Chapter 31: Stay with me
Once they got back to the house, Nodoka had taken Ranka upstairs to her room, where she set her down in her bed. Shampoo had trailed behind them, as she met up with Ranma before he went inside, leaving him with the take out boxes and leaving without a fuss, not wanting to step on the hornet's nest, in regards to Nodoka.
Ranma sighed as he set the metal boxes on the table in the kitchen. He really wanted to see Ranka and try to mend their bond, but wasn't about to at the moment. He feared angering his mother further, figuring it was the best to stay out of it for now. It also upset him as he blamed himself.
Nodoka kept trying to talk to her, deciding to try to change her strategy some, switching to trying to plead with her to wake up as she was so worried about her. It caused a small reaction, making Nodoka continue on until she noticed it wasn't enough. She sighed as she disliked having to be stern at such a time, but if it worked it'd be worth it. She took her hand and squeezed it a bit as she exhaled. "Ranka it's time to get up, you have 5 minutes to get up, or for every minute past will be an hour of training, and another trip per minute that you are late, of hydro room treatment." Ranka nnghed as Nodoka's stern tone and flood of punishments broke through the nightmare she was having, as it was posing a greater threat, making her eyelids twitch. Nodoka then took the glass of water she had brought in, taking some of the water and flicking it on her face. " That's it, we're going to the hydro room, young lady." Ranka jolted up, sitting up yelping at thinking it was happening.
Nodoka hugged her in a tight embrace. "I'm sorry I just wanted you to wake up.." She choked up as she teared up. Ranka's heart was racing as she looked all around nervously. Nodoka held her closer as she stroked her on the head, trying to calm the panicked girl down. " It's alright Ranka, you're okay." She rubbed her on the back soothingly and thankful that she had woken up. Ranka teared up some. Nodoka kept comforting her for a good while, before pulling out of the embrace.
She took her daughters hands into hers with a smile. " How about you have something to eat, alright Ranka dear." Ranka shook her head back and forth. Eating was the last thing she wanted to do. Nodoka tried to reason with her. " Shampoo made sure to save you some dinner though dear." Ranka looked off in a daze. Nodoka kept a smile on. " I'll bring it to you, alright." She got up from where she was sitting on the side of the bed, taking her leave and going off downstairs.
Ranma perked up a bit at seeing his mother come back downstairs, seeing that she looked less upset than before. "How is she?" Nodoka smiled at him. " It's alright dear, she's awake." Somehow he wasn't so sure that she was, if she was he figured she would've come downstairs and as he observed his mother getting some food together. He could tell from the last traumatic event, that Ranka didn't want to eat and tried to intervene. " You know she probably doesn't feel like eating, right?" Nodoka protested to that. " She'll feel better if she does." Ranma sweat dropped. " I'm not so sure.. Anyways how did you get her to wake up?" Nodoka pushed one of her hair strands back behind her ear. " I was strict with her.. but I didn't mean it, but it worked." Ranma stayed silent on that, as he watched his mother go back upstairs with a bowl of ramen.
Nodoka smiled as she came into the room setting the bowl down on the dresser. "Here we are, some nice warm ramen." She sweat dropped at seeing her daughter had gone off under the blankets, which annoyed her that she was starting to get in that depressive state again, making her pull the covers off her. " It's time to eat, Ranka dear." She stayed curled up with her back to her, saying in a very quiet voice. " I'm not hungry.." Nodoka put her hands on her hips as she pulled Ranka up into a sitting up position. "Nonsense, mother will help you." Ranka had a blank look on her face. Nodoka took the bowl of ramen as she sat on the side of the bed and popped a spoonful in her mouth. "There now." She sweat dropped as Ranka looked sick and started gagging. She then curled back up into a ball. Nodoka sighed heavily as she put the blankets back over her, getting up and putting the bowl back on the dresser. " Alright dear, well i'll just leave this here for now. Would you like some rice balls instead?" Ranka replied with a quiet " No.." Nodoka hung her head as she turned the light off and went off downstairs looking sad.
Ranma noted this as she saw her. "I take it she didn't want to eat." Nodoka sighed as she sat down on the couch next to him. " You were right, I shouldn't have pushed her.." Ranma looked thoughtful for a minute. " I could try talking to her." Nodoka had a stern look on her face as she crossed her arms. "If you two had another fight, I expect that you will apologize and be gentle." Ranma nodded in understanding as he went upstairs, first going off to the bathroom to change with some cold water into a girl.
She knocked on the door saying who it was before going in and turning the light on and going and sitting in the chair at the desk. She looked sheepish as she fumbled with words. Sighing she hung her head. " Ranka I'm really.. sorry about what I said, I was dumb. You could hit me if ya want." She said hoping that might get a response. Ranka stayed curled up under her blankets, as she gave a quiet reply. " It's fine." Ranma-chan rubbed at the back of her head, un sure. " Mom's worried ya know. I.. was too." She tried talking a bit more but after awhile of getting nothing from her sister, she could tell she wasn't acting right, as well as sense she was depressed. At getting no where she got up and turned the light off, leaving the room and going back downstairs.
Nodoka looked up at seeing her, looking hopeful. Ranma-chan sighed and shook her head back and forth as she sat back down on the couch. Nodoka sighed as she wrung her hands worriedly. " We can't be too upset though right, she's awake." Ranma-chan looked off some, not really knowing how to approach the situation. " Ah yeah, right." Nodoka sighed as she kept wringing her hands nervously. " Were you able to apologize to your sister? And get her to eat?" Ranma-chan sighed again with a hand to her face. "I said I was sorry, yeah. Yeah no, she's not going to." At seeing her mother look more upset she panicked. " Ah but maybe later she will." Nodoka nodded with a small smile as she impulsively pulled Ranma into an embrace, to comfort both of them.
Time went by while they watched some tv together for awhile. Every so often, Ranma would catch his mother looking over at the staircase, seeing that she was hoping that Ranka would come down. After awhile Ranma-chan got up after calling it a night, going off upstairs to get ready for bed. Nodoka sighed as she laid her head back against the couch. It was obvious that Ranka's state of mind wasn't well due to the trauma and shock from what had happened, it was upsetting that she wasn't acting quite like herself, but she had to be grateful that was awake and she hadn't gotten as bad as the other time she had shut down. A while more and she got up herself and went upstairs to start getting herself ready for bed time as well, once she was finished and about to get into bed, she looked out the window noting the storm clouds and a flash of lightning not too far off.
It didn't take long as the storm started to ramp up with some booms of thunder and more lightning. Nodoka decided she would go check on Ranka again before going to bed as she made her way over to the room, letting herself in. Ranka was resting as the smaller booms made her flinch some, the next one however was very bad. Lightning cracked down from the sky at the same time a very loud boom of thunder let out, that shook the house, making Ranka jolt up and yell, with a very upset look on her face as she started to feel panicked. Her mind associating the shaking and loud booms with the devil. Nodoka rushed over, pulling her close as she tried to comfort her. " It's alright Ranka dear, it's just a bad storm." Ranma had came rushing over at having heard his sister yell, but stopped as he heard his mother was already there, going back to his room.
Another loud boom of thunder hit, shaking the house again, making Ranka more panicked. Nodoka stroked her hair soothingly. "Come on dear, you can stay with me tonight." She tried to take her by the hand, but she never moved. Nodoka sighed as she scooped her up from the bed as she carried her off to her own room, where she laid her down on her bed. " There now, don't worry your safe." She got into bed with her as she pulled the panicked girl close to her to comfort her. "I told you I won't let him have you." She tried her best to calm her daughter who was breathing heavily and her heart was racing with fear.
Eventually the storm had stopped and Ranka drifted off to sleep for a bit, till she started having nightmare's, which Nodoka would wake her up from, and went on for most of the night, which considered her.
The sun shown through the window as Nodoka got up from bed and started to get ready for the day. A few minutes after she was downstairs making breakfast. Eventually Ranma's alarm went off and he got up and got himself ready for school, before coming downstairs to have breakfast. Nodoka greeted him as served him a plate of food, before she sat down to her own. Awhile went by with no appearance from Ranka, prompting Nodoka to get up and go off upstairs.
