Chapter Three
The next morning when Ranma woke up for training, it was still storming out. He peaked out the window and glanced over at Akane. She was peaking out the window as well. The two shared a worried look, each thinking about flooding. They shuffled downstairs. Ranma rolled the T.V out and they leaned in to watch about the weather report. An attractive news reporter smiled and explained the rain percentage. A severe flood warning was in affect for the part of Tokyo Ranma and Akane were in.
"Well, I guess no going out today," Akane murmered, "and no classes today. I'll go call students." Akane padded out of the room to fetch the phone, leaving Ranma alone with blabbering T.V. Occasionally the reception would short out. He rolled his eyes and flicked the T.V off while murmering something about it being a hunk of junk.
"What is Akane doing?" Drager asked, startling Ranma. Ranma staggered to his feet and turned to see Drager dressed for the day. He rubbed his eyes like a young child as if he was still tired, though it was well after eight.
"Calling the students who had classes today," Ranma replied cooly. He jammed his hands into his loose pockets and whistled a small tune, trying to ignore the awkward silence forming between them. "So, what were you going to do today, Dray?" Ranma clapped his hands together.
"Um," Drager cocked an eyebrow up at him, "I don't know. It's my first day of freedom. It looks like I can't leave the house though. The water is building up pretty high. I guess I'll look around here for something... mildly entertaining. What are you and Akane doing today?"
"Me and Akane?" Ranma asked.
"You two are married, aren't you?" Drager replied, crossing his arms over his chest, "Unless..."
"No, no." Ranma held his hand up, "Sure we're married, but we don't do everything together, Drager. We'll eat together, occasionally train together, go places together, but other than that... really nothing else."
"Wow," Drager whistled, "So I'm assuming a sexless marriage?"
Ranma's face turned a deep scarlet, his mouth opening slightly. He stuttered for a moment, trying to force words out while Drager surpressed some laughs, "That's none of your business!" Ranma shot back, his face the color of his traditional Chinese top.
"Defensive," Drager laughed, "I guess I'm right! I never knew taking those Human Behaviors classes would pay off!" Drager held his side and laughed heartily, "My baby brother! Unable to score with his wife!"
"What?" Akane stood in the doorway beside Drager now, her eyes wide. She looked between a guffawing Drager and a stuttering red-idiot Ranma. "What are you telling him about our marriage?" Akane marched up to Ranma, her eyes having a pleading look in them, "Can you just have one normal conversation, Ranma?"
"You're assuming," Ranma crossed his arms, his face draining of the red. "You came in on the wrong time, 'Kane!" Akane furrowed her brow and looked over at Drager. Her gaze made him squirm and Drager instantly looked guilty.
"Now, what were you saying about our marriage?" Akane asked Drager. Drager looked at his feet like a guilt-consumed child. Akane put on a mischevious grin, confusing Ranma. "Sexless marriage, eh?" Drager looked up at Akane, nodding ever so slightly. "You think we're only married because it's set up right?" Another nod from Drager. "You're right." Ranma felt his heart thud to a stop in his chest.
What? Did Akane really just say she had no real passion for him? He always thought there was chemistry between them. Drager looked equally shocked as the two boys stared at Akane who had her hands planted firmly on her hips.
"We are," Akane continued, "but trust me, Drager. There's a lot of passion." Ranma knew that was a lie. There certainly wasn't a lot of passion. It was masked under Ranma's hard training. Akane would of loved for more passion to be in their marriage, but she wasn't about to ask for more. Ranma was too busy in his thoughts he didn't know what was going on when Akane firmly grasped his jaw and jerked his head to the side. He took in a small gasp before his lips crushed against Akane's.
