Ukyo stared straight into Ryoga's nervous face as he gulped.
"Start spilling," she ordered.
"Really. I don't know anything," he stammered out.
"Oh? Really? Why is it I don't believe you Ryoga?" she pulled out her spatula, "Either you squeal like the pig you are or I am gonna squeal to Akane about your little secret."
"You wouldn't?" Ryoga gasped.
"Oh I would" she reassured him, "Now start talking Hibiki."
"Okay. Okay I'll tell you. But you're not going to like it."
"I don't care. I want to know what's wrong with him."
"It all has to do with Akane actually."
"Akane? What about her?" Ukyo asked her eyes wide.
"Ranma's concerned about her. He's convinced that she's not herself. Everything he's been doing is just a way to make her mad at him."
"Well I knew that Akane was acting kind of strange" Ukyo said lowering her weapon, "But I had no idea that. I don't get it."
"It's simple" Ryoga replied with a huff, "Akane's been doing things that are unlike her. According to Ranma of course" he said not admitting to himself that some of the things he had seen quite baffled him as well.
"Such as?"
"Well in his words. She's an excellent cook now. She has no interest in martial arts whatsoever, and it seems that now she's only interested in becoming a bride."
"Bride? Akane? What is she thinking?" Ukyo replied suddenly angry, gripping tightly onto her spatula.
"Well that's just it" Ryoga said nervously as he saw her expression, "She's not herself. At least Ranma thinks so."
"That doesn't sound like Akane at all. And Ranma is trying to do what exactly?"
"Apparently he's trying to make her mad. You know bring the old Akane back?"
"What's that got to do with being a girl?"
"I'm not sure of what he's thinking as far as that goes. Except that" Ryoga stopped as he realized what he was saying, "Forget it," he said quickly glancing away terrified.
"Except what?"
"Forget it. I forgot what I was going to say."
"No you didn't" she replied grabbing his left ear, "Now spill."
"Ow! Ow! Okay. Okay! I think Ranma's in love with her!" he blurted out.
Ukyo let go of his ear abruptly and backed away stunned. "What?"
"Ow" Ryoga said caressing his injured ear, "Not that he would ever admit that. I think that's why he's doing it. I think that he's decided that if she is not the Akane he remembers then he doesn't want to be" Ryoga stopped again.
"What? What Ryoga?" she begged.
"Ranma's decided to be a girl forever. To forgo all he believed in. Including the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. Becoming a girl was his last attempt to bring her back, but he failed.
"Oh Ranma honey" Ukyo said sadly, "But wait a minute Ryoga. Doesn't this upset you? You love Akane right?"
"I do love Akane. In fact Ranma gave me permission to marry her if I wanted to. He gave me permission and I feel guilty. You know why?"
Ukyo shook her head.
"Me neither. I'm an idiot. I mean I hate Ranma. I hate him with every fiber of my being. But something stops me from truly" he paused, "I don't know what it is?"
"Maybe you don't hate him as much as you think?" she suggested.
"I don't think that's it. It's just I've never seen him look so depressed. I have known him for almost six years now. I mean he is really depressed. I don't even see him smile any more. It's sad really."
"Ranma" Ukyo sighed, "Go ahead and eat up" she replied, "In fact" she walked back behind the counter placing the spatula back on her back, "I'll give you another helping for all your trouble."
"Thanks" Ryoga nodded appreciatively as he continued to eat, "I wonder why I care anyway?" he thought as he put another chopstick full into his mouth, "I am supposed to hate him. But for some reason. I don't this time. I envy him sure. But why don't I hate him. After everything he did to me. I just don't have the heart to go after him right now. No heart at all" he sighed.
(Next Scene)
Ranma walked into the Tendo home quietly. This time the only person who greeted her was Akane, who was sitting at the table in the sitting room.
"Ranma!" she called as she approached the steps.
Ranma walked into the sitting room and saw her turn off the television.
"I've been waiting for you to get back."
"Oh?"
"Yea. I wanted to talk to you."
"What about?"
