Ranma 1/2- Burning with Jealousy- semi long story- rated T (for violent thoughts and actions on Ranma's part)
summary: Ranma has slowly been burning up with jealousy ever since he's met Akane and other people have been after her- a fact that he was unaware of until it boils over. How can you control your own jealousy? and what if Akane finds out? a RanmaxAkane story, obviously
disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any part of the original storyline or characters. However, this particular fanfiction was my idea, so
before you read: because fanfiction is no longer allowing me to put dashes by themselves (which I use to indicate a change of viewpoint or a long time lapse, etc. (in case you haven't noticed)), I have put in their place two dashes with a letter, number, etc. sandwiched between them. numbers will probably only be used to indicate a change in chapters (before the chapter- for example, the number before the title, that separates the disclaimer and summary from the story). and letters like R, A, Ry, U, S, Mo will be used to indicate change in perspectives (A for Akane, R for Ranma, Ry for Ryoga, etc.). for non-character change, like the perspective of a town or group of towneopleor something, a lower case will be used (example, v) (and for a scene change, I'll probably just write down the scene that it changes to). you don't really need to notice this, though, to follow the story. but I thought it bet to explain why there seem to be random letters in between paragraphs. thank you for taking the time to read this notation, and I hope that you enjoy the story.
-3-
Chapter Three: The Flames of Hatred- enter Gosenkugi
Akane felt so angry. Not only had Ranma almost beat up Mikado (though if you asked her, he would of deserved it if he had managed to kiss her), but he had also ignored her the minute Ukyo had come by, (which was even worse) as if he had completely forgotten that she was there!
Akane was aware that Ranma was following her at a safe distance, obviously trying to not upset her further, and it gave her a measure of satisfaction to know that he had decided to follow her rather than continue talk to Ukyo- the "cute" fiancee. The fact that he was even nervous around her now, like he was actually scared about what she'd do to him if he wasn't careful, was a small boost to her wounded ego. But she refused to smile about it. She was still really mad that he had ignored her in the first place.
-R-
Ranma was careful not to get in Akane's way the rest of the walk home. The last thing he needed was to have her lash out at him when, for once, she hadn't hit him at all today (so far- a record, he was sure).
It took him a minute or two to realize how stupid he must look, tiptoeing behind Akane like he was. But after taking another glance at her face, he decided that he'd rather look like a fool than make her even more mad at him for acting as if nothing was wrong. For once, he actually had half of an idea why she was mad. He was pretty sure that it had something to do with Mikado. Just thinking about it had a dark scowl crossing his face (of which he was unaware of making). The pervert kiss-a-holic would pay for that. No one tried to kiss Akane. And if they tried, he'd make sure that they wouldn't succeed. He'd break their lips first.
Ranma was about to gnash his teeth together when he caught another look at Akane. Immediately, his mood deflated and went back to being cautious. Yikes! Now that was a look that could kill.
-A-
They arrived home in silence, and Akane immediately went upstairs to change out of her uniform. The day had so far been tiring at best. She must've been stupid to think that anything had been different about Ranma. She must've just been imagining how he had glared at P-chan yesterday.
A crash was heard downstairs (a rather loud crash) and Akane quickly threw on her change of clothes and ran down the steps, hoping that Kasumi didn't drop something and hurt herelf. She stopped at the doorway to find a sight that immediately replaced her worry with pure fury. Well, at least she didn't have to worry that Kasumi was hurt anymore. Though Ranma, on the other hand, was about to be. Badly.
In the main room, there was a rather large hole in one of the walls- and Shampoo was in the middle of aid room, hugging Ranma. (and if she had looked a little closer, she would of noticed Ranma's frantic struggle to get away. but Akane, being Akane, didn't see past the point that Shampoo and Ranma were together and touching.)
Akane felt rather than heard the growl escape her lips, and Ranma's head turn so fast towards her that he must of gotten whiplash. He began to stutter and wave his arms as Akane advanced. And then there was a hole in the roof, and Ranma was sailing upwards to the next town (at the very least), as a cry of "Uncute tomboy!" faded into the distance.
Shampoo was left to glare at Akane, who had now directed her anger towards her and was glaring right back.
"Aiyah! What ugly girl do!"
