Yeah, first fanfic. Be gruesome, I mean gentle. speech (thoughts)
*sound effects*
panda signs
{other languages}
-chan and kun used to indicate what sex the person is at the time.
Two halves make one?
or Awfully quite today aren t you Betty-chan?
Doctor Tofu looked up as he entered the waiting room. It was mostly empty, but three people were waiting on him. He recognized them immediately.
Good day Mr. Otomo. And to your wife as well. I see little Uchikiro has a cold again. Mr. Otomo put aside his magazine and stood. Good day to you Dr. Tofu. Yes, I think so. Could you look at him? Yes, of course, if you ll just follow me, Tofu replied. He held the door aside as The Otomos walked into his office.
Tofu was helping them out the door when he saw Ranma, Akane-kun and Nabiki walk up. At least Ranma and Akane walked up; Nabiki was being carried between them. And she didn t look too healthy.
Oh, my! said Dr, Tofu, What happened? Nabiki looked bad, her hair was disheveled, she had two black eyes and a scrape across her forehead, and her arms and legs seemed to have been twisted into creative shapes.
Nabiki was the first to respond. Oww, she said in a very low tone of voice. This hurt more than anything she had ever felt before.
Ranma looked ashamed, Akane more so. Akane felt bad for what had happened, and although she still felt that Nabiki had went to far, she had strong feelings of guilt. Ranma nodded at Akane to go ahead.
Well, ya see, she um, gotintoafightandIdin tdoanythingtosaveherandI mreally reallysorryNabiki. Akane stopped and breathed heavily. Wow, I feel better now! Tofu blinked. What? Ranma shook his head. Nabiki got beat up by most of Furinken. Akane here feels bad that she didn t go help her, he explained.
Nabiki s head dropped forward. Tofu took that as an affirmative. Yeah..., these injuries are consistent with large scale mob attacks, Tofu said. He motioned them to his office. Bring her in here. Ranma and Akane carried her in and sat her on the examining table. Nabiki winced every time they shifted her. Tofu started examining her. He looked her over, the grabbed an arm and twisted.
OOWW! Nabiki screamed. Oww, oww, oww, she continued, shaking slightly as Tofu moved on to the next appendage and repeated the process. Ranma turned green and looked away, but Akane continued to watch until Tofu was through. His hands were clenched so tightly that the knuckles turned white, and he bit his lip.
Finally Dr. Tofu turned away and began preparing bandages, his face set in a grim line.
Nabiki s face showed nothing but relief as he applied bandages. She turned and looked at Akane. Why? she asked.
Finally Akane turned away. She shrugged her shoulders and stared with particular interest at the floor. I, well, thought you could handle them by yourself? Nabiki snorted, but said nothing more. Tofu soon finished.
Thanks Dr. Tofu. I feel much better, Nabiki said.
Ranma looked back around. We done? he asked.
Yes, but Nabiki, I would recommend taking it easy for the time being. No more fights for a few days, okay? You wouldn t want to end your career. Yes, Doctor. *SLAM* They all jerked up and watched as Kasumi burst into the room.
Oh, Nabiki! I told you to be careful or you were going to get hurt in one of those fights you are always getting in! Hello Dr. Tofu! Nice day isn t it? And hello to you Betty-chan! Awfully quite today aren t you? I see you have finished with my sister now so we ll just get you back home and tucked into bed all cozy and warm and it ll all be okay, Kasumi babbled.
Nabiki watched in mounting horror as Kasumi started gathering her up, wadding her into a ball to make carrying easier. Tofu watched in bemusement as Kasumi ran around the room, picking up odd items and dropping them and gathering an enormous pile of bandages to pile on top of Nabiki. Ranma and Akane watched in astonishment as Kasumi babbled something else at a speed and frequency that rendered it inaudible to human ears and raced out the door. They barely had time to register the broom that seemed to be following her of its own accord. At least that s what they guessed, they couldn t imagine how she could be carrying it too. Then they noticed the furrows in the examining table and doorframe left by Nabiki s fingernails.
