Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

Ordinary Days
by pahlee

Chapter 3: Feelings

Nabiki rubbed her arms as she clutched her jacket around her a little bit tighter as she walked the streets with her friends. They chatted aimlessly about the newest magazine articles that speculated the best new bands and new fashion atrocities that other people wore for this season.

"Hey, isn't that your little sister," one of her friends started, "Akane?"

Nabiki turned her eyes over to where her friend was pointing and sure enough, "Hell, that is!"

They scurried over to the windows of the restaurant Project! and peered in, watching Akane and her company. "That's not Ranma!" one of her friends gasped, "Who is that, Nabiki?"

She scrunched her eyes, her nose contorting in an upward position as she realized – she did not know. How did she, Nabiki Tendo, not know who this man accompanying her little sister is! It irked her somewhat to see that her friend was right, that it was not Ranma at all – but some stranger!

"What is she…" Nabiki muttered as she pulled out her camera and snapped photos of the couple. She weighed her options, she could sell this information to Ranma, fat chance, he wouldn't have enough money to purchase it, or confront Akane, black-mailing her with this. Her trademark sneer made its way to her face, but suddenly disappeared as she saw her sister laugh, a true laugh.

She stood up, taken back by what she just saw and thought to herself, "Akane looks so happy…she's really enjoying herself," the camera with the undeveloped film sat in her hands as her friends were murmuring amongst each other.

"Come on," Nabiki's voice called out, "I'll let her be today, we still have to finish the business we came out here for," she lied, she just wanted to let her sister have this moment, after all Ranma would never do something like this for her.

Inside the restaurant, Akane flustered pink at every compliment that Hiro seemed to flash at her. She thanked him over a thousand times and told him it was unnecessary. Yet, he brushed it aside and let some slip here and there.

Their entrees were Akane's highlight of the night; she never ate such an amazing tasting salmon in her whole life! She rejoiced in the flavor and Hiro laughed at her antics.

"You are so cute, you know that?" he said as he dabbed some rice off her cheek with a napkin, over the table, "You never told me, what you're doing out so late, by yourself."

Akane blushed, she turned her head away for a moment and regained her composure, she smiled at him, "I just wanted a change," she nodded. He smiled as he looked into her eyes and felt such strong compassion behind them.

Their meal was concluded after an hour of them just talking, about any general topic two strangers could tread upon. She found out that Hiro has a younger sister, her name is Aoi he said proudly, and that he himself is 19 years old and is attending college. His favorite color is green, and so were his eyes. She knew that he preferred cherries over strawberries, and that he never once went a school dance.

Akane smiled at Hiro, thinking that anything that happened today was just a dream, and that this was too. It was chilly when they left, Hiro had taken off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. They looked at each other, staring into one another's eyes for the longest time.

To recall a memory such as that, Akane could name maybe three. Each time ending in something disappointing and heart wrenching she never brought it back up. Hiro gave a sweet smile as he leaned downwards and left a small kiss on her cheek, "I apologize if I was too forward," he whispered in her ear.

Shivers ran through her spine, her breath quickening and her heart racing as she watched him pull back and gaze at her intently.

"I-it's fine," she said blushing as she tugged on the jacket, "But, it's getting so late – I have to go home now."

He stepped back and smiled down at her, "I understand, let me walk you home."

(...)

They stood at the gate, standing side-by-side when they exchanged good-byes. Akane lifted the jacket off her shoulders and proceeded to hand it back, but Hiro reached out and gently pushed it back in her arms, "Keep it, to remember me by," he said.

She blushed as she nodded, gave her last good-bye and watched the boy leave. He gave one glance over his shoulder and sent her a good-bye smile.

Her heart steadied as she opened the gate and entered silently. Leaving her shoes at the door, she tip-toed her way upstairs. At the top, she noticed the light under the guest room still flickering. "Is Ranma still awake?" she was astonished, "It's so late…"

But, she shook her head reluctantly and went to her room. She changed into her pajamas and got into her bed, as soon as her head touched the pillow she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Ranma had heard the door open, he peered his head out his window to see Akane closing the gate behind her.

It's practically midnight, where the hell did she go?

He narrowed his eyes at her, and then his heart dropped as he saw an unfamiliar jacket clutched to her chest – a man's jacket.

