Usotsuki
By NatsuNoAme
Chapter 6 - No time for romance!
Hallo! Good news for you minna-san: my inspiration decided to make a visit! Yeah, I got new ideas, finally!!! ^_^ [Finally really, cuz after that last chapter of yours... honestly, I don't know how you're still alive!] Well, I have my ways... - 3 bodyguards appears behind NatsuNoAme, who shows a bullet proof vest under her shirt - See? I'm also sleeping with one eye open, and hired my own food taster! ^_^ Who's gonna catch me now, huh? - a crowd of angry readers surround NatsuNoAme and her bodyguards with flaming torches and very sharp weapons. NatsuNoAme's bodyguards run off for their lives, leaving her behind.
Guys? Wait, don't go!!... cowards! - then turning back to the raging crowd
Er, heheheee... h-hi there everyone! You're not mad at me because of my bad chapter, are you? Chinmoku nee-chan?? Even you? W-wait... what are you gonna do with that sword? No, No! - NatsuNoAme too, begin to run for her life.
EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!! HELP!! I'LL WRITE BETTER NEXT TIME, I SWEAR!!!! I'LL BE GOOD, PLEASE! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHGGGG!!!!
[heh, the good thing about being an alter ego is: you can always blame the person who created you for something you did.... ^_^ heheheee.... Now, back to subject. If NatsuNoAme were among us now, she would like to tell everyone that in the last chapter she forgot she changed the title in the last minute and wrote the old one. So the true title of chapter 5 is "It's a matter of pride", and not "Nabiki's got a plan!" as it's written... we'll change that soon enough, though.]
[ Ah, right! NatsuNoAme would also like very much if you read and review, so let's all make this last wish of her come true...]
HEY! I'M NOT DEAD YET!
NatsuNoAme pop's out from her hiding-place in the shadows, and bonk alter-ego in the head.
[I was just doing you a favor.... and, ouch! ~_~] Yeah, riight... - angry readers come running after NatsuNoAme again - damn, they found me again... gotta go!!!
AAARRGH, IT BURNS! CUT IT OUT CHINMOKU, I'VE ALREADY SAID I'LL DO BETTER NEXT TIME, HAVEN'T I? HEEELP, ANYONE!!
[Er... On with the story!]
DISCLAIMER: Don't own Ranma. Don't own Akane. Don't own Takahashi-sensei ideas. Don't own even a bank account, so please don't sue! ^_^;;
------------------------------------------------------=^.^=-----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 6 - No time for romance!
After Ranma's talk with Nabiki, time seemed to fly at that house. Before they knew it, January was already at it's end, and Central Exams were only two days ahead. Trying to forget his incoming fate, Ranma took his those days to rest and think about something else... which, of course, to Nabiki meant that it was time for her to talk to her future brother-in-law again.
- Ok, I'm back. What were you saying again? - Ukyo came from her kitchen to sit with Nabiki and a blushing Ranma.
- I was saying, - she continued, kinda annoyed - that it's time for us to do something already. And it has to be something very drastic, if this situation keep going in this direction...
- Well, that I agree with you. But what do you suggest? I mean, if what we think is really true, then Akane-chan would want him totally out of her sight! That, or she'd hunt him down to kick his ass... at least, that's what I would do... - Ukyo commented, almost as an excuse, as two pairs of eyes stared back at her. - hehehee... did I ever told you how sorry I am about that, Ran-chan?
- Nah, forget it, you're right. She'll never forgive me after that...
The Okonomiyaki house was filled with clients, but, unfortunately for Ukyo, not as full as it was before Ryouga started working at the counter... She convinced herself that it was probably just a coincidence, and it was common for restaurants to lose some of the clients when the reopening thrill is over, but, just in case, she managed to convince Ryouga to help in the kitchen. From their discrete table in a corner of the place, Nabiki kept an eye on the front door as a couple entered. She looked at her watch for the nth time that afternoon, realizing she wouldn't have much more time to talk, and decided to just simplify the hole thing.
