Book 3
Potentials
Prologue
Dr. Epstein got up to answer the door. He wasn't expecting anyone. Before opening the door he scanned his visitor. A wry smile came to his face. He opened the door.
"Nabiki." He cried. " It's good to see you." He said. Nabiki snorted but nodded her head in agreement. The doctor escorted Nabiki to a chair. "I'll make some tea." He hurried away and soon returned with a simple tea service. Nodoka's influence showed itself as Nabiki served the tea.
"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" Asked the doctor. He cocked his head. "What have they done now?
"It's not what they did, it's what they may do that worries me." Replied Nabiki. "Kho Lon sent a box of Instant Nannichuan."
Dr. Epstein removed his cap; a green and yellow knitted one, and ran his hand through his thinning hair. "How did they react?" He asked.
"They hid it." Replied Nabiki. "I mean not just the box. They didn't tell anyone what was in the box." She pulled a crumbled piece of wrapping paper from her purse. She handed it to the doctor. "This is how I figured it out."
"I see." Said the doctor. He tapped his chin with his index finger. "And this worries you?"
"It's not so much that they're going to use it." Said Nabiki. A rare look of concern flashed across Nabiki's face. "What happens if Ranma gets pregnant?" Said Nabiki.
"Well let's not worry about it until the time comes." Said Dr. Epstein. "Has anyone discussed birth control with any of them?"
"Furinken High has a mandatory sex education class." Replied Nabiki. "I know Akane has taken it."
"That's good." Replied Dr. Epstein. "We should encourage them to use it until we know more."
"I'll take care of it." Replied Nabiki. "I'll call Dr. Tofu.
"Use my phone." Said the doctor.
Chapter 1
"A tale of two Kuno's"
"Ah." Sighed Akane happily. "I'm glad that's gone. The itching was driving me crazy."
Dr. Tofu smiled as he finished removing the cast from Akane's arm. As the cast was finally removed Akane tried bending her arm. She grimaced a little over its stiffness but her relief over not having the cast overshadowed any concern. 'Besides.' She thought. 'A couple days of sparring and I'll be back to normal.'
Dr. Tofu hmmed as he examined Akane's arm happy to see how well she'd healed. And surprised over how quickly. "Well Akane, everything seems to be fine."
Akane smiled as she flexed her arm to work out the stiffness. "Thank you Doctor." She bowed politely to the doctor and walked out the front room where Ranma and Ukyo were waiting
Ukyo and Ranma immediately jumped up to gather around Akane. "Hey Tomboy, how's the arm?" Asked Ranma. By answer Akane slugged Ranma in the arm. "Ow." Protested Ranma. Then he smirked. "That was pretty feeble. We gotta get your strength back."
"Jerk." Retorted Akane. She stuck her tongue out at Ranma. "Just you wait Saotome."
"Uh oh, Ran-chan." Smiled Ukyo. "You're in trouble now."
"Yeah." Replied Ranma laughing. "Aint it great?"
"No heavy workouts for at least another week, Akane." Admonished Dr. Tofu. Akane grimaced but nodded. "Good." He said.
Tofu watched the teenagers leave. To his mild surprise he saw that as they left Ranma and Ukyo automatically moved into flanking positions around Akane. Ranma was on the right, Ukyo on the left. Akane didn't seem to mind. The phone rang and Dr. Tofu hurried to answer it.
"Hello?" He said. "Oh Nabiki, what can I do for you?" Dr. Tofu listened. Finally. "Oh, I see. Yes, that would be a good idea." He listened some more. "They just left. Don't worry I'll take care of it."
Dr. Tofu hung up the phone and then quickly dialed another number. "Hello Kasumi." He said. "How would you feel about going out tonight?" Dr. Tofu chuckled. "Yes, Nabiki just told me." He listened. "Can you get them out of the house?." He listened some more. "About 6:00?" He asked. "Great. I'll see you then." He hung up. Dr. tofu went to the front of his office and put out the closed sign. He looked at his watch. "Just enough time for a quick shower and shave."