Dr. Tofu shook his head and smiled. Nabiki sure is lucky to have such a caring older sister. Kasumi always seems to be busy, yet she still manages to find time to tend to her."
Ranma and Akane looked at each other, then back at the doctor. Uh, yeah, Ranma said. Akane asked, Could I get some hot water? After changing back, Dr. Tofu laid a hand on her shoulder. Akane, Nabiki is going to need some help for a while. When word gets out that she can t fight, she will have several people after her. Do try to watch out for her. Akane nodded, and she and Ranma stepped out into the fading evening light. They both started walking home along a strangely clean and litter free path.
Neither said anything at first, but Akane finally couldn t stand Ranma s silence.
I said I was sorry! she burst out.
Ranma jumped three foot into the air. Wahh! What!? he yelled.
Akane jumped as well. I said I was sorry, she repeated quietly.
Ranma looked at her. Oh. He looked back down at the sidewalk. Akane waited for him to say something meaningful, but there was a profound lack of verbal response. She made a questioning noise in her throat. Ranma swallowed and said in a low tone, Tofu-chan? Akane blinked. What? Are you some kind of pervert or something?! Ranma looked back up at her in surprise. Realization dawned on him. NO! No! I was just looking at the sidewalk. See here? Ranma knelt and pointed at some grooves in the sidewalk that spelled out Tofu-chan .
Akane knelt and looked closely. Ah, yes. I see. She blinked a few more times. Odd. Ranma stood back up. Akane attempted to do the same, but her legs suddenly gave way and she fell to the ground.
Ranma! Help! I can t feel my legs! she said.
Ranma propped her up. Dr. Tofu does know a lot of pressure points. She grimaced. His hand on my shoulder. I bet that was it. She picked up one of her legs in her hand and dropped it again. Looks like you ll have to carry me. Ranma nodded. For now at least. I got the feelin that he wasn t too impressed by your actions. No telling when this will wear off. He picked her up in a piggyback carry and started walking home. She rode in silence for a while, until they were nearly home. Ranma was the one to break the silence this time.
Why d you do it? Akane shrugged. Dunno. You are sorry right? Akane bit her lip. Yeah... I guess. Ranma stopped and dropped her to the ground. He turned around with a slightly angry look on his face. You guess? he said in a voice that almost implied menace.
Akane stopped rubbing her legs and looked down. Well, she did deserve it. A pause. Some of it anyway. Ranma started walking back and forth. Why d she deserve it? Akane shrugged. It s hard to explain, she trailed off.
Ranma paused and sat cross-legged beside her. Try. Well, she charges us for everything. Ranma nodded slightly, but said, Not quite everything. That s no reason to see her get hurt. Akane nodded in return. Uh, she, um, oh, hell. I don t know. She looked at him. Well, I doubt she knows either. Talk to her. Akane shook her head. I can t talk to her now. She hates me. And when Kasumi snaps out of it she will too. She looked back down.
Ranma sighed. Look. I ain t putting up with this kinda crap for a second time. You re gonna talk to her. He picked her back up and continued.
No Ranma! I don t wanna talk to her! she protested.
Ranma spared a backward glance. Akane. You re acting like a little girl. Be a man and face her. Dammit Ranma! I said I didn t wanna talk to her. Ranma jiggled her for emphasis. In case you forgot, you don t have much say over where you go. Akane drew back her fist. Ranma... I m warning you. Ranma never looked back. Do and you ll be sittin here for a while. Akane paused to consider this. She reluctantly lowered her arm and allowed herself to be carried in the house.
Ranma walked through the house looking for Nabiki. He found Kasumi in the living room laid out on the couch. She had her arm laid over her face and a drink sitting beside her on the floor.
Ah, Kasumi? Ranma inquired.
