Epilogue: Choices Made, Roads Taken.
What has happened before: Ranma, after resolving the "man among men" suicide pledge, traveled to New York City to get his life in order. The results were mixed but Ranma eventually chose to return home. Will Ranma return to his old routine, or will he travel a different road?
-----
Returning to Nerima proved harder than expected for Ranma. Not in the difficult decisions he had made and continued to make about how he planned to live his life. Merely the vagaries of travel.
A ferocious storm had sprung up over Tokyo forcing his flight to divert to Sapporo. The remaining 800 or so kilometers were traversed by commuter flight, bullet train, Japan Rail, taxi and foot. The cold December rain reached a crescendo as Ranma entered Nerima. As she walked through familiar streets, the storm finally blew out to sea allowing the afternoon sun to shine.
Because she'd lost a day in transit, Ranma didn't realize it was Saturday until she approached Ucchan's and found it open. 'Might as well start here.'
The petite redhead was wrapped in a bear hug before she cleared the doorway. "Ranma! You're back!" cried Ukyo.
"Can't... breathe..." Visions of traveling halfway around the world only to be killed by an excessively affectionate hug passed through Ranma's mind. Upon noting that Ranma was soaked to the gills, Ukyo ordered her upstairs to shower and change clothes. Ranma returned, dry and male, as Ukyo hung out the 'Closed' sign a few minutes later. There was no sign of the few customers that had been there when he arrived.
"You didn't havta close up for me," he said.
"I didn't, but I did anyway," Ukyo happily replied. "Tell me _everything_ about your trip while I whip up some 'Welcome Home Ran-chan' okonomiyaki."
Ranma ate and talked, giving Ukyo the 'sanitized' version of his trip. No mention of MATRIX or Wild Dragon or any part of the different life he'd been introduced to. What was left was interesting enough, if a little tame by Nerima standards. "... so I came home," he finished. The status of his engagement to Ukyo never came up and he was just as happy that it didn't. There would be time for that later.
"Well I'm glad you're back. But what will you do now? Are you going to move back in with the Tendos?" 'Please say no. Please say no,' she thought.
"No."
'Good.' "Your folks?" 'Please say no. Please say no.'
"No."
'Better.' "Me?" Ukyo inquired hopefully. 'Please say yes. Please say yes.'
"No-o-o," Ranma laughed.
To cover her disappointment, Ukyo forced a grin and mocked, "Better not be with Shampoo or the Kunos."
Ranma laughed harder. To laugh, not at someone else's misfortune (current or forthcoming) or to cover nervousness, was something Ranma lacked practice with. "I'm wanna... I'm _gonna_ get my own place. In Nerima if I can swing it."
"How are you going to afford that?"
"I earned over 50,000 while I was gone."
"Ranma honey, that's not even a month's rent. When you add utilities..."
"Dollars," Ranma interrupted. Fifty five hundred from his MATRIX stipend, a good chunk of which he'd spent, and almost fifty thousand from reward money earned by recovering property stolen in the Javits Center robbery.
"Oh."
-----
After leaving Ucchan's, Ranma thought about stopping at the Cat Cafe. He needed to drop off a certified copy of the annulment decree if nothing else. Eventually he decided against it as he wanted to be fully rested before he dealt with Mousse and more importantly, Cologne.
Thus he didn't learn until later that Cologne was perfectly happy with the annulment. The Revised Amazon Code would be hard enough to introduce to the Joketzu without an unresolved Kiss of Marriage lingering in the air. It would also be interesting to see just how her great-granddaughter would court Ranma once the artificial underpinnings of their relationship were removed.
-----
It was nearly sunset on one of the shortest days of the year when he finally arrived at the front gate of the Tendo Dojo. He was strongly tempted to run around back and ring the challenge bell, but thought better of it. Instead he rang the doorbell and waited.
Kasumi's eyes sprang wide as she recognized Ranma. Her hug wasn't as bone crushing as Ukyo's, but it was just as heartfelt. Also, because his arms weren't pinned to his sides, Ranma even hugged back.
"I am so happy to see you Ranma," Kasumi said softly.
"Yeah, me too," he said before checking himself. "Not me I mean. I mean... You know what I mean."
Kasumi almost laughed then tensed suddenly. "Oh my! Ranma, your parents are here, I should let them know."
Ranma held on a split second longer. "Before ya do that, I've got sumthin' to say."
"What is it Ranma?" the eldest Tendo daughter asked seriously.
"Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me since we met. This is the only place in my life I've ever considered home and you're the reason why. For that, I owe ya more than I can ever repay."
"Ranma, I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't havta say anything, but I wanted ta tell ya that." The fact that Ranma would gladly move mountains if Kasumi ever asked was understood if not actually spoken.
As Kasumi headed for the living room, Ranma paused long enough to switch from the cross-trainers he'd started wearing in New York to house slippers. He fell far enough behind to encounter Nabiki as she came down the stairs. While he disagreed about Jeff's concept of Kasumi as a potential wife, he reluctantly concluded that at least some of what he'd said about Nabiki was true.
"Hello Nabiki."
"Hello Ranma."
The pause after Nabiki's greeting stretched to an awkward length.
"Amazin', I been gone almost four months and I still got nuthin' to say ta you." After an intentional delay, Ranma firmly added, "Except leave me out of your money making schemes from now on." He turned away from any possible reply.
"That comment is going to cost you Saotome," Nabiki stated under her breath.
'But not today', Ranma thought as he walked towards the living room.
The reunion with his parents and Tendo Soun went as poorly as Ranma expected. After exchanging perfunctory greetings, he found that he simply could not relax. His subconscious still believed his mother carried the Saotome clan sword and was ready to use it. He expected his father to attack in some mindless attempt to determine if Ranma had been keeping up with his martial arts training. As for Soun, Ranma kept looking around to make sure no instant weddings were sprung upon him.
Kasumi returned to the kitchen to begin preparing Ranma's welcome home dinner, leaving Ranma sitting around the chabudai with the, at least in theory, adults. Ranma ordered his thoughts, marshaled his arguments and began his most important fight. The one to take control of his own life.
"As I promised, I have returned," Ranma stated formally. By keeping things on a formal basis, Ranma hoped to retain some semblance of rationality to the proceedings.
"The main reason I left was so that I could make _my_ decisions about the problems I've got." Ranma glared at his father before he continued, "Not that I caused all of the problems..." He waited for a denial and was surprised not to get one. "...and not that I didn't make things worse myself by being such a blockhead. But I've made some choices, and even impel... imperf..."
"Implemented?" Soun offered.
"Thank you. Implemented some of them. In my overnight bag are certified copies of my annulment decree from Shampoo. Officially, we were never married and even Shampoo admits it."
"Well done my boy!" Genma said proudly. Nodoka and Soun also smiled at the news.
Ranma shook his head negatively. "That just takes care of the marriage problem. I'm bettin' there's more."
"Hopefully you shall manage those difficulties as well my son," Nodoka noted.
Ranma shrugged in reply. "Kuno Kodachi, I think we can ignore." This declaration was accepted by those around the table, so Ranma did not go into Kodachi's legal problems.
"Now: The reason that I'll be moving out of here as soon as possible."
"Nonsense son! You're welcome to stay here as long as you like," Soun stated enthusiastically.
"I think I've abused your hospitality long enough Mr. Tendo."
"Rubbish!" The Tendo patriarch's emotions were preparing to carry him away.
"Soun, perhaps my son merely wishes to come home," Nodoka put in.
Genma listened to the interplay between his wife and his best friend with only half an ear. Most of his attention was concentrated on Ranma and he didn't like what he saw there.
The increasing babble was halted by Ranma slapping the table. "I can't stay here because I have two engagements that I havta consider valid." Pointing at his father and Soun, he continued, "You two, arranged an engagement before I was born. But then Pops here engaged me to Ucchan when I was six and accepted a dowry for it." His voice dropped as he warned his father, "And if there are any more engagements out there, I don't wanna here about 'em."
Genma prudently stayed silent, neither admitting nor denying anything.
"Ya can argue all you want about which engagement is most valid. I'm done arguin'. I accept the engagements to Kuonji Ukyo and Tendo Akane."
"Did you hear that? He accepts his engagement to Akane!" Soun cried joyously, leaping to his feet. "Saotome, we must celebrate this happy occasion."
Ranma reached across the low table and pulled Soun to a sitting position. His pale blue aura lent its coldness to his words. "Let. Me. Finish."
"Ah, yes. Certainly," the flustered man replied.
"I will not marry anyone that doesn't wanna marry me. If I don't marry for love, fine. But I ain't forcing nobody inta a marriage they don't want. And I will not marry _anyone_ until I turn eighteen at the earliest."
"What does this have to do with where you will live?" Nodoka asked.