The three teenagers walked slowly down the street. Ranma held Akane around the waist pulling her close to him while Ukyo contented herself with linking her little finger with Akane's. If they received strange looks from any of those they passed they didn't really notice. They had gotten used to it at school. Surprisingly their classmates seemed to take it pretty much in stride. Well except maybe for one Tatewaki Kuno. Ukyo frowned in remembrance.
They had been back at school for nearly a week. They had neither hid nor announced their relationship but the rumors had started anyway. 'I guess we weren't trying very hard to hide it.' She mused to herself. Then this morning when they had just walked into the schoolyard, Kuno made his appearance.
"Cur." He had cried dramatically. "Not content to bewitch the fair Akane and the pigtailed goddess. You now seek to add the mannish okonomiyaki chef to your harem. Is there no end to your perversions?"
"Mannish?" growled Ukyo in outrage. "Mannish?" She repeated. Her voice rose in anger. "I'll show you 'mannish'." Ukyo launched herself at Kuno battle spatula raised. With a sneer Kuno brought his bokken into ready position. The sneer changed to shock when Kuno suddenly found himself holding just the hilt. Spinning around on her heel, Ukyo used the broad blade of the spatula to send Kuno sailing.
"Whoa." Said Ranma shading his eyes with his hand. "Nice hang time." Akane elbowed him in the ribs. Ranma smirked as he rubbed his side.
"I can't believe the jerk called me mannish." Groused Ukyo as they continued their way to the school entrance.
"Don't let it get to you Ukyo." Said Akane. She took her hand."You can't take anything Kuno says seriously." She grinned. "Besides, we know better." The continued their walk to the school entrance.
"Now that's something you don't see everyday, Hiroshi." Said Daisuke.
"What's that, Daisuke?" Said Hiroshi.
"Ranma, Akane and Ukyo hanging out together."
"What's so strange about that?" Said Hiroshi.
"Akane and Ukyo are holding hands." Said Daisuke.
"That's not right." Protested Hiroshi.
"Are you gonna tell them that?" Said Daisuke.
"Are you crazy?" Said Hiroshi. "I want to keep on breathing."
"Me too." Said Daisuke.
Morning classes passed uneventfully. Except for a few sidelong glances no one said anything. Lunch however was strange.
Ukyo was setting up her portable grill, while Ranma was helping Akane sit down under a nearby tree. Looking up she was surprised to see an extremely long line of students waiting. With a smile she began making okonomiyaki. However, rather than the students walking back to their usual places after getting their orders they began sitting in a sort of a loose semi-circle around the three of them. It seemed like the whole school was there. Waiting. Watching.
The circle of students grew larger as she made okonomiyaki. All the time making sure Ranma and Akane were fed. She even snuck in a few for herself. Filling the last order she made a few more for her and Ranma and Akane and walked over to sit with them. She tried to eat but the circle of murmuring students made her too nervous.
An extremely annoyed Akane noticed Yuka and Sayori among the students and she waved them over. The two girls rose and nervously walked over. They knelt in front of Akane.
"What's going on, guys?" Asked Akane.
"Akane?" Asked Yuka. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Asked Akane in resignation.
"Is it true about you two and. " She glanced over to Ukyo. "Ukyo?"
Akane sighed. "What have you heard?" She asked.
"Well, um, that the three of you are." Yuka blushed. "An item."
"Ohh." Sighed Sayori. "It's so romantic."
"Honestly Sayuri." Scolded Yuka. "You really have got to stop reading those cheap romance novels. They're rotting your mind." She turned back to Akane. "It's not like that is it?"
Akane smiled as she leaned against Ranma and took Ukyo's hand. "Yes, it is." She said quietly.
"Eeeee." Squealed Sayuri. "I knew it." She declared. "Oh this is so cool." She gushed. "You have got to tell us everything."
"You don't seem to be having much of a problem with this." Observed Akane.
