Close Encounters of the Ranma Kind
by Angela

CHAPTER THREE: Friends and Enemies

Part One: "School's No Place for Horsing Around"
Ranma could barely keep his eyes open the next day at lunch. His jaws automatically chewed his rice and pickles, but his mind was blank. He and Ryoga had been up cleaning until dawn. He'd just crawled into bed when he heard Kasumi get up and start breakfast. To make matters worse, Genma had refused to let him stay home from school, saying that a true martial artist could go weeks without sleep if he had to. Ranma had never seen his father miss a chance to nap in his whole life.

At that moment, the only thing that was keeping Ranma awake was the prospect of a short snooze after he finished his lunch. It was a beautiful day, and he was the only one who had chosen to stay inside during the free period. Even Akane had left him in peace, once he'd explained his reasons for not eating with her. Free of distractions, Ranma expected to get at least twenty minutes of sleep before class began.

Having polished off the last of his meal, he closed his eyes and allowed his head to droop onto the desk. Finally, heavenly sleep.

Just as he breathed one last sigh, Ranma felt a tugging on his sleeve. "Ranma-honey, this is no time for cat naps. We gotta talk." Ukyo? Ranma wanted to ignore her. What could she possibly want that was so important? Whatever it was, it could wait.

When he didn't answer, her voice became more insistent. "Ranma come on, it's about Akane."

Ranma admired her tactic. What would Ukyo have to tell him about Akane? He sat up and looked at his friend. She looked nervous and impatient and even a touch angry. Ranma felt a sick feeling in his stomach. He hoped she didn't want to talk about their engagement. He had hoped she was in love with Ryoga or Konatsu and would let him go easily.

"Can it wait? I'm exhausted." He started to put his head back down. Unless she told him that Akane was on fire or something, he was going to sleep.

Ukyo grasped his hand. "Ranma, what's going on with you and Akane?" He realized that she really wasn't going to let him get out of whatever she had planned. He sat up and rubbed his eyes with his free hand.

At that moment a couple of girls from their class wandered in. They looked at Ranma and Ukyo with open curiosity. "I think Ukyo has a thing for cross dressers," one snickered to the other. "I mean, first Tsubasa, then that Konatsu person, and now she's after Ranma."

"I suppose it makes sense, seeing how she dresses like a boy most of the time anyway. Someone's gotta wear the dress." They both giggled.

Ukyo glared. "Com'on Ranma-honey, let's go somewhere more private." He didn't like the sound of that, but knowing that he'd get no sleep until he talked to her, he allowed himself to be led from the room.

"She'd better hope Akane doesn't hear about this!" one girl called after them. Ukyo acted like she didn't hear. Her hand still on Ranma's arm, she walked purposefully down the hallway.

When they got to the staircase at the end, she urged him up. "Com'on, the roof is quiet."

As he followed, Ranma tried to plan what he would say to her. He knew she wasn't in love with him. She couldn't be. He thought about that jittery, nervous feeling he got when he held Akane's hand and looked at where Ukyo's hand was clamped purposefully around his wrist. He was sure she wasn't feeling the same thing. Well, almost sure.

Ukyo opened the door to the roof and they stepped out into the sunshine. Not taking any time to appreciate the weather, she got right down to business. "So, what's between you and Akane?"

He didn't want to answer. He wasn't really sure. He knew that it was a lot more than before, but somehow exactly the same as ever. "You know my pop says I gotta marry her," he dodged.

"You're engaged to me too, you know." She sat down and beckoned for him to sit with her. "But rumor has it that you two went out last night. On a date. And Ryoga said you . . ." She looked embarrassed. "He says you kissed her. In her room, no less."

"Aw, Ucchan," he didn't want to lie, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings, either. "You know Akane and me go everywhere together. That ain't the same as a date." He wasn't //exactly// lying, but he wasn't really answering her question either.

She looked a little relieved, but still a lot suspicious. "So you didn't kiss her either?"

Now he was stuck. If he said he had, then Ukyo would be hurt, but if he said he hadn't, then he'd just have to tell her the truth later. Besides, if it got back to Akane that he'd lied to Ukyo about them, it'd look real bad.

"Well, uh," he paused, looking over Ukyo's shoulder at the treetops. "Remember when Akane and I were gonna get married? Well, she was gonna do it so I could be cured--Mr. Tendo had some nannichuan for me if I married her." Ukyo was listening, but Ranma could tell she didn't like the story so far. "Well, once I found out, everything got all messed up. You remember."

"Ranma-honey, what's this got to do with--"

"I was gonna do it." Ranma knew his voice mirrored the amazement he felt at saying it out loud. "I was gonna marry her before I knew anything about the water. I--" He took a deep breath and looked at Ukyo. "I //wanted// to."

He expected tears or rage or some violent reaction from her. Instead she looked at him, eyes clear and expression sad. "I'm the cute one," she said dully. "You don't want her. I'm cuter; you said it yourself."

"Love ain't about cute. I--I'm sorry, Ucchan."

Suddenly her eyes flashed. "She did it, didn't she? She's always been so damn tricky! What'd she do? Seduce you into thinkin' you love her?"

Ranma was at a loss. He'd hoped she'd be better about this. Ukyo grabbed Ranma's shoulders and yanked him close. "Well, she's not gonna be the only one!"

"Wait!" Ranma had a thought. He was afraid he was wrong, but he'd try anything. "I don't think you really love me, Ucchan." He looked down at his hands, praying that his new idea would work. Maybe if she tried to convince him that she loved him, she'd realize she really didn't.

Her grip softened on his shoulders. "Oh Ran-chan," she breathed. "Is that why you went to her? Of course I love you. I searched ten years for you!"

"To kill me." He sounded glum. Ranma knew he was playing with fire, but he didn't mind a few burns if the end was right.

"At first," Ukyo conceded. "But that was before. Before I wanted to . . ." Ranma couldn't even protest before Ukyo pressed her lips against his. A new idea hit him and he sat still, allowing her to kiss him. Her mouth was warm and comfortable, but no more. With Ukyo there were none of the sparks and goosebumps he'd felt with Akane. Maybe she'd notice too.

After a moment, Ukyo pulled away and looked at her hands. A deep blush stained her cheeks. "Isn't it . . ." She looked up, a confused look on her face. "Isn't it supposed to be . . ."

"Different?" Ranma finished for her.

Ukyo nodded. "I mean, I always read that . . . Aren't there supposed to be fireworks or something?"

"Not when you're just friends."

"So you're saying I don't love you?" She always had to boil it down to the basics.

Ranma nodded. "I told ya you didn't." He smiled at his old friend. "You're just too stubborn to believe me."

Ukyo seemed to consider this for a moment. "But you didn't kiss back," she pointed out. "Maybe if we tried it again?"

Ranma didn't think so. Kissing Ukyo once was more than enough for him. If he did it again then she'd be one up on Akane. "Kissing ain't like that." He remembered the way she'd hugged Ryoga. "Is there anyone else who could . . . " He didn't know how to say it. "I mean, so you can test it?"

Ukyo looked shocked. "You mean to //compare//?"
He nodded. "Just so's you can see you don't love me. Isn't there //anyone// you wanna kiss?"

For a long time neither spoke, and Ranma wasn't sure if she was considering it or not. Maybe she didn't want to kiss Ryoga. Or maybe she didn't know that she wanted to. Either way, he was glad that Ukyo didn't look so upset anymore. Getting up, he walked to the fence at the edge of the roof. He spied Akane instantly, and felt bad just as quickly. He shouldn't have let Ukyo kiss him.

"Konatsu."

"What?" Ranma spun around to look at his friend.

She stood by the door and was smiling timidly. "I mean, //maybe// Konatsu. Or maybe even--" Ukyo broke off, a mortified blush on her face.

When she met his eyes, she looked away quickly and took a step backward. "Oh! I'm so sorry Ran-chan! Tell Akane that--" She opened the door and practically stumbled to the steps. "I gotta go!"

She was gone in a matter of seconds. Ranma was glad to have that talk over with. If it was really over. Ukyo was still cute--especially when she blushed. Ranma turned back to the fence, back to Akane, who was kicking a ball with her friends. Ukyo had nothing on Akane, though. She was the cutest girl he'd ever met.

As if she could hear his thoughts, Akane looked up at him. Ranma's heart seemed to skip a beat. A look of surprise crossed her features, but it was quickly replaced by a smile. With a happy skip, she waved at him. He waved back, for the first time really glad that he came to Nerima.

A moment later, she went back to her game. Ranma watched her for a while, a feeling of peace washing over him. With a start, he realized he was falling asleep against the fence. He shook his head and walked back toward his classroom, figuring he had about seven or eight minutes left to nap.

"What a haul! What a haul!" The cry came from the general direction of the girls' showers. Ranma really hated the old Freak, but he knew his duty. With a sigh he changed his course, heading instead for the nearest door to the outside, where he could already hear the outraged cries of a mob of angry girls. What a day this was turning out to be!


Part Two: "Immoral Kombat"
"I saw Shampoo yesterday."

Akane's voice hardly penetrated Ranma's fog. He'd been thinking about Ukyo since yesterday. Rather, he'd been thinking about telling Akane about what had happened with Ukyo. He'd been thinking about //not// telling her, too, but that never seemed like a good idea. She'd be sure to catch on.

