Chapter Two
When Akane awoke, she was sweating. She sat up, holding the cover close to her. It was early morning as she looked around the room. Ranma stirred beside her but remained asleep. He could probably sleep through an earthquake. Akane staggered from bed and grabbed her clothes and basically raced herself to the bathroom. She dipped into the luke warm water and let out a long and calming sigh.
Today was the day that Drager was coming to live with them. Maybe six years in the asylum did him some good, Akane thought, dipping her long hair into the water. Of course, she hadn't seen Drager since Christmas when she was sixteen. It was the last time she had seen him. Ranma was the only one who went go visit him and as far as Drager was concerned he was okay with that. I doubt he'd want to see me. He's the last person I want to see, too. Akane rubbed her hand through her hair and began working the shampoo into it, Will Drager even be nice to me while he's here? No way would Ranma let him treat me like crap. Akane rinsed her hair out and just sat up in the water, staring at the tiled wall. It's his fault. Akane thought, resting her hand against her defined stomach, it's his fault Ranma doesn't have children. I know he's disappointed and I don't care if he denies it. Akane rose from the water and wrapped the towel around her body. She entered into the dressing area of the bathroom and sat down on a small stool, holding the towel together.
People get better all the time, Akane told herself, maybe he's changed for the best. Maybe he's become a real gentleman. Maybe you won't even be able to tell he was ever confined from society because of health issues. Akane drummed her fingers along her exposed thigh. That's one way to look at it. Yeah... maybe he's gotten his old personality back. Maybe he's similiar to Ranma's personality now. Akane rose and tore the towel off. She reached for her clothes, now with renewed confidence in the day.
"Hey, wake up," Ranma stirred for a moment until he realized someone was strattling him. His eyes remained shut, but his mind was racing. That wasn't Akane's voice... Who's ontop of me? Ranma's eyes shot open and there was Aiko sitting on his stomach. She was smiling and was holding a lollipop in her hand. "Good morning," Aiko said, cheerfully. It was also in a baby tone.
"A... Aiko," Ranma propped himself up on his elbow and looked deep into those big orbs of eyes. She looked expectantly at him for a moment, then returned to her rainbow lollipop that she was enjoying very much. Ranma had never really been this close to Aiko from all the years of seeing her. The more he stared at her, the more he realized the eyes were like Akane's. The nose was her's and the shape of the mouth. Her hair belong to Ranma and her heart shaped face took after Akane. Aiko was basically Akane's clone with a Ranma twist. Does that mean if we had a daughter, she'd look like Aiko? Is that what she is trying to tell me? Ranma now sat all the way up. Aiko looked up at him, curious as to what he was doing. She was scanning over Ranma's face. She's curious? She's soaking everything in. Ranma saw the familiar light in her eyes of a wisdom that developed early. He gently brought his hand up and brused a stray lock from her forehead. He patted the silky black hair into place with the rest of her hair.
"Daddy?" Aiko said, shocking Ranma. Daddy? Ranma gently rest his hands on her little shoulders and stared into her eyes. His eyes were shimmering as he stared at her. Is this what this is about? To fill the gap of not having kids? Is that why you're here, Aiko? Are you suppose to be my daughter? Ranma sat back now. "Daddy,"
"Yes?" Ranma replied, though it seemed wrong to do it.
"I love you."
...
Ranma and Akane boarded the train and seated themselves across from each other. (They often faught over who got window seat.) It was a cloudy day in Tokyo. Akane found it suiting and Ranma enjoyed the silver clouds over the beaming yellow sun. Akane looked over at Ranma. He was sitting back and trying to relax, but he was tense anyway. Who could blame him? Akane reached over and rest her hand on his knee. He met her intense gaze.
"It's going to be alright," Akane told him. Around him, the shuffling of people began to die down as everyone took their seats. Ranma rest his hand atop Akane's. Their married life had always been pleasent. There wasn't much romance, but when there was, it really spoke to them.
"I know," He replied, "I just... can't believe he's gettin' out, you know? I mean, I've been visiting him all this time and he's been improving, but will he just throw that all away when he gets released?"
"We'll... have to see," Akane replied hesitently. She sat back and stared out the window. It was beginning to rain slightly. Akane looked out the window as the train jerked forward. We're really going to the asylum to get him... After all this time... Akane pressed her face against the window. Her stomach was in knots and she began feeling self-conscious about her infertility. She knew that sounded silly but what could she say? She was about to go face-to-face with the man who brutally assaulted her six years ago. All she could do was feel self-conscious and scared.