Once in her room, she gave Ranka a little shake. "Ranka dear it's time to get up for school." Ranka pulled the blankets over her head as she curled up more. "Don't wanna.." She said in a quiet tone. Nodoka tried again, only to get ignored, making her sigh. She didn't want to force her daughter if she wasn't in the right state of mind, a day missed was acceptable in this case, but she also put her compromise system to work. " Alright but if you won't go to school, then you WILL have to eat something, alright young lady?" She got an annoyed but still quiet reply from the blankets. " Fine.." Nodoka smiled some as she had reached a goal, leaving her daughter to rest as she went back downstairs.
Ranma had finished with his breakfast, as he started getting his school things together. "Where's Ranka?" He said at spotting his mother. Nodoka smiled a bit. " It was a rough night, so she's not going to be going to school today." Ranma wasn't going to argue with his mother as he made sure to get going. He felt weird not having Ranka going to school with him.
After gaining some distance from the house and a bit closer to where he was heading, Ivory jumped down from a tree, throwing the contents of a bucket of water at him. He had the green gem necklace on him, as he used his chi to put up a defense barrier, which blocked the water to his excitement. Ivory tossed the empty bucket down in anger. " How dare YOU.." She then smirked evilly at not seeing Ranka with him, deciding to taunt him. " I see " someone" is missing? Oh my, maybe she got tired of playing house." Ranma scowled at her. " Shut your mouth demon witch, you know what happened!" Ivory laughed mockingly at him. " You're right I was just toying with you. Of course I do, it's a shame I missed out on a front row seat, but I heard "he" put her in her place, but also furious at the fact that she's defying him. I can only imagine how he probably yelled at her for her actions of betrayal." Ranma growled at her. " Shut up!" Ivory sneered at him and continued on. " And I bet she's re thinking her moronic decision right about now. How horrible of you and that woman to tie her down, to the point she want's to end it all." She cackled and jumped out of the way as Ranma charged at her with a punch, furiously. "I'd love to keep playing with you, but alas it is a school day. " She then ran off disappearing around a corner.
Ranma tightened his fists and gritted his teeth at how furious he was. Akane happened to come out into his path from a side road. " Hey Ranma, are you okay?" She looked around for a second. " Where's Ranka?" Ranma dropped his anger as he sighed. "She's not feeling good.." Akane had a concerned look on her face. "Because of the other day?" Ranma nodded as they walked off to school together.
Kuno at spotting Ranma and not seeing Ranka, started ranting away, until Ukyou entered the picture, slamming him off into the sky with her giant spatula. " You're so annoying in the morning." After putting it back behind her in it's holder she smiled and greeted Ranma. Making their way into the classroom, a cheerful Thrista bid them all a good morning, at not seeing Ranka her smile vanished. " Where's Ranka?" Ranma rubbed at the back of his head. " She's uh not feeling good." Thrista pouted as she sat back down at her desk. His friends also pouted at hearing that. Hiroshi of course had to say too much. " Maybe I should come visit and bring her some chocolates or some flowers huh man." Ranma gave him a glare, which shut him up. Sayuri sighed at hearing the news as well. A lot of the guys in the class were pouting as well. Soon class started.
Eventually it was gym class and Akane decided without consulting Ranma on a way to get out of school early, as she smacked a base ball off into his face. She took him off to the nurse after wards. It was one of the many times that the nurse wasn't present, so she patched him up. " Now we can use this as an excuse to go home early." Ranma looked annoyed. " Gee thanks for letting me know.." Akane got a bit flustered. " I'm just worried about Ranka, so do you think I can come visit?" Ranma shrugged his shoulders. " Probably, but I'm not so sure she want's any visitors.." Once the nurse showed up, they played it off at how bad Ranma was feeling and Akane pushed further that she should bring him home. The nurse allowed them to leave school early for the day.
Walking back Ranma rubbed at the big bandage on his face annoyed. Akane walked with him at a steady pace. " Is Ranka doing okay?" Ranma sighed as he stuck his hands in his pocket. "She's pretty depressed.." She gave him a questioning look. " Did you apologize to her?" Ranma gave her an annoyed look. " Yeah I did." Once they got to the house, they went off inside.
Nodoka looked over from her spot on the couch, as she furrowed her brow. " What is the meaning of this?" Ranma sweat dropped and pointed at Akane. " She hit me with a ball, and she wanted to visit Ranka." Akane huffed at getting blamed, but concentrated on the real reason it was done for. "That's right auntie Saotome, I was really worried about Ranka.." Nodoka smiled some what. " My that's so sweet Akane, but you shouldn't take it out on my poor boy. You're a lady and should try to act like it." Ranma had a smug look on his face. Akane tensed up as she felt embarrassed being put on the spot. "I uh.." Nodoka smiled back at her. " I don't think Ranka's really in the mood for visitors though.. she's just staying in bed." Ranma stuck his tongue out at Akane. " Told ya so." Akane fumed and tried to take a swipe at him, till she realized his mother was also there. Nodoka shook her head in dismay. " Is "this" how you two act? Ranma.. you shouldn't pick a fight with your fiancee, and Akane dear you shouldn't be trying to hit your betrothed."
Akane got all flustered as she bowed her head. " I'm sorry auntie Saotome.." Nodoka patted her on the head. Akane smiled back. " Auntie Saotome is it alright if I stay here for a few days. I have a plan to help Ranka." Nodoka put a hand to her face as she listened. " Well dear if you feel like you're up to the challenge I'll allow it, just make sure you tell your father your plans as well." Ranma's eyes bugged out. "What now?! " He groaned at hearing his mother allow Akane's plan.
Akane smiled more. " Oh thank you auntie Saotome. First I'm going to make some soup for Ranka, and then I'll make dinner, so you can relax." Ranma almost face faulted to the ground. Nodoka put her hands together. " My that's so sweet of you Akane dear, alright we'll leave you to it for awhile then, as I need to go to the store any ways." She turned to Ranma. " Ranma dear, let's go." Before he could protest, Nodoka started pushing him off to the front door with her. " Don't answer the door for anyone, alright Akane dear, we'll be back soon." Ranma had a huge sweat drop over his head as they took their leave.
Akane went off to the kitchen as she rolled up her sleeves, and started getting a bunch of random things out from random places as she hummed and went about to making a soup.
Not too much later she gave a knock on Ranka's door before she entered with the tray of her soup, if you could call it that.. That she set down on the dresser. She looked around, until she realized Ranka was under the blankets. "Hey Ranka, I heard you weren't feeling well, I brought you some soup." Ranka grumbled from under the blanket. " I already ate, now go away.." Akane huffed at the rudeness, she was intent on making sure Ranka didn't end up as bad as before and to get her back to herself, as she pulled the blankets off her. " Well I'm not leaving until you are better, and your mom's okay with that." Ranka gave her a blank look. "Mind your own business and gimme back my blanket.." Akane tossed it off onto the other bed. " Not until you have some soup, it'll make you feel better." Ranka grumbled a she sat up. " I doubt that.." Akane moved quickly as she popped a spoonful into her open mouth. " There!"
Ranka started gagging from the soup after swallowing it. "Ughh what the hell is this?!" Akane sweat dropped at her. " It's soup, I put a little of this and that in it, it's good right?" Ranka's stomach groaned in protest from the horrid substance. " No! it's horrific.." She covered her mouth feeling sick.
Akane huffed as she crossed her arms. " That's funny because Ryouga always loves my cooking." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " That's because he's trying to be nice, and spare your feelings. Akane got an angry vein on her forehead. "I bet he'd eat my soup." Ranka shot back angry. " Good, give it to him instead then!" Then ugghed and curled up in a ball. Akane fumed. "I made it for you, you'd better eat it or I'm gonna get mad!" Ranka waved a hand about. " Fine.. now go away.." Akane hmpfed as she tossed the blanket back over balled up, so it smacked Ranka in the face, as she stormed out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
Ranka pulled it off her face, fixing it so she was able to go back under the blankets, as her stomach protested the small amount of horrific soup that was forced upon it. After awhile she was back to resting.
A bit later she woke up suddenly at smelling what smelled like fire, then hearing the smoke alarm go off, making her jolt up from bed and race downstairs as she skidded off into the kitchen. Her eyes widened at seeing the disaster before her, flames shooting up from the stove top from a frying pan, another pot and fire on the kitchen curtains. Eggs in the microwave, that sent the microwave door flying off into the air as they exploded. Ranka twitched and yelled. " Daaahhh what are you doing?!" She rushed over to turn off the stove top burners, then smacking the fire out on what was left of the curtains. Akane looked indignant. "Duh, I'm cooking, what does it look like?" Ranka gave her an annoyed look as she sighed, being forced out of her funk, as if she didn't monitor and guide Akane with cooking, she might burn the house down.
