Chapter Three: Little Pink Book

Ranma sat in silence as he sat in the tree. His arms were crossed and his eyebrows were furrowed as he concentrated. For the past few weeks Akane's cooking had improved more and more every night, and not only that, there were other things. Things that made him quite certain that something weird did happen to her.

(Flashback)

It all started that afternoon she had given him the choice of going to Ukyo's or Shampoos. He had decided to go to the Nekohatten, so she smiled and led the way. Like always when they arrived Shampoo had been all over him. But Akane continued to smile. She didn't pull out her mallet at all to whack him like she always did. Instead she had ordered their meal politely and remained calm.

And then there wasthe other night. He had left the dinner table after slowly eating her delicious meal and sighing. He walked upstairs and changed so he could go work out. He went into the dojo and began practicing, working out all the frustration from trying to figure what happened to his un-cute fiancée. As he was taking a break, his sweat dripping off his brow, Akane came into the dojo a towel in her hand.

"Ranma" she called as she walked over.

"Akane?" he said surprised, "Did you come in to work out too?"

"No of course not" she giggled, "Why would I do something like that?"

"Huh?" he stared at her his blue eyes practically popping out of his head, "Now I know you must be joking."

"What do you mean Ranma?" she asked innocently.

"Akane" he scratched the back of his head, "Don't you like martial arts?"

"Well" she replied, "I thought about it, and I realized what would be the point of me learning martial arts."

"What?"

"I mean we already have a good enough martial artist for the dojo. You" she said as she began to wipe his brow with the towel.

"Well that's true, yes but how could you give up something you love?" he replied nervously as he brushed the towel to the side.

"It's not that big of a deal. I can find other things to be interested in."

"Other things?"

"Yea. Like cooking for one. And maybe flower arranging, learning how to keep a house things like that."

"She sounds like me when I bumped my head on that rock in the pond" Ranma thought, "Wait a minute that's it!"

"Akane" Ranma said quickly, "I know I probably have asked this about a million times already but are you sure you did not bump your head that day. On anything."

"You know" she replied a little irritated but still smiling, "Why does everyone keep asking me that. I'm fine. People change you know. It's not a crime."

"I know but, I can't believe that you would give up something you love as much as martial arts for this" he said in general.

"What can I say Ranma" she smiled as she continued to wipe his brow, "I found something better."

(Back)

"I don't get it" Ranma thought as he leaned back on the trunk with his hands behind his head, "The real Akane would never give up on martial arts for things like flower arranging. What does she mean she found something better? What could be better than martial arts?" he sighed and sat up, "I need to get to the bottom of this. I don't know why this bothers me so much? I wish I knew" he jumped down out of the tree, "I guess I'm gonna have to be straight with her" he began to walk back home, "One way or the other I need to find the answer or this is going to drive me crazy forever."

(Next Scene)

Ranma walked into the door very cautiously that afternoon. Lately since Akane had changed he found himself being trounced by his father and Mr. Tendo happily cheering him on and saying how much he should pop the question once more. Ranma shook his head in relief as he climbed the steps. He walked down the hall, took a deep breath, and knocked on her door.

"Akane!" he called, "Are you there? I'm coming in" he turned the doorknob and entered the room, "Akane?" he said as he looked in, "Darn, she's not in here" he sighed, "Man. How am I going to get to the bottom of this now?" he was about to close the door and leave when he saw the small book on her desk, "Huh?" he walked over to the desk and picked up the pink book, "What's this?" he looked at the front cover and read the title, "The Every woman's Guide to becoming the perfect bride. Huh?" his eyes became wide, "What is Akane doing with something like this?"

"Ranma" Akane said from behind him.

"Ah!" he jumped back a bit startled, "Akane?"

"What are you doing in here?"

"Huh? I uh, well I uh" he replied nervously, "What am I supposed to say?" he thought, "That I was snooping in her room."

"Oh I see you found my book," she said with a smile and her hands behind his back, "Isn't it cute?"

"What? Oh yea cute" he nodded not sure what to say, "Akane what are you doing with something like this?"

"What's wrong with it Ranma?" she asked.

"Uh well, I'm just wondering why all of a sudden you're interested in well, stuff like you know, uh" he stammered.

