A Ranma ½ Fanfic by INABN

Original Ranma ½ Characters and Settings ©Rumiko Takahashi

Used without express permission. 

All characters not part of the Original Ranma ½ cast are property of INABN

Wasurenagusa Chapter Two: Room for Doubt

            Akane looked up again at the clock on the classroom wall just above the door.  Forty-five more minutes, this class is taking forever.  I just want to get home, is that too much to ask?  Apparently, someone thought it was.  When the bell finally rang for the end of the day, Akane, along with a few other classmates, had to meet in the library for a group project.  "Great, just great…why'd he volunteer me for this stupid project.  I don't even like studying history," Akane grumbled to no one in particular as she walked into the library.

            Walking out of his class, Ranma looked around for Akane in the hall.  When he didn't find her after a minute or so, he figured that she might have already left for the front gate.  Mildly put off when he found out Akane wasn't there either, Ranma debated giving the place one last look.  Maybe she had to stay after for something.  Belatedly, he realized that he hadn't checked by her last class to see if she was still there.  It's not like we've never had to stay after class before.

            Jogging back up the steps of the main building Ranma glanced around at the last of the students making their way out to head home.  Just in case she was held up at the last minute, he told himself as he passed by a group of stragglers.  "Nope, she ain't with any of them," Ranma commented, pushing past to get inside the school.  For the most part, he wanted to go home, of course, he also wanted to talk to Akane about the last few days.  Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached the third floor in a few moments, where he turned down the hall toward her class.

            Akane just started dejectedly at the stack of books piled around the table she and the other four students were at.  The others were talking animatedly amongst themselves, though in tones reserved for the library, whereas Akane herself felt more than a little left out of the discussion.  Not for the second time, did she stop to think why the teacher had wanted her to be in this group.  Akane didn't care much for this kind of thing really.  She did reasonably well in class, but she wasn't the bookish type, in her own considerate opinion.

            Furthermore, Akane wasn't too familiar with the faces of those around her either.  There were few that she counted as close friends here at school, and none of these people were among that group.  Unfortunately, with the big 'date fights' that had encompassed her mornings at the start of the year, most everyone knew her, or knew of her.  Then, to make things even more outlandish, Ranma's arrival had pushed her status to near legendary heights, which she had never wanted.  A little popularity wasn't all bad, but when you felt that the entire school was watching your every move, things got a little scary.

            Ranma had little luck in finding Akane at her classroom, she wasn't there for one, and neither was the teacher.  No help here, where else could she be?  Let's see, most of the sports she is in are out of season now, so she probably isn't out by the field, or in the gym.  Where else would a tomboy like her be?  Still a tomboy to you is she?  Ignoring the errant thought, he continued to run a list of possible places Akane would go, or consider going to, on campus.  The list, as it were, was relatively short, so Ranma decided to eliminate each place one at a time.

            He was about to call it a day, and head back home, when he walked past the library catching sight of a couple groups of students gathered inside around various tables.  Must be a study session or somethin'.  Ranma had a hard time picturing Akane being a part of that sort of thing, that is until he noticed the familiar blue-black of her short hair amidst several other heads at one table.  From his vantage outside the library, he didn't have a view of her face.  Though the way she distanced herself from the others spoke volumes, it looked as if she wasn't enjoying the prospect of being there anymore that he thought she would.

            While the others continued to chat about the day, Akane was growing bored.  They hadn't been there more than twenty minutes, and already she wanted to leave.  The project was supposed to be about the founding of Furinkan, which was not all that long ago, and made for a really boring topic.  She sighed, tired of making an effort to listen to the conversation taking place.  Naturally, it didn't have anything to do with the project, the three girls and the lone boy were discussing gossip and who had crushes on whom.  The existence of potential relationships was not something she wanted to talk about at length right now.

            Just then, a tingle ran along the small hairs on the back of Akane's neck.  Is someone staring at me?  She glanced around the room at the people she could see, none of which made any eye contact with her.  She wasn't able to see everyone there due to the aisles of books in the way, but she didn't get the feeling that whoever was looking at her was close by.  Where else could a person be, and still be watching me?  That was when one of the others at the table said something to her.

            "Hey, what's up?  Something buggin' you Akane?"  the question came from the lone boy of the group, she thought his name was Tomoe.