Akane smiled as she started setting up the pretty burnt food from one pan, before going back to the other one, turning them back on, oblivious to the fact that there were fires. Ranka had a dull look on her face as she went about to dealing with the microwave. " I said.. what are you doing?" Akane hummed as she went about to putting a bunch of random spices into the new soup. " I'm making dinner." Ranka's eye twitched at hearing that, not quite believing that.
Soon after Nodoka and Ranma came back in from their store outing. Nodoka smelled the air. " Oh my.." Ranma sweat dropped as he set the bags down on the table. Akane poked her head out from the kitchen with a smile. " Welcome back, I made some soup and potstickers." She blindsided Ranma like she had Ranka as she popped a spoonful in his mouth. " Try some." Ranma staggered backwards as he gagged ugghing. Nodoka smiled. " My soup does sound good." She went off into the kitchen and gasped at seeing Ranka was up and downstairs, but also at the state of the kitchen. "What on earth? What happened to the curtains?" Ranka had a dull look on her face as she pointed at Akane, before going back to cleaning the microwave. Nodoka sweat dropped for a minute, before putting a smile on her face. " Ranka dear, I'm glad to see you up and out of bed." Ranka looked annoyed. " Well if I hadn't, she would've burnt the house down.." Akane huffed. Ranma at hearing his mom wanting to have that horrid stuff, tried to warn her. " No don't, it's…ughh." He looked sick. Nodoka took a spoonful to taste that she popped in her mouth, looking pale in the face as she staggered back, before catching herself. "It's a bit much, but a nice try. I appreciate the gesture, but you are a guest, so leave dinner to me dear, but that doesn't mean that you can't help.
Akane nodded in understanding. Nodoka took one of the potstickers up with her chopsticks as she took a small bite, with a loud crunch, that surprised her. Ranka sweat dropped as she finished cleaning up the egg mess from the microwave. Nodoka set the rest back in the pan. " Again a nice try but a bit too much." Ranma stayed away from the kitchen, looking nervous about the horrors that had gone on in there. He had heard Ranka was in the kitchen as well, thinking how Akane was the reason she had gotten up.
Nodoka smiled at Ranka, though it was short lived as she disappeared back upstairs in a flash. By the time Nodoka got up there after her, she was already back in bed. Still, she knocked on her door. " Ranka dear, I thought you were feeling better?" Ranka replied back. "I feel worse now.." Making gagging noise's as she felt ill from that little bit of soup Akane had forced on her. Nodoka sighed as she went off back downstairs.
She sighed as she went off outside off the back porch. "I'll be watering the garden, so no fighting while I'm outside." She then disappeared out into the back yard. Ranma looked grossed out from the spoonful of soup that had been forced on him. Akane had her hands on her hips. " Did she really, go back upstairs?!" Ranma gave her an annoyed look. " Gee I wonder why.. You almost killed her with what you call soup.." Akane balled her fists. " You two are both jerks, you know that!" Ranma scratched at the back of his head. " Yeah yeah. I told ya to leave her alone, but hey you're nasty cooking is what got her up, so congrats there, now you can leave." Akane fumed as her mallet appeared from out of nowhere in her hand, raised up in the air. Ranma nervously waved his hands about. " Hey now.. I wouldn't do that here in front of my mother.." Akane grumbled as she put it away, knowing he was right, making her huff. You're lucky she is.. No I'm not leaving till she feels better." Ranma grumbled back. " You're gonna piss her off." Akane hmpfed.
Time ticked by as Ranma and Akane were playing one of the video games together, when Nodoka got up from where she had been watching on the couch. " Well I'd better get started on dinner." Akane put her controller down, at noticing the time, going off and getting another bowl of soup heated up, before going off upstairs with it. Ranma followed her actions with his eyes as he observed and shuddered at spotting her with more soup going upstairs.
Akane knocked on the door " Ranka, it's Akane, I'm coming in." She let herself in, switching the light on as she set the new bowl of soup down on the dresser with some force as she spotted the first one full. " Hey! I told you to eat it! You said you would!" Ranka annoyed at her squawking, throws the blankets off herself. "Yeah right, like I'm gonna purposely poison myself!" Akane hmpfed. " Well I brought you some more and you better eat it, I worked hard on the new one." Ranka gave her a blank look. " You mean the one you almost burnt the house down with?" Akane glowered. " I don't need this, I'm going to go help auntie Saotome with dinner." She stormed out of the room and down the stairs.
Ranka grumbled as she got up out of bed, going off to the bathroom, knowing her mother would let Akane get away with too much, and if she didn't go down for dinner, well that meant another fight and more poison. She didn't really fix her hair too much or worry about her outfit as she went off downstairs and off into the kitchen, grumbling some more. Nodoka smiled at seeing her. " Oh Ranka dear, are you feeling better?" Ranka had a blank look on her face as she pointed at Akane. " No, but she might burn the house down or poison everyone." Akane bristled. " Excuse me?!" Ranka had an angry look on her face. " YOU heard me!" Nodoka sweat dropped as she separated the two girls by standing in the middle of them. "Ranka.. you're being very rude." She was upset by this sudden change in her attitude. It was like she wasn't even trying to behave like a young lady, she was acting more like Ranko. Ranma could hear the arguing but stayed out of it, as he kept his concentration on the game.
Once they got started that died down, but Ranka was still very cranky as she monitored Akane and what she was doing, as she grabbed the wrong oil away from her, giving her the right one. " Do you want to set things on fire, again?" Akane grumbled, looking flustered. " I wasn't trying to.." Nodoka looked at the oil she was intent on using as she sweat dropped. "I really hope you don't Akane dear, you really do need to be alert when cooking and to know which oils are best for cooking and which ones to avoid, as well as how much heat for said oil." She turned her attention to Ranka next. " And Ranka dear, you don't have to be so rude, it's a process and some learn a bit faster than others."
Ranka sighed in annoyance as she was still cranky about it, but just grumbled as she would take away the wrong things and give her the right things. Time ticked by and soon dinner was ready, the table set and everyone was served up some dinner at the table. Nodoka was very happy that Ranka was actually at the table having dinner, which was thanks to Akane, though her method was a strange one. Ranka took a few bites, enough to satisfy her mother, before she excused herself as she went back upstairs. Nodoka sighed as she had hoped she would've stayed downstairs, but at least she ate something. With Ranma she didn't have to worry as he always ate plenty.
Akane was annoyed at how Ranka was acting. "I can go get her auntie Saotome."
Nodoka shook her head which made Akane sit back down. " I know you think she's purposely being rude, but she went through a lot the other day. We need to try to be understanding of that and be grateful she's awake. I understand you don't like how she's acting and you want her to be back to herself, with your plan. But do understand Akane if I think or feel it's too much, I will step in. " She said in a bit of sterner tone, which made Akane gulp.
Ranma gave her a dull look as he finished eating and asked for seconds. Nodoka smiled at how healthy her son was as she served him seconds. Akane having finished, took her dishes into the kitchen. Then she phoned home as she talked to Kasumi, telling her about what was going on.
Not too much later, Kasumi knocked on the door and brought over a back pack with some things for Akane's visit. Akane met with her in the entrance way. " Thanks Kasumi, for doing this." Kasumi smiled back. " Of course and good luck with helping Ranka feel better, but Akane do try to be gentle alright." She waved at Ranma and Nodoka. Akane huffed some as she took the back pack from her and gave her a hug before she left. Nodoka sent Ranma off to escort Kasumi back home, not wanting a woman walking alone by herself at night.
Kasumi smiled with her hand to her face. " Oh my, you didn't have to." Ranma had his hands in his pockets as they walked. " It's fine, I won't hear the end of it from my mom if I don't." Kasumi giggled some. "Please thank her for me, when you can. She then looked a bit concerned as they kept walking. " Is Ranka alright?" Ranma looked off some. " She's depressed.." Kasumi frowned some. " I do hope Akane takes that in mind." Once they were close enough to the house, they parted ways after saying goodbye.
