STAY WITH ME
Part One: Welcome Kiss
written by: Chette-chan
"...I am finally Back"
A man with a pigtailed hair, wearing Blue Jacket and jeans stood at the large wooden gates of the famous 'Tendo Anything goes martial arts house'. It's been how many years? Two years to be exact,
"...Two years"
His eyes darted around the place, He noticed that the place did not change a bit. People are still walking and passing by... a vendor having a tea break, leaning on the walls of the large household. He smiled.
...At long last, He is finally home. He missed this place.. He missed home cooked meal of oneechan (sister), the bickering of his father and his father's friend, heck he even missed the girl who asks for money. But most especially... He missed... her.
He gripped his bag tightly, remembering her... remembering...
He sighed, after a few seconds of pondering. He opened the large wooden doors. As he entered, he looked around and smiled to himself. Nothing change. Well except the house is quieter...
"May I help you?"
The man smiled, as he looked at the person. "Tadaima... Oneechan"
"R-Ranma-kun?"
Ranma nodded, "Hai."
Kasumi smiled, it was not his nature but she did not stop herself from embracing her younger brother. True Ranma is still not her 'brother' but she believes that one day, He will be... Kasumi released Ranma and smiled, "How are you?" she asked, Ranma smiled modestly and backed away, showing to Kasumi his self. "My Ranma-kun, what happen to your usual Chinese shirt?" she asked,
Ranma frowned, "Um... yeah Chinese... shirt... W-Well, I came back from America... of course I'll be wearing this" he said, looking at his clothes. Trying to change the topic, he smiled at Kasumi. "And you Oneechan did not change a bit" he said,
Kasumi giggled, "Oh but Ranma-kun. I did change" she said, then she showed her hand.
Ranma gasped, his eyes were caught by the sparkling thing around Kasumi's finger. "Whoa! Who is the Lucky Guy?" he asked,
Kasumi giggled, "Guess?" she asked,
Ranma frowned, "Oneechan I am tired. Really tired... sitting on the plane for hours is not a joke" he said, then he saw Kasumi frowned, He smiled, "But Let me guess... Tou-fou? ?" he asked,
Kasumi frowned disappeared, and gasped. "How did you know?" she asked,
Ranma smiled, "It's about time!" he said, "Kasumi-oneechan. He's been in love with you ever since! I don't know if you have noticed but we did" he said, then he bowed in front of her. "Congratulations" he said,
"Oh Ranma-kun, you've changed. You are a gentleman now" Kasumi said, blushing at Ranma's action.
Ranma smiled, "So where is everybody?" he asked, as they entered the house. Ranma stopped in front to take off his shoes.
"Father and Uncle Genma were out, they joined some 'go' game tournament" Kasumi said, closing the door for them. "Nabiki left the house when she went to college. She's staying at Kunou's apartment for free"
"No change there" Ranma said, smiling. He put his bag and looked around. "What about Ofukuro (mother), any news about her? Akane wrote something about Mom staying here ever since I left"
Kasumi nodded, "Aunt Nodoka is so thrilled when she heard a day sale at the mall today, so she went there" she said, "Okay Ranma, I will leave you now, I still need to cook for lunch" she said,
But before Kasumi disappear at the corner... Ranma called her name, making Kasumi look at him, "W-What about Akane?" Ranma asked,
Kasumi smiled, "she's still not home... She is still in Tokyo" she said, "But it's her break too so she'll be home this week"
Ranma nodded, he followed Kasumi's figure until it disappeared in the corner. He sighed and put his hands on his pocket.
'So.. everyone did not change... except me...' Ranma thought. He sighed again, remembering what happen last two years ago.
Flash Back (Two years ago)
It was the week after Ranma and Akane's graduation.
"I am not going to COLLEGE!" Ranma yelled furiously at his old man. "I've had enough of studying! All I want is to train to be the world's greatest martial artist!" he said,
"But you need to know more about business! Ranma! I want you to become a business man!" Genma yelled, "Since Akane enrolled, Entertainment arts... and we cannot force her to become a businesswoman! So, it is your Job"
"Damn old pop! Why it is always have to be me?!" Ranma growled, "I want to train! I want to kick some butt! and not hold papers and calculators!" he yelled, furiously again. "Nabiki! She's a businesswoman, right?! So there! You got one"
"Ranma! Are you crazy! You know we cannot depend on Nabiki!. It's up to you or to Akane!" Genma yelled, "Do what I want!" he added,
Ranma had enough. "yeah and I will do what I want" he said, clenching his fist "and right now this is what I want!" he gave Genma a really hard punch, that threw Genma outside their bedroom.
