Thank you for all of your reviews!! I'm so happy that people can enjoy
reading what I enjoy writing. At least for the most part. Please keep giving me your opinions, because, I do look at these things and do a fair
amount of editing.
Here we go, another chapter. In this chapter I haven't been hit with a writer's block. Actually, that starts the end of chapter 5. Yep, I have a bunch of it written out already. (Don't kill me!) I very much so intend
to finish this fic, so I can start another one-shot, and possibly a new idea for a humorous chapter-fic. I'm tired of being so dark, dreary, and
serious. It's about time to lighten up!
But for now, enjoy and happy reading. As always, any comments and stuff, review or e-mail, but please no flames. Flames will be deleted, as always.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any of its characters.
Chapter 4
Kasumi brought up a tray to her father. She set it down at his side and propped him up to eat. "I made some soup for you, Father," she said gently. "It's such a shame that you had to be so ill for Akane's visit."
Quietly, Soun sipped the broth from the side of the bowl. Then he set it down. "Don't worry, Kasumi. I'm feeling better every day. Nothing ever kept this old man down!"
"Oh, Father," Kasumi sighed. "I hope so. I mean, I'm sure you miss Akane. Have you seen her yet?"
At those words, he went rigid. "Yes, Kasumi. She came in here earlier," he said quickly.
She smiled. "That's wonderful! Did she bring little Jina in? Father, she really is a little sweetheart."
"Yes, I'm sure she is, Kasumi. Maybe later I can see her. I wouldn't want to give my illness to her," he said.
"That's true," Kasumi agreed. "Well, I should go." She stood up to leave.
"Kasumi?"
"Yes?"
Soun swallowed hard. Nothing. Tell Akane that I'll see Jina soon enough. I know she asked you to tell me. And send her in. I need to talk to her."
"All right, Father. I will do that." She walked out.
Soun waited for what seemed like hours before someone knocked on the door again. "Come in," he called.
"D-Dad?" Are you sure you wanted to see me?" Akane poked her head in.
He motioned for her to approach him. "Akane, we haven't really spoken for years, and mostly, it's because of me. But I was angry. When you were unfaithful to Ranma, you tore our schools apart."
"Yes, I know, Dad," Akane said, hanging her head in shame. A tear fell down her cheek. 'Dad, if you only knew.'
"But don't feel bad, Akane. I know that you were you were young and inclined to make mistakes," Soun went on. "I had been angry but I know that you're still my little Akane." He looked up at her and changed into a living waterfall. "AKANE! PLEASE STAY! Please don't leave ever again," he wailed, grabbing a startled Akane by the shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Dad, but I won't be able to stay," Akane said softly. "I can't just throw away five years of life in California. I've come a long way."
"But, Akane! Stay with us! With me!" Soun begged. "I've missed you! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
She smiled sadly. "Yes, Dad, it means a lot to me, but I can't just leave and stay in Japan. People there are counting on me. I will visit more," she promised. "And you can visit me, too! Everyone!"
He brightened up a bit. "You would have enough room?"
She nodded. "I have an apartment, but it has an extra bedroom and the living room couch folds into a bed as well. I could sleep on the floor in Jina's room, allowing another bed for someone."
"Well, Akane, we wouldn't have any trouble sleeping on the floor," her father said. "I wouldn't want to put you out."
"Dad, you guys wouldn't put me out. You're family," Akane sighed. "I'd just be glad to see you."
"I really did miss you, Akane," Soun said softly.
For the first time, Akane felt truly happy being back in Japan. She smiled as tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh, Dad," she cried out. "I missed you, too! I'm so glad to se you!"
"I'm glad to see you, too," Soun said. "And when I'm feeling better, I'll want to see my little granddaughter." It was a start; a new beginning between him and Akane.
* * *
It was hot and humid today in San Francisco. Bill Richards hated hot and humid. It made him angrier still that he had wasted five years tracking that little witch down. Now he was here. What had thrown him off was he had been looking in the wrong country. She wasn't living in Japan anymore. She hadn't been for five years. Now that he knew that she wasn't, finding her was that much simpler. He wouldn't have spent all this time looking for her if she wasn't so different. She was different from all the others he'd taken. First off, she'd survived, and second, he couldn't get over how gorgeous she was, through and through. He'd heard form someone in Japan that she'd left her home for California because she found out that she was pregnant. Bill wanted her. And he knew without a doubt that the child had to be his. He was determined to find her and settle down. He was going to make her his and never look at another woman again. They would move to Canada and she would give him many more children.
How was he going to do this? That Tendo girl had no choice. She WOULD be his, or she would die. There would be no escaping this time. And the child? If Akane chose death over him, the child would suffer the exact same fate, whether it was his or not.
He crossed the street, and looked down at a paper in his hands. "This is the apartment building," he said to himself. He looked up at the sun. It was too bright out to begin his assault on Akane now. He wanted to wait until he caught her off guard. It would be easier to dominate her. He recalled how strong this woman had been. She'd delivered plenty of painful blows to his stomach that he had not anticipated, but he would be ready this time.
"Excuse me," a voice said. "But are you lost?"
Bill turned, face to face with a pretty auburn-haired girl who looked to be in her early twenties. "Excuse me, what?" He asked.
Her gray eyes widened with concern. "Are you new here? Are you lost? I live in this apartment. Do you need to make a call of some sort?"
A sly smile appeared on his lips, although the innocent girl didn't see it. "Well, that's very kind of you, but I'll be okay. I'll find where I'm going EVENTUALLY." He made sure to guilt her by emphasizing the 'eventually'.