Once he got back to the house, he took his shoes off and sat down on the couch. "Kasumi say's " thank you." Nodoka smiled. " How sweet of her, she's such a lovely girl." She got up and went off to the kitchen to get her son a drink, before coming back and giving it to him. Ranma smiled as he took it and drank some of it. " Ah thanks, mom." He looked around at not seeing Akane. " Hey where's Akane?" Nodoka put a hand to her face. " Shortly after you left she said she was tired and going to bed." Ranma sweat dropped nervously. " She's staying in the guest room, right?" Nodoka sipped her own drink. " I believe she's intent on staying with Ranka." Ranma looked up towards upstairs nervously, knowing they'd likely end up fighting.
Akane had let herself in after a knock and was fixing up the other bed. Ranka grumbled at the light having been turned on. " There's a guest room ya know." Akane smiled at her. " Well I'm staying with you, so deal with it." Ranka gave her an annoyed look as she sat up in bed. " Who says I want you to." Akane kept smiling and going about her business. " I'm going to whether you like it or not." She had already gotten ready for bed before coming in, so she was all set for the night as she got into the bed. "So, why are you so cranky?" Ranka gave her a glare in her direction. " Because of you.." Akane sat up looking angry, getting up from the bed, storming over to Ranka's bed. "Oh yeah that's right because I'm fly, right?!" Ranka shot back at her. " That's right, so buzz off!" Akane bristled in anger with an angry smile on her face as she yelled. " buzz buzz buzz buzz!" Ranka fell over on the bed. Akane I could keep buzzing or are we gonna talk?! Because I can keep buzzing all night!" Ranka grumbled at her extra annoying persistence. " You're annoying as hell, you know that right?!"
Akane hmpfed back. " And you're a jerk!" Ranka gave her a dull look as she laid her head back up against the head board. Akane shot back. " Well?" Ranka quirked an eyebrow at her. " Well what?" Akane got up and stormed over to her bed again, grabbing her by her ear and yanking it. " Are you gonna tell me what happened or not?!" Ranka owwed as Akane let go with a furious look on her face. She rubbed at her ear looking annoyed. " You're a bully, you know that, right.. Maybe I don't want to talk about it, okay!" Akane fumed as she grabbed and yanked her other ear, making her oww before she let it go.
Ranka pouted as she rubbed at her other ear now. "What's to say.. I was stupid for trying to act polite." She grew upset as she tightened her fist. " And where did it get me? Sent to hell.. I should've just went with my instinct and punched the guy in the face, like I did the other one.. because.. now.." She started to tear up some. " He" knows everything now.." She wrapped her arms around herself as she tensed up.
Akane looked concerned as she watched her and started piecing things together. " I see, that's why Ranma was attacking that guy on the roof top.. and Shampoo said Cologne saved you." Ranka nodded as she wiped her tears away defiantly. " Good that someone did.. " She rubbed at the amber burn mark on her wrist. " Yeah well she as annoying as having a tracker and claim mark from the amazons is.. it's what helped granny save me.. " Akane looked all frazzled " Tracker? Claim?" Ranka looked annoyed as she sighed. " There's no way around it like I said before. Now are we done? Or are you gonna keep nagging me to talk, when I don't want to.."
Akane sighed as she shook her head feeling bad. "No, but thank you for telling me." Ranka remembered suddenly about evil P-chan and how apparently it was her job to tell her, so since they were talking it was a good time to. " Oh yeah, there's an evil P-chan running around so be careful with dealing with P-chan." Akane looked even more frazzled. "Whaat?!" Ranka blinked at her reaction. "Oh well I just found out too.. the devil made an evil clone of P-chan for kicks, but he's really dangerous and extra naughty." Akane looked confused. " What do you mean extra naughty? Ranka sweat dropped realizing she said a little too much regarding P-chan. Akane smiled smugly at her. " Ooh I see, you're jealous of P-chan like Ranma is." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Whatever.. I'm going to bed." She pulled the blankets over her head. Akane giggled as she got up and turned the light off, before getting back in bed for the night.
As morning came, Akane was up before Ranka and put the next part of her plan into motion, as she got up and went off to the bathroom to wake up, before coming back into the room. Ranka had eventually drifted off to sleep and nnghed in her sleep at being shaken as Akane gave her a shake from under the blanket. " It's time to get up Ranka, we're going out today, okay." Ranka at hearing about leaving the house, replied gruffly "Don't wanna.." Rolling over so her back was facing her.
Akane hmpfed as she reached her hand under the blanket, grabbing her by her foot and yanking her by it, so she fell out of bed. Ranka owwed as she rubbed her butt, looking cranky. Akane had her arms crossed. " Come on we're going out today." Ranka got back in bed, pulling the blankets over her again. " Wanna bet.." She mumbled. She aahed as Akane yanked the blanket off from her. "We're going.. I saw Sayuri's photo's of you two from you're day out together.. so YOU owe me!" Ranka looked flustered. "I uh.." Akane got up in her face with an angry face. " YOU OWE ME!" Ranka sighed heavily as she hung her head and put her hands up in defeat. " Okay.. already.." She got up out of bed and went off to the bathroom to wake up a bit more, before coming back.
Akane fussed about her hair. "What about your hair?" Ranka had a dull look on her face. " What about it?" Akane sighed as she grabbed up a brush and started brushing her hair. " It's a mess, that's what." Ranka owwed and grabbed it from her. " It will be if you keep ripping it all out.." She grumbled and brushed it out, before tossing the brush down. " Happy now?" Akane fussed more. " Don't you want to style it?" Ranka gave her a blank look. " No, I don't even wanna go out but you won't shut up about it.." Akane styled her hair up into a sloppy side ponytail. " There, that's better." Ranka sweat dropped at looking in the mirror. " How is "this" better?" She sighed and fixed it into her usual ponytail.
Not too much later everyone was at the table having breakfast. Nodoka smiled at seeing Akane and Ranka wearing similar outfits. "My, do you two have plans today?" Akane smiled back. " Yes auntie Saotome, me and Ranka are going to go out today." Ranka had a dull look on her face as she poked at her food with the chopsticks. " She's making me.." Nodoka smiled back. " Well it's best to do what she wants, but I expect you back before dinner and Ranka I also expect you to eat some breakfast." Ranka curled her lip some as she picked at some rice to satisfy her mother. Ranma stayed out of it and enjoyed his breakfast.
After Akane was done she put her dishes in the sink and nagged at Ranka. " Come on, get your butt in gear Ranka." Ranka wrinkled up her nose at her. " That's your fault for breaking it, first thing in the morning.." Akane looked really red in the face at having that said in from of others. Nodoka sweat dropped. " Oh my.. what were you two doing this morning?" Ranma was sweat dropping as well, wanting to know the same. Ranka pointed at Akane. " She" dragged me out of bed, that's what." Nodoka shook her head at the whole thing. " Now Akane dear, that's not very nice or lady like." Akane tensed up looking more embarrassed. Nodoka got up and put her dirty dishes in the sink in the kitchen, before going and getting her purse, taking some money out and handing it to Ranka. " Some extra spending money for you two." Ranka sighed as she stuck it in her sweatshirt jacket pocket. " I don't really want to go, but thanks.." Akane grabbed her by her hand and hauled her off really fast out of the house, saying good bye to Nodoka for her.
Ranka tensed up at being outside the house, her gem necklace reacting as it put a defense barrier around her and Akane as well, as she was close enough. Akane was still pulling her off with her, by her hand. "Okay first we're going to go play some tennis." Ranka sighed in reply, annoyed that Akane had found out about her and Sayuri going out together. More annoyed as she had told her not to let Akane know and now she knew.
Soon they were at their destination with the fast pace that Akane had been walking and dragging her along as well. They then rented tennis outfits that they changed into, before going out onto the court. They went back and forth at it for a while, Akane was excited on her side, while Ranka was just hitting the ball back, with a dull look on her face the whole time. After about half and hour they called it quits, as they went and changed back. Akane smiled. " That was fun, huh." Ranka wasn't smiling. " For you, it obviously was." Akane ignored her as she grabbed her by the hand and dragged her off to the next destination, a cafe as they sat and had some drinks and pastries.
Ranka sipped her tea with a blank look on her face. Akane was enjoying her latte and pastry, taking notice Ranka wasn't eating hers. " Aren't you going to eat yours?" Ranka looked annoyed at hearing that. " I didn't want it but you insisted, so why don't you eat it, I'm not hungry.." Akane sighed. " Fine." She took the other pastry for herself as well.
