--
Chapter Three
"Interludes"
The sparking sea scintillated under the sun, the shores of Japan a mere line on the horizon. The blue of the water was of rich and deep quality, the capacious depths darkening to dark, navy hues. A cloud passed by slowly, sending a thin shadow over the waves. The tides rolled and swayed, undulating as the winds poured across the surfaces. As Helios himself broke free of his fluffy bounds, he poured over the sublunary seas his white and pure light. A carp hopped up from the belows, twirling in the air against the sparkle of the spraying waters. It came back down into another shadow, the fish flopping about at the surface. Suddenly, it was lifted from the waves, bouncing around in its net.
"Got 'em!" the boat hand cried as he hoisted his net up to the deck. Ranma watched from nearby, her hands in her pockets as she looked piteously at the fish. "Moron," she muttered, walking away from the fishermen as they sent their device back down to the water. She mumbled darkly to herself, looking out over the curvature to see her home sink further away. It was still a few more hours until they docked in Nanking, her sea voyage playing tricks on her stomach.
"Blech." Ranma stretched in the sunlight, looking dreamily to the clear skies. She touched a red mark on her cheek, groaning a bit at the soft pain it delivered to her. Naturally, all her thoughts switched to what was presently her bane. Scratching at her backside a moment, she blanched at a rather grim discovery that had been made just a few hours before their departure.
--
It was still night when that wrinkled bag Shampoo called a grandmother stopped by, beckoning them out for the voyage. It had taken Ranma only a few moments to get herself under control while Akane busied herself with getting ready with last-minute packups. They hadn't spoken; hell, even with Ukyou waiting with Shampoo downstairs, Akane couldn't find the fight within her. It didn't matter much – even if she had, neither Shampoo nor Ucchan were ready to put up much of a response. Whatever Cologne had said is had some serious impact - things were tense in the Tendo house as the Saotomes, Akane, the okonomiyaki chef and the Amazons set out for a trip that would ultimately decide the fate of at least one person.
What bothered Ranma for much of the time that they were still in Nerima was the walking. A hike wasn't beyond her grasp, that was for sure, and better yet, they were all of a quiet nature. If, however, Ranma weren't conducting a rave in her abdomen, it probably wouldn't have been such a strain. By the time they reached the shopping district, Ranma began to speculate that Cologne was no ordinary old-freakin' lady.
"You know, they have taxi services in Tokyo."
Akane rolled up a sleeve, taking in a deep breath of the damp summer air. "Enjoy it while you can, would you? You'll have a whole boat ride to relax and whine."
"Did I ask you?" Ranma shot back, hiking up one of her shoulder straps. "You have a pig at home that I'm sure would love your attention if you don't wanna be here."
Akane promptly stomped on her foot, leading towards the front of the line. Ukyou and the other were quick to sink back, surrounding her on both sides. She grumbled, not acknowledging either, knowing full well that this was no time to be jealous of a swine. And a pig, too.
"Where is that back-stabber, anyhow? I didn't see him anywhere around the house. . ." She looked up to a prod into her shoulder, seeing Ukyou eye his oddly. ". . . Please don't splash me."
"Ran-chan, you serious? You can't become a boy anymore?"
"Ranma really serious! She no change, even when water boiling!"
Saotome paled. "She's tried it."
"That sucks!" Kuonji exclaimed, punching her in the shoulder. "Don'cha miss it?"
The redhead scratched where she'd been hit, sneering a bit. "That, uh. . . that's part of the problem. I don't remember much of what it was like. When I was a normal guy, it was hard to comprehend being a girl at all. This is the same thing pretty much."
"Wacky."
Shampoo suddenly shrieked, causing the entire troupe and much of the surrounding shoppers to look their way. The plaza was busy for a Friday night. "Ranma still likes girls, right?!"
Feeling the burn of an entire city's worth of scrutiny, Ranma shrunk and began to walk faster. "Yes, I still like girls."
Ukyou, too, was visibly relieved. "It's okay, they have places for artificial insemination. . ." It was at this time that Akane had taken the time to sink back to the three of them. Ukyou turned away, not honoring the Tendo's presence.
"Your dad and Cologne are having an odd conversation," she said silently, pushing her way into the group. Shampoo growled silently, making it a point to bump her a bit. "Watch it," Akane snapped. Ukyou picked up the pace a tad, snagging Ranma's arm. Making a questioning noise, she allowed herself to be pulled along.
