Disclaimer: As you are probably well aware of, I DO NOT own Ranma ½, a bunch of rich people do. Suing me will result in a gum drop and an overdue phone bill. You've been warned!
Chapter 4
Polka Dots?
Ranma squinted as the morning sun hit her eyelids, stirring her from a restless slumber. She turned away, but it was too late; she was awake. Yawning, she stretched her arms over her head before crawling off the futon and throwing her usual red and black outfit on. She noticed her father wasn't in the guestroom she shared with him. Probably hung over somewhere…
Absently noting that Ryouga wasn't present either, Ranma stepped out into the hall, inhaling the delicious smells of a cooking breakfast. Rushing downstairs, she was somewhat disappointed when Kasumi apologized, telling her it wouldn't be ready for another twenty minutes.
Well, at least I have time to practice. She walked through the living room and exited through the backdoor. Sliding the door shut behind her, she stopped and listened. There was a voice coming from the dojo. Cautiously approaching it, she stepped inside.
"But…but…but…" a somewhat hoarse Ryouga muttered, still curled up in the corner.
I can't believe he's still at it! She marched over to him and tried to lift him to his feet. When he didn't respond to that, she raised her hand and slapped him. Hard.
Ryouga sat up, rubbing his reddening cheek. "Thanks, I needed that."
Their eyes met for a moment, a very notable blush washing over both of their features. Finally, Ranma angrily turned on her heel and marched outside. "I'm not going to marry you!" she called over shoulder. "I don't care what pop says; you can just forget it!"
Ryouga glared at her. "Don't be stupid, Ranma. I wouldn't dream of marrying a…a… tomboy like you anyway!"
She laughed and stuck her tongue out. "Oh, real clever." Ranma shout back. "Besides, didn't you say this tomboy had a beautiful body?" That shut him up. Turning away, she took a moment to find her center and then started her Kata.
Ryouga couldn't help but stare for a moment at how fluidly she moved. On the trek back to Japan, her dance never failed to captivate him every morning…if only for a moment.
He shook his head and stood. "Up for a little spar?" he asked casually, cracking his knuckles.
She looked him over for a second and nodded. "You better not go easy on me again," Ranma scolded. "I get the feeling you're trying not to hurt me."
"Are you kidding? Just one of my punches would decimate you!"
She tossed her pigtail back over her shoulder. "Ha! You're still holding back- a lot. Come on, I'm not made of glass, you know! I'm a guy!"
"You could have fooled me," he replied, suppressing his grin.
Ranma answered with a quick punch that he barely managed to block. It went back and forth for a few minutes. Then, taking the offensive, Ranma got four blows in before Ryouga countered. She dodged his kick easily and jumped back. "Well, don't expect me to go easy on you," she taunted playfully, flashing him a quick grin.
Ryouga found himself distracted, unable to look away from her smile. It was only for an instant, but it was enough and he soon found himself in the Koi pond. Coughing up water, he crawled out to see Ranma standing over him.
She looked down on him in mock disappointment. "And I was so hoping for a challenge before breakfast."
"I got distracted," he muttered. "I mean, I didn't get any sleep last night! Just you wait until tomorrow!"
Ranma tossed him a towel. "Excuses, excuses." She wiped her brow. "I'm going to go wash up. You comin'?"
"I'll catch up later," Ryouga said, wringing the water out of his shirt.
"Whatever," she replied indifferently, heading inside.
Ryouga watched her leave before tearing his eyes away and turning back to the Koi pond, a million thoughts flying through his mind that he'd rather not think about. He wasn't sure how long he was lost in thought, but eventually he felt a tap on his shoulder. He jumped and looked up into the kind face of Kasumi.
"Breakfast is ready, Ryouga. Won't you come in and join us?"
Ryouga laughed nervously and nodded. Standing, he quickly walked inside.
Kasumi thought for a moment as she watched him leave. Hmm… Shaking her head, she followed him in and called for Ranma.
***
The family sat around the table, enjoying their meal. The food was absolutely wonderful. Ranma and Ryouga, used to dreary meals on the road, were in heaven and Kasumi soon found herself blushing in response to their praise.
Looking around the table, Akane noticed that her father and Mr. Saotome weren't present and made a comment.
Ranma grunted. "They're probably still celebrating the happy news," she said sarcastically.
"Oh, that's right!" Akane said enthusiastically as she turned to Ryouga. "Welcome to the family, Ryouga. It'll be nice to have a brother, especially one as nice as you!" She spared a glance at Ranma. "Though I can't say much about your taste in woman…"
Ranma yelled at her. "Hey, I'm a guy…and I didn't ask for this!"
Nabiki looked up from her calculator. "Better you two then us."
Akane shivered. "That's right. One of us could have been engaged to her."
"For the last time," Ranma growled. "I am a guy!"
Akane rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything.
Kasumi spoke up during the momentary silence. "Ranma, I've laid out an old school uniform in your room. Don't forget to change after breakfast."
She looked confused. "What would I need one of those for?"
"Why, for school of course."
"I have to go to school?!"
Ryouga smirked as he took another bite of his rice.
Kasumi turned to Ryouga. "And you can pick up your uniform at the school office, Ryouga."
