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Ranma 1/2: New Challenges
All That We Have Known
Chapter 4




Ranma was scared. You may ask, `what's a very powerful and very
skilled martial artist like Ranma Saotome afraid of?' The answer would
be: not a whole lot. And if it's something he's scared of, woe to the
rest of us.

In reality (Ranmaverse reality, mind you), there are very few
things Ranma is scared of: cats, a glomping fiancee, and an angry
fiancee. Right now, it's none of those. No, right now he's getting ready
to go on a date with Akane. Considering how things have turned out
between them before, he could very well end up confronting all three
fears before the night was over.

You see, he agreed to go on an actual date with her if she
could show enough improvement at the end of her two-week training
session. Well, she did.

And now he stands dress in a sleeveless white chinese shirt
with nice black slacks, waiting for his date to finish getting ready.
His cast was off after visiting the doctor earlier that day. Amazingly,
his arm was practically healed and the doctor couldn't figure out why.
Ranma had an idea, but he wasn't about to say anything about that night
Akane and him had linked via the Tora Dokiken.

Meanwhile, his father was patting him on the back, telling him
what a man amongst men he was.

Soun was doing his Niagra Falls impersonation, and wailing
about how his little girl was growing up and the fact that the houses
would soon be united.

Nodoka was giving helpful suggestions and advice.

Kasumi smiled at him, but was otherwise her normal seemingly-
oblivious self.

Nabiki was sitting back and enjoying the show (and counting
money, but that goes without saying).

Then, all his doubts and fears vanished when he saw the object
of his affections appear above the stairs and descend towards him. He
stared slack-jawed at the young woman dresses in a very pretty white
sundress and hat that matched his shirt.

[Definitely not cute,] Ranma thought. [No, she's absolutely
incredible...]

Akane took pride in the way her iinzauke was gazing at her, her
own thoughts running almost parallel to his. [Still think I'm uncute,
Ranma?] She reached the bottom of the steps and twirled in front of him
for effect. She then gazed into his eyes and fluttered her eyelids at
him.

"How do I look?" she asked demurely.

Ranma gulped, then slowly nodded his head. He figured he should
say something, but he knew if he said the wrong thing, Akane would pound
him and he did not want to ruin this. He took a breath, then, "You look
real beautiful, Akane..."

Akane blushed a bit and Nabiki rolled her eyes. "At this rate
you'll never get him out of here." She stood up, walked over to them and
gently pushed her younger sister forward. "Take her, lover boy, and go
already."

The rest of the world had disappeared to Ranma as soon as Akane
came down the stairs, so he didn't hear Nabiki's comments. Still, he
offered his arm, Akane took it, and the couple escaped from the clutches
of their families.

No more than ten words had passed either of their lips as they
strolled along the street to the restaurant their reservations were at.
Both lost in their own thoughts, and in each other.

Unbeknownst to them, their thoughts continued to run parallel
courses. Both thought how great the other looked, how nice this was, and
hoped that nothing would come along and spoil it. Ranma didn't want to
say anything, since that ran the risk of him saying something stupid and
spoiling the moment. Akane didn't want to speak because she was afraid
Ranma would retort something stupid and spoil the date.

So, they walked to LaMour, an italian restaurant in silence.





And it might've turned out to be a perfect date if the kami of
mishaps, unusual encounters, and bad timing were still on vacation. As
it was, he was back at his desk and delving into his paperwork with a
vengence. Lucky for the couple, their folder was buried underneath a
bunch of others, so it would be awhile before he got to the them.





The couple was now seated in a corner booth where they could be
next to each other while the waitress gave them menus. She said she'd
return in a bit to take their orders.

Ranma studied the plastic-coated paper in his hands. Their
prices weren't that bad, but he he had little idea on what some of this
stuff was. [Spaghetti? Ravioli? Fettachini? What is this stuff?]

He had enough money since he started working for Nabiki; doing
favors, helping with debt collection, and posing for risque pictures in
his female form. Oh how he hated that last one. But being here with
Akane now, somehow made it all worthwhile.

Akane's voice interupted his thoughts. "I think I'm gonna get
the chef's special. How about you?" Lately she had found herself having
a slightly bigger appetite.

He looked it up on the menu and nearly goggled at the price.
"Jeez, think that's enou..." he cut off what he was saying by slapping a
hand over his mouth. Did he he catch that in time? A glance over at his
date told him, not quite.

"Ranma..." she growled.

"Gomen nasai, Akane," he returned, nervously.