After finishing and paying, Akane grabbed Ranka by her hand and dragged her off to the next destination the department store, in the clothing part. They were looking through random racks, more so Akane as she went thru some outfits. "Oh Ranka, aren't these cute." Ranka had a blank look on her face. " Uhuh." Akane looked through some other ones before pulling out a pink chinese blouse. "This" would look so cute on you." Ranka's eye twitched. " I told you.. I'm not going there.." Akane pouted. " But it's not exactly like Ranma's." She went back to browsing before pulling out a purple one. " Ooh this one is cute too." Ranka sighed heavily. " You're not going to stop nagging me about them are you?" Akane just smiled brightly as she was holding both sets out.
Ranka went off to a different area before coming back, holding up a lacey lingerie set, the one that Nodoka had tried to get Akane to get before. " Tell you what Akane, you get this and I'll get the two chinese blouse's sets.."
Akane was bright red in the face. " How about a different set?" Ranka had a smug smile on her face. " Nope, this one or no deal." Akane tensed up as she grabbed them from her. " Fine.." They went and paid for the items.
After that Akane dragged Ranka off to a photo booth, where they took a couple of pictures, one of which Akane forced a pulled on the face smile from Ranka and another a forced one. After the photo's came out, they split them up and Akane had a big smile on her face.
Akane figured she had tortured Ranka enough and they should call it a day, until she spotted a vending machine with plushies, spotting a cute pig one, her eyes lighting up. Ranka took notice and even though she was annoyed, since she was essentially Ranma's other half, and had a lot of the same memories, it tugged on her heart strings with seeing Akane happier than usual and wanting that for her. She sighed as she put some money into the machine, taking a few tries before she got the claw to snatch the cute pink pig plush, taking it out and handing it over to Akane. " You wanted it, right." Akane couldn't hold herself back as she hugged the plush and nodded with a cheerful smile. She put it away in her shopping back, before impulsively hugging onto Ranka. "Ooh thank you, Ranka I love it so much!" Ranka was looking flustered, as Akane pulled off looking sheepish. "I uh.. got a little too excited.." Ranka gave her a slightly annoyed look. " You think?"
Akane looked flustered some as she tightened her hold on her shopping bag handle. " I'll uh go on a head, so I can drop these off at home first." Ranka was about to say something but her attention was elsewhere as she spotted the movie theater and stared at in a bit of a daze, as she remembered about how Ryouga had wanted to go to the movies before. She kind of felt a little bad, since she had been hating extra on him, for all the things the evil P-chan had done.
Akane rushed off still blushing, only to bump into someone, making her drop her shopping bag on the ground. "Oh, I'm sorry." Ivory shook her head. " You'd better be.." Her attitude changed as she noted who it was. " Oh you're Ranma's tomboy, aren't you?" Akane wrinkled up her nose. " Excuse me?! " Her anger dropped as she realized who she was faced with, making her take a step back, as she remembered Ranka's warning before about staying away from Ivory. Ivory smirked evilly at her as she approached her. "I've got an idea tomboy, how about you come with me to hell, call it incentive." Akane's eyes widened in horror as she started running off as fast as she could. Ivory smirked more as she walked fast paced after her.
Ranka snapped out of her daze as her gem lit up brightly on her necklace, making her blink and look around as it warned her, then she sensed Ivory was near. She furrowed her brow as she realized what was in play, as she dropped her shopping bag on the ground. She looked around frantically as she spotted them not too far off, then looking around some more till her sights set on restaurant having a drama show outside it, and one of the actors with a sword. She sped over in a blur as she snatched it from the actor, going so fast that she wasn't seen taking it. She then rushed over with speed as she blocked Ivory's path from Akane, as she slashed the sword at her, trying to get at her head. Ivory sneered at Ranka as she had her own gem materialize a sword of her own, which she used to block Ranka's aim as both their swords clashed off each others. "Well well, look at who we have here." She made sure to throw up a magical barrier, that hid them from normal eyes, within the barriers range.
Akane stopped running as she heard the swords clashing. Ivory attacked at Ranka with her sword furiously as the metal from both kept clanging off of each other. The attack was so fast and furious Ranka was having a bit of hard time blocking off the feverish attacks. Ivory continued her attack as she cackled. " That's not a holy sword, is it?" She put all her strength into her next attack, smirking in glee as her opponents sword's blade broke off, and the impact sent the blade flying off into a near by tree. "I'll be taking the tomboy hostage now, unless you want to behave and come back willingly?"
Ranka tossed the broken sword down, huffing and puffing. " You're not going to give me a choice, are you.." Akane tightened her fists as she yelled. " Ranka, don't listen to her! Don't do it!" Ivory enraged by the interference, changing her purple sword into a whip, as she lashed it out at Akane's path. " SHUT UP, TOMBOY!" Ranka ran over as fast as she could to where Akane was and blocked Ivory's hit, as she put up a defense barrier around her and Akane. Ivory bristled in anger, as she unleashed a barrage of numerous whippings at them. Akane yelled as she shut her eyes in fear. Ranka sighed heavily as she stood in front like a shield. " I told you.. I didn't want to leave the house.. now do you see WHY?" Akane was in too much fear as she was crouching on the ground, with her hands to her head. The attacks from the whip kept going as they smacked off the barrier.
Ranka sighed again as she grabbed Akane up by her hand, hauling her up from the ground, who had a surprised and flustered look on her face. Ranka then picked her up off her feet, pulling her up into the care of her arms as she held her in her arms. "We're gonna make a run for it, so hold on tight." Akane's eyes were wide as she wrapped her arms around Ranka, red in the face as she nodded. Ranka held onto her tightly as she sped off with the barrier still around them, leaping up into the air a few times, up onto a stone wall and then higher up onto a roof top, as she kept her speed up.
Ivory snarled as she watched them flee, she communicated with her purple gem, as she summoned a squad of demons to give chase, then she herself joined the chase as well, as she leapt up into the air and on top of roof top. Akane had here eyes open, as she yelped as they jumped from roof top to roof top, she yelled as she spotted what looked to be a horde of shadowy figures chasing after them. Once they were close enough to the house, she jumped down with Akane to the ground, putting her down, then shoving her off into the house. She then communicated with her gem, making the barrier go up all around the house, just in time for the pursuers to smack into it, just as she went off inside the house.
Nodoka looked over at seeing Akane stumble inside looking a fright and Ranka coming in soon after. " Welcome back you two. You weren't fighting were you?" Akane shook her head about back and forth furiously. Ranka went off upstairs looking annoyed.
Meanwhile back at the shopping district, Cologne had seen from the amazon amber that that was danger and went to where the fight had been, seeing the two shopping bags not too far off from each other she scooped them up. Using the amber she tracked where Ranka had gone. She had also missed Ivory and the horde of demons that had disappeared in a blur at being repelled by Ranka's defense barrier. She could sense that something bad had gone down. Once she arrived at the Saotome's house she gave a knock and announced herself.
Nodoka at hearing a knock at the door got up from the couch, going to the front door and answering. " Hello Cologne, what brings you here?" Cologne cleared her throat. " I've come to check up on how Ranka's doing, and seems she dropped this." She handed off one of the shopping bags to Nodoka as she came inside. Ranma furrowed his brow, taking his attention away from the video game as he noticed the old ghoul was there, he had also taken notice of how abruptly Akane stumbled inside the house a few minutes ago. He could sense that something wasn't right, but with him and Ranka's bond messed up, he wasn't able to feel exactly what was going on with her.
Nodoka nodded in understanding. "She's upstairs in her room, I'll go." Cologne cut her off. " That won't be necessary, I'll go to her." She then hopped up the stairs with her staff, as she was able to know with the amber where she was, as she pushed open the door with her staff. "Hello there Ranka." Ranka furrowed her brows sitting at her desk. "Were you tracking me?" Cologne laughed some. " Well there's no hiding it anymore, so yes." Ranka sighed as she couldn't be mad at her, she had saved her after all, which made her tense up some. " Thanks for saving me before, granny.." Cologne laughed some more. "Of course, I would've regardless. Though of course I would've liked had you stayed with us." Ranka gave her a dull look. " Is that why you drugged me?" Cologne snickered some. "Like I said, there's no hiding things easily from you my dear. Though I also did so to relax you. A pity your mother wouldn't let you stay." She set the shopping back down on the ground. " It seems you dropped this, am I correct?"
