Well here we are, another chapter. Thank you very much for all of your
reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter (although I hated typing it
over and over). Anyways here is the new chapter, (late but as promised).
Sorry, please forgive!
^^;;
Disclaimer: Much as I wish I did, I do not own Ranma 1/2 or Hamtaro.
Chapter 6
"So, Dad, you want to visit, then?" Akane said, grinning from ear to ear. "That would make me so happy!"
Soun Tendo nodded. "Yes. If you have the room."
"I'm flying with you home, though," Ranma said. "I need to check a few things out in California. Do you have an extra room for a couple days?"
"Of course, Ranma," Akane answered. She smiled. "Would you be ready to leave tomorrow, though?"
He jerked a thumb back at his room. "My stuff's as good as packed."
"All right," Akane said. "Then we'll leave tomorrow. If you have tickets and a passport."
"Yep."
Her eyes narrowed at him. "You planned this and just assumed I'd go along with this, didn't you?"
"Heh, heh, well it wasn't exactly like that," Ranma said nervously. "See you in the morning!"
"You jerk!" The concrete brick slammed into the wall, just narrowly missing Ranma as he made his quick exit.
* * *
The good-byes weren't nearly as long this time as the first time Akane left for California. It would be less than two months and Soun would be visiting Akane. Also, Ranma was leaving with her.
Surprisingly, the plane ride wasn't as long, either. Once back in San Francisco, they walked the few blocks from the airport to the apartment complex.
"You know, I'll have to show you around the city," Akane had been saying to Ranma as she pressed the elevator button. "It's such a nice city. Full of so much history, and pride. . ." She had gotten her keys out, trying to unlock the door. "Hmm. . . that's funny."
"Nani?" Ranma asked.
"Oh, I just thought that I'd locked the door," Akane explained, turning the handle. She opened the door, and nearly collapsed on Ranma at the sight of her apartment. "Oh, my God. . ." It had been completely trashed.
Ranma frowned. "Someone was just in here. Within the past few hours. . ." He had his arm around Akane, to keep her from collapsing entirely to the floor.
"Momma?" Jina hadn't seen the place yet.
"Jina, let's go," Akane said, almost in a panic. "We're going to Bev's," she said, taking her daughter forcefully by the arm, leaving Ranma to close the door and follow.
Once inside the car, Akane drove to Beverly's. She hadn't said anything. It remained quiet until they arrived at Beverly's. Ranma stayed outside while Akane brought Jina into the daycare. It only took her minutes to come back out. She sat down in the car and Ranma looked at her. Then, Akane burst into tears. Ranma sat there quietly beside her. Finally, he reached over and pulled her against his side. "Let's go clean it up, huh?" He said gently.
"I don't understand," she managed.
"You're too upset to drive like this," Ranma said quietly. "I'm driving. Then we can clean your place up and see what's missing."
She sniffled. "N-no. . . I'm calling the authorities!"
He slipped out of the passenger's seat and helped Akane out of the driver's seat. "Then we'll do that once we get back." He sat down in the driver's seat and started the car. It took only minutes for them to get back. Ranma waited patiently while Akane called the police. When they arrived, Ranma almost laughed. He didn't know which was more pathetic, the cop that had a beer belly or the cop that had a donut belly. 'No wonder they call this the land of the free,' he thought to himself. 'As long as you could fun fast for a block, you could practically get away with murder! Just sad.' He smirked.
One of the cops caught his smirk and glared at him. Say, what's the big idea, punk?"
"He doesn't speak English," Akane interjected.
The cop leaned over and whispered to his partner, "I'd swear that guy was laughing at us!"
"Just ignore him. He don't even speak English, anyway," his partner answered. He then turned back to Akane. "So, have you had had any recent incidents that may have lead up to this?"
Akane shook her head. "No. I've just come home from a trip to Japan and my friend, Ranma here, came with me to visit."