"I insist! Where do you need to go?" She was already backing away from the building.
"Oh, I don't think it's too far from here. . . ." He figured that he hadn't found Akane yet, so in the meantime. . .
* * *
Jina sat beside her mother as they watched Ranma perform a kata. She looked up at Akane and watched her expressions. "Mommy what is he doing?"
"Well," Akane began, still watching him. "He's warming up to start practicing his martial arts."
"Oh," Jina said quietly. "Momma? Do you think you could teach me to talk like they do? I saw some kids playing. . . but. . ." Jina hung her head, and Akane instantly felt sorry for her child.
She placed an arm on Jina's shoulder. "You're lonely here, aren't you?" Baby, don't worry, we'll leave as soon as Kasumi's wedding is over. Why," she gasped. "It's only days away!"
Jina sniffled, leaning up against her mother. "Mommy, I don't like not talking to anybody!"
Akane ruffled her daughter's hair. She sighed, knowing how lonely Jina felt. But Jina was so young! It wasn't fair that she couldn't get to know her family because of the language differences! "Oh, Baby. . ." Akane made up her mind. Jina was going to learn how to speak Japanese. Even to speak it, so she could understand what they were trying to tell her. Then, Akane could teach her how to write it later. Jina was so smart that in a year's time, she may actually be able to learn some good phrases.
"What's wrong with Jina?" Ranma had stopped his kata and come over when he heard the sniffling.
Looking up from her daughter, Akane sighed. "She's homesick. Nobody here really knows any English."
"Oh," Ranma said. He poked the little girl playfully in the forehead. When she looked up, he smiled. Then, he had an idea. He extended a hand to Jina. When she took it, he swung her up over his shoulder and jumped to the roof. He could tell from the way she was laughing that Jina liked it. He jumped to a tree, getting more laughter from the child. Grinning, he threw her up in the air and caught her when he landed in front of Akane, who didn't look as pleased as her daughter did. "Uh, here, Akane," he said sheepishly, handing the girl over to her. "Gomen nasai."
"Ranma no baka," Akane said softly. "Arigato."
He smiled that smile, the one that always forced women into falling for him. "No problem, Akane," he replied.
"Momma, please don't be mad at Ranma," Jina pleaded.
"I'm not mad, Baby," Akane reassured Jina.
The little girl smiled up at Akane. She then gave Ranma a look of adoration. "Mommy, if I ever get a daddy, I want it to be Ranma," she said.
"We'll see, Jina," Akane replied, not wanting to answer Jina on that.
* * *
Days had passed too quickly for Kasumi. She was anxious to get married, but then again, she would have waited, just to have Akane and Jina there a while longer. She stood in front of a mirror and looked at her dress. She had chosen traditional clothes for her wedding. Her kimono was a soft rose- colored fabric with a pretty light pink sash tying around it. She had her hair up in a tight bun with pink clips holding it up.
A knock sounded on the door. In came .little Jina, dressed in a little white western-style dress. She was the most adorable thing Kasumi thought she'd ever laid her eyes on. Her mother, who was wearing a yellow pastel colored Chinese-style dress, followed Jina. Akane had her hair up in a mass of curls, the same as Jina. Kasumi idly wondered how long it took whoever did their hair to do that.
"Kasumi, you look beautiful!" Akane breathed.
"So do you, Akane," Kasumi said softly. "How did you get your hair to do that?"
"Do you want it like that, Kasumi? I can do it for you," Akane offered. "I did it rather quickly this morning."
Kasumi nodded eagerly. "And here I always thought that I would always be the expert of those things."
"You still are," Akane assured her as she took some heated pins and began twisting Kasumi's hair up into tight little buns. When she was finished, Kasumi's hair looked more like a cactus.
"These pins are heated?" Kasumi asked.
"Yep," Akane answered. She took out a curling iron, still hot, and curled Kasumi's long bangs to the side. Then she took all of the pins out. "Here, now brush your hair out and I'll pull it up into a high pony-tail," she said. After Kasumi had brushed it out, Akane put it up, and tied some flowers in it. "There," she said with satisfaction. "How do you like it?"
"Oh. . ." Kasumi breathed. "Oh, Akane, arigato!"
Her sister smiled. "Kasumi, it was nothing." Akane looked her over. "Hmm. . . I suppose, if you like it, I'll just tie these in." She took the pink clips and tucked them in behind Kasumi's ponytail. "There!"
The eldest Tendo sister smiled. "Thank you, Akane," she said softly. "It really is lovely."
"Well, I'll be seeing you in a while, then," Akane called out as she led Jina out of the room. "Stay put, I'll send Nabiki in."
"All right," Kasumi replied.
Once out, Akane found Ranma standing outside of Kasumi's room. "Don't think you're going to be sneaking in. No boys allowed! You'd only be in the way."
"Gee, thanks for setting that straight, Akane," Ranma replied sarcastically. He smiled down at Jina.
Akane giggled. "Come on, Ranma. Let's go and wait for Dr. Tofu to arrive."
"Actually, Akane, I asked Ryoga if he could watch over Jina," Ranma said. "I wanted to talk to you alone for awhile."
She nodded at him. Then, she turned to Jina. "Baby? Ranma and I want to talk for a little bit. Can you be a big girl and stay with Ryoga?"
"Yes, Momma," Jina answered. "Why? Is Ranma going to be my daddy? Please, Momma. I want him to be my daddy! Tell him that."
Sighing, Akane nodded. "We'll see, Jina," she said.
"Aww! Mom! We'll see means no! Momma, please!" Jina's pleading turned more frantic.