"She said that she and Mousse are leaving for China in a few weeks."

She'd be furious. But wasn't it better for her to be mad now and get over it than be even madder later? Besides, it's not like he'd wanted to kiss Ukyo. And it all turned out all right with her anyway. Akane should be grateful that he'd handled it.

"Ranma, are you even //listening// to me?"

He looked down at her, startled. They were walking home from school, and from his perch on the fence, he'd kind of forgotten that Akane was there.

She must've noted his surprise. "You're not! Why do I even bother with you?" With a scowl she picked up the pace of her walk.

Ranma couldn't help but taunt her. "Hey Akane, don't you know it's not cute to throw tantrums?" He laughed as she turned to stick her tongue out at him. "Un-cute!"

"Ranma Saotome." Ranma stopped laughing when he heard Kuno's deep voice. He hopped from the fence to land in front of the older boy, noticing that Akane had stopped walking as well.

"Yeah?"

Kuno looked a little uncomfortable. He looked over to Akane, smiling awkwardly. "Akane Tendo, greetings." He bowed his head respectfully.

"Hello Kuno," Akane answered in a puzzled voice. She looked at Ranma as if for an explanation of Kuno's behavior, but got only a shrug from him.

Kuno focused his attention back onto Ranma, thrusting a manila envelope into his hands. "I believe these belong to you, Saotome. I must apologize, for it was not in my rights to possess them at all. Please tell Nabiki that I have no more use for them, but do not expect a refund." He blushed and looked vaguely over Ranma's head. "I have heard the happy news of you and Akane." He bowed graciously. "I bear no hard feelings and wish you both well."

"What about Ranma and me?" Akane sounded alarmed.

Kuno smiled tensely. "Do not be so modest. Your sister tells me that your engagement to Ranma is . . ." He faltered. "Well, rather that it has . . ." Kuno was drowning, and Ranma didn't feel the need to rescue him. He didn't care what Nabiki said--one date with Akane didn't mean he'd changed his mind about marrying her.

Giving up, Kuno turned back to Ranma. "Once again, I apologize for ever having owned the photographs." He smiled wistfully at Akane. "Farewell, Akane Tendo."

Abruptly, Kuno spun on his heel and walked away. After a few steps he looked back, his gaze penetrating Ranma's. His expression was unreadable, but Ranma didn't like it.

"Saotome . . . please tell the pigtailed girl goodbye." He was gone as suddenly as he'd arrived.

"Wow," Ranma breathed in relief. "That was creepy." He opened the envelope in his hands. "Wonder what's in here."

Akane came over as he pulled the contents from the envelope. "Photographs?" She snatched one from his hand to look at it more closely. It was of Ranma, in his girl form, fast asleep in no more than shorts and a tank top. "Where'd these come from, and why did Kuno have them?" She looked at him, alarmed. "Ranma, you didn't let Nabiki. . .?"

"No!" he answered crossly. "Can'chya see I'm sleepin'? She must've sold 'em to Kuno!" He shook his head as a shiver of disgust moved up his spine. To think, Kuno had probably been looking at these for months. Ranma shuffled through the pictures, verifying that each was pretty much like the first--some even more disturbing. About midway through the stack, however, the pictures changed.

"Hey look, Akane! I ain't the only one your sister sold out on!" He held up a snapshot of Akane practicing in the training hall, a fierce expression on her face. Ranma laughed. "Looks like Kuno got an eyeful of you, too!"

Akane snatched at the picture. "I don't //believe// this!" At the last moment, Ranma pulled the photo away and held it high over his head. Akane jumped, trying to grab it away, but came up short.

"Ranma!"

He laughed, ignoring the outraged threat in her voice. "Oh no you don't! Kuno said they were mine. That includes pictures of you too, you know." He was having enough fun teasing Akane that he almost forgot his own mortification. He contemplated the pictures, a thoughtful look on his face. "You know, Akane, if you weren't such a brute, I could actually make some money on these."

"Idiot!" She elbowed the side of his head and stormed away, leaving the pictures to flutter to his feet. Talk about not being able to take a joke. Ranma rubbed his head as he bent down to pick of the photographs. He'd never understand why she was so sensitive.

"Ranma Saotome!" Ranma instantly recognized the voice, full of the barely-checked rage that had become so familiar.

"Ryoga Hibiki." He turned and smiled up at his friend, who was perched in the crook of a nearby tree. "Now that we've got the names straight, how about we--"

Ryoga cut him off with a furious growl. "How dare you slander Akane so? Does it make you happy to see her cry?" He jumped from the tree and landed in front of Ranma, who noticed that Ryoga's new staff was strapped to his back. "She deserves better than you. You're becoming as much of a womanizer as the old letch."

Ranma was insulted; it was no laughing matter to be compared to Happosai. But who was Ryoga to talk? "I ain't the one crawling into her bed every night. Besides, I didn't make her cry. It was just some friendly teasing." He couldn't imagine what had made Ryoga so mad this time, but it was usually something pretty stupid.

Ryoga pulled the stick from his back and advanced threateningly toward Ranma. "Teasing? Is that what you were doing with Ukyo, too? Just teasing?" He bared his pointed teeth as he waited for an answer.

Ranma was stunned. He didn't know whether to admit it or deny it. If Ryoga knew, then //anyone// could know--unless Ukyo confided in him. But then he'd better not lie and make Ucchan look bad. He had no idea what to say. "Ukyo knew what she was doing." he hedged.

It must've been the wrong thing to say, because Ryoga suddenly attacked, kicking at Ranma with an angry shout. "And what about Akane? Did she know what you were doing?"

Ranma dodged the kick, preferring reason to fighting when it came to this particular opponent. "Listen Ryoga, I'm gonna tell her." He hopped about, evading punches and kicks left and right. "Just gimme a day or so to figure out how." Ranma knew that that was where his real battle would be. Fighting Ryoga would seem like cake compared to trying to explain that kiss to Akane.

Ryoga laughed. "Do you think I care if you tell her?" He jabbed the staff at Ranma. "What matters is that you carelessly tossed away someone as wonderful as Akane." He set his teeth and jumped into an air attack. "Just to kiss a girl you don't love! //No one// gets away with treating Akane like that!"

Ranma dodged, separating his head and Ryoga's feet by mere inches. "W-Wait just a second! I never tossed Akane nowhere!" He was angry now--everyone always assumed the worst of him and he was fed up with it. "Everything Ukyo and me talked about was //for// Akane! While we're here, why don't we just clear a few things up, //P-chan//!" He pushed Ryoga up against the fence. "Stay the hell away from Akane's bedroom!"

Ryoga had been obviously taken aback, but he regained his ground quickly. Shrugging Ranma's hands from his shoulders, he glowered. "Why? So you can sleep there?"

Something snapped in Ranma's brain. With a rage he hadn't felt in months, he launched a series of kicks at Ryoga's midsection. "It's! Not! Like! That!" Each word was punctuated by a blow. He'd put up with him for too long.

Only two kicks landed before Ryoga managed to twist away. "Finally!" he laughed, slightly breathless. "You're fighting like a man!"

For a long time they seemed evenly matched, giving blow for blow and both keeping their ground. Ryoga's strength advantage was canceled by Ranma's speed, although Ranma knew that a lucky punch could put either of them out of the game. He did his best to ensure that he wasn't the one hit.

As the battle went on, though, his anger began to wane. It seemed kind of pointless to fight Ryoga. It wasn't like he'd ever give up on Akane, even if Ranma won. And if Ryoga won . . . Ranma didn't even bother to complete the thought. All this fight would do was hurt someone.

Ryoga jumped away from Ranma, who thought he wanted a moment to catch his breath. Realizing that he could use such a break himself, Ranma didn't pursue him. Given a moment, maybe Ryoga would come to his senses. As soon as the thought came, Ranma dismissed it--as if he'd ever come to his senses!

"Shishi Hokodan. Akane doesn't love you. Shishi Hokodan. You'll be cursed forever." Ranma could barely make out Ryoga's whispers, but when he realized what he was saying, he knew he was in trouble. So much for taking a breather.

He knew that the only way to counter Ryoga's chi blast was with one of his own, so he quickly focused his mind. He thought of all the things that made him confident. He was good looking. He was the best martial artist ever. Girls at school were nuts for him. He could beat Happosai in a fair fight. He was faster than even Cologne. Akane loved him.

"Shishi Hokodan!" Ryoga was obviously ready.

Akane loved him?

"Moko Takabishi!"

Even as he summoned his blast, Ranma could tell that something had gone terribly wrong. Akane. His uncertainty overpowered him, and for the first time since learning to harness his chi, he failed himself. He had no time to contemplate his mistake, however; Ryoga's energy was speeding toward him like a ball of fire.

Ranma acted even before his mind worked out a plan. Faster than he'd ever moved before, Ranma danced his feet into a perfect spiral. The Dragon Ascension had never been meant for this kind of thing, but it was the only chance he had. He deliberately replaced the fear in his heart with cold mathematical calculations. He figured the exact pattern that his feet needed to take and the momentum needed to knock Ryoga's blast away. The heat hit him while he was still deciding whether or not this was a good idea.