- She would, if you do the right thing. But do you expect to make things right - and regain my sister trust in the process - if you can't even say how you feel about her? - Ranma shrugged in his seat.
- I-I know... it's just that I don't like saying it out loud, that's all... - both Nabiki and Ukyo rolled their eyes. But Ranma kept talking with more self confidence - I know I'm not good with this stuff, that's why I'm here with you. But when the time comes I won't get chicken again, alright? So stop bugging me with this and carry on!
"Well, at least he's not acting so childish... about a year ago I could swear he would just blush and change the subject...maybe our little Romeo here is not as hopeless as I thought he was..." Nabiki thought, surprised at his mature (??) behavior. She looked at her watch once more, before getting up from her seat.
- Alright. Do what you want. - and then, as to end their 'meeting' - Ranma, you and Akane have the Central Exams in these next days, ne? So why don't we talk about this again next week? Right now I have to go somewhere else.
Both Ranma and Ukyo looked surprised at first. But then, Ukyo stared blankly at her, and Ranma started moaning as they saw a tall, well built man carrying a bouquet of roses outside the House.
- So, another date with the freak show, huh?
- So what? For your information, Tatewaki's a very nice guy (at least after he got over his last obsessions with you and Akane...) - Nabiki tried to defend her new boyfriend.
- Uh, no offense Nabiki, but are you sure that you like him? I mean, I know his rich, but...
- Wait, so you all think that I'm only with him for money? - Nabiki interrupted Ukyo, but all she got was their accusive look at her. She lifted an eyebrow, a vein starting to pop out of her forehead - I do have a heart, you know.
- Do you? I thought it was only a rumor... - Ranma added kinda sarcastic.
- Ha - ha, very funny Ranma. By the way, good luck trying to win Akane's trust without my help, ok?
- H-hey, I was just joking! No need for extreme paybacks, alright?
- So you're saying that his money has nothing to do with it? - Ukyo didn't seem to believe her yet.
- Well, it's not like I'll refuse everytime he offers himself to pay something for me... I have to go now. See you all next week!
The other two barely hold themselves from falling of the table. Straightening themselves on their seats again, Ranma dropped his head hopelessly, and Ukyo smiled ironically as a big sweat drop appeared on her head. But Nabiki had already turned around cheerily to leave with Kuno.
- I-I guess she didn't changed that much yet, ne?
------------------------
The sun rose brightly that day, despite of the deadly cold winter. Outside the Tendo's house, the atmosphere seemed peaceful as the birds sang on the first ours of what looked like to be beautiful day... or not.
- GAAAAAAAHHHH! I'M LATE! I'M LATE!
*thud thud thud*
*thud thud thud*
*BONK*
- OUCH! WHO PUT THIS THING HERE? Stupid chair!
*thud thud thud*
Sitting next to Nabiki on the breakfast table, Ranma smiled behind his cup. Even on the first floor of the house, he could hear Akane running like crazy to get ready in time. He couldn't remember seeing her so clumsy and nervous like she was in that morning. He could feel his stomach squirm when he remembered why: today was the first day of the Central Exams. He looked at Nabiki, who seemed to be enjoying her sister's despair like someone enjoy a good comedy show, and concluded that, in other circumstances, he would be laughing at her as well. But this time he knew exactly what Akane was feeling. Was this much anxiety that kept him from sleeping the night before, reason why he didn't overslept. "I would probably be just like her right now if I did." He thought, as Akane ran down the stairs brushing her hair as fast as she could.
- Why didn't anyone wake me up? You know I can't be late for the exams!!!
- That's because anyone who tries to do that is either completely ignored, or ends up in Dr. Tofu's clinic. - Nabiki answered boringly. - Besides, you have your own clock alarm.
- Whatever. I don't have time for this right now.
- Akane-chan, aren't you going to eat your breakfast? - Kasumi came from the kitchen holding a plate with fried fish for her father and another plate with bamboo[?] for Genma, both sitting in front of Ranma on the breakfast table.