            Akane shifted in her seat to face the others, "No, just thought I saw someone at one of the other tables."  Kimiko, one of the three girls across from Akane, nodded, resuming the conversation they had been having.  Tomoe cast another glance at Akane before he too was drawn back into the topic.  This is ridiculous, we aren't going to get any work done like this.  Might as well have been an individual assignment with the way things are going.  Settling down into her chair, she started looking around when her neck prickled for the second time.  This time she made it less obvious so she wouldn't attract stares from the others again.

            Watching her from the window, Ranma stepped to the side when he saw her looking about the first time.  Why am I hiding?  It's just Akane studying with some students.  Peeking back around the corner of the window, he continued to watch her for a little while longer.  He figured she might take some time, and it was probably better just to leave her be and head home.  Naturally, this was the same time that Akane managed to spot who it was that had been staring at her.

            Was that Ranma?  What is he doing here?  "Excuse me, I'll be right back.  I need to go talk with someone," Akane told the others politely, as if they were actually listening to her anyway.  Absorbed in the current topic, no one noticed Akane as she gathered her books and left the table.  As good a reason as any to get away from those four.  I can probably do better on this project by myself anyway.  Akane hurried out of the library to see if she could catch up with Ranma before he left.

            Just as Akane reached the hall, Ranma had turned the corner up ahead, starting down the stairs.  Now where did he go?  "Ranma, wait up!"  Akane called out spotting a pig-tail whisking in the air for a second around the corner where the stairs were.  Hearing his name, he bent backwards on the first step to poke his head out of the stairwell.  Akane must've seen me at the window.  Hmm, wanted to talk to her anyway, better late than never.  He straightened up when she saw him, and waited at the edge of the steps for her to catch up.

            When Akane saw his face as he leaned out from the stairs, she knew he had heard her, and ran to join him.  "Ranma, did you have to stay after class again?"

            "Um, no, I was just hanging around.  You weren't at the front, or in your last classroom.  So, I decided to look around for ya," he stated matter-of-factly.

            "Oh…My teacher assigned groups for a final project and we were supposed to meet in the library every day after school this week."  Akane supplied this as they started down to the ground floor.

            "You guys stop the meetin' early?"  Ranma inquired bluntly as usual.

            "N'no, I left since they were just talking about other things and not the project,"  Akane lowered her eyes briefly.

            "Yea, I bet."  Ranma hopped down to the ground, skipping the last ten steps.

            "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"  Akane hurried down after him once again.

            "Wasn't s'posed to mean nothing Akane.  I just figured that they weren't going to be workin' on the project is all.  I mean, look who you were sittin' with."  Ranma tried vainly to pull his figurative foot from his mouth before Akane tried to make his literal foot fit there.  Apparently he was successful for the first time in who knows how long, since she actually seemed to calm down at his hastily supplied words.

            "You're right, I don't know why I was put in a group with those four."  Ranma was taken aback at the admission, since when has she ever said I was right like that?  Maybe he was onto something here, and being who he was, he decided to press his luck just a little more.

            "Dunno, maybe you were there to make sure they did their work for a change?"  Inwardly Ranma cringed, that didn't come out like I planned.  He could just see her taking that statement to mean she was a gorilla, or something put in the group to enforce the others.  He waited but the furious raining blows never came.  Ranma didn't realize he had closed his eyes until Akane's voice broke his line of thought.

            "Are you going to stand there all day?  Seriously Ranma, you look really weird.  Why are you hunched over like that?"  Quickly he stood up, rubbing the back of his head with one hand in embarrassment.  Here I thought she was going to lay me out again.  "Come on Ranma, I'm getting hungry.  You can buy me something to eat on the way home."

            "Hey!  Who's buying what?  What are you talking about Akane?"  Ranma ran up to Akane, who was already walking toward the front gate.

            "Like I said, you can buy me something to eat while we walk home."  Akane spoke cheerily.  "Maybe some ice cream or…"

            "That all you think I'm good for?  Buying food?"  He pretended to sound hurt.  Though he was low on cash, he was in the mood for a snack too.  Without looking back, Akane almost missed the lightness of his tone, and this time was about to turn and smack him one with her book bag.  Instead, she laughed and did turn around, walking backwards for a moment to talk.

            "Well, maybe you don't have to buy it after all.  We could always find some cold water."