Kasumi sat up slightly. Yes? Where s Nabiki? Oh, I put her in her room, she has had a very stressful day you know. Thanks. Ranma carried Akane to Nabiki s door and knocked. Mmmmmph! They both blinked. He knocked again, hesitantly. Can we come in? MMMPH! Mmph, mm, mmmph, mmph! I ll take that as a Yes, he replied, and opened the door.
He jumped back and hit Akane s head on the top of the doorframe. Ahh! A mummy! Ow! Baka! Watch what cher doin ! Akane protested.
The white bandage clad figure in bed grunted and bobbed its head to indicate that he should do it again. Preferably a few hundred times. Nabiki was wrapped head to toe in yards of white gauze. Her arms were stuck stiffly out to her sides, and her eyes and the tip of her nose were the only parts of skin exposed.
Ranma cautiously stepped forward. Nabiki? Mmm mm mmmm mmm mmph mp mm? Mm mmph menmy. Somehow, the sarcastic tone still made it through.
Akane shook her head. I can t understand a word you said. Nabiki made motions that vaguely resembled someone strangling someone else.
Perhaps its better that you didn t, Ranma said to Akane. An idea struck him. Hey, um, Nabiki, I know you probably want me to untie you and all, but... I want Akane to talk to you, so I m just gonna leave her here so you two can straighten this out. Akane grumbled, but said nothing while Ranma pulled a chair beside Nabiki s bed, far enough that Akane couldn t reach her without trouble, and sat her in it. Both sisters glared at him as he looked it over and walked out, shutting the door behind him.
Akane turned to look at Nabiki, while Nabiki turned as best she could to look away from Akane. Akane sighed. Fine. Be that way. A long and uncomfortable silence ensued.
Ranma went downstairs while they talked. He had to find something to kill time. After deciding practice would be more fun with a partner, he elected to try a source of amusement that had long been denied to him. He sat down in front of the TV.
Ah, lets see. He turned it on. A show came on about whales. Nope. *click* This time it was a commercial for little handheld pocket organizers. Not likely. *click*
A man in a suit came on. In today s market the yen once again dropped in value. *click* Bet Nabiki would have wanted to watch that. Now it was another commercial, advertising some local restaurant, The Raging Bull , apparently serving foreign food. *click* Stupid commercials, he mumbled to himself.
It was a news program, a well-dressed man and woman sat behind a desk while a screen behind them showed footage of destroyed walls and people being hauled off in ambulances. And in other news, the recent string of pig attacks has continued, said the woman. So far the only targets have been men between the ages of 15 and 26, but we recommend everyone to take precautions. Ranma stared for a second, but changed it again. *click*
Ah, this is more like it. Martial arts action. Akane would love this. Heh. Ranma watched as a male and a female martial artist, both dressed in gis, danced back and forth throwing kicks and punches. His eyes nearly popped out however, when the two figures abruptly grabbed each other and started running their hands under each other s gi. Ranma! You shouldn t be watching the marital arts channel! You re far too young! You should be ashamed of yourself! admonished Kasumi, who seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
Yaa! yelled Ranma, surprised. No! I didn t...! Now Kasumi, the boy is curious. He should be allowed to watch whatever he wants, interrupted Soun, who also popped out of nowhere. Genma was right behind him. Yes, maybe he ll get the idea and give us some grandkids. They dragged a feebly protesting Kasumi off.
Ranma quickly changed the channel. Yeesh. Pops is sure hung up on this marriage thing. Time to find somethin else. Puuu, said a cute little animated creature on screen.
Ranma looked at it a second, then narrowed his eyes and looked back and forth to see if anyone else was around. Seeing no one he turned the sound down low and scooted closer to the screen.
Upstairs, the silence had continued. Nabiki was doing her best to come up with a suitably evil revenge plot and Akane was simply thinking.