"Hiryu Shoten Ha!" His fist burned where it touched the energy. Ranma spiraled his punch upward, feeling his chill leave along with the heat. Ryoga's chi blast was successfully deflected and knocked into the sky, causing a huge cyclone that pulled Ranma off the ground. From beneath, Ranma watched Ryoga's chi blast pulsate in the pressure of the twister--he could tell something big was about to happen. A moment later it exploded. It was the most powerful blast Ranma had ever experienced--he closed his eyes and shielded his face against the blinding light. A blast of hot wind knocked him unconscious.

When he opened his eyes, Ranma found himself lying facedown in a large crater in the middle of the street. He was alive, so the Dragon Ascension had worked. He pushed himself off of the ground, his every muscle protesting violently. It felt like he'd been run over by a train. He was alive! Ranma wanted to laugh but found that it hurt too much. He wiped the dust from his face and looked around for Ryoga.

It seemed he'd been knocked from his feet by the explosion. Ryoga sat on the sidewalk against the fence, about a hundred feet from where Ranma had landed. His eyes widened as he watched Ranma stand. Ranma could understand the surprise--he was shocked that his legs would hold him.

"How are you still alive?" Ryoga's voice was incredulous. "Your Heaven Blast couldn't have really worked!" He stumbled to his feet, balancing with his staff, which was somehow still clutched in his fingers.
Ranma smiled and offered a hand to help steady his companion. He didn't feel so well himself. "Can't get rid of me that easy," he said lightly, hoping to make peace with his friend.

Ryoga flinched away before Ranma could touch him. "Get away from me!" he snarled, looking like a feral dog. "You purposely try to make my life more hellish than it already is, and you think I'm coming to you as a //friend//?"

He laughed bitterly, advancing on Ranma slowly. "You owe me, Ranma! Now stand still and take what you deserve!" He raised his staff high over his head, preparing to bring it down hard onto Ranma.

Ranma stood frozen in his place. Maybe Ryoga was right. Even if he wasn't, there wasn't a thing he Ranma could do about it. With his arms and legs as tense as they were, there was no way he could dodge the blow. At another time he could've cut the staff into firewood with his "chestnuts," but now he could barely move. He couldn't believe that Ryoga had beaten him, but it was true. Even against the Dragon Ascension, he had proven to be more powerful.

Ranma closed his eyes and prepared for the blow. He wondered if it would hurt. He thought about his Pop, and how disappointed he would be. He thought about Akane. "I'm sorry, Akane," he mumbled, wishing he'd told her sooner how he'd felt.

Nothing happened. Ranma almost flinched with anticipation. Ryoga sure was drawing this out. He opened his eyes slowly until his gaze fell onto the figure before him.

Ryoga was staring at him, his staff held limply by his side. Tears spilled from his eyes, which he tried to cover as soon as he noticed Ranma watching. "Damn you, Saotome!" His voice was broken. "How can I kill you if your last thoughts, last words, are for Akane?" He threw down his staff and ran away. "You win, Ranma!" he called as he disappeared.

Ranma was stunned. He picked up the stick--it was warm to the touch. Looking after Ryoga, he wondered if he'd ever see him again. Probably. He was headed in the general direction of Ucchan's, so Ukyo'd probably catch him and put him back to work. Ranma hoped so.

Using the staff for support, Ranma started slowly home. He needed a lot of rest, and his hand was blistering where Ryoga's energy had burned him. Going over the fight in his mind, he realized again what his weakness had been with his chi blast. Akane. He didn't really know what she thought of him, and it had ruined his fight.

As he hobbled past the blast crater, he noticed the envelope and Kuno's pictures. They had been badly torn and burned in the explosion, making them pretty much unrecognizable. One, however, caught his attention by being mostly intact. He picked it up. It was a photo of Akane, smiling happily and rubbing her hand. A smashed cinder block littered the foreground.

Ranma smiled. Her hair was long in the picture--it seemed like such a long time since that day Dr. Tofu said that shorter hair was cute--he'd almost forgotten that she'd ever worn it long. Tofu was right; she //was// cute with short hair, but long wasn't so bad either. He slipped the photo into his pocket and continued home, anxious to hear her scolding when she saw how beat up he was.


Part Three: "Melancholy Baby"
"Ranma, I don't know if this is such a good idea!" Akane had been protesting since they'd left home. "If Ryoga was going to use it on you, isn't it kind of dumb to give it back to him?"

He didn't answer, but continued walking.

"Ranma! You're in no condition to fight him again!" It had been only one day since the battle, and Ranma was still pretty battered. He hadn't even gone to school that day. His burnt hand throbbed, and he secretly wondered if it wouldn't prevent him from winning fights in the future.

"I told you, he ain't gonna want to fight. He thinks he lost to me yesterday." The shame of actually losing still stung. If Ryoga hadn't been so softhearted, Ranma wouldn't even be there. "All I wanna do is give him his stick back and have some okonomiyaki."

"Then why did you drag me along?" Akane was exasperated.

The idea of facing Ukyo was pretty embarrassing, and Ranma figured that no one would say anything about the kiss as long as Akane was with him. He wouldn't tell Akane that, of course. "Dunno. Just wanted company, I guess."

She seemed pleased. He was glad, because just then they rounded a corner and arrived at Ucchan's. They ducked under the red canopy and little bells jingled, announcing their arrival. It seemed they were the only customers right then.

"Bells?" Akane asked. Ranma silently agreed. It didn't seem much like Ukyo.

Ukyo smiled from behind the counter. "Konatsu's idea. He thought it'd make the place more cozy." She tossed some okonomiyaki batter onto the griddle. "Speaking of which, I'd better go check on the kiddo. Ryoga-sugar!" she bellowed into the back room. "Com'n watch this okonomiyaki! I gotta check on Konatsu!" She picked up a tray and left the room before either Ranma or Akane could say another word.

Ranma couldn't blame her. He wouldn't want to be there when Ryoga showed up, if he were Ukyo. They sat down on stools by the counter. Akane squeezed his knee in support, then blushed and yanked her hand away. Ranma was glad he'd brought her.

When Ryoga came in, he glanced at them and quickly turned to the griddle, adding various ingredients to the food. "Shrimp or squid?" he asked to no one in particular. Ranma noticed that Ryoga looked a lot better off than he did.
"One of each," Akane answered. She looked nervous. "So Ryoga, how do you like the okonomiyaki business?" She was clearly trying to lighten the mood, but a darkness had fallen over Ucchan's that seemed impenetrable.

Before Ryoga could answer, something on the little television Ukyo kept to watch on slow days caught his attention. Ranma and Akane turned to watch as well.

" . . . and yesterday afternoon a mysterious and baffling event occurred in this residential area of Nerima, Tokyo." The image changed to the site of their fight. "It appears that a small tornado developed at this location, somehow causing an explosion which left this twelve-foot crater in the middle of the street. Scientists are currently searching for the source of the blast. Although few reported //seeing// the cyclone, the explosion was heard throughout the town." Ranma and Ryoga met eyes for the first time. "Meteorologists have not been able to explain the occurrence of a tornado in the area. Construction crews are at the site today, repairing the damage. The street should be reopened by tomorrow morning."

The news shifted to another topic and Ryoga reached over to switch off the television. Ranma started to laugh--he'd never heard a news team sound so confused.

"Wow! You did //that// Ryoga?" Akane sounded impressed. "Your chi blast must have been huge!"

He blushed. "Well, Ranma's Dragon Ascension did a lot of that," he protested modestly. He poked the okonomiyaki with a spatula.

Ranma laughed. "There's no way I could've caused that crater! The cyclone was mine, but the explosion was all yours, Ryoga." He tossed the staff over the counter, and it was caught with ease. "How 'bout a truce?"

Ryoga looked at him for a long time, not saying a word. His gaze shifted to Akane, who was looking nervous and hopeful. Ranma wondered if her presence was going to be a problem for Ryoga. She was the center of all their disputes, after all.

"Truce," Ryoga said after a while, his mouth breaking into a hesitant smile. For the first time that Ranma could remember, they shook hands as friends.

Akane laughed with glee, and the sound aptly reflected the relief Ranma was feeling. Having Ryoga as an ally would be a nice change. "Great! Now Ranma," she scolded in warning. "This means no more picking on Ryoga!"

He was about to protest when Ukyo entered the room with a shriek. "Ugh! Sugar, what've you done in here?" She wrinkled her nose and dashed over to the griddle. Ranma noticed the food for the first time. It was black and crusty, and the restaurant was dimmer with smoke. All three choked back laughter as they watched Ukyo scramble around to clean the mess and start new okonomiyaki. "I swear, getting sick was the worst thing Konatsu could've done to me!" she mumbled under her breath.

Five minutes later, Ranma and Akane had fresh okonomiyaki and Ucchan's was being aired of smoke. Ranma struggled with his chopsticks--he'd never had to eat left-handed before. "How is Konatsu, anyway?" Ryoga asked, probably wondering how long he'd have to help out.

"Better." Ukyo perched upon a tall stool. "But still sick. The doctor said to give him another few days, so you're not off the hook yet, kiddo." She smiled at Ryoga. "Just don't burn any more food or I'll keep ya longer." She swatted at him mildly, and he dodged, smiling.

Ranma was surprised by the camaraderie between the two; working together must've brought them closer. In fact, everyone was getting along pretty well. Just a week ago there would have been at least three quarrels going on. He looked over at Akane, who was happily munching her okonomiyaki. Maybe more.