Ranka eyed the bag. " Yeah, I guess I did.. you looked in it, didn't you?" Cologne chuckled a bit. " Perhaps just a glimpse. Did Akane Tendo have something to do with the decision?" Ranka's eyes widened a bit at how good she was at knowing things. "Ah yeah.. she wouldn't shut up about it.." Cologne laughed a bit. " She is aggressive, but I sense you don't want to copy Ranma, which is why you hold back on using his attacks, am I correct my dear?" Ranka tensed up as the old amazon had hit the nail on the head, as she nodded. Cologne smirked. " Well I did teach Ranma his skills, so I could teach you your own if you'd like. When you want to learn, just stop by the cafe. Well I just wanted to check up on you, so I'll be going now." She then took her leave from the room, of course she had wanted to try to set up some of the incense and take Ranka away with her to the cafe, but wouldn't dare to with Nodoka the cobra, ready to strike if she made a wrong move.
Once down stairs she was faced with the cobra. Nodoka had a stern look on her face as she faced the amazon matriarch. "I do hope you weren't up to anything." Cologne smiled back at her. " Perish the thought. I'll be on my way." She then took her leave from the house. Nodoka sighed as she still held the other shopping bag. " I guess I should bring this upstairs then." Akane tried not to show she was flustered as she jumped at the chance to get it back. " I'll bring it up to her, auntie Saotome." Nodoka smiled as she handed off the shopping bag to her. " Alright dear, but please no fighting." Akane nodded before she disappeared upstairs faster than lightning, off into the room, shutting the door behind her.
Ranka had just finished changing into a more comfortable lounge outfit, a t-shirt and pants, as she took notice of Akane's flustered look and her griping onto the shopping bag. " Oh, did someone almost get caught?" Akane grew redder in the face. " Don't mock me, it's your fault.." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at her. " Well we both had to compensate now didn't we? Besides you need to get off your high horse about that kinda stuff." Akane wanted to get mad at her but then she was too busy snuggling and loving up her cute new pig plush that she had won for her. " I think it's about time I should go back home, but only if you agree to come back to school."
Ranka was busy playing with her hair, looking upset. " I told you I didn't want to leave the house, what don't you understand? School's not safe anymore.." Akane held onto her pig plush with a determined look on her face. " Fine then, I won't go to school anymore either then and I won't leave. I.. missed you not coming to school and so did everyone else. Especially Ranma.. Not to mention now I'm in danger." Ranka sighed with her hand to her face. "You drive a hard bargain in the most annoying way.. I guess I don't really have a choice. You should stay put until tomorrow, like you said you're in danger. Night time is the best prowling time for demons, you'll have more protection with the daylight." Akane blinked. " Are they going to die from it?" Ranka hahed. " No, but they can get away with more things in the dark, and more active at night. Besides night time is when they cause more mischief." Akane had a dull look on her face. " That's funny because Ivory didn't seem bothered by attacking me during the day." Ranka rolled her eyes at her. " Yeah well a she-devil is a bit different than a demon.. Weren't you listening to what I just said?"
Akane sighed as she was still holding her pig plush. " Why don't you come downstairs and be sociable? I mean, are you even going to eat?" Ranka looked off some. " I haven't felt well okay.. like I said I didn't want to go out ANYWHERE, but noo, you nagged me to death to.." Akane looked a bit annoyed. "Well why don't you take something for your stomach then, it's not good to hardly eat." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. "If it were that simple I would've.. and I'm just.. not in the mood.. but you're not gonna shut up, so you win Akane, I'll go downstairs and be.. social.." Akane just had a smug grin on her face. Ranka gave her a look. " You'd better leave the piggy here." Akane huffed. " Why should I?" Ranka rolled her eyes at her. " Boy are you stupid.. You'll upset Ranma, you would know that if you cared to think about him. Some fiancee you are." Akane turned bright red in the face, what came next was a loud slap.
Downstairs Nodoka at hearing what seemed like fighting, ran upstairs as she threw the door open, just in time to catch the after math of Akane slapping Ranka across the face. She furrowed her eyebrows at her sternly as she admonished her. " Akane! For shame! She grabbed her by her wrist and pulled the startled girl off to the guest room, where she let go of her. " Please stay in here and think for 10 minutes about your actions and take that time to calm yourself.." She said in a very serious tone as she shut the door behind. She then went back over to Ranka's room, where she fussed over the slap mark on her face. " Oh Ranka dear, are you alright? I hope you didn't agonize her.. but still that was wrong of her.. come downstairs and I'll get some ice for you." She rushed over to the bathroom, where she ran a wash cloth under the the cold water a few minutes before squeezing it enough that it was damp, then rushing back to the room and having her daughter put it to her face. "Take a few minutes to calm down and come down." Ranka nodded and sighed as she sat down at the desk, holding the cold washcloth to her face. Akane had caught her off guard, much to her annoyance. She could easily heal herself but her mother was too invested in the matter, as well as she didn't want to take away from powering the defense barrier around the house. Not to say she couldn't do other things with magic, but would rather not while using a lot already.
Ranma grimaced and sweat dropped as he had heard mainly Akane being the loud one with the fighting and then heard the familiar noise of a slap to the face. Sure enough he saw his mother come back downstairs looking upset. Not too much later Ranka came downstairs looking annoyed as Nodoka went and got her an icepack to put on her face for awhile, as she had her sit down on the couch. "Keep that on for a few minutes alright dear. I'm going to go check on Akane." She went off upstairs again.
Ranma sweat dropped as he was playing the game. " She" got you good huh." Ranka with an annoyed look on her face, holding the ice pack to her face. " Yep.." Ranma kept multitasking as usual. " What'd you say?" Ranka looked more annoyed. "A bit too much apparently.." Ranma muttered as he kept playing. "She's" sooo un cute.." Ranka nodded in agreement. He was surprised that his sister hadn't slapped Akane back, like she had before, then he suddenly was able to sense and feel what was going on with her, which meant their bond was starting to strengthen again. He could definitely sense that she wasn't in a good mood.
Suddenly a very upset and crying Akane came running off downstairs, running past the two siblings to the front door that she threw open. Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Hey stupid, what're you doing? I told you it's not safe to leave at night." Akane glared at her through her tears. " It's your fault, for being such a jerk, and you made auntie yell at me!" She then ran off or would've if Ranka hadn't had a barrier up, that she smacked into and off of, when trying to leave, knocking her off her feet as she fell unconscious. She had made sure to make it so she was blocked from leaving, as her gem lit up. " You just had to make me do things the hard way, didn't you.." She said with an annoyed look as she put the ice pack down on the table as she got up from the couch. " First you go and slap me and blame me for you're getting yelled at.. She mumbled as she scooped Akane up from the ground up into her arms, carrying her off upstairs, where she met with her mother who looked alarmed.
Nodoka had a hand to her face. "Oh my.. she just got so upset and then bolted off from me.." Ranka sighed as she took her to her room and laid her down on the other bed, before going back over to her mother. "She gets over dramatic.." Nodoka sighed. " The poor dear, it looks like she hurt herself." She then put her attention on Ranka who looked nervous. " I would like an explanation, but first.." She grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her off downstairs where she sat her down on the couch sternly, then making her put the ice back on her face. " I told you not to take it off for awhile, you don't want a nasty bruise on your face do you dear?" Ranka sweat dropped. " I guess not?"
Nodoka sighed for a moment before looking stern as she stared Ranka down. " Now dear, tell me what happened today? Before you say nothing, I know that "something" happened since you seem to have shoved Akane off inside so brashly when you came back." It was Ranka's turn to sigh as she couldn't easily hide things anymore from her mom, but she also didn't want to tell her either. She fidgeted nervously with her other hand. " You'll get mad.." Nodoka kept her stern look. " You know I'll get more mad if you don't tell me.." Ranma just sweat dropped and tried to stay out of it, unless he needed to join in. Ranka groaned as she put the ice pack down, having kept it on for most of the time. "I told her I didn't want to go out anywhere.." Nodoka kept her gaze on her. "Ranka.." She said a bit more sternly. Ranka tensed up. "Ivory attacked.." Nodoka looked furious for a moment, before calming herself. "I see, thank you for telling me dear." She then took her hands into hers and smiled. " And what did you say to Akane that made her so mad, that she slapped you?" Ranka gulped, as did Ranma. "I uh.. like I said, something I shouldn't have.." Nodoka's annoyed smile stayed put. "What did you say..?" Ranka hung her head. " I'd rather not say.." Nodoka let go of her hands and her smile dropped, turning into a frown. " I expect you to apologize to Akane when she wakes up, as I also expect her to you." Ranka nodded in understanding. Nodoka then got up from the couch, going off into the kitchen to start on dinner.