"Well, we'll keep a lookout for anything suspicious. Here's our card, and we'll file this report," the officer said, leaving with his partner.
She watched them go. "Well, nothing was missing," she said to Ranma. "But it doesn't make sense! Why would someone break in just to ransack the place?"
"It doesn't add up," Ranma agreed. "Is there something you missed?"
"No," Akane said, shaking her head. "I'm sure of it. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again. And maybe the police will come up with something."
He snorted. "I doubt it. Those butter-bellies? The only thing they're good at is stuffing their faces."
"Sounds familiar, hmm?" Akane retorted.
"HEY!" Ranma shouted defensively, but calmed down when he saw her smiling. "At least you're cheered up a bit."
She nodded. "Arigato, Ranma."
"Let's get this place cleaned up, huh? Then we can get Jina." He put a hand on Akane's shoulder, and she smiled and nodded in agreement. In no time at all, they had the place fixed up considerably.
"If you would like, I could order a pizza tonight," Akane suggested as they finished putting her books back on the shelf. When she didn't receive an answer from Ranma, she came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Ranma? What is it? What's wrong?"
"You kept it," he whispered.
"I kept what?" Akane asked.
Ranma showed her the picture that had fallen out of an album he had been placing back on the shelf. It was the picture that Jina had found the one day that Akane had dropped the pictures on the floor. It was the picture of Akane hugging Ranma on her seventeenth birthday. "You kept this one?"
Her face flushed pink. "Hai," she whispered.
His eyes met hers, and he stood, setting the picture on the shelf. Ranma then smiled gently at Akane and took out his wallet. He pulled out his own copy of the same picture and showed it to her. "So did I," he said softly. "So, do you still have that locket?"
"I do, and I keep it in a very special place," Akane answered him with a secretive smile. "Under my pillow."
"Really?" Ranma asked, smiling hopefully.
"Nope," Akane giggled. "But starting tonight I will. She went to her jewelry box and took out the precious locket to show Ranma. "I'll put it there right now."
He stopped her. "I'd rather see it somewhere else, anyway." Ranma took the locket from Akane's hand and fastened it around her neck. "There, it almost makes you look cute." He stuck his tongue out playfully at her.
"Ranma no baka!" Akane punched him lightly in the shoulder. "So, you never answered me. How does pizza sound?"
* * *
"Yum! Momma, I like cheese pizza the best," Jina said between bites. It was hours later, and they were now all sitting on the couch watching movies. They were watching one of Jina's that she picked to watch before bedtime. So far it was her favorite movie.
"So, what's the hamster's name, Akane? I never paid attention to this show back home," Ranma said.
"His name is Hamtaro, you dummy," Akane answered.
"Well, Hamtaro's MY kind of hamster," Ranma joked. Then he added, "And who's the dummy, dummy?" He was more interested in teasing Akane because he couldn't understand a word of this show since it was English dubbed.
Finally, it ended, with Jina asleep on Ranma's side. Ranma was asleep as well, and snoring. Akane chuckled and bent over to pick Jina up, but Ranma woke up and stopped her. "Nah, don't, Akane. Let her sleep like this. Otherwise you'll wake her up."
"If you don't mind sleeping out here," Akane said.
"Go to bed, Akane. I'll be good out here." He yawned and settled himself more comfortably.
She took a blanket and covered them both. "Good night, then, Ranma," she said.
"'Night, Akane," he replied.
She got ready for bed and lay awake for what seemed like hours. Akane was still puzzled about the apartment ransacking. 'I wonder what kind of nut was in here,' she thought to herself. It made her uneasy. 'Could it be. . . him?' She shook her head. 'No! He hasn't found me! He couldn't-' Her thoughts were interrupted as her window slid open. She sat straight up and watched in alarm as a foot stepped in. "Oh no you don't!" She shouted and grabbed a kendo stick lying on the floor in her room. She hit the person's leg hard enough to crack the kendo stick.