"Well" she said as she gently took the book from him, "I think every girl should know this stuff. It's a really good book too, I'm learning so much."

"Are you?" he replied in shock now and then he shook his head out of it, "Wait a minute" he thought, "I'm getting off the track here. Focus stupid" he paused and then spoke, "Akane I want to know."

"Yes Ranma?" she looked at him lovingly.

"Well um, about the book. Oh" he realized, "When did you get that book?"

"Oh this" she replied, "Well I think it was three weeks ago. On that day when I finally got my recipe right. Do you remember that?"

"That's the day when you got it? Are you sure?"

"Yea" she nodded, "I'm positive."

"Where did you get it at?"

"You know that cute little book store by the temple? They had them all on sale so I bought myself a copy. They're really popular with all the girls. Ranma?" she looked at him confused since he was in deep thought.

"This might be my answer. It would certainly explain why she is acting like a wife then her normal self. I think I'll stop by that little book store myself tomorrow after school and see for myself."

"Ranma?" Akane said bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay? You suddenly got quiet. And I thought you needed something from me."

"Uh yea" he grinned, "I just wanted to know if you were going to make another one of those delicious meals of yours tonight."

"Of course Ranma" she smiled happily, "I'll make you as much as you want. Is that all?"

"Uh huh" he nodded, "Well I'd better go now" he chuckled nervously as he left.

"Okay. Well I will see you at dinner."

"Right" he agreed with a nod and then thought, "Phew! That was close."

From her room Nabiki watched as Ranma departed the hall and headed downstairs. She leaned against her doorpost and a smile spread across her lips.

"Hmm? He's up to something. And it's up to me to find out what" she walked back into her room and closed the door.

(Next Scene)

After school the next day Ranma hurried to the bookstore as fast as he could. When he arrived he entered in and began to look for the small pink book immediately.

"May I help you sir?" a salesman asked him.

"Huh?" Ranma said, "Well I."

"Are you looking for something in particular?"

"I uh. Um."

"Yes."

"Forget it!" Ranma replied in a rush as he dashed out the door.

"Okay! Come again!"

Ranma stopped at a nearby octopus puff cart. He grimaced as he thought out loud.

"There is no way I can ask for that little pink book as a guy. It's too embarrassing. Well" he sighed as he pulled a small bottle out of his backpack and ducked into a back alley, "Only way to do it then" he poured the cold water over his head, "Ah!" he screamed in his girl form, "It's cold!"

This time Ranma walked cautiously into the bookstore and looked around. The same salesman was now behind the register. When he saw Ranma looking around her hecalled for a younger salesman to help her. Two came over.

"Can we help you miss?" they asked her eagerly.

"Uh" she replied, "I'm looking for a."

"Yes?" one said.

"Just name it. We can help you find anything," the other said.

"Well I. I'm looking for a book on a" she replied nervously, "A little pink book" she blurted out.

"Oh you mean the one on marriage" they both blushed, "Yes we have that one."

"How cute" the other said, "She's looking for the one on marriage" he replied as the other got the small book and handed it to her.

"Is this the one?" he asked.

"Uh yes. This is it. Thank you."

"Our pleasure!" they said together and then they walked over with her to the cash register, "You can pay right here."

"Uh thank you" Ranma repeated.

"Will that be all miss?" the head salesman replied.

"Uh yes" she nodded, "Thank you so much" she walked quickly to the door and exited.

"She's so cute" one of the salesman said.

"I wonder who the lucky guy is?" the other one wondered.

(Next Scene)

"Okay" Ranma thought as she walked home, "Operation Plan A: Part One executed. Now all I have to do is look in this book. But I am going to have to do it somewhere where no one can see me. Well might as well head to the park. If I'm in my girl form I won't be bothered. I hope."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey guys! Long time no see! Well here's chapter three. I hope you enjoyed it and I will see you guys later. Remember I am trying to finish my other fan fiction first so, I will finish this one later!

Next Chapter: Ranma's Plan A

With the little pink book Ranma is going to test his theory on Shampoo and Ukyo. Will he discover if the book is the reason for Akane's sudden change? Keep reading to find out!