The kiss was different. Full of urgency and... tension? Ranma's eyes slid shut, under the spell of love. His hand came up and gently cupped Akane's cheek. Her hand released the tight grip on his strong jawline and slid down to rest on his collar bone. Ranma would never admit this, but when he felt Akane's lips against his, he never wanted it to end. He wasn't much of a romance guy- if there wasn any romance in him at all- but he knew he was nothing short of in love with Akane. Ranma sometimes wished he wasn't such an inconsiderate jerk, but his mouth moved faster than his mind. As he got older, it grew better. With their lips still together, Ranma's mind was able to travel a little further. He remembered the first time he kissed Akane. It was six years ago right before the court trial against Drager for assualt and kidnapping. That's when Ranma knew his old man wasn't being thick-skulled. He had to give his dad props for this one. Akane was definetly the right gal for him. Ranma wished he had more of a way with words, but often when he tried to speak his mind, especially about his feelings for Akane, he would grow awkward or he would jumble the words up or even end up saying something completely opposite to her and piss Akane off.
Suddenly, her lips parted from his. Her brown eyes stared into his. They both stood there like idiots, gazing into his each others eyes. They weren't even smiling at each other. Ranma realized his hand was still pressed against Akane's cheek. He pulled his hand roughly away from cheek. Her eyes flickered for a moment. Disappointment?
Probably, you dope. Ranma's mind said, She's your effin' wife for pete's sake! She loves to feel your touch. Ranma shook his head at this. Even though he was Akane's husband, she wasn't much for getting touched. The sound of clapping snapped Akane and Ranma back to reality. They looked over at Drager who was indeed intrigued by the exhilerating kiss.
"So, there is passion." Drager mused.
"Yes," They both replied at the same time.
I think, Ranma wanted to add, but remained silent.
...
"Ranma?" Ranma looked away from staring out the window. He was in the sitting room- it was becoming one of his favorite hot spots in the house. Ranma was leaned against the window sill watching the water pelt the outside world. Akane had fallen back against the door, flicking the lock over. "Can we talk?"
"Sure," Ranma said, his heart thudding in his chest. "What's up?" He acted innocent, pretending not to know what this was really about. Akane crossed to him and gazed out the window. Ranma looked out the window with her. The rain seemed to be the most interesting thing to Akane.
"It's about earlier." Akane said after a moment. She leaned forward on the window sill, her hand a few spaces away from Ranma's, "That... that kiss..." She murmered, "I wanted to apologize for putting you on the spot."
But I loved it. Ranma's mind peiced together. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Just say it. You loved it. 'I really loved it though, Akane.' Still nothing. She was waiting expectantly for an answer. Most likely something inconsiderate, but Ranma desperately wanted to surprise her. I loved it, dammit!
"I guess you're mad," Akane's face fell.
"Akane," Ranma began, but he realized he sounded agitated. Akane grew a little more hurt. She nodded and looked down, feeling dumb. She began padding across the room for the door, her hands clenched into fists.
"I'm sorry," She mumbled, which was un-Akane-like. Since when did Akane apologize? Ranma bit his lip and watched as she left. Her back to him, her long hair trailing after her.
"Akane," Ranma started again and bounded across the room after her. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to him. I loved it! "I'm sorry." He said, quickly. She looked stunned for a moment. She pressed her hands into his chest gently, his arms were closed around her waist. It was a comfortable position- for Ranma however. "Akane..." He stammered, becoming slightly flustered.
"Yes, Ranma?" Akane asked, some hope in her voice.
"I..." His voice cracked slightly, making him turn a little red. "I wanted to let you know... that..." Ranma could just keel over. When had he become so... bleh? Akane nodded, egging him on silently. "You shouldn't let Drager get to you like that," Ranma said too fast for him to catch himself.
"Oh, right." Akane said, her voice flat. "I'll remember that." She began to move out of his embrace, but he suddenly tightened his arms around her, bringing her closer. "Huh?" Akane stared deep into Ranma's eyes.
"That's not what I meant," Ranma mumbled, his eyes darting away from Akane's. He released her abruptly and turned away, pressing his palm to his forehead, "Dammit. When did I get so awkward, Akane?"
