{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny stuff!}
"You know that I've always loved you. I know that no one thought I was capable of growing up, they all thought I was just some macho jerk... And I was, I couldn't help it. Growing up without my mother, always training, never allowed to be a kid. Forced to become the worlds best martial artist, all the fiancees and traveling. I won't use them as excuses, but I couldn't grow up because I was never a child."
Only silence in response.
"I know you hated me. It was obvious from the start. I never asked for my curse, I never asked to be forced into a life of continuous training. I never told you that I thought you were cute from the start. You had the most kind eyes, like my mothers. I wish we could have started out better. I wish I wasn't here saying this to you now."
Still silence. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I wish I could have been a 'manly man' and confessed how I felt. I wish I could have confessed a lot of things. But I guess it's too late now. Maybe... Maybe a lot of things. I suppose it's my lot in life to be miserable. I know I'll never be happy without you."
He looked out the window, the lump in his throat too much for him to talk.
"I... I just wish it was you and not someone else. Even though I know you hated me, I knew it then, I did everything for you. You might not believe it, I know I hardly ever showed it, but it was all for you."
He crushed the white orchid in his hand.
"I blame everything on my father. But without him, I would have never met you... Maybe it would have been better that way. Then I wouldn't feel like dying right now. I've heard people say that it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all... But I would rather have lived without you than to stand here and know that I've lost you forever."
He dropped the crushed flower to the floor.
"Oh, Akane. What did I do to deserve all this misery? I know I didn't do anything to deserve you. Even with your awful cooking and your bad temper. I never thought it could be any other way than the two of us. We were so right for one another. And now, I've thrown it all away."
He looked down at his feet, unable to stand seeing the unfolding events.
"Now if I could have only been able to say those words aloud to you, then you might be with me still. Shit. This isn't getting me anywhere. I truly wish I was never born, I could have saved everyone a lot of misery, especially myself. But there I go again, acting selfish. Well, I know that you can never love me, so I suppose I'll wish you a happy life. Since you didn't think you could have one with me, I hope you find it with someone else. But I'll never be happy again."
He walked to the door, deciding not to stay for the festivities. He figured he had been a mercy invite anyway. He had dominated their lives for four years, he should at least see the final door close. He opened the door, unnoticed by the others. They were all so happy, Akane was fairly glowing.
He wiped his cheek, clearing away the tears.
"What kind of man am I? Not one that can confess to the woman he loves how he feels. Not one that can face the everyday world without beating someone up. Not one that can tell my mother the truth. Not one that has any worth in life..."
He stepped outside and closed the door behind him. There was nothing left for him without Akane. His parents were of no help, they were angry that he could not fulfill the contract between the two families. The Tendos couldn't care less what happened to him anymore. He sighed. He just wanted to go and sleep someplace, and never wake up.
He walked down the street, planning to leave the city and never come back. Leave the country if necessary. Maybe then he would be able to get over the woman that haunted him every night. Maybe then he could find a cave to shut himself in and die lonely and miserable like he thought he deserved. He disappeared into the horizon.
"Congratulations! We know you'll be so happy together! Now just hold still for some pictures!"
Akane smiled as the flash went off. She looked at the man next to her, her husband. This was the happiest day of her life. She had sloughed off the dead weight that Ranma was and found herself. She kissed the man and smiled as someone threw confetti over them.