Disclaimer: All characters and places are the property of the one and only Rumiko Takahashi. Except for the original characters and places, that is.

Author's Notes: Well, I guess this chapter took a longer time to get completed. Friday was a busy day for me, so I didn't get the chance to update. Well, any honest or constructive criticisms are welcome, as per usual, and please review as much as possible!

It's Gonna Rain

A Ranma ½ Fan-fiction

Part II: Lightning

The absence of Kuonji Ukyo in class the next day confirmed that something was wrong. Tendou Akane, the acclaimed "uncute" fiancée of Saotome Ranma (He had said that of her himself), oblivious of certain matters (like the fact that her pet-pig P-chan was in fact Hibiki Ryoga) as she was, couldn't fail to notice that something was eerily just not right.

The first thing that had triggered this thought was the fact that Ranma had been awake and was eating breakfast far before her, a first ever since he and his father, Saotome Genma, had started living in the Tendou Dojo. Normally, she would be the first to awaken and be forced upon the menial task to wake up the over-sleeping Ranma, being Ranma's fiancée and all. But now, she was later than Ranma, the most outstanding in the house for laziness.

It was then when she knew immediately something was wrong. The somber and quiet expression on his face was further proof of the fact. He didn't eat any less enthusiastically, as was to be expected of someone like him, but he was unusually quiet for once, and didn't seem in the mood for talking. He still fought with Genma for food, but with much less enthusiasm and much less noise. Even Genma caught on after awhile, and didn't bother him anymore after some time.

She was very curious, and wanted to find out whatever Ranma was hiding, but as Ranma wasn't willing to say anything, she had no choice either. When the time came for them to go to school, Ranma didn't make a fuss, but quietly followed her out of the house, still lost in thought, not even walking the fence like he used to.

At that point, she couldn't really stand it anymore. Why was Ranma acting so strangely? Action, she decided, had to be taken soon.

"Ranma!"

He stopped for a moment, to look at her. "Whazza'matter. Akane?"

She turned around and jabbed him in the chest, catching him by surprise. "You're the problem, that's what, Ranma! You've been acting so weirdly all morning! Care to tell me anything, jerk?"

He scowled at the word 'jerk'.

"Now why should there be anything wrong with me?" He replied derisively. "Uncute!"

There went all curiosity. Akane glared at him, bag in hand, ready to slam it on him.

"Dammit, Ranma, you DUMMY! Jerk! Dumb-ass!" She ranted, aiming the bag at him as he strolled off, easily avoiding every blow, a wide grin on his face.

Akane, in her rage, didn't note that he seemed a lot more cheerful than a few moments ago. She also totally forgot about all the questions she wanted to ask about his brooding behaviour.

Those questions, however, returned when class started and Kuonji Ukyo was noted absent. She stole a glance at Ranma, and found no surprise in finding that his brooding expression was back on. As she guessed, Ukyo's absence was probably the cause of Ranma's behaviour.

That's to be expected, she reminded herself sharply. After all, Ranma definitely likes Ukyo better than he does you! Anyway, why should you even care that a jerk like Ranma wouldn't like you as much as either Shampoo or Ukyo?

Forcing down the deep wells of slight resentment and jealousy, she started trying to concentrate on her lessons. But the image of Ranma's brooding expression refused to get out of her head.

"Hi-yaaaaah!"

A battle-cry rose in Shampoo as she charged towards her opponent, a tall slim girl who wasn't much older than her. She guessed that the girl was probably eighteen or nineteen, with a good build and shapely frame. Quite her rival in looks, but considering the situation now, why should Shampoo even bother, when her pride and honour was at stake, and winning the fight was all that mattered at the moment?

The girl smiled the briefest of smiles, and sped towards in Shampoo with speed rivaling hers, much to Shampoo's dismay. In fact, if truth was to be told, this girl was actually much faster than her. But Shampoo was of the Amazon tribe, and the women of the tribe had a lot of pride. So, Shampoo would sooner jump down the throats of hungry snakes than admit defeat.

Summoning all her strength, Shampoo aimed for the girl's chest. The blow was parried as the other spun around, kicking the weapon with such force that it flew out of Shampoo's hand. Both landed onto the ground neatly, Shampoo seething with rage that her attack had failed, the other with calm confidence.

"That level of skill is horrible. You aren't meant for fighting at all."

Shampoo felt as though physically slapped in the face. Fighting was one thing she prided herself on, and to have her fighting skills goaded on by the older girl was too much for her already bruised ego. Even Akane and the Spatula Girl were weaker than that girl.