"C'mon, honey, let's let them fight. You know, you being a girl can't be that bad. . . I think I could learn to adapt—"
"Hey, quit talkin' like I like it like this! I'm goin' back to Jusenkyou to change this!" Ranma's face tightened for a moment, slowing her legs. She threatened a stop, grabbing at her stomach. "This. . . is not how I intend to stay – b'lieve me."
"Say," she continued, dragging Ranma along without a moment's compassion as she looked back to check on the feuding girls, "why did I have to come along?"
"Cookin', I'll bet."
"Thanks a lot, Ranma." The shortest of the girls looked back to Akane, sighing a bit and she rubbed her throbbing head. She didn't know from where Akane got that frying pan and she didn't really care. "Maybe I will go home -- looks like it would make all four of us happy."
"Look," Ranma snarled, "I didn't want any of you to come, got it? This is for me." She yanked her arm from Ukyou's grasp and turned to face the three, stopping in the middle of the plaza. Ahead, Cologne and Genma arrested their conversation somewhere in the middle of talking about shark meat to look back and observe what was slowing down their party.
"Ranma, you know you need Shampoo! She live in China, know area!" Ranma turned her lip up, crossing her arms.
"That's not the point. I'm sick enough as it is, I don't need you hanging all over me, too."
"Shampoo no hang on you yet! Stupid pancake girl do that!"
"HEY! I'm not stupid!"
"You shut up!" Shampoo fired back, stomping her foot. Akane gave a frustrated sigh, pushing past the two of them, shoving Ranma from her path as well.
"All of you be quiet!" she barked, grabbing Ranma's collar to help move her along. Ranma struggled from her grasp, complaining of breath. "We're all here for a reason, and whatever our reasons are, they're probably all meant to help Ranma. Even if she is being a selfish brat about it, she's right, this is for her, not you guys."
"Akane, no one asked you!" Ukyou suddenly said, crossing her arms. "You're the most useless one here! I mean, I can at least cook! Go home!" she ordered.
"I won't!" She dropped Ranma, who, suffering brain palsy, collapsed to the floor. "I'll stay if I damn well please!" The redhead gasped, crawling slowly to her feet as the spark between the girls rose and ignited into a fla--
"SHUT UP!" Ranma screamed, stumbling as her knees knocked together. "Erg. . . If. . . you. . . " she gasped, panting for breath. "If you all keep. . . nng!!" Before anyone could question, Ranma dropped her backpack and bolted away, jumping over a few people en route to a set of doors. She ricocheted off a cement tree pot and through the port, firing into the nearby building. Akane looked from the pack to the complex Ranma had just entered, swallowing as she looked up to the towering mall's facade.
"Look at what Tendo-girl do--"
"Be quiet," Akane said softly, abandoning the few to chase after Ranma. That moron. . .
Ukyou and Shampoo exchanged brief glances before they raced after, clamoring back and forth as they squeezed through the door. Genma stood by all their gear, looking to Cologne as he sighed.
"I've raised a disgrace of a son. . . "
"Get some ice cream?" Cologne's raspy voice questioned.
"Sure."
The sink-full of water rippled as a small droplet dripped off Ranma's chin, her heavy breathing filling the bathroom. The mirror was clouded with moisture, streams distorting Ranma's appearance for a short while. She reached down, splashing herself once more with the icy water. Letting out a slight groan, she looked up to the glass, wiping away to the best of her ability what little water had made its way to the glossy surface. She brought her fingers back up to her face, poking at the cool skin. She couldn't help but stare, rubbing her cheek slightly.
"This does suck. . ."
"Ranma?" Saotome jumped, diving into one of the nearby stalls. That was Akane! How was she discovered so damn fast?! "Ranma, c'mon. You in there?" She pressed her back to the stall door, her feet propped up on the seat.
Please don't let her find me. She cringed as footsteps sounded, the tapping of the linoleum entering the restroom from next door. Next door? Ranma got to the floor, leaning up to the wall, listening as Akane's voice sounded from the other side.
"Ranma, let's go! What are you hiding for? What did I do?"
Do?