Ranma pulled his head back into the room, shutting the window silently as he sat on his futon listening to the soft patter of footsteps come up the staircase, stop, then resume with a soft closing sound of a door.

He let out a sigh.

(...)

The next morning was a Saturday, so when Akane woke up to get ready for her morning jog, she was in no rush. Turning her body to get out of bed, her eyes caught a glimpse of the jacket she brought in last night, her mouth curled into an o and she muttered, "I thought that was a dream…"

Standing up, she picked up the jacket and stared at it with her arms stretched out in front of her. "He said his name was Hiro, right?" she thought as she turned it over in her hands, "…I shouldn't keep this. I-I'll donate it to the shelter," she put it back down on her bed and shook her head. "I can't keep a token like that…it's just too much."

After a moment of debating what to do with the jacket, she put on her jogging clothes and started her morning. Outside, she huffed silently as the steady rise and fall of her chest fell in the pattern of her jog. Intently focused on the path ahead of her, she failed to notice someone following her.

He watched her with narrowed eyes, following her path but in another part of his mind, his heart began to beat faster and a red hue covered his cheeks. Torn between the two emotions, Ranma kept his pace with his fiancee, only a few steps behind her at a time. "What am I doing?" he screamed to himself, "Why am I getting all bothered right now? I mean, she's not even wearin' that jacket…" He took note of what she wore: a light tank top and shorts, her norm.

It is entirely too bad that Ranma is also a hormonally driven teenager in love, but seeing someone he intended to one day marry clad in such little clothing allowed his brain to formulate perverted thoughts, causing his red faced demeanor as he followed her.

After her route, Akane stopped and caught her breath outside of the gate of her home. A quick snap caught her attention as she turned briskly around and called out, "Who's there?" With no answer, she dropped her façade and let out a sigh of relief. She groaned as she clasped her forehead, feeling a headache coming on, "Just great," she muttered as she walked inside.

Ranma's breathing was uneven as he fought to crouch where he was. She had almost caught him! He was too busy thinking such lewd thoughts he was caught unaware of the loose gravel beneath him that flung against the wall beside him and created a small noise. He peered over the corner and saw her retreat inside with a hand to her head, his eyes narrowed again as he caught his even breathing and followed behind her.

Standing at the gate, he thought what he could do to possibly make it up to her for his actions yesterday. He stared down at his hand and shuddered as he recalled the impact of his hit, then her eyes that spoke of fear, of him. His other hand clenched tightly, he headed back inside thinking of way to make it up to her. Somehow…

Akane had already finished her bath and changed into some casual clothes: nothing extravagant, just another oversized shirt and shorts that came right at her knees and a tank-top underneath the shirt. She sat in the family room, flicking through the channels with the remote and finally settled on a children's anime when Ranma came inside. She glanced up and for a moment their eyes met, but she quickly moved away and turned her attention back to the television set.

Ranma's heart sank at the action, it was only for a moment until she turned away – he felt the guilt rise up in him and he began to stutter his words, "G-good morning."

Without looking Akane replied, with indifference, "Morning."

He stood under the arch of the door frame as he watched her profile, his knees felt weak, unable to support his weight (and the guilt) that resided in him. "Uh," he began but was interrupted with, "I didn't make any breakfast, and Nabiki isn't home yet…so you'll have to get your own."

In disbelief, he stared at her, she was being so calm but in a manner that ran shivers up his spine, and not the good kind either. Instead of saying anything else, he just gave curt nod and left. Akane sighed as she heard him walk away, and she put her hand to her cheek and mumbled, "I forgive you, stupid."

(...)

Why he was in the kitchen seemed to astonish him, his stomach overruled his rational thoughts and brought him here instead of with her, apologizing, begging to be forgiven, to ask for another chance.

Or make another promise I might break?

He stopped in his tracks as that thought flitted across his mind. "No…" he silently whispered. It was a mistake and he knew it – an accident, even until now he did not know what overcame him to strike her. It was not even a big deal! Nothing compared to any other obstacle that came in their way – but, but…

His mind wandered to the scene he stumbled across last night, her walking home late with some man's jacket clutched so fondly to her chest.

