Smash!
Ranma stepped back, looking at the practice dummy that he'd just flattened. Reaching down, he picked it up and set it upright. He stood for a moment before jumping back, spinning, and slamming his fist into its chin, sending it flying again.
He heard a footstep and turned to see Nabiki, holding her camera. She walked up to him, throwing an arm around him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. She held up the camera. "Want to help me bring in a few yen?" she asked. Ranma cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't do these moneymaking things anymore," he replied.
"Yeah, well… demand hasn't exactly dropped off for pictures, and I figured that I could help you with your college costs. Although you can get about any athletic scholarship you want."
"Really?"
"Sure. And actually, I have paperwork for you. Stuff for Tōkyō U's entrance exams and athletics. They have martial arts competitions and give out athletic scholarships. You could get a full ride if you make the team, and I don't think you have anything to worry about there."
Ranma smiled. "Wow… thanks, Nabiki. I have no idea how to plan that kind of stuff. You're a life saver."
"No problem, Ranma-baby; you know I'm good at planning. So, how about these pictures? I'll split the money fifty-fifty…"
"Does this mean you want me to find some cold water?"
Nabiki shook her head. "No, no, I mean guy pics. Just take your shirt off."
Ranma paused. "I thought you sold pictures of me as a girl to all the guys."
"I took pictures of you as a guy, too. Did you really not know that all the girls at Furinkan thought you were the hottest guy ever?"
Ranma blushed. "I didn't know," he replied. His ego bolstered, he shrugged and untied his gi top, tossing it aside. Nabiki grinned. "Figures the idea of girls gawking at your male side doesn't bother you one bit," she said teasingly.
Ranma set the dummy back up, taking a step back. With a yell, he jumped and nailed the dummy with a kick. Nabiki snapped a picture of Ranma in midair, yen signs filled her vision. As Ranma bent over to retrieve the dummy, she snapped another picture. Ranma rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Nabiki advanced the film in the camera. "So, Ranma," she said. "Pictures of your girl side fetch a lot of money, too. It would be pretty handy to get a roll of you as a girl. What do you think? I know it creeps you out to be stared at, but if it's a picture, you're not witnessing the staring…"
Ranma stopped. "Ah… I'm not sure," he replied. "It's still kinda creepy, you know? The look that guys get in their eyes when they look at you… I'd still be picturing it."
"Ah, yes. It's the same look you'd get every time you saw me in shorts since the day you arrived."
Ranma blushed deeply. All that time, he thought she'd never noticed how much he gawked. He set the dummy up again. "I was… that was just…"
Nabiki chuckled. "It's all right. I get it. Akane had thick legs, thin hips, and too much waist. You wound up engaged to the least attractive sister. It's only natural for your eyes to wander."
Ranma shrugged. Taking a step back, he swung, punching the dummy. Not finished, he grabbed it, throwing it down behind him. Nabiki hurriedly snapped pictures while he was in motion, firing off half a dozen in quick succession. Ranma paused to wipe his brow, as Nabiki snapped one more picture.
"You never gave me an answer on the girl pics…"
"I'll think about it. I still say it creeps me out."
Nabiki shrugged. "I dunno. I'd think once the pics are out there, you wouldn't think about them any more after that. That's how is always was with me."
"Yeah, but…" He blinked. "Wait… You take pictures of yourself and sell them?"
"Of course. You think I'd go around selling pictures of everybody else and not pose on my own? Guys like looking at me, too, you know." She grinned. "I have about a hundred negatives of myself, going back three or four years. I'll have to make you copies. I never got all the way nude, but a few of them are topless. Those were times that I needed a lot of money quick, since they always sold for a lot."
Ranma's nose started to bleed; he shook his head to clear the mental images from his mind. He plopped down on the floor next to her. With a smile, she moved to straddle him, facing him with one leg on each side. She put her lips to his, slipping her tongue in to brush with his. Ranma closed his eyes as his body started to come alive, putting his hands on her thighs and sliding them up to give her butt a squeeze. Their physical expressions of affection were chipping away at his shyness, and he felt comfortable enough with her to let his hands roam.
Nabiki let out a soft moan. She was very glad to see that he was opening up.