"Are you kidding?" Laughed Sayuri. "I think we'd all be disappointed if you ended up in a normal relationship." Sayuri laughed again.
"Oh ho ho ho."
'Wait a minute.' Thought Ukyo. 'That's not how Sayuri laughed.' She came out of her reverie when she realized the laughter came from behind her. She stopped walking and turned around.
"Kodachi." Akane muttered in disgust. Ranma nodded in agreement as he went into a ready stance.
"Don't worry sugar, I got her." Ukyo raised her spatula.
"Uh uh." Responded Akane. "She's mine."
Kodachi looked over at Ranma. "Don't worry Ranma my darling. I will free you from the clutches of these evil witches." She simpered. She attacked with her ribbon but it was blocked by Ukyo's spatula. Ukyo pulled the entangled ribbon out of Kodachi's hand. Ranma sat back to watch. 'This oughta be good.' He thought.
"Let's choose for it." Replied Ukyo. She held out her fist. Akane smiled and held out her fist as well. "One, two." Counted Ukyo. Kodachi attacked with her razor edged hoop. Akane and Ukyo back-flipped away. "Three!" They shouted in mid-air. They threw out their hands. "Shoot." Muttered Akane. She held out her fist. "One, two."
Kodachi launched a barrage of clubs toward the two. "Three." They shouted again as they dodged the clubs. "Darn." Grimaced Ukyo. "One, two."
Kodachi launched another barrage of clubs. These were as easily dodged as before. "Stand still and fight!" She screamed. Ukyo looked at her and Akane's hands. "Paper covers Rock. I guess you win sugar." Ukyo walked over to sit down next to Ranma. She wrapped both arms around Ranma's waist. Ranma put his arm around Ukyo's shoulders. They looked at Akane expectantly.
Akane smiled. She turned to Kodachi as she cracked her knuckles. "Thanks Kodachi." She said.
"Thanks?" Asked Kodachi in confusion. "Whatever for?"
"This." Smirked Akane. Before Kodachi could bring a weapon to bear, Akane attacked. With blinding speed she moved to meet the deranged gymnast. Akane grabbed Kodachi with one arm and lifted her into the air. Spinning around she tossed Kodachi away. As Kodachi rose to her feet Akane began back flipping toward her. Just as Kodachi regained her footing Akane jumped into the air, tucked into a ball and landed feet first on top of Kodachi's head driving her back to the ground. Akane flipped away.
"Oh, that had to hurt." Commented Ukyo. Ranma rubbed his head in sympathy. "Yeah. Good thing Akane's taking it easy on her." Ukyo nodded in agreement.
Kodachi leaped to her feet angrily. She pulled two clubs out of somewhere and crossed them in front of her face. "How dare you." Spat Kodachi. "You. You peasant."
Akane stretched her arms over her head and mimed a yawn. "Yeah, yeah." Replied Akane. "I've heard that before."
With a growl of outrage, Kodachi began a tumbling run toward Akane. Akane started her own to meet her. As they met they exchanged a flurry of strikes. Akane landed lightly on her feet and spun around. Kodachi didn't land as well. She held her side where she had been hit. Both clubs had been shattered.
Kodachi howled like a wild animal and charged Akane. Akane just waited, hands on hips. At the last second, Akane seemed to blur and Kodachi found herself tumbling helplessly in the air. Her landing knocked all the wind out of her body.
Akane stalked over to the fallen girl and pulled her up by her hair. She thrust her face close to Kodachi's. "Thanks for the light workout, Kodachi." She said conversationally. "I needed it." She let the girl fall back down. "Oh and Kodachi?" Kodachi weakly lifted her head to stare blurrily at Akane. "Stay away from Ranma." Akane spun on her heel and walked over to her waiting family. "Shall we go home?" She asked. Ukyo and Ranma nodded.
The continued their walk home. Akane skipped along like a young child. Ranma and Ukyo smiled at each other as they watched Akane dance along.