Finally, Akane realized that Nabiki wasn t going to say anything. I am sorry. This time Nabiki turned her head. Akane took this as a positive sign.
I don t know what came over me, she continued.
Nabiki shifted. The bandages were too tight and somehow Kasumi had managed to tape her eyes open. It s just that you made me so mad. Nabiki s eyes crossed as a small flying insect landed on the exposed part of her nose. She tried to snort to knock it away.
Akane looked indignant. Well you did! Look at the way you were treating those boys at school! You were almost mugging them! The fly was a member of a select breed of insects who will not willingly give up a landing place. It clung tenaciously to her nose and walked around, tickling it. Nabiki shook her head back and forth and blew more air at it.
Akane looked back down. Yeah, I guess they did deserve it. You were only defending yourself. Nabiki had almost given up getting the fly off herself, so she motioned to it as best as she could. Mmm mm mmp mmm mmh! And making a profit, yeah. Akane shook her head. You and your profits. Is that all you ever think about? she said accusingly.
Nabiki was about to go crazy from the itch. She shook her head back and forth franticly and mmmph ed her way through what could have been a rendition of the works of Shakespeare for all Akane could understand. Sadly, the fly still refused to leave.
Akane looked satisfied. Well I m glad you do care about something else. Her mood darkened. But you still charged me. Mmph, Nabiki said despairingly. With any luck the world would end and she wouldn't have that damned fly bothering her anymore. The fly took off and circled her.
Akane looked at her viciously. I m glad you re sorry! You treated me like I was just someone you met at school! Nabiki paid more attention to this comment. M mmph mmphmph. Akane looked at her. What? Nabiki clenched her fists. Msph, mspmy. Mphr mm. Understanding came to Akane. You charge everyone? Even your own family? Nabiki shrugged and nodded. Mmbpht. Habit? Another nod.
Akane looked back down. I thought you were just charging me and Ranma, she said quietly. MM! Nabiki said negatively. Mmr mmphy mm. We ve never had much money. It s been hard on the road. Mmphy? Yeah, I ain t liked it. It was fun sometimes, but it was dangerous and uncomfortable. Mm. The fly landed back on Nabiki s nose. Mmmmt! she said and started twisting her nose again.
Akane massaged her legs. I kinda hated you ya know. Nabiki said nothing.
For staying behind. You didn t want me around. No one did. Her voice became quiet.
Mmmmm..., Nabiki complained. Her eyes were too dry, but were starting to fill up with tears, making her vision blurry.
I know, Uncle told me it was just so I could be a great fighter, but you got to stay here! You didn t have to go. Akane looked up.
Tears started running down Nabiki s checks. Akane noticed them. Answering tears sprang up in her own eyes. She wiped at them franticly.
It s okay! I think I m over it now! I know it s not your fault. I shouldn t have blamed you! It wasn t so bad, really. Akane lurched off her chair and grabbed Nabiki. This sudden movement scared the fly off, and Akane hugged Nabiki tightly. Nabiki wept more in relief and hugged her sister back even harder. She rubbed her nose on the side of Akane s head and finally satisfied the itch. She was very thankful for this, and increased the pressure of the hug.
Mmmph mmm, mm mmmph mmm! Akane started turning blue. Ack! Nabiki! You re, uh, hurting me. Nabiki finally released her sister, who promptly fell to the floor. She smiled down at her as best she could. Akane smiled back.
I hope I can get my legs working. I don t want to try to get back in that chair. Akane crawled over and started pulling herself upright. After a few tries she was able to stand and walk around shakily.
Meanwhile, the fly had regained his perch on Nabiki s face. She waved her arms at Akane.
What is it, Nabiki? Akane asked. She looked closer. Oh, it s a fly. Hold on, I ll get it. She raised her hand and started forward.
Nabiki s eyes widen when she realized what Akane was going to do. She waved her arms and grunted franticly.