            "Don't joke like that Akane,"  Ranma's eyes darted around, searching for something that could splash him.  It was hard enough avoiding the stuff, without it being summoned by name.  Walking out of the campus grounds, they turned to cross the street and find a place to get some ice cream.  "Where do you want to go Akane?"

            "I want a sundae, so I guess anyplace with those is fine," she told him before turning to face forward again.  Ranma stilled the urge to walk along the fence, and remained just behind Akane until they reached the main street that the stores ran along.  Akane spotted where she wanted to go immediately, and reached back to tug on Ranma's arm.  "There is a good place, hurry Ranma, it looks like a line is forming!"  Sure enough, about five people walked through the door to the small ice cream parlor before Akane and Ranma managed to cross the street.

            Eight minutes, and one severely depleted  wallet later, the two were sitting at a table by the window facing out to the sidewalk.  Each had a sundae in various states of being leisurely consumed.  This is nice, Ranma hasn't said one mean thing and he even paid for the sundaes without another word.  Something's going to happen, nothing good ever lasts this long around here.  Ranma looked across the table at Akane, who was obviously thinking along the same lines as he was.  Ranma was just about to give voice to his thoughts when something blocked the sunlight streaming in through the window.  Turning to look, Ranma came face to face with something…nauseating.

            Kunou had gone out after class to purchase a new set of bokkens from a reputable dealer that he often did business with over various matters.  Walking along with his wrapped swords slung over his shoulder, he crossed the street to head back to his estate.  What he had not been expecting to see was a certain Saotome sitting with one Akane Tendou.  My fair Akane, has that wrench bewitched you in some manner?  Spotting what they were doing his thoughts continued their misguided turns.  I see it now, he has ensnared you by enticing you with your favorite iced cream, having drugged it beforehand.  Why Kunou thought that a Sundae was her favorite ice cream, one will never know.

            Approaching the fine establishment, Kunou stood by the window in front of the pair and leered down at Ranma.  He would shatter the will of the nefarious Ranma Saotome with his righteous gaze alone.  After a second, Ranma finally looked over at Kunou…and turned an interesting shade of green instead of breaking down as Kunou had hoped.  It was time to change his tactics and directly challenge the fiend.  For his skill with the sword was without peer in Nerima.  "Saotome, I formally challenge you for the beauteous Akane.  Release your hold on her and come fight me!"

            Back inside the parlor, Akane and Ranma sat speechless, staring at Kunou as he made several dramatic poses, all the while his mouth moved silently.  They guessed that the glass was thicker than his head, so they couldn't hear him at all from where they were.  "What do you think he is doing Ranma?"

            "Beats me, probably going on about his blue thundered-ness again," Ranma snorted in irritation as Kunou continued to rant outside.

            "How long is he going to stay out there you think?"  Akane asked again, trying to finish her sundae.  She looked at Ranma to avoid having to watch Kunou's ongoing display.  His antics were attracting the attention of the other customers now, who were starting to complain about the lunatic outside the shop.  Kunou noticed the effect his challenge was having, and since those he wanted to see him, were ignoring him, he decided to go inside and directly issue his declaration.  With that, he walked to the door and went in.

            "Oh man, he actually came inside," moaned Ranma, who was in a position to face the door.  Ranma was about to stand up and see what was going on, when Akane motioned him back down.  "I can handle him Akane, why'd?"

            "Just ignore Kunou, Ranma, please?"  She interrupted his question with her own plea.

            "Ok, I'll try, but you know how annoying he can be.  So if it comes down to it, I'll handle things my way…outside of the shop," he rapidly added that last part so she would agree with him.  However the next words that Kunou uttered as he came to stand by them changed the situation dramatically.  Things were about to go from simply annoying, to very bad, for Ranma that is.

            "Ranma, how dare you date with Akane!"  Kunou thundered out loud, giving some truth to his self-declared title.  This caught Ranma completely off-guard and he stuttered those condemning words of his own.

            "D-date?  This ain't a date Kunou," which wasn't the bad thing, but he kept talking and time seemed to slow.  "Why would I date a tomboy like her?"  Damn, I didn't just say what I think I said.  From the stricken look on Akane's face, he must've done just that.  Kunou of course, was oblivious to the effect that Ranma's words had on the girl, and was determined to fight Ranma for her freedom.  Ranma was busy watching Akane's face tear up, and didn't hear the words we fight now come from Kunou.  Nor did he see the incoming flash of purple heartwood, but he did however, feel the bokken smack into his head.