"She did real good." Commented Ranma proudly.
"She was better than good, Ran-chan." Replied Ukyo. "It was almost like watching you fight."
"You think so?" Said Ranma in surprise. He thought about her moves. They were pure Akane, but different.
Ukyo nodded. "It wasn't so much the technique." Said Ukyo confirming Ranma's thoughts. "It was the." Ukyo searched for a word for a second. "It was her attitude."
Ranma thought about Ukyo's observation. Finally he nodded. "Yeah, I think you're right." He thought about it some more. "She did real good."
Ukyo laughed.
"Ukyo?" Said Ranma. Ukyo looked over. "I never said 'thank you'." He took Ukyo's hand as they continued walking. "If you hadn't." Ranma broke off too overcome to continue for a moment. "She means everything to me, Uk-chan." He said finally. "I'd do anything for her."
"I know sugar. I know." Replied Ukyo. She looked at Akane skipping ahead. "She grows on you, doesn't she?"
"Yeah." Laughed Ranma. He squeezed Ukyo's hand. Akane spun around and ran back to Ranma and Ukyo. She smiled as she saw Ranma and Ukyo's linked hands. Akane impulsively threw her arms around the two and kissed them both on the cheek and then skipped away.
Ukyo touched her hand to her cheek. "Yeah, she definitely grows on you."
They continued to walk home Ranma didn't even get splashed once and returned home as male for the first time in as long as he could remember.
"We're home." Called Akane as they entered the main gate. Kasumi walked out. Akane stopped so suddenly in surprise that Ukyo and Ranma walked right into her.
"Yo Tomboy. What are you staring." Ranma's voice trailed off.
"Oh there you all are." Said Kasumi. She was dressed up in a short black dress. Very unlike anything the normally demure Kasumi would wear. She was even wearing makeup. Noticing the stares she continued. "Ono is taking me out tonight. I expect to be home very late." She said. "He should be here any moment." For some reason she seemed a bit nervous.
"That's great Kasumi." Said Akane.
"Oh and Father and Mr. Saotome have gone out for the evening and Nabiki is staying with Auntie Saotome tonight." The nervous look seemed to increase.
The three teenagers exchanged looks. "So it will be just the three of us tonight?" Said Akane slowly. Kasumi nodded. At that moment Dr. Tofu ambled up the path to the house. He hugged Kasumi and then handed a small package to Akane. "You may need this." He whispered. "Open it after we leave."
Akane looked at the package curiously and then back at Dr. Tofu. She nodded and put the package in her pocket. With a few more 'good nights' Kasumi and Dr. Tofu left. Kasumi kept on looking back as they walked away.
Entering the main room the teenagers saw that dinner had been prepared and was waiting on the table. They happily sat down to eat. Dinner was uneventful and, for Ranma, leisurely. After they finished eating, they cleared the dishes and sat down to watch television.
It was Ukyo who broke the silence.
"You really meant it." Said Ukyo in awe. "You're really not going to hide our relationship."
Akane nodded. "You're part of us Ukyo."
"You didn't have to." Replied Ukyo. She twiddled her fingers. "I would have been okay with it."
Akane just looked at Ukyo steadily. "I wouldn't do that to you, Ukyo."
Ukyo nodded. The three went back to watching television.
"Akane?" Whispered Ukyo. Akane looked over. Ukyo reached over and took Akane's hand. She took a deep breath. "I-I don't know how to say this."
"Say what, Ukyo?" Asked Akane.
Ukyo swallowed. "I just want you to know, I'm grateful for everything. And. And." She broke off.
Akane looked over in concern. "What are you trying to say, Ukyo?"
"I love you." She whispered finally.
Akane smiled even as her eyes glistened with happy tears. "I know Uk-chan." She squeezed Ukyo's hand. "I love you too." Akane leaned across Ranma and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. She looked up at Ranma. "We both love you."
Ranma nodded firmly. "Like Akane said. If they don't like it that's their problem."