Akane murmured to herself as she left the girls' room, sighing as she looked around. She'd checked every other restroom in the mall, where else could she be? It's unlikely that she'd have run off to one of the stores - she was definitely going through on of her crampy problems. But there were no other places around! She glanced up as she made her way down the corridor that connected the bathrooms to the rest of the mall's interior. The sounds of fountains splashing rippled at her through the busy air, the festive feelings of shopping pulling her from the irritation of one, having to find Ranma and two, having to go to China at Cologne's beck and call. Despite even that, she took time to consider just whom she was helping – Saotome was her friend, after all, she couldn't deny her now, right? He was—
"Waaaaiit a minute. . . he. . . "
She glanced up to the restroom sign that hung from the ceiling, staring at the forward slash that divided a little girl from a little boy, the humor of the stick figures lost on her as she ran back down the hall, bursting without caution into the boys' lavatory.
It was a good thing she had decided to burst, as she caught Ranma right in the face as she was about to exit the room. I mean, had Akane called out, we'd be stuck with the repetitive details of her trying further to locate ol' Saotome. Groaning, the person in question sank back against the wall hidden by the door and dropped to the ground.
Puling like a four year old, she grabbed her mouth, mumbling to herself. "Oww. . ."
"Ranma!" Akane cried, bringing her own hands up to her face as she watched the dazed girl try to stumble to her feet. She leaned down quickly, helping her up as she sighed. "Jeez, Ranma, will you watch out next time?"
Growling, Ranma allowed herself to be removed from the bathroom. "And who was it that hit who?"
"Whom."
"Look, whatever. . . " She hissed as Akane shoved her into the girl's room door, following shortly after. She guided Ranma to the first stall, the rest of the lavatory abandoned, thankfully. "Alright, I'll go back with you," she resigned, sitting on the toilet seat as Akane shut and latched the door behind her. "Um, what are you doing?"
"Look, whether you go back or not is up to you – and I know you will anyway because at the moment, I can't imagine that you're very happy. More to the point, since it's going so fast, I'm wondering when you might pop."
Ranma almost drained of her color. "'Pop?'"
Akane shrugged, digging into her pocket. "Yeah, you know, bleed. Girls bleed, you dingbat."
"I know they bleed!" she shouted back, stamping her foot. Panting in slight agitation, she huffed a quick breath through her nose. "So are you here to make fun of me, then?"
"'Course not," Akane said quietly, extracting a short, cigar-shaped tube, long since wrapped in plastic, from her search in her pants. "I'm here to help you with this—"
"No way," came the menacing return, Ranma sliding back slightly.
"Oh, yes way, Ranma. If you don't, you'll stain up your clothes and everyone will know. So choose – you and I keep this a secret, or you let your dad find you with your pants filled with blood." Making a face, she quickly gave in, her shoulders slumped.
"The first sounds a hell of a lot more appealing." She jumped as the tampon landed in her hands, Akane exiting the stall. "Hey! What's going on?" Akane buckled and laughed right then, peeking back in at her with a wide grinning rictus. She covered her mouth a bit and giggled some more.
"Ranma, if you think that I'm going to help you, you better think twice."
"But, Akane, I don't know how these things work! Give me a break!"
"You'll figure it out."
"Being a girl sucks!" she shot out, sighing as she looked to her hand. She shrugged and pulled down her pants.
Akane, leaning against the door, snickered a bit more to herself. She could stall a mite longer, knowing well enough that Ranma would never get it right. She had accepted that she'd have to look at Ranma's. . . place of all places, but that wouldn't stop her from exploiting Saotome's ignorance – she would have to beg. It had been five minutes.
"Akane. . ."
Bingo, she thought almost evilly. "What is, Ranma?"
There was a pause – a long, labored pause, extended by a faint whisper of wind – before Ranma's voice kicked back up. "L-look, you know I'm completely lost about all this. I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm forgetting what I used to do – I. . . I'm nowhere! Wh. . . why can't you j. . .just help me. . ." Furrowing her brow, Akane looked back to the door. Her original plan nearly having left her, she said almost sternly:
"What's the magic word?"
Was that a sniffle? "Pl. . . ple. . . pl. . ."
"Ranma, are you crying?"
"No!" Ranma unsuccessfully countered, unable to guise what sounds she made and unable to put an end what tears were falling – however little there were. She covered her eyes as she heard the latch rip, wincing as light was shed upon her hunkered form.
