The usual disclaimer: Ranma ½ is a trademark of Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ Communications, and its characters have been borrowed without permission. This story was written for non-commercial purposes only. I do claim the characters of Shizuka, Hideo, Chie, and Isamu (if you want to borrow them, you only have to ask – just common courtesy after all).

Welcome to another installment of Bindings. We have covered all the dark narration in "Brothers", so now we are going back to a (much) lighter story tone. All the stories in Bindings are meant to be stand-alone. I'll tell you what you need to know upfront and where you can pick up more info if you wish. You can always check my profile for more details if you get curious. This story starts one-to-two months after "Tofu's Return", so it's now early June. I'll add footnotes at the end of the each chapter as appropriate.


Character points:

1) Tofu's back and has proposed to Kasumi. Our intelligent doctor is really showing his stuff lately, including his ability as a mage (among other things).

2) Kasumi has given up playing the dutiful daughter (sort of) and become the Matriarch once more (slight changes to her character). She has accepted Dr. Tofu's proposal.

3) Akane and Ranma are starting to grow up – just a bit – due to events in China and events in Bindings. Their relationship is starting to progress as well (finally).

4) Nabiki is now at college in another Ward of Tokyo. She makes a point of coming home on weekends.

5) Mrs. Chie Shimizu is Dr. Tofu's office manager. This middle-age woman is a good friend of Kasumi and one of the biggest gossips in Nerima.

6) Shizuka Jouda is Kasumi's Tai Chi instructor. She's a tough and implacable warrior who loves children, especially the children of her deceased rival and best friend, Kimiko Tendo (even if the "children" are getting up there in years). She's been involved in Kasumi's life off-stage for nearly a decade now.

7) Hideo Jouda is Shizuka's husband. He runs a florist shop in the same building as her dojo. He's a tall, good natured man, with endless patience – especially for his stubborn wife. He's also a very talented mage as well.

8) Dr. Isamu Ando is a doctor who works for Dr. Tofu. He's the doctor who takes over when Tofu is on the road. A bright man with a lot to learn about people – and an arrogant streak that just begs for a beating.

9) Yuka, Sayuri, Daisuke, and Hiroshi also get personalities in this story – hope you approve.

Onwards...


Chapter 1: Tofu

Ranma walked into the clinic and checked the waiting room. "Good," he thought, "it's empty." He saw that Chie was preparing to leave, so he spoke up quickly. "Hello Mrs. Shimizu. Is Doctor Ono around?"

Chie looked up at the young martial artist with slight exasperation. "Ranma, I'm not going to call you Mr. Saotome, and you don't have to call me Mrs. or Ms. Shimizu. It's 'Chie', got it? And you can say 'Tofu' or 'Doc' to me – I know you don't mean Dr. Ando."

"I'm just trying to show respect to my elders," he replied mock innocently.

"Oh, look. I have a glass of cold water…"

Ranma suppressed a grin and held up his hands. "Now, now, let not be too hasty…Chie."

"Hmph. You could be a little nicer to your friends."

He let the grin out. "But if you cannot tease your friends, who can you tease?"

"How about letting them know they are your friends first?" she replied pointedly.

"Fine. You are one of Kasumi's closest friends and I consider you my friend, but if there are patients in the waiting room, it's 'Mrs. Shimizu' and it's 'Doctor Ono.' Fair enough?"

She looked at the smart-aleck young man with the smug grin and couldn't help laughing. Only he could mix politeness with arrogance and pull it off. "All right, shape-shifter." She saw him wince slightly at the title, acknowledging the return volley. "Shall I tell the Doc you're here for professional, family, or personal reasons?"

"Umm…personal reasons. I need someone else's viewpoint. If he's with a patient, I can wait. Besides, he's due to have dinner at the dojo and I can talk to him on the way over."

"But you don't want to talk with him at the dojo," Chie finished for him.

Ranma sighed. "Afraid so, Chie."

She nodded then. "All right, do me a favor and lock the front door. I'll tell the Doc you're here on my way out."

"Thank you, my friend," he said adding emphasizing last two words with a polite smile, causing Chie to laugh again. She left the reception desk as Ranma turned and locked the front door (although he did check to make sure no one was coming first). Then he went back to the reception room and waited.

It wasn't long before he heard Dr. Tofu yell out to him. "Ranma?"

"Yo!"

"I'm in the examining room cleaning up. Kill the front lights and come on back."