Akane knew that Ranma would never let Drager do anything to her. He was like that when they were younger, too. Now that they were married did it mean something more to him? Akane always meant a lot to Ranma after their sixteenth birthdays, but she hoped there was something new between them that made Ranma three times as strict when it came to contact or interaction between Drager and her.
Ranma stared at Akane. She had her forehead pressed against the window watching the water droplets slide down the window. Her hands were pressed to her abdomen. He looked out the window and sighed, Akane...
...
"Names?" A guard asked outside of the gates of the Tokyo Asylum. Ranma and Akane held the hoods of their jackets over their faces as the sky opened up a hell of a storm. The guard didn't seem affected and allowed the rain to pelt him.
"Ranma and Akane Saotome," Ranma said, loud enough for him to hear through the sheets of rain. The guard scanned the sheet, then marked their names off on the soggy peice of paper.
"Here!" The guard held a slip of paper out, "Give this to Lanny when you get inside. It's proof of your identities."
"My liscense won't confirm this?" Ranma accepted the paper into his hands. The guard shook his head, "Right. Well, thanks. Come on, Akane." She nodded and followed after him. The sheets of rain were cold, making Akane's teeth chatter. Ranma held the door open for her and she ducked in. The lobby was eerily silent. She unzipped her jacket and hung the dripping wet garment on the coat rack. Ranma copied. "Are you cold?" He asked, gently setting his hand on her arm.
"No," Akane lied, despite her chattering teeth. Ranma clucked his tongue and shrugged out of his light jacket. "No, Ranma. Aren't you cold?"
"No." Ranma said, using his eyes to gesture to the coat, "Come on, put it on." She sighed and reluctantly pushed her arms through the sleeves. Ranma and Akane then approached the front desk. There was a considerably bored woman behind it. She had long black hair, her skin a beautiful olive. She was smacking away on her gum, clad in a short white nurse outfit with matching shoes and white stockings. "Hi," Ranma said, lamely, "We're here for Lanny Zeifeld."
"Lanny? He's in Room 507." Ranma and Akane exchanged glances. The nurse let out an aggrivated sigh, "It's a patients room. Take that hallway and read the numbers." She leaned back in her chair and grabbed the nearest magazine. It was the newest Shonen Jump (Authors Note: If they even existed back then. Too lazy to check xD) Akane took Ranma's hand and dragged him away from the counter before his fist could meet the nurses face. They went down the hallway needed and began reading everything off.
"Oh, right here." Akane said, pointing to one of the rooms, "Mr. Zeifeld?" She called, reacing for the door. It swung open though. Akane tried to stop the heavy white door from slamming into her, but it came to quickly. Akane was sent off balance and went tumbling to the ground.
"Akane, are you okay?" Ranma asked, staring at her from where he was standing. She nodded and began sitting up. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes widening suddenly. Drager was standing there at the door. He looked... horrible. His cheekbones were sharper now. Bags were under his eyes. He looked ten years older than what he really was. "Drager," Ranma said, sheepishly, "How are you?"
Drager's eyes remained trained on Akane, though. "I'm sorry, sister." He said, rather venomsly, "Did I knock you down?" He offered his hand for Akane. Akane looked at Ranma, who was edging her on to take it. Her small hand slipped into his large one. His sleeve fell back on his arm, revealing many scars and fresh cuts. It shocked Akane, but Drager pulled his sleeve back down before she could say anything. Didn't Ranma say he was doing better? Well, whatever Ranma's definition of better was, wasn't accurate enough to describe Drager's being right now. "It's nice to see you, Sister."
"Y... you too, Drager." Akane choked out. He seemed so much taller than he was. Even next to Ranma there was a four feet difference. Between Akane and Ranma there was atleast a two feet difference. Now looking between the Saotome brothers, Akane couldn't believe they were brothers. They used to look so much alike when they were younger, but somehow, Drager managed to change his face. His eyes were so dark it looked like he was wearing make up. Was he?
"Hello!" Lanny frightened Akane. His name was unusual and so was his appearance. He was clearly American. His skin was as white as milk. He had curly red hair and thick rimmed glasses. He had dark eyes and dis-alligned teeth. "I am Dr. Lanny Zeifeld. You are Akane Tendo Saotome, yes?"
"Uhm, hi." Akane replied, "Yes. Nice to meet you." She was surprised by how fluent his Japanese was. He occasionally stutter'd but Akane could easily understand him. "Are there any special papers we have to sign to take Drager?"
"No, no." Lanny shook his head, his curls bobbing up and down, "Might I say though, Mrs. Saotome, your eyes are very pretty." Akane looked back at the American doctor.
Is he really flirting with me infront of my husband? Akane snuck a glance at Ranma. He was eyeing the doctor, occasionally looking back at Drager, who was intrigued by the Doctor's usless attempts at flirting with the very pretty Akane Saotome. "Thanks." Akane deadpanned.