"Well if you're really serious about being a girl, like I said I am all for it. But I was wondering if you could do something for me?"
"What is it?"
"Do you think that for just one day. One last time I could see you as a boy?"
"What?" Ranma's hopes rose a little.
"I just want one day Ranma. That's all I ask of you. One more day before you give up your manhood forever."
"Is it possible?" Ranma thought, "That I have finally gotten through to her? That it's not too late?" she paused and then spoke, "Well I don't know."
"Please Ranma. It would mean a lot to me. And besides it's perfect. Tomorrow is Saturday."
"Well" Ranma said hesitating slightly, "Well okay. If you really want me to. I'll be a guy for one more day" she nodded.
"Good" Akane sighed in relief but thought sneakily in her head, "Trust me Ranma. You won't want to be a girl after tomorrow night."
"After tomorrow" Ranma thought, "I am going to try one last time. After that I can't take it. I don't want to even think about it. The truth is I can't stand the fact of being around her like this. I'll leave. I'll go away. Even if I don't finish high school. It would be better not to finish high school with her anyway" she thought bitterly.
(Next Scene)
The next morning Ranma woke bright and early before anyone else and quickly showered. Then he walked out of the house to go for a morning run. But the truth was he stayed away from the house for most of the day. Around two in the afternoon, he was sitting under a large tree in the park contemplating his situation. For some reason he just couldn't face Akane for fear of disappointment. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't notice as two people approached him.
"Ranma honey" Ukyo replied when she saw him.
"Ranma!" Shampoo shouted gleefully flinging herself into his arms and wrapping her own around his neck.
"Ah! Shampoo! Let me go!"
"Oh Ranma. You fool stupid spatula girl into believing you stay girl. Shampoo too. But you real man after all Ranma!"
"Let go I said" he scrambled from her grasp and coughed, "Sheesh."
"But Ranma" Ukyo said.
"What?"
"I thought you were going to be a girl from now on?"
"That what you told Shampoo too" they knelt down to him.
"I am. But I decided for one last day to be a guy. One last time you know."
"In that case Ranma" Shampoo replied grabbing his arm, "We go right now" she lifted him off the ground.
"Where are we going?" he asked confused.
"Ranma and Shampoo get married."
"What?" he looked at her as if she were nuts.
"Oh no you don't!" Ukyo shouted standing up.
"It perfect timing. Ranma decide to be a girl. So Shampoo marry him when he boy. Then he change mind."
"I don't think so" Ukyo grabbed his other arm, "He's not going anywhere with you."
"You have no say spatula girl!"
"Oh yea!"
"Hey knock it off!" Ranma shouted wrenching his arms from both of them, "I'm not marrying anyone."
"It's okay Ranma" Shampoo replied, "You know great-grandmother already approve."
"It's not that. I have no intention on marrying anybody."
"Not even Akane?" Ukyo replied bitterly.
"Huh?" he looked straight at her, "What are you talking about?"
"Ranma I know why you've been acting so strange lately. I know why you decided to be a girl."
"How could you possibly?" he started to say but then suddenly became angry as he thought, "Ryoga" he clenched his teeth, "That blabber mouth. I'll kill him!" he turned his back, "It's not what you think."
"It isn't?"
"No. I'm trying to bring back the old Akane that's all. I want her to be mad at me."
"Mad?" Shampoo said surprised.
"Yea. Mad enough to hit me with that large hammer of hers."
"Well then if that's all" Ukyo replied, "Then why don't you let me help you. I can help you get Akane angry at you again."
"Shampoo too. We bring back violent Akane."
"Uh thanks but I don't want your help" he said awkwardly, "I kind of want to do this on my own."
"But Ranma. We could help."
"Yes. Shampoo ready."
"I said. I don't want your help" he repeated quite angrily with his shoulders scrunched up, "Who's fault do you think this is anyway?"
"What?" the girls said together surprised at the anger in his voice.
"Of all the people that I would ask for help in this situation, you two are the last. I gotta go. It's getting late."
"Ranma" Shampoo said sadly as he left.