"Ugly girl is angry that you just broke another one of our walls! If you're going to destroy them, you should at least pay for the damage! We're not rich, you know!"
Shampoo flipped her long purple hair over her shoulder and sniffed, obviously unconcerned about whatever destruction she caused to others' property, or the cost of it.
"Hmph! Kitchen-wrecker just mad that Ranma like Shampoo more!"
"I do not!"
A cry of "Shampoo, where are you!" was heard from the vicincity of the yard. It was Mousse. Shampoo's head spun around towards the sound of the voice, an irritated look on her face replacing her smug one. She turned back to Akane with a scowl.
"Shampoo have no time to talk you now. Resteraunt very busy." And with that, the amazon was gone.
Akane sighed to herself as the sounds of Mousse calling Shampoo drew closer. Opening the sliding door, she called out to him.
"If you're looking for Shampoo, she just left, Mousse."
"Ah, Akane Tendo. Thank you." The chinese boy bowed slightly towards her before leaping into the skies, calling out and searching for "his beloved Shampoo".
Akane watched the boy go, listening to his voice fade into the distance, and sighed again. They were so much alike. Both of them hoping for just a little attention from the person in their lives that gave everyone else a piece of them and nothing to them. It wasn't- wasn't like she... loved... Ranma. But he didn't have to ignore her like he always did. The only time he even bothered to acknowledge her was when she was angry and about to hit him. Remembering his and Shampoo's hug moments ago, Akane felt her fists clenching tightly enough to leave little half-circle marks on her palms from her nails, suddenly wishing that she had hit him harder. Next time, she wouldn't hold back.
-R-
Ranma arrived home about half an hour later. He had been chased by Kodachi, fallen into a backyard pond, and been chased by Kuno. Deciding to walk in through the side entrance (in the backyard. hopefully, Akane wouldn't see him come in that way), Ranma walked around the house, only to find that they apparently had a visitor. If you could call Gosunkugi a visitor, that is.
The voodoo obsessed boy was skulking around the yard, alternately muttering profanities to Ranma and praise to Akane, unaware that one of the subjects of his talk was actually there.
Suddenly, the boy reeled back and slapped a straw doll to the yard tree, hammering it in place furiously with a hammer and nail while shouting "Ranma, you slime!". Ranma looked on, not sure whether to be amused or disgusted, or...
The sound of the door opening alerted Ranma to the fact that they were no longer alone.
"What's going on here?" Akane asked, her eyes looking around the yard. They landed on Ranma, and he saw as well as felt her eyes grow cold.
"Oh, hello again. Back so soon?"
He could tell that she was obviously still angry at him for earlier. Though why she got mad at him for what Shampoo did, he had no idea. Still, it was best to tread cautiously, just in case she felt the need to hit him again. It wouldn't be the first time she sent him sailing through the air more than once in a day. It still surprised him that she could do it at all, even though she was still a lot weaker than him.
"A-Akane Ten-Tendo!" Gosuncugi's exclamation of complete adoration and awe broke through Ranma's thoughts, bringing him back to the present with an unpleasant thud.
He turned to see that the boy wore a look that matched his voice, as he stared at Akane as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world. Immediately, Ranma was annoyed. And he grew more so as Akane turned her gaze towards the voodoo boy and away from him, and her gaze grew less cold (of course, it was because she wasn't mad at Gosunkugi, but Ranma didn't seem to realize that).
"Oh. Gosunkugi. Hello."
"H-hello... A-Akane Tendo."
Ranma felt his fists clench and unclench almost sporadically as Akane smiled at the boy kindly. She shouldn't be doing that. It only encouraged Gosunkugi and his out of place feelings for her. Couldn't she see that? But no, she was smiling at him as if she was oblivious to the whole thing (which she was).
Ranma felt his aura flare, and he took a step closer to Gosunkugi. That guy didn't deserve to get a smile from Akane, the creep! Suddenly, a jolly and annoying voice broke through Ranma's thoughts, calling him.
"Ranma, my boy! What's the meaning of this?"
It was his pop, Genma Saotome. And from the look of things, he was drunk again. His face was a blotchy red and he was swaying on his feet. Whatever emotion Ranma had been feeling before turned to disgust at his father. If he had ever thought of drinking before in his life, or considered drinking later on in life, the image of his father like this would forever prevent him. The last thing he'd needed would be to be as unaware as his father was when he hit the bottle. A martial artist should always be aware of his surroundings and ready for battle. Not out of it like Genma obviously was.