The person lifted himself into the window fully. His face was revealed in the moonlight. It was a face Akane had hoped she'd never see again. "Hello, Akane."
"Y-you. . . BASTARD!" Akane was filled with rage as she tackled into him. She wondered why Ranma hadn't heard her. "RANMA!! HELP!!!" She swung the kendo stick at him and it broke completely. He grabbed her and forced her down on the floor. "Ranma. . ." She gasped. "Ranma. . . please. . . no. . . don't let it happen again. . ."
"Hey, Akane, wake up!" Ranma was standing over her. "You okay? Did you need something? And why are you on the floor?"
"The window!" Akane shrieked.
He went over to her window. "You need air? Here, I'll open it." He tried to lift it. "It's bolted shut, Akane, sorry. Is there anything I can get you?"
'It was just a dream. JUST a dream.' It took her a few minutes to slow her heart. "I-it was a nightmare? I-I must have fallen off my bed."
"I heard you call me when I got up to get a drink of water," Ranma said. "Thought maybe you wanted something. So. . . What was the nightmare about?"
"I-I. . . Was falling," Akane lied.
He nodded. "Don't you just hate those dreams? Well, good night, Akane." The door shut behind him.
She shakily stood and sat down on her bed. "I haven't had a dream like that for a few years now. Why am I having this nightmare again?" She wished that she knew the guy's name. If she knew his name, he'd be behind bars, and she wouldn't have these fears and insecurities. He knew her name, because he had stolen her nametag. 'Will he be able to find me?" She lay back and forced herself to sleep.
* * *
"Momma," Jina said as she tried to awaken her mother.
"Hmm?" Akane turned over in her sleep.
"Akane?" Ranma shook her.
"All right," she growled. "I'm UP!" Akane yawned and sat up. She groggily went into the kitchen to fix something for breakfast. "I almost miss the days when I couldn't cook," Ranma heard her grumble. "At least then I wouldn't have to cook. Everyone was afraid of dying." She came out a couple minutes later with two plates of scrambled eggs and toast. "Sorry, nothing fancy this morning," she apologized to Ranma. "I'm too tired to worry about anything hard to cook."
"Don't worry about it," Ranma said, accepting the food politely. "This is great." He was finished within moments.
Jina grinned slyly at her mother. "Momma, could Ranma take me swimming today?"
Her mother sighed. "I don't think so, Baby. He has things to do in town."
The child pouted. "It's not fair!"
He came over to them both and patted Jina on the head, causing her to smile, despite her disappointment. "Well, may I use the bathroom? I was going to take a bath and go sightseeing today."
Just then, the phone rang, and Akane answered it. "Oh, hi, Mrs. Saotome!"
Ranma's head perked up. "That's Mom? She's calling? Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no you weren't interrupting! Ranma, Jina, and I were-" She was interrupted when Ranma took the phone from her.
"Yeah, Mom! I was just going to check out some sights!" Ranma laughed nervously. "Hey, we gotta go. Yeah, I'll call later. 'Bye, Mom!"
As soon as Ranma hung up, Akane crossed her arms. "And what was THAT all about?!"
"Mom doesn't know anything about Jina, Akane," Ranma explained. "It wouldn't be good for her right now if she found out the real reason our engagement was ended. She hasn't been well the past few months."
"Is that why she missed Kasumi's wedding?" Akane asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, she was looking forward to going, too, but then she got sick."
She sighed. "I'm sorry, Ranma. You must be so worried. I still wish that I could have seen her. If I had known, I would have gone to visit her."
"Yeah, well I'm heading into the shower," Ranma said suddenly.
"Okay," Akane answered. "Here, I'll get you a towel. And a washcloth," she said. The door to the bathroom was already shut. "Ranma, I have a washcloth and towel for you," Akane called, opening the door. She saw Ranma had taken his shirt off and blushed, looking away. "Oh, sorry!"