Akane let the door swing open, amazed to see Ranma, half naked, her knees locked and her head in her hands, mewling, actually mewling away! "Wha. . . what. . . " Akane stumbled as she hazarded a step forward, seeing Saotome visibly shudder.
"Why can't I stop. . . ?" She flinched away as she sensed the other girl near her. She quickly gave up, however, as Akane lifted her shoulders up and wrapped her arms around her, giving her a warm hug. Relying on a support a good deal, Ranma tentatively placed her arms on Akane's shoulders, holding back the sniffs and sobs that were somehow now much easier to contain.
"It's alright, I was just having a little fun. Girls are weird like this, Ranma, we'll cry sometimes, and when we do, it's damn hard to stop. We're just of a more emotional variety." She grinned a bit, feeling Ranma absently nod, her head resting now against her neck. Her breaths tickled her a bit, but she knew exactly why they were so ragged in the first place.
"Even snotty girls like you will feel compelled to release like that when things get too overwhelming or frustration."
"Thanks for the comfort," Ranma responded
plainly, wiping her eyes with her hand, now.
"Look, don't get defensive. I'm
your friend and I was just kiddin', all right? Relax." She leaned back,
sitting on her haunches as probably the most pitiful sight of the redhead that
she'd ever seen tried to pull itself together. "Feel better?"
"A little," she said quietly, looking a bit to the side. She brought her gaze back down to Akane when she tapped on her knee, motioning for her to spread.
"C'mon, open. I'll show you what to do." Resisting just a bit before she allowed her ignorance to let Akane take the steed, Ranma sat back, letting her legs swing open. The second pause of the five-minute stretch came as Akane stared forward, eying, unbelievingly, her crotch.
"E'heh, yes?" Ranma knowingly said, darting to the side of the point in question as Akane's eyes fell on her own uneasy visage. She gulped, shrinking back against the wall.
"You're wearing girls' underwear?"
"Ah. . . l-let me explain. . ." Ranma pulled her hands down protectively over her black-laced crotch, chuckling nervously. "Considering my per'pet'ial state as a girl, I figured that I couldn't deal with boxers always creeping up in—" Akane help up a hand.
"That's quite enough." Ranma nodded obediently as Akane reached forward to inspect the silk garment. "Couldn't you have at least been more tasteful? I can see clear through these. . . " She chuckled almost, watching Ranma jump a bit at her touch. "Calm down, now. Slip 'em off, I can't do everything for you. Although, you'd think that you could find someone other than Nabiki to loan you panties."
"She charged me 2000 yen," Ranma darkly growled, pulling them down so that they pooled to the floor with her pants and slippers. She saw Akane's similar and almost disturbing reaction to the revelation and snapped her fingers. Scratching her head, she waved her hand before Akane's wide eyes and whistled. "Right, the trimming, I can explain that, too. . ."
"You're such an unbelievable pervert. . ."
"Hey, look, I was bored and secondly, if another girl does it, how does that make her a pervert?" She reeled back as Akane was at her feet, shoving her face clear into Ranma's. The redhead winced slightly as Akane's fingertips dug clear into the flesh of her thighs. "Ah, Akane, a little tight—"
"You're not a girl. Don't forget that."
Blinking, Ranma heaved a heavy and huge sigh, nodding. "Right, I'm slipping. Got it. Total pervert okoto-Ranma." She made a muscle, flexing like a moron as Akane sank back against the stall's partition.
"Idiot."
Ranma grinned back. "That sounded believable."
"Look, I'm not getting buddy-buddy with you, so drop the smile. If you don't fall into line and yell at me like you should be doing—" She stopped short, raising her head to look around wildly. Curious as to where she was going with her tirade, Saotome piped up.
"What's up- eek!!" She was yanked from her seat on the toilet cover, Akane taking her place. Not given the time to question, Akane pulled her back, forcing her to straddle her lap.
"Shut up and don't get the wrong idea." Ranma nodded quickly as she placed her hands tentatively on Akane's shoulders and as the Tendo girl pulled up Ranma's slippers. She reached back down to grab the pants, stuffing them between them, giving Ranma a final warning to not talk as the door to the bathroom exploded inward, banging off the tiled wall.
"Ranma!" Ukyou shouted. "You in here, Ran-chan?"
Damnit! Ranma thought, unconsciously pulling herself closer to Akane.
"What did I just tell you," Akane whispered jaggedly. "Not so hard, alright?"