"I mean it, Akane," Lanny said, edging closer to her. The nerves of Americans. That's what Akane wanted to say to Lanny, but she only let out a half-smirk and backed away. "How is Drager related to you?"
"He's my husbands," Akane pointed her finger at Ranma, making sure Lanny knew he was here, "brother. I'm only his his sister-in-law."
"Interesting," Lanny leaned his face in closer with Akane's. She rolled her eyes and shoved him back a few feet, making his glasses bob up and down on his face. "Huh?" Lanny adjusted his glasses and stared with wide eyes at Akane. Her hip was stuck out to one side, her arms crossed. She was holding her head up, taking on an aristorcrat attitude.
"Sorry," Akane said, though it didn't sound like she meant it. "You were just in my personal space, Doctor." Lanny let out a low chuckle and leaned forward.
"As long as I'm not now, that's alright." Akane let out a growl and turned her head to meet his gaze. He was clearly love-struck. It was sickening. Akane played with the cuffs of the bagging jacket on her body.
"Ranma's jacket sure is comfy," She murmered, trying to change the track of Lanny's mind, "We should be on our way, Doctor. Thanks for taking care of Drager." Akane turned on her heels.
"Wait!" Lanny cried, racing up to Akane's side, "Here." He pushed a small peice of paper into her hands, "It's our job to give the asylum stayers their things back from their lockers. This was the only thing in his locker. That looks like you when you were younger." Akane's eyes nearly bugged out of her eyes. It was her playing with a strand of her short-hair. Ranma was making an unattractive face at the camera, "That must be your husband. How old were you guys?" Ranma peaked over Akane's shoulder.
"Close to seventeen," Akane replied, holding the picture close to her face. "Thanks." She stuffed the picture into the pocket of her suspender skirt and turned to Ranma and Drager, "Well, let's go!" She clapped her hands together, "If we plan on making the train we better start making progress." She shrugged out of her coat and held it out to Ranma. He sheepishly accepted it.
"Would you like to use the asylum's personal helicopter?" Lanny asked, grabbing Akane's arm quickly.
"In this weather?" Akane asked, hearing the pelting rain on the roof, "I think not. Thanks!" Lanny wouldn't let go of her arm though, no matter how she pryed. Ranma let out an aggrivated sigh and gave Lanny a good shove.
"You Americans..." Ranma sighed and took hold of Akane's hand, "C'mon, Akane. Let's get outta here." Akane put her nose into the air while Ranma gestured for Drager to follow them. Lanny watched lamely as they pulled their coats on and were out the door.
"Beautiful Akane."
...
"Welcome home," Akane smiled warmly as they ducked into the Saotome School of Anything Goes hallway, away from the pounding rain. "I'm sure you remember your way around, Drager." Akane kicked her shoes off, ignoring the weird way Drager gazed at her. "I'm going to the kitchen."
"You? The kitchen?" Drager's voice cracked a little at this. Akane furrowed her brow, crossing her arms. Ranma went into a sniggering fit, holding his sides.
"Don't worry, Drager!" Ranma cackled, "She'll try a few times. Once she gets fed up with attempting at cooking, she'll order a pizza!" Together the two Saotome siblings went into a laughing fit.
SLAP! SLAP! Akane marched off, rolling her sleeves up, leaving Drager and Ranma with glazed handprints on their cheeks. She was murmering something, leaving a stunned Drager and Ranma behind, rubbing their cheeks.
"Why would she slap her husband?" Drager asked, kicking off his shoes.
"Because I insulted her," Ranma murmered, shrugging out of his damp jacket, "She doesn't do it as often as when we were younger. That's probably the only time she'll hit you, Dray. I wouldn't worry. She hits like a girl anyway."
"RANMA!" He stiffened and looked over his shoulder to see Akane standing there. He shook his head when he spotted the pan in her hand.
"AKANE!" He gulped, "Please! I didn't mean it! R... really! You hit like a man! A real strong man! A man that plays poker and chews tobacco!" Akane's eyes now had fire in them.
"THAT'S WORSE!" She screamed.
"Akane, want me to help with cooking?" Drager offered, stepping between the couples quarrel, "Remember how good I was at cooking?" Akane untensed and looked up at Drager. His eyes were welcoming.
"Really?" Akane asked, feeling small. Drager nodded, "Well, alright." She grinned, "You gotta teach me how to make egg-rolls!" Ranma watched the two stroll away, chattering away about food. He actually smiled at this, despite what had just happened between Ranma and Akane. They were just being immature anyway. It was nice to see things were going to work out between the two.