Quiet Nabiki, you ll scare it off, Akane said. Springing forward with all the speed she could muster she brought her hand down squarely on Nabiki s nose. Even though this was Nerima, this was not a martial artist fly, so Akane speed was enough to squish the fly, all over Nabiki s nose. And the fly was not all that got squished.
Fresh tears sprang to Nabiki s eyes as she squirmed in pain.
Akane raised her hand and looked satisfied. There! That got em! Then she noticed Nabiki. Um..., oops? Nabiki glared at her.
Akane gulped nervously. Ah hah, o kay... I m going to loosen these bandages. Then I m going to run. I ll uh, I ll uh, talk to you in a few hours, after you ve had time to realize that was an honest mistake, okay? Akane jerked a few knots lose on both sides and bolted for the door. Nabiki unraveled the rest of them with a speed Houndini would have envied and was right after her. Akane! I m going to kill you! she yelled, but stopped at the door. She wiped the bug guts off of her nose with a piece of bandage and smiled as she replayed the one-sided conversation in her mind. She shook her head and decided against painful revenge. She still wanted revenge, but at least now she could be satisfied with humiliating her little sister.
Ranma looked up when he heard the scream of anger and was in time to catch Akane running full speed through the house and out the door. SorryRanmawe llpracticelatergottagobye! He sighed and shook his head. So much for that plan.
****************
Ranma was working his way through the last of his practice kata in the dojo when he heard Akane s whisper.
Hey, Ranma. You seen Nabiki? she said quietly.
Ranma looked around for her. He didn t see her at first, then he spotted her head sticking upside down under the top of the doorframe. Well, she came down and griped at Kasumi for a bit, then went back upstairs, he replied.
Akane sighed in relief and flipped down to land upright.
Ranma glared at her slightly. And why was Nabiki shouting about exotic torture methods and high interest rates? I thought you were gonna talk out that fight? Akane looked around nervously. Well, we did. Ranma walked closer. So why was she so mad? Ah, that was something else. Ranma paused and raised one leg. Something else? Akane tensed. Yeah. I see, he said thoughtfully. Suddenly, he yelled, HYAA! and flipped backwards to evade Akane s punch. Akane backed up into the yard. Come on Ranma, lets do this outside. Ranma followed her out into the night. Alright, have it your way. The two didn t talk much as they began a battle that would leave most people in the hospital. Akane knew some violent moves, and Ranma knew to let her grab him in midair was a mistake. Ranma, however, was quite good at grabbing Akane without her grabbing him. They had just enough light from the house that they could see each other. Not that it mattered, both having been trained to fight blindfolded.
Their sparring raged the entire yard and through the dojo before ending up around the koi pond once again. Akane had already came close to being dunked once when she and Ranma met midair over the water. Ranma slammed a kick into Akane s leg as Akane grabbed his left arm and right side. Ranma attempted to grab her in return, but he had held his hands in a striking position and the time it took him to open them was enough for Akane to throw him straight down. *splash*
Akane landed lightly and turned to watch a soaking wet Ranma-
chan stand up close to the edge of the pool. Her pigtail had flopped forward on her face and she flipped it back with an irritated wave of her hand. Akane just smiled and offered her a hand.
Ranma took it without qualm and Akane helped her out. Akane held the hand for a minute and looked at Ranma. Ranma looked at Akane. Then Akane tightened her grip, and whirled Ranma over her head in an overarm throw. (He is so light as a girl,) she marveled as Ranma sailed across the yard. (Fast too,) as Ranma touched the side of the house and came shooting back at a ridiculous speed, feet first. Akane braced for impact and threw her forearms in front of her like a shield. Ranma s feet hit Akane s arms, but Ranma had adjusted his flight angle so the force of the blow was directed upward, so Akane was lifted off her feet and sent backwards into the water. Ranma executed a tight midair backflip and landed on her feet again. Good workout, he said as Akane-kun surfaced.
Not bad, he replied. Ranma-chan offered her hand.