"Hey Akane," Ukyo began. "You wanna come up and visit? I think the poor thing's gettin' tired of only me for company."

Akane nodded. "Sure!" She finished the last couple bites of her food and followed Ukyo up the stairs. "Have you been taking care of him all by yourself?"

Left with Ryoga, Ranma was uncomfortable all over again. Ryoga served himself some food and sat down. "You didn't have to give it back." He motioned toward his staff. "You beat me."

Ranma felt a twinge of guilt. He knew that Ryoga could've killed him easily at the end. It was //he// that was beaten, but couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. "You deserve it," he mumbled. "What would I do with some death stick, anyway? It ain't like I even use weapons."

Ranma's guilt increased. He should tell Ryoga the truth. He should remind him of those last moments before Ryoga ran away. He took a deep breath, trying to banish his pride. "Ryoga, I--"

"No, let me," he interrupted. "You proved yourself stronger, Ranma. I'm giving up my pursuit of Akane." He hung his head and poked at his food. "I'll stay away from her--even in my other form."

Ranma was shocked. He'd never expected this! "But--but Ryoga!" Giving up P-chan? He'd tried it before, but this time Ranma felt he really meant it. "Are you sure? I mean . . ." It wasn't like Ranma to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he didn't know quite how to handle this one.

"She is well matched with you," Ryoga answered quietly, his eyes watering. "I wish you well."

Shamed into silence, Ranma picked at the last morsels of food on his dish. Ryoga deserved the truth. Ranma almost made up his mind to tell him, but a new thought came into his head. Akane was his. Without Ryoga, there were no more suitors to deal with, no real serious ones, anyway. She had cleverly beaten Kuno at his own game, and now there were no more obstacles to be scaled.
Why put Ryoga back into it? Ranma knew he'd just have to get rid of him later, so why not let him leave with his nobility? Ranma was contemplating this when the girls came back down the stairs.

"Ranma! Honey, what's this about fighting that scary old Amazon?" Ukyo sounded like a blue jay. "Have you planned out your strategy?"

He didn't answer. He'd kind of put it out of his mind.

Akane put her hands on her hips and looked at him sternly. "You haven't even //thought// about it, have you?"

"I'll handle it," Ranma protested. He looked down at his bandaged hand and grimaced. He wasn't sure how.

Akane must've seen the direction of his thoughts, because she came over and put her hand on his arm. "We'll help you," she offered. "The four of us could surely beat Cologne!"

He pulled away, his pride stung. "I don't need your help!" He knew he sounded harsh, but couldn't help it. It was bad enough that he was injured; he didn't need everyone feeling sorry for him too. Still, he tried to keep his voice neutral as he edited his statement. "You don't understand. It's //my// fight, Akane. I gotta do it myself."

She looked sad. "I thought it was //our// fight," she whispered, too low for Ukyo or Ryoga to hear. Ranma felt a surge of unfamiliar tenderness. Why'd she have to go and make him feel bad?

"Com'on, dummy! We don't even know if you can beat her when you're fixed," Ukyo interjected with candor. "How'll you manage while you're broken?"

"I ain't broken!" Ranma couldn't imagine his friend being any more harsh. "I can handle this myself! I don't need advice; I don't need help; and I don't want any of you buttin' in!"

"Do you want to use my staff?"

Ranma wanted to scream! He threw his chopsticks onto the counter and stood. With an angry growl and an unusual show of temper, he stormed out of the restaurant, the bells jangling wildly behind him.

He heard Akane apologize for him. Damn! Why'd she have to be so supportive all of a sudden? Made him feel like an ungrateful fool. Her footsteps ran up behind him, and he heard her breathing. Ranma waited for a fight.
It didn't come. Instead, she came around beside him and slipped her hand into his good one, giving it a little squeeze. She didn't speak, but walked home with him in silence. Ranma was grateful. Maybe she understood him, after all.


Part Four: "The Compound Fracture of Akane's Heart"
Thunder cracked and the rain seemed to come down even harder than before. Ranma unbuttoned his shirt, listening to it pound on the roof. Nerima had some weird weather. He'd never seen a thunderstorm like this at this time of year. It was pretty late; the family was mostly asleep. The storm had begun just before they went to bed.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Ranma carefully unwrapped his bandaged hand. Kasumi had tended to it after dinner, and Ranma had noticed the unnaturally somber expression in her eyes as she'd cleaned his burn. It did look pretty horrible. His entire palm was scarred and blistered, leaving his fingers tight and hard to move. He flexed his muscles slightly, closing his eyes against the pain. He knew it'd hurt for a long time--he may as well get used to it now. Ranma thought about his upcoming battle with Cologne, but pushed it from his mind. He'd just have to find some way to win without his hand.

"Ranma?" Akane rapped lightly on the door before coming in. Ranma thrust his injured hand behind his back. He didn't want her to see how bad it really was. "Ranma have you seen P-chan?" Her voice trembled slightly. "The storm is pretty awful, and I want him with me tonight."

Ranma scowled, clenching his fingers into an excruciating fist. "Afraid of a little thunder?" he asked. He didn't like it one bit that she wanted to be with Ryoga while she was scared.

Akane glared. "For your information, I don't like the idea of him being out in this weather!" She turned on her heel. "I guess it was dumb of me to think that you'd be any help. Go back to bed, Ranma."

"Aw, com'on Akane! Do you really need that stupid pig? He's probably halfway to Hawaii by now, knowing him." He followed her down the hall to the steps.
She spun about angrily. "What do you care anyway? All you do is fight with P-chan--you couldn't possibly know him!" She looked as though she wanted to say more, but ended up giving an exasperated sigh as she hurried down the stairs. "Looks like I'll have to go find him myself."

"Please do. Some of us would like to sleep before dawn." Nabiki spoke from the top of the stairs. She wore her nightshirt, but didn't look like she'd been anywhere near sleep. Ranma figured she'd been up late working on her computer--he was used to the sound of her printer running at all hours of the night.
He ignored her. "Are you always this stupid? Don't go out in this, Akane!" Thunder crashed, punctuating his remark.

She didn't listen. She stormed down the stairs and headed straight for the door. Ranma ran after her. "Akane!" She sat on the floor and tugged her galoshes onto her feet, tucking the cuffs of her pajamas into the tops.

"Go away Ranma," she growled.

"Akane, Ranma," Kasumi poked her head around the corner. "Don't forget your raincoats. It's messy out there." As if she didn't think it was weird for them to be heading out into the middle of a hurricane at two o'clock in the morning, she went back into the living room with a smile. Ranma wondered if the Tendo girls knew how to sleep.

As Akane reached for her raincoat, he snatched it up and held it away from her. "Forget it, Akane," he said, trying to block her attempts to grab it without hurting his hand. "You aren't gonna catch your death of cold over that pig."
She glared. "I'm not going to bed without him!" she declared angrily. "I won't let him stay out there all cold and scared."

Ranma sighed. She was so persistent, even if she did give in, she'd probably just sneak out later. What she didn't know is that she could look all night and not find him. "You don't gotta." He hung up her coat and sat down to pull on his own shoes. "I'll go get your stupid pet."

Akane's face softened. "Really?" she asked hopefully. Ranma's heart jumped. She really did love that pig, as misled as she was. "You'd go out there," she looked out the window into the wet black night, "for me?"

Ranma's voice was gruff and quiet. "You know I would." He blushed slightly, then stood. "Now you go to bed. I'll find him for you."

To his surprise, she did just as she was told. With a shy smile she pulled off her boots and headed up the stairs and into her room. Ranma watched her go, wondering why he was going along with this. Hadn't Ryoga just promised to stay away from her? He thought about her face when she'd come into his room, her eyes filled with worry, and he realized that he really had no choice. If Akane wanted P-chan, she'd get P-chan.

"You aren't going out like that, are you?" Kasumi stood in the hallway, her hands on her hips.

Ranma looked down at himself. He guessed he did look a little underdressed in his boxers and T-shirt. "Well, I could go and put on my--"

"I'm not letting you set foot out of this house until that hand is properly bandaged!" She pulled a first-aid kit from out of nowhere, or so it seemed to Ranma. In a moment, his hand was covered in sticky ointment and Kasumi was wrapping a fresh bandage around it.

She wore that same tense look from before. "It doesn't look too good, Ranma," she said nervously. "Can you move it very much?"

Ranma flexed his fingers for her. They moved, but he couldn't help but grit his teeth at the pain. "It's not so bad," he said with a grimace.

Kasumi shook her head and finished winding the cloth. "I'm afraid it may get worse. If only--" She cut off her own wish. "We should take you to a doctor tomorrow. I can't do anything more." This made Ranma nervous. Kasumi's amateur study of medicine made her the family's "doctor," especially since Dr. Tofu left. He knew that she was as well read as any hospital physician.
"I don't need no doctor," he protested. "It don't hurt so much now." He pulled his rain slicker from the hook. "I gotta go, Kasumi."

"Be careful," she warned. She turned back toward the living room. "And Ranma," she began, looking over her shoulder. "Akane will wait up, so hurry back with Ryoga." Then she was gone.

For a moment he didn't move. Kasumi knew? He really should know better than to underestimate her. He shook his head as he opened the door. A gust of wind and rain almost knocked him off his feet.