"Jina, I said we'll see," Akane scolded. "Behave yourself!"
Her daughter fell silent until she noticed Ryoga sitting with Ukyo. "Hi, Ryoga," the child said brightly.
"Hello," he answered in English.
"Ryoga, please don't get lost," Akane said in Japanese. "Ukyo, you'll stay with him, right?"
"Of course!" Ukyo giggled. "Do you think I'd let my Ryoga-honey go?"
"Oh, hello, Ranma, Akane," Dr. Tofu greeted as he stepped in. "Is Kasumi ready?"
The youngest Tendo sister shook her head. "You can't see her yet, you big silly!"
"Akane, are you coming?" Ranma folded his arms.
She turned to Dr. Tofu. "I have to go. Stay here with Ryoga. He's the only one who knows what Jina's saying, so if you could stay and help out. . ."
The chiropractor nodded. "Sure, Akane."
"Arigato! Ranma, I'm coming," Akane called.
He waited for her. "Akane, I've been thinking all this time you've been here," he started. He held out his hand to Akane. "Come with me."
She looked into Ranma's blue-gray eyes. "All right," she said, taking his hand.
Ranma picked her carefully up. He jumped from roof to roof until he felt that they were far enough away from everyone to be alone. "Now that we're alone, Akane. . ." Ranma's eyes met hers and stayed that way for awhile, making them both blush.
"Hai, Ranma? Nani desu ka?" Akane unconsciously took Ranma's hand and squeezed it.
"Akane, gomen nasai. I'm sorry for everything. I just wanted you to know that, Akane." He looked away.
She sighed. "Ranma, I really missed you. I dreaded seeing you, through. Because of what happened, things had gotten so mixed up. . . I hadn't forgotten you."
He put his hands on her shoulders. "Akane, I never forgot about you, either," he said. "Never. . ."
"Ranma. . . I wish I could tell you," Akane sighed.
"Tell me what?" Ranma asked softly. "Akane?"
Tears stung her eyes. "I can't tell you." Another opportunity blown.
He decided to drop it. Instead, he pressed something else. "Akane, when you left for California, did you love me?" He waited for a while, then looked at her when she hadn't answered. "I loved you, Akane. To be honest, I didn't want you to leave. I wanted to tell you then, but couldn't. It was a pride ting."
She tried to speak but choked on a sob. She finally managed something. "I denied it for the longest time! Hai, I loved you, Ranma!"
"And I still love you now," he finished.
Akane couldn't help it. The tears spilled down her cheeks, and she couldn't stop it. "I still love you, too, Ranma! But I thought you hated me after what happened!"
"Come here," Ranma whispered, and drew her close. "Never! I could never hate you! I just couldn't understand. Now, though, I can move on." He pulled away. "When you go back, don't forget me now. And maybe next time, well, we can go on a date or something."
She smiled. "I'd like that. But if you're not busy tonight. . ." Akane added. "Tonight I'll put Jina to bed and no one will be around, maybe I could cook you supper."
All of a sudden, Ranma panicked. He was so close to starting over with Akane! Why did she have to do this now? "Uh, well, we could order takeout," Ranma suggested quickly.
She looked hurt. "You haven't seen me for this long and still you won't even try my cooking?"
He sighed. "Yeah, I'll give it a try."
"Please don't sound so enthusiastic," Akane muttered sarcastically.
"I'll try not to," Ranma retorted.
"You're such a jerk!" Akane scowled at him, but then softened her look. "But I'm so glad to see you."
He smiled. "Let's go back, huh? I'll bet Jina misses you."
Now it was Akane's turn to smile. "Oh, I'm sure she misses you, too. After all, she's bent on having a father, and you seem to be her choice for the role."
"Really?" Ranma laughed. "Well, I don't know about that, but let's go." He picked Akane up and headed back to the dojo. He set her down and just as they were about to enter, Ranma heard something. "Akane, what was that?"
"Mrow?"
"Aaaagh!" Ranma jumped into Akane's arms.
Akane looked down to see a very familiar face looking up at her through feline eyes. "Shampoo?"
"SHAMPOO! Where are you?" Mousse burst out of the bushes not wearing his glasses. He spotted Akane. "There you are!" He glomped onto Akane.
Not about to let Mousse stay that way, Ranma punched him in the face. "Put those damned glasses on for once!"
"Saotome? Where's Shampoo?" Mousse let go and put his glasses on.
The cat jumped into Mousse's arms. "Mew!"
"Here, Shampoo," Mousse said softly, pouring a kettle of hot water on the cat. He pulled out a dress and covered her with the fabric.
"Thank you, Mousse," Shampoo said as she clung to him. "I hope we not late," she added. "You have present, yes? Why, hello, Akane! I hoped you come!"
Akane set Ranma down and looked at him with confusion. "H-hello, Shampoo."
"We go, Mousse?" Shampoo giggled. "I put dress on first! Take me to changing room!"
Mousse nodded. "Okay, Shampoo." They both went inside.
"Akane, why so surprised?" Ranma asked.
She was silent for a moment. "Ranma, Mousse and Shampoo? How did that happen?"
He looked past Akane. "It was soon after you left. For a year, I didn't train at all, whereas Ryoga and Mousse trained extra hard. Mousse challenged me, and since I hadn't trained, he defeated me, although barely. That gave him the opportunity to challenge Shampoo. He did, and defeated her, with ease. I was glad, though. Soon after, Ryoga challenged me also. He did it to vent out his anger on me. Of course, he beat me as well, and by this time Shampoo and Mousse were engaged. Shampoo didn't want to be engaged to him at first, but later on, she began realizing the type of guy he was, and the type of guy I wasn't, I guess. I don't think she so much as glances at me anymore."