Akane jogged through the park, enjoying the time alone. Aside from the fact that jogging helped her think, it had been nearly impossible to avoid Ranma and Nabiki around the house, and any excuse to go somewhere else she would take. She stopped, grabbing a drink from a drinking fountain. She was going to stop by the ice cream parlor on the way home— in her jogging shorts, there was sure to be at least one guy who would leer at her. She used to find it creepy when guys gave her those kinds of looks, but after the whole Ranma mess, she wanted to know that men still found her sexy. In fact, for the past week or so she'd found herself hoping that the guys would start mobbing her at school again.
The realization that she was thinking those thoughts made her think she was losing her mind.
She sensed danger, jumping aside as a ribbon snapped at her, snapping the drinking fountain off of its mount and sending it flying. Akane squared off, looking with irritation at Kodachi Kuno as she landed cross from her. The pale girl laughed her typical cackle.
"Akane Tendo, out exercising as though it will make you something close to beautiful."
"You're one to talk, you bony little… just what do you want?"
Kodachi smirked. "Why, to defeat you, of course. You've stood between Ranma and myself for far too long."
Akane's eyes narrowed. "For your information, Ranma and I ended whatever we had. He's somewhere with my sister right now."
Kodachi blinked, before a smile spread across her face. "At last!" she cried. "One challenger down!" She turned to give Akane a quick bow. "You need consider me a rival no more," she said flatly. "What divided us is no longer a concern of yours." With that, she hopped away, a screeching laugh filtering back. Akane watched her go. "I'm not even engaged to him anymore," she muttered, "and I'm still dealing with his other girlfriends. What could I have possibly done in a past life to deserve this?"
A thought hit her. "Kami," she said. "She's going to go tell her brother. Great. Just great." Shaking her head, she broke into a sprint towards home.
Back at the dojo, Nabiki stood in her gi, running through the newest kata she'd been taught. Finishing, she turned to Ranma. "How was that?" she asked, uncertainty in her voice. Ranma nodded. "Good for the most part," he replied. "You're not quite lifting your legs high enough, but otherwise, it looked pretty good." Nabiki smiled with accomplishment.
Moving the training dummy in front of her, he stepped back. "Okay," he said, "do a double hit. Let's see how your speed is." Nabiki nodded. After a pause, she punched the dummy twice. Unlike Ranma, she didn't possess the strength to knock it across the dojo. He nodded. "Not bad," he said. "Of course, Shampoo's got all sorts of potions and other crazy things that punching isn't going to help you with. Dodging's going to be the most important. How's that been going?"
Nabiki smirked. "I work on that the most. Try to tackle me."
It was Ranma's turn to smirk, as he hoped she was slow enough that he'd wind up with her on the floor. Still, he wasn't going to go full-speed— she only had a few days' practice at it, and he'd never be able to live with himself if he hurt her. He took a step, reaching out as if to grab her waist. In a snap, she put her hands on his shoulders, pushing against him to throw herself backwards. Ranma hopped and threw a weak punch her way, watching with some satisfaction as she dove and rolled, landing a safe distance away.
Ranma nodded with satisfaction. "You might already be good enough to get away," he said frankly. "You're coming along very well."
A faint blush tinged Nabiki's cheeks. "Wow, thanks, Ranma," she said. She leaned against the practice dummy. "Though I don't think the Amazons will come around much anymore."
"Why wouldn't they?"
Nabiki looked around innocently. "Oh… I might've tipped off a friend in the prefectural office that there were illegal Chinese immigrants running a restaurant around here…"
Ranma's eyes widened. "Wait… what? You had them deported? Nabiki! Isn't that taking it a little far?"
"You'd rather have Shampoo close by?"
Ranma did his best to think up a right answer to that question. It was the kind of question that Akane would ask so that she'd have an excuse to pound him: no right answer. "Well, I mean… they've been helpful with some stuff. If it wasn't for Shampoo trying to get with me, they'd be alright. I could've protected you from her…"
Nabiki waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Ranma. They're Amazons, remember? The police aren't going to be able to hold them. I told the guy… go easy and let them escape, so that nobody gets hurt. They're not deported because the police don't know where they went. But it does mean that they can't just peacefully run their restaurant, or even stay in one place for too long. It also means a call to the police can get me some backup in a pinch."