With a determined sigh, she stepped out into the night.

Twenty minutes later, Ranma pushed open the gate to the Tendo house, gripping a wriggly pig under her arm. It had been quite a chore convincing Ryoga to come with her. He'd rambled on about promises and honor and it'd taken a full ten minutes for Ranma to convince him that he was free of his promise--for the night. On the way home, little P-chan must've gotten surges of nobility; he'd tried to run away a couple of times. Ranma held tight, though. She'd promised a pig and she'd deliver a pig.

She opened the door and peeled off her raincoat--little good it'd done in //that// storm. P-chan shook the water from his little body as Ranma removed her shoes. She then picked up the pig and turned to the stairs. Akane was probably fast asleep in her room--or maybe not.

Ranma felt her pulse quicken when she saw Akane's still form on the steps. She had a kettle of water on an oven mitt beside her. She was sleeping, her head lying on her arms, and the steam from the kettle dampened her hair so that it clung to her forehead.

"Damn you're cute," Ranma whispered. She forgot what she was doing, watching the way her mouth parted as she breathed.

Ryoga squealed his agreement and climbed up the stairs. He nuzzled his head beneath her hand and sighed happily. Akane's eyes fluttered open and she looked at Ranma with a sleepy, unfocused look. "Ranma?" A tiny smile curved her lips.

"Akane," Ranma breathed, oblivious of her female form. She forgot P-chan, the thunderstorm--everything except those two dark eyes.

"Bweee!"

"P-chan!" Akane's delight was perfectly clear. She scooped up the piglet and clutched him close in a tight hug. "You poor baby," she crooned. "Wook at you all wet and cold fwom the wain!" She dropped tiny kisses all over Ryoga's head, causing him to blush violently.

Ranma was having some pretty violent emotions herself, but she fought off the urge to throw the little black pig back out into the storm. "Well, goodnight then," she said rather brusquely, squeezing the water out of her pigtail. If her work here was done, she'd sooner go back to bed than watch her coo all over the stupid animal.

"Wait," Akane said hurriedly, standing up to block the way upstairs. "Thanks for finding him. You didn't have to go out in this weather."

"Sure I did. It would've sucked havin' to stay home with you 'cause you stupidly got yourself sick."

Akane ignored the insult. "What I meant was that it was really nice of you." Her voice was low and she dropped her eyes prettily to the floor.

Ranma felt her hands shake. She wondered why Akane was being so nice lately. As soon as the question came to mind, the answer did too, and Ranma blushed. For the first time ever, she knew just what to do.

With a shy smile, she hooked a finger under Akane's jaw and tilted her face up. Those long-lashed eyes set her heart racing. This reaction was nothing new--she'd been fighting it since that long ago day that Akane walked in on her in the bath--but giving in to it brought up a whole new set of excited feelings. Getting no resistance, she pulled Akane down a couple steps so that they both stood on the floor. The pig slid, forgotten, to the ground.

"You looked real cute sleeping," she whispered, leaning up to her tiptoes so they could look eye-to-eye. Their fingers were laced together, and Akane squeezed gently in response. Encouraged, Ranma moved her hands to Akane's shoulders, her fingers kneading gently as she pulled her against her body. She felt Akane's arms slip around her waist and thought she'd surely burst with the urge to get closer.

"Akane," she whispered softly as her eyes drifted shut. As if they had eyes of their own, her lips somehow found Akane's, brushing against them with the lightest of touches. The contact sent shivers down Ranma's spine, powerful enough that she could almost ignore the stamping of little hooves on her bare feet. With a swift kick, she sent P-chan across the room, at the same time moving in to kiss Akane more solidly.

"Wait!" Panic tinged Akane's voice as she roughly shoved Ranma away. "We're both girls!" Her eyes were wild and her breath came in short gasps.

It didn't make much difference to Ranma, but she could see why Akane was bothered. With a shrug, she motioned toward the still-steaming kettle. "So change me back." She knew she sounded more casual than she felt, and hoped Akane wouldn't see through her to the nervous little boy inside.

Hesitating only a moment, Akane picked up the teakettle and turned back toward Ranma. Seeing P-chan over Ranma's shoulder, she ran and scooped him up. "P-chan!" The animal was visibly shaking, either from cold or anger; Ranma couldn't tell.

Akane thrust the pig into Ranma's arms. "We can warm up my P-chan at the same time," she suggested practically. Before Ranma or Ryoga could protest, the warm water cascaded around them. Ranma felt the familiar changes, but was hardly prepared for the shift in Ryoga's weight.

He staggered, and when the steam lifted, stood holding Ryoga in his arms like a baby. Ryoga, for his part, was as naked as the day he was born.

Akane's scream of surprise quickly turned to rage as understanding dawned on her. "You //animals!//" she shrieked, bouncing the empty teakettle off of Ryoga's head. It struck Ranma square in the face. As if that weren't enough, she pulled a slipper from her foot and hurled it at them.

Ranma stumbled, dropping Ryoga, who hurriedly crawled into the next room.

"Oh my!" Kasumi was still up.

As quickly as he'd left, Ryoga came back, this time running, covering himself with his hands. His face was as red as Ranma had ever seen it and etched with fury and embarrassment. He grabbed Ranma's raincoat from its hook and put it on, keeping his back to Akane.

She hadn't yet stopped ranting. "Ryoga! How could you? All this time I thought--"

"Aw, don't blame him, Akane; all he wanted was to be close to you." Ranma wasn't sure why he was defending Ryoga, but he suspected that it had something to do with guilt.

Akane's eyes flashed at him. "Fine! I'll blame you, then!" She removed her other slipper and began smacking Ranma over the head with it. It really stung. "How could you let him sleep with me every night? You //knew// he wasn't just P-chan!"

Even though he knew his words would be wasted, Ranma protested anyway. "I chased him out--"

"Shut up!" She smacked him, hard. He did as he was told, stunned.

Her breathing was violent and she had tears in her eyes. "From the first moment we met, you've never been honest with me," she began quietly. "First it was your curse, then your other fiancées, and now this. I know you don't want to marry me, so don't. I don't care." She shook her head and turned to go upstairs. Her body shuddered just a little, and he knew she was crying. He moved to follow, but she stopped him with her words. "Don't bother, Ranma; you can't fix it this time."

His gut knotted as he watched her leave. He really blew it this time. He whispered her name, and for a second thought she'd heard. She paused at the top of the steps, but didn't turn around. After a moment she disappeared down the hall.

He stood there for a long time, unable to think of much more than the look on her face as she smacked him. His face still burned from the blow, but he didn't care. It hurt nothing like what was going on inside.

"Curse you, Ranma! Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now." The growl came from behind Ranma, closer than he was comfortable with. He didn't want to deal with Ryoga now.

He didn't turn. "I ain't the one who changed you. Besides, she hates me now--it's your big chance." He knew his voice sounded as dull as he felt, but didn't have the energy to pretend.

Ryoga yanked him around, narrowing his eyes in a cold glare. "Unlike some, I don't break my promises, Saotome."

"Ranma?" Kasumi's sweet voice called from the living room. "Has Ryoga left yet?"

Before Ranma could answer, a voice chimed in from the landing. "Really, you ought to wear something a little more appropriate when you come visiting." Nabiki swung her hair and headed back upstairs. "And come during the day next time--maybe you won't wake the entire house."

Even more mortified than before, Ryoga ran out the door, shutting it with a slam. Ranma casually opened it and picked the wet raincoat up from the ground. He couldn't see Ryoga in the darkness, but could hear the squealing as he ran away. Tossing the coat onto a hook, Ranma locked the door and headed back to bed, picking up Akane's slippers as he went. Maybe, when he woke up, things would seem better.

He paused outside Akane's door, his ears straining to hear her stirring within. Nothing. He set the slippers beside her door and continued down the hall to his own. It was going to be a long night.


Part five: "A Sudden Storm of Love"
It was almost noon before Ranma got up the next day. He'd been awake for hours, but was too chicken to face his family. Too chicken to face Akane. He understood why she was angry--hiding the truth about Ryoga was no small thing--but he knew that if she only knew his reasons, she'd agree with him. The hard part was going to be getting her to listen.

When he finally ventured downstairs, he headed straight for the kitchen. Kasumi would be the nicest to him. "Uh, hi Kasumi," he mumbled. She turned from preparing lunch and smiled at him kindly.

"Oh, hello Ranma. Your father ate your breakfast, but lunch will be in about half an hour." She looked thoughtful. "Until then, I suppose you could have a bowl of ice cream. Maybe you could take some to Akane?" Kasumi was already scooping the creamy dessert into a bowl. "She's in the training hall."

Akane? Ranma's stomach churned. "No thanks, I'll just wait for lunch."

Kasumi gave him a sharp look. "Then take some to Akane." It wasn't a suggestion, or a question. Obviously she knew all about the fight--she'd no doubt overheard the whole thing--and this was her way of fixing things. Ranma wasn't sure if he should be grateful or wary. With a sigh, he accepted his order and went outside to the dojo.

He slid the door open just enough to peek in, not wanting her to see him before he was ready. She was practicing with more enthusiasm than he'd seen in a long time. Ordinarily, this would please him, but today he took it as a bad sign. Another bad sign was the fact that she had taken out, and practically ripped to shreds, the practice dummy. Ranma couldn't miss the bright red of his shirt that she must've stolen from the clothesline--it was soaring across the hall after a particularly violent kick.