Akane looked at him. "You don't seem too disappointed."
"No. Not at all," Ranma answered. "I'd only wished that it would've happened before you left." He looked away.
"Oh, Ranma," Akane sighed.
He turned back to her. "Heh, heh. . . Well, we can't worry about the past now, can we?" He said lightly. "I could have challenged Mousse and kicked his butt easily, but that would mean that his engagement to Shampoo would be null and she'd go after me again. Why would I do that?"
"I don't know," Akane said.
"I'd never want any girl but you, Akane," Ranma quietly admitted. "I didn't expect to ever be with anyone again."
Tears filled her eyes. "Because of me? Oh, Ranma, I'm sorry."
The pigtailed martial artist smiled. "It's okay, Akane," he said softly, brushing his thumb up on her soft cheek, smoothing away a fallen tear. His fingers were rough from his years of harsh living, but were soothing to Akane with their gentle touch. He had all this strength at his disposal, but handled her as if she were a delicate porcelain doll. "Don't cry."
Akane marveled at this. It had always been this way. She had seen what men COULD do with their power, the way that man had forced himself on her, and then she saw how Ranma was. "How did Ukyo and Ryoga end up together?" She asked, changing the subject on her mind. She'd told herself over and over not to think about that evil man. Jina luckily didn't share many features with the man, which Akane was glad for. The only true defining feature of her daughter was her hair. It was bright blonde, just like her father's. The rest, Akane saw the Tendo in her. She had Akane's cute facial features, Kasumi's gentle eyes, and Nabiki's brilliant mind.
His answer knocked Akane out of her thoughts. "Well, I finally got fed up with everything after Ryoga beat me and left to train harder than I ever did before. Ucchan tried to follow me, but I told her that I was not taking her with me, and I told her that I ended the engagement right then. I told her the truth. I FORCED her to hear me out. I wanted to be alone. I became a traveler. A wanderer, a loner, like Ryoga, except minus the part about being lost the whole time."
"And minus the part about the pig."
Ranma gulped. "Y-you KNOW about that?!"
She giggled. "Yep. Poor Ranma. You're too noble to even expose your rival's biggest secrets."
He sighed. "Well, Ryoga and I are rivals," he said. "But we're also friends." Ranma paused a moment. Then he cleared his throat. "Anyway, the way I heard it, Ryoga got lost and stumbled into Ucchan's. He ended up staying there a while and soon, I found out that they were dating. Now, he doesn't stay there, but Ukyo's kept him there the past few days before the wedding. Sometimes Ukyo goes with Ryoga on his training trips, just to make sure he doesn't get lost." Ranma chuckled. "They are a match made in Heaven, don't you think? They really care about each other, huh?"
"Yeah, they sure do," Akane answered him. "Speaking of them, let's see how, or where they are with Jina."
He nodded and opened the door for Akane. "Here you go."
"Arigato," Akane said as she passed through the doorway. She saw Ukyo and Jina sitting there, but Ryoga was missing. "Hi, Ukyo," Akane greeted.
The okanomiyaki chef looked relieved. "Good, now I can find Ryoga! He went to the kitchen and got lost from there." She rose and left to find him.
"Momma!" Jina hugged her mother.
The pigtailed martial artist smiled as he watched the mother and daughter. His heart softened at seeing the two of them together. Akane seemed like a good mother. "Hey you two," he said. "Let's go."
Akane nodded. "Jina, are you ready for Kasumi's wedding?"
"Yes, Momma," Jina answered.
"That-a-girl," Akane said. "Let's go."
Shampoo cast glances at Mousse as she walked beside him. Weeks before, she hadn't been so nice to him, but started changing her attitude. After she found out that Akane was coming back for Kasumi's wedding, she went back once more to pursue Ranma. It didn't matter that Mousse defeated Ranma, for Shampoo knew that Ranma COULD challenge Mousse again. So she came to Ranma once again to plead with him to challenge Mousse. Ranma would win easily. Shampoo knew it. Ranma turned on her. He yelled all of the hateful things he'd kept inside for so long at her. His words sent her out, running, and who was there to comfort her? She cried into Mousse's shoulder. At that moment, she vowed never to look at Ranma that way again. Even if he desired her, Shampoo's heart would be closed to him from then on.
She was beginning to adore Mousse just as she had adored Ranma. Shampoo had finally given up on Ranma completely.
* * *
Author's note: All right. Chapter 4. I ended it just before Kasumi's wedding. Aren't I so nice? *Snickers mischievously* But it was getting to be a rather long chapter. I'm not sure if next chapter is as long. So how did you like it? Questions, comments? Review and e-mail, but flames will be deleted. Just to let people know, I like constructive criticism, but I can't stand people out there that just flame to make others feel bad. Oh, and to answer one of the reviewer's questions (although by now you probably know the answer) Ranma does not know that Akane was raped. He believes that she cheated on him. It wasn't her fault, but he believes it is, and will continue to believe that until Akane works up the courage to tell him. And we a saw a bit more of the jerk who did that to her, and I'm sure everyone's all waiting for him to get what he deserves. But honestly, does justice always work that way? We'll see. I'll update soon. See y'all later. Buhbye ^^ ~halliegirl~
Ranma no baka- Ranma you idiot
Gomen nasai- I'm sorry
Hai, Ranma? Nani desu ka?- Yes, Ranma? What is it?