"Ranma honey."
"What you do Ukyo?" Shampoo demanded turning to her with an angry frown.
"Me. I thought he was angry at you" Ukyo retorted.
"He sound so mad.
"I think" Ukyo said with a sad sigh, "He has every right to be. We really messed up" she referred to the ruined wedding."
"It was your idea" Shampoo shot back.
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"All right that does it Amazon Queen. Let's bring it on. It's obvious you want a fight."
"Shampoo happy to oblige" she replied taking out her weapons as Ukyo removed the spatula and they began to fight.
(Next Scene)
Ryoga walked past them without even noticing, because he was looking at his map. He walked aimlessly around the city for a half an hour, looking for any sign of any recognition of the place.
"Let's see" he thought out loud, "I've got to be in Hokkaido by now."
"Hello there Ryoga" Ranma replied.
"Huh?" Ryoga looked up, "Ranma? Why do I hear his voice?" he glanced around in front of him but he couldn't see him.
"Up here you dummy!" he called.
Ryoga looked up stunned at the boy sitting on the fence.
"Ranma. What are you doing in Hokkaido?"
"You never left town you idiot" Ranma said jumping down, "Besides your map is upside down. I'm glad that you're here because I got a few bones to pick with you. Tell me pork breath, just how did Ukyo find out about my little problem?" he crossed his arms furiously.
Ryoga chuckled nervously. "So you found out about that huh?"
"You're a dead man" Ranma thrust his fist forward, "You want to settle the score, well here you go buddy!"
"Ranma" Ryoga said holding up his hands, "Cut it out. This isn't like you."
"It's like me today. I trusted you. I took you into my confidence and look how you repay me. Did you tell her that I said I love you to Akane too?"
"Well no. But I did tell her my suspicions that you might be in love with her" he blocked another attack, "What's gotten into you Ranma. This is not like you. This is what I usually do."
"I got to take my frustration out on somebody" he kicked forward and Ryoga jumped back, dropping his bag, "Hold still."
"It wasn't my fault. She grabbed my ear and started pulling. She threatened me with her spatula. I had no choice" Ranma stopped punching completely out of breath.
Ryoga tried to catch his breath leaning against the fence with his right hand. "Incidentally why are you in your guy form anyway?"
"Uh" Ranma's angry frown suddenly turned into a sad one, "Akane asked me to be a guy one last day. I'm doing this for her."
"Then what are you doing out here? Besides taking all of your frustrations outon me. A very Un-Ranma thing to do. It's usually the other way around."
"I know. I'm sorry man. I don't know" Ranma sighed sitting down on a nearby bench, "I guess I can't face her."
"Ranma" Ryoga said in his lecturing tone.
"Don't start on me again Ryoga" Ranma huffed.
"I'm not going to. But I just have one last question."
"What is it?"
"I thought about this while I was traveling" Ryoga said sitting down next to him but then noticed Ranma's left eyebrow raise sarcastically, "Okay. I thought about this while I was lost. My question is this" he took out a water bottle out of his bag, after he had dragged it over towards him, "If you could choose right now, between Akane and this" he held it up, "Which would you pick?"
"Uh Ryoga" Ranma interrupted, "That's a water bottle."
"I know that. But pretend it isn't just any ordinary water bottle. Pretend this bottle contains a special kind of water. The kind of water you have been searching for half your life. I'm talking about the Spring of Drowned Man. What if in this bottle, this ordinary bottle contained that? Which would you choose?"
"Does it contain that?" Ranma asked curiously.
"No. But if it did. Which would you pick? Akane or the water?" he held up once more.
"Well which would you pick?" Ranma asked exasperated.
"The answer is easy for me. I asked myself the same question before also. On one of my journeys. I'd always pick Akane. But the question is, what about you? What choice would you make?"
"Ryoga" Ranma said standing up, "Don't ask me that."
"Answer the question."