"Look," Ranma hushed back, quietly but quite powerfully. "Take off your shoes."
"What?" Akane asked, slightly too loud. "What—" Ranma clasped her hand over her mouth, giving her a menacing look.
"Sshh. Put my slippers on and you shut up. I have an idea. Hike up your skirt." Hesitating for just a moment, Akane did just as she was told, not putting further question to Ranma's unusually determined glare -- at least, unusual for the current circumstance.
Not lost yet, eh, Ranma? Akane thought as she put her own shoes behind them. "They're a little tight. . ."
"Shh! I'll buy you ice cream or something, just be quiet."
From outside, Ukyou glanced back to Shampoo and nodded. Akane had a lot of nerve to run off with Ranma when she clearly needed better emotional support. After all, he didn't even like Akane and he was her darling Ranma-honey! Why wasn't he getting the message?
"Oh, right, she. I don't think that I'm gonna remember that. . ."
"Wha?" Shampoo looked up, bopping Ukyou with one of her bori-bori. "What pancake girl talk about?"
"Ouch!" she shouted, rubbing her skull. "Watch it!" She leaned against a sink, wincing as she held her hand to her head. As she puled, small whimpers escaping her person, Shampoo raised one of her weapons and aimed at the stalls. "Wait!" Ukyou cried, grabbing it from her had. "Let's hold onto a few of our remaining ethics, okay?" That is, they did so by not dematerializing all the stalls or by knocking down all the doors. Instead, they decided to simply leave everything up to Shampoo.
"What? Why Shampoo?"
"I dunno. . . just, alright, I've got it. We'll slide you along the floor, looking under each st—"
"Ew, no way!" She recoiled, sticking out her tongue as Ukyou sighed.
"Alright come on, I have an idea." Thus, they hunkered down, peering under the stalls from a distance. Immediately, Shampoo hopped up, clapping. "Shampoo find her Ranma!"
Looking in the first stall after her, Ukyou shook her head. "Nah, those are her shoes, but those legs are too fat." Shampoo nodded slowly and they continued down the row. Finding nothing, they shrugged and were quickly out the door. "Let's try Victoria's Secret!" Shampoo's voice floated back.
"Hey yeah, he's still a perv!"
Inside that first stall, Ranma slowly climbed down, feeling the heat of anger burn her skin a bit. "Ah. . . Now, look, I didn't do that so that you'd be made fun of—"
"Ranma. . ."
Swallowing slightly, she backed up to the stall door, hands pressed to either partition on the sides. "Calm down, would you? It was all I could think of – I knew they wouldn't confuse your figure with mine." Akane was at her feet. "Hey, c'mon, Akane—" Holding the tampon like a steak knife, she clamped a hand down on Ranma's shoulder.
"Hold still, I still have to show you how to use this thing."
The pair stepped from the corridors mouth and into the main body of Nerima's biggest mall, Akane taking a smiling, triumphant lead. Lagging slightly behind, Ranma boldly clutched her crotch, a wince seared into her features. Akane looked back, sticking her tongue out as Saotome did her best to catch up.
"That wasn't cool."
Akane gave her a pat on the back. "Don't you owe me ice cream?"
Not hearing her, Ranma simply whined, trying to stall her movements. "It's so scratchy. . . "
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Just try to part with erratic movements. If you're lucky, it'll end on the boat ride. Then you'll be good to go in China."
"You'd better hope so," Ranma mumbled. "I mean, you've had an attitude with me ever since the bathroom. It's not helping things, okay? And another thing," Ranma said, counting on her fingers. "If you're just on this trip to sling insults and stuff at me, I don't want you to come." Taking a moment to review she gave a short laugh and sucked her teeth matter-o-factly. "I'm more of a girl than you are!!-" Akane whipped around, slapping Ranma clear across the face. The two halted before a fountain as the colors on the water shifted from blue to green. A few people stopped to watch, the rest walking along and minding their own business as Akane gripped Ranma by the shoulders.
"Look, what did I tell you?! You're not a girl!"
Slightly stunned, Ranma nodded slowly, rubbing her cheek. "I. . . I know. . . it's just that it's getting harder to remember. I feel compelled t'do other stuff and I can't help it." She shook off Akane's hands, heaving a sigh. "But I'm still a guy, got it? I just need to get out of this dumb body."