Just then, his mom popped into a thought bubble above his head.
"Try some flattery," he remembered her saying. "Young girls love to
complimented and told how lovely they are."

"I didn't mean it," he continued. "After all, nothing could ruin
a figure as perfect as yours!" [Geez that was dumb. But did it work?]

Akane's visage turned from anger to utter shock, and it was
several moments before she could form a coherent thought. [Did he just
compliment me?] She blinked. [Guess this `being nice to each other'
thing is going to take some getting used to. I suppose I should return
the favor.] She smiled. "Thank you, Ranma!" She gave his hand a quick
squeeze, mindful that they were in public, to calm him down.

[It worked!] Ranma gave a sigh of relief and smiled back.
[Thanks mom! Your advice worked! Now if I can just avoid ruining the
rest of the evening.]

The waitress returned and took their orders: 2 chef's specials
and a couple of cokes. Ranma figured he might as well get the same
thing. Again, he didn't know what it was, but if Akane could eat it, so
could he!

While waiting for the food, light conversation was made
consisting of non-dangerous topics like school and the weather. Dinner
arrived and passed in silence, mostly since one needed an empty mouth to
speak, and Ranma wasn't about to allow that to happen. After he shoveled
in the first few bites however, he remembered his mom's command to eat
slower and he did so.

Akane was amazed. Ranma was actually being nice and they were
talking normally. No more teasing or insults were made and he was even
eating at a normal pace! [This might actually work!] she thought
happily.





Nabiki, upon hearing the knock, opened up the front door and
nearly burst into laughter at the sight portrayed on the other side.
Tatewaki Kuno stood there, dressed in a white tuxedo and carrying a
large bouquet of flowers. Nabiki thought it was a good match for her own
outfit, a nice white dress she had put on in antipation of this turn of
events.

"I am here for my date!" he announced with much fanfare.

Nabiki smirked. "Why Kuno-baby, I didn't know we had a date
tonight. Though I simply adore these flowers. Thank you!" She reached
out to take them, but he pulled them back.

"Hold thy tongue, woman," he admonished. "I am here for the
beauteous Tendo Akane. Word has reached me that she has a date tonight.
Since I am the only man she could possibly want to date, then it must
stand to reason she waits for me!"

Nabiki sighed with exasperation. "Kuno-baby, how do I put this?
Akane doesn't love you. She doesn't even like you. She didn't ask YOU
for a date, she was asked by someone else. Someone of who my father
approves of. He doesn't approve of you. Would you go against my father's
wishes?"

Kuno was once again challenged by real world. His small brain
cried out in terror as the evil stormtroopers of reality stormed his
mind. After several moments of intense combat with the Kuno dreamworld
defense system (Nabiki observed the smoke pouring out of his ears), the
minions of reality were once again banished and peace, sweet deluded
ignorant peace reigned supreme once more.

He spent another moment to phrase his next question. "Pray tell
then, what evil spawn has taken my beautiful goddess of the hunt?"

Nabiki grinned. "Ranma, of course." [This could be fun.]

"Saotome!" Kuno was aghast. "Oh what cruel twist of fate, that
my love should be kidnapped by that foul sorcerer." He dug out a wad of
bills. "I must know where they have gone!" He shoved the wad at her.

Nabiki looked at her watch. [Yes, they should be finishing
their meal now. I guess it's safe.] "Tell you what, Kuno-baby. I can
take you to the restaurant where they were headed."

"Then you must take me there at once!"

"Hold on!" [Have to set up the trap first.] "Have you considered
why Akane doesn't want to date with you?"

"She is obviously under Saotome's evil spell!"

Nabiki shook her head. [That's his answer to everything.] "But
she wouldn't go out with you even before Saotome came. Have you
considered she might only want to go out with you if she knows you are
experienced in the dating scene?"

"But I am..."

She waved him off. "And how many dates have you been on?" Kuno
opened his mouth, then closed it. "Exactly." [Now to close the trap.]
"Also, my sister loves playing hard-to-get. If she knew there was a
chance of losing you..." She left it unfinished. [That's the truth.
She's the hardest-to-get of anyone I know and if she knew she would lose
you, she'd jump for joy.]

"So, if my love knew I would be an experienced date and she
realized I had moved on..." Nabiki could see the gears turn in Kuno's
head. All two of them. His gaze turned upon her, new fire burning in his
eyes. "Tendo Nabiki, I have a request of you. Would you date with me so
that I may show the beautiful Tendo Akane that I am a worthy man?"