Ranma's brows furrowed into a hardened v as he winced at the thought, "Dammit," he muttered as he walked to the cabinet and pulled out a box of cereal, "At this rate…"

I'm going to lose her.

(...)

Her interest fading from the television, she got up and brushed away the hair that was in her eyes, for a moment she stood silently listening to Ranma move around in the kitchen. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she decided to go for a walk – to clear her mind, and possibly pick up some sort of breakfast from a vendor along the way. Heaven knows how much she likes sweets, but…had toned down drastically since Ranma came along and called her such crude names.

She missed the sweet sugar donuts Kasumi prepared at breakfast, the preserved jams jammed inside. Yet, she restrained herself and ate the fish and rice instead. Since then, Kasumi had not make the dish seeing it being untouched by Akane, whom she knew it was her favorite dish. So, as she slipped on her shoe and checked her change pocket, Akane called out, "I'm going out Ranma! I'll be back later!"

Without waiting for a response, she opened the door and left the compounds of the house. Ranma stuck his head out of the kitchen doorway as he saw the door swing shut and then the retreating sounds of her footsteps on the pavement followed by silence. He let out a little groan as he went back inside and prepared instant ramen for his breakfast.

Out in the streets, Akane smiled at children and waved friendly hellos. Their bright and sunny faces just made her smile even more. Despite her attire, a few boys stopped and asked for her number, which she ever so politely declined and lied about having no phone. Then, her stride stopped as she stopped at the familiar vendor she used to frequent and a smile lit up her face as the proprietor recognized her, "Ah! Akane-san! Haven't seen you in a while! The regular, I assume?"

Giving her best smile she said to the old man, "Yes Mr. Po! Thank-you so much!"

His old hands pulled out a soft dough, with red filling spilling out from the sides, "Since you are my favorite customer, this one is free," he said with his toothy grin. Akane's face lit up as she took it from him, "Ahh! Thanks so much!" He gave a small nod and watched with a smile as she walked away eating his dish.

"She grew up so beautiful, it's so sad that I hardly see her anymore, she looks so much like her mother," he thought to himself before being interrupted by another customer.

As she bit into the donut, her mouth exploded with flavor as she gushed in the deliciousness that ensued from her taste buds, tears of happiness started to form in the edges of her eyes as she thought, "So good!" Frankly, it has been almost a year since she actually had one of those, her stomach lit up with joy as she finished off the donut and licked the remains off her fingers.

Patting her tummy she let out a happy, "Yum!"

The people walking beside her let out a smile as she was so happy doing whatever she was. Such a cute girl with such a smile, who would not return such a simple gesture? Her heart warmed as she continued her walk around town, it was much different from the night scene. The familiar stores she knew were open, bustling business men who worked on Saturdays scurried past and other students, much like her, were just taking in the pleasure of shopping.

Looking into a store window, she saw the beautifully arranged display and then something in her mind told her to look up. So, she did. She felt herself tense up as the person behind the window returned a smile, it was Hiro. He waved to her, indicating to come in. For a moment, she hesitated by shook her head, "What the hell is wrong with me? He's just a friend! Come on Akane!" She returned a smile as she entered the store.

A little bell above the door rang as the door opened, Hiro greeted her, "Why, hello there Akane, nice seeing you again, after last night I was sure I wouldn't meet you again," a twinkle in his eye gleamed, "But I'm not against this what-so-ever." A small smile appeared on her face as she replied, "I thought the same, but it is nice to see a familiar face again."

She had managed to inch her way towards the counter where he had leaned over to talk to her, "What brings you out in the day?"

"Nothing in particular," Akane replied, "Just seeing some sights, is all."

"All alone, again?"

"Uhrm," she thought about her response, "Yeah, I guess."

He smiled at her, "Why?"

She shrugged as she her mind raced back to Ranma, and how he would tell her that what she was doing was stupid and a waste of time, or better yet: how he would not dare be seen in public with her doing something like that.

"Like I said last night, something different," she shrugged.

His eyes stared into hers, she fidgeted for a moment feeling uncomfortable but soon got over it as she eased into his gaze, "You didn't tell me you worked here?"

He let out a small laugh, "It never came up in conversation," he waved his arm across the counter, "Actually, my folks own this shop. I just help out on the weekends." As he finished his statement, a girl's voice carried from the back, "Brother! Quit flirting with the customers and get the inventory done!"