She was about to shut the door when Ranma grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. "You have to know the real reason I came here with you," he whispered. The day you came, I got a passport to come back with you. I didn't want to ever be that far away from you again. The way you left that day, Akane," he continued, the pain raw in his voice, "I knew the moment I saw you again that we couldn't part that way again."
"Ranma. . ." Akane said, reaching up and touching his face with her hand.
"Momma?" Jina poked her head in.
Akane pushed away from Ranma, shoving the towel and washcloth into his arms, and snapped, "Jina! You know you should knock!" Then, she sighed. "There are your towels, Ranma."
"Thanks," Ranma said flatly. Another chance with Akane, ruined. He waited until the door was shut and then slipped out of his slacks and stepped into the shower.
* * *
A loud snore woke Ukyo up. She chuckled and shook Ryoga. "You dummy! You woke me up!"
"Oh, sorry, Ukyo." Ryoga opened his eyes and looked at her.
Her eyes met his. "It's fine." Then, she was silent. Finally, she sat up in bed. "I suppose I had better open the restaurant." She stood up and wrapped herself in a bathrobe. "I'm sure people are hungry."
"Ukyo? You've been acting really strangely, ever since Ranma and Akane left." Ryoga sat up in bed. "What is it?"
She sat down. "Well, I just wonder. Ryoga, I wish Ran-chan happiness, you know that. Just as you wish the same for Akane. But Akane will never admit the truth to him, and Ranma's just as stubborn. Do you think they'll ever find happiness?"
"Ranma's changed, Ukyo, much as I hate to admit it," Ryoga said. "Even if Akane doesn't admit to anything, he does love her. I think the best thing to do is let it alone and give it time."
"I suppose," Ukyo replied uncertainly. "Well, I guess we should get ready, Sugar."
* * *
"Damn that woman," Bill Richards hissed as he watched Akane leave with the pigtailed man and her daughter. 'The daughter that should be MINE, too.' His thoughts plagued him. "Well, as soon as that guy is gone, Akane Tendo, you are mine!" He had been watching that pigtailed man, and it was clear that he was a master of martial arts as well as Bill was. It was actually during one of his training trips in Japan that he had first seen Akane, and had watched her from a distance. He had studied her, picked her from the rest. A feisty, powerful woman was what he desired. Akane was that, powerful and feisty enough, but no match for William Richards. The only one he saw with Akane that possibly posed a threat to him, was that pigtailed man. That was why he had waited until he could take her alone. It took him years to track her down, and he had finally found her apartment. Unfortunately, she was gone when he first entered it. In a fit of rage, he tore the place up, which was probably not a good idea, considering the amount of attention it drew. A squad car pulled up beside his. "Good day, officer."
"You've been parked here for a long time, Sir. Are you waiting for someone?" The officer looked at him suspiciously.
Bill smiled. "I was, but it seems that they couldn't make their appointment. I will be leaving now. I am sorry to have been parked here for so long."
"It's quite all right," the cop said. "Normally, the security here wouldn't be so tight if not for that incident the other day."
"'Incident'?" Bill feigned ignorance.
The cop nodded. "Yeah, a woman's apartment was ransacked, but there are no suspects so far. And the strangest thing is that nothing was stolen. Still, it's unsettling."
"How stupid can people get?" Bill pretended to sigh. So far the cop was buying his act. "Sorry to have troubled you, officer. I don't want to get in the way of your manhunt, so I'll be leaving. I'll have to give my friend a call later. Good luck in finding the guy," he said, turning his car on.
"Good day to you, and thanks," the policeman said. After he watched Bill drive away, he picked up the radio. "No strange activity here so far," he reported.
* * *
Author's note: YAY! I'm not dead! Sorry (really I am) for the long wait. D'oh! And it wasn't even a very long chapter! Oh well, I still hope it was somewhat worth the wait. Let me know how you all liked it. Review or e-mail me (although knowing me I'll get the reviews first). I'll see y'all soon. Until next time, take care. --halliegirl
Nani- What
Arigato- Thank you
Hai- Yes
Sorry, please forgive!