His chopsticks fell from his hand. "Why-"
Nabiki interrupted him. "Look you two…you're going to be freeloading-"
"Nabiki!" Kasumi interrupted, giving her sister a small frown.
She sighed. "Fine…you're going to be living here for a while, so skipping school is not an option." She winked. "Besides, you two can get to know each other a little better without the fathers hanging around."
Ryouga and Ranma looked at each other, sputtering in embarrassment. Finally, when it became apparent that neither could form a complete sentence, Ranma ran upstairs to change, leaving a blushing Ryouga to glare at Nabiki.
Ranma marched into her room, fuming over what Nabiki said. 'I hate that girl.' Taking a quick glance around, she saw the uniform laid out on her futon. It was a simple outfit; a white blouse and a knee length blue-green dress.
A dress. It's a dress! She turned around, ready to march downstairs and throw a fit, when she suddenly found herself face to face with Nabiki.
"Is there a problem, Ranma?" she asked coyly.
How the heck did she sneak up on me like that? Quickly shaking off her surprise, Ranma held up the offending articles. "You better believe there's a problem!"
Nabiki would have looked innocent if her cold, calculating smile didn't give her away. "It looks perfectly fine to me."
"It's a dress!"
"Obviously."
Ranma threw it down. "I am not wearing it!"
Suddenly Nabiki dropped any semblance of innocence and she leaned in close, her narrow eyes and hardened expression causing Ranma to flinch. "Need I remind you, Saotome, that you are a guest in this house? A guest who isn't contributing any income and who we are feeding and sheltering? A guest who should be willing to make the occasional sacrifice?"
Ranma looked down dejectedly. "I'll wear it," she murmured.
Nabiki's expression suddenly brightened as if nothing had happened. "Glad to hear it," she sung. "See you downstairs!" She turned to leave, but stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
Ranma's face fell even further when she saw her smirk return.
"And Ranma," she said sweetly, gesturing towards a drawer against the wall before her voice hardened. "Don't forget the underwear."
After a moment, realization dawned on the redhead. "NO WAY AM I-" She was cut off by Nabiki's hand clamping over her mouth.
Her voice was sickly sweet again. "Now Ranma, you wouldn't want anyone to see you wearing boys underwear, would you? You're going to be attending school as a girl at Furinkan for a while…do you want everyone to think you're…perverted?"
Letting her words hang in the air, Nabiki turned on her heel and left a blushing Ranma behind. After she was in the hall and out of earshot, she finally burst out laughing. 'Having Ranma around will be the most fun I've had in years. And who knows, maybe I can make some money out of all this…Oh, who am I kidding…of course I can!'
Ranma clenched her fists, looking at the dress, and then the oak drawer. 'I really hate that girl.'
***
Ranma, now wearing her school uniform, walked along the top of a chain link fence. She kept perfect balance as she followed Akane and Nabiki to the high school. Below her, the two girls chatted together as they walked. Ryouga trailed close behind them.
Akane felt a twinge of guilt for insulting Ranma at breakfast, and tried to engage the redhead in conversation. "So Ranma, what was your take on China?"
She looked down at her, trying to see if she was serious about wanting to know or not. Seeing a sincere expression, she continued. "Well, I learned a lot of new techniques, and a ton of survival skills. Heh, there was this one time pop and I were…" Ranma trailed off when she saw Akane giggle suddenly and whisper something to Nabiki. Moments later, they both started laughing hysterically. "What's so funny?"
Akane looked up at her and tried to keep her voice level. "You know Ranma, those polka dotted panties don't really suit you."
Ranma suddenly realized, too late, that anyone under her had an unobstructed view up her dress. Blushing profusely, she jumped down. "They were the only ones without any lace!" she argued, almost shaking with embarrassment. "Damn dress…"
"But you look so cute!" Nabiki added, which started the laughter anew.
Ranma looked back, hoping Ryouga hadn't heard any of this. Fortunately, the bandanna wearing boy was nowhere to be seen. For once, she was glad her friend was directionally challenged. "I'll catch up later; I have to go find Ryouga."
The girls finally calmed down and nodded, wiping the tears from their eyes.
It only took a few minutes to find Ryouga, who was wandering around someone's backyard in a circle. "Eesh Ryouga, is it really that hard to just follow us in a straight line?"
"Ranma? What are you doing here in Okinawa?"
She was about to say something insulting, but noticed his playful grin. "Oh, you're a riot," she muttered, but couldn't help smiling.
He followed her back to the street, and they continued on their way.
They had barely gone ten feet when Ryouga wandered away down an alley. 'Oh, for the love of…' Ranma sighed. "Good grief, Ryouga. This is bad- even for you!"
He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry…I guess I'm just nervous about going to school again."
Ranma softened. "Yeah, me too." Grabbing his hand, they finally got back on track.
'Hmm, almost like old times. Almost…' Ryouga noticed how small and soft her hands were now. In fact, they were downright dainty. Shaking his head, he pushed that thought out of his mind quickly and replaced it with something else.
She noticed the smirk on his face. "What?"
He looked away, pretending to examine the scenery. "Oh, nothing…" His grin grew wider.
"What? Spill it!"
"So…polka dots, eh?" His laughter was cut short by a punch to the stomach.