After answering in the affirmative, Ranma did as he was asked after making a quick sweep of the room. Since the Doc's return from Ryugenzawa, Ranma was a frequent enough visitor of the clinic to know where everything should be, and if he took care of it now, it saved Chie the trouble in the morning. He turned off the lights in the room and did the same for the reception office. Then he found the Doc as expected, inventorying drawers and checking supplies. Tofu acknowledged his entry by commenting, "You know, I swear Isamu has no idea how to count. I'd think he was stealing supplies, except there more here than there should be."

"You could get rid of him you know. It is your clinic," Ranma responded.

"Ha. It's not quite that simple. Nerima General sent him to me because he was driving everyone else over there batty. Ando could be a very good doctor – actually he's second-to-none in diagnosing digestive tract ailments. But he needs to learn how to deal with patients and to learn that big things are made of little things. So, I agree to train him, and the hospital gives me special privileges and access. Besides, the government would like two doctors at this facility and Ando has certain blind spots that I find very useful." The Doctor gave Ranma a mischievous grin. "I'll get him there yet – one way or another." Ranma returned the grin. "So, what's on your mind, Ranma?"

"Straight to the point as always, Doc," Ranma said with two raised eyebrows.

Tofu's voice took on a mock superior tone. "Listen, Grasshopper," which caused Ranma to drop an eyebrow and raise the other one even higher. "This week, I've had five patients in cancer therapy, half-a-dozen pregnant ladies, three kidney stone victims, and a multitude of advanced-age patients who all need pain relief. On the other side of the coin, I had to remove hereditary curses from two families, I have four people recovering from spirit possession, and I'm helping to undo three cursed items. At the same time, I want to maintain a relationship with my fiancée and I want to be there for my crazy extended family which includes you. We can bust each other's chops over dinner, but right now, I'm listening to you so I can help. Spill your guts already."

Ranma's face became a deep red from embarrassment. "I'm sorry Doc, I don't mean to take your free time…"

"Stop right there, Ranma. You're not taking my free time; I'm giving it to you. We do that for the people we care about. Don't waste it. You said this was a personal problem. Is this about Akane?"

Ranma closed his open mouth and then nodded his head. "Yeah, it is. We've been getting along well, but I think she might be unhappy with me."

"She hasn't seemed mad at you."

"No, she's not mad, but she seems out-of-sorts somehow. Every now and then she looks at me and sort of sighs."

Tofu returned to his inventory. He had already noticed the same thing himself – the trick was to get Ranma to realize the answer. "Is there a time when she does this a lot?"

"Well, yeah…don't take this wrong, but it's when you and Kasumi show affection to each other. I figure it means that I need to give her more attention, and I try."

"Good, the lad was already on the right track," Tofu thought. "Is it working?" the Doc asked out loud.

"Somewhat…but I think I'm missing something, somewhere."

Tofu thought about Ranma's background. The young man had been raised by an uncaring self-centered idiot. It was a wonder Ranma wasn't a sociopath. He tried to figure out people, but couldn't always understand how they ticked. He did do his best though. Tofu felt he'd have to give the pig-tailed youth a few more clues. "Hmmm…I think part of the problem is you are using Kasumi and myself as a role model for a normal relationship." At a quizzical look from Ranma, he continued. "Ranma, Kasumi and I first declared our interest in one another when she was eighteen, but neither one could do anything about it. She had her obligations and I had mine. Never mind the fact that I felt she was too young to start getting involved with someone like me." He allowed his eyes to glow a little, emphasizing his heritage. "So, for the longest time, we were 'just friends'."

Ranma nodded his head thoughtfully. "But that changed…" he said.

"Yes," Tofu agreed. "It did. But *when* did you think it changed?"

"When you got back from Ryugenzawa and asked her to marry you."

"Actually, no. Which is the problem is when you look at Kasumi and myself as an example – you're missing a large chunk of information about us because we kept it quiet, and it's an important piece. Let's look at someone who is a bit closer to the norm. Ranma, do you know anyone at your school that is dating? In particular, someone you knew before they were in a romantic relationship?"

"Yeah, Hiroshi and Yuka are now a couple."

"And how did that happen?"

"Well, they got to know each other through Akane and me. As the group of us began hanging out together, they became friends. Then one day, Hiroshi was teasing Yuka and she took it wrong and took off. I cannot recall exactly what was said, but it wasn't anything that out-of-line – nothing any of us couldn't have said to anyone else in the group. He looked shocked for a second, then distressed. Then he excused himself and ran after her. Later on, I found out he offered to take her to the movies that weekend as an apology."

"Is when he asked her when they became a couple?"

"Well, no. They seem to reach an understanding (or at least the start) on the date itself."

