so, how about some okonomiyaki to celebrate then?"

"Coming right up," she said happily as she put on her apron. She started cooking on as Ryoga took off his back pack and sat down.

"So," he said to start up a conversation, "how have you been this past year?"

"Well," she said with a concerned tone, "concerned about you, Genma, and Ranma. But I also thought about what he wrote in the letter."

"Did they show you?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied as she continued to cook okonomiyaki, "and he was right. One hundred percent right. I can't believe how stupid I have been about it."

"You and me both," he said with a sigh, "I'm sure that my constant pursuit of him didn't help either."

"Did you find him?" she asked curiously.

"No," he replied sadly, "we never found him. We got on his trail a few times, but he always got away."

"I see," she said sadly.

"I know," he replied, "and to think, it was all our fault."

WwwwwwW

The school day ended. Ina, Akane, and Mia walked out of the building together.

"I am so excited for this year," Ina said happily, "my first day of my first year of high school rocked!"

"Glad to see that you are so full of energy," Akane said happily, "Mia here was nervous for most of the day."

"I told you," Mia explained, "that around-"

"I'm teasing you," Akane said with a smile. Mia laughed and so did Ina.

"Good one," Ina said with a smile, "but now I have to get home. Bye!" She ran off waving good bye to her two new friends. Akane and Mia waved back.

"So," Akane said happily, "what are your plans now Mia?"

"I think I'm going to head home," she replied, "after all, today was tiresome for me."

"It's from being so nervous all the time."

"You are right about that." The laughed together. And with that, they went their separate ways. Mia walked towards the downtown portion of the city. She walked as if she didn't have a care in the world. The streets were dirty, garbage was scattered all around the area. And soon, she arrived at a small inn that looked like it was ready to close down. She walked up a creaky set of stairs and took out a rusty key. She unlocked a door that read '2-0-1' on the front. She entered to find a room with gray walls with wall paper peeling off. There was a mattress on the floor with a new looking pillow and a new looking blanket.

I'm really glad I bought those, she thought. She put down her school bag in a corner and then locked the door after closing it. She then went into the bathroom and turned on the shower so the water could warm up. She looked next to her to find the sink and a box of brown hair dye on it.

"I promised myself I wouldn't come back," she said to herself, "and yet here I find myself in this city again. Disguising myself so no one will recognize me." She then saw some steam coming out of the top of the shower. She then undressed and got into the shower.

I can't believe how pathetic I am, she thought. However, as the water touched her, she slowly transformed into a young man with blue hair.

"Hiding from my friends and family," he said to himself in depression, "what am I doing? Actually, I don't know any more." He turned off the water and then slowly stepped out of the showering area of the bathroom. He wiped off the condensation from the mirror to see himself in the mirror.

You are such a coward Ranma Saotome, he thought, if you were half the man you use to be, you'd go to her and. . . . .I can't do it. Images from events about a year ago flashed through his head. The fight that they had, what she said to her friends about him, it was awful.

"I miss her so much," he said to himself as he put on some pajamas, "yet I can still see her when I go to school. We are so far away from each other." Tears rolled down his cheeks. He tried to stop them, but he couldn't. The rolled down one after the other. A water fall of tears fell from his eyes.

Damn it all, he swore in thought. He then punched a wall, leaving a dent in it.

"I'm so pathetic," he said through his tears, "I can't go to the woman that I love. I can't show my face to anyone in this city. I can't. . . .do anything." He stuck his head in the shower and turned on the shower with cold water. He turned back into a young woman and started drying her hair with a hair dryer.

The one thing I can do, she thought, is to make sure she meets the right guy for her. I'll help her move on with her life. And then, I'll just fade into darkness. Never to been seen again.

End of Chapter

Ranma returns under cover to carry out a mission that isn't needed.

Is is so close yet so far?

Will the others discover him?

See what happens in the next chapter of. . . .

Tragic Love

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