"I can't. Because there's already an answer. An obvious one. One I made to myself a long time ago. I know in my heart what I would choose. I don't need to reveal it to you. I'd rather keep it to myself. Because I know, that's enough" Ranma replied getting up, "I have to get home anyway. I've been gone all day. I have to face Akane some time. And it's getting late" he said looking at the sunset and walking out of the area.
"Ranma" Ryoga replied standing up, "What is your choice? Why couldn't you tell me?"
(Next Scene)
When Ranma arrived home he was surprised that there wasn't a single light on in the house as he opened the door.
"Pop!" he called, "Mr. Tendo! Anybody home?"
"In here Ranma!" Akane called from the sitting room.
"Akane" he replied as he entered the room, "Where is everybody?" he asked slowly as he saw how the table was decorated with two candles, two plates, just for the sake of description two of everything.
"They went out to eat. But I told them I wanted to stay in tonight. You know just the two of us?"
"The two of us?" he raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Yea I made dinner."
"Oh okay" he sat down a little confused, "Akane I wanted to talk to you about something" he began but then he noticed her outfit, "What are you wearing?"
"It's a new dress do you like it?" she asked she smoothed out the lavender low cut dress, "I went shopping today since you weren't here."
"Yea it's nice" he gulped at the silkiness of it, "But I thought you hated purple" he managed to squeak out.
"Well it's not exactly purple, it's lavender," she emphasized.
"It's a shade of purple though and you always told me it's not your color" then he thought, "Not too mention you never wear anything so provocative."
"Well I think it looks pretty good. Don't you?" she added sweetly.
"Uh. Well if you think so. But it's kind of" he couldn't quite say it.
"Kind of what?"
"You know, girly" he picked the best word he could think of.
"Well I am a girl aren't I Ranma?" she said as she began to serve him.
"Yes but usually you prefer darker colors" and then he thought, "And an outfit that covers your whole chest."
"Well I decided on something a little lighter this time" she replied with a smile and then looked over at the door, "Oh P-Chan" she exclaimed as he came waddling over, "And I thought everyone was out of the house."
"Yea" Ranma mumbled angrily, "Imagine that."
"Well" she replied picking the pig up, "He can just sit over here" she placed him by the doors that led out to the backyard, "Be a good pig now" she said without petting him the head.
"Aren't you going to let the little porker eat with us?" Ranma asked as she came back over, P-Chan seething at his rudeness, "I mean you usually let him sit on your lap."
"Don't be silly Ranma. Tonight is just us," she said lighting the candles.
"Right. What are you doing?" he asked nervously.
"Lighting the candles. It's a little dark in here."
"I'll turn on the light," he said starting to get up but she pulled him back down a little roughly.
"Nope. I think this is much better. Leave them."
"Okay. Whatever you say," he said even more nervous as she moved closer to him.
"Precisely. Now say ahh!" she held up her chopsticks.
"I can feed myself" he replied pushing her hand away.
"Nonsense. Open up."
"All right" he said giving in and opening his mouth, "Mmm. It's good" he nodded, "But I can do it myself now."
"If you insist" Akane agreed while he nearby P-Chan squealed angrily at the scene, "You know Ranma, since you mentioned it before. I need to talk to you too."
"Oh?" he put down his chopsticks.
"But you tell me what you were going to say first."
"No. No. You tell me. Really" he shook his head.
"Well now that we're alone Ranma, I wanted to discuss something with you."
"Mhm" he nodded taking another bite of food.
"I really think that you should reconsider your whole decision" he voice took on a different tone, "About becoming a girl permanently I mean."
"Really?" he said hopefully, "I mean I don't think so" he shook his head remembering to stick to his guns.
"I think you should. You might regret it."
"No I won't."
"No seriously" she looked at him with a dangerous look in her eyes, "You will regret it."
Ranma gulped. "Uh what do you mean?"
"I mean" she moved closer that he was backing off by his rear end, "I really don't think it's a good idea. I think you should agree with me," she said edging her way seductively toward him."
"Uh Akane it's not" he began.
"Ranma. Look at me."
Ranma stared directly into her eyes.
"It would be a huge mistake" she took his face in her hands, "And if I were you I would get the notion out of my head."