Minutes passed by...
Ranma sat at the dining table, his face full of anger. His eyes roam around the room, this is crazy. Everyone is forcing him to do what he doesn't want to do. His life is Martial arts and not business! Sure, the Doujou cannot survive with money transactions but he doesn't want to be that kind of person. He doesn't want to handle money issues. He is not like Nabiki.
He sighed as he looked across the table at Akane, who was busy flipping a magazine. She looked as tired and weary. She was wearing her usual yellow dress with flowers sewn in it.
"Yo Akane, you okay?" he asked his fiancée, trying his best way to hid his concern but he did not realize, it shows to Akane.
Akane looked at Ranma, "I am reading" she said,
Ranma crossed his arms, "I know that but what are you reading?" he asked,
Akane put the magazine on the table, "What about this Ranma? This school offers the best martial arts equipment. You may enroll here" she said, pointing at the advertisement. "Although it's in America" she added,
Ranma blinked, "What?!"
Akane smiled sadly, "I heard your conversation with your father" she said, "you are right. If you don't want the course so why would you enroll it?" she asked,
This time, the family encircled around Ranma and Akane.
"What do you mean by that Akane?"
"Oh my"
"What about the Doujou?"
Ranma surprised, but managed to ask, "What are you doing?"
Akane smiled, "You go and be the best martial artist, I'll handle the money issues" she said,
"Akane?"
"Oh Akane, you made me so happy"
"That is so sweet Akane"
Akane reached for a handshake. "Partners Ranma?" she asked,
Ranma looked at the hand, but instead he took it. He jumped beside Akane, carried her, run outside. before He jumped at the rooftop, he told the family that Akane and him needed to talk privately.
After a few seconds...
They were at the rooftop of the House. Ranma's favorite spot. Right above Akane's room. The sun was just beginning to set, bathing Nerima with its red-orange glow. Ranma blushed seeing Akane like that, so he turned away. "Why are you doing this?" he whispered,
But Akane heard him, "I want you to be happy-"
Ranma suddenly turned to her, "But is this what you want?" he asked,
Akane looked down. "Ranma... even before I knew this 'fiancé' thing, I already promised myself that I will run the Doujou, and do my best to carry on the Musabetsu kakotu Tendo Ryuu..." Akane said, "I... I was shock when I found out that, I am not alone to carry this on... I got mad... but time pass by... I found out that I really couldn't do it alone" she said, now looking at Ranma. "The school needs both of us, so that I can accomplish that promise."
"So, what is the plan?" Ranma asked,
"You'll train to become the world's best teacher in martial arts and I'll enroll business course so that when time comes... We can run the doujou smoothly" she said,
Ranma blushed, "So does this mean... you... uh..."
Akane giggled, "I uh... what?" she teased Ranma
Ranma fidget his fingers, his face is so red now but Akane could not see that because the light of the sun radiating on Ranma's face. "Um... you... accept me now as your... fi-fian- I mean partner?" he asked,
Akane smiled, "I stayed in the engagement, right?" she asked,
Ranma blushed more and nodded.
"I.. don't know if this is right to tell you but..." Akane now blushing, "I need you too Ranma"
(End of Flash back)
"Ranma?"
Ranma startled at the voice, "H-Hai. Oneechan" he said, approaching Kasumi now.
"Phone for you" she said,
Funny... I did not hear the phone ringing Ranma said, now approaching the phone. "Moshi? Moshi?" he asked, after he picked the phone and put it on his ear.
"Darling don't be so japanese formal to me"
Ranma gasped, "Ah... R-Rebecca!" Ranma gasped, "H-How did you find out my number?" he asked, in a terrified voice. He could hear some yelling and partying at the background of the other line.
"Directory of course and information at school."
Ranma cursed himself. He shouldn't have put his real address on his bio-data. But that would be mean... cheating right? "Uh... yeah bec... I gotta go now... I really have to go... I'll talk to you some other time" he said, looking if Kasumi was there.
"Okay Ranma love, I'll talk to you next time. have fun in your vacation"
"Wait."
"What?"
"Please. Don't call me here anymore. This isn't really my house. They have rules here" Ranma said,
"Oh bummer so when can I talk to you again?"
"Um... I'll call okay?" Ranma said, "I really gotta go bye" he said,
"Bye! mwah mwah"
Ranma put the phone down and sighed. not here...not now he frowned. He should have lied and put the wrong address... he should have done that. He can just give Kunou's address. He's been a pretty good liar for the past two years...