Arigato- Thank you
reading what I enjoy writing. At least for the most part. Please keep giving me your opinions, because, I do look at these things and do a fair
amount of editing.
Here we go, another chapter. In this chapter I haven't been hit with a writer's block. Actually, that starts the end of chapter 5. Yep, I have a bunch of it written out already. (Don't kill me!) I very much so intend
to finish this fic, so I can start another one-shot, and possibly a new idea for a humorous chapter-fic. I'm tired of being so dark, dreary, and
serious. It's about time to lighten up!
But for now, enjoy and happy reading. As always, any comments and stuff, review or e-mail, but please no flames. Flames will be deleted, as always.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any of its characters.
Chapter 4
Kasumi brought up a tray to her father. She set it down at his side and propped him up to eat. "I made some soup for you, Father," she said gently. "It's such a shame that you had to be so ill for Akane's visit."
Quietly, Soun sipped the broth from the side of the bowl. Then he set it down. "Don't worry, Kasumi. I'm feeling better every day. Nothing ever kept this old man down!"
"Oh, Father," Kasumi sighed. "I hope so. I mean, I'm sure you miss Akane. Have you seen her yet?"
At those words, he went rigid. "Yes, Kasumi. She came in here earlier," he said quickly.
She smiled. "That's wonderful! Did she bring little Jina in? Father, she really is a little sweetheart."
"Yes, I'm sure she is, Kasumi. Maybe later I can see her. I wouldn't want to give my illness to her," he said.
"That's true," Kasumi agreed. "Well, I should go." She stood up to leave.
"Kasumi?"
"Yes?"
Soun swallowed hard. Nothing. Tell Akane that I'll see Jina soon enough. I know she asked you to tell me. And send her in. I need to talk to her."
"All right, Father. I will do that." She walked out.
Soun waited for what seemed like hours before someone knocked on the door again. "Come in," he called.
"D-Dad?" Are you sure you wanted to see me?" Akane poked her head in.
He motioned for her to approach him. "Akane, we haven't really spoken for years, and mostly, it's because of me. But I was angry. When you were unfaithful to Ranma, you tore our schools apart."
"Yes, I know, Dad," Akane said, hanging her head in shame. A tear fell down her cheek. 'Dad, if you only knew.'
"But don't feel bad, Akane. I know that you were you were young and inclined to make mistakes," Soun went on. "I had been angry but I know that you're still my little Akane." He looked up at her and changed into a living waterfall. "AKANE! PLEASE STAY! Please don't leave ever again," he wailed, grabbing a startled Akane by the shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Dad, but I won't be able to stay," Akane said softly. "I can't just throw away five years of life in California. I've come a long way."
"But, Akane! Stay with us! With me!" Soun begged. "I've missed you! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
She smiled sadly. "Yes, Dad, it means a lot to me, but I can't just leave and stay in Japan. People there are counting on me. I will visit more," she promised. "And you can visit me, too! Everyone!"
He brightened up a bit. "You would have enough room?"
She nodded. "I have an apartment, but it has an extra bedroom and the living room couch folds into a bed as well. I could sleep on the floor in Jina's room, allowing another bed for someone."
"Well, Akane, we wouldn't have any trouble sleeping on the floor," her father said. "I wouldn't want to put you out."
"Dad, you guys wouldn't put me out. You're family," Akane sighed. "I'd just be glad to see you."
"I really did miss you, Akane," Soun said softly.
For the first time, Akane felt truly happy being back in Japan. She smiled as tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh, Dad," she cried out. "I missed you, too! I'm so glad to se you!"
"I'm glad to see you, too," Soun said. "And when I'm feeling better, I'll want to see my little granddaughter." It was a start; a new beginning between him and Akane.
* * *
It was hot and humid today in San Francisco. Bill Richards hated hot and humid. It made him angrier still that he had wasted five years tracking that little witch down. Now he was here. What had thrown him off was he had been looking in the wrong country. She wasn't living in Japan anymore. She hadn't been for five years. Now that he knew that she wasn't, finding her was that much simpler. He wouldn't have spent all this time looking for her if she wasn't so different. She was different from all the others he'd taken. First off, she'd survived, and second, he couldn't get over how gorgeous she was, through and through. He'd heard form someone in Japan that she'd left her home for California because she found out that she was pregnant. Bill wanted her. And he knew without a doubt that the child had to be his. He was determined to find her and settle down. He was going to make her his and never look at another woman again. They would move to Canada and she would give him many more children.
How was he going to do this? That Tendo girl had no choice. She WOULD be his, or she would die. There would be no escaping this time. And the child? If Akane chose death over him, the child would suffer the exact same fate, whether it was his or not.
He crossed the street, and looked down at a paper in his hands. "This is the apartment building," he said to himself. He looked up at the sun. It was too bright out to begin his assault on Akane now. He wanted to wait until he caught her off guard. It would be easier to dominate her. He recalled how strong this woman had been. She'd delivered plenty of painful blows to his stomach that he had not anticipated, but he would be ready this time.
"Excuse me," a voice said. "But are you lost?"
Bill turned, face to face with a pretty auburn-haired girl who looked to be in her early twenties. "Excuse me, what?" He asked.
Her gray eyes widened with concern. "Are you new here? Are you lost? I live in this apartment. Do you need to make a call of some sort?"
A sly smile appeared on his lips, although the innocent girl didn't see it. "Well, that's very kind of you, but I'll be okay. I'll find where I'm going EVENTUALLY." He made sure to guilt her by emphasizing the 'eventually'.
