ch6ymt Loss of Memory
Ranma walked into the Tendo home, carrying a limp Akane. She had been foolish enough to let Shampoo challenge her, and now she was unconsious. He'd watched it happen, but couldn't prevent it. Because he'd promised not to interfere.
Shampoo had used the memory tsubo technique on Akane. For the second time. The warm, yet limp body in his arms nagged him, reminding him he could have prevented it. But he didn't. Because he'd promised not too.
When their father's caught sight of them, their reactions were not a surprise. Genma started yelling at Ranma about not protecting his fiancee properly, while Soun started crying about his baby getting hurt.
After throwing his father into the pond, his steps towards the house not faltering, he lay his unconsious fiancee on some pillows, looking down at her in concern. *She's going to forget me again...I'm gonna severely hurt you someday Shampoo, I swear it...*
Soon, their families were crowded into the room. Ranma didn't pay attention to the furious look on Nabiki's face or the concern on his mother's and Kasumi's. His hand reached out and he grabbed the cloth from the warm water that had been set beside him and gently bathed Akane's face. He hadn't said a word since he'd made that promise.
After a moment, Akane's eyes slowly began to open. When they landed on Ranma, she stared a moment. *That face...so sad...* Her eyes slowly moved around, looking at the other's in the room. "W-where am I?" She whispered, looking to the pig-tailed boy before her.
"The Tendo Dojo. You're at your home." He said, not letting her sit up. "Just rest a moment, Akane."
She blinked. "Tendo dojo? What's that?"
Ranma stared. *She doesn't remember?*
Soun started to cry.

"You don't need to carry me!" Akane cried, while Ranma, ignoring her rather loud objections, carried her to her room. "Pervert!" She spat.
Ranma flinched, resting her against the bed. "Do you remember anything, Akane?" He whispered, his eyes meeting hers.
She looked up at him confused. "I...I..." Finally, she shook her head. "Nothing...I don't recognize anything...who are you?!"
He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor. "I...I'm just a friend..." He swallowed hard. *Not to mention the man who's in love with you.* "Do you remember what happened?"
She stared at him, confused. "What does it matter?"
He turned to her shocked. "It matters to me!" He fought the urge to hold her. "Do you remember your name?"
She shook her head. "Everyone's calling me Akane."
"Your name is Tendo Akane. You are the youngest daughter of Tendo Soun. You're also the heir to the Tendo School of Indescriminate Grappling." He bit his lip. "I should never have let you tell me not to stop her..." He whispered, closing his eyes.
Although most people would have found it nearly impossible to hear his words, Akane found it easy. "Stop who?"
His eyes snapped towards her. "You heard me?"
She nodded. "Plain as day."
He silently contemplated this for awhile. "Doc Tofu should be here soon."
No sooner had he spoken these words, the door opened and a man in grey gi walked in, carrying some books. "What happened to her, Ranma?"
He bit his lip. "She was fighting Shampoo and made me swear on my honor not to interfere...Shampoo used a memory tsubo technique-"
"A second time?!" Dr. Tofu hurried over, examining her neck and shoulders. "Damn...Your previous 'technique' isn't going to work this time. Nothing will."
Ranma froze. "What?!" He managed to rasp out, staring into Akane's blank brown eyes. *She doesn't even recognize the doctor!*
"Her memory has been obliterated at best. If it were to return, it would be a miracle, or the joke of some sick twisted kami." The good doctors glasses flashed. "I wonder if Shampoo realizes what she's done."
Ranma sighed. "I don't care, the next time I see her, I'll probably send her to China care of my fist."
Doc Tofu nodded. "I'm inclined to agree."
"Who is this girl, Shampoo?"
Ranma hushed her gently, easing her back to the pillows and lightly kissing her forhead. "Don't worry about her. I'll do that. Just rest, alright?"
Akane blushed at the gentle action. "H-hai..."
Outside, Ranma and Dr. Tofu looked at each other, concern evident in each other's gaze. "She'll never remember, will she?" Ranma whispered, his eyes sad.
"Probably not. So you have to make her a new set of memories to fill her empty space." Tofu patted the boy on his shoulder. "You and her family need to keep her away from school and any things that may be bad for her head or heart for a few days. A week at most. Stay close to her as much as possible."
"Wh-why would I want to stay close to that uncute tomboy?" Ranma flushed.