"As far as I remember, you've always been awkward," Akane pointed out, crossing her arms. "What's on your mind, Ranma? Just say it." He drew out a breath and turned back to Akane.
Please kiss me like that everyday. Please love me like that for the rest of our lives. Please let me hold you forever. Ranma wanted to say. He clenched his hands and desperately tried to say the words, but somehow they weren't forming. This is my freaking wife! Why am I so hesitent as to be romantic with her? Ranma wanted to take his brain of his head and smash it with a mallet. (Seemed reasonable. Akane was always able to make a mallet appear out of nowhere when they were younger.) "Look, when you kissed me..." She uncrossed her arms, nodding, awaiting the rest of the sentence. A sentence that should of been easy to say. "I... I..." Ranma let out an aggrivated sigh, "Dammit, this shouldn't be so hard. I'm going to say this really fast, so listen up, alright?" Akane nodded hesistently. "Right... so here I... go," Ranma said slowly, stalling slightly. "I loved that kiss. I want more of that."
A silence came over the room. Each ticking second felt like someone had tied Ranma to a spinning board and decided to throw daggers at him. Ranma could see a guffawing Ryoga and Kuno high fiving each other and clanking their mugs of beer together like Irish men. Ranma shook away the unrelated thought and now stared at Akane who was soaking it in.
"Really, Ranma?" Akane asked. He nodded, waiting for Akane to double over in laughter. He'd watch her crumple to the ground, wheezing and rolling around. But instead, she began beaming. Her grin grew from ear to ear. "Oh, Ranma!" She raced forward and jumped into him, throwing her arms around his neck. Ranma was stunned at first as he staggered backwards. He gently rubbed Akane's back. "It's so wonderful to hear that," He felt her breath against his ears, sending shivers down his spin. He couldn't remember the last time they had such an intimate moment together.
"Akane," He murmered her name into her hair. He tightened his grip around her, loving everything about this moment. Akane pressed her face into his shoulder, feeling so relaxed and safe in his arms. She would of loved for the moment to go on longer, but one moment there was a loud clap of thunder, and then the next there was a black out.
...
"This is all I could make in the dark," Drager said, setting a small wassabi dish with sushi on it on the table. Akane and Ranma looked at it through the flickering off the candles. Akane fingered the button on the one flashlight they owned in the entire house.
"I'm not hungry," Akana said, alluminating the dark hallway. Drager looked questioningly at Ranma while Akane faced the hallway, listening to the rain and thunder. Ranma sighed as quietly as possible.
"She's not a fan of the dark," Ranma whispered as quietly as possible, "I blame it on her obsession for horror movies." He shrugged and popped a peice of sushi into his mouth, chomping away on it, "The lights'll come on soon, 'Kane," He called behind his mouthful, "Let's just take this time to kick back in the dark."
"I'd like to kick back in the dark knowing lights are an option," Akane shined the bright flashlight into Ranma's eyes, making him squint. She flipped it off and pulled a candle close to her. Ranma ate some more sushi.
"This sushi has some sort of kick to it, Drager..." Ranma mumbled as he ate, "Almost like... pickles. Are there pickles in this?" Drager shook his head, "Pickle juice?" He earned another shake, "Anything to do with pickles?"
"No," Drager replied, a grin cracking on his lips, "You must be tasting the sleeping weed. I was hoping it actually did taste like pickles." Ranma and Akane stared at Drager like he was crazy. A thud was audible as Ranma passed out from his second sushi peice. His head slammed into the top of the table, leaving a stunned Akane.
"Drager! Why'd you do that?" Akane asked, rushing to Ranma's side. She gently shook him but his head simply lolled to the side. "Ranma? Ranma!" Akane snapped her fingers infront of his eyes, "Ranma!"