            When Akane heard Ranma say those words, her immediate reaction was wanting to do three things simultaneously.  The first, she was doing, which was crying.  The second thing was to beat Ranma senseless for being so uncaring.  That was taken from her when Kunou did it instead, though not for the same reason.  The last thing she wanted to do, was run home.  And now she didn't feel much like that, given the fact that Ranma was unconscious and bleeding profusely from a wound in his scalp line.  Ranma had also cracked his head on the faux marble tabletop when he was knocked out.

            Kunou on the other hand was feeling radiant.  He had succeeded at long last in smiting his opponent, in one mighty blow no less!  Now there would be nothing to stand between him and his beloved Akane…there it was already, the sweet sound of her voice, calling to him, to him!

            "Kunou!  Kunou, help me pick him up, he's heavy you idiot!"  Akane only received a look of undisguised passion from Kunou, so she decided he needed a reality check, cashed with her foot.  "Snap out of it, he's hurt badly and it's your fault.  Help me get him to Dr. Toufuu's."  Kunou only managed a weak nod in return.  She must still be under his influence…she has dealt me a mighty blow.  Satisfied with the effect her kick had on him, Akane stood up trying to pick Ranma up from his seat.

            When they finally reached the clinic, Akane called for Dr. Toufuu to come and take Ranma from them.  Kunou decided to remain in the waiting room since he had been the one to injure Ranma, even if he thought Saotome deserved no less.  Akane followed the doctor into the patient room to find out the extent of Ranma's injury.  "How is he Doctor?  I think Kunou hit him pretty hard, and Ranma wasn't quite ready for the attack."

            "You don't say?  Ranma wasn't ready for Tatewaki?"

            "Um, I may have sort of distracted him, on accident," came Akane's embarrassed reply.  She fidgeted in the seat she had taken while waiting for the prognosis.  Toufuu took his time in fully examining the prostrate boy.  After lifting his eyelids, he determined that Ranma was suffering a slight concussion, hopefully nothing more.  But, to be sure he needed to wake him.

            "Akane, would you hand me one of the green bottles in that cabinet over there?" Toufuu pointed out a long cabinet on the far wall.  Akane looked to where he indicated and nodded that she would.

            "You mean this one?"  Akane walked back over, handing a small capsule to Toufuu who took it in hand.

"Yes, this is the one.  I hardly use these, but smelling spirits do come in handy once in a while."  Opening the capsule, he held it under Ranma's nose for a moment until the boy winced, coughing.  "You see, works wonders sometimes."  Ranma painfully opened his eyes, and tried to sit up.  "Ranma, lay back down, I still have to make sure you don't have more than a minor concussion."  Moaning incoherently, he did as Dr. Toufuu told him too, resting his head back against the pillow.

            "What happened?"  Ranma managed to get that much out clearly.  He said a few other things, none of which either Akane or Toufuu could make out.

            "Kunou, he hit you pretty hard with his bokken, then you fell forward and knocked yourself on the table," Akane told him as she moved her chair next to the bed.  Toufuu watched them for a moment before he made to leave the room.  "Where are you going?"  Toufuu turned at her words.

            "I'm going to get a few books on head injuries.  I need some more information.  He should be fine for now, but give me a call if anything unusual happens."  That said, he left for the front.  He hadn't told Akane, but he saw that Ranma was going to be alright in a few days, perhaps sooner given the boy's remarkable ability to recover from injury.  The real reason he had left was to leave the two of them alone, and to have a word with Tatewaki concerning his earlier actions.

            Akane watched Toufuu leave before she turned back to face Ranma again.  He looked a little pale, but other than the bandage on his forehead, none the worse for wear.  He seemed about to say something, but had a bit of trouble getting the words out.  She didn't know if it was due to his condition, or what he was trying to say.  "Ranma, what is it?"  Akane was a little, well more than just a little, upset with him over what he had said back at the shop.  But, she was trying to hold back those kind of thoughts since Ranma was actually hurt this time.

            "I'm sorry, Akane."  At first she thought that it was wishful thinking and that he hadn't really spoken.  Then she glanced at his face, and the expression she read there was enough to convince her otherwise.  "I-I didn't mean what I said to Kunou about you."  As hard as it was for her to hear words like that coming from the great Ranma Saotome, Akane realized how difficult it must be for him to express such feelings.  Even more, to say it directly to her.  Well, as direct as one could, laying flat on their back.