^^;;
Disclaimer: Much as I wish I did, I do not own Ranma 1/2 or Hamtaro.
Chapter 6
"So, Dad, you want to visit, then?" Akane said, grinning from ear to ear. "That would make me so happy!"
Soun Tendo nodded. "Yes. If you have the room."
"I'm flying with you home, though," Ranma said. "I need to check a few things out in California. Do you have an extra room for a couple days?"
"Of course, Ranma," Akane answered. She smiled. "Would you be ready to leave tomorrow, though?"
He jerked a thumb back at his room. "My stuff's as good as packed."
"All right," Akane said. "Then we'll leave tomorrow. If you have tickets and a passport."
"Yep."
Her eyes narrowed at him. "You planned this and just assumed I'd go along with this, didn't you?"
"Heh, heh, well it wasn't exactly like that," Ranma said nervously. "See you in the morning!"
"You jerk!" The concrete brick slammed into the wall, just narrowly missing Ranma as he made his quick exit.
* * *
The good-byes weren't nearly as long this time as the first time Akane left for California. It would be less than two months and Soun would be visiting Akane. Also, Ranma was leaving with her.
Surprisingly, the plane ride wasn't as long, either. Once back in San Francisco, they walked the few blocks from the airport to the apartment complex.
"You know, I'll have to show you around the city," Akane had been saying to Ranma as she pressed the elevator button. "It's such a nice city. Full of so much history, and pride. . ." She had gotten her keys out, trying to unlock the door. "Hmm. . . that's funny."
"Nani?" Ranma asked.
"Oh, I just thought that I'd locked the door," Akane explained, turning the handle. She opened the door, and nearly collapsed on Ranma at the sight of her apartment. "Oh, my God. . ." It had been completely trashed.
Ranma frowned. "Someone was just in here. Within the past few hours. . ." He had his arm around Akane, to keep her from collapsing entirely to the floor.
"Momma?" Jina hadn't seen the place yet.
"Jina, let's go," Akane said, almost in a panic. "We're going to Bev's," she said, taking her daughter forcefully by the arm, leaving Ranma to close the door and follow.
Once inside the car, Akane drove to Beverly's. She hadn't said anything. It remained quiet until they arrived at Beverly's. Ranma stayed outside while Akane brought Jina into the daycare. It only took her minutes to come back out. She sat down in the car and Ranma looked at her. Then, Akane burst into tears. Ranma sat there quietly beside her. Finally, he reached over and pulled her against his side. "Let's go clean it up, huh?" He said gently.
"I don't understand," she managed.
"You're too upset to drive like this," Ranma said quietly. "I'm driving. Then we can clean your place up and see what's missing."
She sniffled. "N-no. . . I'm calling the authorities!"
He slipped out of the passenger's seat and helped Akane out of the driver's seat. "Then we'll do that once we get back." He sat down in the driver's seat and started the car. It took only minutes for them to get back. Ranma waited patiently while Akane called the police. When they arrived, Ranma almost laughed. He didn't know which was more pathetic, the cop that had a beer belly or the cop that had a donut belly. 'No wonder they call this the land of the free,' he thought to himself. 'As long as you could fun fast for a block, you could practically get away with murder! Just sad.' He smirked.
One of the cops caught his smirk and glared at him. Say, what's the big idea, punk?"
"He doesn't speak English," Akane interjected.
The cop leaned over and whispered to his partner, "I'd swear that guy was laughing at us!"
"Just ignore him. He don't even speak English, anyway," his partner answered. He then turned back to Akane. "So, have you had had any recent incidents that may have lead up to this?"
Akane shook her head. "No. I've just come home from a trip to Japan and my friend, Ranma here, came with me to visit."
"Well, we'll keep a lookout for anything suspicious. Here's our card, and we'll file this report," the officer said, leaving with his partner.