- There's no time for breakfast now, onechan. I'll just eat when I come back, ok?
Realizing he would be left behind, Ranma stuffed his mouth with what was left of his rice to run after Akane. She had already crossed half of the way to the front gate when Ranma caught her.
- W-wait up, Akane!
- Hurry up then! I'm not gonna miss my chance in college because of you, got it?
- I'm coming already!
- Good luck with the test, you two! - Soun and Kasumi shouted from the opened door, Nabiki still sitting on the table mumbled something like "yeah, what they said". Panda Genma simply held a sign were could be read: ' Don't go screw things up now, son!', as if to encourage them. Ranma obviously didn't like the 'encouragement', and tried to ignore the sign, while Akane started to realize where did her iinazuke got that big mouth of his from...
------------------------
- Now that's just great! - Ranma's voice was clearly sarcastic, and getting loud. - You made us ran so much, and for what? The gate's still closed!
- Would you stop complaining? You should be glad that we got here in time! Besides, the man said that they'll be only five minutes late, so they'd probably be opening soon.
Both Ranma and Akane had ran as quick as they could to get to the place in time, but only to face the school's gate closed, and a big line of students in front of it. When asking the gate keeper, Akane found out that, fortunately for her, the school had a minor misunderstanding and it would take a few minutes more.
- Still, I don't like waiting around like this... - Ranma watched Akane lean against the wall of the school in their place in line. She looked tired, and he remembered how he didn't sleep at all the night before. "She probably went through the same thing... not to mention she didn't have any breakfast, and we had to run like crazy all the way." Ranma thought about his last talk with Nabiki. He could still hear her words echoing through his head: 'If you wanna get Akane's trust back, you have to be nice to her. Act like a gentleman, girls like those things.' He inhaled deeply before going on. - You look tired. You should've eaten before we left.
- And why do you care about it? - she asked incredulously.
- No reason. I'm just saying... you know, all this trouble we went through to get here, and all this stress of the exams...
- Ranma, are you feeling alright? You're not acting like yourself for the past few days... - She reached for his forehead to check his temperature, more suspicious than ever.
- I'm fine! - he said, pushing her hand away. - Geez, I just thought you'd be hungry, that's all.
Akane tried to protest once more, but her stomach talked louder, making her blush a little.
- Here, take this. I was gonna use it if I got hungry during the exams, but you look like you need it.
Ranma handed her a plastic cookie package written 'okoshi' on it. Akane looked back at him, but he kept his eyes straight ahead, avoiding hers.
- Besides, if you stay all morning without eating, you'll probably pass out with hunger. I don't wanna have to carry you all the way back home...
- Alright - she said taking the okoshi from him - Thanks... I guess.- She start eating the rice made cookies, blushing slightly. They stayed in silence for what seemed an eternity until the school opened it's doors, and the waiting line starts moving on.
Akane's class was a floor under Ranma's. A few steps before the stairs, though, Akane decided to break the silence.
- Ranma?
- Yep.
- Good luck on your test.
- Uh, yeah, you too.
Akane smiled at him, and went to her class. She didn't notice Ranma blushing deeply. "This is gonna be a good day." He thought, feeling lucky already.
------------------------
Two days had passed since their first exam, and almost all newspapers in Nerima were already publishing the answers of the Central Exams. Despite of all the snow covering the streets, teenagers could be seen walking from a newspaper stand to another, or waiting impatiently for the mail to bring their lists with the classification and correction of the tests from their Preparatory Courses.
But inside her room, Akane stared thoughtful at her desk, filled with newspapers, tests and sketch papers written all over. The last one, right in front of her had a big red circle around the number 680. Akane stared blankly at that number, but her mind was elsewhere. With a big sigh, she opened a drawer on her right side and slowly reached for a white envelope with the writing 'Toudai' on it, as in some kind of trance or dream.
- Hey! Akane, look at this!