            "I believe you Ranma, and I'm sorry too.  Kunou wouldn't have hit you if it weren't for me."  Now it was her turn to feel awkward, for the second time that day she had acted unselfishly in something relating to Ranma.  Letting his remark slide about her making the others do their work in the group had been hard.  But, when she had spun about instinctively, only to see Ranma shying away, nearly folded in on himself, it had spoken volumes to her about their relationship.  It was seriously wrong when nearly everything he said and did made her act out physically.

            Akane knew that Ranma was an honest person, sometimes brutally so.  However, that was no reason to hurt him.  She didn't really want to hurt anybody, it just didn't help that Ranma never took her seriously for a change.  That's not true, he's been treating you rather well the past two days.  I've been trying too, you know.  Her conscience didn't respond to that one.  It was a little strange that they had not been talking to each other that much, Akane mused.  That was one reason that they hadn't been fighting.

            "Earth to Akane, Akane, hello?"  A weak chuckle escaped Ranma's lips along with his faint calls.  Akane finally acknowledged him as she shook her head and gave a light smile.  "What were you thinking about?  Seemed so serious."

            "Just the last couple of days, they've been a little, different."

            "Different?  How, like different good, or different bad?  Ranma tried to figure out what exactly she was talking about.  Sure a few things had changed, especially between the two of them.  And, for the record, Ranma wanted to know what had happened.  At his question, Akane was starting to really think about what was going on.  Ranma watched in anticipation, waiting for whatever answer she would give.  His head throbbed faintly as he concentrated on her features, searching for a hint as to what she was thinking.

            She knew that part of the reason they were even able to talk like this was the fact that Shampoo had been taken back to China, along with Mousse.  Cologne mentioned something about an extensive training regimen, and simply left Japan with those two a few days back.  In addition, the thing that kept Ukyou to her restaurant, was the upcoming summer break.  Kids were staying out later, and getting ready for the semester to end.  Ucchan's was receiving more business because of that, hence Ukyou was occupied running the place by herself.

            "It's been a little strange, without Shampoo and some of the others running about all over the place."  Akane was loath to actually name the perky Amazon when she wasn't around.  It was bad luck, pure and simple.  A half-hearted grin erupted from her lips when she thought of the irony.  She was a glutton for misery if she kept things like this up, first talking about the water with Ranma, or lack-there-of.  Now, here she was, trying to invoke more troubles.  Am I that uncomfortable with just Ranma around, that I actually want something to interfere?

            Furrowing his brow, Ranma wondered what she was getting at.  Is she trying to change the subject?  Maybe this is one time I can safely be direct.  I hope it is, or else I'm gonna get it for sure.  "Akane, for real, what is going on here?  I want, no – I need to know."  Ranma put as much strength to his voice as he felt he could in his weakened state.  He kept his tone warm, more of a plea than a demand.  Hope I don't sound weak.  Can't believe I let Kunou get such a good hit in.  Ranma winced inwardly at using 'Kunou' and 'good' in the same sentence, even mentally.

            Akane was now at a loss, not that she hadn't felt so before, but this time she knew it inside.  How can I tell him that I feel the same way?  We've hurt each other so often before.  He's so insensitive most of the time, I don't know what to do when things are like this.  Ranma was getting worried as she didn't answer him.  As it was, Akane looked to be on the verge of tears.  Was it because of what I said?  Am I supposed to apologize?  Augh, why can't I understand women better, I'm one half of the time as it is!

            Ranma spoke to Akane, softer this time, "It's been nice you know."  He trailed off at the end when a brief flash of pain arced through his head.

            "What's been nice?"  Now she was the one that wanted to know a little more.  When Ranma's head cleared he finished what he had  been about to say.

            "It's been nice, not fighting like we used to.  I just want to…" Ranma was interrupted by Akane hastily interjecting her sentiment while she still had the courage to face him, even just a little.

            "I'm sorry for how I've been treating you Ranma,"  the words came out meekly and a tad rushed.  It barely had the chance to register with Ranma, as he finished his own sentence.

            "..say I'm sorry."  As both the statements faded into the air, the only thing remaining was an uncomfortable silence.  Ranma started to say something else, but the sudden reappearance of Doctor Toufuu shattered the moment.  As it was, Ranma smacked the back of his head against the wall in surprise, while Akane sat up straight in the chair.