He couldn't do it. Seeing the fierce expression on her face and remembering her rage the night before, Ranma realized that it'd take more than ice cream to coax her to listen. Maybe he should try when she wasn't doing martial arts; all that adrenaline could only work against him. He closed the door and sat on the step, thoughtfully spooning the ice cream into his mouth. What he needed was some good advice on girls. He jumped up and ran back into the house.

When no one answered at Happosai's door, Ranma had no choice but to seek inexpert advice elsewhere. He sighed. His Pop was probably on the porch, enjoying the sunshine. Ranma could just imagine him lying there with his big furry belly toward the sky.

Teakettle in hand, he quietly slid open the door. He was taking pains to be particularly quiet, realizing that he'd never get his dad to change back willingly--it was always best to sneak up on him. When Ranma peeked through the doorway, he almost dropped the kettle.

"Looks like good things are happening in your family," a voice whispered dryly from behind him. For once, he had to agree with Nabiki.

Instead of a dozing panda, the porch was occupied by a pair of lovers. Nadoka and Genma, sitting intimately close to each other, were talking softly, their faces close together. As Ranma watched, his father gently kissed his mother's mouth, getting a shy giggle from her.

Ranma was shocked. In his entire life, he'd never known his parents to behave that way. He slowly slid the door shut. They'd fought and argued and ignored one another for as long as he could remember. This new part of their relationship unnerved him, though he had to admit, it made him happy, too.

Then he remembered Akane. "Great! Now I'll never know what to do," he mumbled.
Nabiki crossed her arms and gave him a curious look. "You really don't know much about women, do you?" she asked.

He didn't answer, instead heading up to his room. He really didn't want to discuss this with her.

She was persistent. She followed. "No wait, Ranma. I believe I can help you." When he didn't answer or even slow down, she continued. "Free of charge," she offered.

This stopped him. "Why free?" he asked suspiciously.

"Let's just say I have a certain interest in seeing the two of you finally get together." She absent-mindedly touched a delicate gold bracelet on her arm.

Ranma considered this. He needed help, badly. Nabiki had really screwed things up in the past, but he couldn't imagine her deliberately hurting Akane. She was selfish, but not mean. "Okay," he conceded slowly.

She smiled at him. "I can't believe I had to //convince// you to let me help. Suspicious?" He had gotten used to her teasing a long time ago, so he ignored her. She glanced around the hallway as if to see if anyone was listening. "Let's go to your room. I doubt you want the whole family to hear this." Ranma couldn't have agreed with her more.

Five minutes later he had confessed the whole story--including the accident with Ryoga at Jusenkyo. He'd left out the bit about kissing Akane, though; he didn't think it was any of Nabiki's business or even particularly relevant.

"So, have you kissed her yet?"

Did she read minds? He blushed and aggressively shook his head no. There was no way he'd let her pick his brain about that.

She made a face. "Ooh, that's too bad. This would be a whole lot easier if you had." Ranma wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or just prying. He felt safer believing the second.

Suddenly it was down to business for the practical-minded Nabiki. "Okay, first, every girl loves presents. Do you have any money?" She hardly waited for an answer. "Of course. So what do you have that's worth anything?"

Ranma thought for a second. "Well, there ain't much. Me an' Pop never carried much when we traveled." He scowled. "What do I gotta give her a present for? I don't think Akane's like most girls."

She sighed. "Trust me," she said dryly. "Your apology will definitely be more welcome if you come bearing gifts." She opened the closet door. "Come on, you must have //something// valuable."

Pushing past her, Ranma dragged out his huge backpack. It was packed and ready to go, as if he might have to leave on a moment's notice.

Nabiki snickered. "Always prepared, eh?"

He ignored her. "I don't got much, but it's all in here." He felt kind of nostalgic, looking through his old stuff. A lot of it hadn't been touched in months.

Nabiki was surveying his possessions as he laid them on the floor around them. "Hmmm, some of this is all right." She picked up a paper fan from China and studied it carefully. "This isn't half bad," she commented, fanning her face as she picked over everything else. She rejected a woodcarving, a delicate paper bird, and a pair of gilded chopsticks before she spoke again. "Why did you buy all this stuff?"

Ranma shrugged. He'd thought of his mother at the time of each purchase, but hadn't seen her for so long afterward that he'd practically forgotten the souvenirs. Now he hesitated out of fear that Nodoka wouldn't appreciate reminders of his travels.

Finally Nabiki smiled. "Yes. This is perfect." In her hands she held a small wooden box, engraved with a traditional Japanese landscape.

Ranma tried to snatch it away. His Pop had given him that years ago. It'd been a wedding gift from Nodoka and it was intended for his bride, if he ever had one. It was an heirloom; he couldn't give it to Akane! "I can't. It was my mother's and I'm--"

"Even better. Be sure to tell the whole story to Akane when you give it to her." She bit her lip, looking thoughtful. "Let me have it for a few hours, just to fix it up a bit, then you can give it to her tonight."

Fix it up? Ranma was confused. The box was in perfect condition--even the silk liner was flawless. He watched Nabiki run her fingers over the smooth wood. Maybe she wanted to polish it or something. Should he let her have it? He pictured the look on Akane's face as she'd slept the night before. If he ever wanted to see that peaceful smile again . . . "

"Go ahead." He gathered his remaining possessions and began putting them away as Nabiki stood to go.

"Oh, Ranma?" She turned to look at him over her shoulder, her expression uncharacteristically soft. "Think about what you're going to say to her. She wants your honesty." With an encouraging smile, she was gone.

Ranma considered her words as he finished putting his belongings back into his pack. She was right, and she wanted to help. He didn't even mind that she'd stolen his fan.

Ranma spent the rest of the day training. He didn't work in the dojo, or anywhere near the house, for fear he'd run into Akane. Rather, he went to the park to meditate and work on his techniques--it was tough finding ways of protecting his injured hand while he fought, but he knew that he had to overcome it. He didn't even come home to eat, and he couldn't go to Ucchan's without facing Ryoga. He preferred to run the risk of seeing Cologne at the Cat Cafe. Both Shampoo and Mousse were friendly and helpful, and it turned out that he didn't have to talk to the Ghoul after all.

It was past sundown when he finally came home to the Tendos'. He crept in the back door, knowing he could get a better idea of what he was walking into from the kitchen. Soun was there, making a sandwich.

"Ranma! We missed you at dinner, boy! I think Nabiki wants to see you." He seemed oblivious to any notion that things weren't right with Akane, and Ranma preferred to leave it that way. Nodding, he sidled past Tendo and moved toward the door.

"Uh, where's Akane?" He knew he ran the risk of inciting Soun's fatherly fury, but he couldn't just walk into the living room without knowing if she was there. He just had to take the chance that Soun didn't know to be angry.

"In her room. She went to bed early." He gave Ranma a stern look. "Do you have any idea what's bothering her, boy?"

Ranma shook his head and darted from the room. Good, with Akane safely in her room, he could relax until he found Nabiki.

"Where have you been?" Ranma spun around, startled. Nabiki grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him toward the stairs. "She's already in bed; she may be asleep by now." Ranma had no choice but to follow dutifully as she led him to her room. "I've got the box. You just hurry and give it to her."
She pushed it into his hands and shoved him back into the hallway. "Hurry," she hissed. Automatically, Ranma turned to Akane's bedroom door and put his hand on the knob. "No!" Nabiki whispered loudly. "Do you want the whole family to know? Try the window!" Without another word, she shut her door, leaving him alone in the dark hall.

He was scared. He went to his room and climbed from his window to the roof. Outside, he breathed the cool evening air and tried to calm down. His heart was racing. What if Akane refused to forgive him? What if she didn't even listen? But that was what the gift was for, right? He looked down at the box. It didn't look like Nabiki had done much more than tie a yellow ribbon around it. It figured she'd do something cheap.

Taking a deep breath, he crept above Akane's window. "This is it," he whispered to himself. "One all-or-nothin' chance to get her back." He wished he could just fight her or something. This emotional stuff made him nervous.
His courage collected, he swung down by his ankles and gently tapped the edge of the open window. "Akane," he whispered. "Are you awake?"

An airborne paperweight was his answer. Easily dodging the projectile, he slipped into the dark room. "Akane, I'm sorry. Can we talk?" He couldn't see a thing.

Something that felt like a shoe bounced off his head. "Go away, Ranma!" Her voice was threatening. "I don't want to talk to you."

His eyes were adjusting to the darkness and he could finally see her. She sat on her bed, fully clothed in a bluish dress. Her legs were pulled up beneath her, and Ranma thought she looked really small. He wondered what she'd been doing, sitting here in the dark.

"Ranma--" Her voice had a violent undertone.

He stood a little straighter. Even if she didn't listen, she couldn't help but hear. "I know I shoulda' told you about Ryoga. I wanted to but--" he faltered, feeling ashamed of himself. "But it was my fault that--"

"I know."

"--he fell into the spring at all. You--you know?" He couldn't have been more stunned if she'd suddenly announced that she, too, had been cursed at Jusenkyo.

Akane sighed. "Your dad explained it to me this morning."