"I havta treat both engagements fairly Mother. I can't live here because that would give Akane an advantage. I can't live with you because Ukyo can always move her restaurant, but Akane has ta stay in Nerima with her family.
"The only fair thing I can do is find some middle ground. Someplace where they can be with me if they want, or avoid me completely. No coercion, no guilt. Once I've got that, I'll work in school, the art and the rest of my life." Ranma added deadpan, "Also, I find the concept of having a bathroom to myself very appealing."
Soun wanted to rage, to cry, to use his Demon's Head technique, any or all of the above. But he'd heard the steel in Ranma's voice. Attempting to bully or cajole him would be a waste of time and effort. The engagement was clearly in Akane's hands now. Ranma had gone halfway and refused to move a micron farther. His daughter could either meet him there or not. "Very well," he eventually said. Standing up, he added "Saotome, I believe we have another game of shogi to play."
Genma nodded, rose and helped his wife to her feet. He knew would have to actually speak with, instead of at, his son sometime soon.
Nodoka had other priorities. "My son, I hope that you choose to live with your father and I until such time as you find this 'middle ground' that you spoke of."
Agreeing cost Ranma nothing, so he did. The joy in his mother's face was clearly evident. "It may not match all of what you've told us, but I also have something very important to say Ranma. In six months or so, you are going to be a big brother."
The unease Ranma normally felt at his mother's presence faded. He was filled with a sense of new possibilities, of new chances, of hope. Instead of the perfunctory hug he'd given his mother earlier, Ranma embraced her with all the warmth and feeling that he could muster. "That's great Mom. I'm really happy for you."
Nodoka basked in her son's affection before leaving to assist Kasumi in the kitchen. Once she was out of earshot, Ranma asked, "Pops, got a minute?"
"Yes boy?" the elder Saotome retorted.
Double checking that the coast was clear, Ranma whispered, "If you even _think_ of doing to my brother or sister what you did to me, I will hunt you to the ends of the Earth. Got it?"
Genma replied in a completely natural voice, "Boy, your mother already made that perfectly clear."
-----
For being thrown together on such short notice, Ranma's welcome home dinner was a culinary triumph. Misoyaki and sesame chicken; home made yakisoba noodles; steamed and stir fried vegetables; rice, plain, egg-fried and curried, were just some of what Ranma consumed. Genma's first attempt to steal from his son's plate resulted in a frying pan to the back of the head. Nodoka was not amused and no further attempts were made.
It wasn't until dessert, Baked Alaska of all things, was served that Akane returned home. "R-Ranma... You came back."
"I promised I would," the pig-tailed martial artist said. He had more to say to Akane than to anyone else in Nerima. But she was also, by far, the hardest person to talk to. He could imagine Ukyo's reaction to his resolution of the fiancee problem. He feared Akane's.
Dessert continued, but the conversation, which had been lively until that point, became stilted. As the last traces of ice cream, cake and meringue disappeared, Soun said to his youngest daughter, "I'm sure you and Ranma have much to discuss. Perhaps the rest of us should go shopping. Christmas is coming soon after all.
"Laying it on a bit thick Daddy?" Nabiki asked sarcastically.
"No, no. I just feel we should give Akane and Ranma some time alone to get reacquainted." With that, Soun led an exodus. His youngest daughter and her fiance remained behind.
After a hesitant mutual glance and an even more awkward pause, Ranma broke the silence. "So... uh... You look good. Did you lose some weight?"
'He meant it as a compliment,' repeatedly looped through Akane's thoughts. "Some," she finally admitted. "Jeff gave me a few good workout ideas before he left. I think they've helped."
"Really? Well, maybe we should go out to the dojo to see how much you've improved."
"Well maybe we should," agreed Akane if not angrily, then at least annoyed.
A few minutes later, Akane stood ready in the dojo, wearing her gi. Ranma hadn't bothered to change clothes. This wasn't unusual as he was accustomed to fighting at any time. What was usual was that Ranma dodged or evaded every one of Akane's attacks. The Tendo girl was close to losing her temper when Ranma stated, "You're right. Your footwork is better."
Encouraged by the comment, Akane threw a punch toward Ranma's chest. He brushed it away with his right hand and landed an open handed blow with his left to Akane's ribcage.
The youngest Tendo froze in shock. "Y-you... You hit me," Akane stammered.
"We're sparring."
"I... I guess we are." With a smile she couldn't conceal, Akane leapt to the attack.