            "Ah, Ranma feeling better are you?"  Toufuu chuckled to himself, he hadn't meant to interrupt them in the middle of anything.  However, this was a clinic, and he had another patient to tend to.  "I just need to get something for Mrs. Kagure, her back has been acting up again."  So saying, the doctor was gone as suddenly as he arrived, leaving the two alone once again.  Unfortunately, they were not only nervous now, but embarrassed as well.  Ranma managed to sit up, rubbing the back of his head both in embarrassment, and because it was incredibly sore from striking the wall.

            "So, you started to say something Ranma?"  Akane tried to shift the conversation back.  It felt strange wanting to know what he had been about to say.  I'm starting to feel a little light-headed myself, she thought while waiting for him to speak.  Her vision doubled for a second, and she blinked to clear it.  Watching her from the bed, Ranma struggled to rearrange his thoughts back to where they had been prior to Toufuu's entrance.  Neither of them noticed the small vase wobbling unsteadily at the edge of a shelf near the head of the bed.

            "I-I-eee…," came a shriek as the cold vase water spilled down Ranma's back.  The redhead shot a glare upwards at whatever had gotten her wet.  Not the best choice, since the vase itself chose that moment to slip from the shelf and land smack dab into the upturned face below.  The whole scene had startled Akane just as much, who watched her fiancée slump back onto the pillow, unconscious.  She didn't think it was good for him to go back to sleep with a concussion, especially if he was bleeding again.  Akane did the only thing she could think of and called for Doctor Toufuu as she lifted the vase from a battered Ranma.

            After dinner Akane went up to her room, plopping down on the bed to think.  Dr. Toufuu had told her that Ranma could go home and he would be fine in the morning if he refrained from anything strenuous.  She knew he recovered fast, but it was going to be hard to keep him out of trouble.  Good thing it's the weekend, and there is no school tomorrow.  He can just rest and take it easy…well that's what he should do anyway.  Akane sat up and looked out her window across the rooftops lit by the moon.

            She kept expecting Ranma to suddenly appear at the window, handing from the eaves as usual.  He hadn't done that in a long time, though he used to do it all the time when she was feeling upset.  It wasn't likely to happen tonight either, since she knew he was sleeping soundly in his room.  She had carried him home from the clinic while he was still in his female form.  He never once woke up, and remained sleeping in his room, even through dinner.  As far as she knew, he was going to sleep all night.

            Sighing, Akane lay back down, curling up against her pillow.  Her thoughts turned back to when she had been alone with Ranma in the clinic.  What had he been going to say?  This is going to drive me crazy, but…  He was hit in the head pretty hard, maybe he wasn't thinking clearly.  At least I know he meant what he said about being sorry.  He seemed so sincere, like when we first met.  She remembered asking him if they could be friends, even if he had been a girl at the time.

            Just look at how things turned out.  Shampoo decides to come along when things are beginning to settle down, then Kodachi and Ukyou.  I know that Ukyou and I can be friends, even if we are rivals.  That particular line stalled her for a fraction of time.  Are we really rivals? That would mean, you've been fighting over Ranma this whole time.  Akane rolled onto her side, sitting up when her cheek hit something wet.  Looking down she saw little drops scattered over her pillow.  Wiping at her eyes, she lay back down, only to tear up again.

            Downstairs, Nabiki sat on the couch, still slightly pissed at what Kunou had told her yesterday.  I'm getting sick and tired of that boy's thick head.  He would never learn, and so what if it nets me a little cash, it's just not worth the headache.  What do you mean, not worth it?  It's money isn't it?  She knew she had a point, but still…the idiot was insufferable.  Nabiki fumed briefly, before calming herself.  I'll just go shopping with Kasumi tomorrow.  That'll make me feel better.  Calm and collected, she turned on the TV to see if anything was on the news.

            Souun and Genma continued their ongoing game of Shogi late into the night, neither one ever really gaining the upper hand.  Thusly, they sat in the corner by the door to the back porch, blissfully unaware of the problems that their children faced.  "Ah hah, good one Tendou!  But, take this!"  Genma chuckled as he moved a piece in what he considered a winning play.  His grin crumpled a second later, as Souun made the same move on his side of the board…the game was evenly matched, for the night.

