Disclaimer: All characters in this story are property of Rumiko Takahashi, not me. This is a work of fanfiction and is not in any way to be used for personal gain. "Told You So" copyright Barenaked Ladies. --------------------------------------------- This is songifc is a side story to my short "Self Study" series. The stories are connected, but each one is intended to be self-contained, so they can be read separately. This takes place in between "The Fiance Dilemma" and "One Lonely Night" ---------------------------------------------- Self Study - Let it Go A Ranma 1/2 Songfic by Paradox [Scene descriptions] xxxx's voice: signifies sonething only the "veiwers" can hear - treat as character's thoughts. xxxx: signifies actual speaking/singing - other characters could hear this if nearby. -------- [Scene opens in Akane's bedroom. Sunlight is just beginning to filter through the curtains, and comes to rest across her face. Her eyes are red and it's obvious she hasn't slept. With a sigh she gets up and enters the hallway. After a moment's hesitation, she quietly cracks open Ranma's door and looks in. Her gaze lands on Ranma, who is still asleep and facing her. A second later a soft click signals Akane's departure. Ranma open his eyes and stares blankly at the door. Fade out. The music starts. Different scenes fade into the next, usually as singer changes.] Akane's voice: I never jumped in and rescued you [Ryoga and Kuno attacking Ranma as he tries to enter school...] but I wanted to. [...Akane chases after them, screaming at Ranma for making them late, but hiding a look of concern.] Ranma's voice: I didn't tell you which way to go [Akane flirting with Ryoga to make Ranma jealous...] 'cause I thought you'd know. [...not noticing that it's working more than she planned. Ranma watches them from a distance with pain in his eyes.] Akane's voice: You had a problem with your new-found wealth [Shampoo, Kodachi, and Ukyo all trying to drag Ranma off for dates.] you brought it on yourself. [Ranma scratches the back of his head and stammers as they ask him who he prefers.] Ranma's voice: I never told you I told you so, [Ranma pounding his father after finding out about ANOTHER fiance. Akane comes up behind them and Ranma pales, protesting that it's not his fault...] but I told you so [... which does no good - Akane knocks him out with her mallet, screaming and calling him a pervert for "wanting" more fiances. Scene fades back to present. Ranma's still lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Zoom in on the neutral expression on his face, then swing around into a left profile. Shift so Ranma's profile fills half of the screen vertically. Remainder of screen shows Ranma's thoughts as he sings.] Ranma: Have to let it go [Memory of Akane smiling and sparring with female Ranma him before she found out he was a guy] It's time to let it go [Memory of Akane carrying "him" home after Dr. Tofu temporarily paralized his legs.] Now I can't be- lieve [Memory of Akane screaming at him after finding Shampoo asleep in his bed...] It took so long to leave [... then pounding him with her hammer and throwing him into the pond.] Perhaps one day I'll grieve [Memory of almost kissing Akane in the dojo. His neutral expression cracks...] Or I never will [...then softens as his memory shifts to the first kiss Nabiki gave him. Ranma's thoughts fade out. Pull back to see entire room - Ranma turns as his door opens once more. Fade out.] [Fade in: Akane exits the kitchen and is met by the now familiar sight of Nabiki leading Ranma down the stairs to the table. As they sit she walks over...] Ranma's voice: I never told you I agreed with you [...and places a plate of food in front of each of them. Nabiki turns pale, and Ranma peers up at Akane, looking for signs of hostility. Finding none, he lifts a bite to his mouth...] I don't think I do [... immediately gagging and choking as he swallows it. Akane turns red and punts him through the wall. Nabiki screams at her younger sister as she runs after Ranma.] Akane's voice: I wasn't quite sure what the whole thing meant [Still fuming, Akane watches the pair from the hole Ranma made. As she sees Ranma and Nabiki together her angry face contorts into a confused trance...] but I'm glad you went [...which finally gives way to a reluctant smile as she sees the tenderness her sister shows while checking on Ranma.] Ranma's voice: I never thought it could be painless [As Ranma sits up he glimpses Akane watching them.] but it is I guess [Somewhat relived by her small smile, he turns back to Nabiki and smiles himself.] Akane's voice: I had myself fooled into needing you [Akane tears her gaze from them and retreats towards the dojo.