"I wanted to... talk about some things, my dear heart." Akane cocked an eyebrow up at the pet name. He gestured across the table for her. Hesitently Akane left Ranma's side and seated herself on the cushion. "I just have a few things I'd like to chat with you about. Untense yourself, Akane." She took a deep breath.
"Okay... what is it, Drager?" Akane's fingernails dug into her palm as she sat across from Drager, her nerves becoming raw by the moment. She glanced over at Ranma. She was sure that no matter how loud she screamed Ranma wouldn't be able to fight out of his drug-induced sleep.
"I have a few requests for the time being," Drager said, formally clasping his hands together on the table. "Since I will be here for seven months..." He laughed lightly and flicked his hair over his shoulders, "Like one... for instance. Can we please cut your hair, Akane?" She eyed him oddly, "I know. A random request, but I loved it short." He pulled a knife out from his kimono, making Akane tense, "Here. Use this."
"To just... saw through my hair?" Akane cocked an eyebrow up, accepting the knife into her hands. Drager nodded. Akane thought for a moment. She did enjoy having short hair. Maybe Drager was right. A clap of thunder went off. Akane looked up at Drager, the side of his face illuminated by the flickering candles. "Um... alright..." Akane grasped her hair in a ponytail and with shakey hands brought the knife to her thick black hair, "Here I go..."
...
Ranma's eyes slowly peaked open. They then shot open and he bolted upright. The lights were back on, the candles gone. The pounding of rain could still be heard on the roof. He rubbed his eyes groggily and looked around him. No sign of Akane or Drager which made his blood turn to slush.
Ranma jumped to his feet and stealthily crept around the silent house, wondering where Akane and Drager were. He peaked into the kitchen. The dishes were washed and dried even though it was Ranma's turn. The hallway was deserted. A fire was cackling in the fireplace in the sitting room. All the rooms upstairs were empty. He collasped on the bed in his room.
"Where are they?" He mumbled, seriously getting worried for Akane. That sleeping weed knocked him out, so if she screamed he'd doubt he'd heard it. Suddenly, Ranma was hearing faint voices. He shot up and looked all around him. "Akane?" Ranma called out. The voices continued. They didn't sound like they were in the house. Ranma dashed to the window and peaked out to see Drager and Akane outside in the pounding rain, "What the hell are they doing?"
"DRAGER!" Akane called through the sheets of rain, "I don't think this type of martial arts is real!" Drager waved his hand through the air, his face hidden under his jacket.
"YOU'RE ONLY SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CATCH ONTO IT!" Drager assumed a fighting stance again, the water pooling around their ankles, "NOW! START!" Akane let out a frustrated growl, determined to conquer the new type of martial arts Drager brought to her attention.
Water Martial Arts. Drager claimed he learned it in the asylum during the physical education classes. Akane assumed her fighting stance and raced forward. She tried to leap, but the mud was thick and kept her feet grounded. She staggered, almost losing her rain boot. Drager caught her before she fell into the water. She was about to thank him, when he grabbed her arm and threw her backwards. Akane stumbled backwards, windmilling her arms. Drager began stampeding for Akane. Her brow knitted together and she parted her legs, wading through the murky rain water.
"ARGH!" She screamed as her fist collided with Drager's stomach. He was launched backwards, where he fell on his back. The water splashed up all around Drager as he floated on the water. Akane let out a sigh of relief, happy to of finally gotten a hit. Drager sat up, his hood falling backwards. His long black hair was stuck to his face and clumps of mud had gathered in his hair. Akane pulled her hood further over her face and waded through the water, "Good job," She held her hand out to help him. He grabbed it, but then gave a good yank. She let out a gasp as she fell face first into the water. Akane brought her face out of the murky water, mud clumped on her cheeks and stuck in her eyelashes, "Unfair conduct!" She claimed.