"And how did they act leading up to the date?"

Ranma smirked a little. "Let's just say Hiroshi was a little distracted for the rest of the week. He wanted things to be perfect for the weekend and worried about everything. He nearly drove Daisuke and me nuts."

"And what about Yuka?"

Ranma rolled his eyes. "I never saw so much giggling among the girls. They discussed dresses almost non-stop."

"So, would you say that this apology date was a big deal for the two of them? Something special?"

"Well, yeah – it became their first real date."

"Now for the missing piece of the puzzle – do you remember last year when Kasumi left to visit a friend in Nagoya?" At the young man's nod he continued. "Well, she was visiting me. I had booked two rooms at a very nice hotel in Nagoya so we could spend some time together. When she met me at Nagoya's station, she was wearing a beautiful dress. I was wearing a very sharp suit. Our first real date happened in Nagoya. Keep that to yourself by the way."

Ranma stopped moving for a moment. Tofu watched the tracks in Ranma's head switch very quickly and prayed it wouldn't be a train wreck. The pig-tailed young man began to mumble: "big things made of little things…an apology date becoming a real date…something special…anticipation and hope…not mad, *not* unhappy, but *disappointed*…" The shape-shifter fell back into a chair, still thinking. He looked at the Doctor, his eyes a little wild. He then took a deep breath and steadied himself. "I need to take Akane on a real date – our first real date." At the Doc's nod, Ranma placed his face in his hands. "There's going to be nothing left of this town – you know that don't you?"

"That is a problem," Tofu agreed also sitting down. "The Fiancée Brigade has been quiet, but I think it's more a matter of getting re-energized than giving up. Akane's own suitors are still there too. I think you can count on them getting into the act as well."

Ranma made a sour face. "Sometimes I think I should kidnap Akane myself and run off and get married."

"So, why don't you?"

"Because, while our relationship is progressing, it's not where it should be for a marriage. I want to have a real/complete relationship with the person I marry – not one that was thrust upon me."

"I think Akane feels the same way."

Ranma nodded his head in agreement glumly then brightened. "Although, a kidnapping has some appeal though…"

"Huh?"

"I could just kidnap Akane and take her on a date."

"It's not a bad thought. Two issues though." At Ranma's nod, Tofu continued: "It doesn't allow for some of the external 'First Date' rituals – like the dress and the giggling with friends. Akane's only going to get one 'First Date' with you – you want it to be as memorable as possible, all the way around." Ranma winced, acknowledging the argument. Tofu then went on: "Second, you both have some interesting bloodhounds for suitors."

Ranma's shoulders slumped at that. Then, he got out of the chair and began pacing. Tofu let him think, waiting for the young man to come up with a solution. The Doctor already had one, but the more Ranma gave of himself, the better this would turn out.

"Man," Ranma started. "What I need is a Mission Impossible™ squad…" His voice trailed off and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

Tofu suppressed a smirk. "Actually Ranma, you *do* have friends and allies – some of them with unusual talents. I'd be willing to help. So would Chie, Shizuka, and Hideo. I'm sure Kasumi and Nabiki would too."

"Nabiki?"

"For a second wedding attempt? No. For Akane's First Date? Oh, yeah. Also, I think you'll find other people crawling out of the woodwork to help."

The two men looked at each other. The identical smirks slowly appearing on their faces would make the most rabid husband-hunter quail…


Tofu ushered Ranma out the clinic's back door. Ranma had been very helpful getting everything put in order. Enough so that Tofu offered him a part-time job to help out at the clinic at closing time every day. The pig-tailed young man accepted. Ranma knew the first date would lead to more (he hoped) and he didn't want to depend on Nodoka or Genma for funds – the less they knew, the better.

"Thanks for listening, Doc. I really appreciate it."

Tofu locked the door. "You're more than welcome, Ranma. That's what friends and family are for."

Ranma nodded and then spoke up again as Tofu turned away from the door: "By the way…" Tofu glanced at the young man and paused in shock as Ranma vanished from sight. He felt a light 'dope slap' to the back of the head and Ranma appeared a few meters in front of Tofu. "That's for the 'Grasshopper' comment earlier." With a smug grin, the young man appeared to blur as he tore off towards the Tendos.