His thoughts interrupted when he heard the door opening. "I'll get it" he said,
Ranma run towards, to greet the visitor. "Hello. Welcome" he said, he saw a woman... blue haired... taking off her shoes. His heart beat increased as if the woman moved in slow motion...
Akane
The woman turned to him and smiled, "I am back" she said, then she stared at the man in front of her. "Who are you?" she asked,
His Iinasuke grown a little taller, her body developed too... It wasn't the same as before. She's sexier than Shampoo or Nabiki. Her eyes were tired, but she still looks beautiful. actually she is gorgeous. Her hair tied up, it's not short anymore but it's not either long. She is wearing a brown sexy business suit, and Ranma did not expect that Akane would look a lot better than Nabiki wearing the clothes.
Ranma step forward. He misses her. But struggled himself... tried to restrain himself from hugging her.
"Who are you?"
Ranma ignored and stop struggling. He fled towards Akane and hugged her tightly. The feeling is so wonderful holding her again. So wonderful that it brought tears in Ranma's eyes.
Before Akane could bash the 'strange guy' into the orbit. She heard the man's voice...
"Akane... I missed you"
Akane felt the man's embraced tighten. She shivered. 'That voice'... that voice... is like a song in her ears... "R-Ranma?" she asked, hoping and praying she wasn't dreaming.
Ranma released Akane and wiped his tears, "Whoa sorry about that... I got so emotional" he said, blushing. "Been two years... I can't believe that I would miss a tomboy like you" he said,
But instead of an insult... Akane heard Ranma's voice... and they were like a song in her head, a long-lost song... that she longed for... and now finally the song is here again... She smiled and looked at him. "You've change..." she said,
Ranma blinked back the tears, and looked at his clothes. "Nah, they are just american clothes" he said sniffing, "But Look who's talking" he said, stepping back, and looked at Akane's body and whistled, making Akane blushed. "The Tomboy is now a Lady" he said, chuckling. Akane just stood there and smiled. But one look in her eyes, Ranma knew something is wrong. "What's wrong Akane? Aren't you happy that I am home now?" he asked,
Akane bit her lip, "Tell me Ranma? Can I cry now?" she asked,
Ranma looked puzzled, "G-Go ahead..." he said,
Akane released the gripped of her bag and hugged Ranma tightly now, "Oh Ranma" she said, burying her face on her Iinasuke's jacket. "I am finally home" she murmured,
Ranma smiled and caress Akane's hair, "yep... finally... home" he said, then he felt Akane releasing him. He noticed that they were so close now that he expected, they stared at each other for so long... Aqua Eyes and hazel ones... memorizing every line of their eyes... it's been a long time... a really long time.
Without words, Ranma grabbed Akane's wrists and kissed it lightly. Akane gasped at the sensation. It's sends chills down from her spine.
Akane had seen it coming... but she did not stop him. She closed her eyes, waiting for Ranma's lips to touch hers...
It did...
Ranma did not stop. Akane even felt his hand release her wrist, and slipped his hand up to interlace their fingers. Akane felt secured, the security she missed... for two years... and now... she found it again, The kiss continued... Akane felt Ranma deepening the kiss more. Akane's other hand went out to caress Ranma's hair.
Akane's lips were softer than mikado, kunou, shampoo or even he had imagined they would be, This was their first real kiss, He deepen the kiss... if he knew that Akane's kiss would be so wonderful... he should have kiss her before...
Ranma stopped, released Akane and backed away, "I'm sorry" he said, looking away. "I got carried away" he said,
Akane blinked and blushed, "No... harm done" she said,
Ranma sighed, Baka... why did I do that Ranma said to himself, but the kiss was so wonderful and I couldn't stop... This kiss with Akane is different... different among all of those I kissed... especially to... Then he felt Akane's grabbed his hand, he looked at her.
"I am glad I am home now Ranma... are you?" she asked,
Ranma force a smile, "Yes"
Akane knew Ranma very much, she knew something is wrong. But she ignored it. "Well, let's just treat the kiss... as a welcome kiss" she said, then she approached the stairs but stopped before she could step on it, "...Do not worry Ranma" she said,
Ranma looked at her,
Akane turned and blushed at him, "You have the right... you're my fiance after all" she said,
Ranma smiled, "Yes... I am your fiance"
Akane smiled and left Ranma.
Ranma groaned, how can I possibly tell Akane about Rebecca? will she understand me? he sighed,
"Ranma-kun, dinner is ready"
Ranma smiled, then when Kasumi left him, he groaned. This is going to be a long vacation...