Ranma shook his head. "I… I guess. I just wish it didn't have to come to that."
Nabiki chuckled. "Saying things like that was what used to tick Akane off. You know that, right?"
"I know. It's just… I dunno… It's hard to explain."
"No, I get it. You want to have her as a friend, because she isn't all bad. But you have to realize that only two things could happen: One, have her as a friend and have her rubbing all over you, or two, get rid of her. The only way you could have her as a friend without trying to get in your pants is if she gave up on you, and you'd need a dozen miracles for that to happen. Amazon law, remember?"
Ranma hung his head. "I know. That's why I was ready to run away before."
Nabiki put her arms around his neck, giving him a kiss. "You can make better friends than that. And once you start teaching, you'll have plenty of students around."
Ranma nodded. They heard Kasumi's voice. "Ranma! Nabiki! Dinner will be ready in a few minutes!" Nabiki gave him a pat on the butt, turning toward the house. "Just enough time to change," she said. Ranma followed, turning out the lights.
Inside, Akane sat at the table, mindlessly watching the television. She heard the door open and close, followed by Ranma and Nabiki's voices. She scowled. The last thing she wanted was to be around them, but at dinner, it was unavoidable. The doorbell rang, and Akane thanked the Kami for the distraction. "I'll get it!" she shouted, racing to the door.
Flinging it open, she found herself face-to-face with Tatewaki Kuno, bouquet in hand. She deflated. "Hello, Kuno," she grumbled. Kuno knelt. "Akane Tendo," he said, "please accept these flowers. I've been told that you've finally broken free from Saotome's evil spell. I've come to ask you to date with me."
Akane snatched the bouquet as she rolled her eyes. It was ninth through eleventh grade all over again. "Get up, Kuno," she said. He stood. "Kuno," she started, then stopped as a thought hit her. "Don't you go to college? I haven't seen you around Nerima since you graduated. How did you even get here?"
"I took three ferries and four trains."
Akane's eyes widened. "Three ferries? Four trains? Where in the world are you going to school?"
"Seoul."
Akane deadpanned. "Seoul? You came here from Korea just to ask me on a date? Are you out of your damn mind?"
"Akane Tendo, you would be worth swimming across the Pacific for. If I were attending school in America, you have my word that I would have been here just as quickly as I could have."
Akane clenched and unclenched her fists, fighting to keep her cool. "Kuno… you are taking this way too far. Way, way too far. Go back to Korea and go back to school. Find a nice Korean girl or… something. I am way too stressed to deal with you right now."
"Oh, it's no problem, Akane! I only took the trains because of the short notice. I can take an airplane anytime I wish!"
Akane covered her eyes. "You're not hearing me… If I ever lose enough of my mind to agree to go on a date with you, it's not happening now. Please, Kuno, just go. This all has me pretty upset and you're not helping. I need time alone."
"Oh, dearest Akane, let me be here for you. I can take you to the most beautiful places. I'll make you forget all about that rouge Saotome!"
"Kuno, please. I just want to go eat dinner."
"Akane, my darling…"
"Kuno, I'm warning you…"
"…I promise you that I'll make you happy for as long as you live. I'd never consider leaving you for your sister. Which sister was it, anyway?"
Akane rolled her eyes. "Nabiki."
Kuno made a face. "Exactly. I am smart enough to know that you are the true beauty. When anyone would choose that frigid… woman… over you I cannot fathom."
Akane actually felt bolstered by that comment, but she was still irritated. She sighed. "Look, Tatewaki… I don't want to date anybody right now. I need time. Okay? Just go. Please."
"Akane, I…"
"Go."
"…swear to you…"
"Go."
"…that I will treat you like a princess, not drag you to China and almost drown you…"
Her anger was starting to build, and the Jusendo reference pushed her over the edge. She lashed out with a scream, slamming her foot into Kuno's groin. He crumpled like a runaway Toyota hitting a wall. She paused to take a breath. "Sumimasen," she said simply, stepping back and slamming the door.