Nabiki smiled. [This is almost too easy.] "Why Kuno-baby, I'd
be delighted!" He offered his arm and she took it. "Now, as the
gentleman of the evening, you of course will be paying for everything."

Kuno's face dropped a bit. "Why am I not surprised..."

He walked her to the gate and helped her into the back of the
horse drawn carriage sitting out front. Sasuke was in the front with the
reins to the pair of horses. Kuno climbed in next and commanded his
servant to ride off. Nabiki bent forward and whispered in the ninja's
ear the name of the restaurant where Ranma and Akane were going.

The carriage rolled off into the night.





Ranma and Akane had just left the restaurant when the carriage
pulled up and disgorged it's passengers. If Kuno and Nabiki had been a
couple of minutes earlier, they would've seen the other couple walked
down the street and turn a corner. As it was, Kuno was convinced to
enter the restaurant and make Akane envious enough to return to him.

Nabiki was just grateful for the free meal and, maybe a little
companionship. Not that she admitted she found Tatewaki's presence...
somewhat nice. If only he could come out of his fantasy world. [I can't
wait forever Kuno-baby.] She blinked. [Where did that thought come
from?]

They entered and were seated, oddly enough, in the same booth
Ranma and Akane sat in.

"I do not see my goddess of the hunt," Kuno accused. "You said
she would be here."

Nabiki shook her head. "No, Kuno-baby. I only said they were
headed here. Either they have already left, or they have yet to arrive."

"Then I shall go search for them!" He stood up.

Nabiki pulled him back down. "And what kind of man abandons a
woman on a date? That wouldn't be very honorable."

Kuno sighed. "Very well. I have agreed to this one date with
you and I shall honor my word."

She smiled. [This is way too easy.] "Whatever you say Kuno-
baby."

"Sasuke!"

"Yes, master?" The sound came from under the table.

"Go and search for Tendo Akane," he commanded. "If she is with
the vile Saotome, drive him off."

"As you wish master!" Then he was gone.

Nabiki smirked(tm). [I give that bumbling ninja 10 seconds if
he tries to interfere with Ranma and Akane's date.]





The second couple in question were unaware of the person who
sought to track them. They were content to take a walk in the park.
Akane had her arm around Ranma's waist, and was gently resting her head
on his shoulder.

She was happy. Ranma was hers. After all the fiancees, battles,
near-deaths, and other assorted craziness, he had finally chosen her.

Ranma was in a similar state. For some reason, the closeness
Akane was presenting to him didn't scare him, like he thought it would.
Instead, he felt strangely, complete. As if some part of him that he
didn't know was missing had returned.

He wrapped his arm around her, resting his hand on her left
shoulder. He felt, rather than heard, her sigh of contentment. [Oh kami
please, don't let anything screw this up!]




A kami did hear his request. Unfortunately, it was the wrong
kami.

That's right, he's back.

Bob grinned.





Sasuke jumped from building to tree limb in pursuit of his
quarry. His search pattern had circled the restaurant in ever enlarging
cycles. Finally, he spotted a couple walking close together in the city
park. He almost missed seeing them as they walked out from under a
street lamp and into darkness.

His mind decided, he shadowed them, he confirmed his targets.

[I don't like what I have to do. I wish I didn't have to try and
break them up, but I am honor bound to serve House Kuno.] He sighed.
[There is no way I can match Ranma in combat. So what do I do?] He
detected some movement ahead in an alleyway. [That will do! I can break
them up without confronting them and hopefully, no damage will be done!
I'm sorry you two.]

He leapt undetected, ahead of where the couple was walking. If
either of the two lovebirds were fully alert, they would have sensed his
movement. As it was, their attentions were focused on each other.

He reached the small alley and leapt to the other side.
Scanning the darkness, he saw the movements of the animals gathered
around a couple of overturned garbage cans. Perfect. Now to get them in
motion.

Doing his best impersonation, he began to bark and growl. He
even threw some small flash and smoke bombs to further scare them. The
results were predictable.

The dozen or so animals fled the alley in the direction they
were being herded.





The couple were now sitting on the edge of a fountain, kissing
softly, and trying to say what they liked about each other.

Then he heard *it* and froze.

"Ranma?" Akane asked when her partner stopped resonding. "What's
wrong?" Then she heard it, too.

Then they saw it. A dozen or so alley cats, meowing, hissing,
and running
in their directions.

"C-c-c-c-c-c-c-CAT!" Ranma shrieked and fell backwards, but not
before accidently pulling Akane with him.

*Splash!* The two fell into the fountain.