A tall girl emerged from behind the opened door, her hair bounced with the curls with each step. Hiro let out a sigh and a half smile as he waved his hand over, "Akane, this is my sister Nagato Aoi." The girl he indicated to glared at her brother for a moment then casted her gaze over to Akane, a smile appeared as she began to spill out the words, "Ohh! She's so pretty, brother!"

Akane blushed as she uttered a thank-you, which was ignored as Aoi eyed her up-and-down, "So beautiful! Akane-san you really are one gorgeous lady!" She gleamed up at Akane. Taken back by her statement Akane stared at her in surprise, "Oh, no no," she waved her hands in front of her, "I'm just a plain jane."

"Pft," Aoi scoffed as she folded her arms in front of her, "Suuure, if plain jane looked like you I'd hate to see the beaut."

Hiro laughed as he tried to usher his sister back to the back room, "Go on Aoi, I'll help in just a moment, let me say good-bye."

She turned her head over her shoulder to call out, "Why say good-bye, when it's hello? Akane-san! Date my brother!"

Akane giggled as Hiro shut the door quite hard and stuttered, "Ahem," he coughed into his hand, "Sorry about that, my sister can be…overwhelming at times. She has this fantasy," he waved his arms out in front of him, "That I'd marry a princess one day or something."

At that, Akane could not help but smile. Everything that was happening to her at this point just seemed just that – a fairy tale, some sort of fantasy, since she met Hiro. Hell, it closely resembled the English word Hero. A smile made her way to her face, "It's cute," she let out a little giggle, "When I was a kid I dreamt of being the best martial artist…not as girly, but it's a dream."

Hiro seemed to sympathize with the girl as he leaned over the counter once more, "You know, you still can be."

Looking up, she stared into his eyes and let out a genuine smile, true happiness swam through her veins at that moment when he encouraged her. More so, she saw more hope than ever in the person in front of her. "Y-you think so?" she managed to whisper. He stood up and winked as he went towards the door, "I honestly believe it so," he opened the door to an Aoi pressing an ear at the door to listen in, "I'll see you around, Akane-san."

With a nod, she turned and left the store. Her heart felt so free, so light, more so in years. Not noticing that she had begun to put a little skip in her walk, she decided it was time to head home.

(...)

Ranma stared at the clock, it had been four hours since Akane left the house. Nabiki had returned two hours ago, she had hurriedly went to her room without so much as a hello. He did not question it, no doubt whatever it was, it was some sort black mail or something. The ticking of the clock started to annoy him, even over the light banter that went with the show he was watching. He had absent-mindedly started to drum his fingers on his knees as he listened to the ticking of the clock and the dialog exerted from the television simultaneously.

Just then the door opened and a familiar voice rang out, "I'm home!"

Ranma got to his feet, stupidly he did not know what he was going to do or say when he reached the door.

Maybe I should just grab her by the shoulders and kiss her. Pft, what am I thinking?

He stopped when he got there, she had just finished taking off her shoes when he noticed something about her. She seemed happy – contented. She lifted her head up and gave a small smile as her eyes closed shut, "Hmm, hello Ranma."

A barrier of saliva built up in his throat, causing him to croak a little when he started to say something, but nothing came out. She stared at him funny for a moment, but then she just let out a sigh, "Uhm, I'm going up to my room now, okay?" following up with a nod, she left Ranma at the front of the house as her footsteps clambered up the staircase and a light thud signifying a closed door caused Ranma to react.

He groaned as he put his hand to his forehead, "God, what is with her! Why does she have so much control over me? Dammit!"

It's because you love her so much, and you're willing to let her take over. Stupid.

Another groan escaped his lips as he turned around and walked upstairs, he was determined to set something straight. What that something was, he did not know. All he knew was he could not take this nice Akane thing she had worked up. It kept tearing him apart.

Why does he have to feel this way?

Does she feel the same?


A/N: Well, here it is! Chapter 3! More filler chapter action actually, real action starts in the next one really. I'm just laying out the preface of the coming dialog between Ranma and Akane. Hrmmm! With my editor, it said this was 8 pages long (roughly 3,600+ words). Thank you for reading!