Inside, she held the bouquet up as if to slam it to the floor. Stopping, she took a breath, cradling it. She hadn't meant to kick him like that; it was a reflex. Ever since the split, she just couldn't keep control of herself. Her emotions were running wild, like a roller coaster with no one at the controls. She was never totally happy; that word definitely didn't apply. At her good times, she was content, feeling like she was ready to finally move on. At her bad times… it was like there were a thousand people standing around her, yelling at the same time. Her mind raced and jumbled, and it made her want to curl up in a ball.
That was possibly the worst part: the tailspin her brain was in. Simply being alone didn't sound so bad, if she could just think straight for a while.
Doing her best to control her breathing, she gently set the flowers on the table by the door, and made her way back to the washitsu. Plopping back down at the table, she made a point to ignore Ranma and Nabiki, happy to see dinner laid out. She put some food on her plate. "Who was that, Akane?" Kasumi asked sweetly. Akane stuffed a piece of food in her mouth. "Kuno," she muttered.
Nabiki looked up. "Oh?" she said. "How's he doing?"
"Getting a kick out of life."
The other sisters shared a confused glance, but went back to eating. The rest of dinner passed in relative quiet, and Akane actually felt a bit better. She thought of Kuno. Could he possibly be the right one for her? Maybe there was something behind his lunacy. She shook her head. Those thoughts were completely irrational and most certainly coming from her scrambled brain. She wasn't sure how to look at his visit: was he kind for coming to comfort her in her time of need, or a sleaze for hitting on her when she was vulnerable? Or, just nuts altogether for traveling so far for any reason. Still, she wanted to keep her head. She resolved to send a letter to the Kuno house with instructions to forward it to him, apologizing, explaining that she'd loved Ranma, and asking him just to give her time. The line "if you truly love me, you'll give me the time to work through everything" was sure to work.
They finished with dinner quickly enough. Afterward, Akane hoped that the lovebirds would run off to do who-knows-what somewhere where she couldn't see them, but instead, they simply sat and watched TV. At least they weren't getting feely… much. She was about to rush off to the bath as an excuse to get out of the room, when a squeal startled her. Looking to the engawa, she saw her pet that she hadn't seen for a month. Her face lit up. "P-Chan!" she cried happily, as the pig jumped into her arms.
Ranma watched Ryoga snuggle up against Akane, and the realization hit him that he didn't have to deal with it. At all. He didn't have to care. When she was his girl, it was his job to chase away perverts. Now… he'd tried to tell her a million times, and if she chose not to listen, it was her problem. He could wash his hands of it. It was a nice feeling.
Ryoga snuggled into Akane's chest, enjoying the loving embrace. It took a few seconds for him to realize that something was different. Specifically, Ranma hadn't tried to separate them. Looking up, his eyes widened in shock as he saw Nabiki sitting between Ranma's legs, Ranma holding her. Before he could think of anything else, Akane stood. "C'mon, baby," she said. "Let's go someplace quiet."
Ranma watched Akane leave, as Nabiki spoke. "Well, she's got her pet to keep her mind off of things," she said. Ranma blanched. "Uh, yeah," he replied. "Her pet."
Akane went into the outer bath. She peeked into the furoba; it was empty. She set Ryoga down, sitting on a bath stool and leaning back against the wall. Ryoga lay down next to her, and she stroked his head gently. "P-Chan," she whispered. "You have no idea how crazy things have been around here. Ranma, he… left me. I never realized we had a relationship, until it was gone." Ryoga grunted, feeling slightly bad for her, but mostly jubilant at this turn of events. He finally had a chance; there was nothing else in his way!
Akane sighed. "I don't know what to think, really," she continued. "I guess I really was in love with him. I'm better off now, I'm sure, but it's still going to take some time for me to let those feelings go, you know? I think the biggest thing is having to start over again. I felt like he'd always be there. I thought I'd go 'til the day I died and never have to date anybody else. Now… maybe the whole reason my mind is messed up is because I'm afraid of being alone. Maybe that's it."
She glanced down at him and smiled. "Look at me, boring you with all of this talk." Ryoga sat up, nuzzling her hand. She rubbed his ears. "I'm so happy you showed up," she whispered. "I really need a friend right now." Ryoga sat, enjoying the contact, until it stopped. After a moment, he looked up to see where she'd gone, and to his shock, she was getting undressed. He quickly looked away. Akane giggled. "Such a gentleman, P-Chan," she said. "How does a little piggy like you end up more of a gentleman than my ex?"