Ranma's heart jumped. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all! "So you're not mad?"

She glowered at him. "You should have told me," she accused bitterly. "He was //sleeping in my room!// You didn't even stop him! He //watched me change!//"

"Don't you think I know that? I tried to keep him out! Every night I would--"

"All you had to do was tell the truth!" she looked like she was either on the verge of tears or violence. "Your stupid honor shouldn't have mattered this time!"

Now he was getting mad, too. "Honor is //everything// to a martial artist! You know that as well as I do! So does Ryoga!"

"Did you ever think that maybe it's dishonorable to //lie?//" She flung her table lamp at him with a violence that actually startled him.

He yanked his arms up to block the impact, at the same time tossing his gift onto the bed. He didn't want it scratched or damaged. Knocking the ceramic lamp to the ground with a crash, Ranma turned his attention back to Akane. This was going too far.

To his surprise, she wasn't preparing another attack. Her bokken was in her hand, but lowered to the floor submissively. Her attention was caught by the carved box. The bow had come untied and the box lay open, its dark red lining exposed. What was so startling was the sound that came from it. A quiet, tinkling music filled the silence of the room. A music box. He silently thanked Nabiki.

"The theme from Romeo and Juliet," Akane breathed, picking it up. She looked up at him with big, watery eyes. "Ranma? You did this, for //me?//"

He didn't trust his voice when she looked at him like that, so he only nodded.

She ran her fingers over the carvings, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the music. Ranma was happy just to watch her. She looked so cute--beautiful. He hoped their fight was over, but hardly let himself believe it--a truce didn't solve anything. As the last notes died, he reached over and closed the lid, his fingers brushing her hand.

"What's this?" Akane picked up a small velvet pouch. "Was this in the box?" her voice was incredulous. Ranma looked at the bag nervously. He'd never seen it before. He hoped Nabiki could be trusted.

Loosening the drawstring with her fingers, Akane reached into the pouch and pulled out its contents. "Hair? Oh! //My// hair! Ranma, you kept it?" She held up the clump of long, dark hair, still tied with a yellow ribbon. "All this time, you kept it?" He felt his face flush. He'd forgotten about the hair, which he'd saved in the box for so long. Nabiki must've found it and decided to include it in the gift. He didn't know why he kept it at all, but he certainly had never wanted Akane to find out.

Her eyes were full of tears. "No one's ever done anything like this for me before," she sniffed. "All because you wanted me to forgive you?"

Ranma couldn't do it. He couldn't let her forgive him just because Nabiki turned out to have a romantic streak. As long as she thought he was dishonest, there'd be problems. He decided to end them all right then. He was going to tell her everything he'd felt from the moment they'd met.

"I, uh--Akane I. . . I wanted--" Damn! It was harder than he'd figured. Akane watched him stumble with his words and he felt like an idiot.

A tiny smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. "Ranma?" she asked in a casual voice. "Were you ever //jealous// of Ryoga?" She smirked as if she expected a positive response. "He did get to sleep with me, and all."

"Don't even tease about that!" Ranma was alarmed because, as usual, she hit the nail right on the head. "I never said nothing about being jealous of--"

"Ranma." Her voice was full of warning and he realized that he was being tested. She was giving him the chance to tell her the truth, and, judging by the look on her face, it was clear that he'd better take it.

"It's not like I wanted to sleep there," he protested softly. "But I didn't like him being with you. Not one bit." He couldn't even look at her, he was so embarrassed.

He almost jumped at the sudden contact of Akane taking his hand. Her fingers were shaking so badly that he noticed it immediately. Startled, his eyes jumped to her face. She wore a peculiar, guarded expression as she spoke.

"Why?" The word hung in the air like a damp mist.

Ranma knew he took too long to answer, but the words had trouble forming in his throat. When he finally spoke, his voice sounded strange to his ears. "Same reason I catch you when you fall and run off to rescue you when idiots like Taro and Mousse decide to take you. You're my fiancée, Akane," he lifted her hand and kissed where her knuckles were raw from practicing. "My //only// fiancée."

She exhaled quickly as if she'd been holding her breath. Ranma understood the feeling. He felt weak and sick to his stomach. He wished she'd hurry up and say something. He felt conspicuous, standing there while she was sitting.

"I'm glad," she whispered at last, her smile growing even more. She tugged his hands to get him to sit with her. Unprepared for the yank, Ranma lost his balance and fell onto the bed, pinning Akane beneath him.

He froze. He was close enough that his breath ruffled her hair and hers was a tickling breeze against his neck. His weight pressed down against her, making him very aware of every curve she possessed. Built like a stick? Where'd he get that idea?

He pushed up slightly with his arms so he wouldn't crush her. The last time they'd been in that position he'd gotten hit. Ranma realized that he should get up, but he didn't really want to. Her lashes were incredibly long and her mouth--Ranma bit back a groan, he wanted to kiss her so badly.

Slipping her arms around his waist and nodding slightly, Akane answered the question before it was asked. Without even knowing how, he kissed her deeply and thoroughly, just like he'd been wanting to since the last time they were there in her room. The cold chills that had taken over his body when she touched him were extinguished as a wave of warmth swept through him. Her mouth was soft and tasted sweeter than strawberries. Ranma felt he'd never have his fill of her.

He was disappointed when the kiss finally ended, but was glad to look at Akane's face again. She was smiling, her eyes bright. Ranma was sure that his expression mirrored hers.

"Does this mean we're dating?" She giggled softly, tugging on his pigtail. "Are Ranma and Akane finally a couple?"

Ranma kissed her again. "You bet," he whispered. There was something about kissing that made his confidence return. He sat up, pulling her with him. His arms were getting tired and he wanted to hold her close. They sat together in the darkness for a long time. Akane wound the music box and the light, metallic music surrounded them. Ranma dropped a few light kisses on her mouth; this was so much better than kissing Ukyo.

Ukyo! Ranma's muscles stiffened as he remembered. He had to tell her about Ukyo!

"Oh! I can't believe I forgot! I have something for you, too, Ranma!" Akane suddenly wiggled from his embrace and stood up. "Just wait! You'll love this." She reached to her bedside table to turn on the light. Her hands passed though empty space. They both looked at the floor, sprinkled with shards of the shattered lamp. Akane giggled. "Okay, maybe I'll just find it in the dark."

As she fumbled in the closet, Ranma was near panic. She was going to be wild when he told her he'd kissed Ukyo. Maybe if he could get her to listen to his reason why . . . But who was he kidding? When did Akane ever listen?

"Surprise!" She was holding a large package. It was wrapped up like a birthday gift and tied with a big red bow. She'd obviously gone to a lot of trouble. As he took the heavy box from her, he noticed how nicely the ribbon was tied. He remembered Akane's attempts at decorating the Christmas tree. Maybe //Kasumi// had gone to a lot of trouble to make this pretty.

"Open it!" Akane urged, not trying to hide the excitement in her voice.

Ranma looked at her, feeling like a rat. She was so happy and eager and he was hiding something. He couldn't accept her gift without telling the truth. "Akane, I kissed Ukyo!" he blurted without thinking of how it'd sound.

Her face froze, her smile hardening. "Come again?"

Now he was really scared. Maybe if he worded it right, it wouldn't sound so awful. "I was trying to tell her how I felt, and I kissed her." Good, that should explain things.

"You what?" Her voice was incredulous. "The same way you were trying to tell //me// how you felt and you kissed //me?//"

Uh-oh. Now he was in trouble. "No! No, I mean, you and Ukyo are real different. She's cute, bu--"

"You jerk!"

The mallet came out of nowhere, rushing toward Ranma's head at an alarming speed.

With a startled yell, he jumped away, leaving nothing but Akane's package where he had stood. The hammer hit with a sickening crack--Ranma was glad it wasn't the sound of his own skull breaking. The gift was smashed, and a dark stain spread over the carpet.

"Oh my God!" Akane dropped the mallet and backed onto her bed, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't believe this!" She broke into wild sobs and covered her face with her hands.

This really frightened Ranma. "It didn't mean nothin' Akane! Honest!" He frantically searched for words. "I was trying to show her that she don't love me. Ukyo ain't what I want--you're the only girl I ever wanted to kiss!"

She didn't look up. "You dummy!" she sobbed. "I don't care about Ukyo! It's nannichuan!" She pointed to the damp and broken package. "Your cure," she hiccupped, "is ruined."

He was taken aback. Spring of drowned boy? He fell to his knees and frantically tore open the box as quickly as he could with one hand. The cask inside had been split in two. The water was gone, seeped into the rug and paper, so that the dampness of the inner walls was all that was left. Ranma pressed his hand to them, and then to the carpet, but to no avail. Most of the moisture had been drawn away.

He sat on the floor, glad for the darkness that guarded his quiet tears from Akane. He'd given up hope, and now this last chance had been taken from him.

"No good?" Akane quietly sniffed. "I--I'm so sorry, Ranma." He could hear the tremors in her voice. "I wanted you to have it so much! I bought it in China. It was the last that the guide had, and now Jusenkyo's flooded." She threw herself facedown onto her bed, muffling her words. "Now you'll never be cured and it's all my fault! I got so mad and all I ever really wanted was for you to be normal again!" Her crying returned with a vengeance.