Hopefully Drager was over Akane. He had Anna didn't he? Then again she was still back in the asylum, wasn't she? Ranma didn't know whether he should ask Drager. Maybe he was touchy about the subject. Ranma would just call that good-for-nothing Lanny Zeifeld and ask about the status of Anna. Ranma padded down the hallway, listening to the pounding of rain. He heard the clattering of pots and sizzling of things. He could hear Akane and Drager's voice drifting out of the door.
Ranma journey'd up the stairs and into the sitting room across from Akane's old room that was now a guest room. He remember'd when he was sick he stayed here until he was admitted into the hospital. He threw himself into the cushy recliner and just relaxed.
"Stressed?"
"Yeah..." Ranma murmered. Silence. That's when something began trickling into his mind. Who the hell just talked to him? His eyes snapped open, expecting a smiling Akane or a stiff Drager, but instead on the couch was Aiko. She had a teddy bear that looked like one of Akane's. "A... Aiko!" Ranma sat forward.
"Hi, Daddy!" She waved her chubby hand at him. It still sounded wrong. Daddy? Ranma wondered if every father felt weird being called dad, father, daddy... It certainly sounded and felt weird to him. Maybe because he never thought of himself as 'father' material.
"Um. Hi." Ranma said, uncomfortably. "Whaddya doin'?"
"Hanging out with Mr. Tate!" Aiko showed off her bear to him. That was the name of one of Akane's bears... Freaky. Ranma nodded and let out a little smile. While everyone was occupied doing something, he decided he'd do something completely crazy. He stood and crossed to sit on the coffee table. "He's cute isn't he? Mommy gave him to me and told me I had to take special care of him. Only I was... cert... cert-uh..."
"Certified?" Ranma offered.
"Yeah!" Aiko's face lit up, "That word! Thanks." She giggled, making Ranma grin wider. Ranma leaned forward, pressing his elbows into his knees, "Mommy said I should love him and cuddle him! He fights off all the bad thoughts and monsters that try and get me! He's such a good teddy!" Aiko squeezed the bear tightly.
"Yeah..." Ranma murmered, staring at the bear. He had sugar brown hair that was fuzzy and soft. He had big beady eyes and a big red bow-tie wrapped around his neck. "Mommy loved that teddy bear when she was little." Ranma barely knew anything about her teddy bear adoration but Kasumi told Ranma once that Mr. Tate was her all-time favorite bear. It was given to Akane before her mother died. "It's a very special bear." Aiko nodded, petting the bear atop it's large fuzz-stuffed head.
"He ripped one time," Aiko said, her face growing sad, "But! Mommy stitched it up for me! Look!" There was a similar color thread stitched along the left arm of Mr. Tate. It was fine stitch work, too.
"Akane did that?" Ranma breathed, staring intently at the long stitch.
"Mommy can do anything," Aiko replied. She hugged the teddy to her body and brushed some of her black bangs from her face, "So, Uncle Drager is visiting?" The title infront of Drager seemed wrong. It would be the situation where King was infront of Kuni's name. King Kuno. Wrong. Uncle Drager. Wrong.
"Uh," Ranma sat back, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "Yeah. He is." An idea hatched in his mind, "How much do you like Uncle Drager?" He eyed Aiko carefully. Her eyes looked down at her bear. She gently stroked his muzzle, playing with it's button nose. Her eyes were holding that wisdom again.
"Mommy says I should love him," Aiko looked up at Ranma with big brown eyes. They had a lot of emotions clouding them. "She says he's had a tryin' time getting through life and I should just... respect, I think... yeah. Respect what love he does try and give me. Sometimes I think he forgets I'm his uh... what am I to Uncle Drager."
"You're his neice," Ranma told her.
"Yeah," Aiko nodded along, "I think he forgets that I'm that," Aiko looked back down at Mr. Tate, "But I love him, Daddy. You love him, too, right?" Her eyes now bore into his. He couldn't bear to lie. It would be like she could sense the lying if he did.
"I do," Ranma confirmed, "Your mother is right, Aiko. You should cherish what Uncle Drager does for you." He ran his fingers through his hair. Slowly, he released what breath he had been holding. "Yeah..." His eyes fell, "I do..." He repeated.
"Daddy," He looked up at Aiko, though the title sounded weird to him still. It was going to take some getting used to if this litle ghost of a girl stuck around. "Do you love me?" Ranma felt his heart begin thudding.
"RANMA DINNER!" His head snapped towards the door. He was completely speechless. Unable to find his throat. Ranma looked back to where Aiko was sitting. Mr. Tate was sitting there, his beady eyes boring into his.