"I insist! Where do you need to go?" She was already backing away from the building.
"Oh, I don't think it's too far from here. . . ." He figured that he hadn't found Akane yet, so in the meantime. . .
* * *
Jina sat beside her mother as they watched Ranma perform a kata. She looked up at Akane and watched her expressions. "Mommy what is he doing?"
"Well," Akane began, still watching him. "He's warming up to start practicing his martial arts."
"Oh," Jina said quietly. "Momma? Do you think you could teach me to talk like they do? I saw some kids playing. . . but. . ." Jina hung her head, and Akane instantly felt sorry for her child.
She placed an arm on Jina's shoulder. "You're lonely here, aren't you?" Baby, don't worry, we'll leave as soon as Kasumi's wedding is over. Why," she gasped. "It's only days away!"
Jina sniffled, leaning up against her mother. "Mommy, I don't like not talking to anybody!"
Akane ruffled her daughter's hair. She sighed, knowing how lonely Jina felt. But Jina was so young! It wasn't fair that she couldn't get to know her family because of the language differences! "Oh, Baby. . ." Akane made up her mind. Jina was going to learn how to speak Japanese. Even to speak it, so she could understand what they were trying to tell her. Then, Akane could teach her how to write it later. Jina was so smart that in a year's time, she may actually be able to learn some good phrases.
"What's wrong with Jina?" Ranma had stopped his kata and come over when he heard the sniffling.
Looking up from her daughter, Akane sighed. "She's homesick. Nobody here really knows any English."
"Oh," Ranma said. He poked the little girl playfully in the forehead. When she looked up, he smiled. Then, he had an idea. He extended a hand to Jina. When she took it, he swung her up over his shoulder and jumped to the roof. He could tell from the way she was laughing that Jina liked it. He jumped to a tree, getting more laughter from the child. Grinning, he threw her up in the air and caught her when he landed in front of Akane, who didn't look as pleased as her daughter did. "Uh, here, Akane," he said sheepishly, handing the girl over to her. "Gomen nasai."
"Ranma no baka," Akane said softly. "Arigato."
He smiled that smile, the one that always forced women into falling for him. "No problem, Akane," he replied.
"Momma, please don't be mad at Ranma," Jina pleaded.
"I'm not mad, Baby," Akane reassured Jina.
The little girl smiled up at Akane. She then gave Ranma a look of adoration. "Mommy, if I ever get a daddy, I want it to be Ranma," she said.
"We'll see, Jina," Akane replied, not wanting to answer Jina on that.
* * *
Days had passed too quickly for Kasumi. She was anxious to get married, but then again, she would have waited, just to have Akane and Jina there a while longer. She stood in front of a mirror and looked at her dress. She had chosen traditional clothes for her wedding. Her kimono was a soft rose- colored fabric with a pretty light pink sash tying around it. She had her hair up in a tight bun with pink clips holding it up.
A knock sounded on the door. In came .little Jina, dressed in a little white western-style dress. She was the most adorable thing Kasumi thought she'd ever laid her eyes on. Her mother, who was wearing a yellow pastel colored Chinese-style dress, followed Jina. Akane had her hair up in a mass of curls, the same as Jina. Kasumi idly wondered how long it took whoever did their hair to do that.
"Kasumi, you look beautiful!" Akane breathed.
"So do you, Akane," Kasumi said softly. "How did you get your hair to do that?"
"Do you want it like that, Kasumi? I can do it for you," Akane offered. "I did it rather quickly this morning."
Kasumi nodded eagerly. "And here I always thought that I would always be the expert of those things."
"You still are," Akane assured her as she took some heated pins and began twisting Kasumi's hair up into tight little buns. When she was finished, Kasumi's hair looked more like a cactus.
"These pins are heated?" Kasumi asked.
"Yep," Akane answered. She took out a curling iron, still hot, and curled Kasumi's long bangs to the side. Then she took all of the pins out. "Here, now brush your hair out and I'll pull it up into a high pony-tail," she said. After Kasumi had brushed it out, Akane put it up, and tied some flowers in it. "There," she said with satisfaction. "How do you like it?"
"Oh. . ." Kasumi breathed. "Oh, Akane, arigato!"
Her sister smiled. "Kasumi, it was nothing." Akane looked her over. "Hmm. . . I suppose, if you like it, I'll just tie these in." She took the pink clips and tucked them in behind Kasumi's ponytail. "There!"
The eldest Tendo sister smiled. "Thank you, Akane," she said softly. "It really is lovely."
"Well, I'll be seeing you in a while, then," Akane called out as she led Jina out of the room. "Stay put, I'll send Nabiki in."
"All right," Kasumi replied.
Once out, Akane found Ranma standing outside of Kasumi's room. "Don't think you're going to be sneaking in. No boys allowed! You'd only be in the way."
"Gee, thanks for setting that straight, Akane," Ranma replied sarcastically. He smiled down at Jina.
Akane giggled. "Come on, Ranma. Let's go and wait for Dr. Tofu to arrive."
"Actually, Akane, I asked Ryoga if he could watch over Jina," Ranma said. "I wanted to talk to you alone for awhile."
She nodded at him. Then, she turned to Jina. "Baby? Ranma and I want to talk for a little bit. Can you be a big girl and stay with Ryoga?"
"Yes, Momma," Jina answered. "Why? Is Ranma going to be my daddy? Please, Momma. I want him to be my daddy! Tell him that."
Sighing, Akane nodded. "We'll see, Jina," she said.
"Aww! Mom! We'll see means no! Momma, please!" Jina's pleading turned more frantic.