She stopped. It was the first time she'd used the word "ex" to describe Ranma. She fought back the tears that rushed to her eyes. Bending down, she picked up a startled Ryoga. "Let's go soak," she said. "That'll clear my mind."
Ryoga's eyes widened in fright as he realized the predicament he was in. Here she was, available, and he was in danger of revealing his curse and wrecking the chance that he finally had. He started thrashing wildly, as Akane struggled, surprised by his outburst. "P-Chan?" she said. "What's the matter baby? It's just a little water."
As Ryoga continued to struggle, Akane opened the door and stepped into the furoba. She turned the shower on with her free hand, adjusting the temperature. She held up the still-frantic Ryoga. "C'mon, P-Chan," she said. "We just have to rinse off and get in. I won't let anything hurt you!" Ryoga looked through frantic eyes at the steam coming from the shower. Akane stretched.
"Okay, sweetie. Here we go." She stepped into the water.
Ranma sat in the washitsu, Nabiki leaned against him. She turned her head and gave him a sly grin. "Ranma," she said flatly.
"Hm?"
"I'm horny."
He turned fifty shades of red, while Nabiki laughed at his embarrassment. "You are so cute," she said with a giggle. She jumped up, turned around, and knelt, straddling him like she had in the dojo. She leaned close to plant a kiss on his neck; he groaned with pleasure. She leaned back. "I'm getting through your shyness a little bit at a time," she said with a grin. Ranma shrugged, a faint blush still on his cheeks. She ran her hands along his forearms affectionately; after a second, she took his hands in hers.
"And now," she said, "I want you to do something you've never done with another person before."
Ranma's eyes widened. "What?"
Without another word, Nabiki lifted his hands and placed them directly on her breasts. Startled, Ranma yanked them back as though he'd been burned, but Nabiki had expected a reaction like that. Keeping hold of his hands, she put them back on her breasts, holding them. "Ranma," she whispered. "Touch me. I want you to."
Ranma gulped, sliding his hands to get a feel of what was under them. He let out a breath as he explored her mounds; like the other times she'd pulled him close, as his shyness started to give way to arousal, his inhibitions crumbled away. She ground her hips against his; the sudden motion caused his thumbs to brush her nipples, and she let out a squeak. She slid her arms around his neck. "Ranma," she whispered. "Do you want me?"
He nodded, his eyes closed as he continued to let his hands roam.
"Do you want to sleep with me?"
He nodded.
She put her lips close to his ear. "Do you fantasize about me?"
"Mmhmm," he whispered.
"Do you touch yourself when you think about me?"
The question made him blush again, but he nodded in reply, and she put her lips back to the side of his neck. Taking his hands, she slid them down and under her shirt. She let go, grabbing the bottom of her bra through her shirt and tugging it up to expose herself. The last of Ranma's apprehension was gone, and, without any prodding, he slid his hands up to fondle her. She put her hands on his through her shirt. "Do this," she whispered, as she guided him. She started rhythmically pushing her hips against his, her breathing getting heavier from the feel of what he was doing. "Ranma," she gasped. "If you keep that up, I'm going to… you're going to make me…"
Kasumi finished loading the dishwasher. Tossing the dish towel on the counter, she headed for the door. The chores of the day were done, and she could take some time to watch a little TV and curl up with a book. Sticking her head out into the hallway, she looked into the washitsu and saw her sister and Ranma dangerously close to removing clothes. Surprised, she ducked back into the kitchen. After a second, she peered around the edge of the doorway, watching what they were doing. Ranma's hands were under Nabiki's shirt, while her head was thrown back and her eyes closed in apparent ecstasy. She grabbed hold of his thighs, her mouth opening a bit. Kasumi felt like she was invading their privacy, but she didn't want to look away. She didn't have many guys around, after all, and watching Nabiki's display made her fantasize about being in the same position with a guy of her own. She started to feel her mood change, and she looked away, blushing furiously.