"For the same reason I'm a nervous wreck around that uncute Tomboy's older sister. You love her. Don't bother trying to unconvince me. I've seen all then evidence I need." He turned and started moving to the door. "I'll be back to check on her tomorrow."
Ranma just stood there, wondering what exactly he'd said to give himself away.

Akane slept late that day, waking to the sight of a the pig-tailed martial artist sleeping in a rather uncomfortable position in the chair by the bed. She just looked up at him for a few moments. *Why was he so upset that I couldn't remember anything?*
Ranma's eyes slowly opened and he saw Akane was awake. He smiled, reaching out and touching her cheek. "Ohayo, Akane." He said, his fingers caressing her gently.
"O-Ohayo..."
"It's Ranma." He said, gently taking her hand in his. "I guess we gotta try to make some new memories for you." He helped her sit, smiling.
She tried not to blush at his actions. "Is this my room?" She asked softly, trying to camoflage the blush by trying to look embarassed.
Ranma simply nodded. "Why don't we go to the park, Akane? Would you like to?"
Akane looked down, wondering why she felt light-headed at his offer. "Do I like the park?" She asked her voice soft.
He smiled, still holding her hand. "That's a decision you'll have to make on your own." He said, leading her to the door. When they opened the door, Akane and Ranma's families fell into the room.
They'd been leaning on the door eavesdropping.
Ranma just glared at them, walking with Akane from the room. Akane stared in amazement as she passed. "Do they always do that?"
Ranma nodded. "They're just dying for me to try something." He said, sighing. "But I wont..."
"Why?" She sounded bitter. "Is there something wrong with me?"
Ranma paused, looking back at her. "No." He said softly. "It's nothing to do with you. It's everything to do with honor."
She paused. "You hold honor highly don't you?"
He nodded, giving her a quirky smile. "Let's go. Maybe we could get something to eat while we're at it?"
She blushed. "Did you just invite me on a date?" She whispered.
Ranma grinned. "Yeah, I guess I just did."
She smiled back at him, letting him lead her from the property.
*No place that would bug her or upset her before she lost her memories...hmm, guess I'm not going to get some Okinomiyaki at-* Ranma's thoughts were cut off when Akane pulled him to a stop.
"What about that place?" She pointed at Ucchan's."
Ranma looked at her, uncertain. Finally with a reserved sigh, he nodded, leading her in. He practically saw Ukyou turn green at the sight of their joined hands.
"Hi, Ranchan! Want the usual?"
He nodded. "One for Akane, too." He said, leading her to the bar.
"So, what brings you two here? I thought Akane was still getting over her and Shampoo's 'battle to the death'." She said jokingly. Deep down she felt angry jealousy eating at her.
Akane smiled at her. "Do I know you?" She asked softly.
Ukyou froze. "I'm only-"
Ranma's hand darted out, covering Ukyou's mouth. "She doesn't remember anything Ucchan. ANYTHING. I don't think pressing your luck is a good idea at this time!"
She stared at him in shock. "What happened?"
"Shampoo erased all of her memories. Doc Tofu said there's little chance of them returning, so what you need to be right now is a friend..." He finished the rest of the sentence with his eyes. *NOT a jealous fiancee!*
Ukyou flushed awkwardly. "Hi, Akane, my name's Ukyou."
Akane smiled. "Hello, Ukyou."
"Call me Ucchan." She said, bitting her lip. *No chance of her memories returning. Now's my chance to get Ranma!* "So, what are you two doing here?"
Ranma just sighed. "The smell of Okinomiyaki grilling called us." He said, gobbling the last of the piece that had been set before him.
"Say, Ranma, can we go see a movie on Saturday?"
Ranma froze. *If I say yes, Akane would kill me...I...* "I can't." He shook his head. "I gotta try to find any way possible to help Akane get her memories back."
Akane looked over at him surprised. "No, it's okay, really."
"Besides, Doc Tofu said I should stay near her. Just in case Shampoo doesn't think she did her job well enough."
Akane wondered why Ranma was lying to someone who was obviously his friend. "Ranma-"
He stood, taking her hands. "Come on, I said we'd go to the park." He said, leading her to the door.
Ukyou clenched her fist. *I'll have him yet!*
When they were gone, Akane looked up at her companion. "Why did you say no to her?"
He sighed, hanging his head. "Because, she's asking for something that's already been given." He said, squeezing her hand. "I'll tell you what she wants later."
Akane was no less confused, but still nodded. "I don't really understand, but okay."