"C-coming!" Ranma stammered, taking the bear into his hands.
...
"Why do you have my bear?" Akane asked when Ranma entered the eating area. He looked like he had just seen ghost. He looked up at Akane, shocked to hear her speak to him. "Ranma? Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Ranma nodded, rolling his shoulders, "I found him in the sitting room." He lied, holding the limp bear out to Akane. She stood and cuddled the bear into her arms as if it was a newborn.
"Funny..." Akane murmered, "I didn't take him into the sitting room. He should of been on my nightstand." Akane always said it was a comforting reminder of her mother so she kept it close. Kasumi said that Akane used to think the bear held her mother's soul in it when she was little. Maybe that's why she was cradling the poor thing in the crook of her arm. "I'm going to go put him back." Akane bounded out of the room, leaving Ranma to be seated across from a silent Drager.
The circles under his eyes were still dark. Maybe a good nights rest would do him something. Drager dished food onto Akane's plate, then Ranma's and then his own. Ranma looked down at the eggrolls. They appeared to be homemade.
"Akane made the pineapple sauce," Drager deadpanned, sliding him a small sauce bowl, "She wants some feedback. I made the egg rolls, though." Ranma nodded, biting him lip for a moment.
"It all smells delicious, Drager." Ranma said, trying his best to sound sincere. In all truth, it smelt amazing. "Thanks." Drager then put some rice on the plate. There were chunks of carrots and peas mixed in.
"This stuff was just out of the box," Drager shrugged, "So the rice should taste just fine. I whipped it up though while Akane made the sauce." Akane reentered and seated herself beside Ranma.
"Have you tried any yet, Ranma?" Akane asked with a hopeful face. Ranma slowly dipped his egg roll into the sauce bowl. His stomach was upset though. Everything that had just happened between him and that ghostly girl seemed so unreal but the teddy bear... he was really there. Ranma bit into the egg roll with the pineapple sauce and an explosion of taste melted through his mouth. "Well?" Akane leaned forward in anticipation while Drager ate like they weren't there and he was dining alone.
"It's... good..." Ranma said, swallowing. It scraped down his mouth. Ranma sat there, his eyes glued to the plate. "It's good." He said again. Akane sat back. It didn't appear to be the answer she was looking for. "Akane, the sauce is perfect." Ranma said, looking straight at her.
"Then why do you look sick?" Akane asked, gently touching his cheek.
"Hold that thought," Ranma said, before he bolted from the room.
...
Akane leaned against the doorframe while Drager just stood with his arms crossed. They waited patiently outside the bathroom that Ranma dodged into. Ranma lifted his head from dunking it into a steaming bucket of water. His hair clung to his face. He was panting raggedly.
"A... Aiko," He whispered, resting his head on the side of the plastic bucket. "She seems so real..." He shook his head, running his hands through his soaked bangs. Ranma didn't know why his stomach was so upset from all of this. Was it sickening to know he was talking to an imaginary little girl? Or was it sickening to know he'd never come to close to anything as perfect as her?
"Ranma?" Drager entered the room where Ranma was collasped against the wall, bucket inbetween legs. "Aw, man... you look pathetic." Ranma looked at Drager through his wet bangs, "What's wrong? Was the food not good enough?"
"No..." Ranma breathed unevenly. He set the bucket down and stood, his hair still dripping wet, "The food was fine. Did I hurt Akane's feelings?"
"No," Akane entered, hands on her hips, "Ranma, what happened? Are you getting sick again?" He only shook his head and looked away. Ranma heard Drager sigh and clatter around. He heard the sound of running water and Akane murmering something in protest. Ranma let out a sharp gasp as ice cold water engulfed him. The water almost stung it was so cold. Ranma stood there now, a small female who still looked considerably unhappy.
I'll have to tell Akane eventually, won't I? Ranma thought, brushing his fire red locks from his face. I can't go on pretending wishing I could have kids. But Akane always goes back to blaming herself. Why does it all have to be so complicated?
"You are one distracted guy," Akane whispered, picking up the bucket Ranma had dunked his head in. She dumped it on him and he grew back into a man. "Tell me what's wrong, Ranma."
"Not now," Ranma replied, brushing past Akane. He sloshed down the hallway towards his bedroom for a fresh pair of clothes. Akane stared at the tile wall, holding the bucket close to her stomach. Drager placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Akane?" He gave her a light shake, "Your pineapple sauce tasted delicious. I wouldn't worry about Ranma. He's kind of an inconsiderate jerk." Akane looked over her shoulder at him. She looked like a lost child in a department store. She hugged the bucket tighter to her and sighed.
What was wrong with Ranma?
