Hoopu
(hope)
He had laughed it off.
Ranma had looked startled for a few moments, seemingly surprised that he had said anything at all.
Then laughed and brushed it off with a flick of his hand.
Now here they were in the kitchen.
She, doing the dishes as he ate his food.
At a normal pace.
Which, to anyone who knew him, meant he was choking down the food.
As she dried the dishes every few moments she would nervously glance in his direction. Though he gave no response to her looks, she knew he knew she was watching. His muscles were tense like he was waiting for her to attack at any second.
So she might as well not keep him waiting.
"Ranma, is something wrong?"
"I'm feeling just great Kasumi! Thanks for the food! But it's late and I gotta go to school tomorrow. Night!"
And with that he jumped up and nearly ran out of the room. She waited for the thumps on the stairs to cease before she went over to the table to collect his dishes.
She stared at his plate for a few moments before she looked the direction of the door, an uncharacteristic frown on her face.
There was still food left on his plate.
Picking it up she emptied the remains into the garbage and placed the dishes into the sink. As she began to wash them, she did what was customary of her and let her mind wander. Usually she would think about the latest book she had read, or what exactly to do with the houses older male residence.
But today she pondered on the youngest one.
Something was wrong. Ranma was a terrible liar after all. The way his father had raised him, Ranma practically denied that he had any feelings. And they way those around him treated him only seemed to reinforce his belief.
But that look in his eyes. Scared and lost. Like a child separated from his mother in the busy mall.
Something was wrong. Something was happening to him. Something seemed to be breaking within him. But she didn't know what. She was well versed in the doctoring world when it concerned physical wounds. Mental wounds on the other hand…
Tomorrow she was planning on returning the book on advanced pressure points to Dr. Tofu, she could see if he had any readings on the mind. Or knew where she could get some.
Though she'd have to be careful he didn't tear up any of the books in the process. He was an odd one.
For now she would keep an eye on Ranma.
For now it was the only thing she could do…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I started this story on a whim. I have a vague idea of where it is going. But everything is being written off the top of my head with no real plans for the future. If I begin to wander into 'crazy and muck up' territory, warn me. I'll back up, hit my head on a wall a few times and hopefully get back on track.
When I was writing this chapter I suddenly remembered Ranma asking Akane if he was happy….