"Jina, I said we'll see," Akane scolded. "Behave yourself!"
Her daughter fell silent until she noticed Ryoga sitting with Ukyo. "Hi, Ryoga," the child said brightly.
"Hello," he answered in English.
"Ryoga, please don't get lost," Akane said in Japanese. "Ukyo, you'll stay with him, right?"
"Of course!" Ukyo giggled. "Do you think I'd let my Ryoga-honey go?"
"Oh, hello, Ranma, Akane," Dr. Tofu greeted as he stepped in. "Is Kasumi ready?"
The youngest Tendo sister shook her head. "You can't see her yet, you big silly!"
"Akane, are you coming?" Ranma folded his arms.
She turned to Dr. Tofu. "I have to go. Stay here with Ryoga. He's the only one who knows what Jina's saying, so if you could stay and help out. . ."
The chiropractor nodded. "Sure, Akane."
"Arigato! Ranma, I'm coming," Akane called.
He waited for her. "Akane, I've been thinking all this time you've been here," he started. He held out his hand to Akane. "Come with me."
She looked into Ranma's blue-gray eyes. "All right," she said, taking his hand.
Ranma picked her carefully up. He jumped from roof to roof until he felt that they were far enough away from everyone to be alone. "Now that we're alone, Akane. . ." Ranma's eyes met hers and stayed that way for awhile, making them both blush.
"Hai, Ranma? Nani desu ka?" Akane unconsciously took Ranma's hand and squeezed it.
"Akane, gomen nasai. I'm sorry for everything. I just wanted you to know that, Akane." He looked away.
She sighed. "Ranma, I really missed you. I dreaded seeing you, through. Because of what happened, things had gotten so mixed up. . . I hadn't forgotten you."
He put his hands on her shoulders. "Akane, I never forgot about you, either," he said. "Never. . ."
"Ranma. . . I wish I could tell you," Akane sighed.
"Tell me what?" Ranma asked softly. "Akane?"
Tears stung her eyes. "I can't tell you." Another opportunity blown.
He decided to drop it. Instead, he pressed something else. "Akane, when you left for California, did you love me?" He waited for a while, then looked at her when she hadn't answered. "I loved you, Akane. To be honest, I didn't want you to leave. I wanted to tell you then, but couldn't. It was a pride ting."
She tried to speak but choked on a sob. She finally managed something. "I denied it for the longest time! Hai, I loved you, Ranma!"
"And I still love you now," he finished.
Akane couldn't help it. The tears spilled down her cheeks, and she couldn't stop it. "I still love you, too, Ranma! But I thought you hated me after what happened!"
"Come here," Ranma whispered, and drew her close. "Never! I could never hate you! I just couldn't understand. Now, though, I can move on." He pulled away. "When you go back, don't forget me now. And maybe next time, well, we can go on a date or something."
She smiled. "I'd like that. But if you're not busy tonight. . ." Akane added. "Tonight I'll put Jina to bed and no one will be around, maybe I could cook you supper."
All of a sudden, Ranma panicked. He was so close to starting over with Akane! Why did she have to do this now? "Uh, well, we could order takeout," Ranma suggested quickly.
She looked hurt. "You haven't seen me for this long and still you won't even try my cooking?"
He sighed. "Yeah, I'll give it a try."
"Please don't sound so enthusiastic," Akane muttered sarcastically.
"I'll try not to," Ranma retorted.
"You're such a jerk!" Akane scowled at him, but then softened her look. "But I'm so glad to see you."
He smiled. "Let's go back, huh? I'll bet Jina misses you."
Now it was Akane's turn to smile. "Oh, I'm sure she misses you, too. After all, she's bent on having a father, and you seem to be her choice for the role."
"Really?" Ranma laughed. "Well, I don't know about that, but let's go." He picked Akane up and headed back to the dojo. He set her down and just as they were about to enter, Ranma heard something. "Akane, what was that?"
"Mrow?"
"Aaaagh!" Ranma jumped into Akane's arms.
Akane looked down to see a very familiar face looking up at her through feline eyes. "Shampoo?"
"SHAMPOO! Where are you?" Mousse burst out of the bushes not wearing his glasses. He spotted Akane. "There you are!" He glomped onto Akane.
Not about to let Mousse stay that way, Ranma punched him in the face. "Put those damned glasses on for once!"
"Saotome? Where's Shampoo?" Mousse let go and put his glasses on.
The cat jumped into Mousse's arms. "Mew!"
"Here, Shampoo," Mousse said softly, pouring a kettle of hot water on the cat. He pulled out a dress and covered her with the fabric.
"Thank you, Mousse," Shampoo said as she clung to him. "I hope we not late," she added. "You have present, yes? Why, hello, Akane! I hoped you come!"
Akane set Ranma down and looked at him with confusion. "H-hello, Shampoo."
"We go, Mousse?" Shampoo giggled. "I put dress on first! Take me to changing room!"
Mousse nodded. "Okay, Shampoo." They both went inside.
"Akane, why so surprised?" Ranma asked.
She was silent for a moment. "Ranma, Mousse and Shampoo? How did that happen?"
He looked past Akane. "It was soon after you left. For a year, I didn't train at all, whereas Ryoga and Mousse trained extra hard. Mousse challenged me, and since I hadn't trained, he defeated me, although barely. That gave him the opportunity to challenge Shampoo. He did, and defeated her, with ease. I was glad, though. Soon after, Ryoga challenged me also. He did it to vent out his anger on me. Of course, he beat me as well, and by this time Shampoo and Mousse were engaged. Shampoo didn't want to be engaged to him at first, but later on, she began realizing the type of guy he was, and the type of guy I wasn't, I guess. I don't think she so much as glances at me anymore."
