It was a chill afternoon in Nerima. The wind had picked up and blown across town, bringing the scents of food and people and many other unidentifiable things to Akane's nose. She almost wished that Ranma were with her, but then remembered why she was alone. She needed some time to think, and it wouldn't do to think while Ranma was around, mainly because she needed to think about him.
It was true she wasn't supposed to be alone. She and Ranma had decided that they would stick together, or at least stay in groups of people, just after Shampoo attacked. Shampoo hadn't attacked since the first time, but she seemed to be watching them. She was very skilled at concealing herself, even her scent. Sometimes, when she and Ranma were walking to school, or just around Nerima, they would catch a hint of her scent or a flash of purple, but if they did manage to find her she ran off. It was kind of strange, but Akane wasn't going to complain. I'd rather not have people trying to kill me all the time. Unfortunately, they both knew Shampoo's observations wouldn't last forever, and Ranma still didn't want her going off alone even if she had improved her martial arts.
So, she made pretenses of going with her friends from school and wandered Nerima by herself. She wasn't going to tempt fate – or Shampoo – she kept in the nicer and more populated areas, and hopefully neither Ranma or the demon hunter would know the difference. Ranma would be mad if he found out she was alone. Mad, or worried? I wonder…
He was protective and possessive, but not restricting…
… 'Akane is mine! Touch her, and I'll kill you!'…
…He had said that, at the match. It was strange, how those words didn't bother her. Maybe it was because of the way he said them. As if he trusted her, but not Mikado. Maybe it was because he didn't say, 'Akane is my fiance'. Because fiancés were for humans, and that claim would have meant nothing to either of them. Maybe it was because it was Ranma that said it. Because for a reason she could not understand, it was his approval that she sought the most. Did he even mean what he said?
She recalled the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes, a burning determination. The way he said it without thinking, as he was caught up in the battle. How she hadn't been surprised when he wouldn't let her go during the 'couple cleaver', or when he took the fall for her. If he did mean it, did that change things between them?
I guess that depends on Ranma…Akane thought. But…it wouldn't be so bad… if things did change… She took a look at her surroundings. It was a part of Nerima that was usually somewhat populated, but at the moment it seemed empty. She cast her senses and couldn't hear or smell anyone. Then her nose caught the scent of a human nearby, and relief flooded through her… until she realized that human was Shampoo.
An arrow barely missed Akane's shoulder, and then Shampoo reveiled herself. She kept a steady balance atop the rickety fence across the street. Her long hair blew out behind her in the wind, like a banner or a cape, and she had an arrow at the ready. She looked down at Akane with cold eyes, and raised her bow.
Akane didn't need a second warning, she turned and fled. Unfortunately, the only available exit was an abandoned lot behind a run down restaurant. Cornered, Akane fell into a defensive stance and prepared to face off against Shampoo. For her part, Shampoo simply fallowed after Akane, she slung the bow coolly across her back and pulled out her bonbori. She planned this out…
The fight lasted a while, Akane didn't know how long – she lost track of time – but she knew it was longer than Shampoo had expected from the slight frown that appeared in place of her usual, stoic expression. She was glad for that, at least, but she wouldn't be able to keep up much longer. Shampoo had landed many blows on her, and she was tiring. She dodged a few more strikes, but finally, Shampoo swept her legs out from under her with a bonbori, and, flipping the weapon around, drove the handle into her gut. Akane groaned and tried to get up, but the world lurched under her feet and she stumbled back down. It gave Shampoo enough time to take down her bow and knock a sealing arrow. Why doesn't she just kill me?
Then, Akane noticed that Shampoo had also taken some damage. She was breathing somewhat heavier, though not as hard as Akane herself, and she favored her right leg. One of her eyes was swelling shut. I guess she's doing it the easy way, Akane thought bitterly. At least she had caused some trouble for the exterminator. Taking a deep breath, she stared un-faltering at the point of the arrow, at death, and waited. She might be able to stand now, but there was no way she could get away from Shampoo before she fired, and at this range there was no chance that the shot would miss.
Akane heard the almost imperceptible tightening of the bowstring, she heard Shampoo drawing measured breaths, and the quickened beating of her heart. She could smell all the scents of dried grass and earth and wood and people… and kitsune! Shampoo must have sensed the other demon, just as Akane smelled it because she drew back her arrow quickly. Before she could loose it, the arrow was cut in half by a… Akane frowned at the metal tool that stuck out of the ground… a mini spatula? Her eyes darted to the demon that had just entered the lot.
Her rich chestnut hair was pulled back loosely and fell around her mid-back. The dark outfit she wore broadcasted her position as an Okonomiyaki chef, Akane could see a bandolier filled with mini spatulas, identical to the first one she threw, and a giant spatula was strapped to her back.
