Note: Disclaimer in first chapter
Yes, as many have likely caught on to, I have messed with the timeline. Taro has made his entrance way before Happosai's. So, let me also touch upon other timeline issues before lucky chapter 13.
Ranma has defeated many enemies, and has gone through much at Nerima. Since, I don't describe his special moves in the upcoming fight, I'll skip the specifics. I imagine his fighting skill to be much like the middle of the series. Chestnut Fist and all that.
One more important note, Ranma, Akane, and Ukyou are in senior grade. Which may explain why I haven't mention Kuno, but I'll have to rewrite any of my mistakes with Nabiki.
Thanks for reading, Enjoy!
Chapter 13
Ukyou hopped rooftop to rooftop. She had started to take the high road after her trip to China. The streets were full of watery peril. There were leftover puddles, water hydrants and people aimlessly watering their plants. The roofs dried quickly in the sun. Unfortunately, there was no cover from any rain.
About a block away from school, Ukyou started to descend to the street level. The school had a pretty good size plot of land, thus there was no building next to the school. She gripped her combat spatula tighter for the descent. She didn't use it for balance, it was a shield from the water. Ukyou joined her classmates on the sidewalk, outside the school gate.
Perhaps if Ranma used a weapon, an umbrella or something, he wouldn't show up at school in female form so often. But Ranma's art was based on making the human body a weapon, not using one.
There was a crowd of girls gathered around a column of the school's stone fence. It was odd, because usually they met each other inside the school grounds in various groups on the way to the front door. Curious at what they were looking at, Ukyou strolled to the group. Something must have got their attention before they entered school grounds.
It was a poster. Ukyou strained to look at it, since the girls weren't making it easy for her to push in to see it. They were excitedly talking about outfits and who should try for it.
One of the girls noticed Ukyou's attempts to see the poster. "It's a beauty contest." The girl stated tersely, before returning to her friend's conversation.
"Ah, Arigato." That explained the girls' interest and the boys' disinterest. It was times like these, that Ukyou's masquerade hurt her. It separated her further from her gender. Ukyou watched as more girls were called over to the group and welcomed. She rarely bothered worrying about belonging to any group at school. Ukyou followed some of her classmate boys into the school grounds. They were scoffing and laughing over the girl's interest in the poster. Ukyou refused to acknowledge it, after all the boys would be just as interested in the contest, as an audience. She promised herself to find a poster to read the details, later.
It was likely that the other fiancées would take this opportunity to show off to Ranma. It would likely turn the contest upside down, but that sort of event in Nerima was commonplace.
"Anyone said they were going to tryout, while you were over there, Ukyou?" Nabiki asked interrupting Ukyou's thoughts. Even though not a student any more, Nabiki "volunteered" to the school and was often among the students in the morning.
"Hi Nabiki. No one said so, but Rikku and Yuna were already discussing the perfect ballroom dress."
Nabiki nodded, "They have the capital to pull it off. If the contest isn't held in Nerima."
A stampede of high school boys stormed to the front gates. Ukyou and Nabiki barely gave them a glance. The screams and yelps of pain confirmed it; Akane arrived at school.
"Akane and Ranma are here." Ukyou stated the obvious.
"All that for a date for my sister." Nabiki shrugged. "By the way, I heard you have collected a harem yourself. Trying to make Ranma jealous?"
Startled, Ukyou turned to Nabiki. "What are you talking about?" Konatsu still dressed as a girl. Ryoga… well one guy around didn't equal a whole harem!
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "You have Ryoga at your restaurant. And a Chinese fellow… Taro met with me. He asked all sorts of questions, especially about Ranma's fiancées."
Ukyou went pale. "Nabiki. Taro challenged Ranma to a fight at the park for Friday night. You didn't…"
Nabiki shook her head. "It explains why he was asking. But, he didn't ask about Ranma's abilities in fighting."
The bell rang signaling the start of the school day.
Later that afternoon after school, Akane approached the dojo doors and opened them. Nostalgia came over Akane, this was where many of her dreams were born and existed.
Akane began stretching, warming her muscles up for her workout. In her dreams, she was going to be the first teacher in her art in a generation. She would have rows of dedicated students. She would be respected by others and honored by her family.
Unfortunately time and events negated those early dreams. Gone, were the days Akane was considered a talented martial artist. If someone asked a random classmate at school, her name would barely be mentioned after Ranma, Ukyou, Ryoga, Shampoo, Mousse, Kuno, and Kodachi's. Some people even forgot Akane knew anything about the art. In spite of the fact that there was a school fight every morning with her defeating the persistent boys that still believed they only had to defeat her to win a date. She tried to ignore the insult of such forgetfulness. It meant she was underestimated.
Akane scoffed at that thought, moving over to her free weights. Being underestimated did not aid or comfort her at all. There was no acknowledgement for it, until you proved to be underestimated. Akane sighed.
It was times like these, when her self-doubt came out that she missed P-chan. It was relieving to pretend with Ryoga. There was comfort in knowing he really was intelligent and could understand. It was one of the reasons she didn't confront Ryoga. She appreciated the friendship he offered.
Akane setup the cement blocks and balanced a piece of wood on them. Unknown to her, the dojo's doors behind her opened. A tall shadowy human figure slipped in.
Akane studied the wood deep in thought about where to exactly to hit it and her internal thoughts. She was supposed to be safe in the dojo, no one would enter outside of the family, or Ranma. Akane adjusted her stance and controlled her breath. Exhaling she cried, "Hai- Yah!" and slammed her fist into the wood. The wood broke in half under the assault.
Satisfied, Akane straighten. The figure darted forward. Hearing the rush of fabric, Akane turned to see a fist inches from her face. It knocked her out.