End Chapter 1
Potentials
Prologue
Dr. Epstein got up to answer the door. He wasn't expecting anyone. Before opening the door he scanned his visitor. A wry smile came to his face. He opened the door.
"Nabiki." He cried. " It's good to see you." He said. Nabiki snorted but nodded her head in agreement. The doctor escorted Nabiki to a chair. "I'll make some tea." He hurried away and soon returned with a simple tea service. Nodoka's influence showed itself as Nabiki served the tea.
"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" Asked the doctor. He cocked his head. "What have they done now?
"It's not what they did, it's what they may do that worries me." Replied Nabiki. "Kho Lon sent a box of Instant Nannichuan."
Dr. Epstein removed his cap; a green and yellow knitted one, and ran his hand through his thinning hair. "How did they react?" He asked.
"They hid it." Replied Nabiki. "I mean not just the box. They didn't tell anyone what was in the box." She pulled a crumbled piece of wrapping paper from her purse. She handed it to the doctor. "This is how I figured it out."
"I see." Said the doctor. He tapped his chin with his index finger. "And this worries you?"
"It's not so much that they're going to use it." Said Nabiki. A rare look of concern flashed across Nabiki's face. "What happens if Ranma gets pregnant?" Said Nabiki.
"Well let's not worry about it until the time comes." Said Dr. Epstein. "Has anyone discussed birth control with any of them?"
"Furinken High has a mandatory sex education class." Replied Nabiki. "I know Akane has taken it."
"That's good." Replied Dr. Epstein. "We should encourage them to use it until we know more."
"I'll take care of it." Replied Nabiki. "I'll call Dr. Tofu.
"Use my phone." Said the doctor.
Chapter 1
"A tale of two Kuno's"
"Ah." Sighed Akane happily. "I'm glad that's gone. The itching was driving me crazy."
Dr. Tofu smiled as he finished removing the cast from Akane's arm. As the cast was finally removed Akane tried bending her arm. She grimaced a little over its stiffness but her relief over not having the cast overshadowed any concern. 'Besides.' She thought. 'A couple days of sparring and I'll be back to normal.'
Dr. Tofu hmmed as he examined Akane's arm happy to see how well she'd healed. And surprised over how quickly. "Well Akane, everything seems to be fine."
Akane smiled as she flexed her arm to work out the stiffness. "Thank you Doctor." She bowed politely to the doctor and walked out the front room where Ranma and Ukyo were waiting
Ukyo and Ranma immediately jumped up to gather around Akane. "Hey Tomboy, how's the arm?" Asked Ranma. By answer Akane slugged Ranma in the arm. "Ow." Protested Ranma. Then he smirked. "That was pretty feeble. We gotta get your strength back."
"Jerk." Retorted Akane. She stuck her tongue out at Ranma. "Just you wait Saotome."
"Uh oh, Ran-chan." Smiled Ukyo. "You're in trouble now."
"Yeah." Replied Ranma laughing. "Aint it great?"
"No heavy workouts for at least another week, Akane." Admonished Dr. Tofu. Akane grimaced but nodded. "Good." He said.
Tofu watched the teenagers leave. To his mild surprise he saw that as they left Ranma and Ukyo automatically moved into flanking positions around Akane. Ranma was on the right, Ukyo on the left. Akane didn't seem to mind. The phone rang and Dr. Tofu hurried to answer it.
"Hello?" He said. "Oh Nabiki, what can I do for you?" Dr. Tofu listened. Finally. "Oh, I see. Yes, that would be a good idea." He listened some more. "They just left. Don't worry I'll take care of it."
Dr. Tofu hung up the phone and then quickly dialed another number. "Hello Kasumi." He said. "How would you feel about going out tonight?" Dr. Tofu chuckled. "Yes, Nabiki just told me." He listened. "Can you get them out of the house?." He listened some more. "About 6:00?" He asked. "Great. I'll see you then." He hung up. Dr. tofu went to the front of his office and put out the closed sign. He looked at his watch. "Just enough time for a quick shower and shave."