Several people stared at the unusual sight of the couple getting along. A few people turned jealous shades of green when they saw the pairs hands linked. Other's turned rage red when Akane glomped Ranma for something.
"RANMA, PREPARE TO DIE!"
Ryoga's voice burst through Ranma's perfect afternoon. "Oh, hi, p-chan."
"DON'T CALL ME P-CHAN, GODDAMNIT!"
He was silenced when he looked at Akane. She was looking at him with curiousity and confusion. "I guess I don't know too many of Ranma's friends yet, my name is Akane, who are you?"
Ryoga fainted.
Akane watched him fall with curiousity. "You have strange friends."
Ranma sighed, hefting the lost boy over his shoulder. "Come on, let's drop by Tofu's." He said, taking Akane's hand in his free one.
She smiled at him as they walked. "Ranma-"
"Hm?" He looked over at her, flushing faintly when he saw her smile.
"You're a nice guy." She said squeezing his hand.
"T-thanks..." He said, tighting his grip on her hand as well.

Dr. Tofu heard Ranma's shout and hurried out to see what was wrong. When he saw Ryoga, he shook his head. "Don't tell me you two tried to kill each other again."
Ranma shook his head, depositing the lost boy on a bed. "Naw, he fainted when Akane asked who he was. He wasn't expecting that."
The good doctor chuckled, shaking his head. "How are you, Akane?"
"I'm fine, Doctor." She said, looking around the room. "Shouldn't we head back, Ranma?" She said softly.
He nodded, taking her hand again and walking from the room. *I haven't been hit all day...if she hadn't lost her memory I'd be lovin this...* He smiled down at her before putting his arm around her shoulders as he steered her from the building.
Akane flushed slightly, leaning against him. *He's so nice to me...I have to try to remember-!* "ANGH!" She collapsed as pain seered through her head, throwing her from consiousness.
Ranma started, catching her a moment before she fell. "AKANE!" Concern rang out in his voice and he quickly lifted her into his arms.
Akane heard his voice and reached for it. *Ranma...I can't remember...who are you? What are you to me? Please, help me, Ranma...I can't remember!*
He quickly moved into the dojo, then up to her room, laying her on the bed. He vanished then, after a moment, returned with a bucket of warm water and a wash cloth.
After bathing her face, he lifted her hand, kissing it gently. "Come on you uncute tomboy..." He whispered urgently. "Wake up...please, Akane..."
As if responding to his quiet pleading, her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Ranma?" She whispered.
"I'm here." He said, moving to the edge of the bed and sitting beside her. "Are you alright?" He asked, gently brushing her bangs from her eyes.
"I...I think so...I wanted to remember...I was trying to remember you so hard...but I couldn't..." She began crying softly.
Ranma pulled her upright and against his chest, hugging her gently. "Shhhh..." He murmered into her ear, trying to reassure her. "It's okay, don't rush yourself."
"But I want to remember!" She sobbed. "You're so nice to me and it kills me that I can't remember what you are to me!"
He bit his lip. "Akane, I don't think trying to remember for that reason is such a good idea. I..." He bit his lip, caressing her face. "I wont lie to you, but don't ask me what I was, cause I acted like a bastard."
She looked utterly confused. "You're not a bastard, you're very nice. You've been incredibly patient and caring. I...I like it..." She blushed a bit.
Ranma flushed bright red, looking away. "I should let you rest...I'll see ya around dinner, alright?" He asked, easing her back to the bed again. Her arms were still tightly around his neck when her back touched the matress.
"Ulp..." Akane tightened her grasp on him in a gentle hug and kissed his cheek.
Ranma froze, his brain ceasing to function. "A... Akane..." He whispered, staring at her.
She flushed, releasing him. "Sorry..."
He shook his head. "It's alright...really. It's okay. Don't worry about it..."
When he was gone, Akane rolled onto her side, her heart thumping. *What on earth possessed me to...* She touched her tingling lips and sighed. *And more importantly why do I want to do it agan?*
Ranma leaned against the door, his pulse thumping loudly in his ears. *Oh, gods...her lips are so soft...I wish I could kiss her again...* He looked at the ceiling before moving towards his room. Once there, he leaned against the door, his hand touching his cheek.
"I love you, Akane..." He whispered, his eyes closed tightly. His eyes snapped open when he realized he'd voiced his feelings aloud. "Dear gods..." He whispered. "I love her...I finally said it..." A soft tinkling laugh escaped his lips, a genuinely happy, sound.

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