Ranka sat back looking exhausted from the interrogation. Ranma looked annoyed as he paused the game. " That demon witch was around again.." Ranka sweat dropped as she could clearly tell he was very angry as well. "Yeah.. I'm going to go check on Akane.." She got up and disappeared upstairs very fast.
A bit later Akane woke up, feeling a bit out of it. Ranka at seeing Akane was up, shuffled over to the bed with a poutie look on her face with her arms crossed. "I'm sorry.." Akane looked a bit flustered as she bowed her head. " I uh.. I'm sorry too." She rubbed at her head a bit confused. Ranka caught on to this. "You ran so fast out the door, you didn't notice you tripped and fell and fell unconscious. It really is best if you just stay put till tomorrow, alright." Akane nodded understanding her predicament. Before they could say more, Ranka heard her mother yell about dinner. Dinner's ready, so we'd better get down there."
They did so a few minutes later, as everyone was eating dinner at the table together. Time went by and it soon clean up time after dinner, as they worked on the dishes, while Ranma was playing a game in the living room. Nodoka finished up her tasks, as she dried her hands off as she addressed everyone. " I'm going to go for a night time walk, I'll be back in a bit." Ranma offered to go with her, but she turned his offer down, wanting him to stay put. After Nodoka left and had them lock up behind her, she went off to go demon hunt, with a specific target in mind.
Akane and Ranma played a game for awhile, while Ranka watched on and off. After awhile they quite and went back to watching tv, until Akane snatched the remote from Ranma. He protested about it. " Hey, what gives Akane?" Akane had a superior look on her face. " I'm the guest, so I should have a say in what we watch." She turned the channel to some romantic show, which made Ranma protest more. "Oh no you don't, hand it over or change it to something else." Ranka had a blank look on her face as she watched them go at it. Akane hmpfed as she took her glass of water and splashed Ranma with it, turning him into a girl. " Now you're a girl, so you can't complain." Ranma-chan raised hell back. " Like hell I can't, gimme that damn remote back, Akane!" Akane shook her head at her, as she kept the remote away. " You don't see Ranka complaining about it, now do you?" She then suddenly noticed the remote was missing from her hand, making her blink. Ranka had snatched it from her in a blur, while she was busy arguing with Ranma, and tossed it over her to Ranma. Ranma-chan caught it with a smug smirk. "Say's you." Akane furrowed her brow as she turned her attention on Ranka. " Hey! Why did you do that? You weren't complaining about it.."
Ranka still had a blank look on her face with her hand to her face, as she stayed silent. Akane fumed as she boiled over. " You're a girl too, why won't you side with me?!" She demanded as she impulsively went to slap her. Though she had caught Ranka off guard last time, this time the gem reacted in anger as it glowed brightly putting up the defense barrier, blocking the slap, making Akane slap the barrier. Ranma-chan who had been celebrating about getting the remote back, noticed the back lash as Akane pulled her hand back and pouted at hitting something hard.
Ranka looked a bit annoyed as she looked off the other way. "I'm sorry that I don't meet your expectations as well Akane. I did warn you about slapping.." Ranma-chan scratched at her head at how to diffuse things. Akane bristled at what was said. "What did you say?!" Ranka furrowed her brows as she put her attention on Akane. " I'm not going to repeat myself." Akane glowered at her. " You don't like romance?" Ranka rolled her eyes at her. "Not as much as you do, apparently. Which is so unlike a tomboy to do." Akane furrowed her brows in anger as she went to try to slap Ranka again, only for her hand to be caught this time. Ranka had a very serious look on her face. " Would you knock it off already? You are coming off as a threat to my gem.. do you want it to recognize you as an enemy?" Akane pulled her hand away with an upset look. "No.." Ranma-chan shook her head all tsk tsk. " I don't blame "it." Akane tensed up as she shot back. " Shut up, Ranma.." After that it was quiet as they watched tv for awhile, before Ranka got up and went off to bed.
Ranma-chan had a hand to her face looking annoyed. "You do know YOU started it, right? Stop picking fights with her, especially right now.." Akane huffed with her arms crossed. " She's the one picking fights with me, and you too!" Ranma-chan gave her dull look. " Right.." She sighed and handed over the remote. " You win, watch what ya want." She was about to get up and go out and look for Nodoka, when the front door unlocked and her mother came in, shutting and locking the door behind her.
Ranma-chan sweat dropped at the look her mother gave her. "How was your walk, mom?" Nodoka took her shoes off, putting them by the door. "It was quite enjoyable." She took notice that Ranka wasn't with them, guessing she was back up in her room already, like she also guessed there must of been fighting between Akane and Ranma, which resulted in water being used on Ranma. She wasn't going to upset the atmosphere over it though. Ranma-chan rubbed at her head. " Did you go after the demon witch.." Nodoka smiled in reply, keeping the rest to herself, how she had gone and slayed Ivory, once she had arrived after she had killed a bunch of other demons. After awhile everyone went up to bed for the night. Akane stayed with Ranka, but kept to herself feeling guilty about before. She just wanted to go to bed and get up and go back home tomorrow.
In the morning, she didn't bother Ranka at all, she was quiet about going about her business, before taking her leave from the room. A few minutes later she went downstairs where she was greeted by Nodoka and ushered over to the table to have breakfast. Nodoka took notice that she was the first one to get up. "Is Ranka not up yet?" Akane sipped her drink, before setting her glass down. "Well no, I did cause her a lot of trouble the other morning.." Nodoka nodded in agreement. "Are you ready to go back home then?" Akane nodded. " I am." Nodoka smiled some. " After Ranma gets up and has some breakfast, I'll have him walk you home, alright dear."
Not too much later he did and after having breakfast, and at his mother's request escorted Akane back home. Ranma walked with his hands in is pockets. " So I guess you're done with your little plan huh." Akane nodded. "Hey it worked." Ranma shrugged his shoulders. " Sure.." Once they got closer to the house Akane said good bye and thanks for walking with her, as she ran off inside. Ranma took his leave as he started walking back, getting back not too much later.
Nodoka greeted him as he came back in, from where she was sitting on the couch with Ranka. "Welcome back Ranma dear, I'm going to go out for a bit but I've made some lunch for you two and expect you'll both have your homework done before I return." She said as she got herself up from the couch, going to get her things before going off to the front door, where she put her shoes on. " As well as I expect you two to stay put, unless you leave me a note, but would prefer you stay in. I'll be back in a bit." She said as she waved good bye before taking her leave.
After getting a drink, he took a seat on the couch. Not that he was complaining about not being able to go anywhere. Ranka stretched some, still waking up. " So she finally decided to go back home huh." Ranma laid back into the couch. " About damn time." Ranka nodded in agreement. After drinking some of his drink and setting it down on the table he decided to try to talk more. "So, are you going to come back to school?" Ranka tensed up some at hearing that, looking flustered and a mix annoyed. "I'd better or Akane will come right back.. I.. really don't want to though, since it's.. not safe anymore." She looked off the other way grumbling. " I should've just.. punched him like the other one.." Ranma had a stern look on his face. " Why didn't you?" Ranka looked flustered again, then annoyed. " Because.. everyone was telling me that was the wrong thing to do.." It was Ranma's turn to grumble. " Nah just punch em next time."
Ranma fidgeted a bit before tightening his fists. "I was really worried you were gone.. I wanted to beat the stuffing out of that guy..but Akane stopped me.. and i'm glad the old ghoul saved you, but also not.." Ranka sighed deeply. "I'm sorry I worried you and mom. I get that but if it wasn't for her underhanded tactic, I likely wouldn't be here.. of course her other underhanded tactic was un called for.. but that's amazon's for you.." She said trying to make a bit light of the situation. Ranma waved his hands about. " It's not like it was your fault.. it was mine, because I messed up our bond. If I hadn't done that, and we had learned that new technique, "that" wouldn't have happened.." He tightened his fist more. Ranka sighed as she moved over to where he was on the couch and patted him on his shoulder. "We both messed up again, so like granny said, take it as a learning experience and don't beat yourself up about it. And even though me and Akane were about to kill each other.. she nagged me out of my funk. Well that and trying to burn the house down.."