(Geez! She sure does get heavy,) thought Ranma as she pulled him out. Let s go get some hot water. Okay. They both walked inside the house. Akane s stomach growled.
You were gone so long you missed supper, said Ranma.
Yeah, I got kinda hungry. Let s grab a snack. They both went to the kitchen. Akane got a drink and rummaged through the refrigerator in search of leftovers. Ranma got a glass and turned the hot water on to fill it up.
Akane had just stood up with a drink in his hand and a hastily made sandwich in the other when Ranma poured the water over his head. His breath caught in his throat as the cold water ran down his chest. Ranma blinked at the lack of change. Wha..., was all she had time to say when Akane glared at her and threw the iced cola. Ranma s question quickly turned into a startled shriek.
What d you do that for? she protested.
Akane glared. You re supposed to use hot water, stupid. Ranma wiped at the sticky soda. It was supposed to be hot. Look. She turned the hot water on again, but when she felt of it it was still cold. She looked at Akane and shrugged. Akane sighed. Broken I guess. He started looking through the cabinets for a kettle. After a short search, he stood back up. Damn, where s the kettle? Dunno, replied Ranma. I ll find it. Ranma didn t have any more luck than Akane. After a few minutes of fruitless work and a few sandwiches, Kasumi walked in. Hello, she greeted. Akane, you missed supper tonight. You should let me know next time. Sorry, Akane mumbled through a bite.
Ranma stood up and turned to face them. Hey, Kasumi. We need some water to turn back, and the faucets broken. Where s the kettle at? Kasumi tried the faucet. That s odd, it was working earlier. She turned to a cabinet and opened a door. The kettle is right..., here? I wonder where it could be? Kasumi found the usual spot bare, and turned to Ranma. I m sorry, I guess you ll have to find some hot water somewhere else. She looked Ranma up and down. Ranma, you should really wear a bra if you are going to spend much time like that. You re showing. Ranma looked down to see twin points poking out through her thin white T-shirt. Her face turned crimson with embarrassment and she sputtered a general denial of women s undergarments.
Akane noticed the problem at the same time Ranma did, and nearly died in laughter. HA HAH HA! A, HAH HA, BRA?! YEAH, RANMA! I DARE YOU! HA! Ranma glowered back. Yeah, and I m gonna laugh when you have to wear a jock strap in gym too. Akane sobered immediately. Hey, that s not funny. A jock strap? Kasumi asked. Well, okay. I ll put one on my shopping list. This time it was Ranma who nearly fell over laughing. Would they have them in the same stores as sports bras? Both immediately started protesting.
No no no! We can t wear... Get splashed by water... Cross-dressing pervert... Cops... Finally, Kasumi agreed not to get the items. Well, okay, since you put it that way. Nabiki, who had been listening in from outside the door, immediately made a mental note. (Perfect. First the heater, then this. That should just about cover the revenge.)
It was agreed that Ranma would stay with his father in the guestroom while Akane would take the room that used to belong to her before she left. They finally went to sleep later that night, still stuck in cursed form.
Nabiki s sleep was interrupted even earlier the next morning. Genma was the first to rise, as usual, and his first strike against Ranma-chan served as her wake up call. Ranma was then sent to get Akane-kun.
AHHHHHH! Easy Akane! Quiet down! RANMA! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS THING DOING?! GEEZ AKANE! PUT THAT THING AWAY! What is all the fuss... OH MY! For once, that pretty much summed it up.
Sorry about the short chapter, I just had to end it there. Next one will be longer. I promise.
Let me know what you think, I just love attention. Thanks. Send comments, criticism, and copyright infringement lawsuits to ballisticsausage , or catch me on ICQ at 37606443 Flame me! I m heat resistant! Any MST3K will cause the offending person to be put on my list of people I d donate a kidney to. No liver, it probably won t make it anyway.
First created on 5/23/99.