"RANMA!" Akane fumed. "MY dress is RUINED!"

Ranma-onna, however, had other things on her mind, namely
running, and lots of it. Her panicked mind wasn't really registering
where she was going, wanting to just put as much distance bewteen the
terrible creatures, and that's why she slammed into a tree and landed on
her back. So dazed, she didn't notice the silent figure rush by and drop
the fish sausages on her chest.

When Ranma came to a short time later, several furry animals
were crawling over her and nibbling at the fish sausages. They also
licked her where the scent of fish had left it's mark. For two seconds,
Ranma froze.

Then her mind snapped.

They wouldn't hurt one of their own, would they? Deep within
the recesses of his mind, the Neko persona broke free of it's bonds and
rose to the forefront. Ranma's persona submerged, letting Neko take
control.

Akane stepped out of the fountain and tried her best to get the
water out of her dress. She sighed. It wasn't really Ranma's fault. No,
it was his father's fault for giving him that stupid phobia of cats.

Then, through all the other meowing, came another, bigger meow.
One that she recognized. [Oh kami, no.]

Over by a nearby tree, Ranma-onna-neko was on all fours and
swatting the rest of the felines away. The ones that didn't go flying,
ran for dear life. When they were all gone, she began to eat the rest of
the sausages. She stopped, sensing someone nearby, someone watching her
from the darkness, someone who had done something she really didn't
like.

She paused, then pounced into the bushes. Akane watched in
horror as Sasuke was thrown out of the bush with claw marks on his
chest, holding his arm in pain, and limping. The nekofied Ranma jumped
out after him.

"So you're responsible for this!" Akane exclaimed. Then she
noticed the marks. [He's never really hurt someone this bad before! Why
now?]

"N-not me!" Sasuke cried. "M-master K-Kuno ordered me! Aaaahhh!
Get her away from me!"

Akane sighed, kneeled, and called. "Here, kitty, kitty." Onna-
neko-Ranma trotted over to rub against the one she loved. Akane
scratched and petted her. "Nice kitty."

Despite the evening being ruined, she still felt a little
consoled by the fact that only she could control him like this. He
really showed how he felt. And right now, against all physical laws, her
iinazuke was purring with happiness.

Sasuke used the oppurtunity to truly vanish.

Then she did something different. She pounced on Akane and
knocked her onto her back and began to rub her entire body against her.
Akane's eyes went wide. [Oh no!] She was afraid of this.

A while ago, Dr. Tofu had warned her that if Ranma's feelings
for her deepened, it might be reflected in the Nekoken, and that on some
subconscious level Ranma saw her as his mate. [But why now? It's not
like I'm...] Suddenly, she understood, and blushed. [Ranma must sense
that I'm... ovulating... somehow. Great.]

Neko-Ranma was confused. She felt the desire, knowing the time
to mate was here, yet something was wrong. She stopped and got off,
pacing back and forth. With a swipe, she shredded the strange cloth that
was covering her mate. Her mate was female, she was female... She still
felt the love for her mate, but something was missing.

Akane took that opportunity to get up and to take charge. The
front of her dress was shredded down to her waist. She groused and
pulled it closed, trying to cover herself. Her bad mood was tempered by
the fact that it could've been much worse. Ranma was female at the
moment, or else it might've gone much farther. She was very thankful of
that. While she loved him, she wanted to wait until she was married.
Plus, she wanted Ranma to be aware of himself.

She sighed and began to walk away. "Here kitty! Come here
kitty!" Ranma obeyed as Akane led him home. [This is so embarrassing.
Why can't things be normal for us for a change?]

The two finally got home and Akane led her neko-like finace (or
was that fiancee at the moment?) inside. No one was up, so she quickly
headed to the kitchen and started some heating some water in a tea
kettle. Ranma continued to pace, still confused.

The tea kettle whistled and Akane quickly doused her iinazuke.

"Ouch!" Ranma yelled. "Hot, hot, hot, HOT!" He then looked
around at where he was. "What happened? How did I get here?"

Akane sighed. "We were mobbed by a herd of cats, Baka."

Ranma froze. "C-cats!?" [I remember sitting by the fountain
with Akane. Then the meowing, the cats, falling into the fountain,
running, then...nothing.] He noticed her claw-torn dress and the blood
on his hands, and jumped to the only conclusion he could think of. "Oh
no, tell me I didn't?"

Akane sighed and nodded. "You also attacked Sasuke. You
scratched him up quite a bit, before I got you off of him, but he'll
live. He's the one who brought the cats on us by order of Kuno."