Akane looked at him. "You don't seem too disappointed."
"No. Not at all," Ranma answered. "I'd only wished that it would've happened before you left." He looked away.
"Oh, Ranma," Akane sighed.
He turned back to her. "Heh, heh. . . Well, we can't worry about the past now, can we?" He said lightly. "I could have challenged Mousse and kicked his butt easily, but that would mean that his engagement to Shampoo would be null and she'd go after me again. Why would I do that?"
"I don't know," Akane said.
"I'd never want any girl but you, Akane," Ranma quietly admitted. "I didn't expect to ever be with anyone again."
Tears filled her eyes. "Because of me? Oh, Ranma, I'm sorry."
The pigtailed martial artist smiled. "It's okay, Akane," he said softly, brushing his thumb up on her soft cheek, smoothing away a fallen tear. His fingers were rough from his years of harsh living, but were soothing to Akane with their gentle touch. He had all this strength at his disposal, but handled her as if she were a delicate porcelain doll. "Don't cry."
Akane marveled at this. It had always been this way. She had seen what men COULD do with their power, the way that man had forced himself on her, and then she saw how Ranma was. "How did Ukyo and Ryoga end up together?" She asked, changing the subject on her mind. She'd told herself over and over not to think about that evil man. Jina luckily didn't share many features with the man, which Akane was glad for. The only true defining feature of her daughter was her hair. It was bright blonde, just like her father's. The rest, Akane saw the Tendo in her. She had Akane's cute facial features, Kasumi's gentle eyes, and Nabiki's brilliant mind.
His answer knocked Akane out of her thoughts. "Well, I finally got fed up with everything after Ryoga beat me and left to train harder than I ever did before. Ucchan tried to follow me, but I told her that I was not taking her with me, and I told her that I ended the engagement right then. I told her the truth. I FORCED her to hear me out. I wanted to be alone. I became a traveler. A wanderer, a loner, like Ryoga, except minus the part about being lost the whole time."
"And minus the part about the pig."
Ranma gulped. "Y-you KNOW about that?!"
She giggled. "Yep. Poor Ranma. You're too noble to even expose your rival's biggest secrets."
He sighed. "Well, Ryoga and I are rivals," he said. "But we're also friends." Ranma paused a moment. Then he cleared his throat. "Anyway, the way I heard it, Ryoga got lost and stumbled into Ucchan's. He ended up staying there a while and soon, I found out that they were dating. Now, he doesn't stay there, but Ukyo's kept him there the past few days before the wedding. Sometimes Ukyo goes with Ryoga on his training trips, just to make sure he doesn't get lost." Ranma chuckled. "They are a match made in Heaven, don't you think? They really care about each other, huh?"
"Yeah, they sure do," Akane answered him. "Speaking of them, let's see how, or where they are with Jina."
He nodded and opened the door for Akane. "Here you go."
"Arigato," Akane said as she passed through the doorway. She saw Ukyo and Jina sitting there, but Ryoga was missing. "Hi, Ukyo," Akane greeted.
The okanomiyaki chef looked relieved. "Good, now I can find Ryoga! He went to the kitchen and got lost from there." She rose and left to find him.
"Momma!" Jina hugged her mother.
The pigtailed martial artist smiled as he watched the mother and daughter. His heart softened at seeing the two of them together. Akane seemed like a good mother. "Hey you two," he said. "Let's go."
Akane nodded. "Jina, are you ready for Kasumi's wedding?"
"Yes, Momma," Jina answered.
"That-a-girl," Akane said. "Let's go."
Shampoo cast glances at Mousse as she walked beside him. Weeks before, she hadn't been so nice to him, but started changing her attitude. After she found out that Akane was coming back for Kasumi's wedding, she went back once more to pursue Ranma. It didn't matter that Mousse defeated Ranma, for Shampoo knew that Ranma COULD challenge Mousse again. So she came to Ranma once again to plead with him to challenge Mousse. Ranma would win easily. Shampoo knew it. Ranma turned on her. He yelled all of the hateful things he'd kept inside for so long at her. His words sent her out, running, and who was there to comfort her? She cried into Mousse's shoulder. At that moment, she vowed never to look at Ranma that way again. Even if he desired her, Shampoo's heart would be closed to him from then on.
She was beginning to adore Mousse just as she had adored Ranma. Shampoo had finally given up on Ranma completely.
* * *
Author's note: All right. Chapter 4. I ended it just before Kasumi's wedding. Aren't I so nice? *Snickers mischievously* But it was getting to be a rather long chapter. I'm not sure if next chapter is as long. So how did you like it? Questions, comments? Review and e-mail, but flames will be deleted. Just to let people know, I like constructive criticism, but I can't stand people out there that just flame to make others feel bad. Oh, and to answer one of the reviewer's questions (although by now you probably know the answer) Ranma does not know that Akane was raped. He believes that she cheated on him. It wasn't her fault, but he believes it is, and will continue to believe that until Akane works up the courage to tell him. And we a saw a bit more of the jerk who did that to her, and I'm sure everyone's all waiting for him to get what he deserves. But honestly, does justice always work that way? We'll see. I'll update soon. See y'all later. Buhbye ^^ ~halliegirl~
Ranma no baka- Ranma you idiot
Gomen nasai- I'm sorry
Hai, Ranma? Nani desu ka?- Yes, Ranma? What is it?
Arigato- Thank you
