As the Sun Rises

Chapter Two: Awaken

"You know you've been unconscious for more than two weeks," informed Nabiki as Ranma tried to sit up again. This time, there was just the throbbing pain of his back and torso as he sat himself half way up, supported weakly with his arms.

"Two weeks!" Somehow, he just regained his voice. Kami-sama. Two weeks! What had happened that that knocked him out for that long?

Kasumi carefully pushed him back onto the futon when she noticed how much effort it was taking him to stay upright. "We're all glad that you're feeling better now Ranma. I'll make you some miso soup as soon as you lay down and rest some more."

"Yeah my boy. We'll explain things to you later," voiced Mr. Tendo from behind Nabiki. As if that was the cue, everyone decided to leave him be and filed out of the room.

"Wait!!" he called out but was only answered with a closing door. He wanted to ask about Akane.

Ranma just lay there for a while before finally succumbing to his exhausted state and fell back to sleep.

Ranma stayed in bed for another three days before he finally felt fine enough to leave his room. All this time, he had not once seen Akane. If he was suddenly ill, wouldn't she at least visit him once to scold at him? And whenever he asked about her, they would change the subject or say that she was currently resting. At times, he had a sudden incredible urge to go see her; to see her smiling face....

... to make sure she was there for him.

The moment he left his room he immediately made his way toward Akane's room. He would be able to see her shortly. Finally, he reached the distinguishable door with the duck sign that indicate Akane's room. He stood outside her room for a bit, deciding whether to knock or just walk in.

An image of Akane kicking him and calling him pervert for going into a girl's room without knocking flashed in his mind. He grinned at that mental image. Akane will no doubt do that to him. Better to knock then get kick to Kami knows where, especially since he just gotten better.

Hesitantly, his hand came up to knock. Before he was able to give one sound knock, he was pulled hastily away by his father and Mr. Tendo. The next thing he knew, he was downstairs and seated at the living room table.

"Ranma! Shouldn't you be in bed?" asked his pop who suddenly pop up in his line of view. Mr. Tendo, standing behind him, shook his head hurriedly in agreement.

Ranma stared at them oddly. Both fathers were acting unusual. "I'm fine!" And as he spoke, he headed toward the stairs. Without warning, his father suddenly attacked him, catching him off guard and managed to blow a sound punch at his jaw. The impact sent him back into the room and out into the yard.

"Shit! That hurt. Waddya do that for old man!!" He cursed as he picked himself off the grass. His body had certainly regained all its strength otherwise he would not have dodged his father's next punch at his side. He still felt a little rusty with his reflexes but it was enough to dodge most of his father's punches and kicks.

Annoyed with his father, he watched for an opening. The moment he spotted it, he swung his arm with enough force behind it send his father right into the koi pond. An oversized panda emerged a minute later growling.

Breathing heavily now, Ranma settled himself on the warm, sun-soaked grass and watch as his father shook vigorously to get the water off then went back inside the house, supposedly to get some hot water. It looked like he hadn't completely recovered as he expected. Tiredly, he got up and went back inside. He paused momentarily to look up at Akane's closed window, wondering if she was ok.

Undated: Sept. 15, 2004