Feeling her peak coming, Nabiki threw her arms up to grab onto Ranma shoulders. With a shriek, she reached her climax, pulling herself hard against his chest and holding herself there as the waves of pleasure hit her. After a few seconds, she released her grip, and Ranma withdrew his hands. She straightened her bra. "Ranma," she said breathlessly, "I'm taking you to bed with me very, very soon. I can't take the tension anymore. I need more like that."
"Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"
They jumped at the sudden sound, which came from the hallway. Kasumi appeared in the doorway, concerned. They heard feet thumping on the floor, and after a second, a stark-naked and wet Ryoga burst into the room. Nabiki shielded her eyes. "Damn, Ryoga," she said. "Put some clothes on."
Ryoga was frantic. "She knows, Ranma!" he gasped. "She knows!"
Ranma squinted at him. "Knows?" he asked, before what Ryoga was saying dawned on him. Before he could react, Akane raced into the room, her clothes crooked as though she'd thrown them on in a hurry. Her face had more anger on it than he'd ever seen, far worse than anything he'd caused. She looked downright homicidal.
"You!" she screamed, pointing to Ryoga. "The whole time! You were tricking me this whole fucking time! You sick perverted freak!" She grabbed a houseplant and flung it at him, bouncing it off of his head. A thin trickle of blood ran from where it struck. Akane stared at him, tears starting to cloud her vision. She blinked, sending them cascading down her cheeks. "The one living thing I thought I could confide in," she said shakily. "The closest thing to me. All this time it was an act. All this time…" Her voice cracked, and she covered her face, crying.
Ryoga dropped to his knees. "Akane," he said. "Please, I didn't mean to lie to you. I didn't know how to tell you. I wasn't trying to be a pervert, I just wanted to be loved. That's all. I swear!"
Akane took a breath, uncovering her face. Anger started to leech its way back into her features. "You were with me when I changed," she said quietly. "You were with me when I bathed. You lay in my lap and nuzzled my chest, and you expect me to believe that it was only to feel loved? It's not bad enough that you made a fool out of me, now you're treating me like a moron, too? What do you take me for?"
"Akane, please… I… love you, Akane. Really. I've loved you for a long time. I didn't know of another way to get close to you! I was afraid to tell you how I felt!"
Akane's red face turned to purple. "Love? This is how you show love? I don't want love! Any of it! Especially not this sick, sneaky, perverted thing you call love! Love has never done anything but ruin my life!"
Ryoga clasped his hands together. "Akane, I beg of you… Is there anyway we can put this behind us? I swear I'll love you forever. I'll be there for you. I won't abandon you like that idiot Ranma…"
Something snapped in Akane. Maybe it was a little bit of lingering love turning into anger over Ryoga's insulting Ranma. Maybe it was one more guy trying to steal her away when she was hurting and needed space. Maybe he'd just said one word too many. Whatever it was, it pushed her over the edge. She let out a shriek loud enough to echo in Hokkaido. Spinning around, she grabbed the television off of the table it sat on. With another scream, she slammed it onto the boy's head. The room erupted in sparks, the electricity shooting through Ryoga and the puddle under him. After a few seconds of popping and zapping, the room went dark, and he dropped to the floor with a thud.
"Oh, dear," Kasumi said. "The breaker tripped. I'll get it." She hurried away. Ranma approached Ryoga slowly, reaching over to unplug the television. He pushed it off and knelt beside the boy. The lights came back on, and he peered at Ryoga. The boy lay silent, black scorch marks on his face and shins, presumably where the electricity had shot through. Smoke drifted from his hair. Ranma poked his cheek but didn't get a response.
"Kami, Akane," he said quietly. "I think you killed him."
Akane's mood changed instantly. Her anger dissolved into fear, and she crumpled to the floor, looking on in disbelief. "Killed?" she muttered, dazed. "I… I… didn't mean to, I just…"
Suddenly, Ryoga's eyes snapped open. He sat up, looking around. Ranma dragged him to his feet, as Nabiki raced to him. "Get out of here, fast!" she hissed. "She'll literally kill you! Pick a direction and run! Go!" Ryoga sprinted out into the garden, jumped over the wall, and was gone.