} did I fool you too? [As soon she's in the dojo and out of sight, she slides to the floor and sits with her arms wrapped around her knees. Zoom in on her face, just barely wet with tears. Swing around into a right profile. Shift so Akane's profile fills half of the screen vertically. Remainder of screen shows Akane's thoughts as she sings.] Akane: Have to let it go [Memory of Ranma trying to cheer her up after her hair was accidentally cut by telling her he preferred it that way.] It's time to let it go [Memory of Ranma forcing himself to eat the cookies she made, even though it made him sick.] Now I can't be- lieve [Memory of Ranma and Nabiki picking on her on the balcony right before Nabiki became his fiance the first time...] It took so long to leave [... and of Ranma saving Nabiki when the balcony collapsed, letting Akane fend for herself.] Perhaps one day I'll grieve [Memory of jumping into the Hiryu Shoten Ha to save the chart needed to restore Ranma's strength, and of how he protected her. She begins to cry again...] Or I never will [...but composes herself as she thinks about how happy Nabiki has seemed since becoming Ranma's fiance. Akane's thoughts fade out. Pull back to see entire dojo - Akane stands and heads towards a practice dummy. Fade out.] [Images begin to flash rapidly in time with the music.] Both voices: A viral infection, that can incubate for years [Images of Ranma and Akane screaming at each other, usually ending with an unconscious Ranma after being clobbered by a hammer or nearby piece of furniture.] caused by affection, fallen deep into arrears [Images of Ranma and Akane watching each other in secret, always with a pensive gaze. They each always seem about to approach the other, but never do.] No medication, to procure [Images of Ranma trying to apologize to Akane after various incidents - usually involving one of his other fiances getting too close to him. The apology never comes out right, and he always ends up making her cry or getting hit.] make me pure, there's no cure, [Images of Akane trying to cook for Ranma or dress nicely to get his attention. He always gags on her cooking, and invaribly insults her appearance even when he's trying to compliment it.] I am sure [Fade back to Akane, still pulverizing the practice dummy. Suddenly she stops and whirls around, finding that Ranma's standing about three feet behind her. Ranma does nothing. For a second, Akane's temper flares, but she subdues it. Uncertain of what to say, they both stand in silence for a moment.] Akane's voice: I never mentioned how I prayed for you [Focus on Akane's face.] and now I've paid for you. [She's hesitant, but seems ready to move on.] Ranma's voice: I never said that I would wait for you [Focus on Ranma's face] it too late for you. [He's concerned, but his usual confidence is back.] [Pull back. Music continues softly (denoted by <>) as they talk to each other.] Ranma: Akane... I... Akane: Hi! I'm Akane Tendo, lets be friends. [Ranma pauses, startled. Then slowly smiles.] Ranma: Heh. I'm Ranma Saotome. Wanna spar? [Akane weakly smiles herself, then nods.] Akane: Yeah, I'd like that. [As the two bow to each other and begin, camera turns to the doorway, where someone watches from the shadows. A fragile smile adorns her face...] [Music and scene completely fade out.] -------- Author's notes: This was alot harder to finish than I thought it'd be. I wanted to address the changing relationship between Ranma and Akane, and decided this method fit best. Unfortunately, as I got going I had tons of trouble choosing proper flashbacks scenes/images. Now that it's done, I feel it fits into the overall Self Study series quite well. Many thanks to my prereaders - D, Janissa and Parker. "One Lonely Night" is up next - hopefully in the not-too-distant future. C&C appreciated. Please send to Paradox-7@excite.com Thanx. Paradox.