            "Saotome!  I won't let you win so easily!"  Souun teared up as his brilliance astounded even himself.

            On his pallet, Ranma stirred uneasily in the throes of a dream.  Not wanting to disturb him, Akane and the others had left him in his female form until he woke.  Ranma was caught up in his sheets due to the increasingly turbulent dream, and his struggle didn't go unnoticed.  Perched on the shuttered window, a small bird watched the thrashing figure with animal intensity.  The little bird remained for some time, before a particularly strenuous portion of the nightmare caused Ranma to call out in his sleep.  With that, the bird flew off in search of a more peaceful environment to rest in.

            Sunlight streamed through the open window, splaying across Ranma's face as he slept.  Eyes flickering slightly, he winced at the offending light, trying to wave it away with a flopping hand.  "go, 'way," Ranma muttered at the dust motes floating in the bright rays.  Something isn't right here…wait a minute, Ranma snapped awake and he sat up with a lurch.  Bleary eyed, he scratched his head and took a look at his hand in the process, his much smaller hand.  "What the hell?  I slept the night as a girl?"  Sure, I've taken naps before, but spending a whole night this way?

            Ranma pushed open his door, and stumbled down the hall into the bathroom.  He looked into the mirror, and blinked.  "Eh?  Oh, I remember now, that idiot Kunou…What's this from though?"  Ranma ran a hand across a circular purple bruise that covered the left side of his face.  "Isn't this cute.  Better get changed back."  A lovely thought, but not a practical one, as Ranma's headache resurfaced and he wobbled unsteadily over to the wall.  Holding his hand out for support, he shook his head to clear it.  Red hair tossed about, but moving like that only made it worse.

            The door opened behind Ranma, and he tried to turn around, only succeeding in slumping to the floor.  Akane stepped into the bathroom and gasped when she saw the condition Ranma was in.  "What do you think you're doing?  Go lay back down, Dr. Toufuu said you weren't supposed to do anything today."

            "I'm fine Akane, just need to take a bath…be fine after that,"  Ranma declared, attempting to regain his feet.  This proved to be a problem on the tile floor, and he ended up slipping and nearly going through the screen door.

            "You're going to make it worse if you don't settle down.  Here, let me help you back to your room.  Kasumi made breakfast, you can eat it in there."

            "Come on Akane, let me get some hot water, can't I do that much?"

"No, you can hardly even stand.  I'll do it for you,"  As she spoke, she opened the screen door to the rest of the bathroom and carefully dragged Ranma inside.  Ranma let himself be pulled, not that he had much choice, until he thought about the situation.

            "You're just gonna splash me right?  I mean, um."  Ranma asked, somewhat concerned.  Akane blushed beet red at his question, stammering out her answer.

            "What did you think Ranma?  I'm not going to wash you!"

            "Oh, ok…just so we were clear on that," Ranma dropped onto the wooden stool so she could dose him.  What was I thinking, asking something like that, of course she wasn't going to try and give me a bath.  Ranma looked down at himself.  Man my clothes are going to get soaked.  She won't mind if I take of my shirt, not like she hasn't seen me before.  As Akane turned to get a bucket of warm water, Ranma shucked his shirt, tossing it aside at the hamper past the screen.  Stretching his arms, Ranma waited for Akane to get the water warm enough to change him back into his male body.

            Akane shut off the water, lifting the small bucket of water over the edge of the bath.  Facing Ranma her eyes widened and she nearly dropped the bucket right then.  "Ranma, wh-what are you doing?"  She almost threw the water at him, bucket and all, when she remembered that he was already hurt enough as it was.  Ranma looked up wearily at Akane, puzzled.

            "Didn't want to get my clothes wet."  At his reply, Akane sputtered.  "Oh, what is it Akane?  I still have my boxers on…sheesh, I'm not stupid you know."  Akane was still trying to figure out what to say when Ranma rolled his eyes.  "Look, just splash me and I'll be back to normal.  And, stop staring at me like that!"  This got Akane's attention, and she flushed, swinging the bucket. "Hey, augh, don't let go of the buc-…"

            The water splashed across the tile, Ranma was soaked, and now lying on his back with the bucket rolling next to his head.  "Oh, Ranma, I didn't mean to."  Akane rushed over to his side and lifted his head to see if he was conscious.  Which he was, by a thread.  The bucket had broad sided him just after the water hit.  Along with the purple bruise from the vase, he was going to have a yellow one on his cheek from the bucket.  "I'm sorry Ranma, but you said I was staring, and I didn't think.  I didn't mean to hit you again, I promise."