She watched them go. "Well, nothing was missing," she said to Ranma. "But it doesn't make sense! Why would someone break in just to ransack the place?"
"It doesn't add up," Ranma agreed. "Is there something you missed?"
"No," Akane said, shaking her head. "I'm sure of it. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again. And maybe the police will come up with something."
He snorted. "I doubt it. Those butter-bellies? The only thing they're good at is stuffing their faces."
"Sounds familiar, hmm?" Akane retorted.
"HEY!" Ranma shouted defensively, but calmed down when he saw her smiling. "At least you're cheered up a bit."
She nodded. "Arigato, Ranma."
"Let's get this place cleaned up, huh? Then we can get Jina." He put a hand on Akane's shoulder, and she smiled and nodded in agreement. In no time at all, they had the place fixed up considerably.
"If you would like, I could order a pizza tonight," Akane suggested as they finished putting her books back on the shelf. When she didn't receive an answer from Ranma, she came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Ranma? What is it? What's wrong?"
"You kept it," he whispered.
"I kept what?" Akane asked.
Ranma showed her the picture that had fallen out of an album he had been placing back on the shelf. It was the picture that Jina had found the one day that Akane had dropped the pictures on the floor. It was the picture of Akane hugging Ranma on her seventeenth birthday. "You kept this one?"
Her face flushed pink. "Hai," she whispered.
His eyes met hers, and he stood, setting the picture on the shelf. Ranma then smiled gently at Akane and took out his wallet. He pulled out his own copy of the same picture and showed it to her. "So did I," he said softly. "So, do you still have that locket?"
"I do, and I keep it in a very special place," Akane answered him with a secretive smile. "Under my pillow."
"Really?" Ranma asked, smiling hopefully.
"Nope," Akane giggled. "But starting tonight I will. She went to her jewelry box and took out the precious locket to show Ranma. "I'll put it there right now."
He stopped her. "I'd rather see it somewhere else, anyway." Ranma took the locket from Akane's hand and fastened it around her neck. "There, it almost makes you look cute." He stuck his tongue out playfully at her.
"Ranma no baka!" Akane punched him lightly in the shoulder. "So, you never answered me. How does pizza sound?"
* * *
"Yum! Momma, I like cheese pizza the best," Jina said between bites. It was hours later, and they were now all sitting on the couch watching movies. They were watching one of Jina's that she picked to watch before bedtime. So far it was her favorite movie.
"So, what's the hamster's name, Akane? I never paid attention to this show back home," Ranma said.
"His name is Hamtaro, you dummy," Akane answered.
"Well, Hamtaro's MY kind of hamster," Ranma joked. Then he added, "And who's the dummy, dummy?" He was more interested in teasing Akane because he couldn't understand a word of this show since it was English dubbed.
Finally, it ended, with Jina asleep on Ranma's side. Ranma was asleep as well, and snoring. Akane chuckled and bent over to pick Jina up, but Ranma woke up and stopped her. "Nah, don't, Akane. Let her sleep like this. Otherwise you'll wake her up."
"If you don't mind sleeping out here," Akane said.
"Go to bed, Akane. I'll be good out here." He yawned and settled himself more comfortably.
She took a blanket and covered them both. "Good night, then, Ranma," she said.
"'Night, Akane," he replied.
She got ready for bed and lay awake for what seemed like hours. Akane was still puzzled about the apartment ransacking. 'I wonder what kind of nut was in here,' she thought to herself. It made her uneasy. 'Could it be. . . him?' She shook her head. 'No! He hasn't found me! He couldn't-' Her thoughts were interrupted as her window slid open. She sat straight up and watched in alarm as a foot stepped in. "Oh no you don't!" She shouted and grabbed a kendo stick lying on the floor in her room. She hit the person's leg hard enough to crack the kendo stick.
The person lifted himself into the window fully. His face was revealed in the moonlight. It was a face Akane had hoped she'd never see again. "Hello, Akane."