Ranma sweat dropped. " Yeah.. what happened to how she was cooking better huh?" Ranka rubbed at her head looking a bit flustered. " Apparently if she's not supervised and extra excited, she just does what she wants. It's obviously going to take a lot of time." Ranma looked nervous at hearing that. "So uh, you two were fighting a lot." Ranka sweat dropped this time. " You know how she is.. and how you are.. and I was in a bad mood." Ranma was still quite curious. " So, how did she manage to smack you?" Ranka looked frustrated. " I got her this pig plush and she wanted to bring it downstairs and I said that'd be rude to you, and how she was being a lousy fiancee.." Ranma couldn't help but laugh at what he heard, which made Ranka more flustered. "Hah, well she obviously didn't like what ya said." Ranka looked annoyed and less flustered now. " She NEVER likes what I or you say.. and she's "slap happy.." Ranma nodded in agreement. "So, you're not gonna tell mom what you said." Ranka went back to looking flustered. " I can't.. she'll get mad at me.. just like if I tell her.. I punched that guy out in the face.." Ranma rubbed at the back of his head. " Yeah that's true, I wonder where she went." Ranka had a dull look on her face. " Probably to Kalu's. Anyways we'd better make sure our home works done before she gets back, I for one don't want to get punished." She said as she got up and started to head upstairs.
Ranma looked nervous as he got up and followed after her. " Yeah but won't she get mad.." Ranka knowing what he was referring to, eased his nervousness. "I don't think it's a problem, she has a problem when it's staying in the same room for the night. Like with Akane, it's fine to visit." Ranma nodded nervously as they went off into the room, taking seats on the ground at the ground table and going through their school bags. Ranka showed him what they had to do, before they got started on it. After awhile they finally finished and started putting things away. Ranma rubbed at his stomach that was growling. " Oh man I can't wait to have lunch." He then took notice of the shopping bag and was curious. " So, what did you and Akane get while you were out the other day?" Ranka looked a bit flustered. "It's just one of the many things she wouldn't stop nagging me about.. but we came to a compromise." Ranma wasn't going to nag about that right now as he was more focused on having lunch, as they went off downstairs and helped themselves to the sandwiches.
Nodoka had made sure to make a lot, so that there were plenty. Both siblings were eating, until the front door was busted down. Shampoo stepped in holding a metal food tray. " Aiya airens, Shampoo come see you and bring tasty ramen." Cologne was behind her as she smiled. " Pardon us, we just came to check up on how you're both doing." She made sure to fix the door, before entering. "Shampoo, how many times have I told you about getting too excited with doors." Shampoo giggled in response as she set the metal box on the table and glomped onto Ranma. "Ranma happy to see Shampoo." Ranma had a sandwich in his mouth, trying not to choke on it. Cologne chuckled. " Shampoo dear, let the boy finish his food." She turned her attention to Ranka. " Ranka my dear you seem to be feeling better, or do you need some more incense?" Ranka gave her an annoyed look as she had finished eating. " No thanks. You know you guys can't just come barging in here, our mom's not here right now.." Cologne gave her a light tap with her staff to her head, with a big smile. " Now now, we're all family here." Shampoo seeing that Ranma needed to swallow first, glomped on Ranka next. " Aiya Ranka, Shampoo so happy to see you feeling better." Cologne chuckled. " Well we don't intend to stay too long, as we just came to check up on you my dear and to share some ramen."
Ranka sighed. " Well we're already eating." Shampoo smiled and took the ramens out from the metal box and dumplings. " Is too too perfect timing then." Cologne laughed in response as she took a seat at the table, before she sat, Shampoo set her up with some floor cushions to prop her up, before taking a seat herself. Ranma didn't have any complaints as he started in on the ramen with a smile. Cologne smiled. " We even brought enough for your mother." Ranka rubbed at her head. " That's very nice of you granny, but she's not going to be happy if she finds out you just let yourselves in.." Cologne just laughed in reply as she started in on her own bowl of ramen. Shampoo smiled and held out some ramen with chopsticks. " Say ah." Ranka sweat dropped at her and took them from her, looking flustered " I can feed myself thanks.."
After everyone finished eating, they packed up and said their good byes. Cologne smiled. "Well we need to be getting back to the cafe, until next time." Her and Shampoo waved good bye before taking their leave. Ranka sighed as she shut the door behind them, locking it back up. "Their lucky mom didn't get back yet.." Ranma was too content, laying back on the couch full and happy, there were no complaints when food was involved.
Some time went by before Ranka got up from the couch and started heading upstairs. "Are you coming or not? If you want to practice the technique, it's best we do it where mom's not gonna walk in on it.." Ranma took a minute to snap out of his food coma and get what she was saying, before following after her, where they both sat down on the floor in the room and got to work.
Not too much later they stopped at hearing Nodoka come in through the front door, and going down to greet her. She gave each of them a quick hug. " I hope you two finished your homework." Ranka nodded. " We did, but you can check if you don't think so." Nodoka smiled as she patted her daughter on the head. " Well, if I find out otherwise, I won't be very happy." Ranka smiled back. " I am very aware of that.." Ranma sweat dropped as he waved his hands about. " We really did do our homework." Nodoka smiled at both of them as she clasped her hands together. " I have wonderful news." This made both of them groan, as the last time there was "wonderful news" it was about sleeping over at the Kuno's mansion. Nodoka carried on regardless. " Kalu has invited us over to her house as her guests, for one day out of next weekend." They both looked a little more relieved but still pensive.
Ranka snapped out of her pensive ness as she thought to quickly let her mother know before she found out on her own. " Oh yeah while you were gone, Shampoo and her great grandmother stopped by with some food, so they left some ramen for you." Nodoka kept on a smile but you could also tell she was a bit annoyed. " That's very kind of them. I do hope they weren't up to anything.." Ranka laughed a bit. " Yeah, that's what I said." Ranma stayed out of it, at sensing his mothers annoyance and that fact that he allowed it, since food was involved.
Nodoka sighed. " So my lunch was for nothing then?" This made Ranma get nervous, seeing at how on things, his mother was. Ranka made sure to put her worry at bay. " Not at all, we ate it ALL." Ranma nodded, which made Nodoka smile again. " Oh good, I'm so glad."
Ranma went off to play the video game, while Nodoka and Ranka were sitting at the dining table, while she was having her ramen. After finishing and dabbing her mouth with a napkin, she wanted to discuss a serious topic with her daughter. " Ranka dear, it's apparent that school is no longer safe." Ranka had her hand to her face. " Nope.." Nodoka took a sip of her tea before setting it down. " That's why I believe you should carry your katana with you at all times at school." Ranma almost fell off the couch at hearing that. Ranka had a nervous smile on her face as she rubbed at the back of her head. " I don't think.. that the school would be alright with that or that I could.. take it everywhere with me.." Nodoka looked sternly. " They will have to make an exception." Ranka had a big sweat drop on the side of her head. " Yeah.. I don't think they will.." Nodoka took another sip of her tea. " We shall see now won't we. Well I am going to take a little nap and then we can get started on dinner." She got up from the table, going and putting her dishes in the sink, before heading upstairs to relax for a bit, leaving the two siblings to themselves.
Ranka sat down on the couch with a sigh. Ranma sweat dropped as he kept playing the game. " It's scary how she thinks a katana can solve everything.." Ranka nodded as she stretched back against the couch. " Yep, but violence is wrong, but swords their fine." That caused them both to laugh a bit. Ranka sighed with her hand to her face. " Yeah.. I'm not going to carry a katana with me every where I go at school, that's just un realistic. I get she means well.." Ranma nodded as he kept at the game, he was feeling a lot better since they hand fixed their bond, when they were out of sync before, it made him feel empty and likely was how she had been feeling as well. That and being back in sync he didn't need to ask her if she wanted to play the video game with him, as he already knew the answer.
Ranka looked over in his direction. " So, are you going to help out with dinner?" Ranma kept his attention on the game as he multitasked. " I dunno she didn't really say anything." Ranka shrugged her shoulders at him. " Do what you want then." She watched him play the game for awhile, until she dozed off for awhile.