The three teenagers walked slowly down the street. Ranma held Akane around the waist pulling her close to him while Ukyo contented herself with linking her little finger with Akane's. If they received strange looks from any of those they passed they didn't really notice. They had gotten used to it at school. Surprisingly their classmates seemed to take it pretty much in stride. Well except maybe for one Tatewaki Kuno. Ukyo frowned in remembrance.
They had been back at school for nearly a week. They had neither hid nor announced their relationship but the rumors had started anyway. 'I guess we weren't trying very hard to hide it.' She mused to herself. Then this morning when they had just walked into the schoolyard, Kuno made his appearance.
"Cur." He had cried dramatically. "Not content to bewitch the fair Akane and the pigtailed goddess. You now seek to add the mannish okonomiyaki chef to your harem. Is there no end to your perversions?"
"Mannish?" growled Ukyo in outrage. "Mannish?" She repeated. Her voice rose in anger. "I'll show you 'mannish'." Ukyo launched herself at Kuno battle spatula raised. With a sneer Kuno brought his bokken into ready position. The sneer changed to shock when Kuno suddenly found himself holding just the hilt. Spinning around on her heel, Ukyo used the broad blade of the spatula to send Kuno sailing.
"Whoa." Said Ranma shading his eyes with his hand. "Nice hang time." Akane elbowed him in the ribs. Ranma smirked as he rubbed his side.
"I can't believe the jerk called me mannish." Groused Ukyo as they continued their way to the school entrance.
"Don't let it get to you Ukyo." Said Akane. She took her hand."You can't take anything Kuno says seriously." She grinned. "Besides, we know better." The continued their walk to the school entrance.
"Now that's something you don't see everyday, Hiroshi." Said Daisuke.
"What's that, Daisuke?" Said Hiroshi.
"Ranma, Akane and Ukyo hanging out together."
"What's so strange about that?" Said Hiroshi.
"Akane and Ukyo are holding hands." Said Daisuke.
"That's not right." Protested Hiroshi.
"Are you gonna tell them that?" Said Daisuke.
"Are you crazy?" Said Hiroshi. "I want to keep on breathing."
"Me too." Said Daisuke.
Morning classes passed uneventfully. Except for a few sidelong glances no one said anything. Lunch however was strange.
Ukyo was setting up her portable grill, while Ranma was helping Akane sit down under a nearby tree. Looking up she was surprised to see an extremely long line of students waiting. With a smile she began making okonomiyaki. However, rather than the students walking back to their usual places after getting their orders they began sitting in a sort of a loose semi-circle around the three of them. It seemed like the whole school was there. Waiting. Watching.
The circle of students grew larger as she made okonomiyaki. All the time making sure Ranma and Akane were fed. She even snuck in a few for herself. Filling the last order she made a few more for her and Ranma and Akane and walked over to sit with them. She tried to eat but the circle of murmuring students made her too nervous.
An extremely annoyed Akane noticed Yuka and Sayori among the students and she waved them over. The two girls rose and nervously walked over. They knelt in front of Akane.
"What's going on, guys?" Asked Akane.
"Akane?" Asked Yuka. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Asked Akane in resignation.
"Is it true about you two and. " She glanced over to Ukyo. "Ukyo?"
Akane sighed. "What have you heard?" She asked.
"Well, um, that the three of you are." Yuka blushed. "An item."
"Ohh." Sighed Sayori. "It's so romantic."
"Honestly Sayuri." Scolded Yuka. "You really have got to stop reading those cheap romance novels. They're rotting your mind." She turned back to Akane. "It's not like that is it?"
Akane smiled as she leaned against Ranma and took Ukyo's hand. "Yes, it is." She said quietly.
"Eeeee." Squealed Sayuri. "I knew it." She declared. "Oh this is so cool." She gushed. "You have got to tell us everything."
"You don't seem to be having much of a problem with this." Observed Akane.