"Y-you. . . BASTARD!" Akane was filled with rage as she tackled into him. She wondered why Ranma hadn't heard her. "RANMA!! HELP!!!" She swung the kendo stick at him and it broke completely. He grabbed her and forced her down on the floor. "Ranma. . ." She gasped. "Ranma. . . please. . . no. . . don't let it happen again. . ."
"Hey, Akane, wake up!" Ranma was standing over her. "You okay? Did you need something? And why are you on the floor?"
"The window!" Akane shrieked.
He went over to her window. "You need air? Here, I'll open it." He tried to lift it. "It's bolted shut, Akane, sorry. Is there anything I can get you?"
'It was just a dream. JUST a dream.' It took her a few minutes to slow her heart. "I-it was a nightmare? I-I must have fallen off my bed."
"I heard you call me when I got up to get a drink of water," Ranma said. "Thought maybe you wanted something. So. . . What was the nightmare about?"
"I-I. . . Was falling," Akane lied.
He nodded. "Don't you just hate those dreams? Well, good night, Akane." The door shut behind him.
She shakily stood and sat down on her bed. "I haven't had a dream like that for a few years now. Why am I having this nightmare again?" She wished that she knew the guy's name. If she knew his name, he'd be behind bars, and she wouldn't have these fears and insecurities. He knew her name, because he had stolen her nametag. 'Will he be able to find me?" She lay back and forced herself to sleep.
* * *
"Momma," Jina said as she tried to awaken her mother.
"Hmm?" Akane turned over in her sleep.
"Akane?" Ranma shook her.
"All right," she growled. "I'm UP!" Akane yawned and sat up. She groggily went into the kitchen to fix something for breakfast. "I almost miss the days when I couldn't cook," Ranma heard her grumble. "At least then I wouldn't have to cook. Everyone was afraid of dying." She came out a couple minutes later with two plates of scrambled eggs and toast. "Sorry, nothing fancy this morning," she apologized to Ranma. "I'm too tired to worry about anything hard to cook."
"Don't worry about it," Ranma said, accepting the food politely. "This is great." He was finished within moments.
Jina grinned slyly at her mother. "Momma, could Ranma take me swimming today?"
Her mother sighed. "I don't think so, Baby. He has things to do in town."
The child pouted. "It's not fair!"
He came over to them both and patted Jina on the head, causing her to smile, despite her disappointment. "Well, may I use the bathroom? I was going to take a bath and go sightseeing today."
Just then, the phone rang, and Akane answered it. "Oh, hi, Mrs. Saotome!"
Ranma's head perked up. "That's Mom? She's calling? Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no you weren't interrupting! Ranma, Jina, and I were-" She was interrupted when Ranma took the phone from her.
"Yeah, Mom! I was just going to check out some sights!" Ranma laughed nervously. "Hey, we gotta go. Yeah, I'll call later. 'Bye, Mom!"
As soon as Ranma hung up, Akane crossed her arms. "And what was THAT all about?!"
"Mom doesn't know anything about Jina, Akane," Ranma explained. "It wouldn't be good for her right now if she found out the real reason our engagement was ended. She hasn't been well the past few months."
"Is that why she missed Kasumi's wedding?" Akane asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, she was looking forward to going, too, but then she got sick."
She sighed. "I'm sorry, Ranma. You must be so worried. I still wish that I could have seen her. If I had known, I would have gone to visit her."
"Yeah, well I'm heading into the shower," Ranma said suddenly.
"Okay," Akane answered. "Here, I'll get you a towel. And a washcloth," she said. The door to the bathroom was already shut. "Ranma, I have a washcloth and towel for you," Akane called, opening the door. She saw Ranma had taken his shirt off and blushed, looking away. "Oh, sorry!"