"I'm just worried," Akane said quietly. "The underwear, the shaving—"
"Trimming."
"I meant your legs."
"Oh, a'heh. . . I've been doing that for a while, actually. . ."
Akane silenced her. "The point is that I'm scared! I don't want to lose the real Ranma, okay? This. . . other you isn't so bad, it's just unfamiliar. Try not to forget, please?"
"That's why I'm going," Ranma responded softly, reaching out to grab one of Akane's hands. She quickly let it go, putting her own behind her back. "And I guess I am glad you came. . . you're being much more of a help than Shampoo and Ukyou." She forced a smile, softening as it took an actual hold. "Thanks."
Grinning, Akane turned around, beginning to walk away. "That's all I needed to hear." She looked back at her slightly confused partner and uttered a small laugh. "You coming? Ice cream?"
"Oh, right, right. . ." She started after, rubbing herself slightly before catching up. "Hey, how about yogurt, instead?"
Akane found it very difficult to get up off the floor.
"Found you!" Ukyou shouted victoriously as she approached the two sitting in the food court. Shampoo, too, eventually followed, panting and billowing her dress collar a bit as she stooped, resting her hands on her knees.
"Crazy. . . pancake girl. . . take Shampoo all over mall. . ."
Swallowing the last of her treat, Ranma uncrossed her legs and stood, coughing slightly. Sighing, Akane gave her a few pats on the back until she pulled herself together. "Alright, here's the deal. Akane had a pretty decent idea and I think it's worth a try." Shampoo would have scoffed but found it still difficult to regain her composure. While distracted, Ukyou sat down in Ranma's seat and tried to salvage some of the uneaten yogurt.
"Go on?" she said.
"You three are going to make a pact."
"Hey!" Ukyou protested loudly, " I don't know how to sew!"
"That's pack, dummy." Akane stuck out her tongue, idling with her spoon.
"This isn't a carefree adventure, you guys," Ranma continued as Ukyou and Akane exchanged insulting features. "So you gotta lay off. There's no time for anyone to be complainin' about who's whose fiancée."
"Nu uh." Ukyou insisted, shaking her head. "This is all Akane's idea to get you for herself."
"Fat chance!" she declined, hopping up from her seat. Akane hardened her glare, glancing to Ranma. "There's no way I'd want to be along with this loser under any circumstance!"
Shampoo was suddenly up, pointing. "Then you no mind if Shampoo take him!"
"He's not yours!" Ukyou shouted.
"He's not a he," Akane dully said as the redhead in question ground her teeth together. "And yeah, I do mind – Ukyou's right, she doesn't belong to anyone."
Ranma sighed, scratching her head. "This is exactly what I don't want!" The few others that were still in the court turned in their seats to watch, but were quickly distracted by a pounding in the distance. "No more fighting! I don't wanna belong to any of you, so cut it out or I'm leaving you all here!" He grabbed Ukyou's hand, shoving it out before her. He did the same with Shampoo and moved to Akane, but she spared her the trouble.
"Now do it."
Akane said so quickly, followed by the more labored responses of the others.
"Good!" Ranma said winsomely as a panda strolled by. Cologne called from its shoulders, beckoning the group to follow. Ranma lead away, leaving the three girls to toss around some unsavory glances before they too took to stride. Quietly, as Akane neared her side, Ranma leaned over and gave her a nudge. "Thanks again."
"Trust me, it's the last of my favors."
As they made their way to one of the exits, Ukyou sighed as she looked to all the stores that they were now passing by. "If she's such a girl, why doesn't she wanna go shopping?" Before they could make it out, Ukyou sauntered up to Ranma's other side and giving Akane a wink, pushed the two of them into the doors of a small boutique. Shampoo, slightly confused, looked up to the store's name and almost yipped, running in after the two.
Genma and Cologne continued their discussion on shark meat.
--
Looking up to the now orange sky, Ranma was pulled from her reverie by the splash of an unusually large fish. The spray of this part of the sea was unusually warm, and had more hit her, she wagered that she would have changed, if able. Wiping a bit of the mist from her cheek she was startled by the yelling the fishermen made and looked over to figure out the commotion. The rather large fish she'd thought she'd seen was now fighting in their net, it's black hair and umbrella tangled here and there. Ranma covered her face, moaning as Ryouga ripped the net open, storming up to her.
"Oh, why him. . ."