"Are you kidding?" Laughed Sayuri. "I think we'd all be disappointed if you ended up in a normal relationship." Sayuri laughed again.
"Oh ho ho ho."
'Wait a minute.' Thought Ukyo. 'That's not how Sayuri laughed.' She came out of her reverie when she realized the laughter came from behind her. She stopped walking and turned around.
"Kodachi." Akane muttered in disgust. Ranma nodded in agreement as he went into a ready stance.
"Don't worry sugar, I got her." Ukyo raised her spatula.
"Uh uh." Responded Akane. "She's mine."
Kodachi looked over at Ranma. "Don't worry Ranma my darling. I will free you from the clutches of these evil witches." She simpered. She attacked with her ribbon but it was blocked by Ukyo's spatula. Ukyo pulled the entangled ribbon out of Kodachi's hand. Ranma sat back to watch. 'This oughta be good.' He thought.
"Let's choose for it." Replied Ukyo. She held out her fist. Akane smiled and held out her fist as well. "One, two." Counted Ukyo. Kodachi attacked with her razor edged hoop. Akane and Ukyo back-flipped away. "Three!" They shouted in mid-air. They threw out their hands. "Shoot." Muttered Akane. She held out her fist. "One, two."
Kodachi launched a barrage of clubs toward the two. "Three." They shouted again as they dodged the clubs. "Darn." Grimaced Ukyo. "One, two."
Kodachi launched another barrage of clubs. These were as easily dodged as before. "Stand still and fight!" She screamed. Ukyo looked at her and Akane's hands. "Paper covers Rock. I guess you win sugar." Ukyo walked over to sit down next to Ranma. She wrapped both arms around Ranma's waist. Ranma put his arm around Ukyo's shoulders. They looked at Akane expectantly.
Akane smiled. She turned to Kodachi as she cracked her knuckles. "Thanks Kodachi." She said.
"Thanks?" Asked Kodachi in confusion. "Whatever for?"
"This." Smirked Akane. Before Kodachi could bring a weapon to bear, Akane attacked. With blinding speed she moved to meet the deranged gymnast. Akane grabbed Kodachi with one arm and lifted her into the air. Spinning around she tossed Kodachi away. As Kodachi rose to her feet Akane began back flipping toward her. Just as Kodachi regained her footing Akane jumped into the air, tucked into a ball and landed feet first on top of Kodachi's head driving her back to the ground. Akane flipped away.
"Oh, that had to hurt." Commented Ukyo. Ranma rubbed his head in sympathy. "Yeah. Good thing Akane's taking it easy on her." Ukyo nodded in agreement.
Kodachi leaped to her feet angrily. She pulled two clubs out of somewhere and crossed them in front of her face. "How dare you." Spat Kodachi. "You. You peasant."
Akane stretched her arms over her head and mimed a yawn. "Yeah, yeah." Replied Akane. "I've heard that before."
With a growl of outrage, Kodachi began a tumbling run toward Akane. Akane started her own to meet her. As they met they exchanged a flurry of strikes. Akane landed lightly on her feet and spun around. Kodachi didn't land as well. She held her side where she had been hit. Both clubs had been shattered.
Kodachi howled like a wild animal and charged Akane. Akane just waited, hands on hips. At the last second, Akane seemed to blur and Kodachi found herself tumbling helplessly in the air. Her landing knocked all the wind out of her body.
Akane stalked over to the fallen girl and pulled her up by her hair. She thrust her face close to Kodachi's. "Thanks for the light workout, Kodachi." She said conversationally. "I needed it." She let the girl fall back down. "Oh and Kodachi?" Kodachi weakly lifted her head to stare blurrily at Akane. "Stay away from Ranma." Akane spun on her heel and walked over to her waiting family. "Shall we go home?" She asked. Ukyo and Ranma nodded.
The continued their walk home. Akane skipped along like a young child. Ranma and Ukyo smiled at each other as they watched Akane dance along.