Ranma stared at her shaking form. His heart was pounding. "So," he began slowly, his voice hoarse. "You hate my curse that much?" He'd gotten used to it over time, and kind of assumed that everyone else had, too. But he supposed it was different for Akane. It was one thing to be friends with a freak, but another entirely to be engaged to one. "I understand." He couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice.

Akane spoke quickly and forcefully, lifting her head from her pillow. "No! Ranma I //love// your curse! I love everything about you! I only hate it because you hate it! I wouldn't care if you turned into a girl, a panda, or even a pig, but as long as you're unhappy," her watery eyes met his in the darkness, "I'm unhappy."

Ranma was having a hard time with this. He crawled over to the bed and knelt, his shaking hands on the coverlet beside her. "As long as you love me," he began slowly. "I'm happy."

Her lips curved into a trembling smile through her tears. "Ranma?" she whispered, bringing a hand to his face. Feeling the tears on his cheeks, she wiped them dry.

"Akane." He drew her mouth close into the sweetest kiss he'd ever experienced. He tucked his good hand into her hair, enjoying its silky softness on his fingers as he pulled her head closer. More than ever before, he wanted to be near Akane--as close as he could possibly get.

Her mouth parted and he deepened the kiss, feeling the familiar stirring in his stomach. She answered in kind, her hands gripping at his shoulders as though she were afraid to let go. He opened his eyes, craving sight to go with the feel and taste of her. He could see little of her face, but rather a delicious expanse of neck near her ear. He moved his kiss from her mouth, trailing his lips down her jaw until he reached his destination.

Akane gasped in alarm and delight. "Ranma!" she breathed, twisting his pigtail around her hand to keep him close.

He was starting to feel woozy and out of breath. "I love you," he whispered in her ear before planting gentle kisses on her mouth. With a sigh of deeper contentment than he'd felt in a long time, he pulled away to look at her.

She was the most beautiful person he'd ever known. He didn't know how long he knelt there, staring into her bright eyes, but eventually she fell asleep, her fingers entwined tightly with his. He watched her in sleep, a tiny smile etched on her face, until he too gave in to exhaustion and lay his head on the pillow beside her.


Part Six: "Reawakening Memories"
Ranma woke slowly, first becoming aware of warmth. It surrounded him like a cocoon, soft and soothing. He didn't want to leave his dreams, but something tugged at his mind like a memory, an awareness of something he'd forgotten. He opened his eyes slowly, to see that his face was pressed against two soft mounds. Unmistakable. Ranma felt his face flush as his panic rose. He recognized the color of the material before him. That dress was Akane's.

Akane! Pushing roughly, he tried to squirm away. "Ugh! What the hell am I--"

"Shh, Ranma it's okay." Akane's soothing voice calmed him. Her arms around him were like iron bars, and for all his fighting, he hadn't gotten far.
He blinked. He was kneeling on the floor, a blanket covering him. His head and shoulders were on Akane's bed, where she lay with her arms around him. It was very intimate, making Ranma's mind flood with images of the night before.

"Akane," he mumbled, looking up at her face and immediately away again. He suddenly felt very shy and awkward, and he didn't know where to look.

"It's okay," she repeated more firmly. She grasped his chin and made him look up at her. Her own face was tinged with pink. "We both fell asleep. You were on the floor the whole time."

Neither knew what to say after that. The confessions of the evening before hung around them, and Akane still had Ranma's chin in her hand, making him even more aware of the previous night's kisses.

He needed to say something. She was so cute, with her hair tousled and eyes bright. "Akane, I--"

She shook her head. "No Ranma. This is all so new--I think we shouldn't talk about it much. Just let it happen." She let go of his face and looked down, her long lashes brushing her cheeks. "I've been thinking about it all morning."

Ranma was startled. "You were awake?" The idea of Akane watching him sleep both disturbed and excited him.

She smiled softly. "For a little while."

Ranma realized that she must have put the blanket around him. Even though it was springtime, the nights were still chilly. She was wonderful. Ranma leaned close and kissed her gently. "Good morning," he whispered.

A knock on the door made them jump. "Akane?" Kasumi was making her morning rounds. "Akane wake up; breakfast is in a half-hour."

"Thanks Kasumi," Akane called, stifling a giggle. Ranma didn't think it was so funny. He could just imagine what'd happen if he were caught in her room at this hour. "You'd better take the window," she whispered to him.

Ranma groaned softly as he stood. His legs were stiff and painful from being curled all night. He tossed the blanket onto Akane and headed to the window. She laughed at his stumbling gait, but he did his best to ignore her. "See ya at breakfast," he said over his shoulder as he climbed out the window.

Cutting back through his room, Ranma headed straight for the kitchen. He'd bet anything that his mother was there again this morning. Actually, he was counting on it. He really needed to talk to her.

"Ranma!" Kasumi greeted him with a smile. "You weren't in your room." She turned back to the stove to stir the food.

He was glad she couldn't see his flush. "I was training early," he lied. He snatched some bread from the counter. "Is my mom around?" he asked casually.

"Why yes," Kasumi smiled. "She's out front, sweeping."

"Thanks!" Munching on the bread, he darted outside. Just as Kasumi said, she was sweeping flower petals from the walk. At this time of year the trees dropped them everywhere and the walkway had to be cleared at least twice a day. Ranma paused in the doorway, watching her. She was really beautiful, all wrapped up in her kimono. Her katana, always with her, hung from her belt. That used to be a constant threat to Ranma, but now that he knew that committing seppuku wasn't anything he'd have to do, he wondered why she still carried it.

"Good morning, Son," she called cheerfully. "What can I do for you this morning?"

Ranma smiled. He still got a little thrill every time she spoke to him. Having a mother was still pretty new to him. "I just wanted to tell you," he faltered, feeling like a little kid. "I just wanna say I'm glad you're here so much."

Nadoka was obviously pleased; her smile lit her face. "Well Ranma," she said, leaning on the broom. "I'm glad to be here. Seeing you is the best part of my days." She began to sweep, her cheeks tinged pink. "And your father--he's finally growing up. I'm glad to have my family back. I was lonely for you."

"I missed havin' you around, too, Mom," Ranma's voice was gruff. He sat on the stoop and watched her sweep. When he was little he used to get real mad at his father for keeping him away from her. He understood better now, but still wished for the time lost to them.

"How did Pop propose to you?" It wasn't that he was interested in marrying Akane; he just wanted to learn more about his parents. At least, that's what Ranma tried to tell himself.

Nadoka froze. Turning slowly, she revealed to Ranma the brightest grin he'd ever seen on her face. She leaned the broom against the house and sat beside him on the stoop. "Well, it was a long time ago. Kasumi was just a baby then."

She shifted, removing the katana and setting it on her lap. "Akane's mother was my dearest friend. Even after she married Mr. Tendo, she and I spent hours together every day. So of course, I met your father. He was different then, handsome and impetuous."

Ranma tried to imagine, but gave up quickly. His mother had a faraway look in her eyes, but she looked so happy that he didn't mind if he was partly forgotten.

"We didn't court, exactly, but it was clear that there was something between us. Rumi--that was Mrs. Tendo's name--Rumi used to tell me that he was in love with me. I pretended not to believe it. Well, one day Genma and Mr. Tendo decided to go on a training trip with Master Happosai." She unwrapped the sword and looked at it fondly. "Rumi was expecting Nabiki, so I was staying with her, just in case anything happened. I wasn't a martial artist, so your father gave me this katana for protection." She traced her fingers over the engraving. "He told me he'd replace it with a ring when he got the money, if I'd have him."
Ranma couldn't imagine his father being so romantic. It was almost scary. "So how'd you answer?"

His mother laughed. "I frightened him. I told him not to bother." She giggled more, watching Ranma's reaction.

He was stunned. That wasn't at all what he'd been expecting. "You told him //what?//"

"The sword was enough. It has the Saotome crest; that makes it a suitable engagement gift. Your father wasn't too happy about losing his katana, but we were married within the year."

Ranma sighed. If only the story really ended there, or continued with a normal family where he could have a normal childhood. No training trips, no curses, no getting to know his mother when he's sixteen. But then no Akane. His pop did it all with the idea that Ranma would join together the Saotome and Tendo schools of anything goes martial arts. It could have been Kasumi or Nabiki, but luckily, he'd been given Akane.

"Don't regret, Ranma." His mother's voice broke into his thoughts. "Everything has a purpose." She pulled him close for a rare hug. Ranma closed his eyes and absorbed her warmth. "Now go have breakfast with Akane. She'll be waiting for you."

He kissed her cheek before obeying, his mind occupied with serious thoughts. Maybe she was right; maybe regretting his childhood was useless, but at least he could do things differently. He intended to raise his children in the tradition of the indiscriminate grappling he'd grown up with, but that didn't mean dangerous training trips to far away places. There were plenty of good martial artists with normal lives. Akane was a perfect example. He remembered that first day of school and his awe at watching her beat half the boys at Furinkin in one fight. Well, her life was almost normal.

Ranma realized he was standing alone in the hall. He'd been daydreaming, totally forgetting what he was doing. Nadoka had gone back to her sweeping and delicious smells wafted from the kitchen. With a smile, he shook off his serious thoughts and headed toward breakfast. He had more important things to think about--like whether or not he could get to the table before Pop finished off his share.


to be continued . . .