"Ranma! What are you doing here?"
She glanced up to him with a bored stare and shrugged, putting her hands behind her head. "I should be askin' you that, P-Chan. I'd say thank the waters that it was nice and warm – I don't think pigs can swim."
"You!" Growling, Ryouga wrung the water from his clothes into a nearby bucket and quickly dumped the still-warm water over her head. "Don't hide behind that guise, unless I gotta destroy both sides of you!" She sighed, ringing the water out of her own clothing before she reeled around and nailed him in the stomach. He flinched, but didn't let it show beyond that. "Uh. . ."
"C'mon, let me tell you a story. . ." She turned again and began to walk back down the deck.
"Are you wearing girls' underwear?" Quickly, Ranma pulled the tail of her shirt farther down to cover her buttocks.
"Shaddup."
Dinner didn't last long, Ranma unable to put up with Ukyou's cooking as the swaying of the ferry rocked her insides to Jell-O. Much of the dinner was Ryouga just staring at her, anyway, and frankly, that would make just about anyone uncomfortable. What surprised the band even more was that Akane's dear little pig had shown up. She was happy, at least. Ranma. . . well, she could care less.
Walking below deck, she shuffled to her room with slightly more than a headache. She figured that it would probably be best if she just took to sleep, the voyage becoming entirely too taxing. The addition of Ryouga was throwing her off, his reaction to her tale not as offsetting as she wanted. He seemed excessively. . . jovial for her taste. And perhaps he had the right to be – Akane wouldn't go for a girl, now would she?
"Not. . . that I want her to, that is."
Sure.
"No, really, I don't care. Let her have her pig. Ryouga can do what he wants, I'm only going so that I can be a man, again. It doesn't matter that Akane's actually tried to help me. . . sorta. . ." She suddenly howled, punched the wall near her door. "Shit! Who am I kidding? " She relaxed, leaning against the wall entirely, her face pressed to the grainy wood. "I can't stop thinking about her. . . I don't think that I feel any different about her, but I can't get her outta my mind. . ." She sighed, running her hands along the wood, taking long breaths. "Man. . ."
"Thinkin' about whom, Ranma?"
"Ah!!" She jumped, turning herself around and was quickly trapped by two hands planted on her shoulders. She was about to bring her leg up but as an arm slipped under her throat, an umbrella pointed to her crotch.
"Perhaps you shouldn't have told me everything about what happened to you, period girl."
"Ryouga," she hissed, trying to pull in a breath, "what the hell are you doing?" He grinned, winking at her.
"Not much, you're just a lot easier to detain this way. Whom were you talking about, hmm?"
She growled, bring her hands up with uncanny speed. Ryouga, however, pressed his umbrella to her side just as fast, rendering her absolutely useless as she buckled under the pain. "Ah. . . dickhead. . ."
"Thinking about Akane?"
"What's it. . . to you?"
"Like I said, not much, Ranma. Just doing you a favor!" He kicked her door in and shoved her after, pushing it closed behind him. Ranma was quick to turn around, rocketing a kick to his head. Ryouga held his hand up to block it and used her foot to shove her to the floor. She sucked in a sharp breath, holding back a cry and her cramps exploded.
"Nng. . . damnit. . ."
"You know what occurs to me?" he said with a note of glee in his voice. He stood over her, patting her stomach with his foot. "That if you don't become a guy, you've got no chance with Akane."
"You loser, don't you have any honor?" she spat, crawling to her knees. He shoved her back down, watching her slide to where her futon sat.
"This isn't about honor, Ran-chan. At least you turn into a human when splashed! Girls don't love pigs!"
"You're still harping about that?!"
"It's not fair!" Ryouga bellowed as the creak of wood sounded in the hallway. "Akane's mine and you know it. You're better off staying a girl. Ukyou doesn't seem to mind."
"I don't want Ukyou!" she roared. "And I don't want you to have Akane, got it?!"
Ryouga chuckled as he twirled his umbrella like it weighed an ounce. "I got it, but you're not gonna get it. What are you gonna do to stop me?" Looking about frightfully, Ranma spied a glass of water sitting nearby the bed. She shot her hand out, grabbed it, and rotated her whole body, kicking his umbrella from his hands as she brought her hand around, splashing him. He yelped, shrinking back as Ranma fell onto her bottom, crying out as she grabbed her foot. She watched P-Chan shake himself, crawling from Ryouga's clothes. Sticking her tongue out, she hopped as the door opened, the light clicking on as Akane stood there and crossed her arms.