Ranma's usual barging in her bedroom quickly snapped Akane back from her trance. "Doesn't he ever knock?", she would probably yell at him, but this time he seemed so happy, holding some papers on his hand, that she decided to just forget it... this time. She casually closed her drawer, while her iinazuke entered her room loudly like a kid.
- We just got our mail! And guess what? I made 607!!! 607, d'ya hear me?? - he said, too exited to notice Akane's distracted behavior, and throw her a white envelope with her name on it. - Here, check yours.
She opened her mail with much less excitement Ranma expected her to have, but, he didn't say anything. Instead, he just tried to read it over Akane's shoulder, as she only confirmed what she already knew.
- All that? Man, you ARE more geek than I thought...
- Oh, really? Well, if that's what it takes to go to a good college, than I really don't mind... - she replied sarcastically, putting aside her last thoughts. - and you didn't go so bad yourself.
- Well, I had a good teacher, that's all. - he gave a quick glance at Akane, who seemed to blush, before going on - About that, I... er, Akane, d-do you think we can keep those meetings to study?
- But, those meetings were only to backup your studies for a while, and you went well on the first exams... why would you want my help again? - she asked him, almost suspiciously - Besides, I can't be distracted now that we're on the hardest part...
- I-I know, but there's some things I can't understand, and you said yourself that this is the worst part... please?
Akane froze with surprise for a few seconds. "He must be really desperate to ask for my help like that...". Now it was Ranma's time to blush uncomfortably, waiting for her answer. For a second he thought she would come back to be the poison, cold girl she became some months ago, and kick him out with a big 'no', but she simply sighed, before saying.
- Ok. If you're THAT desperate to pass, I'll study with you some more. - he smiled triumphantly, but she cut him before Ranma could even open his mouth - BUT, now we'll only meet once a week to help with some of your doubts. And if I see you daydreaming instead of studying again...
- Hey! That only happened one time, and you know it!
- ...still, if that happens again, I'll stop to help you immediately. Deal?
- Deal.
- Good. Then we'll start next week, in the dojo. Now, if you excuse me, I have things to do.
- Hai. I'll just go make my inscriptions then. Ja ne!
With that Ranma left Akane on her own, but at this point she just couldn't concentrate again. Seeing Ranma's happiness, his acting like he was just a 6-year-old kid who just won the cool gift from his busy mother, send her thoughts back into her memories, instead of foward. She dropped her mail on top of her desk with all the other papers, and leaned back on her chair. Staring at the now closed door, she let herself let go a small smile.
- I'll never understand that boy...
------------------------
Outside, in the hallway, Ranma walked happily towards his bedroom, but stopped. Did someone just called him? He turned around, but found nothing besides his Panda father going to his bath. "DEFINETELY it wasn't him".
- What the hell...
Genma Panda gave him an odd look, and lifted a sign where Ranma could read: 'What? Just because I'm a Panda I can take care of myself?' Ranma, still not getting a thing, looked down to where his father held a bucket full with shampoos and bath lotions. Genma passed straight by his son, who seemed to be the only one hearing someone call him again. He turned around once more, to find nothing again. "Am I going nuts?" He shut this thought aside, though, and convinced himself it was only his imagination. The young fighter was back on his way to his bedroom, when suddenly Nabiki's door opened widely, and four arms quickly pushed the boy inside. In a matter of seconds, Ranma was locked in Nabiki's bedroom with her and Ukyo glaring at him.
- Wha-
- No need to repeat yourself, Ranma. - Nabiki cut him - we heard you on the first time.
- Ran-chan, darling, are you deaf or you're just dumb? We've been calling you since you got out of Akane's room! - Ukyo's voice was sweet, but she didn't seemed pleased at all.
- That was you? Well, couldn't ya have called me louder? I thought I was going nuts out there! - he yelled angrily at them both, waving his arms in the air, making Ukyo and Nabiki look at him quizzically. If he wasn't crazy, then his explosion obviously wasn't helping.
- What? And get your father's attention too? No way, it's better if no one else knows what we are doing...