"Your aura is mad, son. A martial artist should-should always be caaaalm and-hic- relaxed." he ended on a content sigh that told Ranma that he was way too relaxed as it was. Ranma grimaced as Genma leaned closer to him. He could smell the sake on his old man's breath.
"Otherwise, you'll end up hurting yourself." he added on a philosophical tone, wagging his index finger at Ranma.
Unable to stand his fathers drunken wisdom anymore, or Gosunkugi mooning over Akane, he pushed past Genma and stalked towards the dojo.
-A-
Akane watched Ranma walk away, no longer mad at him- too worried to be. His stride tense and steps quick. She had never seen him so... uptight before. Even when he was fighting, he always kept himself loose, and his steps light. But now he was strung tight enough that he looked like he could explode at any moment. What had brought about his abnormal behavior?
She watched him stride towards the dojo, wondering if she had been right after all. Well, if something was up she'd find out about it.
-R-
Sweat dripped down Ranmas nose as he went through another kanta. It was hours later, and he was still tense. The memory of his father and Gosunkugi was as fresh in his mind as it was when it had happened. He couldn't get rid of it. I haunted him, driving him on and on, unable to rest his mind. And Akane...
The memory of her smiling at the voodoo kid had his blood boiling. He clenched his teeth tightly together and his arm shot out with renewed force, renewed energy.
Pain shot through his arm, and Ranma winced at the sudden feeling. Slowly, he brought his arm back in towards his body, and held onto it with his free hand. The limb tingled with fading hurt, but Ranma knew that if he moved it too much, it'd hurt again. A sprain. He hadn't gotten a sprain in years. Since he was an unexperienced kid, still learning from his pop.
It was his own fault, he conceded glumly. Letting an unknown emotion drive him so tense that he hurt himself. He should've been smarter. Shouldn't of decided to try to work off his anger, which he couldn't even figure out why he had.
"Ranma?"
He turned towards the voice, and Akane, who was standing at the doorway.
"Akane."
Her eyes looked over him leaving a strange sensation tingling through him. Finally, her eyes landed on his arm.
"Are you okay?" she asked, though by her voice, she already had guessed as much. She shifted and he realized that she was holding the first aid kid.
"I thought that you might need this, after you stormed off like that earlier and didn't return." she explained, holding up the box slightly in a sort of shrug. She stepped into the dojo and up to him, eying his arm with concern.
"Are you hurt?"
Her soft voice, at odds with her earlier tone, relieved him. She wasn't angry with him anymore. For the first time in hours, his muscles began to relax. And Ranma became aware that more than his arm hurt. His leg muscles, arms muscles, and feet and hands hurt. And his neck too.
His other hand went up to rub the back of said neck trying to relieve the strain he had put it through. His eyes were on the floor, unsure what to say to her, when the first aid kit came into view. He looked up to see Akane with a wrap of bandages in her hands, unwrapping them as she spoke.
"Your arm please."
Ranma just stared at her, and Akane let out a frustrated breath.
"Give me your arm."
Her scowl as she stared up into his face made his stick out his arm before he had really thought about it. He could've wrapped it himself, and if he had thought about it he would've said no, but Akane's demand brooked no argument. And he didn't want to anger her again so soon.
The minute her hand touched his wrist to turn his arm, Ranma felt a tingle. He almost jerked his arm back, but stopped himself in time. She would take it the wrong way.
"What's wrong with you lately?" she asked, her head down on her task. "You haven't been yourself."
"I've fine." Ranma snorted, with his usual confidence in his voice. But he felt anything but. He wasn't feeling fine. But he also didn't know why. And he didn't want Akane to know that either.
She looked up at him, and Ranma saw the doubt in her eyes. He wanted to say something, something to make her trust him, trust in him, but he wouldn't be telling the truth.
"I'm fine."
-A-
Akane looked up into Ranma eyes, which has softened at his last sentence. She couldn't seem to look away from him. Why was he looking at her like that? She-
Her thoughts were cut short by movement. Ranma's face seemed closer than before. In fact, it was closer than before. And moving closer. In fact, it looked like he was about to...
-end chapter-