            "S'ok 'kane…jush leggo my faysh."  Ranma whined, dazed, through puffy cheeks.

            "Oh, o-ok." She nearly dropped his head to the ground, but lifted him up at the last second.  "Should I dry you off?"  Ranma nearly cringed at the thought…she bludgeoned him just getting him wet.  What is she going to do to me if she has a towel?

            "No, no…just ah, help me get into bed…I don't feel good at all.  I think I'm gonna be…"  He started to turn a certain shade of green and Akane backed up, letting him go.  She turned her head away when he threw up on the tile.  "…sick.  Damn, I don't feel good right now."  He retched again, only dry heaving this time.  Akane's shoulders started to shake, and Ranma pushed himself up, glancing over at her.  "Akane…you sick too?"  She made a small sound, which didn't remind Ranma of someone getting nauseous.  "Akane?"

            She spun around, ignoring the mess on the floor, focusing instead on Ranma's battered face.  Tears were flowing down her cheeks, and her eyes were rimmed in red.  She tried to speak clearly, but her chest constricted with heavy sobs.  "I-I'm s-s-or-rh-hyy, R-ra-n-nma.  It's a-al-l, mu-h-my f-fault."  She took a small step toward him, and then without  warning, bolted out of the room and up the stairs to her room.  Ranma sat there, too stunned and weary to do anything but call out softly, "wait, Akane, it's not your fault."

            Hearing the door slam upstairs, Nabiki went to go and check on her sister and find out what was wrong.  "This better not be Ranma's doing.  I haven't had the chance to get out of the house yet.  I'll be damned if my day is ruined because of that jerk.  Kunou is one thing, but Ranma lives here.  He should know better by now."  Knocking lightly on her sisters door, Nabiki stood back and waited for an answer. 

She was rewarded with a muffled, "Go 'way,  Le-eave me-e alone".  Great, she's crying.  Where's Ranma?  "Want to talk about it 'sis?" 

            "No, go away."  Akane said through the door, finally getting her sobs under control.  Nabiki frowned, she usually was able to at least get inside and talk to Akane.  I'll find Ranma instead then.

            "Alright, Akane…but if you want to talk later, Kasumi and I will be downstairs."  Probably killing Ranma, that is.  With that, Nabiki stormed down the stairs intent on dragging Ranma to his fate, I don't care how hurt he is, he can't keep treating Akane like this.  She went down the hall to Ranma's room, thinking vengeful thoughts.  She threw open the door to his room, fully expecting him to be inside…and not finding him there.  Frustrated, she wondered if he may have already run off in shame.  Not very likely.  Couldn't make things that easy, could you Ranma?  "Where are you, Ranma?  Stop hiding and come out!"

Ranma heard Nabiki out in the hall, she sounded more than a little upset about something.  He hadn't really ever heard her get angry before, and it certainly wasn't doing anything for his current mood.  Tired, weak and sick to his stomach, he wasn't up to any kind of abuse right now.  He most certainly wasn't going to get up and shout to the world where he was at right now.  Besides, I'm not hiding, I can hardly move on my own as it is.  At the moment he wished he could move more than a few inches, he was still far too close to his own vomit for his liking.

While Nabiki searched for her quarry downstairs, and Ranma struggled in the washroom, Akane sat at her desk, looking through various pictures taken over the past few months that Ranma had been here.  Most of the photos depicted happy moments, even if some of them were pure chaos seconds after the shutter snapped.  A weak smile crossed her lips when she looked back on those times. She still couldn't figure out what was going on between her and Ranma recently.  Ranma, oh god, what was I thinking?  I left him down there all alone!  He can't even get himself out of the bathroom!  And, Nabiki was just at the door, she doesn't think Ranma…?

Throwing her door open, she looked around for Nabiki, "Nabiki?  Nabiki?"  No good…where is she?  Akane rushed downstairs, nearly tripping herself in the process.  I have to get to Ranma!  Once she made it down, Akane looked around for Nabiki.  Shaking her head, she ran to the bathroom looking quickly inside, "Ranma!"

Chapter Three: Lost Moments - Coming soon