THE END
What has happened before: Ranma, after resolving the "man among men" suicide pledge, traveled to New York City to get his life in order. The results were mixed but Ranma eventually chose to return home. Will Ranma return to his old routine, or will he travel a different road?
-----
Returning to Nerima proved harder than expected for Ranma. Not in the difficult decisions he had made and continued to make about how he planned to live his life. Merely the vagaries of travel.
A ferocious storm had sprung up over Tokyo forcing his flight to divert to Sapporo. The remaining 800 or so kilometers were traversed by commuter flight, bullet train, Japan Rail, taxi and foot. The cold December rain reached a crescendo as Ranma entered Nerima. As she walked through familiar streets, the storm finally blew out to sea allowing the afternoon sun to shine.
Because she'd lost a day in transit, Ranma didn't realize it was Saturday until she approached Ucchan's and found it open. 'Might as well start here.'
The petite redhead was wrapped in a bear hug before she cleared the doorway. "Ranma! You're back!" cried Ukyo.
"Can't... breathe..." Visions of traveling halfway around the world only to be killed by an excessively affectionate hug passed through Ranma's mind. Upon noting that Ranma was soaked to the gills, Ukyo ordered her upstairs to shower and change clothes. Ranma returned, dry and male, as Ukyo hung out the 'Closed' sign a few minutes later. There was no sign of the few customers that had been there when he arrived.
"You didn't havta close up for me," he said.
"I didn't, but I did anyway," Ukyo happily replied. "Tell me _everything_ about your trip while I whip up some 'Welcome Home Ran-chan' okonomiyaki."
Ranma ate and talked, giving Ukyo the 'sanitized' version of his trip. No mention of MATRIX or Wild Dragon or any part of the different life he'd been introduced to. What was left was interesting enough, if a little tame by Nerima standards. "... so I came home," he finished. The status of his engagement to Ukyo never came up and he was just as happy that it didn't. There would be time for that later.
"Well I'm glad you're back. But what will you do now? Are you going to move back in with the Tendos?" 'Please say no. Please say no,' she thought.
"No."
'Good.' "Your folks?" 'Please say no. Please say no.'
"No."
'Better.' "Me?" Ukyo inquired hopefully. 'Please say yes. Please say yes.'
"No-o-o," Ranma laughed.
To cover her disappointment, Ukyo forced a grin and mocked, "Better not be with Shampoo or the Kunos."
Ranma laughed harder. To laugh, not at someone else's misfortune (current or forthcoming) or to cover nervousness, was something Ranma lacked practice with. "I'm wanna... I'm _gonna_ get my own place. In Nerima if I can swing it."
"How are you going to afford that?"
"I earned over 50,000 while I was gone."
"Ranma honey, that's not even a month's rent. When you add utilities..."
"Dollars," Ranma interrupted. Fifty five hundred from his MATRIX stipend, a good chunk of which he'd spent, and almost fifty thousand from reward money earned by recovering property stolen in the Javits Center robbery.
"Oh."
-----
After leaving Ucchan's, Ranma thought about stopping at the Cat Cafe. He needed to drop off a certified copy of the annulment decree if nothing else. Eventually he decided against it as he wanted to be fully rested before he dealt with Mousse and more importantly, Cologne.
Thus he didn't learn until later that Cologne was perfectly happy with the annulment. The Revised Amazon Code would be hard enough to introduce to the Joketzu without an unresolved Kiss of Marriage lingering in the air. It would also be interesting to see just how her great-granddaughter would court Ranma once the artificial underpinnings of their relationship were removed.
-----
It was nearly sunset on one of the shortest days of the year when he finally arrived at the front gate of the Tendo Dojo. He was strongly tempted to run around back and ring the challenge bell, but thought better of it. Instead he rang the doorbell and waited.
Kasumi's eyes sprang wide as she recognized Ranma. Her hug wasn't as bone crushing as Ukyo's, but it was just as heartfelt. Also, because his arms weren't pinned to his sides, Ranma even hugged back.
"I am so happy to see you Ranma," Kasumi said softly.
"Yeah, me too," he said before checking himself. "Not me I mean. I mean... You know what I mean."
Kasumi almost laughed then tensed suddenly. "Oh my! Ranma, your parents are here, I should let them know."
Ranma held on a split second longer. "Before ya do that, I've got sumthin' to say."
"What is it Ranma?" the eldest Tendo daughter asked seriously.
"Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me since we met. This is the only place in my life I've ever considered home and you're the reason why. For that, I owe ya more than I can ever repay."
"Ranma, I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't havta say anything, but I wanted ta tell ya that." The fact that Ranma would gladly move mountains if Kasumi ever asked was understood if not actually spoken.
As Kasumi headed for the living room, Ranma paused long enough to switch from the cross-trainers he'd started wearing in New York to house slippers. He fell far enough behind to encounter Nabiki as she came down the stairs. While he disagreed about Jeff's concept of Kasumi as a potential wife, he reluctantly concluded that at least some of what he'd said about Nabiki was true.
"Hello Nabiki."
"Hello Ranma."
The pause after Nabiki's greeting stretched to an awkward length.
"Amazin', I been gone almost four months and I still got nuthin' to say ta you." After an intentional delay, Ranma firmly added, "Except leave me out of your money making schemes from now on." He turned away from any possible reply.
"That comment is going to cost you Saotome," Nabiki stated under her breath.
'But not today', Ranma thought as he walked towards the living room.
The reunion with his parents and Tendo Soun went as poorly as Ranma expected. After exchanging perfunctory greetings, he found that he simply could not relax. His subconscious still believed his mother carried the Saotome clan sword and was ready to use it. He expected his father to attack in some mindless attempt to determine if Ranma had been keeping up with his martial arts training. As for Soun, Ranma kept looking around to make sure no instant weddings were sprung upon him.
Kasumi returned to the kitchen to begin preparing Ranma's welcome home dinner, leaving Ranma sitting around the chabudai with the, at least in theory, adults. Ranma ordered his thoughts, marshaled his arguments and began his most important fight. The one to take control of his own life.
"As I promised, I have returned," Ranma stated formally. By keeping things on a formal basis, Ranma hoped to retain some semblance of rationality to the proceedings.
"The main reason I left was so that I could make _my_ decisions about the problems I've got." Ranma glared at his father before he continued, "Not that I caused all of the problems..." He waited for a denial and was surprised not to get one. "...and not that I didn't make things worse myself by being such a blockhead. But I've made some choices, and even impel... imperf..."
"Implemented?" Soun offered.
"Thank you. Implemented some of them. In my overnight bag are certified copies of my annulment decree from Shampoo. Officially, we were never married and even Shampoo admits it."
"Well done my boy!" Genma said proudly. Nodoka and Soun also smiled at the news.
Ranma shook his head negatively. "That just takes care of the marriage problem. I'm bettin' there's more."
"Hopefully you shall manage those difficulties as well my son," Nodoka noted.
Ranma shrugged in reply. "Kuno Kodachi, I think we can ignore." This declaration was accepted by those around the table, so Ranma did not go into Kodachi's legal problems.
"Now: The reason that I'll be moving out of here as soon as possible."
"Nonsense son! You're welcome to stay here as long as you like," Soun stated enthusiastically.
"I think I've abused your hospitality long enough Mr. Tendo."
"Rubbish!" The Tendo patriarch's emotions were preparing to carry him away.
"Soun, perhaps my son merely wishes to come home," Nodoka put in.
Genma listened to the interplay between his wife and his best friend with only half an ear. Most of his attention was concentrated on Ranma and he didn't like what he saw there.
The increasing babble was halted by Ranma slapping the table. "I can't stay here because I have two engagements that I havta consider valid." Pointing at his father and Soun, he continued, "You two, arranged an engagement before I was born. But then Pops here engaged me to Ucchan when I was six and accepted a dowry for it." His voice dropped as he warned his father, "And if there are any more engagements out there, I don't wanna here about 'em."
Genma prudently stayed silent, neither admitting nor denying anything.
"Ya can argue all you want about which engagement is most valid. I'm done arguin'. I accept the engagements to Kuonji Ukyo and Tendo Akane."
"Did you hear that? He accepts his engagement to Akane!" Soun cried joyously, leaping to his feet. "Saotome, we must celebrate this happy occasion."
Ranma reached across the low table and pulled Soun to a sitting position. His pale blue aura lent its coldness to his words. "Let. Me. Finish."
"Ah, yes. Certainly," the flustered man replied.
"I will not marry anyone that doesn't wanna marry me. If I don't marry for love, fine. But I ain't forcing nobody inta a marriage they don't want. And I will not marry _anyone_ until I turn eighteen at the earliest."
"What does this have to do with where you will live?" Nodoka asked.