- Nabiki-san's right, Ran-chan, we better keep this a secret, specially now that you and Akane are finally getting along again!
- What are you talking about?
Despite of the girl's change of mood, Ranma didn't look he would do the same so easily. He glared at them, from Ukyo to Nabiki, who calmly walked towards her desk and played something on her tape recorder. In a matter of seconds the silent room was filled with Akane's and Ranma's voices, repeating exactly their last conversation in her bedroom. Nabiki let they listening for a minute and then turned it off again.
- You HEARD it? EVERYTHING? - he asked them incredulously.
- But of course we were! Or you think that we would just leave it all in your hands? - Nabiki's tone was sarcastic again. She couldn't believe how naive that boy could be - Call me perfectionist, but when I plan something, I wanna be sure that nothing's gonna go wrong...
- What the hell is wrong with you two??? Can't I have a decent talk without being spied on? Don't you trust me??
- Think of the good side: at least now we know that you're going fine. And didn't even had to bother telling us! - Ukyo said cheerily, trying to calm her friend down. Ranma glared at her again, blushing deeply. For a moment Ukyo thought he was going to explode once more, but he took a deep breath to restrain himself. Nabiki took that opportunity to go straight to the subject.
- What Ukyo said is true, Ranma. Besides, if we didn't listen, we'd never notice the hole in our plan.
- What hole? - he asked. Now all of them were very serious. Both girls looked at Ranma before Nabiki could say:
- Something's wrong with Akane.
- What do you mean, wrong? She seemed just fine to me!
- Exactly my point. It wasn't more than a month ago, she wanted you dead, and now she's 'just fine'? I don't about you, but I know my sister, and she's acting way too quiet for my taste.
- Besides, we have a tape of her talking about some weird plan, and she didn't seem happy with you either...
- That's... weird. - Ranma was forced to agree. But he didn't like the sound of that at all - well, what do we do then?
- We investigate. - Nabiki grinned at him, feeling very amused.
End of chapter 6
----------------------------------------------------------=^.^=-------------------------------------------------------
Ok, I have to admit this. Although I really really love winter, and would like very much to see some snow someday [it never snows in here... T-T] , I have to admit that it's kinda weird to write about a cold white winter in January! I mean, in January summer is only beginning around here, and gets so hot that I can't even imagine a place were people are dreaming about a kotatsu while I'm looking for my bikinis... ^_^ But I guess that it happens with other people as well... doesn't it? ^.^;
Aaanyway... thanks for R+R minna-san!!! Sessha's really happy to see that you didn't left me yet! ^_^ [well, at least they got their revenge up there...] ugh, don't even remember me about that...
Ranko And Mr. Panda - Well, you're gonna wait to see that! ^_^ heheheee I feel evil again! ^__^ Ah, and sorry about the late update... I'm so lazy! ^_^;;; But since we're talking about that: when are you gonna update your fanfic? I'm curious to know what's gonna happen!!!
Chinmoku - hey, neechan! Sorry for using your name up there... but I bet that that's exactly what you'd do! In fact, I know it! I agree with you about they needing some luck to help Ranma... but Akane's gonna need some good luck too! Poor girl... ^_^;; Start a new fic soon!
Beta Cygni - thanks for your review! Well, I guess they are very OOC, but that's something I can't help very much... otherwise I'll just have to change my fic! ^_^ But at least you agree that Akane can be as bad as Ranma when it comes to romance, ne? ^_^
Belle - thanks a lot! It's always very very good to see that people are enjoying this fic, specially because this is my first experience as a writer since... well, ever! But if I have anyone to thank for my improvements it's you, my reviewers! [what a bunch of &%$#$... it almost sounds like it's true!] But it is true! I know it may have sound... well, lame, but it doesn't mean that I don't mean it!
[yeah, right.]
Oh, shut up! Look who's talking about lies... you're an alter-ego! You don't even exist outside my head, you moron!
[alright, no need to be so cruel... geez!]
Now I'M the cruel?? Aah, just forget it!.... ;;¬.¬
Until next chapter!