Chapter 14   A voice from the past

Ranma was walking home from school, looking forward to a hot shower.  As it was a typical Texas spring day, she was wearing shorts and a bright top, her long auburn hair loose, falling to the middle of her back, wearing a baseball cap, and dark sunglasses.  As she neared her apartment, she stopped, hearing the all too familiar, not to mention scary, voice of Kodachi Kuno talking to her neighbors.  As she walked up, she heard one of them say, "Here's her roommate, now, maybe she can help you."

Kodachi turned, and saw an attractive young Japanese woman, about her own height, carrying a backpack.  She said in Japanese. "Hello, my name is Kodachi Kuno, I am looking for Akane Tendo; do you know where she is?"

The young woman just smiled, and then replies in English, with a broad Texas accent, "I'm sorry, I really didn't understand you.  I recognized my roommate's name, but I don't understand much Japanese.  What were you saying?"

Kodachi looked surprised, and then replied in English, "I'm sorry, I just assumed that since you looked Japanese that you spoke our language.  My name is Kodachi Kuno, and I am looking for either Akane Tendo or Ranma Saotome.  Do you know where I might find them?"

Ranma replied "Well, I know Akane, of course, since she is my roommate.  She should be coming home in an hour or so from work.  While she mentioned Ranma several times, and has a photograph of the two of them together, I have never met him.  They keep in touch, but based on what she has told me about you, I'm pretty sure she won't be interested in helping you.  I doubt she knows where he really is at this moment, anyway.  There also is a girl named Saotome who teaches martial arts.  She calls herself Ranko, though." 'Gee,' she thought, 'everything I said was completely true.'  "Akane knows her, but I haven't met her either," she said, "I don't think she is going to be here for a while, since I know Akane is subbing for her at class for the next few weeks."

"You have been very kind, Miss," replied Kodachi, "Thanks for your assistance.  Tell Akane I look forward to seeing her again.  I haven't come all this way from Japan not to find out what I want to know.  Tell Akane I will talk to her."  She runs off, laughing, leaving her trademark black roses behind.  Ranma watched her disappear into the distance, then sighed and entered her apartment.

Akane came into the apartment, frowning slightly.  "Why are black roses scattered all over the sidewalk out front?" she asked.

"Kodachi is here.  I talked to her, but she didn't seem to recognize me.  Are you going to be able to teach my class?" Ranma asked, "I've set it up with Chris already, so he is expecting you unless we tell him otherwise."

"Sure, though you'll have to take my place at the day care center, remember?" Akane responded.

Next morning the two girls are out jogging, when into their path steps Kodachi.  "Hello, Kodachi, Rachel here said that you were in town.  You're looking good, how have you been?" Akane asked pleasantly.

Kodachi smiled at Akane and said, "Do you know where my darling Ranma is?"

"I don't think Ranma ever considered himself as your darling," replied Akane, "I'm as sure as if he was standing here himself telling me that he wouldn't be interested in seeing you.  Anyway, the boy you knew as Ranma has changed.  I doubt that you would recognize him if you saw him.  I'm sorry we can't talk more, but we have to get back."

End flashback (Back in the apartment at graduation)

Akane smirked, "Being a girl also came in handy when Kodachi finally came to see me.  She thought she could track you down through me, I suppose.  Because of the way you wore your hair, and dressed, I guess she just didn't recognize you.  So it was pretty easy to fool her.  I can't wait to see the expression on her face when we get back home."

"I had gotten used to being able to change as soon as I got home, so it was a real pain having to stay a woman even at night, not to mention what it did to our social life.  After all, we couldn't go on a date until she left, remember?" Ranma said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, Kodachi must have pestered us for almost a month before she finally left," Akane said, "Poor Ranma kept expecting her to pop up at anytime.  I don't think he got a hot bath the entire time she was here. Of course, it did have some advantages.  We got to do some fun stuff as a couple of girls out on the town, remember?  Going out to that club might have been a mistake though.  You had so many guys wanting to dance with you, I thought you'd blow a gasket," she said as she laughed, remembering that night and the expression on Ranma's face.

"Hey, tomboy, you had just as many guys chasing you that night as I recall.  I think that's why we finally danced with each other, just to run them off," Ranma said with a laugh, "Of course, I think you holding my hand, and then hugging and kissing me might have had something to do with that too."  Akane blushed as Nabiki raised her eyebrow and grinned at her sister.

Kasumi giggled, "Oh my, I hope you had a good time, though." She looked thoughtful for a second, and then continued, "Maybe the four of us girls ought to go back to that club while we are here."

"After we were finally convinced that Kodachi had left, Ranma stayed a guy for a solid month.  That actually turned out to be a pleasant time.  Fortunately, by that time, school was out so he didn't have to teach.  That's when he finally proposed to me," Akane said.

"Yeah, I knew we loved each other, so I got up enough courage," Ranma said.