"She did real good." Commented Ranma proudly.
"She was better than good, Ran-chan." Replied Ukyo. "It was almost like watching you fight."
"You think so?" Said Ranma in surprise. He thought about her moves. They were pure Akane, but different.
Ukyo nodded. "It wasn't so much the technique." Said Ukyo confirming Ranma's thoughts. "It was the." Ukyo searched for a word for a second. "It was her attitude."
Ranma thought about Ukyo's observation. Finally he nodded. "Yeah, I think you're right." He thought about it some more. "She did real good."
Ukyo laughed.
"Ukyo?" Said Ranma. Ukyo looked over. "I never said 'thank you'." He took Ukyo's hand as they continued walking. "If you hadn't." Ranma broke off too overcome to continue for a moment. "She means everything to me, Uk-chan." He said finally. "I'd do anything for her."
"I know sugar. I know." Replied Ukyo. She looked at Akane skipping ahead. "She grows on you, doesn't she?"
"Yeah." Laughed Ranma. He squeezed Ukyo's hand. Akane spun around and ran back to Ranma and Ukyo. She smiled as she saw Ranma and Ukyo's linked hands. Akane impulsively threw her arms around the two and kissed them both on the cheek and then skipped away.
Ukyo touched her hand to her cheek. "Yeah, she definitely grows on you."
They continued to walk home Ranma didn't even get splashed once and returned home as male for the first time in as long as he could remember.
"We're home." Called Akane as they entered the main gate. Kasumi walked out. Akane stopped so suddenly in surprise that Ukyo and Ranma walked right into her.
"Yo Tomboy. What are you staring." Ranma's voice trailed off.
"Oh there you all are." Said Kasumi. She was dressed up in a short black dress. Very unlike anything the normally demure Kasumi would wear. She was even wearing makeup. Noticing the stares she continued. "Ono is taking me out tonight. I expect to be home very late." She said. "He should be here any moment." For some reason she seemed a bit nervous.
"That's great Kasumi." Said Akane.
"Oh and Father and Mr. Saotome have gone out for the evening and Nabiki is staying with Auntie Saotome tonight." The nervous look seemed to increase.
The three teenagers exchanged looks. "So it will be just the three of us tonight?" Said Akane slowly. Kasumi nodded. At that moment Dr. Tofu ambled up the path to the house. He hugged Kasumi and then handed a small package to Akane. "You may need this." He whispered. "Open it after we leave."
Akane looked at the package curiously and then back at Dr. Tofu. She nodded and put the package in her pocket. With a few more 'good nights' Kasumi and Dr. Tofu left. Kasumi kept on looking back as they walked away.
Entering the main room the teenagers saw that dinner had been prepared and was waiting on the table. They happily sat down to eat. Dinner was uneventful and, for Ranma, leisurely. After they finished eating, they cleared the dishes and sat down to watch television.
It was Ukyo who broke the silence.
"You really meant it." Said Ukyo in awe. "You're really not going to hide our relationship."
Akane nodded. "You're part of us Ukyo."
"You didn't have to." Replied Ukyo. She twiddled her fingers. "I would have been okay with it."
Akane just looked at Ukyo steadily. "I wouldn't do that to you, Ukyo."
Ukyo nodded. The three went back to watching television.
"Akane?" Whispered Ukyo. Akane looked over. Ukyo reached over and took Akane's hand. She took a deep breath. "I-I don't know how to say this."
"Say what, Ukyo?" Asked Akane.
Ukyo swallowed. "I just want you to know, I'm grateful for everything. And. And." She broke off.
Akane looked over in concern. "What are you trying to say, Ukyo?"
"I love you." She whispered finally.
Akane smiled even as her eyes glistened with happy tears. "I know Uk-chan." She squeezed Ukyo's hand. "I love you too." Akane leaned across Ranma and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. She looked up at Ranma. "We both love you."
Ranma nodded firmly. "Like Akane said. If they don't like it that's their problem."
End Chapter 1