"What are you doing to P-Chan? And what was that about not letting him get me?" Dumbfounded, Ranma sat with her shoulders slumped, watching as Akane picked the little black pig up from the floor. She smiled slightly but quickly diverted a less warm gaze to Ranma. "Well?"
"Ah. . . Akane, he. . . aghh!" She lurched forward, rubbing her ankle, hissing at the pain. "Akane, you. . ." She climbed to her feet, limping to her bed. She sat down and hugged herself, getting eerily quiet.
"Ranma. . . ?"
"Just go away. . . you don't understand. . ."
Oh no. . .not again. PLEASE not again. . . Akane's mouth dropped open as she watched Ranma shudder, bringing the back of her hand up to wipe at her eyes. She covered her mouth, silencing the few sobs that tried to escape. Quickly, Akane turned to the door and set P-Chan down, giving him a pat on the rump. He looked back, unsure as she flashed a smile and closed the door.
"Ranma?"
"N-no!" she cried, burying her face into her hands. "Just g-go away. . ." Akane, almost dazed, walked over, sat down next to her, and tentatively set her hand on the redhead's shoulder. She edged away, freely crying this time.
"Hey. . . if this is about what I did in the bathroom, I didn't mean to be so rough—"
"No," Ranma uttered, stumbling through her choking sobs as he raised her hands to conduct her words. "Because. . . and I. . . he came. . . I said. . . 'cause he wanted. . . and I just tried. . . to protect. . . but you. . . taking his side. . . and all I. . . thinking about you. . ."
Akane blinked a few time as her hand slowly slid off the shoulder on which it rested. ". . . Period acting up?" Ranma shrieked and hopped up.
"Rrrmphh! Don't you get anything?!"
"Look," Akane said calmly, curling her fingers into fists. "All I understand is that you're jealous of a pig. I can't sympathize with you if you're going to be that pathetic."
"B-but. . ."
"No!" Akane shouted, holding her hand up. "I've been a girl longer than you have, so I refuse to believe that you can get that emotional over a pig. What's the problem? Why are you trying to protect me so much from him?" Slumping, Ranma's knees knocked as she buckled to the floor, tipping her head down. "C'mon, get up here." She leaned down and drew her back up to her feet, watching as Ranma tried to clear her eyes. Her eyebrows quirked as she saw Akane lie down, patting the bed. "If I sleep with you, will that make you feel better?"
"Wh-what?!" Ranma, cleared of all melancholy was now suddenly backing up to a nearby bureau, wincing a bit as she hit her ankle. "That. . . I mean, people will say stuff if they catch us, and—"
"Will you calm down?" Akane sighed, as she sat up. "Ranma, please, what's bothering you?"
Lying through her teeth, Ranma shrugged. "I'm just edgy. . ." She cautiously walked back over, taking her seat next to Akane. "I just need to relax." She sighed as Akane wrapped her arm about her hugged her again.
"I understand. Sometimes I forget about what you're going through. I'm sorry for having done anything that was outta line." Before she could protest, Akane pushed Ranma down to the bed, pinning her on her side.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
Pushing down a bit harder, Akane spoke. "And I want you to promise me that you won't cry anymore. It's disturbing."
"Look," she growled back, "I told you that I couldn't help it."
"I'm just teasing you. I know you can't – remember, it's what girls do." She relaxed a bit and settled down next to her. "And you're right, you do seem really edgy. You oughta nap." Yawning, Akane put her head down and let her arm drape along Ranma's side in a relaxed hug.
"Ah, what're you doing now?" Ranma asked, looking back.
"What do you think, stupid? I'm comforting you out of the goodness of my heart. It'd do you best to not get all perverted about it, so don't get—"
"The wrong idea, got it. . ." Silently, Ranma relaxed back, freeing her trapped arm as she brought it up to cover a yawn. A few minutes ticked by, Ranma unable to close her eyes as she shuddered at Akane's breath on her neck. "Hey. . . um. . ."
"What is it?" she asked sleepily.
"Thanks."
Outside, P-Chan was white with terror. Half from what he'd heard and half from the fishermen approaching him on both sides. If he were lucky, they'd try to boil him.
--
Part four will come soon, I promise.