"Uh Akane" he removed her hands from his face, "What's gotten into you? You're not usually like this. Even if you have changed."
"Nothing. Except I am tired of people getting in the way. People like Ukyo and Shampoo. I've had enough. And I've decided I am not going to take it anymore" she grabbed his shoulders roughly and pushed him to the floor, making the muscles twinge from slight pain.
"Ow!"
"Now you're going to listen to me Ranma. You are going to forget all about this silly idea about being a girl forever. Because I won't have it."
"Akane" he began to protest but she pushed him down again as fast as he had tried to rise, making his shoulders hurt even more, "Ow!"
"You're gonna forget it. I did not put myself through all these changes for nothing. You got it" she pressed her face closer to his.
"Uh huh" he nodded weakly as P-Chan's ears perked up quite frightened and he ran to the bathroom.
"Now I hope I have made myself clear. It's done."
"Right" he nodded fervently, "Finished."
"We're home!" Kasumi called through the door interrupting them,
Akane frowned but then turned to him once more. "Suddenly dinner doesn't seem like such a good idea. But I've made my point perfectly clear" she replied through clenched teeth, "Right Ranma?"
"Perfectly" he sputtered out.
Akane let go of his shoulders and they fell limp at his sides. She blew out the candles and turned on the lights. "Thank you again for a wonderful evening Ranma" she smiled, "And for making the right choice" she added.
"No problem" Ranma said with a half of a wince and a smile.
She departed from the room and his smile faded away to reveal the frown that he had been hiding. He angrily stood up and he continued to frown as he headed toward the dojo, wincing from the pain in his shoulders.
(Next Scene)
It was here that Ryoga found him, sitting forlornly near the front of the dojo, staring at the wall, the frown still on his face. He shook his head as he walked over.
"You were right Ranma. Akane is acting strange."
"That wasn't Akane" Ranma spat out.
"Huh?"
"There is no way in hell that that was Akane Tendo. She's not that strong. She practically broke my shoulders."
"Really?" Ryoga said touching the left one.
Ow! That hurts!" Ranma screamed.
"Sorry" Ryoga backed off.
"Ryoga. I know now for certain that I have been right all along. That isn't Akane."
"But if that isn't Akane, then where is she?"
"I don't know" Ranma shook his head with a determined look, "But you'll be damned sure that I am gonna find out."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay here's the second one of the week.
Note One: Explanations for Choices in Story:
In regards to Ryoga's sudden change in behavior towards Ranma, since this seems to be an issue with not only this story but my Fruits Basket one as well, I just wanted to tell you how I see the situation to make it more clear for you. I know usually that Ranma and Ryoga, and Yuki and Kyo are supposed to hate each other. They're not supposed to get along. But my theory is that, that won't always be the case and this is why. As the years go by, petty arguments that existed between these two couple of rivals will change. As they get older, the fighting seems a mute point. They are becoming more mature, more accepting and even though it's not the typical character of them, I think and I noticed even in the series that Ryoga and Ranma have their touchy feely moments too. I believe that just like Yuki and Kyo that the rivalry will always be there, but it's not completely impossible, as they get older, for them to change how they feel in some way. Ryoga and Ranma do care for each other. Maybe they are not best friends, but they are certainly friends, that much is clear. Anyway I just wanted to clear that up for those of you who are confused, I know I would be too if I was reading a Ranma story also. This is just my take on what could happen in the future. Don't take it seriously. I mean none of us know except for Rumiko Takahashi of course how the story really ends right?
Note Two: If you are still a little confused about what I said regarding Ukyo and Ryoga, what I meant was, I saw them as a cute couple because of the way they worked together during the fighting off the spirits. That's all.
Okay enough of my babbling. Onto the next chapter! See you all later!
Next Chapter: Back to the Drawing Board
Ranma has discovered the truth, so along with Ukyo, Ryoga, and Shampoo he sets out to find the real Akane. But what they discover leads Ranma all the way back to his first discovery of the little pink book. Find out what happens next time!
