Chapter 3
The cool water felt so nice against her skin. Akane's temperature seemed to drop some more and she felt even more at peace. She could hear someone talking outside, but couldn't understand what they were saying. She looked up at the ceiling for a moment, but didn't see ceiling tiles. Instead she saw a head of purple hair and a menacing grin.
"Rumor is true! Akane is sick. Make perfect opportunity to get rid of." Shampoo whispered. With Akane's head spinning, she couldn't react at first. Just a simple, piercing scream escaped her. Ranma burst through the door before she could finish and took in the scene.
"Ranma, you come to help Shampoo kill kitchen destroyer?" She asked. A flash of raw hatred passed Ranma's face.
"Shampoo, if you value your life, get out of here now." He said slowly. Shampoo gave him a quizzical glance.
"Ranma like Akane better than Shampoo?" Shampoo asked with a hint of hatred. Ranma blushed softly.
"No of course not. Why would I like an un-cute tomboy like her? But what kind of martial artist would attack a sick opponent. Are you really that weak? It's no wonder I beat you in China. Why I bet even Mousse could beat you if you're THAT weak." He countered. He didn't notice the single tear roll down Akane's cheek.
"He's right child, this is not the Amazon way." Came another voice from the window.
"Great grandmother, what you do here?" Shampoo asked.
"Would you really reduce yourself to winning son-in-law by cowardice?" Cologne asked. Shampoo lowered her eyes.
"You lucky this time Akane. We finish this later." She said, bounding out the door, Cologne following.
"You okay Akane?" Ranma asked, instinctively looking towards her. He was met with a wash pan to the face.
"Of course I'm okay you idiot. What's the big idea coming in here to stare at me? And if you don't like me, then why are you bothering to… to…" Her face faulted and she started to waver back and forth.
"Akane!" Ranma cried, rushing to steady her. She had become dizzy again, and would have collapsed into the water, if not for Ranma. Ranma quickly averted his gaze from her nude body. "I think it's time we got you back to bed. All this excitement has worn you out." He said, dodging a quick uppercut for his jaw.
"I'm fine. Now get out." She growled. He turned around but refused to leave.
"Get dried and dressed and I'll help you back to your room." He said calmly. He made a mental note to call Dr. Tofu about a cure for foot-in-mouth disorder. He heard her exit the tub and grab a towel. After a few moments he turned around to see her steadying herself against the sink. He walked over to her and knelt down.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" She asked. Ranma sighed.
"I'm carrying you back. You're obviously in no shape to walk back." He replied.
"Why so you can… Oh never mind. I can walk just fine." She said, making her way to the door. A few steps from the sink she started to falter and Ranma reached to support her. His hands landed in a most embarrassing place. One held her around the stomach, the other, on her right breast. Her low growling was heard just before he caught her full elbow in the chin.
"You… You… PERVERT!" She screamed. She stormed out of the bathroom and made her way to her room. Ranma stood there, his head angled sharply upward. This wasn't the first time his neck had been damaged by Akane. He recalled the time his head had been forced to the side. Dr. Tofu had cured him, that is until Kasumi paid him a visit. But that wasn't important right now. He walked slowly back to Akane's room, making sure she'd have enough time to cool down and get into bed. He was about to knock at the door when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm proud of you boy." Genma said. Ranma's pigtail stood straight up. He knew what was coming. "For you to admit your feelings for Akane like that. Tendo told me all about your little talk. You make your father so proud."
"Hey shut up will you pop? You wanna let the whole world know?" Ranma growled. Genma stood quietly.
"So you're not denying it then?" Nabiki asked, pressing the stop button on a recorder. The Saotome's turned to look at her, Ranma turning a ghostly pale.
"You just don't learn do you?" He asked, his battle aura flaring up. Nabiki shrank back a bit, but stood her ground.
"Come now Ranma. Would you really resort to hurting your dear old sister-in-law?" She asked, a smirk on her face. Ranma face-faulted and his aura faded. Genma nodded.
"Mm-Hmm. After all, with the wedding in the near future, it'll be official after all." Ranma could do nothing but look back and forth between the two making his plans of the future for him.
"Nabiki, Mr. Saotome, are you picking on Ranma again?" Kasumi asked from the stairwell. "You really should just let him be." Nabiki got a devilish grin on her face.
"Yeah 'BRO'. You should go watch over your 'WIFE' some more." She said the words with such force, that it made Ranma's gut twist even further into knots. But there didn't seem to be any resentment or malice in them. Did Nabiki actually want him in the family? Then again, she'd have a permanent cash flow from him as well as the others if he were to stay forever. He noticed that he was now alone in the hallway. He heaved a sigh then snuck inside Akane's room. It was pitch black and it took a few moments for his eyes to adjust. When they did, he saw Akane sitting on the bed, holding her knees in close. She gasped when she saw him and quickly lay down, under the covers.
"What do YOU want?" She growled. Ranma bit back the urge to lash out at her.
"Just to make sure you're alright." He said softly. The tenderness in his voice caught Akane by surprise. He usually got this way when he was concerned about his relationship with her. When Ryoga tried to take her away, or any other guy for that matter, or when he was losing her in some other way, he got quiet and distant.
"I'm fine." She finally said. Ranma had noticed the hesitation as well. Also, her tone wasn't harsh like it was just a moment ago. When she was soft and nice like this, he couldn't help but love her. He caught her eyes staring at him, just as he was staring at her. They both blushed lightly and looked down.
"Um, Akane?" Ranma finally asked. She looked up at him.
"Yes, Ranma? What is it?" She asked. Ranma's throat felt like it was choking down a gallon of molasses and couldn't speak. "Well what is it you dum…" She caught her own reaction. "I mean, what's wrong Ranma?" She slid over and patted the space beside her on the bed. Ranma tensed up even further, but managed to walk over and sit down.
"I… uh need to… tell you… something." He said slowly. He looked at her quizzical glance and his throat locked up even tighter. "I'm… kinda tired so I'm gonna go lay down for a bit." He blurted out. Before she could respond, he was out the door and heading down the steps. Akane could only sit there, stunned.
"Fine dummy. See if I care." She muttered before turning over to go back to sleep.