"What you talking? I never give up, while I still have pride of Amazon tribe in me! Talk yourself!"

Spinning her weapon expertly in her hand, she launched a battle cry and launched into a series of powerful strikes. The other dodged every single one of them, still with that merest trace of smiles on her face. It was as if the other girl thought that it was a game, and Shampoo hated it.

For one, this girl herself had asked for a battle just as Shampoo was going to return to the Cat Restaurant after a delivery, and now she was treating it like a game! This was just heaping insult upon injury, and Shampoo wasn't used to feeling such insult.

"I warn you, I not going down easily. I use best move against you!"

Shampoo got into the stance of her best move. The other girl merely watched, but with careful, piercing eyes, as if formulating a plan to defeat the move.

"YAAA!!"

Shampoo attacked expertly, using her weapons as a shield around the girl to distract her while she managed to get behind. Instead, she found the weapons which were aimed towards the other girl at all directions being thrown in her face with alarming speed. Without even a second to react, the impact of the shattering blow caused her to smash into the ground.

"I won."

Shampoo gritted her teeth, but could summon no strength to even get up, no matter how determined she was too. She was blazingly angry now. The Kiss of Death would be the perfect revenge, but she could not even lift a finger, let alone administer the Kiss. Blurrily, she saw the girl's face in front of her, smirking slightly, before walking off. Leaving her on the ground, defeated.

Shampoo lay on the ground, exhausted. You aren't going to get off with this, she swore. Not ever.

A distance away, Shoken Koname stared into the sky and sighed wearily. All these fights were not as challenging as she had thought. The Spatula Girl from last night and the Chinese girl just now were rumoured to be one of the three strongest female fighters that ever were. And she had defeated two of them easily.

Never mind, there was always the last girl to look forward to. And if the girl proved no challenge, then she would gladly turn towards the male martial artists. She definitely had heard of their prowess.

Tendou Akane, you will be my next opponent.

Lunch period came. Ranma gobbled up his lunch, though without much enthusiasm. For once, he wasn't joining in the persistent chatter of his two closest friends, no matter how much they tried to make him to. The pressing problem of the mysterious female attacker still weighed on his mind, especially if his hunch about this girl challenging Akane came true.

Because if that happens, Akane will never defeat her. Ranma thought darkly. And I don't want that to happen. Akane getting defeated, I mean.

He sneaked a glance at Akane, currently chatting unconcernedly with her friends. He hoped that she never would come across whoever that girl was. That girl seemed almost too powerful, and, by the looks of it, merciless too.

But that uncute girl is too stubborn for her own good, he thought, poking a rice-ball in his mouth. He felt thoroughly depressed and worried, feelings he wasn't used to. Not at all.

Sighing, he looked down at his empty lunch-box. Yet another depressing matter on his hands.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the day's lessons. Akane breezily packed up, unwanted books in her arms ready to go into her locker, momentarily forgetting about her worries about Ranma.

"Ranma, are you going to the lockers yet?" She asked cheerfully.

"Not yet," She heard his familiar voice reply. "Go on ahead, I'll catch up. Got some stuff to take care of."

Akane rolled her eyes. Ranma probably had to meet another teacher again. His unconcerned attitude about his work caused his grades to slip down pretty badly, but he was still as happy-go-lucky as ever. Just getting a pass was good enough for him, something Akane would never comprehend.

She walked towards the locker rooms, and absently opened her locker. A slip of paper flew out, apparently stuffed between the vents of her locker. Stowing and locking her books in the locker, she looked at the piece of paper – and gasped.

It was a challenge letter.

Well, she thought after reading, if this person is really desperate, then I'll fight him.

She made her way towards the training field, barely acknowledging anyone in her way. Her mind was whirling with suspicions. Just who was this person?

Finally stepping into the field, she saw a girl, cross-armed, in the center of the field. Noticing her presence, the girl looked up – and smiled.

"Tendou Akane, you're here," Shoken Koname greeted.

Author's Notes: Wow, long chapter! I've been slaving away at this for a long time now. Does it sound too cliché? I hope not! And my dislike for battle scenes still hasn't faded. Ah, well.

a: Wow, thanks for your comments! I really can't believe you think it's interesting... Because me, as the author, don't really think so. Hehe

Zero the Death Shadow: Really? I'm really glad you think so highly of my fic! And this is a Ranma/Akane pairing fic, seeing as I am a strong believer of that pairing But things between them aren't going to show up now, though.

Yokai Cesia and Chi: Thanks a lot for your comments again! Can't tell you how much I appreciate them!

Gundum M: I'm glad you think it's good! Thanks a million!