"HEY!" Akane and Drager, mud covered, turned to see a female Ranma standing there, no rain jacket on. He had his hands on his female curved hips, his red hair sticking to his face, "WHADDYA THINK YOU'RE DOING? YOU'RE GONNA GET SICK!" He was mainly talking to Akane, not caring what happened to Drager. Akane climbed to her feet, her rain jacket and clothes underneath muddy and wet. She stalked back towards the house, roughly scratching the mud from her face off. "What were you two doing?" Ranma asked as Drager pulled his hood back on.
"Water Martial Arts," Drager replied calmly. Ranma shrugged, deciding to ask later. Both the men followed Akane inside. Everyone kicked off their muddy shoes. Drager removed his raincoat, hanging it on the nearby coat rack. Akane then removed her hood and jacket, unzipping it and hanging it up as well. Ranma's eyes nearly bugged out of his face.
"A... Akane!" He choked, "Your hair!" It was in the same style from when she was sixteen. It looked like a proffesional cut it. She gently touched it, and withdrew a clump of mud from it.
"Does it not look good?" She asked, fingering through it. Ranma was about to reply, his face gathering some red. Drager leaned in to his little brother.
"She's soaking wet and all you notice is her hair?" Ranma's eyesbrows knitted together, but that was before his eyes landed on Akane's body. Her white turtle neck clung to her body, her skirt wrinkled and unevenly brought up, exposing more of her left thigh than what Akane was ever comfortable showing.
"Oh," Ranma choked. He looked away for a moment, but his boy-ish personality had the best of him and he looked back at Akane. The turtleneck was showing through to her bra. Had her chest gotten bigger? Akane hugged herself and turned for the staircase, trudging to go take a warm shower and change out of the chaffing clothes. Drager laughed and began for the kitchen. "Akane," Ranma touched her arm gently. She turned to him, a questioning look on her face. Ranma could of laughed at the smeared mud on her face, but he only stared into her shimmering eyes. Ranma's hand slowly came up and touched the dried mud on her cheek. "You look beautiful with your short hair." The words even shocked himself. How he managed to say them without stuttering like an idiot first was beyond him.
"Do you really mean it, Ranma?" Akane asked with a hopeful look. He nodded, "That's sweet of you. I'm glad you like it." Akane gently brushed her hand through her dark hair and smiled sweetly, "I'm going to go take a shower and change out of these awful clothes." She giggled and turned back for the stairs. Ranma caught her wrist and spun her around and into his arms.
"That's okay for the time being," He teased before his lips landed on her's.
...
That night as Ranma changed into his pajama's, the rain still pounding outside, his mind wondered. He was so romantic with Akane earlier. He slowly began buttoning his top up. He just figured it was a one-time rush and he'd never be that smooth again. He sighed audibly and staggered into his pajama pants.
"RANMA! COME QUICKY!" It was Akane's squeal. Ranma almost face-planted as he skidded out of the dressing room and went staggering down the hallway. He appeared in the doorway to his and Akane's room. She was standing there, pointing at someone silouetted on the window sill. "It's Happosai!" Ranma crossed and stood beside Akane with his arms crossed.
"Finally came back, eh, perv?" Happosai scoffed at the insult.
"Nice to see you, too, Ranma."
"Whaddya want?" Ranma put his hands on his hips and leaned forward, "Akane's panties?" Happosai shook his head, "Her bra's?" Another shake of the head, "Her pantie-hose... though I don't think she has any..." Happosai shook his head again, "Well? What do you want, You Old Fart?"
"I wanted to give Akane this," Happosai held out a scroll, "It's a lawyers business card." Akane accepted the card into her hand and stared intently at it. "You'll need it for the bad news you've dragged in."
"What's the meaning of this?" Akane asked, raising an eyebrow, "Who's Attorney Takahashi?" Happosai waved his hand at her to stop the questions. Akane looked at Ranma, agitated.
"Just keep it in mind." Happosai murmered and turned to leave. Ranma and Akane looked wearily at each other. Something was not right.