"Amazing," Tofu mused. It should be impossible to launch any sort of attack from the Umisen-ken, even something as mild as a 'dope slap.' Ranma could probably pull it off because there was no malice (or thought) what-so-ever in the 'attack', but even so, it was extremely impressive. Still, it wouldn't do to leave the challenge unanswered. Tofu summoned a store-bought plastic drinking bottle from the fridge. He liked this brand because it was more environmentally friendly than the other brands; the bottles used less plastic and, as a result, had thinner walls. Then he blurred after Ranma. While he didn't think he could beat Ranma to the dojo, that wasn't the goal. All he had to do was be within throwing range before Ranma turned onto the dojo grounds…


Kasumi heard the Ranko's high pitched voice as the front door opened. "Really?" the girl yelled, although there were traces of amusement in her voice.

"There was no way I was leaving that trick unanswered. Besides, you have to admit, that was a great throw. I nailed the gate post just as you took the corner," Kasumi's fiancé replied.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah …"

Kasumi allowed herself a quick grin as she poured boiling water into a cup for her future brother-in-law. As she cut it with a little bit of cold water, she reflected on her significant other's relationship with Nerima's favorite shape-shifter. Up until Tofu's return from Ryugenzawa, Ranma had no strong *healthy* male influence in his life. Ranma's own father was a total disaster as a parent, enough so that he probably should be in jail for child abuse (if not sentenced to death). Kasumi's father had no idea how to handle a son – not that he was great with daughters. Soun was also a bit too wishy-washy to serve as a good role model. Tofu, on the other hand, had a great deal of experience dealing with young men in need of a 'Big Brother' or 'Uncle' (typically, the men, like Ranma, were way past having a use for a 'father-figure'). Tofu could serve as a mentor without being overbearing about it, but if you pushed him; he pushed back, which actually got him a lot of respect from the young men in question – including Ranma.

As the two walked into the kitchen, Ranma automatically took the cup from Kasumi with a nod of thanks and dumped it on herself, now himself. He then walked over to the dishwasher and put it away. "Yes," Kasumi thought to herself, "he can be trained."

Tofu came over and gave Kasumi a decent kiss. "Do you need any help?" he asked.

"No," came the reply, "but you can keep me company." Her fiancé nodded in the affirmative.

"Hey, is Akane in yet?" Ranma asked.

"Yes, Ranma, she's upstairs," Kasumi answered.

Ranma seemed to summon his courage. "No time like the present," he responded as he left the kitchen.

Kasumi looked at Tofu. "Is there something I should know about?"

"Yes, but I think Akane should be the one to tell you. Life is about to get interesting."

"It's not a proposal. They only admitted that they loved each other a few months ago, and it was in such a round-about way, I'm not sure it counted." (1)

"For them, it counted. They aren't ready for the proposal step yet, but I think they are ready for another. You'll have to wait for Akane."

"Cheat," was the only reply.

They spent about ten minutes bantering and enjoying each other's company when Ranma stumbled back into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He was in a total daze and had a lipstick kiss mark on his cheek. From upstairs came a delighted squeal and the sound of someone stamping her feet on the floor quickly. This was followed by the sound of someone throwing herself on her bed with another squeal.

Tofu leaned over towards the stunned martial artist. "Ranma?" he questioned. Tofu waved his hand in from of the lad's face. "Ranma? Are you there?"

Kasumi grabbed a wash cloth and wet it with soap and warm water. She carefully washed off the lipstick marks. At Tofu's glance, she said: "I don't want Genma or Nodoka to see that – it would only bring about complications." Ranma never moved.

Tofu tried again. "Ranma? Did you talk to Akane?" O.K. it was a stupid question, but he was hoping to get some type of a response.

At the mention of Akane's name, Ranma's eyes focused for a second, then glazed over again. "Wow…" came from the young man's mouth.

Kasumi looked at Ranma and decided there was no new information coming from that avenue. She laid her hand on Tofu's shoulder and gave a light squeeze. "Watch the food," she requested. At his nod she went upstairs and knocked on Akane's door. "Akane? Can I come in?" Kasumi heard a "Yes!" through the door and couldn't tell if that was in answer to her question or something else, but she took it as an answer and went in.

Akane was lying on her bed holding a pillow tight against her chest. She saw her sister enter the room and shot up to grab Kasumi in a bear hug. "He asked me! He asked me!" the black-haired young woman squealed over and over.

"Akane! Loosen up! I can't breathe!" Kasumi gasped. As Akane did so, Kasumi spoke again. "What did Ranma ask you?"

"Kasumi! Ranma asked me out on a date! A real date!"

"Oh my."


Footnotes:

(1) For those curious, it happened in "Brothers", Chapter 14.


A/N: For those who think I wimped out and skipped the scene between Ranma and Akane, no I didn't. It's already written, but won't be told until the next story ("The Date") from Akane's point-of-view. You'll just have to wait…