"I don't know what's going on here," she said as she took out her battle spatula, "but it sure doesn't look good." Shampoo narrowed her eyes.
"No interfere! I kill you next!"
The kitsune swung at her, and Shampoo leapt back wards. She glared at them and retreated faster than Akane thought possible for someone in her state. Akane pushed herself from the ground, her wounds already beginning to heal, and the kitsune turned to her.
"Demon hunter, Eh?" she said. "Didn't think those existed anymore."
"She's from China," Akane said absently. Most demons were aware that the situation for their kind in China was less than comfortable. "I'm Akane, by the way. Thank you." She extended her hand and the kitsune shook it.
"Ukyo Kuonji," she smiled. "No problem. We gotta look out for each other, right?"
When Akane returned home with Ukyo – she had asked her to come – she was surprised to find that Ukyo and Ranma seemed to recognize each other. They had greeted each other happily, and soon after began reminiscing of their childhood. So, there she was, with the two of them happily chatting away. By now she had heard almost the whole tale of their childhood friendship: they met while Ranma was six, on his training trip, he would fight Ukyo for an okonomiyaki almost every day, they became friends, and had a thousand little kid 'adventures' that she was fairly tired of hearing about. Akane was also tired of watching Ranma act nice to someone he hadn't seen for ten years when he was probably not going to be that way with her once Ukyo was gone. He knew she had fought Shampoo, and he was probably angry with her. He would say she had been stupid, and thickheaded, and….
"Oh, Ran-chan, I have to go. I'm starting a new business in town, though, be sure to drop by," Ukyo got up and trotted down the shrine steps with a wave. They watched her leave silently, then Ranma slid his gaze to her.
"So," he said evenly. "You fought Shampoo" – Akane cringed – "Which means you were alone."
"Ranma, unlike you, I'm not used to having a stalker, I didn't think anything would happen." Ranma sighed.
"That was exactly the kind of thing she was waiting for, you know," he said.
"No, Ranma, I didn't know. Not until it was too late," said Akane, watching him. He seemed calm, so far. "You didn't tell me." Now, he looked almost sheepish.
"Actually… I didn't think of it until I heard about it. I thought she was just getting information on us. It makes sense now, though."
"I thought you would be angrier with me."
"Akane…" he said. "It was really stupid of you to go off alone." Akane bit her lip, listening. "Stupid and dangerous. If you had been killed… well, next time listen to me."
"She would have caught one of us eventually," she said. His words weren't as harsh as they could have been, and she wondered if he was going to blow up at her, after all.
"Yes, but it would have been better if it had been me."
"Why? You're better than me, Ranma, but you're not invincible. If Shampoo caught you off-guard, you might…" Akane trailed off and turned her face to her lap where her hands were clasped. She glanced at Ranma out of the corner of her eye. He was watching her with a look of surprise in his eyes. "W-what? Didn't think I would care if you died? Well, you were wrong." Dead wrong.
Ranma shook his head and changed the subject. "I guess I can't protect you all the time." Akane smiled.
"You wanted to?"
"W-well… that is…I-I can't, so I'll have to train you harder," he said, and then made a face.
"Oh, come on. It's not that bad, to have to train me."
"No," said Ranma, slowly. "But…" Akane just nodded her head. The conversation was a familiar one. Neither one of them spoke for a few minutes. It was evening and the sun was setting behind the shrine. The Tendo compound made a peaceful picture for the origin of much of the madness in Nerima.
"So," Akane said after a time. "You and Ukyo seem pretty close."
"Yeah. We're good friends," said Ranma. He took a glance at her from the corner of his eye. "Nothing to be jealous about."
"I'm not jealous!"
"Oh? Coulda fooled me."
"I-I… just wanted to… know why you were so nice to her," Akane said. "And why you treat me so differently." Ranma looked thoughtful.
"You and Ukyo are two different people," he said after a pause. Akane frowned at him.
"So? You treat her and Ryouga the same," she said, with an accusatory glare. Ranma gulped and looked flustered.
"Ranma, Akane! Dinner's ready!"
He leapt to his feet at Kasumi's summons and with a quick 'all right, I'm starved!' flew down the steps to the house. Akane watched him going down the shrine steps. Ranma…where do I stand with you?
She watched as Ranma reached the bottom and slowed, turning to where she still sat. Then he came back up the steps, faster than most human eyes could follow, and extended a hand down to her. Akane stared at it in surprise before accepting his help. He drew her to her feet with ease, and for a moment they stood at equal heights, Akane being one step higher than Ranma. Then the wind blew their families' impatient voices to their ears, and the moment passed, and they went down to join them.
A/N: Ummm, this chapter was just to introduce Ukyo, really. I promise the next chapter will be better, Okay? SO, please Review. I could really use suggestions. Thank you, bye.