Melody
by Minako

Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. The song Arigatou ga Fukakunaru
is sung by Satou Akemi, but I don't know who wrote it. The translation
of the song was done by Luriko-Ysabeth. (at least, that's the name on
the page where I found it...) I claim no right to it, she did it, not
me. I can't read Japanese well (yet ^_~ ).

				-------

	I stared at the music box in wonder. It was quite old, and not
very pretty. A light shade of blue, but brown in places where the paint
had rubbed off. I sighed. 'I know you have no money... but couldn't you
have found something nicer?' I couldn't figure out for the life of me
why Ranma would have bought it for my birthday. The song had to be
really good, or there was no point to the gift. 

	I hadn't played the tune yet. I was afraid that if I did, I
hit him for buying something for me that obviously meant so little.
Reaching out, I tenatively touched the small metal key and started to
turn it.

	There was a knock at my door and I jumped. Placing the box
under my bed, I sat up and called the person to come in. Ranma stuck
his head in my door, looking nervous, as he usually did when he wasn't
insulting me. Walking into the room, he offered me a piece of paper. I
stared at it blankly.

	"What...?" He blushed.

	"Uh... it's the lyrics to the song in the music box. I wanted
to give them to you with it, but I couldn't find them earlier." I
nodded, and took the paper. He winced as I dropped it lightly on the
floor beside my bed. Sure, it was mean, but he hadn't said anything
nice to me all day, and it was my birthday, but then again he hadn't
picked any fights... "Um... yeah. Well, see ya later." I opened my
mouth to call him back and apologize, but he was out the window before
I had the chance. 'Oh yeah, THAT went well.' I frowned inwardly, then
leaned over and picked up the music box. Turning the key, I set in
front of me to listen to it.

	The song was surprisingly clear, and beautiful. It sounded like
some kind of love song, though very sad. Leaning over I reached for the
lyrics I'd dropped, careful not to hit the music box. I read them over,
and my eyes widened. 'Oh gods, it IS a love song...' I read the paper
over again, this time trying to fit the lyrics to the tune playing. It
was very slow but I got it after awhile, and tried the whole thing
through.

	"If only the skies were blue, we should be happy.
	I really wish it was still the days when I believed that.
	And seeing blooming life on the ground
	Makes even typhoons and twisters a plus

	"The soul that has overcome winter grows sturdily
	I want to live with you in that way

	"It's all right I'll love you for as long as this planet shall
	   last
	And it would be lovely if we can return sorrow to happiness
	My thanks are growing deeper, and my love for you is growing
	   stronger
	One by one, little by little, the genes of love keep 	  
	   awakening."

	Finishing the song, I couldn't help but wonder if Ranma was
trying to tell me something. I blushed as I caught myself hoping he
was. 'No wonder he was hurt when I dropped the paper... I should go
apologize...' I stood up, and carefully placed the music box and lyrics
beside my bed before leaving. 

	I searched through the house, but Ranma was no where to be
found. 'He's probably on the roof...' Looking at the way the wind moved
the branches on the trees, I shivered and decided against going
outside. I'd apologize in the morning. 

	Picking up P-chan near the door, I returned to my room and
changed. Laying back on my bed, I turned out the light and searched for
the music box with my hand. Turning the key, I listened to the soft
melody again, gently pushing P-chan away when he started head butting
it. Smiling, I rolled over and happily listened as the song played over
and over. I felt myself blush as my thoughts turned to Ranma. I smiled,
and for once accepted it. As the tune slowed and quieted, so did my
breathing, and I fell asleep.

				-------

The song played in the music box was Arigatou ga Fukakunaru which
translates to My Thanks are Growing Deeper. It's a song from the
Fushigi Yuugi OAV that had an actual version made so that it sounds
like it should be played on a music box. It can be downloaded here:
www.anime.honou.net/FushigiYuugi/FYsounds/ it's on Mini Album 4, track
9. The translation came from Luriko-Ysabeth, they're posted here:
come.to/sailorbacon C&C are welcome. daybreak_impression@yahoo.ca flames 
make me cry, but constructive criticism's ok.

Japanese lyrics that really DO fit:

aozora dake nara shiawase da nante
shinjite ita hi ga natsukashii yo ne
daichi ni hanasaku inochi o miteru to
TYPHOON mo TWISTER mo PLUS ni shiteru

fuyu o koeta tamashii wa takumashiku naru
anata to sonna fuu ni ikite yukitai

daijoubu aishiteru yo kono hishi ga aru kagiri ne
Kanashimi mo yorokobi ni kaeraretara ii ne
arigatou fukakunaru yo itoshisa mo tsuyoku naru yo
hitotsu-zutsu sukoshi-zutsu mezameteku ai no idenshi

-Done by Yui-chan found on : come.to/saiilorbacon