She was about to shut the door when Ranma grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. "You have to know the real reason I came here with you," he whispered. The day you came, I got a passport to come back with you. I didn't want to ever be that far away from you again. The way you left that day, Akane," he continued, the pain raw in his voice, "I knew the moment I saw you again that we couldn't part that way again."
"Ranma. . ." Akane said, reaching up and touching his face with her hand.
"Momma?" Jina poked her head in.
Akane pushed away from Ranma, shoving the towel and washcloth into his arms, and snapped, "Jina! You know you should knock!" Then, she sighed. "There are your towels, Ranma."
"Thanks," Ranma said flatly. Another chance with Akane, ruined. He waited until the door was shut and then slipped out of his slacks and stepped into the shower.
* * *
A loud snore woke Ukyo up. She chuckled and shook Ryoga. "You dummy! You woke me up!"
"Oh, sorry, Ukyo." Ryoga opened his eyes and looked at her.
Her eyes met his. "It's fine." Then, she was silent. Finally, she sat up in bed. "I suppose I had better open the restaurant." She stood up and wrapped herself in a bathrobe. "I'm sure people are hungry."
"Ukyo? You've been acting really strangely, ever since Ranma and Akane left." Ryoga sat up in bed. "What is it?"
She sat down. "Well, I just wonder. Ryoga, I wish Ran-chan happiness, you know that. Just as you wish the same for Akane. But Akane will never admit the truth to him, and Ranma's just as stubborn. Do you think they'll ever find happiness?"
"Ranma's changed, Ukyo, much as I hate to admit it," Ryoga said. "Even if Akane doesn't admit to anything, he does love her. I think the best thing to do is let it alone and give it time."
"I suppose," Ukyo replied uncertainly. "Well, I guess we should get ready, Sugar."
* * *
"Damn that woman," Bill Richards hissed as he watched Akane leave with the pigtailed man and her daughter. 'The daughter that should be MINE, too.' His thoughts plagued him. "Well, as soon as that guy is gone, Akane Tendo, you are mine!" He had been watching that pigtailed man, and it was clear that he was a master of martial arts as well as Bill was. It was actually during one of his training trips in Japan that he had first seen Akane, and had watched her from a distance. He had studied her, picked her from the rest. A feisty, powerful woman was what he desired. Akane was that, powerful and feisty enough, but no match for William Richards. The only one he saw with Akane that possibly posed a threat to him, was that pigtailed man. That was why he had waited until he could take her alone. It took him years to track her down, and he had finally found her apartment. Unfortunately, she was gone when he first entered it. In a fit of rage, he tore the place up, which was probably not a good idea, considering the amount of attention it drew. A squad car pulled up beside his. "Good day, officer."
"You've been parked here for a long time, Sir. Are you waiting for someone?" The officer looked at him suspiciously.
Bill smiled. "I was, but it seems that they couldn't make their appointment. I will be leaving now. I am sorry to have been parked here for so long."
"It's quite all right," the cop said. "Normally, the security here wouldn't be so tight if not for that incident the other day."
"'Incident'?" Bill feigned ignorance.
The cop nodded. "Yeah, a woman's apartment was ransacked, but there are no suspects so far. And the strangest thing is that nothing was stolen. Still, it's unsettling."
"How stupid can people get?" Bill pretended to sigh. So far the cop was buying his act. "Sorry to have troubled you, officer. I don't want to get in the way of your manhunt, so I'll be leaving. I'll have to give my friend a call later. Good luck in finding the guy," he said, turning his car on.
"Good day to you, and thanks," the policeman said. After he watched Bill drive away, he picked up the radio. "No strange activity here so far," he reported.
* * *
Author's note: YAY! I'm not dead! Sorry (really I am) for the long wait. D'oh! And it wasn't even a very long chapter! Oh well, I still hope it was somewhat worth the wait. Let me know how you all liked it. Review or e-mail me (although knowing me I'll get the reviews first). I'll see y'all soon. Until next time, take care. --halliegirl
Nani- What
Arigato- Thank you
Hai- Yes