Ranma paled. "I-I'm sorry Akane. I didn't hurt you too bad, did
I? If only I had more control!" He punched a wall, his anger flaring
momentarily. "If only pop hadn't been so stupid!" He sat down again his
temper draining, and something else replacing it. "Akane, I-I know I
messed up again. Not only did I ruin things, but," he looked at his
hands, his shoulders trembling with fear. "I-I could've killed someone,
and... maybe you deserve someone better, someone's who not afraid of c-
cats; someone who can be a whole man for you."

She put a hand on his shoulder, knowing she couldn't let him
sink into this depression. "Ranma, I don't want anyone else, I want you.
We'll figure out something; we need to now. Let's get changed out of our
wet clothes first, then we'll talk."

She left for her room and Ranma for his, all the while thinking
what Akane meant. Getting control of the Nekoken, or at least his fear,
is something he knew he'd have to work on for awhile now. What kind of
husband or father could he be if he was scared of cats? One of these
days, he might seriously hurt or kill someone, someone he cared about.

He found Akane out in the dojo, kneeling in front of her
family's shrine. Quietly, he moved up and knelt beside her.

"Akane? Are you really okay?" Dense as he usually was, for some
reason he could tell something else was bothering her.

She sighed. [How do I tell him this? He needs to know, yet I
don't want to scare him off.] "I guess I'm fine. I'll try to explain
what Dr. Tofu told me. Your cat persona acts on what you feel as a human
and on instinct. Since you love me, you trust me as a cat and I can
control you." She stopped, trying to think how to say this next part.
"Since lately your feelings for me have come more to the forefront, your
cat persona has changed slightly."

Ranma was confused. "What do ya mean?"

Akane took a deep breath, and tried to approach the delicate
subject from another angle. "Well, your senses are sharper when're in
the Nekoken, and you can detect things your human side can't." Her eyes
closed and she began to tremble almost imperceptibly. "Since your cat
side sees m-me as a m-mate, you can detect when I'm... um, fertile." By
this time, her face was as red as her name, but she summoned her courage
to look at her fiance's reaction.

Ranma was several feet away from her, shock, fear, disbelief,
and loathing written all over his face. He was shaking worse than she
was, hands up in a warding gesture. "I-I-I..." It was obvious he
couldn't form any coherent words, then he suddenly stood up and bolted
for the door. "I'm sorry!"

Akane mirrored his shock for a split second. "RANMA!" she
yelled, her voice stopping him in the dojo doorway. "Where do you think
you're going!?"

Ranma gulped. "I promise Akane, I'll leave and get this under
control. I'll go away on a training trip and work on it." In his mind,
being a half-man was nowhere near as bad as being a psycho that would
try to rape Akane.

Akane steadily rose to her feet, fearing that he was about to
leave her and never come back. She knew all about his instinct to
protect her, and it always annoyed the hell out of her. "No, WE'LL get
this under control!" she told him in no uncertain terms. "Don't you DARE
think about running out on me! Your a part of my life Ranma and I'm a
part of yours."

Ranma gripped the doorframe tighter, nearly crushing it in his
grip, while his insides warred in indecision. He wanted to say no, to
run away and work on it alone and to prove himself a man for her. But
another part of him didn't want to go, especially since Akane had told
she wanted him to stay.

Ever so slowly, he turned to face her. "Are you absolutely sure
about this, Akane? I-I don't want... to hurt you," he finished in a
small voice.

The concern that she could finally see in his face, move Akane
to cross the distance between them and lay her right palm against his
cheek, bringing his eyes to meet her own. "We can talk to Dr. Tofu in
the morning. He may have some ideas. We'll get through this together,
Ranma. I promise."





-------------------------------------------------------------

Author's notes:
The date chapter didn't exist before, but during the rewrite (the second
rewrite anyway) I decided to put it in. After all, we have to know how
Ranma and Akane's first date (as an official couple) goes. I hope I put
the right amount of romance, humor, mishaps, and story progression in.
As for the Nekoken, I figure Ranma has to be thinking about it the same
as his curse; he doesn't like it and wants to either get rid of it or
control it so he can be a whole man for Akane. I just put a little
incident in to remind him of that. Also, I kinda wonder what would
happen if Ranma's feelings for Akane grew, how would that reflect in the
Nekoken? He thinks he's a cat, soooo... Part of my inspiration comes
from Lord Archive's "The Nekoken is out of the Bag." It's not a bad
read, if you want to check it out, though it has quite a bit of lemon
content.