"I havta treat both engagements fairly Mother. I can't live here because that would give Akane an advantage. I can't live with you because Ukyo can always move her restaurant, but Akane has ta stay in Nerima with her family.
"The only fair thing I can do is find some middle ground. Someplace where they can be with me if they want, or avoid me completely. No coercion, no guilt. Once I've got that, I'll work in school, the art and the rest of my life." Ranma added deadpan, "Also, I find the concept of having a bathroom to myself very appealing."
Soun wanted to rage, to cry, to use his Demon's Head technique, any or all of the above. But he'd heard the steel in Ranma's voice. Attempting to bully or cajole him would be a waste of time and effort. The engagement was clearly in Akane's hands now. Ranma had gone halfway and refused to move a micron farther. His daughter could either meet him there or not. "Very well," he eventually said. Standing up, he added "Saotome, I believe we have another game of shogi to play."
Genma nodded, rose and helped his wife to her feet. He knew would have to actually speak with, instead of at, his son sometime soon.
Nodoka had other priorities. "My son, I hope that you choose to live with your father and I until such time as you find this 'middle ground' that you spoke of."
Agreeing cost Ranma nothing, so he did. The joy in his mother's face was clearly evident. "It may not match all of what you've told us, but I also have something very important to say Ranma. In six months or so, you are going to be a big brother."
The unease Ranma normally felt at his mother's presence faded. He was filled with a sense of new possibilities, of new chances, of hope. Instead of the perfunctory hug he'd given his mother earlier, Ranma embraced her with all the warmth and feeling that he could muster. "That's great Mom. I'm really happy for you."
Nodoka basked in her son's affection before leaving to assist Kasumi in the kitchen. Once she was out of earshot, Ranma asked, "Pops, got a minute?"
"Yes boy?" the elder Saotome retorted.
Double checking that the coast was clear, Ranma whispered, "If you even _think_ of doing to my brother or sister what you did to me, I will hunt you to the ends of the Earth. Got it?"
Genma replied in a completely natural voice, "Boy, your mother already made that perfectly clear."
-----
For being thrown together on such short notice, Ranma's welcome home dinner was a culinary triumph. Misoyaki and sesame chicken; home made yakisoba noodles; steamed and stir fried vegetables; rice, plain, egg-fried and curried, were just some of what Ranma consumed. Genma's first attempt to steal from his son's plate resulted in a frying pan to the back of the head. Nodoka was not amused and no further attempts were made.
It wasn't until dessert, Baked Alaska of all things, was served that Akane returned home. "R-Ranma... You came back."
"I promised I would," the pig-tailed martial artist said. He had more to say to Akane than to anyone else in Nerima. But she was also, by far, the hardest person to talk to. He could imagine Ukyo's reaction to his resolution of the fiancee problem. He feared Akane's.
Dessert continued, but the conversation, which had been lively until that point, became stilted. As the last traces of ice cream, cake and meringue disappeared, Soun said to his youngest daughter, "I'm sure you and Ranma have much to discuss. Perhaps the rest of us should go shopping. Christmas is coming soon after all.
"Laying it on a bit thick Daddy?" Nabiki asked sarcastically.
"No, no. I just feel we should give Akane and Ranma some time alone to get reacquainted." With that, Soun led an exodus. His youngest daughter and her fiance remained behind.
After a hesitant mutual glance and an even more awkward pause, Ranma broke the silence. "So... uh... You look good. Did you lose some weight?"
'He meant it as a compliment,' repeatedly looped through Akane's thoughts. "Some," she finally admitted. "Jeff gave me a few good workout ideas before he left. I think they've helped."
"Really? Well, maybe we should go out to the dojo to see how much you've improved."
"Well maybe we should," agreed Akane if not angrily, then at least annoyed.
A few minutes later, Akane stood ready in the dojo, wearing her gi. Ranma hadn't bothered to change clothes. This wasn't unusual as he was accustomed to fighting at any time. What was usual was that Ranma dodged or evaded every one of Akane's attacks. The Tendo girl was close to losing her temper when Ranma stated, "You're right. Your footwork is better."
Encouraged by the comment, Akane threw a punch toward Ranma's chest. He brushed it away with his right hand and landed an open handed blow with his left to Akane's ribcage.
The youngest Tendo froze in shock. "Y-you... You hit me," Akane stammered.
"We're sparring."
"I... I guess we are." With a smile she couldn't conceal, Akane leapt to the attack.
THE END