Akane watched his quick exit, then flopped onto her side on the floor, wailing loudly. Kasumi stuck her head in the doorway. "Is everything back on?" she asked, before noticing Akane sobbing on the floor. She rushed to her, kneeling beside her and pulling her into an embrace. "Tell me what's wrong," she said in a soothing voice. Ranma and Nabiki crept into the hallway, earning a grateful look from Kasumi.
Akane took a breath, wiping the tears from her eyes. Kasumi patted her on the shoulder, and Akane looked at her, soothed by the comforting smile on her sister's face. "I… don't know what's the matter with me," she said shakily. "I just… I can't get my mind together. I can't think straight anymore. One minute I'm doing okay. I think, maybe things worked out for the better this way. The next I'm bawling my eyes out and thinking the world is ending. I'm level, then I'm crying, then I'm content, then I'm in a rage… That's the worst part of all of this! Why can't my emotions take a break for five minutes? I can barely even sleep anymore!" She buried her face in Kasumi's shoulder as the tears started flowing again. "Why does it have to be like this?" she said between sobs. "I never even wanted a relationship. Then I get forced into one, and then…"
Kasumi rocked her gently. "I wish I could tell you I knew what you were going through," she whispered. "I only know what I've seen. I've had many friends who loved someone and lost them. Some had an easier time than others, but nobody ever strolled through it like it was nothing. It isn't easy for anybody." She tilted Akane's chin up to look into her eyes. "The important thing is, every one of those people eventually made it through it. You will, too. It will take time, but you can get through it. You're the strongest person I know."
Akane took a breath. "Thanks, oneesan," she said. "But don't ever wish you knew what this was like. I really hope you go your entire life and never have to go through anything like this. I'll pray to the Kami that you marry your first boyfriend and it's a happy marriage." Kasumi patted her back as she let the tears fall.
Ranma and Nabiki had snuck down the hallway and into the kitchen, out of earshot. Ranma sat, thinking. He knew that Akane's anger and moods swings were from his leaving her. It made him feel bad; it really did. He knew that it was unavoidable— there was just no way that they could've ever had a decent relationship. He knew it in his heart. Still, doing the right thing doesn't always feel good, and it sure wasn't at that moment. He looked at Nabiki, who was staring out the window. Even if he'd done alright because of it.
Kasumi entered quietly. "Akane's feeling a little better," she said. "She's in the bath. The whole thing's been very hard on her." Ranma and Nabiki merely nodded.
A look of confusion crossed Nabiki's face. "Ranma," she said. "What did Ryoga mean when he said, 'she knows'?" Ranma's eyes widened, as he instantly worried that his protecting Ryoga for as long as he did could make Nabiki angry enough to wreck the good thing he had going. She cocked an eyebrow; he knew that excuses weren't going to work. He took a breath.
"I found out he was cursed way back when he first showed up."
Nabiki's eyes widened. "You knew? Why didn't you say something?"
Ranma sighed. "There's something called the warrior's code. You don't tell someone else's secrets. I couldn't tell anybody that he was a pig. I tried to stop him from going into her room at night without telling her he was cursed, but I never could. Remember those times you heard me in Akane's room, when you told me to be quieter the next morning?"
Nabiki looked shocked. "You were trying to…"
"…sneak him out. He always fought me. I'd try to stop him before he changed, but he'd just smirk at me, hop in the pond or whatever, and stroll on up to her room. If I chased him, he'd either get away or run to Akane."
Kasumi looked on in surprise. "That's why she always accused you of picking on him."
Ranma nodded. He cast his eyes down. "Nabiki? Are you mad at me for not telling anybody?"
He looked up; Nabiki looked angry, but she was looking past him. "That ass," she said. "He knew you were honor-bound and he took advantage of it! You martial artists always talk about honor; it's one thing not to have any, it's even worse to take advantage of somebody else's! What kind of a sick freak would do such a thing. Ooh…" She shook her head. "If he shows his face around here I'm going to make him into my practice dummy. I swear I will."
Ranma looked to Kasumi. "Do you think I should've said something?"
Kasumi shook her head. "It wouldn't have mattered," she replied. "She wouldn't have believed you."
"You think Akane's going to be alright?"
"Yeah, Ranma. She'll be okay."
