She never thought this would happen. She was just an 
ordinary schoolgirl, with slightly unusual problems. She certainly 
didn't think this would come when she first met Ranma. But... why? 
She had a fairly normal life, how could she have known she would 
die facing supernatural forces in an alien world? How could 
Akane Tendo, a barely-seventeen year-old girl, a martial arts 
student, a girl sought by so many, a bad swimmer, a lousy cook, 
a kind friend to others, a _normal_ Japanese girl, have known 
that this would be the fate that awaited her?
	"MERTON!!" Lord cast the final spell.
	The ten seconds it took for the flames to reach them 
lasted nearly ten years for her. Turning around, Akane gazed 
into Ranma's frozen eyes, putting her caring arms around his icy 
neck. As she steeled herself, waiting, her eyes became flooded. 
This was the end.
	Six seconds.
	But there was something she could still do. This was 
definitely not the best of times to do it, but it is precisely at 
times like this that emotions are at their peak. For a moment, 
she recalled what Phaeron had said, that ki is best manifested 
through emotions. And now, there was a certain emotion that 
surrounded her with a warm red aura.
	"Ranma..."
	Closing her drenched eyes, and blushing deeply, Akane 
gently pressed her lips against Ranma's frozen mouth.
	Merton covered them completely.

--From _The Caller's Plight_ Part 3 Section F by Jorge A. Pratt